July 28, Colombo (LNW): A crucial round of trade negotiations between Sri Lanka and the United States is set to take place this week, as Colombo seeks to ease a 30 per cent tariff currently levied on its exports to the American market.
The upcoming virtual meeting is expected to bring together senior figures from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance and representatives from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), marking a significant moment in ongoing efforts to deepen economic ties.
The talks are anticipated to centre on the possibility of reducing the steep tariff rate and laying the groundwork for enhanced trade and investment between the two nations. Sri Lankan officials have voiced cautious optimism ahead of the dialogue, with hopes pinned on achieving measurable progress before the beginning of August.
The scheduled discussions follow a recent high-level virtual engagement between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jameson Greer. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the session also included Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, highlighting the priority Sri Lanka is placing on this trade initiative.
With export-driven industries in Sri Lanka feeling the strain from elevated duties, the government is aiming to secure more favourable terms that could provide much-needed relief to manufacturers and exporters.
The broader objective is to reposition Sri Lanka as a competitive trading partner in the U.S. market while strengthening the country’s foothold in global supply chains.
July 28, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake departed for the Maldives this (28) morning, embarking on a significant official visit that underscores six decades of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and its close maritime neighbour.
The visit comes at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and is expected to serve as a platform for deepening regional cooperation.
Over the course of his stay, President Dissanayake is scheduled to engage in high-level talks aimed at expanding collaboration in a range of sectors, including trade, tourism, maritime security, and environmental sustainability.
The leaders are also expected to explore new opportunities for economic integration and people-to-people exchange.
A series of bilateral agreements are anticipated to be formalised during the visit, with several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) set to be signed, reflecting the growing emphasis on shared regional priorities and development goals.
Accompanying the President is a high-ranking delegation, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and senior officials from various ministries.
The team is slated to remain in the Maldives until July 30, participating in diplomatic engagements and commemorative events tied to the 60th anniversary of Sri Lanka–Maldives relations.
July 28, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has seen a steady rise in international tourist arrivals this year, with more than 1.3 million visitors entering the country so far in 2025, according to figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
The influx signals continued recovery and renewed global interest in the island nation as a travel destination.
From January to date, a total of 1,313,232 foreign travellers have arrived, with July alone accounting for 145,188 visitors. The figures highlight a consistent upward trend for the industry, which has been working to rebuild after years of disruption caused by the global pandemic and domestic economic challenges.
India has once again emerged as the largest contributor to Sri Lanka’s tourism market. In July, 27,786 Indian nationals visited the island, making up just over 19 per cent of total arrivals for the month.
Industry analysts say this trend reflects strong regional connectivity, cultural ties, and increased marketing efforts targeting Indian travellers.
Officials note that these encouraging numbers reflect the success of recent visa liberalisation measures and government-led tourism campaigns aimed at both traditional and emerging markets.
July 28, Colombo (LNW): A large-scale security operation spanning the entire island has led to the arrest of 1,182 individuals for drug-related offences, according to Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities.
The coordinated effort, which took place on July 26, involved officers from the Sri Lanka Police, the Special Task Force (STF), and personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The multi-agency crackdown targeted both narcotics trafficking and broader criminal networks. During the intensive 24-hour operation, authorities confiscated significant quantities of illicit substances, including over 230 grammes of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘Ice’) and more than 220 grammes of heroin.
These seizures mark a notable escalation in the fight against the distribution of hard drugs in urban and rural areas alike.
In addition to narcotics arrests, 20 individuals identified as having direct links to organised crime were taken into custody. The operation also led to the apprehension of 410 people with active arrest warrants for various offences, underscoring the breadth of the sweep.
Security forces inspected more than 24,000 individuals during roadside and community checks, while nearly 10,000 vehicles—including over 7,000 motorcycles—were stopped and examined. Four unlicensed firearms were also recovered, adding a new layer of concern about the illegal weapons trade operating in tandem with drug distribution.
More than 7,600 personnel from across the country’s security apparatus were deployed for the operation, which is being described by officials as one of the most extensive single-day enforcement actions in recent years.
Authorities have urged the public to support these initiatives by providing information about suspicious activity, while reaffirming their commitment to dismantling networks that threaten public safety and undermine the rule of law.
July 28, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has called for sweeping changes to Sri Lanka’s education system, stressing that true reform requires more than just updated learning materials—it demands a rethinking of the entire structure and purpose of education in the country.
