Jul 13 (AFP) SL’s Tamil-speaking minorities launched a united front on Monday to demand a new constitution granting greater autonomy, reviving long-standing grievances two decades after the end of the island’s long ethnic war. The alliance brings together six parties representing Tamil and Muslim communities, who make up more than a quarter of SL’s 22 million people. It comes as Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leftist govt faces more..

Jul 13 (FT) SL Institute of Directors (SLID) will welcome two of Asia’s most distinguished business leaders — CG Corp Global Chairman and President Dr. Binod K. Chaudhary and Minor International Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier — as keynote speakers at the SL Corporate Director Summit 2026, to be held on 22 July at Cinnamon Grand. Bringing together decades of global leadership, entrepreneurship, and boardroom experience, the two leaders will share perspectives on how more..

Jul 13 (PMD) Prez AKD stated that a quality and accessible public transport system that benefits every individual must be developed, adding that such a system would reduce the personal financial burden borne by the public for transportation while ensuring a quality transport service across the country. Prez therefore highlighted the importance of giving the development of public transport the same level of attention accorded to the advancement of the free healthcare system. more..

Jul 13 (FT) Sri Lanka’s fiscal position strengthened further during the first five months of 2026, with the Govt posting an overall Budget surplus of Rs. 197.34 billion, reversing a deficit of Rs. 236.63 billion in the corresponding period last year as revenue growth continued to significantly outpace expenditure. Total revenue and grants increased by 30.6% YoY to Rs. 2.54 trillion during Jan-May period from Rs. 1.94 trillion a year earlier. more..

Jul 13 (NW) SL Police has cautioned motorists against fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages instructing them to pay traffic fines online through suspicious web links. The messages, which appear to originate from the Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT), claim that fines must be settled within a week for alleged traffic offences. However, DIG W.P.J. Senadeera, in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety Range, said that DMT has not issued any such notifications, stressing that more..

Jul 13 (DM) National Action Front (NAF) has requested the CIABOC to launch an investigation into the financial activities of companies providing satellite television services and solar panel installation services, alleging the possibility of money laundering through such businesses. In a letter submitted to the Commission, NAF called for a comprehensive investigation into the operations of the relevant companies, their owners, int'l business dealings and investments to more..

Jul 13 (AD) Punchage Kalumenike, from Sangili Kanadarawa in A'pura District, widely recognized as one of SL’s oldest living women, has passed away at the age of 114. Born on July 4, 1912, Kalumenike marked her 114th birthday earlier this year. Shortly after, she suffered a fall and underwent surgery. Despite surviving for two months following the operation, she eventually succumbed. Kalumenike leaves behind a remarkable family legacy, with 12 children and an extended lineage of more..

Jul 13 (FT) American Chamber of Commerce in SL (AmCham SL) successfully represented the interests of its members at the AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Washington Doorknock 2026, held in Washington, D.C. from 21–24 June 2026, with AmCham SL President, Sandun Hapugoda and Board Director, Saneth Gamage participating on behalf of the Chamber. The high-level advocacy mission brought together senior business leaders from American Chambers of Commerce more..

Jul 13 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has charged that the present govt has gone beyond even the IMF agreement signed by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, pursuing what he described as an extreme right‑wing neoliberal program under NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Premadasa said both SJB and NPP had pledged during the last election campaign to revise the IMF agreement, more..

Jul 13 (DM) Environment Ministry today officially launched a USD 38.2 million project supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UNDP to strengthen SL's chemical, mercury and healthcare waste management systems, while handing over advanced laboratory equipment to key institutions. The event, held under the patronage of Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody, marked the official transfer of state-of-the-art analytical laboratory equipment aimed at enhancing the country's capacity to more..

Jul 13 (AD) The govt has launched a special initiative to provide opportunities for children with special needs, including those with autism and other neurological disorders, to learn alongside children in mainstream pre-schools. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj announced. Minister stated that the govt has decided to move away from the traditional practice of segregating children with special needs and providing them with separate education. more..

