WE ARE READY – GOVT

The Government yesterday said that it was ready to meet any contingency or negative fall-out of the countrywide multiple trade union strike which is expected to cripple the nation’s health, education, transport and other sectors.



Central Bank bond issue: Perpetual Treasuries makes profit of Rs.14,845 Million: JVP

Testifying before the Presidential Commission on on the Central Bank bond issue, JVP provincial councilor Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday Perpetual Treasuries (PT) had made a profit of Rs.14,845 million on the sale of bonds from February 27, 2015 to May 26, 2016.



‘Govt.not decided to appoint SF as Tri-Forces operations Head’

The Cabinet has not decided to appoint Regional Development Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka as the Head of operations of the Tri-Forces, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.



India Plans To Restart World War-II Era Oil Tanks In Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government yesterday said it will go ahead with its plans to strike a deal with India to jointly operate a strategic oil facility in the eastern port district of Trincomalee despite opposition from other parties.



SLTB earns record income on May Day

The Sri Lanka Transport Board has earned Rs 58.6 million by renting 4000 buses to various political parties to transport their supporters on May Day.



Sri Lanka ranked 141 out of 180 for media freedom and security

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) stated that many of the journalists who were on the front line of exposing corruption in countries have been met with brutal resistance around the world.



China may put South Asia on road to debt trap

China’s grandiose global connectivity initiative — One Belt One Road (OBOR) or Belt& Road Initiative (linking China with Europe via SE Asia & C Asia through land & sea links) — which is set to receive a formal endorsement at the May 14-15



Sri Lanka intercepts boat carrying 30 Rohingya refugees

Sri Lanka’s navy intercepted a boat carrying 30 Rohingya refugees who had been living in India and two suspected Indian traffickers after they tried to enter the country illegally, police said on Monday.



Two May Day rally attendees die suddenly

Two supporters who attended the Labour Day rally of the Joint Opposition in Galle Face Green today (May 01) passed away after being rushed to hospital due to suddenly falling ill during the event.



Sri Lanka rope in Allan Donald as pace bowling coach

Former South African paceman Allan Donald has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s a consultant fast bowling coach for the Champions Trophy, which is to be held in England and Wales from June 2.



Battles ahead: Big parties ready for May Day Battles ahead

The UNP and the SLFP will hold their May Day rallies at Campbell Park, Colombo and Getambe, Kandy, respectively as the latter contemplated disciplinary action against its dissidents in the Joint Opposition (JO) holding a separate rally.



GSP+: First round win but issues ahead

The Sri Lanka Government claimed victory on Friday after an unexpected resolution before the European Parliament objecting to the resumption of GSP+ concessions was defeated but issues loom ahead when eventually concessions are secured.



No deals to be signed during Narendra Modi’s visit, says Sri Lanka’s Maithripala Sirisena

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the country only to take part in the UN ‘Vesak Day’ celebrations and no bilateral agreements will be signed during the trip.



Sri Lanka stands to lose India’s shipping money by becoming a base for China

Sri Lanka has been a major transshipment point for Indian cargo. Trying to become a base for Chinese manufacturing and re-exporting as well could be seen as a geopolitical move by India.



EU parliament votes in favour of GSP+ for Sri Lanka

The European Parliament in Brussels voted in favour of Sri Lanka by a huge margin yesterday, paving the way for restoration of GSP Plus tariff concessions.



Sri Lanka appoints lead managers for up to $1.5 bln sovereign bond – sources

Sri Lanka has appointed seven lead managers for a sovereign bond worth up to $1.5 billion and could tap the capital market as soon as next month, a source close to the deal said on Thursday.