Sri Lanka’s worst power cuts predicted in March and April 2023

Sri Lanka’s worst power cuts may come as early as March and April, as the country has failed to secure sufficient coal stocks required for thermal power generation, Nihal Weerarathne of the the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers Union said.

Committee probing SLC affairs quiz Pastor Jerome Fernando

The committee appointed to investigate incidents involving the Sri Lankan cricket team during the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia has recorded a statement from controversial Sri Lankan preacher and self proclaimed Prophet, Pastor Jerome Fernando for more than two hours.

Basil finally admits he did not pay for tea at BIA, a state minister pays it instead

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who arrived in Sri Lanka last month from the United States has admitted that he had not paid for the refreshments served at the VIP Lounge of the BIA, but the bill was instead paid by a state minister on his behalf.

Merc driver involved in Kollupitiya fatal accident flees to Dubai hours after accident

The driver of the Mercedes car, a 24-year-old businessman Mohammad Ryzul Rizzaq, who was involved in a fatal accident in Kollupitiya on Saturday morning while returning from a night club, had left for Dubai hours after the accident, police said.

SLPP to initiate talks with UNP for electoral alliance

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) intends to hold talks with the United National Party (UNP) led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to explore the possibility to forming an electoral alliance in view of the elections pending , an official said .

Details of Merc driver emerge, police continue search to nab him

The Kollupitiya police are yet to arrest the driver of the Mercedes car which was involved in a fatal accident in Kollupitiya last morning while returning from a night club.

US imposes sanctions on another SL army officer

The US has imposed sanctions on Sri Lankan military officer Major Prabath Bulathwatte, who was arrested on suspicion he assisted in the abduction and torture of Sri Lankan editor Keith Noyahr in 2008, for human rights abuse.

China will work with G20 for equitable debt restructuring

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said China will implement the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative in all respects and added that China will work with relevant G20 members to formulate and participate in a fair and equitable debt-restructuring plan, according to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.

Alarm bells over SL covering smog

Sensitive people have been urged to remain indoors following the air pollution caused by the northeast Monsoon winds blowing from the Indian sub continent.

Sri Lanka’s air quality deteriorates

The fog or mist seen these days is not natural occurrence as the air quality has reached very unhealthy levels in the Northern part of Sri Lanka.

Travel ban imposed on hospital directors over alleged kidney racket

A broker arrested over alleged kidney racket which was exposed recently at Western Hospital in Borella Cotta Road was yesterday ordered to be remanded till December 13 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

President says no plans for reforms; stresses need for new economic model

Sri Lanka has no plans whatsoever for reforms going forward, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told a room full of the country’s top private sector business leaders yesterday but instead would be thinking bigger and bolder in terms of its growth agenda.

SL origin family of Texas seeks answers after police kill man on his own porch

AUSTIN, Texas — The family of an Austin, Texas, man is seeking answers after he was fatally shot by police last month on his front porch following a late-night emergency call by a neighbor.

Ali Sabry had productive meeting with US State Secy.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry had a productive meeting with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC.

Sports Minister appoints ’’Fact Finding Committee’’ on players’ behaviour at T20 World Cup

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has appointed a six-member Fact Finding Committee to inquire not only about the players’ behaviour during the T20 World Cup in Australia but also to ascertain whether officials showed ’’real concerns’’ for the team members.

Staggering staff expenditure disclosed during Mahinda-Maithri periods

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had used 43 percent of the total expenditure of the Presidential allocation for his personal staff while former President Maithipala Sirisena has used 57 percent, according to accounts released by the office.

Sri Lankans falling prey to Pyramid racket called Onmaxdt

Many Sri Lankans have fallen prey to a surreptitiously carried out Ponzi Scam run by a purportedly Australian Company Onmaxdt, it is learned.

Final outcome of COP27 discouraging: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the agreements reached at Climate Change Conference (COP 27) failed to place the nations of the world on a complementary and progressive course of redress, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Gota-MR overseas visits wipe out Rs.40mn from state in 2021

Just five official foreign visits undertaken by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2021 alone had cost the state more than Rs. 40 million, according to details provided by the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office on a directive issued by the Right to Information Commission.

Indian govt allows Lankans to hold $10,000 worth of rupee in cash

Sri Lankans can now hold $10,000 worth of the Indian rupee (INR) in a physical form, though the INR would not be legal tender in Sri Lanka, after India approved a Sri Lankan request to designate the INR as the foreign currency.

People in North, East leaving country due to dire economic situation: Ali Sabry

People in the North and East tend to leave the country due to the dire economic situation where some have gone to Tamil Nadu, Vietnam and Ukraine in the last six months.

Sri Lanka hopeful of unlocking IMF deal in January 2023

If Sri Lanka misses the December target, which now appears to be bit of a stretch, the country could still activate the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue package to unlock US$ 2.9 billion over a four-year span as very good progress is being made in the debt restructuring front, particularly with the country’s bilateral lenders.

LPL played without Sports Ministry approval: Minister

Sri Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament has been played without the approval of the Sports Ministry, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said.

Curtailing inflation critical to avert Zimbabwe-like scenario

Although the prevailing high interest rate regime may discourage investments, Central Bank (CB) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe asserted that curtailing inflation is more critical for the survival of businesses over low interest rates and to avert a Zimbabwe-like scenario.

Civil Aviation pays for food served during Basil’s arrival at BIA following Daily Mirror exposure

The Civil Aviation Authority has paid a bill of Rs.60,000 to Sri Lankan Airlines Catering Services for the refreshments served at the Gold Route Service during the arrival of former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa last Sunday, after the Daily Mirror exposed that Basil had not paid for the food or the VIP lounge service.

CB Governor gets candid about his salary, perks

The Central Bank Governor Dr.Nandalal Weerasinghe today rubbished the claims that he is receiving a salary of Rs.2.5 million along with a pension from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Will not allow another Aragalaya: President warns

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he would not allow another Aragalaya and that he would use security forces to prevent such a move.

Budget passed with a majority of 37

Second reading of the budget was approved by a majority of 37 votes in Parliament with 121 members voting in favour while 84 voted against.

Mrs. Grand International 2022 alleges she was asked for sexual bribes

Magen Ratata Organization President Sanjaya Mahawatte claimed that the Sri Lanka representative for Mrs. Grand International 2022, Chamika Withanawasam, had allegedly been asked for sexual bribes.

Police Commission Chairman greets Basil at BIA: SJB asks Speaker to oust him

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today questioned the presence of Police Commission Chairman Chandra Fernando and member M. P. Perera at the airport to welcome former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and wanted them sent out of the commission.