All sections of Govt. must act as one machinery: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the need for all sections of the government to act as one machinery to take the nation towards stability by the end of the year.

2023 - a bleak year: Harsha

The year 2023 is going to be bleak as there is no sign of Sri Lanka getting into an understanding with the creditors to restructure the debts while there is no assurance on IMF assistance yet, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP said yesterday.

Fin. Ministry to introduce new HS codes for 142 import, export varieties

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today that a gazette notification will be issued introducing new HS codes for 142 varieties of goods from January 1.

India, Sri Lanka bonded together by Buddhism: Muruddeniya Dhammarathana Thero

A delegation of high-ranking Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, who were on a pilgrimage to the Bodh Gaya have recalled the historical Buddhist connections between India and Sri Lanka which have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction and the relationship between the two countries for more than 2500 years old.

2023 to be tougher for global economy than 2022: IMF Chief

This year will be tougher than 2022 for most of the global economy as the United States, European Union and China see slowing growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.

Printing of calendars and diaries decline by 90 percent

Printing of calendars and diaries have declined by 90 per cent, Sri Lanka Printers Association President Ariyadasa Weeraman said.

Hopeful of further reducing inflation: CB Governor

Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said his main expectation this year was to bring down inflation and to reduce the interest.

Regulation of Elections Expenditure Bill to be taken up on 5th

The Regulation of Elections Expenditure Bill under which the Election Commission is to be vested with the right to decide on a maximum authorized amount which a candidate contesting any election could spend for his campaign is to be taken up for debate in Parliament on Thursday January 5, 2023, Parliament Media Unit said.

SLC hires Chris Clarke-Irons as Lead Physiotherapist for two years

Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed Chris Clarke-Irons as the Lead Physiotherapist of the National Team, with effect from January 1, 2023.

96 trains cancelled yesterday and today

As many as 96 trains were off the tracks yesterday and today due to absence of railway workers, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLTSMU) said.

Two teenaged boys drown while bathing in Matara beach

Two boys, both aged 17 years drowned in the Matara beach while bathing.

Hearing impaired to get driving licence after March: MT Comm. Gen.

The program to issue driving licences to the hearing impaired will commence islandwide after March this year, Motor Traffic Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said.

Fonseka makes a verbal blow at Sajith

One cannot become a leader either by driving buses or by setting fire to buses, SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said.

Official ceremony to be held tomorrow to commence work in the New year

The main official ceremony to commence work for the year 2023 will be held at 9.00 am tomorrow at the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Underworld gangster ‘Kanjipani’ Imran sneaks into Tamil Nadu-The Hindu

Notorious underworld gangster Mohamed Najim Mohamed Imran alias ‘Kanjipani’ Imran sneaked into Rameswaram days after his release on bail by a court in Sri Lanka, police sources said on Saturday, The Hindu news agency reported.

All must face New Year with utmost commitment to build better country: PM

All must face the New Year with utmost commitment to build a better country even in the face of numerous challenges, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

We plan to turn around the economy in 2023: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said 2023 will be a critical year in which Sri Lanka was planning to turn around the economy.

President expresses condolences on Pope Benedict’s demise

President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed condolences on the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

US grants $240M assistance to SL in 2022: Julie Chung

The United States has announced more than $240M in new assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022 alone, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dies at age 95

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a leading theologian of the 20th century and the first pope to resign from office in nearly 600 years, has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced.

Retirement after 60 years for railway employees announced

The President’s Secretary informed the Railway General Manager today about the retirement upon reaching the age of 60 years on December 31.

Importing eggs temporarily can bring prices down to Rs.30: Bakery Owners

If it is unable to produce sufficient eggs to meet the demand, eggs could be imported as a temporary measure to control the escalating prices, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said.

State sector employees to get no-pay leave to complete doctorate

The government has decided to grant no-pay leave to state employees to read for their doctorates, without affecting their seniority or pension.

China must share data on Covid impact: WHO

Chinese officials must share more real-time information on Covid in the country as infections surge, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

2023 - a year of long weekends

The year 2023 is going to be a year of long weekends, as most of the public and mercantile holidays have fallen on Fridays and Mondays.

SJB says applications galore seeking candidacy to LG Polls

General Secretary of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ranjith Madduma Bandara said applications galore from the party members seeking to contest the pending elections to the local authorities.

Local businesses urge Central Bank to further extend moratorium

The local businesses urged the Central Bank this week to look at the possibility of further extending the moratorium, so that more breathing space is provided to settle the loans.

SL Tourism looks at renewable green energy as long-term solution to power crisis

As Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, mainly the hotel sector, is likely to get electrocuted with the second hike in electricity tariff, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said it is looking to bring in renewable energy options.

Rs. 4,000 advance cash payment to be given for state sector employees

An advance cash payment of a maximum of Rs. 4,000 will be given to all State sector employees between January 1 and February 28, 2023, the Public Administration Ministry said.

Child slammed to the ground for buying a bun

A child was slammed on the ground for purchasing a bun from a trishaw selling bakery items in Dambulla yesterday, after an individual assumed that the child had stolen the money to make the purchase, the police said.