Sri Lanka and the United States agreed to continue the discussions on reciprocal tariff with the objective of finalising a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries,the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

A statement issued by the PMD said both sides expressed the desire to finalise the agreement in the shortest possible time period. The PMD said a Sri Lankan delegation met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on 22 April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington DC.

The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.

The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery.

The Sri Lankan delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Ambassador Greer was appreciative of the proposals that Sri Lanka has made in order to commence negotiations and expressed the hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.

Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer and led by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the offer made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US.

The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalising a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalise the agreement in the shortest possible time period.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the President’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath will represent the Government of Sri Lanka at His Holiness Pope Francis' funeral, which will be held on Saturday (April 26) in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City.

A severe lightning warning has been issued for 18 districts, valid for 11 pm today, the Meteorology Department said.

A schoolboy who attempted to enter the Sri Dalada Maligawa, clad as a Buddhist monk was arrested by the police. The suspect is identified as a 18-year-old schoolboy, a resident of Kirallawela, Gampaha.

A total of 28 people including 10 school children were injured when a bus met with an accident at the Mahiyangana-Tissapura PTS junction this morning, police said. The Mahiyangana police said that the accident occurred due to a brake failure in the bus.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today questioned the claim made by the government on a successful deliberation with the US on the Reciprocal tariff on imports.

Four people who visited Kandy to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and for official duties have died, Director National Hospital, Kandy Dr. Iresha Fernando said.

The Education Ministry has decided to close schools on May 5 as notified in the Commissioner General of Elections' letter dated April 19, in view of the Local Government elections scheduled for May 6.

The government has declared April 26, 2025 as a national day of mourning in view of the passing away of Pope Francis. Accordingly, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government requests that the national flag at all government institutions be hoisted at half mast.

Retired SSP Shani Abeysekera, serving the Police Department again, has been appointed to the committee headed by Senior DIG Asanka Karawita, tasked with studying the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage.

Police have arrested three suspects, including a woman, in connection with the killing of Dan Priyasad, political activist, convenor of Nawa Sinhale National Movement and SLPP candidate in the upcoming local government (LG) elections from Kolonnawa.