An awareness programme on the “Digital Signature and Paperless Customs Declaration System”, organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, was held yesterday morning (18) at the Chamber’s auditorium.

The Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association has warned that taxes imposed on printed books are placing growing pressure on the publishing industry, with an estimated 50% to 60% of authors turning to other occupations over the past three years.

Iran's armed forces on Wednesday (Aug 19) warned Gulf countries against assisting the United States military, saying it would be tantamount to joining American military operations.

The Ministry of Health has warned that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight amid the prevailing hot weather conditions could lead to a range of heat-related illnesses and, in severe cases, even death.

Civil society organisation Bahujana Balaya has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which has been presented to Parliament.

Air Vice Marshal Padman De Costa has been appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), with effect from August 18, 2026.

A total of 28 vehicles operating in the Talawakelle area have been temporarily suspended from service after being found to be unroadworthy during an inspection, Nuwara Eliya District Chief Motor Vehicle Inspector Jaliya Bandara stated.

At ⁠least ⁠nine people were killed, including a child, in a fire at a hotel in India's eastern city of Kolkata on Wednesday, local police said.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is scheduled to visit Parliament tomorrow (20) to brief Members of Parliament on the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment.

An Amber advisory has been issued for strong winds and rough seas in the sea areas extending from Kankesanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar, and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wearing seatbelts will be mandatory for all passengers travelling in vehicles on expressways from September 19, with police warning that the requirement will be strictly enforced.

The Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill was presented in Parliament a short while ago.

Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, in what many see as the biggest challenge to Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency since war broke out with Russia in February 2022.

The dengue-related deaths so far in 2026, has increased to 69 while the total number of dengue cases has climbed to 92,854, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).

U.S. President Donald Trump is ​pushing aides for ‌a meeting as soon as this fall ​with North ​Korean leader Kim Jong ⁠Un, the Wall ​Street Journal reported ​on Tuesday, citing U.S. officials.

Speaker of House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (19) informed Parliament that copies of three petitions filed before the Supreme Court challenging the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill have been received.

Sri Lanka’s maritime security operations, including intensified efforts to disrupt drug trafficking at sea, were reviewed during a visit by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) to the Navy Headquarters at the Defence Headquarters Complex.

US President Donald Trump said he will delay imposing new tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods for three days as the countries firm up a trade deal.