Reopening schools cannot wait for all teachers and students to be vaccinated: UNICEF

Schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen, said the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in its latest statement which highlighted that the continuing of the ongoing scenario would lead to detrimental results for young learners across the world.

Oil spillage cleaning up at H’tota port successfully completed

The cleanup operation of the minor oil that took place at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) earlier this week, has reached completion, port officials said today.

SL explores digital tourism to lure travellers

Tourism ministry received the Cabinet nod yesterday to promote Sri Lanka as a favourable destination for digital tourists, an effort that would assist the hard hit industry to steer though the new normal.

Emirates extends suspension of flights from SL to July 21

Dubai-based carrier, Emirates has extended suspension of flights from four countries in South Asia, including Sri Lanka, from 14 Jul to 21 of July.

Oil spill at H’tota Port

An oil spill incident was reported at the Hambantota International Port yesterday evening around 6 PM.

Over 1K tourism sector employees receive Covid-19 jab in H’tota

Vaccination drive for the tourism industry kicked off over the weekend and over 1000 employees attached to the sector in the Hambantota District received their first jab.

Local firms allowed investing in ISBs in secondary market

The Central Bank today said local companies barring companies engaged in the finance business are permitted to purchase International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) issued by the Sri Lankan government in the secondary market.

2% additional interest rate for SDAs

Additional interest up to 2 percent per annum will be extended for two years for Special Deposit Accounts (SDAs), the Central Bank said today.

Govt. sets up new ministry for economic policy

The government issued a special gazette notification earlier today establishing a new ministry.

Tourists no longer require Foreign Min approval to enter SL

Tourists will be able to visit Sri Lanka with relaxed rules and regulations despite the rapid spread of COVID-19 as per the renewed health guidelines issued by the government.

Home appliances to be produced at H’tota industrial park

The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) will soon be able to facilitate manufacturing of home appliances within 12 months due to a number of efforts taken to streamline the processes within the facility

UL resumes Colombo - Moscow route after 6-year break

National carrier SriLankan Airlines will resume flights to the Russian capital, Moscow from 30 July where it will operate a weekly scheduled flight between Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport (DME).

Local retailers make latest call for relief

Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA) joined the bandwagon in requesting relief from the government so they are able to stay afloat and steer through the ongoing crisis.

CCC applauds govt. efforts to expedite vaccination drive

The government’s efforts in expediting the vaccination drive across the country was well received by the local business community as it is the only viable path to facilitate the reopening of the country, Sri Lanka’s largest oldest business chamber.

Covid-19 Intermediate Care Center inaugurated at Katunayaka FTZ

The Covid-19 Intermediate Care Center at the Katunayaka Free Trade Zone was inaugurated yesterday by the Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala.

Mahela appointed to Janashakthi Insurance board

Janashakthi Insurance PLC has appointed ace cricketer Mahela Jayawardene to its board of directors as a Non-Executive/Independent Director with effect from July 5, 2021.

First batch of WB-funded Pfizer vaccines received by SL

Sri Lanka’s inoculation drive for COVID-19 will pick up pace as the first batch of the 800,000 Pfizer vaccine doses, financed by the World Bank (WB) arrived in the country earlier today.

Farmers back President’s decision to ban chemical fertilizer

District Farmers’ representatives came forward today to pledge their commitment to return to environment friendly farming practices and have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to not reverse the decision to ban chemical fertilizers.

CSE and CHEC Port City enter MoU

In a move to boost the capital markets in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) entered into an MoU with CHEC Port City earlier today, so that a regionally recognized financial exchange is established within the country’s borders.

SL to borrow US $ 150mn from ADB for COVID-19 vaccination

The Cabinet of Ministers this week granted approval to obtain U$ $150 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to roll out ‘Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery Project’, which includes funding for vaccinations.

UoC law students win WTI’s Moot Court Competition

Sri Lanka came under the fresh international spotlight with a team from the University of Colombo (UoC) bagging the World Trade Institute’s (WTI) 2021 John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition.

UL first in South Asia to receive Diamond status from APEX

National carrier SriLankan Airlines has become the first carrier in the South Asian region to receive the Diamond accreditation from Airline Passengers Experience Association (APEX) and SimpliFlying, an upgrade received for the added measures taken to safeguard passengers during the ongoing pandemic.

CBSL sets record straight on Foreign Currency Liquidity in Domestic Market

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a statement to the media a short while ago on concerns raised regarding the foreign currency liquidity issue in the domestic market.

Jaffna to get startup incubators

Northern province city, Jaffna will soon see the establishment of startup incubators to support budding entrepreneurs with the Prime Minister’s office having initiated the dialogue in this regard with the Mayor of Jaffna earlier today.

China allows Sri Lankan fish imports

China allows Sri Lankan fish imports

SL gets US $ 100mn Indian credit line for solar power generation

Sri Lanka inked a loan agreement amounting to US$ 100 million with India earlier today to increase the proportion of renewable energy sources to the national grid.

Pandemic drags Emirates to US $5.5bn loss, its first in 33 years

Emirates said Dubai’s government would continue to support the airline through the coronavirus pandemic after posting an annual loss of $5.5 billion, its first in more than three decades.

H’tota port to become strategic energy center for SL

The Hambantota Port will be developed to become a strategic energy center in Sri Lanka with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) having entered into an MoU.

Child labour on the rise, ILO warns

Increasing number of children are at risk with global child labour figures expanding by 8.4 million within the last four years, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) warned.

Virtusa appoints Santosh Thomas as new CEO

Virtusa Corporation today announced the appointment of Santosh Thomas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).