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Last Update: Wed, Aug 17, 2022, 07:30 pm SL Time

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India’s Adani Green Energy given provisional approval for two wind power projects

Aug 17, Colombo: Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says that Adani Green Energy has been given provisional approvals for two wind power projects.

Minister Wijesekera said the Adani Green Energy was issued provisional approvals for two wind power projects of 286MW in Mannar and 234MW in Pooneryn for an investment of over USD 500 million. The decision was reached when Minister of Power and Energy met with the officials of Ceylon Electricity Board and Sustainable Development Authority on Tuesday

UN Sri Lanka and Government sign Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Sri Lanka:
	Aug 17, Colombo: The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 was launched today by the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations in Sri Lanka.

Polish national arrested at Sri Lanka airport with Rs. 240 million worth Cocaine:
	Aug 17, Colombo: The officers of the Sri Lanka Customs have arrested a polish national at the Bandaranaike International Airport with a stock of cocaine worth over Rs. 245 million, Customs Media Spokesman, Deputy Customs Director (Legal Affairs) Mr. Sudatta Silva said.

Ex-President’s overseas expenses are not covered by government funds - Government Information Department:
	Aug 17, Colombo: The Government Information Department has issued a statement saying that the government money will not be spent to cover the expenses incurred by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa while abroad.

India’s Adani Green Energy given provisional approval for two wind power projects:
	Aug 17, Colombo: Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says that Adani Green Energy has been given provisional approvals for two wind power projects.

Top official of the UNDCO arrives in Sri Lanka :
	Aug 17, Colombo: Regional Director for Asia-Pacific of the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) David McLachlan-Karr arrived in Sri Lanka Tuesday.

Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing and Services activities decline in July 2022:
	Aug 17, Colombo: Both manufacturing and service activities in Sri Lanka declined in July 2022 , the Central Bank’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) Survey released Monday (August 15) showed.

HNB Finance provides relief to Nawalapitiya flood victims:
	Aug 17, Colombo: Responding to the critical needs of the people affected by severe floods in the Nawalapitiya region, HNB Finance PLC’s Nawalapitiya Branch spearheaded an expedited campaign on August 5, 2022, to supply rations in an effort to provide relief and nutrition to those affected by the flooding caused due to continuous rain.

Minister considers allowing private sector to import fuel for aircraft :
	Aug 16, Colombo: The Minister of Ports, Navigation and Aviation Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva has pointed out the need for a program to provide aircraft fuel without any hindrance to the planes servicing Sri Lanka.

Government to offer a higher price for paddy from tomorrow:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera has presented cabinet paper to the cabinet of Ministers yesterday (15) to provide a higher price for paddy to the rice farmers.

Scottish woman’s writ petition against deportation by Sri Lankan government dismissed without hearing:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal today decided to dismiss a writ petition filed by Scottish National Kayleigh Fraser against the decision taken by the Department of Immigration and Emigration to deport her from Sri Lanka.

President sees no need to extend the state of emergency :
	Aug 16, Colombo: President Ranil Wickramasinghe has stated that there is no need to extend the state of emergency as the country is currently at a stable level.

UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme to benefit Sri Lanka:
	Aug 16, Colombo: The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) that will be launched early next year will benefit Sri Lanka by boosting the economy and supporting jobs, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton said.

Central Bank relaxes the Mandatory Conversion Requirement on Service Export Receipts/Proceeds:
	Aug 16, Colombo: With the view of encouraging service exporters to repatriate their export proceeds into the country, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has withdrawn the mandatory requirement to convert service export receipts/proceeds

U.S. partners with David Pieris Motor Company to boost electric mobility in Sri Lanka:
	Aug 16, Colombo: The U.S. government, through its development agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is committed to accelerating clean energy to drive social and economic sustainable growth in Sri Lanka, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said.

Foreign Minister briefs the Diplomatic Corps on current developments in Sri Lanka:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry met the Colombo-based Ambassadors and High Commissioners on Monday 15 August, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a briefing on current developments ahead of the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Sri Lanka reports six COVID-19 deaths and 195 new cases on Tuesday:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka Tuesday reported six deaths due to COVID-19 after the figures were confirmed by the Director General of Health Services on Monday, August 15.

