Jun 18 (EN) SL’s decision to impose a 50% surcharge on customs import duty for vehicles has reduced foreign currency outflows and decreased demand for the U.S. currency, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said. SL imposed a temporary 50% surcharge on Customs Import Duty on new personal vehicles for three months effective May 16, aiming to restrict imports and reduce the depreciation of the rupee currency. more..

Jun 18 (AD) Former Director of the SIS Major General (Rtd) Suresh Sallay, who is currently in the custody of the CID and receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, has reiterated that he will not end his ongoing hunger strike. According to reports, Sallay told his personnel lawyer during a hospital visit that he is unwilling to return to the CID detention cell, describing the facility as hell and stating that death would be preferable. He is also said to have alleged that more..

Jun 18 (CT) Following another monster throw in Ostrava yesterday, Sri Lanka’s javelin sensation Rumesh Tharanga has climbed to second place in the World Athletics rankings, moving up from third. Germany’s Julian Weber continues to lead with 1360 points, while Tharanga now sits close behind on 1333 points. In 2026, Tharanga has been nothing short of dominant, registering all of the top four throws of the year — an unprecedented achievement for a SL athlete in any discipline. more..

Jun 18 (Island) The NPP govt is trying to maintain a balance between continuing demands for releasing north-east land held by the military and post-war security requirements, says Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera, who has undertaken a series of visits to the northern and eastern provinces in the recent past to explore ways and means of releasing the land, without compromising national security requirements. more..

Jun 18 (TM) Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of a body of a female inside a car near the Teldeniya Base Hospital. The investigation was initiated based on information received by the Police yesterday afternoon (17). A Magisterial inquiry into the incident is scheduled to be conducted shortly. Indian with SL citizenship nabbed for job fraud: A 32-year-old individual has been arrested in connection with an alleged fraud involving Rs 4.99 million after more..

Jun 18 (DM) Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said that SL's daily foreign exchange outflow for vehicle imports has fallen to below USD 4 million following the introduction of a temporary surcharge on Customs Import Duties for vehicles. Fernando said that despite the surcharge, LCs worth as much as USD 88 million were opened for vehicle imports on a single day. However, he said the policy has begun to reduce import-related foreign exchange expenditure. more..

Jun 18 (DN) ADB remains committed to supporting SL’s broader trade, investment, and industry reform agenda through policy-based lending, technical assistance, analytical work, policy dialogue, and capacity building, Shannon Cowlin, Country Director, Asian Development Bank said addressing the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) launch in Colombo on Tuesday. Cowlin also assured support for SL’s broader macroeconomic reform objectives, including the rebuilding of external buffers more..

Jun 18 (NW) SL Police have taken steps to freeze several properties allegedly acquired through illegally earned income in two separate investigations conducted by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division and the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau. In the first case, police said an investigation was launched following a complaint against a resident of Udumulla, Batapola, who was suspected of earning money through unlawful means. Investigators found that more..

Jun 18 (FT) Global and local mineral sands experts, public officials, investors, and industry leaders converged in Colombo yesterday to examine how SL can unlock greater value from its mineral resources through processing, technology, and investment rather than continued reliance on raw mineral exports. Mineral Sands Technical Conference 2026, hosted by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Australia’s more..

Jun 18 (TM) Though Sri Lanka has met the IMF's 2032 debt-to-GDP target seven years earlier than projected, its debt sustainability hinges on its ability to avoid deviating from existing policy and navigating external shocks and disruptions to debt restructuring – which have the potential to reverse gains, First Capital’s research unit noted in its latest report on the IMF’s Fifth and Sixth review report. “Debt-to-GDP (central govt) declined from 116% to 96.8% over 2022-2025. more..

Jun 18 (FT) SL Customs will implement a comprehensive fee and operational framework from 1 July under new regulations issued by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake under the Customs Ordinance, replacing regulations issued in 1948, 1951, 1988, 2006, 2007, and 2013. The regulations establish a framework covering Customs service charges, cargo examination fees, information and communication technology (ICT) fees, vessel and aircraft reporting requirements, transhipment procedures, more..

