A former top FBI official in New York has been arrested over his ties to a Russian oligarch, law enforcement sources told ABC News Monday.

United Trade Union Alliance convenor Ananda Palitha and Electricity Consumers’ Association secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika who were arrested and subsequently remanded for allegedly threatening members of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) have been granted bail.

Debt-ridden Sri Lanka on Wednesday (January 25) thanked India for issuing the necessary guarantees sought by the IMF that would help Colombo to unlock the USD 2.9 billion bailout package.

Former State Minister Nalaka Godahewa and two others, the accused in a case filed against the alleged misappropriation of state funds were acquitted and released by the Colombo High Court today (January 26).

While implementing complex programmes such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), difficult decisions related to it should be implemented regardless of who is in power, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Wednesday (January 25).

Member of Election Commission P.M.S. Charles resigned from her post, a spokesman from the President’s office said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has instructed the Sri Lankan government to tax all those who draw a salary or a monthly income of over Rs. 45,000 but this proposal has not been accepted by the government, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday (January 24).

Assistant General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)  Ronald Comester, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy, Sugath Dharmakeerthi and the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, Janaka Ratnayake arrived at the Human Rights Commission this morning (January 25).

Any government which was detached from people’s true aspirations cannot bring in economic recovery through measures such as imposing taxes, National People Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Four individuals wearing masks have completely dismantled and removed an ATM machine from a private bank on the Kandy Road in Gampola last night, police said.

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 14.50% and 15.50%, respectively.

The Export-Import Bank of China has offered Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt and said it will support the country’s efforts to secure a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Retired Major Ajith Prasanna sentenced to four years of Rigorous Imprisonment and fined Rs. 300,000 on charges of contempt of court by the Supreme Court today (January 24).

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today (January 24) announced that it has reached a unanimous decision to expedite Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) tariff proposal in accordance with the Electricity act 2009.

India has committed to help ease the debt burden of its crisis-stricken neighbor Sri Lanka as part of a possible International Monetary Fund-supported program, the IMF said on Monday.

The Secretary of the Electricity Consumers’ Association, Sanjeewa Dhammika and the Convenor of the United Trade Union Alliance, Ananda Palitha have been arrested by Kollupitiya Police.