Sri Lanka moves to strengthen disaster preparedness amid El Niño concerns

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Vice Admiral Damian Fernando as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera was arrested today (June 30) over corruption allegations linked to contract appointments.

Viraj Wickramanayake, the head of Mr Kottu Grand (Pvt) Ltd., has been arrested by Maharagama Police over an assault complaint.

Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias “Pillayan”, was remanded until July 13, 2026 over investigations into five murders in the Eastern Province.

Police have seized five high-powered motorcycles and arrested a suspect during a raid in Hokandara.

Around 425,000 families will be removed from Sri Lanka’s Aswesuma benefit lists from today (June 30).

The Department of Prisons in Sri Lanka says that nearly 400 suspects are remanded daily.

CIABOC has granted a one-week grace period until midnight on July 7, 2026, to submit assets and liabilities declarations.

Fuel prices in Sri Lanka have been revised, effective June 30, 2026.

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya says Poson Poya Day reminds the country that true development must begin within the human mind.

Five 18-year-old youths were rescued after being caught in a strong current and swept out to sea while swimming at Mount Lavinia Beach on the evening of June 28, 2026.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his Poson Poya Day message, called on all Sri Lankans to unite in rebuilding a modern and enlightened nation founded on ethical, social and environmental values.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) says a new circular will soon be issued to launch daily village-level dengue control programmes as Sri Lanka has reported 51,049 dengue cases and 31 deaths so far this year.

Former State Intelligence Service Director, retired Major General Suresh Sallay has been transferred to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Colombo after developing a heart-related condition while in CID custody over the Easter Sunday attacks investigation.

More than 12 million people in Sri Lanka have received their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) so far, while around another five million people are still awaiting the issuance of their TIN numbers, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera said.