News

High Posts Committee approves 7 new appointments

Published

1 year ago

October 5, 2023

editor

The Committee on High Posts has approved seven new appointments including a Ministerial Secretary and an Ambassador, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of M.E.M. Joseph Weninger as the Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to Egypt.

Furthermore, the Committee approved W. M. Dharmapala as the High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh.

In addition to that, the appointment of H. M.B.P. Herath as the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, has also been approved.

The Committee has also approved the appointments of Major General (Retd) G. A. Chandrasiri as the Chairman of Airports and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited, Dr. S. W. M. Hettige as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology (Pvt) Limited, B.M.L Pathirana as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Press council and I. S. Wijesekara as the Chairman of Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation.

The Committee on High Posts met in Parliament recently (22) under the Chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

MPs Johnston Fernando, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Dharmalingam Siddharthan were also present.

News

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

Published

8 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

8 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

9 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)