Excise Dept. exceeds mid-year revenue target

The Sri Lanka Excise Department has reported a revenue collection of Rs. 120.5 billion during the first six months of 2025, exceeding its mid-year target by 2.6%, according to the Ministry of Finance.

SLC felicitates Ruchira Palliyaguruge for officiating in 100 ODIs

Sri Lanka Cricket felicitated Ruchira Palliyaguruge, who is officiating in his 100th ODI as an on-field umpire during today’s game.

Passengers jump from plane’s wing after fire alert on flight before takeoff in Spain

At least 18 people were injured after a fire alert went off on a Ryanair Boeing 737 aircraft at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) in Spain. The incident occurred on Saturday, just when the Manchester-bound plane was about to take off.

Consumers face absurd costs due to e-commerce tax system: Harsha

Consumers are facing absurd costs for items purchased through e-commerce platforms after the Sri Lanka Customs had scrambled to revert to HS code-based taxation without a proper framework, Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Dr. Harsha De Silva said.

Over 300 arrested in overnight operation across Gampaha towns

More than 300 individuals were arrested during a large-scale joint operation conducted overnight on July 4 in the areas of Kandana, Ja-Ela, Wattala and Ragama.

Avoid trips to Meemure until further notice

Vehicular traffic on the Hunnasgiriya-Meemure road has been temporarily suspended due to an emergency situation reported during the renovation work of the Kaikawala bridge.

LPBOA slams bus fare revision as misleading and ineffective

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has strongly criticized the government’s recent bus fare revision, calling it both misleading and meaningless.

Texas floods update: At least 24 dead, up to 25 children reported missing

At least 24 people have died, and up to 25 people at a girls’ camp remained missing, as flash floods hit the US state of Texas on Friday, according to officials.

Pada Yatra pilgrimage through Kumana National Park concludes

Pada Yatra journey on foot to attend Kataragama Maha Devala festival ended yesterday with the closureof the main entrance in Kumana National Park.

Admission to Grade 1 in 2026: Education Ministry issues official circular

The Education Ministry has issued the official circular regarding the admission of children to Grade 1 in government schools for the year 2026.

Govt. will implement IMF proposals to the letter despite any public protest, political pressure: Lalkantha

Minister of Agriculture, Land, Irrigation and Livestock Development K.D. Lalkantha asserted that the government would comply with the IMF programme regardless of public protests.

Granting ad hoc, non-transparent and large tax exemptions has created significant issues for Govt.: IMF

Granting ad hoc, non-transparent and large tax exemptions in the past has created significant issues, obviously on the fiscal space and revenue - not only in terms of losses in foregone revenue for the government but rise in corruption vulnerability, according to Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.

At least 13 killed and 20 children missing in Texas floods

Thirteen people have died in Kerr County in the US state of Texas, according to authorities, after severe weather and flooding hit parts of the state.

UNDP warns household debt crisis worsening

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warned that Sri Lanka’s household debt crisis has likely intensified since last measured in 2023, as it threw its weight behind a major new financial literacy drive with the Central Bank.

Sri Lanka to showcase organic products at BioFach 2026 in Germany

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) of the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry has announced its participation in the most renowned organic trade fair worldwide, BioFach 2026.

Tea Auction sees stronger demand for better grades

The auction offerings totalled 6.4 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), marginally lower to the 6.5 M/Kgs on offer the previous week.

Rubber export revenues slide in May on weak sheet rubber demand

Sri Lanka’s export earnings from rubber and rubber-finished products fell 9.33 percent year-on-year to US $ 73.60 million in May, as sheet rubber exports slumped 40.91 percent, indicating the persistent pressure on the key product categories in international markets, commodity broker Forbes and Walker said in its June rubber market report.

Eradication of corruption a prerequisite for restoring confidence for investments – Japanese Ambassador

Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata stressed that the eradication of corruption and good governance is a prerequisite for restoring confidence of both public and private entities, including those of Japan, in making investments in Sri Lanka, according to a press release from the Japanese Embassy.

CSE closes higher following early dip triggered by U.S. Reciprocal tariff concerns

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed the trading day on a positive note. The market initially experienced significant selling pressure during the early hours of the session, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining by nearly 150 points.

Further investigation needed into release of red-labelled containers: Opposition MP

Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman has called for deeper investigations into the controversial release of 309 red-labelled containers, asserting that critical questions remain unanswered.

Death threats against Bribery Commission counsel at court premises

The Colombo Chief Magistrate today directed that a complaint be lodged with the Keselwatta Police following an allegation that death threats were made against Sulochana Hettiarachchi, Assistant Director of the Bribery Commission.

UAE beat Sri Lanka in Rugby World Cup qualifier

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) secured a 29–21 victory over Sri Lanka at the Race Course Ground in Colombo strengthening their bid for a spot in the Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification pathway.

Lanka Indian Oil Company donates Rs. 100Mn to President’s Fund

The Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has donated Rs. 100 million to the President’s Fund, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

613 killed at Gaza aid distribution sites, near humanitarian covoys, says UN

The U.N. human rights office said on Friday it had recorded at least 613 killings both at aid points run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and near humanitarian convoys run by other relief groups including the U.N.

S.M. Chandrasena remanded

Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena was ordered to be remanded by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga until July 18, in connection with the alleged distribution of seed paddy worth Rs. 25 million to associates during the 2015 Presidential Election period.

Russia launches massive aerial attack on Kyiv, injuring at least 23

Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine overnight on Friday, deploying 550 drones and missiles in strikes across the country.

Namal calls for urgent E-Commerce policy reform

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has called on the government to urgently finalise a progressive national e-commerce policy, warning that delays could hold back the country’s digital economy and limit opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Government aims to modify public sector: President

The government is expecting to allocate funds through the next budget to develop physical resources in the government sector, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Judge arrested for accepting bribe at Kaduruwela Quazi Court

A judge and a clerk attached to the Kaduruwela Quazi Court were arrested today (04) by officers from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over a bribery incident.

Sri Lankan arrested at Bangkok airport for smuggling snakes in underwear

A Sri Lankan man was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport for attempting to smuggle wildlife out of the country after three ball pythons were found hidden in his underwear.