When fuel subsidies sink the rupee, why increase the tax on vehicles ?

On 15 May 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as Sri Lanka’s finance minister, issued an order under the Customs Ordinance imposing a 50% surcharge on imports classified under HS Code 87.02 (vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons including the driver), HS Code 87.03 (passenger motor vehicles), and HS Code 87.04 (vehicles for the transport of goods).

Government mulls reducing imports, fuel usage against rising dollar

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today stressed the need to reduce import cost and fuel usage in a move to curtail the outflow of the Dollar reserves in the country adding that the Government has already submitted proposals to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the matter.

IPL Fireball for Sri Lanka Tour

The entire cricketing world is talking about him and next month India’s 15-year old batting dynamite may bring some sections of life in Sri Lanka to a standstill when he tours the island with his country’s second string team that has many players currently drawing packed stadia at the Indian Premier League (IPL).

High blood pressure cases on the rise in Sri Lanka: Health experts warn

Health authorities in Sri Lanka have warned of a rising number of high blood pressure cases across the country, urging the public to take greater care in monitoring and controlling both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.

Two companies loyal to NPP open 4,000 LCs day before surcharge imposed: Marikkar

Two companies loyal to the National People’s Power (NPP) government have opened Letters of Credit (LCs) to import 4,000 vehicles on May 15, a day before the government imposed a 50 percent surcharge on vehicle imports, Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S.M. Marikkar alleged today.

Meeting Pillayan in prison no secret: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said it is no secret that he visited TMVP leader Sivasathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, while he was in prison in 2018/19.

Mahinda, Basil, Namal met Pillayan in Batticaloa prison after Easter attacks, ASG tells court

The court hearing into the investigations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks was marked by explosive allegations before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court by the prosecution, including claims linking former political leaders, military intelligence officials and the alleged conspiracy surrounding the attacks.

SL Rupee depreciates further against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan Rupee continued its downward trend against the US Dollar today, with selling rate increased to Rs. 342, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Market slides sharply as broad-based selling pressure weighs on investor sentiment

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a sharp decline during today’s trading session, as subdued investor confidence and prevailing market uncertainty triggered broad-based selling pressure from the opening bell. The market remained under pressure throughout the day, with cautious sentiment dominating trading activity amid the absence of strong buying interest.

Cotta Road level crossing closed for urgent renovation on Kelani Valley Line

Train operations on the Kelani Valley Line will be temporarily revised, while the Cotta Road level crossing will be fully closed for vehicular traffic due to essential renovation work carried out by the Railway Department.

Health Ministry gears up for Ebola outbreak

The Ministry of Health has decided to implement measures consisting of five steps in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO), following the WHO declaration of the Ebola virus epidemic situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

China confirms it will buy 200 Boeing jets after Trump-Xi summit

China has confirmed that it will buy 200 Boeing jets after US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in Beijing last week.

PM Harini delivers lecture at Oxford

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya delivered the 2026 OSGA Annual Lecture at the University of Oxford, addressing global themes of development, governance, and political reform.

Man who murdered teen TikTok star in Pakistan gets death sentence

A court in Pakistan has sentenced a man to death over the murder of a teen social media influencer that sparked uproar across the country.

Hatton trader fined Rs. 100,000 for violating rice MRP regulations

A Hatton-based trader has been fined Rs. 100,000 by the Hatton Magistrate’s Court for selling Keeri Samba rice above the government-approved maximum retail price (MRP).

President opens Batticaloa library

The new Public Library Building of the Batticaloa Municipal Council was officially vested in the public on Tuesday (20) in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with former Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran ceremonially declaring the building open.

Milk tea price to increase by Rs. 5 tonight

The price of a cup of milk tea will be increased by Rs. 5 with effect from midnight today (20), the All Ceylon Restaurant and Bar Owners Association said.

MP Chamara Sampath not allowed to attend Parliament sessions today: Serjeant-at-Arms

MP Chamara Sampath will not be allowed to attend Parliament sessions today (May 20 2026), Serjeant-at-Arms Kushan Jayarane said.

Chamith Wijesundera calls for balanced remembrance, condemns LTTE atrocities

SJB Youth Organizer Chamith Wijesundera has called for a balanced approach to remembrance of Sri Lanka’s war-related civilian deaths, warning against any attempt to glorify the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

US Senate advances measure curbing Trump’s Iran war powers

The U.S. Senate advanced a war-powers resolution on Tuesday that would end ​the Iran war unless President Donald Trump obtains Congress’ authorization, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader 80 days after ‌U.S. and Israeli forces began striking Iran.

Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits off southwestern Japan

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake shook southern Japan on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake occurred at 11:46 a.m. local time (0246GMT) at a depth of 50 kilometers (31 miles).

Uproar in Parliament after Chamara Sampath prevented from raising privilege issue

Commotion reigned in Parliament today when Opposition Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was prevented from raising a privilege issue.

Minimum bus fare could increase to Rs. 40 due to rupee depreciation: Gemunu

The minimum bus fare could increase to Rs. 40 following the upcoming annual revision in July, as further weakening of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar may push up transport costs, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne has warned.

Imported milk powder price increased from today

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association has announced a revision in the prices of imported milk powder, citing prevailing market conditions and exchange rate fluctuations.

Sri Lanka, UN discuss wide-ranging reforms in digital governance drive

A wide-ranging bilateral discussion was held between the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Professor Chandana Abayarathne, and UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche, focusing on accelerating Sri Lanka’s digital governance, institutional reforms, and disaster management systems.

Childhood cancer care must focus on how survivors live, not just survival - Nalinda

“The true measure of success in childhood cancer is not only how many children survive, but how they live,” Sri Lankan Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said while addressing a special session on childhood cancer care held on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

U.N. cuts global growth forecast to 2.5%, blames Middle East crisis

The United Nations on Tuesday cut its forecast for global economic growth, saying the Middle East crisis had reignited inflationary pressures and heightened ​uncertainty.

Health green light for Vesak dansalas: Strict hygiene rules issued ahead of 2026 festival

Public health authorities have issued a nationwide advisory urging organizers of Dansalas for the 2026 Vesak festival to register their events with the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices in their areas, warning that unapproved or unsanitary food stalls will not be permitted to operate.

Three Chinese nationals detained at BIA over Rs. 514,000 electronics smuggling attempt

Airport customs officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) arrested three Chinese nationals on the night of 19 May after they allegedly attempted to smuggle mobile phones and batteries valued at Rs. 514,000 into Sri Lanka using the “Green Channel” meant for non-declarable goods.

Uproar in Parliament over delay in filling SC, Appeal Court vacancies

An uproar erupted in Parliament today when Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara refused to answer a question raised by MP Ajith P. Perera about filling five vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court and three in the Appeal Court.