Sri Lanka’s unit trust industry sees widening investor base

Sri Lanka’s unit trust industry has demonstrated a significant expansion in its investor base over the past year, a positive indicator for financial inclusion and capital market depth.

Sri Lanka to spotlight export potential at Expo 2025 Japan

The Export Development Board (EDB), as part of its strategic approach to fostering further economic relationships with Japan on one hand and exploring new markets in Japan on the other, together with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo is to organise a Sri Lanka Business forum and Networking session at the World Expo 2025 at Osaka, Japan, on 26 September 2025.

Tea output in 1H up 6.1% YoY

Sri Lanka’s tea production expanded in the first half of 2025, supported by improved output across all elevations, although gains were tempered by a year-on-year drop in June, data from Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers showed.

Court orders Divisional Secretary to Pay Rs. 50,000 for malicious refusal of liquor licence

The Court of Appeal ordered the Bandaragama Divisional Secretary to pay exemplary costs of Rs. 50,000 and the same be paid to a company engaged in the business of selling liquor, for her malicious and arbitrary decision of refusing to issue a liquor licence in 2024.

Coca-Cola will roll out cane sugar Coke in US after Trump push

US soft drink giant Coca-Cola says it plans to introduce a new Coke sweetened with cane sugar to its existing line-up , confirming a plan that President Donald Trump previewed last week.

Trump administration releases files on Martin Luther King Jr

US President Donald Trump’s administration has released a trove of records on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, including FBI surveillance files on the civil rights leader.

SC stays Appeal Court ruling on naming Deshabandu a suspect

The Supreme Court today stayed a ruling by the Court of Appeal that had invalidated a directive from the Attorney General to the police to name IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon as a suspect over the May 9, 2022 Galle Face attacks.

President orders immediate action to address medicine shortages

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to take immediate steps to address the shortage of medicines reported in certain hospitals across the country.

Minimum Wages Bill passed, amendments approved to two Budget Relief Bills

The Minimum Wages Bill, which increases private sector employee minimum wages to Rs 27,000 from Rs. 21,000 from April this year, with a further increase to Rs. 30,000 from next year, was unanimously approved by Parliament without a vote today.

United States withdraws from UNESCO

The United States has formally notified UNESCO of its decision to withdraw from the organization, citing a misalignment with U.S. national interests and foreign policy priorities.

Parliament postpones debate on Electricity (Amendment) Bill

The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided not to proceed with the scheduled debate on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, which was initially set for July 24.

CSE closed higher after a dip in the middle of the session

The market closed on a gain as the All Share Price Index (ASPI) recovered from a sharp mid-session dip to end higher by 47.85 points, settling at 19,091.93 (+0.25%).

Only 12 veterinary specialists in Sri Lanka

There are currently only 12 veterinary specialists in Sri Lanka qualified to treat sick elephants and other animals, Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi informed Parliament today.

Instagram parental supervision app launched in Sri Lanka

The Instagram Parental Supervision App, designed to help parents monitor and guide the online activity of children aged 13 to 16, was officially launched in Sri Lanka today, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said.

Five elephant carcasses found in forest reserves

Wildlife authorities have discovered the carcasses of five wild elephants, including a tusker whose tusks had been removed, in multiple Forest Reserves.

Shan Yahampath released on bail

Shan Yahampath, the former private secretary to the ex-Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, who was arrested over bribery allegations, has been released on bail.

Former Minister’s private secretary arrested

Shan Yahampath Gunaratne, former private secretary to ex-Labor and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, was arrested today by officers from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Cabinet approves cyber threat and malware research unit

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a project to establish a Cyber Threat and Malware Analyzing Research Unit, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced.

Sri Lanka joins hands with Singapore on Artificial Intelligence

The government has granted approval for a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Digital Economy Ministry and the National University of Singapore, aimed at fostering collaboration in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in Sri Lanka.

MP emotionally breaksdown in Parliament while talking of son’s arrest

MP Jagath Withana emotionally broke down in Parliament today while talking of his son’s arrest last Sunday.

Wild elephant electrocuted by illegal fence in Potuvil

Wild Elephant Electrocuted in Potuvil After Coming into Contact with Illegal Electric Fence

Elder sister’s lover rapes younger sister

A 17-year-old girl has been allegedly raped by her elder sister’s lover when she was alone at home.

Cabinet approves bill to scrap ex-presidents’ perks

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the publication of a draft bill to repeal the President’s Entitlements Act, effectively revoking special privileges granted to former Presidents and their families.

Falsely arrested for drunk driving: MP Wedaarachchi

Opposition MP Dilip Wedaarachchi alleged in Parliament today that he was falsely arrested by the police for drunk driving.

COPE allegations false: MP Chamindrani Kiriella

MP Chamindrani Kiriella who raised a privilege issue against the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) today alleged that it has come up with a false allegation that she has illegally taken over a state land in Hanthana.

Inland Revenue Deputy Commissioner released on bail in bribery case

K.C.K. Kumara, Deputy Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 8,000, was released on bail today.

No immediate need to arrest ex-CID Chief, says Bribery Commission

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today that there is no immediate requirement to arrest retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Rohan Premarathna, the former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Six airlines default Rs. 27.6 bn embarkation levy to Civil Aviation Authority: Deputy Minister

Six airlines including SriLankan Airlines have defaulted embarkation levy of Rs. 27.6 billion (Rs. 27,659 million) to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) so far, Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said today.

Malaysia airlines to launch A330 wide-body flights to Colombo from August

Malaysia Airlines has announced the addition of three weekly wide-body flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka, starting from August 22, in response to increasing passenger demand on its regional network.

Justice Preethi Padman Surasena nominated as next Chief Justice

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has nominated Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to be the next Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.