A fundamental rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, asserting that holding a presidential election without the proper enactment of the 19th Constitutional Amendment into law violates the fundamental rights of the people of Sri Lanka. Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri Unawatuna clarified the legal arguments underpinning the petition. The petition, filed by Unawatuna, requests…
In a significant boost reflecting the international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic reforms, the OPEC Fund has agreed to provide financial assistance of LKR 30 billion (USD 100 million) for the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Project. This support highlights the benefits of Sri Lanka’s successful debt restructuring efforts. State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe announced…
Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2024-2028 was approved by the cabinet of Sri Lanka. The National Action Plan ( NAP) consists of 13 main sectors with 5 sub sectors, namely Gender Empowerment, Child Affairs, Social Protection & Welfare, Education (General Education, Higher Education, Vocational and Technical Education & Training), Health…
Despite accusations from social media and opposition parties alleging government inaction against former State Minister Diana Gamage, prosecutors have sought the Attorney General’s instructions to frame charges. The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court heard six cases against Gamage yesterday (11th) for violating immigration laws. The cases, filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), highlight the complexity…
Chethana Gomis Sri Lanka has objected to India’s proposal to explore cobalt deposits in the Indian Ocean. Thus, our country had objected to India’s recent proposal to obtain the necessary right to explore a cobalt deposit that may belong to the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka. Colombo argues that the area India wants to explore for…
Harsha Gunasena Ahilan Kadirgamar (hereinafter referred to as AK), whose colourful academic credentials i.e., bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, master’s in economics and a doctorate in anthropology would impress anyone, has written an article titled “Kenya to Sri Lanka: Protests, IMF and High Ambition” to the Daily Mirror published on July 1, 2024 (https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Kenya-to-Sri-Lanka-Protests-IMF-and-high-ambition/172-286106). I…
The second phase of the “Aswesuma” welfare benefit program will begin data collection from July 15 to 30, as announced by the Welfare Benefits Board. Following the successful qualification of over 1.8 million individuals in the first phase, an additional 450,924 applications have been received for the second phase. The identification process to determine eligible…
The government has decided to impose taxes on 14 additional sectors, announced State Minister of Finance, Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Among these sectors are large-scale private tutoring classes, private schools, private medical service centers, engineering service centers, and mining services. State Minister Siyambalapitiya stated that the Inland Revenue Department will conduct thorough investigations into the income…
Sri Lanka’s government debt stock has seen a notable reduction of 2.76%, amounting to Rs 803.2 billion, as of April 30, 2024. This decrease brings the total debt from Rs 29,150.4 billion on December 31, 2023, down to Rs 28,347.2 billion. A significant reduction was observed in the foreign debt stock, which fell by 9.2%…
Chethana Gomis Extending the principal loan repayment grace period till 2028 will save the country $500 crores. Sri Lanka has also concluded a debt restructuring agreement with International Sovereign Bondholders. Sri Lankan foreign debt amounts to USD 37 billion, comprising USD 10.6 billion in bilateral debt. Regarding accusations from many parties that the Government has…
