News

Cabinet has approved a proposal submitted by the Industries Ministry to allocate land plots from eight industrial zones on a 35-year lease basis to 22 investors under the Regional Investment Zones (RIZ) Development Programme implemented by the Ministry.

The Cabinet nod comes following recommendations by the project evaluation committee of the Ministries Regional Industrial Services Committees, the Cabinet Office said in a press release.

According to Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella, the aim is to generate some 3,300 jobs which the new industries will bring.

“Investors are to invest LKR 24,047.85 million in these projects while it has been estimated that 3,326 direct employment opportunities will also be generated," Rambukwella adde

The Core Group on Sri Lanka has confirmed it will be submitting a Resolution on Sri Lanka at the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

The National Movement for Social Justice has commended the decision taken by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to allow the burial of Covid-19 victims.

According to internal government sources, Rajapaksa family members and senior SLPP leaders are exerting pressure on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to remove Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa from the Cabinet immediately.

Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has instructed relevant authorities to take immediate action to establish quarantine centers for Sri Lankan migrant workers who are being repatriated.

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (08) called on the government to table the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the 2019 Easter Sunday attack in Parliament.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will not be abolished and instead its board of directors has been reconstituted.

The government has suspended the surcharge on import of fuel as relief to loss-incurring Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the listed Lanka IOC PLC, though there won’t be a change in prices at the retail level.

AG informs IGP Criminal probe on April attacks incomplete 

Attorney General Dappula De Livera has informed the Inspector General of Police that the criminal investigations and the material submitted pertaining to the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks are incomplete.

The Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said the IGP was also directed to conduct further investigations and submit the material called for without delay.

Shel went on to note that the Attorney General has dispatched a 30-page advisory to the IGP.

Further, the IGP has been directed by the Attorney General to obtain a copy of the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe the Easter attacks and conduct necessary investigations if there is any new evidence recorded in the report.

In addition, statements should be recorded from the relevant witnesses with respect to the evidence in the PCoI report, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

The IGP was directed to revert to the Attorney General within 14 days on the matters mentioned above.

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has approved a US$ 40 million (Rs. 7.5 billion) term loan facility to SDB bank to promote financial inclusion, resulting in more support to SMEs, particularly female-owned Small and Medium Enterprises.