Sri Lanka has launched a new online system to issue concessionary railway season tickets for government officials, marking another step in the National Digitalization Programme. 

The initiative was formally introduced today (09) under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena.

Under the programme, government institutions must register on the digital railway platform to apply for concessionary season tickets for their staff. 

At the inaugural event, officials representing 35 state institutions took part in the registration process.

Officials requiring concessionary passes will be able to register through the Pravesha mobile app or the www.pravesha.lk website, coordinated by their institution’s subject officer. 

Registered officials will be able to apply for July season tickets starting from June 15, 2026.

The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Highways together with Sri Lanka Railways and the Greater Colombo Railway Project. 

Authorities expect the initiative to make the national digital transformation programme a reality, while improving efficiency, service quality, and passenger convenience in the railway sector. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Public Administration has announced that state institutions have resumed operations from today (April 15) following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays.

According to the Ministry, government offices will function as usual on April 15, 16, and 17.

Issuing a notice, the Ministry said state administrative activities across the country will return to normal schedules to ensure uninterrupted public services during the post‑holiday period. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development has announced a new opportunity for both local and foreign investors, with 203 acres, 2 roods, and 25.5 perches of land currently vacant across several industrial zones in Sri Lanka.

According to the Industrial Development Division, these lands are spread across multiple provinces, offering diverse locations for industrial growth:

• Northern Province: Mannar (11 acres, 29.56 perches), Weli Oya (28 acres)
• North Central Province: Rambewa–Sandamalagama (16 acres), Nochchiyagama (50 acres)
• North Western Province: Puttalam (2 acres, 82 roods), Ridi Bendi Ella (17 acres, 32.2 perches), Bangadeniya (7.5 acres)
• Sabaragamuwa Province: Nalanda Ellawala Phase 2 (3 acres, 35.5 perches)
• Eastern Province: Trincomalee (7 acres), Ampara (3 acres, 3 roods), Batticaloa (2 acres)
• Central Province: Ulpane (35 perches), Matale Nalanda (1 rood)
• Uva Province: Uva Paranagama (1 acre, 2 roods, 36.3 perches), Buttala (4 acres, 4 roods, 71.4 perches)
• Southern Province: Karandeniya (5 acres, 3 roods, 38 perches), Udukawa (3 acres, 3 roods, 18 perches), Bata Atha (3 acres, 27.6 perches), Thihagoda (6.5 acres), Sooriyawewa (13 acres, 1 rood)

The Ministry highlighted that this initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen industrial development and attract new investment into the country.

For further inquiries, investors are invited to contact the Industrial Development Division at 011-2441490 or 011-2343937. (Newswire)

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Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that necessary measures will be taken in the near future to meet the expectations of cricket enthusiasts in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the post‑Cabinet media briefing today, Minister Jayatissa said that changes in law, administration, and other related areas will be introduced.

“You love cricket, I love cricket, a majority of our citizens love cricket, even the President loves cricket. Steps will be taken in the future to make changes in the sport of cricket, fulfilling the expectations of the people,” he added. (Newswire)

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The Opposition says it intends to file a criminal case against the government over the current disaster situation in Sri Lanka. 

Addressing the media today, SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said the disaster situation was an incident as serious as the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

“Similar to the criminal case filed against the Rajapaksas for bankrupting the nation, we will file a case against the current government, as they are responsible for every citizen that died in the disaster,” he said. 

MP Marikkar added that the case will be filed over the failure of the government to take the necessary measures, despite receiving prior warnings of the disasters. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Government and Opposition representatives must work together effectively in this challenging situation to safeguard the lives of affected citizens and provide them with the necessary relief.

The President made these remarks during a discussion held this morning (28) at the Tri-Forces Headquarters with Government and Opposition representatives, to review the next steps required in response to the emergency disaster situation that has arisen in the country due to adverse weather conditions.

Opposition MPs proposed that emergency law be enforced if necessary to ensure effective rescue and relief operations, and expressed their full support for such measures.

President Dissanayake emphasized that there will be no financial obstacles in providing relief to affected people. Disaster Management District Committees have already been convened, and District Secretaries have been allocated funds to spend as required. He further noted that no circulars will hinder the use of these funds, and in cases where obstacles arise, District Coordinating Committees have been authorized to approve expenditures.

