Jul 24 (NW) Supreme Court has deferred its decision on the contempt of court case against Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya, to Sept 23, despite an earlier announcement that sentencing would be delivered today. Ilukpitiya, who has been in remand custody for over 10 months, faces contempt charges for failing to comply with a SC order related to the controversial e-visa contract awarded to GBS Technology Services & IVS Global-FZCO, more..

Jul 24 (AD) Dept of Import and Export Control has reported a revenue of Rs. 3.7 billion for the year 2024, generated through the issuance of import and export control licenses. According to the 2024 performance report of the Dept, this marks a 13% increase in revenue compared to the year 2023. A total of 17,010 import and export licenses were issued during the year. The highest number of licenses were granted for the importation of mobile phones, communication equipment and more..

Jul 24 (Island) Excavations at the Chemmani mass graves, in Jaffna, have uncovered eight more human skeletal remains, including those of a child, alongside personal items such as an object resembling a child’s feeding bottle, the Tamil Guardian reported. The discoveries were made during the second phase of forensic excavation at two sites designated by the courts as Forensic Excavation Site No. 01 and more..

Jul 24 (EN) Sri Lanka does not see any overheating in the economy despite rising private sector credit growth as there is no demand for loans from the govt institutions, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. The private sector credit growth has risen at a multi-year high of 16.1% in May, Central Bank data showed. “We don’t see any overheating here, because when this credit grows, the first factor is that this credit is growing after more than a year of sharp contraction. more..

Jul 24 (KJD) A Sri Lankan migrant worker said he continues to suffer from trauma months after co-workers tied him to a forklift and mocked him at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla, in an incident that has fueled national outrage and triggered a govt investigation into the abuse of foreign laborers. The worker told the JoongAng Ilbo in a phone interview on Thursday that he continues to suffer headaches from the trauma of being tied to a forklift and mocked by co-workers at a brick factory more..

Jul 24 (EN) Supreme Court ordered the respondents in the X-Press Pearl disaster to pay US$ 1 billion as compensation for the harm caused to marine and coastal environment, and the significant losses suffered by the island nation and the fishing industry, the verdict said. The MV X-Press Pearl disaster stands as SL’s worst marine environmental catastrophe. On May 20, 2021, the Singapore-flagged container ship caught fire off more..

Jul 24 (AD) The debate on the resolution for the removal of suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from office, under Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, is scheduled to be held in Parliament on August 05. On July 22, Committee of Inquiry appointed to investigate allegations of gross abuse of power against suspended IGP Tennakoon found him guilty of all charges brought against him. At the commencement of parliamentary proceedings that day, more..

Jul 24 (FT) Sri Lanka, often celebrated as the land of the Tree of Life, is facing an alarming crisis in one of its most vital agricultural sectors—the coconut industry. While coconut remains an integral part of the nation’s culinary identity and a key export commodity, the growers who sustain this legacy are battling mounting challenges that threaten both livelihoods and the future of the industry. At the heart of the crisis lies a growing disparity between what coconut growers earn more..

Jul 24 (AM) The son-in-law of former minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena has been remanded until 8 Aug, while the son of SJB MP Jagath Vithana, who was arrested in connection with the same case, was released on bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court. Rasika Withana, the son of MP Jagath Vithana, was arrested yesterday by officers of the Panadura Walana Anti-Vice Unit in Matugama. He was taken into custody while driving a jeep suspected to have been illegally imported more..

Jul 24 (FT) Many who are critical of the Anura administration still make the excuse that at least it is catching those bloody crooks who bankrupted the country. That’s way off mark. Firstly, it is a universal norm that premeditated murder—homicide in the first degree-- is a far worse crime than robbery without violence. Fraud and corruption fall into the latter category. In Sri Lanka today, there is a crackdown on white-collar crimes of the past, but premeditated killing is at a far higher level than more..

Jul 24 (DM) A Fundamental Rights petition filed by several women activists and women’s organizations was settled before the Supreme Court following the issuance of a new gazette notification permitting women to purchase liquor from any licensed outlet, work in establishments engaged in liquor production, and consume liquor at retail premises. With the removal of these restrictions effectively reversing the previous more..

Jul 24 (AD) Final rites of Most Ven. Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thero to be held in Kandy. The final rites of the late Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect, Most Venerable Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thero is scheduled to take place with state sponsorship today. The cremation and funeral proceedings will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Asgiriya Police Grounds in Kandy, according to the Funeral Committee. The mortal remains of the Anunayake Thero Most Venerable more..

Jul 24 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tea export performance in the first half of 2025 has reached its highest level in four years, driven by strong demand, an improved value-added product share, and rising shipments to key markets, according to Customs data analysed by Asia Siyaka Research. June tea exports rose to 23 million kilograms (Mnkg), marking an 11% increase compared to the same month last year. This surge pushed total exports during the first half to 126.8 Mnkg, up 6% from 119.1 Mnkg in 2024. more..

Jul 24 (TM) PM and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced that Sri Lanka is shifting away from an education system solely focused on pass or fail examination outcomes. The Govt’s objective is to deliver quality education to children through the introduction of a module-based system. PM made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held at the Ministry of Education in Isurupaya regarding new education reforms more..

Jul 24 (DM) Dropping a bombshell in Parliament, opposition MP Nizam Kariapper said current Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera who was one time Security Force Commander in the east neglected prior information received on activities of Zahran who led the Easter Sunday attacks since 2015. MP Kariapper said the B report submitted to the Colombo magistrate by the CID had revealed all this information. “The B report was hidden for years but we have managed to find it,” the MP said. more..

Jul 24 (FT) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday issued a firm reminder to merchants that charging customers an additional fee, such as a 2.5%-3% surcharge for using debit or credit cards, is strictly prohibited. “If a merchant demands more than the listed price, customers should get a receipt and report it to their card-issuing bank,” a CBSL official said, underscoring that any deviation from the listed retail price during card transactions is illegal. The clarification follows a query more..

