State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, announced the introduction of the DIGIECON 2030 program, aimed at accelerating Sri Lanka’s economy towards an inclusive digital ecosystem through the utilization of advanced technology-based solutions. The program includes a comprehensive digital master

The economic and political landscape of Nepal is currently facing a dual assault from its neighbor, China. As the country grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, the once-thriving Tatopani market stands as a somber reminder of the destructive power of nature. However, the decline of this border town is not solely due to […]

BEIJING, June 28 (Reuters) – Annual profits at China’s industrial firms extended a double-digit decline in the first five months as softening demand squeezed margins, reinforcing hopes of more policy support to bolster a stuttering post-COVID economic recovery. The 18.8% year-on-year slump in profits came on top of the 20.6% contraction in January-April, and added […]

By Usvatte-aratchi Professor Anura Manatunga, the Director General of Archaeology, who would not take any more, resigned from that prestigious post soon after hectoring by a powerful but amateur historian. Why would he not take it anymore? He would not because he could not fire an arrow against the Teflon-clad armour of an executive president […]

Through the eyes of Sena Thoradeniya: Sena Thoradeniya discussed successful US operations here taking into similar interventions in the past and present. The examination of the Egyptian and Iranian scenarios is surely useful. Those genuinely concerned about what went wrong for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who didn’t really receive the backing of any section of the international […]

by Sanath Nanayakkare India will continue to play a constructive role as a Co-Chair of the Creditors Committee along with Japan and the Paris Club, Vinod K Jacob, Indian Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) said in Colombo recently. He said so at the Inauguration of the Construction, Power and Energy Expo 2023 in Colombo on 7 […]

Udeni Kaluthantri, a 54-year-old port worker, became an overnight sensation last year for reasons that had nothing to do with his job. Days after protesters stormed the presidential palace in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, a video surfaced of Mr Kaluthantri lounging on a bed draped with the presidential flag. Pictures of young men jumping […]

When the five days long stretch of holidays ended last week and the Colombo bourse reopened for trading on Tuesday, the market surged 6.71 percent (633.69 points up) on the broad All Share Price Index (ASPI) while the Standard and Poor SL 20 index covering the 20 largest and more liquid companies quoted on the […]

By Amal JAYASINGHE The snaking queues for food and fuel that crisscrossed Sri Lanka last year have given way to a different kind of line — people scrambling for travel documents to flee their bankrupt island. “What we see as normalcy is a mirage,” customer care executive Gayan Jayewardena, 43, told AFP while queueing at […]

India plans to allow Sri Lanka up to 12 years to repay its debt to help ease the financial burden on the country, India’s Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) Ltd’s Chairman-cum-Managing Director M. Senthilnathan said. Sri Lanka, facing its worst economic and political crisis in over seven decades, owes $7.1 billion to bilateral creditors— $3 […]

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate and the Standing Lending Facility Rate by 200 basis points to 11.00 percent and 12.00 percent respectively.The Central Bank said it took this decision at the monetary board meeting conducted on Wednesday. The board arrived at this decision following […]

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar referred to China as a ‘significant neighbour’ to India and emphasized the need for mutual respect and adherence to agreements to maintain a healthy relationship. Speaking at the India International Centre, he acknowledged the challenges in the India-China relationship, stating that the abnormal state of the border remains a key […]

‘Forty MPs skipping DDO vote inexcusable’ By Shamindra Ferdinando Former Director, Administration of Parliament Lacille de Silva said that both Parliament and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) should reveal whether they were satisfied with the progress in the ongoing project funded by the latter to improve the parliamentary system. De Silva said that parliamentary […]

CP Chairman DEW G says lawmakers here should be aware of what is going on in the world. The Parliament cannot turn a blind eye to global developments, the former MP said, pointing out that the ongoing Ukrainian crisis underscored the need for greater understanding of international affairs as the rapid developments taking place with […]

Parliament disregarded COPE recommendation for PSC By Shamindra Ferdinando Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) leader and SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, MP, has called for the setting up of a special commission to investigate those who bankrupted the economy.  Ranawaka said that those who had served

by Jehan Perera President Ranil Wickremesinghe notched up another achievement when Parliament ratified the Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) programme with a majority of 60 votes, with 122 members voting for and 62 against, with 40 abstentions. Parliamentarians who would need to think about their re-election prospects would have been reluctant to vote for a programme […]