Presidential and LG polls should be held on the same day: Navin

The Parliamentary, Presidential and Local Government Elections should be held together on the same day, former Minister Navin Dissanayake said today.

Sajith says opp. met diplomatic corps over delay in LG polls

The joint opposition including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) met the diplomatic corps including the Ambassadors over the delay in holding the Local Government election, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

“I will not allow school children to be held hostage by various groups” - RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that he would not allow school children to be taken hostage by various groups and he would declare schools as an essential service if the teacher issues are not solved soon.

Imported milk powder price to be reduced by April: Importers

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association has decided to reduce the price of imported milk powder with effect from April 1, the association’s spokesperson Ashoka Bandara said.

Rahul Gandhi gets 2 years jail in ’Modi Surname’ case

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname by a court in Gujarat’s Surat. However, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.

Puttalam’s air quality “unhealthy’; 13 districts moderate: NBRO

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has identified the air quality in the Puttalam District region as unsuitable for sensitive groups.

Over 35,000 electricity connections pending due to shortages: Minister

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) faces an issue with providing new power supplies where more than 35,000 new supplies were on the waiting list as a result of the shortage of required equipment, State Minister Indika Anurudda said today.

First consignment of eggs arrives at Colombo Port: Minister

The first consignment of eggs imported from India reached the Colombo Port today, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said today.

RW issues Gazette calling Armed Forces to maintain public order

An Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe calling upon the Armed Forces to maintain public order across the country with effect from March 22.

Canadian MP calls Sri Lanka a ’failed and bankrupt state’

A Canadian government MP and parliamentary secretary to a cabinet minister is calling Sri Lanka “a failed and bankrupt state” as the country receives another international bailout.

Minister must resign if unable to look into bus prices, spare parts prices: Gemunu

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne yesterday warned that the Transport Minister must resign from his post if he was unable to investigate the price reduction of bus spare parts and service rates as a result of the depreciation of US Dollars against the Sri Lankan Rupee.

CB continues purchase of dollars from market

The Central Bank is continuing to preserve its position as a net buyer of foreign currency from the domestic foreign currency market, with the dollar liquidity conditions started easing from around early this year, following debt standstill, lower tepid imports and increased dollar inflows.

SL to introduce property tax and gift and inheritance tax

Sri Lanka is expected to introduce a property tax and a gift and inheritance tax by the beginning of 2025, under the International Monetary Fund programme.

No need principals’ recommendation for teacher transfers: Stalin

There is no need for a recommendation by principals for teacher transfers, Ceylon Teachers’ Union Secretary Joseph Stalin questioned.

8-hour water board protest tomorrow: Union

The Water Supply Professionals Trade Union Alliance (WSPTUA) has decided to continue with their trade union action on March 23 because they have not received solutions to their demands.

President saved SL from economic war: Gemunu

People should express their gratitude to the President for making all efforts to receive the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and for saving the country by defeating the economic war, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Sri Lanka willing to enhance bilateral trade with India in INR: SLHC

Sri Lanka will soon settle cross-border trade with India in Indian rupees. The island nation feels that trading in INR will also help increase the inflow of Indian tourists.

Ramadan fasting begins Friday

Muslims in Sri Lanka will begin their Ramadan fasting at dawn on Friday (March 24) as the new Crescent moon of the month of Ramadan has not been sighted in Sri Lanka this evening, the Colombo Grand Mosque announced.

Letter of Intent not tabled in Parliament: Harsha alleges

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed to table the Letter of Intent with regard to the IMF agreement even though he claimed that he tabled three documents in Parliament, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said today.

Five single-use plastic products banned from July: Dr. Jasinghe

As plastic pollution has become a major global issue as well as in Sri Lanka, the Environment Ministry has decided to ban the use of five single-use plastic products and certain plastic products imported from overseas, Environment Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe said.

Grade five scholarship school cutoff marks released

Based on the results of the 2022 grade five scholarship examination, the education ministry today issued cutoff marks for students to enroll in grade six.

Man cuts off electrician’s hands, flees with it

The hands of an electrician was cut off after he got into an altercation with an individual in Moratuwa yesterday and the suspect had then fled with the severed hands, police said.

IMF Fund Facility: SL receives first tranche of USD 330 mn today: Siyambalapitiya

Sri Lanka received the first tranche of USD 330 million of the IMF Extended Fund Facility today, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

SC lifts travel ban on MR, BR over FR on mismanagement of economy

The Supreme Court today announced that the travel ban imposed on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa would not be effective any further in connection with the Fundamental Rights petitions filed over financial irregularities and mismanagement of the Sri Lanka economy.

SL Rupee appreciates further against USD

Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR) has appreciated further against the US Dollar (USD) today, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

UN team here for additional SL combat contingent for Mali

A high-level UN Pre-deployment team is currently in Sri Lanka in order to have an additional Sri Lankan combat contingent for Mali, the army headquarters said.

Japan keen to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka

A group of Japanese investors along with Japan Deputy Head of Mission Katsuki Kotaro called on the Board of Investment (BOI) to discuss new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Govt. to introduce Estate Duty as a property tax by 2025: RW

The government would introduce Estate Duty as a property tax by 2025, with a minimum tax exemption allowance, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

IMF Fund Facility is a step towards building better future for youth: RW

The receipt of the IMF Fund Facility was a step towards building a better future for the youth and uplifting the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

President tables IMF agreement in Parliament

President Ranil Wickremesinghe tabled the IMF agreement in Parliament, a short while ago.