News

President’s House to be shifted to Sandun Uyana

Published

2 months ago

March 27, 2023

editor

The government has decided to construct a new President’s Official Residence and the Presidential Secretariat on the site of the National ‘Sandun Uyana’ (Sandalwood Garden) built at a cost of Rs.300 million.

Since it has been decided to use the President’s House premises in Colombo Fort for a development project under the Colombo Port City Project, it has been decided to build a new President’s House and the Secretariat at the Sandun Uyana.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne has also recommended that the Sandun Uyana prepared in nine acres near the Parliament premises is suitable for that purpose.

Accordingly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to prepare future plans and submit a report.

The President’s Office said that it has also been decided to relocate the Prime Minister’s office and the Prime Minister’s official residence on another plot of land located near the Sandun Uyana.

The President has informed the UDA to look into the possibility of moving the Cabinet office to another plot of land nearby, and the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to study the space required for this construction and submit a report.

The Sandun Uyana project was built and opened during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

A total of 300 red sandalwood plants and 900 white sandalwood plants were planted in the garden at a cost of Rs.300 million by the UDA.

Although this garden was planned to be opened by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 20, 2021, it was opened by Minister Namal Rajapaksa.

News

Bus collides head-on with lorry injuring 22

Published

1 hour ago

June 9, 2023

editor

A bus belonging to SLTB collided head-on with a lorry at Embulgama in Hanwella on the Colombo-Avissawella Road early this morning (9).

The drivers of both vehicles and 20 bus passengers were injured in the accident and hospitalized.

The accident occurred when the lorry travelling from Colombo towards Avissawella collided head-on with the bus travelling from Akkaraipattu to Colombo.

News

Chinese National protest deportation at BIA!

Published

1 hour ago

June 9, 2023

editor

The Chinese man, who was arrested for entering Sri Lanka with a fake passport, has behaved aggressively saying that he cannot return to China when he was brought to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to be deported, airport sources said.

He was brought to the airport yesterday (08) around 5 pm under strict security of two STF officials, a police inspector from the Police Narcotics Bureau and an officer from the Immigration Department.

Sources said that when he was brought to the final gate to board the plane, he began to behave violently saying that he could not return to China.

A senior official at the airport said that the security personnel had to use force to get the Chinese national to board the SriLankan Airlines flight UL884 and took him to China with great effort.

The three police officers and the immigration officer also went to China along with the suspect.

News

ADB provides SL access to concessional financing

Published

12 hours ago

June 8, 2023

editor

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said it has approved Sri Lanka’s eligibility to access concessional financing.

The availability of concessional assistance, offered at low interest rates, broadens Sri Lanka’s options to bridge its urgent development financing needs to restore economic stability and deliver essential services, particularly to the poor and vulnerable, the Philippines‎-based regional development bank said in a press release.

Eligibility for concessional resources among the ADB’s developing member countries is based on gross national income per capita and creditworthiness.

ADB explained that its decision was considered based on a request from the Sri Lanka government in view of the severe and unprecedented economic crisis that has reversed hard-won development gains.

“ADB is committed to further enhancing its support for the people of Sri Lanka as the country responds to this deep crisis that has severely undermined their livelihoods and well-being,” said ADB Director General for South Asia, Kenichi Yokoyama. “The availability of concessional assistance will help Sri Lanka to lay the foundation for economic recovery and sustained, inclusive growth.”

Thus, Sri Lanka is now eligible for ADB support including concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions that together comprise a comprehensive suite of options to address the crisis.

The ADB notes that access to concessional financing will also ease debt servicing pressures through more favourable lending terms.