News

IMF staff-level agreement likely to be signed on Nov. 23

Published

7 months ago

November 21, 2024

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed confidence that the staff-level agreement on the third review of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement for Sri Lanka could be finalized and signed by November 23.

He made the announcement while delivering the Government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka underway today (Nov. 21).

Signing the agreement on November 23 will mark a decisive step in advancing the IMF program,” he added.

The President also announced that the 2025 Budget will be presented to Parliament in February 2025, with an interim Vote on Account scheduled in the beginning of December 2024.

President Dissanayake further declared that will be no room for racial politics of religious extremism hereafter in the country.

Policy Statement of the President – 21.11.2024 Download

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

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Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

News

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

1 hour ago

July 1, 2025

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Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,

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Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

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The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.