Farmers’ deposits in Govi jana banks exceeded Rs.6bn: Minister

Deposits made by farmer community in the agricultural banks which are run in connection with the Agrarian Service Centers, have currently exceeded Rs.6 billion, Agrarian Bank officials said.

Wild boars, monkeys, hedgehogs removed from Animal Protection Act: Minister

Wild boars, monkeys and hedgehogs (porcupines) have been removed from the National list of Animal Protection Act so far, Agriculture and Wildlife Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Norochcholai Unit 1 added to national grid

Unit 1 of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, which experienced a breakdown on August 15, has been restored and added to the national grid yesterday, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

BIA Customs thwart attempt to smuggle in Rs.16mn worth fags with five inbound passengers

Five passengers coming from Oman with a large stock of counterfeit cigarettes worth over Rs.16 million was seized by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning.

Police to launch special operation to curb underworld activities

In the wake of a number of shooting incidents and the rise of underworld activities, the police to launch a special operation from today to suppress the underworld operatives, the Public Security Ministry said.

Plans afoot to lower prices of chicken, fish next week: Minister

Nalin Fernando, the Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister said that a decision will be taken to bring down the selling prices of chicken and fish in the local market.

ADB halts funding for rooftop solar power generation project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) halted funding for the Rooftop Solar Power Generation Project in Sri Lanka, which was aimed at increasing solar power generation and fast-tracking the implementation of the government’s Battle for Solar Energy programme.

China says Ball is in Sri Lanka’s court

Responding to Sri Lanka’s request for China to change its tune on debt relief, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy said the ball is in Sri Lanka’s court, not China’s.

Water bill, sewerage services increased from Sept. 1

While issuing an extra ordinary gazette notification, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has increased the tariffs of water and sewerage services from September 1.

Budget 2023 – 24 Need for a complete overhaul of the system of governance: Bandula

The budget 2023 - 24 will provide a paradigm shift to the entire system of governance in Sri Lanka with drastic changes to economic fundamentals, budget control, monetary management and the continuation of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) among other proposals, Mass Media, Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

Crisis for SL children cautionary tale for South Asia: UNICEF

The “devastating” crisis for children in Sri Lanka is a cautionary tale for South Asia, said visiting UNICEF Regional Director for the SA region, urging for urgent action to be taken to help address the grim situation.

Ranjan not granted full freedom, civic rights: Sajith

Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake has not got full freedom as he has not been given his civic rights, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said.

Cops who took photos seated on President’s chair face probe - Police tell court

An investigation is underway to find out the policemen who took photographs while sitting on the President’s chair and several other locations inside President’s House, police informed Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday.

Govt. should have discussed with SMEs before bringing import ban on 300 consumer goods: SLUNBA

The government’s recent decision taken to ban the importation of 300 HS product codes of the consumer items should have to be taken after discussions with the Sri Lanka United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA), SLUNBA Chairperson Tanya Abesundara said.

Four drown in Nilwala River

Four men have gone missing from a group of people who went to bathe at Udaha Ella, Nilwala River in Pitabeddara this evening, police said.

Another round of talks between President, IMF

Another round of discussions with the International Monetary Fund, with the aim of finding solutions to the financial crisis facing Sri Lanka, was held this afternoon (24) at the President’s Office under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Wasantha Mudalige’s detention challenged in Supreme Court

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed on behalf of Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Convener Wasantha Mudalige challenging the legality of the detention order issued on him.

Ranjan vows not to join any political party as of now

Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was released from prison, said he will come back to active politics some day but will not join any political party as of now.

Ranjan leaves prison

Former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, who was serving a four-year sentence on charges of contempt of court, left the prison a short while ago after being granted presidential pardon.

Bell 412 Chopper assigned to douse Kerawalapitiya fire

Sri Lankan Air force (SLAF) deployed a Bell 412 Helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket to douse the fire erupted at the Muthurajawela Wetland reserve at  Kerawalapitiya

Some countries always make various groundless excuses to bully Sri Lanka: China

China has always been supporting Sri Lanka in the international fora for protecting its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and will continue to do that, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said.

SJB ready to appoint Ranjan to Parliamemnt if vacancy exists in National List: Sajith

Samagi Jana Balawegaya is ready to appoint former MP Ranjan Ramanayake to Parliament in the first instance of a vacancy falls in the national list, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

UK too relaxes travel restrictions on SL

The UK government has also relaxed travel restrictions on Sri Lanka saying it no longer advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.

Conditional pardon for Ranjan; relevant documents signed

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (26) signed the document granting conditional presidential pardon to former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, who is currently serving a four year sentence on charges of contempt of court.

Japan seeks to organise Sri Lanka creditors’ meeting on debt crisis

Japan is seeking to organise a Sri Lanka creditors’ conference, hoping it could help solve the South Asia nation’s debt crisis, but uncertainties cloud the outlook for any talks, three people with knowledge of the planning said.

Water tariffs to go up from Sept. 1

A gazette to be issued notifying the increase to water tariffs with effect from September 1, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Rooftop solar sector demands substantial tariff hike

Sri Lanka’s Solar Industries Association (SIA) yesterday urged the government to immediately grant a substantial hike in feed-in tariffs (FIT) for rooftop solar producers in line with the recent increase in input costs in order to revitalise rooftop solar production and to ensure the country’s energy security without burdening electricity consumers further by increasing electricity tariffs.

​SL to welcome more Swiss travellers this winter with travel advisory easing

The government of Switzerland announced this week the relaxation of the travel advice to Sri Lanka, a move that could help the island nation welcome more visitors from that country for the upcoming winter season.​​

Morison begins local production of three high-in-demand medicines

Marking milestone in the local pharmaceutical industry, Hemas Group subsidiary Morison Ltd recently commenced manufacturing of Bisoprolol tablets B.P. 5mg 250s, Ros-10 (Rosuvastatin tablets I.P. 10mg 30s blister),and ChlorMor (Chlorphenamine tablets B.P. 4mg 100s blister).

Poor decisions could kill egg exports from Sri Lanka, says industry 

The exports of chicken and eggs from Sri Lanka, for which substantial investments have been pumped in by industry stakeholders, are expected to crumble in the near term as farmers are unable to even meet the high cost of production due to the recently imposed Maximum Retail Price (MRP).