Sri Lanka announces new import tax rates for vehicles effective February 2025

A special gazette notification has been issued, detailing significant changes to the import tax structure for vehicles starting February 2025.



Duminda Silva transferred to Colombo National Hospital

R. Duminda Silva, who is serving a death sentence for the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, was transferred from the Welikada Prison Hospital to the National Hospital in Colombo due to a sudden illness, according to a senior official from the Department of Prisons.



Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to undertake state visit to China

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a State Visit to the People’s Republic of China from January 14 to January 17, 2025, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.



Indian Defence Advisor meets Sri Lanka’s Deputy Defence Minister

A meeting between Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and the Defence Advisor of the High Commission of India, Captain Anand Mukundan, along with Assistant Defence Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Mandeep Singh Negi, took place yesterday (January 10) at the Deputy Minister’s office in Colombo.



Duminda Silva moved from prison hospital to regular ward

R. Duminda Silva, who is serving a death sentence for the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, was transferred from the Welikada Prison Hospital to a regular ward on the evening of January 10, 2025.



13 injured as bus veers off road near Passara

A private bus traveling from Colombo to Passara met with an accident near the 10th-mile post area in Passara today (January 11) at around 6:30 AM.



Sri Lanka raises excise duty on liquor and cigarettes effective January 11, 2025

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance has announced an increase in the excise duty on liquor and cigarettes, effective midnight on January 10, 2025.



Minister Jayatissa refutes Rs. 7 Million claim on ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ launch

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa addressed Parliament today (January 10) to refute a claim made by opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake.



Udayanga Weeratunga arrested

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, has been arrested by the Mirihana Police.



Sri Lankan Government clarifies valid Visa categories for employment in Korea

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath addressed Parliament on January 9, 2025 stating that only two visa categories – E-09 and E-07 – are valid for Sri Lankans seeking employment or business opportunities in Korea.



High Court judge Ranga Dissanayake appointed Director General of Bribery Commission

High Court Judge Ranga Srinath Abeywickrema Dissanayake has been appointed as the new Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).



NMRA to reduce prices of 90 essential medicines

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has planned to reduce the prices of 90 types of medicines.



Sri Lanka Government confirms major public sector salary hike in upcoming budget

Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe announced in Parliament today (January 9) that the government is planning a significant salary increase for public sector employees in the upcoming budget.



Gnanasara thero sentenced to 9 months for defaming Islam

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has sentenced the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, to 9 months of simple imprisonment for making a defamatory statement about the religion of Islam.



Sri Lanka’s 2025 Appropriation Bill to be presented to Parliament today

The Appropriation Bill, also known as the budget for the year 2025, is scheduled to be presented to the Parliament of Sri Lanka today (January 9) for its first reading.



TRCSL to ban unregistered mobile devices to curb illegal imports

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has announced that the use of unregistered mobile phones and communication devices within Sri Lanka will be prohibited in the future.