Opposition MP requests President to withdraw visa free benefit to Israel

Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman, in a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for the cancellation of the visa free entry to Israeli tourists.

Preparatory classes for Grade 05 scholarship exam banned from August 6

The Department of Examinations has announced that all preparatory activities related to the upcoming Grade 05 Scholarship Examination will be banned from midnight on August 6 until the conclusion of the exam.

Wild elephant attack claims life of young woman

A 24-year-old woman was killed and another person critically injured in a wild elephant attack in Thirappane, Anuradhapura, on July 25.

Leopard Day marked at Dehiwala Zoo

Met Department issues heat advisory for several districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for the North-Central and Eastern provinces, as well as the Monaragala and Hambantota districts, warning of rising heat levels in the coming days.

Rishad urges Health Minister to uphold Muslim women’s right to wear Hijab in Trincomalee

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader and Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen has called on Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to intervene immediately and safeguard the constitutional rights of Muslim women working in the public health sector in Trincomalee.

Court orders suspected fake liquor stock to be sent for Government Analyst’s testing

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga today ordered the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to send a stock of seized bottles of foreign liquor produced before court as case items that had allegedly turned into plain water and tea colored liquid, for examination by the Government Analyst.

Baby’s corpse found in Colombo-bound train

The Dematagoda Police today presented facts before Colombo Additional Magistrate Kasun Kanchana Dissanayake regarding the discovery of a deceased infant, believed to be several days old, found abandoned inside a train carriage that had travelled from Puttalam to Colombo.

Couple welcome ‘world’s oldest baby’ born from embryo frozen 31 years ago

A newborn has been named the world’s oldest baby after being born from an embryo frozen in 1994.

Severe lightning advisory issued for several places

The Meteorology Department today issued an advisory for severe lightning at several places in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva Provinces and in the Hambantota district valid till 11.00 p.m. today.

UNP calls on government to make clear statement on trade, security arrangements with US

The United National Party (UNP) in a statement urged the government to make a clear statement on the ‘meaningful, trade and security arrangements arrived at with the US government.

No price hike for LAUGFS gas in August

LAUGFS Gas has confirmed that there will be no price revision for domestic gas cylinder refills in August.

Supermarket fined Rs. 600,000 for selling expired food items

The Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court has imposed a total fine of Rs. 600,000 on three branches of a leading supermarket chain after they pleaded guilty to selling expired food items.

Motor Show 2025 at BMICH

Sri Lanka should aim for further reduction of US tariff: Sajith

While expressing his happiness on the US government’s decision to cut tariffs to 20% for Sri Lankan goods, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that Sri Lanka should aim at getting the tariff reduced to 15 percent.

Government to continue engagements with US to get more tariff reduction

The government will continue engagements with the United States with a hope to get further tariff reductions if possible, Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma said today.

Former Deputy Minister Chandrasena released on bail

Former Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Special Projects, S.M. Chandrasena, was released on bail today by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga.

Rear seat belt rule takes effect: Police alert at Kottawa

Police officers began informing drivers of light vehicles near the Kottawa entrance of the Southern Expressway today (August 1) about a new safety regulation that has come into effect, requiring all rear-seat passengers to wear seat belts while traveling on expressways.

Sri Lanka to host LPL in Nov–Dec

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said that the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will take place from November 27 to December 23, 2025.

Little cause for celebration on new tariff announcement: Ali Sabry

There is little cause for celebration despite the new tariff structure announced by the Trump administration, former Finance Minister Ali Sabry said.

Sri Lanka records first successful IVF birth in state sector

The first successful childbirth following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) conducted within Sri Lanka’s state health sector was carried out yesterday (31) at the North Colombo Teaching Hospital in Ragama.

Cancer cases soar in Sri Lanka amid lifestyle gaps: Health expert

Cancer incidence in Sri Lanka is rising at an alarming rate due to a combination of aging population, unhealthy lifestyles, environmental pollution, and limited access to treatment in some provinces, said Dr. Nadarajah Jeyakumaran, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama.

US tariff reduction on Sri Lankan exports welcomed: Harsha

Expressing his happiness over the decision by the USA to reduce tariffs on Sri Lankan exports, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva said credit goes to all who worked on it, both seen and unseen.

Cricket’s Olympic places decided by continents and play-offs

Qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 will be decided based on continents and play-off matches, rather than the top six-ranked sides, says England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson.

President Trump lowers U.S. tariffs on Sri Lankan goods to 20%

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reducing import taxes on goods from Sri Lanka to 20%. This is a big drop from the 44% rate he announced in April, the White House said late Thursday.

Rugby election set to pick up pace

Speculation is mounting over who will be the next head of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) after it was announced that the election of office bearers will be held on September 9.

Indo-Lanka Chamber urges Sri Lanka to fast-track India trade pact

Sri Lanka must urgently draw lessons from the recently concluded UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to revitalise its trade and investment ties with India, the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry

New anti-dumping measures cleared to shield Sri Lankan producers

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary committees on trade and public finance have jointly approved new regulations aimed at protecting local industries from unfair trade practices and sudden imports, officials said on

Global AI Governance action plan published

External sector stays resilient in first half

Sri Lanka’s external sector held firm in the first half of 2025, registering a current account surplus, even as the merchandise trade deficit expanded in June. This was driven by a surge in vehicle imports, latest data