Jul 13 (FT) The foreign portfolio demand for rupee-denominated Govt securities saw its highest weekly inflow since Feb 2013, at Rs 32.04 billion for the week ending 9 July. As a result, foreign holdings in Govt securities hit its highest level in nearly three years since August 2023, at Rs 168.90 billion. This reflected five consecutive weeks of net foreign inflows. Notably, the recent re-entry by foreign portfolios has offset the decline more..

Jul 13 (DM) HIV infections are on the rise in SL, with Colombo and Gampaha reporting the highest number of cases, Physician Dr. Sathya Herath said. She said the number of reported HIV cases has increased steadily since 2023, with more cases being detected among men than women. Unsafe sexual practices remain the main mode of HIV transmission, while sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment among drug users also contributes to more..

Jul 13 (NW) SL and India today signed a MoU to provide modern medical equipment worth Rs. 600 million for the new Deniyaya Base Hospital. The agreement was signed at the Ministry under the patronage of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, with Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha placing their signatures. The initiative forms part of India’s Aftermath Cyclone Ditwah Project, aimed at rehabilitating health infrastructure affected by the cyclone. more..

Jul 13 (FT) Sri Lanka has graduated from the lower-middle-income status to the upper-middle-income status, according to the World Bank’s latest annual country classification, based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. While this upgrade can be considered an important milestone in the country’s development path, it is questionable whether it can remain in this category for long without falling to the lower category. In July 2019 too Sri Lanka reached the upper middle-income status, but more..

Jul 13 (FT) A recently published book that explores profound human experiences on the unseen spiritual side of life is Forbidden Love of a Buddhist Monk, written in English by the young SL monk Venerable Panadura Ananda Thero. The work is unique for two reasons. First, it is rare for a Buddhist monk to write a true autobiography in the form of a gripping, emotionally charged novel. Second, the author fearlessly opens up a subject usually shrouded in strict institutional silence: more..

Jul 13 (DM) Sri Lanka has been ranked the most traffic-congested country in Asia, according to the Numbeo Traffic Index by Country 2026 Mid-Year. The latest index gave SL a traffic score of 254.5, placing it ahead of Bangladesh (246.2), Iran (215.3), India (205.1) and Indonesia (191.1), which ranked fifth in Asia. Indonesia, the largest and most populous country in Southeast Asia, was highlighted in the report as fifth more..

Jul 13 (AD) Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) is set to commence paddy purchasing for the 2026 Yala cultivation season today (13). PMB Chairman Manjula Pinnalanda said paddy collection centres are being opened in areas currently recording the highest harvests, with purchases beginning accordingly. He stated that, as paddy harvesting is currently underway on a large scale in the Northern, Eastern & Ampara districts, procurement operations will initially be carried out in those areas. more..

Jul 13 (Island) Judicial Service Association (JSA), which represents the country’s magistrates and district judges, has unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the govt’s proposed extension of the retirement age of superior court judges. The resolution was passed at a special general meeting held at Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court premises, attended by 65 magistrates and district judges from across the country. The meeting was convened following the resignation of JSA President more..

Jul 13 (TM) The dengue outbreak has intensified, with the number of reported cases surpassing 68,000 and the death toll rising to 47, prompting the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) to issue an urgent warning against the use of common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by people who develop a fever. According to the NDCU's NaDSys surveillance system, country's dengue caseload had reached 68,071 by week 27 of 2026, more..

Jul 13 (DN) Govt has banned the import of any goods produced, mined or manufactured, wholly or in part, using forced labour, effective immediately. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued this directive with effect from July 10. Under these new regulations, when importing goods from any country, it is mandatory to submit necessary documents to the Customs Director General confirming that the items were not produced or finished using forced labour. more..

Jul 13 (ST) A racket where a Colombo land registrar allegedly used fake rubber seals of the Registry to issue forged deeds for unscrupulous groups who then occupy such lands and properties has been unearthed by CID. Following the arrest, further investigations have been launched into cases where gangs forcibly occupy lands and houses that are not in occupation and extort money to leave such properties. The suspect was arrested after being summoned to the FCID based on a complaint more..