Central Bank says reports of statements purportedly made by the Governor are false:
	Aug 16, Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Tuesday said news Items referring to statements made by the Governor of the Central Bank on various websites and social media platforms are erroneous.

Sri Lanka Defense Ministry clarifies blacklisting and delisting of persons and organizations:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense today issued a statement clarifying its rationale for blacklisting and delisting of persons and organizations.

China stresses Yuan Wang-5 ship’s activities at Sri Lanka port are consistent with international law:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Confirming that Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang-5 successfully berthed at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port Tuesday, China stressed that the marine scientific research activities of the ship are consistent with international law and international customary practice.

President takes measures to introduce national guidelines and minimum standards for child development centers in Sri Lanka:
	Aug 16, Colombo: President Ranil Wickramasinghe has focused on introducing national guidelines and minimum standards for child development centers in Sri Lanka.

Police identify 32 people who vandalized the President’s House:
	Aug 16, Colombo: The Colombo Central Division Crimes Investigation Unit, which is investigating the breaking into the President’s House and damaging its properties, has identified 32 protesters with their names as of yesterday (15).

High impairment provisions neutralize solid 6-month operational growth of ComBank Group:
	Aug 16, Colombo: The Commercial Bank Group has reported a six-month financial performance that mirrors the impacts of the country’s macro-economic variables, with solid operational gains negated by extraordinary provisioning in the second quarter for impairment charges and other losses.

Hela Apparel Holdings marks an impressive start to FY 2022/23:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Hela Apparel Holdings PLC recorded an impressive start to the financial year, with revenue growing by 114% year-on-year to Rs. 24.5 billion in the first quarter.

UNDP assures continued support to Sri Lanka to overcome current challenges :
	Aug 16, Colombo: The Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Christophe Bahuet who is presently on a visit to Sri Lanka, called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, on 12 August, 2022.

Urea fertilizer distribution to farmers for Maha season begins :
	Aug 16, Colombo: Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera says the World Bank has agreed to give Sri Lanka 90 million dollars to buy urea fertilizer for the Maha season.

Chinese Ship Yuan Wang 5 docks in Sri Lanka’s Hambanthota Port:
	Aug 16, Colombo: Chinese Scientific Research Ship Yuan Wang 5 has arrived at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port Tuesday (16) morning.

Full commitment of the public service is essential to an independent judicial process, state officials informed:
	Aug 15, Colombo: The President’s Office has issued a circular on the process to be adhered to by state institutions and state officials In respect of judicial proceedings or matters incidental thereto in which the Government or public officers are parties.

Power cuts extended from tomorrow after Norochcholai breakdown:
	Aug 15, Colombo: The Ceylon Electricity Board states that due to the sudden breakdown of the first generator of the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, the power cut period will be extended to three hours from tomorrow (16).

SLC Executive Committee sends LOD for Rs. 2Bn to Arjuna Ranatunga for making ‘derogatory’ remarks:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Members of the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have sent Letters of Demand, claiming Rs. 2 billion, to the newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Council Arjuna Ranatunga, for making false and derogatory statement, the SLC said.

Committee on High Posts approves the appointments of five Secretaries to Ministries and one Ambassador:
	Aug 15, Colombo: The Parliamentary Committee on High Posts has approved the appointments of five Secretaries to Ministries and one Ambassador recently (12), Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake said.

Three locally produced medicines released to the market:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Health Minister Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella points out that the plan to locally produce 40 percent of the medicines needed in this country is currently being implemented and 20 percent of the target has been achieved by now.

S&P Global downgrades Sri Lanka Bonds to ‘D’ after missed payments; sovereign ratings affirmed:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Global ratings agency S&P Global on Monday slashed its rating on Sri Lankan bonds to ‘D’, representing default, following missed interest and principal payments.

India and Sri Lanka are two sides of the same coin, have to build on the commonalities – President:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Pointing out that India and Sri Lanka share many commonalities and are two sides of the same coin, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the two neighbors have to stay together and commit themselves to further strengthening the relationships.

