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

Man sends his secret sex video with his wife to her student, court orders arrest

Colombo Additional Magistrate Kasun Kanchana Dissanayake yesterday ordered to immediately arrest and produce a man accused of secretly recording sexual acts with his wife, a schoolteacher and sending the footage via WhatsApp to one of her students.

Rear seat belts mandatory on expressways from tomorrow

Wearing seat belts in the rear seats of all light vehicles travelling on expressways will be mandatory from tomorrow (August 1), the Ministry of Transport and Highways said.

Heat index reaches ’Caution Level’ in several parts of SL - Met. Dept.

The Department of Meteorology has issued a heat index advisory warning that temperatures felt on the human body are expected to rise to ‘Caution Level’ in certain areas today (August 1).

CSE wraps up July with strong gains amid renewed buying interest

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded the final trading session of July on a positive trajectory, reflecting investor resilience despite early-session volatility.

Digital ID to launch by April 2026 with strong privacy safeguards

The Digital Economy Ministry said that a National Digital Identity (Digital ID) system will be launched by April 2026, with strong emphasis on data privacy and citizen protection.

2008 white van abduction case: Former Army officers acquitted

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered the release of two former military intelligence officers, Hemachandra Perera and Prabath Duminda Weeraratne, who were suspected of abducting and assaulting a journalist and two state officials in 2008.

Tourist raises concerns over Increasing Israeli presence in Arugam Bay

While raising concern over the growing Israeli presence in the popular Sri Lankan coastal town of Arugam Bay, international DJ and tourist Tom Monagle alleged that the Sri Lankan government has been turning a blind eye to the matter.

No fuel price revision for August: CPC

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that there will be no revision in fuel prices for the month of August, as per the prevailing fuel pricing formula.

Indictments to be filed against Piumi Hansamali, Thambugala for alleged tax evasion

The Department of Inland Revenue informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that steps are being taken to file indictments before the Colombo High Court against model and actress Piumi Hansamali and Aura Lanka Chairman T.A.C.V. Thambugala for alleged tax evasion.

Maho–Anuradhapura rail gets Indian grant boost

The Government of India has released the first instalment of funding—amounting to approximately USD 2.5 million (around LKR 770 million)—for the installation of an advanced signalling and telecommunication system along Sri Lanka’s Maho–Anuradhapura railway line.

Land maps online from tomorrow: Survey Department

The Survey Department announced that land maps will be avaliable online from tomorrow (August 1), marking a major step towards digital public services.

Over 500 legal cases filed against foreign employment fraudsters in past 7 months: SLBFE

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced that 567 court cases have been filed over the past seven months against individuals and unlicensed agencies involved in foreign employment frauds.

Draft bill to cut ex-Presidents’ perks gazetted

The gazette of the draft bill aimed at amending the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986-reducing special privileges granted to former Presidents, their families, and retired Members of Parliament, has been released.

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New salary structure to be introduced for public service: Sub-Committee

The Sub-Committee appointed to seek solutions to the prevailing salary discrepancies and related issues in the public service is expected to submit proposals for the introduction of a new salary structure for the entire public service.

CEA urges devotees to minimize plastic waste during Kandy Esala Perahera

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has requested all devotees attending the Kandy Esala Perahera to properly dispose of waste and avoid bringing plastic items into the city during the festival, which will take place from July 30 to August 10, 2025.

Sotheby’s returns Buddha jewels to India after uproar

Auction house Sotheby’s has returned a set of sacred jewels believed to be linked to the Buddha’s remains to India, after facing mounting pressure from the Indian government and global Buddhist leaders.

Mahout assistant’s body found in Kandy lake

The body of a young mahout assistant was discovered floating near the banks of Kandy Lake this morning (31), police confirmed.

Rohitha Abeygunawardhana’s daughter granted bail

The daughter of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardhana has been granted bail by the Mathugama Magistrate’s Court.

London’s Heathrow hit by more flight cancellations after air traffic failure

At least 16 flights to and from London’s Heathrow Airport were cancelled on Thursday, a day after technical problems with Britain’s air traffic control system caused widespread disruption across the country’s airports.

Kerala cannabis worth Rs. 21.6 million seized in Jaffna

A stock of Kerala Cannabis valued at approximately Rs. 21.6 million was seized during a joint operation in the Maruthankerny area in Vaththirayan, Jaffna early this morning (31).

Over 30 arrested for soliciting bribes in first half of 2025

A total of 34 individuals have been arrested over bribery-related offences during the first six months of 2025, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said.

Drone operations suspended during Kandy Esala Perahera

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has announced a temporary suspension of all drone operations over the procession route during the Kandy Esala Perahera, which will be held from July 30 to August 9, 2025.

Chief Justice pledges to fast-track court digitalization

Newly appointed Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena stated today that he intends to fast-track the digitalization of the court system across the country, emphasising that the time has come to adopt technologically advanced methods in the administration of justice.

Canada follows France and UK with plan to recognise Palestinian state

Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the third G7 nation to make such an announcement in recent days.

’’India, Russia can take their dead economies down together’’: Donald Trump

A day after announcing 25 per cent tariffs on imports of India, US President Donald Trump has dropped another bombshell. Hitting out at India and Russia, he has said he does not care about New Delhi’s dealings with Moscow and that the two ’’can take their dead economies down together’’.