News Archive

2026 Budget: Projected revenue at Rs. 5.3 bln, Budget deficit 1.75 bln

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (07) presented the 2026 budget speech in Parliament, the second of the National People’s Power-led government. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  6:05 pm

LIVE UPDATES: 2026 Budget Speech

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who arrived in Parliament, commenced delivering the 2026 Budget Speech a short while ago. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  1:38 pm

Cabinet approves 2026 Budget to be presented in Parliament today

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the 2026 Budget proposals, which will be presented to Parliament by the President this afternoon (07). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  11:05 am

President to deliver 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament today

The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026, or the Budget Speech, is scheduled to be presented this afternoon (07). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  6:53 am

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas, today (07), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  6:34 am

Sri Lanka to issue first Digital ID in third quarter 2026

The first digital identity card will be issued in Sri Lanka in the third quarter of 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:01 pm

Daily wage of estate workers to increase from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550, Rs. 200 attendance allowance proposed

The government has proposed to increase the daily wage of estate workers from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550 from January 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:41 pm

Rs. 440 mln allocated to empower women entrepreneurs and welfare programmes

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that Rs. 240 million will be allocated to uplift self-employment, household industries, etc., carried out by women entrepreneurs across the island at the Divisional Secretariat level. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  4:03 pm

Mahapola monthly grant increased by Rs. 2,500 for uni students

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, delivering the 2026 Budget Speech, announced that the Mahapola and Bursary allowances granted to university students will be increased by Rs. 2,500. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:19 pm

Govt. proposes changes to Social Security Contribution Levy on vehicles

The government has proposed to charge the social security contribution levy at the time of import or manufacture and sale of vehicles, and exempt it tax at the time of after-sales. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:38 pm

Dambulla and Deniyaya hospitals to be relocated

The government has decided to relocate the Dambulla and Deniyaya hospitals, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:33 pm

Govt. approves US$ 1.3 bln worth of projects around Colombo Port City

The government has approved projects valued at a total of US$ 1.3 billion within the proximity of the Colombo Port City, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:22 pm

Sri Lanka records over 1.9 mln tourist arrivals so far in 2025

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has announced that the total number of foreign tourists who have visited the country so far in 2025 has exceeded 1.9 million. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  10:33 am

Over 1,000 arrested in island-wide anti-drug raids

A total of 1,091 individuals have been arrested during island-wide raids conducted within yesterday (06) with the aim of eradicating narcotics from the country as part of the “Nation United – National Drive” campaign. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  11:24 am

Govt. allocates Rs. 6,500 million for Clean Sri Lanka programme

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says a total of Rs. 6,500 million has been allocated for the Clean Sri Lanka programme for next year. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:30 pm

President Anura Kumara’s full Budget Speech 2026

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, presented his second Budget Speech in the Parliament today (Nov. 7). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:53 pm

Former NPP councilor’s husband suspended from service

The former National People’s Power (NPP) Peliyagoda Urban Councillor’s husband, who serves as a school principal in Eppawala and was arrested with heroin in Anuradhapura, has been suspended from service, the Department of Education of the North-Central Province announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  10:10 am

Budget 2026: President says expert committee will be appointed to introduce code of ethics for judicial officers

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledges to appoint an expert committee to introduce a code of ethics for judicial officers in the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  2:02 pm

Budget deficit expected to be reduced to 5.2% - President

This year’s budget deficit is expected to be reduced to 5.2%, according to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  2:44 pm

Our Power of People Party decides to extend its support to Govt.

The Ape Janabala Party (Our Power of People Party) has decided to extend its support to the current government. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  6:43 pm

Total number of registered taxpayers increased by 300,000 in one year – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the total number of registered taxpayers in Sri Lanka has increased by 300,000 as of September 30, 2025 compared to 2024. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:17 pm

Elon Musk’s $1tn pay deal approved by Tesla shareholders

Tesla boss Elon Musk has had a record-breaking pay package that could be worth nearly $1tn (£760bn) approved by shareholders. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  7:53 am

Govt. allocates Rs. 3.6 bln to expand SLTB long-distance bus fleet

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, presenting the 2026 Budget, announced plans to strengthen the public transportation sector by adding 600 buses to the long-distance service fleet operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:35 pm

USD 823 mln in FDIs recorded by Sep. 2025 – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, delivering the 2026 Budget Speech, stated that USD 823 million in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) had been received as of September 2025. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  2:49 pm

Sri Lankan youth given life sentence for 2024 murder of family in Ottawa

Sri Lankan man who pleaded guilty to killing a mother, her four children and a family friend in a gruesome mass stabbing in an Ottawa suburb in 2024 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  8:50 am

