HSBC ends consumer banking operations in Sri Lanka today
HSBC Bank’s consumer banking operations in Sri Lanka officially come to an end today (30), following the completion of the transfer of its retail banking division to Nations Trust Bank (NTB). The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) received approval…
Hayleys Mobility Hosts Rugby Legend Kieran Read at Exclusive Cocktail Evening
Hayleys Mobility Limited, the mobility arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited, hosted an exclusive cocktail evening featuring former All Blacks captain Kieran Read on 28th April 2026 at its OJ Flagship Store at Altair Towers, Colombo. The event brought together clients,…
NPP to hold 21 May Day rallies across Sri Lanka
The National People’s Power (NPP) has announced plans to hold 21 May Day rallies across 21 major cities of Sri Lanka, with the participation of its senior leadership. According to a statement from the NPP, Party Leader and President Anura…
Smoking ban for people born after 2010 in Sri Lanka : New proposal
A proposal to make all children born after 2010 a tobacco-free generation has been formally handed over to the Minister of Health, signalling a decisive step in Sri Lanka’s fight against tobacco and alcohol-related harm. The National Authority on Tobacco…
HelaPay Crosses the 5 Billion Transaction Milestone
HelaPay, the digital payment method introduced through the Helakuru SuperApp that took Sri Lankan identity to the world, has marked a significant milestone in the country’s FinTech sector by surpassing a total transaction value of 5 billion rupees within a…
Sri Lanka–Italy driving licence agreement effective from April
The long-awaited Mutual Recognition of Driving Licences between Sri Lanka and Italy officially comes into effect from April, providing a permanent solution to the driving license issue faced by Sri Lankans living in Italy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath…
Verdict in bribery cases against Sarana Gunawardena postponed to May 26
The Colombo High Court has ordered that the delivery of judgments in four cases filed by the Bribery Commission against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena in connection with a corruption allegation be postponed until May 26. These judgments were scheduled…
Dollar rate today : Selling rate climbs to Rs. 323
The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated further against the US dollar across commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (30), compared to Wednesday, with the selling rate increasing to Rs. 323 at some banks. According to Seylan Bank, the buying and…
Treasury Secretary to appear before COPF at 1:00 pm today – reports
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury, Harshana Suriyapperuma, will appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) today (30), regarding the cyber theft involving US$2.5 million from the Treasury. It is reported that the Finance Ministry…
US to deny visas to applicants citing fear of persecution at home
Applicants for visas to the United States will now have to affirm that they do not fear persecution in their home countries as the Trump administration seeks to further restrict potential asylum seeks from entering the country. The new rule,…