People’s Bank & NSB yet to recover loans worth Rs. 700 bn.!

Published

6 months ago

November 29, 2023

editor

Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka the amount of loans not recovered by the People’s Bank & National Savings Bank, amounts to Rs. 700 billion.

Speaking in Parliament today (Nov. 29), he said that it extremely unfair to recapitalize banks through public taxes without recovering these loans.

He also revealed that names of several MPs are also among the lists of those who owe to banks in this manner.

The MP emphasised that although the Committee of Public Finance has requested for the lists, the banks have failed to produce them so far.

He added that if these lists are revealed, the reputation of many persons who talk of things such as corruption, injustice as well as law and order, will be in tatters.

Therefore, what the government should actually do is to propose an active programme to recover these loans instead of pressing the taxpayer for more.

Liquor shops closed

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2024

editor

All liquor shops across the country will be closed on May 23 and 24 in view of the Wesak festival, the Excise Department has announced

In the Matale city limits the liquor shops will be closed from May 21, 22, 23 and 24th as the State Wesak festival is being held in Matale this year.

RW expresses condolences over Iranian President’s death

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials.

“I express my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of President Raisi and his entourage,” the President said in a X message.

Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials. I express my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the government and the people of Iran.…
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) May 20, 2024

News

Chief prelates call to grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera on Vesak Day

Published

1 hour ago

May 20, 2024

editor

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha have urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a presidential pardon on Vesak Poya day.

In a letter to the President, the Chief Prelates noted that Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to four years in prison on March 28, 2024, after being found guilty of causing discord during a media discussion about the Kooragala Rajamaha Vihara in 2016.

They point out that the Thera had also taken steps to alert authorities about extremist activities in society, helping to prevent the spread of some extremist groups in Sri Lanka.

As a result, several potential extremist conflicts in Sri Lankan society were averted, the letter adds.