The President also stated that helicopters will be deployed to rescue people stranded in areas inaccessible to relief teams. He added that the Indian High Commission has already agreed to provide helicopter facilities if required for rescue operations.

He assured that continuous relief services, including dry rations and health facilities, are being provided to people in safe camps, those remaining in their homes, and those displaced to other locations. He instructed representatives to immediately inform the Disaster Management Center if there are areas in their districts where relief services have not yet reached.

The President further said that programs are already being planned to address the growing risks in the Western Province.

Representatives also briefed the President on the current situation and needs in their respective districts. (Newswire)

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A special workshop on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the public service into a productive and efficient one was held for government executive officers recently (17). 

According to the President’s Office, the workshop, titled “AI for Transforming Public Service”, was held at the Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Auditorium of the University of Ruhuna. 

Executive-level government officers from the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts participated in the workshop, organised by the Southern Provincial Council in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Digital Economy. 

The workshop aimed to create awareness and preparedness among public officers as an initial step in the government’s programme for the digitalisation of the public service and to foster a positive attitude towards Artificial Intelligence within the state sector. 

Chief Adviser to the President on Digital Economy, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, delivered the keynote address. Officials from the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, including Harsha Purasinghe and Samisa Abeysinghe, members of the ministry’s Digital Task Force, also contributed as resource persons. 

Among those present were the Chief Secretary of the Southern Province, Attorney-at-Law Sumith Alahakoon, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, District Secretaries and several other distinguished officials. (Newswire)

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Five newly built houses were handed over to low-income families in the Kalutara District under the government’s new initiative, “Thamange Theanak – Lassana Jeewithayak” (A Place of Their Own – A Beautiful Life).

The program aims to support families unable to afford building their own homes, providing Rs. 1 million in financial assistance per beneficiary family.

The handover ceremony was held yesterday (06) under the patronage of Health and Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. The houses were distributed among selected low-income families from the Millaniya, Bandaragama, and Horana Divisional Secretariat areas.

In the Millaniya Division, three families from Venivelpitiya, Yatiyana, and Senapura villages received new homes, while two families from Kumbuka East and Gonapola in the Horana Division were also among the beneficiaries.

So far, the government has distributed Rs. 155 million to 155 selected low-income families in the Kalutara District under this program.

To coincide with World Habitat Day 2025, another 40 houses are being constructed in the district, with Rs. 40 million allocated to the beneficiaries. In total, 195 houses are either completed or nearing completion in the Kalutara District under the initiative.

In addition, Rs. 64.5 million has been released under the “Seva Abhimani Loan Scheme” to 43 government employees without homes, providing each a Rs. 1.5 million housing loan. A fast-track program under the “Sewana Aid Scheme” has also been planned to support disabled and vulnerable families with housing assistance.

The event was attended by Kalutara District MPs Nihal Abeysinghe and Oshani Umanga, along with local authority chairpersons, divisional secretaries, and officials from the National Housing Development Authority. (Newswire)

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The U.S. government shut down just after midnight on Wednesday, hours after Congress failed to pass stopgap funding bills.

Republicans and Democrats refused to budge from their opposing positions on a funding deal to avoid a shutdown.

A key sticking point was Democrats’ insistence on including the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits in any stopgap funding bill.

Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought sent a memo to the heads of executive departments and agencies on Tuesday night instructing them to “execute their plans for an orderly shutdown.”

“Democrats Have Shutdown the Government,” a White House webpage said, featuring a clock detailing the time that has passed since the shutdown began.

But California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, tweeted, “Donald Trump just shut down the government,” underscoring the fact that both parties blame the other for the dramatic pause in federal services and functions.

The two top Democrats in Congress, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, in a statement said, “After months of making life harder and more expensive, Donald Trump and Republicans have now shut down the federal government because they do not want to protect the healthcare of the American people.”

“Democrats remain ready to find a bipartisan path forward to reopen the government in a way that lowers costs and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis. But we need a credible partner,” the New York lawmakers said. “Over the last few days, President Trump’s behavior has become more erratic and unhinged. Instead of negotiating a bipartisan agreement in good faith, he is obsessively posting crazed deepfake videos. The country is in desperate need of an intervention to get out of another Trump shutdown.”

Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who broke ranks with most of the rest of his party’s caucus to support a Republican stopgap funding bill Tuesday, said, “It’s a sad day for our nation.”

“Our government shuts down at midnight,” Fetterman said in a statement.

“I won’t vote for the chaos of shuttering our government,” he said. “My vote was for our country over my party.”

The Business Roundtable, a group of leading U.S. company chief executive officers, called for quick measures to reopen the government.

“Funding the government is an essential responsibility of Congress,” said Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten in a statement.

“A government shutdown would create uncertainty, disrupt critical services and harm American businesses, workers and families,” Bolten said. “Business Roundtable urges Congress to act promptly to avoid a government shutdown.”

Lawmakers took to the airwaves to blame each other for the looming shutdown, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated would result in the furlough of about 750,000 federal employees. 

“The total daily cost of their compensation would be roughly $400 million,” the CBO said in a letter to Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who had requested office calculate the financial fallout to federal workers if furloughs happen.

“The number of furloughed employees could vary by the day because some agencies might furlough more employees the longer a shutdown persists and others might recall some initially furloughed employees,” the letter said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” said Democrats “need to come to their senses here, and do the right thing.”

Johnson, R-La., said that Schumer and Jeffries have “painted themselves into a corner” by making policy demands in exchange for passing a funding bill that would keep the government open for at least seven weeks.

Those demands, Johnson said, are irrelevant to the urgent need to pass that continuing resolution.

Democrats are insisting that any continuing resolution to keep the government funded in the near term include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.

Those credits, which lower the cost of health insurance premiums paid by millions of Americans who buy coverage on ACA exchanges, are due to expire at the end of 2025.

Johnson accused Democrats of trying to protect Schumer’s “backside” by pressing that and other demands.

He said Schumer and other Democratic leaders were concerned that Schumer would become vulnerable to challenges to his position and House seat by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a leader of the party’s progressive wing, if they did not hold firm against Republican demands for a “clean” continuing resolution without any provisions for health-care protections.

Johnson said a debate about how to reform the ACA — popularly known as Obamacare — could happen later.

And he accused Democrats of wanting to give undocumented immigrants federal health benefits.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., in a separate interview with “Squawk Box,” called the question of ACA tax credit extension “a made-up problem by the Democrats,” who are trying to satisfy a voter base that is opposed to President Donald Trump.

“This is Donald Trump,” Thune said. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

Jeffries, in his own interview on “Squawk Box,” said of Republicans, “If the government shuts down, it’s their decision to do it.”

“We are ready and willing and able to find a bipartisan way forward,” Jeffries said.

But he said Democrats are unwilling to support a bill that does not include health-care protections.

“We will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people,” Jeffries said.

He said that on Wednesday, “notices are going to start going out” to tens of millions of Americans about higher insurance premiums that they will pay if the ACA subsidies are not extended.

“We are fighting to deal with the health care of the American people,” Jeffries said.

Asked by CNBC’s Becky Quick, “Is it true you want to restore American taxpayer benefits to illegal immigrants?” Jeffries replied, “Of course not.”

“And thank you for asking that question, because this is also an outright lie,” Jeffries said.

“Federal law prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to provide medical coverage to undocumented individuals,” he said. “That’s the law, and there is nothing in anything that we have proposed that is trying to change that law.” (CNBC)

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US multinational technology company, Meta Platforms, Inc., has launched a Digital Government Day program to upskill media secretaries and representatives of state media institutions. 

The Digital Government Day program has been launched in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).

This is the first workshop that provided the necessary skills in using digital media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads effectively to communicate the digital transformation journey.

The sessions were conducted and led by Kaiya Waddell, Director of Government & Social Impact – APAC, Neha Mathur – Partner Manager, Government & Social Impact, Dr Priyanka Bhalla – Safety Policy Manager, South Asia, and Senura Abeywardena -Head of Public Policy, Central Asia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka & Maldives.

The discussions focused on several themes, including digital transformation journeys for governments maximising reach and impact, best practices on community building, and engaging citizens through storytelling and best practices on reels and emerging formats.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening digital communication, the event was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Consultant at the Ministry of Digital Economy Sumudu Ratnayake and Director of Electronic Media at the President’s Media Division Isuru Anuradha. (Newswire)

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The National Housing Development Authority says government apartment complexes in the Colombo District over 40 years old are planned to be redeveloped next year.

