News
Home » NewsTaste of City of Dreams for President
Flanked by Sri Lanka’s industry captains, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday participates as the chief guest at a dinner event held by the John Keells Group ahead of yesterday’s grand ceremonial opening of its City of Dreams complex. The complex is Sri Lanka’s largest private-sector tourism investment, comprising, among other facilities, a hotel and [...]
Lanka grants host of concessions to US in tariff negotiations
1,161 industrial and 42 agricultural products from Sri Lanka covered; but MFN duties on some items “Very high percentage” of US goods to enter Lankan market free of border charges Sri Lanka granted the United States a wide range of concessions in exchange for the US reducing its “reciprocal tariff” on Sri Lankan goods to 20 [...]
Trade with US would fall heavily due to tariff burden, simulation shows
By Kapila Bandara Sri Lanka’s exports to the United States are estimated to fall by US$1.62 billion to US$1.82 billion next year due to adjusted tariffs of 20%, compared with US$2.97b in trade in 2023, a simulation shows. Excluding the adjusted additional tariffs of 20%, the total trade with the US in 2026 would be [...]
Police fake drug charges exposed: 25 freed, one death linked to stigma
As many as 25 people arrested by the Dehiwala and Kohuwala police on charges of possessing drugs such as heroin and ‘ice,’ and subsequently remanded, have been released by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court after reports by the Government Analyst revealed the ‘drugs’ they were accused of possessing were not drugs at all. Tragically, one [...]
Ranil, Sirisena team up to challenge perks-slashing bill
By Ranjith Padmasiri Days after a bill seeking to scrap presidential privileges was published this week, two former presidents—Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena—met in Colombo to discuss the possibility of challenging the bill in the Supreme Court. A bill was published on Thursday (July 31) by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration seeking to [...]
Three arrests linked to Perahera security
By Shane Seneviratne A mahout found with 100 grammes of heroin before the Kandy Esala Perahera began has been arrested by the Police. The mahout had accompanied an elephant from a temple in the suburbs of Colombo. As a result of the arrest, the elephant did not take part in the Perahera. Meanwhile, an ambulance [...]
Podi Hamuduruwo remembered
It was one year ago yesterday that Sri Lanka’s highly respected Buddhist monk, the Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, passed away. To mark the first death anniversary of the Ven. Thera, fondly addressed as ‘Podi Hamuduruwo,’ religious observations were held at Colombo’s Gangaramaya Temple. As its chief incumbent, he had carried out several socio-economic programmes [...]
Yatinuwara PS Chairman suicide: Money lender questioned
By L. B. Senaratne Investigations into the suicide of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and the murder of his wife and daughter have focused on a money lender in Kandy. The Pradeshiya Sabha Opposition leader Champika Nilantha had left behind a suicide note before he reportedly strangled his wife and child and took his life, [...]
Taxes on vehicle imports and financing facilities likely to rise
The Finance Ministry would have to look at increasing taxes on vehicle imports and vehicle financing facilities in the next Budget if the demand for vehicles remains high in the coming month and impacts the country’s foreign reserves, a senior Treasury Department official said. Car importers have opened letters of credit valued at USD 1.2 [...]
Vel ceremony in pictures
The Vel ceremony of the Mayurapathy Sri Bathrakali Amman Kovil took place yesterday with a large number of devotees attending. Pictures show the Vel ceremony and procession in progress. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
Alleged gunman surrenders to police
A 41-year-old man who allegedly shot a man over a personal dispute surrendered to the Hulangama police yesterday, along with his weapon. According to the police, the suspect shot a 32-year-old resident of the Pittaniyaya in Pingama. They added that, according to preliminary investigations, the shooting was linked to a personal dispute. The suspect handed [...]
Court of Appeal strikes down Kurunegala Magistrate’s order in fatal accident case
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Court of Appeal has quashed the Kurunegala Magistrate’s order to remand a suspect who was subsequently slapped with murder charges following a fatal accident. It stated that, upon examining the circumstances, the incident was more appropriately categorised under the Motor Traffic Act. The accident had claimed the life of Attorney-at-Law Buddhadeva [...]
