Jul 29 (FT) The Triffin dilemma, identified by economist Robert Triffin, highlights the conflict faced by a country whose currency serves as the global reserve. To meet international demand, it must supply large amounts of its currency, often through trade deficits, which can undermine confidence in its long-term value while conflicting with domestic economic priorities. The supply of US dollars to the global economy is primarily achieved through international trade, requiring the US to run more..

Jul 29 (AD) Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union has decided to call off the planned 48-hour token strike which was scheduled to be launched from midnight today. The decision has been taken following discussions between trade union representatives and officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport. The Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union had previously announced that they will be engaging in 48-hour token strike from midnight today citing more..

Jul 29 (NF) A defamation case filed by Anura Kumara Dissanayake against former MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi came to a close at the Colombo District Court, following an unconditional apology issued by the former MP. The case was filed based on a public statement made on Aug 19, 2023, during a SLPP rally in central Colombo, where Kuttiarachchi allegedly accused Dissanayake of investing Rs. 5 billion in Malta. The remarks, according to the Prez’s petition, were intended to portray him as more..

Jul 29 (CT) National Chamber of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of SL (NCPM), while commending the Ministry of Health for its intention to streamline regulatory processes, has expressed concern that the timelines cited by Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni do not reflect the actual experiences of its members. In a letter addressed to the Deputy Minister, NCPM President Lohitha Samarawickrema referred to a recent more..

Jul 29 (NW) Former SDIG Priyantha Jayakody, who was arrested by the CID yesterday, has been remanded until 6 August. He was remanded after being presented before the Mahara Magistrate’s Court today. SL Police earlier said that Priyantha Jayakody was arrested, based on a probe into an incident of threatening former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and SDIG Lalith Pathinayake. Police said a suspect was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening former minister Tiran more..

Jul 29 (DM) Chairman of the Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Jayanga Tilakaratna has tendered his resignation to the Minister of Health, the Daily Mirror learns. According to sources, his letter has been accepted by the Health Minister. He was appointed as the Chairman in Oct 2024. However, the medical fraternity criticised the appointment citing that it was politically motivated. Dr. Tilakaratna is expected to assume duties as more..

Jul 29 (TM) John Keells Properties (JKP) is proud to announce a historic milestone with 700 apartment units successfully handed over to homeowners at TRI-ZEN — marking the largest handover of residential units in a single development in SL to date. Located in the heart of Colombo 02 on Union Place, TRI-ZEN is a modern smart-living residential development designed for homeowners and investors seeking convenience, more..

Jul 29 (EN) SL-based WindForce Plc said a 10 MW solar plant built in the eastern Batticaloa region as a joint venture with Vidullanka, was launched on July 26. The plant is expected to generate about 19.5 GigaWatt hours of electricity a year, Windforce said in a stock exchange filing. The plant is on high-salinity land in Vavunativu which is unfit for agriculture. The project was implemented through Sooryashakthi (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture between Vidullanka and WindForce, more..

Jul 29 (AD) Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today ordered the release of former Minister Duminda Dissanayake from the case filed over the discovery of a gold-plated T-56 firearm at an apartment complex in Havelock Town, citing lack of evidence. During court proceedings, Magistrate Chathurika de Silva ordered the release of former Minister due to the absence of direct and circumstantial evidence related to the case. The former Minister was taken into custody on 23 May in connection more..

Jul 29 (NF) MP Namal Rajapaksa was released on bail today after surrendering to the Hambantota District Magistrate’s Court, following an arrest warrant issued for his failure to appear in a case related to a 2017 protest against the Hambantota Port deal. Rajapaksa was named as the 35th respondent in a case involving charges of unlawful assembly, disobedience of court orders, damage to three jeeps, causing public disorder, obstruction of duties, and setting fire to a public road more..

Jul 29 (NF) A wave of shock and sorrow has swept through the Central Province following the discovery of the lifeless bodies of Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha Opposition Leader Champika Nilanta, his wife, and their 17-year-old daughter inside their home in Yahalatenna, Peradeniya. The tragic discovery was made after police received a tip-off, confirmed by Police Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler, who stated that the bodies were found under distressing circumstances. more..

Jul 29 (AD) Global travel website Big 7 Travel has officially released its annual list of the top 50 best islands in the world and has ranked SL in the first spot as The Most Beautiful Island in the World for 2025. With destinations from across the globe, the list celebrates unique island experiences and inspiring places to explore in 2025. This year’s ranking highlights a mix of trending destinations, remote escapes and iconic favourites. more..

