May 9 (FT) Child Protection Force (CPF) has expressed deep concern over the events on Friday night near the Parliament where children and pregnant women were among those who fell victim to a tear gas attack by police. CPF Founder Milani Salpitikorala said the organisation condemns the brutal attacks aimed at civilians of which many were infants, pregnant women, and children. She urged National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and Women�s and Children Bureau (WCB), more..

May 9 (ST) A jeep similar to that used by the Police was damaged while the head of the controversial Mahason Balakaya Amith Weerasinghe and his family members were travelling near Kandy. The vehicle was reportedly attacked by a gang who had given chase to the jeep following a dispute which occurred in the Kandy town last Thursday. The jeep was blocked by the gang in a lonely area in Lewella and heavy damage to the vehicle occured as a result of their attack. more..

May 9 (ANI) The China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is considering granting USD 100 million in emergency support to Sri Lanka, the country's finance ministry said on Sunday. SL has been reeling under an unprecedented economic crisis that has spiralled into largescale protests, calling for the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sri Lankan Finance Ministry on Sunday said that President of the AIIB Jin Liqun met with SL Finance Minister Ali Sabry virtually. more..

May 9 (ST) Why did a Singapore-based company registered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) collect millions of Euros and hundreds of thousands of dollars between August and October 2012 from three foreign entities and how did these payments get channeled into SL? Who did they go to? These questions were raised anew this week in SL with the airing of a show by Four Corners�ABC�s leading investigative journalism programme more..

May 9 (AD) Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalaka Godahewa says PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the meeting of Cabinet of Ministers, agreed to step down from his position. Dr. Godahewa pointed out that the Prez and the PM are of the same opinion that the country should be saved. On Saturday (7), political sources revealed that PM Rajapaksa has decided to resign from his post during a special Cabinet meeting held at the Prez�s House on the day before. Prez had stated that the PM more..

May 9 (TM) Protests were staged in several areas including Navinna, Armour Street, Jampataa Street, Grandpass, and Slave Island against the prevailing shortage of gas and kerosene, which disrupted traffic on a few main roads yesterday and led to the theft of approximately 100 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders being distributed by Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. One of the most talked about protests demanding LPG was held in the Armour Street area in Maradana, disrupting traffic on more..

May 9 (TM) Amidst strong speculation that he is set to submit his letter of resignation to Prez Rajapaksa today (8), PM Rajapaksa was booed and hooted at by citizens at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in A'pura yesterday during his visit to the sacred site. They demanded that Rajapaksa resign immediately, claiming that the service rendered to the country by him so far is adequate. �Save the country for us. That is all we ask from you. more..

May 9 (DM) A police constable has been suspended for negligence over failure to provide security for Kaduwela Magistrate Chanima Wijebandara's residence, Police said. They said the media and certain organizations have informed the IGP that the security of the Kaduwela Magistrate has been removed. The IGP had then instructed the Senior DIG Western Province to investigate and report the matter. Kaduwela Magistrate was provided police protection by the Thalangama Police. more..

May 9 (CT) Chief Incumbents of all three Sects, in a letter, reiterated the need for an Interim Administration to be established with the cooperation of all political parties, to resolve the current crisis. Mahanayake Theras, in their letter to Prez, PM, Opposition Leader, and MPs also emphasised the need for immediate action to restore political, social, and economic stability in the country and protect people�s lives. Chief Prelates reiterated that all political parties must work together more..

May 9 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa said he would consider the proposals mooted by Bar Association of SL (BASL) to restore political and economic stability which includes the setting up of a national unity Govt. A delegation from BASL met with the Prez to discuss their 13-point plan to get the country out of the political impasse, and also met with PM Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, former Prez Maithripala Sirisena and more..

May 9 (EN) SL has imposed a nation-wide curfew police said as supporters of PM Rajapaksa attacked protestors asking for Prez Rajapaksa to resign leaving several persons injured. Supporters of PM Rajapaksa swarmed to the main protest site against the govt after leaving his official residence nearby. Rajapaksa who is under pressure to resign said he was ready to make sacrifices to help the country. The supporters first attacked a site in front of the PM�s residence broke through a police more..

