Jul 21 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning to charge 18 percent value added tax on Paypal, which is considered a financial service and also Stripe, at a time when smaller taxes on credit cards have fallen foul with the IMF, under new rules to tax foreign services. “Financial Technology (FinTech): online banking, payment processors (PayPal, Stripe, and crypto currency exchanges),” the new gazette requiring VAT to be collected by foreign platforms from October 01 says. more..

Jul 21 (Island) More than one million Sri Lankan farmers face the risk of abandoning vegetable cultivation due to soaring input costs and increasing imports, Nimal Hewawitharana, Chairman of the National Vegetable Growers’ Association has warned. Hewawitharana told The Island that not only vegetable farming but also the cultivation of other key food crops such as onions, cowpea, and green gram was under threat. He said global prices of fuel, fertilisers, agrochemicals & seeds had fallen, more..

Jul 21 (DM) Sri Lanka remains ready to consider oil purchases from the US to reduce the trade gap as a qualification for further reduction of reciprocal tariffs, a Minister who is familiar with trade negotiations said. Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said that SL’s monthly oil bill amounts to $ 300-400 million, and imports could be considered from the US if it was cost effective. Also, he said there is a barrier for oil purchases under more..

Jul 21 (Island) Training partners led by 5,000m specialist Kumar Shanmugeshwaran made a clean sweep in the men’s category while Wathsala Madushani Herath won the women’s race of the national marathon held at Hikkaduwa. In a unique achievement, athletes trained by Sajith Jayalal won the first three places in the men’s category and the first two places in the women’s race. It was the first national marathon title for Shanmugeshwaran, who returned a time of 2h 24m 43 s more..

Jul 21 (DN) The Colombo Rowing Club (CRC) clinched a stunning victory in the women’s events, retaining the prestigious Adyar Trophy at the 84th Madras-Colombo Regatta held on the Adyar River at the Madras Boat Club in Chennai, India, on Saturday. Led by star rower Rovinya Wijesekara, Colombo swept through the women’s races in great fashion. Rovinya won the Women’s Scull, and then teamed up with Sanindi De Silva to win the Women’s Double Scull. In the Women’s Pair, more..

Jul 21 (ST) With only about 30% of its recommendations implemented last year, the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has warned state entities that its instructions cannot be appealed against and they are obliged to implement them. In a circular issued to ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, heads of departments, corporations, and statutory boards, HRCSL informed them that not implementing such recommendations under the guise of an appeal procedure is more..

Jul 21 (GN) Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known as the Sleeping Prince, has died after spending more than two decades in a coma following a traumatic car accident. Born in April 1990, Prince Al Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a prominent Saudi royal and nephew of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. At just 15, while studying as a military cadet in London, he suffered a devastating road accident in 2005 that caused severe brain injuries more..

Jul 21 (EN) Harassment in public transportation has been normalised in Sri Lanka, discouraging many victims from reporting incidents, a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) analyst said. “It’s so normalised, that nobody reports, very few reports,” Bimali Amarasekere, National Programme Analyst for Gender at UNFPA SL said. “I shouldn’t say nobody, no, very few report, because more..

Jul 21 (FT) In an unprecedented move that marks a new chapter in SL’s journey towards financial literacy and economic empowerment, world-renowned financial educator Robert Kiyosaki, author of the bestselling classic Rich Dad Poor Dad, will conduct his first-ever live event in SL on 17 August. Titled Cashflow Revolution SL 2025, this exclusive experience is co-organised by Wisdom Trainer International, founded and led by prominent leadership trainer & transformational coach more..

Jul 21 (CI) The heat was on Australia A's bowlers to find early wickets on day two after a Nuwanidu Fernando century headlined a productive first day for SL A in Darwin. After putting their visitors in to bat, the Australians had their work cut out containing Nuwanidu, who backed up an unbeaten century in the opening four-day match with another ton. Victorian quick Mitch Perry finally made the breakthrough after Fernando mistimed his cover drive and edged to Jason Sangha at 2nd slip more..

