Category: Local News

Several roads blocked in Colombo due to protests

The vehicle movement on Lotus Road has been blocked due to a protest march by several professional trade unions, the police said.



Sri Lanka’s creditors must take proactive steps to facilitate its recovery: Jaishankar

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said today that India has extended financing assurances to the IMF to clear the way for Sri Lanka to move forward because India felt strongly that Sri Lanka’s creditors must take proactive steps to facilitate its recovery.



Jaishankar conveys India’s commitment to increase investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten economic recovery

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Sri Lanka’s top leadership and conveyed India’s commitment to increase investment flows to hasten the debt-ridden island nation’s economic recovery.



Mujibur Rahman resigns as MP

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman has decided to step down as a member of parliament to contest for the Local Government election.



CNN Travel lists Jaffna amongst 18 most underrated places in Asia

Jaffna has been listed in CNN Travel’s ‘18 of Asia’s most underrated places’, amongst several other scenic locations within the continent.



Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill passed in Sri Lanka Parliament

The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill was passed in Parliament with a majority of 61 votes, a short while ago.



CID launches investigation on threats made to Election Commission officials

Two officials attached to the Election Commision of Sri Lanka have received death threats forcing them to resign ahead of the Local Government Election.



India foreign minister visits Sri Lanka with stronger ties, China in focus

India’s foreign minister arrives in Colombo on Thursday following his country’s backing of Sri Lanka for a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, leaving China as the island’s last remaining major creditor to agree to a debt restructuring plan.



Pavithra Wanniarachchi & Jeevan Thondaman appointed Cabinet Ministers

Parliamentarian Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Jeevan Thondaman have been sworn in as cabinet ministers.



Veteran filmmaker Sumitra Peries passes away

Wife of late Dr. Lester James Peries, Veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Sumitra Peries, passes away at the age of 88.



Fitch downgrades seven Sri Lankan insurers’ national IFS ratings

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Ratings of seven Sri Lankan insurers, following the recent sovereign downgrade and recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan National Rating scale.



India ‘strongly supports’ Sri Lanka debt restructuring plan, it tells IMF

India has told the International Monetary Fund that it strongly supports Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring plan as the island nation seeks a $2.9 billion loan from the global lender, according to a letter seen by Reuters.



Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill passed in parliament

The second reading of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill has been passed in the parliament today (January 18) by a majority of 17 votes.



Close associate of ‘Kimbula Ele Guna’ injured in Kotahena

A close associate of underworld figure ‘Kimbula Ele Guna’ was injured in a shooting in Kotahena this afternoon (January 18), police said.



Election Commission gives assurance to hold the Local Government Election

The Election Commission today assured the Supreme Court that it has taken all steps to hold the Local Government Election in terms of Local Authorities Election Ordinance.



Sri Lanka recorded over 47,000 tourist arrivals so far in 2023

47,353 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka so far this year, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said.