World’s leading tech companies deeply criticize Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill

Leading tech companies including social media in the world have deeply criticized moves by the Sri Lanka Government to implement regulation of the Internet, stating that “the Bill provides for a draconian system to stifle dissent and Sri Lankans’ rights to expression”.



Sri Lanka Government says No more emergency purchases of medicines

The Sri Lanka Government has decided to suspend emergency purchases of medicines with immediate effect.



IMF unveils 16-point plan to address governance challenges in Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended sixteen priority actions in its recently released Governance Diagnostic Assessment (GDA) on Sri Lanka to address systematic and severe governance weaknesses and deep-rooted corruption vulnerabilities across State functions in order to unlock the country’s growth potential.



Corrupt elements use Parliament, Finance Ministry to evade taxes

Influential corrupt elements within the state revenue collection apparatus had with the help of the Finance Ministry brought in amendments to relevant laws to stifle the revenue collection process, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans Mahindananda Aluthgamage said yesterday (October 01).



CEYPETCO and Lanka IOC increases fuel prices

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) and Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) have decided to increase fuel prices with effect from midnight today (October 01).



Sinopec increases fuel prices in Sri Lanka

Sinopec Energy Lanka has announced a revision of their fuel prices effective from 6:00 PM today (October 01).



Sri Lanka introduces insurance scheme for Animals

Animal lovers in Sri Lanka are in for some good news with a comprehensive pet insurance scheme to be launched next Wednesday, coinciding with World Animal Day, by the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC).



Niluka Karunaratne announces retirement

Sri Lankan badminton player Niluka Karunaratne has officially announced his retirement today (October 01).



Sri Lanka begins system to issue e-bills for water

Sri Lanka will begin issuing e-bills for water across selected areas of the country today (October 01).



Person arrested over shooting of elephant “Sita” granted bail

The Civil Defence Department officer who was arrested in relation to the shooting of a female elephant named “Sita” that had participated in the annual Randoli Perahera of Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya has been granted bail this evening (September 30).



International Commission of Jurists says Online Safety Bill is an assault on freedoms

Sri Lanka’s proposed Online Safety Bill would be an assault on freedom of expression, opinion, and information, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said.



Sri Lanka’s acting finance minister says positive progress in securing second IMF tranche

Negotiations to secure the second tranche of funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka are progressing positively, Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe announced.



Sri Lanka Navy seizes Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 33 million in Karainagar

A special search operation conducted by Sri Lanka Navy in the beach area of Pumattei on the Karainagar Island, Jaffna in the dark hours of Wednesday (September 27) has led to the seizure of a dinghy loaded with over 100 kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis.



Some Sri Lanka creditors seeking debt restructuring deal without China

Some members on the committee of Sri Lanka’s official creditors are pushing to reach a deal to restructure the nation’s debt without the participation of China, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday citing people familiar with the matter.



SriLankan Airlines partners with Virgin Australia

SriLankan Airlines has entered into a first-ever interline partnership with Virgin Australia that will strengthen the airline’s network in Australia and offer customers extensive connections across the land down under and beyond.



Sri Lanka to launch campaigns to attract 1.5 million tourists – proposal to create non-sleeping cities

Sri Lanka’s Minister of State for Tourism Diana Gamage announced plans to launch promotional campaigns aimed at attracting 1.5 million foreign tourists to Sri Lanka by the year’s end.