Jul 17 (DM) SL has recorded a notable rise in HIV infections among young people aged between 15 and 24, with health authorities also reporting a steady increase in several sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in recent years. HIV infections among the 15-24 age group increased from just 13 cases in 2010 to 107 cases in 2025. The highest number of infections was reported in 2024 with 115 cases, while 107 cases were recorded last year. more..

Jul 17 (EN) Sri Lanka plans four development projects in Kandy to ease traffic congestion and city infrastructure, Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development announced in a press release. The projects will be centred around the Getambe Flyover, Mahaiyawa Underpass, William Gopallawa Mawatha, and Louis Peiris Mawatha. The Central Province Development Programme will implement the project. Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena and Minister K.D Lal Kantha, more..

Jul 17 (Island) Municipal operations in Kandy ground to a halt yesterday after the storekeeper in charge of the Kandy Municipal Council’s (KMC) fuel depot went on leave without handing over the keys to the premises. Situation escalated into a period of tension as official vehicles, including those assigned for essential dengue control and waste management operations, were left without access to fuel. Upon discovering that the fuel depot was locked, municipal staff attempted to contact the storekeeper more..

Jul 17 (AD) Public Health Inspectors' (PHI) Union of SL has announced that legal action will be taken against individuals who sell smokeless tobacco leaves alongside betel quids. Acting President of the PHI Union, Upul Rohana, made this statement while addressing the media today. He said the law would be enforced in accordance with the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, No. 27 of 2006. Rohana pointed out that, under the First Schedule of the Gazette notification issued in Sept 2016, more..

Jul 17 (EN) The George Keyt Foundation in partnership with the British High Commission in Colombo will present 19th Century Views of Ceylon, a landmark exhibition showcasing a rare collection of historic artworks by renowned British artists. The exhibition will be held from July 30 to Aug 1, 2026, at Westminster House, the residence of the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. The event marks the first time that Westminster House will host a public art exhibition. more..

Jul 17 (EN) In a swift policy move on July 10, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake gazetted an immediate prohibition on the importation of any goods wholly or partially produced using forced labour. This decision came directly in response to pressure from the US, which threatened to impose a 12.5% tariff on SL exports under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974. The new regulation requires importers to provide certified documentation proving compliance to SL Customs. more..

Jul 17 (AD) Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that while keeping companion animals has become an important part of our culture, protecting the lives and welfare of street animals is a shared responsibility of all. PM made these remarks today while attending the inauguration ceremony of PET EXPO 2026, being held at the BMICH, as the Chief Guest. The exhibition was organised by the Association of Companion Animal Practitioners of SL (ACAPSL). more..

Jul 17 (NW) The case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa was taken up again today (17) before the Colombo High Court. The hearing was conducted before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga. Under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses. Appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa was President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, who also crossexamined the witnesses. Appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa more..

Jul 17 (NW) Manjot Kalra, a former India Under-19 World Cup-winning cricketer and co-owner of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings, has been arrested by Sri Lanka Police over an alleged match-fixing approach made to a player. The arrest was carried out by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports on Thursday night, just hours before the opening match of the 2026 LPL season. more..

Jul 17 (Island) Western Provincial Council and the Mosvold Martinus Foundation (MMF) have signed a MoU to implement an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programme aimed at improving preschool education standards in the province. Under the initiative, 500 preschool teachers will be supported to pursue diploma courses offered by the National Institute of Education (NIE) or the Open University of SL, while 1,000 teachers will receive training in play-based learning methods. more..

Jul 17 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered the further remand of Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapaksha, SJB Horana organiser Charitha Abeysinghe, and former Civil Aviation Authority Airport Director Varushahennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga until July 28. The case relates to allegations that the suspects solicited and accepted a bribe of Rs. 120 million from the wife of an organised criminal in return for facilitating assistance to him. more..

