Australia coach out with COVID for start of Sri Lanka tour

New head coach Andrew McDonald will miss the start of Australia’s cricket tour to Sri Lanka after testing positive for COVID-19.



First Batch of China’s Grant Medicines to arrive in Sri Lanka on June 03

The first Batch of China’s Grant Medicines worth 500 million RMB was scheduled to arrive on 3rd June, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said.



Mahinda Kahandagama surrenders to CID

Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama, who was named as a suspect in the case filed over the incidents that took place outside Temple Trees (Maina Go Gama) and in Galle Face (Gota Go Gama) on May 09, surrendered to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (June 02).



Sri Lanka seeking $3 Billion under IMF Extended Fund Facility – sources

Sri Lanka is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to borrow at least $3 billion via the lender’s extended fund facility (EFF), sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.



Import-export activities at risk as local agents fail to pay shipping lines

Sri Lanka’s shipping agents have warned that shipping lines could withdraw from accepting import and export cargo in and out of Sri Lanka, as local agents have failed to remit US $ 70 million in freight charges owed to shipping lines over the past several months, due to the foreign exchange crisis.



Sri Lanka to impose surcharge on customs duty on imports – tires, electrical items, chocolates and fruits

Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has decided to impose a 100% surcharge rate on both General and Preferential Custom Duty of multiple products with effect from Wednesday (June 01).



Duminda Silva arrested

Former MP Duminda Silva, who was admitted to the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital this morning (June 01), was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) a short while ago.



Sri Lanka Lifts Import Curbs to Help Tackle Worsening Shortages

Sri Lanka removed restrictions on imports to help ease shortages of everything from food to medicine.



Duminda Silva admitted to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital

Housing Development Authority Chairman Duminda Silva was admitted to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital today (June 01), sources said.



Sri Lanka urges farmers to plant more rice amid crisis

Sri Lanka is calling on farmers to grow more rice as it faces its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years.



VAT gazette published

The gazette notification on the increase in the Value Added Tax was published today (June 01) under the signature of Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.



Six more arrested over May 09 violence in Colombo

Another six persons have been arrested over the unrest and violence reported opposite Temple Trees (Maina Go Gama) and in Galle Face (Gota Go Gama) on May 09.



Bankrupt Sri Lanka hikes taxes

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced steep, across-the-board tax hikes to shore up revenue as the country suffers its worst economic downturn and seeks an IMF bailout.



Sri Lanka increases VAT to 12% & Telecommunication Levy to 15%

The Value Added Tax (VAT) has been increased from 8% to 12% with immediate effect, announced the Office of the Prime Minister today (May 31).



Supreme Court suspends presidential pardon granted on Duminda Silva

Supreme Court today (May 31) issued an Interim Order suspending the operation of Presidential Pardon granted by President to former parliamentarian Duminda Silva.



Vikum Liyanage appointed as the 24th Army Commander of Sri Lanka

Major General Vikum Liyanage has been appointed as the new 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (May 31).