State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, announced the introduction of the DIGIECON 2030 program, aimed at accelerating Sri Lanka’s economy towards an inclusive digital ecosystem through the utilization of advanced technology-based solutions. The program includes a comprehensive digital master plan, a regulatory policy framework, and a series of annual events that will demonstrate the governme...

ECONOMYNEXT –Jet fuel in Sri Lanka is expensive and the government should consider capping the mark-up of state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to reduce costs, according to Philip Goh, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific of the International Air Transport Association said. “Airlines pay more for jet fuel in Sri Lanka than at other major airports […]

BEIJING, June 28 (Reuters) – Annual profits at China’s industrial firms extended a double-digit decline in the first five months as softening demand squeezed margins, reinforcing hopes of more policy support to bolster a stuttering post-COVID economic recovery. The 18.8% year-on-year slump in profits came on top of the 20.6% contraction in January-April, and added […]

Udeni Kaluthantri, a 54-year-old port worker, became an overnight sensation last year for reasons that had nothing to do with his job. Days after protesters stormed the presidential palace in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, a video surfaced of Mr Kaluthantri lounging on a bed draped with the presidential flag. Pictures of young men jumping […]

When the five days long stretch of holidays ended last week and the Colombo bourse reopened for trading on Tuesday, the market surged 6.71 percent (633.69 points up) on the broad All Share Price Index (ASPI) while the Standard and Poor SL 20 index covering the 20 largest and more liquid companies quoted on the […]

By Amal JAYASINGHE The snaking queues for food and fuel that crisscrossed Sri Lanka last year have given way to a different kind of line — people scrambling for travel documents to flee their bankrupt island. “What we see as normalcy is a mirage,” customer care executive Gayan Jayewardena, 43, told AFP while queueing at […]

CP Chairman DEW G says lawmakers here should be aware of what is going on in the world. The Parliament cannot turn a blind eye to global developments, the former MP said, pointing out that the ongoing Ukrainian crisis underscored the need for greater understanding of international affairs as the rapid developments taking place with […]

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong says that many nations in the world, including China and Sri Lanka, are still suffering under the yoke of neo-colonialism and hegemonism. Speaking during a visit to the Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, AmbassadorQi said China firmly upholds international fair play and justice, advocates the practice of true multilateralism, takes […]

It is important that Sri Lanka restructures its debt and relaxes the restrictions imposed on imports by the end of this year, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda told News First in an interview on Thursday night. Sri Lanka has suspended its external debt repayments and the import of many goods, which are against […]

It was important for Sri Lanka to restructure its debt and relax import restrictions by the end of this year, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda told News First in an interview on Thursday night. Sri Lanka had suspended its external debt repayments and the import of many goods, which are against some […]

India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Friday said while there would be a consensus on the various issues that are being discussed at the forum during New Delhi’s presidency, the country will be putting forth a developmental agenda, including digital public initiative and the drive for green hydrogen. Speaking at the Confederation of India’s (CII) […]

Islamabad [Pakistan], June 6 (ANI): The All Pakistan Professors and Lecturers Association (APPLA) has demanded the federal and provincial governments to announce a 100 per cent pay raise and allowance adjustments for all government employees, including teachers, in the upcoming budget, The News International Newspaper reported. This comes as the prices of essential commodities and […]

In a bid to address the foreign exchange crisis in Sri Lanka and ensure a steady supply of fuel, the Ministry of Power and Energy has taken decisive action. Accordingly, an agreement was signed on Thursday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat, between the Government of Sri Lanka and RM Parks Inc., a prominent international company […]

By Chani Imbulgoda “We suffer today, because leaders in the past have failed to govern this country properly”. Oh, the predecessor has not done things well, they all have let the place go haywire”. Familiar excuses… When one takes over the leadership be it the country, be it an organisation, or be it a new […]

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 250 basis points to 13.00 per cent and 14.00 per cent, respectively, CBSL said in a statement on Thursday. The decision was taken at […]

Friday 2nd June, 2023 Long lines of vehicles suddenly appeared near filling stations yesterday, evoking dreadful memories of a dark era and causing public panic. Pumps had run dry at most fuel depots, and people had to wait for hours to obtain petrol and diesel. Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera hurriedly issued a […]