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.

Clarence’s wife wins copyright case against Sarath Kothalawala

The Supreme Court has recently delivered its judgment in favor of Sheela Wijewardene, the wife of the late veteran musician Clarence Wijewardene, against Sarath Kothalawala of Torana Music.

NWSDB urges public to conserve water amid prevailing dry weather

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced of water supply interruptions in several areas as a result of the ongoing severe dry weather.

Showdown in Parliament over summoning MPs to CID

Parliament went into chaos after some Members of Parliament complained that they have been summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over remarks they have made on the container release drama.

Transport Minister apologises for Jaffna intercity train service disruption

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake today apologised to passengers inconvenienced by the failure to operate the Mount Lavinia–Jaffna Intercity Express train daily as scheduled from today.

Pilleyan had prior knowledge of Easter attacks: Minister

Investigations have revealed that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias ’Pilleyan’ had prior knowledge of the Easter bomb attacks when he was in the Batticaloa prison.

Pakistani actress Humaira Asghar, 32, found dead

Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali was found dead in her Karachi apartment this week, in a tragic incident that has shocked fans and the entertainment industry alike. Her decomposed body was discovered by police and court officials after she failed to respond to eviction notices stemming from unpaid rent.

Gujarat bridge collapse kills 10 in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his deep sorrow over the tragic bridge collapse. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Over 35,000 new cancer patients diagnosed annually in Sri Lanka: NCCP

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) revealed that between 35,000 and 40,000 new cancer cases are identified in Sri Lanka each year.

Taj Samudra alerted SIS on Easter attacker day before bombing: Minister

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the Taj Samudra Hotel had alerted the State Intelligence Service (SIS) via email just minutes after Easter Sunday bomber Abdul Latheef Mohamed Jameel had checked in to the hotel on April 20, 2019, a day before the attacks.

Complaint filed over tender irregularities in e-ID equipment procurement

The Movement for People’s Struggle has lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission regarding alleged irregularities in the awarding of a tender for electricity distribution units required by Divisional Secretariats for the electronic identity card (e-ID) process.