Broaden tax base without counting too much on motor vehicle import duties - IMF

01 Jun 2026

1

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stressed the need to broaden the tax without counting too much on motor vehicle import duties, income tax or VAT, according to an official.

Abolishing Executive Presidency not a priority for govt. right now

01 Jun 2026

5

The introduction of a new Constitution including the abolishing of the Executive Presidency is not a priority for the government at the moment though it was an election promise, a senior government source said yesterday.

American crude arrives for the first time

29 May 2026

2

A stock of American crude oil arrived in the country for the first time yesterday, steadying the fuel supply despite a possible price hike expected soon, an official said yesterday.

Sri Lanka even mediated 1962 Indo- China war, but current Govt has weakened that posture - GL

27 May 2026

1

The famous maxim, “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual,” originated from a speech by Lord Palmerston, who served as Foreign Secretary of the British Empire in 1848.

US $ 2.5 million cyber theft: Australian Federal Police in Aussie mission helping SL police

26 May 2026

0

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers based in the Australian High Commission are currently assisting the Sri Lanka Police in their investigations into the cyber theft of US $ 2.5 million meant for payment to the Australian Government as part of debt servicing, an official said.

Fuel import bill surges

Work from home soon

25 May 2026

6

In a bid for economic risk mitigation over the falling dollar rate and surging import bills, the government mulls the reintroduction of work from home for the public and private sector employees as done during the pandemic , an official said yesterday.

Govt weighed down by economic issues, Opposition eyes presidential race

25 May 2026

1

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Harsha de Silva recently put up a social media post highlighting, among other things, that he was prepared to take up any challenge in the greater interests of the country.

Provincial Council elections cannot be conducted this year - Tilvin

22 May 2026

3

The elections to the Provincial Councils cannot be conducted this year because of current developments in the country, an official said.

Rupee value slides against major currencies

19 May 2026

4

In the wake of the Sri Lankan rupee depreciating rapidly against major international currencies, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the exchange rate decline could not be used as the sole criterion to determine the status of the economy, as it had both positive and negative implications.

Middle East war pushes CPC oil bill past US$1bn

18 May 2026

1

The Middle East war has taken its toll on Sri Lanka, with the oil import bill of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) exceeding US$ 1 billion during the first four months of this year, whereas it stood at only US$ 1.5 billion for the whole of 2025, an official said.

Another faulty financial transaction hits government

15 May 2026

9

Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Aruna Karunathilleke confirmed to the Daily Mirror today that another transaction error had occurred in the payment of 74,000 UAE dirhams to a SriLankan Airlines service provider.

Presidential Commission to probe coal transactions

How can Tilvin Silva prejudge outcome? asks GL

14 May 2026

1

Former External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, who now presides over an amalgam of political parties under the banner of the Joint Opposition, yesterday questioned the real motive behind the Presidential Commission appointed to probe coal transactions dating back to 2009, while also criticising ruling party General Secretary Tilvin Silva for appearing to prejudge the outcome even before investigations are concluded.

Sino-Lanka maritime research stopped due to disruptions, hope SL Govt will take right decision- Chinese ambassador

14 May 2026

0

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said yesterday that the routine marine scientific research conducted by scientists from both sides in Sri Lanka waters had been delayed due to various disruptions, and expressed hope that the Sri Lanka government, in consideration of its own sovereignty, dignity and interests, would make the right decision at an early date.

Cyber thefts: India, Sri Lanka discuss cooperation for containment in future

12 May 2026

0

In the wake of cyber thefts affecting the Government’s financial activities, Sri Lanka and India have initiated discussions for cooperation to pre-empt such threats in the future, Daily Mirror learns.

Firms from war torn Middle East show interest in Mattala airport

11 May 2026

3

Some leading companies from the Middle East which is now caught in the Israeli/ US war with Iran are among the parties that have shown interests in investing in the Mattala international airport, according to a Minister.

Kapila Chandrasena’s death

Irresponsible speculation to be discouraged; thorough, impartial, objective investigation needed - GL

09 May 2026

4

Referring to the death of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena, former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who is actively involved in opposition politics said that irresponsible speculation should be discouraged, and the best way for it was the conduct of a complete, thorough, impartial investigation into the incident.

America ready to support probe into cyber thefts

09 May 2026

0

In the wake of the US $ 2.5 million cyber theft at the Finance Ministry and reports of America’s Federal Bureau (FBI) being approached for help in investigations, the United States said it values its law enforcement partnership with Sri Lanka and is prepared to consider official requests for assistance submitted through appropriate diplomatic and law enforcement channels.

South Korean envoy seeks improved bureaucratic efficiency in trade facilitation

08 May 2026

0

South Korean Ambassador Miyon Lee emphasized yesterday that Sri Lanka should concentrate on upgrading its trade facilitation system while identifying the sequencing.

Once richer than South Korea, Sri Lanka now eyes Korean dream

08 May 2026

5

In the 1950s, Sri Lanka was regarded as the “Star of the East,” boasting a strong plantation economy and a literacy rate that was the envy of Asia. Its per capita income—US $ 200—was triple that of South Korea. In fact, South Korea was poorer at that time than most African countries.

Cybertheft

US $ 2.5 million cyber theft, bank fraud will undermine investor confidence, creditor trust: economist

07 May 2026

0

A top economist said that the US $ 2.5 million cyber theft and the bank fraud case will undermine investor confidence and creditor trust in Sri Lanka.