Jul 24 (EN) US President Donald Trump has said he will only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its markets for US exports, in a social media post, as Sri Lanka also tries to get a better rate than 30%. “I will only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its market,” President Trump said in a truthsocial.com post. “If not much higher tariffs.” President Trump made the post, modifying an earlier post which said he will give up tariff points if major countries open their markets to the US. more..

Jul 24 (FT) Signalling the urgent need for transformational leadership in South Asia that is accountable and courageous to face challenges and overcome them, former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga urged public participation in governance to keep corruption at bay and boost economic growth. She made these remarks at the inauguration of the 2025 Scales of Governance Conference at the BMICH on Tuesday. A collaboration between Sciences Po in France and Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership & more..

Jul 24 (FT) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday issued a firm reminder to merchants that charging customers an additional fee, such as a 2.5%-3% surcharge for using debit or credit cards, is strictly prohibited. “If a merchant demands more than the listed price, customers should get a receipt and report it to their card-issuing bank,” a CBSL official said, underscoring that any deviation from the listed retail price during card transactions is illegal. The clarification follows a query more..

Jul 24 (DM) Dropping a bombshell in Parliament, opposition MP Nizam Kariapper said current Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera who was one time Security Force Commander in the east neglected prior information received on activities of Zahran who led the Easter Sunday attacks since 2015. MP Kariapper said the B report submitted to the Colombo magistrate by the CID had revealed all this information. “The B report was hidden for years but we have managed to find it,” the MP said. more..

Jul 24 (TM) PM and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced that Sri Lanka is shifting away from an education system solely focused on pass or fail examination outcomes. The Govt’s objective is to deliver quality education to children through the introduction of a module-based system. PM made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held at the Ministry of Education in Isurupaya regarding new education reforms more..

Jul 24 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tea export performance in the first half of 2025 has reached its highest level in four years, driven by strong demand, an improved value-added product share, and rising shipments to key markets, according to Customs data analysed by Asia Siyaka Research. June tea exports rose to 23 million kilograms (Mnkg), marking an 11% increase compared to the same month last year. This surge pushed total exports during the first half to 126.8 Mnkg, up 6% from 119.1 Mnkg in 2024. more..

Jul 24 (AD) Final rites of Most Ven. Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thero to be held in Kandy. The final rites of the late Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Venerable Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thero is scheduled to take place with state sponsorship today. The cremation and funeral proceedings will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Asgiriya Police Grounds in Kandy, according to the Funeral Committee. The mortal remains of the Anunayake Thero Most Venerable more..

Jul 24 (DM) A Fundamental Rights petition filed by several women activists and women’s organizations was settled before the Supreme Court following the issuance of a new gazette notification permitting women to purchase liquor from any licensed outlet, work in establishments engaged in liquor production, and consume liquor at retail premises. With the removal of these restrictions effectively reversing the previous more..

Jul 24 (FT) Many who are critical of the Anura administration still make the excuse that at least it is catching those bloody crooks who bankrupted the country. That’s way off mark. Firstly, it is a universal norm that premeditated murder—homicide in the first degree-- is a far worse crime than robbery without violence. Fraud and corruption fall into the latter category. In Sri Lanka today, there is a crackdown on white-collar crimes of the past, but premeditated killing is at a far higher level than more..

Jul 24 (AM) The son-in-law of former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena has been remanded until 8 Aug, while the son of SJB MP Jagath Vithana, who was arrested in connection with the same case, was released on bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court. Rasika Withana, the son of MP Jagath Vithana, was arrested yesterday by officers of the Panadura Walana Anti-Vice Unit in Matugama. He was taken into custody while driving a jeep suspected to have been illegally imported more..

Jul 24 (FT) Sri Lanka, often celebrated as the land of the Tree of Life, is facing an alarming crisis in one of its most vital agricultural sectors—the coconut industry. While coconut remains an integral part of the nation’s culinary identity and a key export commodity, the growers who sustain this legacy are battling mounting challenges that threaten both livelihoods and the future of the industry. At the heart of the crisis lies a growing disparity between what coconut growers earn more..

Jul 24 (AD) The debate on the resolution for the removal of suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from office, under Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, is scheduled to be held in Parliament on August 05. On July 22, Committee of Inquiry appointed to investigate allegations of gross abuse of power against suspended IGP Tennakoon found him guilty of all charges brought against him. At the commencement of parliamentary proceedings that day, more..

