PUCSL to hike electricity tariffs once Govt. grants policy guidelines

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will take a decision to increase electricity tariffs as soon as the government grants policy guidelines, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said today.

SJB on a deal with Basil to delay no-faith motion: Vasu

The delay in bringing the no-confidence motion against the government could be a deal between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the government, Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara alleged today.

Medicines, antibiotic in hand not enough even for one month: Pharmacy Owners’ Assn.

The existing medicine and antibiotics in the country are not sufficient for at least one month, All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (AIPPOA) President Chandika Gankanda said.

Remains of Sainthamaruthu bomb blast victims to be exhumed to identify Sara Jasmine

The remains of the victims killed during the explosion in Sainthamaruthu in 2019 are to be exhumed tomorrow to obtain another DNA sample to find out whether the body of Pulasthini Rajendran alias Sara Jasmine, the wife of Easter Sunday suicide bomber Muhammadu Hasthun, was among them, the Police said.

No decision yet to increase electricity bill: Minister

Considering the rumours spreading in social media, power and energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera said there is no decision has been made as yet to increase the electricity bill upon the request.

Govt. to issue long-term residence VISA for foreign investors

The government granted approval for the new methodology to issue resident visas for foreign investors on a long-term basis.

Selected sectors allowed to import, use fuel individually

Cabinet approval has been granted to issue licences to selected specific sectors that play key role in domestic economy to import and use fuel they require individually.

VISA for Russian, Ukrainian tourists stranded in SL extended

The government approved the visa extension for Russian and Ukrainian tourists who are stranded in Sri Lanka due to Russia- Ukraine crisis.

IMF urges Sri Lanka to tighten monetary policy, raise tax to address debt woes

Sri Lanka must tighten monetary policy, raise tax and adopt flexible exchange rates to address its debt crisis, a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said on Tuesday.

GR’s camp begins hunting for numbers against MR

Following weeks of political instability and rising public protests against the President, Prime Minister, and the government, fresh moves are now underway by the President’s loyalists to gather numbers for the opposition initiated No Confidence Motion to save the President and oust the Prime Minister.

Sri Lanka still owes US $ 390 million to Chinese company for fuel supplies: Chinese Ambassador

In a controversial disclosure, China’s Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said Sri Lanka still owes US $ 390 million to PetroChina Company Limited for the supply of 12 shipments of diesel and petrol from July, last year to January, this year.

Serenity Group - Uganda clarifies on alleged link to Rajapaksas

Serenity Group - Uganda issuing a statement to the media yesterday clarified on the allegations made on social media regarding its founders, operations and business profile.

Poverty in Sri Lanka to further increase in 2022: World Bank

The poverty rate in Sri Lanka will witness further increase in 2022, as the country’s economic crisis worsens.

Cement prices up again

The maximum retail price of a 50kg bag of cement has been increased by Rs.400 with effect from tonight, the Cement Manufacturers and Importers said.

Twitter accepts Elon Musk’s $44bn takeover offer

Twitter’s board has accepted a $44bn offer to sell the company to Elon Musk, handing control of the influential social media platform to the world’s richest man.

24-hour trade union action on Wednesday: RTUA

The Railway Trade Union Alliance (RTUA) today decided to indulge in a 24-hour trade union action on Wednesday, February 27, midnight in solidarity to the people’s struggle.

Speaker calls for party leaders’ meeting

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has called for a party leaders’ meeting on Thursday to discuss constitutional reforms.

Italy to grant LKR 125 Mn as emergency relief

The Italian Republic is to grant an in-kind emergency contribution to Sri Lanka of around LKR 125 Mn (€ 341,115) to purchase medicine and medical equipment.

Countrywide strike certain if PM doesn’t implement Mahanayakes’ proposals: Gemunu

A definite countrywide bus strike has been scheduled for next week if Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa does not implement the proposals put forward by the Mahanayaka Theras, Head of Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijerathe said.

SriLankan agreed to suspend entire process of hiring 21 aircraft: Harsha

SriLankan Airlines agreed to suspend the entire process of hiring 21 aircraft while admitting that the decision was made without knowing the gravity of the economic crisis in the country, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said today.

TNA not to support NCM, demand President to step down first

TNA MP MA Sumanthiran said they could not support the no confidence motion against the government unless it is certain what would happen after winning the no-confidence motion.

World’s oldest person, dies in Japan aged 119

Kane Tanaka, the world’s oldest person, has died in Japan aged 119, according to a statement released by the country’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

China’s Ambassador to visit East next month

China’s Ambassador Qi Zhenhong who visited the northern province of Sri Lanka recently said he would undertake a similar visit to the eastern part of the country next month.

Three youth arrested over sexually harassing German female Youtuber in Kandy

The Kandy Tourist Police have arrested three individuals for allegedly sexually harassing a popular German female Youtuber.

MR will not resign, Gammanpila’s claims are a lie - PM’s Office

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has not informed any groups that he will resign from the premiership as he still holds the majority seats in Parliament, senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office told Daily Mirror a short while ago.

Court prevents Cabraal from leaving country for another case

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s court today issued an order preventing former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal from leaving the country over an alleged financial irregularities took place while he was serving as Central Bank Governor in 2014.

MR has informed certain groups he is willing to resign: Gammanpila

Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has informed certain groups including Buddhist monks and party leaders that he was ready to step down.

SJB kicks off street battles to remove President

Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) is to start street battles to remove President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the government from power tomorrow, SJB MP Harin Fernando said today.

SL’s negotiations with IMF will unavoidably impact securing USD 2.5 bn from China

Sri Lanka’s ongoing negotiations with the IMF will unavoidably impact its discussions with China for securing US $ 2.5 billion, China’s Ambassador Qi Zhenhong​ said.

President agrees to form interim government:Chief Registrar of Asgiri Chapter

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed Mahanayake of the three Chapters that he was agreeable to take immidiate steps to form an interim government and resolve the economic crisis, Chief Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said.