News

China calls on commercial & multilateral creditors to take part in SL debt restructuring

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2023

editor

China has called on commercial and multilateral creditors to take part in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring under the principle of fair burden-sharing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin has expressed these sentiments at the MFA’s Regular Press Conference held today (01).

Mr. Wang was responding to a query on whether the Chinese MFA had any comment on the IMF approving a $3 billion loan program for Sri Lanka.

“We think this is good news and believe this will better help Sri Lanka address the crisis and get out of the difficult situation. The Export-Import Bank of China has provided financing support documents to Sri Lanka to help it truly address the debt issues swiftly and effectively, which fully speaks to China’s sincerity and effort to support Sri Lanka in achieving debt sustainability. China stands ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions and continue to play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the situation, easing its debt burden and helping it achieve sustainable development. In the meantime, we call on commercial and multilateral creditors to take part in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring under the principle of fair burden-sharing,” he has said.

News

Helicopter crash during SLAF training session

Published

23 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09).

It crashed during a training session at the Hingurakgoda Air Force Base.

Further reports indicate that the helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

29 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.