Jul 2 (FT) A high-powered Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) delegation of Indian CEOs representing sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, renewable energy, education, and tourism met with Sri Lankan business leaders at the ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo on 30 June for a strategic roundtable discussion. The roundtable was organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI), in collaboration with HC of India. more..

Jul 2 (ST) St. Joseph’s College proved once again that old habits die hard, storming to their 20th consecutive Boys’ Overall Swimming Championship title in a thrilling six-day battle at the 50th Milo All-Island Schools Age Group Aquatic Championship, held at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex in Colombo. Not to be outdone, Ladies’ College, Colombo stole the limelight in the Girls’ category, while Lyceum International School, Wattala emerged as the best among mixed schools. more..

Jul 2 (CI) SL captain Charith Asalanka thinks there may be more for seam bowlers in the Khettarama track than usual. He also thinks there may be more for batters. Having been left behind in ODI cricket - failing to even qualify for the Champions Trophy earlier this year - SL are desperate to advance again. One of the ways in which the current leadership think they can close that gap is to match home pitches more..

Jul 2 (Island) The Federation of Renewable Energy Developers (FRED) has issued an urgent warning to the SL govt, stating that recent policy decisions — particularly a sharp revision in feed-in tariffs — threaten to destabilize the entire renewable energy sector and derail the country’s clean energy ambitions. FRED president Thusitha Peiris delivered a scathing critique of the govt’s handling of the energy transition. “We stand at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka’s energy future. more..

Jul 2 (FT) In a landmark move to accelerate the growth of impact-driven enterprises in Sri Lanka, the Lanka Impact Investing Network (LIIN) and Good Market recently entered into a strategic partnership focused on unlocking new pathways for investment and enterprise development. The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 14 June at the Saturday Good Market Nuga Tree Car Park, Racecourse, Colombo 7. At the signing ceremony, more..

Jul 2 (FT) June demonstrated SL’s continuing appeal even in the face of geographical headwinds, attracting 138,241 visitors with a 22% year-on-year (YoY) increase, whilst the Dawoodi Bohra convention served as a timely one-off boost in arrivals. Hosting the Dawoodi Bohra Int'l Convention in Colombo from 27 June to 5 July provided a crucial shot in the arm for the sector, which has seen struggling against a backdrop of more..

Jul 2 (DM) A devastating fire broke out at a residence in Vavuniya after petrol was mistakenly used to light an oil lamp in the household shrine room, authorities said. Investigations revealed that the homeowner had stored a large quantity of petrol at the house, fearing a possible fuel shortage due to the ongoing conflict in the ME. The fire quickly spread as the stored petrol ignited, engulfing the entire house in flames. All household items and property were completely destroyed in blaze. more..

Jul 2 (CI) After a hard-fought Test series, the action now switches to the white-ball format, with the first of three ODIs starting on Wednesday. For Bangladesh it's the dawn of a new era in many ways. They have a new ODI captain for starters, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking over from Najmul Shanto, but more pressingly are the recent retirements of stalwarts Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. To say it signals a changing of the guard would be an almost textbook definition of the idiom, more..

Jul 2 (DN) Sri Lanka after a hard fought test series win is expected to start their ODI three-match series against Bangladesh today. Charith Asalanka and the team is all out to start the series in a winning note at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium with the day night game starting at 2.30pm. Sri Lanka is presently at fourth place while Bangladesh is at 10th place in latest ICC ODI rankings. Both teams will fight to better their rankigs by winning the series. Especially Bangladesh will give out more..

Jul 2 (DM) Sri Lanka 'A' team is going to face big challenge in the Australia series and after a long time SL 'A' players will be playing in Australia which will give good exposure said SL 'A' team head coach Avishka Gunawardena. before their departure to Australia. We really appreciate SLC for organising tours like this for benefit of the players. Our opponents Australia A team also very strong packed with 7-8 national players and we have to give a good fight while more than the result more..

Jul 2 (DM) SL’s licensed commercial banks urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to not panic, as concerns mount over the use of parate laws from 1 July. SL Banks’ Association (SLBA) assured borrowers that widespread asset seizures are not imminent and urged troubled businesses to work with lenders toward restructuring their loans. In a strongly worded statement, SLBA said attempts were made by a small group more..

