President holds meeting with US Trade Representative on tariff reduction

A virtual discussion was held this evening (25) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer aimed at reducing the trade tariffs proposed to be imposed by the United States on exports from Sri Lanka.

Writ petition filed seeking removal of illegal electric fences to protect elephants

A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal seeking an order directing authorities to detect and remove illegal electric fences to ensure the protection and conservation of elephants.

CSE ends on a positive note amid volatility

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a volatile trading session today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) dipping by 63 points during early trading before regaining momentum to close on a positive note. By market close, the ASPI gained 88.47 points (+0.46%) to settle at 19,467.71, while the S&P SL20 rose by 27.67 points (+0.48%) to end at 5,755.04.

Brigadier Franklin Joseph appointed Defence Ministry spokesman

Brigadier Franklin Joseph officially assumed duties as the new Director of Media and Spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, succeeding Colonel Nalin Herath.

Full list of 40 countries with visa-free entry to Sri Lanka

The government has released the complete list of 40 countries whose nationals will be eligible for visa fee waivers when visiting Sri Lanka.

EU and Sri Lanka host International Conference to combat violence against children

In a significant step toward strengthening child protection systems in Sri Lanka, the International Conference on Child Protection (ICCP’25) was inaugurated today in Colombo. The three-day event, which runs until July 27, brings together more than 250 participants, including government officials, child protection experts, academics, and international stakeholders, to address the urgent need to end violence against children.

Over 1,500 arrested in major anti-drug operation

Police arrested 1,504 suspects involved in drug trafficking and related crimes during a special islandwide operation conducted yesterday.

HOTEL SHOW COLOMBO 2025

China’s BYD to assemble EVs in Pakistan from 2026

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD (002594.SZ), opens new tab plans to roll out its first car assembled in Pakistan by July or August 2026 to capture growing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the region, a company executive said on Wednesday.

Artist arrested for soliciting bribes from principal, Air Force officer

An artist who allegedly demanded Rs. 30,000 each as a bribe from a school principal and a Sri Lanka Air Force officer has been arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Bi-annual inspection at Bloemendhal police

Video showing Lankan migrant worker moved by forklift prompts action from South Korea’s president

South Korea’s president ordered officials to find ways to prevent the mistreatment of migrant workers after a video showing a Sri Lankan worker being moved by a forklift while tied up at a South Korean factory sparked public outrage.

Court orders probe involving Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe

The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau today submitted a detailed report to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court regarding an alleged fraud involving the lease of a two-storey building and land belonging to the National Workers’ Institute, based on a forged deed, for a sum of Rs. 3 million.

Sri Lanka to waive visa fees for 40 more countries

The government has decided to waive visa fees for 40 more countries in a bid to strengthen the country’s tourism sector, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath said.

France will recognise Palestinian state, Macron says

France will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, President Emmanuel Macron has said, which will make it the first G7 nation to do so.

CID probes fake police document circulated on social media

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into the circulation of a forged document falsely attributed to the Acting Inspector General of Police, which has been widely shared via WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

7 children dead, 2 in ICU as Rajasthan school building collapses

Seven children were killed and two were critically injured after a government school building collapsed in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Friday.

2026 budget should be underpinned by strong revenue measures, appropriate spending allocations: IMF

The 2026 budget should be underpinned by strong revenue measures and appropriate spending allocations, consistent with IMF program parameters, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said.

Licence of 219 pharmacies suspended: Minister

The National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has suspended the licences of 219 pharmacies in the country by July 18, 2025, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Initial steps being taken to introduce new Constitution: PM

Initial steps are being taken to introduce a new Constitution, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.

Sri Lanka, France sign debt implementation letters

Marking a key milestone in Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring process, the Governments of Sri Lanka and France have officially signed the Implementation Letters related to their bilateral debt agreement, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said.

President to undertake state visit to Maldives on Monday

President Anura Kumara Disanayaka will undertake a state visit to Maldives from July 28-30, 2025 at the invitation of the President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu,Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

Former Minister P. Dayaratne passes away at 89

Former Minister and senior parliamentarian P. Dayaratne has passed away at the age of 89, family sources confirmed.

UK Parliamentary delegation engages in High-Level dialogue with Sri Lankan lawmakers

A high-level delegation of Members of Parliament from the United Kingdom, visiting Sri Lanka under the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) programme, met this week with a diverse group of Sri Lankan legislators, legal professionals, and civil society leaders to advance dialogue on inclusive governance, post-legislative scrutiny (PLS), and democratic reform.

No need for Deputy Defence Minister to resign to ensure an independent probe into Easter Sunday attacks: Govt.

There is no necessity for Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera to resign to ensure a fair probe into the Easter Sunday attacks as the probe is carried out by Ministry of Public Security, subject Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Large cocaine slabs detected first time at BIA with Canadian Caucasian male

An attempt to smuggle large one kilo cocaine slabs was thwarted for the first time in Bandaranaike International Airport history, when Sri Lanka Customs seized a Canadian man carrying bulk of Cocaine and Hashish worth around Rs.395 million this morning.

Convict freed by presidential pardon now jailed for 7 years in a fraud case

The individual who was illegally released through a fabricated presidential pardon on Vesak Poya Day, Athula Thilakarathna, has, in a separate case, been found guilty of forgery and fraudulent use of documents and sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment by the Anuradhapura High Court on Wednesday (23).

Suspected gunman shot dead by STF in Kahathuduwa

The gunman involved in the failed shooting attempt near the Dehiwala railway station was shot dead by the Police Special Task Force (STF) early this morning in Pahalagama, Kahathuduwa.

Supreme Court orders CID probe into AG’s decision on X-Press Pearl legal action

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the CID to conduct investigations into matters arising from the Attorney General’s unreasonable, irrational, and arbitrary decision to institute civil legal action against the X-Press Pearl group of companies in a Singapore court, instead of initiating proceedings in the High Court of Sri Lanka under its Admiralty jurisdiction.

Vyavasaya 2025