Apr 26 (DM) Litro Gas Lanka Limited, the primary liquefied petroleum gas supplier in Sri Lanka, has increased the price of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas cylinders. The price hike will come into effect from midnight today (26). Accordingly, the revised price of a 12.5kg LP gas cylinder now stands at Rs. 4,860. The price of a 12.5kg cylinder went up by Rs. 2,185, from its previous rate of Rs. 2,675. Meanwhile, the price of a 5kg cylinder has been increased by Rs. 874 to Rs. 1,945. more..

Apr 26 (CT) The cancellation of three hybrid solar power projects in the Northern Province due to foreign pressure has left investors and SL’s image in a bad light, Chinese Ambassador in Colombo, Qi Zhenhong said. Addressing a select group of senior journalists Zhenhong added that Beijing wants the country’s participation to be mutually beneficial, adding that Chinese companies and entrepreneurs come to SL to do business and build the country but also want a reasonable profit. more..

Apr 26 (DM) The Railway Trade Union Alliance (RTUA) today decided to indulge in a 24-hour trade union action on Wednesday (27), midnight in solidarity to the people's struggle. Accordingly, the trade union action will start on April 27 midnight and end on April 28 midnight. They said the decision to engage in the trade union action was made by the Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC) considering the current issues that have emerged due to the economic woes. more..

Apr 26 (ANI) The ongoing crisis in SL, which is the worst in the country's history, is a man-made problem while warning signs visible for a year were ignored, said Professor Mick Moore, a highly acclaimed political economist and professorial fellow at the Institute of Development Studies at the Uni of Sussex. Moore said the SL economic crisis is almost entirely caused by govt decisions that were extremely unwise. Moore in the interview analysed the prevailing political and economic situation more..

Apr 26 (DM) The remains of the victims killed during the explosion in Sainthamaruthu in 2019 are to be exhumed tomorrow to obtain another DNA sample to find out whether the body of Pulasthini Rajendran alias Sara Jasmine, the wife of Easter Sunday suicide bomber Muhammadu Hasthun, was among them, Police said. Kalmunai Magistrate’s Court has granted permission for exhumation at Ampara more..

Apr 26 (EN) Sri Lanka is in talks with China over Beijing’s alternative proposal for debt restructuring and the Finance Minister is expected to inform about it in parliament in detail, Media Minister and cabinet spokesman Nalaka Godahewa said. Govt sources have said China has disagreed on restructuring its debts amounting over US$ 3 billion and Sri Lanka has decided for a debt restructuring to save its few dollars to pay for essential imports amid seeking assistance from the IMF. more..

Apr 26 (EN) Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved to further extend free visas by another three months to Ukrainian and Russian tourists currently in the island nation, a govt spokesman said on Tuesday, as fighting continues in the Eastern European country amid talks. Visa for tourists from both countries was initially extended on February 28 for two months free of charge. The cabinet has decided to extend it further since the crisis between the two countries has not yet subsided. more..

Apr 26 (DM) Following weeks of political instability and rising public protests against Prez, PM, and govt, fresh moves are now underway by the Prez's loyalists to gather numbers for the opposition initiated No Confidence Motion to save the Prez and oust PM. A senior political sources said that while there is a clear split between the Prez and PM, those MPs loyal to Prez Rajapaksa have begun discussions with the MPs including in SLPP more..

Apr 26 (TM) Association of Medical Specialists have released a statement addressed to the Minister of Health detailing the difficulties faced by Medical Specialists in the Island due to the ongoing fuel crisis and has mentioned some suggestions which the association says would help curb the matter. The statement was released today. “Association of Medical Specialists at its AGM held on 24th April discussed all the possible ways of providing specialist healthcare services throughout more..

Apr 26 (TM) The IUSF yesterday filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) against the Govt’s alleged attempts to restrict their freedom to protest on 24 April, while the Colombo Additional Magistrate rejected a request made by the Kollupitiya Police to remove a group of protestors from outside the Temple Trees. The IUSF was engaged in a protest march through Colombo to GotaGoGama at Galle Face Green, and claims their freedoms were infringed upon. more..

Apr 26 (TM) The protest march organised by the main Parliamentary Opposition, the SJB, from Kandy to Colombo, demanding the immediate resignation of Prez Rajapaksa and the present SLPP-led Govt, was scheduled to commence today. Accordingly, SJB members and supporters are to worship at the Temple of the Tooth Relic today in the morning, before the march proceeds from near the Kandy fair to Mawanella Town. Subsequently, the march will proceed from Mawanella to more..