Jul 29 (AD) At a state dinner held in honour of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu highlighted the significant economic potential of Maldives–SL relations. The event held last evening at the Kurumba Hotel, which marked 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, underscored their shared commitment to promoting inclusive prosperity and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean region. more..

Jul 29 (FT) In a historic moment for the Maldives, the new passenger terminal at Velana Int'l Airport (VIA) was officially opened on 26 July. This event coincided with the country’s 60th anniversary of independence, marking both a cultural milestone and a transformative leap forward in the nation’s tourism and aviation infrastructure. The inauguration ceremony, graced by Prez Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, was attended by over 6,000 invitees and was complemented by spectacular celebrations, more..

Jul 29 (IE) “One day, I’d like to play for the Irish cricket team, I’d like to see Ireland, a place that I have heard so much about, a place that I love,” 17-year-old Kavindu* said from inside the Arklow Boys Home, based in Negombo, Sri Lanka. Kavindu is one of 32 boys living in the home that was established by Irish volunteers and donations after the 2004 tsunami that saw hundreds of children displaced, lose their parents and their homes. more..

Jul 29 (TM) The SJB, alleged that the Govt has not appointed educationists to support the proposed education reforms and has not reached out to the parties that can significantly contribute to these reforms. Gampaha Seat Organiser Waruna Rajapaksha opined that although the Govt should obtain the opinions and suggestions of business figures for these reforms, they should not be deciding on the final reforms. He added: “At the same time, the Govt should hold talks with more..

Jul 29 (Island) Retired Rear Admiral D.P.K. Dassanayake asked whether SL raised the recent UK sanctions imposed on Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, General Shavendra Silva, General Jagath Jayasuriya and former LTTE commander and ex-lawmaker Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan during discussions with the British parliamentary delegation. Dassanayake said that the armed forces expected the government to vigorously take up this matter to prevent interested more..

Jul 29 (NW) High Commission of SL in Canberra conducted a mobile consular service in Sydney, New South Wales, recently (26) for the convenience of the approximately 30,000 Sri Lankans living in Sydney. According to the SL High Commission, this initiative formed part of the High Commission’s broader efforts to enhance consular services for Sri Lankans living in Australia. The mobile consular service was conducted at the Sinhalese Cultural Forum of New South Wales in Seven Hills, more..

Jul 29 (CT) SL Standards Institution (SLSI) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), through its Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) during a special ceremony Thailand International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition held at CIAME Asia 2025 on 23 July 2025 in Bangkok. Ambassador of SL to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, more..

Jul 29 (SM) It is reported that the launch of City of Dreams in Sri Lanka, touted as the first integrated resort of South Asia, is to attract over 400 gamblers across several regions. These include gamblers from Thailand, Philippines and Macau, with the majority from India, reports add. The venture, a joint project between Nuwa Hotel and global casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment, is slated to open on Aug 2. Around 150 females are more..

Jul 29 (SM) The CoPF approved the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2430/16 dated April 1, 2025, which increases the Tobacco Tax (TT) charged on every beedi manufactured in Sri Lanka from Rs. 2 to Rs. 3 per stick, effective from April 02, 2025. This was approved at the Committee on Public Finance Chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva held at Parliament recently (July 22). This adjustment was announced in Budget 2025 and is implemented under the Tobacco Tax Act, No. 8 of 1999, more..

Jul 29 (NF) Due to the CID allegedly preparing to arrest him, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon has filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to prevent such arrest. He made this request citing the incident involving the attack on the Galle Face protest, claiming there is an intention to take him into custody over that matter. Upon reviewing the application today (29), Colombo Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura issued a notice to the OICf more..

Jul 29 (Island) Aiming to deliver higher‑quality, more efficient primary health services nationwide, Ministry of Health on Saturday, briefed Public Health Nursing Officers (PHNOs) on the proposed Primary Care Community Centre (PCCC) project, which will cover the entire country. Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa chaired the session at the SL Foundation Institute. Ministry’s Primary Healthcare Unit organised the training session. more..

Jul 29 (SM) Ministry of Digital Economy of SL and AI Singapore (AISG) signed a MoU on AI Collaboration yesterday at the National Uni of Singapore’s Kent Ridge campus. The MoU was signed by Director of AI Innovation from AI Singapore, Laurence Liew and the High Commissioner of SL to Singapore, Senarath Dissanayake on behalf of the Govt of SL. The partnership with AI Singapore, one of the region’s leading national AI programmes, comes at a pivotal moment in SL’s digital transformation more..