This was revealed during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development held in Parliament recently (06), chaired by the MP S.M. Marikkar.

Officials from the National Housing Development Authority informed the committee that there are 45 apartment housing projects over 40 years old within the Colombo District, comprising approximately 10,000 housing units.

Accordingly, the committee chairman instructed the officials to submit a report within a month detailing how these redevelopment projects will be implemented, including decisions regarding current residents of those housing complexes.

The officials further stated that technical and valuation reports on the current condition of the buildings in these complexes will be obtained and that the redevelopment projects are expected to be implemented under a public-private partnership model. Based on that, the chairman also instructed that a comprehensive report including all relevant information be submitted to the Sectoral Oversight Committee.

Additionally, the officials pointed out that there are around 45,000 housing units that were initiated between 2015 and 2019 but were abandoned due to various reasons. A plan has now been formulated to complete the construction of these houses within three years.

The meeting also included discussions on the need to increase investments in condominium development projects, and the officials drew the committee’s attention to the challenges faced in attracting investment in this sector. 

Consequently, the chairman instructed the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to propose a legally viable mechanism to facilitate coordination between different ministries and expedite the issuance of necessary permits to resolve these issues and implement the projects effectively. (Newswire)

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The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) has accused the government of attempting to create chaos within the student movement by using their party representatives as university student leaders to push through their privatization plans in the education sector.

Issuing a statement, the IUSF said that this is being done using the respected name, official logos and letterheads of the Inter-University Students’ Federation.

The IUSF’s statement comes in the backdrop of a new group claiming to be the IUSF, having announced the appointment of a new convenor at a media briefing held on Sunday (20).

The new student group had also created social media accounts, including a Facebook page, claiming they are the IUSF.

Denying these claims, the IUSF has issued a clarification statement on its official Facebook page, accusing the government of attempting to create issues in the student movement. 

“Without being deceived by these false narratives and ideas, we call upon the entire university community and the general public to come forward to defeat the current Government’s oppressive agenda,” the IUSF said in its statement. 

Emphasizing its continued fight against the privatization of education, the IUSF urged the public not to be misled by the false propaganda of the Government, which it says has confused students and citizens. (Newswire)

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A Committee comprising government officials and experts has been appointed to seek and implement sustainable solutions to manage and control the damages caused by wild animals to food production in the agriculture and plantation sectors, through a scientific approach. 

The Committee, appointed under the leadership of the President’s Secretary, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, held its first meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.  

The main objective of the Committee is to conduct a scientific study on the agricultural damage caused by wild animals and to implement short, medium and long-term action plans. In addition to drafting national policies and legislation, the Committee will also coordinate the provision of necessary human, physical and financial resources.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that decisions should be made by recognizing wildlife as a part of the natural ecosystem. It was also noted that any solution must acknowledge the right of wild animals to their natural habitats. The need to implement a rapid action programme for high-risk districts was also discussed.

Sharing his views, Prof. Ashoka Dangolla from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya, highlighted that based on research conducted over more than 15 years on the Toque macaque, it is possible to arrive at successful solutions through a scientific approach. He also pointed out that various methods can be used to control animal populations.

Director General of Wildlife Conservation, M.S.L.R.C. Marasinghe, stated that a multi-pronged approach is necessary to address this issue. He emphasised the importance of animal censuses to obtain standard data on animal densities and underscored that the matter must be approached scientifically, beyond social perceptions.

It was also decided that gathering inputs from all stakeholders, including academics, environmentalists, wildlife specialists, officials, and members of the public affected by wildlife conflict, is essential.

Among those present were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Kapila Janaka Bandara, Ministry Secretaries including Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Mr. S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Mr D.P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ms. Ayesha Jinasena, public officials including Director General of Department of Wildlife Conservation,  defence sector officers, university professors and the members of the Committee. (Newswire)

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The new Government Fertility Centre established at the Ragama Medical Faculty of the University of Kelaniya has reported its first successful In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) fertility treatment.  

The treatment, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, is conducted at a low cost and with government aid. 

Speaking to the media, the first patient to undergo the treatment revealed she was 28 weeks pregnant and that the treatment was successful.

