Category: Lead Story
Ambassador Saman Chandrasiri Presents Credentials to the President of the State of Israel
The newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the State of Israel, Saman Chandrasiri, presented his Letter of Credence to H.E. Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, on 3 August 2026 at Beit HaNassi, the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. President Herzog warmly welcomed Ambassador Chandrasiri and wished him success in his assignment in […]
Cinnamon Box Office: Launch of Destination Event Calendar to Elevate Colombo’s Entertainment Landscape
Cinnamon Box Office unveils a new era of entertainment with the world’s leading Michael Jackson tribute concert, This Is Michael – Relive the Legend, presented by City of Dreams Sri Lanka CCinnamon Box Office (CBO), the strategic ticketing engine connecting audiences, event partners and world-class productions, introduced its Destination Event Calendar at the official launch […]
PickMe Launches Colombo Connect as First Flagship Destination Under New PickMe Explore Platform
Lotus Tower becomes the first destination connected to a city-wide digital ecosystem linking Colombo’s attractions, culture, entertainment and commerce. PickMe yesterday launched Colombo Connect, the first city-wide destination to be introduced under its newly unveiled PickMe Explore platform, a national digital ecosystem designed to connect attractions, experiences, events and communities through a single technology platform. […]
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 […]
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 […]
US military preventive medicine expertise to strengthen Sri Lanka’s dengue prevention capabilities
As Sri Lanka responds to a significant nationwide dengue outbreak, the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has launched a Public Health Pest Control and Vector-Borne Disease Response program in partnership with the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health and National Dengue Control Unit to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to dengue. Funded through the […]
Ceylon Chamber Welcomes Reduction in US Labour-Related Tariff
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the positive development in the reduction of the labour-related tariff imposed on Sri Lankan exports to the United States, from 12.5% to 10%, following sustained engagement between Sri Lankan authorities and their counterparts in the United States. This outcome is an encouraging step forward for Sri Lanka’s export sector […]
Sri Lanka’s Exports Cross US$ 9 Bn Milestone in First Half of 2026, Reflecting Sustained Growth Momentum
Sri Lanka’s export sector continued to demonstrate resilience and sustained growth, with the country’s total exports surpassing the US$ 9 billion milestone during the first half of 2026. Combined merchandise and services exports reached an estimated US$ 9,012.24 Mn during the January–June 2026 period, representing an 8% year-on-year increase compared to the corresponding period in […]
CBSL keeps OPR unchanged; Gross Official Reserves at USD 6.45 bn at end June
The Monetary Policy Board, at its meeting held yesterday, decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 8.75%. The Board arrived at this decision after carefully considering the evolving conditions and outlook on the domestic and global fronts. Renewed tensions in the Middle East have resulted in a surge in […]
IFC and HSBC Back Sustainable, More Competitive Port Infrastructure in Sri Lanka
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and HSBC are investing up to $40 million through financing in South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd. (SAGT) to modernize and decarbonize operations at the Port of Colombo, the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s maritime trade. The investment will advance the port’s competitiveness, resilience […]