News

Sri Lanka has emerged as one of South Asia’s strongest performers in global peacefulness rankings, recording a significant leap in this year’s Global Peace Index (GPI) despite broader regional instability.

According to the 2026 Global Peace Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Sri Lanka moved up to 67th place globally with an overall score of 1.91, marking a notable rise from its 97th position last year. Among South Asian nations, only Bhutan ranked higher.

The annual index evaluates 163 independent states and territories using 23 indicators across categories including personal safety, political stability, conflict, crime, terrorism, and militarisation.

Sri Lanka’s improvement stood out across the region, registering the largest percentage gain in South Asia with an overall score improvement of 2.3 per cent. Analysts attributed the progress largely to gains in militarisation indicators, which improved by 6.4 per cent. Increased performance in UN peacekeeping funding and a reduction in political instability also contributed to the country’s upward movement.

The rise comes against a difficult regional backdrop.

South Asia recorded the sharpest decline in peacefulness among all regions measured in the report, with average scores deteriorating by 2.3 per cent. Researchers pointed to intensifying internal conflicts and growing cross-border tensions as the primary causes of the downturn.

Five of the region’s seven countries recorded declines.

Bhutan remained the region’s most peaceful nation and ranked 16th globally, maintaining its position as a regional exception despite a slight deterioration compared with the previous year.

At the opposite end of the regional spectrum, Afghanistan continued to rank as South Asia’s least peaceful country, placing 157th globally.

India also recorded a decline, falling to 127th place after worsening conditions linked to internal conflict and strained relations with neighbouring countries. Pakistan experienced one of the steepest deteriorations globally, dropping to 152nd position amid escalating conflict indicators and rising terrorism-related deaths.

Globally, the report paints a challenging picture.

Researchers found that the world has become less peaceful for the twelfth consecutive year, with 61 active state-based conflicts currently underway — the highest number recorded since the end of the Second World War. In addition, 103 countries are now involved in external conflicts, nearly double the figure recorded in 2008.

At the top of the global rankings, Iceland retained its position as the world’s most peaceful country, followed by New Zealand and Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Russia remained the least peaceful nation globally, joined at the lower end of the rankings by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. The United States was placed 134th.

Against a year marked by widening global tensions, Sri Lanka’s improved standing offers one of the region’s few signs of progress in an increasingly unsettled world.

Afghanistan said Wednesday that Pakistan launched new airstrikes targeting the country, killing at least 13 people and wounding 14 others.

The countries have engaged in months of fighting that has killed hundreds of people.

Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the latest airstrikes targeted the Afghan provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika and killed 11 children, one woman and one elderly man.

There was no immediate acknowledgment of the strikes from Pakistan.

The strikes came a day after suspected Pakistani Taliban militants attacked a security post in the Hasan Khel area of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, triggering an intense gunbattle in which six members of the Federal Constabulary were killed and several others wounded, according to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry.

Local authorities said Tuesday that security forces killed eight of the attackers and thwarted an attempt to overrun the checkpoint. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi later attended funeral prayers for the dead personnel in Peshawar, the ministry said.

Naqvi paid tribute to the dead and expressed condolences to their families, saying their sacrifices would not be forgotten. He also said Pakistan remained united in its fight against militancy and that operations against groups threatening peace and security would be intensified.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have engaged in deadly fighting since late February, when Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.

Pakistan in February declared it was in open war with its Afghanistan, following a surge in militant attacks on civilians and security forces inside Pakistan. Afghanistan has said a deadly Pakistani airstrikes in March hit a drug-treatment center in Kabul, killing more than 400 people. The death toll could not be independently confirmed.

Pakistan has disputed the claim and denied targeting civilians, saying it struck an ammunition depot.

The latest development comes months after China hosted peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Urumqi, in northern China, and later Beijing said Afghanistan and Pakistan had agreed not to escalate their conflict and to explore a solution.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants that carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. The group is separate from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan since it seized power in the country in 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Kabul denies the charge.

