Lifestyle
Sri Lanka ranks 73rd of 123 countries in English proficiency index
Sri Lanka scores 486 in 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, ranking in Low Proficiency band, ahead of India but behind Nepal and Bangladesh.
Lifestyle
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Health Ministry warns misleading firewood reports could strain energy sector
Health Ministry warns inaccurate firewood coverage risks pushing households to gas and electricity, adding pressure to energy sector.
Lifestyle
Met forecasts showers as winds ease to 30-40 kmph on exam opening day
Met forecasts showers in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces on Monday as winds ease to 30-40 kmph, with Matara–Pottuvil seas still a no-go.
Lifestyle
Sri Lanka to fold NVQ training into school curricula
Vocational training will enter Grade 10 and 11 classrooms and become a full A/L stream by 2031, with Rs 8bn in annual capital spending, the government says.
Lifestyle
Early syphilis cases among men up sharply since 2019
NSACP reports 508 early syphilis cases among men in 2025, up from 89 in 2019—nearly three times cases among women.
Lifestyle
A/L examination begins Monday with 372,310 candidates at 2,532 centres
The 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination starts August 10 and runs to September 5, with 372,310 candidates sitting islandwide.
Lifestyle
Motorcyclist, 22, killed in collision with tractor trailer in Giriulla
A motorcyclist from Dambadeniya died after striking the rear of a tractor trailer at Pahala Katugampala, Giriulla, police said.
Lifestyle
Kotmale spill gate opened again as reservoir nears capacity
A Kotmale Reservoir spill gate was opened at 7 p.m. Sunday, releasing 20 cubic metres a second into the Kotmala Oya.
Lifestyle
Met forecasts showers and 40-50 kmph winds as heavy-rain warnings ease
Met forecasts showers in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces with 40-50 kmph winds Sunday.
Lifestyle
Rains over the southwest to ease after August 15, Met Department says
Met Department expects southwestern rains to ease gradually after August 15, and says El Niño could persist into the Northeast Monsoon season.
Lifestyle
Red advisory narrows to Matara–Pottuvil but is extended to Monday morning
Met drops northwest coast from red alert but keeps Matara–Pottuvil under no-go until Monday morning.
Lifestyle
Two arrested over viral cat cruelty video in Thalathuoya
Thalathuoya Police arrested two men aged 18 and 19 after the Animal Welfare Coalition complained about footage circulating on social media.
Lifestyle
Tunisian tourist dies after being swept away while surfing off Weligama
The body of a 21-year-old Tunisian surfer caught in a rip current at Parana Kade beach washed ashore on Sunday morning.
Lifestyle
Sri Lanka's dengue toll reaches 68 as cases cross 91,000
The NDCU reports 91,059 dengue cases and 68 deaths for 2026, with Gampaha and Colombo accounting for more than 41% of all infections.
Lifestyle
Anuradhapura village hospital faces closure with no doctor for a month
Village hospital faces closure — no doctor for month, forcing 28km patient trips to Anuradhapura.
Lifestyle
Red advisory widens to the northwest coast as gusts reach 70 kmph
The Met Department has put two stretches of sea under a Red advisory until 8.30 a.m. Sunday, adding Chilaw to Mannar alongside the Matara-Pottuvil zone.
Lifestyle
Two Badulla reservoirs spilling as Irrigation Department warns downstream residents
Ambewela and Bomuruella reservoirs opened five spill gates between them, with water released into the Mahaweli Ganga, the Irrigation Department says.
Lifestyle
Fourteen factory workers hurt as van plunges down precipice in Bulathsinhala
Factory van plunges over precipice at Udugalakanda, Bulathsinhala; 14 injured but none in serious condition.
Lifestyle
Grade 5 Scholarship Examination held with 294,089 candidates; results due within a month
Grade 5 Scholarship Examination held with 294,089 candidates at 2,723 centres. Results expected within a month.
Lifestyle
Colombo kite festival draws 80 foreign flyers from 30 countries in tourism push
Galle Face kite festival expanded to week-long programme with 30% more international participants and Sri Lanka's first night kite display.
Lifestyle
Met puts Saturday's heavy falls above 75 mm, lowering Friday's 100 mm figure
The Saturday morning bulletin keeps Sabaragamuwa, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya under the heaviest rain, with winds of 40 to 50 kmph across five provinces.
Lifestyle
Met Department forecasts 75 mm falls and 50 kmph winds for Friday
Showers or thundershowers are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces, with heavy falls around 75 mm at some places.
Lifestyle
University of Peradeniya to resume academic activities on August 10
Vice Chancellor Terrence Madhujith says arrangements are in place to restart teaching safely after weather-related suspension.
Lifestyle
Police warn motorists against watching videos at the wheel
In a public safety message, police say a few seconds spent looking at a screen removes the reaction time drivers need to avoid a collision.