Basil Rajapaksa’s plan to save Mahinda and govt

Close on the heels of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader MP Udaya Gammanpila’s declaration that the SLPP rebels and the SJB had the required strength to move a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the government, fellow rebel lawmaker Vasudeva Nanayakkara has accused the SJB of trying to save the incumbent dispensation.

 The General Secretary of the Democratic Left Front (DLF) Nanayakkara yesterday (26) told a hastily arranged media briefing, at his Maradana office, how the SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had cooperated with the SLPP strongman Basil Rajapaksa to undermine their efforts to move the proposed NCM.

Elon Musk buys Twitter for US$ 44B

Elon Musk clinched a deal to buy Twitter Inc TWTR.N for US$44 billion cash on Monday in a transaction that will shift control of the social media platform populated by millions of users and global leaders to the world’s richest person.

It is a seminal moment for the 16-year-old company, which emerged as one of the  world’s most influential public squares and now faces a string of challenges.

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.