News

President to address the nation today: Semasinghe

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2023

editor

Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe yesterday (20) said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will address the nation today (21) on the main step forward in obtaining the assistance of USD 3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Mr. Semasinghe said that the necessary background to obtain the IMF approval was created as a result of the patience of the people as well as the unpopular but necessary reforms implemented by President Wickremesinghe.

“With the irresistible courage and commitment of the President, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other institutions, as well as the support of the IMF, we received the opportunity to access the IMF credit facility at the end of a massive process of eight months with the help of the creditors of our country and other countries. This approval was essential for the country at this time. The time has come for all of us to work together to strengthen the country’s economy,” he said.

Mr. Semasinghe said that he has performed the duties assigned to him by the President not only as a public representative but also as a Sri Lankan.

News

Batalanda commission report handed over to the AG

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The “Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme” which was recently tabled in Parliament, has been handed over to the Attorney General by the Presidential Secretariat following a directive from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The report, originally compiled over 25 years ago, was tabled in Parliament recently. The Government has taken a decision to take necessary action and as a result, actions have been initiated to hand over the report to the Attorney General’s Department today (29).

(President’s Media Division)

News

Ex-SLTB Vice Chairman granted bail

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The former Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), L.A. Wimalaratne, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) earlier today (April 29), has been released on bail.

He was arrested in connection with an investigation into a house in Kataragama, allegedly linked to the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

News

Franchise agreements of Colombo Strikers & Jaffna Kings terminated

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in collaboration with the event rights holder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) – the IPG Group, has officially announced that the franchise partnerships of the ‘Colombo Strikers’ and ‘Jaffna Kings’ have been terminated.

According to a statement issued today (April 28), the terminations were made due to the respective franchises’ failure to fulfill contractual obligations outlined in their agreements with the IPG Group, which were established at the commencement of their participation in the league.

Accordingly, the forthcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League will feature franchises representing Colombo and Jaffna under new ownership, the statement notes.

As the event rights holder, the IPG Group retains the exclusive rights over the LPL franchise teams and, accordingly, is vested with the authority to transfer and/or assign the ownership rights of the said franchises to interested parties.

Sri Lanka Cricket and The IPG Group remain committed to upholding the integrity, standards, and success of the Lanka Premier League and look forward to an exciting upcoming season with renewed participation.