Apr 23 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called the govt to present to the parliament its road map for economic recovery. “We need to know if the country is heading for a disorderly default. Has the govt appointed financial and legal advisers for debt restructuring programmes? It is said that there is an attempt to hire a legal firm that had appeared for senior govt figures in some cases” he said. Premadasa asked the govt to channel the funds allocated for road development to provide more..

Apr 23 (AD) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today (22) announced that a new methodology will be adopted for scheduling Questions for Oral Answers in the Order Paper of Parliament. Speaker also informed the House that the decision was taken due to the fact that backbench MPs who have submitted questions not getting equal opportunity to raise questions as only a few MPs get the opportunity to do so on every sitting day of parliament due to the current methodology more..

Apr 23 (DN) A total of 14 teams will be in the fray at the 14th edition of the Champions League Soccer Tournament conducted by the Football Sri Lanka (FSL) which is scheduled for kick-off on May 13 in four centralized venues in four provinces with the participation of some top clubs in the game. After a lapse of three years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, one of the phenomenal tournaments listed in the FSL calendar will get underway with the participation of six new additional teams after more..

Apr 23 (DM) Former SL captain Mahela Jayawardene has declined an offer to coach England's Men's team, it is learnt. Jayawardene was approached by Rob Key, who has recently appointed as Managing Director of England's Men's team. The approach was made in India, where Jayawardene is the head coach of the Mumbai Indians team. The 44-year-old Jayawardene was approached to coach England's two short more..

Apr 23 (DM) Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said he is willing to meet the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for a discussion in order to clear all doubts on Easter Sunday attacks. “I have informed the Cardinal in writing that I am willing to meet him, the other bishops and the priests for a discussion with him so that any doubts with regard to the Easter Sunday attacks could be cleared,” he told Parliament. “We too are concerned about the attacks. It was I who visited Katuwapitiya more..

Apr 23 (Island) The senior management of SriLankan Airlines had been summoned before the COPE to inquire into its current performance, COPE Chairman Prof. Charitha Herath said. SriLankan Airlines is scheduled to appear before COPE next Monday at 10 am. Chairman of COPE stated that the SriLankan management will also be questioned about its bidding process for the lease of 21 aircraft that made headlines recently. SriLankan Airlines, announced, on 14 April, that it had made more..

Apr 23 (PTI) PM Rajapaksa on Friday said he had a very productive conversation with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and thanked him for assuring support to his govt to address some of the crucial needs affecting peoples' livelihoods and well-being, amidst the worst economic crisis in the island nation. Telephone conversation between Rajapaksa and Li, which took place at the SL PM's request, comes as the SL is grappling with more..

Apr 23 (FT) An initiative called the Global Centre for the Monitoring and Prevention of Political and Economic Crimes in Sri Lanka is launching a global campaign to hold political elites and their allies who have been involved in political and economic crimes. It said some of these persons have been acquitted illegally under political influence and those who have been pardoned by the President for committing serious crimes, in accordance with international law. It also notes human rights violations more..

Apr 23 (TM) Delegation of the European Union in SL (EU) and the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) awarded the first three grants – worth Rs. 1 million each – to small tourism enterprises to help them accelerate their post-Covid-19 recovery and build a stronger base for growth as tourists start returning to the country. Ambassador of the EU Delegation in SL Denis Chaibi, speaking at the event to hand over first grants stated: “Small enterprises in the tourism sector were hit the hardest more..

Apr 23 (CT) National Hospital Colombo on Friday said Ven. Therapehe Siridhamma Thera, who engaged in a fast unto death at Galle Face, had been admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the Hospital. Sources of the Hospital said the Venerable Thera, who was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, had been admitted to the ETU due to dehydration. He was unresponsive to treatment at the time. Subsequently, however, his condition had improved and he was transferred to a ward. more..

Apr 23 (Island) Singapore Airlines (SIA) has signed a MoU with the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) on 12 April, reaffirming SIA’s commitment to Sri Lanka to support efforts to boost tourism in the country. MoU was signed between Ms. Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson, SLTPB, and David Lau, Regional Vice President West Asia & Africa, Singapore Airlines. Zachary Liew, General Manager SL, Rajiv Varma, Regional Sales Planning Manager West Asia & Africa, Vasantha Kudaliyanage, more..

Apr 23 (EN) SL has asked for another one billion US dollar credit from India for imports as well as a US$ 500 million loan for oil imports, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said as the country grapples with a broken soft-peg which has triggered forex shortages. “The talks with India are very successful,” Finance Minister Ali Sabry told reporters in an online briefing speaking from Washington. “In talks at official level with the Finance Minister more..

