by Prageeth Sampath Karunathilaka, Oct 12, 2023State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated in August that the government had reduced the import tax on a kilogram of maize by 50 rupees. The previous import duty for a kilogram of maize was 75 rupees. Consequently, the import duty on a kilogram of maize has now been lowered to 25 rupees. The government’s decision to reduce the import tax on maize is aimed at lowering the cost…
Posts published in “Sri Lanka”
By Indika Sakalasooriya in Daily Mirror, Oct 13, 2023China has taken the front seat in Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring process making a calculated move akin to a chessboard strategy, catching everyone off-guard, by entering a preliminary debt deal with the Sri Lanka authorities. Despite being Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral lender, China remained in shadows as Sri Lanka initiated negotiations with its creditors to restructure its debt, following a default on its foreign loans in…
By Hemantha RandunuDubai-based underworld figures are reportedly issuing threats to law enforcement officers, particularly those engaged in combating organised crime, according to police sources.These criminals aim to disrupt operations against the underworld, with former IP Balendrasingha, recently assassinated, being among the officers consistently targeted with death threats. Sources said Balendrasingha’s assassination was intended to serve as a warning to other members of the police force.The police estimate around 50 underworld leaders are currently based in…
report in Daily FT, Oct 10, 2023The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka (CBCS) has written to President Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting copies of reports compiled by international law enforcement and secret service agencies including those from the US, UK, India, China, Australia and Pakistan on the Easter Sunday attack. In a letter dated 6 October, the CBCS observed that President Wickremesinghe had discussed these reports in a recent interview with the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.…
by Kelum Bandara in Daily Mirror, Oct 10, 2023The government has moved to change the parliamentary electoral system triggering fears in political circles whether it is yet another attempt to postpone the national elections including the Presidential Election pending next year, Daily Mirror learns. Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has submitted a Cabinet resolution seeking approval to introduce a new system to elect members to Parliament under a mixed system. According to the resolution, the electorates…
Only a small number of Sri Lankans might have taken note of the recent reports that around 100 Indian fishermen and over a dozen Indian fishing vessels had been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy for engaging in bottom trawling activities in the island’s waters during the first eight months of the year. Since this has been a routine issue that occasionally makes headlines, people of this country tend to ignore it as something that…
report in Colombo Gazette, Oct 8, 2023The Government is keen to go ahead with a systematic development plan for the Trincomalee Port prepared by a Singaporean company, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today. President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled an ambitious 10-year initiative aimed at boosting agriculture and tourism in the Eastern Province, with a particular focus on the development of Trincomalee. He highlighted plans to harness the untapped potential of the Mahaweli A and B zones in…
by Kelum Bandara in Daily Mirror, Oct 9, 2023Emboldened by the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the expulsion of Nazeer Ahamed from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leading to the termination of his parliamentary seat, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said it would seriously consider similar disciplinary action against around 25 of its MPs who broke ranks with it, a party official said. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the decision by…
By Rathindra Kuruwita in The Island, Oct 6, 2023Sri Lanka has made good progress in debt restructuring discussions with China, and negotiations with all parties will be concluded around the same time, Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe says. Addressing the media in Colombo on Thursday, Dr. Weerasinghe, in answer to a question posed by a journalist, denied reports that progress in debt restructuring discussions with China was lagging compared to that in…
report in Economy Next, Oct 6, 2023 at 08:09 pmSri Lanka’s Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, who has tabled a controversial Online Safety Bill (OSB) in the parliament, has agreed to have broader consultation with key stakeholders before voting in the legislature. Opposition parties, media organizations, and social media activists have raised concerns over the government move to introduce the bill. Though the government initially said the expected legislation was to protect children and women…
By Rathindra Kuruwita in The Island, Oct 6, 2023Sri Lanka has made good progress in debt restructuring discussions with China, and negotiations with all parties will be concluded around the same time, Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe says. Addressing the media in Colombo on Thursday, Dr. Weerasinghe, in answer to a question posed by a journalist, denied reports that progress in debt restructuring discussions with China was lagging compared to that in…