lankanNews

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that he would not allow school children to be taken hostage by various groups and he would declare schools as an essential service if the teacher issues are not solved soon.

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.

The receipt of the IMF Fund Facility was a step towards building a better future for the youth and uplifting the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that he wished to become a pilot if he didn’t venture into politics.

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.

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

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando issued an apology to the Maldives for a controversial statement made at an international travel and trade fair, claiming his comments were “taken out of context and misrepresented.”

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.

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.

Easter Sunday bomb attack main suspect Zaharan Hashim’s wife Fathima Hadiya was granted bail by the Kalmunai High Court after being detained under the PTA for 04 years.

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has depreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today for the third consecutive day, according to the Central Bank.

Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Department have been requested to take action against the policemen who had entered the university premises during the recent protests, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha told Parliament today.

State Minister Diana Gamage was engaged in a showdown with SJB MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena in Parliament yesterday where the former said SJB MPs will not remain in the House for long.

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando issued an apology to the Maldives for a controversial statement made at an international travel and trade fair, claiming his comments were “taken out of context and misrepresented.”

A female government officer in Padavi, Sripura was allegedly threatened by her ex-lover, who warned to release her nude photos to her husband if she did not pay him the ransom he demanded, police said.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate today issued a warrant for the arrest of Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa for not being present in Court in connection with a case filed against him by Cinnamon Garden police.

State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage has come up with a proposal to allow selling of liquor to foreigners on Poya days, it is learnt.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has instructed the Special Investigation Division to immediately initiate an investigation against the HQI of the Bandarawela Police in connection with his action following the arrest of the mother of the infant who was abandoned at Fort Railway station on Friday.

A minister and a state minister who went to inaugurate a cultural centre at Bamunakotuwa in ​​Kurunegala were booed by a group of residents in the area today.

In a bid to achieve long-term debt sustainability, senior economist Steve Hanke said Sri Lanka needs institutional reforms.

State Minister Diana Gamage was engaged in a showdown with SJB MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena in Parliament yesterday where the former said SJB MPs will not remain in the House for long.

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has depreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today compared to yesterday’s buying and selling rates of the Central Bank.

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe requested Deputy Speaker to advise relevant authorities not to proceed and take any action on the interim order given by the Supreme Court with regard to the Local Government election until the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges concludes its hearing on the privilege issue raised by MP Premanath C Dollewatte.

The US dollar-rupee exchange is likely to remain at Rs.300-325 range in the very near term, while up to US$ 1 billion inflows are expected into the country’s foreign exchange reverses over the next six-month period following the approval of the US$ 2.9 billion bailout package by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to Standard Chartered Bank (StanChart).