Jul 31 (FT) The third Japan-Sri Lanka Policy Dialogue was held yesterday in Colombo at the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry. The Dialogue served as a constructive platform for the two countries to exchange views on foreign policy matters and a wide range of bilateral issues, paving the way for enhanced cooperation. Discussions focused on strengthening economic cooperation, with particular emphasis on shared interests in trade and investment. more..

Jul 31 (CT) Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) sent a Letter of Demand (LoD), urging the Govt to halt a controversial proposal to issue firearms to farmers for the purpose of controlling damage caused by wild elephants and other animals. In the LoD, sent to Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and copied to Prez, Secretary of Defence Ministry, Director General of Wildlife, and Minister of Environment, more..

Jul 31 (DM) A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing the govt from proceeding with the MoU between SL and India on the implementation of the SL Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) Program, funded through a grant from the Government of India. Lina Amani Rishard Hamid, a member of the executive committee of a voluntary organization named The Nationalist filed this petition, naming the President in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy, more..

Jul 31 (FT) Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa has been named Vice Chairperson of the Commission. The appointments were formalised during a ceremony held on Tuesday (29) at the Education Ministry in Isurupaya, Battaramulla, with Dr. Amarasuriya in attendance. more..

Jul 31 (Island) Sarvajana Balaya has condemned ongoing Israeli military action against Gaza. Their position was conveyed during a meeting senior party representatives had with Ihab Khalil, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Sri Lanka on Tuesday (29). This meeting was held to express the deep and unwavering solidarity of the Sri Lankan people with the innocent civilians of Palestine, who continue to endure immense suffering amid a prolonged and inhumane conflict. more..

Jul 31 (TM) The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils (PC), and Local Govt (LG) stated that a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) would soon be appointed to investigate large-scale corruption and fraud in LG institutions, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). A CoI is a formal and ad-hoc public inquiry established by the President to investigate and report on specific matters of public interest, administration, or conduct. Deputy Minister of Public Administration, more..

Jul 31 (CT) SJB MP Mujibur Rahman strongly criticised the Govt’s recent decision to grant free visas to citizens of 40 countries, including Israel, raising concerns over national security, foreign policy inconsistency, and ethical contradictions. Rahman said the Govt’s move, which it claims aims to boost tourism, fails to consider the potential revenue loss and broader geopolitical implications. Rahman particularly objected to Israel being included more..

Jul 31 (TM) Ministry of Education stated that under the instructions of the COPE and COPA, steps have been taken to appoint committees to look into various irregularities that have occurred at State universities. Secretary to the Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa said: “Reports prepared by the AG's Dept on State universities were discussed during recent COPE and COPA sessions. When there has been any irregularity, they (COPE or COPA) instruct us to appoint a committee to investigate and more..

Jul 31 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently on a state visit to the Maldives, took part in a ceremonial tree planting event this afternoon (30) held at the Sultan Park in Male, to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The event was also attended by President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Maldivian Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim and representing the Govt of Sri Lanka, more..

Jul 31 (DM) Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena granted permission to detain for 90 days three suspects arrested on allegations of possessing and renting out weapons stockpiled during the LTTE war period to members of the Southern underworld and criminal gangs. The suspects, Kariyak Ramesh, Anthony Wickrama and Mohamed Raseek were ordered to be detained under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). more..

Jul 31 (FT) It is only appropriate that Black July 1983 was remembered this month, but the recollection stopped at the ghastly events, their causation and immediate aftermath. The narrative is that sections of the UNP, predominantly those associated with Minister Cyril Mathew and the UNP trade union wing he headed, the JSS, played a key role in the anti-Tamil pogrom. The Jayewardene govt then cynically framed the JVP for the violence which it had absolutely nothing to do with and more..

Jul 31 (FT) Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal crossroads in its national development, a moment filled with promise, challenge, and profound opportunity. Govt’s intensified campaign against bribery and corruption is more than a policy shift; it signals a fundamental reimagining of how our society functions. Yet, as we applaud these bold initiatives, it is crucial to understand that corruption in Sri Lanka is deeply systemic, embedded within long-standing socio-economic structures. more..

