Jul 7 (TM) At least 26 people, including seven Prison officers and 19 inmates, were killed yesterday after fresh violence erupted inside the Negombo Prison, just a day after an earlier clash had claimed two lives, bringing the death toll from two days of unrest to 27. Nearly 100 people were injured and admitted to the Negombo General Hospital. Eight of the seriously injured were later transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo for specialised treatment. more..

Jul 7 (TM) Several hospitals across the Western Province have reached the maximum capacity due to the sharp rise in dengue patients, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU). Acting NDCU Director said the rapid increase in cases has placed severe pressure on hospitals, making it increasingly difficult to provide adequate care for patients. He warned that if the number of infections continues to rise, the dengue-related death toll is also likely to increase proportionately. more..

Jul 7 (AD) Security forces have now brought the unrest at Negombo Prison under control. A large number of Police and STF personnel have been deployed to maintain security at the prison. However, female inmates continue to stage a protest,Prisons Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake said. He stated this speaking to the media after inspecting the prison last night. Meanwhile, 20 individuals who sustained serious injuries in the prison clashes have been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital more..

Jul 7 (DM) Sri Lanka is preparing for significant weather fluctuations in the coming months as a rapidly developing El Niño is expected to reduce rainfall and raise temperatures in the short term, while potentially bringing above-normal rainfall later in the year, officials said. Environmental Minister Dhammika Patabandi said a special committee appointed on June 22 has been tasked with coordinating national preparedness for the anticipated impacts of El Niño. more..

Jul 7 (DM) A warehouse in Peliyagoda belonging to a major sugar importer was raided yesterday after authorities uncovered an alleged operation to repackage expired sugar and release it to the market at lower prices. The joint raid was carried out by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Task Force following intelligence received by the task force regarding a large warehouse complex in Peliyagoda, Kelaniya, in the Gampaha District. more..

Jul 7 (Island) SL’s drive towards cleaner and cheaper electricity gathered fresh momentum with the reported rapid progress in the 50 MW Mannar Wind Power Project, which is expected to produce the lowest-cost wind-generated electricity in the country’s history while saving billions of rupees in annual fuel imports. Ministry of Energy announced that the first wind turbine for the project had already arrived in the country, while the remaining turbine components have reached the Port of Trincomalee more..

Jul 7 (FT) National Sales Average (NSA) of tea declined in June, but increased marginally during the first half of 2026, according to Forbes & Walker Research. The NSA for the month was Rs. 1,153.49 ($ 3.45), down Rs. 31.07 and $ 0.20 from May’s average of Rs. 1,184.56 ($ 3.65). Compared with June 2025, however, NSA increased by Rs. 50.22 from Rs. 1,103.27, although the US dollar equivalent declined by $ 0.23 year-on-year (YoY) from $ 3.68. The cumulative NSA for the first six months of 2026 more..

Jul 7 (Island) Six-time champions Sri Lanka are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to regain the Asian Netball Championship title when they travel to Hong Kong next month. Asia’s premier netball tournament will be held from August 7 to 16 at the Kai Tak Sports Park. As part of their preparations, the selected SL squad is currently engaged in a four-leg Netball Exposure Series against New Zealand’s Lincoln University team. The visitors won the opening leg in Galle, more..

Jul 7 (FT) The deadly clashes that erupted inside Negombo Prison on Sunday and continued into yesterday, killing 26 people and injuring more than 100 others, have renewed calls for authorities to address longstanding structural problems, including severe overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and acute staff shortages, that have increasingly threatened the security of SL’s prison system. The unrest, which initially broke out between two groups of inmates on Sunday more..

Jul 7 (DN) Opener Dimantha Mahavithana scored a superb unbeaten knock of 155 while left arm paceman Gimhan Mendis had a fine figures of 5 for 41 as SL under 19s recorded 8 wickets win with 2 overs to spare in their 2nd one day game against India under 19 yesterday. SL U-19s lost the first one dayer at this same venue on Saturday by 4 wickets but home team led by Vimath Dinsara fought back strongly to level the series 1-1. The third and final series decider will be played at the same venue on July 9. more..

