News

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of the National Cyber Protection Strategy of Sri Lanka – 2025 to 2029, a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity posture over the next five years.

The strategy, developed by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) with technical support from the World Bank, builds upon the foundation laid by the country’s first cyber protection strategy introduced in 2018 and implemented from 2019 to 2023.

The new strategy focuses exclusively on civilian cybersecurity sectors and is structured around six key pillars:

Upgrading the legal and regulatory framework

Enhancing public awareness and knowledge

Improving cybersecurity readiness

Strengthening incident response capabilities

Fostering national and international cooperation

The proposal was presented by the President, in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy.

The Colombo High Court has scheduled July 28 to hear the corruption case filed against former Labour and Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva, who stands accused of maintaining millions of rupees worth of assets, vehicles, and bank accounts beyond his lawful income.

The case, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, alleges that Silva acquired luxury vehicles, real estate, and other high-value assets between March 31, 2010, and March 31, 2012, during his tenure as a Cabinet Minister.

The prosecution claims these acquisitions could not have been made through his official salary and income.

Although a pre-trial conference was scheduled for today, proceedings were postponed due to the absence of the presiding judge. The court has now fixed July 28 as the next hearing date.

Silva was previously served with two indictments under Section 23(a)(1) of the Bribery Act, and was released on two surety bails of Rs. 5 mn each following the formal serving of charges on June 6.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded yet another all-time high today (15), closing at 18,946.27 points.

The ASPI, which crossed the 19,000 mark during morning trade, closed at 18,946.27 points, after gaining by 107.88 points (0.57%).

According to the CSE, a turnover of Rs. 9.1 billion was recorded at the close of trading.

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) crossed the 18,500 mark for the first time today.

According to the CSE, the ASPI closed at an all-time high of 18,541.26 points at the end of trading, after gaining by 379.77 points or 2.09%.

The CSE added that a turnover of Rs. 10.2 billion was recorded at the close of trading.

In a deeply saddening turn of events, Bhathiya, a majestic elephant known for his striking presence, passed away this morning at approximately 8:55 AM, following a prolonged struggle with severe injuries.

Bhathiya, estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, had long captured the attention and affection of wildlife enthusiasts and locals alike.

Despite his strength and stature, he endured immense suffering over the years, having been repeatedly targeted in gunfire incidents.

His first recorded injury was observed in February within the Nikaweratiya wildlife zone, where he was found with gunshot wounds. He was later spotted again in May, this time in the Mahawa area, once again injured by gunfire.

Though wildlife veterinarians from the Nikaweratiya Veterinary Unit made several attempts to treat him, Bhathiya never fully recovered. His front leg remained severely damaged, and his condition continued to deteriorate.

Public concern surged when Bhathiya was found collapsed in a waterhole in Polpithigama, in critical condition. A dedicated team led by former Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Ashoka Dangolla, provided intensive care over several days.

Veterinarians reported that Bhathiya had been lying in the same position for an extended period, causing muscle degeneration and impaired blood circulation. Despite their best efforts to reposition him and begin targeted treatment, his condition worsened. He had also begun to refuse food, a sign of his declining will to survive.

This morning, Bhathiya took his final breath — a moment that left wildlife officers, veterinarians, and many across the country in mourning.

The Sri Lankan government is moving forward with plans to establish a national network of daycare and therapy centres for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has directed officials to prepare a detailed concept proposal within two weeks, following discussions held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President’s Office states this initiative, championed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, aims to create a coordinated system involving multiple ministries and government departments, with the Presidential Secretariat overseeing implementation.

The programme will utilise a Rs 250 million allocation from this year’s budget, channelled through the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to district-level administrators. Key aspects of the plan include developing specialised human resources, creating a scientifically validated care model and establishing clear operational guidelines.

During yesterday’s meeting, officials emphasised the need for an integrated approach that brings together healthcare providers, social services and education specialists to ensure comprehensive support for affected children and their families.