5,000 police vacancies being filled: Minister
Moves are underway to fill 5,000 police vacancies, according to Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala. He told a Parliamentary Ministerial Consultative Committee recently that while there were about 28,000 vacancies in the Sri Lanka Police at present, urgent steps were being taken to fill 5,000 of those vacancies. He said Cabinet approval had been obtained [...]
Chemmani grave artefacts to be displayed in public, a first in Sri Lanka’s judicial history
For the first time in the judicial history of the country, public assistance has been sought to identify artifacts found at the Chemmani mass grave site, in Jaffna where at least 112 human skeletons were recovered along with several objects. Based on the motion moved by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Jaffna Magistrate court, [...]
Lanka hails ICJ’s watershed climate action ruling
AG explains Sri Lanka’s submission to the Court, says judgment affirms the right to a clean environment as a fundamental human right ICJ opinion underscores differentiated responsibilities of developed and developing nations in addressing climate change By Tharushi Weerasinghe Sri Lanka’s obligations and opportunities for climate action have been significantly enhanced by the unanimous [...]
BASL calls for prompt pick of RTI Commission chairperson
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for the immediate appointment of a new chairperson to the Right to Information Commission, warning that the prolonged vacancy is significantly undermining the commission’s ability to function. In a letter dated August 1, BASL urged the Constitutional Council to act without delay and nominate the remaining [...]
Chairperson vacancy violates fundamental rights: Activists
Alleging a violation of fundamental rights, members of the Young Journalist Foundation and Deyata Saviya organisation have filed a case in the Supreme Court against the prolonged delay in appointing the chairperson of the Right to Information Commission. The petition, filed on July 29, points to the president’s failure to make the appointment for nearly [...]
Online petition outlines concerns over RTIC head appointment
A group of senior journalists, activists, attorneys-at-law, former commissioners, and more have submitted an online petition urging the Constitutional Council and the President to appoint a chairperson to the Right to Information Commission based on merit, integrity, and a demonstrated commitment to democratic values. Copies of the petition have been forwarded to the Speaker of [...]
After a hailstorm of protests and halted auction the Piprahwa relics to be on exposition in Delhi
A collection of 349 jewels forming part of the Piprahwa relics of the Buddha that were almost auctioned by the British firm Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in May, but were halted by a hailstorm of protests from Buddhist organisations worldwide and the Government of India, are to be presented for public exposition in New Delhi, [...]
Foreign Ministry provides translation services for Lankan fishermen detained in Madagascar
The Foreign Ministry has stepped in to provide a Sinhala-French interpretation for tomorrow’s court hearing against a group of Lankan fishermen who have been detained in Madagascar. Eight Lankan fishermen are currently detained in Madagascar on allegations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing within Madagascar’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The ministry, through its [...]
China trip introduces advanced tech use to Sri Lankan media
By Kasun Warakapitiya Sri Lankan journalists on a visit to China have learned how advanced tech such as Artificial Intelligence, virtual reality, and satellites can be used for their work. In a 15-day media tour arranged by the Chinese government, the Sunday Times observed how advanced technology could be introduced to Sri Lanka’s media and [...]
Drivers using mobile phones must be seen to be booked
By Minaza Hassan Although laws prohibit mobile phone use while driving, enforcement often relies on visual confirmation by police officers, which makes offences like mobile phone use or quick lane violations harder to detect unless there is camera footage. Collective responsibility and awareness are needed as laws such as the prohibition of mobile phone use [...]
The upcoming digital identity system ‘secure and inclusive for all citizens’ says Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Sri Lanka’s upcoming digital identity system, funded and integrated under a grant from the Indian government, has been defended by Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Digital Economy, saying the implementation is now underway following multiple rounds of bilateral coordination. The comments came as concerns over [...]
Chief Justice promises to fast-track digitalized method of administration of justice
By Ranjith Padmasiri The newly appointed Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena pledged to fast-track the digitization of the Court system throughout the country and urged all stakeholders to join hands to support the endeavour. In remarks delivered during the Ceremonial Sitting held to welcome him as the 49th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of [...]
Efforts mount to bridge gaps on tackling elephant tragedies but ground level officers see shortcomings
By Kasun Warakapitiya The state stakeholders have sprung into action to find solutions to manage and mitigate the human elephant conflict starting off with a series of discussions. However, factions of ground level officers drew attention to shortcomings and pointed out actions needed to be followed by stakeholders. A series of meetings was scheduled between [...]
