Jul 18 (NW) Sri Lanka Customs has warned of a growing trend of narcotics being smuggled into the country through international postal packages, saying traffickers are increasingly using small consignments to evade detection. Customs Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said Customs had carried out four drug detection operations at BIA and nine raids involving postal parcels during June 2026, resulting in the seizure of a combined 83.2 kilograms of narcotics in total. more..

Jul 18 (NF) Gampaha High Court yesterday sentenced five people, including a mother, father, and their two sons, to death for breaking into a house in Attanagalla, fatally attacking a man with a sharp weapon, and seriously injuring three others. Verdict was delivered by Gampaha Presiding Judge Rashmi Singappuli. The five individuals sentenced to death were residents of Welagedara, Attanagalla. The charges state that on the night of October 31, 2001, they unlawfully entered a house more..

Jul 18 (DN) SL’s top junior divers Vinudi Kankanamge and Ruel Wickramaratne will lead a 10-member team at the 12th Asian Age Group Diving Championships in Thailand from July 16 to 20. Sixteen-year-old Vinudi, the reigning national champion from Visakha Vidyalaya, brings valuable international experience after competing at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships. She has also won medals at the BIMSTEC Aquatics Championships, Singapore National Diving Championships more..

Jul 18 (DN) Experienced leg-spinner Inoka Ranaweera and wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani have been recalled to Sri Lanka’s Women’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match home series against Pakistan, which will begin on July 23 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. Both players missed selection for the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad, but Women’s Selection Committee Chairman Hemanth Devapriya said they were brought back for the 50-over format. more..

Jul 18 (Island) The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the NDCU. The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07%, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak. Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. more..

Jul 18 (ST) The Negombo Prison riot, which led to 29 deaths of inmates and prison officers and left more than 100 injured, exposed serious shortcomings in SL’s prison system. Senior lawyers and prisoner welfare groups said overcrowding is the main reason for the unrest. Negombo Prison riot occurred on Sunday evening, with two inmates being killed. Acting Commissioner General of Prisons, Prasad Hemantha Kumara, said two groups clashed and it was related to drugs and more..

Jul 18 (ST) Showing the way how not to make natural dengue, difficult dengue, Dr. LakKumar Fernando says it is important to differentiate between Dengue Fever (DF) and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF). They are two different clinical conditions from the beginning of the illness, though they look very similar on the first two days. However badly-managed, DF will never become DHF, he says. According to him, some causes of deaths in DHF could be due to improper Fluid Therapy by more..

Jul 18 (FT) US and SL have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral commercial relations and maritime security cooperation during a meeting between senior officials in Washington. The discussion took place during a courtesy call by SL’s Ambassador to the US, Mahinda Samarasinghe, on US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison M. Hooker, during which the ambassador presented the book Enduring Friendship, highlighting key milestones in 250 years of diplomatic relations more..

Jul 18 (EN) Sri Lanka-based property development company, Excello Developers has launched its newest residential landmark, Aathavan by Excello, at Carron Place in Dehiwala. Starting from 38 million rupees, the development offers apartments with long-term investment value, the company said. “At Excello, our design philosophy is all about ‘Elevated Living,’ which means more than just luxury looks,” said Subash Thavarajasingam, Founder and CEO of Excello Developers. more..

Jul 18 (FT) The Colombo stock market failed to sustain an early trading rally and ended the week in red with turnover hitting a 65-week low. During the week, the ASPI was down 1.7% or 360.56 points and the active S&P SL20 was down 1.3% or 77.78 points. Yesterday, the ASPI ended down 0.20% or 42.16% at 21,405.41 with 128 counters ending in red against 66 in green. The top contributors to the ASPI decline were LOLC, JKH, CARG, PKME and NDB. The S&P SL20 fell 0.09% or 5.31 points to 5,999.68. more..

Jul 18 (FT) SL Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) is gearing up to host the first international gem and jewellery exhibition of the year as FACETS Sri Lanka 2027 opens on 4 January. Now in its 34th year, the showcase promises relevance in an ever-changing global marketplace by capitalising on SL’s varied craftsmanship that aligns with its distinct heritage. “FACETS 2027 represents the very best of SL,” said SLGJA President Akram Cassim at a press conference more..

