News

CoPF to meet today again domestic debt restructuring!

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2023

editor

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) is scheduled to meet today (30) as well to take a decision on the domestic debt restructuring plan.

CoPF Chair MP Harsha De Silva said the committee which met yesterday consulted and obtained views and opinions from several shareholders.

“Productive discussions were held with creditors including banks and insurance funds, who expressed relief over the proposed Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) plan. The exclusion of banks allows them to aggressively participate in the market, supporting businesses, especially the hard-hit MSME sector,” he said in a tweet.

In a series of tweets, he said that the impact on the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) will be widely discussed today.

“We meet to reach a consensus and proceed to a debate in Parliament. We will also brief non-CoPF members for better understanding and fruitful debates this weekend,” he said.

The domestic debt restructuring plan is scheduled to be debated in Parliament tomorrow. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentary group that met yesterday (29) has already decided to vote against it, SJB General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

While banks were excluded due to existing stress & non-performing loans, the EPF/ETF, which carries most of the burden, faces potential opportunity loss and lacks a say in decisions impacting peoples’ life savings. This raises questions about #equity and #transparency. 2/6
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) June 29, 2023

Productive discussions were held with #creditors incl #banks and insurance funds, who expressed relief over the proposed #DDO plan. The exclusion of banks allows them to aggressively participate in the market, supporting businesses, especially the hard-hit #MSME sector. 4/6 #SME
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) June 29, 2023

Tomorrow, we meet again to reach a consensus & proceed to @ParliamentLK debate. We'll also brief non-COPF members for better understanding and fruitful debates this weekend. Stay tuned for updates on this critical step towards our economic recovery! #DDO #SriLankaEconomy 6/6
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) June 29, 2023

News

12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

Published

2 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Kaduwela
Battaramulla
Kolonnawa
Kotikawatta
Mulleriyawa
IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
Maharagama
Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia
Ratmalana and Moratuwa

News

Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

Published

2 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.

News

Ex-Minister Duminda Dissanayake arrested

Published

2 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

Former Minister and Anuradhapura District Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) – Duminda Dissanayake, has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the discovery of a gold-colored T-56 assault rifle at a luxury apartment complex in Havelock Town, Wellawatte.

The firearm, found earlier this week, led to the arrest of 03 suspects, based on information revealed during interrogations conducted in connection with the incident.