News

Lanka’s poverty rate doubled, says World Bank

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic crisis is estimated to have doubled the poverty rate from 13.1 percent to 25 percent and it is projected to remain above 25 percent for the next few years due to the multiple risks to households’ livelihoods, the World Bank said in its twice-a-year update on Sri Lanka this week.

“The crisis reversed years of gains in poverty reduction and human capital development,” the update said, noting that the crisis had added an additional 2.5 million poor people.

Vulnerability to income shocks has also increased with many non-poor households living close to the poverty line – 5.7 percent of the population lives less than 10 percent above the poverty line and a further 5.6 percent lives between 10 and 20 percent above it. All these households are highly vulnerable to falling into poverty in the event of a negative income shock, according to the report.

The international financial outfit also projected that the country’s economy would continue to face significant challenges this year and beyond with the country’s economy contracting by 4.3 percent this year, while demand continued to be subdued, job and income losses intensified, and supply-side constraints adversely affected production.

“Growth prospects are subject to high uncertainty and will depend on the progress of debt restructuring with timely and effective implementation of fiscal consolidation, and growth-enhancing structural reforms,” the World Bank said, while pointing out that the country could use this crisis as an opportunity to build a strong and resilient economy.

(Sunday Times)

News

CoI on Deshabandu concludes examining evidence by both parties

Published

3 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The examination of evidence by both the Respondent and the Prosecution before the Committee of Inquiry concluded.

The Committee recommends that both parties submit their written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on the 8th of July.

Examining evidence before the Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power, concluded yesterday (July 01), with the presentation of evidence by both the Respondent, representing Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the Prosecution.

The Committee of Inquiry, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman, National Police Commission, convened today, during which, testimonies were obtained from two additional witnesses by the Prosecution.

These two witnesses had been overseas on official duty. Thus, in accordance with the prior agreement between the two parties, reached to obtain the evidence post June 26, held before the Committee of Inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and

Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, it was decided to record the statements of these two witnesses today.Furthermore, both the Prosecution in representation of the Attorney General’s Department and the Respondent Inspector General of Police agreed to submit their respective written submissions to the Committee of Inquiry before 3:30 p.m. on July 08, 2025.

News

Govt to present 2026 Appropriation Bill in October

Published

6 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to a proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance , Planning and Economic Development to present the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 to Parliament in October 2025.

Approval has also been granted to present the Budget speech in November 2025 and to hold the third reading and budget debate during November and December.