IMF calls for ‘timely and orderly processes’ of debt resolution for Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday called for ‘timely and orderly processes’ under common framework with regards to Sri Lanka’s debt resolution. The island nation faced severe economic crisis which resulted in high debt.

Govt. to introduce non-paying wards in private hospitals: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that the government is seeking the possibility of introducing non-paying wards in private hospitals where the government is taking the tab for the treatments made in those non-paying wards, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

’’Height of absurdity’’ to claim no election declared: Sumanthiran

It is the height of absurdity of the President to claim that the Local Government election has not been officially declared after all legal steps have been taken and nominations filed for the March 9 elections, TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran PC said today.

Bus toppled near Nelligala, 26 hospitalised

It was reported that 26 passengers have been hospitalised after a bus veered off the road and toppled down a precipice while on its way to the Nelligala International Buddhist Centre, the police said.

New tourism mobile app from March 1: Harin

Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry to launch a tourism mobile app from March 1 for the benefit and provide protection to tourists and to save them from the nefarious activities by three wheeler drivers, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said.

EC writes to Speaker over releasing funds for LG polls

The Elections Commission has requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene to mediate to release required funds for the Local Government elections.

MP Channa Jayasumana claims MR will be appointed PM again

MP Professor Channa Jayasumana claims that there is a plan to remove Dinesh Gunawardena from the post of Prime Minister and appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa to that post again.

Mayantha to resign from COPF Chair

SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake has decided to resign from the chair of Committee on Public Finance.

No caste based LG wards: Delimitation Commission

The Delimitation Commission received numerous requests for retention of caste-based demarcations of electoral wards of the local authorities but they were not entertained, an official said.

President has no right to express opinion on legality of LG polls: AKD

Claiming that the President had no right to express his opinion on the legality of declaring the Local Government election JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday if there was any issue with regard to the declaration of the election, it should be resolved in the Courts.

Indian geologists forecast earthquake: If an earthquake occurs in India, we too will feel its impact: Prof. Athula Senaratne

Senior Professor Athula Senaratne of Peradeniya University said in case of an earthquake of Richter Scale 8 magnitude in India as forecast by the Indian geologists, Colombo city would feel its impact.

SL to be transformed into a year-round tourism destination

As the island nation has much to do to quench its thirst for foreign currency, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said plans are underway to make Sri Lanka a year-round tourist destination.

Govt. settles Rs.191bn worth of arrears to various contractors and suppliers

The government has settled the majority of the arrears to the tune of Rs.191 billion to contractors and suppliers, after assuming power on August 31, last year, despite an 8 percent contraction in the economy during the year, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Land Value Indicator of Colombo district expands by 14.8% in 2H22

The Colombo district saw its Land Valuation Indicator (LVI) increase to 205.2 during the second half of 2022.

Soldier shoots himself at Panagoda Army Camp

A soldier attached to the Panagoda Army Camp was killed after he shot himself with his service  firearm.

FR filed by 10 individuals during a protest at Parliament: SC refuses to grant leave to proceed

The Supreme Court today refused to grant leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed by ten individuals who alleged that their fundamental rights were violated when expressing dissent in front of the Parliament on 4th May 2022.

UN Human Rights Committee to review Sri Lanka

As part of the regular reviews by the Committee of 18 independent international experts, the UN Human Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session from February 27 to March 24, to review Sri Lanka and five other countries.

Interim Order preventing collecting Personal Income Tax from judges further extended

The Court of Appeal today further extended its interim order preventing Justice Ministry officials from deducting the Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) from the monthly salaries of the High Court Judges and judges of Judicial Service Association until March 1.

LG Polls will not be held on March 9 - Elections Commission

The Elections Commission today formally announced that the Local Government Elections will not be held on March 9 and a fresh date will be announced on March 3.

Failure to prevent violence after May 9: Wasantha Karannagoda report tabled in Court

The report of the Board of Inquiry prepared by a three-member-committee headed by Admiral of Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda to ascertain lapses by the armed forces and state intelligence services during the recent incident of violence was today filed before the Court of Appeal.

President talks as if he has gone insane: Sajith

Responding to the remark made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe that the local government election has not been legally declared, Leader Of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today questioned as to why the UNP had submitted nominations if there were no polls.

Chinese EXIM Bank offers short, mid, long term measures

EXIM Bank of China (Export-Import Bank) submitted a comprehensive programme in its financial support document on January 19 to ‘strongly support’ Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and it includes short, mid and long term measures for debt treatment, a diplomatic source from the Chinese embassy said.

Verbal battle continues in Parliament over COPF Chairmanship

The ruling party and the Opposition engaged in a verbal battle in Parliament once again with regard to the Chairmanship of the Public Finance Committee today.

Withholding funds for LG polls will have far-reaching consequences: Church of Ceylon

The decision by the government to withhold funding for the Local Government Election is an unreasonable and arbitrary course of action that will have far-reaching consequences, the Church of Ceylon said.

Sashi Weerawansa asked to take 3 days rest by Magistrate

Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis today allowed three days bed rest to Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of ex-Minister Wimal Weerawansa as she was not well.

SL to receive its first group of post-pandemic Chinese tourists on March 3

Sri Lanka is set to receive its first group of post-pandemic Chinese tourists after becoming one of the first 20 countries to resume the organization of outbound group tourists from China since COVID-19.

Over 7,000 Govt. Servants who contest LG polls in quandary: Rajitha

More than 7,000 Government Sector and Semi-Government Sector Servants who had submitted nominations to contest at the Local Government Election are in a quandary due to the uncertainty over the LG polls, SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne said in Parliament today.

Fowzie granted bail by High Court

The Colombo High today ordered to release Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie on bail in connection with a corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission.

Lasantha Alagiyawanna appointed COPA Chairman

Government MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) with a majority vote today.

Textbook printing cost four times higher than previous years: Minister

The cost of printing school textbooks in three languages has increased four times compared to last year, and the distribution will be completed by March 27, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.