News
PM says SOEs big headache for economy
The Parliament must decide whether the government must still be involved in operating hotels, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said yesterday in Parliament.The PM said that State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) had become a big problem for the economy.
“We must discuss what SOEs are essential and what are not,” he said.The Prime Minister added that the government had not terminated a single employee during the economic crisis and their salaries were paid.
“However, reforms are necessary for the SOEs and they will be restructured in a transparent manner..”
Discussions would be held with all stakeholders, especially the employees,” he said.Gunawardena said it was not the first time Sri Lanka had sought IMF assistance. It had received IMF funding four times between 1965 and 69, twice between 1971-74, four times between 1977 and 88, once in 1991, four times between 2001 and 2009 and finally in 2016.
“We have paid back all these loans,” he said.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
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