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.

Kataragama Perahera ends

Original Birkin bag sells at auction for record $10 million

Scuffed, scratched and stained, this black leather Birkin bag just sold for €8.6 million ($10 million), with fees, becoming the most expensive handbag to ever sell at auction. The hammer fell at a winning bid of €7 million ($8.2 million).

Over 7,000 dansals inspected on Esala Poya Day: PHI union

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) carried out inspections at 7,067 dansals across the country yesterday in connection with the Esala Poya Day, Union Secretary Chamil Muthukuda announced.

2024 (2025) O/L results released

The results of the 2024 (2025) GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination were released today, Examinations Department Commissioner General A.K.S. Indika Kumari Liyanage said.

Tariff tensions tighten thread in SL’s textile trade

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, a key pillar of the island’s export economy, yesterday raised red flags over the United States’ move to impose a 30 percent reciprocal tariff on all Sri Lankan products starting 1 August

Sri Lanka’s recovery at risk without growth commission: CEPA

A new report from a group of eminent economic thinkers has proposed the formulation of an independent growth commission to guide Sri Lanka towards sustained economic recovery and transformation.

Govt should be ashamed over mishandling of U.S. tariff deal: Dayasiri

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara today accused the government of mishandling tariff negotiations with the United States, claiming Sri Lanka had failed to secure meaningful benefits from the recent tariff reductions announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Sri Lanka awaits details on underworld arrests in Malaysia

Despite reports that several Sri Lankans, including notorious underworld figures Manudinu Padmasiri Perera alias ’Kehelbaddara Padme’ and ’Commando Salintha’, have been arrested in Malaysia, local authorities are yet to receive official confirmation, the Daily Mirror learns.

Hashan Tillakaratne’s wife Apsari in hot water after her interview, clad in AirLanka saree

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne’s wife Apsari, who was once an airhostess of SriLankan airlines is in hot water after her interview with a website, clad in a saree worn by airhostess of the SriLankan airlines formerly known as AirLanka.

Nothing agreed upon to get tariffs reduced: Central Bank Governor

Claiming that Sri Lanka has not agreed to offer anything to the United States to get the tariff reduced to 30 percent from the 44 percent, Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said today it is a recognition of good faith negotiations to bring benefits to both countries.

Milk powder prices surge following U.S. tariff announcement

The price of imported milk powder has risen sharply in the country, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new 30% tariff on all goods imported from the country.

Emirates expands Premium Economy to Sri Lanka, deploys new Boeing 777

Emirates is enhancing the way passengers travel to the Maldives and Sri Lanka by expanding its popular Premium Economy offering to even more flights on these routes.

Seasonal pelican spectacle at Beira Lake

Roundtable conference begins...

Strangled male body found with blows to head in Homagama

Homagama Police found a strangled body of a male with blows to the head, dumped in a shrub jungle off Katuwana Road this morning.

U.S. 30% tariffs a wake-up call for Sri Lanka’s export economy, says former ambassador Kananathan

The United States yesterday”s announcement of a 30% tariff on Sri Lankan imports marks a significant blow to the country’s export sector, with estimated losses projected between USD 1.2 to 1.5 billion over the next 12 months. However, former Ambassador Kananathan has emphasized that this development should serve not just as a setback but as a critical turning point.

Excavation work at Chemmani mass grave temporarily suspended, 65 human skeletons recovered

The second phase of excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave, which had been ongoing continuously for the past 15 days, was temporarily suspended this afternoon, Thursday.

Govt to set up national daycare network for children with autism

The government has taken a decisive step towards enhancing support services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions, with plans to establish a national network of specialised daycare and therapy centres.

Over 48,000 tourists arrive during first eight days of July

Sri Lanka recorded 48,300 tourist arrivals during the first eight days of July 2025, according to the latest data issued by the tourism authorities.

Vijitha Herath attends 58th ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath arrived in Kuala Lumpur today to take part in the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), which runs from July 8 to 11 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Tickets sold out for Sri Lanka-Bangladesh T20I series opener

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that tickets for the opening T20 International between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy have been completely sold out.