Jul 24 (EN) Supreme Court ordered the respondents in the X-Press Pearl disaster to pay US$ 1 billion as compensation for the harm caused to marine and coastal environment, and the significant losses suffered by the island nation and the fishing industry, the verdict said. The MV X-Press Pearl disaster stands as SL’s worst marine environmental catastrophe. On May 20, 2021, the Singapore-flagged container ship caught fire off more..

Jul 24 (KJD) A Sri Lankan migrant worker said he continues to suffer from trauma months after co-workers tied him to a forklift and mocked him at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla, in an incident that has fueled national outrage and triggered a govt investigation into the abuse of foreign laborers. The worker told the JoongAng Ilbo in a phone interview on Thursday that he continues to suffer headaches from the trauma of being tied to a forklift and mocked by co-workers at a brick factory more..

Jul 24 (EN) Sri Lanka does not see any overheating in the economy despite rising private sector credit growth as there is no demand for loans from the govt institutions, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. The private sector credit growth has risen at a multi-year high of 16.1% in May, Central Bank data showed. “We don’t see any overheating here, because when this credit grows, the first factor is that this credit is growing after more than a year of sharp contraction. more..

Jul 24 (Island) Excavations at the Chemmani mass graves, in Jaffna, have uncovered eight more human skeletal remains, including those of a child, alongside personal items such as an object resembling a child’s feeding bottle, the Tamil Guardian reported. The discoveries were made during the second phase of forensic excavation at two sites designated by the courts as Forensic Excavation Site No. 01 and more..

Jul 24 (AD) Dept of Import and Export Control has reported a revenue of Rs. 3.7 billion for the year 2024, generated through the issuance of import and export control licenses. According to the 2024 performance report of the Dept, this marks a 13% increase in revenue compared to the year 2023. A total of 17,010 import and export licenses were issued during the year. The highest number of licenses were granted for the importation of mobile phones, communication equipment and more..

Jul 24 (NW) Supreme Court has deferred its decision on the contempt of court case against Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya, to Sept 23, despite an earlier announcement that sentencing would be delivered today. Ilukpitiya, who has been in remand custody for over 10 months, faces contempt charges for failing to comply with a SC order related to the controversial e-visa contract awarded to GBS Technology Services & IVS Global-FZCO, more..

Jul 24 (PMD) Five newly appointed ambassadors and one high commissioner to SL officially presented their credentials to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. Notably, among the diplomats who presented their credentials was Mr. Sergey Viktorov, the newly appointed Ambassador for Kazakhstan. This marks a significant milestone in diplomatic relations between SL and Kazakhstan, as it is the first time an embassy for Kazakhstan has been established in SL. more..

Jul 24 (AD) The govt of Japan has signed an agreement to continue its scholarship programme for executive-level govt officials in Sri Lanka. Since 2010, the government of Japan has been offering scholarships on a grant basis through the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme. The programme is funded by the Govt of Japan under the Official Development Assistance and implemented through Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA). more..

Jul 24 (AM) Supreme Court delivers landmark judgment in MV X-Press Pearl disaster, orders USD 1 billion compensation and blasts failures by authorities In a landmark ruling, SC has issued a comprehensive judgment on the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, holding the vessel’s owners and operators jointly and severally liable for SL’s worst marine environmental catastrophe, and ordering an initial compensation payment of US$ 1 b. more..

Jul 24 (SM) Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has raised concerns about the legality of removing Deshabandu Tennakoon from his position as IGP in light of the Supreme Court ruling that Tennakoon’s appointment had been unlawful. Rajapakshe has pointed out that if Deshabandu Tennakoon was not legally appointed as the IGP, it isn’t hard to comprehend how he is to be removed. Rajapaksha pointed out that it is a conflict between judicial and legislative powers in the current scenario. more..

Jul 24 (EN) Sri Lanka’s financial market and education sector officials have discussed including capital market content into the proposed financial literacy curriculum under its new education reforms, the Securities and Exchange Commission said. Financial literacy is one of 16 core skills essential for students in the 21st century, and comprises knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours necessary for making informed financial decisions, SEC Chairman Hareendra Dissabandara said. more..

