Court of Appeal postpones Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s petition until August 3

Anuda Janadith Samarakoon Bandara, a son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara, and four other suspects were remanded until July 27, 2026, over the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million from a Chinese national.

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament yesterday (July 22) that no minister in the current Cabinet is living in an official residence or bungalow, rejecting claims circulated on social media.

Sri Lanka’s passport has risen to 94th place in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, moving up two positions from its ranking in the previous two years.

Sri Lanka Police have introduced several telephone numbers for the public to report social media scams in which fraudsters use photographs of police officers and falsely pose as police personnel.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today (July 22) permitted investigators to detain and question former State Minister Shantha Bandara’s son, Anuda Janadith Bandara, for 24 hours over the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million belonging to a Chinese national.

Sri Lanka’s export earnings reached an estimated US$ 9.01 billion during the first six months of 2026, an increase of 8% compared to the same period last year.

Sri Lanka is considering an accelerated national programme using three-year dog vaccines to eliminate rabies, improve animal welfare and control the street animal population.

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) will be empowered to refer its reports to the Bribery Commission, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Attorney General for further action, Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said.

A Revenue Inspector attached to the Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested while allegedly accepting a Rs. 25,000 bribe to resolve issues linked to a house assessment.

Sri Lanka and India have agreed to expand cooperation in industry, investment, textiles, agribusiness and technology following Minister Sunil Handunnetti’s official visit to India from July 14 to 18, 2026.

A gunman who arrived in a car with several others opened fire at a house in Devinuwara early today (July 22), but no one was injured.

Sri Lanka marked the centenary of its Public Health Service on Tuesday (July 21), highlighting major achievements in maternal and child healthcare and the elimination of malaria.

A 21-year-old son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara has been arrested over the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million belonging to a Chinese national in Kollupitiya.

Five people have died in a fire at a safety helmet manufacturing factory in the Katuwana Industrial Zone in Homagama, where more than 80 employees were reportedly present at the time.

Sri Lanka recorded 77,028 dengue cases and 56 deaths in 2026 by midnight on July 20, 2026 with the Western Province accounting for more than half of all reported cases.