Jul 21 (FT) Govt revenue collection in May peaked at Rs. 486 billion, bringing the total in the first five months to nearly Rs. 2 trillion—half of 2024’s full-year haul. As per latest data released by the Central Bank. Govt revenue and grants amounted to Rs. 1,942 billion as against Rs. 1,619 billion in the corresponding period of last year, reflecting a 20% increase. Of the figure, tax revenue amounted to Rs. 1,802 billion. more..

Jul 21 (FT) In a move reflecting his America First agenda, US Prez Donald Trump has introduced the Visa Integrity Fee as part of his One Big Beautiful Bill to charge an additional $ 250 for visitors entering the US on various temporary visas, including tourist, business, and exchange, significantly impacting a vast number of immigrants. The law, signed into law on 4 July and overwhelmingly supported by his party stalwarts, will have a devastating consequence on Sri Lankans, given the devaluation of rupee more..

Jul 21 (DN) SL sprinter Yupun Abeykoon achieved a remarkable timing of 10.03 seconds and won the first place in men’s 100m race at the Continental Tour Bronze Night Of Athletics held in Belgium on Saturday. The wind speed at the time of the race was recorded at +4.7. This can be understood to have brought some comfort to Yupun’s running. The time recorded by the athlete who came in second was 10.17s. This can be considered as best running time recorded by Yupun in recent times. more..

Jul 21 (FT) SL Business Council (SLBC) UAE – Dubai and Northern Emirates Chairman Suren Swaminathan, who was on a brief visit to Colombo met with CH17 Loyalty Founder and CEO Jumar Preena recently. The meeting centred around strategic collaboration to implement a multi-facility membership privilege program exclusively for the Business Council membership. During the meeting, Preena also outlined CH17’s intention to launch the first-ever dual-country rewards and more..

Jul 21 (FT) LAUGFS Supermarkets, a subsidiary of LAUGFS Holdings, has announced the opening of its 40th outlet at Ananda College, Colombo. This milestone reflects LAUGFS Supermarkets’ continued commitment to delivering convenient and quality retail solutions across Sri Lanka. Strategically located adjacent to the swimming pool complex, the newly opened LAUGFS SuperMart is designed to cater to the Ananda College community as well as the surrounding neighbourhoods. more..

Jul 21 (TM) Coastal areas of eight districts across four provinces have been contaminated following the sinking of the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Kerala, India, in May, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) acknowledged. MEPA General Manager A.J.M. Gunasekara said that coastal areas in eight districts across three provinces have been affected by the incident. more..

Jul 21 (Island) We have little say about restrictions being imposed on us from abroad. Somehow, we have to stand on our feet. In the distant past we did have programs that tackled poverty and enabled people to produce what we need. However today no attempt is being made to help people to become entrepreneurs, to produce what Sri Lanka requires, and in that process earn foreign exchange and also help reduce imports. This economic demise has been a process that commenced after 1977, more..

Jul 21 (SO) More than two months after SL held its long-overdue Local Govt elections, 50 local authorities remain without functioning administrations — effectively paralysing grassroots public services and exposing critical flaws in the country’s electoral and governance frameworks. Most of the Councils affected are Pradeshiya Sabhas, with a handful of Urban Councils also caught in limbo. Public Admin, Provincial Councils and LG Minister Dr. Chandana Abayarathna more..

Jul 21 (Island) The NPP govt, which drew heavy flak, a few weeks ago, for trying to use the Nuwara Wewa bund as part of a tourism development programme, has now embarked on a mission to clear the reservations of ancient irrigation tanks of illegal constructions. It was decided at an A'pura District Coordinating Committee meeting, the other day, to demarcate the reservation of the Nuwara Wewa. Govt has decided to remove unauthorised structures from buffer zones of 48 major irrigation tanks. more..

Jul 21 (TM) Last week, Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam addressing a gathering to celebrate 10 years since the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) was launched, revealed that the Southeast Asian nation was battling an ongoing cyberattack on its critical infrastructure. Shanmugam, a long-standing member of the Govt, delivered the message clearly and was brief. It was clear that the Govt of Singapore wanted more..

Jul 21 (SO) The long-standing and controversial Chemmani mass grave case was taken up at the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on July 15. This Incident, which dates back to the late 1990s, is once again under scrutiny due to recent excavation findings and renewed public attention. Forensic Archaeologist Prof. Raj Somadeva presented an interim report to the court highlighting three key observations from the ongoing excavation: more..