Jul 13 (AD) A new kidney stone removal treatment centre was declared opened in Mirigama today (12), aiming to provide relief to thousands of patients suffering from kidney stone-related conditions and help reduce the country’s existing surgical waiting list of more than 5,000 patients. The Mirigama Kidney Stone Removal Treatment Centre was inaugurated at the Mirigama Base Hospital premises under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. more..

Jul 13 (DM) Ministry of Education has granted schools permission to allow students to wear clothing that offers better protection against mosquito bites as part of measures to safeguard children from dengue. According to the Ministry, school principals have been instructed to permit students to wear appropriate clothing that covers their arms and legs in addition to the prescribed school uniform. As such, principals have also been advised to educate students on more..

Jul 13 (EN) Foreign holdings in SL rupee bonds hit a near three-year high in the week ended on July 9 as offshore investors bought a net US$ 97.1 million worth ofoad money continued to expand, according to Central Bank’s latest Weekly Economic Indicators report. Report said Govt revenue and grants rose to Rs. 2,536.9 billion during the Jan-May 2026 period, compared to Rs. 1,942.4 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. more..

Jul 13 (TM) Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is carrying out multiple site visits as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent clash at the Negombo Prison, with officials saying the inquiry continues to gather information on every aspect of the incident. HRCSL Commissioner / Member, attorney Nimal G Punchchihewa said that repeated visits to relevant locations are sometimes necessary to obtain all the required information before further action can be taken. more..

Jul 13 (NW) The Sri Lankan govt has increased a range of fees related to the registration of companies and societies under a gazette notification issued by the Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. The revised fees, published in an Extraordinary Gazette dated July 6, amend the Companies (Fees) Orders and Societies (Fees) Orders that were last revised in 2022. Under the new fee structure, the cost of registering a private limited company has increased from Rs. 4,600 to Rs. 5,200, while more..

Jul 13 (DN) Sri Lanka suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games after leading swimmer Kyle Abeysinghe withdrew on medical advice following a positive Influenza A test, opening the door for the next highest-ranked swimmer, MF Muhammad, to earn a place in the national squad for the Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2. Abeysinghe, a member of Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA) Elite Group, tested positive for Influenza A earlier this week. more..

Jul 13 (EN) Foreign holdings in SL rupee bonds hit a near three-year high in the week ended on July 9 as offshore investors bought a net US$ 97.1 million worth of govt securities, Central Bank data showed, as the rupee currency recovered from a near four-year low hit in May. Foreigners bought a net 32,036 million rupees (US$97.1 million at 1$=330 rupees) in the week, which boosted foreign holdings in rupee bonds to 168,895 million rupees, the highest since Aug 10, 2023, CB data showed. more..

Jul 13 (ST) Sri Lankan officials have sought a meeting with their Indian counterparts after prices quoted by Indian companies that were technically qualified to be the Master System Integrator (MSI) under the India-backed Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) project were revealed to be over double the grant amount of INR 3bn (Rs. 10.5bn) pledged by the Indian govt, sources said. Five companies—Infosys Ltd, more..

Jul 13 (ST) A Turkish Airlines flight operating from BIA to Istanbul made an emergency landing due to a bird strike shortly after take-off yesterday, officials said. Flight TK-731, an Airbus A330-300, remained above 7,000 feet in Sri Lankan airspace, circulating over the Negombo lagoon area for more than three hours before returning to BIA. According to the sources, the aircraft had around 80,000 litres of fuel and was required to burn fuel while flying in order to land safely. more..

Jul 13 (DN) Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has launched SL’s first mobile wallet-based BOC Flex Tap & Pay payment service, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital banking and cashless payment landscape. The new service was officially launched in Colombo on July 9 under the patronage of Deputy Ministers Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Eranga Weeraratne. Developed in collaboration with Mastercard, the BOC Flex Tap & Pay solution supports the Govt’s drive to promote more..