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

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday dismissed concerns raised by United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians that Sri Lanka could face challenges in repaying debt, insisting the Central Bank had already taken the necessary steps to meet repayments in January.

Moody’s downgraded Sri Lanka on Tuesday for the first time since it started rating the country in 2010, blaming a political crisis for aggravating already problematic finances.

UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella yesterday urged that MPs who had damaged Parliament property be penalized.

President Maithripla Sirisena expressed apology over the inconvenience caused to the Buddhist monks due to the tear gas attack, when a group of Buddhist monks representing several organizations including Sinhalaye Api National Organization , visited the President’s office to handover a message yesterday (Nov 19).

Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who lost two motions of no confidence last week, may lose his government’s budget even as he clings to power.

The parliamentary session commenced a short while ago at 1 pm today (19). However, the session was chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament in the absence of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

A Party Leaders Meeting commenced at the Parliamentary complex a short while ago to finalise today’s agenda in Parliament.

Transparency International Sri Lanka observed with shock and dismay, the behavior of Members of Parliament over the past week.

The JVP yesterday reiterated that it would never help the UNP form a government even if the ‘purported UPFA government’ was dislodged through parliamentary means.

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday asked an all-party meeting to hold a third vote on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, deepening the country’s political crisis.

The JVP will not attend the all party leaders meeting set to take place at 5 this evening under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena pertaining to the present political crisis.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has informed the President that he will not attend the all-party conference scheduled to be held this evening (18), stated the Office of the Speaker.

A 33-year-old suspect had been arrested with 2.79 kg of heroin valued more than Rs. 25 million at Kotahena last night by the officials of the Colombo Division Crimes Prevention Unit.

President Maithripala Sirisena has called a conference with the participation of all political parties represented in the Parliament, with the aim of bringing an end to the political crisis in Sri Lanka, Presidential Media Division said.

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the party which had a majority would have its say despite the incidents that took place in Parliament yesterday.