Jul 17 (FT) For generations, discussions about Sri Lanka’s future have focused on economic policy, foreign investment, debt restructuring, taxation, political reform, and constitutional change. These are all essential matters. Yet one of the nation’s greatest strategic assets is often overlooked, not because it lacks importance, but because it has too often been viewed only through the narrow lens of religion rather than as the very foundation of Sri Lanka’s civilisation. more..

Jul 17 (FT) It has now been nearly two weeks since my note on the farmers’ protests was published. (Peasants in Revolt: A step towards a new mode of agriculture, Daily FT, June 26). During these two weeks, we have witnessed farmers’ protests in almost every small town across the North Central Province, the Eastern Province, Kurunegala District and Giruwa Pattu. Farmers burned effigies of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Agriculture. They smashed coconuts in ritual protest in nearby devala, more..

Jul 17 (AD) It has been reported that former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne has been found dead and is suspected to have committed suicide. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his residence in Athurugiriya. C.D. Wickramaratne, who served in the SL Police for more than 30 years, was the country's 35th IGP. Prior to his appointment as IGP, Wickramaratne served as Senior DIG for Southern Province. more..

Jul 17 (DM) Irrigation Dept has urged farmers and the public to use irrigation and drinking water carefully as Sri Lanka faces a higher risk of drought and rising temperatures due to the expected El Niño weather pattern. Director of the Water Management Division H.M.P.S.D. Herath said that the total water storage in the country’s 80 major reservoirs currently stands at around 48%. He said the available water is expected to be sufficient for the ongoing Yala cultivation season, more..

Jul 17 (FT) NPP Govt is targeting its first sovereign credit rating upgrade since the debt crisis, with Treasury officials telling the CoPF they expect the country’s rating to improve to B- by early 2027 as fiscal reforms and debt reduction continue. Officials said discussions were underway with the three major international credit rating agencies, which are reviewing SL’s recent macroeconomic and fiscal performance. Officials confirmed SL’s current sovereign rating is CCC+ and said more..

Jul 17 (TM) Despite SL's Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) indicating that the first set of gambling regulations would be published by 30 June, Authority now looks forward to presenting the draft regulations later in 2026, GRA Chairperson informed the COPF. “The authority did not expect full operationalisation until 30 Nov 2026 but rather that regulatory activities would commence in phases with a first set of regulations more..

Jul 17 (Island) Following the death of a 75-year-old woman who owned a large estate at Kiribathkumbura in the Daulugala Police Division, a dispute has arisen among four parties claiming her remains. Inquirer into Sudden Deaths Senaka Karunaratne has ordered that the body not be released to anyone until a court order is obtained, as none of the four parties who came forward to perform the final rites could legally establish their claims. The deceased had been living for more..

Jul 17 (DM) Turkiye has offered the sale of military drones to Sri Lanka, and a technical team is expected to arrive here soon for a presentation, an official said yesterday. Addressing a seminar, Turkish Ambassador Dr.Semih Lutfu Turgut said that his country was planning for enhancement of bilateral relations with Sri Lanka encompassing all spheres. He said a technical team would come to Sri Lanka soon to make a presentation on drones manufactured in his country. more..

Jul 17 (Island) Ambeon Securities recently hosted an exclusive investor forum, bringing together clients, investors, business leaders, and market professionals for an insightful discussion on SL’s economic outlook and investment opportunities amidst a challenging global landscape. The event was organized with the objective of providing investors with valuable insights to make better-informed investment decisions while further strengthening the firm’s engagement with its more..

Jul 17 (DN) India Under-19s took a first-innings lead in their drawn four-day cricket fixture against SL Under-19s at Galle yesterday. India Under-19s made 576 all out in reply to SL Under-19s’ first-innings total of 424 for 9 declared. At the close of play yesterday, SL Under-19s, in their second innings, had reached 178 for 6 declared as the match ended in a draw. Both teams’ batters dominated proceedings on the Galle wicket, with the two sides scoring a combined 1,178 runs during the match, more..

