Apr 27 (EN) Shares slipped at market close for the eighth consecutive session to a two-month low on Tuesday, with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe disclosing the island’s position regarding debt restructuring, according to an analyst. ASPI fell 0.37% or 33.60 points to 9,091.72, the lowest since Feb 21, 2023, while the most liquid index, S&P SL20, was down 0.39% or 10.39 points to 2,646.48. Sri Lanka will discuss debt restructuring with the Paris Club, including India & China separately, more..

Apr 27 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe made what transpired as a frantic appeal to Parliament to back the critical $ 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility from the IMF as critical for the future stability and prosperity of SL. In a special statement delivered to Parliament Prez announced that SL is on the path of renaissance and is re-emerging as a success story, with the expectation of support from the entire nation to carry it forward. more..

Apr 27 (EN) SL’s liquid milk production could fall sharply if a fresh outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle continues its spread to more areas, officials warned. Lumpy skin disease was first detected in the N&E provinces around 2020 and was contained. But it has since re-emerged. “There will be a drop in the milk harvest due to this,” Media Director at Min. of Agriculture Dharma Wanninayake said. “A cow that gives 30 to 40 litres of daily, milk can fall by 50% due this disease.” more..

Apr 27 (DM) With an aim to broaden the tax base by enabling electronic payments coupled with mandatory reporting for state institutions, the govt plans to bring in fresh amendments to Inland Revenue Act, No.24 of 2017 in Parliament for approval this Friday. Under the proposed amendments, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday revealed that it would be made mandatory to submit the tax files of personal income taxpayers in electronic format. more..

Apr 27 (FT) DSI Samson Group, one of the leading business conglomerates and leading manufacturers of footwear and bicycle tyres in SL, ceremonially inducted Uditha Egalahewa as the Chairman of the Group on 24 April. He is one of three Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Group and also served as the Chairman of the Group’s Risk Management Committee for the past 5 years. Egalahewa is a leading practitioner in Public Law and Commercial Law, with over 32 years more..

Apr 27 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe will attend the coronation of King Charles III. Prez will begin a three-day official visit to London in the first week of May to represent SL at the coronation, which will be held on 6 May at Westminster Abbey. Camilla, Queen Consort, will also be crowned alongside the King in the historic ceremony. Many world leaders including the French Prez, PMs of Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh have already confirmed their participation in the ceremony. more..

Apr 27 (AFP) The United States said Wednesday it would refuse visas on human rights grounds to a SL provincial governor who had been charged with killings during the island's long civil war. A SL investigation accused former navy chief Wasantha Karannagoda, among others, of abducting teenage children of wealthy families and killing them after extorting money. Authorities in 2021 dropped charges, prompting an outcry more..

Apr 27 (Island) A MoU between the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation, was signed on 24th April 2023. This was a renewal of the existing MoU and would further strengthen the collaboration between SLMA and 1990 Suwa Seriya, a spokesperson for SLMA said. Based on the MoU, SLMA will provide medical advisory service for COVID-19, or any other medical emergency situation that will affect Sri Lanka, through Doc Call 247 patient helpline. more..

Apr 27 (Island) Two of the seven Senior DIGs suddenly transferred by police headquarters have refused to abide by the directive, demanding the immediate intervention of the National Police Commission (NPC). Retired IGP Chandra Fernando heads the NPC. Senior officers transferred with effect from 25 April, included Lalith Pathinayake, Ajith Rohana, S.C. Medawatte and W.K. Jayalath on what police headquarters called, service requirements. more..

Apr 27 (TM) If there is any issue related to the transfers which were announced by the Ministry of Public Security, the Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (SDIGs) should first consult IGP Chandana Wickramaratne before speaking to media as the National Police Commission (NPC) can only look into the matter once the recommended transfers are implemented, NPC Chairman Chandra Fernando said. more..

Apr 27 (EN) SL’s active credit cards have fallen for four straight months, official data show amid high interest rates and a currency crisis. SL had 1,975,335 active credit cards by Oct 2022, which had fallen to 1,942,272 from January. Active cards had declined steadily since then. In Feb 2023, the total active credit cards were 1,940,872 down from 1,940,272 in January. High interest rates were discouraging credit card use, analysts say. “It is costly to take loans because of high level more..

Apr 27 (FT) A year ago, SL was in a dire crisis. Govt had no money and the country had no foreign reserves. The country was without essential medicines, staple foods, transport fuel, cooking gas, electricity and fertiliser. Consequently, livelihoods were lost. Yet, the majority of Sri Lanka’s elected representatives, Executive and 225-strong Legislature, seemed impervious to the crisis. Eventually, the efforts of a peaceful people’s Aragalaya, supported by an entire population, more..

