Jul 7 (DN) Opener Dimantha Mahavithana scored a superb unbeaten knock of 155 while left arm paceman Gimhan Mendis had a fine figures of 5 for 41 as SL under 19s recorded 8 wickets win with 2 overs to spare in their 2nd one day game against India under 19 yesterday. SL U-19s lost the first one dayer at this same venue on Saturday by 4 wickets but home team led by Vimath Dinsara fought back strongly to level the series 1-1. Third and final series decider will be played at the same venue more..

Jul 7 (ST) The govt is rushing to dispose of half of its 120,000 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy stocks stored in Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) warehouses to purchase the fresh Yala harvest directly from farmers, a senior official said. Agriculture Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickramasinghe said that 60,000 MT of paddy stocks will be released to the market as farmers begin harvesting the Yala season crop. Unlike in the past, govt revived abandoned PMB warehouses to store paddy stock. more..

Jul 7 (FT) The inaugural ceremony of Badhu Shakthi 2026 National Tax Week, a year-long initiative aimed at strengthening State revenue generation and fostering a culture of voluntary tax compliance, was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Organised by the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Unit of the Presidential Secretariat, the program seeks more..

Jul 7 (Island) SL’s drive towards cleaner and cheaper electricity gathered fresh momentum with the reported rapid progress in the 50 MW Mannar Wind Power Project, which is expected to produce the lowest-cost wind-generated electricity in the country’s history while saving billions of rupees in annual fuel imports. Ministry of Energy announced that the first wind turbine for the project had already arrived in the country, while the remaining turbine components have reached Port of Trinco more..

Jul 7 (FT) Sri Lanka could benefit from easing inflation across the Eurozone through lower fuel import costs, softer imported inflation, and reduced pressure on the rupee, Frontier Research said yesterday, as cooling energy prices strengthen expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) will leave interest rates unchanged later this month. The research firm said Eurozone headline inflation slowed to 2.8% in June from 3.2% in May, while core inflation eased to 2.4% from 2.6%, defying more..

Jul 7 (ST) SL govt’s plan to integrate the EPF and the ETF under a unified, tripartite structure has triggered resistance from trade unions, reviving a decades-long battle over the control of the country’s largest worker safety nets. Tripartite National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) met on Thursday and agreed to request the Labour Minister to submit the relevant proposal for discussion at the next council meeting. more..

Jul 7 (FT) The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) recently concluded its 97th AGM at the BMICH. At this general meeting, Board of Trustees and Council Members representing different employer groups were appointed for the financial year 2026/27. Outgoing Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody expressed his appreciation to the Council, members, and the EFC Secretariat for the invaluable support extended to him throughout his tenure. Commercial Bank CEO more..

Jul 7 (FT) EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe clarified that the proposed 12.5% tariff announced by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is not a new tariff, but relates to the same reciprocal tariff process that has been under negotiation with the US. Wijesinghe explained that SL was initially subjected to a 44% tariff when reciprocal tariffs were announced on 2 April. Following several rounds of discussions with the US authorities, the rate was successively reduced to 30%, more..

Jul 7 (FT) The Body Shop, the iconic British-born ethical beauty brand, recently welcomed UK Trade Envoy to SL Lord Hannett of Everton to its store at One Galle Face (OGF) Mall during his official visit to the country. The visit underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations with SL, while highlighting the contributions of UK brands to the local economy. Lord Hannett, accompanied by UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia Jaya Choraria and more..

Jul 7 (FT) Melco Resorts and Entertainment, a globally recognised leader in luxury integrated resorts, continues to redefine destination hospitality through a portfolio that spans Asia and Europe. With six landmark integrated resorts across Macau, Manila, Cyprus and Colombo, Melco has built a reputation for world-class design, exceptional service, elevated dining and immersive entertainment experiences. For SL travellers and regional audiences, this global legacy now more..

Jul 7 (FT) Sri Lanka is set to significantly broaden its money laundering laws by expanding the range of conduct covered under the offence, strengthening investigators’ powers and making wilful tax evasion a predicate offence for money laundering. CB officials told the CoPF that amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act are intended both to improve compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards more..

Jul 7 (DM) In homes across SL, a quiet tragedy unfolds daily. Children once filled with curiosity and play now sit glued to screens, their laughter replaced by the glow of notifications and endless scrolls. What began as a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, devices enabling remote education when schools closed, has morphed into something far darker. Today, these same technologies, designed for connection and progress, fuel addiction, erode family bonds, spread hatred, and claim young lives. more..

Jul 7 (ST) Praised be the Lord. The million-strong public sector workforce, who overwhelmingly voted for this government at the general elections of 2024 and played, in no small measure, a significant role to bring JVP cadres from their political wilderness and place them on the democratic seat of power—with a two-thirds majority in Parliament to boot—have been the unsung heroes of our times, the long-standing sufferers of the current age. But that’s all going to change now. more..

Jul 7 (Island) A major El Niño event is developing rapidly, and it is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Some climatologists are of the view that the unfolding El Niño may not impact Sri Lanka to the extent of triggering a nationwide catastrophe. This is certainly good news, but the possibility of El Niño causing drought, reduced monsoon rainfall and agricultural losses in this country cannot be ruled out. Meanwhile, France is reeling from a record-breaking European heatwave, more..

Jul 7 (TM) A warning emerged last week from the Presidential Secretariat. Dept of Meteorology confirmed a 63% probability that SL is transitioning into a strong El Niño phase. While the active southwest monsoon currently masks this reality with the usual rain, the underlying climate indicators point to an impending, volatile disruption. For an island nation still navigating economic recovery, this climatic shift is a looming crisis that demands immediate, structured, collective preparation. more..

