Category: Local News

The Government has taken steps to grant Rs. 2,000 million as compensation to 17,000 families in the Kolonnawa DS division in the Colombo district affected by the 2016 floods to help uplift their lives. During the first phase of the programme, Rs. 271.6 million was distributed at Rs. 10,000 per family last year.

A continuing delay by China’s Exim Bank to extend a loan of US$ 1.1 billion (Rs 158 billion) to Sri Lanka has put on hold the first phase of the Central Expressway project. The project covers 37.09 kilometres and links up to the rest of the Central Expressway from Mirigama.

Sri Lanka will continue to work with the United Nations (UN) and other institutions by aligning the government’s policy strategy with the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Targets” to be achieved by 2030, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

More than Rs.3,489 billion is required in the next two years for debt servicing, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday, also highlighting that the Government has put in place a prudent debt management strategy to overcome the unprecedented challenges in the fiscal front.

The Sri Lankan rupee ended marginally higher on Friday as selling of the U.S. dollar by banks on account of inward remittances surpassed early demand for the greenback from importers, dealers said.

A group of people, including a member of Northern Provincial Council K. Sivajilingam who recently protested in Jaffna hoisting black flags, met with President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (19th Oct.).

The Chief Prelate of the Malwatte Chapter rejected media reports which mischievously suggested that he opposed any Constitutional reforms, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday (19th).

MP Hirunika Premachandra was appointed by the Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP organizer for Ratmalana yesterday.

It has been reported that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka earlier today (19), dispelling rumours of his impending arrest.

Colombo University Physical Science Department Prof. Chandana Jayaratne confirmed that the bright light and sound which was heard from the Southern Province (SP) this evening was because of an explosion caused by a meteor.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government will never shrug off the responsibility vested upon it to revive the country’s economy.

Jain and Hindu believers celebrate Deepavali with the sacred light of truth that wins over the darkness of evil. The true meaning of Deepavali is found in overcoming lies with the truth, hatred with love, evil with goodness and defeat with victory.

I am very pleased to send this message of greetings on the occasion of the festival of Deepavali celebrated by the Hindus throughout the world, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Chairman of the presidential commission of inquiry probing alleged bonds scams Justice K.T.Chitrasiri yesterday said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would be summoned as a witness if necessary.

Opposition Leader R.Sampanthan yesterday in Parliament urged the Government to release all prisoners detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) without further delay.

Anika Wijesuriya, who testified before the Bond Commission earlier on regarding the Penthouse apartment, in which former Minister Ravi Karunanayake resided, had left the country due to death threats