Source: AP

The government has not reached a formal decision on proposals to extend the retirement age of judges, with authorities confirming that no Cabinet approval has been granted at this stage.

The clarification came in Parliament on Wednesday as Minister of Justice and National Integration and Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara responded to questions raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa regarding reports surrounding changes to retirement policies within the judiciary.

Addressing the House, the Minister stated that discussions relating to retirement age adjustments are not limited to the judicial sector alone. According to him, requests have also been submitted by professionals from various other fields seeking similar revisions.

He indicated that the government is examining the appeals with consideration, acknowledging that certain requests appear to carry practical merit while others may be influenced by political considerations.

The proposal under discussion would affect members of the judicial system, including judges serving in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Despite ongoing attention surrounding the issue, Minister Nanayakkara stressed that no official determination has been made and that Cabinet has not yet endorsed any increase to the retirement age.

The remarks signal that discussions remain at a preliminary stage, with the government yet to establish a final position on whether retirement policies across key sectors — including the judiciary — will ultimately be revised.

All three victims who were injured following a fire at a restaurant near Thalawathugoda Junction have succumbed to their injuries, Police said.

The fire broke out at the restaurant this morning (Tuesday June 09).

Three fire engines were deployed to contain the blaze.

The victims sustained severe injuries in the incident and were admitted to the National Hospital Colombo for treatment. 

However, Police later confirmed that all three had died from their injuries.

(Dailymirror.lk)

Kuwait has temporarily closed its airspace after Iranian attacks, with flights diverted, Reuters reported Thursday. Earlier, the state-run Kuwait News Agency reported that the country’s air defenses had intercepted “hostile objects.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had said they launched an attack targeting US airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain early Thursday.

Source: Reuters 

Sri Lanka has signaled a sharper turn toward a low-carbon future, announcing a major policy shift to strengthen its climate agenda by doubling its emission reduction commitment for the industrial sector to 13 percent.

The move was presented as a key pillar of the country’s long-term environmental roadmap, supporting broader national goals of generating 70 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and reaching full carbon neutrality by 2050.

The announcement was made during the Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 held in Colombo at the Taj Samudra Hotel, where policymakers, international development partners and private sector representatives gathered to explore pathways for climate resilience and sustainable investment.

Organized for the second consecutive year by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce under the theme “From Risk to Opportunity: Mainstreaming Climate Action into Sri Lanka’s Growth Story,” the summit focused on aligning environmental commitments with economic development.

Addressing the forum, Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi stressed that climate targets alone are not enough and highlighted the need for stronger coordination between government institutions, financial sectors and industry leaders to convert environmental commitments into practical investments and long-term economic value.

He emphasized that climate readiness must extend beyond national policy and include stronger local resilience measures and circular economy initiatives.

As part of this effort, the Ministry of Environment and the Central Environmental Authority are expanding programmes aimed at reforming waste management systems while building capacity among informal waste collectors to help integrate them into the country’s emerging green economy.

Discussions throughout the summit also underscored the importance of inclusive regional environmental management and recognized the contribution of informal waste workers in strengthening sustainable urban development.

The event brought together representatives from international organizations including the UNDRR, UNDP, ADB and FAO, alongside business leaders and climate specialists, reflecting a growing emphasis on collaboration to manage climate risks while unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth.

Kuwait's Interior Ministry has issued a new circular restricting the recruitment of domestic workers to 10 approved countries, while banning recruitment from 27 others, as part of updated regulations governing the domestic labour sector, local media reported.

The measure was adopted based on observations and recommendations from several government bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Public Authority for Manpower.

Under the directive, domestic workers may be recruited from South Africa, Benin, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and Nepal, as well as Senegal, where recruitment is limited to male workers only. Recruitment procedures will be completed through the country's governorates.

The circular was distributed to residency affairs departments and service centres and took effect following its update two days ago, the source said.