Jul 21 (ST) A bizarre dialogue had taken place before a Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee a few days ago where officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism had formally clarified a long known suspicion, namely that only two (orthodox) Jewish community centres or Chabad Houses as they are commonly referred to, are registered under SL’s Companies Act. The Committee was told that other more..

Jul 21 (DM) The current global era is dominated by finance. Following the long economic downturn of the 1970s with falling profits, capitalism shifted towards an accumulation strategy centred on finance for profit generation. This latest phase of capitalism, which is known as neoliberal globalisation, is in fact a project of the financial capitalist class. These decades are characterised by a tremendous increase in inequality between the countries in the global North and South, more..

Jul 21 (DM) Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, takes questions on the current status of SL’s engagement with the US on tariff reduction and the current status of the economy. Q: How is the current status of the govt’s engagement with the US on the tariff issue? A: There was a virtual meeting recently. Discussion has reached the final phase. more..

Jul 21 (GV) On July 2, action began. Over the next several days, targets in Cairo and Alexandria were bombed, including the libraries of the American Information Centre and a British owned theatre. None of the bombers were Islamists, Communists or Nationalists. They were Israeli intelligence agents and a handful of Egyptian Jews. The plan was hatched in Israel by the head of Aman, Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate, with the blessings of Defence Minister Pinhas Lavon. more..

Jul 21 (CT) In a country that proudly declares its Buddhist heritage, it is a shameful paradox that fully ordained Buddhist nuns — Bhikkhunis — remain among the most discriminated women in SL. The struggle for their rightful recognition, including the issuance of National Identity Cards (NIC) as Bhikkhunis, is not simply an administrative matter; it is a fight for women’s rights, dignity, and spiritual liberation. Despite Buddhism advocating equality and compassion, the journey of SL women more..

Jul 20 (ST) Mass graves have been one of the tragic legacies of the country’s violent past over the past 40-odd years—from the southern insurrections of 1971 and 1987-89 to the northern separatist insurrection. Tens of thousands of men and women, both young and old, as well as children, became victims of the violence and simply disappeared. Time and again, however, evidence of their grisly fate comes to the surface with more..

Jul 20 (ST) Nearly 50% of respondents of a new survey on voter preferences, indicated that a new political force was necessary to resolve Sri Lanka’s crisis, while an overwhelming 90% called for a complete political system change. It also showed that people are moving away from traditional patronage politics and instead prioritising policy-driven, accountable leadership. Also shown was that voters overwhelmingly prioritised candidates who would offer clear strategies to more..

Jul 20 (NW) The son of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Withana has been arrested by officers of the Panadura-Walana Anti-Corruption Unit. The arrest took place in the Mathugama area in connection with a vehicle allegedly in his possession that was reportedly assembled or imported illegally. Police said investigations are underway regarding the suspected illegal assembly or retention of the vehicle. Further legal proceedings are expected following inquiries. more..

Jul 20 (DM) Sri Lanka is set to pay Rs.300-500 million to India’s Adani Company for initial costs sustained by it in terms of the two renewable energy projects. India’s Adani Green Energy withdrew from the projects after differences with the NPP govt over pricing. The company asked for reimbursement of the initial expenses it incurred here for the execution of the project. The letter was sent in May this year announcing withdrawal more..

Jul 20 (ST) Govt is planning to make what it calls structural changes to appointments and other revisions to the Constitutional Council and Independent Commissions established by the Constitution, the Sunday Times learns. The move comes as it feels there are practical difficulties for the Govt in carrying out the functions of these constitutional bodies. The Govt position is that appointments to the Constitutional Council and Independent Commissions were made by more..

Jul 20 (SO) Refuting claims that the country hasn’t received any Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) this year other than what it had received from last year’s approved projects, Board of Investments (BOI) said that there has been a remarkable growth in realised FDI inflows during the first half of this year recording an impressive 100% increase over the corresponding period in 2024. According to the BOI, FDI inflows during the first six months this year surpassed US$ 507 million, a 101% increase more..