Await massive disclosure soon - JVP Leader Anura

Documents related toillegal transactions by top officials will be disclosed to the public in the near future,JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said.

“From the President to the member of the Pradeshiya Sabha and certain businessmen, documents will be disclosed to the public,” he said yesterday (26).He said political stability can only be created by giving the people the opportunity for a new Government, whether or not political parties approve.

World Bank to provide USD 600 Mn in financial assistance to Sri Lanka

The World Bank has agreed to provide USD 600 million in financial assistance to address  the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

World Bank Country Manager Chiyo Kanda, following a meeting with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday, said USD 400 million will be released shortly under the first phase.

Kanda said so at a meeting between World Bank representatives and the President held at the President’s House.

12.5kg LP gas cylinder now Rs 4,860

Prices of domestic cylinders of gas were increased from midnight yesterday (26).

The price of a 12.5 kg Litro domestic cylinder of gas was increased by Rs 2,185, while the price of a 5 kg cylinder of gas was increased by Rs 874. The price of a 2.3 kg cylinder of gas was increased by Rs 404.

Thus, a 12.5 kg cylinder of gas will be sold at Rs 4,860, while 5 kg and 2.3 kg cylinders will be sold at
Rs 1,945 and Rs 910.

Cardinal Ranjith calls for justice and change in Sri Lanka

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, is in Rome to mark the anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka.

Food inflation recorded at 29.5% in March 2022

NCPI based headline inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 21.5 per cent in March 2022 from 17.5 per cent in February 2022 due to increases of prices of items in both Food and Non-food categories.

Meanwhile, Food inflation (Y-o-Y) and Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) recorded at 29.5 per cent and 14.5 per cent, respectively, in March 2022.

Furthermore, the NCPI measured on an annual average basis, increased to 10.6 per cent in March 2022 from 9.3 per cent in February 2022.

During the period under review (18.04.2022 to 22.04.2022), crude oil prices largely showed a declining trend. Crude oil prices declined mainly due to the reduced global growth forecast by the International Monetary Fund and potential rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve. Overall, Brent and WTI prices decreased by US dollars 5.44 per barrel and US dollars 5.00 per barrel, respectively, during the period.

IUSF Protestors surround PM’s Wijerama Residence

A tense situation has been reported near the Prime Minister’s residence at Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo as the protest march by university students headed towards the PM’s residence.

Hundreds of university students marched towards the PM’s official residence and are protesting in front of the residence while police officers have placed barricades to block them from entering the premises.

Two State Ministers to retain portfolios

The President’s Media Division (PMD) has issued a statement on the state ministerial portfolios previously held by MPs Piyal Nishantha and Lohan Ratwatte.

Thereby, the two parliamentarians will continue to serve in their state ministerial portfolios.

According to the PMD, Lohan Ratwatte will continue his tenure as the State Minister of Gem and Jewellery Related Industries.

Rambukkana Protest: Youth arrested for attempted arson released on bail

The youth who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for attempting to set ablaze a fuel bowser during the Rambukkan protest on Tuesday (19) was released on bail this afternoon (23).

The suspect, identified as a 27-year-old resident of Rambukkana, was arrested by tehe CID last night, and was produced before the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court today, wand was released on two surety bails of Rs.100,000 each.