April 24, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that negotiations between Sri Lanka and the United States on amending trade duties imposed on Sri Lankan exports have concluded positively, marking what could become a crucial breakthrough for the country’s struggling export sector.

Addressing a spirited gathering in Ratnapura, organised by the National People’s Power (NPP), the President indicated that both governments are expected to release a joint communiqué in the coming days, signalling a new chapter in bilateral economic relations.

The initiative comes at a time when Sri Lanka is navigating a fragile recovery from years of economic instability and is increasingly looking to reorient its external trade relationships.

The discussions, led by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Finance and a high-level delegation, reportedly focused on revising tariff structures that have long been a point of contention, particularly those affecting key sectors such as garments and apparel—industries that form the backbone of the nation’s export portfolio.

The President emphasised that whilst tourism remains a promising avenue for growth, Sri Lanka’s current range of attractions remains underdeveloped. “We anticipate a record number of tourist arrivals in 2025, yet the country offers a limited experience to visitors.

This is why expanding access to underappreciated cultural and historical sites like Yapahuwa, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and Trincomalee is crucial,” he remarked, adding that long-term prosperity would depend equally on enhancing export competitiveness.

President Dissanayake also hinted at growing unease over policy shifts in Washington that could potentially disadvantage Sri Lankan goods in the American market, particularly textiles—a sector that employs hundreds of thousands and generates vital foreign income.

“There were understandable concerns about how shifts in US trade policy could hurt our economy,” he said. “But the recent talks reflect a shared willingness to find mutually beneficial ground.”

According to the President, the US negotiations are part of a broader government strategy to diversify export markets and fortify Sri Lanka’s global economic standing.

The current administration has made clear its intention to distance itself from short-term fixes and focus on structural reforms that could yield more sustainable growth.

This recalibration in foreign trade policy comes amid Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to restore investor confidence, stabilise its currency, and reduce dependency on international bailouts.

Whilst the fine details of the expected trade announcement remain under wraps, government insiders suggest the deal may involve reductions or suspensions of certain punitive duties, easing access to the US market for Sri Lankan exporters.

With the public growing increasingly impatient for tangible economic improvements, the government is under pressure to demonstrate that its diplomatic overtures and domestic reforms are bearing fruit.

Should the anticipated joint statement confirm significant tariff concessions, it could offer a much-needed morale boost to an economy still reeling from the aftermath of a severe financial crisis.

As the President concluded his remarks, he reinforced his administration’s commitment to a more strategic and balanced development agenda—one that combines inward investment in tourism and infrastructure with outward-facing trade diplomacy.

In a climate of both hope and uncertainty, many in Sri Lanka will be watching closely to see whether these foreign engagements can translate into real gains on the ground.

April 24, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, North-western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (24).

Showers or thundershowers will occur most places elsewhere of the island after 1.00 p.m.

Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Puttalam districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Ampara district during the morning.

Marine Weather:

Dan Priyasad, political activist and convenor of the “Nawa Sinhale National Movement,” has died after sustaining gunshot injuries in a shooting incident in Wellampitiya last night (April 22).

The incident occurred at the ‘Laksanda Sevana’ Housing Complex. Priyasad was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital with critical injuries after being shot four times—twice in the chest and twice in the shoulder—but succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission.

Another individual sustained minor injuries in the incident and is currently receiving treatment.

According to police, two unidentified assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire with a pistol before fleeing the scene.

The Wellampitiya Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

The “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has called on all devotees visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) during the ongoing “Siri Dalada Dekma” exposition to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable items such as polythene and to maintain cleanliness in and around the temple premises.

In a statement, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reminded visitors to dispose of waste only in designated areas and to act responsibly in preserving the sanctity of the sacred site.

The “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, a flagship government programme, aims to foster environmental, social, and ethical awareness while promoting a cleaner, waste-free society. Special activities have been launched around the temple to support this mission during the period of religious observances.

The European Commission is recalibrating its Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) assessment process, shifting from a focus on ratification of international conventions to evaluating tangible implementation in human rights, environmental protection, governance, and institutional reforms. This change has significant implications for beneficiary countries like Sri Lanka.

