Opposition MP Harsha de Silva says Sri Lanka will have to reapply for the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). Taking to ‘X’, he said Sri Lanka has to reapply as the trade concession will end by 2027. “I double checked… There is no quota to seek an increase,” he said.

MP Harsha de Silva further said Sri Lanka now has to deliver on its promises on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Online Safety Act (OSA). He made the comments following a discussion with the visiting European Union Commission delegation.

A protest was held outside the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo today, condemning Pakistan over its alleged involvement in the recent terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The number of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) registrations at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has reached 11 million, but most of the TINs have not been issued to the respective individuals.

The Head of South Asia Division, European External Action Service of the European Union, Charles Whiteley stated that the European Union has a favorable perspective on the current GSP+ review process.

Sri Lanka has reported more than 17,000 dengue cases during the first four months of the year, highlighting a significant public health concern, Health Promotion Bureau.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando announced that Sri Lanka’s official foreign reserves have increased to $6.5 billion as of the end of March. Speaking during a press conference held today (April 30) on recent decisions by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Fernando further noted that, foreign reserves are expected to surpass $7 billion by next year, based on current forecasts.He also emphasized that the IMF program is progressing successfully, contributing to the ongoing economic recovery.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe asked yesterday how President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was aware of his correspondence with the Bribery Commission on negotiating a date for him to testify before it.

A 47-year-old woman, a candidate for the Hali-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha under the Ceylon Workers' Congress, was killed after being struck by lightning while taking shelter during heavy rain at Neluwatta Estate. The victim, identified as P. Shashikala— a tea plantation worker and also a local govenment election candidate was plucking tea leaves when the incident occurred.

The law in the country has gone wild, and lawlessness has taken effect. Everything in our society is controlled by murderers, extortionists and drug dealers. Murderous gangs have become the enforcers of society's control, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Claiming that summoning former President Ranil Wickremesinghe before the Bribery Commission was not a secret, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said today that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake only quoted Ranil's social media post on his correspondence with the Bribery Commission.

The Cabinet has approved a proposal by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to conduct an economic census in 2025 and 2026, with agricultural activities being covered in 2025 and non-agricultural activities in 2026.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake an official visit to Vietnam from May 3 to 6, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said today. He said the President is set to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during his visit.

The first polls are open in Canada, where a snap election is being held to determine who will become the country's next prime minister. It comes just six weeks after Mark Carney was sworn in as PM, replacing his party colleague Justin Trudeau. The two clear front-runners are the Liberal Party - led by Carney - who have been in power for a decade, and the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre.

A man has been charged with eight counts of second degree murder after a car drove into a crowd at a street festival in Vancouver, Canada, killing at least 11 people - including a five-year-old girl. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, appeared in court late on Sunday and was returned to custody, Vancouver Police Department said, adding that further charges are expected.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe who made a three-hour statement to the Bribery Commission today, said that withdrawing funds of the Uva Provincial Council from the bank and spending it on recurrent or capital expenditure is not a crime.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has written to the National Election Commission over the unauthorised use of her name and photographs in election propaganda by the ‘People’s Alliance’ party.

The Court of Appeal today dismissed the writ application filed by former Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, who sought an order to prevent his arrest in connection with the alleged illegal sale of government land in Kelaniya.

Mahesh Gammanpila, Chief Secretary of Uva Province and former Director of the National Fertiliser Secretariat, was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over a controversial organic fertiliser import deal.

Images of Pope Francis' tomb at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome have been released. A single, white rose was pictured lying on the stone tomb that bears the name he was known by during his pontificate, below a crucifix illuminated by a single spotlight.

Ranuli Wijesirwardhana, a student of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, has excelled in both the G.C.E. Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations within the same year.

Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara has revealed that a higher percentage of female candidates have qualified for university admission compared to male candidates at the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.