IOC limits pumping fuel for light vehicles

Issuing fuel for vehicles will be limited at filling stations from tomorrow, the Lanka IOC said.

PM hooted at by group of protestors in Anuradhapura

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was in for a surprise when he was hooted at by a group of protestors during a visit to Anuradhapura today morning.

Cop suspended for negligence to provide security for Kaduwela Magistrate

A police constable has been suspended for negligence over failure to provide security for Kaduwela Magistrate Chanima Wijebandara’s residence, Police said.

Navy seizes narcotics suspected to be heroin valued over Rs. 4,800 million in international waters

Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with the Police Narcotics Bureau in international waters south of Sri Lanka, arrested seven foreign nationals along with 240kg of narcotics suspected to be heroin.

Sri Lanka in talks for $100 mln emergency funding from AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is considering granting $100 million in emergency support to Sri Lanka, the finance ministry said on Sunday.

Deep depression over SE Bay of Bengal intensifies into cyclonic storm

The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal has become a deep depression and later will intensify into a cyclonic storm, the Department of Metrology said.

PM pays homage to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Ahead of a crucial week, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Anuradhapura this morning to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

Indian minister warns of false info on social media over procurement of rice for SL

Indian Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Sakkarapani on Saturday warned of legal action against those who disseminate misleading information on social media about the initiatives to ship essential commodities such as rice to Sri Lanka.

SL’s foreign reserves drops below USD 25Mn

Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have declined to less than US $25 million, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed during the weekend.

Galadari responds to criticism against the peoples’ protests

The management of Galadari hotel has categorically denied the misinformation being circulated on social and other media, that the hotel had allegedly voiced criticism against the peoples’ protests that are taking place currently in Colombo.

Sajith says no to PM post in interim government: SJB

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa will not accept the Prime Minister’s post in an interim government, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organizer Tissa Attsnayake said today.

IMF to begin next round of technical discussions tomorrow

Amid the worsening economic situation, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) mission chief to Sri Lanka stated that the world financial body is expected to begin the next round of technical discussions with the island nation from May 9 to May 23.

No increase in IOC fuel prices: Minister

The messages circulating on the social media regarding a price increase in Lanka IOC fuel is completely false, power and energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

MOD informs citizens to act with utmost intelligence and patience

The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security has informed the public to act as responsible citizens with utmost intelligence and patience during this difficult period to maintain law and order in the country.

Issuing of passports to resume from Monday

The passport issuing services excluding the one day service will resume from Monday (9), Immigration and Emigration department said.

Security force members leave cancelled: MOD

Leave of the members of security forces has been cancelled with immediate effect following the declaration of a State of Emergency in the country, the Ministry of Defence said.

No water canon vehicle imported under Indian credit line – Indian HC

Indian High Commission in Colombo today denied reports that a water canon vehicle being imported by Sri Lankan Government under a credit line extended by Government of India.

CPC to conduct random check on fuel quality in all fuel stations

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) commenced random checks on fuel quality in all fuel stations islandwide, power and energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said

SJB ready to support Interim Govt. based on proposals made by BASL

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Samagi Jana Sandanaya have drawn attention to the series of proposals put forward by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to resolve the current serious national crisis in the country and had decided to support an interim government based on the proposals made by Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

Emergency imposed to ensure public safety and social stability - Govt

The Government today affirmed that the State of Emergency was declared by the President effective yesterday (May 6) to ensure political stability which is a vital condition in overcoming the current socio-economic crisis in the country thereby assuring public safety and uninterrupted supply of essential services.

UK, EU, NZ express concerns over State of Emergency in SL

Several foreign missions based in Colombo including the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and New Zealand have expressed their concerns on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to declare State of Emergency in the country effective from last night.

Sunday Times digs deeper into exposes on Aspen Medical and Sabre Vision Holdings

The report this week by Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) leading investigative journalism programme, ‘Four Corners’, on questionable payments by Australia’s Aspen Medical into the bank accounts of a British Virgin Islands-registered company owned by Sri Lankan businessman Nimal Perera created waves here and abroad.

Either resign allowing for interim govt or go for election: CBK tells Govt.

The government should either resign allowing for an interim government or go for a Parliamentary election if the government and opposition MPs are not ready for an interim government, Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge said today.

4,000MT of fuel released daily: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera today said an average of 4,000 MT of auto diesel and 2,500 MT of 92 octane petrol is released daily.

Protest outside Ranil’s house, Ranil says meet me at Sirikotha

A protest broke out, outside UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s house in 5th Lane in Colombo this morning, with protestors calling on the former prime minister to ’Go Home’ and ’Stay Home’.

Suppressing people’s struggle may have serious repercussions:JVP

The Janatha vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today urged the government to revoke the state of emergency claiming that suppressing people’s protests would result in more serious repercussions.

UNICEF condemns violence against children during protests in SL

UNICEF is concerned with reports of violence during protests involving children in Sri Lanka.

US embassy concerned over State of Emergency

The Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung said that she is concerned by another State of Emergency.

Tourism Min. gives stern warning to SLTDA, SLAITO heads

As matters are becoming increasingly ugly between the Sri Lanka Tourism leadership and private sector stakeholder, the Tourism Ministry has sternly requested the two parties to immediately put a stop to the public mudslinging.

BOI urges stakeholders to prioritise interest of investors

As operations in the Free Trade Zones came to a standstill, due to the islandwide hartal, the Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday stressed that all stakeholders must first look into safeguarding the interests of foreign investors.