Rupee strengthens further against US dollar

The Sri Lankan rupee has further appreciated today against the US dollar. As per the Central Bank data, the buying rate of a US dollar is Rs.318.30 while the selling rate is Rs.335.75.

Heated arguments over appointment of Wajira Abeywardhane as acting Chairman of COPF

Heated arguments erupted in Parliament over the appointment of UNP MP Wajira Abeywardhane as the acting Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance.

Ball is in IMF’s Court now: President

Whilst highlighting that Sri Lanka has fulfilled all conditions laid down by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive assistance, President Ranil Wickremeisnghe told Parliament that the ball is now in the IMF’s court.

Lumpy skin disease spreading among cattle in Mullaitivu

The Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) spreading among cattle in Mullaitivu district these days is due to a virus spreading among cattle, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Trade union professionals meet to discuss today

The Federation of Trade Unions of Professionals (FTUP) including the ports, fuel, water and electricity is to have a discussion today to get rid of unfair taxes implemented by the government.

IUSF protest: Court orders protesters out of Colombo

The Fort Magistrate has issued an order preventing a group of protesters including the Convenor of the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige from engaging in protest or demonstration in several areas in Colombo causing inconvenience to the public and motorists from 11.00 am till 10.00 pm today.

China backs Sri Lanka debt plan, sources say, paving way for IMF loan: Report

China has given assurances that it will support Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, clearing the biggest hurdle for the South Asian nation to secure a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

President to make special statement in Parliament

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will deliver a special statement in parliament this morning to explain to the nation the current state of the economy and progress on the IMF negotiations, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Mayantha resigned as COPF Chair: Speaker announces

SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake officially handed over his resignation as the Chairman of the Committee of Public Finance (COPF), Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said today.

NPP candidate responsible for Chinese fertilizer import: Amaraweera

The executive officer who is responsible for the controversial shipment of Chinese organic fertilizer in 2021 is a candidate for the National People’s Power (NPP) in Wattala, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera charged.

Singapore Court assists Colombo High Court obtain evidence in oil contamination case

The Commercial High Court (CHC), presided over by High Court Judge Pradeep Hettiarachchi, recently confirmed that it had received evidence obtained for it by the Supreme Court of Singapore under the very first request for foreign judicial assistance in the civil matter made by the CHC, under the Hague Evidence Convention of 1970, to which Sri Lanka and Singapore are both parties.

Dollars stashed finding their way back to market– CB

The Central Bank said it was overserving a trend where large amounts of foreign currency, which had been stashed away, now being released, further increasing the supply of dollars to the market and thereby strengthening the rupee.

US Treasury Secretary speaks to Ranil & expresses support

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on Monday spoke with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and expressed support for Sri Lanka’s steps towards an IMF-supported programme to advance economic reform and achieve a strong and durable recovery.

Major trains cancelled for the first time in history due to lack of crew

Major train services in remote areas are now in the process of being cancelled for the first time in history, Locomotive Engineering Operators’ Union Chairman K. A. U. Konthasinghe said.

Residents clash with police in Weeraketiya: 10 including 8 police officers hospitalised

At least eight police officers and two civilians were injured following a clash when residents at Aththanayala in Weeraketiya obstructed police from carrying out their duties.

Amitabh Bachchan injured while filming action scene

Amitabh Bachchan, one of India’s most famous actors, has said he was injured on set, resulting in “painful” movement and breathing.

Price of bread should reduce to Rs.100: Bakery Owners

There are no plans to increase the prices of bakery items other than decreasing them, and it was further said that the price of a loaf of bread is expected to be reduced to 100 rupees, All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) chairman N.K. Jayawardena said.

Fix early date for LG polls without allowing govt. to conspire to postpone it further: NPP

The Elections Commission must fix an early date for the Local Government election so that the government could not use another ploy to postpone the election, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said today.

SL records 107,639 inbound tourists; MRIA with 11,926 with 72 aircraft movements: AASL

While Sri Lanka’s tourism industry recorded 107,639 international tourist arrivals in February 2023, the MRIA has facilitated 11,926 international tourist movements (6259 arrivals and 5667 departures) over 72 international aircraft movements, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

Hikkaduwa is my favourite movie shooting location: Actor Ryan Reynolds

The Canadian-American-born actor Ryan Reynolds recently said that Hikkaduwa is his favorite movie shooting location of all time.

Rs.500 million loss for private buses due to protests in WP since January

Since January this year, there has been a loss of around Rs. 500 million in income for the private buses due to protests held in the Western Province (WP), Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Couple who provide accommodation to murder suspect ’Booru Moona’ arrested

The couple who had provided accommodation to a murder suspect known as ’Booru Moona’ who had escaped from police custody at the Katunayake Airport, had been arrested by the STF during a raid in Nuwara Eliya.

SL’s 6th Periodic Review under the ICCPR to be held in Geneva

Sri Lanka’s 6th Periodic Review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) will be held on March 8 and 9 in Geneva.

Mother jumps into well with two differently-abled children; one boy dies

A mother from Kebithigollewa had jumped into a well along with two of her differently-abled children claiming that she could not bear the medical expenses of the two boys and the cost of living.

Foreign Ministry under pressure for appointments to politicos’ relatives

The Foreign Ministry is once again under pressure for the appointment of various ruling party politicians’ relatives to diplomatic posts, Daily Mirror learns.

EC rules out conducting LG polls before Avurudhu

While stressing that the date for the Local Government (LG) polls remain in the hands of the Treasury, the Election Commission (EC) ruled out yesterday the possibility of holding the election before the Sinhala and Hindu New Year which falls in mid-April.

Sri Lanka again rejects resolution 51/1, but says will remain open to discussion

Sri Lanka has once again rejected the resolution 51/1 against Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in October last year, but said Sri Lanka will remain open to discussion with the Council.

Shooter and rider arrested over murder of businessman in Panadura

Two suspects including the shooter wanted over the murder of a bussinesman who was found shot dead in his luxury vehicle at Pinwatta in Panadura had been arrested, police said.

Conduct LG polls before March 20: Opposition parties write to EC

Claiming that there was no reason for the Elections Commission to consult the Treasury Secretary or anyone else as they are bound to comply with the interim order issued by the Supreme Court, the opposition political parties representing Parliament requested the Elections Commission to re-fix the date of the LG polls before March 20, 2023.

Act upon SC verdict on LG polls: NPP requests EC

The National People’s Power (NPP) has requested the Elections Commission to take necessary measures immediately with regard to the Local Government election based on the Supreme Court verdict and fix an early date for the election.