News

All eyes are on China – Nuland

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

editor

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said on today (01) that the United States wants to see an IMF agreement for Sri Lanka as soon as possible.

Speaking to media in Colombo, she said that the United States and the Paris Club are doing their part to see an IMF agreement for Sri Lanka come through, however, added that what China has offered in terms of debt restructuring and relief is not enough.

“We need to see credible and specific assurances that they will meet the IMF standard of debt relief,” she added.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo for talks on the ongoing US support for Sri Lanka.

She noted that the United States is for a quick conclusion of the negotiations with the IMF, and expects all of Sri Lanka’s major creditors to work with the IMF.

“We expect that China will provide credible and specific assurances regarding its readiness to join the rest of us in meeting the IMF standards regarding debt restructuring. So, we are seeing the rest of Sri Lanka’s creditors come forward with those assurances, and now all eyes are on China to do the same,” she noted.

Ms. Nuland has also said it is important for Sri Lanka to go ahead with the March elections and the people of Sri Lanka must be allowed to have a voice in their future.

“It is vital time for Sri Lanka to strengthen its democracy, its governance, and its reconciliation. This includes proceeding with local elections this March, giving people across the country a voice in their future,” she said.

News

Bill suspending Parate Law, passed

Published

7 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

The Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, which was amended to facilitate legal provisions for the suspension of Parate Law until December 15, 2024, was passed in Parliament without amendments today (May 07).

This amendment introduces legal provisions for the suspension of the Parate Law until December 15, 2024.

News

Mervyn granted bail

Published

8 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta today (May 07) ordered the release of former Minister Mervyn Silva on bail over the SLRC assault incident in 2007.

He was ordered to be released on a surety of Rs. 500,000.

Silva was accused of threatening and assaulting a former journalist of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

The Magistrate also ordered to immediately arrest former municipal councillor – Lal Peiris, who was named as the third suspect in the case, and produce him before the court.

The Magistrate also banned him from travelling overseas.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Appeals Court rejects Wijeyadasa’s petition against interim order

Published

8 hours ago

May 7, 2024

editor

The Court of Appeal today dismissed the petition filed by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe seeking to suspend the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the Acting Chairman of SLFP during an executive committee meeting held on April 21, by the party’s faction led by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

On April 24, the Colombo District Court issued an injunction order preventing Minister Wijeyadasa from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the SLFP.

The court has also issued an injunction order preventing MP Sarathie Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP.

Meanwhile, the court had issued another injunction preventing the implementation of the decisions taken by the SLFP Acting General Secretary.

The Colombo District Judge issued these injunctions after considering a plaint submitted by Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Member of Parliament Duminda Dissanayake.

It was mentioned in the order that these injunctions will remain in effect until May 08, 2024.

However, Minister Rajapakshe had later filed a petition with the Court of Appeal seeking to invalidate the recent order issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of SLFP.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)