Apr 27 (AD) SL govt has denounced United States’ move to blacklist Governor of North Western Province in SL, Wasantha Karannagoda. Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry has expressed grave concerns associated with the decision to US Ambassador Julie Chung today. SL govt says such unilateral move by the US without following the due process is counter-productive to the holistic approach that the island nation has taken on addressing national unity and reconciliation. more..

Apr 27 (DM) MP Wimal Weerawansa, in response to US Ambassador Julie Chung calling his book a work of fiction said he was happy the US Ambassador had taken time to translate his book into English and read his work within a day. "Ambassador Julie had tweeted about my book, with no mention of my name. I'm happy to see her interest to translate the book to English and read it in just a day," he said. Further, MP Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka attacked MP Wimal Weerawansa more..

Apr 27 (CI) Day four was the day in which SL put themselves in a position to push hard for victory, in a match in which Ireland might have hoped they'd made themselves safe, with a first-innings score of 492. On day five, Ireland will start two wickets down, with 159 still to get to make SL bat again. As the hosts racked up a gargantuan 704 for 3 declared, giving themselves a lead of 212, major batting milestones were reached, obviously. more..

Apr 27 (EN) Shares slipped at market close for the ninth consecutive session to a two-month low on Thursday, with Prez Wickremesinghe disclosing the island’s position regarding debt restructuring. ASPI fell 0.87% or 79.32 points to 9,012.40, the lowest since Feb 21, 2023, while the most liquid index, S&P SL20, was down 0.82% or 21.63 points to 2,624.85. Shares fell across the board after comments made by Prez on debt restructuring and the stock market’s possible closure more..

Apr 27 (DM) An effort made by MPs today to stop an argument that flared up over the use of unparliamentary language ended up with MPs using more unparliamentary language. The initial argument flared up when TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam complained about unparliamentary language allegedly used by Ministers Ali Sabry and Manusha Nanayakkara in the House on Wednesday. “I am not surprised about the language used by Minister Nanayakkara but I was shocked more..

Apr 27 (TM) The key member of the Buddhist clergy has proposed to the concerned parties including the Catholic Church to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the relevant authorities' failure to properly investigate the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, and prosecute those who are responsible for the same. Chief Prelate of Ramanna Sect in Southern SL, Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera claimed more..

Apr 27 (DM) The procedure followed in granting licenses to all TV and radio channels are questionable, Media Minister Bandula Gunawardene told Parliament. “There have been serious discrepancies in granting licences to all 25 TV channels and 51 radio channels as a result of the absence of a standard procedure in granting licences," Minister said in response to a question raised by SJB MP Gayantha Karunatilleke. Minister said even Mr. Karunatilleke had made more..

Apr 27 (FT) The doyen of int'l economists familiar with SL, Emeritus Professor Mick Moore OBE, has broken the facts of financial life to us gently. IMF deal can’t do much because most of our debt is outside of the Paris Club, in the hands of two new players, China and the holders of ISBs. The latter may become a real problem, beyond the capacity of the IMF, if the case against SL in the US courts go against us. Now, which SL Govt, meaning who, went on a binge selling ISBs and when? more..

Apr 27 (AD) The Annual Report of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) for the Year 2022 was presented today (27) to the President and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe. The seventy third Annual Report of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was presented to the President in terms of Section 35 of the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of 1949. more..

Apr 27 (CT) The programme to provide mid-day meals to schoolchildren was forced to be halted due to delays in payment to suppliers in February and March this year, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said. Accordingly, the programme has been halted islandwide, except in the Western Province. There is an outstanding payment of Rs 875 million for these two months due to suppliers. The Minister was responding to a question raised by JJB Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. more..

Apr 27 (TM) JVP-led NPP Opposition MP Vijitha Herath said that NPP will not support the alleged Opposition alliance that is intended to be formed in the future as stated by some members of the Opposition. He stated this when he was inquired about the statement made by SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella that all the leaders of the political parties representing the Opposition in the Parliament had agreed to form a joint Opposition under more..

Apr 27 (DM) The tariff rate of water needs to be raised again soon, NWSDB Deputy General N.K. Ranatunga said. He said Water Board had to bear additional costs due to the recent increase in electricity charges. "With the increase in the electricity tariff, the water tariff too had to be increased in September last year after 10 years. Again the electricity tariff was increased in Jan 2023, but that increase was not added to the water bill yet," he said. more..