Apr 23 (FT) Rarely has this nation been this united in one battle cry – Go, Gota, Go! From the north to the south, east to the west, a long suffering people, angry, bitter and helpless, are on the march. With the prices of their essential provisions going up hour to hour virtually, the SL rupee now earning the dubious honour of being the poorest performing currency in the world (for a nation often fed on tales of their country’s various international achievements, perhaps some grim pleasure could be more..

Apr 23 (FT) One might argue that a country engrossed in turmoil like SL, besieged with economic crisis, experiencing a crisis of confidence certainly in the current Govt – with the political elite overall – with skyrocketing prices and heartbreaking shortages of everything from fuel to food to medicines would not waste time getting distracted by discredited quackery about masking. Yet somehow, in the post-COVID hysteria and hypnosis, this retains an infuriating death grip on popular more..

Apr 23 (AD) Commercial Bank of Ceylon, the first bank in SL to enable Social Network Banking services, has announced that it has enabled trilingual access to both its WhatsApp Banking and Bank with ComBank on Viber services, another first in SL. Consequently, users of these services can now perform functions such as account balance inquiry, account history view, cheque book request, interest rates inquiry, subscribe to ComBank Digital & even open new flash digital bank accounts more..

Apr 23 (DM) The CID has arrested a 28-year old suspect who set fire to the bowser that was carrying fuel during the protest in Rambukkana on April 19. Police said a video is being circulated on media spotlight the suspect, wearing a green T-shirt seen crossing the railway tracks, throwing projectiles at the bowser which was parked across the railway track and walking away from the scene nonchalantly during the Rambukkana protest. Suspect was from Rambukkana, was arrested in Rambukkana. more..

Apr 23 (EN) SL’s top corporates have issued statements about the ongoing economic crisis, with some expressing solidarity with mass protests taking place islandwide, with others calling for social, political, economic stability as the financial meltdown is precipitating a political crisis and social unrest. John Keells Holdings (JKH), one of the largest conglomerates having businesses in hospitality, leisure, logistics, real estate, more..

Apr 23 (EN) Fitch has downgraded Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited’s (SLIC) insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating to ‘CC’, from ‘CCC+’, and has placed the rating on watch for downgrade due to risk from forex shortages from a broken soft-peg. “The downgrade reflects the probability that ceased or interrupted payments could occur on SLIC’s foreign-currency obligations due to weak foreign-currency liquidity in the local banking system,” Fitch said. more..

Apr 23 (AD) Trade Ministry says 40,000 metric tonnes of rice imported under the Indian credit line will be made available for purchase at Sathosa outlets for concessionary prices. Each customer is allowed to purchase a maximum of 5 kilograms of rice. The retail prices of rice varieties are mentioned below: Kekulu rice (white) – Rs. 145 per kg; Nadu rice – Rs. 145 per kg; Samba rice – Rs. 175 per kg. SL govt and the State Bank of India inked a USD 1 billion credit facility agreement on 17 March, more..

Apr 23 (EN) Any interim govt appointed to steer Sri Lanka through its worsening economic crisis would have to be under his premiership alone, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa said. Rajapaksa rejected calls for the resignation of him and the cabinet of ministers. “I don’t think a majority [of MPs are asking for my resignation]. A few with no knowledge of history may be saying it, but nobody has said it to me,” he said. more..

Apr 23 (BS) China must be treated just like any other creditor once talks begin to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she told the IMF and World Bank. “All creditors must be treated equally and with transparency,” Sitharaman said. “I’ve emphasized that point in general and in the context of Sri Lanka.” SL was looking to borrow $1 billion from Beijing so that it can repay existing Chinese loans due in July, as well as a $1.5 billion credit line more..

Apr 23 (FT) In alignment with the financial sector consolidation plan of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), Commercial Leasing & Finance PLC (CLC) was merged with LOLC Finance PLC (LOFC) with effect from 31 March 2022. The merger will structure LOLC Finance PLC to be the largest Non-Bank Financial Institute (NBFI) to operate in Sri Lanka. Following the merger, Conrad Dias, previous CEO of LOLC Finance PLC, was promoted to his new role as the Non-Executive Chairman of LOLC Finance. more..

Apr 23 (AD) 7 MPs who recently became independent in the House, including Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera and Dayasiri Jayasekara have had an audience with the Ambassador of China to SL, Qi Zhenhong. The meeting took place on the 22nd of April, according to the Embassy of China in Colombo. Chinese envoy and the SL MPs have exchanged opinions on the current situation of the island nation, the assistance provided by more..

