News

Vehicle import recommendations submitted to Finance Ministry – CBSL Governor

Published

7 months ago

October 9, 2024

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has issued necessary recommendations to the Finance Ministry on the import of vehicles in such a way that there is no obstruction to Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said.

In 2022, Sri Lanka faced the worst economic crisis in history. At that time, the then government imposed import restrictions on more than two thousand goods including vehicles.

But the restrictions were gradually relaxed, allowing several goods to be imported. Accordingly, the final relaxation should be to allow import to flow in without restriction.

Accordingly, the previous government had focused on giving full permission for the import of vehicles by February of next year.

At a press conference held at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka yesterday, a journalist asked the Central Bank Governor whether there will be a change in that decision now.

The Governor said that he had already given the recommendations to the Treasury to import vehicles in a manner that would not affect Sri Lanka’s official foreign reserves.

But he emphasized that the Finance Ministry should take the decision whether to allow vehicle imports that way.

News

SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

All personnel reportedly escaped without fatal injuries. Several have been hospitalised for treatment.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.