Sri Lanka to further relax import controls: Siyambalapitiya

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday said that measures would be taken to further relax import restrictions on many other goods in the future.

Govt. restricts holding events, meetings at Galle Face Green

A Cabinet decision has been taken not to grant permission for the holding of musical performances, political meetings or other activities at the Galle Face Green, except for religious activities, with effect from April 20.

Sri Lanka at 75 is a failed state; CBK

Despite possessing enviable social indicators at the time of Independence in 1948, Sri Lanka, at 75, is a “failed state”, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said on Sunday.

President to call for a national government

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to make a fresh call for a national government on April 25 when Parliament takes up the debate on the IMF extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement.

We endeavoured to merge UNP, SJB - Mano

Whilst stating that he together with MP Rauff Hakeem initiated an effort to bring UNP and SJB under one umbrella, MP Mano Ganesan said they had to abandon the idea since the SJB leadership did not respond.

SL assures “comparable treatment” to all its creditors

President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured Sri Lanka’s commitment to principles of “comparable treatment” when engaging with its creditors in the upcoming debt restructuring process.

India, Japan and France to announce SL debt restructuring process on Thursday

Finance Ministers of the three creditor countries-India, Japan and France will hold a press briefing in Washington on Thursday to announce Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring negotiations process, the IMF has announced

US has no intention of setting up military base in SL: Ambassador

U.S. Ambassador Julie J. Chung said yesterday that her country does not have any intention of setting up a military base in Sri Lanka.

SJB confirms few crossovers after New Year

SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha today confirmed that some members from the SJB will cross over to the government after the New Year.

All road users to pay a toll

The government will soon set up a Road Maintenance Fund (RMF) with initial funding of Rs. 100 million to make all main and inter-provincial roads toll-paying roads, Transport and Highways Minister, Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said.

Sajith vows disciplinary actions against members attempting to divide SJB

Those party members who try to divide and destroy the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will be brought before a disciplinary Committee, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.

Ranil to contest Presidential election, hints at poll early next year

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will contest the next Presidential Election and has hinted at a possible presidential poll to be held early next year, the Daily Mirror learns.

Pre-school teacher hacked to death in Peradeniya

The Peradeniya Police launched investigations after a preschool teacher was hacked to death this morning, while she was on her way to the school at Kobbekaduwa, in Peradeniya.

SJB MPs split following Daily Mirror article, some criticize DM while others confirm talks with RW

The opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya is in a quandary following the Daily Mirror article tilted ’’Sajith loses grip on a dying SJB?’’ which was published on April 4, 2023 on its newspaper and online platform.

Some SJB MPs, including Harsha willing to support RW - Rajitha

Several Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs are willing to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe and will do so as a group if the party fails to take a decision, SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Anti Terrorism Bill published without adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders - BASL 

Issuing a statement regarding the recently gazetted ‘Anti Terrorism Bill’, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today announced that it would not hesitate to challenge any bill that would deem to undermine the Rule of Law and the Liberty of the Citizen in the country.

Employee who draws Rs. 200,000 per month now has to pay only Rs. 1,700/- as tax: Bandula

The PAYE tax payable by an employee who draws Rs. 200,000 a month is Rs. 7,500. His savings stands at Rs. 5,800 from the current fuel and gas price reduction. As such, he or she has to pay only Rs. 1,700 as payee tax, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

Presidential Election only possible later next year, former EC chairman opines

Amidst talks about a snap presidential election, former Election Commission’s Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday that, in his opinion, such an election could be conducted only during the latter part of next year.

Sajith loses grip on a dying SJB?

In a desperate attempt to keep the main opposition - the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alive, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa invited all SJB Parliamentarians to dinner at the Monarch Imperial in Battaramulla last evening in order to coax them into remaining in the party which is now on the verge of collapse.

Zimbabwe’s Uebert Angel fired, faces arrest

One of Zimbabwe’s most influential diplomats, Uebert Angel, who was charged with a gold-smuggling scheme, has reportedly been stripped off his diplomatic status, foreign media reported.

China’s Sinopec only qualified contender among shady qualifiers

Millions of angry consumers were left in a panic this week as Trade Unions attached to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation stopped distributing fuel to fuels stations opposing the government’s move to privatize the CPC.

No arrest yet over murder of Cheeky Monkey restaurant owner

The Midigama Police has launched investigations to arrest the suspects wanted over the shooting of the owner of Cheeky Monkey restaurant in Midigama.

Japanese envoy in Colombo says no decision on reviving LRT project yet

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hideaki Mizukoshi yesterday said a decision has not yet been made on reviving the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded US $ 2.2 billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, stretching from Colombo Fort to Malabe, which was abruptly terminated by the previous government.

Fuel prices slashed

A litre of petrol (92) would be reduced by Rs. 60 and petrol (95) by Rs. 135 from midnight today, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Kanchana threatens legal action against employees

Legal action would be taken against the CPC trade union activist or employees who were disrupting the distribution of fuel, disrupting the work of other employees or were acting in violation of the essential services orders, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Another IMF programme already on the cards upon completion of ongoing one

Sri Lanka is likely to go for another International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme after the end of the current four-year programme, to continue with the structural and institutional reforms.

Lankadeepa wins most popular newspaper award for 17th consecutive year

Our sister papers Daily Lankadeepa and the Sunday Lankadeepa won the most popular newspaper award for the 17th consecutive year at ‘SLIM- KANTAR Peoples Award 2023’ being held at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte this evening.

Govt. mulls Irish-style implementation unit for IMF programme

With the aim of ensuring a smooth continuation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme by averting possible hiccups leading to suspension of the programme, the government is contemplating on setting up an Irish-style implementation unit with special powers to implement mutually agreed targets and structural benchmarks within stipulated time lines.

Prasanna Ranatunga alleges SJB and NPP tried to prevent getting IMF assistance

Both Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) and National People’s Power ( NPP) tried to prevent Sri Lanka from obtaining IMF assistance through foreign diplomatic offices on the island, a government minister alleged.

Government has no plans to dissolve CSD: Sagala

The Government has no intention of dissolving the Civil Security Department (CSD), Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake said.