Jul 24 (AM) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, stated in Parliament that certain individuals have taken funds from SL and established companies in the British Virgin Islands. He assured that details regarding these individuals would be revealed in the near future. Minister made these remarks while participating in the second reading debate of the Companies (Amd) Bill. He noted that although the previous Cabinet had more..

Jul 24 (PMD) A meeting with the group of business community supporting the implementation of the Dream Destination project, which aims to modernize 100 railway stations across the country, was held yesterday (23) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. During the discussion, Dr. Kumanayake emphasized the importance of collective national development and noted that the current govt has established an more..

Jul 24 (NW) A SL bus conductor’s act of honesty has left a lasting impression on a Spanish tourist couple after he returned a valuable smartwatch they had accidentally left behind on a local bus. The couple, who were traveling onboard a bus from Nuwaragala to Mahiyanganaya, only realized the watch was missing after reaching their hotel. The timepiece, had been gifted by a family member, the couple said. With the help of hotel staff, they contacted the bus company. more..

Jul 24 (NF) Lt General Syed Aamer Raza, Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army, arrived in SL on July 22 for an official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. During his visit, Lt General Raza paid courtesy calls on Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) in separate meetings. He was accompanied by Colonel Muhammad Farooq, Defence Advisor to the HC of Pakistan in SL. more..

Jul 24 (DM) Sri Lanka National Men’s Team will tour England in September 2026 for a white-ball series, the Sri Lanka Cricket said. The tour will include three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and three ODIs. The series is set to begin with the T20I matches, starting on 15th September 2026 in Southampton. The second T20I will be played in Cardiff on 17th September, followed by the third in Manchester on 19th September. The match time for the third T20I is yet to be confirmed. more..

Jul 24 (Island) A powerful alliance of Buddhist clergy, conservation scientists, animal welfare advocates, and corporate representatives has called on the govt to abandon ad hoc animal control strategies and adopt science-backed, humane, and sustainable policies to protect SL’s animals and ecosystems. Speaking at a landmark press conference in Colombo, Venerable Pagoda Janithawansha Thera delivered more..

Jul 24 (Island) Resentatives of the local sugarcane producers associations met the Leader of the SLMC and MP Rauff Hakeem, on Tuesday, at the Parliament Complex, to discuss issues faced by sugarcane farmers in Hingurana in the Ampara District. During the meeting, they had an in-depth discussion with MP Hakeem on the various issues faced by sugarcane farmers. Following the meeting, representatives of the associations also held a special discussion with Minister Sunil more..

Jul 24 (DM) Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says more specialist doctors who have completed training abroad are now choosing to stay in SL instead of leaving the country. He made this comment during a visit to the Eravur Hospital in the Eastern Province. During the visit the Minister had a special discussion with the hospital staff and management to look into the challenges the hospital is facing. "Earlier, many specialist doctors who were sent to remote areas like the N&E after more..

Jul 24 (NN) Sri Lanka is making progress in establishing nuclear infrastructure and has already identified potential new-build sites as it embarks on the development of its nuclear power programme, according to an Int'l Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review mission. The follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission, conducted at the request of the govt of SL, took place from 14 to 18 July. more..

Jul 24 (NN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed Parliament today during the adjournment debate on proposed education reforms, urging lawmakers to overhaul SL’s education system amid rising dropout rates and under-enrolled schools. Prez stressed that significant reforms are needed to ensure no child leaves school before completing 13 years of education. He cited troubling data: school dropouts increased from 16,673 in 2019 to 20,759 in 2022, with a slight decrease 20,755 in 2024. more..

Jul 24 (TM) The health authorities cautioned that accidents during the rambutan season (June–July) have reached a concerning level this year and are higher than last year. This was discussed during a press briefing held yesterday by the Health Ministry, where it was highlighted that falling from rambutan trees is the most common type of accident, while cases of electrocution caused by electric lights and sound equipment installed on trees to repel animals have also been reported. more..

Jul 25 (DM) Sri Lankans, at least those who engage with the esoterica of lawmaking, appear to think highly of independence from political influence. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution which was forced on Prez Kumaratunga by the JVP in 2001 introduced the novel institution of the Constitutional Council. The independence of certain designated officeholders (e.g., judges of the superior courts) and commissions (e.g., the Elections Commission) was to be assured by making appointments more..