A fire broke out in Kajeemawatta houses in the Thotalanga district of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. Firefighters, police and medical teams were sent to the area. According to the police statement, 220 people were evacuated due to the fire, while at least 80 houses were destroyed. No casualties were reported in the incident.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic warned that a proposed 30% US tariff on European goods would effectively amount to a trade ban, severely disrupting transatlantic supply chains.
Speaking ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Sefcovic expressed disappointment over a letter from US President Donald Trump that halted expected trade progress. “We were close to an agreement,” he said, but now “must prepare for all outcomes.”
The EU has delayed retaliatory measures on $72 billion worth of US goods until August 1, hoping for a negotiated resolution. Sefcovic emphasized that “no one wants a trade war,” while France urged faster preparation for countermeasures and Hungary blamed the EU Commission’s weak response to US pressure.
Danish and Lithuanian ministers echoed calls to avoid escalation but emphasized EU readiness to defend its interests.
TR