Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the nation this evening (February 04), in view of Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Anniversary.

A total of 208 Officers of the Sri Lanka Army (Regular and Volunteer Force) and a record 7,790 Other Ranks of the Army (Regular Force and Volunteer Force and Extra Regimental Employment Basis) have been promoted to their respective next rank in view of the 75th National Independence Day.

Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day celebration began at the Galle Face Green this morning (February 04).

Sri Lanka Police have fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse protestors near the Elphinstone Theatre in Maradana, a short while ago.

China’s government on Friday confirmed it is offering Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on loan repayments as the Indian Ocean island nation struggles to restructure $51 billion in foreign debt that pushed it into a financial crisis.

The Fort Magistrate’s Court today (February 03) issued an order preventing any protest movements from taking place in the Galle Face Green area tomorrow (February 04), until the conclusion of the 75th Independence Day celebrations.

Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa have decided to boycott 75th Independence Day celebrations to be held at Galle Face tomorrow (February 04).

Sri Lanka’s international bondholders group was prepared to engage with the island nation’s authorities in debt restructuring talks consistent with the parameters of the IMF Programme, their legal adviser, White & Case LLP, said.

The ‘Sri Lankabhimanya’ Award, the highest national award given by the Government of Sri Lanka to a Sri Lankan citizen or non-Sri Lankan individual was conferred on Parliamentarian Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (February 03).

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning has replied to comments made by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States, Victoria Nuland.

Wasantha Mudalige attended a media briefing for the first in 167 days on Thursday (February 02) and made certain startling revelations about what he experienced while in detention.

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said that the country’s foreign income from those involved in foreign employment is expected to increase to US$ 1 billion this year.

Former Archbishop of Colombo, Most Reverend Dr. Oswald Gomis passed away at the age of 90 this morning (February 03).

The Paris Club of creditor nations is ready to provide financing assurances to Sri Lanka, a key step needed to unlock a $2.9 billion bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Sri Lanka has decided to erase the name “Slave Island” from road signs, postal usage and voter registers nearly two centuries after slavery was abolished in the country.

The Chief Prelates of the Three Chapters has urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe not to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution which would lead to serious issues concerning the country’s independence, territorial integrity, and National Security.