“I had no children for almost 08 years after marriage. I underwent many treatments, and I could not pay more than Rs. 01 million. As I had no alternative, I agreed to this treatment. Once I started the treatment, I was given everything free of charge. Now I am 28 weeks pregnant,” she said. 

Also commenting on the treatment, Specialist Doctor Tiran Dias of the Ragama Medical Faculty told the media that the treatment was conducted as a pilot project.

“We wanted to ascertain whether this treatment could be conducted by us, and we have proven it. It has been successful. Now, we will have to hold discussions with the relevant officials, including the Health Ministry, on creating a system to continuously provide this treatment and on patient selection,” he added. (Newswire)

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The Government of Sri Lanka provided an update on the economic stabilization process and the proposed relief packages for the public.

The briefing was provided by the Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma at the Presidential Media Center (PMC) today.

The Press Statement on the Economic Stabilization Process and Relief Packages to people is as follows;

1.Economic Stabilization

Economic stabilization is key to take the country out of abyss created by past regimes. At the time the government assumed office those who are responsible for the crisis had unilaterally suspended external debt servicing in April 2022, entered into IMF program for Extended fund facility (EFF) of approximately USD 3 billion over a period of 4 years to be received in 8 installments, and paddled through the IMF program and debt restructuring process connected to in in line with debt sustainability analysis connected to it. The delayed and complex nature of the debt restructuring process incurred additional costs to the country and created additional burdens on the people. However after, considering both pros and cons of the context prevailed at that time in terms of social, political and economic perspective, the government proceeded with the options in the best interest of the people of the country. 

Accordingly, it was possible to reach the staff-level agreement of the third review on 26th November 2024, in line with the program parameters, and government revenue measures with appropriate engagement, and timely facilitation. In the lead-up to the board approval from the IMF, the government is engaging with necessary stakeholders to obtain the next tranche of the EFF.

Debt Restructuring 

It consists of both domestic and external restructuring. Domestic debt restructuring was completed in July 2023. External restructuring excludes multilateral creditors on various ground and arguments. The rest consists of official bilateral debt and private ISB holders. 

Bilateral Debt 

The bilateral debt is delt with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) co-chaired by France, India and Japan representing 17 countries, China Exim Bank, China Development bank, other official creditors (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan) and other commercial creditors.

OCC had agreed to the terms and conditions in June 2024 and the loans with China Exim bank had already been restructured in October 2023 within the agreed framework, ensuring comparability of treatment (CoT). Except the other official creditors (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan) accounting roughly USD 300 million representing about 1% total external debt subject restructuring , all other bilateral creditors have already agreed for restructuring within the agreed framework. 

ISB Creditors 

Much delayed ISB restructuring had passed several stages of negotiations with agreements, disagreements, changes to proposals, adjustments in line with DSA and IMF consents, had finally agreed in principle (AIP) on 19 September 2024 just two days prior to the presidential election. Ad Hoc Group (AHG) and Local banking consortium represent ISBs which account for USD 14.2 billion including a past due interest of USD 1.7 billion.

By prioritizing and facilitating actions in a timely manner, the new government has demonstrated a strong political commitment to steering the country toward economic stability. These efforts toward financial stability have been independently acknowledged by third parties, including rating agencies which have upgraded the ratings by several notches, which was only possible due to the correct prioritization and implementation of economic stabilization measures. Hence, the government continued with the restructuring process and facilitated it to ensure the successful completion of the issuance of new bonds for the exchange of existing ones on 20th December 2024 in order to achieve the critical objective of stabilizing the economy in pursue of navigating the country with the growth and development trajectory towards a thriving nation and beautiful life. 

2. SME Sector Facilitation 

Parate Extension

Instead of merely postponing the Parate execution date, the government engaged with stakeholder groups to ensure acceptable solutions was found for this long-standing issue. As a result, the Parate execution has now been extended until 31st March 2025. 

Relief Package 

The relief for businesses is not only in the form of an extension of time. Based on data provided by the Central Bank, 99% of borrowers with outstanding capital of less than 25 million rupees in restructured loans have been granted a 12-month extension to renegotiate with banks and agree on a settlement path. Borrowers with debts between 25,000,000 and 50,000,000 rupees have been granted a 9-month extension, while all other borrowers are entitled to a 6-month extension. This relief package, proposed by the government and to beimplemented through the Central Bank, also includes several other important measures, such as easing the credit rating status, extending the repayment period, offering low interest rates for restructured debt, and providing a transparent mechanism to resolve valuation disputes. 

