- Based on a concept of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, freehold land deeds were presented unconditionally and free to war heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs during active service to protect the country’s sovereignty, as well as to their dependents, for lands currently occupied by them.This initiative, conceptualized by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, aims to affirm the right to a plot of land for these war heroes of the Tri-forces, Police and CSD, ensuring every inch of the country remains free from fear and doubt.
- Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, says he is still on the fence on contesting the upcoming Presidential elections but is willing to take the challenge and put the country back on track. Asked how he intends to put the country back on the right track, Fonseka responded saying there is a need to fight corruption and also bring about discipline in the country.
- The proposal on obtaining approval for the amendments proposed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee to the Animal Welfare Bill has received Cabinet approval. Cabinet approval was granted in January 2022 to submit the Animal Welfare Bill to the Parliament, after which it was presented to the Parliament. The Bill was then forwarded to the Food Safety and Agriculture Sectoral Oversight Committee for recommendations, where the committee had proposed several amendments.
- The Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera highlighted that following the revision of electricity tariffs, there is potential for a reduction of approximately 20% in the prices of goods and services in the market. The Minister further urged the business community to alleviate the burden on the public by lowering prices, starting from midnight on the day of the electricity tariff adjustment, coinciding with the reduction in electricity bills.
- The Teacher-Principal Trade Union Alliance has decided to launch a work-to-rule campaign for two weeks starting from July 22. Accordingly, the trade unions have decided to withdraw from all activities outside the scope of their school-related duties.
- The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to publish the draft bill prepared to increase the fines mentioned in the Criminal Procedure Code, in the government gazette notification and subsequently present it to the Parliament for approval.
- Sixteen crew members including three Sri Lankan nationals were missing after their Comorian-flagged oil tanker capsized off the coast of Oman, the sultanate’s Maritime Security Centre (MSC) said. The MSC, which is run by the Omani Defence Ministry, said in a post on social media platform X that a “Comoros-flagged oil tanker capsized” south-east of Ras Madrakah in the country’s centre.
- The All-Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association says that a decision has been taken to reduce the prices of multiple food items as a result of the reduction in electricity tariffs. President of the association Harshana Rukshan stated that accordingly the price of a normal rice parcel will go down by Rs. 25. Meanwhile, prices of ‘Fried Rice’ and ‘Kottu’ will also be reduced by Rs. 25, while the prices of ‘Parathas’, ‘Egg Rotis’ and short eats will be reduced by Rs. 10. The price of a Plain Tea is to be reduced by Rs.05.
- Award winning celebrity baker Tharshan Selvarajah made history today as the first Sri Lankan to carry the Olympic Torch for the 2024 Paris Olympics. A number of French-Sri Lankans had lined the streets of Paris to cheer Tharshan as he carried the Olympic torch according to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France.
- Maheesh Theekshana of Galle Marvels has offered his Man-of-the-Match Award for the Indira Cancer Trust, an entity engaged in creating awareness about breast cancer. Theekshana donated the US$1,500 he won during the Lanka Premier League game between the Dambulla Sixers and the Galle Marvels on July 14, 2024.
