The Sri Lankan government declared a state of alert in response to what is already considered the worst drought in four decades, implementing measures such as water-use restrictions.

Foreign exits from the Government Securities Market (GSM) amounted to massive Rs 16,063.18 million in the week ended Wednesday (11 January), Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data showed.

The former Deputy Minister of the Construction Engineering Services and Housing Ministry has same charges as MP Wimal Weerawansa, MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

The previous regime failed to introduce any constructive changes to the education sector. Hence, the dark shadows of that regime still haunt the education sector, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said.

The Sri Lankan rupee ended marginally weaker on Friday on importer dollar demand and with the central bank adjusting the spot reference rate to a record low of 150.15 rupees per dollar, dealers said.

Contradicting former president Mahinda Rajapaksa who said that Sri Lanka would have been better without the GSP Plus facility, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that it would help the country to capture a market with a population of 500 million.

About 40 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from various camps located across Tamil Nadu will be leaving for the island nation on Friday under the voluntary repatriation programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday tipped his hat to foreigners assuring that the Government would provide a range of incentives including a five-year resident visa for a minimum investment of $ 300,000 and rights to lease land for those investing over $ 1.5 million.

“Regaining the GSP Plus facility is a victory for all Sri Lankans,” said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.

President Maithripala Sirisena declared January 11 as the happiest day of his life since he was able to provide a permanent solution to end a burning issue of the people of Rajarata.

The European Commission today proposed that a significant part of the remaining import duties on Sri Lankan products should be removed by the European Union

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved the issuance of $1.5 billion worth of development bonds in 2017 to strengthen the government’s borrowing programme, an official said on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka’s government should promptly implement recommendations on transitional justice proposed by the Consultation Task Force (CTF) in a report released on January 3, Human Rights Watch said today.

SLFP Chairman President Maithripala Sirisena would be the next Presidential candidate of the SLFP, Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake said yesterday.

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who was arrested by the FCID, was remanded till January 24 by Colombo Fort magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.