Category: Local News

Trade Unions warn of Countrywide Strikes on March 15

Several trade unions, including doctors, port workers and state bankers had engaged in their trade union actions against the government’s move to impose a huge PAYE tax, increase electricity bills, and increase bank interest rates.



Sri Lanka’s Postal Service declared as essential service

Sri Lanka’s Postal Service has been declared as an essential service by the President Ranil Wickremesinghe via an extraordinary gazette dated March 13, 2023.



Sri Lanka Government decided to expand fuel distribution

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the government has taken a principled decision to expand the distribution of fuel which is expected to commence shortly.



Court issued arrest warrant for Wimal Weerawansa

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (March 13) issued an arrest warrant for Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa for not being present in Court in connection with a case filed against him by Cinnamon Garden Police.



USD 500 million entered the market in seven days – CBSL Governor

Around USD 500 million entered the market within a period of seven days, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Nandalal Weerasinghe said.



Local Government Elections are critical for Sri Lanka – Julie Chung

Local Government Elections are ‘critical’ for Sri Lanka, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said today (March 12).



IGP orders probe over Chief Inspector who interrogated abandoned infant’s mother

The Special Investigation Unit of the Sri Lanka Police has commenced a probe against the Chief Inspector of the Bandarawela Police against the Chief Inspector of the Bandarawela Police in connection with his action following the arrest of the mother of the 13-day-old infant who was abandoned in the toilet of an express train at Fort Railway station on Friday (March 10).



Two Sri Lankan Ministers booed by residents at Bamunakotuwa village

Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka and State Minister D.B. Herath who went to inaugurate a cultural centre at Bamunakotuwa in ​​Kurunegala was booed by a group of residents in the area on Saturday (March 11).



Air Quality in Colombo, Sri Lanka at unhealthy levels

The Central Environmental Authority says that the quality of the air in Colombo, Sri Lanka has dropped to unhealthy levels.



Sri Lanka’s foreign remittances up by 98.8% in February – Manusha

The foreign remittances earned by Sri Lankan migrant workers’ have increased to USD 407.4 million in February 2023.



Five individuals attempt to smuggle Gold arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport

Five individuals including an Indian national who were trying to smuggle a stock of gold worth more than Rs.160 million were apprehended by the customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning (March 11).



Sri Lanka needs institutional changes for long-term debt sustainability, expert says

Sri Lanka needs institutional reforms in order to achieve long-term debt sustainability, said Steve Hanke, who played a key role in establishing new currency regimes in emerging markets like Argentina and Montenegro.



Namal Rajapaksa appointed Chairman of Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa on Thursday (March 09) was appointed as the Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations of the Sri Lankan Parliament.



Japan provides additional US$ 6.6 million for food and nutrition in Sri Lanka

The Government of Japan has contributed an additional US$ 6.6 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide critical food and nutrition assistance to over one million Sri Lankans.



Person arrested with 700 counterfeit notes of Rs. 5,000

A 40-year-old person from Trincomalee was arrested for printing Rs. 5,000 counterfeit currency notes during a raid at Devipuram in Pudukuduirippu by the Special Task Force of Police (STF).



Sri Lanka to announce debt restructuring strategy in April – Central Bank Governor

Sri Lanka aims to announce a debt-restructuring strategy in April and step up talks with commercial creditors ahead of an International Monetary Fund review of a bailout package in six months, the nation’s central bank governor told Reuters.