Strangled male body found with blows to head in Homagama

Homagama Police found a strangled body of a male with blows to the head, dumped in a shrub jungle off Katuwana Road this morning.

U.S. 30% tariffs a wake-up call for Sri Lanka’s export economy, says former ambassador Kananathan

The United States yesterday”s announcement of a 30% tariff on Sri Lankan imports marks a significant blow to the country’s export sector, with estimated losses projected between USD 1.2 to 1.5 billion over the next 12 months. However, former Ambassador Kananathan has emphasized that this development should serve not just as a setback but as a critical turning point.

Excavation work at Chemmani mass grave temporarily suspended, 65 human skeletons recovered

The second phase of excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave, which had been ongoing continuously for the past 15 days, was temporarily suspended this afternoon, Thursday.

Govt to set up national daycare network for children with autism

The government has taken a decisive step towards enhancing support services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions, with plans to establish a national network of specialised daycare and therapy centres.

Over 48,000 tourists arrive during first eight days of July

Sri Lanka recorded 48,300 tourist arrivals during the first eight days of July 2025, according to the latest data issued by the tourism authorities.

Vijitha Herath attends 58th ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath arrived in Kuala Lumpur today to take part in the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), which runs from July 8 to 11 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Tickets sold out for Sri Lanka-Bangladesh T20I series opener

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that tickets for the opening T20 International between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy have been completely sold out.

US tariff: Sri Lanka has paid the price for poor negotiation skills: Sajith

’’The 30% U.S. tariff on Sri Lankan exports is the price we pay for poor negotiation,” Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in his X message.

Sri Lanka will not retaliate against U.S. tariff hike: Presidential Advisor

The Government has no plans to retaliate by increasing tariffs on U.S. goods in response to the 30 percent tariff currently imposed on Sri Lankan exports, Senior Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa said.

Linda Yaccarino departs as boss of Musk’s X

Linda Yaccarino, the boss of Elon Musk’s social media site X, has announced she is stepping down after two years.

Search for survivors after Houthis sink second Red Sea cargo ship in a week

Six crew members have been rescued and at least three others killed after a cargo ship was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis and sank in the Red Sea, a European naval mission says.

Sri Lanka among nations receiving highest U.S. tariff cuts

Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the countries to receive the highest tariff reductions from the United States among the nations involved in recent trade negotiations, Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma announced.

Trump corrects AKD’s name

U.S. President Donald Trump has reposted his official letter to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, after correcting a name error in the initial version that mistakenly referred to the President as “Aruna.”

President holds talks on U.S. tariff proposal

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a high-level meeting this morning (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to review Sri Lanka’s stance on the proposed U.S. import tariffs on local exports.

Imported milk powder prices increased

Milk powder importers have announced a price increase for imported milk powder, with the 400g packet rising by Rs. 100, the Sri Lanka Milk Powder Importers Association confirmed.

Over 8,000 Dansals registered for Esala Poya festival

A total of 8,355 Dansals have been registered across the island in celebration of the Esala Poya festival, the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union announced.

US tariff hits SL at 30%

The United States will impose a 30 percent tariff on all goods exported from Sri Lanka starting 1 August, softening its earlier proposal of a 44 percent levy announced in April under its reciprocal tariff strategy.

’Shoot in the leg, but don’t kill’ - Kenyan leader orders police to curb protests

Kenya’s President William Ruto has ordered police to shoot protesters targeting businesses in the legs, ensuring they are incapacitated but not killed.

Doctors afraid to prescribe medicines from private pharmacies, delaying vital surgeries

Doctors in leading state hospitals are showing reluctance to prescribe medicines, surgical items to be purchased from private or third parties in light of the recent allegations made against Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a leading neurosurgeon, informed sources said.

CAA seizes, destroys Rs. 1 million worth of illegal cosmetics

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has ordered the confiscation and destruction of a stock of perfumes and body lotions worth Rs. 1 million, which had been imported and stored without any valid documentation.

Sri Lankan apparel brands demand 300-400% CESS hike to combat ‘cheap’ imports

Sri Lanka’s domestic clothing brands are calling for a drastic 300 to 400 percent increase in the Commodity Export Subsidy Scheme (CESS) levy on the imported apparel, arguing it is a critical step to ensure the survival and competitiveness of the local industry in its own market.

Industry leader warns of “digital isolation” as new VAT threatens to derail Sri Lanka’s ICT sector

With Sri Lanka’s new 18 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on foreign digital services now a settled policy taking effect this October, focus has sharply shifted to its potential economic fallout.

Power monopoly threatens reform gains, Advocata cautions

Sri Lanka risks reversing the crucial energy reforms, unless it holds the line on the 2024 Electricity Act, the Advocata Institute cautioned yesterday, calling on the government to reaffirm its commitment to overhauling the power sector.

Donald Trump gets President AKD’s name wrong

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a letter announcing a 30 per cent tariff on Sri Lankan exports, has accidentally referred to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as ‘Aruna’ Kumara Dissanayake.

US slaps 30% tariff on Sri Lanka

U.S. President Donald Trump has added Sri Lanka to his growing list of trade targets, issuing a letter on Wednesday announcing a new 30% tariff on all imported goods from Sri Lanka.

Officers facing allegations probing Easter Sunday’s attacks - Opposition MP

Opposition Parliamentarian D. V. Chanaka told Parliament yesterday that the investigation into the Easter Sunday’s attack is being handled by two officers who had allegedly ignored over 90 prior warnings on the attack. Investigations on Easter Sunday attacks are handled by officers who face allegations, opposition MP D. V. Chanaka told Parliament today.

Ad-hoc committee established to identify, prioritise national research needs

An ad-hoc committee has been established for the first time in the country, to identify and prioritise national research needs, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Easter attack network still active under current govt: Mujibur

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should have known that the network of those who launched Easter Sunday attacks function under the present government as well, Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman said today.

Is Shah Rukh Khan to be paid from reserves, questions Opposition MP

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Hector Appuhamy said the government must reveal whether dollars in the country’s reserves will be used to pay for Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, who is to arrive in Sri Lanka to open a casino.

CSE shows gains despite uncertainty over US tariff announcement

The Colombo Stock Exchange continued its upward momentum on Wednesday, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining 129.37 points (+0.72%) to close at 18,161.49, supported by strong retail participation and positive sentiment across key counters.