Jul 3 (EN) A court in Sri Lanka has blocked potential winding up of SriLankan Airlines initiated by Trustees to defaulted bondholders, following a demand for full payment, court documents show. Western Province Court Commercial High Court issued an enjoining order asked for by SriLankan Airlines, blocking the Trustees of the bonds or their agents from initiating any winding up procedures. Romesh De Silva PC, with Manjuka Fernandopulle and Niran Anketell, instructed by more..

Jul 3 (TM) National and regional State institutes including the Departments of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation have been instructed to re-mark the boundaries of forest reserves in the Northern and Eastern Provinces at the earliest possible, according to the Ministry of Environment. Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody said that steps are being taken to address the land issue in the North and the East, which has affected residents for decades. more..

Jul 3 (TM) Govt of SL is to enter into MoUs with eligible countries for the purchase of pharmaceuticals and medical appliances that are difficult to be supplied via the general supply chain, under a govt-to-govt basis, when it is essential, by entering into precise agreements between entities nominated by those Govts and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that the Govt has requested from seven countries on purchasing drugs, and more..

Jul 3 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved the appointment of a Special Presidential Investigation Committee, chaired by former Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe, to investigate alleged fraud, corruption, and irregularities at SriLankan Airlines and Airport & Aviation (SL) Ltd, during the period from 2010 to 2025. The new Committee is tasked to conduct a detailed and formal study of financial operational activities more..

Jul 3 (DM) Former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who is accused of causing financial losses to the govt by allegedly awarding a sand mining project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour to a Korean company without following proper procurement procedures, has informed the Bribery Commission today that he is unable to appear for questioning due to ill health. Bribery Commission’s Special Investigation Unit had summoned the former minister to appear at 9 a.m. yesterday to more..

Jul 3 (DM) Following its official launch in Sri Lanka yesterday, Starlink, the satellite-based internet service by SpaceX, has released its pricing options for both residential and business users. With its launch, Starlink is expected to offer a much-needed connectivity solution for remote and rural communities while providing premium high-speed internet options for businesses across Sri Lanka. Residential Lite Plan: Rs. 12,000 per month; Residential Plan: Rs. 15,000 per month more..

Jul 3 (CT) The Finance Ministry committee has submitted its report on the Customs release of 309 containers to the Minister of Finance, who appointed the committee to report, where out of the five committee members, three have given dissenting views. Several members of the committee reviewing the powers of the Director General of Customs have expressed strong reservations over the final report submitted to Prez on 16 June. more..

Jul 3 (FT) Let me start with a multiple-choice question (MCQ) for you to choose the best answer. Question: Who is responsible for uni ragging? Answers: a) Society, b) Ministry, c) UGC, d) VC, e) Management, f) Academia, g) Media, h) Parents, i) Students. There have been articles written, discussions held, and statements issued by varying personnel about university ragging after the recent tragic death of a second-year student at Sabaragamuwa Uni. Prez has issued more..

July 3 (FT) Sri Lanka’s climate crisis has intensified rapidly, far surpassing the current levels of stakeholder awareness and capacity to finance essential mitigation and adaptation efforts. As the country faces escalating risks from extreme weather, rising temperatures, and greenhouse emission levels a critical question arises: Are we ready to bridge this widening gap and take decisive action before it’s too late? The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat. Its impacts are here, more..

July 3 (AD) A youth has filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court, alleging unlawful arrest and detention by the Katana Police following an incident involving Hyeshika Fernando, popularly known as Teacher Amma, a prominent Grade 5 scholarship tutor. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has scheduled Jan 28, 2025, to hear the FR petition filed by the youth, Ada Derana reporter said. The arrest followed a complaint made by a group including Hyeshika Fernando. more..

July 3 (Island) Farmers, fishers, and pastoral communities the Southern and Eastern Provinces came together in a three-day grassroots-level gathering to resist growing threats to their natural resources. The discussions were held across three locations—Vakarai, Kathiraveli, and Mailattamadu—and brought together more than 60 local planning forums under the Land & Agrarian Reform Movement. The landmark meeting provided space for communities—often divided by more..

