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Finance Ministry, Hungary’s Exim sign deal on debt restructuring

Published

10 months ago

2025/07/4

The government of Sri Lanka and the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance Plc. have signed a bilateral agreement in relation to the External Debt Restructuring Process, according to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The Finance Ministry said the signing of the agreement with the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance Plc, is a significant milestone of the External Debt Restructuring Process and testament to the government’s commitment to conclude the restructuring process as soon as possible to restore debt sustainability and thereby revamp Sri Lanka’s economy.

Following bilateral discussions after the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC), the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance Plc. has agreed to provide a debt relief measure by rescheduling the outstanding debts, the Ministry noted.

The estimated rescheduled debt under this agreement amounts to Euro 30 million.

The signing of the agreement will pave the way to developing further the deep and long standing bilateral relationships between Hungary and the Government of Sri Lanka, the Ministry added.

The bilateral agreement was signed by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, on behalf of the government and Györgyi Rehoregh, Director, Foreign Corporate Risk Management & Claims and Recoveries Directorate, and Dr. Adrienn Hegyi Szénásiné, Head of Claims and Recoveries, Foreign Corporate Risk.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

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Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

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