TU’s representing extremist political parties trying to sabotage IMF loan: Gemunu

The trade unions that represent the extremist political parties are trying to sabotage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan project, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) said.

Private credit continues to shrink as economy looks for breather

Sri Lanka’s higher interest rates continued to yank credit to the private sector from banks as such credit recorded a sharper pull back to start the year in January.

Impactful fuel price revisions likely in April: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said yesterday that he is hoping to announce a fuel price revision in April, which people can feel.

Govt. remains cautious on lifting import controls in near-term despite rupee appreciation

Despite recent appreciation of the rupee and improvements in the external account, the government remains cautious on lifting...

Sri Lanka gains US$ 170mn from tourism trade in February

Sri Lanka received US$ 169.9 million from the tourism trade in February, slightly up from US$ 169.4 million in the same month, a year ago.

February workers’ remittance inflows hit US$ 407mn

Workers’ remittance inflows continued their strong run in February as well with migrant Sri Lankan workers sending over US$ 400 million to their families who are undergoing difficult times.

IGP oders probe over Bandarawela HQI’s conduct over arrest of woman

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has instructed the Special Investigation Division to immediately initiate an investigation against the HQI of the Bandarawela Police in connection with his action following the arrest of the mother of the infant who was abandoned at Fort Railway station on Friday.

Allow liquor sales for foreigners on Poya days- Diana

State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage has come up with a proposal to allow selling of liquor to foreigners on Poya days, it is learnt.

Navy seize two trawlers with 16 Indians in SL waters

The Sri Lanka Navy seized two Indian trawlers with 16 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters northeast of Vetrilaikkerni and off the Analaitivu Island this morning, the Navy said.

GMOA strike to go ahead tomorrow as planned

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said they will go ahead with the planned strike across the Western, Central, Southern and Eastern Provinces tomorrow.

Price of Urea further reduced this Yala season: Amaraweera

The price of Urea fertilizer will be further reduced during this Yala season, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Water Supply TU to participate in March 15 protest

The Water Supply Trade Union Collective Alliance said today that they have decided to participate in the countrywide trade union action to be launched by Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) on March 15 (Wednesday).

Fmr. Minister Aluthgamage prevented from leaving country at BIA

Two officers of the Immigration Department have been suspended after former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was prevented from travelling abroad at Katunayake Airport citing a travel ban.

Pension of 11 former JVP MPs credited to party’s Common Fund: Nalinda Jayatissa

Refuting media reports that former JVP MPs have obtained pensions amounting to Rs.240 million for the past 13 years, former JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today pension of 11 former JVP MPs were credited to party’s Common Fund.

Two ministers booed by residents at Bamunakotuwa

A minister and a state minister who went to inaugurate a cultural centre at Bamunakotuwa in ​​Kurunegala were booed by a group of residents in the area today.

20-year-old Sri Lankan refugee attempts suicide at police station in TN

A 20-year-old Sri Lankan refugee from the Thapathi rehabilitation centre in Tamil Nadu allegedly attempted to take the extreme step at Ettayapuram police station on Friday during inquiries.

ADB, WB,USAID, JICA ready to assist restructuring of CEB : Kanchana

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), USAID and JICA have assured their assistance for the restructuring process of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Transport Ministry to register assembled motorcycles with higher engine capacity

The Transport Ministry has decided to register unregistered motorcycles with high engine capacity under a legal framework.

Bus fares may come down by June: Gemunu

The bus fare may see revision by June if the Sri Lankan rupee continues to be stable against the dollar, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

BASL urges Govt. not to interfere with the judiciary

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has urged the government to refrain from undermining the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka.

Strengthening LKR against USD: Prices of imported goods should drop- Minister

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siambalapitiya said that with the strengthening of the Rupee against the dollar, the prices of imported goods including medicines, food and consumer items should gradually decrease in the future.

Mitchell and Tickner lead New Zealand fightback against Sri Lanka

A stubborn century from Daryl Mitchell, a blazing 72 from Matt Henry and three wickets to Blair Tickner swung the momentum New Zealand’s way in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Smuggled gold worth Rs.160mn seized at BIA

Five suspects who were attempting to smuggle a stock of gold worth more than Rs.160 million were apprehended by the customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

New Zealand fight back, take 18-run first innings lead

New Zealand were all out for 373 to lead Sri Lanka by 18 runs on the first innings on day three of the first Test in Christchurch on Saturday, on the back of Daryl Mitchell’s century and a stunning counter-attack from Matt Henry.

SL in need of institutional reforms to achieve long-term debt sustainability: Prof. Hanke

In a bid to achieve long-term debt sustainability, senior economist Steve Hanke said Sri Lanka needs institutional reforms.

SL’s RD status to come off only after completion of debt restructuring process: Fitch

Sri Lanka is making good progress towards unlocking the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package but its Restricted Default (RD) status would only come off after the debt restructuring process reaches completion, rating agency Fitch said yesterday.

Bonuses, allowances and benefits of employees of loss-making CPC and CEB scrapped

The loss-making state-owned entities in the power and energy sector will not receive incentives and will see limitations in their pay upgrades going forward.

Police say they have not fired expired tear gas on protesters

Expired tear gas canisters are not being used by Sri Lanka Police to disperse the protesters because police cannot expect better results from outdated tear gas canisters, police said.

CID team to leave for Madagascar to repatriate underworld criminals ’’Harak Kata’’ and ’’Kudu Salidu’’

A team from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is scheduled to travel to Madagascar to bring two notorious underworld criminals Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias ’’Harak Kata’’ and Salindu Malshitha Gunaratne alias ’’Kudu Salidu’’ who were arrested by the security authorities in Madagascar recently.

LPL season 4 likely to be played in July-August

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are targeting the months of July and August to conduct the fourth season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), with the intent of that period becoming the permanent window for the tournament moving forward.