May 19 (EN) SL will lower the limit on foreign currency note holdings of public to 10,000 US dollars from 15,000 and crack down on anyone holding them for over 3 months, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Holders of currency notes will be given a grace period and they will then be expected to deposit the money in the banking system. Under SL’s foreign exchange law, currency notes which are held against contravening the rules will be seized, he said. Recently two seizures had taken place. more..

May 19 (NR) The Mayor of Moratuwa Saman Lal Fernando, the Chairman of the Seethawaka PS Jayantha Rohana, Kelaniya PS member Manjula Prasanna, Dan Priyasad, and four others have been remanded till the 25th of May in relation to a group of peaceful protesters being assaulted opposite Temple Trees and at Galle Face on the 9th of May. The order was issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage this afternoon. The suspects were arrested by the CID yesterday. They are part of the group of 22 persons more..

May 19 (CI) Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella dug deep with the Chattogram surface staying true to its nature of being a batting paradise as the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a draw. Things, however, could have been different if not for the pair's dogged 99-run stand for the seventh wicket on the final day. Having started the morning on a brisk note, SL lost two wickets each on either side of the lunch interval to stumble to 161 for 6. more..

May 19 (AD) The Colombo Fort Magistrate Court has issued an order preventing the members of IUSF from entering several roads in Colombo today. The IUSF commenced a protest march this afternoon near the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo. Accordingly, the protesting university students are barred from entering the York Street, Chaithya Road, Bank Street, Chatham Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha. The court order further stated that the protesters are not allowed to forcibly enter or more..

May 19 (SLN) SL Navy managed to apprehend 40 individuals who attempted to illegally migrate to a foreign country by sea, during a patrol conducted in seas off Batticaloa and in a special operation in the beach area of Kalawanchikudi, Batticaloa on 18th May 2022. Accordingly, SLNS Ranarisi attached to the Eastern Naval Command and Fast Attack Craft P 4443 of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla detected a local multiday fishing vessel while patrolling Batticaloa waters on 18th May. more..

May 19 (DM) Former PM Rajapaksa should have retired from politics when his second term as the executive Prez ended, MP Chamal Rajapaksa told Parliament today. "One should be prepared to give up positions," the MP said. "Rajapaksas who have been in SL politics for 90 years have mortgaged many of their properties. We are still to release some properties," he added. Refering to the incident on May 9 the MP said the IGP and Defence Secretary had failed to stop those who attacked the protesters at Gallle Face more..

May 19 (AD) All grades of govt schools and government-approved private schools will be closed tomorrow (20), Ministry of Education says. The decision was reached after taking into account the unavailability of means of transport due to the prevailing fuel shortage, the ministry explained in a press release. Accordingly, the first phase of the first term of all grades of govt schools and govt-approved private schools ends today. The schools will resume academic activities from the 6th of June (Monday). more..

May 19 (DM) The post shared on social media regarding the MPs have been allowed subsidised fuel rates is false, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. He stated that no MPs from either party or anyone else was allowed to be pumped fuel at subsidised rates - lower than the current market prices that is sold to the public. The shared social media image shows the price of Rs.121.19 per litre of fuel at the fuel station closer to the Narahenpita police Transport Division. more..

May 19 (AD) The CID has arrested two more suspects for their involvement in the brazen attack on the GotaGoGama at the Galle Face Green and the protesters camped outside the Temple Trees on the 9th of May. One of the arrestees was identified as the chairman of Hanwella Multipurpose Co-Operative Societies, aged 53. He is a resident of Thummodara area in Hanwella. The other suspect is a female member of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia MC. She was taken into custody while in hiding in the area of Polgahawela. more..

May 19 (TM) Further to allegations made by SLPP MP Arundika Fernando, stating that the JVP was behind the violence that took place on the 9th of May 2022 at Temple Trees and Galle Face Green, JVP MP Vijitha Herath denied all accusations and appealed to the IGP C D Wickremaratne to investigate into the accusations. This was made known via a letter by JVP MP Vijitha Herath to the IGP today. “The statement made by these 150 people that they are members of the JVP is extremely serious as no formal investigation more..

May 19 (DM) Former Maldives Prez and Speaker of Parliament, Mohammed Nasheed as been appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to coordinate the relief efforts for SL, globally after discussions were held between Nasheed and Wickremesinghe in Colombo today. During the discussions, Nasheed had generously offered to assist SL in securing relief for the country from foreign nations. PM accepted the former President's offer and appointed him to coordinate the relief efforts. more..