Apr 27 (AD) Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha has appointed a committee in order to formally examine the existing service problems and shortcomings in the SL Principal Service and provide prompt solution reports. Issuing a special statement, Ministry of Education mentions that the committee consisting of five experts in the fields of education and administration, including Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara, Advisor to the Ministry of Education, has already commenced its work. more..

Apr 27 (EN) US Ambassador to SL Julie Chung has expressed her disappointment over a book authored by a SL MP detailing an alleged US-backed regime-change conspiracy, which Chung said should be labelled fiction. “I am disappointed that an MP has made baseless allegations and spread outright lies in a book that should be labeled fiction. For 75 years, the US [and SL] have shared commitments to democracy, more..

Apr 27 (DM) Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that a total of 112 types of pharmaceuticals were in short supply by now out of the 1,347 types that are used in hospitals in Sri Lanka. The Minister told Parliament that some 150 pharmaceuticals had been in short supply earlier but it has now been reduced to 112. Responding to a question raised by SLPP MP Jagath Kumara, Minister said a total amount of Rs. 50 billion was spent for pharmaceutical imports annually and more..

Apr 27 (AD) A preliminary discussion was held at the President’s Office on Wednesday, under the patronage of Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, to discuss the upcoming UAE – SL Business Forum and Trade Fair. The event is scheduled to take place from Oct 20 to 29 this year, at the RAK Exhibition Centre in the UAE. The Federation of SL Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Sri Lanka Tourism Industry Board are jointly organizing this trade fair more..

Apr 27 (DM) A discussion on promoting cultural tourism between Sri Lanka and China was at the Religious & Cultural Affairs Ministry recently. A group of officials from the China Cultural Association discussed with Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake and Foreign Ministry officials to promote cultural tourism activities in SL. Accordingly, it was discussed conducting Chinese wedding ceremonies, musical and dancing events, and programs relating to the elderly community. more..

Apr 27 (Island) The Constitution, the Elections Commission, elections laws and the judiciary no longer had any say in holding elections, and the President now had all the power to determine whether elections are held or not, Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi says. “Prez can say we will hold the presidential election instead of the LG elections. Or he can say, we will hold the general election first. Given that the law is blatantly ignored, anything is possible,” more..

Apr 27 (Island) NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa on Tuesday alleged that having failed to thwart Ranil Wickremesinghe’s ascent to presidency, the US was now working with the UNP leader to achieve its objectives. MP Weerawansa, Chairman of Uththara Lanka Sabhagaya said that Prez Wickremesinghe already consented to three of the four US conditions at secret talks in Colombo with top level US delegation that included more..

Apr 27 (CT) The Govt should immediately stop issuing applications for licences for new Wine Stores, the National Anti-Drug Front said. Chairman of the National Anti-Drug Front (NADF) Chathura Liyanaarachchi accused the Govt of attempting to promote the use of alcohol whereas during the past 15 years only a minute number of applications had been issued to set up Wine Stores. He said at least 100 applications had been issued by the Excise Department up to now. more..

Apr 27 (EN) SL had opted for some domestic debt treatment as it was not possible to made sovereign debt sustainable without further tax hikes and spending cuts, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said. SL’s rupee bond holders had taken a severe hit from inflation and depreciation of the currency and the stance of the authorities was to exclude them from re-structuring, he told parliament. IMF had later done the debt analysis and target were set to make SL’s debt sustainable again. more..

Apr 27 (EN) Millions of less affluent Sri Lankans works in the Middle East are sending money home to keep the economy afloat while the more educated who hold higher post in developed countries keep money stashed elsewhere, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said. “The most amount of foreign exchange generated for Sri Lanka comes from the Middle Eastern region,” Nanayakkara said in Parliament. more..

Apr 27 (FT) LOLC Advance Techn-ologies Ltd, (LOLC AT), and HydroGraph Clean Power Incorporation, a commercial manufacturer of high-quality graphene, have recently entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) to commercialize a jointly developed graphene blend that has shown significant improvements in battery performance. Through a collaborative effort with the SL Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), LOLC AT, holds a controlling stake in Ceylon Graphene more..

Apr 27 (TM) The Co-Convener of the Collective of Trade Unions (TUs), Ravi Kumudesh claimed that decisions regarding SL are made solely by Prez and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe in accordance with what he is asked to do by international forces, adding that therefore, the Parliamentarians waiting to vote in favour of the IMF's EFF Agreement & related measures would do so sans knowledge of actual consequences. more..