Sri Lanka open for renegotiation with Adani on tariff rates

Despite Indian conglomerate Adani Group’s announcement that it withdrew from the US $ 442 million wind power project in Mannar, the Energy Ministry has requested the company to inform its stand in writing on the future of the project since Sri Lanka remains open for renegotiation of tariffs quoted originally, an official said.

IMF releases US$334mn to Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced its Executive Board has ​completed the third review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw SDR 254 million (about US$334 million).

Colombo District Court dismisses action against Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association

Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana, yesterday dismissed a Plaint filed by Deputy Principal, Mahanama Vidyalaya, Colombo 3 against the office-bearers of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) including its Acting President Thilak Waththuhewa, Secretary, and Treasurer, and vacated an enjoining order obtained on 11th February by which the Plaintiff had sought an Interim Injunction preventing the playing of the Semi-Final of the U

Fuel queues…

No fuel shortage in the country: CPC

The Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) assured the public that there is no shortage of fuel in the country and that distribution is continuing as usual.

We will downsize security forces: President

Number of persons in all three armed forces will be reduced while they will be made sophisticated with equipment, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Muslims to commence Ramadan fasting on Sunday

Muslims in Sri Lanka will begin the Holy month of Ramadan on Sunday, (02), since the new moon for the month was not sighted today, the Colombo Grand Mosque announced a short while ago.

Expenditure head for Defence Ministry approved

The expenditure head of the Defence Ministry was approved in Parliament by a majority of 78 votes with 88 members voting in favour and ten against.

Court orders arrest of Deshabandu Tennakoon

The Matara Magistrate’s Court has issued an order for the arrest of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon over the Weligama shooting incident in 2023, police said today.

PTA will be repealed

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed, but new laws to curb crime and prevent extremism will be introduced soon, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Fuel distributors to halt orders from midnight

The Fuel Distributors’ Association announced that they will cease fuel ordering activities from midnight today (28 February).

Politicians, legal officers, police, security forces patronising underworld: President

A number of sectors including political leaders, legal officers, security officers and police are patronising the underworld, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

No price revision for LAUGFS gas in March

There will be no price revision for LAUGFS Gas domestic cylinder refills in March, LAUGFS Gas Director and Cluster CEO Dr. Niroshan J. Pieries said.

President attends parliamentary debate

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in Parliament a short while to take part in the debate on the expenditure allocation for the Ministry of Defence.

Government clarifies how AKD visited three countries at a cost of Rs. 1.8 mn

Responding to allegations of how President Anura Kumara Dissanayake managed to visit three countries for just Rs. 1.8 million, Chief Government Whip Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that only Rs. 1.2 million was spent for the Indian visit, Rs. 386,000 for the China visit and Rs. 279,970 for the Dubai visit.

Bloemendhal railway crossing to close for 16 hours from tomorrow: Railways Dept.

The railway line leading to the harbour from Orugodawatta will be closed for two days for 16 hours from tomorrow, the Sri Lanka Railways Department said.

Microsoft to shut down Skype in May this year: Report

Skype, the video calling platform that made headlines in the early 2000s, may finally be shutting down. While the service isn’t as popular as it used to be, Microsoft claims that more than 36 million people used Skype daily to connect with their friends, family and colleagues.

Remove MPs parliamentary privileges to prevent them from lying: Namal

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today proposed to remove the privilge of MPs to tell lies in Parliament just like the removal of MPs’ permits and insurance.

Committee on High Posts approves new HC to Australia, Ambassador to Bahrain

The Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of a new Ambassador and High Commissioner.

Former Presidents used underworld to commit crimes: Deputy Minister

Former Presidents have used underworld figures to commit various crimes, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala told Parliament today.

Bottom-trawling must end in the interest of fishermen of Sri Lanka and India: C.V. Wigneswaran

Ending the destructive bottom-trawling method of fishing would safeguard the livelihoods of ordinary fishermen in Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka, former Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council C.V. Wigneswaran has said, urging Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to act on the long-persisting problem.

Foreign digital service providers can retain overseas earnings amid tax increase: Handunneththi

The tax burden on individuals providing services to foreign countries while residing in Sri Lanka has increased. However, they have the option to keep their income abroad without bringing it into the country. Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi said that he does not agree with this tax.

Health exhibition at BMICH

Government planning to arm tri-forces with modern technology than manpower: Ruling party MP

The government is planning to arm the tri-forces with modern technology rather than manpower, going with the global trend, NPP MP Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara said today.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s contributions far outweigh foreign travel expenses: Cassilingam

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Jaffna District Organizer Geethanath Cassilingam has defended former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stating that his contributions to the country far outweigh the expenses incurred on foreign visits during his tenure.

MS, RW stopped probes into frauds, corruption during Yahapalana government: Ananda Wijepala

Former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe stopped investigations into hundreds of frauds and corruption cases during the Yahapalana government, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Nepal’s Kathmandu rattled by strong quake, no casualties reported

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck north of Nepal’s Kathmandu on Friday, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre.

Trump says US will impose additional 10% tariff on China

Donald Trump said he planned to hit goods from China with a new 10% tariff, the latest salvo in the US president’s steadily escalating trade fights.

Good air quality recorded in several cities

The air quality level was recorded as good in Colombo 07, Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Kalutara, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura yesterday, the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic said.

SLCERT reports over 17,000 social media incidents last year

Over 17,000 social media incidents were reported last year, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) said.