Speaking at a panel discussion held on 26 July at the Ratnapura Town Hall, organised by the Ratnapura District Women’s Collective of the National People’s Power (NPP), Dr Amarasuriya highlighted the deep-rooted challenges currently facing students, parents, and educators alike. The event, themed “For a Prosperous Nation – Let’s Unite as Women”, brought together a wide cross-section of political representatives and grassroots activists.
The Prime Minister pointed to the overemphasis on examinations as a central issue, arguing that the current model puts immense pressure on children and fuels an unhealthy level of competition, which in turn burdens families and distorts the broader goals of education. “We have long advocated for a system that nurtures rather than oppresses, that promotes learning instead of merely testing,” she stated.
Dr Amarasuriya also criticised the legacy of politically driven educational decisions made by previous administrations. Citing the Ratnapura District as an example, she observed that numerous schools were hastily rebranded as ‘National Schools’ without any meaningful improvements in infrastructure, resources, or teaching standards. “There’s a long-standing habit of launching buildings with grand plaques bearing politicians’ names, while the quality of education within those walls continues to decline,” she remarked.
She further condemned the historical trend of cutting national education funding, saying it forced families to shoulder increasing costs and eroded the professional stature of teachers and education officials. “Past governments talked at length about reform, but the political culture they upheld consistently obstructed genuine change. They failed to provide the resources, personnel, and long-term vision required to make transformation possible,” she said.
In response, Dr Amarasuriya outlined her government’s new approach—rooted in inclusive policy-making, public consultation, and a clear commitment to social equity. “We are not just adjusting the curriculum. We are creating the groundwork for long-term social progress by investing in people, not just infrastructure,” she said.
She urged the public to become active participants in what she described as a national conversation on the future of education. “We are shaping a future where education prepares our young people not only for exams, but for life, for responsible citizenship, and for global competitiveness. This is a collective effort—and every voice matters,” she told the audience.
Calling on members of the Ratnapura Women’s Collective and other attendees to spread this message across their communities, the Prime Minister framed the reform initiative as part of a larger vision to build a knowledgeable, ethical, and economically resilient society.
The event was attended by several prominent figures from the National People’s Power movement, including Ratnapura District MP Nilusha Lakmali, Mayor Indrajith Katugampola, and numerous local councillors and activists, all of whom pledged support for the ongoing reform agenda.
July 28, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of light showers will occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.
Fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota district.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain: Light showers may occur in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle.
Winds: Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.
Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota and from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Kalpitiya and Mannar.
State of Sea: The sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota and from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Kalpitiya and Mannar may be fairly rough at times.
July 28, Colombo (LNW): In a recent speech at St. Anne’s Church in Beruwala, the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, made a series of remarks that were not only deeply troubling but also fundamentally flawed in their moral, theological, and logical underpinnings.
Speaking against same-sex marriage, the Cardinal described it as a “corrupt ideology” and claimed it undermines traditional family values. Such statements, though perhaps cloaked in concern for moral order, betray a regressive worldview that fails to grasp both the dignity of queer lives and the evolving understanding of human rights.
To begin with, the Cardinal’s assertion that same-sex marriage is “not a human right” is patently false. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) does not list every specific right by name, but it does affirm the right to marry and to found a family. International human rights law, over the past few decades, has grown to recognise that these rights must be afforded equally to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Numerous courts and human rights bodies across the globe have affirmed that denying same-sex couples the right-to-marry is a form of unjust discrimination. If marriage is a human right for heterosexuals, it must also be so for everyone else.
Cardinal Ranjith cannot have it both ways. In previous statements, he rightly affirmed that people of diverse SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics) should not be discriminated against. But by opposing marriage equality and framing same-sex love as a threat to society, he is doing exactly that—perpetuating a form of systemic exclusion.
Article 12 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, as reiterated multiple times by the Attorney General’s Department throughout the past decade, guarantees safe passageway to the rights of SOGIESC people, and any law criminalising their behaviour, therefore, would be unconstitutional. Moreover, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has produced a very clear determination that consensual same-sex sexual relations between adults neither violate the Constitution, nor would have an adverse impact on national security by destroying individuals, families, communities, economic and socio-political institutions, and any law decrminalising them, therefore, can be passed into law via a simple majority in Parliament.
The suggestion that queer people be afforded dignity, so long as they do not seek public recognition of their love or families, is not acceptance. It is conditional tolerance, the kind that keeps queer people in the shadows, in fear, and in shame. In essence, it is a call to live in secrecy, to love behind closed doors, and to be silent in the face of moral judgement from a pulpit of supposed compassion.
