President gives nod to form an interim all-party govt

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has extended an invitation to form an all-party government comprising all political parties represented in the Parliament, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said in a statement issued today regarding the meeting held with party leaders and representatives who now sit independently in Parliament.

The discussion was held at the President’s House in Colombo this morning.

Senior police officer arrested over Rambukkana shooting

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has arrested the former SSP for Kegalle, K.B. Keerthirathna over the shooting which took place in Rambukkana. The Kegalle Magistrate ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest the Senior Superintendent of Police for Kegalle who ordered to open fire at protestors in Rambukkana recently, as well as the police officers who were involved in it. It was revealed in court that the man who died when police opened fire at protestors, had in fact died due to gun shot injuries. Moreover, three other members of the firing squad were arrested in the Kundasale area in Kandy

Strike today to pressure President, govt. to quit

Over 1,000 trade unions representing various sectors will hold a massive islandwide one-day strike today (28) in support of the on-going wave of protests against the incumbent Government.

Health, bank, power, petroleum, education, and other unions that participate in the one-day strike will not disrupt essential services or patient care, according to the Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC). The strike will be joined by unions representing the ports and railways as well.

Purchase invoice made mandatory by Consumer Affairs Authority

Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority has made it mandatory for traders to publish accurate data when selling goods, and have also made it mandatory for the possession of a purchase bill or invoice.

The Consumer Affairs Authority directed all Manufacturers, Producers, Store owners, Suppliers, Distributors or Traders shall have a receipt or bill or invoice in writing or printing or electronic for the goods in their possession, custody or under their control.

Fitch Places 12 Sri Lankan Non-Bank Financial Institutions on Rating Watch Negative

Fitch Ratings has placed the National Long-Term Ratings of 12 Sri Lankan non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) on Rating Watch Negative (RWN).

The entities are:

Finance and Leasing Companies:
- Bimputh Finance PLC (Bimputh)
- CBC Finance LTD (CBCF)
- Central Finance Company PLC (CF)
- Fintrex Finance Limited (Fintrex)
- HNB Finance PLC (HNBF)

President agrees to form an all-party government

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he is, on principle, willing to form an all-party government with the political parties representing the parliament.

He conveyed this in a letter directed to the political party leaders representing the ruling faction.

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.