Bouquets outweigh brickbats for DDR

While sparking a debate whether the domestic debt restructuring (DDR) plan that was approved this week is sufficient for Sri Lanka to attain long-term debt sustainability, the plan is being widely praised for not delivering a jolt and taking an equitable and sensible approach towards tackling the country’s debt crisis.

Ex-Central Banker casts doubts on adequacy of proposed DDO strategy

Given the anticipated shortfall in state revenue from the targeted levels, a former Central Banker casted doubts on the narrow scope in the proposed Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) strategy providing sufficient leeway for the government to get the fragile budgetary situation under control, while raising concerns on the disproportionate impact on the low-income earners.

SJB to vote against DDR proposals in Parliament

The parliamentary group of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to vote against the government’s proposals for domestic debt restructuring, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

Only a single day’s debate on domestic debt restructuring: Sagala

The debate on the proposed domestic debt restructuring programme is to be confined to a single day, as most of the issues pertaining to it have been resolved, Senior Presidential advisor Sagala Ratnayake said.

First tranche of World Bank aid to be used for budgetary support

The first tranche of the World Bank’s USD 700 million budgetary and welfare support arrives today, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Dilshan Madushanka replaces Dushmantha Chameera in Sri Lanka squad

Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka was called up into the Sri Lanka squad for the remainder of the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifers, after Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out.

BCCI to Appoint Former Fast Bowler as New Chief Selector

After failing to land a high-profile name for the chief selector’s post for the past two tenures, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to get its wishes. Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar is likely to become the new chairman of the BCCI Selection Committee.

Sajith prevented from active participation in COPF

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa was prevented from active participation in the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) as the majority of members in the committee decided he can only observe.

French President calls crisis meeting after second night of rioting

President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting with senior ministers on Thursday after riots spread across France overnight over the deadly police shooting of a teenager of North African descent during a traffic stop.

Gemunu says no to bus fare revision

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Associaion (LPBOA) today said that there is no need for an annual bus fare revision for this year at this time.

Six standouts set to light up the critical stage of the CWC23 Qualifier

A Sri Lanka spinner, a West Indies white-ball wonder and an all-rounder dominating on home soil are set to be among the key players in the Super Six stage of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Eight foreigners arrested with heroin

Six Iranians and two Pakistanis who were arrested along with a parcel containing heroin by the Sri Lanka navy in the seas near Maldive were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau.

Vijeyakala Maheshvaran injured in road accident

Former State Minister Vijeyakala Maheshvaran had met with a road accident at Mangalaeliya in Mundalama on the Colombo-Puttlam road in the early hours of this morning.

Chief Inspector of police killed in Homagama accident

A chief police inspector attached to the Homagama Special Crimes Investigation Division, died after a motorcycle he was riding collided with a bus at Makumbura in Homagama on the Colombo - Avissawella Road.

Malik Samarawickrema steps down as Kandy SC Trustee

Former Royal Scrum half, Royal Head coach, Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President and present Trustee of Kandy Sports Club, Malik Samarawickrema stepped down from his position after a service of more than 3 decades.

Members appointed to EC and HRC

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed members to both the Election Commission and the Human Rights Commission.

300 medical graduates who completed internship say no to appointments

The Country’s health sector is facing a dire situation now where some 300 out of 1,400 medical graduates who had completed the internship in April this year, have not obtained appointments as doctors, former NPP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Banking system will not be burdened, EPF funds will not be touched: CB Governor

The Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the banking system would not be burdened any further as it already contributes to the Treasury and economy through taxes of over 50%.

NMRA lacked professor in pharmacology for months

The country’s drug regulator has functioned without a Professor of Pharmacology to offer guidance in making crucial decisions for the past few months, Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama charged.

’Presumed human remains’ found within wreckage of Titanic submersible

The US Coast Guard has said that ’’presumed human remains’’ have been recovered among the debris of the Titan, the submersible which imploded during a voyage to explore the wreckage of Titanic earlier this month.

Udeni Rajapaksa to be appointed as new Air Force Chief

The Present Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa will be promoted to the three-star rank of Air Marshal with effect from 30 June 2023 and will be appointed as the 19th Commander of the Air Force.

SriLankan flight to Japan returns due to technical failure

The Sri Lankan flight which departed from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to Japan’s Narita International Airport, had to return to the BIA after taking off for two hours and 25 minutes due to a technical fault, the Airport Duty Manager said.

Laugfs Gas assures uninterrupted supply

Issuing a statement, Laugfs Gas yesterday assured uninterrupted supply of cooking gas amid speculation regarding a potential gas shortage.

Minimum room rate will drive tourists away from Sri Lanka: SLAITO

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) yesterday cautioned on the fresh move made by the government and some tourism industry stakeholders to reintroduce the minimum room rate (MRR), asserting it could do more harm than any good to the industry.

World Bank approves $700 mln for crisis-hit Sri Lanka

The World Bank approved $700 million in budgetary and welfare support for Sri Lanka on Thursday, the biggest funding tranche for the crisis-hit island nation since an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal in March.

CB Governor calls for coordinated effort between importers and exporters

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe this week emphasised the need for a coordinated effort between importers and exporters to generate more foreign exchange for the country and maintain a positive trade balance.

President to decide on establishing special court to collect unpaid taxes

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to consider the proposal to establish a special tax court to collect unpaid taxes from tax evaders expeditiously, instead of exhausting years in court proceedings.

Bonds held by pension funds likely to be restructured; banks excluded

The Central Bank on Wednesday presented possible domestic debt restructuring scenarios to the Cabinet of Ministers, which indicated that restructuring/optimization will apply only to Treasury bills held by the Central Bank and the bonds held by superannuation funds.

Susil discusses with USAID on development of SL’s education sector

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha held a discussion with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Assistant Administrator Ms. Anjalie Kaur and its executive officials in Washington DC, on the development and collaboration requirements of Sri Lanka’s education sector.

Jonny Bairstow carries oil protester off pitch

Jonny Bairstow took it on himself to carry the protestor away from action after the latter invaded the field on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test.