Moreover, his rhetorical question—“How can two men build a family?”—reveals a wilful ignorance of the many ways in which love, care, and commitment are expressed in modern families. Same-sex couples around the world are raising children with love, patience, and resilience—often in the face of hostility from those very institutions that claim to uphold family values. If a family is defined by nurture, mutual respect, and stability, then surely it is those principles that matter, not the gender configuration of the parents.
The claim that traditional marriages were inherently more stable because they were arranged and guided by elders also falls apart under scrutiny. Marital stability cannot and should not be conflated with marital success or happiness.
Many traditional marriages, especially those brokered without the full consent or understanding of the individuals involved, were (and still are) fraught with power imbalances, abuse, and lifelong dissatisfaction. That they “lasted” says little about their moral superiority and much about the social and economic pressures that made leaving them impossible.
The Cardinal’s comments also perpetuate a false narrative about the struggles faced by SOGIESC communities in Sri Lanka. None of the movements advocating for queer rights demand the right-to-marry. This is mainly because being queer in Sri Lanka is deemed a criminal offence in itself, and the slogan is very clear that decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations between adults would be necessary for the safeguarding of rights. Whether Cardinal Ranjith understands the difference between the right-to-life and the right-to-marry is, without doubt, in question.
The real issue here is that Cardinal Ranjith is clinging to a narrow, static vision of human society in a world that is increasingly diverse, open, and complex. He invokes “moral and spiritual understanding” without acknowledging that morality must be rooted in compassion, justice, and respect for the dignity of all people. Spirituality cannot be authentic if it demands the erasure of people’s identities or forces them into lives of secrecy and pain.
There is nothing morally righteous about denying love. There is nothing holy about excluding people from one of the most fundamental human experiences—building a life with another person. And there is nothing “corrupt” about two people of the same gender choosing to stand up and declare their commitment to one another in the face of so much adversity.
The Cardinal’s comments are not just misguided—they are dangerous. They give moral cover to discrimination, embolden bigotry, and alienate vulnerable people from the very institutions that claim to be sources of comfort and guidance. At a time when queer people in Sri Lanka and across the world are still fighting for legal protection, social acceptance, and safety, such rhetoric pushes them further into the margins.
If the Church is to have any relevance in the modern world, it must open its heart, not tighten its grip on outdated dogma. Love—real, mutual, committed love—is not the enemy of tradition. It is its evolution. And the sooner religious leaders recognise that, the closer they will be to the true message of the faith they profess to uphold.
July 27, Colombo (LNW): As Sri Lanka grapples with mounting energy challenges and increasing dependence on costly fossil fuel imports, the country’s solar energy drive is gaining renewed urgency. Despite ambitious renewable energy targets, progress has slowed due to financial constraints, regulatory delays, and limited public investment.
In this environment, private sector players are stepping up to fill the gap, with companies like WindForce PLC and Vidullanka PLC taking the lead in advancing clean energy solutions.
In a major boost to Sri Lanka’s solar power ambitions, WindForce and Vidullanka recently announced the successful commissioning of the 10 MW Sooryashakthi Solar Power Project in Vavunativu, Batticaloa. Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody graced the inauguration, highlighting the state’s endorsement of private-sector-led renewable ventures.
This initiative builds on the success of the Solar Universe project—another 10 MW solar plant co-developed by the same duo in 2022 during the peak of the country’s economic crisis. Now, with Sooryashakthi operational, both companies hold equal stakes, continuing their collaborative commitment to green energy expansion.
The project stands out for its innovative use of 27 acres of high-salinity land, previously deemed unfit for agriculture. Spearheaded by WindForce’s engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) division, the site was transformed into a productive clean energy source. Despite facing significant challenges—including seasonal flooding and poor soil conditions—the plant was completed on schedule thanks to strong inter-agency coordination and community support.
Equipped with 22,048 photovoltaic modules and 34 high-efficiency string inverters, the plant will contribute 19.5 GWh annually to the national grid. Its proximity to the Solar Universe facility allowed the team to use a short 330-metre transmission line, enabling fast and low-loss connectivity to the grid.
Sooryashakthi is more than just a power plant—it represents a resilient model for future development. It is the fourth successful collaboration between WindForce and Vidullanka, which also includes two mini-hydro projects in Ganthuna and Madugeta, with a combined capacity of 3.7 MW.
With the support of the Ministry of Power and Energy, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, PUCSL, and environmental agencies, the project underscores the potential of public-private partnerships in revitalizing the nation’s energy sector.
