The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory for strong winds and rough seas in sea areas from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Winds of 50–60 km/h and rough sea conditions are expected at times. Wave heights may rise to 2.0–2.5 metres in sea areas from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil. Fishing and naval communities have been advised to remain vigilant and follow future weather updates.

Amber advisory issued for strong winds and rough seas

A 45-year-old man has died after drowning while sea bathing in Moragalla in Aluthgama, police said. The victim, a resident of Eheliyagoda, was bathing with friends when he was swept away by strong currents. Police said the body was later recovered. Further investigations are being conducted by Sri Lanka Police.

45-year-old drowns while sea bathing in Moragalla

Iran's soccer team arrived in the United States for ​the first time at this World Cup on Sunday, landing at Los Angeles International Airport and holding a press conference on the same day that ‌a peace deal between the two nations was announced. The Iran squad arrived after a short flight from Tijuana, Mexico, where they left their base camp earlier to a rousing sendoff ahead of their opening game against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday. "I am very happy to be representing the great, proud and strong nation of Iran," Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said through a translator in a press conference at the stadium. "I hope that football ​will bring about joy and enjoyment, and bring closer the cultures and countries." The squad's Group G fixture against New Zealand will be played against the backdrop of ​the U.S. war with Iran and the newly-announced peace deal, adding a charged atmosphere to a contest between two nations who have never ⁠met at a World Cup. Iran moved their World Cup base camp from a sports complex in Arizona to Mexico late last month after the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on ​Iran beginning in late February. Iran will now have to make the trip from Mexico to the U.S. for each of their three group matches and Ghalenoei said the travel and the ​denial of visas into the U.S. for some members of their soccer federation had negatively affected the squad. The U.S.-Iran deal to end the war will be signed during an official ceremony on Friday in Switzerland, U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on social media on Sunday. 'BRING AN END TO THIS REGIME' While the squad flew to LA, a group of protesters calling for democracy in Iran ​and denouncing its government rallied near Los Angeles Stadium. "No Shah - No Mullah in Iran - Regime Change by Iranians," said placards. Pictures and posters of athletes who protesters said had died ​after being arrested by the Iranian government lined a busy street corner in Inglewood. The January crackdown on protests in Iran, which rights groups and activists say killed thousands - and possibly tens of thousands - was ‌a particular ⁠outrage to Mojgan Ramezani, 56, an Iranian American at the rally. "They're holding hostage their own people," said Ramezani. Hassan Haddadi, 70, said he was frustrated that most of the world's governments had done little to support change in Iran. “We’re hoping to bring awareness to the western world, to somehow do something beyond just condemning, to bring an end to this regime," said Haddadi. Ghalenoei said the squad's players and coaches were "not political people." "We are here to play football and represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside Iran or the Iranian diaspora." 'MEXICO STANDS ​WITH YOU' Earlier in Tijuana, supporters lining five-deep ​on a packed sidewalk outside Iran's hotel ⁠chanted "Team Melli" — Persian for "national team" — as the Iranian players emerged from the hotel and walked towards the waiting bus. Many of the players waved and smiled at those who had gathered while some members of the delegation took video of the scene with their phones. One supporter held ​a yellow sign with black lettering reading: "Iran, you will never walk alone. Mexico stands with you." A young boy perched on someone's shoulders ​clutched the official Panini ⁠FIFA World Cup 2026 sticker album, open to the Iran squad page. At one point, the crowd sang in Spanish, "Iran, brother, you are Mexican now." Iranian soccer federation President Mehdi Taj stood outside the hotel as the players left with many of the supporters following the bus down the street as it drove away. The Iranian community in Tijuana is tiny - around 20 people - and much smaller than that ⁠of Los Angeles, ​which is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Tens of thousands of Iranian Americans live in Los ​Angeles, where a distinct diaspora often referred to as "Tehrangeles" has taken root. This is the first World Cup since its inception in 1930 in which a host nation has received a country it is at war with. Source: Reuters&nbsp;

Iran team arrive in US for World Cup opener as the two nations reach peace deal

The West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the third T20 International at Sabina Park, winning the three-match series 2–1. Sri Lanka, batting first, were bowled out for 169 runs in 20 overs after struggling to build partnerships. The West Indies chased down the 170-run target, finishing on 170 for 5 in 19.4 overs. The win sealed the series victory for the West Indies.

