Category: Local News

UNGA adopts Sri Lanka sponsored resolution to declare ‘World Seagrass Day’

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a Sri Lanka sponsored Resolution A/76/L.56, declaring 1 March as World Seagrass Day.



Commence Languages, Vocational Training Programmes targeting foreign job vacancies – President

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to implement languages and vocational training programmes targeting foreign job vacancies, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.



Only Essential Government staff must report for duty from Thursday (26)

The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration had informed all the Heads of Government Departments to prepare and implement an appropriate arrangement to call only the officers who are essential to delivering public services for duty with effect from Thursday (26).



Father & brother of two Easter Sunday suicide bombers granted bail

Mohamed Ibrahim, the father of two suicide bombers, Mohamed Ibrahim Ilham Ahmed and Mohamed Ibrahim Insaf Ahmed who detonated suicide bombs at two leading hotels in Colombo in the 2019 Easter Sunday attack was granted bail today (May 25).



Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Finance Minister

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country’s new Finance Minister, as well as Minister of Economic Stability, and National Policies.



No new financing for Sri Lanka without macroeconomic policy framework – World Bank

The World Bank on Tuesday said it is not planning to provide any new financing to cash-strapped Sri Lanka until an adequate economic policy framework has been put in place.



Sri Lanka’s prime minister says he will slash expenditure in new budget

Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday he will present an interim budget within six weeks, slashing infrastructure projects to re-route funds into a two-year relief programme for the crisis-hit island nation.



Sri Lanka arrests 67 suspected to be heading to Australia

Sri Lanka’s navy said Tuesday that it has arrested 67 people who it believes were trying to travel by sea to Australia illegally.



Kimarli Fernando resigns as chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism

The chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, Kimarli Fernando has tendered her resignation to Tourism Minister Harin Fernando.



Bus fare increased again by 19.5%

Sri Lanka’s National Transport Commission has approved to increase bus fares by 19.5% with effect from midnight today (May 24).



Sri Lanka announces new fuel limits for vehicles

Sri Lanka has announced new fuel limits for vehicles today (May 24).



Johnston Fernando arrives at CID

Former Minister Johnston Fernando arrived at the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) a short while ago to record a statement over the incidents that took place outside Temple Trees (Maina Go Gama) and in Galle Face (Gota Go Gama) on May 09.



Circular to be issued on calling only essential staff for duty

The Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration said that a new circular will be issued instructing only essential state workers to report to work.



Sri Lanka picks Lazard, Clifford Chance as advisers for landmark debt restructuring – sources

Sri Lanka has hired heavyweight financial and legal advisers Lazard and Clifford Chance as it prepares for the difficult task of renegotiating its debts, a trio of sources told Reuters on Monday.



Importing essential food items is the priority

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says the most essential food items can be imported in the event foreign remittances amounting to USD 500 million is generated monthly.



Sri Lanka increases fuel prices after Cabinet approves pricing formula

Sri Lanka has decided to revise fuel Prices with effect from Tuesday (May 24) 3:00 AM.