Jun 18 (DN) SL Emerging Team cruised to an innings and 216-run victory over the West Indies Emerging Team with a day to spare in the second and final 4-day match played at Hambantota yesterday. With this emphatic victory, SL Emerging secured the two-match series 1-0 after the first game ended in a draw. SL Emerging dominated the match with a powerful batting display, posting a massive first-innings total of 553 for 5 declared at lunch on the third day in reply to the visitors’ more..

Jun 18 (FT) Simplified visa procedures, predictable tax rules, smoother capital flows and measures against brain drain are key priorities identified by members of the Sweden-SL Business Council. The findings come from a dialogue study initiated by the Board after its appointment in March 2026. Sweden-SL Business Council Secretary General Anndala Ehrstedt said: “Our membership has grown from 75 to nearly 100 members over the past 3 years. This is a clear sign of the increasing interest more..

Jun 18 (FT) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said the Govt will decide whether to extend its fuel subsidy and relief measures after assessing economic conditions at the end of the current 3-month period, while early indications show that the recently imposed 50% surcharge on vehicle imports has successfully reduced import demand. He said the Rs. 10 billion relief package introduced by the Govt was more..

Jun 18 (FT) Court of Appeal (CA) has set aside a Right to Information (RTI) Commission order directing the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) to disclose detailed Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Govt securities transaction data, ruling that disclosure of the information would harm the Fund’s competitive position and falls within an exemption under the RTI Act. In a judgement delivered on 26 March, the Court allowed an appeal by the CBSL and overturned Nov 2018 RTI Commission order more..

Jun 18 (FT) SL has secured the resumption of ammonium nitrate imports from India after the neighbouring country approved a monthly export quota of 220 metric tonnes (MT) in response to a request from the SL Govt. India had imposed a ban on the export of ammonium nitrate on 18 March 2026, citing ongoing global supply chain challenges. Following representations by the SL Govt highlighting the urgent requirements of local industry, Govt of India has now granted permission for more..

Jun 18 (FT) The Govt remains confident of achieving its 5% economic growth target this year and is working towards a medium-term objective of 7% inclusive and sustainable growth, despite concerns over rising interest rates and the pace of capital expenditure, Deputy Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said. He said the first-quarter economic growth of 5.1% was a positive indicator that the country more..

Jun 18 (DM) A petition seeking urgent action to prevent the electrocution and illegal killing of elephants was taken up before the Court of Appeal today, with the court fixing a date for the hearing and directing the respondent state institutions to file their objections. The petition was filed by the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and its directors, Hemantha Withanage and Dilena Pathragoda, seeking a writ of mandamus compelling the relevant authorities to strictly enforce more..

Jun 18 (DM) Wickramarachchi Opticians and Hearing Care celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, marking five decades of trusted service, innovation and unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for generations of Sri Lankans. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Mihira Wickramarachchi with a vision to make quality optical care more accessible, Wickramarachchi Opticians and Hearing Care has grown into a nationally recognised healthcare institution, more..

Jun 18 (FT) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) intensified efforts in 2025 to bring State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to the capital market, arguing that listings could help address longstanding governance, financing, and accountability challenges while reducing reliance on Treasury support. In his review accompanying the SEC’s 2025 Annual Report, SEC Chairman Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara said the capital market has a central role to play in mobilising long-term financing more..

Jul 18 (CT) SL is at a defining crossroads in its energy transition. After decades of over-reliance on expensive oil-based thermal generation, highly-polluting low-cost coal and hydropower, as the country pursues ambitious Renewable Energy (Solar and wind) targets and seeks to achieve long-term energy security, affordability, and sustainability, the debate surrounding the future energy mix has intensified. While solar and wind power are increasingly viewed as more..

Jun 18 (TM) Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has squarely placed the blame on officials of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) over its failure to finalise visa applications and requisite travel cum ticket arrangements for the national fifteens rugby team last week. The unprecedented faux pas prevented the Tuskers, from fulfilling their Asian Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship clash against hosts South Korea in Incheon on 13 June, more..

