Cabinet approves land for Nanoscience Park
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the transfer of land for the establishment of a Nanoscience Park and the Faculty of Technology at the University of Colombo at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday 21 July,2025. This decision was made following a proposal by the Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing. The Urban Development Authority...
Sri Lanka to procure US West Texas Intermediate crude oil?
The government is reportedly looking at the possibility of procuring US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil in a bid to reduce the trade deficit between Sri Lanka and the United States....
Weekly Political Review
Weekly Economic Review
July 1983 Anti-Tamil Pogrom: State-Engineered Violence, Not Spontaneity – Lionel Bopage
Introduction Communal violence in Sri Lanka did not erupt overnight. The tragic events of July 1983 were not simply a spontaneous reaction to the killing of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers by Tamil militants. Rather, they represented the culmination of decades of political manipulation, systemic discrimination, and calculated brutality. Evidence points to t...
Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery Hampered by Debt, Tariffs and Global Uncertainty
WEEKLY ECONOMIC REVIEW...
IMF warns of trade threats to SL’s growth
Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow by 3.5% this year, after recording 5% growth last year, according to the World Bank, showing signs of steady recovery from the 2022 financial crisis. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that global trade issues, especially with the United States could slow down that progress. In a statement...
SL ahead in digital finance access, says WB report
The Global Findex 2025 report by the World Bank highlights that Sri Lanka has performed better than many South Asian countries in providing access to bank accounts and digital payments. According to the report, over 650 million adults globally still don’t have a financial account, and many lack access to mobile phones or digital financial service...
Temporary driving licenses for tourists to be issued at BIA
The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has announced that a new system for issuing temporary driving licenses to tourists arriving in Sri Lanka...
3M tourism target 2025: SL falls behind
Sri Lanka’s target of attracting 3 million tourists in 2025 is facing significant challenges, with the latest figures pointing to a considerable shortfall. According to official data, a total of 1,247,815 tourists had visited the country by July 13, representing just 41.6% of the annual target. Between July 1 and 13, Sri Lanka welcomed 79,771 for...
Foreign remittances expected to reach US$ 7 billion by year-end
During the first six months of 2025 (January to June), a total of 144,379 Sri Lankan migrant workers departed the country for overseas employment, according to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)....
SL Customs seize biggest gold smuggling ever
A 32-year-old passenger who attempted to smuggle the largest quantity of gold ever into the country was apprehended by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday, July 15, 2025. Customs officers discovered the entire gold weighing over 35 kilograms, valued at more than Rs. 1.1 billion. It included 195 gold biscuits ...
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
SL Police and Courts go digital with GovPay
The Police Department and the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka have begun accepting digital payments through the government’s GovPay platform. The new onl...
KKS police station receives anonymous threat call
The Kankesanthurai Police Station has reportedly received an anonymous phone call alleging that around 10 police stations in the Northern Province wou...
Govt. to introduce digital facility to resolve industrial sector issues
Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, has announced plans to introduce a new digital facility aimed at resolving i...
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POWER AND ENERGY
PUCSL seeks public opinion on challenges faced by renewable energy developers
A public consultation will be held today (02) to identify the challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka, the Public Utilities Commi [...]
CONSTRUCTION
Construction industry up in arms over Cement price hike
Following the recent hike in wholesale cement prices, the National Construction Employees’ Society (NCES) blamed [...]
FASHION & EVENTS
Reggae legend Alpha Blondy lands in Colombo today
World-renowned reggae legend Alpha Blondy arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport today (16) ahead of his debut performance in Sri Lanka. Blondy [...]
