News
Appointment of committee to review MoUs proves government lacks understanding of international affairs – Eran
By appointing a committee to review the compliance of the MoUs signed with other countries has demonstrated that it has no experience in international relations, says SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne.
President Wickremesinghe has visited 14 countries since 2022 and signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) purportedly to boost trade and investment.
Addressing the media at the opposition leader’s office in Colombo, Wickramaratne said that the government had also passed the Online Safety Act in haste and is now trying to amend it again. Since it is a legislative process we can amend such acts on our own. “But the appointment of this committee proves that neither the government politicians nor the relevant officials understand that a MoU signed with the international community cannot be reviewed and revised unilaterally.
Explaining about the Free Trade Agreement signed with Thailand recently for duty-free export of goods, Wickramaratne said t this agreement did not yield any immediate benefits to Sri Lanka. “One of the objectives of signing MoUs is to enable our country, which has a small economy, to export more products duty free. But through this agreement, Sri Lanka will get the opportunity to export goods to Thailand under tax concessions after the next 10 years. When we signed such an agreement with India during the last good governance period, we successfully negotiated to export goods to the Indian market duty-free from the first year itself, he said.
“There is no point in publishing photos of state leaders shaking hands and smiling in the media. This government and officials have failed to negotiate and make agreements to the satisfaction of the consumer and our producers.”
Bus fares have been increased by 12.19% with effect from midnight today [23rd March 2026].
The minimum fare will be increased from Rs 27 to Rs 30 while the maximum fare of Rs2159/- will be increased to 2422/-
Latest News
Public will not be served as Computer system failure at Department of Registration of Persons
The Acting Commissioner General of Registration of Persons has announced that due to an unexpected failure of the computer system of the Department of Registration of Persons, all services, including the one day service will not be held on Tuesday (24th March) at the Head Office and all Provincial offices.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 22 March 2026, valid for 23 March 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Two killed when Air Canada jet hits fire truck at NYC’s LaGuardia Airport
Bus fares increased by 12.19% from midnight today [23]
Public will not be served as Computer system failure at Department of Registration of Persons
Trump says he is postponing strikes on Iran power plants after ‘productive’ talks on ending war
Asia stocks slide as US and Iran threaten to escalate war
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoCIABOC questions Ex-President GR on house for CJ’s maid
-
News7 days agoSri Lankan marine scientist Asha de Vos honoured at UNGA opening
-
News7 days agoAustralian HC debunks misleading travel risk claims for Sri Lanka
-
News5 days agoBailey Bridge inaugurated at Chilaw
-
News5 days agoPay hike demand: CEB workers climb down from 40 % to 15–20%
-
News4 days agoCIABOC tells court Kapila gave Rs 60 mn to MR and Rs. 20 mn to Priyankara
-
Editorial6 days agoCouple QR-based quota with odd-even rationing
-
News3 days agoColombo, Oslo steps up efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key environmental priority areas