May 19 (EN) Sri Lanka will use instruments at its disposal including liquidity injections to stabilize interest rates, which has overshot in the opinion of the central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Market interest rates have moved about double the policy rate hike from 7.50 to 14.50 percent, he said. “That is why we think there is an overshooting,” Governor Weerasinghe said. “That is where we think we have to stabilize the interest rates. We have made some interventions. more..

May 19 (DM) CPC Trade Unions denied reports which claimed that fuel was sold at a subsidized rate of Rs.121 per liter to MPs and VIPs and said if any MP needed to fill their vehicle tanks, they would have to stay in the queue. Trade Union officials said that following the allegations on social media that fuel was sold at subsidized rates, they had inquired from the filling station closer to the Narahenpita police Transport Division, and checked the bills, more..

May 19 (CT) Officer-in-Charge for UN Women Asia and the Pacific Sarah Knibbs during her official visit to SL recently, met key partners to reaffirm UN Women’s commitment to ensure that women and girls are not left behind amidst recovery from the ongoing economic crisis. As SL experiences an unprecedented economic crisis – including spiralling inflation and a shortage of basic necessities – women are among the most vulnerable to its impacts. This is particularly true of UN Women’s key stakeholder groups more..

May 19 (EN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested the parliament’s COPE to summon officials of state-run Litro Gas Lanka Ltd to explain why cooking gas was not distributed on Wednesday as promised. “Despite assurance being provided by Litro Gas that gas would be unloaded yesterday via lorries, it has not happened. I have instructed the Chairman to provide an immediate explanation. I have also requested that COPE summons Litro officials as well,” Wickremesinghe tweeted today. more..

May 19 (EN) Sri Lanka and the IMF has discussed the macro-fiscal framework for the next two years and but a Finance Minister is needed to sign-off on key policy measures, Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. An IMF mission has been talking with Sri Lanka’s Central Bank and Finance Ministry on policy adjustments needed to arrest the worst balance of payment crisis triggered by intermediate regime monetary authority in is 72 year history. more..

May 19 (DM) Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa's office, today rejected social media reports claiming that Rajapaksa was flown in for the parliamentary sessions on Wednesday, saying Rajapaksa traveled by road and not by chopper. Former Coordinating Secretary to Rajapaksa, Geethanath Cassilingam said Rajapaksa is in Colombo and arrived in Parliament by road and not by helicopter as claimed on social media. He will continue to attend parliamentary sittings with MP Namal Rajapaksa saying more..

May 19 (EN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament that the military has not been given shoot-on-sight orders to quell violent protestors but police can act at their discretion under existing laws. There is a lot of questions on the shoot on sight order that was supposed to have been given. No shoot on sight order was given. There is nothing in writing because we didn’t want people to shoot. We wanted to prevent them from shooting. “Some of the MPs’ houses got damaged and destroyed, but more..

May 19 (NDTV) Rahul Gandhi today compared India to crisis-hit Sri Lanka in a tweet attacking the govt over the economy and shared what appeared to be similar graphs for the two countries for unemployment, fuel prices and communal violence. "Distracting people won't change the facts. India looks a lot like Sri Lanka," the Congress leader posted, sharing a set of six graphics, three each for India and SL. The graphs show unemployment rising from 2017 in both countries, peaking around 2020- more..

May 19 (Island) SL Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) issued instructions to establishments, both govt and private, to refrain from using electricity supplied by the national grid to illuminate signboards, neon and LED signage, digital and printed hoardings until further notice. SLSEA also requested them to refrain from using power from the national grid to illuminate building facades and all other forms of aesthetic illumination. “We earnestly request you to save electricity during more..

May 19 (TM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that he can only attend to the public’s demands for Prez Rajapaksa’s resignation following the passage of the 21st Amendment and after holding discussions with all party leaders. “In response to the demands of the people asking Prez Rajapaksa to step down from his presidency, I have to attend to this matter once the debate pertaining to the 21st Amendment is debated in Parliament, and upon discussion with the party leaders. more..

May 19 (TM) Responding to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa’s proposal to appoint members of the Opposition to lead the parliamentary committees yesterday, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Opposition “should get positions” and that the Government and the Opposition must discuss who should be the chairpersons of these committees. “Certainly, the Opposition must get positions, and not just the SJB, but also the TNA, JVP-led NPP, and others. We must sit together and discuss this,” more..

May 19 (Island) Talks between the TNA and FSP to explore ways and means of working together to bring about solutions to the national crisis had been successful as the two parties could agree on several key standpoints, Education Secretary of FSP Pubudu Jagoda said. Jagoda said the talks had been held at TNA MP MA Sumanthiran’s residence at Wellawatte with the participation of TNA Batticaloa District MP Shanikyan Rasamanaiccam. FSP was represented by Jagoda and its leader Kumar Gunaratnam. more..

