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Finance Ministry rejects claims of 4,000 vehicle import LCs opened before tax hike
Finance Ministry rejects claims of 4,000 vehicle import LCs opened before tax hike
Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha today told Parliament that reports claiming 4,000 Letters of Credit (LCs) were opened on May 15, a day before the government imposed a new 50% surcharge on customs import duties for imported vehicles, are completely false. MORE..
Sajith calls for All Party Conference amid economic downturn
Sajith calls for All Party Conference amid economic downturn
The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has called for an All Party Conference in order to discuss the ongoing economic downturn including the rapid depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee. MORE..
Ebola case confirmed in rebel-held Congo area far from outbreak’s epicenter
Ebola case confirmed in rebel-held Congo area far from outbreak’s epicenter
A case of Ebola has been confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province, hundreds of kilometres from the outbreak’s epicentre, the rebel alliance that controls the area said on Thursday. MORE..
Anti-drug youth summit scheduled for June under “A Nation United” programme
Anti-drug youth summit scheduled for June under “A Nation United” programme
Plans have been made to conduct an anti-drug youth summit on June 26 in line with the “A Nation United” national programme aimed at eradicating the drug menace, according to a statement issued by the President’s Media Division. MORE..
Individual arrested with 39kg of ICE in Dematagoda
Individual arrested with 39kg of ICE in Dematagoda
A suspect has been arrested in the Dematagoda area by the Western Province North Crimes Division while allegedly in possession of 39 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) narcotics and 5 kilograms of Kerala ganja, according to Sri Lanka Police.
Harsha raises alarm over potential rate hike and economic impact
Harsha raises alarm over potential rate hike and economic impact
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) may raise interest rates by at least 50 to 100 basis points next week, equivalent to an increase of 0.5% to 1%, Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva told Parliament today (21). MORE..
Record 274 climbers scale Mount Everest in a single day from Nepali side
Record 274 climbers scale Mount Everest in a single day from Nepali side
A record number of 274 climbers scaled Mount Everest on Wednesday, a hiking official said, the highest number ever to reach the world’s tallest peak on the same day from the Nepali side. MORE..
Subcommittee appointed to probe environmental impact of Norochcholai Power Plant
Subcommittee appointed to probe environmental impact of Norochcholai Power Plant
A subcommittee has been appointed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability to investigate the environmental impact caused by the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant and to submit recommendations. MORE..
Sports Minister approves new selection committee for Sri Lanka Cricket
Sports Minister approves new selection committee for Sri Lanka Cricket
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports says that it has approved the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). MORE..
79-year-old woman found murdered, body concealed in suitcase in Seeduwa
79-year-old woman found murdered, body concealed in suitcase in Seeduwa
The body of a 79-year-old woman, who is suspected to have been gruesomely murdered, has been discovered stuffed inside a suitcase at her residence in the Seeduwa Police area. MORE..
India-Africa Forum Summit postponed in wake of Ebola virus outbreak
India-Africa Forum Summit postponed in wake of Ebola virus outbreak
The Ebola public health emergency in Africa cast its shadow on India’s diplomatic calendar with the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday (May 21, 2026) announcing postponement of the India-Africa Forum Summit-IV that was scheduled for May 28-31. MORE..
UNP raises concerns over rupee depreciation, questions govt’s economic approach
UNP raises concerns over rupee depreciation, questions govt’s economic approach
The United National Party (UNP) has raised concerns over what it described as the “uncontrolled depreciation” of the Sri Lankan rupee, questioning the government’s economic approach and warning of rising pressure on the public due to the increasing cost of living. MORE..
Iran’s Supreme Leader says enriched uranium must stay in Iran – report
Iran’s Supreme Leader says enriched uranium must stay in Iran – report
Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued a directive that the country’s near-weapons-grade uranium should not be sent abroad, two senior Iranian sources said, hardening Tehran’s stance on one of the main U.S. demands at peace talks. MORE..
More than Rs. 1 trillion in tax revenue collected - IRD
More than Rs. 1 trillion in tax revenue collected - IRD
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that it has collected over Rs. 1 trillion in tax revenue as of May 18, 2026. MORE..
PM Harini meets Sri Lankans residing in London
PM Harini meets Sri Lankans residing in London
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, has met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London, yesterday (20), and engaged in cordial discussions. MORE..
Cardinal Ranjith hits out at politicians over hypocrisy, broken promises and moral decline
Cardinal Ranjith hits out at politicians over hypocrisy, broken promises and moral decline
The Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, says he is deeply disappointed by the conduct of politicians in the country. MORE..
| May 21, 2026 4:22 pm
Sri Lanka’s inflation climbs to 4.7% in April
Sri Lanka’s inflation climbs to 4.7% in April
The overall inflation rate in Sri Lanka, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, increased to 4.7% in April 2026 from 2.4% recorded in March 2026, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. MORE..
CAA announces estimated price ranges for several essential food items
CAA announces estimated price ranges for several essential food items
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has announced the estimated retail price ranges for several essential food items for the week from May 18 to May 24, 2026. MORE..
Police issue guidelines on action to take after mobile phone loss or theft
Police issue guidelines on action to take after mobile phone loss or theft
Sri Lanka Police say complaints regarding lost, misplaced and stolen mobile phones are reported daily to police stations across the country, warning that such devices can be misused if they fall into the wrong hands. MORE..
Sri Lanka expresses concern over treatment of “Global Sumud Flotilla” detainees
Sri Lanka expresses concern over treatment of “Global Sumud Flotilla” detainees
The Government of Sri Lanka has expressed deep concern over footage posted by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which appears to depict the dehumanizing treatment of detainees linked to the “Global Sumud Flotilla.” MORE..
Police to implement special security program during Vesak Week
Police to implement special security program during Vesak Week
A special island-wide security program will be implemented during the Vesak week to ensure devotees can observe religious activities in a peaceful and secure environment, the Police headquarters has announced. MORE..
UN votes to support strong action on climate change despite US efforts to thwart the effort
UN votes to support strong action on climate change despite US efforts to thwart the effort
The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to support strong action to limit climate change despite recent diplomatic efforts by the United States to have the measure withdrawn. MORE..
One in three Sri Lankans suffers from high blood pressure — Health Ministry
One in three Sri Lankans suffers from high blood pressure — Health Ministry
One in every three people in Sri Lanka is suffering from high blood pressure, the Ministry of Health has stated. MORE..
SC issues ruling against Secretary of Transport Ministry over fundamental rights case
SC issues ruling against Secretary of Transport Ministry over fundamental rights case
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Professor Kapila Perera, violated the fundamental human rights of Additional Secretary W.S. Sathyananda by declaring that his services were no longer required and subjecting him to humiliation and mental distress. MORE..
Govt. will not seek electricity tariff hike until September — Minister
Govt. will not seek electricity tariff hike until September — Minister
The government will not request an increase in electricity tariffs from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) until September, according to the Minister of Energy, Anura Karunathilaka. MORE..
| May 21, 2026 12:40 pm