Jul 31 (DM) Survey Dept announced that land maps will be avaliable online from tomorrow, marking a major step towards digital public services. Surveyor General Y.G. Gnanathilaka made the announcement during a media briefing today, held in line with the dept’s 225th anniversary celebrations. “Until now, the public could obtain survey maps only through departmental offices. With the new system, individuals can now purchase maps via online payment through the dept’s website,” he said. more..

Jul 31 (AD) Meteorology Dept has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts. It states that the Heat Index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to Caution level today at some places in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts. As per the advisory, under the Caution level of temperature, fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure more..

Jul 31 (DM) The gazette of the draft bill aimed at amending the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986-reducing special privileges granted to former Presidents, their families, and retired Members of Parliament, has been released. Last week, Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal to gazette the bill and table it in Parliament. Earlier, in June, Cabinet also approved the drafting of legislation to repeal both more..

Jul 31 (AM) Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannila Aththo has been invited to participate in the Educational and Innovation Exhibition organised by Thurstan College, Colombo, which will be held on 28, 29, and 30 August. The event will feature a special cultural segment by the indigenous Vedda community, including traditional performances such as Kirikoraha, highlighting their unique heritage. The exhibition will also include nearly 100 stalls showcasing innovative projects by students more..

Jul 31 (NW) A temporary women’s care centre was officially opened in Nuwara Eliya on July 29, providing short-term shelter, protection, and support for women and children affected by gender-based violence. The centre was inaugurated in the presence of Minister Saroja Paulraj and the Japanese Ambassador to SL Isomata Akio. The new centre becomes the 11th such facility in the country. According to the UNFPA, Nuwara Eliya records some of the highest rates of intimate more..

Jul 31 (EN) SL’s consumer prices fell 0.3% in the 12-months to July 2025, with prices dropping 0.2% in July. SL’s central bank has created only 2.9% inflation in the 34 months since Sept 2022, when deflationary policy started showing up in the balance of payments. But the central bank printed money in the last quarter of 2024 as a pickup in credit pushed up interbank rates. Excess liquidity built up in first quarter from dollar purchases more..

Jul 31 (DM) Lung cancer is more prevalent among men compared to women, at present, according to Dr. Saman Iddagoda, a Thoracic Surgeon at the National Hospital For Respiratory Diseases in Welisara. Dr. Saman Iddagoda also noted that there is a rising trend in the number of lung cancer patients in Sri Lanka. Dr. Iddagoda made these remarks at a media briefing organized by the Health Promotion Bureau, coinciding with the World Lung Cancer Day, which falls tomorrow (1). more..

Jul 31 (DM) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced that 567 court cases have been filed over the past seven months against individuals and unlicensed agencies involved in foreign employment frauds. Bureau said it received 2,620 complaints during this period, with over Rs. 199.4 million recovered from suspects for defrauding job seekers. SLBFE’s Special Investigation Division also carried out five raids, including one on a licensed employment agency engaged in illegal more..

Jul 31 (NW) The daughter of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, who was arrested yesterday in connection with the case of an illegally registered SUV, has been granted bail. The Mathugama Magistrate’s Court today released her on two sureties of Rs. 02 million each. MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s daughter surrendered to the Panadura-Walana Anti-Vice Squad yesterday over the case related to the sale of an illegally imported and registered vehicle to SJB MP Jagath more..

Jul 31 (NF) Former Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha says Sri Lanka faces limited strategic leverage in current trade negotiations, emphasizing the need for consistency and domestic preparedness over political shortcuts. Speaking on the challenges of navigating trade diplomacy, Aryasinha dismissed the idea of a quick fix, stating, “If you're asking whether someone can just pick up the phone and make a Machang Trump-style call to fix this—that’s unlikely. more..

Jul 31 (CT) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) - the governing cricketing council for the operations in the country has dismissed the rumours of a financial crisis situation within the organization on the operational front. SL board has completely falsified the misleading claims circulating across some news and social media outlets over the past couple of days or so. Notably, the false claims surfaced across the channels as SL prepares itself to more..

Jul 31 (CT) The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, with the intention of extending a helping hand for the daily needs and education of the children residing in Child Development Centres and Government Childcare Centres, was launched recently at Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. National Savings Bank (NSB) joined hands with this national course as the Official Banking Partner. It is expected, through this programme, to develop a financial plan to more..