May 19 (Island) NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, says a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) should be appointed to investigate the role played by IGP C.D. Wickremaratne and Public Security Ministry Secretary Maj. Gen. (retd.) Jagath Alwis in the recent SLPP hothead attack on those demanding the resignation of Prez Rajapaksa and the Cabinet of Ministers, including Mahinda Rajapaksa. Weerawansa yesterday said that Parliament should inquire into the unprovoked attack that triggered more..

May 19 (DM) Three admins of social media platform including a 39-year-old TV presenter have been arrested by the CID for instigating and aiding and abetting recent violent activities through the social media. Police said the CID, police stations across the country and special police units are conducting investigations to identify social media groups and its admins over instigating violent activities following the incidents at Kollupitiya and Galle Face Green on May 9. more..

May 19 (DM) A 42-year old man has been arrested by the CID in connection with setting ablaze a bus during the Mirihana incident on March 31. Police said the suspect, from Gangodawila, Nugegoda was arrested today in the Deraniyagala area. Investigations revealed that the suspect was involved in setting fire to an Army bus. Earlier, the police circulated a portrait sketch of the suspect seeking public assistance to arrest him. The suspect was arrested based on information provided by the public. more..

May 20 (DM) Police in SL are suffering at the hands of political interference. That’s evident from the recent letter the IGP has sent to Secretary to the Minister of Defence. The worst, according to the letter penned by Police Chief C.D. Wickramaratne, and published in newspapers, is that out of 184 OIC appointments only two were non political and done after taking into consideration proper qualifications. These appointments were done over a period of time between Jan 1 and Nov 3, 2021. more..

May 20 (ST) In dire straits. That’s the pitiful state of SL’s economy and what bigger warning than one coming from the newly-appointed Governor of the Central Bank. Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe who took over in April, at a media conference on Wednesday warned that he would resign in the coming weeks if political instability continues. He said the economic situation has worsened in the country and appealed to SL expatriates to send their remittances through official banking channels more..

May 20 (DM) UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena shares his views on the formation of the new govt and the way forward. He is a close confidante of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe involving in his political work. Q: Nearly a year ago, you talked about your party Ranil Wickremesinghe forming a govt in 2023. But, nobody took it seriously. Did you make this prediction because it was being planned even at that time? more..

May 20 (DM) Soap, milk, and wheat are just a few of the necessities that are scarce in Sri Lanka. The administration blames the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and global economic downturns, but citizens point to decades of corruption and incompetence. Women are particularly exposed to the effects of SL’s economic crisis, which includes skyrocketing prices and a scarcity of basic needs. The present socioeconomic crisis has far-reaching repercussions for women and girls’ capacity more..

May 20 (CT) Based on SLPP MP and former SLPP Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana’s statement in Parliament on Wednesday, several more SLPP goons have to be questioned by the CID concerning the attacks on innocent demonstraters at MynaGoGama and at GotaGoGama, Colombo last Monday (9). They include Pathirana himself; other SLPP MPs, other than those who have already been questioned, IGP Chandana Wickramaratne and Public Security Ministry Secy Jagath Alwis. more..

May 20 (TM) To most Sri Lankans, hailing a taxi to commute to work has become an arduous and frustrating task, and exorbitant taxi fares have compelled them to think twice about taking a taxi even if they could find one. With the lack of the availability of public transport services, those who do not own a vehicle are facing massive transport-related issues, which consequently affect their personal and professional lives. more..

May 20 (TM) Protests have gradually become a common sight in every nook and corner of the country, with unprecedented support from the general public seeking a system change. Despite ups and downs, the people’s enthusiasm, as yet undiminished, has kept the protests fuelled as they keep pushing for the Govt to accede to their demands. Even though these protests were labeled as people-led or leaderless protests, certain recent events beg the question as to whether more..

May 20 (CT) The title does not use the term parliament as a collective noun for monkeys, because that noun is reserved for ants. It is employed here to describe the hopping nbehaviour of many among the 225 to jump side and rushing to rally behind the newly appointed and anointed non-elected PM Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW), (who has been bestowed with a new surname, Rajapaksa, for emerging as saviour of disgraced Rajapaksas). RW and his retinue of supporters had advertised more..

May 20 (DM) The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, the widely respected Al Jazeera journalist, by Israeli troops last Friday in occupied Palestine, the brutal attack on mourners at her funeral and the Western world’s blatant unwillingness to use the toughest diplomatic language to condemn these barbaric acts once again expose the iniquitousness of the west-dominated world order. The 51-year-old Palestinian-American journalist, wearing a safety helmet and vest, which bore word PRESS in big letters more..