Apr 26 (TM) CID will re-record statements previously recorded by others on the Police shooting in Rambukkana on 19 April, that led to the killing of one protestor, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said yesterday. CID has already commenced recording statements in this regard, and stated that the re-recording will be carried out due to the seriousness of the incident, which has sparked widespread outrage in SL. Meanwhile, the youth who was taken into custody for attempting to set fire to the fuel bowser more..

Apr 26 (AD) Secretary to the Finance Ministry today issued a circular to control the expenditures in the public service. The circular has called for a project expenditure control system and the reduction of fuel usage and communication expenses, and suspending public sector recruitment. circular stated that the SL economy has approached a highly critical juncture and with that, the requirement of providing an efficient and more..

Apr 26 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has given the go-ahead to the request made by the CEB to increase the electricity tariff. Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said the tariff hike will be implemented according to a proper procedure. When asked if the approval has been given to increase the electricity tariffs by 100%, the energy minister said the reports circulated are false. CEB has sought permission to raise the tariffs and the PUCSL has given its nod, more..

Apr 26 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne on the issues of taking the country forward spelled out the remedies being taken by the main Opposition to ending the crisis in the country. “We are going to bring in an amendment to the Assets and Liability Declaration Law to make them publicise. We are going to have an independent Bribery Commission. We are not waiting till we take the office, a new law for these has already been worked out.” “As the SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said more..

Apr 27 (DM) Russia-Ukraine conflict which had been on the boil since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, exploded into a full-fledged military conflageration on Feb 24 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, the media has been fixated on the fallout of the conflict with all major news providers, be it the BBC/CNN broadcasters to Russia’s rt.com covering this particular conflict in great detail to the detriment of many other important events. According to the UN around 5,186,744 persons more..

Apr 27 (Island) Introduction: In our attempt to introduce a system change, one of the vital aspects to be ensured is that Ministers of whatever rank, discharge their constitutional obligations with a serious sense of responsibility, granting primacy to national interest above all else. Based on my long years in the Public Service as well as the experience of other Public Officers who have struggled to uphold their commitment to render a service with integrity, it’s clear that there are sacred more..

Apr 27 (DM) Startling accusations have come to the fore alleging that the two Commission members of the CIABOC- Justice (Rtd) Deepali Wijesundera and Chandra Nimal Wakista- have taken all steps to impede the ongoing / withdrawn bribery cases of selected ruling party members and their allies. Following the public uproar against the Rajapaksa administration and with the allied parties of the Govt becoming independent- thus more..

Apr 27 (CT) It is a matter for solace that the govt has prudently taken a wise decision to appoint an experienced and competent Governor with a sound track record for the Central Bank (CB). He is none other than Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe who relinquished duties from the CB as a senior deputy governor after an extensive service of over three decades. The appointment of this senior official undoubtedly has created a sense of confidence and trust among the people & other stakeholders more..

Apr 27 (TM) Stressing that he would support the no-confidence motion (NCM) submitted by the SJB against the Govt in the event the Govt does not resign this week, PHU Leader, and former Energy Minister in the SLPP-led Govt who sits independent in Parliament at present, MP Udaya Gammanpila stated that the new PM for an interim rule will be a SLPP MP who is approved by all parties in an interim Govt. Even though Gammanpila has come off as an independent and straightforward more..

Apr 27 (TM) The past week marked the first few days of the first term for the school academic year of 2022. Given that the entire country is facing socio-economic turmoil, the first three days of the week saw a lower turnout in students attending school. On Wednesday, six-year-old Sabina was hanging on to her father and jokingly said: “You will get sunburnt, come and stand in the shade,” to which we quickly responded: more..

Apr 27 (GV) No, they have not been eradicated as yet. But they will; if not this month or even this year then, sadly, in time. Mahinda will stop his pathetic posturing and accept that his sell by date is long past as the majority of Sri Lankans are no longer are susceptible to his false charm, or die in disgrace. Gotabaya grasps that it’s personally more dangerous for him to stay rather than go. The revolving cabinet and other Rajapaksa hangers-on will try to escape down every alleyway after more..

Apr 27 (CT) There may be a possibility that China might sue Sri Lanka to recover a US$ 2.8 billion loan that the island owes it, or simply refuse to restructure such debt, the latter being a precondition to obtaining an IMF bailout package. This newspaper, in its yesterday’s edition, quoting the Chinese Envoy to Colombo Qi Zhenhong, carried a story under the heading SL Going to IMF Will Affect Future Engagements with China. To quote excerpts it said, “US$ 2.8 billion Chinese loan more..

