Daily vehicle import bill drops below USD 4Mn

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando said that Sri Lanka’s daily foreign exchange outflow for vehicle imports has fallen to below USD 4 million following the introduction of a temporary surcharge on Customs Import Duties for vehicles.

Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman vacates post after budget loss - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that a Chairman of a Pradeshiya Sabha who fails to obtain the approval of council members for the annual budget after the first two years is deemed to have vacated his office.

COPF faults Central Bank for non-publication of Govt debt data

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has faulted the Central Bank (CB) for non-publication of important data on government debt, it was reported yesterday.

Soft drinks, sedentary lifestyles fuel rise in childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is increasing in Sri Lanka, with health authorities pointing to higher consumption of carbonated beverages and unhealthy lifestyles as key contributing factors.

Used vehicle prices could rise again after removal of 15% valuation reduction: VIASL

The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has warned that the prices of imported used vehicles could increase significantly following the removal of the 15 percent valuation reduction previously applied when determining

Open letter from Rosy Senanayake to the Government

Former Colombo Mayor and former Member of Parliament Rosy Senanayake has issued an open letter calling for urgent action to address what she describes as a deepening child protection crisis in Sri Lanka, urging both domestic

Sri Lanka’s investment climate: transparency, regulations should be convincing – Indonesian envoy

Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dewi Gustina Tobing was the latest foreign envoy to assert that transparency and regulations related to the investment climate in Sri Lanka should be convincing to the private sector.

US -Iran deal ’all signed; Trump Hormuz traffic will rise significantly

The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to end a near four-month war, senior U.S. officials said on Monday, adding that a formal signing ceremony would take place on Friday and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz would significantly but gradually ramp up, Reuters news agency said.

Doctors flag rising health threat to children amid rainy season

Health experts have warned parents to stay on high alert as a sharp rise in infectious diseases among children is being reported across the country amid the prevailing rainy weather.

Sallay’s condition stable, no critical health risks: Minister Nalinda Jayatissa

The government has dismissed claims made by opposition political parties regarding the deteriorating health of the detained former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Suresh Sallay.

Sri Lanka’s economy will crash soon: Ranil

Sri Lanka’s economy has begun to crash and one will be able see a complete crash before long, former President said.

Treasury and CPC weigh options on fuel prices as Rs. 57 Bn fuel allocation nears exhaustion

The government is considering maintaining current domestic fuel prices without implementing an increase, even after the existing state subsidy concludes, provided that the current downward trend in the global oil market remains steady.

El Niño puts Sri Lanka on alert, but severe impact unlikely

Sri Lanka is unlikely to experience severe impacts from the developing El Niño weather phenomenon, although hotter and drier conditions are expected in the coming months, climate experts and meteorological officials said.

UK MP appeals for urgent review of deportation order against Lankan family

A British Parliamentarian has urged the UK Government to intervene in the case of a Sri Lankan family facing deportation, arguing that they have become valued members of their local community through their work and public service.

Middle East crisis hits health sector; pharmaceutical prices set to rise

The prices of pharmaceuticals supplied by local manufacturers under buy back agreements with the Health Ministry are slated to increase by 12.5 percent from next month, an official said yesterday.

Rs. 13.2 bn fraud systemic failure of institutional governance: Harsha

UN torture prevention body to visit SL again

The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) will return to Sri Lanka from 15 to 24 June, seven years after its last visit, to assess whether the authorities have followed through on reforms and strengthened protections for people

Family discovers wrong body after taking it home for burial

The misidentification of two bodies at the Monaragala General Hospital resulted in considerable inconvenience to relatives.

Colombo declared high-risk as dengue cases mount

A special dengue control week will be launched across the Colombo District from June 15 to 21, as health authorities move to contain a sharp rise in infections that has pushed the district into a high-risk category.

Police tighten grip on noisy vehicles and drug-impaired driving

In response to a surge in public complaints and reports of reckless driving, the Sri Lanka Police have launched a nationwide operation targeting vehicles with modified or excessively loud exhaust systems, with authorities now

SriLankan Airlines flight with over 200 passengers struck by lightning

A SriLankan Airlines flight, UL606, operating from Colombo to Sydney, was forced to turn back and land at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last morning (12) after encountering a lightning strike during the flight.

El Nino to hit Sri Lanka’s power generation

Amidst various forecasts regarding the impact of the El Nino phenomenon expected to hit Sri Lanka in the coming months, Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka said yesterday that the Ministry of Energy has forecast that the impact of the El Nino phenomenon could result in the reduction of 127 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in the national grid in the coming months.

El Niño warning Sri Lanka turns to the sea for drinking water

Amid growing warnings over the possible impacts of the upcoming El Niño climate phenomenon, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has said it is looking into the possibility of using seawater and purifying it for drinking purposes as extreme heat is about to hit the country in the coming months.

Kfir returns to the skies

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday conducted the first test flight of its upgraded Kfir C12 fighter aircraft at SLAF Base Katunayake, marking a major milestone in the modernization of the country’s fighter fleet.

Officers accused of failing to stop Easter Attacks now investigating Sallay- President’s Counsel

Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General Suresh Sallay through his lawyer yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that senior police officers including Shani Abeysekera and Ravi Seneviratne who had been identified by several investigations as having failed to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks are now leading investigations against him.

Underworld turning to homemade guns as raids drain weapon supplies

Sri Lanka’s criminal underworld is increasingly relying on locally manufactured firearms and imitation weapons as sustained police operations continue to reduce access to military-grade firearms.

AKD congratulates Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected PM

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended warm congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister in the history of India.

NCPA receives 287 complaints of children forced into begging in 2025

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) says it received 516 complaints related to child labour and child exploitation in the first part of 2025. Most of these cases are about children being forced to beg.

Sri Lanka’s university system handicapped with dearth of teachers

Sri Lanka’s state university system is facing a critical shortage of academic staff that could compromise the quality of higher education and professional training, Prof. Prageeth Weerathunga, President of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has warned.

Was Suresh Sallay tortured in CID custody?

The Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena yesterday appointed a five-member specialist medical board comprising specialist Judicial Medical Officers and specialist psychiatrists to examine whether former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay had been subjected to torture while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department.