News

Gold prices in Sri Lanka moved downward today (19), reflecting a broader decline in the international market and bringing noticeable relief to local buyers.

According to the latest market updates, the value of gold in the local market dropped by approximately Rs. 9,000 compared to the previous day.

The price of a 24-carat gold sovereign, which stood at Rs. 391,000 yesterday (18), fell to Rs. 382,000 today, marking a significant single-day reduction.

Similarly, the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign also recorded a decline. After being priced at Rs. 359,700 yesterday, the value dropped to Rs. 351,500 today.

The downward movement in local prices follows changes observed in the international market, where the price of an ounce of gold was recorded at USD 4,138 today.

The latest adjustment highlights the direct influence of global gold trends on local market values, with domestic prices responding to shifts in international trading conditions.

The United National Party (UNP) has called on the government to obtain all material linked to the United States investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, stating that the relevant information is currently held by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Department of Justice.

The party questioned whether the present government, which has reportedly resumed investigations into the attacks, has formally requested access to the US-held material. It further said that if such a request has been made, the government should disclose the response received from US authorities.

The UNP stressed that all investigative material obtained through the US probe should be made available to Sri Lankan judicial authorities to support ongoing legal processes.

Recalling earlier developments, the party noted that then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had requested a full US investigation and report on the April 21, 2019 attacks, citing limitations in domestic investigative capacity. The request, according to the UNP, was made with assurances of full cooperation from Sri Lankan authorities.

The UNP further stated that a similar request had been made during a telephone conversation between Wickremesinghe and then US President Donald Trump.

According to the statement, the FBI conducted an extensive investigation in collaboration with Sri Lankan agencies, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Military Intelligence, and the State Intelligence Service, and later submitted a report to the Sri Lankan government.

The party also referred to a 71-page affidavit filed on November 12, 2020, by FBI Special Agent Merrilee R. Godwin in the US District Court for the Central District of California, along with a criminal case filed on December 11, 2020, in the US District Court in Los Angeles, noting that several suspects named were already in Sri Lankan custody at the time.

The UNP reiterated that the US investigative material remains with the FBI and Department of Justice, urging the government to clarify whether it has sought access and to disclose any outcome of such a request.

Residents in parts of the Gampaha District are set to experience an extended disruption to water services following an emergency breakdown in a key supply line.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that an emergency water interruption has been implemented in the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha and Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha areas beginning this morning (19).

According to an official notice issued by the Board, water services will remain suspended until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (20) as repair work and restoration efforts continue.

Authorities stated that the interruption became necessary after an unexpected failure occurred in the main water supply pipeline situated near the Kadawatha Central Expressway.

The emergency maintenance operation is expected to focus on restoring normal distribution as quickly as possible while minimizing the impact on consumers in the affected areas.

Residents have been advised to make necessary arrangements and manage available water supplies until regular service resumes.

All decisions relating to education should be guided by the principle of providing the best possible opportunities for children, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has said, stressing that the government is making a significant sacrifice to ensure quality education.

The Prime Minister, who also serves as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, made the remarks during a discussion with North Central Provincial education authorities held at the North Central Provincial Council in Anuradhapura on Wednesday.

She emphasized that the quality of education should not be assessed solely through examination results, but should also take into account students’ participation in co-curricular activities and their overall development.

During the meeting, provincial education authorities presented a strategic education development plan for the North Central Province covering the 2026–2030 period. The plan is aimed at strengthening the school system through improved academic standards, enhanced student welfare, and an efficient data management system designed to increase student enrolment and develop resilient learners.

The Prime Minister and officials also discussed aligning the provincial strategy with the government’s national education policy framework.

The discussion further reviewed progress in meeting targets related to the Grade Five Scholarship Examination, G.C.E. Ordinary Level, and Advanced Level examinations, as well as school development projects, regional co-curricular programmes, and the rehabilitation of schools damaged by Cyclone Ditva.

Dr. Amarasuriya also addressed a range of academic, welfare, and administrative issues raised by provincial education officials during the meeting.

A police investigation spanning multiple districts has uncovered a series of developments following the discovery of a woman’s body inside a parked vehicle near Teldeniya Hospital.

Authorities identified the deceased as 34-year-old physiotherapist Shamya Darshani, an employee of the Ampara District General Hospital.

Investigators stated that the case first drew attention after the victim’s brother lodged a complaint with Nuwara Eliya Police on June 17. According to the complaint, his sister had been staying at an apartment complex in Nuwara Eliya and had informed him that she had not eaten for several days.

Acting on the complaint, officers visited the apartment and found no one present. However, CCTV footage later reviewed by investigators reportedly showed a man arriving at the premises at around 9.50 p.m. on Tuesday and remaining there for approximately 40 minutes.

Police stated that additional footage appeared to show the same individual carrying the woman, who appeared unresponsive, before leaving the location in a vehicle at around 10.30 p.m.

While an alert had already been circulated to surrounding police stations regarding the missing woman, Teldeniya Police later received an anonymous telephone call reporting that a woman’s body had been left inside a parked car near Teldeniya Hospital.

Officers responding to the location discovered a locked vehicle with a body lying in the front passenger seat and covered with a black cloth. After gaining access to the vehicle, police recovered the body and later confirmed it was the same woman reported missing from Nuwara Eliya.

According to subsequent investigations, police suspect that the victim’s boyfriend, identified as a software engineer residing in Gannoruwa, Kandy, had transported the body to the location and abandoned the vehicle before leaving the area. Authorities also allege that the caller who contacted Teldeniya Police may have been linked to the incident.