Jul 17 (FT) The Govt has stepped up plans to accelerate strategic energy infrastructure projects ahead of the Budget 2027, with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewing a pipeline of electricity transmission, renewable energy, and petroleum storage investments while directing officials to transform Delft, Analaitivu & Nainativu into Green Energy Islands. At a pre-Budget review of the Energy Ministry yesterday, Prez assessed more..

Jul 17 (NW) The United States has announced new visa regulations that will impose fixed periods of stay for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists, replacing the current duration of status system. Under a final rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), F visas for international students, J visas for exchange visitors and I visas for foreign media will no longer remain valid for the duration of a programme or employment. more..

Jul 17 (ST) The govt should adopt realistic strategies when fixing prices for paddy, Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies, has said. He was speaking at the reopening of Lanka Tractors showroom in Colombo this week. Marking the return of one of Sri Lanka’s most recognised agricultural machinery companies, Lanka Tractors reopened its original showroom in Colombo 11 and launched the ACE Tractor brand in the country. Located at 343, Olcott Mawatha, more..

Jul 17 (DN) Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education recently discussed and approved the final Report of the Committee appointed to make recommendations for the establishment of an Education Council in SL, which had been endorsed by the Sub-Committee on the Establishment of an Education Council. The approval was granted at the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Edu and Vocational Edu more..

Jul 17 (FT) Business tycoon-turned-philanthropist Nahil Wijesuriya has donated Rs. 100 million towards the Nalanda Sports Arena, the second phase of the school’s Centenary Project. Nalanda College Old Boys’ Association (NCOBA) said: “His generous contribution marks a landmark milestone for the Nalanda Centenary Project and will significantly support the development of the Nalanda Sports Arena.” Wijesuriya has previously donated Rs. 3 bil to Trinity College Kandy, Rs. 1 bil to more..

Jul 17 (FT) Treasury officials on Tuesday signalled that SL’s next phase of IMF-backed fiscal reforms will shift from raising taxes to modernising tax administration, with officials revealing that a Medium-Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS) is being prepared to improve compliance, broaden the tax base, and support growth without increasing tax rates. Appearing before the CoPF, Treasury officials said the strategy is more..

Jul 17 (ST) Attorney General has instructed the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau (FIB) to submit documents and other information that can confirm the legal ownership of the building belonging to trade union National Workers’ Congress, where Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and another individual named Cyril Ananda, have been listed as the lessors in the case involving the alleged fraudulent leasing of the said building through a forged deed. The case relates to the fraud of more..

Jul 17 (ST) Sri Lanka recorded an increase in reported grave crimes during the first five months of 2026, with May registering the highest number of incidents, while the number of cases solved by police declined steadily. According to latest monthly crime statistics, reported grave crimes rose from 3,999 cases in January to 4,355 cases in May, despite a temporary dip in February. The figures indicate that February recorded the lowest number of reported grave crimes, with 3,327 cases, more..

Jul 17 (ST) The fate of the 138-year-old Bogambara prison building is once again at a crossroads, with the Prison Dept deciding to repossess it after the structure — long regarded as an eyesore in the heart of culturally significant Kandy — was handed over to the UDA in 2014 for redevelopment. On Friday evening Prison Officers headed by a Superintendent moved into Bogambara Prisons to assess the situation of the complex, more..

Jul 17 (FT) India’s apex technology industry body, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) yesterday launched its flagship Disha Mentorship Program in Sri Lanka, marking the first international expansion of the initiative and signalling a new phase in India–Sri Lanka technology collaboration focused on scaling technology small and medium enterprise (SMEs) through structured mentorship and cross-border partnerships. more..

Jul 17 (NW) The Commonwealth Games Association of SL (CGA SL) on Wednesday officially unveiled Team SL for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with a 40-member athlete contingent set to compete across seven sports. The announcement was made at a press conference at Olympic House in Colombo attended by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage and British HC Andrew Patrick. SL contingent comprises 27 male and 13 female athletes, supported by more..