Senior government figures attending the planning session included Kapila Janaka Bandara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, K.D.R. Olga Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Sampath Manthrinayake, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security & Community Infrastructure, H.A. Hema Perera, Additional Secretary, Darshani Karunaratne, Director, Department of Social Services and representatives from health, social services and rural development ministries.

Medical specialists such as Dr. Varuni Rasadi from the Ministry of Health, Dr. Asiri Hewamalage, Deputy Director (Community Health) and Dr. Santhushitha Senadhipathi from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital also attended the discussion.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current perspective on education is extremely narrow, and that the practice of evaluating education solely based on exam results is a flawed approach that needs to change.

She made these remarks while attending the “Pankaja Student Summit 2025” of the Polonnaruwa District, held today (July 13) at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa, aiming for the development of virtues among children by fostering the fundamental aspects of higher education, the Prime Minister’s Media Division said.

The Prime Minister, in her speech during the event noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake consistently emphasizes the importance of building a compassionate society by nurturing children with strong values.

She added that it is not enough to raise individuals who focus solely on their own needs; what truly matters is developing students who work for the betterment of society.

Dr. Amarasuriya also expressed her happiness in the creativity and skills of the students, believing they represent the capable leadership of the future. She emphasized that the government is committed to nurturing both creativity and humanity in children.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya attended the event as Minister of Education, in response to an invitation from Praveen Maneesha Watthegama, the student Prime Minister representing Royal Central College in the National Student Parliament.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“We are committed to transforming the exam-centered education system to one that allows talented children to move forward through their abilities and skills.

Our President constantly emphasizes the need to build a compassionate society by nurturing sensitive children with good values. It is not enough to raise individuals who only fulfill their own duties and needs, what matters is producing students who work for the betterment of society in mind.

Today, seeing the creativity and skills of these students, I truly feel happy. I am confident that there is a highly capable group of young people ready to take on the future leadership of our country. Our goal is to nurture not only creativity but also children who are enriched with humanity. Seeing your talents has given me further encouragement. You are the ones who give us the strength to keep working. Let us all join together and commit ourselves to building a compassionate and value-driven society.”

The Supreme Court today directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to strictly enforce the guidelines formulated to prevent harassment in universities.

The court also instructed the Minister of Education and Higher Education to provide the necessary financial, technical support, and facilities for the implementation of these guidelines.

The order was issued while considering a fundamental rights petition filed by Pasindu Hirushan de Silva, a first-year student who sustained physical and brain injuries due to harassment in 2020.

The directive was given by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Shiran Gunaratne, Priyantha Fernando, and Sobitha Rajakaruna.

The bench further ordered the case to be re-called on January 14th to review the progress made in implementing the court’s orders.

The White House has announced the nomination of Eric Meyer, a career diplomat from California, as the next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. U.S. President Donald Trump has formally submitted Meyer’s name to the United States Senate for confirmation.

Meyer is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and currently serves as the Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. In this role, he oversees the bureau and coordinates U.S. policy priorities across the region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

His most recent assignments include serving as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. at the U.S. Mission to Norway and as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia. He also served as U.S. Consul General in Almaty, Kazakhstan, leading interagency operations and representing U.S. interests in southern Kazakhstan—the location of the only U.S. Consulate in Central Asia.

In Washington, Meyer has held roles as Special Assistant and Senior Advisor in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, where he coordinated policy across the region.

Sri Lanka says it has successfully negotiated a reduction in the U.S.-imposed tariff rate from 44% to 30%, positioning itself more competitively among peer nations in the global trade landscape. The announcement follows weeks of high-level discussions and strategic engagement led by the Sri Lankan government.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, emphasized that Sri Lanka had been at a disadvantage compared to other countries competing in the U.S. market. “While we faced a 44% tariff, several of our competitors enjoyed significantly lower rates,” he noted. “Now, with the revised 30% rate, we find ourselves in a more favorable position relative to countries like Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Serbia, and Indonesia, which still face tariffs ranging from 31% to 40%.”

