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.

Yoshitha and wife return to SL on Tuesday midnight

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his wife who left Sri Lanka on Monday, May 09th have returned to the country from Singapore on Tuesday midnight, through Bandaranaike International Airport’s (BIA) CIP Lounge, airport sources said.

MR and several others fail to surrender their passports to court custody: AG

The Attorney General today informed the Court that despite a Court order, several individuals including former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon have so far failed to surrender their passports to the court custody.

Circular issued to summon only essential staff in public institutions for duty from tomorrow

The Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry has made directions to Ministry Secretaries, Chief Secretaries of Provincial Councils and Department Heads to formulate a mechanism to call for duty only the essentially needed staff to public institutions from tomorrow (26).

India donates medicines for SL

More than 25 tons of drugs and medical supplies worth over Rs. 200 million donated by India is expected to reach Colombo tomorrow, sources said.

Anuradhapura youth to reimburse Rs.1 to Kanchana

In response to the remarks made by Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) still incurs a loss of over a rupee from a litre of petrol following recent increase , a group of youth in Anuradhapura has set a money till in fuel stations appealing public to put a rupee.

All academic activities, incl.exams must forge ahead methodically by next Dec. - Minister

Activities in the field of education such as conducting examinations, releasing results, distribution of textbooks and admitting students to universities need to be done in a time-driven manner by next December, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Commence Languages, Vocational Training Programmes targeting foreign job vacancies: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to implement languages and vocational training programmes targeting foreign job vacancies, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SLPP MPs further remanded

Six suspects including SLPP parliamentarians Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayatilleke were today ordered to be further remanded till June 1 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage in connection with the incidents at MainaGoGama and GotaGoGama on May 9 .

4.5mn employees from 4,500 SMEs to lose jobs in months ahead: SLUNBA

The Sri Lanka United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA) today warned that nearly 4.5 million workers belong to 4,500 small and medium enterprises (SME) will get on to the streets in protest in the coming months for not being able to pay their workers’ wages.

Over 50,000 litres of illegally hoarded fuel recovered

Police have arrested 137 individuals along with over 50,000 litres of illegally hoarded fuel including petrol during 429 raids carried out throughout the country recently.

40 fuel stations closed due to protests and unrest: Association

Following protests and unrests reported at filling stations, some 40 filling stations have been closed, the Petroleum Dealers’ Association (PDA) said.

Power minister welcomes proposals from product and service suppliers to CPC

The Power and Energy Minister today sent a request to potential service and product suppliers to meet the requirements of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and extended his gratitude the suppliers to quote the best possible price to the Ministry or for the CPC to evaluate them.

Sri Lanka Cricket to donate US$ 2 million to the country’s Health Sector

Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to donate US$ 2 million (LKR 718 million) to support the country’s health sector to purchase essential medicines.

Krrish case against Namal Rajapaksa: CID seeks AG’s advice

The CID conducting investigations against Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, concerning alleged misappropriation of Rs.70 million belonging to Krrish Company today informed Court that they have sought Attorney General’s advice regarding possible future legal action into the matter.

Appoint Truth Commission to investigation May 9 incidents: Independent parties tell Prez

The ten political parties which became independent in Parliament requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint a special presidential commission (Truth Commission) to investigate and recommend legal action on the violent incidents that occurred in the country on May 9 and thereafter.

Prime Minister sworn in as Finance Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning, President’s Media Division said.

Teenage Gunman kills 19 children, 2 teachers at Texas elementary school

A teenage gunman murdered at least 19 children and two teachers after storming into a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, the latest bout of gun-fueled mass killings in the United States and the nation’s worst school shooting in nearly a decade.

SJB decides to extend conditional support to government

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) working committee yesterday decided to participate in the government subjected to conditions, MP Eran Wickramaratne said yesterday.

No new financing for Sri Lanka without macroeconomic policy framework: WB

The World Bank on Tuesday said it is not planning to provide any new financing to Sri Lanka until an adequate economic policy framework has been put in place.

PM to be sworn in as Finance Minister today

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will be sworn in as the new Finance Minister today morning, sources said.

Financial and legal advisors for debt restructuring process selected

The cabinet that met on Monday has decided to retain the international financial advisory services and legal services from two companies of consultants to help Sri Lanka to obtain a long term loan package from the IMF and for the restructuring of debts at a cost of US$ 5.6 million for services provided for three months.

Ranil should resign or dance to SLPP tune: SJB

Incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will have to resign from his post or will have to dance according to the tune of SLPP if he remains, an SJB MP said yesterday.

Pakistani & Iranian nationals identified as having the highest charged with drug trafficking in Sri Lanka

Albeit the frequent drug busting operations are carried out within the island’s marine territory in order to help support the government’s aim to rescue the future generation from drug menace, Sri Lanka’s maritime territory is often being used by local and international narcotic traffickers, especially the Iranian and the Pakistani nationals continue their illicit activities.

Magistrate allegedly posed death threats on OIC

Akuressa police on Monday afternoon (23) reported to Deiyandara magistrate court that Magistrate Kushika Kumarasiri had posed death threats on OIC Deiyandara police Sudesh Nalaka and that the OIC’s complaint in this regard would be investigated. Police requested the case to be heard by another magistrate.

Sri Lanka returns to fuel pricing formula partially ending subsidy regime

With State-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) struggling to finance fuel imports amid steep losses, Sri Lanka has returned to a cost-reflective fuel pricing formula partially ending an uneven subsidy regime after over two years, resulting in a record increase in fuel prices