News
Price controls removed
By Saman Indrajith
There are no goods in the market at the government stipulated prices, says the Samagi Jana Balavegaya.
Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday that the government had announced maximum retail prices through gazettes but nowhere in the market were goods available at those prices.
“There is a gazette stating the controlled price of sugar at Rs. 88 a kilo but in the market it is Rs. 99 a kilo. This is true of other essential items. There is no place where 27 commodities are sold at the government-stipulated prices.”
Minister Bandula Gunawardane: There is no such gazette. We have withdrawn it.”
MP Kiriella: “When did you withdraw the gazette?”
Minister Gunawardane: We withdrew it today.
Minister Gunawardane said that the gazette on controlled prices had been withdrawn after announcing that the government would maintain fixed prices as regards 27 essential commodities for three months starting Feb 8, subject to foreign exchange rates and any taxes that may be imposed on certain imported goods. As per that directive, prices of red raw, white raw, white nadu, samba, and kiri samba rice, wheat flour, white sugar, brown sugar, green tea, red dhal-Australian, big onion-Indian, potato-native, potato-Pakistani, chickpea, dried chili, canned fish local and imported, sprats, chicken, salt, milk powder, soybean oil, laundry soap, laundry bar soap, fragrance soap, hand wash liquid, mouthwash will be kept stable for the next three months.
The Minister said that when the sugar price increased in the world market, four gazettes had been issued by the President to remove taxes on four essential items including sugar, but nowhere were those items sold at the revised prices except at Sathosa outlets. Therefore, we withdrew the price control gazette today and introduced the new mechanism.”
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
PM pays condolence to pope Francis at the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo
President conducts an inspection tour of Kandy city
Sri Lankan delegation meets with US Trade Representative
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