Category: Local News

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has released approximately USD 50 million to two state banks for clearance of essential food items held up at the Colombo Port, according to its governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

Pfizer said Monday it had begun a middle-to-late stage clinical trial of a pill to stave off COVID-19 in people who are exposed to infection.

Sri Lanka on Tuesday appealed to exporters to speed up repatriation of earnings as a foreign exchange shortages bites and authorities scramble to source U.S. dollars to release food containers from ports and fund imports.

The allocation for the Health sector in the upcoming Budget will exceed the allocation for Defence, and it will be the highest allocation for next year, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

The Health Ministry stated that from October 01 fully vaccinated  passengers arriving at the island who were tested negative at the time of departure, are NOT required to do another PCR test at the airport and will be allowed to leave.

A software engineer of the Epic Lanka Technologies company has been arrested over the deletion of data from the database of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

Rice Mill owners have announced the new retail price for rice, following the government decision to lift control prices.

Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley who was arrested for making a controversial statement, was further remanded until October 12.

A joint company will be formed for the purpose of purchasing Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas, State Minister of Consumer Affairs Lasantha Alagiyawanna stated.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva said that a continuous increase in prices of goods and a shortage of goods can be observed, and the Government has no solutions to address these issues.

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has said prices for cargo arriving at an upcoming LNG facility by US firm New Fortress Energy Inc. will be the cheapest.

Handing over a 40 percent stake of the Kerawalapitiya LNG power plant to a U.S. firm does not mean a complete sale, General Secretary of SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam said.

The Cabinet of Ministers has reportedly not taken any decisions on price revisions of essential items including powdered milk, LP gas, wheat flour and cement.

The Cabinet of Ministers have decided to remove the price control imposed on rice and import a buffer stock to prevent any possible shortage.

Officers of the Narcotics Control Division of the Sri Lanka Customs today thwarted an attempt to smuggle 16 kg of gold into the country.

Hundreds of people lined up outside shops across many areas in the country as rumors about a possible price increase of essential commodities spread on Monday (27).