Category: Local News

Former Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa jailed for demolishing King’s Hall

Former Mayor of Kurunegala Thushara Sanjeewa Vitharana and four others were sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty over the demolition and removal of the King’s Assembly Hall or the King’s Court dating back to the era of King Buwanekabahu, in Kurunegala.



United States welcomes IMF board approval for Sri Lanka

The United States of America has welcomed the positive completion of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with Sri Lanka.



Supreme Court orders Deshbandu and three others to pay compensation of Rs. 2 million

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court today (December 14) ordered Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon and three other police officers to pay a compensation of Rs. 2 million out of their personal funds to an individual for violating his fundamental rights, while being detained at the Mirihana Police Station.



World Bank provides loan to strengthen healthcare in Sri Lanka

Under the primary health care system empowerment project, the World Bank has provided a loan of US$ 34 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen the primary health care system.



Sri Lanka’s second review of $2.9 billion IMF bailout possible in first half of 2024 – official

The second review of Sri Lanka’s $2.9 billion bailout with the IMF could be completed in the first half of 2024, provided it manages to meet debt restructuring and revenue targets set under the programme, an official said on Wednesday.



Budget 2024 passed in Parliament of Sri Lanka with amendments

The third reading of the 2024 Budget was passed with amendments in Parliament of Sri Lanka today (December 13) with a majority of 41 votes.



Australian High Commissioner discusses strengthening border security with Sri Lankan Defence Secretary

A delegation led by the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens met Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka, General Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Headquarters Complex of Sri Lanka in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte on Tuesday (December 12) and had a cordial  discussion.



Sri Lanka approves nuclear power plant construction with Russia as top contender

Sri Lanka currently imports most of its energy needs, including oil, coal and hydrocarbons. To ease the economic burden, the island nation aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.



IMF board approves first review of Sri Lanka’s nearly $3 billion bailout

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said its executive board cleared the first review of Sri Lanka’s about $3 billion bailout on Tuesday, providing about $337 million in funds to help tackle the fallout from the country’s worst financial crisis in decades.



Sri Lanka President assures IMF’s second tranche will be approved today

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured that the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will approve the second tranche of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme for Sri Lanka today (December 12).



Sri Lanka to modernize agricultural sector to attract youth community

Proactive measures are being implemented to modernize the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka with the aim of attracting the youth community to agriculture, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera said.



Sri Lanka to reach power purchase deal with Australia’s United Solar Group

Sri Lanka Government has granted approval for a proposal seeking to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with United Solar Group in Australia.



Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation delegation meets Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary

Senior officials of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) met the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne on Monday (December 11) at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte.



Sri Lanka Parliament approves VAT (amendment) Bill

The Third Reading of the VAT (amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament of Sri Lanka with a majority of 45 votes.



Sri Lanka reports 80,222 dengue cases with 47 deaths

A total of 80,222 dengue patients have been reported so far in 2023 in Sri Lanka, the National Dengue Control Unit said.



Sri Lanka Parliament decides to debate VAT (amendment) Bill today

The proposal to debate the VAT (amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament of Sri Lanka this morning (December 11) by a majority of 51 votes, after 92 MPs voted in favour and 41 voted against, while one MP abstained.