Ferdinand Marcos Jr sworn in as Philippines president, replacing Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jr has been sworn in as the Philippine president in a ceremony in Manila, succeeding the outgoing leader Rodrigo Duterte.

Grandstand collapses in Galle as wild weather delays play in second Test

A temporary grandstand has collapsed in Galle as a fierce storm swept across the ground before day two of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Police, armed forces shouldn’t be used to stifle peaceful protests: BASL

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today re-iterated that the police and the armed forces should not be used to stifle peaceful protests and dissent.

Bus fare hike by 22%from tonight; min. fare Rs.40

According to the annual interim bus fare revision, the fare has been increased by 22% as of midnight today, according to National Transport Commission (NTC) Director General Nilan Miranda.

STF officer at Gonahena camp shoots himself

A Sub Inspector (SI) of Police Special Task Force (STF) attached to the Gonahena STF Camp has committed suicide by shooting himself at the camp.

President writes to Putin

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reported to have written to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking for cooperation in oil purchases, a source close to the President’s Office said.

DMT closed on Thursdays, Fridays due to fuel, transport crisis

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) will not to open the department for public services on Thursdays and Fridays, DMT Commissioner General Sumith C.K. Alahakoon said.

Gazette to display details of commercial goods, retail price issued

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued an extra ordinary gazette notification announcing that all details pertaining to the commercial goods and commodities must be displayed for the benefit of the consumers.

UK Parliament discusses Sri Lanka’s Samurdhi programme

Britain on Tuesday said that the existing social protection systems, including the Samurdhi programme, provide essential support to the most vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka and will be crucial at this difficult time.

New bus fares to be announced today

The interim bus fare revision after the recent fuel price increase, will be announced today, the National Transport Commission (NTC) said.

Supermarket shelves about to go empty as delivery fleets unable to refuel

As the fuel shortage has sent the country into a lockdown situation, people, particularly those in Colombo and the suburbs, are facing a risk of losing access to food and other essential stuff, with the retailers struggle to restock their shelves on time, as they scramble to refuel their delivery fleets.

Bunker licence holders agree to import and supply jet fuel on urgent basis

Sri Lanka’s bunker licence holders have reached a consensus with the government to import and supply jet fuel on an immediate basis, as the country’s jet fuel reserves ran dry with Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) failing to import the required jet fuel, due to the foreign exchange crisis.

PUCSL to complete unbundling of CEB’s distribution operations soon

Undertaking the first major reform in Sri Lanka’s electricity sector since 2002, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) this week announced plans to complete the stalled unbundling of the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) distribution operations into four independent units over the next couple of weeks, with an aim to enhance efficiency and transparency of the country’s electricity sector.

Banks see deceleration in deposits amid hyperinflation

The bankers say they observe a significant slowdown in deposit growth lately, despite offering higher and competitive rates, a condition they attribute to a significant squeeze in the household and corporate balance sheets after the hyperinflation became persistent and started biting into real incomes and margins.

Consular Services for public only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday

The Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry will provide services to the public only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with effect from tomorrow.

Around 250 Kandakadu detainees arrested

Reports reached that 248 detainees at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre have been arrested, however search operations are underway to apprehend more than 200 more inmates who fled the Centre this morning, Police said.

Mobilise the entire nation to oust the present ruler: Anura

‘Leader of the Jathika Jana Balwegaya Anura Kumara Dissanayake said his party was planning to mobilize the entire nation to oust the present rule and requested the people to be prepared for that campaign.

26 train services cancelled as railway guards unable to report to work due to lack of fuel

A total of 26 train services including office and intercity trains which were scheduled to operate yesterday were cancelled following difficulties faced by the Station Masters (SMs) and junior staff in reporting for work due to the prevailing fuel crisis, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

Diesel shipment due mid July and Petrol by July 22

Prime Minister’s advisior Sagala Ratnayake today said that a Diesel shipment containing 30,000 metric tons was due between July 11-15 and a Petrol shipment from India is due by July 22 although the government is trying to source a Petrol shipment by July 10.

President to visit UAE to procure fuel: Mahindananda

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was expected to visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the near future to procure fuel, Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage said yesterday.

SJB says local fuel crisis purposely created

Whilst alleging that liberalising Sri Lanka’s fuel distribution will result in the closure of the Sapugaskanda refinery, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today said he together with other opposition political parties will launch a struggle to save it.

Police removed “Gota Go Home” protesters from Galle Fort

A group of protesters who were holding banners and placards with ‘Go Home Gota’ slogans have been removed from the Galle Fort by the Police today.

Yet another shoot out; 2 killed

Two persons were reportedly killed during a shooting incident at Katubedda in Moratuwa a short while ago, police said.

Tense situ at Kandakadu Rehab Centre: One inmate killed

An inmate at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Polonnaruwa died after a brawl between two groups last night.

Tourism industry renews call for moratorium extension

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry stakeholders yesterday warned that the industry is likely to further crumble if relevant authorities continue to delay in extending the necessary intervention.

Economy contracts 1.6% in first quarter

Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 1.6 percent in the first quarter of 2022 as the island nation’s economic activity slowed significantly despite the expectations of a recovery after two years of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The Department of the Census and Statistics (DCS) said the economic growth cratered due “factors such as inflation, foreign exchange devaluation and dollar deficit.”

Lands belonging to religious establishments to be utilised to cultivate food crops

The government has decided to utilise 250,000 hectares of cultivatable land belonging to religious establishments to cultivate food crops under the national food production programme themed ‘Ekwa Wawamu – Rata Dinawamu’ as a speedy solution to the looming food crisis.

'Stop the vehicles protest' begins at 10 am

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka yesterday announced regarding an on-the-spot demonstration alert of a countrywide ’vehicle protest’ which is scheduled today (29), from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

One Country - One Law report to President today

The report prepared by the Presidential Task Force working on ’One Country-One Law’ will be handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today.

Would not get support from Security council: UK

Britain on Monday said that, while Sri Lanka is a human rights priority country for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, its assessment was that a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against those responsible for alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka would not have the required support from members of the UN Security Council.