China’s EXIM bank gives Sri Lanka debt extension

China’s Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) has provided Sri Lanka with a debt extension, China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, confirming a Reuters report earlier this week.

Resignation of EC member will not postpone LG Polls

The resignation of a member of the Elections Commission (EC) would not disrupt the activities of the Commission, former Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Godahewa acquitted and released from SEC case

Former State Minister Nalaka Godahewa and two others were today acquitted and released from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) case by the Colombo High Court.

Court issues order preventing IRD collecting APIT from judges

The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order preventing the Inland Revenue Department from collecting Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) from judges.

UK to support SL to secure extended financial facility with IMF

The U.K has reiterated that as a member of the Paris Club, it stands ready to consider the necessary Financing Assurances to secure an Extended Financing Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a timely manner to Sri Lanka.

NPP unveils economic plan to build resilient social market economy

While stressing the need for fresh elections to elect a new government to come out of the on-going economic crisis, National People Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka vowed to build a resilient social market economy by transforming the country’s political culture.

IDB suggests international conference in SL to find ways to address liquidity

In the backdrop of the financial crisis in Sri Lanka, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) offered to have an international conference here to explore alternate ways to address liquidity issues, a Minister said.

Cabraal says current CB chief has printed more money than he did

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal yesterday said his successor Nandalal Weerasinghe has printed more money than he did.

Aragalaya activist shouts at Cabraal

An Aragalaya activist was heard shouting at former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal calling him a thief.

Italy willing to supply helicopters to Sri Lanka to combat human trafficking

The Republic of Italy has expressed its willingness to help Sri Lanka by supplying helicopters for anti-human trafficking measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division said.

Grade five Scholarship Exam results released

The 2021(2022) grade five scholarship examination results have been released a short while ago, Commissioner General of Examinations H.J.M.C. Amith Jayasundara said.

Now PUCSL has to intervene in country’s national events: Chairman

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has to intervene in decision-making with regards to a country’s national events, such as the ongoing Advanced Level (A/L) examination, PUCSL chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

EC member Charles resigns from post

Member of Election Commission P. M. S. Charles resigned from her post while Chairman of the commission Nimal Pumchihewa is also expected to follow suit, a spokesman from the President’s office said.

Money found at President’s House: Police yet to record a statement from Gota despite a court order

It was transpired before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that despite a Court order, police have so far failed to record a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding ongoing investigations into the sum of Rs. 17.8 million recovered by protesters inside the President’s House on 9th July.

Hundreds flock to Colombo over fake job opportunities in Turkey

A tense situation was reported at the JR Jayawardena Center in Colombo today after hundreds of job seekers around the country gathered at the center following a fake Turkey job interview published on social media.

All SJB MPs to extend their support in discussion with China and India to achieve SL objectives: Harsha

Whilst stating that it is not clear whether the IMF will accept the letter given by China agreeing to grant a debt moratorium to Sri Lanka, the Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) today offered active support in discussion with China and others to achieve Sri Lanka’s objectives,

Excise Dept. ordinance should be amended to suit present situation: Siyambalapitiya

The Excise Department ordinance should be amended to be compatible with the current situations, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

TID probes recovery of high explosives in a lorry in Bingiriya

Two suspects who were arrested while transporting high-powered explosives in a lorry at Vilattawa in Bingiriya were handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) to determine whether they were involved in any terrorist activities or posed a threat to national security.

No power cut until end of A/L exam: HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) said today that the parties that gathered at the HRC had agreed not to impose power cuts until the end of the Advanced Level Examination from today.

CC to call applications for new members of independent commissions

The Constitutional Council which met today with Speaker at the chair decided to call for applications from suitable persons for the independent commissions such as the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission and the National Police Commission.

CEB suffers continual loss resultant of politicians’ stupid decisions: PUCSL Chairman

The reason for the total loss incurred so far by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was owing to stupid decisions taken by the politicians, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) chairman Janaka Rathnayaka said.

Against high cost of living

The Joint Trade Union Alliance today staged a protest in front of the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, demanding the government to take immediate action to bring down the high cost of living. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Central Bank employees protest...

A group of employees from the Central Bank temporarily quit work and engaged in a trade union action today, alleging that the pay-as-you-go tax has been increased unfairly. Employees attached to five trade unions of the Central Bank were off from their duties today from 9.00 am until afternoon, and gathered in a hall near the bank’s auditorium and engaged in trade union action. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Free lunch program for school children at risk as govt. fails to pay suppliers

No payments have been made for nearly four months to the suppliers involved in providing lunch to school children, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin alleged today.

Happy to allow NSSC appoint the next cricket selection committee: SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said it would be happy to allow the National Sports Selection Committee (NSSC) of the Ministry of Sports to appoint the next cricket selection committee, if the NSSC would also take responsibility for the failures and successes of the national team.

IRD’s Rs. 10bn software for tax collection not functioning properly: COPA reveals

It was revealed at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) that the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS), which is established for tax revenue collection in the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) at a cost of Rs. 10 billion was not functioning properly.

Uni. teachers declare ’black week protest’ against arbitrary tax policies

The University Teachers’ Association (UTA) today declared a ’’black week protest’’ against the government’s move to heap a burden on people by imposing an arbitrary tax policy, UTA Secretary and Senior Lecturer of Sri Jayewardenapura University, Sujeewa Hettiarachchi said.

Kurunegala MC spends Rs. 60 mn just to remove stone

The Kurunegala Municipal Council has spent a colossal amount of Rs. 60 million to remove a stone at a construction site where a building was being constructed for a Maternity and Child Clinic whereas the approved cost was Rs. 9.3 million, an audit report has revealed.

Dr. Shafi’s FR petition fixed for May 16

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the alleged sterilisation of female patients was today fixed for support by Supreme Court.

’Homosexuality not a crime’: Pope Francis

Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.