Jun 18 (FT) Business tycoon turned philanthropist and old boy Nahil Wijesuriya has donated Rs. 3 billion to Trinity College, Kandy. Trinity College Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara described the donation as an extraordinary gift and a powerful affirmation of confidence in the College and the mission to shape the future generation of Trinitians. Trinity College will establish a dedicated fund to ensure prudent stewardship and sustainable deployment of the Rs. 3 billion by Wijesuriya. more..

Jun 18 (Island) At a time when Sri Lanka is enjoying a resurgence in wildlife tourism, with elephants remaining the undisputed stars of the country’s national parks and one of its most marketable natural assets, elephant conservationist Supun Lahiru Prakash has sounded a stark warning: the nation is in danger of losing the very species that helps attract millions of tourism dollars while sustaining some of the island’s most important ecosystems. more..

Jun 18 (Island) Social media debates on issues connected to the Easter Sunday terror attacks have got down and dirty, with religious and political leaders becoming targets of scurrilous attacks. The situation is likely to take a turn for the worse. The victims of vilification are without any defence as social media activists are guided by Rafferty’s rules. Spokesman for the Archdiocese of Colombo Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando yesterday countered some allegations against more..

Jul 18 (DN) The detention of the former head of the SIS, Major General (Rtd) Suresh Sallay continues to attract controversy, being a focal issue for the opposition. This is while the govt grapples with tasks such as reforming Education and restructuring SriLankan Airlines. Sallay is being detained in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks on April 21, 2019, where simultaneous bomb attacks were staged in several churches and hotels in Colombo and elsewhere, claiming the lives of more..

Jul 18 (TM) Sexual abuse remains a deeply entrenched issue in SL, fuelled by a culture of keeping silent and victim blaming, systemic gaps in the justice system, and a lack of proper education and awareness. It is a critical concern in society, with the country seeing thousands of cases reported annually. The issue is often the elephant in the room in many households and institutions, with parents, families, educators, and administrators more..

Jul 18 (SO) The rise of the Prajashakthi program could be viewed as the emergence of the implementation phase of the Govt’s election pledge that carried the slogan, . Among the global society, SL occupies a leading position in endeavours towards introducing strategies for poverty alleviation. However, the question have they produced the expected outcomes? poses a problematic proposition. All Govts since Independence that introduced strategies more..

Jul 18 (DM) Ignorance is strength. However, when the theatre of the absurd becomes a legal argument and is pursued ever more judiciously, solely based on a statement by a dubious asylum seeker, it leaves more questions than answers about the integrity and competence of everyone involved. The detention of former head of military intelligence Major General Suresh Sallay, now past 100 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stems from this perverted logic. more..

Jul 18 (SO) As SL grapples with a rapidly escalating Dengue crisis, one institution stands at the centre of both the country’s greatest public health achievements and its most pressing challenges. National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), long known to generations of Sri Lankans as the IDH, is marking its centenary year with a historic international honour even as it confronts one of the most serious Dengue surges in recent times. more..

Jul 18 (TM) Flagship Govt programmes have historically suffered from a recurring, tragic affliction: they are launched with immense rhetorical fanfare, only to slowly asphyxiate in the corridors of bureaucratic inertia. The latest victim of this familiar malaise appears to be the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. Launched on New Year’s Day in 2025 by Prez AKD, this ambitious nationwide campaign was marketed as a foundational pillar for environmental sustainability and social transformation. more..

Jul 18 (DM) It appears the US-Israeli war against Iran is finally coming to a close. But we need be aware there’s many a slip tween cup and the lip. Since US Prez Trump went to war with Iran on Feb 28 this year, he has told the world at least 39 times the US was on the brink of declaring peace –only to change his mind within a day or two. However, this time around, it appears an agreement has finally been reached and details of a draft MoU were released by Iranian state media. more..