Govt. to seek foreign funding for green bond

The government plans to initiate talks with foreign parties to obtain green bond financing facilities to fund green ongoing projects, to meet the country’s climate commitments and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Govt. to transfer Rs.8.5bn from Perpetual Treasuries to Treasury

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday revealed the plans to recover Rs.8.5 billion from the alleged perpetrator of the bond scam, Perpetual Treasuries, via a budget proposal.

Special Goods and Services Tax to come into effect from January

The Special Goods and Services Tax (GST), which was in the budget last year but wasn’t enforced due to the economic downturn caused by the virus resurgence, is set to come into force from January next year.

Govt. targets large companies to raise Rs.254bn in tax revenue

Eyeing a Rs.254 billion boost in the tax income, the government yesterday proposed to levy a one-off 25 percent surcharge on large companies, 3 percent increment on VAT charged on banks and financial services providers and a new social security levy on companies with over Rs.120 million in turnover.

Budget fails to address Dollar crisis: Eran

The budget has failed to introduce a solution to the mounting Dollar crisis which would badly hit Sri Lanka in the first quarter of 2022, SJB MP Eran Wickrameratne said.

No solution to rising CoL and dearth of essentials: JVP

No solution has been proposed in the budget to provide solutions to skyrocketing cost of living and scarcity of essential goods in the market, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Sri Lanka Rugby envisioning a New Chapter

A high profile press conference by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) to kick start preparations for the Asian Sevens Series Rugby Tournament 2021 was strikingly overshadowed a few hours later by the sporting sponsorship giant Dialog Axiata PLC with the unveiling of its partnership with the sports regional body Asia Rugby (AR) as the main sponsor of the Asia Sevens Series 2021 – Dubai edition.

Royal Turf Club looks to soar higher under new leadership

Lawyer Panduka Keerthinanda will take reigns of the Royal Turf Club (RTC) as its sixth President while former Committee Member Ryota Hakariya has been elected as Secretary.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa presents the 2022 Budget

The 2022 budget was presented in Parliament this afternoon by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

One die when mounds of earth collapsed on pipe laying workers in Narahenpita

One person had died when a mound of earth fell on two workers who were laying underground water pipes on the main road near Polhena Junction on the Baseline Road in Narahenpita.

Basil arrives in Parliament

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will present the Budget Proposal for the year 2022 in Parliament today. Await latest updates

AG seeks a fuller bench to hear Yugadanavi power plant cases

The Attorney General today sought a fuller bench comprising five judges or more than five judges of Supreme Court to hear several Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the agreements on Yugadanavi power plant.

Court further suspends Communist Party’s decision to remove Raja Collure

The Colombo District Court today further extended its Enjoining Order suspending the Sri Lanka Communist Party’s decision to remove North Western Province Governor Raja Collure as the Chairman of the Communist Party.

’One Country, One Law’, Task Force seeks public opinion

While taking into account the views and opinions of various parties regarding the implementation of the concept of One Country, One Law’, the Presidential Task Force has decided to consult the public opinion, Task Force Chairman Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said.

Govt. Printing goes on leave while printing budget speech?

It is learnt that most of the workers at the Department of Government Printing were said to have been sent on one and half days leave from yesterday (11).

SL on the verge of major dengue outbreak; over 1,300 cases in 10 days

While saying that people are not proactive in combating the Dengue epidemic, Health authorities warned people to be vigilant as a major outbreak is on the cards in near future in the wake of incessant rains

Aussies beat stunned Pakistan to reach T20 World Cup final

Australia has outlasted Pakistan in one of the T20 World Cup’s all-time semi final thrillers to book its spot in Monday’s final against New Zealand.

10 players miss out at LPL player draft to be included to League

In the wake of several opinions aired regarding player selection of the Lanka Premier League 2021 following dropping of several key Sri Lankan players, the Sri Lanka Cricket, which is the Governing Council of the LPL 2021 said that it has decided to include 10 deserving players who missed out at the Player draft to LPL.

Gazette issued on obtaining prior approval of Health DG for gatherings

An Extraordinary Gazette has issued making it mandatory to obtain prior approval of Director General of Health Services for gatherings, activities, events or similar places of meetings.

I will resign if allegations proved: Maithri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he would resign from his Parliamentary seat, if allegations were proved that he is living in a residence built annexing three residential blocks.

Zahran’s wife Sadiya’s audio clips available: Harin

Audio clips of Zahran Hashim’s wife Sadiya admitting that her husband had met intelligence officers are available, SJB MP Harin Fernando told Parliament yesterday adding more suspense to the Easter Sunday attack episode.

Bill to extend private sector employees’ retirement age passed in Parliament

The bill to extend the retirement age of private sector employees to 60 years was passed with amendments in Parliament.

Ranjan Ramanayake admitted to CNH

Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is being held at the Angunakolapelessa Prison, has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, the Prisons Department said.

Kin of dead Sri Lankan files criminal complaint against Japan immigration officials

The family of a Sri Lankan woman who died in March while being detained at an immigration center in Japan filed a criminal complaint Tuesday against senior officials of the facility, accusing them of causing her death by failing to provide appropriate medical care.

Assessing environment damage to be completed by January 2022: Ali Sabri

The process of assessing damages caused to the environment by the X-Press Pearl disaster would be completed by the end of December or beginning of January and steps would be taken to recover compensation from the owners of the vessel, Justice Minister Ali Sabri said today.

Lankan migrant workers to be allowed for jobs in Korea soon: Envoy

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea today announced that they are to allow new Sri Lankan migrant workers to enter Korea very soon.

Muslim youth received ISIS training in Syria not involved in Easter Sunday attacks: Ranil

None of those Muslim youth who underwent ISIS training in Syria participated in the Easter Sunday attacks as per the investigations carried out just after the attacks, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Zahran never met intelligence officials: Weerasekara

Zahran, who led the Easter Sunday attacks, had never met anyone from the intelligence units as per the available evidence, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekera told Parliament today.

Budget to be presented in Parliament tomorrow

Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa will present the second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2022 in Parliament tomorrow (12).

Pahala Kadugannawa area remain closed indefinitely: Kegalle Dist. Secy.

The Pahala Kadugannawa area on the Colombo Kandy main road will remain closed until further notice, Kegalle District Secretary, Mahinda S. Weerasooriya said.