Keheliya family indicted for illicit wealth

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, along with his wife, three daughters, and son-in-law, was indicted before the Colombo High Court yesterday, July 16 over allegations of amassing illicit assets worth over Rs. 97 million. The indictments, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), were submitted before High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne under the Prevention of …

Continue Reading

MP Anandasangaree backed ex-LTTE member

Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is facing criticism after it was revealed that he had written letters supporting the immigration application of a man deemed by Canadian authorities to be a former member of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Anandasangaree wrote letters in 2016 and 2023  prior to his cabinet appointments urging the Canada Border Services …

Continue Reading

China donates full school uniform fabric for 2025

The Government of China has donated the entire quantity of school uniform fabric required for all government and government-assisted schools in Sri Lanka for the year 2025. The official certificate exchange ceremony took place yesterday July 16, at the Ministry of Education premises in Battaramulla, with the participation of Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, …

Continue Reading

24 SL leaders from 14 political parties visit India today

A 24-member delegation of young political leaders from 14 Sri Lankan parties arrived in New Delhi on today July 16 for a two-week visit aimed at deepening India-Sri Lanka relations. The group met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who highlighted their key role in shaping the future partnership between the two nations. Discussions focused on regional geopolitics and ongoing security …

Continue Reading

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 foreign visitors, a mere 0.9% …

Continue Reading

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 and approximately 13 kilograms of gold …

Continue Reading

US to fund $15m high-tech lab in SL

An MoU was signed yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat between the Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology (SLIBTEC) and US-based STEMedical to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory with international accreditation under a $15 million investment. The agreement, facilitated by the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialisation (NIRDC), was signed by STEMedical founder Prof. Hans Keirstead, SLIBTEC Chairman Prof. Samitha Hettige, and …

Continue Reading