Page 18 - Uditha Jayasinghe News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Sri Lanka has invited bids for state-run carrier SriLankan Airlines as the island nation looks to reduce losses incurred by government-owned enterprises under a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. The South Asian country secured a staff level IMF agreement on the first review of its bailout recently but it still needs approval from the IMF's Executive Board. The airline, one of Sri Lanka's biggest loss-making state enterprises, has struggled in recent years with a fall in tourism because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis.

Sri Lanka's key inflation rate rose to 1.5% in October from 1.3% a month ago, the statistics department said on Tuesday. The Colombo Consumer Price Index, a leading indicator for broader... -October 31, 2023 at 05:36 am EDT - MarketScreener

Maldives has started negotiations with India to remove its military presence, President-elect Mohamed Muizzu said in an interview published by Bloomberg News on Friday, as New Delhi and Beijing both vie for influence in the region. Muizzu said in the interview he had already begun negotiations with the Indian government on removing its military presence, calling those talks “very successful already.” “We want a bilateral relationship that’s mutually beneficial,” Muizzu told Bloomberg, adding that Indian soldiers would not be replaced by troops from other co...

Sri Lanka's apparel export earnings slumped by $900 million in the first nine months this year, an industry association said on Friday, as slowing global demand undermines a mainstay of the struggling... -October 27, 2023 at 02:13 am EDT - MarketScreener

Sri Lanka's cabinet approved issuing free tourist visas to visitors from seven countries including China, India and Russia, a statement issued by the media ministry said on Tuesday, to boost tourism and help revive its crisis-hit economy. Tourists from China, India, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia will be issued free visas till March 31, 2024 under a pilot programme, the statement detailing cabinet decisions said. The scheme is part of attempts by Sri Lanka to boost tourism recovery and hit a target of five million arrivals by 2026, the statement added.