Ranil’s exit will be more fearsome than Gota’s: Hirunika

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s exit from office will be more fearsome than former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s, former MP and Samagi Wanitha Balawegaya Head Hirunika Premachnadra said today.

Sri Lanka situation fragile, called for accountability- UNHRC

Presenting a report on SriLanka, acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Nashif told the Human Rights Council that the situation here was fragile and called for accountability .

Vimukthi to do politics? Mother CBK not willing: Welgama

Leader of New Sri Lanka Freedom Party Kumara Welgama said he is willing to accommodate former President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s son Vimukthi Kumaratunga to do politics with him. However, Mr. Welgama said Ms. Kumaratunga does not like her son to enter local politics.

Asia Cup: Sri Lanka stun Pakistan in final to lift title

Sri Lanka have won the title of the Asia Cup Champions for the sixth time, beating Pakistan by 23 runs in the final of the tournament at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night.

SL must put special emphasis on retaining Japanese investments: SLJBC

Sri Lanka must step up efforts to keep Japanese investments in the country, newly-elected Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council (SLJBC) President Mahen Kariyawasam said, so that bilateral trade within the two nations can be maintained and boosted.

Basil left for USA

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa had left Katunayake airport for Dubai this morning to leave for the United States of America (USA) using a transit flight, the Katunayake airport duty manager confirmed.

GR to be personally named as a respondent in Trinco Oil Tank farm agreement case

The Supreme Court today granted permission to personally name former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a respondent party in connection with several Fundamental Rights petitions filed against Trinco Oil Tank farm agreement.

Court of Appeal issues notice to Sanath Nishantha over alleged contemptuous statement

The Court of Appeal today issued notices on Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha to appear in court on September 13 over two contempt of court cases filed by two lawyers.

Confusion in Parliament over Social Security Contribution Levy Bill

Confusion reigned with regard to the proposed Social Security Contribution Levy Bill, as it was revealed that amendments to the legislation have been sent to Parliament from unknown sources.

Sri Lanka explores US $ 6 billion fuel credit line from Saudi Arabia

Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, in his capacity of the president’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, has initiated discussions with the Saudi government last week seeking for a five year credit line of US $ 6 billion for the supply of fuel on a government to government basis, as a long-term solution to Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis, Daily Mirror learns.

Proposed National Council to be finalised next week: Prez

Highlighting that a ‘Devani Aragalaya’ (A second struggle) will be launched for a systems change shortly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the parties will finalise an agreement on the proposed National Council.

Rajapaksas & friends thought they owned this country - CBK slams

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today slammed the Rajapaksas saying that the actions taken by the Rajapaksa regimes had led to the serious crisis situation in the country.

SC determines some clauses inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court has determined that some clauses of 22nd Amendment to the Constitution are inconsistent with the Constitution and needs to be approved through a special majority in Parliament and a referendum, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardane told Parliament today.

President’s Office says no request by controversial Hindu guru to seek asylum in SL

The President’s Office today said that there had been no request by the controversial Hindu guru Nityananda, to seek asylum in Sri Lanka as reported by the Indian media.

No discussion on appointing Gotabaya as PM: Ruwan

There has been no discussion on appointing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister or to any other position,” UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Telecommunication providers up service charges, VAT

Telecommunication providers said that they will increase all mobile and broadband charges by 20% and pay TV by 25% with effect from September 5.

GR RETURNS TO SRI LANKA

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka a short while ago on board a Singapore Airlines flight after fleeing the country in July, the Daily Mirror learns.

Supreme Court allows Basil to travel USA for four months

The Supreme Court today permitted former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to travel to USA for a four month period.

IMF tells Sri Lanka to work “expeditiously” to gain debt relief from creditors

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday said Sri Lanka should move forward “expeditiously” to secure debt relief from its creditors to ensure debt sustainability as disbursement of any IMF financing is contingent upon that and the reforms carried out by the authorities to restore macroeconomic stability.

GR to return to SL on Saturday

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return back to the country on Saturday, a source close to him said.

SL secures IMF staff-level pact for US $ 2.9bn EFF facility

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lankan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement to support Sri Lanka’s economic policies with 48-month arrangement under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of about US$2.9 billion, the IMF said.

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka strikes staff-level pact with IMF on loan

Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a preliminary agreement on an emergency loan to the crisis-hit country and a formal announcement will be made on Thursday, four sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Tokyo will coordinate with other Sri Lanka creditors on debt: Japan Finance Minister

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Tuesday it was important for all creditor nations of Sri Lanka to gather to discuss Colombo’s debt issue, adding that Tokyo would coordinate with other creditors on the matter.

Govt. to present interim budget today

The government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to present an interim budget to Parliament today for the remainder of 2022, as the crisis-hit nation tries to stay afloat.

Govt. agrees to submit documents in Parliament over Ranjan’s release

The government today agreed to submit in Parliament the documents pertaining to the presidential pardon to former MP Ranjan Ramanayake.

Chinese company refuses to budge

A Chinese fertilizer company involved in a dispute with Sri Lanka, has refused to budge and had demanded that Sri Lanka respect the spirit of the agreement reached between both parties.

India responds to Chinese Ambassador’s remarks on SL

Responding to recent remarks of Chinese Ambassador on Sri Lanka, Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said Sri Lanka needs support, not unwanted pressure or unnecessary controversies to serve another country’s agenda.

China says Ball is in Sri Lanka’s court

Responding to Sri Lanka’s request for China to change its tune on debt relief, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy said the ball is in Sri Lanka’s court, not China’s.

Ranjan leaves prison

Former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, who was serving a four-year sentence on charges of contempt of court, left the prison a short while ago after being granted presidential pardon.

India urges its citizens to examine relevant factors before undertaking visit to Sri Lanka

India on Thursday urged its nationals planning to visit Sri Lanka to exercise caution and especially called on them to consider factors like currency convertibility and the fuel situation in that country before undertaking any essential travel.