President orders funds for Yala paddy purchases, seeks release of stored stocks

The United States has provided a Fleet Broadband satellite communication system worth approximately USD 4 million to the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), aiming to improve maritime communication and operational capabilities across the Navy’s Offshore Patrol Fleet.

General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), met Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), in Colombo on June 22, 2026, during his three-day official visit to Sri Lanka from June 21 to 24.

Cabinet approval has been granted to remove the legal requirement to apply indelible ink on voters’ fingers during elections in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo High Court today (June 23) upheld the nine-month prison sentence and Rs. 1,500 fine imposed on Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero for making statements deemed insulting to Islam and harmful to harmony between communities.

The crane systems required for the new railway workshop under construction in Ratmalana have arrived in Sri Lanka, marking a major step toward modernizing railway maintenance operations in the country.

Three individuals broke into the safe of a rural bank in the Koralaima area of Moragahahena and fled with a stock of gold jewellery stored inside.

Sri Lanka will implement dengue control programmes in 600 Grama Niladhari divisions from June 24 to 26 as authorities step up efforts to tackle the rapidly spreading dengue threat linked to the southwest monsoon season.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on June 22, 2026 where they discussed bilateral relations, trade cooperation, and regional developments.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion with leading apparel industry business leaders and investors today (June 22) to identify swift solutions to challenges facing the sector and strengthen Sri Lanka’s export-led economy and dollar earnings.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath reaffirmed that Sri Lanka always acts with neutrality and in accordance with international law during discussions with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sri Lanka recorded 1,069 dengue cases within the past 24 hours, pushing the total number of infections reported this year to 47,179, as health authorities warn that hospitals are coming under severe pressure due to the rapid spread of the disease.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) says tourism earnings fell by 11.9 percent during the first five months of 2026, while foreign remittance inflows recorded a significant increase compared to the same period last year.

General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (June 21) on a three-day official visit.

Sri Lanka aims to become a US$300 billion economy within the next decade through reforms, foreign investment, and stronger global partnerships, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ petition filed by Daya Group Limited and Daya Apparel Export, challenging the decision of People’s Bank to sell properties mortgaged to the bank through a public auction under the Parate Law.