July 3 (TM) SL’s collectible tax defaults and its penalties amounted to Rs. 175.6 billion by the end of 2024, with VAT defaults totalling Rs. 59 billion. IRD said that the total collectable taxes and penalties for 2024 amounted to Rs. 175.6 billion, with penalties amounting to Rs. 79.2 billion. Collectable taxes are those assessments that have either not been appealed by the taxpayers or have been appealed and resolved, with decisions on the appeals more..

July 3 (AD) Govt of SL and the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance have signed a bilateral agreement in relation to the External Debt Restructuring Process. Finance Ministry said the signing of the agreement with the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance, is a significant milestone of the External Debt Restructuring Process and testament to the govt’s commitment to conclude the restructuring process as soon as possible to restore debt sustainability and thereby revamp economy. more..

July 3 (EN) Transparency International SL (TISL), the local body of Transparency International (TI), which has been fighting against corruption in the island nation has recommended reforms in the structure of Central Bank to release it from to managing the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and involvement in taxation schemes. In its latest report on ‘The Civil Society Parallel Report on SL’s Implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)’ it said more..

July 3 (Island) Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar has ruled out the possibility of any consensus with India to allow its fishing fleet to poach in SL waters. He made this declaration in Colombo at a hastily arranged media conference at his Ministry. Chandrasekar said the Indians fishing in SL waters illegally would be apprehended and their boats confiscated. Minister emphasised that under any circumstances more..

July 3 (DM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said those who facilitated the air parade of the newly leased aircraft over Colombo will be questioned in the future. He said inquiries will extend to those who approved the expenses for allowing a 10-year-old aircraft to fly over Colombo on three occasions. “Those who authorised the spending for the aircraft to circle Colombo will also have to answer questions tomorrow,” Rajapaksa added. Further, SLPP National Organiser stated that he will fully more..

July 3 (AD) Former Minister Mervyn Silva and two others were granted bail today by the Gampaha High Court over allegations of selling state land in Kiribathgoda through forged documents. The bail application submitted on behalf of Mervyn Silva was considered before Gampaha High Court Judge W.K.D. Wijeratne. All three defendants — Mervyn Silva, Jayantha Cabraal, and Naveen Weerakoon — were granted bail. They were each released on a cash bail of Rs. 200,000 and five personal more..

Jul 3 (NW) SLMC member Abdul Wazeeth has been appointed as a Member of Parliament of the 10th Parliament of SL, the National Election Commission announced. According to the Election Commission, Abdul Wazeeth has been appointed to fill the SLMC National List vacancy in Parliament. Abdul Wazeeth replaces former MP M. S. Naleem, who resigned from the Parliament, after being appointed as a MP through the SLMC’s National List following 2024 parliamentary election. more..

Jul 3 (EN) Sri Lanka will open an embassy in Cyprus on July 20, so that workers there can access diplomatic services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “It was decided to reopen the SL Embassy in Cyprus after considering the requests received from the Sri Lankans living there,” Minister Vijitha Herath was quoted as saying. The new embassy will also be able to increase new job opportunities and trade investments, he said. There are nearly 15,000 Sri Lankans in Cyprus, according to the ministry. more..

Jul 3 (EN) A high Trump tariff relative to competitors could shrink exports and reduce GDP by up to 1.5% below baseline projections and spillovers to other sectors, an IMF report said. SL is currently on a 10% export tax to the US with a 44% Trump tariff suspended till July 9. Reinstatement of the tariff would erode SL’s export competitiveness, especially on apparels where margins were thin. “Exports could decline by as much as more..

Jul 3 (Island) On Poson Full Moon Day a remarkable cataract surgery camp was held at the Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital, led by Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Kasun Gunawardena. In an extraordinary display of dedication and skill, Dr Gunawardena singlehandedly performed 257 phacoemulsification surgeries (cataract removal and intraocular lens implantation) from 5 am to 10:30 pm on June 10. This exceptional achievement sets a new record for the highest number more..

Jul 3 (PMD) A discussion was held today (2) at the Presidential Secretariat between Dr Nandika Kumanayake, Secretary to the President and Her Excellency Bonnie Horbach, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to SL. The talks focused on the possible return to Sri Lanka of ancient artefacts and manuscripts currently in the possession of the Netherlands. Ambassador Bonnie Horbach expressed her gratitude for the cooperation extended by the Govt of SL in this endeavour. more..

