Category: Local News

Better deal for farmers this Season – Minister

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said a decision will be made by the Cabinet this week regarding the amount of compensation to be paid to farmers for crop damage and the price of paddy.



“Sensationalized and biased”: Sri Lanka hits out at HRW ‘World Report 2022’

Sri Lanka today slammed the “World Report 2022” compiled by the Human Rights Watch (HRW), stating that it depicts an exaggerated and unduly negative picture of the current human rights situation in the country.



Sri Lanka’s total debt is 21 trillion – Vijitha Herath

JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath revealed in Parliament yesterday (January 21) that the total debt of the country is 21 trillion rupees and that most of it has been borrowed during the last few years of the current Government.



Was imported rice cultivated from organic fertiliser? – Sajith

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa questions the government if rice imported from China were harvested using organic fertiliser.



Sri Lanka Prime Minister urges Korea to increase job avenues for Sri Lankans

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday requested South Korea to consider increasing the number of employment opportunities allocated for Sri Lanka.



Approval granted to six importers to import Molnupiravir

Six importers have already been granted approval to import Molnupiravir, the oral antiviral pill to treat Covid patients, Dr. Saman Ratnayake, Secretary to the State Ministry of Drug Production, Supply and Regulation said yesterday (January 21).



Multiple-vehicle collision causes heavy traffic on Southern Expressway

Multiple vehicle collisions on the Southern Expressway (E-01) were reported this morning (January 21) between Kottawa and Kahathuduwa interchanges, the expressway police said.



Chandrika says Sirisena should be thrown out of SLFP

Former President Maithripala Sirisena should be thrown out of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) for making it a junior partner of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)



No plans to seek IMF aid

Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, yesterday (20), told reporters the Government has no plans to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for aid.



Country’s youth must change the political culture – Sarath Fonseka

Parliamentarian Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says no political party in Sri Lanka has thus far been successful in steering the country’s political culture in the right direction.



MILCO to increase payment made to dairy farmers

MILCO (Pvt) Ltd. has decided to raise the payment made to dairy farmers by Rs. 5.00 per litre, says the company’s chairman Lasantha Wickramasinghe.



Minister Sarath Weerasekara tests positive for COVID-19

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara has tested positive for COVID-19.



Central Bank of Sri Lanka increases Standing Deposit & Lending Facility Rates

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) says that its Monetary Board decided to adopt several policy measures with the view to strengthening macroeconomic stability.



Supplying Power 24/7 Not Possible

Providing uninterrupted electricity for 24 hours will cause foreign reserves to dry up fast and the country will face a total blackout if the Government is unable to get foreign exchange to import fuel by the end of February, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila warned yesterday (January 19).



Responsibilities of Ministry Secretaries immense – President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said all sectors in the country depend on the public service.



“Erroneous and outdated information”: Sri Lanka responds to Canada travel advisory

Sri Lankan government today insisted that the recent travel advisory issued by Canada on the island nation contains flawed references to the economic and security situation in the country as well as inaccurate information with regard to the safety and security of female travelers and harassment of foreigners.