Sri Lanka President orders migrant worker pension scheme included in 2027 Budget

Sri Lanka has called for stronger intelligence sharing, joint action against cross-border crime and closer disaster response cooperation among BIMSTEC countries to protect the Bay of Bengal region.

The Colombo Municipal Council has reduced the Entertainment Tax on local concerts from 12% to 7%, while lower rates have also been introduced across all entertainment tax categories.

The Sri Lankan Rupee weakened against the US Dollar today (July 16, 2026), with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and several commercial banks reporting higher exchange rates.

A 41-year-old suspect who seized a police firearm, shot and injured an officer and fled on a stolen motorcycle in Katunayake has been arrested with 31 grams of “Ice” drugs in Divulapitiya.

Sri Lanka Police say no eyewitness or forensic evidence has been found to prove that an eight-year-old child seen near a burning car at a school in Kurunegala set fire to the vehicle.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to complete major electricity and petroleum projects on schedule while reviewing the Energy Ministry’s 2026 budget progress and funding needs for 2027.

A Sri Lankan car dealer in New Zealand has been sentenced after a Toyota RAV4’s odometer was reduced by more than 30,000 kilometres before it was sold for $24,000.

Attorney-at-Law Robert Heenkenda has resigned as Mayor of the National People’s Power-controlled Negombo Municipal Council, reportedly due to a personal reason.

The Attorney General served indictments today (July 15) on six persons, including former Minister Mervyn Silva and former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera.

Sarath Weerawansa, the brother of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, has been arrested over the alleged misuse of state-owned vehicles and remanded until July 22, 2026.

Sri Lanka and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, energy, parliamentary relations and exchange programmes.

Central Province Governor Prof. Sarath Abayakoon has submitted his resignation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, citing personal reasons, but it remains unclear whether it has been accepted.

Former Provincial Council member Jayalath Bandara Dissanayake, the brother of former Minister S.B. Dissanayake, has been arrested over an alleged Rs. 27.5 million fraud involving a promise to secure an excise licence.

Two Russian companies have been registered as fuel suppliers to Sri Lanka, allowing them to bid for future fuel procurement tenders.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to complete all ongoing industry development projects within their scheduled timeframes and submit proposals for general concessions to support exporters and industrialists.