Category: Local News

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed the new Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and Secretary to the Finance Minister, the President Media Division said.

Sri Lanka must look at restructuring a $1 billion sovereign debt due for payment in July, the outgoing finance minister told parliament on Thursday, urging an end to calls for a change in government amid the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.

A circular has been issued declaring next Monday (April 11) and Tuesday (April 12) as public holidays, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration said.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today issued an order preventing the former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Ajith Nivard Cabraal from leaving the country.

The US Statement Department has requested its citizens to reconsider travel to Sri Lanka due to COVID-19 and fuel and medicine shortages.

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated to the lowest value against the US dollar in history today (April 7).

Prolonged political uncertainty amid the ongoing financial crisis in Sri Lanka could thwart attempts to obtain external financing from key development partners, Moody’s Investors Services said.

A meeting was held between Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government MPs yesterday (April 6) night at the Temple Trees.

Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (April 06) said, in Parliament the person wearing a helmet who got into the rear of his vehicle during the protest near Parliament was a party member who was assigned to ensure his protection.

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct an immediate inquiry against two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) on their ill-mannered behaviour on a team of Army Riders near the Parliament entrance road on Tuesday.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Presidential Advisory Group on Multilateral Engagement and Debt Sustainability.

Sri Lanka’s crippling economic crisis risks causing starvation across the island nation of 22 million while acute shortages of essentials and debilitating blackouts will get worse, the speaker of parliament warned Wednesday.

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) annual flagship economic publication forecasts a muted recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as Sri Lanka’s economy grapples with macroeconomic challenges arising from high debt, low foreign reserves, and inflationary pressures. ADB forecasts Sri Lanka’s economic growth to dip to 2.4% in 2022 and improve marginally to 2.5% in 2023.

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign, a minister said on Wednesday, despite demonstrations against his handling of the country’s worst economic crisis in decades and as doctors held street protests over a shortage of medicine.

Sri Lanka’s Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando told Parliament that the President will NOT resign.

Sri Lanka has seen a major dip in tea production and lost a chunk of Iranian market for orthodox tea. Around 20% of India’s total tea exports go to Iran and the present decline in Sri Lankan orthodox production may enable India to increase its market share of orthodox tea in Iran.