In response, the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) has issued a strong call to action. Chairwoman Rajitha Jayasuriya warned that Sri Lanka’s continued access to the GSP+ facility now hinges on concrete national policy adjustments—not just historical goodwill or ethical credentials. While Sri Lanka’s apparel industry enjoys a globally recognized reputation for ethical and sustainable manufacturing, Jayasuriya emphasized that this status is no longer sufficient in the face of stricter EU expectations.

Under the upcoming GSP+ renewal scheme, all beneficiary countries must reapply, facing a more rigorous and evidence-based evaluation. The EU will assess not just commitments on paper but the real-world progress in aligning with evolving standards in governance, labor rights, and environmental protections.

Jayasuriya urged the government to act swiftly and decisively. “We must not take our current position for granted,” she cautioned. “Our industry’s ethical standing is a competitive advantage, but it must be substantiated by supportive national policies that mirror EU benchmarks.”With mounting competition from other manufacturing nations and rising global regulatory demands, Sri Lanka risks losing its preferential trade status if it fails to meet the EU’s heightened expectations. Jayasuriya noted that the apparel industry has already lobbied the government to initiate timely policy amendments and offered full support—including data and analysis—to bolster Sri Lanka’s reapplication efforts.

This development highlights a broader global shift in trade policy, where market access is increasingly tied to governance quality and sustainable practices. For Sri Lanka, GSP+ is not just a trade tool—it’s a strategic asset that enhances export competitiveness, particularly in the EU, one of the country’s largest apparel markets. Losing this privilege could severely impact export earnings, employment in the garment sector, and investor confidence.

Therefore, it is imperative for policymakers to approach GSP+ renewal as a national priority. Beyond mere compliance, this is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase leadership in ethical manufacturing while embedding sustainable governance into its trade and industrial policy frameworks. A collaborative approach between industry stakeholders and the government will be vital to securing Sri Lanka’s place in a more demanding global trade environment.

MegaPay’s innovative Pay&Go platform continues to reshape the digital payment landscape in Sri Lanka. With over 1,000 operational kiosks across the island and a widely adopted mobile app, Pay&Go allows users to conveniently pay utility bills, recharge mobiles, and conduct other everyday transactions with ease. The app’s intuitive design emphasizes user convenience, enabling payments to be completed in just a few taps.

In a major step forward, MegaPay has announced a strategic integration of Pay&Go with the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO), aiming to significantly improve the utility payment process. This partnership allows users of both the Pay&Go app and kiosks to view their outstanding electricity bill amounts and receive real-time updates immediately after making a payment. The result is a more transparent and efficient billing experience, eliminating common issues like payment delays and errors.

To further support this digital shift, MegaPay is set to deploy dedicated kiosks at selected LECO service centers. These kiosks provide an alternative for customers who prefer in-person interactions while still enjoying the benefits of digital technology. This hybrid approach ensures inclusive access to digital services for a broader audience, especially those less familiar with mobile applications.

Vardan Aslibekyan, Director at Pay&Go, emphasized the significance of this development, stating that the collaboration is a clear reflection of their goal to make digital payments “faster, smarter, and more accessible.” He noted that by partnering with LECO, MegaPay is helping modernize public utility services while enhancing convenience for citizens.

From LECO’s perspective, this initiative aligns with its ongoing digital transformation. Chairman Eng. Janaka Aluthge highlighted the integration as a major milestone in their modernization journey, enabling quicker service delivery and better consumer experiences. LECO’s General Manager, Dr. Narendra de Silva, praised Pay&Go’s deep integration with their digital platform, saying it ensures full payment transparency and supports their vision of seamless, tech-enabled customer service.

This collaboration marks a significant advancement in public-private digital integration in Sri Lanka. It shows how fintech solutions like Pay&Go can modernize public utility systems, improving both operational efficiency and user satisfaction. By bridging the gap between consumers and government services, this move lays the groundwork for a more digitally empowered society.

The hybrid model—offering both app-based and kiosk options—demonstrates a well-rounded approach that addresses diverse customer needs. Going forward, such initiatives could be scaled across other sectors, accelerating the country’s journey towards smart governance and financial inclusivity.

