Limit of USD in possession, decreased

The limit of foreign currency notes in possession of any person has been decreased to USD 10,000 from USD 15,000, says the Central Bank Governor, Nandalal Weerasinghe.

Speaking at the Central Bank today (19), the Governor said that under the Foreign Exchange Act, there is a limit anyone can hold foreign currency, which used to be a value of maximum 15,000 dollars.

New Cabinet of 20 to be sworn in next week

The new Cabinet of Ministers is to be sworn in next week and it will be limited to 20 members, including the Prime Minister, informed sources said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Ministers to be appointed that they will be allowed to use only one security vehicle.

Harsha ready to take on the role of COPF Chairman

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said yesterday (16), that he is ready to take on the role of Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (COPF), stating that his joining the Cabinet as an ‘independent MP’ will only worsen the political crisis.

This is given the deadlock in creating an all-party government to resolve current economic crisis in the country, as well as to give leadership to prepare All Party Economic Revival Plan as a Parliamentary proposal that is .approved by the majority, he said.

AG orders arrest of Johnston and 21 others

The Attorney General has ordered the arrest of 22 persons affiliated with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in connection with the violence that transpired on 09 May.

MPs Johnston Fernando, Sanath Nishantha, Sanjeewa Edirimanna and Milan Jayathilake and Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon are amongst those named by Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam.

Special statement from Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s special statement addressing the nation commenced, a short while ago.

He stated that last Thursday, he had accepted the Premiership of Sri Lanka and that it was not what he had asked for.

SLFP decided to support RANIL LED GOVT

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has reportedly decided to support the government led by new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Accordingly, a letter has also been forwarded to the Prime Minister in this regard, sources claimed.

230 under arrest over recent violent incidents

Sri Lanka Police says it has arrested a total of 230 suspects in connection with curfew violations, looting, assaults, public and private property damages and other offences following the unrest that broke out on the 9th of May. According to police spokesperson, 68 of the arrestees are currently in remand custody.

Intelligence agencies alert on regrouping of ex-LTTE cadres

Intelligence agencies have warned of an erstwhile cadre of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) regrouping to launch attacks in Sri Lanka, as the country is embroiled in a deep economic and political crisis.

As the island nation has declared emergency twice amid escalating violent protests, some sections of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, with multinational links, were trying to make their presence “felt” in the ongoing clashes between protesters and security forces, police sources said on Friday.