Peoples Bank Nonperforming loans Rs 54 billion in 2021

COPE chairman Prof. Charitha Herath making a recommendation to the Chairman of People’s Bank Sujeewa Rajapakse, called for the submission of a comprehensive report within a month with details of companies in the private sector which were granted loans worth Rs.54 billion, which are currently in the non-performing status.

Basil fights back to save his political future as RW pushes for 21A today

In a move to push for the 21st amendment to be accepted by the party leaders today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will lobby for it at the party leaders’ meeting at 3.30 pm today in order to reduce the powers of the President and also remove dual citizens from holding a parliamentary seat, which in turn will end Basil Rajapaksa’s political career in Sri Lanka.

President seeks international assistance to overcome economic crisis

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday sought assistance from the international community to ensure that Sri Lanka’s immediate needs in terms of the importation of essential medicines, food supplies, and fuel are met.

Sri Lanka’s crisis is a result of mismanagement: IMF Chief

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said that Sri Lanka’s crisis is due to mismanagement, and therefore the most important thing to be done is to put the country back on a sound microeconomic footing.

Sapugaskanda oil refinery to commence operations again

The operations at the Sapugaskanda oil refinery will commence again and producing Fuel Oil will start in six days, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

India is providing all possible support to Sri Lanka: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Sri Lanka is passing through difficult times and as a close friend and neighbour, India is providing all possible support to Sri Lanka.

IMF reaffirms its commitment to support SL in line with it’s policies

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said today that its staff will continue to monitor the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka very closely and engage with the authorities to formulate concrete measures under an IMF-supported program, as well as broader stakeholders to support a timely resolution of the crisis.

Board appointed to probe recent violence in the country

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Board of Inquiry to ascertain lapses, if any, by the armed forces and State Intelligence Services during the recent incidents of violence in Mirihana on March 31 and island-wide violence since May 9, official’s sources said.

Mobile App to monitor refuelling vehicles: Minister

A mobile application that is capable of monitoring vehicles arriving at filling stations for refuelling and exchanging data instantly with other filling stations is currently being tested, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Curtailing fuel distribution would lead to another hike, including kerosene: Ananda Palitha

While adopting limitation in issuing fuel continuously, there is room for suspicions that the government is making a clandestine attempt to increase the prices of fuel again within the next two weeks and to hike the price of kerosene to an unaffordable range, Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) convener and media spokesman Ananda Palitha said.

Export bans could worsen global food insecurity: IMF

The IMF cautioned this week that the ongoing food insecurity across the world could worsen if countries go forward with their export bans.

Dedicated website for ’GotaGoGama’ to submit proposals, issues

The Prime Minister’s office has launched a special website through which the protesters at GotaGoGama will be able to submit their proposals and any issues they are faced with, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

CID officers visit ’GotaGoGama’ to record statements again

Several officers of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today visited the ’GotaGoGama’ protest site at Galle Face Green with regard to the ongoing investigations being carried out over the May 9 attack.

Abeykoon renews Sri Lanka 100m record

Olympian Yupun Abeykoon renewed the Sri Lanka 100 metre record at an international athletic meeting in Dassau, Germany on Wednesday, the first athlete from South Asia to clock under 10.10 seconds.

Granting presidential pardon on Royal Park murder convict: FR petition fixed for September 23

A Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant Presidential Pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don. Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha was fixed for September 23 by the Supreme Court.

Salary hike for public servants: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to bring in a salary hike for public servants through the interim budget which is to be presented in the future.

Shavendra to step down as Army Chief

General Shavendra Silva will assume office on 1 June 2022 as new Chief of Defence Staff after relinquishing the office of the Commander of the Army on 31 May.

Edu. Ministry to provide meals for schoolchildren

The attention was drawn by the Education Ministry to provide lunch for the schoolchildren, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Flower Road temporarily closed due to protest

The Flower Road in Kollupitiya is temporarily closed due to a protest, Police said.

LAUGFS gas to return to market after six days

Domestic LAUGFS Gas cylinders will be distributed to the market within the next six days, LAUGFS Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya said.

Delay in distributing diesel, supplying petrol needs streamlining: Assn.

The Fuel Distributors’ Association (FDA) today claimed that there would be a lull in the distribution of diesel in the country until Saturday (28).

CID grills former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has recorded a statement from former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday over the incidents at Kollupitiya and Galle Face Green on May 9.

UK in talks with Paris Club on Sri Lanka issue

The United Kingdom (UK) is in talks with Paris Club members on potential solutions to Sri Lanka’s unsustainable debt.

ADIC, Jaffna University to fight vices

Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) and the University of Jaffna signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Joint Education and Advocacy Programmes on Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Prevention and Awareness Collaboration at the University of Jaffna yesterday.

PM to lead talks with IMF

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was sworn in as finance minister will lead talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), foreign media reported yesterday.

Shortage of 76 essential drugs

There is a shortage of 76 varieties of essential medicines while the total payments due to the local suppliers of medicine and medical equipment is a staggering Rs 33 billion, the Prime Minister’s office said yesterday.

Galle Face protesters insist govt. to end repression and witch-hunting

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has issued notices to several protesters at the Galle Face Green to surrender their passports as means of imposing an overseas travel ban until investigations conclude.

Basil attempting to block 21st Amendment ?

Former Finance Minister and founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa is said to be leading attempts to block the 21st Amendment from being passed by Parliament, Daily Mirror learns.

Australian day-night matches to go ahead – SLC

The day-night matches in Sri Lanka’s limited over series against Australia next month will go ahead as scheduled, a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official said today, refuting reports in foreign media that all matches had been shifted to day games.

Airlines diverted to Chennai, Dubai Singapore airports for refuelling

As an alternative solution and measures to minimize the issues of refuelling aircraft at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), it was reported that the airlines would be diverted to airports such as Chennai, Dubai and Singapore, the airport sources said.