Govt. decides to hold debate on IMF report

The government has decided to allocate a date for a debate on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report on Sri Lanka, Cheif Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando said.

I am ready to quit as minister if SLFP ministers take the lead: Namal

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said he is ready to resign from his ministerial portfolio so as to reduce the number of ministers in the Cabinet, if the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) sets an example by asking its ministers to resign first.

Ranil calls for immediate debate on IMF report

Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for an immediate debate in Parliament on the IMF report on Sri Lanka.

Special committee appointed to deal with IMF

A special committee has been appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to select an international law firm to deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

43 Brigade ready to work with any political party opposing Rajapaksas: Champika

The 43 Brigade is willing to work with any political party which opposes Rajapaksas, including those who are with SLPP, it’s head Patali Champika Ranawaka said today.

Power cuts extended by another hour for some areas today due to weekend parties

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said that it has been decided to impose power cut for one more hour in addition to today’s scheduled power cuts, as the Daily Mirror learns there were mega weekend parties.

IMF calls SL to strengthen VAT and income taxes

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended Sri Lanka a comprehensive set of policies with specific measures which included strengthening VAT and income taxes and energy pricing reforms.

India requests SL to tackle fisheries issue on humanitarian approach

The Indian government has requested Sri Lankan authorities to tackle the fisheries issue based on humanitarian approach.

China tells India two countries should not constrain each other

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister WangYi met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday and said that the two countries should help each other rather than constraining each other , a tweet from the Chinese embassy in Colombo said .

Indian External Affairs Minister to visit SL next week

External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar will undertake a visit to Sri Lanka for bilateral and BIMSTEC engagements on March 28 and 30, Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

US $ 1Bn loan from China to settle previous loans

The proposed US $ 1 billion loan to be obtained from China will be utilised to settle the previous loans from the Chinese banks, Daily Mirror learns.

Providing uninterrupted power supply will be a challenge next week: Union

Providing uninterrupted power supply will be a challenge by next week due to the unavailability of fuel and insufficient hydropower generation capacity, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) said.

There won’t be 10-hour power cut next week: PUCSL Chairman

With the assurance of supplying adequate diesel to power plants by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), there will be no need to extend the daily power shedding up to ten hours, instead, it would reduce gradually, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Petrol price up by Rs 49

The Lanka IOC has decided to increase the retail selling price of all types of petrol by Rs 49 per litre again from midnight today (25).

Five defence agreements signed with India: Handunnetti

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today revealed that the government had entered into five defence agreements with India in line with the recently obtained US$1 billion credit facility, despite claims that no condition had been laid down in the credit line.

UNP takes to streets calling for national policy; Champika joins

Rating the United National Party (UNP) Sathyagraha held at Hyde Park a success, its Deputy Leader Runwa Wijewardene said today was the beginning of a giant effort to bring in all political parties together and formulate a national policy to resurrect Sri Lanka’s economy.

Community-level committees to prevent communal violence, violent extremism : ONUR

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR)) is working for the establishment of community-based committees at Grama Seva division levels to detect reasons for communal violence and take measures to pre-empt them, an official said.

Let’s work together to build the country: Prez tells TNA

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a discussion with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has called for unity to build the country.

Former State Minister Pandu Bandaranayake arrested

Former State Minister Pandu Bandaranayake was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) today in Ampara while attempting to sell three ivory pearls for Rs.10 million.

SJB to push for an election

The objective of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to push for an election by denying the majority enjoyed by the present government in Parliament, its MP Mayantha Dissanayake said today.

Prices of lunch packets go up due to ingredient price hike by 500%

Due to the increase in the prices of essential ingredients used to make lunch packets by 500% in the local market, the selling prices of lunch packets have been increased, All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) Chief Asela Sampath said.

SL rupee hits Rs. 300 against US Dollar at Standard Chartered Bank

The Sri Lankan rupee touched a record low of Rs. 300 against the US Dollar today at the licensed Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered.

BASL files FR on present economic crisis

Two fundamental rights applications were filed in the Supreme Court today by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on the present economic crisis in the public interest.

Plans underway to give elephants to temples and acquire lands to Pinnawala

It is reported that plans are afoot to give three elephants to temples and Dewalayas and augment the adjacent lands which have issues with the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (PEO), that belongs to several close associates of the Wildlife Minister, Ministry sources said.

National Grid to get 200 MW from ’’ Sobadanavi’’ by next year: Pavithra

The Power Ministry is hoping to add 200 MW of electricity to the national grid through the 350 MW Sobadanavi Natural Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LNG) Power Plant by next year, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

CWC loses confidence in President Boycotted APC over fertilizer issue

The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) led by State Minister Jeevan Thondaman has lost confidence in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, party officials told Daily Mirror.

SL abstains on UNGA resolution on humanitarian consequences of Ukraine war

Sri Lanka abstained on the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine by Russia.

Two accomplices of gangster ’Beral Sanka’ shot dead in Kadawatha

Two accomplices of underworld gangster ’Beral Sanka’ have been shot dead last night at 9th miles post in Kadawatha on the Colombo-Kandy Main Road.

Air Force denies importing Land Rover for Commander

The Sri Lanka Air Force has denied claims that a Land Rover Defender has been imported for the personal use of Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.

Govt. urgently allocates Rs. 100Mn to import 14 critical drugs

A sum of Rs. 100 million has been allocated for the import of 14 critical drugs in a bid to address the acute shortage of drugs in the country.