National Digital Portal launched to modernise Sri Lanka’s cooperative sectorThe National Digital Portal for cooperative member registration was officially launched today (14), marking a significant step towards integrating Sri Lanka’s cooperative sector with digital technology.Jul 14, 202608:15 PMOfficer who opened fire during Negombo Prison unrest moved to PallekeleA prison officer who opened fire during the violent unrest at the Negombo Prison has been temporarily transferred to the Pallekele Prison while investigations into the incident are underway, Prison Department Spokesman A.C. Gajanayake said.Jul 14, 202608:08 PMNEWS ALERTPrime Minister departs for Qatar to pay respects to former EmirPrime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed for Qatar today (14) to pay her final respects to former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away on Monday.Jul 14, 202607:46 PMNEWS ALERTPrime Minister departs for Qatar to pay respects to former EmirPrime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed for Qatar today (14) to pay her final respects to former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away on Monday.Jul 14, 202607:46 PMSarvajana Balaya leader visits Qatar Embassy to offer condolencesThe leader of the Sarvajana Balaya, Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera today (14) visited the Embassy of Qatar in Colombo to express his condolences following the passing of former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.Jul 14, 202607:42 PMSarvajana Balaya leader visits Qatar Embassy to offer condolencesThe leader of the Sarvajana Balaya, Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera today (14) visited the Embassy of Qatar in Colombo to express his condolences following the passing of former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.Jul 14, 202607:42 PMCID recovers 271 bullet shells in Negombo Prison investigationThe Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (14) informed the Negombo Magistrate’s Court that 271 bullet shells had been recovered from the Negombo Prison premises during investigations into the recent prison unrest.Jul 14, 202607:31 PMCID recovers 271 bullet shells in Negombo Prison investigationThe Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (14) informed the Negombo Magistrate’s Court that 271 bullet shells had been recovered from the Negombo Prison premises during investigations into the recent prison unrest.Jul 14, 202607:31 PMBrent crude climbs above US$86 for the first time since JuneOil prices rose on Tuesday (Jul 14) to their highest in four weeks, after the US reimposed a naval blockade of Iran and as renewed attacks between Washington and Tehran heightened concerns over energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.Jul 14, 202607:16 PMBrent crude climbs above US$86 for the first time since JuneOil prices rose on Tuesday (Jul 14) to their highest in four weeks, after the US reimposed a naval blockade of Iran and as renewed attacks between Washington and Tehran heightened concerns over energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.Jul 14, 202607:16 PMFirst AI-assisted robotic surgeries performed in Sri LankaSri Lanka has recorded a milestone in the health sector with a medical team successfully performing two surgeries using artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted robotic technology for the first time.Jul 14, 202606:37 PMFirst AI-assisted robotic surgeries performed in Sri LankaSri Lanka has recorded a milestone in the health sector with a medical team successfully performing two surgeries using artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted robotic technology for the first time.Jul 14, 202606:37 PMCourt relaxes travel ban on former minister Prasanna RanatungaThe Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (14) ordered the temporary relaxation of the overseas travel ban imposed on former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in relation to a corruption case.Jul 14, 202606:13 PMCourt relaxes travel ban on former minister Prasanna RanatungaThe Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (14) ordered the temporary relaxation of the overseas travel ban imposed on former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in relation to a corruption case.Jul 14, 202606:13 PMParliament to debate motion on COVID-19 cremations next weekA Private Member’s Motion submitted by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Imran Maharoof calling for the establishment of a Commission to investigate the forced cremation of deceased Muslims during the COVID-19 pandemic will be debated in Parliament next week.Jul 14, 202605:53 PMParliament to debate motion on COVID-19 cremations next weekA Private Member’s Motion submitted by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Imran Maharoof calling for the establishment of a Commission to investigate the forced cremation of deceased Muslims during the COVID-19 pandemic will be debated in Parliament next week.Jul 14, 202605:53 PMSpecial programme to rehabilitate children in probation for drug-related offencesMinister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, has stated that a special rehabilitation programme will be launched in the near future for children placed under probation for drug use, drug addiction and drug-related offences.Jul 14, 202605:17 PMSpecial programme to rehabilitate children in probation for drug-related offencesMinister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, has stated that a special rehabilitation programme will be launched in the near future for children placed under probation for drug use, drug