Jul 2 (DN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised the urgent need to rebuild a disciplined and virtuous society by restoring the spirit of humanity in a social environment where power and wealth have undermined positive values and fostered detrimental ones. Prez noted that the Maha Sangha of the country can play a significant role in guiding this transformation. Prez made these remarks while participating in the inauguration of the 74th Upasampadha (higher ordination) more..

Jul 2 (FT) The Colombo Dockyard (CDP) said that the selection of Indian giant Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, to acquire controlling stake was via an open and competitive process and a Rights Issue will precede the mandatory offer. In a filing to the CSE, CDP confirmed that an agreement was entered into by the company with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd, for the acquisition of a controlling stake of the company by Mazagon (Proposed Transaction). more..

Jul 2 (NF) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has declared that political corruption at the highest levels of govt has been eradicated, but warned that remnants of the old system continue to resist reform from within the bureaucracy. Nanayakkara said the public had for years underestimated the devastating consequences of electing corrupt leaders. “They kept on electing people they jolly well knew were engaged in corrupt practices,” he said. “They thought nothing would go wrong. more..

Jul 2 (AD) The Ministry of Health states that a total of 22,294 premises were inspected today (July 1) as part of a special inspection campaign conducted under the National Mosquito Control Week, which commenced on June 30. The Media Spokesperson of the National Dengue Control Unit of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Prasheela Samaraweera, stated that 4,965 premises with potential mosquito breeding grounds were identified, and mosquito larvae were found at 657 locations. more..

Jul 2 (FT) Finance Ministry yesterday announced the rollout of the special interest scheme for senior citizens 2025, offering enhanced returns on fixed deposit savings for individuals aged 60 and above, offering higher interest rates to support their financial security. On 16 June, Cabinet of Ministers approved the move as proposed in the Budget 2025, which took effect from yesterday (1) and will run through 31 Dec 2025. more..

Jul 2 (DM) Country’s first and only wax museum is set to open in a few days at the historic Ehelepola Walawwa in Kandy, marking a significant addition to SL’s cultural landscape. In conjunction with the opening ceremony, an all-night Pirith chanting and alms-giving were held under the patronage of Pradeep Nilanga Dela, Diyawadana Nilame. Religious observances were organized to honour the Ehelepola family and to pay tribute to all those who contributed to establishment of the museum. more..

Jul 2 (TM) SL’s tax expenditure for exemptions given through trade-related duties amounted to Rs. 120.7 billion in the first five months of the year. According to the tax expenditure statement on BOI companies and Port City, the total tax exemption given through SL Customs amounted to Rs. 120.7 billion by the end of May. Total tax expenditure on BOI companies through trade-related duties amounted to Rs. 120.5 billion in the first five months, where exemptions through Customs Import Duty (CID) and more..

Jul 2 (EN) IMF said its Executive Board has approved the fourth review under an EFF for SL. The completion of the review allows Sri Lanka to draw down about US$ 350 million (254 Special Drawing Rights) Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for SL said. The latest review bring the total given to Sri Lanka under the program to US$ 1.74 billion. Sri Lanka entered the program, after a sovereign default in 2022 triggered by more..

Jul 2 (AD) Court of Appeal today granted leave to proceed with the hearing of the petition filed seeking to nullify the parliamentary membership of Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna. However, the Appeals Court bench stated that it would not issue an interim injunction preventing MP Archchuna from sitting in Parliament and voting, as requested in the petition. The order was issued by a bench Court of Appeal Justices comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea and Mahen Gopallawa. more..

Jul 2 (FT) The release of UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2025 delivers a sobering assessment of global capital flows, which serve both as a warning and opportunity for SL’s economic recovery trajectory. Global foreign direct investment fell by 11%, marking the second consecutive year of decline and confirming a deepening slowdown in productive capital flows, while revealing a critical disconnect between where capital flows and where development needs are most acute. more..

Jul 2 (FT) It is known as the Axiom of Aristotle, though Parmenides might have been the actual discoverer: nature abhors a vacuum. So does politics. In 2024, NPP/JVP filled the vacuum in the Lankan oppositional space, and won the prez and parliamentary elections, bypassing Sajith Premadasa and the SJB. Less than a year later, NPP/JVP Govt is haemorrhaging support. Between Nov 2024 and May 2025, Govt lost 2.3 million votes, as much of a SL record as the NPP’s vaulting more..

Jul 2 (EN) Cabinet has chosen Engineering Corporation (SLEC) and Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) to supply consultancy services for the construction of 1,996 houses under a Chinese donation programme for low income families, govt said. The project has been awarded to Chinese constructors as Beijing is funding the 1996 housing units. The project is implemented in three areas in Colombo suburb. “Based on the recommendations of procurement committee more..

