IMF sees stability in Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic, financial conditions

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday said Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic and financial conditions have begun to stabilize and the island nation’s performance under its $1.5 billion loan programme is satisfactory.



We should face difficult tasks for the betterment of motherland – President

“What we have to do for the motherland is not the easy tasks but face the difficult tasks and win them”, says President Maithripala Sirisena.



Ravi defends decision to give MPs vehicles

Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake yesterday denied allegations raised by opposition lawmaker and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake in relation to obtaining 58 vehicles on operational leases, which is supposed to save the state money.



Sri Lanka says 32 ‘elite’ Muslims have joined Islamic State in Syria

Thirty-two Sri Lankan Muslims from “well-educated and elite” families have joined Islamic State in Syria, the justice minister told parliament on Friday, promising that the government would clamp down on extremists.



1,275 Million allocated for Salawa victims

The government has allocated Rs 1,275 Million to pay compensation for people affected due to the Salawa Blast and already Rs 875 million has been paid.



Jaliya Wickramasuriya arrested by FCID

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the USA, Jaliya Wickramasuriya was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) last night over a financial fraud, Police said.



JVP queries possible vehicle bribe to MPs supporting government

The JVP demanded to know yesterday why the state officials tasked with providing luxury vehicles to 58 MPs supporting the government should not be accused of fraud.



Sri Lanka’s Financial City to pave way for future economic growth, says expert

Sri Lanka’s plans for establishing a Colombo International Financial City will pave way for future economic growth and is a symbol of confidence, a leading European official said here Thursday.



Sri Lanka changes rules to encourage stock market listing

Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced new measures on Thursday to encourage companies to list their shares on the Colombo Stock Exchange after earlier changes failed to raise market liquidity.



We should strengthen our country’s borders: PM

We should strengthen our country’s borders, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe said.



Sri Lankan official dodges UN questions over alleged torture – report

A United Nations committee that monitors acts of torture in member countries grilled an intelligence chief Wednesday over the alleged abuse of detainees during Sri Lanka’s bloody civil war



Sri Lanka awards oil products supply contracts to Reliance, Petrochina

Sri Lanka has awarded refined oil products term supply contracts to Singapore-based Petrochina International and India’s Reliance Industries Ltd, official government documents showed on Wednesday.



Gunmen kill police officer in Kurunegala

A Sub inspector was shot dead and two other policemen injured when a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire at a police vehicle at Maspotha in Kurunegala last night, police said.



No military backing for Aava: Ruwan

There is no military backing for the ‘Aava ‘ group in Jaffna, but investigations are on to find out whether those who left the Army have joined it, State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardena said in Parliament yesterday.



TN asks Centre to direct Sri Lanka to release fishing boats

Tamil Nadu Government has requested the Centre to ask the Sri Lankan government to release over 100 fishing boats, which are still in custody of the island nation.



Motorcyclists want Rs. 10,000 minimum fine for luxury vehicles

Luxury vehicles should be fined a minimum of Rs. 10,000 with different fines being imposed according to vehicle categories if the government is not prepared to change the rule proposed in the 2017 Budget, the Ceylon Motorcyclists’ Association (CMA) stated.