The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) borrowed Rs 38,768.99 million from the market on 1 January to retire an equivalent value of its face value money printing (FVMP) liabilities, thereby, reducing the value of the latter by 18.10% to Rs 175,461.41 million.

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who held the finance portfolio previously, strongly opposed a Cabinet paper, submitted by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, yesterday, seeking approval for securing USD 1 billion from the National Savings Bank to service debt.

Sri Lanka plans to restrict foreign holdings of government securities to a maximum 5 percent from the current 10 percent to prevent possible hot money flows and improve the quality of reserves, the country’s central bank chief said on Wednesday.

The JVP says there is no possibility of passing a new Constitution prior to the 4th of February, despite various speculations in this regard.

Employees of the Independent Television Network (ITN) staged a protest for the fourth consecutive day today (January 02). The employees are protesting against the political appointments of the Networks managerial staff and the massive financial irregularities that allegedly took place at the ITN in the past.

Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said on Tuesday that the military would commit itself to activate the national reconciliation mechanism in 2019 by helping redress the issues of the victims of the three-decade long civil war.

Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka claims that his Ministry has built ten times the number of houses in the City of Colombo, compared to those built by the previous governments during the past 35 years.

The Inspector General of Police has announced a three-month operation to seize all illegal firearms in the country.

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena have been granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Minister of National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs Mano Ganeshan says that steps will be taken to inform the relevant institutions and diplomatic corps regarding Chinese projects implemented in the country that violate the official language policy.

New year message by President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena says the dawn of the New Year is an occasion to recollect our achievements and failures as well as gains and losses in the year that ended.

Police say the stock of narcotics discovered in Dehiwala today is the largest drug bust reported in the country’s history.

Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar, informed the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The issuance of passports valid only for Middle Eastern countries will be discontinued from today.

Vice Admiral K.K.T.Piyal de Silva was appointed as the 23rd Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy by President Maithripala Sirisena. He received his letter of appointment from the President at the President’s Official Residence, today (31).