Gin Pol, a rare mangrove palm neglected, say environmentalists
Environmentalists lament that the rare Mangrove palm Nypa fruticans wurmb, locally known as “Gin Pol” is being neglected despite being the only palm species, considered a true mangrove. They said the mangrove palm, mostly found in areas such as Bolawatta, south west of Nainamadama areas beside the banks of Gin Oya is getting little protection. [...]
Bus operators in dire straits due to lack of rest rooms at the Bastian Mawatha stand
Pix and text by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka Long-distance bus drivers complained that they are unable to rest properly in between their journeys as there is insufficient space in the restrooms for drivers and conductors at the Bastian Mawatha bus stand. According to the drivers, the bus stand, visited by some 1200 buses daily, only has two [...]
‘Vulnerable to judicial stress, under the robes of judges are human beings’
SC’s Justice Janak De Silva talks of silent mental health battles being fought not just in the chambers of judges but also by students subjected to ragging in universities By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Two separate but crucial issues, judicial stress and brutal ragging in universities, came under the gavel when a Supreme Court Judge looked at [...]
Probation officers advise boy selling ‘dodol’ and tells grandmother to send him to school
By Prasad Rukmal in Ella The heartwarming story of a Grade 7 student from Bandarawela who helped his grandmother by selling dodol has also exposed how poverty drives children toward labour at the cost of their education. The boy, a student at Kahagolla Vidyalaya in Diyatalawa, and his sister, a Grade 5 student, live with [...]
Uva rampaged by forest and brush fires- and arsonists
With the current onset of the extremely dry climate conditions in the Uva Province, the burning of mountains, protected forests, and grasslands in the province has begun to increase significantly. The Disaster Management Centre says that especially with the dry climate, there are unscrupulous persons who hunt wild animals in the forest reserves while there [...]
Slash and burn: Clearing of a forest reserve
The Karvigala Reserve situated within the Kahalla -Pallekele sanctuary had been subjected to high level illegal clearance. Uprooted shrubs, fallen trees, dozered paths and open clearing could be witnessed along with the partly burned trees, as the racket of illegal clearing of the reserve continues. According to the residents the cleared area had already been [...]
Sugar factory overhaul continues alongside farmer payments delays
By Ishu Bandara Despite the crushing impact on the lives of farmers, workers, and others who depend on the Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limited, the government is reportedly asking them to endure another month before a solution is provided for their concerns. The Lanka Sugar Company manages two key units: Pelwatte in Buttala, Monaragala, and [...]
Once they fought for the country, now they have to battle over fair share of Api Wenuwen Api, audit reveals
The Ministry of Defence denied any favouritism in the disbursement of funds By Mimi Alphonsus and Dilushi Wijesinghe The ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ fund which provides housing support for veterans of the civil war neglected eligible candidates, a government performance audit has found. Many disabled soldiers and families of those killed in action have been overlooked, [...]
Call to include menopause in National Health Policy
Silver jubilee of Menopause Society of Sri Lanka By Kumudini Hettiarachchi A vital group they are – multi-tasking, holding down jobs, running their homes and nurturing their children. Then strikes menopause, when their reproductive years wane and their world collapses. This was the ‘abandoned and neglected’ group towards whom several Consultant Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of [...]
Farmers challenge harvest time diktat
A group of farmers in a village in the Puttalam district is faced with an unusual order by the farmer organisation that if the paddy is harvested before a specific date, the farmers would be fined Rs 10,000. The direction has been given to farmers who use irrigation waters from the Pandiyamaduwa tank in Mahakumbukkadawala. [...]
Esala Perahera: Large crowds gather, more expected for Randoli
The historic Esala Perahera got underway this week with the final Kumbal Perahera due to take place today. The current Diyawadana Nilame, Pradeep Neelanga Dela Bandara, would be taking part in what happens to be the last Perahera in his second term in office. His term officially ends on September 07 and thereafter an acting [...]
Forging a World-Class Workforce
Sri Lankan Leaders Champion a New Era of Self-Leadership, Inclusion, and Bold Vision As Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal juncture, striving to redefine its economic landscape and cement its position as a global competitor, a chorus of influential voices is calling for a fundamental revolution in leadership. At the 2025 International HR Conference, experts [...]