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To curb corruption and deliver more efficient, transparent public services, the National People’s Power-led government of Sri Lanka unveiled an ambitious digitalization plan earlier this year. Spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the program introduced three key digital services GovPay for government payments, extending the Presidential Fund to divisional secretariats, and issuing birth, marriage, and death certificates through diplomatic offices as part of its roadmap toward a digitally empowered society. The Company Registrar’s Department was celebrated as a pioneer of this initiative, having launched its digital platform back in April 2018 in partnership with KPMG’s IT division. The system allowed companies to be registered entirelyRead More →

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In a significant move to strengthen its capabilities in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, Sri Lanka’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-Sri Lanka) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Center for Financial Information in the Sultanate of Oman (NCFI-Oman). The agreement was formalized on July 9, 2025, during the 31st Plenary of the Egmont Group held in Luxembourg, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing network of international intelligence cooperation. The MoU facilitates the exchange of financial intelligence on money laundering (ML), associated predicate offences, and terrorist financing (TF) between the two countries, under the legal framework of Sri Lanka’s Financial Transactions ReportingRead More →

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Sri Lanka to Launch Biometric Passport Services at Overseas Missions

In a major digital upgrade to its consular services, the Sri Lankan government has approved a project to facilitate faster, secure passport issuance for Sri Lankans living abroad through the use of biometric technology. The initiative will be implemented across 20 diplomatic missions worldwide, significantly easing the passport application process for the diaspora. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal jointly submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced that the system will allow Sri Lankans residing overseas to apply for passports digitally via Sri Lankan missions,Read More →

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The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has announced the resumption of eight previously stalled housing projects, with a renewed focus on transparency and accountability following widespread allegations of corruption in past developments. According to UDA Director M.H.V.R. Kumara, construction will recommence immediately on two key apartment complexes in Narahenpita and Torrington, designed to provide 750 housing units for low-income families. These developments were halted midway due to funding and administrative issues but are now being revived under new oversight. Additionally, the UDA has secured fresh investors to restart four middle-income housing projects—two in Peliyagoda, two in Orugodawatta—and another in Stadiumgama. A housing project in Anuradhapura, initiallyRead More →

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Amid rising discontent from consumers and small-scale importers, Sri Lanka’s e-commerce sector has come under increasing strain due to a mix of stringent tax policies, customs delays, and the absence of a supportive regulatory framework. The boom in cross-border online purchases has been met with government-imposed restrictions and burdensome clearance procedures, creating bottlenecks in the supply chain. These issues have stifled growth in a sector that once held promise as a post-pandemic economic driver, especially for entrepreneurs and SMEs relying on global platforms like Amazon, AliExpress, and eBay. In response to the growing crisis, the Cabinet of Ministers this week approved the formation of aRead More →

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Sri Lanka in advanced talks with U.S. on sweeping tariff relief for key exports

July 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is engaged in high-level negotiations with the United States over a potential trade arrangement that could see a substantial majority of its exports entering the American market duty-free. According to Deputy Minister of Economic Development Professor Anil Jayantha Fernando, the United States has extended a preliminary offer to waive import tariffs on approximately 70 to 80 per cent of goods currently exported from Sri Lanka. The offer forms part of ongoing bilateral discussions aimed at recalibrating trade relations in the wake of shifting U.S. trade policy, particularly following Washington’s move to reassess trade balances with various countries under aRead More →

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Sri Lanka among nations condemning unilateral measures targeting UN rights expert on Palestine

July 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has joined a broad coalition of countries spanning multiple regions in voicing serious concern over punitive measures taken against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. In a letter addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, the group collectively criticised what they described as unilateral sanctions and coordinated smear campaigns—particularly via social media—targeting Albanese and other independent experts operating under the UN’s Special Procedures framework. The letter, co-signed by a diverse alliance including Brazil, China, South Africa, Spain, Namibia, Iceland, and Sri Lanka, as well asRead More →

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Public given new hotline to access President’s Fund services

July 17, Colombo (LNW): In an effort to enhance public accessibility and streamline communication, a new telephone line has been introduced for citizens seeking information or assistance from the President’s Fund. The announcement was made by the Department of Government Information earlier this week. The newly established contact number, 011-4354250, is now operational and is intended to serve as a direct point of communication for those wishing to inquire about the Fund’s services, application procedures, or eligibility criteria. The post Public given new hotline to access President’s Fund services appeared first on LNW Lanka News Web.Read More →

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Prime Minister defends education reforms amid misinformation concerns

July 17, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has firmly refuted claims that core subjects such as History and Aesthetics have been removed from the national curriculum, calling for an end to the deliberate spread of misinformation and the politicisation of children’s education. Speaking at a special awareness programme held at the Western Provincial Council Auditorium today (17), Dr Amarasuriya addressed education officials from across the Western Province. The event aimed to clarify key aspects of the newly introduced educational reforms and to dispel widely circulated misconceptions. The Prime Minister, who also oversees the portfolios of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, stated thatRead More →

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Indictments served on ex-Health Minister and family over illicit asset accumulation

July 17, Colombo (LNW): Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and several members of his immediate family are at the centre of a significant legal case involving allegations of amassing wealth through unlawful means. The High Court in Colombo has formally charged the former Health Minister, along with his spouse, three daughters, and a son-in-law, with illicit acquisition of assets totalling tens of millions of rupees. The indictments, laid out across 43 separate counts, were presented by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) before High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne. The charges pertain to serious violations linked to Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption and moneyRead More →