Sri Lanka has issued its first residence visa under the Individual Investor Category, introduced under the amended Immigration and Emigration Regulations (Extraordinary Gazette No. 2360/24 dated 27 November 2023).
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The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened October with sustained positive momentum, supported by a robust turnover of LKR 6.46 Bn.
The Police have sought public assistance to find a Pakistani national wanted over smuggling of more than 111 kilograms of heroin into Sri Lanka in 2016.
Crimes like the murder of Wasim Thajudeen were not committed by Siripala or Gnanaratnam in the village, but by rulers who governed the country, Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today.
Sri Lanka will ban the free distribution of polythene shopping bags from November 1 under a new gazette notification, the government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The move comes after the Centre for Environmental Justice filed a fundamental rights petition seeking stronger measures to curb plastic use. Officials representing the Environment Ministry informed court that supermarkets and other retailers will be required to charge customers for shopping bags from next month. Petitioners argued that authorities had failed to act despite previously agreeing in March 2024 to impose a levy on shopping bags. Deputy Solicitor General Avanthi Perera, appearing for…
Officials of the Weligama Municipal Council refrained from performing their duties, claiming that Deputy Chairman Arindra Sanath Kumara had threatened the Municipal Council Accountant, a senior official said.
BBC An Indian court has ordered doctors to abandon scribbled prescriptions and either write clearly in capital letters or switch to digital formats, citing patient safety. The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued the directive after a judge found a medico-legal report “incomprehensible,” saying not even a single word or letter was legible. The court recommended that handwriting training be included in medical school curricula and urged the government to mandate digital prescriptions within two years. Health experts say unclear handwriting has long been a problem in India, leading to dangerous medication errors. The Indian Medical Association welcomed the ruling,…
The government will reveal by tomorrow whether the bus fare can be reduced as per the recent fuel price reduction, Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayakae said.
The Education Ministry said that several Supreme Court cases concerning the competitive examination held on March 25, 2023, for the admission of graduate officers in government services, including development officers working in schools — into the teaching service, have been concluded.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Tuesday pledged the full support of the Opposition to revitalise and protect Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.
Anuradhapura will soon be recognized as the first district in Sri Lanka to eradicate rabies, with the district’s flag set to be hoisted to mark the milestone, Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) Executive Committee Member Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara announced.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘CCC+’. Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below. A full list of rating actions is at the end of this Rating Action Commentary. Key Rating Drivers Ratings Affirmed: Sri Lanka’s ‘CCC+’ sovereign rating remains constrained by elevated general government indebtedness and a high interest-revenue ratio despite completion of the sovereign’s debt restructuring in 2024. Sustained adherence to a path of reforms is facilitating a solid economic recovery, low inflation, a substantial fiscal adjustment, and improvements in the external finance…
SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said the government should conduct an impartial and comprehensive investigation into the death of former rugby player Wasim Thajudeen without trying to make it a political slogan for its ends and otherwise, it would be an insult to his departed soul.
Sri Lanka has issued the first residence visa under its revised “Individual Investor” category, in line with regulations gazetted in November 2023. The Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs said the inaugural visa was granted today (Oct. 1) to German national Dr. Pay Drechsel. Under the scheme, foreign nationals can obtain a five-year residence visa by investing at least USD 100,000, or a 10-year residence visa by investing USD 200,000 or more. Applicants are required to open a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account (VPFCA) with any licensed commercial bank in Sri Lanka and deposit the funds. Authorities said the…
Emirates will prohibit the use and charging of power banks on all its flights starting Oct. 1, citing growing safety concerns over lithium battery incidents in aviation. The Dubai-based carrier said passengers may still carry one power bank in their hand luggage, provided it is under 100 watt-hours and clearly labeled. However, the device must be stored in an accessible place, such as a seat pocket or under the seat, and may not be kept in overhead bins. Power banks remain banned from checked baggage. “From Oct. 1, using or charging a power bank on board Emirates flights will no…
The son of Anura Vidanagamage, alias “Middeniya Kajja,” has denied reports claiming that his father was the individual identified in a vehicle that pursued rugby player Wasim Thajudeen before he died in 2012. The Police told the media yesterday that “Middeniya Kajja” was recognized by his widow in connection with the case. However, addressing the media, the underworld figure’s son revealed that during initial interrogations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), his mother had denied that the individual was her deceased husband “Middeniya Kajja”. The 16-year-old boy further said that, however, soon after his mother was escorted to a separate…
Three entities filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal today (01 Oct), challenging the Inland Revenue Department’s decision to abolish the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT). The Inland Revenue Department recently announced the abolition of the Simplified Value Added Tax and the introduction of the Risk-Based Refund Scheme (RBRS), with effect from 01st October 2025. According to the Chairman of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association, the petitioners claim that the move has been made without first operationalising the legally mandated automated refund mechanism. The RBRS scheme aims to facilitate timely and efficient VAT refunds for eligible exporters…
The registration of three-wheelers operating as a passenger transport service in the Western Province resumed today (01 Oct). Chairman of the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, Gamini Jasinghe, said the registration of three-wheelers will continue until 31 December 2025. He further said that currently, over 250,000 three-wheelers are operating as a passenger transport service in the Western Province. “The registration is for any three-wheeler operating in the Western Province. Therefore, a driver from any province who is working within the Western Province can register,” he added. (Newswire) The post Registration of three-wheelers resumes in Western Province appeared first on…
Sri Lanka today announced its role as co-host of the world’s first Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in November. The event was held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Youth and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage. Speaking at the launch, Minister Gamage said identifying people based on disabilities is an unfair practice and urged that more respectful terminology be used. He pledged the government’s full support for the upcoming tournament, adding that his ministry will ensure the Sri Lankan team receives all necessary facilities. The Blind Women’s T20 World Cup 2025…
A relay hunger strike by relatives of the disappeared was held in Thambilluvil, Ampara, entering its final stage in the North and East. Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam today participated in the final leg of the hunger strike. The protest was organised by the Association of Relatives of the Forcibly Disappeared. According to the MP, they demand international justice for enforced disappearances, mass graves, and other atrocities, rejecting Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanisms as cover-ups. (Newswire) The post Hunger strike by relatives of the disappeared in Ampara appeared first on Newswire.