Kazakhstan to join Abraham Accords, Trump says

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords to have normalized relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  7:39 am

Typhoon barrels towards Cambodia after killing at least 193 in Philippines and Vietnam

Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 188 people in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, according to the latest figures from the two countries. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  12:01 pm

First phase of third school term for 2025 ends today

The first phase of the third term for all government and government-approved private schools concludes today (07), the Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  9:08 am

75,000 individuals to absorbed to the state sector - President

The state administrative system has been significantly weakened due to the lack of proper recruitment to fill vacancies in the public service for many years, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  6:37 pm

Ex-President Maithripala Sirisena arrives at Bribery Commission

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (07). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  9:48 am

System to declare assets digitally to be established by March 2026

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government will established a system where everyone can submit their asset declarations digitally by March, 2026.

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  2:53 pm

Budget 2026: President says govt. plans to keep inflation below 5%

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government plans to keep inflation below 5 per cent. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  1:53 pm

President begins delivering 2026 Budget speech

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has commenced delivering the 2026 Budget speech in Parliament. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  1:38 pm

Housing and pension schemes introduced for Sri Lankans working abroad

Delivering the 2026 Budget Speech today, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced several new initiatives to support Sri Lankans employed overseas, recognizing their significant contribution as the country’s largest source of foreign exchange through remittances. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  4:13 pm

Election for Kandy Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame to be held today

The election for the position of Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is scheduled to be held this afternoon (07). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  7:49 am

Flights delayed at Delhi airport after technical glitch

Aircraft movement at Delhi airport was hampered on Friday because its Air Traffic Control system suffered a technical problem, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said after several flights were disrupted at one of the world’s busiest airports. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  12:34 pm

Govt allocates Rs. 2 bln to establish new Inland Revenue Department complex

The government has proposed to allocate Rs. 2,000 million to establish a new office complex for the Department of Inland Revenue after selecting a suitable location among the proposed sites and conducting a feasibility study. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:50 pm

Govt. allocates Rs. 100 mln to boost Sri Lanka’s blue economy

The government has allocated Rs. 100 million to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential economic benefits of Sri Lanka’s blue economy, recognizing its vital role in national prosperity and sustainable development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:05 pm

Rs. 2,000 mln allocated for anti-drug operations – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, delivering the 2026 Budget Speech, announced that Rs. 2,000 million will be allocated for operations aimed at eradicating toxic drugs from the country.

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:13 pm

President arrives in Parliament to present 2026 Budget

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has arrived in Parliament, a short while ago, to present the 2026 Budget. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  1:30 pm

VAT registration threshold reduced to Rs. 36 million from Rs. 60 million

The government has decided to reduce the annual turnover threshold for the registration of Value Added Tax and Social Security Contribution Levy from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:30 pm

BIA expansion will begin next year - President

The expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport will commence next year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said while delivering the 2026 Budget speech. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:05 pm

AI data centres in Sri Lanka, President assures concessions

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says several concessions will be granted to establish artificial intelligence (AI) data centres in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  3:20 pm

We will continue to govern Sri Lanka in 2028 and will repay our loans – President

The present government will continue to govern the country in 2028 and will honor the debt serving commitments of Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said while delivering the 2026 Budget in Parliament. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  2:36 pm

VAT to be imposed on imported coconut oil and palm oil

The government has proposed to remove the Special Commodity Levy on imported coconut oil and palm oil and implement the general tax structure including Value Added Tax. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  5:23 pm

Rs. 25,500 million budgetary allocation to develop digital economy in 2026

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says through the 2026 Budget, a sum of 25,500 million has been allocated to develop Sri Lanka’s digital economy. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  4:02 pm

Budget 2026: Sri Lanka expected to reach pre-crisis levels by end of 2025 – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Sri Lanka is expected to reach the pre-economic crisis levels by the end of 2025. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  2:12 pm

Rs. 342 bln allocated for road development; Rs. 66 bln for Kadawatha-Mirigama Central Expressway section

The government has allocated a sum of Rs. 342 billion for road development programmes in the 2026 budget, President Anura Kumara Dissanakaye stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  4:19 pm

Former state minister Nalaka Godahewa arrives at CID

Former state minister Nalaka Godahewa has appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  11:05 am

Liquor store in Ja-Ela sealed for selling alcohol on Poya Day

A liquor store in Ja-Ela has been sealed for allegedly selling alcohol on Poya Day (November 05), the Excise Department of Sri Lanka said. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 7, 2025  12:03 pm