At a time when Sri Lanka’s energy security is at risk, Sooryashakthi symbolizes hope and direction. As the country works toward a cleaner and more sustainable future, the role of the private sector remains vital in turning policy promises into real-world impact.
July 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is facing an alarming spike in cybercrime incidents in 2025, underscoring the country’s growing vulnerability in the digital era.
The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has reported over 5,400 cybercrime complaints so far this year—a significant surge that signals the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures and public awareness.
The vast majority of these cyber incidents are tied to social media misuse, with Facebook accounting for nearly 90% of reported cases. Other platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have also become common venues for malicious activity.
Experts note a sharp increase in crimes facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI), including AI-generated malware, deepfakes, and phishing scams, which are now being used not only for financial theft but also for harassment and misinformation.
Sri Lanka’s digital landscape—with over 7 million internet users and widespread use of social media—has become fertile ground for cybercriminals.
Fake profiles, hacked accounts, and hijacked messaging platforms like WhatsApp have become rampant. Cyberattacks are increasingly targeting not only individuals but also key institutions, raising concerns over national digital infrastructure resilience.
In March, several banks were hit by ransomware attacks, leading to the leak of nearly 1.9 terabytes of sensitive data, including national ID images and financial records.
In June, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board’s SMS gateway was compromised, with customers receiving ransom demands via the agency’s official shortcode—a breach that highlighted serious flaws in public sector digital defenses.
The Sri Lanka Police and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have issued multiple warnings about the escalation of crimes using encrypted apps like Telegram, Skype, and WeChat.
Authorities say many cases involve sophisticated online financial fraud, where scammers trick victims using fake investment returns or fraudulent remote job offers. Often, victims are manipulated into sharing personal data or laundering money unwittingly.
Even more alarming is the rise in cyber-enabled human trafficking. Young Sri Lankans are being lured overseas with fake employment opportunities, only to be forced into online scam operations under duress.
Law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies are now ramping up public awareness efforts. SLCERT and the Police urge users to avoid suspicious links, protect passwords and OTPs, activate two-factor authentication, and review privacy settings regularly. They also advise against transferring money received from unknown sources or sharing banking details online.
As Sri Lanka’s digital footprint expands, experts stress that proactive cyber hygiene, public vigilance, and stronger institutional safeguards are essential to contain this rising wave of cybercrime.
July 27, Colombo (LNW): As Sri Lanka’s traditional export pillars—apparel, tea, and rubber—face growing pressure from evolving global trade regulations and punitive taxes, especially from key markets like the United States, the need for resilient, sustainable, and transparent business practices has never been more urgent.
U.S. tariffs and environmental scrutiny have begun to weigh on Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness, particularly affecting labor-intensive sectors such as garments and plantations, where ethical sourcing and sustainability are becoming prerequisites rather than options.
In this context, the launch of the Improving Transparency for Sustainable Business (ITSB) programme offers a timely strategic boost to Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, helping it align with global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
Spearheaded by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) South Asia, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) of Sri Lanka, the Export Development Board (EDB), and the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the initiative is supported by funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
The programme aims to embed globally accepted sustainability reporting standards into the operations of Sri Lankan apparel exporters.
According to Rahul Singh, Senior Manager for GRI South Asia, “ITSB is designed to elevate sustainability practices and transparency across South Asia’s textile and apparel sector, positioning it for long-term resilience, profitability, and global leadership.”
By adopting the GRI Standards—the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting—Sri Lankan businesses stand to improve investor confidence, comply with stricter global regulations such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and maintain relevance in markets where traceability and ethical sourcing are now non-negotiable.
JAAF emphasized that the ITSB programme is not just about compliance but about capacity building. Participating apparel companies will receive training to report on key sustainability metrics such as labour practices, energy and water consumption, climate impact, and waste management.
These factors are increasingly being monitored by global buyers and regulators when determining supply chain viability.The programme also includes collaboration with a broader network of stakeholders, including regulators, worker groups, industry bodies, academics, and the media, ensuring that the sustainability transformation is comprehensive and inclusive.
Given that apparel contributes more than 40% of Sri Lanka’s export revenue and provides direct employment to over 350,000 people, JAAF notes that the ITSB programme marks a critical pivot toward a more competitive and future-ready industry
As global markets evolve and trade barriers rise, initiatives like ITSB are essential to safeguard Sri Lanka’s export resilience while promoting responsible business practices that meet international expectations.
