Jul 5 (ST) Amid increasing signs that the NPP govt is seriously considering introducing a constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age of judges of the superior courts, opposition to the move is also gaining momentum. Bar Association of SL (BASL), which had earlier written to Prez urging him to scrap such plans, yesterday held a public forum on the position of the legal fraternity in relation to amending the constitution to extend the retirement age of the judges, more..

Jul 5 (TM) Sri Lanka’s fertiliser supply chain is ramping up procurement efforts as both State agencies and private importers secure stocks ahead of the upcoming Maha cultivation season. Cabinet approved the proposal to call for tenders to procure 20,000 MT of urea for the upcoming Maha cultivation season, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The procurement comprises 10,000 MT of granular urea and 10,000 MT of prilled urea. The tender is scheduled to close on 7 July. more..

Jul 5 (ST) Sri Lanka is looking to amend the taxation structure for second-hand imported vehicles after the US lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), stating that the taxation and valuation methods applied to imported vehicles are contrary to international trade agreements that Sri Lanka is a signatory to. Senior Finance Ministry and Customs officials said the US complaint is being taken seriously and that discussions are underway on how to address the concerns. more..

Jul 5 (TM) The Govt expects the gradual reduction of Aswesuma beneficiaries to continue beyond this year, with another 400,000 families set to be removed from the welfare programme in 2027. The move is part of a phased plan linked to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and commitments under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Economists, however, warn that many vulnerable households are yet to recover from the economic crisis. more..

Jul 5 (EN) SL’s iconic Lotus Tower will light up tonight in red, white and blue to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the US Embassy in Colombo said. “Look to the Lotus Tower tonight as it shines in red, white & blue to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and #Freedom250!” The embassy building was lit up too. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on “Allies and embassies around the world to join us in celebrating the American principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” more..

Jul 5 (ST) Sri Lanka and China are set to finalise an amended agreement to fund the Central Expressway’s Kadawatha–Mirigama stretch, with work expected to resume within weeks, a senior government official said. A high-level China Export-Import Bank (China EXIM Bank) delegation led by Vice President Yang Dongning was in Sri Lanka this week to discuss the new agreement and met with senior govt figures, including Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando and Minister Vijitha Herath. more..

Jul 5 (ST) A complete revision of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Listing Rules has been done to align it with the new Securities and Exchange Commission of SL Act No. 19 of 2021. “A comprehensive revision of the Listing Rules was undertaken, streamlining the Listing Rules of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) with the new Securities and Exchange Commission of SL Act No 19 of 2021 to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the SEC Act and to enhance transparency, governance and more..

Jul 5 (NW) A 23-year-old alleged organized crime suspect wanted over the fatal shooting of an attorney-at-law and his wife has been brought back to SL from the Maldives, Police said. The suspect was arrested upon arrival at the BIA on Friday by officers of the CID and has been handed over to the Western Province South Crimes Division for further investigations. Police said the suspect, a resident of Ethkandura, was wanted in connection with the shooting of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda, more..

Jul 5 (CT) Individuals who fail to submit their tax returns could face a fine of up to Rs 400,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both under the newly amended Inland Revenue Act, a spokesperson for the IRD said. The spokesperson stated that under the new law, magistrates have the authority to impose imprisonment with or without rigorous labour, in addition to or instead of the financial penalty, depending on the circumstances of the offence. more..

Jul 5 (NW) China’s Ambassador to SL, Qi Zhenhong, says President Xi Jinping’s latest governance book offers valuable guidance for SL’s development and opens new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Addressing the China-SL Readers Forum on Xi Jinping: Governance of China (Volume V) in Colombo, Ambassador Qi said the publication presents China’s latest governance philosophy and provides practical insights on modernization, high-quality development, reform and opening up. more..

Jul 5 (DM) The construction of the new Faculty Complex at the Sabaragamuwa University has been made possible through a major joint financial commitment from the Govt of SL and international development partners, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s medical education infrastructure. The project was formally highlighted by PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who participated in the inauguration of the newly constructed facility on 04 July 2026. more..