Jul 2 (AD) Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency satellite internet service is now officially available in SL, its owner and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday. In a post on X, Musk announced, Starlink now available in Sri Lanka!, marking the official launch of the service in the country. He also shared a post by Starlink’s official account which showed a SL map with all regions covered & marked available. more..

Jul 2 (NW) Sri Lanka will soon begin sending seasonal workers to South Korea under a new employment program, following Cabinet approval to sign a MoU with the Yeongwol Local Govt, of the Republic of South Korea. The program, aimed at deploying Sri Lankan labourers under South Korea’s E-8 visa category, will allow selected individuals to work in agricultural and fisheries villages in the Yeongwol county for periods ranging from five to eight months, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. more..

Jul 2 (NF) Cabinet has approved the formation of a Presidential Special Investigation Committee to probe financial irregularities at SriLankan Airlines and Airport and Aviation Services Limited. The committee, proposed by the President, will be chaired by former Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe. The committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into alleged fraud, corruption, and malpractice that occurred between 2010 and 2025. more..

Jul 2 (Island) Retired senior military officers allege that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s call to reduce military presence in the Northern and Eastern provinces posed a serious threat. The Geneva official had refrained from acknowledging the releasing of land over the years when he called on the govt to release land to their owners without further delay, they said. The deployment in the Jaffna peninsula more..

Jul 2 (AD) The Cabinet has granted approval to implement the programme to provide scholarships for students who obtained higher grades at the GCE A/L Exam to study their first degree at foreign universities. According to the govt policy, a total of Rs. 200 million has been allocated through the 2025 Budget to provide opportunities for students who have passed the G.C.E. (A/L) with the highest ranks to study at foreign universities, aligning with the objective of creating more..

Jul 2 (CT) Despite the recent increase in fuel prices, fares for three-wheelers and school vans will remain unchanged, according to the respective unions. President of the All-Ceylon Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (ACTWDU), Lalith Dharmasekara, confirmed that although the price of petrol has risen by Rs 12 per litre, there will be no revision in three-wheeler fares. He clarified that fare adjustments are not within the control of professional associations. “Whether fuel prices rise or fall, more..

Jul 2 (AD) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his gratitude to SpaceX founder and CEO, Elon Musk, for enabling access to Starlink satellite internet services for all Sri Lankans. Wickremesinghe also stated that he hoped to meet Elon Musk in the near future, and explore the further opportunities available for SL’s digital landscape, the former President’s Office said. Former Prez had initiated the approval process for Starlink satellite internet services back in 2024 more..

Jul 2 (FT) SL Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction (PMI – Construction), as reflected by the Total Activity index, rebounded to 59.7 in May 2025. In April, the index was 41.1. Index compiler the Central Bank said most of the survey respondents mentioned that construction activities regained momentum in May, recovering from the slowdown in the April festive season. The respondents reported an increase in the awarding of new construction projects during the month, more..

Jul 2 (DM) Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who marked 50 years of religious life today, reflected on his spiritual journey, acknowledging the many fears and challenges he has faced over the decades. “I encountered numerous fears and challenges throughout my religious life, but with the grace of Almighty God, I was able to overcome them,” Cardinal Ranjith said during a thanksgiving service held at more..

Jul 2 (CT) SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has strongly criticised the appointment of retired SSP Shani Abeysekara as the Head of the CID, calling it an unprecedented and deeply troubling move. Kariyawasam expressed serious concern over the decision made by the NPP led by JVP. He accused the Govt of abandoning its long-touted principles of impartiality and good governance. “At a time when a party like that, which has consistently preached about more..

Jul 2 (DM) National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) today filed a case before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Pathirana against a Bambalapitiya-based company for the unlawful imports of medical devices, including finger-prick blood glucose testing equipment, alcohol-based sanitisers and medical plasters. The NMRA informed court that under the provisions of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015, any person or entity intending to import more..

Jul 2 (Island) The ruling NPP and the parliamentary Opposition are under the thumb of India, Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) spokesman, Pubudu Jayagoda, alleged. Jayagoda cited Mazagon Dock, India’s biggest warship builder, securing a controlling interest in Colombo Dockyard (CDPLC) as a glaring case in point. The Opposition conveniently turned a blind eye to the Indian move for obvious reasons, Jayagoda said, demanding that more..