Jul 29 (DM) Coastal Conservation Department is planning to introduce annual fines for unauthorised structures built along the beach, including those that have existed for over 25 years. The Department's Director General, Dr. Turney Pradeep Kumara told the Daily Mirror that the department is considering an annual permit system for such constructions. However, he said that illegal structures located directly on the beach are currently being removed. "The new programme aims to protect and more..

Jul 30 (TM) Sri Lanka has not effectively identified national priorities and formulated policy priorities in accordance. Taking stock of where we are at present as a nation, and charting our way forward in a very complex world will require Sri Lanka to draft national policies which have a strong bipartisan support to meet medium-term and long-term national objectives and interests. Today, the NPP Govt stands at a fork in the road with a strong mandate to bring change. As such, the NPP, more..

Jul 30 (CT) The unfolding crisis at the Chavakachcheri Base Hospital (BH) is yet another stark reminder of the country’s deepening medical emergency, driven by chronic staff shortages, systemic inefficiencies, and poor policy execution. As it stands, the hospital despite recent gains remains unable to perform essential surgical procedures due to the absence of a Consultant Anaesthetist and a Medical Officer specialising in anaesthesia. This is not just an institutional failure; more..

Jul 30 (CT) After a four-year legal battle, a landmark judgment has been delivered in what is globally recognised as one of the most severe marine chemical disasters in recorded history — MV X-Press Pearl incident off SL’s coast in 2021. SC, in its 361-page judgment on Thursday, ordered the non-State party respondents—including the X-Press Pearl group, as referenced in the ruling to make an initial payment of USD 1 billion more..

Jul 30 (DM) On Sept 21, 2024, NPP's Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), was elected president of this country. General elections were scheduled to be held on Nov 14, the same year. Campaigning for his party, the new president said, experience had shown that political parties winning a two-thirds majority used their newfound political power to enact laws detrimental to the people. Prez and his party campaigned for a strong parliamentary majority and promised a corruption-free regime. more..

Jul 30 (DM) The govt’s proposed education reforms, in their snippets that are still available for public knowledge, appear to be transformative. The optimist in me makes me think that, if implemented, they could well be the greatest contribution to free education in this country in decades, if not for over half a century. Ideas are impressive; however, a detailed blueprint is lacking—perhaps it is in the making, or the govt has not chosen to make it public. Since the education of children more..

Jul 30 (TM) SL’s once-promising push to build a domestic automobile manufacturing ecosystem is now facing serious turbulence, not due to international market conditions, but as a result of internal Govt delays and policy uncertainty. At the core of the issue is the Ministry of Finance, which stands accused of stalling the country’s automotive value addition programme by failing to approve critical policy updates and concessions more..

Jul 30 (ST) The NPP govt’s ambitious plans to reform the country’s education system has run into a storm of controversy in recent weeks, particularly over allegations that history and aesthetic subjects were no longer going to be mandatory for some grades. This may well have compelled the govt to quickly move ahead with a debate on Proposed New Education Reforms on Thursday (24) when the Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met on Tuesday, decided not to proceed with more..

Jul 30 (GV) Growing up in Sri Lanka we are often reminded of the country’s proud legacy of progress for women: setting a global precedent in 1960 as the first country in the world to elect a female PM. Today women in Sri Lanka enjoy one of the highest literacy rates in South Asia at over 90%. Women also make up the majority in universities and represent a significant portion of the workforce, especially in manufacturing and service sectors. Despite these political and economic milestones, more..

Jul 30 (Island) A major debate is unfolding on the govt’s proposed changes to SL’s education system. Led by PM and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the reforms aim to change what subjects that students must study and what they can choose. While the plan promises more flexibility with new elective subjects, many parents, teachers, and experts are concerned. The big question now is—will these reforms truly benefit our children, or will they widen gap between urban & rural schools? more..

Jul 30 (Island) Hardly a day passes without a fatal road accident being reported in SL. It is not only on serpentine, cliff-side roads in the hill country or the speeding-prone arterial roads elsewhere danger lurks; people are not safe even in the tightly monitored, traffic-clogged city roads with a strong police presence. Whoever would have expected a crane truck to speed and wreak havoc on a busy Colombo road with bumper-to-bumper traffic, leaving one person dead and several others injured more..