US Tariffs on Sri Lanka and Philippines may shift trade advantage to India

India could pose sti competition to Sri Lanka and the Philippines for nearly a fth of their exports to the United States as both countries are facing high import duties under new US trade arrangement, according to an analysis.

Italy qualify for T20 World Cup for first time

They have won the FIFA World Cup four times but in a historic first, Italy’s men’s cricket team, led by a former Australian Test opener Joe Burns, has qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

CEJ urges President to appoint commission to probe MV X-Press Pearl environmental disaster

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to appoint a Presidential Commission to investigate into the 2021 environmental disaster caused by the fire aboard the vessel MV X-Press Pearl.

Met Dept warns naval, fishing communities to avoid rough seas

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning advising naval and fishing communities to avoid venturing into sea areas off the coast from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota over the next 24 hours due to rough and potentially dangerous conditions.

Two cyclists killed in Hasalaka

Two individuals were killed when a motorbike crashed at the back of a bicycle at Udawela on the Hasalaka-Hettipola road last night.

Engine fuel supply was cut just before Air India jet crash, preliminary report says

A cut in the fuel supply to the engines caused last month’s Air India crash that killed 260 people, a preliminary report has found.

Boost for Sri Lankan garment sector as UK launches new trade measures

On July 10, the UK government unveiled a package of reforms to simplify the imports from developing countries like Sri Lanka.

EV surge reshapes Sri Lanka’s auto market

A significant shift is underway in Sri Lanka’s newly reopened vehicle market, with consumer demand increasingly favouring electric models.

Tight supply lifts tea prices at auction this week

The Colombo Tea Auction offerings totalled 6.1 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), marginally lower to the 6.4 M/Kgs of last week.

Four new ministry secretaries approved by Committee on High Posts

The Committee on High Posts, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, has approved the appointments of four new ministry secretaries, according to a statement issued by the Department of Communications of Parliament.

Only 4% of Hambantota development funds used so far: President calls for urgent action

Although Rs. 574 million has been allocated for the Hambantota District this year under the Southern Province Development Programme, only around Rs. 23 million - just 4% of the total - has been utilised so far, it was revealed at a high-level meeting held this morning (11).

Dayasiri, Bimal Ratnayake in showdown

In a dramatic turn of events in Parliament today, Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekera alleged that Minister of Transport, Ports and Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, had ordered the release of 309 red-labelled containers—an accusation that sparked uproar across the chamber.

CSE surpasses 18,500 mark to hit all-time high as U.S. Tariff reduction fuels investor optimism

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) soared to All-Time High on Friday, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) jumping 379.77 points or 2.09% to close at a record high of 18,541.26. The S&P SL20 inclined by 127.86 points or 2.39% closing at 5,486.5.

SC affirms conviction and sentence against fugitive mastermind in South Asia’s largest VAT scam

In view of the withdrawal of the Special Leave to Appeal application filed by Mohammed Kamil Kuthubdeen, the 8th accused in South Asia’s largest Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud case, the Supreme Court today affirmed the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had upheld the convictions and sentence imposed against him over the VAT fraud case.

Shooting in Kosgoda leaves one injured

One person was wounded after two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire at a three-wheeler in the Kosgama ares this evening, Police said.

New Excise Commissioner General assumes duties

Sri Lanka Navy Commodore (Retired) M.B.N.A. Premaratne assumed duties as the new Excise Commissioner General at the Sri Lanka Excise Department Headquarters in Rajagiriya this morning.

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazil after spat with Lula

U.S. President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would impose a 50% tariff on all imports from Brazil after a spat this week with his Brazilian counterpart who called him an unwanted ’’emperor.’’

Young man rescued after climbing lamp post in Fort

A young man who climbed to the top of a street lamp post in the Fort area on Friday was safely rescued following a joint operation by the Fire Brigade and Police.

SC grants leave to proceed in case challenging gender-based recruitment for station master posts

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by two women, challenging the Sri Lanka Railway Department’s decision to limit applications for Station Master positions to male candidates only.

ITAK seeks international oversight in Chemmani mass grave probe

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take urgent steps to uphold truth, justice, and international cooperation in the investigation into the Chemmani mass graves, where over 65 skeletal remains - including those of infants - have been uncovered to date.

Bribery Commission can arrest former Minister Rajitha without a warrant: Magistrate

Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kakunawela today informed the Bribery Commission that there is no need to obtain a court-issued arrest warrant to apprehend former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne, as he is already named as a suspect in the ongoing investigation.

Reach out to White House directly over tariff deal: Sajith tells government

The government must initiate direct negotitiations with the White House over the tariff deal without focusing only on negotiations with the US Department of Commerce and Trade representatives, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

Deputy Minister hints at bilateral trade agreement with US before August 1

Sri Lanka hopes to go for a bilateral trade agreement with the USA on or before August 1, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha hinted in Parliament today.

'Imprison me if I am linked to releasing containers': Bimal tells opposition

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake today urged the Opposition to lodge complaints with the police and provide all the information they possess if he is linked to the release of containers as alleged.

UK unveils package of reforms to simplify imports from Sri Lanka

The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries like Sri Lanka, the British High Commission said in a statement.

Maithripala, Ranil, entire Yahapalana Cabinet in hot water over SLIIT scam: Minister

Former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe and the entire Cabinet of the Yahapalana government are in hot water over an alleged scam pertaining to SLIIT, which is an entity under the Mahapola Scholarship Fund, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe informed Parliament today.

73.45% qualify for A/Ls, 2.34% fail all at O/L exam

Following the release of the 2024 (2025) G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination results, 2.34% of candidates failed all subjects, while 73.45% of students who sat for the exam qualified for the G.C.E. Advanced Level, Commissioner General of Examinations A.K.S. Indika Kumari Liyanage announced today.

Sri Lankans among 149 arrested in ’scam call centre’ raid in Pakistan

Pakistan police have arrested 149 people including two Sri Lankans in a raid on a scam call centre, the country’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said on Thursday.

2025 A/L exam dates announced

The Commissioner General of Examinations, A.K.S. Indika Kumari, has announced that the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be held from November 10 to December 5, 2025.

Trump’s Tariff Blow and the Free Trade Myth: Sri Lanka’s Economic Trap Exposed

In a shocking move that sent tremors through Sri Lanka’s export sector, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced a 30% tariff on Sri Lankan apparel imports into the United States. With over 45% of the country’s merchandise exports tied to the apparel sector, the announcement is more than a trade adjustment - it is a strategic body blow to the Sri Lankan economy.