2023 to be tougher for global economy than 2022: IMF Chief

This year will be tougher than 2022 for most of the global economy as the United States, European Union and China see slowing growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.

Printing of calendars and diaries decline by 90 percent

Printing of calendars and diaries have declined by 90 per cent, Sri Lanka Printers Association President Ariyadasa Weeraman said.

Hopeful of further reducing inflation: CB Governor

Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said his main expectation this year was to bring down inflation and to reduce the interest.

Regulation of Elections Expenditure Bill to be taken up on 5th

The Regulation of Elections Expenditure Bill under which the Election Commission is to be vested with the right to decide on a maximum authorized amount which a candidate contesting any election could spend for his campaign is to be taken up for debate in Parliament on Thursday January 5, 2023, Parliament Media Unit said.

Hearing impaired to get driving licence after March: MT Comm. Gen.

The program to issue driving licences to the hearing impaired will commence islandwide after March this year, Motor Traffic Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said.

Fonseka makes a verbal blow at Sajith

One cannot become a leader either by driving buses or by setting fire to buses, SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said.

Official ceremony to be held tomorrow to commence work in the New year

The main official ceremony to commence work for the year 2023 will be held at 9.00 am tomorrow at the Presidential Secretariat premises.

All must face New Year with utmost commitment to build better country: PM

All must face the New Year with utmost commitment to build a better country even in the face of numerous challenges, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

We plan to turn around the economy in 2023: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said 2023 will be a critical year in which Sri Lanka was planning to turn around the economy.

President expresses condolences on Pope Benedict’s demise

President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed condolences on the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

US grants $240M assistance to SL in 2022: Julie Chung

The United States has announced more than $240M in new assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022 alone, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said.

State sector employees to get no-pay leave to complete doctorate

The government has decided to grant no-pay leave to state employees to read for their doctorates, without affecting their seniority or pension.

China must share data on Covid impact: WHO

Chinese officials must share more real-time information on Covid in the country as infections surge, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

2023 - a year of long weekends

The year 2023 is going to be a year of long weekends, as most of the public and mercantile holidays have fallen on Fridays and Mondays.

SJB says applications galore seeking candidacy to LG Polls

General Secretary of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ranjith Madduma Bandara said applications galore from the party members seeking to contest the pending elections to the local authorities.

Rs. 4,000 advance cash payment to be given for state sector employees

An advance cash payment of a maximum of Rs. 4,000 will be given to all State sector employees between January 1 and February 28, 2023, the Public Administration Ministry said.

Child slammed to the ground for buying a bun

A child was slammed on the ground for purchasing a bun from a trishaw selling bakery items in Dambulla yesterday, after an individual assumed that the child had stolen the money to make the purchase, the police said.

SL shouldn’t go around the world with begging bowl in 2023: Cardinal

Sri Lanka should not go around the world with a begging bowl in 2023, but should establish a new structure to build up the nation, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Pages of vehicle transfer form slashed into half

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has decided to shrink the number of pages in the vevicle transfer form to half from January 1.

Covid threat still looming; continue basic health practices: Dr. Herath

Claiming that Sri Lanka is not completely out of the woods with the Covid-19 threat, Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said it was important for everyone to continue adhering to basic health practices.

Consular fees for attestation services revised from Jan. 1

The Consular fees for attestation of certificates and documents by the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry in Colombo, regional consular offices and Sri Lanka missions/posts abroad have been revised from January 01, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

’’I won’t be shaken by the leaked phone conversation with Adarsha’’: Buddika

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Buddika Pathirana today said he will not be shaken by the leaked phone conversation with individuals such as Adarsha Karadana as it was not something new.

Provincial indicators on number plates out: DMT

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has decided not to print provincial indicators at the issuance of vehicle number plates from January 1, Commissioner-General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said.

Ashu Marasinghe demands Rs. 1.5 billion as damages from Hirunika and Adarsha

Prof. Ashu Marasinghe, former advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs.500 million and one billion rupees as damages from former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra and Adarsha Karandana respectively for allegedly making a defamatory statement regarding him during a press conference held on December 23.

Andrew Tate detained in Romania over human trafficking case

Controversial online influencer Andrew Tate has reportedly been detained in Romania as part of a human trafficking and rape investigation.

Aung San Suu Kyi jailed for 7 more years as secretive trials end

A court in military-ruled Myanmar on Friday convicted deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi on five counts of corruption and jailed her for a combined seven years, a source familiar with her trial said, and wrapping up the last remaining cases against her.

President conveys condolences to Modi

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed condolences to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi over the passing away of his mother.

SL, Cambodia exempt visas for diplomatic, official passport holders

Sri Lanka and Cambodia have exempted visa for holders of diplomatic and official passports with effect from December 24, 2022, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok said.

New Chief Secretaries appointed to Western, Sabaragamuwa provinces

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Mahinda Sanath Weerasooriya as the Chief Secretary of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Pradeep Yasaratne as the Chief Secretary of the Western Province effective from January 1, President Media Division (PMD) said.

China to scrap Covid quarantine rule for inbound travelers

China will stop requiring inbound travelers to go into quarantine starting from Jan. 8, the National Health Commission said on Monday in a major step towards easing curbs on its borders, which have been largely shut since 2020.