Category: Local News

Ven. Medagamuwe Mahanama Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Vatthewa Nandarama temple in Seeduwa was killed by an 18-year-old Buddhist monk yesterday (September 14) at the temple.

Leading U.S. senators, including the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez have introduced a Senate resolution calling for a comprehensive international approach to address Sri Lanka’s current political and economic crisis, including challenges related to poor governance and economic policy under the Rajapaksa family’s rule.

A preliminary round of discussions was held between Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens to explore the opportunities for investment in the renewable energy sector in Sri Lanka.

A person who was walking on the road was shot and killed by two individuals who arrived on a motorcycle at Pattiya Junction in Kelaniya on Wednesday evening (September 14).

akvithi Ranasinghe, who pleaded guilty to 11 charges was sentenced to 22 years in prison, suspended for five years.

A Sri Lankan lawyer who had been charged under Motor Traffic Act for tooting vehicle horns for the popular rhythm of ‘Kaputu kaak kaak kaak’ was acquitted and released by court today (September 14).

The Core Group on Sri Lanka is planning to present a draft resolution to the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) seeking the promotion of reconciliation, accountability and human rights on the island nation.

The controversial Social Security Contribution (SSC) levy came into effect this week with 2.5 percent slapped on turnover on a wider base of businesses with annual taxable turnover exceeding Rs.120 million as the bill was passed in Parliament last week.

India on Monday (September 12) urged Sri Lanka to take immediate and credible action on devolution of power and operationalisation of Provincial Councils through the early conduct of elections.

China openly spoke for Sri Lanka and opposed external interference during the Interactive Dialogue on the island nation at the 51st Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on September 12.

The multi-sector mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centres to ensure food security and nutrition was initiated under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (September 13).

Financial advisory group Lazard (LAZ.N) has started talks with India, China and Japan on restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka government said on Tuesday, as the crisis-hit island nation seeks an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

The Cabinet of Ministers has green-lighted the allocation of USD 100 million through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for the Ministry of Health to procure essential medicines and supplies.

As calls are growing for the independence of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank, which was also clearly laid out in the staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), there are growing concerns among certain sections whether total independence would mean lack of accountability for the actions the monetary authority takes to maintain price stability.

The Government of Sri Lanka declared a special public holiday for government institutions on September 19 on account of the royal funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Sri Lanka should improve human rights and strengthen institutions to tackle the humanitarian challenges that have sprung from its worst financial crisis in seven decades, a top U.N. Human Rights official said on Monday.