U.S. offers tariff-free access for up to 80% of Sri Lankan exports

The United States has offered to allow 70 to 80 percent of Sri Lankan exports to enter the U.S. market without tariffs, Economic Development Deputy Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando said.

Trial against former Minister Diana Gamage postponed to August 21

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga today rescheduled the trial of former Minister Diana Gamage, who faces seven charges including providing false information to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to obtain a passport, and remaining in Sri Lanka without a valid visa in violation of the Immigration and Emigration Act.

Three police officers suspended over misconduct at spa

Three police officers attached to stations within the Matara Police Division have been suspended following an incident of misconduct at a spa in the Walgama area.

Shah Rukh Khan cancels Sri Lanka visit

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who was scheduled to perform at the launch of City of Dreams Sri Lanka later this year, will no longer be attending the event due to unforeseen and unavoidable personal reasons, organizers confirmed today.

New telephone number to contact President’s Fund

A new telephone number has been introduced for people to contact the President’s Fund, the Government Information Department said.

Half-naked Thai tourist in Arugam Bay: Male or female?

A legal controversy is brewing following the sentencing of a Thai tourist in Arugam Bay, after a social media post questioned how the court interpreted gender in a topless incident involving the foreign national.

Andre Russell announces international cricket retirement

The all-rounder will play his final international match against Australia in his homeground, Sabina Park, which is scheduled to host the first two T20Is

Kandy schools to close for Esala Perahera from July 29 to August 4

Due to the heavy traffic congestion and logistical challenges anticipated in Kandy during the annual Esala Perahera, the Kandy Zonal Education Office has announced that schools in the area will be closed for the second term holiday from July 29 to August 4.

Canada’s Public Safety Minister under scrutiny over support for man linked to LTTE

Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is facing mounting scrutiny after Global News revealed he had written letters supporting the immigration application of a man deemed by federal officials to be a former member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a group listed as a terrorist organization in Canada.

Gammanpila arrives at Bribery Commission over Customs complaint

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Udaya Gammanpila, arrived at the Bribery Commission a short while ago to submit a reminder letter regarding a previously filed complaint.

Dayasiri to complain to CID over fuel distribution

SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said he will lodge a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the non-implementaion of the recommendation of the forensic audit regarding fuel distribution.

Fifty people killed in a mall fire in Iraq

Fifty people were killed in a massive fire in a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq, the state news agency (INA) reported on Thursday, citing the province’s governor.

Drone operation in Parliament

A drone operation was conducted within the Parliament premises for several hours yesterday, Parliament sources said.

Warning issued for rough seas from Galle to Pottuvil

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department has advised naval and fishing communities not to venture into sea areas extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota over the next 24 hours due to rough sea conditions.

Bribery Commission indicts Keheliya, four family members

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) filed an indictment before the Colombo High Court against former Minister of Mass Media, Health and Environment Keheliya Rambukwella and four of his family members, over the alleged acquisition of illicit assets amounting to Rs. 97 million.

Danish woman arrested with Rs. 57 million worth of ’Kush’ at BIA

A 23-year-old Danish woman was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Tuesday night (16) while attempting to smuggle a consignment of the narcotic drug ‘Kush’ valued at Rs. 57 million.

China donates full school uniform requirement for 2025

The Chinese government has donated the entire fabric requirement for Sri Lanka’s 2025 school uniform programme, amounting to Rs. 5,171 million, as a grant. A formal ceremony to mark the handover was held yesterday (16) at the Ministry of Education.

13 jumbos being treated for gun-shot wounds: Wildlife Department

In the wake of shocking death of ’Bathiya’ tusker, the Wildlife Department yesterday revealed that thirteen more elephants including two tuskers were currently receiving treatment due to gun-shot injuries.

Hambantota Bird Park owner arrested over illegal import of motorcycle

The owner of the Hambantota Bird Park has been arrested over the illegal import of luxury motorcycles into Sri Lanka, police said.

Fire engulfs main stage of Tomorrowland festival days before opening

A fire has destroyed the main stage at Tomorrowland festival in Belgium, just two days before the event was set to open.

Largest Mars rock ever found on Earth sells for $4.3m at auction

An ’’unbelievably rare’’ piece of Mars - the largest ever found on Earth - has sold for $4.3m (£3.2m) at a New York auction on Wednesday.

Dynastic politics no longer rules the roost in SL

Dynastic politics which once dominated Sri Lankan politics as in other South Asian countries, is no longer a factor for voters in the exercise of their franchise, a survey funded by the European Union found.

Hasan duo guides Bangladesh to first T20i series win

Right-arm spinner Mahedi Hasan, with a four-wicket haul, and Tanzid Hasan, who slammed an unbeaten 73 off 46 balls, shone for Bangladesh in their convincing eight-wicket win in the deciding third T20I matchagainst hosts Sri Lanka.

US tariff blow puts SL’s US $ 857mn coconut export industry at risk: Industry

The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industry (CCCI) yesterday issued an urgent appeal to the government in response to the US’ decision to impose a 30 percent import tariff on coconut-based products from Sri Lanka, effective August 1, 2025.

Half-naked Thai tourist gets one-and-a-half month’s jail term suspended for five years

The Thai female tourist who walked half-naked through the Arugam Bay tourist zone was sentenced to one-and-a-half month’s jail term suspended for five years by Potuvil Magistrate A.L.M. Hilmy.

Chemmani mass grave excavations to resume on July 21

JMO Jaffna general hospital Dr. Pranavan Selliah has informed court that excavations of the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna will resume on July 21.

Former UPFA PS member sentenced to death

Former United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) member of the Weligepola Pradeshiya Sabha, Kodithuwakku Arachchilage Wasantha, alias Alibaby, has been sentenced to death.

Spike in skin diseases sparks health warning

A sudden rise in skin-related illnesses has been reported across the country, causing concern among health officals, the Health Promotion Bureau said.

Shani Abeysekara named as witness in Ekneligoda disappearance case

The Attorney General has informed the Colombo Trial-at-Bar Judges Namal Balalle, Mahesh Weeraman and Sujeewa Nishshanka that the current Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara, has been named as a witness in the ongoing case concerning the abduction and disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda on January 25, 2010.

President wants more focus on digitalization, public transport in 2026 budget

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to focus more on projects centered around areas such as digitalization, strengthening public transport and integrating rural communities into the economic framework when preparing the budget for 2026.