News

Police admit an election has been announced

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2023

editor

The Police Headquarters said holding demonstrations is prohibited since an election has been announced. It said, according to the Police Ordinance, relevant police stations must be notified six hours in advance if a demonstration is to be held.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the people can gather peacefully and express their opinions, but if they organize a demonstration, there will be severe disruption to the traffic on the road.

He said the Constitution has safeguarded the people’s right to peacefully assemble and express their views by selecting a venue under the purview of a local government body through the relevant local government body.

SSP Thalduwa said that large gatherings and demonstrations will disrupt the public order, and if a notice is given six hours in advance, the relevant police stations will be able to ensure that the roads are not blocked.

No election!

However, on February 23, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament that there is no election.

In a special statement, the President said that there is no election to postpone.

“The Opposition did not ask for a debate on essential services. They wanted a debate on the postponing of the election. The election has not been postponed. There is no election to be postponed. I was not involved in this debate. I have said this before as well, that I don’t want to talk about politics.”

“The Election Commission has also gone to the court and said that an election cannot be held. However, I thought of saying a few words since several petitions have been filed,” he said.

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

(dailymirror.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

China Pledges Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2024

editor

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has met with the Chinese Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min.

This meeting was held on the sidelines of the ADB annual meeting in Georgia.

Minister Semasinghe said on X ”at this discussion China assured its fullest support and cooperation to conclude the debt restructuring process in Sri Lanka.”

Furthermore, he said that China reaffirmed steadfast support to Sri Lanka on all fronts.(news first.lk)