News
Govt. bites the bullet, seeks IMF assistance
In addition to USD 780 mn SDR facility
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The cash-strapped government has sought the IMF intervention to address the financial crisis caused by the country’s vital foreign exchange sources dwindling by a big margin in the wake of the raging Covid-19 pandemic.
When The Island asked an authoritative source whether he had facilitated government efforts to secure IMF intervention to address the rapidly deteriorating economic situation, he said that he hoped the Finance Minister would consider all options.
Responding to another query, the official said; “Our country needs a lot of support and good fortune at this juncture.”
The Island raised the issue at hand in the wake of the government making written submissions in this regard.
State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal recently announced that Sri Lanka would receive approximately USD 780 mn through IMF’s SDR (Special Drawing Rights) facility. The total allocation made by the IMF for members’ states was about USD 650 bn, the minister told The Island.
Well informed sources told The Island that the SLPP government was seeking IMF assistance besides the SDR facility as the country lacked the wherewithal to counter the unprecedented crisis.
Sources said that representations had been made to the relevant parties in Washington. The move had been facilitated a Washington-based influential person.
Top Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) spokesperson Dr. Harsha de Silva has repeatedly urged the government to seek immediate IMF assistance.
As a result of Covid-19, the country has been deprived of much revenue from tourism, garment exports and remittances from expatriate workers.
News
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 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, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
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.
News
Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
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