News
SLRCS steps in to help Lankans to reconnect with loved ones in West Asia
The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) yesterday said that it was stepping in to help Sri Lankans reconnect with loved ones affected by the recent escalation of hostilities in Iran and other parts of West Asia.
An SLRCS statement said: In response to the recent escalation of hostilities in Iran and other countries, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) is providing support to people in Sri Lanka who are unable to contact their loved ones in affected regions, through its Restoring Family Links (RFL) programme.
The ongoing situation has significantly disrupted internet and communication services, particularly in Iran, leaving many families around the world anxious and uncertain about the safety and wellbeing of their relatives.
To address this urgent humanitarian need, SLRCS is facilitating the collection and transmission of “Anxious for News” messages through the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Family Links Network. These messages are shared with the respective Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in affected countries to help re-establish contact between separated family members, wherever possible.
Individuals who are concerned about relatives in Iran or other affected countries, or who have lost contact with their loved ones, are encouraged to reach out via the RFL Hotline: +94 70 378 8614.
They may also contact any of the 25 SLRCS branches across the country at their convenience. Contact details of all branches are available on the official Sri Lanka Red Cross Society website (www.redcross.lk).
Restoring Family Links remains a vital humanitarian service provided by SLRCS as part of a global network of 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Reconnecting families lies at the heart of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s humanitarian mission. In times of crisis and conflict, restoring contact between loved ones is a critical form of support that brings reassurance and hope to those affected.
This service is free of charge and confidential, and is carried out in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and other Red Cross and Red Crescent partners worldwide.The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society calls on the public to make use of this service. We are here to support you in reconnecting with your loved ones.
As per the provisions of section 51 of the Public Finance Managaement Act No. 44 of 2024, the public should be issued with a report on the final budgetary situation for each year and, the report is then published in the official website of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Thereby the report has to be submitted to the Parliament. The final budgetary situation report (Annual Report) – 2025 has been prepared by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and published. The report contains the Public Finance Policy, strategies and challenges, economic trends in 2025, macro – economic and socio – economic indicators covering all sectors of the economy as well as description on the global economic growth.
Furthermore, it accompanies a detailed description government revenue and expenditure, cash flow management, financing the budget deficit and the loan structure.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 to Parliament.
Business
Cabinet nod to accept increased Loan Grant provided by the Asian Development Bank under Policy Based Loan Facilities – 2026
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 16.03.2026 to obtain United States Dollars 380 million from the policy – based loan facilities of the Asian Development Bank in the year 2026.
United States Dollars 100 million out of it is allocated for Trade, Investment and Industries Development Programme – Sub Programme 1. However, amidst the economic uncertainty resulting from the current Middle East crisis and the climatic tragedies, the Asian Development Bank has agreed to assist
by increasing a supplementary financing package of United States Dollars 100 million so that it will beMincreased up to United States Dollars 200 million.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to take further measures to obtain the said loan grant.
News
Submission of Revenue Protection Order Prepared under the Provisions of the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 to the Parliament for its approval.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was given at the meeting held on 23.02.2026 to impose the custom import duty amounts under four (04) categories as 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% which had been executed only under three (03) categories in order to increase the target export income of the country, to execute the
recommendations of the national customs duty policies committee, and to implement new national sub division customs codes for promoting the local agricultural and industrial sector.
Imposing provisions in relation to the above, the Revenue Protection Order – No. 01/2026 under the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 has been published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2478/03 of 03.03.2026.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the said revenue protection order to Parliament for its concurrence.
Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 submited to parliament
Cabinet nod to accept increased Loan Grant provided by the Asian Development Bank under Policy Based Loan Facilities – 2026
Submission of Revenue Protection Order Prepared under the Provisions of the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 to the Parliament for its approval.
Resettlement of unauthorized settlers affected by the Land Acquisition process for the implementation of Phase III of the Baseline Road Extension Project
Cabinet approves project to modernize school hostel facilities during the 2026–2028 period at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,008 million
New National Action Plan for Human-Elephant Conflict Management to be drafted
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