Category: Local News

Sri Lanka fully supports United Nations’ program to stop Gaza conflict and establish peace – President

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the policy of the present government is to treat every religion equally and provide equal rights to every citizen.



Pentagon report claims China considered Sri Lanka for military logistic support

China is trying to expand global military footprints, with a latest Pentagon report naming 18 countries, besides Djibouti and Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, to insist that Beijing has “probably” “considered” them as “locations for PLA (People’s Liberation Army) military logistics facilities”.



Sri Lanka’s presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in 2024 – President

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed that a Presidential Election is set to take place in 2024 in accordance with the Constitution of Sri Lanka.



Lalith Kotelawala passes away

Sri Lankan businessman Lalith Kotelawala passed away at the age of 84 this morning (October 21).



Eheliyagoda Police OIC found dead with gunshot injuries

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Eheliyagoda Police station, Priyanka Silva, was found dead with gunshot injuries.



Rajini Selvanayagam passes away

Sri Lankan traditional dancer Kalasuri, Vishwakala Keerthi Rajini Selvanayagam passed away on Friday (October 20).



IMF wants strong budget, narrower deficit from Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is looking for a strong budget and narrower deficit from Sri Lanka as it seeks funding to bridge the gap between government revenue and expenditure, the IMF mission chief for the country said on Friday.



China’s Xi offers to help Sri Lanka; buy more of its exports

China is willing to offer assistance to Sri Lanka without political conditions and buy more of its exports, President Xi Jinping told his Sri Lankan counterpart on Friday in Beijing, state media said.



Sri Lanka’s electricity tariffs increased by 18%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to increase electricity tariffs by 18% with effect from today (October 20).



Sri Lanka reaches IMF staff-level agreement on first review

Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the first review of US $ 3 billion, 48-month, Extended Fund Facility (EFF).



Chinese Finance Minister assures an extensive commitment from China to enhance Sri Lanka’s credit optimization

Chinese Finance Minister, Liu Kun, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to extend comprehensive support for the implementation of a medium-term and long-term program that is mutually beneficial to both parties and aimed at optimizing Sri Lanka’s debt.



Vijayakala Maheswaran released from case over controversial statement

Former Parliamentarian Vijayakala Maheswaran was released by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s court from a case relating to a controversial statement she had made in 2018.



Ajith Mannapperuma suspended from Parliament for four weeks

Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) parliamentarian Ajith Mannapperuma was suspended from Parliament for four weeks as per Standing Order 77(3) for grabbing the mace in Parliament.



Sri Lanka to establish dedicated investment zone for fishing industry in Northern province

A dedicated investment zone will be established for the fishing industry in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, Minister of State for Fisheries Piyal Nishantha announced.



UN experts say Sri Lanka’s counter-terrorism bill fails to heed their recommendations

Sri Lanka’s new proposed counter-terrorism legislation does not go far enough to remedy the defects of the country’s draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), UN experts said today (October 18), urging the Government to ensure the new law meets international human rights standards.



Sri Lanka Close to IMF Agreement, Is Weighing Bondholder Terms, Semasinghe Says

Sri Lanka is close to reaching a vital staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund to get funding, while it’s also assessing debt restructuring terms from foreign holders of its dollar bonds, according to junior Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe.