Governments need to subsidise the cost of food and energy for the poorest members of society and without the correct government support the protests seen in Sri Lanka could be repeated in other countries, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.

Sri Lankan born Holt Labor Candidate Cassandra Fernando won a seat at the Australian federal election which was held on Saturday to elect members of the 47th Parliament of Australia.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested by the STF for possessing USD 50,000 during a raid in Welikada in Rajagiriya last evening (May 21).

Sri Lankan police on Sunday started a nationwide raid on those hoarding diesel or petrol for resale, a police spokesman told journalists in Colombo.

India extended an additional USD 500 million credit line to help Sri Lanka import fuel as the country has been struggling to pay for imports after its foreign exchange reserves plummeted sharply in recent times, causing a devaluation of its currency and spiralling inflation.

The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is currently recording statements from IGP C.D. Wickramaratne and the Commandant of the STF over the incidents which took place outside Temple Trees (Maina Go Gama) and in Galle Face (Gota Go Gama) on May 09.

Sri Lanka police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse the protesting Higher National Diploma (HND) students near the World Trade Centre in Colombo today (May 21).

Fitch Ratings downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Restricted Default (RD), from ‘C’.

The country-wide state of emergency declared in Sri Lanka was abolished last night (May 20).

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday welcomed the G7 announcement that they will assist the country in securing debt relief as it is grappling with its worst economic crisis.

The government of Japan, through UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP), has granted humanitarian emergency assistance of USD 3 million to Sri Lanka for the procurement of essential medicines and food.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has decided to suspend the party membership of Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara who accepted ministerial portfolios in the government today (May 20).

Sri Lanka’s prime minister has warned of a food shortage as the island nation battles a devastating economic crisis and vowed the government will buy enough fertiliser for the next planting season to boost harvests.

Nine new Cabinet Ministers have been sworn in before Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning (May 20).

An International Monetary Fund virtual mission to Sri Lanka is expected to conclude technical talks on a potential IMF loan program to the crisis-wracked South Asian country on May 24, Fund spokesman Gerry Rice said on Thursday.