The Sri Lanka Customs have cleared 75,000 metric tons of imported rice as of December 29, following the government’s move to allow rice imports without permits.

According to the Customs Media spokesman and Additional Director General, Seevali Arukgoda, the cleared imports include 32,000 metric tons of Samba and 43,000 metric tons of Nadu rice. He also noted that efforts are underway to expedite the release of additional rice shipments.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to enhance its air capabilities with the addition of eight Bell 206 helicopters from the United States and an FT-7 trainer aircraft from Pakistan this year, the Daily Mirror learns.

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya (Retd) has been appointed as the new Chief of National Intelligence, the Ministry of Defence said. He officially received his letter of appointment from Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) yesterday. Major General Wanigasooriya commenced his duties in his new role at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will contest the upcoming elections, including the Local Government and Provincial Council elections, under the ‘Chair’ symbol, SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake said today.

The crisis involved in the issuance of passports is to exist further in the New Year, since the available stock is sufficient only for the first half of this year, and the government is still at a loss to call for tenders to get fresh copies of the P-series.

The second reading of the 2025 Budget Proposal, or Appropriation Bill, will be presented in Parliament on February 17, as announced by Parliament Secretary General Kushani Rohanadheera following a Steering Committee meeting on Parliamentary Affairs.

Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva yesterday asserted that he wanted to avoid civilian casualties at all costs caused by military fire during the ‘Aragalaya’ period in 2022, but the rulers misunderstood his strategy, which put him at a disadvantage.

The controversy surrounding former Speaker Asoka Ranwala’s doctorate has taken a bizarre twist, with NPP MP K. Illankumaran from the Jaffna district describing Ranwala as a “Medical Doctor". Ranwala, recently resigned amid allegations of using fake educational credentials.

By the end of 2024, the Sri Lanka Customs achieved a record-breaking revenue of over Rs. 1.5 trillion, marking the highest annual revenue in its history.

The fuel price revision took place with the price of a litre of kerosene reduced by Rs. 5, effective from tonight, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced. Accordingly, the new retail price of a litre of kerosene will be Rs. 183.

The annual birth rate in Sri Lanka has reported a significant drop, according to Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera. Deepal Perera revealed Sri Lanka’s annual birth rate has reduced from 350,000 to 250,000.