Trade deficit narrows significantly in February amid slowing imports

Sri Lanka’s deficit in the merchandise trade account witnessed a significant contraction in February, due to a significant moderation in the import expenditure, arising out of the aggregate demand conditions.

Inflation eases to 50.3% in March

Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (YoY) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100), decreased to 50.3 percent in March 2023, from 50.6 percent in February 2023.

Denial of registered addresses for estate community: Estate worker seeks SC intervention

An Estate worker has filed a Fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the authorities to grant registered permanent addresses to the estate community residents of all over the country.

Cannot accept Sarah Jasmine’s DNA report- Father Cyril Gamini

An internationally acceptable report must be submitted on the alleged death of Pulasthini Mahendran, alias Sarah Jasmine, the wife of Katuwapitiya church bomber, Rev. Father Cyril Gamini said.

Two vehicles catch fire after head-on collision on Dehiwala flyover

At least one person sustained burnt wounds after a three-wheeler and car collided head-on and caught fire on the Dehiwala flyover tonight.

Probe launched over mysterious death of female lawyer in Pelmadulla

The PelmadullaPolice has launched an investigation after the body of a female lawyer who died mysteriously was found in a house in Bulathwelgoda, Pelmadulla today.

Watch out for repetitions with higher magnitude: Geologist

One must take a serious look at the tremors in Beruwala if there are repetitions with higher magnitudes, a geologist said today.

SJB will support genuine efforts to revive the economic crisis

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will support effective and genuine efforts to revive the economic crisis, it’s General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Tense situation in Nugegoda

A tense situation was reported in Nugegoda this evening as protestors gathered at the Jubilee Post to mark one year since the Mirihana protests to oust former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Committee to expedite digitalization of government sector: RW

The Government must accelerate the digitalization by digitalizing the Government sector and a Committee of Cabinet Ministers would be set up to ensure that the Government sector digitalization is done rapidly President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Bribery Commission commences probe into money recovered inside President’s house

The Bribery Commission today informed Colombo Fort Magistrate that is has already commenced a preliminary inquiry into the sum of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President’s House on 9th July, 2022.

A’pura Teaching Hospital’s Paediatric ward shuts down

The professorial unit of the paediatric ward of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been shut down, following the migration of four pediatricians who previously served at the unit, Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.

Zimbabwe’s Uebert Angel fired, faces arrest

One of Zimbabwe’s most influential diplomats, Uebert Angel, who was charged with a gold-smuggling scheme, has reportedly been stripped off his diplomatic status, foreign media reported.

Security forces on standby in Mirihana

Additional police teams have been called into the Mirihana police as Aragalaya activists are planning to hold the first anniversary of the Aragalaya at the Jubilee Post in Nugegoda today, Police sources said.

India, Japan announces joint interest in co-operation with Sri Lanka for free, open Indo-Pacific

The envoys of India and Japan envisaged joint cooperation with Sri Lanka for enhancing regional connectivity. Japanese ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki and Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay made remarks in this regard at the function to mark the launch of the report compiled by the Pathfinder Foundation.

SL lose to NZ by six wickets, out of contention for direct qualification spot for World Cup

Sri Lanka will miss out on automatic qualification to this year’s Cricket World Cup, after losing the third ODI to New Zealand by six wickets.

At least 35 die after falling into a well in Madhya Pradesh

At least 35 people have been killed after falling into a well while offering prayers at a temple in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

India reports 3,095 new cases, active cases increased to 15,208

India on Thursday reported 3,095 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day rise in infections in 2023. The active caseload stands at 15,208, according to data shared by the city health department.

Govt. allocate funds for education, health, not for industrial development

The Sri Lankan government spent large sums of money on free education and health care for the country, but did not spend that much on research and development in the education sector, Plantation Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.

Ex-US president to be charged over hush money

Former US President Donald Trump will be charged over hush money payments made to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election.

The shady bidders...

The Daily Mirror conducted a research on the six companies who had submitted Expressions of Interest over the proposed new refinery in Hambantota, other than Sinopec, and found shocking revelations with one company also being listed as ‘inactive’. Following are the results from the research.

China’s Sinopec only qualified contender among shady qualifiers

Millions of angry consumers were left in a panic this week as Trade Unions attached to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation stopped distributing fuel to fuels stations opposing the government’s move to privatize the CPC.

SL signals willingness to consider rupee debt for restructuring

In a major move to gain trust and cooperation of its foreign creditors, Sri Lanka yesterday expressed its willingness to include rupee debt in the debt restructuring exercise.

Both Lankan and Indian traders saving over 50% in transaction costs by using INR

The use of Indian rupee (INR) in Sri Lanka-India bilateral trade is facilitating traders from both countries to cut transaction costs by over 50 percent while enabling same day trade settlements.

Sri Lanka hopes to finalise debt relief deal in six months

​Sri Lanka expects to conclude the discussions with its creditors-both official and private-and reach a debt relief deal by the first review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme that received Executive Board approval early last week.

January credit card balance slips as cardholders turn cautious on spending

The credit card balance, a distant proxy for consumer spending, bucked the recent trend to show a decline in January, reflecting some pullback in spending amid higher interest rates and inflation.

FR against granting presidential pardon to Royal Park murder convict fixed for further hearing

A Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant Presidential Pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don. Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha was today fixed for further argument by the Supreme Court.

BASL urges authorities to ensure his safety

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has strongly demanded the authorities to take necessary arrangements to ensure former BASL President Saliya Pieris’ professional duties as an Attorney-at-Law and his safety.

Chandima Jeewandara shortlisted for BSI Early Career Research Excellence Award

Professor Chandima Jeewandara of the Sri Jayewardenapura University has been shortlisted for the award of Early Career Research Excellence Award at the inaugural BSI Immunology Awards organised by the British Society for Immunology.

China, Brazil reach agreement to ditch intermediary US dollar

China and Brazil have reportedly reached a deal to trade in their own currencies, ditching the US dollar as an intermediary, as part of the rising global use of the Chinese renminbi.