Police Officer who joined protest at Galle Face taken in for questioning

The Police officer who got vocal today at the public protest at Galle Face Green, over the ongoing crisis, has been taken in for questioning by the Police Special Investigations Unit.

SriLankan Airlines to lease up to 21 aircraft by 2025

State-run SriLankan Airlines has issued requests for proposals to lease up to 21 aircraft to support its long-term business strategy.

Assaulting Kelaniya Students at Kiribathgoda: SLPP PS member remanded

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Pradeshiya Sabha member Duminda Perera was arrested for allegedly assaulting Kelaniya university students while attempting to demolish a stage set up by a group of students during a protest in Kiribathgoda was today ordered to be remanded till April 22 by Mahara Magistrate’s Court.

IMF says it welcomes Sri Lanka’s plans to engage with creditors

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday (13) said that it supported Sri Lanka’s plans to engage in ’’collaborative dialogue’’ with creditors, a day after the country unilaterally suspended external debt payments amid a severe economic crisis.

Sri Lanka seeking up to $4 Bn as IMF talks set to start

Sri Lanka needs between $3 billion to $4 billion this year to pull itself out of an unprecedented economic crisis and plans to start talks with the International Monetary Fund for help, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said.

Govt. taking measures to secure normal life of people from complex situation: Prez

The government was taking measures to secure the normal life of the people from the current complex situation by properly understanding the challenges, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

S&P downgrades Sri Lanka’s foreign currency rating amid economic crisis

S&P Global Ratings on Wednesday lowered Sri Lanka’s foreign currency rating to ’’CC’’ from ’’CCC’’, citing the economic crisis in the country and rising external funding pressures.

India open to additional $2-billion aid for Sri Lanka

India is willing to commit up to another $2 billion in financial assistance to Sri Lanka while also supporting the island nation with food and fuel, five sources told Reuters, as New Delhi tries to regain ground lost to China in recent years.

Country on the brinks of collapsing: Rosy

Claiming that the country was on the brinks of collapsing, Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake said today the need of the hour is a coalescence of all forces irrespective of political, racial, religious or language differences to rescue the nation.

Deeply concerned about the uncertain economic outlook in Sri Lanka: World Bank

Sri Lanka’s economic outlook is highly uncertain due to the fiscal and external imbalances and urgent policy measures are needed to address the high levels of debt and debt service, reduce the fiscal deficit, restore external stability, and mitigate the adverse impacts on the poor and vulnerable, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional update.

SL recieves USD 10Mn from World Bank to purchase medicines

Sri Lanka has received USD 10 million from the World Bank to purchase medicines, the Government Information Department said.

Protestors refuse to meet PM, put forward two demands

A group of protestors at the Galle Face area now re-named as the ’Gota Go Gama’ have written to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, declining his invitation for a meeting, but have put forward two demands saying the President must resign and all Rajapaksa members must leave the government.

Two Senior DIGs transferred

Two Senior DIGs have been transferred with immediate effect due to service requirements, police said.

Sajith signs Impeachment Motion and No Confidence Motion

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today placed his signatures on the Impeachment Motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the No-Confidence Motion against the government.

Ready to talk to protesting youth - PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the Government is ready to hold discussions with the protesting youth at Galle Face Green.

Six suspects nabbed with 300kg of heroin off Southern coast

Six men with at least 300 kg of heroin and 25 kg of Methamphetamine also known as ICE, were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy during a search operation conducted off the Southern coast.

China says doing ’utmost’ to help debt-ridden Sri Lanka

China on Tuesday reiterated that it is doing its ’’utmost’’ to provide assistance to debt-ridden Sri Lanka

Govt committed to ensure justice to Easter Sunday attack victims- Prez

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today said that his government is committed to ensuring justice to all the victims of the Easter Sunday attack and enforcing law against all the responsible parties, by means of due and proper investigations.

Four bowsers hoarding over 17,000 liters of fuel captured in Pamunugama

Four bowsers with more than 17,000 litres of fuel, parked inside the premises of a vehicle service centre at Bopitiya in Pamunugama were taken into the custody today, police said.

Brooklyn shooting: Several people shot in New York City subway

At least 16 people have been injured in a shooting during morning rush hour at a New York subway station.

More than 700 arrested over Easter Sunday attack: Defence Secretary

Some 735 suspects have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attack, Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said.

11 alliance members refuse to meet President today for interim govt.

The 11 alliance members who have sat independently in Parliament have refused to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for discussions on an interim government, the Daily Mirror learns.

World Bank to grant US$ 10 Mn to purchase emergency drugs: FM

The World Bank has granted approval to release an immediate grant of US$ 10 million to purchase emergency drugs, Finance Minister Ali Sabri said.

Sri Lanka temporarily suspends foreign debt payments

The Finance Ministry today announced it would default on its US$51 billion external debt pending a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

Shantha Bandara removed from all positions in SLFP

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Shantha Bandara, who was sworn in as State Minister for Promoting the Production & Regulating Supply of Organic Fertilizer yesterday, was removed from all positions of the SLFP, SLFP National Organizer MP Duminda Dissanayake said.

Gen. Shavendra Silva’s term extension legitimate: Defence Ministry

The Ministry of Defence yesterday denied social media reports that incumbent Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva is holding the present appointment without legitimate service extension.

Boy dragged away by crocodile while bathing

A 15-year-old boy who was bathing in the Maneruwa Lake in Anuradhapura was dragged away by a crocodile last evening.

Another consignment of rice arrives from India

A fresh consignment rice weighing 11,000 MT from India, reached the Colombo Port today, the High Commission of India in Colombo said.

Sri Lanka not caught in a China debt trap, says ambassador to Beijing

Sri Lanka is not caught in a debt trap by China, according to its ambassador in Beijing, as the Indian Ocean island nation seeks help to overcome its most severe economic woes in decades, a situation leading to public unrest and a political crisis for the government.

Local rap star Shiraz Rudebwoy dies at protest site

Sri Lankan hip/hop rap artist Shiraz Rudebwoy had died during the protest at the Galle Face Green last night due to a sudden illiness.