Four new Ministers were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (04) following the mass resignation of Cabinet Ministers amid an ongoing economic crisis.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to step down from his position, it is learnt.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have reached an agreement with the leaders of the constituent parties of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led coalition.
Representatives of the 'The Radical Centre', an apolitical movement launched by the late Minister Mangala Samaraweera says that protests are more successful if they are conducted in a peaceful manner devoid of any violence.
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: A critical lack of foreign currency has left Sri Lanka unable to pay for vital imports, leading to dire shortages in everything from life-saving medicines to cement. (AFP / Ishara S. KODIKARA)
Leading political parties have reiterated the need to have a national consensus to get the country out of the current economic crisis. General Secretaries of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, United National Party and the spokesperson of the Tamil National Alliance called on all political forces to work together to fulfil the aspirations of the people. Senior journalist Victor Ivan also participated in the discussion.
Human rights activists have sought a clarification from Justice Minister Ali Sabry regarding the government's decision to make a one-off payment to next of kin of missing persons.
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested an immediate debate on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report on Sri Lanka in Parliament.
The Indian government has requested Sri Lankan authorities to tackle the fisheries issue based on humanitarian approach and to exercise caution so as to prevent any casualties in the course of crackdowns on fishing boats.
In what is seen as the latest move to extend relief to the pandemic-affected borrowers, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is likely to direct the banks to extend the pause on the recovery actions on loans and leases for a further period after the expiry of the current moratorium on March 31.
