US weapons sales abroad hit record high in 2023, boosted by Ukraine war
US weapons sales overseas rose sharply last year, reaching a record total of $238bn (£187bn), as Russia's invasion of Ukraine stoked demand.
Travel to Sri Lanka has gone up among Bengalureans
Turkey, Vietnam among other top picks; Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore continue to be favourites
Up for sale Litro Gas contributes another Rs. 1.5 billion to the Treasury
Up for sale, Litro Gas Company yesterday contributed Rs. 1.5 billion from its profits for 2023 to the Treasury.
FTA with Thailand to be signed on Feb 3 prior to Thai PMs visit to SL Day
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister Nalin Fernando will sign the free trade agreement between the two countries on February 3 in Colombo.
Sri Lankans to get chip-enabled e-passports by end 2024
The Government will roll out the long-awaited e-passports, equipped with biometric chips compliant with the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards by the end of this year, Department of Immigration and Emigration sources confirmed.
Ukraine says it has uncovered major arms corruption
Ukraine's security service says it has uncovered corruption in an arms purchase by the military worth about $40m (£31m).
North Korea fires cruise missiles off east coast, Seoul reports
North Korea has fired several cruise missiles in waters off its east coast, South Korea's military says.
Issuing TIN not disrupted, necessary facilities will be provided to IRD: Minister
The issuing of the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) has not been interrupted or stopped, but necessary steps are being taken to prevent the obstacles and provide necessary facilities to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Finance State Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said.
Electoral bribery fine raised to Rs. 100,000
The government of Sri Lanka has decided to amplify the penalty for the offense of bribery aimed at influencing votes during an election.
Lorenzo Putha 4 hijacked, still no contact, all communications on standby: Fisheries Department
Colombo Measures are being taken with the support of the Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lanka Navy to release the 'Lorenzo Putha 4' - a Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawler which was hijacked by Somali pirates yesterday, Director General of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Susantha Kahawatta said.
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US approves F-16 fighter jet sale to Turkey worth $23bn
The US government has approved the $23bn (£18bn) sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets to Turkey - a move that had been long delayed - after Ankara ratified Sweden's accession to Nato.
Hamas attack: US pauses UNRWA funding over claims of staff involvement
The US is pausing funding for the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, over allegations of staff involvement in the 7 October Hamas attacks.
Govt embarks on industry revival plan amidst over 200,000 factory closure
The government is now in ready to implement a revival plan for the industrial sector in the aftermath of the unprecedented set back suffered by manufacturing and services during the recent economic crisis, national planning department sources unfolded.
Casino regulatory authority on the cards with the increase in gambling dens
Sri Lankan authorities have officially taken a decision for the establishment of a gaming regulatory authority in the wake of ever increasing tax evasion by a handful of local casino owners, finance ministry sources disclosed.