Interim budget passed with majority of 115 votes

The interim budget presented by President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was passed in Parliament with amendments by a majority of 115 votes today.

Take action against those responsible before privatising loss-making state entities: AKD

Claiming that the state institutions are running at huge loss due to decisions taken by politicians, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that those who were responsible for plunging the state institutions into loss making entities, should be dealt with before privatising them.

Supreme Court allows Basil to travel USA for four months

The Supreme Court today permitted former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to travel to USA for a four month period.

Unfair to accuse CB Governor; defaulting loans a collective decision: Ali Sabri

Claiming that the decision to declare a default on foriegn loans was taken following discussions with the President and all other relevant authorities, Minister Ali Sabri said today that it was unreasonable to accuse Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe of the decision.

Conspiracy to oust CB Governor: Sajith

A conspiracy is being hatched to oust Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinge by making false allegations and appoint a new Governor loyal to certain people, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged today.

Japan calls for creditor nations’ talks on Sri Lanka debt restructuring

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki on Friday urged all creditor nations to discuss Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, after the crisis-hit South Asian nation reached a loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

Prices of LP Gas to be brought down further from Monday: LITRO Chairman

The LITRO Gas Lanka said the price of a domestic LITRO gas cylinders including the 12.5kg will be reduced by Monday (5), its chairman Muditha Peiris said.

India launches first home-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

Making history and setting a new milestone, India will commission its first ever domestically built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant today (02). Along with the new aircraft carrier, India will join the elite group of countries such as the US and China that are capable of building their own aircraft carriers.

Gazette on retail price ceiling for 43 medical devices issued

A gazette notification (2295/18) was issued announcing the maximum retail price of 43 medical devices.

Indian assets of Lankan man seized in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said it has attached Indian assets of a Sri Lankan man and his son as part of a drugs-linked money laundering investigation against them.

Another man shot to death in Middeniya

A 47-year-old man succumbed to gunshot wounds when an unidentified man opened fire at him at Sathosmathagama in Middeniya last night.

Calls for flexible exchange rate

The IMF yesterday highlighted the importance of Sri Lanka having a market-determined, flexible exchange rate.

IMF tells Sri Lanka to work “expeditiously” to gain debt relief from creditors

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday said Sri Lanka should move forward “expeditiously” to secure debt relief from its creditors to ensure debt sustainability as disbursement of any IMF financing is contingent upon that and the reforms carried out by the authorities to restore macroeconomic stability.

Asia Cup: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh to enter Super Four

Sri Lanka edged Bangladesh in a final over thriller to qualify for the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, winning with two wickets and four balls to spare.

Private buses lost their income due to protests: Bus Owners’

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) today lodged a complaint with the Police Head Quarters, Colombo for disturbing the bus operation due to protests.

New sub station between Beliatta and Vavurukannala from Sunday

Arrangements have been made to establish a new sub-station between Beliatta and Vavurukannala railway stations for the convenience of passengers on the coastal line, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

Fuel needed for gem industry in Ratnapura under QR code soon: Minister

Necessary measures will be taken for the delivery of fuel through Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots for 4,000 gem miners in Ratnapura district who are engaged in the gem mining industry, Plantation Industries and Minister of Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.

China always encourages IMF and other lenders to help SL

As a traditional friendly neighbour of Sri Lanka and a major shareholder of the International Monetary Fund, China has always been encouraging the IMF and other international financial institutions to continue to play a positive role in supporting Sri Lanka’s response to current difficulties and efforts to ease the debt burden and realize sustainable development, the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

Luxury vehicle crashes into filling station

A luxury motor vehicle crashed into a filling station today at Madiwela. Police said the pump attendant was seriously injured in the accident and was admitted to the Kalubowila hospital.

No changes to fuel prices

There will be no changes to the fuel prices tonight, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera today said.

This to be the beginning of a new economic era: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that this is an important step in the history of Sri Lanka. “Not only rising from the bankruptcy crisis and the debt moratorium, it is also key to ensure that our social sectors are protected and both our economic and social aspect of our lifestyle will certainly not have any further setbacks.”

Govt. plotting to weaken armed forces: SF

The government is plotting to weaken the security forces through the budget proposal which called for the review on the defence strategy called “National Security - 2030”, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said today.

GR to return to SL on Saturday

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return back to the country on Saturday, a source close to him said.

Namal’s advice to RW on what to do next

MP Namal Rajapakasa said that he believes President Ranil Wickremesinghe should create a stable government with the 134 MPs who voted in favour of him and not those who opposed him.

Kegalle SJB organizer arrested over death of woman at SJB office

The Kegalle Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organizer Lakman Dissanayake has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman attached to the Kegalle SJB office.

Cigarette prices increased

The prices of each cigarette category has been increased with effect from today, cigarette companies said.

600,000MT of substandard rice imported due to chemical fertilizer ban: Amaraweera

Sri Lanka has had to import nearly 600,000 metric tons of substandard and poisonous rice as a result of the failed decision to promote organic farming, Agricultural Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Jeyaraj murder: Former ASP and Ex-LTTE cadre acquitted and released

Former ASP for Gampaha, Lakshman Cooray and Ex-LTTE cadre Selvarajah Piribahakaran aka ’Morris’ who were in remanded custody over the murder of former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle were acquitted and released by Gampaha High Court Judge Sahan Mapa Bandara today.

Ready even to beg to provide free meals to school children: Susil

Whilst stating that there is nothing wrong in getting assistance from foreign countries and international organizations to provide free meals to school children, the Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha today and he also said the opposition members should come forward to meet foreign diplomats and seek assistance for the nation.

Woman attached to Kegalle SJB office found dead with gunshot injuries

A 36-year-old woman attached to the Kegalle Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) office, was found dead with gunshot injuries in Kalugalla Mawatha in Kegalle this morning, police said.