Apr 27 (DM) The protesters who are occupying the Galle Face, now for the third week are resilient and persistent. There are no two words about it. No matter how tiring, draining and disappointing at times such a dogged and lasting holding of ground might seem, they are not ready to leave Galle Face until and unless the last of the Rajapaksas leave the higher echelons of power in this God-forsaken country. Their resilience, persistence is remarkable, when you take into consideration, more..

Apr 27 (FT) Colombo stock market continued its miserable run for the second consecutive day, erasing Rs. 600 billion in value in the process and increasing the year-to-date value-wipe out to a staggering Rs. 2.6 trillion. The market capitalisation yesterday fell below the Rs. 3 trillion mark to end at Rs. 2.9 trillion, down from Rs. 5.5 trillion end of last year. The active S&P SL20 Index fell by nearly 10% and the ASPI by 8% yesterday which suffered the same fate as Monday owing to triggering more..

Apr 27 (DM) PM Rajapaksa is presently facing one of his toughest challenges in his political career with certain sections of the population calling on him to step down with the present crises. Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged the people to be patient, stating it was not practical for him and the President to resign because they had been elected through a mandate. He further said, there was no split between the two brothers and more..

Apr 27 (DN) SL Netball players have begun training to focus on Asian Netball Championship and residential training will commence next May 1 at the Nawalapitiya Indoor Stadium, said SL Netball Federation (SLNF) President Ranjani Jayakody. At the moment we are having a 21-member national pool and they are undergoing training under the guidance of national coach Hyacinth Wijesinghe and Assistant coach Kumari Gamage while Assistant Manager of the National pool Anusha more..

Apr 27 (Island) Both the govt and the Opposition claim to have a working majority in Parliament! But neither of them has proved its claim. When one counts the MPs the SLPP and its opponents claim to have mustered for the showdown expected in the House when the SJB’s no-confidence motion is taken up, one wonders whether the number of MPs has been increased unbeknownst to the public. The govt claims to have 120 MPs on its side, and the Opposition says it has secured the support of more..

Apr 22 (TM) The much-awaited, long-pending digital identification (ID) cards are on the verge of being issued, with the ICTA and the Ministry of Technology actively working together for the issuance, stated TRCSL Chairperson Jayantha de Silva. de Silva stated that the current ID system is obsolete, and hence the Ministry has decided to issue digital ID cards with some of the most sophisticated features available in the world. more..

Apr 27 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday has cleared a mechanism to assess proposals involving foreign exchange and energy projects. The proposal to this effect submitted by PM Rajapaksa to appoint a committee headed by the Secretary to the PM comprising four other Ministerial Secretaries was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting held on Monday. Accordingly, friendly States, int'l suppliers, and local private sector forward various sorts of more..

Apr 27 (ST) A group of investors, seeking to protect the (stock) market and stabilise it, is targeting investors in an email campaign requesting authorities to stop margin providers from forced-selling shares. They are requesting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Central Bank (CB) to issue a directive to banks to refrain from forced selling their shares. Group says that this will stop banks and finance companies from placing selling market orders to further distort prices. more..

Apr 27 (Island) Centuries by Sadisha Rajapaksha, Hiran Jayasundara and Pasan Suwahas and impressive bowling figures produced by Manula Kularathne and Supun Waduge were the highlights in the Under 19 Traditional cricket encounters continued in Colombo on Tuesday. In the match played at Campbell Place, Manula Kularathne took six wickets and Supun Waduge rattled five wickets for Trinity to trouble Nalanda who were forced to follow on after being dismissed for 143 runs more..

Apr 27 (CT) Reigning National Chess Champion Susal de Silva of Nalanda College is leading the pack at the half way mark (6 rounds) at the SL National Chess C'ship 2022, while Esha Mihisha Pallie of Visakha Vidyalaya took the lead in the SL Women’s National Chess C'ships 2022 with 5 points out of 6 games. Susal is performing well with 5 straight wins and one draw (his last game with Nabil Nazar of Gateway College) to score 5 ˝ points. Former National Chess Champion more..

Apr 27 (FT) Masses already suffering from shortages of essentials and soaring inflation could face an electric shock with the CEB wanting a hefty 82.4% hike in tariff to cover its rising cost with power sector regulator cautioning haste whilst awaiting Govt stand. Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) yesterday confirmed that no permission has been granted yet to increase electricity tariffs but admitted that a hike is more..

Apr 27 (FT) SL’s COVID-19 detections rose to 663,239 with 44 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The previous day, 35 persons tested positive for COVID-19. 1,012 PCR tests and 495 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Monday. The country’s COVID-19 detections include 75,623 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 this year, as well as 483,090 detections from the New Year cluster, 82,785 detections from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,154 detections from Prisons cluster more..