MegaPay’s move isn’t just about payment tech—it’s a bold step toward digitally transforming citizen experiences with government services.

Sri Lanka has launched a transformative Marine Tourism Roadmap aimed at unlocking the potential of its vast ocean resources to foster sustainable economic growth. Spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its tourism resilience program, the initiative positions marine tourism as a key pillar in the country’s development agenda.

Developed over a year through research, site visits, and stakeholder consultations, the roadmap outlines a strategic framework to develop eco-friendly tourism along the island’s coasts. It proposes both short and long-term plans that emphasize environmental conservation, infrastructure development, and economic inclusivity.

The roadmap was crafted with the guidance of ADB-appointed marine tourism consultant Aleksandra Dragozet, CEO of Sea Going Green, ensuring alignment with global sustainable tourism standards. With Sri Lanka’s maritime zone being nearly seven times its land area, the plan highlights the untapped potential for marine activities such as diving, snorkeling, shipwreck tours, and wildlife watching—all designed to benefit local communities while preserving ecosystems.

Two major marine tourism zones are identified: one from Kalpitiya to Trincomalee with relatively established tourism, and another emerging region including Mannar, Jaffna, and the North Eastern coast, earmarked for future growth.

A 18-member Marine Tourism Steering Committee—including representatives from the Presidential Secretariat, Tourism Ministry, and both public and private stakeholders—validated the final draft. In his keynote, Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe underscored the roadmap’s importance in driving inclusive and environmentally responsible growth, while pledging government support for its implementation.

ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, praised the inclusive development process and announced ADB’s support for a pilot project in Pasikuda to test scalable practices. He called the roadmap a “model for sustainable development planning.”

SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam emphasized that the roadmap is a call for coordinated national action. He stressed the importance of continuous collaboration across government, industry, and civil society to turn Sri Lanka’s coastal strengths into a competitive marine tourism sector.

The roadmap reflects the aspirations of coastal communities, developed through engagement from Negombo to Galle and across new priority areas like Mullaitivu and Mannar. It is seen as a shared vision to transform Sri Lanka’s 1,340 km coastline into a globally attractive, sustainable tourism destination.

Sri Lanka is moving swiftly to respond to a significant economic challenge after the United States imposed a steep 44% retaliatory tariff on Sri Lankan exports, impacting nearly US$3 billion worth of goods—especially in key industries such as apparel and textiles. The sudden and unilateral measure has triggered both economic concern and diplomatic engagement, with the US urging Sri Lanka to address its trade deficit more effectively.

In reaction, the Sri Lankan government has set up a special committee to review and potentially revise the existing tariff system. This development emerged during ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which are focused on evaluating the broader impact of US trade policies on Sri Lanka’s fragile economy.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, along with senior IMF officials, participated in a high-level meeting on April 7 at the Presidential Secretariat. The talks reviewed progress on the fourth tranche of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which supports a larger economic reform strategy aimed at stabilizing the country’s finances.

The IMF team was led by Sanjaya Panth, Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department, and included Evan Papageorgiou, the newly appointed Mission Chief. Top officials from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, and Presidential Secretariat were also present.

Key discussions revolved around structural reforms, fiscal policy, tax compliance, and strategies to mitigate the fallout from the US tariffs. The IMF highlighted the urgency of continuing reform momentum to ensure macroeconomic stability and long-term debt sustainability.

To meet its 2025 revenue goals, particularly the target of achieving 13.9% of GDP in tax revenue, the IMF has advised against introducing new tax exemptions. Instead, the focus should be on improving tax compliance to generate an additional 1.6% in gross revenue.

Sri Lanka recently passed the third EFF review, securing a US$334 million disbursement. This marks progress in areas such as inflation control, foreign reserves management, and revenue collection. The economy has rebounded, showing 4.3% growth since 2023 and recovering around 40% of the economic losses incurred between 2018 and 2023.

Looking ahead, Sri Lanka plans to leverage the upcoming IMF Spring Meetings in Washington from April 21 to 26 to showcase its reform achievements. This platform offers an opportunity to seek reduced trade barriers, attract investment, and request technical support—steps crucial to strengthening underperforming export sectors and enhancing the country’s economic resilience amidst growing external pressure.