Jul 31 (DM) The Sub-Committee appointed to seek solutions to the prevailing salary discrepancies and related issues in the public service is expected to submit proposals for the introduction of a new salary structure for the entire public service. The proposals are expected to be submitted following a scientific review of the existing positions, related duties and salary scales etc. A sub-committee was recently appointed under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, more..

Jul 31 (TM) SL rubber exports are able to compete on specialisation of products, quality and accreditations that it has amassed, amidst the introduction of the 30% tariff on SL goods by the US’ Trump administration on 1 Aug, Plastics and Rubber Institute of SL (PRISL) President K.A.C. Vidyaratne said “I personally don’t believe that 100% of the exports will stop,” Vidyaratne said, answering a question on the ability for SL rubber exports more..

Jul 31 (AD) In a major push towards digital transformation, the Govt announced that it will launch its national Digital ID system by April 2026, a move that it promises will revolutionize access to public services while ensuring strong data privacy and citizen protection. The project, implemented under the Ministry of Digital Economy, is funded by a grant of approximately LKR 10.4 billion from the Govt of India. “This will minimise the financial burden on the Sri Lankan govt,” more..

Jul 31 (DM) The body of a young mahout assistant was discovered floating near the banks of Kandy Lake this morning. The deceased, identified as 28-year-old Akalanka from Aranayaka, had arrived in Kandy to participate in the annual Esala Perahera, assisting with the elephant Menike during the sacred procession. Police sources said a suspicious wound was found on the forehead of the body, raising concerns of foul play. The cause of death is yet to be determined. more..

Jul 31 (AD) A special awareness programme on Sri Lanka’s strengthened anti-corruption act has taken place at the Ministry of Defence. The programme was organized by the Internal Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Defence under the guidance of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd). It was conducted by the High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake, Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC). more..

Jul 31 (DM) The Sri Lankan govt has expressed appreciation to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for his prompt response to the viral video showing a Sri Lankan worker being mistreated at a factory in Naju. The video, which surfaced in February, showed the worker tied up and lifted by a forklift, sparking widespread public outrage and condemnation. In response, President Lee condemned the incident as a violation of human rights and ordered a full investigation. more..

Jul 31 (EN) Sri Lanka car importers have opened US$ 1.2 billion of letters of credit to import vehicles, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. “For five years, vehicle imports in our country were stopped. We have opened up the vehicle market,” Prez was quoted as saying to the SL community in the Maldives. “As of yesterday, we have opened LCs worth US$ 1200 million for vehicle imports. However, dollar remains stable. more..

Jul 31 (AM) The CIABOC said a total of 34 individuals were arrested in connection with bribery incidents during the first six months of this year. Between 1 January and 30 June, CIABOC received 3,022 complaints relating to bribery and corruption. The Commission carried out 54 raids during this period, leading to the arrest of 34 suspects. Among those arrested were 10 officers from the SL Police, five officials attached to the Ministry of Justice, two officials from the Ministry of Health, more..

Jul 31 (AD) Supreme Court today granted permission to hear an appeal filed seeking an annulment of the ruling issued by the Court of Appeal which acquitted and released three individuals, including former Minister Premalal Jayasekara, who were sentenced to death for the murder of an individual during a political rally in Kahawatta held by then-prez candidate Maithripala Sirisena during the 2015 prez election period. The aggrieved party in the case submitted more..

Jul 31 (ME) SL’s Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) confirmed that it has begun negotiations with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company seeking compensation for environmental damage related to the MSC Elsa 3 casualty. The govt is considering legal action, although a representative said MSC has accepted responsibility in the ongoing discussions. The containership sank in late May, southwest of more..

Jul 31 (SFS) Sri Lanka has introduced a new set of rules to regulate the re-export of shrimp, aiming to address concerns from local farmers and maintain the country’s competitiveness in global seafood markets. In recent years, the SL govt has allowed increasing imports of foreign shrimp for value addition and re-export purposes, aiming to meet international demand for seafood and accommodate rising domestic consumption, according to SL’s Ministry of Fisheries Resources. more..

Jul 31 (BBC) Auction house Sotheby's has returned a set of sacred jewels believed to be linked to the Buddha's remains to India, after facing mounting pressure from the Indian govt and global Buddhist leaders. The Piprahwa Gems - described by archaeologists as one of the most astonishing finds of the modern era - were due to be auctioned in Hong Kong in May. But the sale was called off following diplomatic intervention and threats of legal action from Delhi. more..