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Acting Defence Minister Maj. Gen. (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara visited the Turkish Navy ship TCG Büyükada (F-512) on June 13, where he was welcomed by Turkish Ambassador Semih Lütfü Turgut and the ship’s commanding officer.

In his address, Jayasekara highlighted the visit as a sign of growing defence ties and maritime cooperation between Sri Lanka and Türkiye.

He also held discussions with Turkish defence officials on strengthening bilateral military collaboration. The visit included a tour of the vessel, attended by senior naval officers and diplomatic representatives.

The National Animal Census was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture on March 15, and the contents of the report was released earlier today (12).

According to the report, the total number of toque monkeys, langurs, peacocks, and giant squirrels across the country exceeds 13 million.

According to the animal census, the highest population of langurs was recorded in the Kandy District, with a count of 634,668.

Additionally, the highest number of monkeys, 160,315, was reported from the Anuradhapura District.

The highest numbers of giant squirrel and peacocks were reported from the Kurunegala District, with 546,715 and 621,517 respectively.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, met with representatives of the Tourism and Travel Industry Associations, along with Outbound Travel/Tour Operators, this morning (13) at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Berlin.

During the meeting, the President outlined the progressive measures undertaken by the Sri Lankan government to promote sustainable tourism. The President emphasized improvements in tourism infrastructure, on-going promotional campaigns and enhanced safety protocols aimed at positioning Sri Lanka as a leading travel destination through sustainable tourism practices.

President Disanayake also drew attention to key focus areas such as human resource development within the tourism sector, the promotion of cultural and eco-tourism and environmental protection initiatives. He noted that these efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the tourism industry while preserving the island’s natural and cultural heritage.

Highlighting the new investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, the President extended an open invitation to German investors to explore and engage in tourism-related ventures in the country.

Germany currently ranks as the fourth-largest source market for tourism to Sri Lanka. In 2024 alone, the country welcomed approximately 136,000 German tourists, with over 69,000 arrivals recorded by the end of May this year.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vjitha Herath, along with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Ms. Varuni Muthukumarana and other officials, participated in the meeting. (PMD)

Thirty-four (34) officers, including OICs of the Sri Lanka Police, have been issued transfers.

The Police officers have been transferred and assigned to new positions with immediate effect.

The transfers have been approved by the National Police Commission.

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The acceptance of applications for medical assistance under the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats island wide commenced on February 7. Following the successful implementation of that initiative, preparations have now been completed to expand the digital system to include all other services offered by the Fund.

Accordingly, the public will be able to apply online via any Divisional Secretariat across the country for a wide range of services provided under the President’s Fund. These include assistance for poverty alleviation, provision of educational scholarships, recognition of students demonstrating academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, relief assistance for children affected by wild elephant conflict, recognition of individuals for their national service or contributions to the country, Emergency and disaster relief.

This digital transformation marks a significant milestone, as it enables people across Sri Lanka to access services of the President’s Fund from anywhere in the country for the first time in its 47-year history, which had previously been limited to Colombo-based operations.

This move comes as a result of a decision taken by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, chaired by the President. It is expected to broaden access to assistance for a larger number of beneficiaries while also minimizing opportunities for misuse of the Fund.

One school student was reported dead after a tree had fallen onto a building in a school in Balangoda today.

According to the Police, 16 other students who were injured in the incident have been admitted to the hospital.

It is reported that the deceased is a 17-year-old schoolboy.

The Balangoda Police is conducting investigations into the incident. 

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued an urgent notice in response to escalating tensions following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iran earlier this morning (13).

The strikes have significantly heightened the risk of a large-scale military conflict in the Middle East.

In its statement, the embassy noted that flight restrictions have been imposed due to the prevailing situation.

Sri Lankan nationals intending to travel to or from Israel are advised to postpone their travel plans until further notice.

The embassy also urged Sri Lankans residing in Israel to exercise extreme caution, remain close to designated shelters, and be prepared to seek cover in the event of missile attacks by hostile parties.

Transportation services across Israel have been suspended, and authorities have instructed civilians to relocate to safe areas.

Additionally, the embassy advised Sri Lankans to maintain an emergency supply of drinking water and dry food, and assured that embassy officials are available around the clock for assistance.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is in continuous contact with the Sri Lankan embassies in both Israel and Iran, and is actively monitoring the evolving situation.

According to foreign media reports, the Israeli operation—reportedly codenamed “Operation Rising Lion”—targeted key Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, missile production sites, and military headquarters. The attacks were carried out by Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets.

Among the high-profile casualties, Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces and the country’s highest-ranking military officer, and General Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Several Iranian nuclear scientists were also reportedly killed in the strikes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Natanz nuclear site was among the targets but stated that radiation levels remained within normal limits.

In response to the attack, Iran has reportedly dispatched approximately 200 fighter jets towards Israeli airspace, signaling the potential for further escalation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the strikes, stating that the attack reflects Israel’s “vile nature” and that a bitter consequence awaits the aggressors.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation, declared that this marks the beginning of an extended offensive against Iran, aimed at preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons and protecting the Israeli people.

He affirmed that the strikes will continue as long as necessary.

The United States has stated that it did not support or participate in the Israeli operation. Nevertheless, it recently ordered the evacuation of all non-essential American citizens from the Middle East.

The United Nations has condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning that such actions further destabilize the already fragile Middle East region.

An Air India flight to London crashed shortly after take-off near the Ahmedabad airport.

The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carried 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

Visuals from the area showed thick black smoke in the air as more details about the accident were awaited.

Emergency services rushed to the spot following the crash, including seven fire engines.

Former Director of the National Lotteries Board, Thusitha Halloluwa, was today (13) further remanded until June 20 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of state-owned property.

Halloluwa was initially arrested on May 30 over allegations of criminal misuse involving a laptop computer and a mobile phone, collectively valued at over Rs 478,000, which belonged to the National Lotteries Board.

The investigation centers on the alleged unauthorized use of these items during his tenure. Halloluwa served as Director of the National Lotteries Board from 2017 to 2019.

Suspended Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya has been further remanded until June 25. He was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (June 11) following his arrest by the CID.

The investigation relates to the alleged unlawful release of an inmate under the presidential pardon, with the Cabinet on Monday deciding to suspend his duties.

The Attorney General’s Department told Colombo Magistrate’s Court that Upuldeniya unlawfully released the convicted financial fraudster under a Presidential pardon. The inmate, Athula Thilakarathna, was not on the official Vesak pardon list.

Upuldeniya is alleged to have bypassed legal procedures and operated the department like a “private empire,” court was informed.

Preliminary investigations also revealed that 68 inmates may have been released illegally.

The CID arrested Upuldeniya on June 9, and his bail was denied due to potential interference with the investigation.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast heavy rains for the next 36 hours, starting from 04.00 pm today.

Accordingly, showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.

Heavy falls of about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts.

Several spells of showers may occur in the Northern Province and the Anuradhapura district.

Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Southern provinces and Trincomalee district.

A woman, who had worked as a domestic worker at former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s house, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The Bribery Commission says the woman was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into Rambukwella for allegedly misusing government salaries and overtime allowances by making nominal appointments to the Health Ministry.

The woman arrested is a resident of the Embilipitiya area. The Bribery Commission further stated that the suspect is scheduled to be produced before the court.