Salley's Health Deteriorates, US-Iran Peace Talks Begin Amidst Dengue Crisis and Rupee Volatility

Suresh Salley's wife reports his health has critically deteriorated due to a blood clot in his hand, causing severe swelling and impaired upper body function, confining him to bed. He continues his hunger strike, describing his detention cell as "hell" and alleging personal grudges from the CID Director

. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged injustice in female Police Constable recruitment due to postponed medical tests and changed qualifications, and claimed the government is destroying the traditional medicine sector by making three A-Level subjects mandatory for registration exams

. US President Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian signed a 14-point preliminary accord to end war, with preliminary talks scheduled for today in Switzerland, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan

. Trump, however, issued a sarcastic warning that Iran was "finished" and could face renewed bombing if it "doesn't behave," while confirming an interim agreement is scheduled for signing in Geneva on Friday

. ICC Chairman Jay Shah met with President Dissanayake and the Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee to discuss governance reforms and the return to an elected body, praising Sri Lanka's historical place in cricket

. Former Minister Professor G.L. Peiris cited World Bank data, stating 24.5% of Sri Lankans are living in poverty and are hungry, and plans to inform the IMF's Colombo office next week

. Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and two others were indicted on 10 corruption charges by CIABOC, alleging they pressured officials to secure Rs. 8.85 million in compensation for property damaged during the "Aragalaya" protests

. Parliament will convene from June 23-26, with specific daily timings for parliamentary business, oral questions, and standing orders

. Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake has been re-named a suspect in the gold-plated T-56 assault rifle case by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, which found sufficient evidence against him

. The Colombo High Court commenced evidence examination in the 2016 Rajagiriya accident case against former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and two co-accused, with the first witness identifying Ranawaka as the driver

. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) launched a special investigation into a clash at the Kalpitiya Firing Range on June 17, 2026, involving unauthorized entry during a bomb disposal exercise

. US Vice President JD Vance will not attend the Switzerland peace talks, leading to foreign media reports suggesting the US-Iran agreement is nullified, though the White House has not confirmed

. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire taking effect on Friday, June 19th, at 4 p.m., brokered by the US, Qatar, and Iran, though Israeli PM Netanyahu stated strikes on Hezbollah would continue "wherever necessary"

. The President's Fund provided educational equipment, including laptops, to 14 selected university students at a cost of Rs. 5.8 million, bringing the total to approximately 30 students in 2025 and 2026 with over Rs. 9.8 million spent

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The Sri Lankan Rupee saw mixed movements, with the USD selling rate decreasing to Rs. 339.06 on June 18 and further appreciating to Rs. 338 on June 19 across commercial banks

. The Central Bank's daily exchange rate showed the USD selling price at LKR 339.06 and buying at LKR 329.18 on June 18, with a slight further decrease to LKR 338.70 for selling on June 19

. Train services between Nanu Oya and Badulla resumed today, June 20th, following repairs from Cyclone Ditwah, with four trains operating daily on this section

. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) mandated exporters convert residual proceeds to LKR and introduced a new regulatory overhaul for the import sector to tighten monitoring of foreign payment transactions

. Lanka Salt General Manager Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage Gunaratne was released on two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each after being arrested by CIABOC for allegedly causing a Rs. 14.3 million loss to the government, with a travel ban imposed

. The government is accelerating a shift to a paperless customs clearance system for imports and exports, with a key discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat to expedite the program and direct all declarations to be submitted electronically

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Sri Lanka faces a severe dengue epidemic with 44,480 cases and 28 deaths this year, attributed to a new virus strain (DENV-2) and rising mosquito breeding grounds, particularly in the Western Province

. A new public awareness program on dengue control, launched by Sirasa FM, will run for ten days, covering 1000 houses across 10 cities in conjunction with national efforts

. The Ministry of Health and Mass Media has appointed new directors to 17 health institutions across Sri Lanka, with Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasizing public service over political gain

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The Southwest Monsoon continues to affect Sri Lanka, with intermittent rain or thundershowers forecast for Western, Sabaragamuwa, North Western provinces, and Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya districts on June 15, 2026

. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced an emergency water cut for Mahara and Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha areas from June 19-20 due to an emergency breakdown in the main water supply pipeline near the Kadawatha Central Expressway

. A fire erupted at the Evergeen Company tea factory in Elpitiya, causing serious damage, with fire brigade teams working to control the blaze and investigations ongoing

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Police are investigating the death of physiotherapist Shamya Darshani, whose body was found in a car near Teldeniya Hospital; her boyfriend, the prime suspect, allegedly transported her body and fled, with body parts sent to the Government Analyst

. A physiotherapist from Ampara General Hospital was found deceased in a car near Teldeniya hospital, with strangulation suspected and an overseas travel ban issued against her boyfriend, the prime suspect

. Sri Lanka Customs apprehended 26 passengers (17 Indian, 9 Sri Lankan) at Kankesanthurai Port, thwarting an attempt to smuggle approximately 30 grams of 24-carat gold, valued at Rs. 2.8 million, to India

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New forecasts for June 19, 2026, indicate showers and thundershowers across Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces, and Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya districts, with public advised to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning

. The Meteorology Department forecasts intermittent rain or thundershowers for June 19, 2026, in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western provinces, and Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya districts, also extending to Uva, Polonnaruwa, Mullaitivu, Ampara, and Batticaloa districts after 2:00 PM

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Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga secured another major victory, winning the Doha Diamond League men's javelin event on June 19, 2026, with a throw of 88.68 metres, competing against a world-class field including Neeraj Chopra

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The Department of Examinations has released the results for the 2025 GCE O/L examination online, with 451,463 candidates having sat for the exam. Applications for re-scrutiny will be accepted from June 25 to July 07

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