At a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance chaired by MP Harsha de Silva, officials from the State Debt Management Office revealed that Sri Lanka’s outstanding foreign debt stands at USD 37 billion, while domestic debt amounts to Rs. 19.6 trillion. The officials had been summoned before the committee to present an update on the current status of government borrowings. However, when questioned by the chairman about the exact loan installments due for repayment this year, they were unable to provide the precise figures. MP de Silva expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of preparedness and underscored the need to…
The Sri Lankan Report
At a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance chaired by MP Harsha de Silva, officials from the State Debt Management Office revealed that Sri Lanka’s outstanding foreign debt stands at USD 37 billion, while domestic debt amounts to Rs. 19.6 trillion. The officials had been summoned before the committee to present an update on the current status of government borrowings. However, when questioned by the chairman about the exact loan installments due for repayment this year, they were unable to provide the precise figures. MP de Silva expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of preparedness and underscored the need to…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (09 Oct), compared to Wednesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.25 to Rs. 299.45, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 304.75 to Rs. 304.95. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 299.35 to Rs. 299.55 and from Rs. 305.85 to Rs. 306.05, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.12 to…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (09 Oct), compared to Wednesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.25 to Rs. 299.45, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 304.75 to Rs. 304.95. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 299.35 to Rs. 299.55 and from Rs. 305.85 to Rs. 306.05, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.12 to…
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP Nizam Kariapper says Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, retired SDIG Ravi Seneviratne, has disclosed that the main conspirator behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks has been identified. MP Nizam Kariapper said Ravi Seneviratne had revealed this in response to a question raised by him before the Parliamentary Committee on High Posts, recently. “Before the High Posts Committee, in response to my question, Ravi Seneviratna stated: We have identified the main conspirator behind the Easter Sunday attack,” MP Nizam Kariapper said in his post on ‘X’. (Newswire) Before the High Posts Committee, in…
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP Nizam Kariapper says Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, retired SDIG Ravi Seneviratne, has disclosed that the main conspirator behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks has been identified. MP Nizam Kariapper said Ravi Seneviratne had revealed this in response to a question raised by him before the Parliamentary Committee on High Posts, recently. “Before the High Posts Committee, in response to my question, Ravi Seneviratna stated: We have identified the main conspirator behind the Easter Sunday attack,” MP Nizam Kariapper said in his post on ‘X’. (Newswire) Before the High Posts Committee, in…
Photo courtesy of e-sinhala Managing language equality in any multilingual society is challenging. But for Sri Lanka, language is especially politically, historically and culturally loaded because the nation began by setting one language as superior to all others through the Sinhala Only policy. Sadly, language is such a complex and long standing issue that it’s regularly overlooked to deal with immediate challenges like the economy. Since 2009, the process for linguistic reconciliation has been slow. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report of 2011 showed promise with the recommendation that Sri Lanka become a trilingual state where citizens would know…
The visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the Fifth Review of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility. According to an IMF statement, once the review is approved by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will have access to about US$347 million in financing. The IMF further states that the economic reforms implemented by the Sri Lankan authorities have continued to support the recovery, with inflation progressing to target, reserves accumulating, and real GDP growth and revenue mobilization outperforming expectations, while…
The visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the Fifth Review of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility. According to an IMF statement, once the review is approved by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will have access to about US$347 million in financing. The IMF further states that the economic reforms implemented by the Sri Lankan authorities have continued to support the recovery, with inflation progressing to target, reserves accumulating, and real GDP growth and revenue mobilization outperforming expectations, while…
The Colombo Port has recorded a net profit (after tax) of Rs. 32.2 billion during the first eight months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Ports. In comparison, the net profit earned during the first eight months of 2024 stood at Rs. 18.9 billion. This marks an increase of approximately Rs. 13 billion year-over-year, reflecting a growth rate of 71%. The estimated profit for the first eight months of 2025 was around Rs. 21 billion, but actual earnings exceeded this target by Rs. 11 billion. As a result of continuous development projects and improved service efficiency, container handling has…
Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa has appeared before the Tangalle Divisional Criminal Investigation Unit today. The National Freedom Front (NFF) leader has arrived following a formal summons issued by the Police. It is reported that he is currently recording a statement with the Tangalle Divisional Criminal Investigation Unit. (Newswire) The post Wimal Weerawansa records statement at Tangalle Police appeared first on Newswire.
Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya and former Member of Parliament, Udaya Gammanpila, has appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. It is reported that his appearance this morning (09) was in connection with ongoing investigations related to the controversial consignment of 323 containers. “For the first time, the Bribery Commission has launched a probe into the corruption linked to the controversial consignment of 323 containers,” he told the media, prior to entering the Bribery Commission premises. Gammanpila’s comment refers to the 323 containers, identified as mandatory inspection, which were cleared for release without proper inspection,…
ECONOMYNEXT – The International Monetary Fund said it has reached a staff-level agreement on the fifth review under Sri Lanka’s extended fund facility arrangement. “Once the review is approved by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will have access to about US$347 million in financing,” the statement said. The full statement is reproduced below: IMF Staff Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Fifth Review Under Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement – End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka energy firm WindForce PLC said it has acquired a 51 percent equity stake in Safe Power International (Pvt) Ltd to develop a 10 MW Wind Power Project in Alankuda, Puttalam. “Safe Power International (Pvt) Ltd has been incorporated to develop a 10 MW Wind Power Project in Alankuda, Puttalam District, Sri Lanka, with an estimated total project cost of LKR 4.2 billion,” WindForce said in a stock exchange filing. The project will be financed through a 75:25 debt-to-equity structure, the company said. The remaining 49 percent of Safe Power International is held by Arinma Power (Pvt)…
Two children have been reported dead in tragic accidents in the Mirihana and Hettipola areas on Wednesday (08). The Police state a 05-year-old boy has died after drowning in the swimming pool of a hotel in Nugegoda last evening. According to the Police, the child had drowned while undergoing training under a swimming coach along with a group of school students, accompanied by a teacher. The child who was rescued from the swimming pool was pronounced dead after being admitted to the Kalubowila Hospital. The deceased is a resident of Nugegoda. The Mirihana Police is conducting investigations. Meanwhile, a 12-year-old…
The Sri Lankan Navy has taken into custody 47 Indian fishermen for allegedly engaging in fishing activities in Sri Lankan territorial waters in violation of maritime laws. According to the Navy, the arrests were carried out by the Northern and North Central Naval Commands in the seas near Talaimannar and Delft Island. Five fishing vessels used by the apprehended individuals were also seized by the Navy during the operation. The fishermen are expected to be handed over to the Fisheries authorities for further legal proceedings. (Newswire) The post Navy arrests 47 Indian fishermen in the North appeared first on Newswire.
The Department of Examinations has announced the release of the re-scrutinized results of the 2024 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination. These results can be accessed by entering either the examination index number or the national identity card number on the official websites of the Department of Examinations: www.doenets.lk or www.results.exams.gov.lk. Candidates who intend to apply for the 2025 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination based on these re-scrutinized results may submit their applications online until midnight today (October 9). The Department of Examinations has emphasized that the deadline for accepting applications will not be extended under any circumstances. For any inquiries regarding these…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened at 302.70/75 to the US dollar on Thursday, weaker from 302.65/69 the previous day, while bond yields opened slightly up, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.70/76 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.77/85 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 10.50/68 percent, up from 10.50/55 percent. The telegraphic transfer rates for the American dollar was 299.1000 buying, 306.1000 selling; the British pound was 400.0864 buying, and 411.4482 selling, and the euro was 345.9139 buying, 357.2771 selling. The Colombo Stocks Exchange was trading in red;…
United States President Donald Trump says Hamas and Israel have agreed on the first phase of his plan for a ceasefire in the war on Gaza and an exchange of captives. “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday. “ALL the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line,” he added. Mediator Qatar said that more details of the agreement would be announced at a later date.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s renewable energy share dropped to 66 percent in July after spiking to 73 percent in June, as fuel oil use picked up amid a stronger demand for power, official data show. In July 2025 electricity generation hit 1,583 GigaWatt hours, up 8.3 percent from a year ago, amid an economic recovery. Total renewable energy was 1044 GWh, slightly down from 1,091 with Ceylon Electricity Baord’s large hydros contributing 628 GWh. However, fuel oil usage surged to 103GWh in July, from just 24 in June, amid the higher demand. Coal increased to 381 GWh from 359GWh. The…