Author: Gayan Chandrasekara
Cabinet Approves $200 Mn ADB Loan for Trade, Investment, and Industrial Development
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to obtain a US$ 200 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The funding, sourced from ADB’s regular general capital resources, will support Sub-Programme 1 of Sri […]
Government Expedites House Arrest Legislation to Address Prison Overcrowding
At its meeting on August 3, 2026, the Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to instruct the Legal Draftsman to promptly finalize a draft bill introducing house arrest as an alternative to remand and imprisonment. The initiative follows a comprehensive review of earlier drafts—initially sanctioned under a June […]
Cabinet Approves Gazetting and Submission to Parliament of Key Judicial Reform Bills
Following initial Cabinet approval on July 27, 2026, approval has been granted to publish the Twenty-second Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Judiciary (Amendment) Bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently submit them to Parliament. Drafted by the Legal Draftsman and granted constitutional clearance by the Attorney General, the proposed legislation submitted by the Minister of […]
Cabinet Approves Amendments to Modernize Sri Lanka’s EPF Act
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft legislation amending the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Act No. 15 of 1958. The proposed revision aims to modernize the original framework in response to contemporary social, economic, and technological changes, reducing operational bottlenecks and delivering a more efficient service […]
Sri Lanka Electricity Tariffs to Remain Unchanged for Q3 2026
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced today that electricity tariffs will remain unchanged for the third quarter of 2026, maintaining the existing rates established in the second quarter. The decision follows a comprehensive review of cost estimates submitted by the National System Operating Company (NSO). According to the regulator, the projected increase […]
EDB expects to reach record-breaking $19 bn export revenue by end 2026, says Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe
The 47th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) fell on August 1st. In a commemorative ceremony held today, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the EDB, Mangala Wijesinghe, addressed the media, outlining the progress and future targets of the national export sector. Established under Act No. 4 of 1979, the EDB […]
BASL Unanimously Passes Resolution Against Proposed Judges’ Retirement Age Amendment
A Special General Meeting of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today unanimously passed a resolution strongly opposing proposed constitutional and statutory amendments to increase the retirement age of judges. The resolution follows the Cabinet of Ministers’ conditional approval on July 27, 2026, of a proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National […]
Cabinet Approves Move to Raise Judges’ Retirement Age as Part of Judicial Reform Package
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to raise the statutory retirement age of judges, as part of a broader package of draft amendments to the Constitution and the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978. The decision was made at the Cabinet meeting held on July 27, 2026, and remains subject to final approval […]
Energy Minister Outlines Plan for 1,200 MW Battery Storage to Cover Evening Peak Demand
Speaking in Parliament in response to a question raised by Opposition Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government has taken active steps to double the country’s rooftop solar generation capacity. He noted that while electricity generated through rooftop solar systems stood at 867 megawatts in 2024, government initiatives have […]
EDB, IFC and EU Strengthen Export Readiness of Eastern Province SMEs through ExpoNavigator Programme
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), successfully conducted the 7th Provincial ExpoNavigator Programme under the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative (SLEEI) 2026 on 9–10 June 2026 in Batticaloa. Implemented under the EU’s regional programme ‘Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in […]
Government Moves to Establish a Fair and Transparent Presidential Pardon System
The Ministry of Justice and National Integration has received a committee report recommending a more systematic, fair and transparent mechanism for granting presidential pardons to sentenced prison inmates, marking a key step in the government’s wider prison reform agenda. The report was formally handed over on Thursday (July 10) by retired Supreme Court Judge S. […]
AWS to Charge 18% VAT on Non-Registered Sri Lankan Customers
Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWSI) has announced that it will soon begin charging an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on all Electronically Supplied Services (ESS) provided to customers in Sri Lanka who are not registered for VAT or have failed to provide their tax details. The move aligns with Sri Lanka’s tax regulations regarding digital […]