Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day. From major developments to breaking news, we bring you everything that happened today, all in one quick and easy read.
Middle East Crisis: Update from overseas Sri Lankan missions
Ambassadors and mission officials report ongoing efforts to assist nationals amid regional tensions. In Jordan, transit visa processing is underway and airspace faced brief closures on June 23. Some Sri Lankans have reached Egypt and India, and missions in Doha remain in dialogue with local governments.
Candlelit Hideout – Deshabandu says he was at Giriulla home the whole time
Suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon informed a parliamentary panel he remained at his residence in Giriulla during the period police were searching for him under a court arrest warrant.
Clean Sri Lanka: Colombo Central Bus Stand to be upgraded
The 1.42-hectare Colombo Central Bus Stand—operating since 1964 and accommodating 1,500–2,000 buses daily—will undergo refurbishment of canteen, ticket counters, rest areas, driver quarters, and administrative facilities. The project is part of the national “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and was discussed at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday.
NPP secures control of 200 local councils – JVP
National People’s Power (NPP) gained majority control of two recently inaugurated local councils (Balangoda Urban Council and Thanamalvila Pradeshiya Sabha), reaching a total of 200 councils under their administration, according to the JVP media unit.
“Ishara Sewwandi has not fled Sri Lanka” – Security Minister
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala stated in a televised interview that suspect Ishara Sewwandi—accused of delivering the weapon used in the February assassination of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa—has not fled the country. Investigators have obtained insights about her involvement from other suspects, and CID investigations are ongoing.