Govt looks to India in Trincomalee, turns to China in Hambantota in oil refinery push

Hot on the heels of signing an agreement with China’s Sinopec for an oil refinery in Hambantota, the government is planning to establish a similar facility in Trincomalee with the help of India if willing, a Minister said yesterday.

Fitch upgrades ratings of 10 Sri Lankan banks

Fitch Ratings has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of 10 Sri Lankan banks, following the recent sovereign upgrade and recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan national rating scale.

CSE targets 20 IPOs in 2025

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is targeting 20 initial public offerings (IPOs) this year, with the IPOs with five to six already in the pipeline, according to its Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara.

Attracting private sector investments critical for Sri Lanka’s continued growth: World Bank

Sri Lanka must focus on attracting more private sector investment to maintain its hard-earned macroeconomic stability and continued recovery, according to the World Bank.

T-bill yields take a toll with sharp declines

Yesterday’s treasury bill (T-bill) auction saw a sharp decline in rates across the board.

Turnover crosses LKR 10 Bn

Indices closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Hatton National Bank voting & nonvoting and National Development Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 10.6 Bn.

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa arrested

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 6.1 million in flood relief aid in 2014, the Police Media Spokesperson said.

What happened to forensic audit into e-Visa scam? Champika Ranawaka asks Vijitha Herath

United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka queried about the fate of forensic audit regarding the e-Visa scam, as promised by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath.

UK PM reaffirms winning justice for Sri Lankan Tamil victims

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his commitment in addressing justice and accountability of reconciliation in Sri Lanka and the issues faced by Tamils, admiring the UK Tamil community’s contribution to British society, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka rugby legend Yu Cey Chang is no more

Sri Lanka’s rugby community mourned the passing of a stalwart of the game Yu Cey Chang whose funeral took place today just hours after he breathed his last. He was 82 at the time of his death.

Police arrest 2,728 within 10 days during island-wide crime, drugs operation

Sri Lanka Police arrested 2,728 suspects, including over 150 directly involved in drug trafficking and crimes, during a special operation that began on January 12.

Releasing of red-tagged containers to be probed: Deputy Minister

While admitting that 323 containers with red tags have been released through the green channel, Deputy Minister of Finance said today that an investigation will be launched into the incident.

Cost reflective price for MPs’ meals; Day’s meals might cost Rs. 3,000: Bimal

Parliament is to introduce a cost reflective price for MPs’ meals soon, where meals including breakfast, lunch and evening tea might cost Rs. 3,000, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayke announced today.

Rice mills will be taken under army’s control, if they fail to agree to government mechanism: President

Claiming that no one will be allowed to sell rice beyond the control price, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said rice mills will be taken under army control if they fail to agree to the mechanism of the government.

PTA will be repealed, new legislation will be introduced instead: Justice Minister

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed and a new legislation will be introduced in place of it, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today.

South Korea’s birthrate set to rise for the first time in nine years

South Korea’s birthrate is set to show a rise in 2024 for the first time in nine years, following a rebound in marriages that were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Children to name Ridiyagama lion cubs: Visit park on Feb 4 to see them

Children will have the opportunity to suggest names to six newly born lion cubs at the Ridiyagama Safari Park in Hambantota, Assistant Director of the park Hemantha Samarasekera said.

Ex-policeman arrested over abduction of woman in viral video

A former police officer has been arrested over a viral video showing a woman being forcibly abducted by two individuals, one of whom was dressed as a police officer.

Veteran singer Anil Bharathi passes away

Veteran singer Anil Bharathi has passed away at the age of 75, according to family sources.

Doctor shouting at patients caught on camera

A video is going viral on social media showing a female doctor rudely shouting at patients.

Customs declines responsibility for red-flagged 323 containers released by Govt

The Customs Trade Union Alliance (CTUA) today announced that it will not take the responsibility for the goods contained in the 323 containers which were flagged red by the computer system, but cleared and released by the government recently.

EC debunks EU recommendation on voter education

In reference to one of the key recommendations made in the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission on the Presidential Election, which highlighted that voter education on the use of preferential voting was insufficient, the Elections Commission (EC) stated that they did their best to educate voters on preferential voting.

Government decides to go ahead with power tariff reduction

The Government has decided to go ahead with the power tarrif reduction recommended by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), ruling party MP Samanmalee Gunasinghe informed Parliament today.

President hints at positive development on Easter Sunday probe

The progress of the ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday carnage will be announced in about a week, says President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.

Public urinates on parapet walls in Dehiwala Mount Lavinia: MP Samanmalee

Almost all parapet walls in the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia area have been spoiled as people urinate on them, government MP Samanmalee Gunasinghe told Parliament today.

Abduction of schoolgirl: Actg. OIC Daulagala Police interdicted

The Actg, OIC Daulagala police has been interdicted and two other officers transferred for failing to take prompt action regarding the recent abduction of the schoolgirl.

Govt. increases compensation for weather-related deaths to Rs. 1 Mn

The government has approved a significant increase in compensation for lives lost due to the prevailing severe weather, raising the amount from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 1 million, the Ministry of Defence said.

Committee appointed to revise SOP to foreign research vessels

A committee chaired by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has been formed to amend the existing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for granting diplomatic clearance to foreign warships, military aircraft and research vessels in Sri Lanka.

Vehicle prices will rise initially, then gradually decrease: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said yesterday that though there will be a price increase upon resuming vehicle imports in February, after a five-year pause, the prices will gradually decrease depending on market behaviour.

Coconut chamber urges govt. to import 200 Mn nuts to prevent crisis

The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI), the umbrella organisation for Sri Lanka’s coconut industry, yesterday urged the government to expedite the proposal to import 200 million nuts urgently to avert a looming dual crisis.