News
IMF Senior Mission Chief upbeat about Lanka’s prospects under their programme
International Monetary Fund Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Peter Breuer, has commended Sri Lanka’s economic recovery in recent years, stating that as economic opportunities return to Sri Lanka, income will increase and poverty decrease, making it more attractive for the people to remain in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a press conference on the IMF Executive Board’s completion of the third review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, the IMF Senior Mission Chief stated that Sri Lanka’s reserves have increased significantly so far under the EFF programme.
“They have reached about half of the programme objectives already which is very impressive”, Breuer said.
He said: “I think it’s quite clear that things really have turned around significantly in Sri Lanka. When I first got to Sri Lanka in June 2022 everybody was on a line somewhere to get fuel, to get cooking gas, get food or medication. Economic activity was very subdued. I think in real terms Sri Lanka lost around 10% of its economic activity as a result of this crisis.”
“Since then in the short amount of time that the programme has been there, basically since 2023, it has already recovered 40% of the income it lost in the preceding five years. In a short amount of time Sri Lanka already had a very significant recovery – the most recent growth number was 5.5%. So I think things are turning around significantly in Sri Lanka and that will have an impact on the indicators that we care about, such as poverty.”
“As economic opportunities return to Sri Lanka, income will be increased and poverty will be reduced. Also, it will be more attractive to remain in Sri Lanka, not leave or emigrate. Those who have emigrated will find opportunities back in Sri Lanka”, Breuer said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to establish the proposed National Higher Performance Centre for atletes.
News
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
The cremation ceremony of the late Deputy Prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya,
Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha,
Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero who passed away on 18.10.2026 is scheduled to be held at the Gatambe Urban Council playground on 21.10.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the joint resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments and the Minister of Buddha Shasana, Religions and Cultural Activities to conduct the cremation ceremony with state patronage.
The Suraksha Student Insurance Program has been initiated with the primary objective of the creation of the necessary environment for the students who encounter various obstacles due to various health issues to overcome barriers and continue their education without any interruption.
The students studying in government schools, government approved private schools, Pirivenas and Assisted special schools are eligible to obtain the benefits under this program.
The Cabinet of Ministers, decided to grant their approval for the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, to revise and implement the currently enforced agreement regarding the aforementioned Suraksha Student Insurance Program between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation for the period from 01-09-2026 to 31-08-2027,
with the inclusion of the following new benefits as well.
• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs. 75,000/- for repairing hearing accessories and for the service charges incurred thereof.
• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs.20,000/-for the students who are taking medicines in long term for the diseases such as for chronic kidney diseases and Chronic
Inflammatory Arthritis.
• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs.20,000/- for the expenses incurred for the tests Malignancy Screening Test for Skin Cancer, Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD), Screening Test for Osteoporosis, Screening Test for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.
• Revising ‘Cancer Treatment’ under the critical illness category to ‘Cancer Treatment and related Testing’, and covering expenses incurred for major surgeries required for hip, shoulder, and knee joint replacements due to sudden accidents, as well as PET Scans, under the critical illness category.
• Providing the opportunity to claim an amount of Rs. 100,000/- under the accidental category for student fatalities occurring due to sudden accidents during activities organized by institutions under the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, and conducted under the supervision of educational authorities (such as educational terms/excursions and sports meets, etc.) either within or outside the school.
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
Implementation of Suraksha Student Insurance Program for the Year 2026/2027
Environmental laws will be enforced equally against everyone
President pays last respects to Most Venerable Kappetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thera
Shafali receives demerit point for breaching Level 1 of ICC code of conduct
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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