உலகம்

The University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to the rapid spread of dengue fever, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne has said.

He said the decision was taken as a preventive measure to control the spread of the disease after 36 students were diagnosed with dengue, while several others were reported to be suffering from another type of fever. 

Accordingly, academic and examination activities at the university have been postponed, and all hostels have been closed.

The university operates 02 main hostels located in Rajagiriya and Dehiwala. The Ministry of Education has said dengue transmission has reportedly increased in those surrounding areas as well.

The university is scheduled to reopen on July 13.

Wildlife officers and veterinary officials have begun treatment for a sick elephant found collapsed near the Sengamuwa Tank area within the Lahugala National Park, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) said.

The treatment is being carried out by the veterinary surgeon D.B.N. Pushpakumara, who is attached to the office of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Ampara, along with wildlife officers, since June 30.

The elephant is a male, nearly 07 feet in height and estimated to be 30-35 years old.

Wildlife officials at Lahugala National Park have provided the animal with food and water while using a tent-like covering for protection.

The elephant is being continuously monitored, and treatment will be continued based on its condition.

(Pics: DWC Facebook page)

முன்னாள் அமைச்சர்களான சி.விஜயபாஸ்கர், எம்.ஆர்.விஜயபாஸ்கர் ஆகியோரும் இன்று (ஜூலை 2) தவெகவில் இணைந்தனர்

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply – Dr. Susil Ranasinghe says the government has no plans to increase water tariffs over the next 06 months despite the prevailing economic conditions.

Although water tariffs are scheduled to be reviewed every 06 months under the tariff revision mechanism, the government did not increase charges during the first half of 2026.

Accordingly, the state owned ‘Dinamina’ reports that the existing water tariff will remain in effect until Dec. 31, with no revision from July 01.

The Minister has said the decision was taken as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) had not incurred any high additional costs for water treatment during the first 06 months of 2026.

He also noted that although electricity tariffs increased by 18%, electricity accounts for only around 12% of the overall water tariff, resulting in an additional cost of only Rs. 2.50 per unit of water.

Wildlife officials and environmentalists have warned that pilgrims bringing animals along on the annual ‘Pada Yathra’ to the Kataragama Esala Festival could attract predatory wild animals when travelling through forests, posing a serious risk to devotees.

The warning was issued during a meeting of the Kataragama Esala Perahera organising committee.

Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Centre – Ravindra Kumara, told the committee that following the participation of ‘Aloka’, the canine that accompanied the ‘Ehipassiko’ peace walk, some devotees have taken inspiration and have begun bringing their own dogs on the pilgrimage.

Wildlife officials and military personnel cautioned that the presence of dogs could attract wild animals, including leopards, sloth bears and pythons, into areas frequented by pilgrims, creating a significant safety hazard.

Therefore, they urged devotees not to bring animals on the pilgrimage.

Two suspects have been arrested by an investigation team from the Wadduwa Police over the recent assault on an Air Force officer in front of an ATM near a bank branch in Wadduwa, police say.

The incident had taken place on June 22 and the two suspects were arrested yesterday (July 01).

One is said to be a resident of Pitugaldeniya in Kadigamuwa while the other is a resident of Atala area.

The suspects are to be produced before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court today (July 02).

1996ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜனவரி 8 அன்று, புதுப்பித்தல் பணிகளின் போது, மெர்சிட் கைமரைஸ் டோஸ் அஞ்சோஸ் எலும்புகளைக் கண்டெடுத்தார் - அவை சுமார் 1770 மற்றும் 1830ஆம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கு இடையில் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டதும், அத்துடன் தோராயமாக 40,000 சடலங்களைக் கொண்டிருந்ததாக நம்பப்படுவதுமான, நீண்ட காலமாக காணாமல் போன புதிய கருப்பர்களின் மயானத்தின் எச்சங்கள் ஆகும்.

Imports of vehicles for personal and commercial use increased by 20% in May compared to April, reaching USD 250 million, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Accordingly, total expenditure on motor vehicle imports during the first 05 months of 2026, from January to May, amounted to USD 1.071 billion.

நாம் இன்னும் பரிணாம வளர்ச்சி அடைந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறோம் என்று விஞ்ஞானிகள் கூறுகிறார்கள். ஆனால், மரபணு மாற்றம் போன்ற புதிய தொழில்நுட்பங்களால், எதிர்காலத்தில் நாம் எப்படி காட்சியளிப்போம் என்பது எதிர்பாராத வழிகளில் மாறக்கூடும்.