Jul 5 (DM) The govt is planning to introduce drug testing kits through pharmacies, allowing parents to privately check whether their children have become involved in drug use as part of a broader national strategy to combat narcotics. The proposal was discussed at the meeting of the A Nation United National Steering Council for the eradication of the drug menace, chaired by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat. During the meeting, Prez stressed that more..

Jul 5 (NW) The President of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, Steven Thiru, has warned that SL risks repeating Zimbabwe’s controversial judicial crisis if it proceeds with plans to extend the retirement age of sitting superior court judges without broad public consultation. Addressing a public forum organised by the BASL on Saturday, Thiru said the issue was not the proposed retirement age itself, but the timing, manner and application of the constitutional amendment. more..

Jul 5 (TM) As per the latest rankings of international athletes released by World Athletics (WA), SL’s javelin sensation Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage needs only a solitary point more to scale the summit of global athletics. Tharanga has shaken the global athletics firmament in no uncertain terms through the sheer volume of spectacular throws in his chosen discipline during the past three-month period. He now finds himself in 67th position out of 25,000 athletes who have excelled more..

Jul 5 (ST) If not for the wrist injury suffered by opener Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara might well have spent another Test match carrying drinks and watching events unfold from the sidelines. Instead, destiny handed the 32-year-old opener an opportunity, and he grabbed it with both hands. After SL’s humiliating innings and 217-run defeat in the first Test against the West Indies, the tourists needed someone to stand tall in Antigua. Udara, playing only his third Test, answered that call in emphatic fashion, more..

Jul 5 (CI) B Sai Sudharsan strengthened his case to retain the No.3 spot for the upcoming Test series in SL, with his 168 for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle. Sudharsan converted his overnight 104 not out into his career-best score for India A, helping his side stretch their lead to 175 by the end of the third day's play. India A closed out the day on 541 for 8 in response to SL A's 366. Devdutt Padikkal failed to add to his overnight 94 and Ruturaj Gaikwad retired hurt on 13, more..

Jul 5 (ST) SL’s racing sensation Yevan David created history at the iconic Silverstone Circuit, maintaining a start-to-end finish to complete second of the Sprint Race of the British Grand Prix. David maintained his composure from start to finish, only failing against Silverstone Sprint Race winner Ugo Ugochukwu of the USA, who became the first repeat winner of the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season. AIX Racing’s Yevan David became the first SL driver to achieve a podium more..

Jul 5 (TM) SL’s veteran shuttlers dominated the Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championships 2026, claiming an impressive 35 gold medals as they emerged as the most successful nation at the four-day tournament held at the Air Sports Complex in Rajagiriya recently. The championships, which attracted masters players from 15 countries, showcased high-quality competition across singles and doubles events in various age groups. SL players topped the medals table with more..

Jul 5 (CI) Sri Lanka batted a touch over two sessions on day two before eventually declaring on 549 for 9, while West Indies in their response ended the day on 58 for 1, trailing by 491 runs, with Brandon King the only batter to fall. John Campbell was at the crease on 31 off 77 with Kavem Hodge (6 off 41) alongside him, as they sought to blunt the Lankan attack towards the close of play. Even so Sri Lanka will rue some missed opportunities, two off Hodge and one off Campbell. more..

Jul 5 (CT) Cricket has a unique way of rewarding those who refuse to give up. Lahiru Udara’s remarkable performance in the second Test against the West Indies is a perfect example of that truth. At 30, when many believe a player’s best years are behind him, the SL opener produced the innings of his life, scoring a magnificent 188 and announcing himself on the world stage. The innings came at a crucial time for Sri Lanka. Reeling from defeat in the opening Test, more..

Jul 5 (SO) Sri Lanka Boxing has moved to clean up and strengthen the sport by introducing a strict Code of Conduct for all referees, judges, technical officials, timekeepers and scoring system operators for 2026. The new Code of Conduct, issued by the Boxing Association of SL (BASL), will be valid for one calendar year and must be signed annually by every official who wishes to serve at boxing events. Under the new rules, officials must sign the document during the first quarter of each year more..

Jul 5 (CT) The anti-govt street protests that are attempting to gather the momentum that ousted a powerfully voted-in govt had not achieved the desired traction as the week ended. With increasing pressure mounting on the Opposition with a series of arrests and a clear and deliberate action taken by the Govt on the underworld and the connected political hierarchy, the coming weeks are likely to witness greater protests and moves to provide a destabilising impact on NPP Govt. more..