Jul 3 (AD) Director General of the Dept of Archaeology, Professor Thusitha Mendis, has announced plans to remove unauthorized constructions that are affecting SL’s iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He emphasized that although Sigiriya is not currently at risk of being removed from the World Heritage List, these unauthorized structures pose a potential threat to its status in the future. more..

Jul 3 (AD) A committee has been appointed to investigate and submit a report on plastic-based products in the market that pose a threat to the health of children, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development has announced. Subject Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the govt will take the strongest possible measures within the next two months to prevent such harmful products from entering the market, based on more..

Jul 3 (AD) Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd due a tense situation in Kahawatta, following the funeral of the youth who was shot dead on 30 June, police said. The funeral of the 22-year-old from Kahawatta, who was reportedly murdered for providing information to police regarding a drug trafficking operation, was held this afternoon at the family burial ground. Following the funeral, tensions arose between police personnel and local residents. This occurred in the backdrop of more..

Jul 3 (EN) Sri Lanka is still under negotiations with China’s Sinopec over tax holiday and local sales in an already inked $3.7 billion refinery deal in Hambantota, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said. The island nation signed an agreement with Sinopec for a 3.7 billion dollar state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, constructed in Hambantota. A substantial portion of the refinery’s output is planned for export, further enhancing more..

Jul 3 (DM) The increase in dog bites in the country is largely due to the growing canine population and a lack of public understanding, education and awareness about how people should behave around animals, Public Health Veterinary Services Director Dr. Darshanie Dissanayake said. Speaking at a media briefing, Dr. Dissanayake explained that since 2000, the Health Ministry has implemented a programme to eradicate rabies and control the dog population. more..

Jul 3 (DM) SL Customs has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media regarding the introduction of a new tax on small parcel imports clarifying that recent procedural changes are intended solely to ensure the accurate application of existing customs duties based on product value and classification. Customs Media Spokesman Seevali Arukgoda stressed that there has been no increase in tax rates nor any disruption to clearance more..

Jul 3 (CT) The Cabinet has approved the implementation of a comprehensive Five-Year National Action Plan to support the National Policy on Child Protection, aiming to strengthen child safety and welfare across SL. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the National Policy on Child Protection, formulated under the provisions of the National Child Protection Authority Act, No. 50 of 1998, had originally received Cabinet approval at the meeting held on 29 Oct 2019. more..

Jul 3 (AD) More details have been revealed regarding the shooting incident that occurred near the Kandana Public Market at around 10 am this morning. Two unidentified assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle, targeting two people traveling in a car near the Kandana Public Market. The suspects reportedly fled the scene afterward. One person succumbed to his injuries, while the other injured individual is currently receiving further treatment more..

Jul 3 (TOI) Indian Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition challenging the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, and seeking exclusive control and management of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya by the Buddhist community. A vacation bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Vinod Chandran heard the plea, which was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution. The bench said the matter was not maintainable before more..

Jul 3 (NW) The India- Sri Lanka Foundation has invited project proposals in the fields of Art & Culture, Education, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Health, Social Works, Developmental Studies, Tourism and other educational activities at recognized institutions of learning. According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, proposals are also invited for visits and exchanges involving students, scholars, academics, artists, professionals and performing artistes. more..

Jul 3 (NW) The foundation stone for a new five-storey building at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama was laid this morning, marking the beginning of a major expansion project. The construction will be carried out under the full supervision and labour support of the SL Air Force. Financial support is also provided by Indra Kumar Silva, founder and chairman of the Indra Traders Group. The new facility, spanning 50,000 square feet, will include two inpatient wards more..

Jul 4 (DM) Beautiful small children running on the roads and attempting to sell food is now a thing of the past. No longer would you also see small children appearing on television advertisements promoting food items. The reason is because the Government of SL has got cracking on banning the exploitation of children for financial gains. Children are vulnerable. That’s why they are kept under the custody of parents or guardians. Parents as well as those close to children have a duty to shield more..

Jul 4 (CT) Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is fuelled by perhaps the longest land dispute in SL – territorial war between man and the wild elephant. The conflict has existed for decades and, despite the mitigation methods suggested and implemented, the issue seems to worsen with each passing year. At the halfway point of this year, the numbers indicate that HEC is only going to deteriorate further in the future. In the past six months, it has been reported that the HEC has caused 168 elephant deaths and more..