News

English compulsory when recruiting teachers: President

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2023

editor

Steps will be taken to provide English education in every school within the next 10 years and to make English compulsory when recruiting teachers, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

The President made these remarks while joining the ‘Rahal Siyawas Prathapa’ centenary celebrations held at the school premises yesterday (25).

The President said new subjects, such as climate change and history should be introduced. He also emphasized the importance of science, art, literature, and geography.

“Every student must study a science subject and an art subject.We are currently working to connect all A/L to the internet, and we plan to extend this to the O/L schools as well,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of education for the future of the country and stated that the government’s programme to build a developed Sri Lanka by 2048 gives special attention to education.

The government’s aspiration is to create a new education system in the country by 2035, and the government is ready to spend to modernize education in the future, he said.

News

PNB seize over Rs. 280 mn. in biggest drug money bust

Published

10 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has seized a stash of currency notes amounting Rs. 283 million.

It is said that this is the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in Sri Lanka.

The banknotes were recovered from a residence in Kurunegala during a search operation. 18 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), a double-cab, and a van were also seized during the raid.
According to police, the money allegedly belongs to a suspect who is currently in prison.

The suspect was presented before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court and the Magistrate has granted permission for authorities to detain and further interrogate him.

News

Energy Ministry differs on electricity tariffs (Update)

Published

10 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

Hours after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced a 20% average reduction in electricity tariffs effective from midnight today (Jan. 17), the Energy Ministry has stated that the tariff revision would be implemented only upon receiving approval from the Finance Ministry.

In a media release, the Ministry has said that the proposals should be first officially received and thereafter they would need Finance Ministry advice.

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(Previous News : January 17, 2025 3.05pm)

Electricity tariffs slashed by 20%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to slash electricity tariffs by an overall average of 20 percent.

The tariff reduction will affect all consumer categories and will come into effect from midnight today (Jan. 17).

The PUCSL’s proposed reductions are as follows;

Domestic tariff – reduced by 20%
Places of worship – reduce by 21%
Hotels – reduced by 31%
Industries – reduced by 30%
Government Institutions – reduced by 11%

Electricity tariffs reduction (Domestic)

0-30 units reduced by 29%
31-60 by 28%
61-90 by 19%
91-180 by 18%
More than 180 by 19%

BIZ

SL – China currency swap agreement, renewed

Published

11 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People’s Bank of China, in December 2024, successfully renewed the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed in 2021, for a period of another three (03) years, under the terms and conditions stipulated in the original agreement.

The CNY 10 billion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) currency swap facility reflects the financial cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, while Mr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, signed on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.

(CBSL)