Jul 5 (Island) This article deals with the subject of centralizing and decentralizing universities in Sri Lanka and discusses the advantages of one against the other. What are the appropriate conditions and the factors governing the choice? Who decides – politicians or academics? The SL experience seems to suggest neither. The two most important landmarks in the history of university education in SL, other than the setting up of the Uni of Ceylon in 1942, were the amalgamation of the then more..

Jul 5 (Island) The World Bank’s annual income reclassification, which takes effect every July 1, has placed SL, Vietnam, the Philippines, Jordan and the Pacific state of Micronesia in the uppermiddle income bracket. SL’s elevation to the upper-middle income status has gladdened many a heart. It is no mean achievement for a country emerging from a crippling economic crisis that led to foreign currency reserves woes, shortages, queues, prolonged power cuts, a steep rise in inflation, more..

Jul 5 (FT) Recently, while travelling abroad for a few days, I stepped into a bookshop and was immediately drawn to a particular book. I read a few pages, and before long I decided to buy it, as a gift for my granddaughter, who is now preparing for her G.C.E. A/L exams. To me, it is a book that offers society a clear vision: that only through collective action can we overcome the serious challenges facing humanity today. The book is The Ministry for the Future, written by Kim Stanley Robinson. more..

Jul 5 (SO) The wheels of justice move ever so slowly, but they move nonetheless. But justice should not be inordinately delayed. As the saying goes, Justice delayed is justice denied. We pen these words in the context of Supreme Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda’s recent revelation that some criminal cases take ten or more years before a verdict is delivered. But this is not limited to criminal cases – even civil cases such as land disputes can take years to be resolved. more..

Jul 5 (ST) US Embassy commemorated America’s semiquincentennial—250 years of independence—in a unique manner by transforming the embassy grounds in Colombo into an immersive cinematic experience celebrating how American films have reflected those freedoms while inspiring audiences across generations and around the world, including in SL. The chief guest on the special occasion was Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, with govt officials, business leaders, diplomats more..

Jul 5 (ST) My dear Suresh Sallay, I wanted to write to you when I heard that you had called off your protest fast suddenly. Now that you will hopefully be able to return to good health quickly, you will have time to think clearly about some of the events that happened recently and clarify some issues that have been puzzling to all of us. The reason for the fast itself was baffling. You had said you were fasting, demanding for the PTA to be repealed. Yet those who were supporting you on the outside more..

Jul 5 (ST) The govt seems committed to extending the retirement age of appellate court justices, ignoring criticisms – and accusations – that their purpose in the exercise is to offer carrots to sitting judges, rewarding them for good behaviour should they adjudicate favourably towards them during their tenure in office. Any govt would face this accusation – and it is only a govt that can implement such a move, which makes the exercise a delicate, if controversial, one. more..

Jul 5 (TM) President AKD and his JVP-led NPP Govt enter the second half of 2026 at a crucial moment. Having inherited an economy emerging from its worst crisis in decades, the administration has sought to project stability while pursuing an ambitious reform agenda under the IMF programme. However, a series of recent economic indicators presents a more nuanced picture, one that offers reasons for cautious optimism, but also underscores the fragility of the recovery. more..

Jul 5 (TM) Two years ago, Sri Lankans voted for far more than a change of govt. They voted for the dismantling of a political and economic order that had supposedly driven the country into bankruptcy. The fuel queues, the power cuts, the medicine shortages, the collapse of the rupee, the evaporation of savings, and the extraordinary sight of a sitting President fleeing the country convinced millions that the old system had exhausted its legitimacy. The NPP rode that wave of public anger to more..

Jul 5 (CT) Sri Lanka has long been called a welfare state. Some of the welfare attributes were compromised in the less regulated open economy after 1977, but the welfare core of the state has remained intact. Between 1977 and 2009, SL was also a warfare state. Although the war ended in 2009, the state has retained some of its warfare attributes. Yet the state’s warfare defenses could not prevent the devastating easter Sunday attacks that came ten years after the war, more..