Jul 7 (NW) All rice mill owners have agreed in principle to purchase paddy at the Govt’s guaranteed prices, with discussions continuing on measures needed to support the programme, Minister of Trade, Wasantha Samarasinghe said. Speaking to the media after a meeting with rice mill owners, Samarasinghe said the discussions focused on the practical issues involved in purchasing Nadu paddy at Rs. 120 per kilogram, Samba at Rs. 130 and Keeri Samba at Rs. 140. more..

Jul 7 (CI) SL rolled the momentum they had built in the latter half of the second session to roll over the final two West Indies wickets, to take a 50-run first innings lead. By stumps, they had extended that to 142 for the loss of two wickets after Shai Hope and Justin Greaves had earlier taken their fifth-wicket stand to 242, the latter making 180, to keep the hosts in the contests. At the crease by the close were Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal, on a fairly brisk third wicket stand of 60 off 72. more..

Jul 7 (ST) The govt is rushing to dispose of half of its 120,000 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy stocks stored in Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) warehouses to purchase the fresh Yala harvest directly from farmers, a senior official said. Agriculture Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickramasinghe said that 60,000 MT of paddy stocks will be released to the market as farmers begin harvesting the Yala season crop. Unlike in the past, the government revived abandoned PMB warehouses to store paddy stock. more..

Jul 7 (FT) The inaugural ceremony of Badhu Shakthi 2026 National Tax Week, a year-long initiative aimed at strengthening State revenue generation and fostering a culture of voluntary tax compliance, was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Organised by the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Unit of the Presidential Secretariat, the program seeks to transform public perceptions of taxation more..

Jul 7 (FT) The CoPF last week pressed the Central Bank (CBSL) over whether the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework is becoming more expansive than necessary, with lawmakers questioning whether successive legal amendments risk extending regulatory powers beyond what is required to meet international standards. The discussion took place as the Committee considered several Bills and regulations aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s compliance more..

Jul 7 (FT) Sri Lanka could benefit from easing inflation across the Eurozone through lower fuel import costs, softer imported inflation, and reduced pressure on the rupee, Frontier Research said yesterday, as cooling energy prices strengthen expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) will leave interest rates unchanged later this month. The research firm said Eurozone headline inflation slowed to 2.8% in June from 3.2% in May, while core inflation eased to 2.4% from 2.6%, defying more..

Jul 7 (ST) SL govt’s plan to integrate the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) under a unified, tripartite structure has triggered resistance from trade unions, reviving a decades-long battle over the control of the country’s largest worker safety nets. Tripartite National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) met on Thursday and agreed to request the Labour Minister to submit the relevant proposal for discussion at the next council meeting. more..

Jul 7 (FT) The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) recently concluded its 97th AGM at the BMICH. At this general meeting, Board of Trustees and Council Members representing different employer groups were appointed for the financial year 2026/27. Outgoing Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody expressed his appreciation to the Council, members, and the EFC Secretariat for the invaluable support extended to him throughout his tenure. Commercial Bank CEO Sanath Manatunge was appointed the new EFC Chairman, more..

Jul 7 (FT) EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe yesterday clarified that the proposed 12.5% tariff announced by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is not a new tariff, but relates to the same reciprocal tariff process that has been under negotiation with the US. Wijesinghe explained that SL was initially subjected to a 44% tariff when reciprocal tariffs were announced on 2 April. Following several rounds of discussions with the US authorities, the rate was successively reduced to 30%, more..

Jul 7 (FT) The Body Shop, the iconic British-born ethical beauty brand, recently welcomed UK Trade Envoy to SL Lord Hannett of Everton to its store at One Galle Face (OGF) Mall during his official visit to the country. The visit underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations with SL, while highlighting the contributions of UK brands to the local economy. Lord Hannett, accompanied by UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia Jaya Choraria and more..

Jul 7 (FT) Melco Resorts and Entertainment, a globally recognised leader in luxury integrated resorts, continues to redefine destination hospitality through a portfolio that spans Asia and Europe. With six landmark integrated resorts across Macau, Manila, Cyprus and Colombo, Melco has built a reputation for world-class design, exceptional service, elevated dining and immersive entertainment experiences. For SL travellers and regional audiences, this global legacy now has a home in Colombo more..