May 9 (EN) At least 16 people were hospitalised and a curfew was imposed on Monday after violence erupted in Colombo as hundreds of PM Rajapaksa�s supporters attacked unarmed protesters who had been demanding the resignation of PM and his brother Prez Rajapaksa. Islandwide police curfew was imposed following the violence on the day when Mahinda Rajapaksa was expected to resign. His supporters who had been brought by private buses to his official residence requested not to more..

May 9 (FT) Any meaningful and lasting solution to the current economic crisis has to come not simply by restoring macroeconomic stability but more importantly and fundamentally by restructuring the economy. This structural approach had been overlooked by all previous govts except under the leftist coalition of Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1970s, which ended in disaster for a number of reasons among which an absence of pragmatism played a key role. more..

May 9 (FT) Economics whiz kid Aseni and her Guru Grandpa Sarath Mahatthaya have been examining the current debate on whether Sri Lanka should go for a currency board system to cure its present monetary sector ailments. Sarath Mahatthaya, a former employee of the Ministry of Finance has led the discussion. He has told her that currency boards are not alien to Ceylon because the British colonial masters had established a currency board in the country when the currency issue was more..

May 9 (AD) PM Rajapaksa has stepped down from his position, amidst the ongoing protests against the govt across the country. He has tendered his letter of resignation to Prez Rajapaksa, a short while ago, the PM�s Office confirmed. Rajapaksa�s resignation comes amid ongoing anti-govt protests across the island over the worst economic crisis in the country since its independence. more..

May 9 (EN) SL�s commercial banks quoted the rupee at 375 to the dollar for telegraphic transactions on Monday while only a handful of maturities were quoted in the secondary, participants said. CB�s indicative spot was quoted at 364.76 against the US dollar on Monday, down from 358.5 against the US dollar on Friday. CB was quoting the dollar TT rate on Monday at 361.7/374.9 against the US almost close to the commercial bank rates. The kerb market ended the week at around 397/400 to more..

May 9 (AD) At least 141 people have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following the violent situation that erupted near Temple Trees and spread out to the Galle Face Green protest site and other parts of the country. An unruly group of SLPP supporters today (9) attacked the GotaGoGama anti-govt protest site set up at the Galle Face Green. They caused havoc, assaulting the peaceful protesters at the site while destroying their tents and other properties in the area. more..

May 9 (EN) The declaration of emergency is a deadly blow to democracy and free speech, SL�s Free Media Movement (FMM), a rights body said calling for its removal. FMM wishes to state that the declaration of a state of emergency at a time when the people were peacefully protesting was a deadly blow to democracy. �The freedom of assembly and peaceful dissent can be restricted under the guise of a state of emergency, while other restrictive regulations can be enforced to restrict more..

May 9 (AD) US Ambassador to SL condemned today�s violence against anti-govt protesters as officials said at least 78 people were wounded in attacks by govt supporters. She also called on the govt to carry out a full investigation into the incident. �We condemn the violence against peaceful protestors today, and call on the govt to conduct a full investigation, including the arrest & prosecution of anyone who incited violence,� US ambassador Julie Chung tweeted. more..

May 9 (DM) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was attacked as he entered GotaGoGama with a group of SJB MPs. Premadasa attempted to extend support to the demonstrators at GotaGoGama when he was attached. Several people sustained injuries as supporters of the SLPP, armed with poles and other objects, attacked GotaGoGama in Galle Face. The mob destroyed several tents and other structures erected more..

May 9 (Island) People were demanding Prez Rajapaksa�s resignation, which was a prerequisite for restoring political stability, leader of FSP Kumar Gunarathnam, said yesterday. He said that the people were also demanding the abolition of the Executive Presidency. �The protests have now become a systematic struggle of the working people. During the past weeks, factory workers, farmers, fishermen and others have joined the anti-Gotabaya Rajapaksa campaign. more..

May 9 (Island) The Law Students� Union yesterday called on the Principal and Administration of SL Law College to rescind their decision to conduct the Attorneys-At-Law Examinations as the majority of students were calling for its postponement. The LSU has said in a media statement: �The said examination involves more than 4000 applicants from all over the country, and is scheduled to be held physically, from 9th of May onwards, at 3 exam centres, all based in Colombo district. more..

May 9 (DM) The second son and Chief of Staff of PM Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his wife left the country in the early hours of today morning, the Daily Mirror learns. Yoshitha and his wife arrived at the BIA and left for Singapore. Yoshitha's exit from the country is on a very crucial day as his father, the PM is expected to announce a decision on whether he will step down from the Premiership. more..