The decision also includes a list of 27 countries from which the recruitment of domestic workers is prohibited. The list comprises the Asian countries of Madagascar and Bhutan, and the African nations of Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Togo, Malawi, Chad, Djibouti, Niger, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Angola.

For some countries, the restrictions apply only to female domestic workers, while the recruitment of males remains permitted.

The updated rules are part of Kuwait's efforts to regulate the recruitment of domestic workers and strengthen oversight of the sector through revised administrative procedures and controls.

Gulf News

The Department of Meteorology has issued a ‘Red’ advisory warning of dangerous sea conditions across several coastal regions, urging fishing and naval communities to remain ashore until further notice.

According to the advisory, sea areas stretching from Kankesanthurai to Kalpitiya via Mannar are expected to experience very rough conditions accompanied by strong gusty winds reaching speeds of 60 to 70 kilometres per hour.

The warning further extends to waters off the coasts from Trincomalee to Kankesanthurai via Mullaitivu and from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil through Colombo, Galle and Hambantota, where rough sea conditions and gusts of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour are anticipated.

Adding to concerns, wave activity is expected to intensify, with heights rising between 2.0 and 2.5 metres in sea areas extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

Authorities have strongly advised those engaged in fishing and maritime activities to avoid entering the affected waters as conditions remain hazardous.

The advisory remains in effect until further notice as officials continue to monitor the developing weather situation.

A Sri Lankan immigrant doctor has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a female patient during an acupuncture appointment in Perth.

General practitioner Vino Kariyakarawana, a 49-year-old father-of-two who came to Australia in 2008, was on Tuesday convicted of one count of unlawful and indecent assault at Perth Magistrates Court, after two other counts of the same charge were dropped in February.

The court heard Dr Kariyakarawana assaulted his victim, a 30-year-old international student, at the Carlisle Medical Centre in July last year during a follow-up appointment a day after he diagnosed her with a muscle spasm or soft tissue injury when she presented with an injured back.

During the appointment the doctor pressed his genitals into his victim, who was dressed in a hospital gown, touched her inappropriately, asked about her sexual history and massaged around her genitals, telling her she was “tense”, The West Australian reported.

After the 90-minute appointment Dr Kariyakarawana typed up and printed a fake feedback form which read “The procedure done professionally and I’m happy with the treatment” and asked her to sign it, the court heard.

Dr Kariyakarawana’s lawyer argued the victim’s account was “inconsistent and implausible” and told the court his client “accidentally” touched the patient with his genitals.

But Magistrate Belinda Coleman found the action was deliberate and that the GP had become sexually aroused during the appointment.

She found the victim “did not freely consent to Dr Kariyakarawana touching her body in a sexual way”, there was no medical reason for him to ask about her sexual history, and that the doctor printed the feedback form to cover up his crimes.

Dr Kariyakarawana is still a registered medical practitioner according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and a Healthengine online profile states that he “consults male patients only”.

The profile states he has a Masters in Public Health, a Diploma in Child Health, and is “trained in managing Mental Health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, post natal depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders etc”.

THE NOTICER 

Pope Leo told Spain's parliament that escalating conflict, deepening polarization and widespread disregard for human rights had pushed the world into a profound crisis, in one of his most expansive political addresses yet on Monday.

Leo, who has adopted a more forceful tone recently against the direction of global leadership, also firmly repeated his opposition to increased European military spending, urging politicians instead to end the wars ravaging the globe and help migrants.

"The world is undergoing a profound spiritual and cultural crisis, which is manifested in multiple forms of violence, polarization, and mutual distrust," the pope said in the address, which came hours after Israel and Iran renewed their attacks on one another in the most serious test of a two-month ceasefire.

"Weapons can impose a temporary silence; but they can never build an authentic and lasting peace," he said.

The pope on Monday also met with six victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy and told bishops they must ⁠offer survivors reparations as he sought to address a scandal that has severely damaged the local Church's credibility.