addiction and drug-related offences.Jul 14, 202605:17 PMGovt to obtain US$ 35 million ADB loan for rooftop solar power projectThe Cabinet of Ministers has approved agreements to obtain a US$35 million concessional loan from the ADB along with additional grants to implement the “Grid-Based Rooftop Solar Power and Virtual Net Meter Reading” project.Jul 14, 202604:40 PMGovt to obtain US$ 35 million ADB loan for rooftop solar power projectThe Cabinet of Ministers has approved agreements to obtain a US$35 million concessional loan from the ADB along with additional grants to implement the “Grid-Based Rooftop Solar Power and Virtual Net Meter Reading” project.Jul 14, 202604:40 PMGovernment denies VIP security provided to 11 IndividualsCabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has denied reports that VIP security has been provided to 11 individuals, including several parliamentarians.Jul 14, 202604:15 PMGovernment denies VIP security provided to 11 IndividualsCabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has denied reports that VIP security has been provided to 11 individuals, including several parliamentarians.Jul 14, 202604:15 PMTanker attacked off Oman coast, Dutch shipping firm saysA Dutch shipping firm has announced that one of its tankers came under attack off Oman early this morning.Jul 14, 202604:13 PMTanker attacked off Oman coast, Dutch shipping firm saysA Dutch shipping firm has announced that one of its tankers came under attack off Oman early this morning.Jul 14, 202604:13 PMEbola outbreak is at least double the formal tally, WHO saysThe true number of Ebola cases in Congo is at least double, and possibly four times, the official tally, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief said on Tuesday.Jul 14, 202603:57 PMEbola outbreak is at least double the formal tally, WHO saysThe true number of Ebola cases in Congo is at least double, and possibly four times, the official tally, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief said on Tuesday.Jul 14, 202603:57 PMProvincial Council elections delayed by electoral system, not funds: Cabinet SpokesmanCabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has stated that there are no financial limitations preventing the holding of Provincial Council elections, emphasizing that funds have already been allocated for conducting any election. Jul 14, 202603:54 PMProvincial Council elections delayed by electoral system, not funds: Cabinet SpokesmanCabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has stated that there are no financial limitations preventing the holding of Provincial Council elections, emphasizing that funds have already been allocated for conducting any election. Jul 14, 202603:54 PMSri Lanka to host fourth BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ meeting in 2027The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to host the fourth BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting and Senior Officials’ Meeting in Sri Lanka on March 17 and 18, 2027.Jul 14, 202603:33 PMSri Lanka to host fourth BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ meeting in 2027The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to host the fourth BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting and Senior Officials’ Meeting in Sri Lanka on March 17 and 18, 2027.Jul 14, 202603:33 PMYala paddy procurement underway as govt. sets 39,500 MT targetThe government purchased 25 metric tonnes of paddy worth approximately Rs. 3 million on the first day of the Yala season paddy purchasing programme, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated.Jul 14, 202603:26 PMYala paddy procurement underway as govt. sets 39,500 MT targetThe government purchased 25 metric tonnes of paddy worth approximately Rs. 3 million on the first day of the Yala season paddy purchasing programme, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated.Jul 14, 202603:26 PMNPP councillor resigns from Badulla Municipal CouncilNational People’s Power (NPP) councillor Mahinda Gunasekara has resigned from his position as a member of the Badulla Municipal Council. Gunasekara has reportedly resigned due to personal reasons.Jul 14, 202603:16 PMNPP councillor resigns from Badulla Municipal CouncilNational People’s Power (NPP) councillor Mahinda Gunasekara has resigned from his position as a member of the Badulla Municipal Council. Gunasekara has reportedly resigned due to personal reasons.Jul 14, 202603:16 PMGovt introduces new framework to combat money laundering and terror financingThe Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the implementation of the National Policy on Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and Countering Proliferation Financing (CPF) of Sri Lanka for the period 2026–2030.Jul 14, 202603:14 PMGovt introduces new framework to combat money laundering and terror financingThe Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the implementation of the National Policy on Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and Countering Proliferation Financing (CPF) of Sri Lanka for the period 2026–2030.Jul 14, 202603:14 PMTourist arrivals surpass 1.2 million markSri Lanka has recorded more than 1.2 million tourist arrivals so far this year, with the total number of visitors exceeding the 1.2 million mark by mid-July, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).Jul 14, 202602:58 PMTourist arrivals surpass 1.2 million markSri Lanka has recorded more than 1.2 million tourist arrivals so far this year, with the total number of visitors exceeding the 1.2 million mark by mid-July, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).Jul 14, 202602:58 PM