Jul 18 (ST) SL’s hotels are facing a risk of a shortage of adequate staff as most of the trained staff is continuing to travel to potentially higher paying jobs outside of the country. With hoteliers faced with less trained workforce to run operations, they are compelled to hire unskilled people to be trained at a cost to the hotels and who eventually leave elsewhere for better jobs, former Hotels Association President M. Shanthikumar said. According to the ILO in a 2021 study more..

Jul 18 (FT) SL’s credit recovery is facing its first major test as higher interest rates begin to filter through the economy, with KPMG warning that future lending momentum will determine whether the post-crisis expansion can sustain its pace even as external balances are set to improve. In its July 2026 SL Macroeconomic Outlook, the professional services firm said forthcoming credit data will be a key indicator of the economy’s underlying strength after the Central Bank’s 100 basis point policy rate more..

Jul 18 (FT) The resilience of SL’s financial system can no longer be measured by capital, liquidity and profitability alone, with policymakers and financial institutions needing to adapt to an era where geopolitical tensions, climate risks, cyber threats and technological disruption have become permanent features of the operating environment, CB Deputy Governor K.G.P. Sirikumara said. Delivering the keynote address at the SL Economic Association (SLEA) more..

Jul 18 (FT) Reinforcing its longstanding commitment to community development and inclusive social progress, the David Pieris Group is set to launch its Social Empowerment Drive – Batticaloa, a comprehensive five-day community outreach initiative, from 15 to 19 July 2026. The program will be centred at the David Pieris Motor Company (DPMC) land on Trincomalee Road, Batticaloa, with selected activities taking place at other locations across the city. Designed as a holistic community empowerment initiative, more..

Jul 18 (FT) SL’s High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, Dharshana M. Perera, appreciated the continued cooperation and support extended by the Federation of Malaysian SL Organisations (FOMSO) and emphasised the importance of further strengthening engagement with SL-origin communities in Malaysia, particularly in tourism promotion, and cultural cooperation. The FOMSO delegation was led by its President, Dato’ Yogeswaran, and included Lokaraja, Magendran, Sandhidevi and other EXCO members. more..

Jul 18 (FT) With the objective of strengthening the cooperation between Myanmar and SL in gemstones, jewellery, tourism, and investment, the CEO and Gemologist of the Nojili Group of Companies in SL and Japan, L.A.D. Palitha has successfully completed a business development visit to Myanmar from 11–17 June 2026. Embassy of SL in Yangon facilitated this visit. The Nojili Group of Companies is active in the international gemstone and jewellery trade, as well as eco-tourism development, more..

Jul 18 (FT) As SL’s apparel industry targets an ambitious $8 billion in exports by 2030, the region’s premier trade platforms return to accelerate this growth. The Intex – The Premier International Textile Sourcing Show and the co-located InMac – Smart Technology and Innovation in Gar-Tex Machinery will be held from 5 to 7 Aug at the BMICH, Colombo, uniting global textile sourcing and garment technology under one roof. Hosting over 300 international companies from over 15 countries more..

Jul 18 (CT) A country’s historical heritage constitutes its living human foundation. Only a limited number of countries worldwide possess such archaeological and historical heritage. Sri Lanka can indisputably be recognised as a unique nation, boasting a historical legacy spanning tens of thousands of years. We have evolved through a succession of historical eras characterised by levels of technology and scientific advancement that surpass even those of Western nations. more..

Jul 18 (DM) SL’s plantation sector has long been the backbone of the rural economy, generating employment, foreign exchange, environmental services, and livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of families. Tea, rubber, coconut, cinnamon, oil palm, coffee, cocoa, spices, and numerous perennial crops continue to contribute significantly to national development. However, a silent biological threat is emerging globally and has the potential to create severe economic consequences more..

Jul 18 (FT) After nearly four years of strengthening bilateral relations, outgoing Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff leaves optimistic about SL’s future. Having witnessed SL’s recovery from one of its worst economic crises, Thesleff believes the island nation has demonstrated remarkable resilience and is increasingly winning the confidence of international investors. In this exclusive interview, he discusses why Swedish companies continue to expand their presence in Sri Lanka, more..