Investigators further revealed that the victim and suspect had reportedly been in a relationship for around eight months. During inquiries, police gathered information suggesting that the woman had borrowed approximately Rs. 15 million from both a bank and private individuals and had provided the funds to her boyfriend with plans to migrate to Canada together.

Police stated that she had reportedly experienced severe emotional and financial stress after repayment demands increased and overseas plans failed to materialise.

Investigations indicate that she had stayed at the housing complex in Nuwara Eliya from June 3 and had later contacted both her brother and a psychiatrist attached to the Ampara District General Hospital, expressing severe distress. She had reportedly been advised to seek immediate psychiatric care at the nearest hospital.

Authorities also stated that her mobile phone became inactive after approximately 4.00 p.m. on June 16.

Further inquiries revealed that the vehicle used to transport the body is registered to another woman from the Ampara area, who is also alleged to have had a relationship with the suspect.

Following the post-mortem examination, an open verdict was returned, with authorities stating that the exact cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.

Police are continuing efforts to locate and arrest the suspect while further investigations remain underway under the supervision of senior officers attached to the Nuwara Eliya Division.

The Government of Sri Lanka has introduced a new regulatory framework aimed at strengthening oversight of outward remittances linked to import transactions, with the measures taking effect from today (19).

The new regulations were announced through a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and represent an amendment to the existing Special Import License and Payment Regulations introduced in 2011.

Issued under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act by Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the revised rules seek to improve transparency in foreign exchange payments connected to imports while reinforcing coordination between commercial banks and the Sri Lanka Customs Department.

Under the updated framework, commercial banks are now required to assign a unique identification number to every remittance related to imports. Banks must also promptly transmit detailed transaction information to Sri Lanka Customs.

The information to be shared includes the importer’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), addresses of both the importer and beneficiary, beneficiary banking details, bank and branch codes, payment currency and value, delivery and payment terms, remittance date, proforma invoice number, and details of the imported goods.

A major feature of the revised regulations is the introduction of compulsory registration for importers making advance payments for goods. Before any advance payment can proceed, importers must register with the Sri Lanka Customs Department and obtain eligibility status.

Commercial banks have also been prohibited from processing advance payments unless the importer has completed the required Customs registration.

Authorities stated that the measures are intended to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, improve accountability in import transactions, and help prevent the misuse of foreign exchange.

To facilitate implementation, the Controller General of Imports and Exports is expected to issue operational guidelines to the Director General of Customs, commercial banks, and other relevant institutions.

Colombia winger Luis Diaz dazzled at a raucous Azteca Stadium as his side marked their return to the World Cup with a 3-1 Group K win over tournament debutants Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

Colombia, who missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar, struggled in the early stages but broke through in the 41st minute when a brilliant ball lifted into the area by Diaz was hooked in on the turn by Daniel Munoz, who had ghosted in behind the defence.

Uzbekistan equalised on the hour mark after a shot from striker Eldor Shomurodov was spilled by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas and Abbosbek Fayzullaev was on the line to head in. However, Diaz restored Colombia's lead five minutes later by slotting the ball in from the left of the area.

Substitute Jaminton Campaz headed in a third in stoppage time and Colombia top Group K after Portugal and Democratic Republic of Congo drew 1-1. The South Americans face DR Congo on Tuesday in Guadalajara after Uzbekistan play Portugal in Houston.

Source: Reuters

The Department of Meteorology has forecast unsettled weather conditions across multiple parts of the country today (19), with showers and thundershowers expected in several provinces and districts.

According to the weather advisory, intermittent showers or thundershowers are likely to affect the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces throughout the day. Similar conditions are also expected in the districts of Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya.

Meanwhile, afternoon weather activity is expected to increase in other regions, with showers or thundershowers possible at several locations in the Uva Province and in the districts of Polonnaruwa, Mullaitivu, Ampara and Batticaloa after 2:00 p.m.

Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious as localized strong winds and lightning may accompany the thundershowers. Residents are advised to take appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of weather-related damage and ensure safety during periods of unstable conditions.

The Department continues to monitor the developing weather pattern and encourages the public to stay alert throughout the day.

The Court of Appeal is scheduled to take up a petition today (18) filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is seeking an order preventing his arrest in connection with ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

The matter was previously mentioned before the Court of Appeal yesterday, where it came up before a bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando, according to an Ada Derana reporter.

During yesterday’s proceedings, the President of the Court of Appeal directed that the petition be called again today for verification of facts.

Accordingly, the case is due to be considered today before a different bench consisting of President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Sarath Dissanayake.

Lanka Sathosa has announced a reduction in the prices of nine essential food items, providing immediate relief to consumers across the country.

The Ministry of Trade stated that the price revisions apply to ponni samba rice, red raw samba rice, local samba rice, local white nadu rice, white raw rice, and white raw samba rice. In addition, the prices of flour, chickpeas, and sugar have also been reduced.

According to the Ministry, the revised prices have been implemented with immediate effect.

The move is expected to ease the cost of essential food items for households as the new pricing structure comes into force nationwide.

Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of an unidentified body near the Kelani Bridge in Sedawatta, within the jurisdiction of the Grandpass Police Division.

The body was recovered after officers received information that a corpse had washed ashore in the area, prompting an immediate response and initial inquiries at the scene.

Authorities stated that the identity of the deceased remains unknown at this stage. Preliminary observations suggest the individual is a male estimated to be between 35 and 40 years of age.

Police further noted that the deceased was approximately 5 feet 5 inches in height, had hair measuring around one inch in length, and was found shirtless while wearing blue shorts.

Following the magistrate’s inquiry, the remains were transferred to the Colombo National Hospital morgue for further examination.

Grandpass Police are continuing investigations to establish the identity of the deceased and determine the circumstances surrounding the death.