President directs imposition of 100% levy on big onion imports

President Maithripala Sirisena directed to the Finance Ministry to impose 100% levy on imported big onions.



Sri Lanka to take action to control coconut price

Sri Lanka will bring in a permanent price index to control the price of coconuts after several black marketeers have been caught selling coconuts at exorbitant rates, a local media report said Monday.



LP gas prices increased

The price of a domestic Litro gas cylinder (12.5kg) would be increased by Rs.110 with effect from midnight today, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.



Call to lift ban on movement of Rohingyas to Sri Lanka

A day after Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe categorically stated that his government will not admit Rohingya refugees into the country, a pro-peace think tank, the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka appealed to the Sri Lankan government to lift the ban on the entry of Rohingya refugees



Sri Lanka says Chinese-funded port city project to attract $1 billion investment in next stage

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the country will attract $1 billion of investment after completion of the first site of a China-funded massive port city project, state media reported Sunday.



Police force to be modernised: PM

The Government will introduce new reforms to the Sri Lanka Police to make it more efficient and productive, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.



Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process is proceeded step by step – President to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

President Maithripala Sirisena says Sri Lanka is performing for the betterment of its people with much responsibility, in keeping with the charters of UN, as a member of United Nations. He said the government is taking the process to ensure human rights and reconciliation forward step by step.



Korea grants $ 2.5 m to develop Ocean University

The Ocean University of Sri Lanka, the first ever state university for maritime and ocean sciences is going to be upgraded under the financial and technical assistance by the Republic of Korea.



Anti-corruption unit launches investigation in Sri Lanka

The International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit has launched an investigation in Sri Lanka, world cricket’s governing body has said.



Sri Lanka in talks with two Chinese firms for $3 billion refinery

Sri Lanka is in talks with two Chinese companies about investing up to $3 billion to build in a new refinery at its Chinese-controlled port, a top government official said on Friday.



EU pledges Rs. 5.4 billion for rural development in two provinces

The European Union (EU) has pledged Rs. 5.4 billion (EUR 29.7 million) to reduce poverty in Uva and Central Provinces by improving both living conditions and food security.



Health Ministry takes steps to reduce prices of medicinal drugs

The Ministry of Health says the prices of expensive medical drugs will be reduced in the near future.



Weapons stored at Wasgamuwa National Park Office go missing

Five weapons including two repeater rifles and a t-56 weapon had been robbed from the wildlife officers’ armoury at Wasgamuwa National Park last night.



Second heart transplant abandoned

The second heart transplant planned at the Kandy General Hospital was abandoned at the last minute yesterday due to a tug-o-war between consultants not to remove the beneficiary’s heart. This situation has arisen even after the heart was harvested from the donor and fixed to a machine pending the transplant.



Sri Lanka to produce ornamental fish of high standard

The construction of the maiden fish breeding centre in Sri Lanka commenced recently at Sevanapitiya in Polonnaruwa.



Tax incentives mulled to make North attractive to investors

The government is now planning to provide tax incentives to prospective foreign direct investors and local investors to invest in the North that had been devastated by the three decade war, Deputy Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr Harsha de Silva said.