CB delivers surprising 100bps rate hike amid IMF insistence

Taking everyone by surprise, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank today raised policy interest rates by 100 basis points, though many predicted the monetary authority to either maintain the status quo or signal a dovish tilt by cutting rates.

Deshapriya applies for Elections Commission again

Former Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya today confirmed that he has submitted an application to serve as a member of the Elections Commission.

Depth of crisis affirms SL needs new economic development model: WB

As the economic collapse and political instability have devastated the lives and livelihood of the people of Sri Lanka, the island nation is in dire need of a new development model, the World Bank (WB) said.

SL to have nuclear power plant in near future: Atomic Energy Board Chairman

The Cabinet approved signing the international conventions relating to generating electricity using nuclear power as it was a reliable, low-carbon base load source of electricity to complement renewable energy sources in the future, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLARB) Chairman Professor S.R. D. Rosa said.

CA quashes charges against Ravi in two CB bond cases

The Court of Appeal today issued a writ of certiorari quashing the charges against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in connection with two cases filed in Colombo High Court over Central Bank bond issuance.

Ranil proposed winding up UNP

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had proposed to wind up the party following its humiliating loss at the last elections, former Minister Navin Dissanayake revealed.

Man remanded for sexually abusing 11 girls at children’s home

A 60-year-old man was arrested for allegedly abusing 11 girls at a children’s home at Rakwana in Ratnapura.

CB reduces mandated forex sales by banks to 15%

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to reduce mandatory sale of export proceeds/receipts and inward workers’ remittances of commercial banks with effect from February 27, 2023.

Court issues order to AKD, 25 others over protest today

The Fort Magistrate has issued an order preventing National People’s Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and 25 others from engaging in protest or demonstration in several areas in the Colombo Fort causing inconvenience to the public and motorists from 1.00 pm till 8.00 pm today.

Govt. to introduce non-paying wards in private hospitals: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that the government is seeking the possibility of introducing non-paying wards in private hospitals where the government is taking the tab for the treatments made in those non-paying wards, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

LG Polls will not be held on March 9 - Elections Commission

The Elections Commission today formally announced that the Local Government Elections will not be held on March 9 and a fresh date will be announced on March 3.

Sri Lanka again abstains from UN vote on Russian invasion

Sri Lanka has once again on Thursday abstained from voting on a resolution against Russia at the UN General Assembly, where the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to call for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and for Russia to withdraw its forces immediately.

LG polls not legally declared: President

Local government election has not been declared legally and therefore, there is no question of a postponement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated today.

Adani Group gets BOI nod to install two wind power plants in Mannar, Pooneryn

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has issued a letter of approval to India’s Adani Green Energy Limited, for the two wind power plants to be set up in Mannar and Pooneryn at an investment of US$ 442 million.

Death of Onesh Subasinghe: If you don’t let me go, I will kill you - servant overhears Onesh’s wife

The CID informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis that the maid who worked at businessman Onesh Subasinghe’s house in a statement had said she heard Subasinghe’s wife saying to him “I can’t eat Sri Lankan food. I can’t stay here. I want to go back to my country. If you don’t let me go, I will kill you.”

Parliament can be dissolved any time now

Sri Lanka can go for a general election anytime now as the present Parliament has completed two and a half years of its term as of midnight on Monday.

Delay in China’s positive response delays IMF bailout: Wijeyadasa

The delay in China’s positive response in restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt has been the only obstacle in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout at the moment, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.

President assures to appoint competent authority to Pali University

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured the Sangha Committee of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters that he would appoint a competent authority to the Pali and Buddhist University, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Controversial Deep Jungle Music Festival canceled, tickets to be refunded

The Deep Jungle music festival which caused controversy in recent weeks due to it being held in an elephant corridor in Habarana has been canceled following a court order.

German companies may withdraw from SL if import ban continues

German companies operating in Sri Lanka have raised the red flag with some warning they will be compelled to withdraw from the country if the import ban continues, Daily Mirror learns.

No music after 10 pm - Court tells Deep Jungle Music Festival organizers

The Hingurakgoda Magistrate’s Court issued an order that bars the organizers of the controversial Deep Jungle Music Festival from playing loud music after 10 pm.

Onesh’s Brazilian wife had threatened him on several occasions in SL

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) who are investigating the death of billionaire businessman Onesh Subasinghe who was found dead in a serviced apartment in Jakarta recently revealed that the businessman had been threatened with death on several occasions in Sri Lanka allegedly by his Brazilian wife.

Deep Jungle Music Festival: ’Tourism Ministry and other big wigs had approved it despite harm to environment’ - Activist

Environmentalists have expressed concern about the ongoing environmental damage to the Karandagaswewa Forest Reserve, a highly sensitive environmental zone by the upcoming Deep Jungle Music and Cultural Festival which is scheduled to kick off in Habarana tomorrow.

Gota leaves for China

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife Ayoma Rajapaksa left the Bandaranaike International Airport for China this morning.

Electricity rates raised by 66%

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced today that they had received approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to increase the electricity tariff from today.

US delegation in Sri Lanka for top level defence talks

A 20-member US delegation team comprising high-level defence officials arrived in the country in two special aircraft of the United States Air Force last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Daily Mirror learns.

Postal voting for LG polls postponed indefinitely

The postal voting for the 2023 local government election has been postponed until further notice, Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Rathnayake announced today.

CID on standby to send team to Indonesia to probe billionaire Onesh Subasinghe’s murder

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) will send a team to Indonesia to probe and assist in the investigation into the death of billionaire businessman Onesh Subasinghe who was found dead in a serviced apartment in Jakarta recently if required.

Moneragala tremors could be a worrying factor if it repeats

Recent tremors in Moneragala could be a worrying factor if it repeats and if the magnitude is increased, a leading Geologist in the country said today.

Tourism off to encouraging start as January income tops US$ 160mn

Earnings from tourism trade continued its months-long ascent in tandem with the encouraging arrival numbers, which topped over 100,000 in January, a feat which became possible after almost a year.