Sri Lanka experiences islandwide blackout

Government defends imposing 15 percent CESS tax on pads

The Government today defended the decision to impose a 15 percent CESS tax on pads. Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena told Parliament today that the public have been misinformed about the tax on sanitary napkins. He said that the Government did not impose a new tax but instead slashed the import tax on sanitary napkins from 30 percent to 15 percent and imposed a 15 percent CESS tax. “We have not imposed a new tax on sanitary napkins,” he said. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that the CESS

27 Nov, 2020

Lotus Tower turns orange to shed light on gender-based violence

The Lotus Tower in Colombo turned orange today to shed light on gender-based violence. Every year, iconic buildings around the world are illuminated in orange during the ?16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence?, a global campaign that starts from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). This 16 days, in solidarity with the victims and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence during COVID-19, UNFPA Sri Lanka

25 Nov, 2020

Sri Lanka calls on India to focus on the South like the North

Sri Lanka today called on India to focus on the Sinhalese dominated South of the country similar to the focus given to the North and the central hills. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa urged visiting Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to expand its housing project in the South of the country. Rajapaksa said that while India is involved in a major housing project in North and the central hills, India can also do the same in the South. Doval had responded saying India will extend suppo

27 Nov, 2020