Jul 7 (FT) Sri Lanka is set to significantly broaden its money laundering laws by expanding the range of conduct covered under the offence, strengthening investigators’ powers and making wilful tax evasion a predicate offence for money laundering. CB officials told the CoPF that amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act are intended both to improve compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and to address practical shortcomings more..

Jul 7 (Island) SL is witnessing the dismantling of the culture of impunity that dominated public life for decades. This is happening through the courts, police investigations and legal process. It is not an easy task and requires strong leadership as it is generating strong resistance. The ongoing revelations about the nexus between politicians, including those at the highest levels, and criminal networks show that the govt’s electoral mandate with regard to corruption and crime more..

Jul 7 (Island) A major El Niño event is developing rapidly, and it is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Some climatologists are of the view that the unfolding El Niño may not impact Sri Lanka to the extent of triggering a nationwide catastrophe. This is certainly good news, but the possibility of El Niño causing drought, reduced monsoon rainfall and agricultural losses in this country cannot be ruled out. Meanwhile, France is reeling from a record-breaking European heatwave, more..

Jul 7 (ST) Praised be the Lord. The million-strong public sector workforce, who overwhelmingly voted for this government at the general elections of 2024 and played, in no small measure, a significant role to bring JVP cadres from their political wilderness and place them on the democratic seat of power—with a two-thirds majority in Parliament to boot—have been the unsung heroes of our times, the long-standing sufferers of the current age. But that’s all going to change now. more..

Jul 7 (TM) A warning emerged last week from the Presidential Secretariat. Dept of Meteorology confirmed a 63% probability that SL is transitioning into a strong El Niño phase. While the active southwest monsoon currently masks this reality with the usual rain, the underlying climate indicators point to an impending, volatile disruption. For an island nation still navigating economic recovery, this climatic shift is a looming crisis that demands immediate, structured, and collective preparation. more..

Jul 7 (SO) Sri Lanka has returned to the World Bank’s Upper-Middle-Income category, an international acknowledgement that the country has moved some distance away from the economic collapse of 2022. World Bank described SL’s case as a story of recovery, saying that the real GDP grew by 5% in 2025, supported by a rebound across industries and growth in financial and tourism services. However, economists said that the economy is still fragile and that Govt must continue more..

Jul 7 (GV) The recent decision to scale down the proposed int'l cricket stadium in Jaffna has disappointed many people across the Northern Province, the SL Tamil diaspora and others who believe in balanced national development. Although Sri Lanka Cricket has explained that financial constraints were the primary reason for reducing the scope of the project, many see the decision as a missed opportunity to invest in one of the country’s most underdeveloped regions. more..

Jul 7 (DM) On June 11, the Daily Mirror headlined the story of a man who was freed from jail 30-years after he was convicted of double murder. Possibly he is now out of jail. This unfortunate spent thirty years of his life on death row, confined to a cell. Studies by the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) and an expose on prison conditions in the ‘Sunday Times’ reveal ill-lit overcrowded cells. Muddy kitchens infested with flies, rats, cockroaches and mosquitos. more..

Jul 7 (TM) The birth of three healthy lion cubs has given our oldest zoological garden a fitting reason to celebrate as the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens marks its 90th anniversary this month. Dept of National Zoological Gardens announced that the cubs were born to the zoo's African lion pair and are healthy and thriving under the watchful care of animal keepers and veterinary staff. Their arrival has become one of the highlights of the zoo's 90th anniversary celebrations, more..

Jul 7 (DM) Indo-Lanka Peace Accord, signed in Colombo on July 29 1987 by Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi and SL President J.R. Jayewardene, remains one of the most consequential—and controversial—agreements in Sri Lanka’s modern political history. Conceived as a framework to end the ethnic conflict, the accord sought to devolve power to the provinces through the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Councils Act of 1987, while requiring SL troops to withdraw to barracks in the North more..

Jul 7 (DM) In homes across SL, a quiet tragedy unfolds daily. Children once filled with curiosity and play now sit glued to screens, their laughter replaced by the glow of notifications and endless scrolls. What began as a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, devices enabling remote education when schools closed, has morphed into something far darker. Today, these same technologies, designed for connection and progress, fuel addiction, erode family bonds, spread hatred, and claim young lives. more..