US-Iran Peace Deal Reopens Hormuz, Drops Oil Prices; Sri Lanka Grapples with Dengue Surge, Rupee Dip, and High-Profile Arrests

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested by CIABOC on June 17th regarding alleged irregularities in his naval recruitment and training, later granted bail with a foreign travel ban

. The United States and Iran have signed a historic 14-point 'Islamabad Accord', ending their prolonged conflict, with formal signing by Presidents Trump and Pezeshkian on June 17th and a 60-day negotiation window activated

. This deal was confirmed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the process

. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa intensified his criticism, alleging government efforts to destroy traditional medicine and devastate the farming community

. The Court of Appeal resumed hearing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's petition to prevent his arrest in the Easter Sunday attacks probe, postponing further consideration to June 24th

. Former Presidential Aide Sugeeshwara Bandara's dual salary allegations now specify he received salaries from two state institutions for nearly two years

. India donated USD 5.5 million in defence and medical aid to the Sri Lanka Army, enhancing operational readiness

. Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandalika Sanath Kumaranayake chaired a review of the 2026 Budget proposals and revenue agency efficiency

. Sri Lanka Post confirmed 192 permanent appointments for Sub-Postmasters and announced further recruitments

. The UNP urged the government to formally request FBI evidence on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, citing a previous request by then-PM Wickremesinghe

. Dual investigations are underway into a tense Police-Air Force clash at the Kalpitiya firing range

. PM Harini Amarasuriya stated that schools should only host government-approved programs

. The Cabinet approved a Rs. 1,008 million project to modernize 126 school hostels nationwide between 2026 and 2028

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The Sri Lankan Rupee depreciated further against the US Dollar on June 17th, with selling rates climbing above Rs. 338, though it largely appreciated on June 18th

. Global crude oil prices continued their decline, reaching pre-conflict levels with WTI at $73.83 and Brent at $76.64 per barrel, attributed to the US-Iran peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

. Up-country train services between Nanu Oya and Badulla are set to resume on June 20th after Cyclone Ditwah repairs, with a special timetable for key services

. Sri Lankan authorities seized over Rs. 90 million in contraband foreign cigarettes at BIA since mid-May, arresting 42 individuals, including 39 Chinese nationals

. Lanka Sathosa has reduced prices on nine essential food items, including various rice types, flour, chickpeas, and sugar, effective immediately

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Sri Lanka is intensifying its dengue fight with a nationwide control week, including a special program on June 18th targeting schools to eliminate breeding sites, as infections surpass 42,000

. The GMOA warned that hospitals risk exceeding capacity due to a surge in dengue patients, with 9717 cases reported in the first 14 days of June and nearly 45,000 cumulative cases nationwide, fueled by a new virus strain

. Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that while the situation is controllable, the hospital system could collapse if cases continue to rise, noting that schools account for 41% of identified mosquito breeding sites

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The strict enforcement of the expressway seat belt rule is confirmed to be re-enforced from June 19th or 20th, following its initial gazetting in September 2025

. Sri Lanka Police launched a new QR code-based 'Community Feedback Portal' for public input on services at all police stations and is developing a new mobile application

. The Meteorology Department re-issued an 'Amber' advisory for strong winds and rough seas from June 16th to 17th, urging naval and fishing communities to be vigilant in areas from Matara to Pottuvil

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New forecasts for June 18th indicate showers and thundershowers in Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North-western provinces, and in Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya districts, with warnings for localized strong winds and lightning

. A new warning for sea areas from Matara to Hambantota via Pottuvil predicts strong winds (50-60 km/h) and rough seas with wave heights of 2.0 - 2.5 meters from June 18th to 19th, advising naval and fishing communities to exercise caution

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Police are investigating the death of a physiotherapist who had accumulated over Rs. 150 million in debt, causing severe mental stress. Authorities are seeking her software engineer boyfriend from Gannoruwa, while also considering suicide as a possibility

. Investigations have been launched into the discovery of two separate unidentified male bodies in the Colombo area, one off the Port of Colombo and another near the Kelani Bridge

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Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga has achieved a historic milestone, climbing to third place in the latest men's javelin throw world rankings with 1324 points, the country's highest-ever achievement. He is set to compete in the Doha Diamond League

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