India hands over gifted Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka :
	Aug 15, Colombo: The Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft gifted by the Government of India to Sri Lanka Air Force was officially handed over Monday.

Sri Lanka signs agreement with World University Service of Canada for 7-year Volunteer Cooperation Program :
	Aug 15, Colombo: Sri Lanka today signed an agreement with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) for a seven-year program with a total contribution of nearly US$ 2.1 million to improve the lives and means of subsistence of marginalized persons in the country.

Aragalaya activist Dhanish Ali granted bail:
	Aug 15, Colombo: The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered that Dhanish Ali, who was arrested for forcibly entering the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and disrupting the broadcast, be released on bail.

Minister instructs to conduct a full audit of fertilizer distribution for Yala Season:
	Aug 15, Colombo: The Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Secretary of the Ministry Rohana Pushpakumara to conduct a full audit regarding the distribution of urea fertilizer to the farmers in the Yala season.

A generator at the Norochcholai power plant breaks down:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai has broken down today due to a failed generator.

Formal arrangement for the distribution of fuel required for the gem mining industry is implemented:
	Aug 15, Colombo: A special meeting between the Ratnapura - Lanka Gem Dealers and Miners Association and the Minister of Plantation and Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana was held in Ratnapura city recently.

STF arrests leading gunman of Harak Kata’s criminal gang :
	Aug 15, Colombo: The Police Special Task Force has arrested the leading gunman of the organized criminal and large-scale drug trafficker Nandun Chinthaka alias "Harak Kata" yesterday (14) in Boralasgamuwa area.

MP Harsha de Silva releases his 10 point common minimum program for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Samagi Jan Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian and economist Dr. Harsha De Silva has released his 10 point common minimum program for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Aitken Spence records its historically highest ever Q1 PBT of Rs. 7.2 billion:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Aitken Spence PLC reported a strong performance during the Q1 that ended 30th June 2022.

Nestlé Lanka recognized Sri Lanka’s Most Respected Food and Beverage Entity in 2022:
	Aug 15, Colombo: Nestlé Lanka was ranked Sri Lanka’s Most Respected Food and Beverage Entity in LMD’s Most Respected Entities issue 2022 released recently.

Cardinal vows to continue struggle for the Easter Sunday victims:
	Aug 14, Colombo: Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says that even if the Galle Face struggle has ended, he will not give up his struggle to bring justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday attack.

Sri Lankan President orders to strictly limit government expenses:
	Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the Public Sector officials to strictly adhere to a Treasury circular on limiting government expenditure.

Pakistan extends continued support to Sri Lanka:
	Aug 14, Colombo: Pakistan extends its continued support to Sri Lanka in its march towards continued progress, prosperity and peace in the years ahead, the Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Major General (R) Umar Farooq Burki said today.

Sri Lanka Navy rejects reports of a ‘War Game’ with Pakistan Navy:
	Aug 14, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Navy says the reports circulating on media that a ‘War Game’ is scheduled to be conducted between the Sri Lanka and Pakistan Navies are false.

Three elephants including a tusker killed by electrocution:
	Aug 14, Colombo: Three wild elephants including a tusker have died due to electric shock in Mihintale, Ihalagama area.

Sri Lanka Defense Ministry lifts the ban imposed on six Tamil organizations:
	Aug 14, Colombo: The Ministry of Defense has decided to lift the ban on six international Tamil organizations that were designated in the past as proscribed organizations in Sri Lanka for supporting the terrorist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and time to time funding for terrorism.

BOI achieves more than 50 percent of its investment targets for the year:
	Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Investment promotion agency, the Board of Investment (BOI) has set a target of US$ 2 billion under new investment projects for this year and more than half of the expected target has been achieved so far, Director General of Sri Lanka Board of Investment Renuka Weerakoon said.

Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry’s statement on Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5:
	Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry yesterday issuing a statement regarding the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 said having considered all material in place, on 13 August, 2022 the clearance to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China was conveyed for the deferred arrival of the vessel from 16-22 August, 2022.

