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.

USD121 Mn from first tranche of IMF loan received to SL, paid to India

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that 121 million US dollars out of 333 million US dollars, the first tranche that was extended to Sri Lanka by the IMF, was used to pay the installment of the Indian credit line.

IMF has deviated from its stance on SL: Kiriella

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had deviated from its original stance where they claimed earlier that the Government should obtain the people’s mandate to implement the economic reforms of the IMF, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said today.

RW issues Gazette calling Armed Forces to maintain public order

An Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe calling upon the Armed Forces to maintain public order across the country with effect from March 22.

SL no longer deemed bankrupt: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe making a special statement on the International Monetary Board’s approval for an extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), said that Sri Lanka will no longer be treated as a bankrupt country.

IMF approves funding for Sri Lanka

The Executive Board of the IMF has approved Sri Lanka’s USD 2.9bn bailout package, State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe confirmed to Daily Mirror a short while ago.

Magisterial proceedings against Deshabandu Tennakoon suspended

The Court of Appeal today further extended its interim order staying the proceedings against Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon in the Fort Magistrate’s Court, until March 28.

Rupee will gradually come down to 200 or 185 – President expresses hope

While claiming that Sri Lanka will no longer be declared a bankrupt nation in the next few days, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed hope that once Sri Lanka entered into the agreement with the International Monitory Fund (IMF) the Rupee will gradually come down to 200 or 185.

Deshapriya explains why polls should not be delayed

Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities, Mahinda Deshapriya said that it is not appropriate for local government polls to be delayed and that the possibility of holding local government polls on April 25 are grim.

BASL urges President to appoint IGP in a transparent manner

In a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged that the appointment of the Inspector General of Police be done in a transparent manner so as to establish public confidence in the appointment process.

Justice Minister accuses police of false arrests

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today alleged that some police officers have falsely arrested persons on drug-related offences.

Govt. agencies’ failure to hold the LG polls: SC grants leave to proceed with petition

Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the failure and refusal of several government departments to take the necessary steps to hold the Local Government Elections.

Govt to limit allowances for state officials

With the aim of saving a large amount of foreign exchange flowing out of the country, the government has decided to limit the release of allowances and related expenses for official travel abroad for state sector officials with effect from March 20, informed sources said.