President apologizes to Ranil over Cabraal’s remarks

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed his apology to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the All Party Conference over the remarks made by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal in which he accused the former government for the present crisis.

I’m still a member of the govt.: Vasu

Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara today told Parliament that he is still a member of the government though he is keeping away from his ministry.

Johnston challenges Sajith

Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando today threw a challenge at the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa to mediate between the Sri Lankan government and the three Middle Eastern countries that promised to supply fuel at a concessionary conditions so that Sri Lanka could get fuel immediately.

SL rupee hits Rs. 290 against US Dollar at several banks

The Sri Lankan rupee touched a record low of Rs. 290 against the US Dollar today at several licensed Commercial Banks.

Vehicle imports may delay further: State Minister

Even though several proposals have been received with regard to vehicle imports, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said today the government was yet to allow vehicle imports as priority was given to import only essential items at the moment.

All Party Conference commences

The All Party Conference convened by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa began at President’s House a short while with the participation of representatives of respective parties.

Banks directed to sell 50% of worker remittances to CB every week

The Central Bank has directed all licensed banks to sell 50 percent of inward workers’ remittances to the Central Bank every week.

Stagnancy in tourism, restaurant industry: ASMET, CCRC

The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET) and the Colombo City Restaurant Collective (CCRC) claim that their industry is experiencing a Stagnancy owing to new challenges it encounters.

Payment for already imported food containers under Indian credit line hampered

The use of US $ 1 billion Indian credit line for the release of around 1500 containers of essential food commodities already imported from India and stuck at the port has been hampered since some of the shippers are not ready to accept payment in Indian rupees, a spokesman said.

GL reappointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reappointed Prof. G.L. Peiris as the Minister of Foreign Affairs with effect from today (23).

2021 (2022) GCE O/L from May 23 to June 1: Edu. Min. Secy

The Education Ministry will conduct the 2021 (2022) GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination from May 23 to June 1, 2022, Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera said.

Power cut schedule announced for tomorrow

The power schedule which was imposed today will be carried out for tomorrow (23) as well, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Proposed MRCC deal threat to SL security: Harin

Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Harin Fernando said today that proposed Indian funded Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) is to be set up inside the Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters will threaten Sri Lanka’s security.

Indian coast guard rescues six Lankan fled to TN over economic crisis

The Indian Coast Guard rescued six Sri Lankan nationals, including three children, who were stranded on the fourth island off the coast of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, after they fled Sri Lanka which has been hit by an economic crisis and is facing an acute shortage of food and fuel.

Three suspects arrested over murder of Minister Lokuge’s driver

Three suspects including the main suspect involved in the brutal murder of the driver of Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge, have been arrested.

Dwindling water levels in reservoirs pose challenge to Hydro Power generation: Ministry

Due to rapidly dwindling water levels in the reservoirs associated with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Hydro Power Plant, hydropower generation will be further hampered, the Power Ministry said.

Govt. nod to amend several civil ordinances

The government today approved the amendments of the Last Will Ordinance, Marriage Registration Ordinance and Revocation of Irrevocable Deeds of Gift on the ground of Gross Ingratitude Act.

If govt. doesn’t intervene, entire poultry industry will collapse by April

The All Island Egg Producers Association (AIEPA) today warned that if the government doesn’t intervene with the poultry industry, it would collapse after April due to escalating production costs after the floating of the rupee, AIEPA Treasurer Wijeya Alwis said.

Present fuel crises forces to limit bus transportation

Bus transportation will have to be limited given the situation in the country but it will not grind to halt, Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama told Parliament today.

Gammanpila quits from another executive position

Former Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has resigned from the post of Chairman of the Seethawaka Regional Coordinating Committee with immediate effect.

Nimal Lanza relinquishes his ministerial portfolio

Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure State Minister Nimal Lanza has tendered his resignation today to step down from his ministerial portfolio.

Ranjan wins People’s actor award

Former Parliamentarian and popular cinema artiste Ranjan Ramanayake who is currently serving sentence in Prison has won the People’s actor award at the 2022 Slim-Kanter Award ceremony held in Colombo last night.

Troops deployed to CEYPETCO fuel stations

Military personnel have been deployed to monitor the distribution of fuel at filling stations operated by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, commonly known as CEYPETCO across the country, the Army said.

Over 16% of students face sexual harassment at universities, new study reveals

A new study on the prevalence of ragging and Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lankan State universities has revealed 16.6 percent of students at state universities are subjected to sexual harassment.

Technical committee proposed to implement IMF proposals

The panel of experts appointed for advising the National Economic Council has recommended the appointment of a technical committee comprising the Central Bank and the Treasury to implement proposals by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

National inflation surges to 17.5% hitting new record high

Sri Lanka’s national inflation reached a new all-time high of 17.5 percent in the 12 months to February 2022, the data released by the Census and Statistics Department showed.

Lankadeepa wins most popular newspaper award

Our sister papers Daily Lankadeepa and the Sunday Lankadeepa won the most popular newspaper award for the sixteenth consecutive year at SLIM-KANTAR People’s Awards 2022 held this evening at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.

Minister Gamini Lokuge’s driver beaten to death

The driver of Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge has been beaten to death at his residence in Gamwanawatta, Mavittara in Kesbewa this evening, Police said.

RW to participate in APC

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will participate in the All Party Conference (APC), the party’s Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Tomorrow’s power cut schedule announced

The power schedule which was imposed today will be carried out for tomorrow (22) as well, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.