Category: Local News

Cutting down expenditure and distribution of essential food items under emergency laws will not help the current financial crisis, an SJB MP said yesterday.

An ongoing probe by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the recent seizure of narcotics, weapons and ammunition has led to speculation that an international drug running and weapon trading racket is aimed at reviving the Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group LTTE, Indian media reported on Tuesday (Aug. 31).

It is the duty of everyone to maintain financial discipline at a time when the country is in a financially difficult period, Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

Sri Lankan reserves have been strengthened by the receipt of an influx of USD 787 Million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and USD 150 Million from Bangladesh Central Bank as a swap arrangement, says Finance Secretary S.R. Attygalle.

194 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for August 30, increasing the death toll to 9,185.

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated to the lowest value against the US dollar in history today (31).

Our country became a victim of the world economic crisis due to the Central Bank Treasury Bond scam and other acts of corruption during the previous regime, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said yesterday.

Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley who was arrested for making a controversial statement, further remanded until September 14.

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to issue a gazette notification before the 20th of November declaring teacher service, teacher advisory service and principal service as closed services.

The Government Medical Officers’ Forum says information in the National Medicines Regulatory Authority data system being reported missing cannot be considered an incident which took place without anyone’s knowledge.

Former Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara has been summoned to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today to record a statement regarding information that he had revealed during an interview.

Sri Lanka Navy has seized a multi-day fishing trawler carrying 290 kilograms and 200 grams of heroin and 05 suspects were apprehended during a special search operation conducted in the deep sea yesterday (30).

UNP Chairman and former Minister Wajira Abeywardena yesterday called on the Government to spend US Dollars 720 million being granted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) solely on controlling Coronavirus and said that the Government should join a programme with the IMF and obtain money to build the economy as well.

The Emergency Regulation for the supply of essential food items will come into effect from midnight on Monday (30), said the President’s Media Division.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to increase the salaries of principals and teachers.

Sri Lanka yesterday recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day.