West Indies win T20 series against Sri Lanka 2–1

Two organized crime suspects linked to drug trafficking have been handed over to Sri Lankan police units for further investigations after being deported from the UAE. The suspects were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on arrival on 13th.. Police said one suspect, known as Modara Chathura, has been handed to the Central Crime Investigation Bureau, while the other, known as Bloemendhal Sanka, has been handed to the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau. Investigations are continuing into multiple past criminal cases linked to both suspects.

Two deported drug trafficking suspects handed over to CID units

Oil prices slipped to their lowest since March on Monday after U.S. President Donald ‌Trump and Iran's deputy foreign minister said they had reached an initial deal to end the war and to resume traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures fell $3.58, or 4.10%, to $83.75 a barrel by 0004 GMT and U.S. West Texas ​Intermediate was at $80.87, down $4.01, or 4.72%. Both contracts tumbled more than 3% on Friday. The U.S. and Iran ​will sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday, said the prime ⁠minister of Pakistan, whose country has served as a mediator. Trump said on Sunday that the Strait ​of Hormuz would be open "toll free" and that a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would also end. Iran's ​semi-official Mehr news agency said the draft deal called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under Iranian arrangements. "The geopolitical risk premium that had been built into crude is now being unwound quite aggressively as traders price in the ​prospect of restored oil flows," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. The world has lost ​millions of barrels of oil and gas supply since the war closed the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for a ‌fifth of ⁠the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, for more than three months. Investors are also watching cautiously how quickly Middle Eastern producers can resume oil production and exports following damage from the war and whether more ships will enter the region. "While these uncertainties suggest upside risks to our forecast for Brent oil futures ​to reach $80/bbl by the end ​of the year, it's ⁠worth noting that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz just needs to reach 60-70% of pre-war levels to return oil markets to pre-war oversupply expectations," ​Vivek Dhar, a commodities strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said in a ​note. Iran's deputy ⁠foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said a more expansive agreement would be negotiated during a 60-day ceasefire period. E4 nations, which include the UK, France, Germany and Italy, said on Sunday the countries were prepared to lift sanctions on Iran in ⁠response ​to steps on its nuclear programme. "Given the uncertainties around the next ​round of negotiations over the next 60 days, particularly around the nuclear aspect, it’s hard to see crude oil prices falling too ​much further from here immediately," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said. Source: Reuters&nbsp;

Oil slips 4% as US, Iran reach peace deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent ​oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Iran's nuclear program to further negotiations. "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform around ‌5:30 p.m. ET local time in Washington (2130 GMT) on Sunday. His post came shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has served as a mediator, announced a deal had been struck early on Monday local time. The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland. The precise terms were not immediately known. Sharif said in a post on X that the pact called for "the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." Lebanon has been a sticking point in negotiations, with Israel and Hezbollah ignoring calls from Trump and others to ​stop their attacks on each other in recent weeks. In a statement, the secretariat of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, would end permanently starting on Monday night. Iran's deputy foreign ​minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said a more expansive agreement would be negotiated during a 60-day ceasefire period, including sanctions relief for Iran. The fate of Iran's nuclear program, another thorny issue, will also ⁠be addressed in those later talks, sources previously told Reuters. There was no immediate reaction to the announcement from Israel, which has said it was not party to the U.S.-Iran talks. STRAIT TO REOPEN Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route for ​global oil and gas supplies that Iran has effectively shut down for months, would open on Friday, and that he had ordered the end of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. "Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" Trump wrote. Oil ​prices fell on the news. Brent crude futures fell 4% in early trading on Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate slid more than 4.6%. Stock markets in Asia jumped. Former Biden administration State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Trump had made important concessions to Iran to achieve the status quo that existed before he launched the war. "We have no assurances the nuclear program will ever be addressed, but Iran has shown the world it can take the global economy hostage and get something from the U.S. in return," said Miller. Thousands of people have been killed, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, ​since U.S. and Israeli forces first attacked Iran on February 28. Iran has struck Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. bases and has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up global energy prices. U.S. forces have blocked Iranian ports in response. The ​Iran war has become a political liability at home for Trump and his fellow Republicans in Congress, with public opinion polls showing Americans deeply frustrated by rising gas prices ahead of November's midterm elections. But Trump has also faced pressure from members of his own party ‌who insist that ⁠Iran's nuclear program must be completely shut down. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading Iran hawk, praised the deal but said he would be "watching closely" the coming negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. "Under our law, any nuclear deal with Iran will be sent to Congress for review and a vote," he said. "Congratulations to all in getting us to this point." During his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 multilateral Iran deal, negotiated by Democratic President Barack Obama, that lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program, including international inspections. Iran responded by ramping up its enrichment of uranium, producing more than 400 kg (around 900 pounds) of material at close to bomb-grade purity. The eventual fate of that uranium is likely to be a key negotiating point during ​the upcoming talks. 'A VERY DIFFICULT GUY' The agreement was sealed despite an ​Israeli strike on Lebanon on Sunday that drew criticism ⁠from both Iran and Trump. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has differed with Trump over American demands that Israel curb its military action in Lebanon to allow the United States to reach a deal with Iran. Israel has said it will retain freedom of operations in Lebanon, while Iran has made a full ceasefire there an important component of its demands. Trump updated Netanyahu on the progress toward ​a peace deal during a phone call on Sunday, Israel's N12 reported, citing a senior official. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump called Netanyahu "a very difficult guy" and ​argued the Israeli leader should thank ⁠him for saving Israel from a nuclear-armed Iran. Leaders outside the Middle East, who have kept a wary eye on the conflict, welcomed the announcement. In a joint statement, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy said they were prepared to lift sanctions on Iran in response to "clear, verifiable steps" to limit its nuclear program. "We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. "Iran must never have a nuclear weapon." Before the deal was announced, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that, ⁠under the terms of ​the draft, the United States would agree to release $25 billion of frozen Iranian assets. The Trump administration has previously said any release of Iranian money ​would only take place once Iran has fulfilled certain conditions under a peace deal. A U.S. official, also speaking before the announcement, said the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed. The senior Iranian official said the draft ​deal would allow Iran, which denies seeking a nuclear bomb, to dilute its enriched uranium inside the country.