Apr 23 (DM) The construction industry would collapse if the cement price is increased to about Rs.450 a bag, National Construction Association of SL President Susantha Liyanarachchi said. He said the decision to increase the price of a sack of cement would come into effect this week, and after the price increase, a sack of cement wod cost about Rs 3,000. "In the current situation where the country's economy is unstable, black market businessmen have taken power to increase more..

Apr 23 (ST) Continuing shortages of fuel, cooking gas, regular power cuts, and import restrictions on housekeeping and kitchenware will lead to the collapse of the tourism industry, stakeholders warn. Hotel Suppliers Association president Azad Manzoor warned that the introduction of licences last month by the Finance Ministry for imports of kitchen and housekeeping equipment and items such as bed linen, more..

Apr 23 (CT) General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Jeevan Thondaman said the Govt should bear sole responsibility for the Rambukkana clash between the Police and protesters, as well as the death of a protester. After Police opened fire on a group of protesters in Rambukkana, one person was killed and several others were injured and hospitalised. “The public has the right to protest, and the ongoing protests were the result of Govt’s poor decisions. more..

Apr 23 (NR) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa says he will retire from politics if forced to accept the post of President or PM without a referendum. MP Premadasa said he will solve all social, economic, and political issues under a govt-led by him that is elected by the people. MP speaking at a rally in Embilipitiya today said the SJB has solutions to the fuel, power, gas, and milk powder crisis. MP Premadasa added he will never enter agreements or deals with current govt more..

Apr 23 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa stated that the govt’s national goal is to improve water-related infrastructure, including clean water supply and sanitation for all in the next three years. “We are continually improving capacity and quality of existing water supply schemes and initiating new ones to cater to areas with poor coverage”, he said. Prez made these remarks while addressing the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit commenced in more..

Apr 23 (AD) India and Indonesia have come forward to supply necessary medicinal drugs and surgical items to Sri Lanka as hospitals in the country grappled with a health crisis with hospitals running out of medicines and essential supplies. Accordingly, an aid comprising 101 types of medicines and surgical items donated by the govt of India is expected to reach SL next Wednesday. Meanwhile, medicines worth Rs. 340 million donated by Indonesia will arrive in SL within a week, more..

Apr 23 (SLE) Embassy of SL to the US has noted with disappointment the unjustified and undue criticism leveled against the eight member delegation led by the Minister of Finance who are currently attending the Spring meetings of the Bretton Woods Institutions in Washington DC. It must be emphasized that these meetings and the various bilateral engagements undertaken by the SL delegation are aimed at garnering international support in aid of SL’s economic recovery more..

Apr 23 (ST) Executive Committee of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) has appointed a sub-committee to formulate proposals regarding ways to resolve the country’s prevailing crisis. Headed by BASL President Saliya Pieris, PC, the sub-committee is drafting its proposals and these will be placed before the Bar in the next few days and submitted to the Govt, Mr Pieris told the Sunday Times. Meanwhile, a group of BASL members have separately called on Mr. Peiris to summon more..

Apr 23 (ST) More than 600 Yala National Park safari drivers are among those severely impacted by the ongoing economic crisis with the shortage of fuel and a drop in tourist arrivals threatening their livelihoods, Save Yala Association President Tharindu Gihan said. Tourism as a whole had suffered in the Southern Province due to power cuts, gas and fuel shortages, he said, pointing to the 40 percent drop in tourist arrivals in February and March when compared to January. more..

Apr 23 (Island) The SJB and SLPP rebel group haven’t been able to iron out their differences as regards the urgently required proposed 21 Amendment meant to address the current political crisis amidst the worst post-independence economic fallout, political sources say. Parliamentary sources told The Island that the dispute was over the SJB’s push for the abolition of the executive presidency. Both groups have handed over their more..

Apr 23 (DM) Expulsion will lead to loss of his parliamentary seat if it is legally upheld Sri Lanka Muslim Congress ( SLMC) yesterday expelled its MP Nazeer Ahmed from the party, its leader MP Rauff Hakeem said. Hakeem told Daily Mirror that the expulsion was done by the party’ High Command that met yesterday. The expulsion will lead to the loss of his parliamentary seat if it is legally upheld. He has been removed on breach of party discipline by voting in favour of the Budget. more..

Apr 23 (CT) A minute’s silence was observed in Parliament yesterday morning (21), in memory of the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019. This was following a request made by Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa. He said, “Our MP Hector Appuhamy earlier presented a proposal to observe a minute’s silence today. I request once again for a minute’s silence in memory of the Easter Sunday terror attack victims. In the past, MP Wimal Weerawansa requested for a minute’s silence more..