News Room : SLPP and SJB to Vote Against Budget 2025
Both the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will vote against the Appropriation Bill 2025, it was announced in Parliament today (21 March). Today marks the final day of the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2025. SJB MP Mano Ganesan declared his party’s decision, stating, “This budget is like a fairy tale. They don’t know...
News Room : Property market shows signs of growth despite high taxes and bureaucratic hurdles
Industry experts at the Lanka Property Show 2025 have expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s real estate sector, highlighting its potential for growth despite recent economic challenges. While high interest rates, currency depreciation and fluctuating taxes have previously affected the market, experts are optimistic that the stabilization of monetary policy will create a more predictable and business-friendly environment for investors...
News Room : Sri Lanka risks losing US$1.23 billion in EU exports if GSP+ is revoked
Sri Lanka could lose up to US$1.23 billion if it loses its Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) and (GSP+) trade benefits with the European Union (EU), a new study by the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) has revealed. Without preferential tariff regime, Sri Lanka risks facing a tariff increase from GSP+ concessions to most-favoured nation (MFN) levels, the report said,...
News Room : Singer wins SLIM Kantar People’s award for best brand – The Island
Sri Lanka has fallen to 133rd place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, dropping five positions from its 128th ranking in 2024. The report ranks 147 countries worldwide, evaluating global well-being and providing insights on how to improve it. Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network,...
News Room : Local Government Elections Set for 6 May, Nomination Period Ends
The Election Commission has announced that Sri Lanka’s Local Government (LG) Elections will be held on 6 May. The acceptance of nominations concluded today (20) at 12:00 noon, with no further submissions accepted. The nomination process, which began on 17 March for 336 Local Government institutions, was followed by the confirmation of the election date. Meanwhile, the deadline for placing deposits...
News Room : Court Rejects Keheliya Rambukwella’s Request to Unfreeze Parliament Branch Bank Account
The Colombo High Court has rejected a request by attorneys representing former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to lift the freeze on his bank account in the parliamentary branch. The account was frozen as part of an ongoing investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The decision was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige. Previously, the...
News Room : We only wish each other the best” – Hirunika’s post on her marriage
Former MP Hirunika Premachandra has written on Facebook that she and her husband Hiran have decided to separate from their marriage with mutual respect and understanding. She wrote: “After much thought and consideration, Hiran and I have decided to separate from our marriage, a decision that was taken with mutual respect and understanding.We have spent almost 10 years together. We have...
News Room : Digitalization can eliminate financial corruption: CSSL
With the country rapidly digitizing, all corruption related to financial management can be eliminated through digital procedures, said Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) Vice President Indika de Zoysa. He told the media that many public and private institutions have embraced digitalization. “Most financial transactions are now conducted through digital systems. Using digital platforms can reduce cash-related costs and make it...
News Room : Malaysia green-lights new MH370 search in Indian Ocean
The Malaysian cabinet has approved a fresh search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, more than a decade after the aircraft vanished. The search will cover a 15,000 sq km area in the southern Indian Ocean, under a “no find, no fee” agreement with the exploration firm Ocean Infinity. The company will receive $70m (£56m) if the wreckage is...
News Room : Health professionals’ strikes are unacceptable despite the largest salary increase given by a government as at date – President – The Island
Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns in Parliament on Tuesday (18) about the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade policies on Sri Lanka’s key export sectors, such as textiles, apparel, rubber, coconut, and plastics. With the US set to implement new trade policies, Karunanayake questioned whether the government was prepared to step up its negotiation efforts, particularly...