Peter Breuer, Chief of IMF Mission to Sri Lanka has claimed that the Sri Lankan economy is showing signs of progress. The monetary and fiscal measures like tax increases and particularly the debt moratorium may have resulted in giving some breathing space for the country to recover from the period of extreme hardship caused by […]

by Jehan Perera The northern town of Vavuniya which was once at the front lines of the war is now a peaceful and bustling urban centre. Its physical infrastructure leaves much to be desired, with rundown buildings, and open drains that emit a foul odour. Vavuniya has not had the fortune of a political patron […]

SJB, NPP, TNA turn down President’s invitation by Saman Indrajith Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has turned down President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s invitation to a meeting with a visiting IMF delegation, today. The National People’s Power (NPP), led by the JVP, and the TNA, have also rejected the President’s invitation to today’s meeting, but TNA MP MA […]

Approximately 40% of women in Sri Lanka have stopped using feminine hygiene products against the backdrop of the ongoing economic crisis, a new survey has revealed.

Six people, including a mother, her four young children, and a family acquaintance, were killed inside a townhouse in the south Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven, late Wednesday night. During a media briefing Thursday afternoon, Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs said there were initially two calls to 911 around 10:52 p.m. Wednesday. He said first responders […]

A group of civil society organisations and activists have expressed their concerns over the way the government is trying to address grievances of the Tamil speaking community. The following is the text of letter, dated March 07, they wrote to Dr. Asanga Gunawansa, PC, Director-General Interim Secretariat for Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM): We, activists, […]

By Neville Ladduwahetty During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s India visit in July 2023, five Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) were signed by India and Sri Lanka to establish physical connections between the two countries. This was followed more recently by the launch of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – a mechanism that claims to reduce the cost […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita Water consumption has increased significantly due to the dry weather coupled with unusually high temperatures since last month, compelling the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to urge people to use sparingly, Water Supply Professionals Trade Union Alliance (WSPTUA), coordinator Neil Leelarathna says. Leelaratne said that people consumed more water due […...

… asks for reappraisal of pay structure CB never opposed pay hikes for anyone: Governor By Shamindra Ferdinando Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Dr. Harsha de Silva on Tuesday (05) said what was at issue was the sheer size of salary increase granted to Central Bank (CB) employees. The SJB lawmaker said […]

The gross salary of the lowest ranking employee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), an Office Assistant – Grade 1, has been increased by 29.53% up to Rs. 188,827 in accordance with a collective agreement, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane told Parliament yesterday. Responding to a question by SJB Colombo District MP S. M. […]

said that a crisis caused by appointing excise commissioners in a haphazard manner without following […]

India presented a new perspective to conceptualise its relationship with the West. The perspective is based on emphasizing its distinctions from BRICS co-founders China and Russia. The new approach came through by way of a response to a query, during the recently concluded 60th Munich Security Conference, about India’s freedom to choose between multiple partners […]

by Jehan Perera President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a conference of over 300 members from inter-religious committees from across the country summed up his plan for national reconciliation in less than 20 minutes.  The president was clear in his articulation. He spoke with no notes.  There were no superfluities in his speech.  He noted how racism […]

Pakistan must navigate challenges in the finance sector by diversifying its economic alliances, reducing dependence on singular partners, and negotiating funding arrangements that align with its long-term developmental objectives. The road ahead demands astute diplomatic manoeuvring, a commitment to economic resilience, and a proactive approach to curb corruption and inefficiencies of the Pakistan...