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..

Jun 24 (TM) A warning has been issued regarding a sophisticated financial scam being circulated via WhatsApp, in which fraudsters impersonate the Dept for the Registration of Persons, the Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) has stated. The scam messages are crafted in a highly official and convincing manner, creating a significant risk that individuals may easily fall victim. The fraudulent messages reportedly mimic official communication from the Department, more..

Jun 24 (FT) Govt yesterday said approximately $ 6.9 million remitted by Sri Lankan workers in Israel has been suspended due to legal proceedings involving remittance service provider Global Remit, rejecting claims that the funds were lost as a result of a cyberattack. Around 5,100 SL workers have been affected by the suspension. Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said claims that worker remittances had disappeared as a result of a hacker attack were completely false. more..

Jun 24 (NW) US today formally transferred ten American-made TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) helicopters to the SL Air Force, delivering a major boost to the country’s helicopter training program, search-and-rescue capabilities, and the security of its air and maritime domains — a milestone that reflects the growing strength of the US-SL defense partnership. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, US Pacific Air Forces more..

Jun 24 (NW) Thirteen bus drivers and conductors tested positive for drug use during a random screening programme conducted at the Navinna bus stand in Maharagama on Tuesday, as part of an ongoing initiative to improve the safety of public transport system of the country. The mobile drug testing programme, implemented under the Ministry of Transport’s national programme to enhance the safety and efficiency of public transport, screened 200 drivers and conductors more..

Jun 24 (AD) Health Entomology Officers' Association has warned that the Breteau Index—an international indicator used to measure the density of dengue mosquito larvae—has increased significantly in many parts of the country. The index, which primarily reflects the prevalence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is a key measure used in monitoring dengue transmission risk, as the species is the main vector responsible for spreading the virus. According to WHO guidelines, Breteau Index should be more..

Jun 24 (FT) SL’s apparel and textile exports grew 7.96% in May 2026 to $ 394.14 million, marking the industry’s strongest monthly performance so far this year and signalling improving demand from key export markets after a challenging start to 2026. According to data analysed by the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), US led the gain, with shipments rising 15.36% to $ 149.96 million. Exports to markets outside the industry’s traditional three core destinations also grew strongly, more..

Jun 24 (FT) SL yesterday signalled a major reset in its economic engagement with India saying a review of the existing Free Trade Agreements (FTA) by the Govt is nearing completion, while policymakers and business leaders called for a shift from traditional trade towards deeper integration in investment, technology, logistics and digital commerce. The announcement was made at a forum marking 25 years of the India SL FTA (ISLFTA), where the launch of a dedicated India Trade Desk more..

Jun 24 (FT) Aggregate earnings of 271 listed companies declined 11.4% year-on-year (YoY) in the March 2026 quarter, marking a third consecutive quarter of earnings contraction. The investment research firm said reported earnings were heavily influenced by large one-off gains and losses, particularly within the Food, Beverage and Tobacco sector, masking stronger underlying profitability trends across several sectors. more..

Jun 24 (ST) A selection controversy has rocked Sri Lanka netball ahead of the 14th Asian Netball Championship, which will be held in Hong Kong from Aug 7 to Aug 16, at the newly developed Kai Tak Sports Park. The storm brewed after a sharp disagreement between national coach Somitha de Alwis and selection committee Chairperson Padma Beddawela over the inclusion of teenage star Thumalka Ekanayake in the national squad. Despite strong objections from the coach, selectors more..

Jun 24 (AD) The Chairman of the CoPF, MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has welcomed the decision by the govt to withdraw its proposal to lower the VAT registration threshold, allowing businesses with annual turnover below Rs. 60 million to remain outside the VAT net. The decision follows weeks of criticism from business groups, tax professionals and opposition lawmakers, who argued that the move would have placed an additional burden on small and medium-sized enterprises at a time more..