Lankans unfavourable of all political party leaders

The latest Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) polling shows that the public continue to have deeply unfavourable views of all major political party leaders.

Paris Club to give Sri Lanka financing assurances amid IMF debt talks

The Paris Club of creditor nations is ready to provide financing assurances to Sri Lanka, a key step needed to unlock a $2.9 billion bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

What China has offered SL is not enough: US

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said her country expects China as the largest bilateral creditor to Sri Lanka to give credible assurance to Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring in keeping with the IMF.

Gazette notification on holding LG polls issued

An extraordinary gazette notification with regard to the holding of the local government election on March 9, 2023, has been issued.

Despite economic crisis, Treasury allocates billions for Offices of President, PM, Ministers

Sri Lanka is still in the midst of its worst-ever economic crisis and just a few months ago defaulted on its debt payments for the first time in history.

Charge sheet ready to remove PUCSL Chairman: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said that a charge sheet related to the removal of the chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake is being prepared and will be presented to the Parliament soon.

Death threats again on Election Commission members

Another member of the Election Commission has reportedly received death threats over the phone last night.

China’s offer not sufficient for IMF deal

China’s offer to Sri Lanka of a two-year moratorium on its debt is not suf­ficient to clear the path for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve a funding programme, diplomatic sources told Daily Mirror.

Parliament prorogued till February 8

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has prorogued Parliament till February 8, 2023, President’s office said.

We must show world Sri Lanka is capable of celebrating Independence anniversary: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that Sri Lanka must celebrate the 75th Independence Anniversary, if not, the world would say that Sri Lanka is not capable of celebrating even its independence.

EC member Charles resigns from post

Member of Election Commission P. M. S. Charles resigned from her post while Chairman of the commission Nimal Pumchihewa is also expected to follow suit, a spokesman from the President’s office said.

No power cut until end of A/L exam: HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) said today that the parties that gathered at the HRC had agreed not to impose power cuts until the end of the Advanced Level Examination from today.

CB chief signals end to debt moratoria

As businesses across diverse sectors are still hoping for some relief by way of debt moratoria, the Central Bank yesterday indicated that it does not encourage the continuity of such packages as that could take a heavy toll on the banking sector.

Boyfriend forces young girl sitting A/L exam to drink acid

A schoolgirl sitting for the GCE Advanced level Examination at an examination center in Kegalle town was hospitalised with burn injuries when a young man waylaid her and forced her to drink acid.

IMF confirms India’s assurances on Sri Lanka debt needed for bailout

India has committed to help ease the debt burden of its crisis-stricken neighbor Sri Lanka as part of a possible International Monetary Fund-supported program, the IMF said on Monday.

Magistrate says cause of death yet to be determined by court

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today informed that the cause of death into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter has not yet been determined by the court.

Filing B report against lawyers by Keselwatta Police: IGP calls report from WP Senior DIG

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has called for a report from the Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province about the actions of Keselwatta Police for filing a B report before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against a group of lawyers.

LG Polls to be held on March 9

The Local Government election will be held on March 9, the Election commission announced a short while ago.

UPDATE - Seven dead, several people injured in Thurstan College bus accident

An accident has been reported on the Nanuoya road in Nuwera Eliya between a bus, three wheeler and a van and seven bodies have been recovered while several people have been reported injured. The bus had been carrying students from Thurstan College in Colombo who had been on an educational tour.

Sri Lanka’s creditors must take proactive steps to facilitate its recovery: Jaishankar

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said today that India has extended financing assurances to the IMF to clear the way for Sri Lanka to move forward because India felt strongly that Sri Lanka’s creditors must take proactive steps to facilitate its recovery.

Fitch downgrades seven Lankan insurers’ National IFS ratings; maintains Watch Negative

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Ratings of seven Sri Lankan insurers, following the recent sovereign downgrade and recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan National Rating scale.

Race Course murder: Probe reveals boyfriend murdered girl fearing she would love someone else

Initial investigations revealed that a science faculty student of the Colombo University was murdered by her fellow student at the Race Course Ground in Colombo yesterday, fearing that she would love someone else after breaking up the love affair.

Colombo Uni. female student found murdered at Race Course Ground in Col. 7

The body of a female, suspected to be murdered was found at the Race Course Ground in Colombo 7 a short while ago. Police said the body was found near the scoreboard at the Ground.

I have no funds to pay Rs 100mn, will collect from friends: Maithripala

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he will collect and pay the compensation to the victims of Easter Sunday attacks, as ordered by the Supreme Court, with the help of his close friends.

Woes of country mounting with bailout delay, Sri Lanka tells international forum

As Sri Lanka continues to face delays in securing the much sought-after bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government admitted this week that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for the people of the country.

Election Commission tells Supreme Court it has taken all steps to hold LG Election

The Election Commission today informed Supreme Court that it has taken all steps to hold the Local Government Election in accordance with the law.

Easter Sunday attack: Supreme Court orders Maithripala Sirisena to pay Rs.100 mn as compensation

The Supreme Court today ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a sum of Rs.100 million as damages to the victims of Easter Sunday attacks.

Egg producers say Minister’s move to import eggs similar to what Johnston did

The government’s move to import eggs will be an utter failure and will be a waste of foreign exchange as the present shortage of eggs will be rectified in two months, the All Island Egg Producers Association (AIEPA) said today. Sources within the industry also alleged that the decision to import eggs was done with ulterior motives best known to those in charge.

Sri Lanka registers strong protest against Canadian sanctions

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian Acting High Commissioner Daniel Bood today and expressed the deep regret of the Government on the announcement of unilateral sanctions brought against four individuals including two former Presidents of Sri Lanka by the Government of Canada based on unsubstantiated allegations, the ministry said.

Foreign Ministry to summon Canadian envoy over sanctions

The Foreign Ministry will summon the Canadian envoy today to register its strongest protest over the issuing of targeted sanctions on four Sri Lankan officials including former leaders Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa.