Taj Samudra alerted SIS on Easter attacker day before bombing: Minister

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the Taj Samudra Hotel had alerted the State Intelligence Service (SIS) via email just minutes after Easter Sunday bomber Abdul Latheef Mohamed Jameel had checked in to the hotel on April 20, 2019, a day before the attacks.

Student held under PTA for nine months to be produced in court

The case of a 21-year-old student detained for nearly nine months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be taken up in court today (July 9).

Sri Lanka continues engagement with U.S. for favourable outcome

In the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump firing off letters to 14 countries announcing new reciprocal tariff rates while delaying the implementation of the same for other countries till August 1, Sri Lanka continues to remain engaged with the U.S. authorities for a positive outcome, according to a Minister.

Vehicle prices may rise if conditions imposed on balance USD 200 million allocation

The local vehicle market could face sharp price hikes if the government imposes any conditions on utilising the remaining USD 200 million allocated for vehicle imports, Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) President Prasad Manage warned.

Government to introduce Property Tax by mid-2027

Sri Lanka plans to introduce a property tax by the first half of 2027, according to the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

China extends visa-free entry to over 70 countries to draw tourists

Foreign tourists are trickling back to China after the country loosened its visa policy to unprecedented levels.

Presidential Secretariat declines to disclose names of media division officials under RTI

The Presidential Secretariat has informed social activist Anuruddha Bandara that the names of officials attached to the Presidential Media Division cannot be disclosed.

Underworld crimes continue to rock govt.

Sri Lanka’s law enforcement authorities have intensified large-scale joint search operations across the country in response to a sharp rise in drug trafficking, underworld violence and gun-related crimes, the Daily Mirror learns.

Digital services that will be taxed 18% VAT announced

A gazette notification has been issued announcing the list of digital services on which an 18 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) will be imposed with effect from October 01, 2025.

Supreme Court informed of possible settlement in KDU MBBS admission petition

The Supreme Court was informed by the relevant parties that the Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the decision not to admit local students to the MBBS degree programme at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) may be settled, as the university has now opened admissions to local students.

Renewable energy project cancellation : Adani tells Govt to reimburse initial cost

The government, which scrapped the Adani renewable energy projects, is now under duress to reimburse a few million U.S. dollars incurred by the company here initially, Daily Mirror reliably learns.

e-Revenue Licence system temporarily unavailable

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) said the electronic Revenue Licence system (eRL 2.0) is currently unavailable due to a critical technical infrastructure issue.

457 arrested in special operation in Southern Province

A total of 457 individuals were arrested during a special search operation conducted across the Galle, Matara and Elpitiya police areas in the Southern Province.

Over 300 arrested in overnight operation across Gampaha towns

More than 300 individuals were arrested during a large-scale joint operation conducted overnight on July 4 in the areas of Kandana, Ja-Ela, Wattala and Ragama.

Granting ad hoc, non-transparent and large tax exemptions has created significant issues for Govt.: IMF

Granting ad hoc, non-transparent and large tax exemptions in the past has created significant issues, obviously on the fiscal space and revenue - not only in terms of losses in foregone revenue for the government but rise in corruption vulnerability, according to Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.

Invitation only for Shah Rukh Khan event

The management of City of Dreams Sri Lanka has issued an official announcement warning the public about unauthorized tickets being circulated for its Grand Opening event, scheduled to take place on August 2.

Bypass patient compelled to bring drugs worth over Rs. 100,000 from outside

Patients seeking life-saving procedures such as bypass surgeries at the Colombo National Hospital are compelled to bring surgical and pharmaceutical items from outside, costing over Rs. 100,000 due to a severe shortage of critical drugs and surgical supplies, a top hospital source revealed.

S.M. Chandrasena arrested

Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Sri Lanka’s provision of inaccurate data comes under IMF scrutiny

The government’s provision of inaccurate data to the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) has come under review by its Executive Board.

37 habitual fare evaders arrested through WhatsApp alerts

A total of Rs. 112,480 in fines was recovered after 37 habitual fare evaders were arrested during a special raid targeting passengers travelling without tickets.

Customs denies claims of new tax on online orders

Sri Lanka Customs has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media regarding the introduction of a new tax on small parcel imports clarifying that recent procedural changes are intended solely to ensure the accurate application of existing customs duties based on product value and classification.

Narcotics peddled at Israelis-run business centres in East

Some Israelis, who are here as tourists, are involved in peddling various types of narcotics in their unauthorized business centres set up in certain pockets of the eastern province, posing a threat to public security, according to reports shared with the tourism authorities.

Starlink in Sri Lanka: New pricing and availability details

Following its official launch in Sri Lanka yesterday, Starlink, the satellite-based internet service by SpaceX, has released its pricing options for both residential and business users.

Elon Musk’s Starlink now in Sri Lanka

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced that Starlink, his satellite-based internet service, is now available in Sri Lanka.

NPP Govt. dreams nuclear energy, yet treads cautiously over geopolitics involved

Sri Lanka, under the new government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has identified nuclear power in its generation plan while phasing out coal power plants, Daily Mirror learns.

Harsha Ilukpitiya pleads guilty to contempt of court charges

Former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court over the contempt of court charges filed against him over the controversial visa deal.

Fix seat belts or leave the industry: Minister warns bus owners

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has urged bus owners to ensure seat belts are installed and used while transporting passengers for maximum safety and advised those unwilling to comply with the law to seek employment in another industry.

Indian Defence Ministry Company set to anchor strategic influence in Colombo Port

India is poised to secure another strategic investment in Sri Lanka with plans by its public sector company under the Indian Defence Ministry, ’Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL)’ for acquiring a majority stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC).

Fuel prices increased

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision of fuel prices, which will come into effect from midnight today (30).

Arjun Aloysius, two others charged over Rs. 1 billion VAT fraud

The Department of Inland Revenue filed legal action before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana against Arjun Aloysius, Anthony Randev and Jinendra John, directors of Mendis Company, over allegations of evading the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) amounting to over Rs. 1 billion due to the government.