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India will tour Sri Lanka in August 2026 for a two-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced.

According to an SLC media release, the two matches will be played as follows :

First Test : August 15–19 – Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle
Second Test : August 23–27 – Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo

Both matches are scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.

Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena was today (July 02) served with indictments before the Colombo High Court in connection with corruption charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) (CIABOC).

The indictments were presented before High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne, who ordered Chandrasena’s release on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 1 million each.

The case has been fixed for hearing on July 22.

According to the indictment, between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, Chandrasena had allegedly abused his official position by exerting influence over the Director of Procurement and other officials of the Anuradhapura District Secretariat to distribute 36,000 kilograms of seed maize among his political supporters with the intention of securing political mileage during the Presidential election.

The seeds were originally imported at state expense to be sold to impoverished

Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter – Ven. Narampanawa Ananda Thero has been appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

The appointment comes into effect from today (July 02).
The official appointment letter was handed over by the Secretary to the President – Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake earlier today at the Presidential Secretariat.

சமீபத்தில் நடந்த சட்டப்பேரவைத் தேர்தலில் அதிமுக சார்பில் வெற்றி பெற்ற 3 முன்னாள் அமைச்சர்கள் உள்பட 6 பேர், தங்கள் சட்டப்பேரவை உறுப்பினர் பதவியை ராஜினாமா செய்துள்ளனர். இவர்களில் 4 பேர், ஏற்கெனவே தவெக-வில் இணைந்துள்ளனர். என்ன நடக்கிறது?

Concerns have been raised over a growing number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among adolescents in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the media, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has said that the trend has become increasingly evident among both school and university students.
The Minister said the risk of HIV and other STIs among adolescents has increased compared to previous years, prompting the government to take urgent measures to address the issue.

“There has been an increase in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents compared to previous years. Following discussions within the Ministry of Health, a number of school and university students were identified with these infections,” he said.

The Minister added that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Women and Child Affairs have also been involved in the discussions, with coordinated efforts now underway to curb the emerging

Legal redress has been sought against 13 shop owners in Kilinochchi town who had sold cigarettes to school students and tuition class pupils.

According to the Police, the cases were filed following information obtained by Division Intelligence Unit officers, who investigated shops within the Kilinochchi town limits on June 28.

Upon being produced before the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court, 11 suspects pleaded guilty and were fined Rs. 20,000 each.

Warrants have been issued for two shop owners who failed to appear in court.The Kilinochchi Police said further investigations are underway into the illegal sale of cigarettes to minors. 

A group of opposition members of the Ambalangoda Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) has staged a walkout during the monthly council meeting, claiming that the session was illegal.

10 Opposition members including former chairman of the Ambalangoda PS and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member – Pushpalal Kumarasinghe had left the council chamber in this manner.

However, opposition member – H.L. Krishantha of the independent opposition group did not join the boycott and remained in the council chamber.

(Source & pics: Lankadeepa)

The Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the Homagama Base Hospital has been digitised for patient admission and registration, while a new telemedicine system also introduced to enable remote video consultations and patient management.

The initiative was launched yesterday (July 01) under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the Ministry of Health said.

The maiden patient registration under the newly digitised ETU system was carried out in the presence of the Minister.

A remote consultation via telemedicine was also used to monitor and manage a patient at the Padukka Hospital under his observation.

Officials said the new system is expected to bring several benefits to hospital administration and service delivery, including reduced operational costs, improved efficiency, optimised use of hospital capacity, data-driven decision-making, and easier exchange of patient records and laboratory data.

The Department of Meteorology says strong winds may occur in several areas due to active southwest monsoon conditions currently prevailing across the island.

An “Amber” advisory has been issued in this regard, effective from 11.00 a.m. today (July 02) until 11.00 a.m. tomorrow (July 03).

Accordingly, strong winds of 40–50 km/h may occur intermittently in the Central, Northern, North Central and North Western provinces, as well as in the Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

The advisory also covers sea areas extending from Kankesanthurai to Kalpitiya via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota, where rough sea conditions and strong gusty winds of up to 50-60 km/h are expected.

The Department said wave heights may increase to around 2.0-2.5 m in sea areas off Chilaw to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

Naval and fishing communities have been advised to remain vigilant and follow future forecasts issued by th