May 9 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa has asked the PM-led Cabinet to resign and pave the way to form a national programme to stabilise the country ending the current crises, Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said yesterday. He also said, the PM�s decision to resign would either be made today or in the coming few days. �Once the PM resigns the Cabinet stands automatically dissolved. Prez requested us to resign to end this political stalemate,� he added. Meanwhile, Prez Rajapaksa has phoned more..

May 9 (Hindu) The Central govt should hold talks with Sri Lankan govt and ensure release of 12 jailed fishermen from Rameswaram, said members of fishermen associations affiliated to various trade unions here on Monday. Speaking to reporters, Jesu Raja, fishermen association leader said that on March 23, 12 fishermen ventured into the sea from Rameswaram. While they were engaged in fishing, the SL Navy personnel arrested them charging that they poached into their water. more..

May 9 (EN) Prez Rajapaksa has invited all parties to form a national unity govt after his brother PM Rajapaksa resigned from office. �Prez Rajapaksa told the last Cabinet meeting that the PM Rajapaksa and the cabinet should resign,� a statement from his office said. �Accordingly the PM and the cabinet have now resigned. �To find solutions to the current socio-economic and political and problems, Prez Rajapaksa invites all parties representing parliament to join in a national unity govt.� more..

May 9 (Island) The SJB is divided on whether its leader Sajith Premadasa should be involved in the proposed interim govt, according to party sources. Senior SJB MP said that the majority of the SJB parliamentary group wanted Premadasa to be involved in the interim govt actively and help save the economy. They expected several key ministries to be allocated to the SJB, MP said, adding that there was also resistance to the SJB being part of any administration under the presidency more..

May 9 (TM) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has directed all Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) to refrain from buying back their shares in the market until 31 December 2022, with the aim of maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity and capital buffers in the banking sector. Issuing a directive under the Banking Act to all LCBs, the CBSL has also instructed them to defer payments of cash dividends until the financial statements for 2022 are finalised and audited by external auditors. more..

May 9 9 (ANI) Raising concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, the former Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday condemned violence against the peaceful protesters at the Galle Face area. "GoGotaGama which had been a peaceful demonstration was attacked today. We completely condemn this act of thuggery. We all have to accept responsibility for this. The response we gave to the crisis was not enough," Wickremesinghe said. more..

May 9 (TM) The month of April will go down in SL history as a turbulent period which saw many citizens finding their collective voices to call for much-needed change. The protest at GotaGoGama at Galle Face has not withered as some policymakers predicted and protests have spread to other parts of the country as well, with many communities and groups joining together in a rare show of unity and citizenry. more..

May 9 (NR) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has condemned the attack on peaceful protesters. Cardinal said instigating unrest at a time when the PM promised to resign is unacceptable. Cardinal said organised acts of violence have been reported during the past few weeks with the public riled, and harm brought on innocent people by gangs adding that such action cannot be condoned. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said Policemen must carry out their duties to more..

May 9 (TM) With the resignation of PM Rajapaksa, SL�s constitution dictates that the entire Cabinet will now stand dissolved. According to the Constitution: �On the PM ceasing to hold office by removal, resignation or otherwise, except during the period intervening between the dissolution of Parliament and the conclusion of the General Election, Cabinet of Ministers shall, unless the Prez has in the exercise of his powers under Article 70, dissolved Parliament, stand dissolved and more..

May 10 (DM) The govt or the ruling SLPP cannot absolve themselves from the responsibility for the riots that erupted in front of Temple Trees and the Gall Face Green yesterday, where peaceful anti-govt protests have been going on for the past one month. It was obvious that the thugs who attacked the peaceful protests were govt supporters, and the leaders of the govt must take responsibility for the attacks and other untoward incidents that followed the attacks. more..

May 10 (GV) My beautiful motherland, ravaged by invaders and damaged by internal conflict over the centuries, is now drowning in the depths of economic despair. There is no respite in sight for the people who are going through physical, emotional and financial distress at present. At this challenging moment in Sri Lanka�s post-independence history, as a woman, I think it is important to talk about the courage, sacrifice and endurance of the women of my motherland. more..