Jul 7 (SO) Sri Lanka has returned to the World Bank’s Upper-Middle-Income category, an international acknowledgement that the country has moved some distance away from the economic collapse of 2022. World Bank described SL’s case as a story of recovery, saying that the real GDP grew by 5% in 2025, supported by a rebound across industries and growth in financial and tourism services. However, economists said that more..

Jul 7 (DM) Indo-Lanka Peace Accord, signed in Colombo on July 29 1987 by Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi and SL President J.R. Jayewardene, remains one of the most consequential—and controversial—agreements in Sri Lanka’s modern political history. Conceived as a framework to end the ethnic conflict, the accord sought to devolve power to the provinces through the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Councils Act of 1987, while requiring more..

Jul 7 (DM) On June 11, the Daily Mirror headlined the story of a man who was freed from jail 30-years after he was convicted of double murder. Possibly he is now out of jail. This unfortunate spent thirty years of his life on death row, confined to a cell. Studies by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and an expose on prison conditions in the Sunday Times reveal ill-lit overcrowded cells. Muddy kitchens infested with flies, rats, cockroaches and mosquitos. more..

Jul 7 (TM) The birth of three healthy lion cubs has given our oldest zoological garden a fitting reason to celebrate as the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens marks its 90th anniversary this month. Dept of National Zoological Gardens announced that the cubs were born to the zoo's African lion pair and are healthy and thriving under the watchful care of animal keepers and veterinary staff. Their arrival has become one of the more..

Jul 7 (GV) The recent decision to scale down the proposed international cricket stadium in Jaffna has disappointed many people across the Northern Province, the SL Tamil diaspora and others who believe in balanced national development. Although Sri Lanka Cricket has explained that financial constraints were the primary reason for reducing the scope of the project, many see the decision as a missed opportunity to invest in one of the country’s most underdeveloped regions. more..

Jul 7 (Island) SL is witnessing the dismantling of the culture of impunity that dominated public life for decades. This is happening through the courts, police investigations and legal process. It is not an easy task and requires strong leadership as it is generating strong resistance. The ongoing revelations about the nexus between politicians, including those at the highest levels, and criminal networks show that the govt’s electoral mandate with regard to corruption and crime more..

Jul 6 (EN) The Central Bank has extended the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a primary dealer for another six months with effect from 4.30 pm July 5. The central bank said that it extended the suspension under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance, in order to continue the investigations being conducted. “Central Bank, acting in terms of Regulations made under more..

Jul 6 (Island) The 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Colombo Plan was held on Friday 03 July at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Delivering the keynote address, the Prime Minister stated that the Colombo Plan was established 75 years ago at a time when many Asian nations were embarking on the path to independence while confronting challenges of post-war reconstruction and economic development. more..

Jul 6 (Island) Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF)-led Tamil National Council (TNC) recently called for an all-party conference in Tamil Nadu to formulate a united political position on the future of Tamil-speaking people living in the Northern and Eastern provinces, following talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay in Chennai. A seven-member delegation, led by TNC leader and MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, more..

Jul 6 (TM) The Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) claimed the proposed annual bus fare revision, which came into effect since yesterday (5) midnight, is a distortion of the fare policy, charging the Govt had deliberately failed to regulate fares in a fair and consistent manner. LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said that more than 10,000 buses are engaged in short-distance services across the country, while around 3,000 buses operate on long-distance routes. more..

Jul 6 (MoD) SL Army has actively joined the nationwide dengue prevention campaign by conducting extensive cleaning and awareness programmes across the island. In addition to the programme conducted by the Ministry of Health, Tri-Forces launched a coordinated dengue control initiative on the morning of 4 July. As part of this effort, troops of 1 Corps and personnel serving under the Security Force HQ carried out special cleaning programmes across their respective Areas of more..

Jul 6 (DM) Sri Lanka’s return to upper-middle-income status has revived memories of an earlier promotion that proved short-lived, with the World Bank cautioning that the latest achievement remains vulnerable unless the country sustains reforms, strengthens growth and avoids the vulnerabilities that culminated in the 2022 economic crisis. World Bank reclassified SL from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income status with more..

Jul 6 (TM) A discussion between climate and economic experts and Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on the potential impact of El Niño and La Niña conditions on SL was held yesterday at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo. During the discussion, Premadasa invited the experts to share their assessments and recommendations on how SL should prepare for potential climate disruptions linked to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) patterns. He said that the insights more..

Jul 6 (DM) An appeal filed by former MP Hirunika Premachandra challenging her conviction and 3-year prison sentence over a 2015 abduction case, has been fixed for argument before the Court of Appeal. On July 22, 2024, Hirunika Premachandra was granted bail by the Colombo High Court pending the determination of her appeal against the conviction and sentence. When the matter was taken up before a two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justices P. Kumaratnam and Pradeep more..

Jul 6 (AD) The restriction imposed on the use of rice and paddy for the production of animal feed has been lifted. Accordingly, a gazette notification issued previously restricting the use of rice and paddy for animal feed production has been revoked, the Consumer Affairs Authority. According to the new gazette, all restrictions on the use of rice or paddy for the production of animal feed have been removed. This includes the use of rice and paddy in processing, sale, purchase, transport, storage more..

Jul 6 (DN) The modernised Narahenpita Railway Station was officially opened for public use today, under the island-wide programme to upgrade and modernise 100 railway stations. The project was implemented under the Dream Destination programme, which is carried out as part of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative under the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, in coordination with the SL Railways Dept. The Ministry of Transport said the development work was funded and more..