Category: Local News

No bag carriers and a commercial flight: Princess Anne’s no-nonsense royal visit

The Princess Royal has been welcomed to Sri Lanka with a dazzling performance by traditional dancers – and in true Princess Anne style, she took it all in her stride by carrying her own bags off her commercial plane.



Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Finance says VAT increase has no major impact on the market

Recent increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) hasn’t caused significant disruptions in the market during the first few days of this month according to a study conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya informed Parliament today (January 10).



Sri Lanka ranked as the fourth most popular solo travel destination

Sri Lanka has been ranked as the fourth most popular solo travel destination in the world for 2024, the Forbes magazine reported.



Professor Lakshman Dissanayake appointed as member of Election commission

Professor D.M.S.S. Lakshman Dissanayake today (January 10) assumed duties as a new member of the Election Commission.



Sri Lanka central bank to consider a single policy rate mechanism

Sri Lanka’s central bank is considering moving towards a single policy rate mechanism to ensure better signaling of its monetary policy stance, Governor P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Wednesday.



Ranil Wickremesinghe named as next candidate of UNP for Presidential Election 2024

The United National Party (UNP) Management Committee unanimously decided yesterday (January 09) that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should contest for the upcoming Presidential Election.



Dr. Saveen Semage re-appointed as CEO of NMRA

The Ministry of Health announced the re-appointment of Dr. Saveen Semage as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) today (January 09).



Sri Lanka to establish separate counters to issue TIN at divisional secretariats, public places

Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has instructed officials to establish dedicated counters at every Divisional Secretariats for the issuance of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for individuals aged 18 and above.



Sri Lanka to renovate 1,500km of roads in 2024 within 06 months

The Department of Government Information (DGI) has revealed plans to renovate 1,500 kilometers of roads in Sri Lanka.



Chaminda Wijesiri resigns from Parliament

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Badulla Districts MP Chaminda Wijesiri has submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament.



Supplementary medical professionals in Sri Lanka launch token strike over unfair allowance raise

Professionals in Supplementary Medical Service have launched a token strike today (January 09) at 08:00 AM at all government hospitals, against the government’s decision to not provide them with the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance of Rs. 35,000.



Japan urges early signing of debt MoU between Sri Lanka and creditors

Japan restated the importance for early completion of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and creditor nations on debt restructuring, after an agreement was reached in principle late last year.



DAT allowance for doctors and study allowance for university teachers increased

The Sri Lanka government has approved President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to double the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance for doctors up to Rs. 70,000, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said on Monday (January 08).



Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission concerned over alleged human rights abuses in ‘Yukthiya’ Operation

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has expressed deep concern on Monday (January 08) over alleged human rights abuses in the recent ‘Yukthiya’ Operation (an anti-narcotics operation) conducted by the Sri Lanka Police and the Ministry of Public Security.



Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approves Rs. 5,000 cost of living allowance from January 2024

Cabinet of Sri Lanka has given its approval to the President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to disburse Rs. 5,000 from January 2024, which is half of the planned Rs. 10,000 cost of living allowance.



Sri Lanka’s opposition leader files petition seeking reduction in electricity tariffs

Sri Lanka’s Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court requesting an order to reduce the current electricity bill.