Colombo (LNW): The negotiations to secure the second tranche of the debt facility provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are progressing positively, announced Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe, speaking to a briefing at the President’s Media Centre (PMC) today (28).

Further commenting, the Minister noted that the government’s efforts in economic reform are currently under review by the IMF, adding that steps necessary to finalise the staff level agreement in this regard are set to conclude following President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official visit to Germany.

“Undoubtedly, our nation is currently navigating through challenging phases. Yet, if the economic restructuring led by the President persists on this path, there is a promising future where Sri Lanka stands robust in its economic stature,” Semasinghe noted.

He went on: “While certain factions seeking short-term political gains might view the nation’s economic fortification sceptically, the upcoming disbursement from the International Monetary Fund paves the way for a brighter economic outlook for Sri Lanka by 2024.”

President Ranil Wickremesinghe embarked on an official visit to Germany early yesterday morning (27). During his absence, the responsibilities of the ministries under his purview have been temporarily entrusted to the respective state ministers.

As part of this arrangement, State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon will serve as the Acting Minister of Defence, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe as the Acting Minister of Finance, State Minister Kanaka Herath as the Acting Minister of Technology, State Minister Anupa Pasqual as the Acting Minister for Women, Children Affairs and Social Empowerment and State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya as the Acting Minister for Investment Promotion.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Germany to deliver the opening remarks at the Leaders Dialogue session during the ‘Berlin Global Dialogue’ on September 28-29. Subsequently, he will join a bilateral session with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the officials of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Colombo (LNW): Due to ongoing heavy rainfall, early landslide alerts have been issued by the National Building Research Organisation for multiple areas across seven districts.

A Level 2 (Amber) advisory has been issued for several areas in the Kalutara, Kandy, Matara, and Ratnapura Districts, effective until 06:00 a.m. on the 29th:

• Kalutara: Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat Division
• Kandy: Pasbage Korale Divisional Secretariat Division
• Matara: Kotapola and Divisional Secretariat Divisions
• Ratnapura: Ratnapura Divisional Secretariat Division

Meanwhile, a Level 1 (Yellow) alert has been issued for:

• Galle: Neluwa and Elpitiya Divisional Secretariat Divisions
• Hambantota: Walasmulla Divisional Secretariat Division
• Kalutara: Agalawatta and Walallawita Divisional Secretariat Divisions
• Kegalle: Ruwanwella Divisional Secretariat Division
• Matara: Mulatiyana and Athuraliya Divisional Secretariat Divisions
• Ratnapura: Kalawana, Kolonna, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kiriella, Ayagama, Elapatha, Nivithigala, and Pelmadulla Divisional Secretariat Divisions

Residents of these areas are urged to remain vigilant due to the potential risks of landslides and other related geological hazards.

Colombo (LNW): Firearm licence renewals for 2024 for individuals and institutions will be processed from October 01 to December 31, 2023, announced the Defence Ministry in a statement.

There will be no renewals for the 2024 firearm licences after December 31, 2023, and the registration renewal for private security firms for 2024/2025 will also be carried out within the same time period, it added.

The Ministry’s statement added that any late renewals may lead to penalties or potential legal actions.

For additional information, please visit the Defence Ministry’s official website at www.defence.lk.

The Ministry emphasised the legal consequences associated with possessing firearms without a legitimate licence is in compliance with Section 22 of the Firearms Ordinance.

Colombo (LNW): The final date for the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations will be announced by the first week of October, said Secretary to the Education Ministry Nihal Ranasinghe.

He added that a final decision on the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations will be announced on October 02, 2023.

His announcement comes in in the backdrop where Education Minister Susil Premjayanth informed Parliament last week that the exams will be postponed.

The G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations were originally scheduled to take place from November 27 to December 02, 2023, but were postponed following requests by a number of concerned parties, including political parties, over the insufficient time for students to prepare for the examinations.

Colombo (LNW): Three complaints against State Minister and Ruling Party MP Sanath Nishantha over contempt of court will be taken up for hearing from October 27, declared the Court of Appeal.

This was when the said complaints were called in before the Appeal Court bench chaired by Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and comprised of Justice Chamath Morais yesterday (27).

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Giriharagama appearing for the Attorney General’s Department told the Court that the documents pertaining to the investigations involving the video evidence under the Evidence Ordinance have been presented to the Court and requested that dates be fixed for the hearing against Nishantha.

The complaints have been lodged against the State Minister by the Sri Lanka Judicial Officers’ Association, and Attorneys Priyalal Sirisena and Vijitha Kumara, accusing him of committing contempt of court through a statement in which he had allegedly commented on or near August 25, 2022 about the manner in which the magistrates behaved when the protesters of the ‘Aragalaya’ were granted bail.