Cement prices up

The price of a 50kg cement bag has been increased to Rs.1,850.

Bus fare revision likely on Monday night: Transport Minister

There is a possibility of announcing the bus fare revision from Monday night (14) onwards, Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Immediate steps to add 1000MW to national grid this year: Minister

Immediate steps will be taken to bring at least 1000 MW of renewable energy capacity onto the national grid this year in order to ensure uninterrupted power supply, Power Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Revise fuel transport formula; if not fuel distribution will be stopped: SLPPTOA

The Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association (SLPPTOA) said that they need to revise the fuel transport formula within two days and said if not, they will refrain from carrying out their services.

SJB considers Arab Spring type protests

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said today that it will go for an Arab Spring after giving an ultimatum for the government to resolve the present economic crisis.

Over 550kg Kerala cannabis smuggled from India seized in Negombo

Five suspects have been arrested by the STF with 560 kilograms of Kerala cannabis which was smuggled from Rameswaran in India.

At least seven months to end current fuel, gas crisis: Lokuge

At least another seven months will take to end the current fuel and gas queues, Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge said.

Decision on fuel subsidy or bus fare revision to be announced on Tuesday: Dilum

The decision on fuel subsidy or a bus fare revision will be announced on Tuesday (15) morning after the cabinet decision, Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Harin denies defaulting electricity Bill

SJB MP Harin Fernando who has denied defaulting an electricity Bill said yesterday that he never owned a house in Colombo and he never occupied his official residence when he was a Minister in the previous government after 2019.

Two boys killed due to electrocution in Samanthurai

Two children have died after being caught in an unauthorized power line at Naikadu in Samanthurai yesterday.

Around 1,300’ Ukrainian troops killed since Russia invasion: Zelenskiy

Around 1,300 Ukrainian troops have been killed since the start of the Russian invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday.

People are preparing to revolt - Maithri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said that the people are preparing to revolt as they cannot bear the burden of the cost of living.

Pakistan court charges 89 people for lynching Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot

An anti-terrorism court on Saturday indicted 89 individuals accused of lynching 49-year-old Sri Lankan factory manager Priyantha Kumara Diyawadanage in Sialkot over blasphemy allegations last year.

Frozen foods unfit for consumption dominate market: PHI union

Due to the prevalent power outage, many varieties of frozen food which are not fit for consumption are being sold in the market and shops, the Public Health Inspectors Union of Sri Lanka said.

If no solutions by govt. bus fare will go up by 30%, min. fare Rs.30: IPPBA

The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) Executive Committee decided today to raise the total bus fare by 30% while also raising the minimum bus fare from the present Rs.17 to Rs. 30, if the government does not come up with a solution.

Proposal will be forwarded to ministry after calculating bus fare: NTC

A proposal will be forwarded to the Transport Ministry requesting a bus fare hike on par with the sudden fuel hike, NTC Director Nilan Miranda said.

Grade 5 exam results to be released tonight

Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardana said he intends to contact the relevant authorities to release the grade five scholarship examination results by tonight

Remittances from exported goods and services from foreign earnings should be remitted to SL within 180 days - CBSL

Foreign earnings from all exported goods and services have been made mandatory and to be remitted to Sri Lanka within 180 days from the date of shipment or provisioning of services, the Central Bank stated.

Basil’s meeting with IMF not for debt restructuring: Cabraal

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa scheduled meeting with IMF in Washington DC next month ‘not for the purpose of debt restructuring’.

PM says Ranil a good friend, but no national government

Amidst rising reports that a national government was being discussed between the Rajapaksa brothers and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe which would see President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as head of state and Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday firmly denied these reports saying such a matter was not discussed with the UNP.

CPC also increases fuel prices; petrol by Rs.77 & diesel by Rs. 55

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has decided to increase fuel prices with effect from midnight today.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to meet ITAK on March 15 - TNA MP

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is to meet ITAK on Tuesday March 15 2022, TNA MP S. Rasamanickam told Parliament today.

Sri Lanka to start talks with IMF on debt restructuring

Sri Lanka will begin talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next month on a plan to help the crisis-hit country, including assistance with debt restructuring and managing its foreign exchange shortage, three sources said on Friday, Reuters reported.

COVID, Russia-Ukraine war and other external issues caused the crisis: Basil

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that they are trying to provide relief to people as much as possible, despite the challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

PUCSL agrees to approve emergency power purchase

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has agreed in principle to approve emergency power purchase subject to conditions laid down by the Commission.

Gammanpila barred from speaking in Parliament

One of the sacked ministers, MP Udaya Gammanpila has been denied permission to speak in a Parliament debate on energy crisis on March 10.

Over 120,000 LP gas cylinders distributed so far, says Litro

More than 120,000 cylinders of LP gas have been filled and distributed by this evening at Kerawalapitiya storage terminal and the process will continue for next few days to ease the gas shortage in the local market, the Litro Gas announced.

All students summoned to schools from March 14

A circular has been issued instructing schools to summon all students from Monday (14), the Education Ministry Secretary of Education, Prof. Kapila Perera said.

CPC to up fuel prices after Monday: Union says

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) hinted that it would also increase the price of fuel after Monday (14), as soon as the queues at fuel stations and powercuts are over, Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) Convenor and media spokesman Ananda Palitha said.

School van fares to go up

The All Island School Van Operators Association (AISVOA) today said that they are compelled to increase the school van fares as soon as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increases its prices.