Dengue Crisis Deepens, Rupee Fluctuates Amidst Major Arrests and Public Sector Strike

The main suspect in the physiotherapist murder case, a 38-year-old married man with a history of financial fraud against women, was arrested in Jaffna along with his wife and child, and handed over to Nuwara Eliya Police for further investigation

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. Separately, a Canadian 18-year-old university student was arrested at BIA with 35.265 kilograms of hashish valued at LKR 352.65 million, allegedly promised CAD 12,500 for her education

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. The Western Province North Crime Division conducted multiple raids, seizing approximately 39 kg of 'ice' and 5 kg of Kerala ganja in Dematagoda, and over 5 kg of 'ice' and 1.8 kg of heroin in Boralesgamuwa

. In a suspicious death, an unidentified man's body was found in the Gin Ganga with hands tied and feet bound to a concrete post, and a disfigured face, prompting a police investigation

. The Colombo High Court upheld a nine-month prison sentence for Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero for insulting Islam

. Finally, SLCERT issued a warning on WhatsApp scams, including video extortion and impersonation tactics by officials

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Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's petition to prevent his arrest in the Easter attacks probe continued in the Court of Appeal, with further consideration postponed until July 6

. Grama Niladhari Officers initiated a trade union action, withdrawing from all field duties due to an unresolved fuel allowance dispute and threatening sick leave from June 30

. The US Government donated ten TH-57 Sea Ranger multi-purpose helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force, enhancing training and search-and-rescue capabilities

. The US Congress passed War Powers Resolutions, a bipartisan rebuke to President Trump's authority on military action against Iran, though the resolutions are largely symbolic

. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need for deep structural education reforms and holistic child development to address inequalities and AI impacts

. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed a 15-member commission to address public sector salary and pension issues, gazetted on June 22

. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa challenged the government to hold Provincial Council elections to gauge public mandate and protect democratic rights

. Police announced strict measures against noisy motorcycles during the Poson festival, with vehicles fitted with modified silencers to be seized

. A Private Member's Bill was presented in Parliament to restrict social media access for individuals under 16 to protect children from harmful content

. Finally, the Cabinet approved the removal of indelible ink requirement for voters in elections, citing operational inefficiencies and costs

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The Sri Lankan Rupee continued its fluctuation, with the USD selling price rising to LKR 340.06 and buying price at LKR 330.35 by June 24, indicating renewed depreciation

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. The Cabinet approved the establishment of a Special Ministerial Sub-Committee and an Officers' Committee to implement a national action plan to mitigate the anticipated impacts of the El Niño climatic phenomenon, including potential water, electricity, and food crises

. An IMF staff team arrived in Sri Lanka for a visit from June 24 to June 30 to assess the progress of the country's economic reform program and review recent economic developments

. Sri Lanka enacted a VAT reform Bill, effective July 1, 2026, which consolidates financial sector VAT and SSCL into a single 20.5% rate, reduces the annual VAT registration threshold to Rs. 36 million, and introduces VAT on digital services by foreign entities

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Sri Lanka is grappling with an escalating dengue epidemic, with 757 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 48,287, and a three-day special mosquito control program focusing on 112 MOH divisions and 6 high-risk provinces has commenced

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. Deputy Minister Ruwan Senerath warned that the hospital system may become unable to manage patients if dengue cases continue to rise, noting 13,338 cases reported up to June 21st this year compared to 5,466 last June

. Tragically, a 23-year-old Ruhuna University student, Sadali Tharaka, died from dengue fever after being admitted to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital

. The Ministry of Health issued a new circular banning the sale of high-sugar, high-fat, and processed foods in school canteens to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy eating habits

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The 2025 GCE O/L Examination results have been released online, accessible via www.results.exams.gov.lk and onlineexams.gov.lk/eic, with certificates to be issued online only through https://certificate.doenets.lk/certificate

. The Cabinet approved new circulars for Grade 1 admissions in government schools, to be implemented from the 2027 academic year, aiming for fair access and transparency

. The Ministry of Education confirmed that the 2026 GCE A/Level examination will commence as scheduled on August 10th, with officials instructed to ensure complete syllabus coverage

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The Southwest Monsoon continues to affect Sri Lanka, with forecasts indicating a temporary increase in rainfall in southwestern regions from tonight for the next few days, along with intermittent moderate strong winds and lightning risks

. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board announced a 24-hour water cut affecting Padukka, Homagama, Kottawa, Pannipitiya, and Pelanwatta, commencing today at 8:00 p.m. due to essential maintenance work on the main water transmission line

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The Meteorology Department issued a new warning notice for sea areas from Chilaw to Mannar via Kankesanthurai and Galle to Hambantota via Pottuvil, valid for the next 24 hours from June 24th, with wind speeds expected to reach 50-60 km/h and seas becoming rough

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Five people were hospitalized after a van, travelling from Anuradhapura to Negombo, collided with a three-wheeler and crashed into a building in Thillaiyadi, Puttalam, with the driver reportedly losing control while avoiding another car

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