Sri Lanka President holds urgent prison talks after Negombo incident

Attorney Rakitha Rajapakshe and two others have been further remanded until July 28, 2026, over an alleged Rs. 120 million bribery case linked to organised criminal Nandun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, also known as “Harak Kata”.

Sri Lanka should become a trusted connectivity hub linking Asia, the Middle East and Africa while preparing its young people for the jobs the world will need in the future, SLPP National Organiser and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa said.

A 42-year-old man has been arrested in Yakkala with two live hand grenades, several types of ammunition and 34,000 duty-unpaid cigarettes.

Former Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne has died after sustaining a gunshot wound at his residence in Thalahena, with police suspecting that he shot himself.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to resolve the outstanding issues involving a proposed contributory pension scheme for Sri Lankan migrant workers and include it in the 2027 Budget proposals.

Sri Lanka has called for stronger intelligence sharing, joint action against cross-border crime and closer disaster response cooperation among BIMSTEC countries to protect the Bay of Bengal region.

The Colombo Municipal Council has reduced the Entertainment Tax on local concerts from 12% to 7%, while lower rates have also been introduced across all entertainment tax categories.

The Sri Lankan Rupee weakened against the US Dollar today (July 16, 2026), with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and several commercial banks reporting higher exchange rates.

A 41-year-old suspect who seized a police firearm, shot and injured an officer and fled on a stolen motorcycle in Katunayake has been arrested with 31 grams of “Ice” drugs in Divulapitiya.

Sri Lanka Police say no eyewitness or forensic evidence has been found to prove that an eight-year-old child seen near a burning car at a school in Kurunegala set fire to the vehicle.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to complete major electricity and petroleum projects on schedule while reviewing the Energy Ministry’s 2026 budget progress and funding needs for 2027.

A Sri Lankan car dealer in New Zealand has been sentenced after a Toyota RAV4’s odometer was reduced by more than 30,000 kilometres before it was sold for $24,000.

Attorney-at-Law Robert Heenkenda has resigned as Mayor of the National People’s Power-controlled Negombo Municipal Council, reportedly due to a personal reason.

The Attorney General served indictments today (July 15) on six persons, including former Minister Mervyn Silva and former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera.

Sarath Weerawansa, the brother of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, has been arrested over the alleged misuse of state-owned vehicles and remanded until July 22, 2026.