Peliyagoda fish market shut after traders test positive for coronavirus

President assures local debt restructuring will not affect deposits

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today assured that local debt restructuring will not affect deposits in the banking system or interest on bank deposits that is currently being paid. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a new building of the Gampaha District Secretariat, President Wickremesinghe said that the Government anticipates the restructuring of $17 billion out of a total of 41.5 billion of foreign debt within a 5-year period. Accordingly, he said that local debt should also be restructure

27 Jun, 2023

Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face Numerous Challenges: Report

Afghan refugees in Pakistan face numerous challenges, including arbitrary detentions, harassment, and imprisonment by Pakistani police due to failing to provide valid residential permits and visas, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. Pakistan is one of the primary destinations where Afghan refugees have travelled to after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. After the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, new waves of Afghan refugees shifted to Iran and Pakistan due to vari

27 Jun, 2023

Sri Lanka to bring back artifacts taken to other countries

Sri Lanka is to take steps to bring back artifacts taken to other countries, the Government said today. The Government said that according to Articles 7 and 13 of the Charter on the Prohibition and Prevention of Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property adopted by UNESCO in 1970, a request can be made to return any cultural property currently in the possession of a foreign country. Netherlands has decided to return colonial-era cultural artefacts stolen from countri

27 Jun, 2023