Sri Lanka uniquely placed to benefit from growing maritime cooperation under BIMSTEC- General Secretary Indra Mani Pandey

15 Oct 2025

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General Secretary of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Indra Mani Pandey, in an interview with Daily Mirror, shares his views on the importance of the organisation and Sri Lanka’s significance in it.

Harini to meet Chinese President Xi today, PM Li tomorrow

13 Oct 2025

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya who is on a visit to China will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today and with her counterpart Li Qiang tomorrow.

Sri Lanka faces tougher conditions in retaining GSP+

13 Oct 2025

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A great deal of work remains to be done by Sri Lanka to retain and expand its export market in the European Union (EU), which currently absorbs more than 24 percent of the country’s total exports, Daily Mirror learns.

Government’s budgetary implementation slower than usual - World Bank report

11 Oct 2025

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The government’s implementation of the budgeted amounts remained unusually slow during the first seven months of the year, a decline of 19.8 per cent compared to the corresponding period of last year, according to a World Bank report.

Sri Lanka ready for investment in offshore oil, gas extraction

06 Oct 2025

9

Sri Lanka is ready to complete the selection of a marketing consultant this week to proceed with calling for bids for commercial extraction of offshore natural oil and gas reserves in the Mannar basin soon, an informed source said.

China, U.S. Japan show interest in petroleum refinery in Sri Lanka

04 Oct 2025

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Twenty foreign companies, including those from China, the United States (U.S.), and Japan, have expressed interest in investing in the expansion of Sri Lanka’s Sapugaskanda oil refinery, an official said yesterday.

Iranian Foreign Minister writes to Sri Lanka seeking solidarity on UN sanctions

03 Oct 2025

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In the wake of the United Nations’ sweeping economic and military sanctions reimposed on Iran—a decade after they were lifted—Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has written to his Sri Lankan counterpart, Vijitha Herath, asking for Sri Lanka’s solidarity, according to Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkosh.

U.S. sanctions stand in the way of realising Russia–Sri Lanka trade, tourism potential fully: Envoy

01 Oct 2025

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The full potential of Russia–Sri Lanka bilateral trade and tourism cannot be realised because of U.S. sanctions, Russian Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan said yesterday.

Nine months on: US $3.7Bn Sinopec investment in limbo

01 Oct 2025

20

Despite the lapse of nine months since the signing of the MoU, the government is yet to finalise the proposed US $3.7 billion investment by China’s Sinopec for a refinery facility in Hambantota, the Daily Mirror learns.

Institutional corruption persists even under new Govt- key U.S. report

30 Sep 2025

16

Institutional corruption persists, particularly within sectors protected by entrenched vested interests, even under the current government, though high-level political bribery solicitation appears to have diminished, according to the U.S. statement on Sri Lanka’s investment climate.

Govt. consults AG over Singapore company’s refusal to pay X-Press Pearl compensation

29 Sep 2025

2

In the wake of the Singapore shipping company refusing to pay the Supreme Court-ordered compensation of US $ 1 billion over the X-Press Pearl disaster, the government has consulted the Attorney General on the next step to be taken, a Minister said yesterday.

Executive Presidency important, should not be scrapped in ad hoc manner: Law College Principal

27 Sep 2025

20

Law College Principal Prasantha Lal de Alwis said that the Executive Presidency is important to maintain unity among different ethnic groups of the country and to keep foreign influences at bay.

Middle East countries eye Sapugaskanda refinery expansion; CPC seeks strategic partnerships

27 Sep 2025

1

Some countries in the Middle East have taken a keen interest in investment in the expansion of the Sapugaskanda refinery, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which has now called for Expressions of Interest (EOI), will prioritise investors coming up with a better package with the agreement to supply crude oil and buy back refined products afterwards, an official said.

Japan to consider any fresh Yen loan project only after careful consideration: Embassy

27 Sep 2025

14

Japan will consider any request by Sri Lanka for a fresh Yen loan project including Light Rail Transit (LRT) only after careful consideration of it in consultation with the Sri Lankan government, taking into account not only their priorities, but also the progress of the existing projects, feasibility of the proposed project as well as the country’s economic and fiscal conditions, according to the Japanese Embassy in Colombo.

ETCA:

Sri Lanka yet to heed India’s request for appointing chief negotiator

26 Sep 2025

5

Despite requests by India, the Sri Lankan government is yet to appoint a chief negotiator for the resumption of talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) which is now at a standstill after 14 rounds of discussions carried out under different successive governments in the past for expansion of trade and investments with India, an informed source said.

Still scope for india-Sri Lanka energy cooperation despite Adani project cancellation - Dr. Debajit Palit

26 Sep 2025

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Dr. Debajit Palit, an Indian scholar who has done extensive research on climate change and energy transition, speaks about Sri Lanka’s clean energy potential and the benefits of developing the sector. He is the Centre Head- Climate Change and Energy Transition – of Chintan Research Foundation in India. He was in Sri Lanka recently to attend a forum organised by Pathfinder Foundation. Chintan is a think tank started with initial support from India

Centre-Right forces rally against Centre-Left NPP

23 Sep 2025

1

The UNP convention last Saturday showcased a potential realignment of Sri Lanka’s centre-right opposition. With parties including SLPP, SLFP, SJB, SLMC, PA, and TPA present, leaders signaled willingness to cooperate in countering the ruling NPP amid legal actions and rising political challenges.

Russia still open for nuke cooperation with Sri Lanka, but won’t force: Ambassador

20 Sep 2025

4

Russia remains open for cooperation with Sri Lanka in the development of nuclear energy, but will not impose anything in this regard since it is the sovereign right of the country, Russian Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan said.

New EU laws after 2027 set to pose fresh hurdles for Sri Lanka’s exports

16 Sep 2025

5

In the wake of Sri Lanka facing headwinds in its export growth because of U.S. tariffs and GSP+, it is now poised to encounter further challenges to overcome in accessing the European Union market because of new laws that will come into effect after 2027, according to a German expert.

High Post Committee to probe Ravi Seneviratne

15 Sep 2025

8

The High Post Committee of Parliament has decided to summon Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne for an inquiry into legal cases pending against him.