CB reiterates commitment to honour all debt obligations

The Central Bank yesterday reiterated that Sri Lanka is committed to honour all forthcoming debt obligations and thereby maintain the country’s unblemished record of debt servicing.

Hejaaz Hizbullah leaves from remand custody

Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah today left from remand custody after fulfilling his bail conditions before Puttlalam High Court.

New bill worked out envisaging fine, jail term for cruelty against animals

The government has worked out a new piece of legislation which, if enacted, provides for cruelty against animals a punishable offence warranting a fine or jail term, or both.

Local and foreign forces trying to topple govt.: Prez

Claiming that the local and foreign forces were trying to topple the government and prevent its journey, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today requested people to have faith in him and assured to fully implement the government’s national policy framework “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” within the next three years.

Labour Ministry against taxing EPF, ETF profits: Labour Minister

The Labour Ministry had already informed the Treasury and the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, its objections to the proposal of imposing a tax on EPF and ETF profits, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.

Some AG’s Dept. officers passing confidential information to outsiders: Govt. MP

Some officers attached to the Attorney General’s Department are engaged in passing confidential information to outsiders and influencing court cases, a government MP told Parliament today.

UK welcomes release of Hejaaz Hizbullah

The UK government has welcomed the release on bail of Hejaaz Hizbullah, Ahnaf Jazeem, and other detainees held under the PTA in recent months.

Over 12,000 COVID cases in 10 days

Over 12,000 COVID-19 infections have been reported within the past 10 days in Sri Lanka.

Case against Nalaka Godahewa two others fixed for further trial

The case filed against State Minister Nalaka Godahewa and two others, in connection with their alleged involvement in conspiring to misappropriate Rs. 5 million of funds belonging to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was today fixed for further trial by Colombo High Court.

Freelance journalist Keerthi Ratnayake granted bail

Keerthi Ratnayake, a defence and political analyst attached to Lanka e-News was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Coconut Development Authority Chairman resigns

Coconut Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe has decided to step down from his post temporarily.

Recovery of hand grenade at All Saints’ Church in Borella: Caretaker of church released from case

The Sacristan (caretaker) of All Saints’ Church in Borella arrested for allegedly planting a hand grenade inside the church was today ordered to be released from the case by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Need new laws to regulate social media: Nimal Siripala

Laws should be introduced to regulate social media such as Tiktok that cause massive cultural, social and national disasters, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

There are ‘black cobras’ trying to provoke SL fishermen: Douglas

Whilst an effort is made to resolve the confrontation between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen through diplomatic channels, there are others who are trying to make matters worse, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda told Parliament today.

No scheduled power cuts till tomorrow: PUCSL Chairman

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided not to have scheduled power cuts today and tomorrow.

Health Ministry condemns ongoing strike action, says political motive behind it

While saying that there is a political motive behind the ongoing strike action by health workers, the Health Ministry highly condemned the strike action.

Daughter of Lankan immigrants Australia’s highest-paid CEO; earns $315k a week

Australia’s biggest investment bank Macquarie Group chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake, the daughter of Sri Lankan immigrants who arrived in Australia with just $200 in their pockets now makes $315,000 a week as the nation’s highest-paid CEO.

EU strongly urges SL to lift forthwith import restrictions

The European Union (EU) strongly urged Sri Lanka to lift forthwith import restrictions preventing many European products from entering its market.

Cloudy skies over Northern, Eastern provinces; evening showers likely

While cloudy skies will prevail over the Northern and Eastern provinces, the National Meteorological Department predicts showers in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, and Uva provinces, as well as Hambantota and Matale districts.

14-hour water cut from this evening: NWSDB

A 14-hour water cut would be imposed in several areas in Colombo this evening (9) from 4.00 pm to 6.00 am tomorrow (10) due to urgent pipeline repair work on the Ja-Ela road, the National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Patients get sicker as health TU action enters third day

With the strike action by the trade unions attached to Health sector entering the third day, healthcare services across the country have been highly affected causing inconvenience to patients.

Rising number of SLPP MPs resort to using filth in Parliament

A rising number of ruling SLPP Parliamentarians are now resorting to using filth in Sinhala such as ‘P ***** ’ and ‘P ****** ’ in Parliament to stifle the opposition from raising their voice against the burning issues in the country as well as to prevent them from highlighting the corruption within the government.

Digambaram wants Rs 5,000 pay hike for estate workers

TPA MP P. Digambaram yesterday called for a Rs 5,000 salary increment to the estate workers saying everyone should be treated equally.

Modi likely to visit Sri Lanka in March, Jaishankar expected soon

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Sri Lanka in March, Foreign Ministry sources said. Sources said that Modi is likely to visit Sri Lanka to attend the BIMSTEC Summit.

Shameless act to levy 25 per cent tax from EPF: Ruwan

It is a shameless act to levy a 25 per cent tax from EPF and to use it for elections, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene alleged yesterday.

Pope to support push for justice - Catholic Church prepared to seek international probe

Pope Francis has offered support to the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka in its fight for justice over the Easter Sunday attacks, Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said.

Foreign reserves fall to US$ 2.3bn despite swap, debt deferment

Sri Lanka’s official external reserves fell to US$ 2.36 billion by the end of January 2022 from US$ 3.14 billion by the end of December 2021, as the government settled foreign currency loans and funded essential imports, while taking receipt of a US$ 400 million currency swap and a US$ 500 million debt deferment from India.

Govt. expects surge in tourist arrivals this year: Dr. Ramesh Pathirana

The government expects a surge in tourist arrivals this year as Sri Lanka has been branded as a safe destination among the global tourist industry, co-cabinet spokesman, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said today.

No govt. succeed by censoring media

No government has survived in the world by applying censorship on media or imposing laws to control them, Mass Media Minister Dallas Alahaperuma said today.

Govt. imposes 25% tax on EPF & ETF profits: SJB

The government for the first time in history of Sri Lanka has imposed a 25% tax on EPF and ETF profits, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said.