Central Bank stays pat on key policy rate as economic indicators move in right direction

The Central Bank left its key policy rate unchanged at its fourth monetary policy announcement yesterday, as Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said all macroeconomic indicators are moving in the right direction, capturing the sentiments of the Monetary Policy Board, which decided the current policy stance is just about at the right level to accomplish their mandate in maintaining price stability.

Bangladesh central bank honours Sri Lankan bank for foiling 2016 cyber heist

Bangladesh’s central bank (Bangladesh Bank) hosted a special award ceremony at its headquarters in Motijheel on 17 July, to formally recognise officials from Sri Lanka’s Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC for their role in preventing a US$ 20 million fraudulent transaction during the infamous 2016 Bangladesh Bank reserve heist incident.

No record of 1988/89 Dalada Maligawa attack: Govt

The government does not possess any records of the 1988/89 attack on the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala revealed in Parliament today.

Current deputy Defence Minister maintained deafening silence on Zahran’s activities as then Eastern Commander: MP

Dropping a bombshell in Parliament, opposition MP Nizam Kariapper today said current Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera who was one time Security Force Commander in the east neglected prior information received on activities of Zahran who led the Easter Sunday attacks since 2015.

Women activists’ legal battle ended after lifting ban on women in alcohol industry

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by several women activists and women’s organizations was settled before the Supreme Court following the issuance of a new gazette notification permitting women to purchase liquor from any licensed outlet, work in establishments engaged in liquor production, and consume liquor at retail premises.

Government will not reverse gazette on cross border vehicle imports: Minister

Claiming that a clear violation of regulations has occurred in the import of vehicles under cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs), Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha said today the government will not reverse the gazette issued on cross border imports.

Court holds back rugby’s caretaker

Western Province Rugby Union wins Enjoining Order against Sports Ministry’s Working Task Force.

Vets ready to lead rabies eradication once programme moves to Animal Health dept.

The Government Veterinary Officers’ Association announced that veterinary professionals are prepared to take on the challenge of eradicating rabies in Sri Lanka, following the planned transfer of the National Dog Sterilisation and Rabies Vaccination Programme to the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH).

Meta expands teen account protections and child safety features

Meta has announced a range of updates to bolster efforts to protect teens from potentially unsafe or unwanted contact and shared new data on the impact of its latest safety tools.

CSE Advances Following CBSL’s Decision to Maintain Policy Rate

The Colombo Stock Exchange opened positively today following the Central Bank’s decision to keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 7.75%. Investor sentiment remained upbeat throughout the session, driving the All Share Price Index (ASPI) up by 151.15 points (+0.79%) to close at 19,243.08, while the S&P SL20 also gained 32.00 points (+0.57%) to settle at 5,689.62.

CC approves Preethi Padman as new Chief Justice

The Constitutional Council today approved the name of Supreme Court judge Preethi Padman Surasena as the new Chief Justice.

No plans to restrict vehicle imports: Central Bank Governor

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said that there are no plans to reimpose restrictions on vehicle imports, assuring that the market will remain open.

Trump says US has struck trade deal with Japan

President Donald Trump says the US has agreed to a ’’massive’’ trade deal with Japan, one of the country’s largest trading partners.

Viet Nam–Sri Lanka mark 55 years with film festival

Modular system to replace exam-focused learning from 2026: Minister

The government is moving away from an exam-centric education system towards a modular system focused on active learning, with the aim of providing quality education for all children, Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Silent protest over allowance cut

Liberal Youth Movement hails Supreme Court case on Emergency Regulations in 2022

The Liberal Youth Movement welcomed the Supreme Court judgment upholding the petition it filed challenging the islandwide State of Emergency declared on July 17, 2022 by the then Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Environment Ministry calls for CID probe into elephant shootings

The Ministry of Environment has requested the Sri Lanka Police to launch a special investigation into the recent spate of wild elephant deaths caused by gunshot wounds, urging strong legal action against those responsible.

Mid-air fight erupts on KL-Chengdu AirAsia flight over noise dispute

A mid-air brawl erupted on an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu after a group of women allegedly refused to stop making noise while cabin lights were dimmed.

Russell’s sparkling farewell in vain as Australia sprint to T20 win

Andre Russell struck a sparkling 36 off 15 balls in his final innings before retirement on Tuesday but could not save the West Indies from losing the second Twenty20 international against Australia in Kingston.

Japan’s PM Ishiba to quit after election drubbing and Trump trade deal, source

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to step down following a bruising upper house election defeat, a source told Reuters, as the embattled premier announced a long-sought trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Rising mouth cancer cases among Sri Lanka youth

A total of 3,300 mouth cancer cases have been reported across Sri Lanka, with increasing numbers linked to lifestyle factors such as smoking, betel chewing and alcohol consumption, Dental Surgeon Dr. Prasanna Jayasekara said.

Sri Lanka has attracted foreign investments worth USD 507 million this year: Vijitha

Sri Lanka has managed to attract USD 507 million in foreign investments so far this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Hearth told Parliament.

Ven. Rahula Thera urges death penalty for elephant killers

Amid the alarming rise in elephant deaths due to the escalating human-elephant conflict, the founder of the National Namal Uyana, Ven. Wanawasi Rahula Thera, has called for urgent amendments to the country’s Wildlife Ordinance, including the introduction of harsher penalties, even the death penalty, for those found guilty of killing elephants.

Corruption at SriLankan Airlines and AASL from 2010 to 2025: Special committee appointed

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a Special Presidential Investigation Committee to probe serious allegations of fraud, corruption, and administrative irregularities at SriLankan Airlines Limited and Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited.

Supreme Court rules 2022 emergency declaration by Ranil unconstitutional

The Supreme Court, in a majority decision, has ruled that the proclamation issued by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe declaring a State of Emergency in 2022—while he was serving as Acting President—violated fundamental rights.

School bus accident in Beligalla injures 16 students

A bus carrying schoolchildren veered off the Beliatta–Weeraketiya road near Beligalla this morning, injuring at least 16 students.

Party leaders will decide when to debate resolution to remove Deshabandu: Speaker

The party leaders will decide when Parliament should take up the debate on the resolution to remove IGP Deshabandu Tennekoon from his post, the Speaker told Parliament.

Commotion in Parliament after question over attack on Dalada Maligawa in 1989

Heated arguments rocked Parliament when Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kaviratne raised a question on the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) attack on the Dalada Maligawa in 1989 and Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake called the MP a daughter of a murderer.

Don’t give children under age 13 smartphones, new research says

Parents should avoid preteens’ use of smartphones and social media, according to new research. A study released Monday found that using smartphones before age 13 could damage kids’ mental health.