Rajith Keerthy Tennakoon Director General of Community Affairs at the President’s Office delivering a special media statement today (05) stated that between the assumption of office by  President Ranil Wickremesinghe and February 2024, the Government of Sri Lanka has settled a total of US$ 1909.7 million in foreign debt and interest payments. He also highlighted […]

By Saman Indrajith Around 75,000 Sri Lankans have left for overseas jobs during the first three months of 2024, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) says.SLBFE said yesterday (04) that 74,499 Sri Lankan workers had left for foreign employment, and 46 percent of them were women. There has been a slight drop in […]

Money, exchange rates, and money printing are crucial components of a nation’s monetary policy framework, wielding significant influence over economic and financial stability. This intricate relationship between these fundamental factors directly affects financial and economic dynamics. I am going to examine the nexus between these factors, clarifying their roles in the financial system and ...

By Jehan Perera Tracing history and going back to the colonial era, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that despite the adverse impact of world wars and internal conflicts, Sri Lanka has steadfastly upheld its democratic value of ensuring the functioning of both the government and the opposition without interruption.  The president was addressing members of […]

By Norman Palihawadane The CID is investigating a human trafficking network enabling Lankan ex servicemen to fight as mercenaries in both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war, Police headquarters sources said on Friday. According to information confirmed by the investigators, at least five such mercenaries have been killed in the fighting. There were two confirmed deaths […]

Fergus Cumming, Deputy Chief Economist of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), concluded a three-day visit to Colombo from 18 to 20 March, British High Commission said in a statement. Fergus engaged in constructive discussions with key stakeholders, including the State Minister of Finance, Central Bank Governor, IMF Representatives, Diplomatic counterparts, opposition parties, ...

In an unprecedented display of candor, Premier Li Qiang’s inaugural government work report delivered a scathing indictment of the myriad economic woes plaguing China at the recently concluded National People’s Congress in Beijing. The wide-ranging report pulled no punches in exposing the cascading domestic fragilities and external hostilities that threaten to derail the world’s second-largest [...

Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a period of high growth, driven by proactive government policies, strategic investments, and concerted efforts aimed at unlocking the region’s immense potential. • Jammu and Kashmir contributes approximately 0.8 percent to India’s GDP, in alignment with its population share of 0.9 percent and its FDI and exports are expanding, with […]

Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a period of high growth, driven by proactive government policies, strategic investments, and concerted efforts aimed at unlocking the region’s immense potential. • Jammu and Kashmir contributes approximately 0.8 percent to India’s GDP, in alignment with its population share of 0.9 percent and its FDI and exports are expanding, with […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe participating in a friendly discussion organized by the ‘United Youth Union’ on the theme ‘Future of our Youth’ in Polonnaruwa on Saturday (23), stressed the necessity of a new economic reform program for the country’s economic recovery. He requested for collective support from all citizens to prevent the next generation from inheriting […]

by Rajan Philips The Election Commission of India has set a staggering 44-day timetable for the country’s 18th Lok Sabha elections, between April 19 and June 1, with the results declared on June 4. There will be seven phases of voting – on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, […]

After constructive discussions in Colombo, IMF Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and Deputy Mission Chief Ms. Katsiaryna Svirydzenka issued the following statement: “The IMF team reached staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on the second review under the economic reform program supported by a 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement and concluded the 2024 […]

… corruption cited as one of the three issues faced by the country Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi Thursday (21) urged Sri Lanka to turn the continuing economic, political and social crisis into an opportunity to achieve success. The Ambassador said that the country should take advantage of the continuing external pressure to adopt reforms, build-up […]

Following productive discussions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lankan authorities have achieved a staff-level agreement on economic policies, marking a significant step in concluding the second review of the 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF)-supported program and the 2024 Article IV Consultation. This was stated by Mr. Peter Breuer, IMF Senior Mission Chief during […]

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on the second review under the economic reform program supported by a 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. The EFF arrangement was approved by the IMF Executive Board for a total amount of SDR 2.3 billion (about US$3 billion) on March […]