Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

The Ministry of Defence held a national conference on combating human trafficking in Sri Lanka on Thursday (July 30) to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, highlighting the growing threat of technology-driven trafficking and the need for stronger national and international cooperation.

The Colombo High Court has ruled that charges filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against notorious organized crime figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias “Harak Kata,” and four other accused over an alleged conspiracy to escape from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) while under detention orders cannot be maintained.

A suspended Police Sub-Inspector was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (July 30) over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) visited the Doppler Weather Radar Network project site in Puttalam on July 29, 2026 to review the progress of the Japanese grant-funded project, which is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s weather forecasting and early warning capabilities.

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has reviewed the first Annual Report for 2025 of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), focusing on rising public debt, debt servicing challenges, and the need to strengthen public debt management through better coordination, staff training, and greater transparency.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) chaired a meeting with explosive licensees at the Ministry of Defence on July 28 to discuss key issues affecting the explosives sector and identify practical solutions to improve regulatory and operational efficiency.

A Sub-Inspector attached to the Dehiwala Police Station has been arrested for possession of narcotics.

The 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation has decided to launch a motorcycle emergency medical response service to provide faster and more efficient access to patients requiring emergency medical treatment.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended the final grand procession of the 2026 Esala Perahera of the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya on Wednesday night (July 29), joining thousands of devotees to witness the sacred event.

A ship carrying 104 imported Metro buses arrived at the Port of Colombo this afternoon (July 29) under Sri Lanka’s Urban Luxury Transport program, with the new buses expected to begin operating in Colombo from September 2026.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the Government plans to allocate Rs. 2 trillion for capital expenditure in 2027, a nearly 40% increase, while reducing recurrent expenditure as part of efforts to increase investment in development.

A police constable died after allegedly shooting himself with his service firearm near the main gate of the Walana Central Anti Vice Striking Force in Panadura during the early hours of today (July 29), police said.

Sri Lanka has ranked fourth among the world’s fastest-improving countries for investor relations and debt transparency, according to a 2026 report by the Institute of International Finance (IIF).

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the long-term lease of five unused presidential residences in Sri Lanka for tourism investment projects.

Badulla District Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Chaminda Wijesiri was sentenced to one and a half years in prison after being found guilty of assaulting police officers, wrongfully restraining them and threatening to kill them.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (July 28) granted bail to three suspects accused of accepting Rs. 120 million in bribes from the wife of organised criminal “Harak Kata”.