Two Sri Lankan nationals arrested for robbing gold jewellery from a passenger at Chennai airport:
	Aug 14, Colombo: The Chennai Airport police arrested two Sri Lankan nationals who allegedly robbed gold jewellery from a Sri Lankan passenger after posing as Customs officers.

Central Bank instructs to further restrict imports of non-essential goods as dollar crisis worsens:
	Aug 14, Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has informed the Ministry of Finance to further restrict the import of non-essential goods as the foreign exchange crisis may worsen in the near future.

National Dengue Mosquito Control Week to be announced:
	Aug 14, Colombo: Dr Sudath Samaraweera, Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, said a National Dengue Mosquito Control Week will be announced at the end of this month.

Sri Lanka sees growth in tourist arrivals in July:
	Aug 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka has observed an increase in the number of foreign tourists arrived in the country last month compared to the two previous months.

Vegetable truck topples over from Ambuluwawa hill killing the driver:
	Aug 13, Colombo: A refrigerated truck carrying vegetables overturned last night (12) near Kaikattiya bend on the top of Ambulawa hill due to brake failure.

India gifts Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force :
	Aug 13, Colombo: A Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft gifted by the Indian Air force will join the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on the 15th, a SLAF statement said Saturday.

Importation of glyphosate is allowed with conditions:
	Aug 13, Colombo: An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued allowing the importation of pesticide glyphosate with effect from 05 August 2022.

All government schools will resume normal functioning from Monday :
	Aug 13, Colombo: The Ministry of Education has decided to operate all government and government approved private schools as usual from next Monday.

A ship carrying 100,000 MT crude oil to reach Colombo tonight, Refinery to resume operations next week:
	Aug 13, Colombo: Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said a ship carrying 100,000 metric tons (MT) of crude oil will arrive in Colombo later tonight.

Sri Lanka allows Chinese ship Yuan Wang 5 to dock at Hambantota port:
	Aug 13, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has allowed the Yuan Wang 5 Chinese research ship to dock at the southern port of Hambantota on August 16, official sources said on Saturday.

Ranjan Ramanayake signs document relating to Presidential Pardon:
	Aug 13, Colombo: Former Member of Parliament Mr. Ranjan Ramanayake, who is serving a four-year sentence for contempt of court, has signed the letter requesting a presidential pardon today (13), at the Colombo Magazine Prison, his lawyer confirmed.

Central Bank establishes a Stakeholder Engagement Committee:
	Aug 13, Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), with a view to broadening its engagement with key stakeholders of the economy, has established the Stakeholder Engagement Committee (SEC).

Discussions to give concessions to low income earners on electricity bills :
	Aug 13, Colombo: Leader of the House, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha stated in the Parliament Friday that a program to provide relief from the revised budget to the low-income earners on electricity bills is being discussed.

Dialog Smart Home brings you a Smart Security Doorbell to ensure the security of your home:
	Aug 13, Colombo: Most of us lead very busy lives that often keep us away from home. Regardless, it is important to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones while you are away.

Seylan Bank records Rs. 1.5 billion PAT for 1H 2022:
	Aug 13, Colombo: Seylan Bank recorded a Profit after Tax of Rs. 1,504 million for the 6 months ended 30th June 2022 against Rs. 2,105 million reported in the corresponding period of 2021.

US Ambassador discusses reviving Sri Lanka’s tourism sector with Minister Harin Fernando:
	Aug 12, Colombo: A meeting has taken place between the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, and the Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando.

Police order remaining rotesters to take their belongings and leave protest site in 15 minutes :
	Aug 12, Colombo: The last group of protesters who stayed at the Galle Face protest site are seen leaving today after the police ordered the protesters to take their belongings and clear the protest site in 15 minutes.

Two tugs to be purchased to streamline operations at the port:
	Aug 12, Colombo: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has instructed the officials of the Sri Lanka Port Authority to make necessary arrangements to purchase two more tugboats to make the operations of the port more efficient.

Court rejects Udayanga Weeratunga’s request to travel abroad:
	Aug 12, Colombo: Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today (12) rejected a request made by the former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga for permission to go abroad.

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