Jun 24 (NW) The govt has launched the Ceylon Tea Village programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s smallholder tea sector while targeting tea export earnings of US$2.5 billion and finished tea production of 400 million kilograms by 2030. The programme was introduced to Members of Parliament at a special briefing held in Parliament on Wednesday (24), chaired by Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna. more..

Jun 24 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday accused the Govt of attempting to amend the Constitution to increase the retirement age of judges without first addressing existing vacancies in the higher judiciary, warning that such a move could undermine judicial independence and democratic governance. Raising the issue in Parliament, Premadasa questioned the rationale for pursuing constitutional changes while several vacancies remain unfilled in the superior courts. more..

Jun 24 (Island) Twenty-two religious leaders had been issued with official passports for overseas travel by successive govts between 2010 and 2023 in keeping with ministerial circulars, Minister Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament yesterday. Wijepala said the official passports had been granted by utilising provisions that allowed ministry consultants, advisers, private secretaries and coordinating secretaries attached to ministers more..

Jun 24 (MoD) Commander of US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), General Kevin B. Schneider, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (23). The Defence Secretary warmly welcomed General Schneider and, during the cordial discussion, expressed his appreciation for the longstanding partnership between SL and the US. He conveyed his gratitude for the continued assistance and more..

Jun 24 (AD) The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has introduced a new insurance scheme for coconut seedlings, aimed at supporting new coconut cultivation in Sri Lanka. Under the scheme, losses and damages caused by drought, floods, excessive rainfall, cyclones, landslides, and wild elephant attacks will be covered at a concessionary premium rate. According to the Board, growers can obtain an annual insurance cover of Rs. 550 per coconut seedling by paying a premium of Rs. 40. more..

Jun 24 (TM) The process of handing over approximately 150 kilograms (kg) of gold jewellery recovered from former LTTE camps and surrounding areas to the courts is expected to be completed within the next three months, after which arrangements will be made to return the items to their lawful owners, Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said. Responding to a question raised by an Opposition MP regarding gold jewellery more..

Jun 24 (NW) The British High Commission in Colombo and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have handed over completed work under the Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme (GCIEP) aimed at modernising Colombo’s bus transport sector. The handover took place during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, officials from the British High Commission, and UNDP Sri Lanka. more..

Jun 24 (DN) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the publication of the Animal Welfare Bill in the Govt Gazette and its subsequent submission to Parliament for approval. According to the govt, a special committee was appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, in line with a Cabinet decision dated Dec 29, 2025, to review the provisions of the draft Animal Welfare Bill and provide recommendations. Based on the committee’s recommendations, more..

Jun 24 (Island) Nearly 3 months have passed since bids were called for the sale of luxury jeeps and other vehicles belonging to the Central Provincial Council by auction, but the release of the relevant vehicles to the bidders has been delayed. Instead of selling the vehicles by auction, as per the first bid document, an attempt is currently underway, within the Central Provincial Council, to call for bids again, on the grounds that the estimated prices for those ultra-luxury vehicles are insufficient, more..

Jun 24 (NW) Letters of appointment were presented today to the members of the newly established Salaries and Pensions Commission, tasked with addressing longstanding issues relating to the salaries and pensions of public sector employees and pensioners. The ceremony was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. Commission is chaired by retired Ministry Secretary Ashoka Peiris, more..

Jun 24 (FT) Inland Revenue Dept (IRD) has announced a broad package of tax reforms following the enactment of the Inland Revenue (Amd) Act, No. 11 of 2026, introducing changes affecting individuals, businesses, professionals, investors and financial institutions. In a special notice issued after the amendment was certified on 3 June, Commissioner General of IRD said gains arising from the sale of personal motor vehicles will no longer be more..

Jun 24 (FT) The Industrial Development Board (IDB) is set to undergo its most significant transformation in nearly six decades, with the Government commencing a comprehensive review of the institution’s legal framework, organisational structure, and policy mandate as part of a broader overhaul of Sri Lanka’s industrial development architecture. IDB Chairman Yasas Hewage revealed that the legislation governing the Board is being rewritten for the first time in 57 years. more..

Jun 24 (DN) Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera told Parliament yesterday the import of air conditioners and refrigerators that operate exclusively on HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon) refrigerants into Sri Lanka will be officially banned. The MP said this while addressing the debate on the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), two orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, and the regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act. more..

Jun 24 (DM) The recent US $2.5 million cyber theft from the newly established Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) - where a sovereign debt repayment to Australia was intercepted via systemic digital breaches, had a direct bearing on SL’s programme with the IMF. IMF Resident Representative Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael said that the continuous performance criterion on preventing new external payment more..

Jun 24 (TM) A special welcome ceremony was held Monday afternoon for SL javelin ace Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who has brought international acclaim to SL through his outstanding achievements in recent athletic events. The ceremony was organised by the Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabha at the Galanigama Interchange of the Southern Expressway in Bandaragama. Rumesh Tharanga, who competed in four of the world’s premier athletics competitions and secured 3 gold medals more..

Jun 24 (AD) A comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the recent incident involving the Deraniyagala Police and a group of local residents, with strict legal action to be taken against all parties found responsible, Minister Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament today. He stated that if any wrongdoing by police officers is established during the inquiry, legal action will also be taken against them without hesitation. He further noted that measures will be implemented to prevent more..

Nov 24 (Island) Climate change, pollution, deforestation and water degradation are no longer abstract environmental concerns but mounting economic threats already affecting SL’s power generation, food security, trade, fisheries and tourism, Bar Association of SL (BASL) President Rajeev Amarasuriya warned. Addressing the SL Public Interest Environmental Law Conference 2026, Amarasuriya said SL could no longer afford to treat environmental protection as a secondary more..