This package aims to ensure that the SME sector can actively contribute to the economy.

School Stationery Assistance for School Children 

Children in the Aswesuma Families 

To ease the burden on parents from vulnerable groups in society, Rs. 6,000 per child has been allocated to purchase essential school books and stationery for the upcoming school term. Children from Aswesuma recipient families will begin receiving this benefit shortly. 

Children Not Receiving Aswesuma

Children from families who are not currently receiving Aswesuma but are facing economic hardship will also be provided with this benefit, based on recommendations from the Ministry of Education. It is expected that the process will be finalized soon, and the disbursement scheme will start within a few days, ensuring that all deserving children facing economic hardship receive assistance. (PMD)

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The opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party has established a special unit to investigate arbitrary transfers being carried out at the state and provincial council levels.

Issuing a statement, the SJB said that it has come to light that there is a systematic program of transferring government officials between service stations on unacceptable and illogical grounds across various state and provincial council sectors.

The SJB pointed out that it is concerning that the government, which came to power with a promise to ensure the independence of the public service, is engaging in such actions. 

Stating that local government elections remain pending and are scheduled to be held soon, while cooperative society elections are currently underway, the SJB alleged that it is evident that this program is being implemented as a targeted effort ahead of these elections, leading to an unprecedented level of politicization in the public service.

The SJB further urged the government and provincial council authorities to immediately suspend all arbitrary transfers being carried out at the state and provincial council levels. (Newswire)

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The government has engaged in a special discussion to consider potential steps that could be taken to further support struggling Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) before the expiration of the Parate law used for debt recovery.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), a special meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat today (11 Nov) to address relief measures for SMEs facing financial challenges. 

The meeting was led by the Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Finance and Economic Affairs, G. N. R. D. Aponsu, and included officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (Guarantee) Limited. 

The discussions focused on the financial difficulties encountered by SMEs due to loan obligations. 

Currently, debt recovery processes under the Parate law have been temporarily suspended for SMEs, with this suspension set to expire on December 15. The meeting considered potential steps that could be taken before the expiration date to further support struggling SMEs.

The meeting also examined ways for the banking sector to provide additional support to SMEs and boost productivity in the economy. 

During the discussions, it was decided to compile a comprehensive report on the loans taken by SMEs from banks. This report will serve as a basis for designing future relief measures.

Additionally, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and various commercial banks have also commenced evaluating the steps needed for the temporary suspension of debt recovery under the Parate law for SME loans. (Newswire)

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Government Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath says the government has not taken any decision to amend the Muslim Marriage Act and will not take such a decision. 

Addressing the media today, he said several organizations had shared views on the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) of 1951, adding that they have the right and that the government respects it.

Minister Herath said, however, that the government has not taken any decision to amend the Muslim Marriage Act and that it has not faced a need to make such a decision yet. 

“If amendments are required for Religious Acts, they will be made after discussions with the religious leaders of the relevant religion. Changes to any Religious Act will be made only after obtaining the recommendations of the leaders of the said religion,” he added. (Newswire)

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Government expenditure has increased by 5.4 percent to Rs. 3,476.9 billion in the first eight months of 2024, up from Rs. 3,297.3 billion during the same period in 2023, according to a new Finance Ministry report.

The report stated that spending had reached 49.8 percent of the annual budget estimate of Rs. 6,978 billion, which includes Rs. 450 billion allocated for bank recapitalization.

Recurrent expenditure, which accounted for around 87.5 percent of total expenditure in the first eight months of 2024, slightly increased by 3.4 percent in the same period, the report revealed.

The increase in expenditure was primarily due to a 6.7 percent rise in salaries and wages, reaching Rs. 659.5 billion, driven by higher cost-of-living allowances, and a 2.2 percent increase in interest payments to Rs. 1,559.7 billion due to higher payments on domestic and foreign debt.

Additionally, spending on subsidies and transfers grew by 1.5 percent to Rs. 623.8 billion, while capital and net lending saw a significant 22.4 percent rise to Rs. 435.3 billion. (Newswire)

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