������������������

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka has released the minimum Z-score cut-off marks for admission to universities for the 2025/2026 academic year. The cut-off marks were issued yesterday (31 July).

The Commission stated that the cut-off marks are based on the re-scrutinised results of the 2025 GCE Advanced Level Examination.

The released document sets out the minimum Z-scores required for admission to individual degree programmes at various universities, based on the results of the 2025 GCE Advanced Level Examination, for applicants from each district.

Two officers attached to the Aswesuma Division of the Norwood Divisional Secretariat were arrested yesterday (31) afternoon by officers of the Special Investigation Unit of the Hatton Police Division over a suspected financial fraud.

The arrests were made following a complaint lodged by Norwood Divisional Secretary Sameera Gamlath with the Hatton Divisional Special Investigation Unit after an internal investigation by the Audit Division of the Norwood Divisional Secretariat found that Aswesuma benefit payments had allegedly not been credited to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. Instead, the funds are alleged to have been transferred into the bank accounts of relatives and associates of the two officers.

Police investigations have revealed that the alleged fraud had been taking place since 2025. Investigators also suspect that the total amount misappropriated may be significantly higher and are probing whether other officers attached to the Divisional

The Department of Irrigation has warned that minor flooding may occur in several areas over the next 48 hours due to the heavy rainfall currently being experienced in the upper and middle catchment areas of the Kelani River Basin.

The flood warning was issued today (01) at 7.30 a.m. by the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Department of Irrigation and will remain in effect until 7.00 a.m. on Monday (03).

According to the notice, low-lying areas within the Kelani River Valley in the Divisional Secretariat divisions of Dehiovita, Ruwanwella and Seethawaka are at risk of experiencing minor flooding.

The Department further stated that, based on current weather forecasts, further heavy rainfall is likely in the coming days, which could cause river water levels to rise rapidly.

Accordingly, residents in the affected areas, river users and motorists travelling through those areas are advised to remain vigilant and exercise extreme ca

புகைபிடிப்பதால் வரும் நோய்கள் அனைத்தும், தன் வாழ்நாளில் சிகரெட்டை தொட்டுக்கூட பார்க்காத ஒருவருக்கும் வரும், காரணம் ‘தன்முனைப்பற்ற புகைத்தல்’. இது ஏன் வருகிறது? இதற்கான தீர்வுகள் என்ன?

1880-களில், தாமஸ் ஸ்டீவன்ஸ், அதற்கு முன் யாரும் செய்திராத ஒன்றைச் செய்ய முடிவு செய்தார்: மிதிவண்டியில் உலகைச் சுற்றிப் பயணம் செய்வது. இந்தப் பயணம் அவரை வட அமெரிக்காவிலிருந்து துருக்கி, சீனா, இந்தியா மற்றும் ஜப்பான் ஆகிய நாடுகளுக்கு அழைத்துச் சென்றது. அவர் கண்டது என்ன?

அமெரிக்காவின் அரசியல் மற்றும் ராணுவக் கணக்கீடுகளை முழுமையாக மாற்றியமைக்கும் வகையிலான ஒரு பதிலைத் தூண்டாமல், கட்டுப்படுத்தப்பட்ட நடவடிக்கைகளைத் தொடர்ந்து இரானால் பராமரிக்க முடியுமா என்பதைப் பொறுத்தே பல விஷயங்கள் அமையும். அடுத்து நடக்கும் எதிர்பாராத ஒரு தாக்குதல், இந்த மோதல் எந்தப் பாதையில் செல்லும் என்பதைத் தீர்மானிக்கக்கூடும்.

Due to the active Southwest monsoon, the prevailing rainy and windy conditions over the southwestern parts of the island will continue today (Aug. 01), according to the Department of Meteorology.

Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm is likely at some places.

A few showers may occur in Matale, Anuradhapura and Hambantota districts.

Meanwhile, mainly dry weather will prevail over the other areas of the island.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Northern, North-Central, Central and North-Western provinces and in Monaragala and Trincomalee districts.

Human Rights Watch marks 20 years since the Muttur massacre by Thusiyan Fri, 31/07/2026 - 19:11

Sri Lanka abstains as UN extends rights chief Türks mandate by Thusiyan Fri, 31/07/2026 - 18:24