US, Iran reach preliminary agreement to end war, signing set for Friday

A nationwide Dengue Prevention Week begins today (15) and will continue until 20 June amid concerns over the spread of dengue fever. Public places, including cities, drainage systems, commercial centres, religious sites and bus stations, will be cleaned until 17 June. Schools, pre-schools and tuition classes are scheduled for cleaning on 18 June, while public and private institutions and factories will be cleaned on 19 June. The programme will conclude with the cleaning of homes and surrounding areas on 20 June.

Dengue Prevention Week begins today

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has rejected a request to allow daily legal consultations for Suresh Sallay, who is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Colombo. CID Director Shani Abeysekara informed Sallay’s wife that court-approved legal access will continue once a week on Wednesdays. The CID said Sallay is hospitalised and not currently involved in investigative proceedings. Family members, including his wife and children, are permitted daily visits.

Amber advisory issued for strong winds and rough seas

45-year-old drowns while sea bathing in Moragalla

45-year-old drowns while sea b ...

Iran team arrive in US for World Cup opener as the two nations reach p ...

Iran team arrive in US for Wor ...

West Indies win T20 series against Sri Lanka 2–1

West Indies win T20 series aga ...

Two deported drug trafficking suspects handed over to CID units

Two deported drug trafficking ...

Oil slips 4% as US, Iran reach peace deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Oil slips 4% as US, Iran reach ...

US, Iran reach preliminary agreement to end war, signing set for Frida ...

US, Iran reach preliminary agr ...

Dengue Prevention Week begins today

Dengue Prevention Week begins ...

CID rejects request for daily lawyer access to Suresh Sallay

CID rejects request for daily ...

45-year-old drowns while sea bathing in Moragalla

45-year-old drowns while sea b ...

Iran team arrive in US for World Cup opener as the two nations reach p ...

Iran team arrive in US for Wor ...

West Indies win T20 series against Sri Lanka 2–1

West Indies win T20 series aga ...

Two deported drug trafficking suspects handed over to CID units

Two deported drug trafficking ...

Oil slips 4% as US, Iran reach peace deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Oil slips 4% as US, Iran reach ...

US, Iran reach preliminary agreement to end war, signing set for Frida ...

US, Iran reach preliminary agr ...

Dengue Prevention Week begins today

Dengue Prevention Week begins ...

CID rejects request for daily lawyer access to Suresh Sallay

CID rejects request for daily ...

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45-year-old drowns while sea bathing in Moragalla

45-year-old drowns while sea b ...

Iran team arrive in US for World Cup opener as the two nations reach p ...

Iran team arrive in US for Wor ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

West Indies win T20 series against Sri Lanka 2–1

West Indies win T20 series aga ...

Two deported drug trafficking suspects handed over to CID units

Two deported drug trafficking ...

Oil slips 4% as US, Iran reach peace deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Oil slips 4% as US, Iran reach ...

US, Iran reach preliminary agreement to end war, signing set for Frida ...

US, Iran reach preliminary agr ...