Dr. Weerasinghe further explained that Sri Lanka now shares the 30% bracket with countries such as Algeria, Bosnia, Iraq, Libya, and South Africa. Meanwhile, nations like Brunei, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Tunisia benefit from even lower rates at 25%. “This shift enhances our relative competitiveness,” he added, “and we must continue to engage intelligently and strategically to further improve our standing.”

On April 2, during a press briefing held at the Rose Garden of the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new reciprocal tariff policy aimed at addressing trade imbalances with partner countries. As part of this initiative, a 44% tariff was imposed on imports from Sri Lanka.

President Trump explained that the decision was driven by the need to correct longstanding trade deficits and ensure fair treatment in international trade.

Following the announcement, the Sri Lankan government initiated diplomatic discussions with the U.S. to seek a reduction in the imposed tariff rate.

As a result of these negotiations, President Trump issued a formal letter yesterday confirming a 14% reduction in the tariff rate, bringing it down to 30%.

In the letter, the U.S. President highlighted the persistent trade imbalance between the two countries, attributing it to Sri Lanka’s tariff and non-tariff barriers, as well as other trade restrictions. He stated that these factors have hindered the development of a mutually beneficial economic relationship.

The letter also noted that the new tariffs were necessary to address continuous trade deficits, which pose a threat to U.S. economic interests and national security. However, President Trump offered encouragement to Sri Lankan businesses, promising expedited approvals for companies that choose to establish operations within the United States.

Despite the reduction, President Trump issued a warning: if Sri Lanka responds to the new tariff rate by increasing its own tariffs on U.S. goods, the United States will swiftly raise its tariffs again. He reiterated that while the U.S. hopes for a long-term trade partnership, future tariff adjustments—either increases or reductions—will depend on the evolving nature of bilateral relations.

The U.S. administration, through a letter from President Donald Trump, has indicated that discussions may continue until August 1, offering Sri Lanka a window to pursue further concessions. “Had all our proposals been accepted earlier, this process might have concluded already,” Dr. Weerasinghe remarked. “But we are navigating this with a focus on economic and social impact, aiming to maximize national benefit.”

Dr. Harsha Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, echoed these sentiments, stating that Sri Lanka has received one of the most substantial tariff reductions among the countries involved in the U.S. trade review. “From the outset, His Excellency the President has been directly involved, leading stakeholder consultations and guiding this process,” he said.

Dr. Suriyapperuma stressed the importance of maintaining momentum. “Our goal now is to continue this dialogue, engage relevant stakeholders, and ensure that Sri Lanka remains competitive in the international market. The President’s letter clearly outlines that we have until August 1 to make further progress, and we intend to use that time wisely.”

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that political leadership and the state machinery must work together to uplift the lives of the people.

He made these comments while attending the Hambantota District Development Committee meeting.

The President also announced that the upcoming budget will include provisions to provide new vehicles for government officials engaged in fieldwork, including Divisional Secretaries, as many are currently forced to use vehicles that are over a decade old and in poor condition.

Addressing the broader state of the public sector, the President said that Sri Lanka’s government machinery has become weak and outdated over the years — with many public buildings in disrepair, a lack of skilled mid-level officers, and outdated software systems.

He said the government has already developed a plan to revitalize the state sector.

As part of this plan, salaries of public servants will be significantly increased, and recruitment will resume to fill long-standing vacancies, especially in professional and technical roles.

The President added that a special committee has been set up at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to review recruitment needs.

Its recommendations are expected to be presented to the Cabinet soon, paving the way for the recruitment of over 30,000 personnel after a five-year gap.

The price of a 400-gram packet of imported milk powder has been increased by 100 rupees.

The Milk Powder Importers' Association stated that the price hike in Sri Lanka is based on a 25% to 30% increase in global market prices for milk powder.

Accordingly, the price of a 400-gram packet of milk powder will increase from Rs. 1,100/= to 1.200/=.