Nov 24 (NW) Collective for Social Media Declaration (CSMD) has voiced grave concern over the govt’s gazetting of the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka in June 2026, warning it poses a serious risk of restricting digital civil space and silencing independent voices. Issuing a statement, CSMD said that while the bill presents itself as a framework to uphold professional standards in the media sector, its provisions open the door to direct political interference. more..

Nov 24 (EN) SL’s goods and services exports expanded by over 18% in May this year to US$ 1,570 million. The merchandise exports in May 2026 amounted to US$ 1,223.5 million, reflecting an 18.3% increase compared to May 2025. The services export earnings recorded US$ 347.2 million in May 2026 with an increase of 18.7% compared to the same period last year. In total, SL’s exports for May 2026 reached US$ 1,570.6 m more..

Nov 24 (DM) Grama Niladharis across the country have decided to withdraw from all field duties with effect from today according to the Grama Niladhari Trade Union Alliance. Alliance's President, Nandana Ranasinghe, said the decision was taken in response to the authorities' failure to address several longstanding demands raised by Grama Niladharis. He warned that if their demands remain unresolved, the union would escalate its trade union action by reporting sick leave on June 30. more..

Nov 24 (NW) Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and Bureau of Rehabilitation (BOR) today signed a MOU to strengthen institutional cooperation in matters relating to missing persons. According to Ministry of Justice & National Integration, agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in information sharing, referrals, capacity building, and coordinated activities, reflecting both institutions’ commitment to enhance efforts in tracing missing persons and supporting affected families. more..

Nov 24 (AD) NDF MP Faiszer Musthapha has presented a Private Member’s Bill aimed at restricting children’s access to social media platforms. The proposed legislation, titled the Social Media Minimum Age Bill, seeks to prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media services. The bill is intended to introduce a minimum age requirement for social media use, with the objective of enhancing more..

Nov 24 (AD) Discontinuing the practice of applying indelible ink on voters’ fingers to indicate that they have cast their ballot could result in savings of around Rs. 100 million in public funds per election, Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi stated. He described the proposal as a positive step from multiple perspectives, noting that it has been a subject of discussion for several years among stakeholders, political parties and civil society organizations. more..

Nov 24 (NW) Inland Revenue Dept (IRD) has clarified that individuals selling their residential property or personal vehicles can now do so without paying tax, provided certain conditions are met. An official from the IRD said that for residential property, sellers are exempt if they have held legal ownership for at least three years prior to the sale and have resided at the location for over two years during that period. If these criteria are satisfied, the full amount from the sale is tax‑free. more..

Jun 24 (FT) The recent easing of tensions involving the US, Iran, and Israel has brought welcome relief to global energy markets. Earlier fears of disruptions to Middle Eastern oil supplies and critical shipping routes had pushed crude prices higher, raising concerns across import-dependent economies. As those fears recede, oil prices have fallen from recent peaks, offering a timely economic reprieve for countries such as Sri Lanka. For Sri Lanka, the significance extends beyond cheaper fuel. more..

Jun 24 (FT) In every community, there are people who dream of a better income, a better lifestyle, and a better future. These dreams are natural. But because of these hopes, many individuals unknowingly fall into dangerous traps, especially those set by people who promise quick wealth through illegal pyramid schemes. These schemes have grown into sophisticated ones over time, hiding behind attractive advertisements, job offers, training programs, online apps, and even more..

Jun 24 (TM) A bid by the Opposition to force an emergency Parliamentary debate on alleged judicial shortcomings triggered a tense showdown in the House yesterday, with the Govt rejecting the request and the Speaker ultimately ruling it out of order. The dispute centred on a motion submitted under Standing Order (SO) 19(1), which sought an urgent discussion on delays in the administration of justice, judicial more..

Jun 24 (TM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a 15-member Public Servants’ Salaries and Pensions Commission to examine long-standing salary and pension-related issues affecting public officers and pensioners, and to recommend reforms aimed at strengthening the public service. The appointment was made through an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued on Monday (22) by the President under the powers vested in him by Article 33 of the Constitution. more..

Jun 24 (Island) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is posting arrival numbers that many destinations would envy, yet it is increasingly troubled by a disconcerting trend: the country is welcoming record numbers of visitors, but tourism earnings are struggling to keep pace. In May, Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever monthly increase in tourist arrivals, welcoming 145,745 visitors, a 10% rise from a year earlier. However, tourism revenue fell 5.1% year-on year to US$155.7 million, more..

Jun 24 (FT) Govt yesterday withdrew plans to lower the Value Added Tax (VAT) registration and Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) thresholds, sparing thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises from being brought into the tax net at a time when businesses are grappling with the economic consequences of Cyclone Ditwah and the conflict in the Middle East. Opening the second reading debate on the VAT (Amd) Bill and more..

Jun 24 (AD) The main suspect in the Teldeniya murder case, in which a woman's body was recently found inside a parked vehicle, has been arrested in Jaffna, according to police. According to the Senior DIG in charge of the Nuwara Eliya Division, the suspect and his wife have been arrested in the Jaffna area by officers of the Jaffna Crime Investigation Unit and Walana Anti-Corruption Unit after receiving information that they were travelling by bus from Wellawatte to Jaffna yesterday. more..

Jun 24 (NW) The family of former SIS Director Suresh Sallay has appealed to Pope Leo XIV to intervene over his continued detention and deteriorating health while in the custody of the CID. The appeal was submitted on Tuesday through the Apostolic Nuncio to SL, the Vatican’s representative in the country. Sallay has been in CID custody as part of investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. He was transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo after launching a hunger strike more..