Jul 18 (Island) When a serious crime occurs, the public often sees police officers, detectives, and court proceedings. However, behind every successful criminal investigation lies another group of professionals who rarely appear in the spotlight—forensic scientists. Working quietly in laboratories, they use science to uncover the truth and provide evidence that helps ensure justice is served. Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge to legal investigations. more..

Jul 18 (FT) Rare Earths mining in coastal Sri Lanka lays bare capitalism at its most predatory form. Mining lobbies, both domestic and int'l, are capitalising on the country’s debt distress to push commercial extraction of heavy mineral sands (HMS) from public beaches. In doing so, they not only exploit the country’s vulnerability but also undermine the right to development that working people in the global south have been advocating for years. By instrumentalising the desperation of the Govt, more..

Jul 18 (CT) The MV X-Press Pearl disaster, which occurred in May 2021 off the coast of Colombo, remains one of the worst maritime environmental disasters in SL history. Plastic pellets floating in the sea, burning oil polluting the air, oil slicks destroying the pristine beaches, and the disaster of the sinking ship caused serious damage to SL’s environment. As of June 2026, the situation has moved from the immediate crisis of the fire and sinking into a long-term legal more..

Jul 18 (TM) We are currently navigating an extraordinary economic paradox. On paper, the macroeconomic indicators paint a picture of resilience and hard-won recovery. The first quarter of 2026 recorded a strong growth rate of 5.1%, industrial production is picking up, and the country is systematically moving away from the dark days of default. Yet, walk into the boardroom of any software company in Colombo, pace the corridors of a State hospital, or speak to the dean of a national university, more..

Jul 18 (Island) US Prez Donald Trump has accused China of interfering in the 2020 US prez election and alleged shocking vulnerabilities in American voting systems. Speaking from the White House on Thursday, he repeated unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and foreign meddling in the 2020 election, which he lost. Trump claimed he had declassified hundreds of intelligence files which supported his claim that Beijing tried to sway the election in his rival, Joe Biden’s favour. more..

Jul 18 (DN) When thinking of the Colombo Literary Festival, your biggest and most urgent question is not whether you should attend or not. It is what to do! The festival is jam packed with exciting events. Taking place from 24th to 29th of July at the Independence Arcade Premises, it will be glorious! Why do I use that word? Just think of a cultural event that features Intellectual Dialogues & Panel Discussions, a Book Exhibition, more..

Jul 18 (TM) Govt Analyst’s (GA) Dept’s history spans more than a century and is closely tied to the development of forensic science and public health in the country. The GA’s Department’s origin dates to September 1904, when British scientist, Professor Kenneth Browning, was appointed as the first GA. At the time, the GA’s office operated as part of the Ceylon Medical College. Before 1904, chemical and forensic analysis was carried out by medical officers in addition to their regular duties. more..

Jul 18 (DN) Nature is something that is truly magnificent. And when nature and man’s creative faculties come together, his engines of innovation, what you have is a destination that people describe in different ways depending on how they respond to the spell cast on them by the destination. The spell has a lot to do with the unique atmosphere, culture, or beauty of a destination. Daily News visited Cinnamon Bentota Beach, with a group of travelers, and experienced more..

Jul 17 (DM) Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has launched a five-year programme to make the Kataragama sacred city, sacred site and the surrounding areas of the Menik Ganga a plastic-free zone by 2030. Polythene Free Sacred Zone - 2030 programme was launched in parallel with the 2026 Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya Perahera, with the aim of reducing plastic pollution caused by pilgrims and visitors throughout the year. Thousands of devotees visit Kataragama annually, more..

Jul 17 (NW) Sri Lanka Police today issued an official statement confirming the death of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne, who sustained gunshot injuries at his residence in Parakrama Road, Thalahena, within the Malabe Police Division, early this morning. Police said Wickramaratne was admitted to the Eastern Colombo Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Malabe Police Station has commenced investigations into the incident. more..