A 2023 report by Spain's human rights ombudsman estimated hundreds of thousands of victims of clerical abuse there over decades.

MIGRATION CHALLENGING WORLD'S ‘ETHICAL FOUNDATION’

Leo's speech, which was delivered in Spanish and was received with a seven-minute standing ovation by lawmakers, was a rare papal address to a national legislature and the first by a pope to Spain's parliament. It is part of a week-long visit to the country in which the pontiff has met with migrants and the homeless, and called on national leaders to stop dividing their electorates.

The pope, whose Spain tour will culminate with the pontiff meeting migrants in the Canary Islands who braved dangerous Atlantic waters to enter Europe, said a lack of help for the world's migrants was challenging "the ethical foundation of the international order".

He said countries must look for solutions that go beyond "the mere management of flows" and should address the causes that force people to leave their countries of origin, including war, poverty and climate change.

The pope told parliament that "the moral greatness of a nation is manifested above all in its capacity to accompany, protect, and love those lives that pass through the greatest ⁠fragility".

More than 3,000 people died in 2025 trying to reach the Canary Islands, off the western coast of Africa, often in makeshift dinghies, according to NGO Caminando Fronteras.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government has opened a mass amnesty programme, allowing an estimated 500,000 immigrants to apply for legal status.

POPE CALLS EUROPEAN REARMAMENT ‘TROUBLING’

Leo, who issued a fervent manifesto last month urging global governments to slow down the development of AI systems, called on Monday for "rigorous ethical vigilance" over how AI was used in warfare.

He said that rising European military spending, which grew last year by the highest amount since the end of the Cold War amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, was “troubling.”

Spanish Prime ⁠Minister Pedro Sanchez has refused to meet Trump's demands for NATO member countries to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, although the expenditure has tripled since he took office in 2018, rising from around €10 billion ($11.5 billion) to more than €34 billion.

The pope last month called European rearmament a betrayal of diplomacy.

Leo also offered some of his most in-depth remarks yet addressing the balance in the relationship between Church and state. He urged protection of religious freedom, ⁠saying that faith "cannot be relegated to silence as though it were irrelevant to public life".

The pope likewise defended the privacy of the Catholic seal of confession, which obliges a priest not to reveal any information given to him by penitents.

Several countries, including France, have debated whether to compel priests to report sexual abuse disclosed in confessions, following scandals that have shaken the Church internationally.

Protecting the seal, Leo ⁠said, preserves "a sacred space of inner freedom, where the believer can open his or her soul before God".

The Vatican said the abuse victims Leo met for one hour on Monday offered him suggestions for how the Church could respond to such cases, even as some victims said they had been excluded from the meeting and called the Church's response insufficient.

In an earlier meeting with Catholic bishops, Leo said they must listen to survivors of abuse and offer them reparations. 

Source: Reuters

The Colombo High Court today ordered that another case instituted by the Attorney General against Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grandmother Daisy Forrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act be taken up again on July 16.

The matter was called before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.

During the proceedings, both defendants—Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest—appeared before the court.

The case has now been fixed for further proceedings on July 16 following today’s hearing.

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment today after the Colombo High Court found him guilty on corruption-related charges linked to vehicle procurement during his tenure at the National Lotteries Board.

The judgment was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Mohomed Mihal, who also ordered the former minister to pay a fine amounting to Rs. 1.8 million.

The case was initiated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, which had filed four indictments against Gunawardena. The charges alleged that while serving as Chairman of the National Lotteries Board, actions connected to the rental-based procurement of vehicles had resulted in financial losses to the State.

After considering the evidence presented, the court found the accused guilty on all four counts.

Although a four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence was imposed for each individual indictment, the court ruled that all sentences would run concurrently. As a result, the total effective prison term remains four years.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed financial penalties in connection with the convictions, including the ordered fine.

The ruling marks the conclusion of proceedings relating to allegations surrounding procurement decisions made during Gunawardena’s leadership at the National Lotteries Board.