Those engaged in lawful protests cannot be arrested- BASL

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) issuing a statement regarding the escalation of the situation in the vicinity of Parliament stated that those engaged in lawful exercise of their right to protest cannot be arrested.

SL fallen below bankruptcy: Harsha

Sri Lanka has relegated even below the level of bankruptcy as per announcement made by Finance Minister Ali Sabry that foreign reserves have dropped below US$ 50 million, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said today.

SL Bankruptcy: DMK to contribute Rs 1 crore; Stalin appeals to people for help

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has appealed to the people to contribute to the state government to buy food materials, and ship them to Sri Lanka to help the people of the island nation currently reeling under an economic crisis.

Protesters file FR to remove police vehicles from MainaGoGama site

Two protesters today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an interim order against police to remove all police vehicles parked on the pavement along the protesting site declared as the ’’MainaGoGama’’ outside Temple Trees.

Dozen arrested for protesting near Parliament

At least 12 persons who were protesting near Parliament had been arrested by the police a short while ago.

Private sector demanded tax cut soon after govt. came to power: Ranil

It was the private sector that demanded a tax cut soon after the present government came into power, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

India asked me first if they should help Sri Lanka: Sajith

The Indian government asked for my recommendation before deciding to assist Sri Lanka, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.

Two students set fire to principal's office as revenge over punishment

Two students from a school in Keselwatta, Panadura allegedly set a fire to the school principal’s office and computer room to take revenge against the principal who admonished the duo, police investigations revealed.

Cardinal Ranjith returns from Vatican

A group of Catholic Archbishops, including the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, arrived at the Katunayake International Airport in the morning.

SL's foreign reserves drop below US$50Mn: Sabry

Finance Minister Ali Sabry told Parliament that the current Foreign reserves in Sri Lanka is lesser than US$50 million.

Five locals nabbed with forged visas at BIA

Five Sri Lankans who attempted to leave for Italy using forged visas have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) departure lounge by the Immigration and Emigration Department officers.

Immigration dept. back to normal

The computer system breakdown at the Immigration and Emigration Department has been restored and all its services have returned to normal, department’s senior official said.

I am confident of winning the NCM against me: MR

Hours after the main opposition SJB handed over a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the President and another against the Prime Minister to Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last afternoon, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said he was confident of winning the NCM against him as he held the majority support in Parliament.

Cabinet decision to provide relief package to low income families

The cabinet that met on Monday has decided to provide a major relief package to low income families who are distressed due to the current economic crisis in the country, funded by a World Bank financial assistance programme to the tune of Rs. 13,364 million for the next three months

SL likely to restore pre-2020 tax regime as govt. to put economy back on track

As Sri Lanka is now compelled to make some tough choices to put its economy back on track, both the Finance Ministry and Central Bank officials are calling for higher taxes as part of a crucial fiscal reforms package, while the talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue for a rescue package.

Imports begin to cool down amid rupee float, monetary tightening

The importers have begun to feel the rupee depreciation shock since March onwards, as data pointed to a decline in imports, which has further extended to the imports in April.

IMF-Sri Lanka talks prove successful: Godahewa

Cabinet spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa today said the cabinet on Monday gave the approval to appoint a five-member ministerial sub-committee of four cabinet and one state minister to identify investment opportunities that have the potential to attract foreign investment expeditiously, as a solution to the current foreign exchange crisis in the country.

Maithri refutes obtaining CB Bond scam money

Former President Maithripala Sirisena today strongly rejected the allegation made by Wasantha Samarasinghe, the convener of the Voice Against Corruption, that a portion of the money allegedly stolen from the Central Bank bond fraud had been given to former President Maithripala Sirisena and his family members.

SLBG not to invite any politicians to TV programs if failed to find solution to economic crisis

Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Guild (SLBG) today said that in order to solve the current economic crisis, a solution must be found through the Parliament system as soon as possible and if those politicians fail to find a solution, the Guild is to take a collective decision not to invite any politicians to their media channels for programs as a protest.

SJB hands over two no confidence motions to Speaker

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) handed over two no-confidence motions to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today.

Sumanthiran slams CWC saying party broke away after rumors of MR’s sacking

TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran has slammed the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) saying that Jeewan Thondaman broke away from the Rajapaksa government only after the party knew that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would be sacked.

Namal Rajapaksa and Nimal Perera mint millions through fraud deals

The JVP revealed that former Minister Namal Rajapaksa has received money from two Companies - ‘NR Projects’, a Netherlands company and ‘Aspen Medical’, an Australian Company through Nimal Perera connected to the construction of the Nuwara Eliya and Hambantota Hospitals.

JVP reveals alleged fraud of Rajapaksas, Sajith, several others

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today revealed documents exposing corruption involving Namal Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several others.

Digital gateway for outward passengers at BIA approved

The proposals to implement a pilot project for introducing a digital gateway for the passengers who depart through platforms was approved by the government today.

Veteran actor Wilson Karu no more

Veteran actor Wilson Karunaratne, popularly known as ’Wilson Karu’ passed away at the age of 79.

Gazette on price ceiling for rice is higher than market prices: NMCRP

The gazette notification declaring maximum price for local varieties of rice, had set prices higher than the prevailing market prices, National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) President Ranjith Withanage said.

Nedungamuwe Raja declared as national heritage

The government has declared the dead tusker ‘Nedungamuwe Raja’ as a national heritage

Gemunu to offer buses for peaceful youth protesters

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has decided to provide free transport facilities for the youth who have engaged in peaceful protests.

Cash allowance for identified low income families from May

The government will provide special cash allowance as relief to identified low income families who are distressed due to the current economic crisis, for three months from May to July.

SL to purchase fuel from IOC through $200Mn Indian short-term loan

Cabinet approval has been granted to purchase diesel and petrol from the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd under the USD 200 million short-term loan facility provided by the Export-Import Bank of India.