Oil prices fell sharply to their lowest in more than a week on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump said a ceasefire has been agreed between Iran and Israel, alleviating worries of supply disruptions in the Middle East – a major oil-producing region.
Brent crude futures were down $2.08, or 2.9%, at $69.40 a barrel around 0330 GMT, after earlier tumbling more than 4% and touching its lowest level since June 11.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude declined $2.03, or 3.0%, to $66.48 per barrel, having dived 6% to its weakest level since June 9 earlier in the session.

Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, held a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Prime Minister’s Office on 23 June.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya welcomed the High Commissioner and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working constructively with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). She noted that the recent political transition marks a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s political culture, rooted in a historic mandate received from all communities.

The Prime Minister outlined the Government’s focus on three key pillars: alleviating rural poverty, advancing digitalization, and pursuing legal and political reforms alongside the necessary social transformation and institutional changes. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting and promoting the full spectrum of human rights, including social, educational, health, and economic rights, and emphasized that reconciliation remains a priority, supported by strengthening domestic mechanisms such as the Office for Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for Reparations (OR), and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR).

High Commissioner Volker Türk expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka’s continued engagement and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in advancing human rights, democratic governance, and national reconciliation.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, and other officials from the United Nations. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism; and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media – N.A.K.L.Wijenayake has stated that all arrangements have been finalized for the Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Symposium 2025, which will be held in Colombo tomorrow (June 25).

Speaking at a media briefing at the Government Information Department yesterday (June 23), Wijenayake said the symposium, organized by the Broadcasters’ Guild of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Ministry of Mass Media, will focus on the challenges and opportunities of broadcasting in a rapidly digitalising world.

The event also aims to position Sri Lanka as a future hub for electronic broadcasting.

Topics including the future of the industry over the next 05 years, current challenges, and copyright issues will be discussed during multiple sessions, with participation from foreign observers.

Director General of Government Information – H.S.K.J. Bandara, Guild President – Asanga Jayasuriya, Secretary – Laksiri Withanage, media analyst and consultant – Nalaka Gunawardena, and other officials were present at the briefing.