Sri Lanka seeking $3 Bn under IMF Extended Fund Facility

Sri Lanka is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to borrow at least $3 billion via the lender’s extended fund facility (EFF), sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Indian PM assures expeditious supply of fertilizer: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to provide the fertilizer required for the Yala season cultivation immediately, President’s Media Division said.

Import-export activities at risk as local agents fail to pay shipping lines

Sri Lanka’s shipping agents have warned that shipping lines could withdraw from accepting import and export cargo in and out of Sri Lanka, as local agents have failed to remit US $ 70 million in freight charges owed to shipping lines over the past several months, due to the foreign exchange crisis.

Money runs out to feed animals in zoos

The officials of the Department of Zoology have informed the Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Wildlife Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera that there is no money to provide daily food to the animals in the Dehiwala Zoo as well as other zoos in the country.

Palm oil industry requests govt. to lift bans and other restrictions

Sri Lanka’s palm oil industry yesterday requested the government to repeal the bans and other negative policies in place against the industry and liberalise it, so the industry could play its part to support the country’s dollar-starved economy.

Govt. relaxes import controls to support biz

The Finance Ministry yesterday implemented two key actions with regard to importation of goods, paving the way for businesses to have access to the required raw materials, so that operations can proceed with minimal hindrance.

Duminda Silva still at J’pura hospital; now under prison custody

The Housing Development Authority Chairman, Duminda Silva who was taken into CID custody was handed over to prison officials and is currently receiving treatment at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. The arrest was made following the Supreme Court order.

Recently concluded O/L exam was the toughest, challenging in history: Exam. Com. Gen.

While announcing the conclusion of the 2021 (2022) GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination today, Examination Commissioner General L.M.D. Dharmasena said the said examination was the most difficult and challenging one in the history of the Sri Lanka Examinations Department. 

Educational structure should start at elementary stage: Minister

He said the education system itself needs to be changed. Students should be assigned to higher education and another set of students should be assigned to vocational education depending on their skills.

Will take disciplinary action: Exam Com Gen

A full-scale investigation will be carried out into the incidents where photos were shared on social media showing some students sitting for the O/L examination with umbrellas to protect themselves from rain, Examination Commissioner General L.M.D. Dharmasena said.

Prison authorities to take Duminda Silva into custody tonight

Housing Development Authority Chairman Duminda Silva who was taken into CID custody following the Supreme Court order will be handed over to the prison custody tonight, sources said.

Attack on Peaceful Protesters: Johnston Fernando named as a suspect

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducting investigations into the attack on peaceful protesters at Temple Trees and Galle Face on May 9, has named former Minister Johnston Fernando as a suspect of the magisterial inquiry currently being heard at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Prez appoints Commission of Inquiry to probe recent incidents of arson, looting, murders

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and report on the incidents of arson, looting, murders and all types of damages to properties and loss of life in several parts of the country between March 31 and May 15, 2022.

‘Aragalaya’ youths present set of proposals to Prez

The Confederation of Professionals for a National Policy, a group of professionals and youth involved in ‘Aragalaya’ (struggle),

Funds received for drug purchase not properly utilized: COPE reveals

Claiming that a total of US $ 330 million of funds received from international agencies such as the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian credit line had not been disbursed for import of essential drugs despite an acute shortage, COPE Chairman Charitha Herath has instructed officials to utilize the funds immediately to resolve the drug shortage.

Duminda Silva arrested

Housing Development Authority Chairman Duminda Silva, who was admitted to the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital this morning, was arrested by the CID a short while ago.

Over 12,000 people affected by inclement weather

More than 12,000 people in 2,632 families have been affected due to floods following heavy rains experienced in the past few days, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Excise has no say over liquor price increase

The Department of Excise today said they have no control over the price increase of liquor owing to the escalation of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 8% to 12% from midnight Tuesday.

Private buses to stop from Monday: LPBOA

Due to adequate diesel for the private buses, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has decided to stop operating from Monday (6).

Nimal Siripala, Amaraweera to be removed from all positions of SLFP

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to remove the SLFP parliamentarians who obtain ministry portfolios in the new government, from all positions of the party, SLFP Chairman Maithripala Sirisena said.

Duminda Silva admitted to J'Pura Hospital; CID sent to hospital

Housing Development Authority Chairman Duminda Silva was admitted to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital a short while ago, hospital sources said.

IGP arrives at Fort Magistrate’s Court

IGP Chandana Wickremaratne arrived at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Galle Face protest case.

PM instructs to provide relief for flood affected

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken steps to provide relief to those who have been affected by the floods and spoke to the treasury to provide funds for relief, Prime Minister’s office said today.

Speeding car overturns on Vajira Road crashing into 12 vehicles

A speeding car skidded off the road and overturned near Visakha Vidyalaya on Vajira Road in Colombo last evening causing damages to more than 12 vehicles including 9 cars and two three wheelers.

MoU signed with Malaysia to establish job training centre

The Malaysian Foreign Employment ministry and Sri Lanka Labour Ministry have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia on the speedy establishment of a specialized training centre targeting jobs in Malaysia.

SI dies in accident in Ratnapura

A Sub Inspector (SI) if police attached to the Pelmadulla Police Station died following an accident at Pelwadiya, Ratnapura on the Ratnapura-Pelmadulla Road yesterday.

Top ruling party politico’s liquor factories release harmful booze to market

A shocking revelation of releasing a massive stock of harmful and substandard alcoholic beverages to the market from two liquor factories belonging to a top ruling party politician without the Government Analyst report, justifies the recent introduction of new standards for local alcohol spirits.

Regulation on tuk-tuk transportation; assembling of solar powered tuks discussed: Union

The government should intervene with the regulation of passenger transportation services for three-wheelers by implementing a law to display the TAXI sign board, displaying the revised taxi fares which everyone can see clearly and to encourage the process of manufacturing and assembling solar powered electric three-wheelers locally are to be made mandatory, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union President Lalith Dharmasekera said.

Bollywood singer KK dies after concert In Kolkata

Popular Bollywood singer Krishnakumar Kunnath also known as KK passed away hours after a concert in Kolkata on Tuesday.

School girl’s body found in well in Vavuniya

The body of a 16 year old girl who went missing on Monday was found in a well at Ganeshpuram, in Vavuniya today.