Scarcity of paddy could surface during Yala season: Rice Producers’ Assn.

There might be a shortage of paddy during the Yala season due to the fuel and fertilizer crisis, the United Rice Producers’ Association (URPA) said.

Sri Lanka could run out of fuel by second week of May, says former PM

Former Prime Minister and United National Parliamentarian Ranil Wickremesinghe warned that Sri Lanka could run out of fuel in the second week of May or later in the month, after the current Indian credit line is exhausted, plunging the country further into darkness and economic abyss.

Sudden float of rupee was a bad idea: new CB Governor

Weighing in on the recent rupee float, which has caused severe hardships to people, as prices rose by many multiples within a matter of weeks, the newly-appointed Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said how it was done raises questions at so many levels.

Essential food importers struggling to settle US $ 50mn owed to suppliers

Sri Lanka’s essential food importers are struggling to settle US $ 50 million owed to their suppliers, imported under credit terms, due to the ongoing foreign exchange shortage while facing large exchange losses, owing to the depreciation of rupee.

Sri Lanka needs not a change of Govt but a change of systems: Ranil

While stating that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves would dry up further after the Sinhala New Year, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said what Sri Lanka needs today is not a change of government but a change of systems including vast economic reforms to avoid a revolution.

CBK mobilizes parties against Govt.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga who played a key role cobbling together an alliance to install the previous Yahapalana government came to the forefront yesterday by calling for a meeting with the political parties and groups opposed to the government to discuss the way out of the current political crisis.

SLFP MP Shantha Bandara sworn in as State Minister

SLFP MP Shantha Bandara was sworn in as State Minister for Promoting the Production & Regulating Supply of Organic Fertilizer, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

low-level atmospheric disturbance still persists

The prevailing rainy conditions are expected to prevail as the low-level atmospheric disturbance still persists in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Donors have no trust in Govt. or health ministry to give essential medicines: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) requests the government to implement a transparent mechanism to import medicine and medical equipment as the donors have no trust in the government or with the Health Ministry.

Every second you protest, we are losing vital dollars: MR

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that every second the youth protested, the country was losing vital dollars and the government would take all possible measures to address the current issues since the other parties refused to accept the request for an all party government.

SJB begins collecting signatures to impeach Prez

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today said its MPs had already begun placing signatures for an impeachment motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa while the placing of signatures for the no confidence motion against the government is also continuing.

CPC incurs heavy loss; Rs. 800 and 1,000mn per day

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is currently incurring a loss between Rs. 800 and 1,000 million by selling fuel in the country on daily basis, CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said.

Nawaz Sharif’s brother, set to be Pakistan’s 23rd PM

Pakistan’s National Assembly is likely to elect Shehbaz Sharif as the country’s 23rd Prime Minister Monday after his predecessor Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote two days ago.

No power cut on April 13, 14, 15: PUCSL chairman

There will be no scheduled power cut on April 13, 14 and 15 on account of the up coming Sinhala and Tamil New year as well as Good Friday, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) chairman Janaka Ratnayaka said.

Enough petrol at filling stations, no need to queue up: CPC Chairman

There is enough stocks of petrol available at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) storage and there is no need to wait in the queues at filling stations, CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said.

Tourists stage protest in Ambalangoda

A group of tourists currently in Sri Lanka staged a protest today at Kahawa in Ambalangoda against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over shortage of fuel.

Pro and anti-govt protesters clash in Chilaw

A clash reportedly took place in Chilaw between a group of people who support the government and another group that was against the government.

Issuing petrol, diesel for cans suspended for three days: CPC

The sale of petrol and diesel in plastic or any other cans at filling stations will be suspended for three days from tomorrow (12), Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said.

MR to address the nation tonight

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will issue a special statement today evening, his office said a short while ago.

Another man waiting hours to get fuel in queue dies

A 43-year old man, who was waiting to get diesel for his vehicle at a fuel station in Tawalama, Galle, was found dead inside the vehicle this morning.

Sri Lankan actor wins prestigious UK Olivier award

Making history in the performing arts, UK based Sri Lankan actor Hiran Abeysekera  won the Best Actor Award at British theater’s Olivier Awards last evening.

Agitation site re-named as ’Gota Go Gama’ by protestors

The agitation site set up near the Presidential Secretariat has been re-named as the ’Gota Go Gama’ by the protestors who are demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down amidst the spiraling crisis.

Rebel SLPP MPs say no to no-confidence

The rebel Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs, which includes former Ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Wimal Weerawansa, have decided not to support the no-confidence motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka’s inflation to peak at 28% in coming months before subsiding

Sri Lanka’s headline inflation could peak at 28 percent in the next couple of months from the 18.7 percent in March, as the full effects of the rupee float and the festive demand amid higher global commodities prices could set off a lengthy stretch of hotter prices.

Political stalemate continues

The meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the parliamentary group of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ended without any conclusion on the formation of an interim government to quell present political unrest in the country and find solutions to the economic woes, Daily Mirror learns.

Curse upon SL as a result of action taken by certain groups who set people against each other for power

Even certain groups from the neighboring countries have begun intervening in the affairs of Sri Lanka today, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said over the weekend.

Special official appointed to coordinate with stakeholders to maintain healthcare services

The Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena has appointed an official coordinator to maintain uninterrupted healthcare services and facilitate medicinal and equipment donations to Sri Lanka.

SJB moves to abolish 20th amendment

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) parliamentary group which met at the Opposition Leader’s office today has decided to come up with a private members Bill to scrap the 20th amendment and remove the powers of executive presidency, some of the MPs told journalists.

Fuel distribution under State Ministry of Home Affairs

The Energy Ministry has instructed the Home Affairs State Ministry to assist in monitoring the fuel distribution activities at fuel stations.

Three deaths, three injured due to adverse weather: DMC

At least three people had died and three injured as heavy showers and strong winds lashed the area due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance, that still persists in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.