Jul 24 (FT) Signalling the urgent need for transformational leadership in South Asia that is accountable and courageous to face challenges and overcome them, former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga urged public participation in governance to keep corruption at bay and boost economic growth. She made these remarks at the inauguration of the 2025 Scales of Governance Conference at the BMICH on Tuesday. A collaboration between Sciences Po in France and Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership & more..

Jul 24 (EN) US President Donald Trump has said he will only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its markets for US exports, in a social media post, as Sri Lanka also tries to get a better rate than 30%. “I will only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its market,” President Trump said in a truthsocial.com post. “If not much higher tariffs.” President Trump made the post, modifying an earlier post which said he will give up tariff points if major countries open their markets to the US. more..

Jul 24 (TM) Sri Lanka is expected to appoint a task force headed by the Central Bank to gather information on cryptocurrency- related transactions to create a framework to prevent money laundering, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. He said that the discussions are ongoing between the Financial Intelligence Unit, Finance Ministry and the Digital Economy Ministry to create a framework to gather information on ]virtual more..

Jul 24 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka will join as a Special Partner Country for the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) scheduled for Sept. 17-21 in Nanning, capital city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the expo secretariat confirmed on Wednesday. A high-level SL govt delegation led by senior diplomatic officials will attend the event. National key enterprises, including port companies and spice companies, will participate to deepen economic & trade ties with China & ASEAN. more..

Jul 24 (DM) The govt does not possess any records of the 1988/89 attack on the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala revealed in Parliament. Responding to a question raised by SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne, Minister Wijepala, who represents JVP-led NPP govt, said there was no documentation or detailed information available regarding the attack, which occurred during the second JVP insurrection. MP Kaviratne questioned the Minister about the incident, more..

Jul 24 (DN) Int'l Construction Consortium (ICC), SL’s trusted name in construction and development, has announced groundbreaking of its latest residential project, The Residencies Kohuwala. As both developer and contractor, ICC brings a unique commitment to excellence, delivering what is promised, on time and without compromise. This dual expertise continues to set ICC apart in the real estate landscape, ensuring each project is completed with precision, integrity and more..

Jul 24 (DN) Jayantha Kumara of Infinity Boxing Club and MGMT Dasunika of the SL Army were crowned the men’s and women’s champions respectively at the 83rd Layton Cup Boxing Championships, which concluded after four days of intense action at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo last night. Kumara, competing in the bantamweight (50-55kg) category, defeated Umayanga Mihiran of the SL Police to win the coveted Layton Cup in the men’s division. In the women’s competition, MGMT Dasunika, more..

Jul 24 (Island) Former Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jagath Dias said that the NPP administration should take up with the French govt the move to erect a statue of LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham in a Paris suburb. SL should strongly protest in a bid to expose the despicable French attempt to appease the Tamil Diaspora, the wartime General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 57 Division said. Gajaba Regiment veteran more..

Jul 24 (FT) The Embassy of SL in Bahrain actively facilitated the entry of Knuckles Spring Water, produced by SL corporate Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, into the Bahraini market. This marks the first time Cargills-manufactured products have been introduced to Bahrain. Sourced from the pristine Knuckles Mountain Range in SL, Knuckles Spring Water is bottled at the source to preserve its purity and natural mineral content. It is available in both glass and PET bottles and will be distributed more..

Jul 24 (FT) The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka is set to host an exclusive Bilateral Trade and Investment session with the gracious presence of Vietnam’s Ambassador to SL Trinh Thi Tam, on Wednesday, 30 July, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber Auditorium, No. 450, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10. This exclusive event will explore opportunities for the SL business community to directly engage with the Vietnam Ambassador & gain firsthand insights more..

Jul 24 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has informed the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Infrastructure and Strategic Development that the proposed SL Electricity (Amd) Bill would severely violate the rights of electricity consumers. During a recent session of the SOC, the PUCSL has warned that if the Bill is passed, consumers will have to go to court even for minor issues, as more..

Jul 24 (ST) The Customs refused to accept smuggled items, including pesticides from India, on the ground that they were handed over after the 24-hour deadline by the police. The detection was made by the Navy off the Uchchimunai Island in Kalpitiya on Thursday morning. The Navy took two suspects into custody along with the contraband and handed them over to the Kalpitiya Police. However, when the suspects were taken to the Customs office in Naikanda on Friday afternoon, more..

Jul 24 (FT) McLarens Group, the distributor of world-renowned brands 3M and Meguiar’s in SL, has announced a strategic partnership with Koko, the island’s leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform. Customers looking to buy high-end car care, homecare, stationery, personal safety and the entire product range both online and offline will benefit from this innovative partnership’s increased convenience and flexibility. Through the McLarens Online Store (mll.lk/products) and more..

Jul 24 (CT) The 42nd commemoration of Black July was held yesterday (23) at Borella Junction, marking one of Sri Lanka’s darkest chapters of ethnic violence, which happened in July 1983. The event was organised by the North-South Solidarity Movement and drew the participation of over 50 individuals, including activists and concerned citizens. Participants gathered, calling for lasting justice and accountability for the victims of the 1983 Black July pogrom. Addressing the gathering, more..

Jul 24 (Island) The Safety Index by Country 2025 Mid-Year, published by Numbeo, a global data aggregator, has ranked the UAE as the safest nation in the world. (Note: Andorra, a small, landlocked, independent European coprincipality, is projected to overtake the UAE in the Numbeo 2025 full-year rankings.) UAE has achieved the highest global ranking in safety due to its effective governance and commitment to public security, but it faces formidable challenges posed by regional instability. more..