Cloudy skies expected over most provinces of the island

16 Dec 2023

3

The Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said today that cloudy skies are expected over most provinces of the island, and about 100 mm of heavy showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-Western, and Eastern Provinces.

New tax will be imposed on walking aids, hearing aids: GMOA

16 Dec 2023

10

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) claimed that the increase in the VAT from January will pose a serious threat to the health sector as it will be imposed even on crutches used by disabled persons.

Road to Somawathiya Raja Maha Viharaya flooded

16 Dec 2023

0

The road leading to the Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya was obstructed due to heavy rains in the area, and the use of the road by light vehicles has been stopped, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

VIDEO

Will start importing eggs again to cater to demand during new year season

15 Dec 2023

10

Considering the high demand and shortage during the upcoming New Year festive season, Trade Minister Nalin Fernando firmly said that he will start importing eggs again to cater to the demand.

Egg prices increased due to demand for cakes, biscuits production

15 Dec 2023

7

The reason behind the increase in egg prices in the local market is due to the collection and stocking of eggs for use in bakery and biscuits production targeting the Christmas season, the All Island Egg Producers’ Association (AIEPA) said.

New VAT will increase prices of mobile phones, accessories, stationery

14 Dec 2023

8

After implementing the new Value Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 18%, the retail prices of all mobile phones, accessories and stationary items will increase, the All Ceylon Communication Owners’ Association (ACCOA) said today.

VIDEO

Implementing VAT in January will cause definite collapse of service: Gemunu

13 Dec 2023

14

With the government’s decision to implement the new value-added tax (VAT) at the rate of 18%, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said yesterday that the tax will affect the private bus industry and will probably lead to a bus fare hike.

Maximum retail price of MOP fertiliser announced at Rs. 9,000

13 Dec 2023

0

The government-owned fertilizer companies were advised to declare the maximum price at which MOP fertilizer (Muriate of Potash) can be sold as Rs. 9,000.

Video

Plans to simplify the Grade 5 scholarship exam in future

13 Dec 2023

6

The Education Ministry is expected to make the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination simpler by making several major changes in the existing education system starting next year. It has also been decided to grant the priority to measure the students’ literacy and numeracy skills, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Government suspends charging acre levy: Amaraweera

13 Dec 2023

3

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday that the government has decided to suspend the collection of the acre levy on agricultural land.

Video

Caution: Nandimithra may peep seeking food

12 Dec 2023

6

In response to a video circulating on social media, the Yala National Park administration has urged the public not to feed Nandimithra, the tusker elephant known for forcefully reaching into vehicles for food.

Around 5,000 male chicks used for pig feed per week, Ministry reveals

12 Dec 2023

20

More than 5,000 male chicks are being used for pig feed per week, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Government greenlights major energy venture

12 Dec 2023

14

Government approval was granted for a power purchase agreement with United Solar Group of Australia for a 700 MW solar power project integrated with a 1500 MWh battery energy storage system, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

VAT increases petrol, diesel, LP gas prices from January

12 Dec 2023

6

After imposing the Value Added Tax (VAT), a litre of petrol (Rs. 346) will increase by Rs. 62.28, and its new retail price will be Rs. 408.28. The price of a litre of diesel will increase by Rs. 59.22, and its new retail price will be Rs. 388.22, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha said.

List of goods subject to VAT released

11 Dec 2023

7

Parliament received a presentation today on the removal of items from the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions list, effective from January 1, 2024.

VIDEO

Total water capacity of irrigation reservoirs estimated at 75%

11 Dec 2023

1

Considering the current heavy rainy weather, the total water capacity of the irrigation reservoirs has increased to 75 percent, the Irrigation Department said.

Power supply restored to several areas

09 Dec 2023

10

In the latest update, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced that power supply has been successfully restored to several areas that were affected by the major outages earlier today.

Lightning strikes cause islandwide blackout: CEB

09 Dec 2023

34

The islandwide power blackout is due to multiple lightning strikes on several transformers and power stations, a Power and Energy Ministry official said.

Islandwide blackout

09 Dec 2023

44

An islandwide power failure has occured due to a systems failure in the main supply line, a senior Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) official said.

Fourth graduation ceremony held

09 Dec 2023

8

The fourth graduation ceremony of the Nagananda International Institute of Buddhist Studies (NIIBS) was held recently under the chairmanship Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, at the institution’s premises.