Latest News
New plans to welcome IDPs
The Government has drawn up extensive contingency plans ahead of an anticipated large influx of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from the conflict zone in the Wanni. This came in the wake after the re-capture of Kilinochchi.
The security forces are poised for an all-out offensive on the remaining un-cleared areas, Essential Services Commission sources said.
INGOs and NGOs which had a mandate to operate in Vavuniya would be welcome to offer what assistance they can in this regard and will receive the fullest cooperation of state agencies, sources said.
Civilians who have already reached government-controlled areas state that the majority of people trapped in the Wanni are ready to flee the clutches of the terrorists.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
New rules for m-commerce
Sri Lanka will be issued new policies covering financial transactions through mobile phones as some fast growing mobile companies join banks to offer new payment methods via mobiles, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said.
He pointed out that the move was part of an overall effort to improve the confidence in electronic payments, which would also cover payment cards.
Several Sri Lankan banks have tied up with mobile phone companies to launch payment services for m-commerce.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Awareness on child abuse to be promoted
The next step of this project is to set up divisional level children’s councils which are tasked to discuss child related matters with the local authorities. The Government is also scheduling to set up District Children Councils, Provincial Children Councils and National Children Council respectively.
As Mr.Abeygunawardena pointed out listening to children is the key objective of this project.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Cold wave hits the Nuwara Eliya district
A severe cold wave is hitting the Nuwara Eliya district, thus affecting tea and other plantations in the low lying areas.
Thick frost is falling throughout the nights and in the early hours hot sun is causing destruction to tea and other vegetation.
Night temperatures have dropped to Zero to two Celsius. According to residents of Nuwara Eliya after a spell of heavy rains in the recent months, a severe cold wave is being experienced and the usual weather patterns have changed.
Courtesy: Lankapuvath
Sri Lanka to give incentives for foreign remittances
Sri Lanka will give incentives to expatriate citizens to bring their saving home in the form of higher interest rates and lower taxes, Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal said.
Authorities were also planning to offer an additional ‘bonus interest’ to increase the interest income provided by commercial banks to foreign currency account holders.
They (migrant workers) are encouraged to bring their savings by paying a “reduced tax as the final income tax if some inflows are subject to payment of income tax,” he said
Courtesy: Government Information Department
