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COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says its Executive Board is expected to meet in the coming wee...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says its Executive Board is expected to meet in the coming weeks to finalize the fifth review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement—a decision that will unlock USD 347 million in financing.

Speaking at a press briefing, Julie Kozack, IMF Director of Communications, affirmed that a staff-level agreement was reached on October 9 between IMF staff and Sri Lankan authorities.

“Once the review is approved by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will have access to USD 347 million in financing. We expect the Board meeting to take place in the coming weeks,” Kozack said in response to a question posed by News 1st's Zulfick Farzan.

On Sri Lanka’s recently announced budget—which sets an ambitious 7% growth target for 2026, well above IMF projections—Kozack noted that the Fund is currently reviewing the published budget documents to determine whether they align with program parameters.

“This assessment will be an important part of the review that will be discussed by the Board in the coming weeks,” she added.

Kozack stressed that structural reforms remain critical to lifting Sri Lanka’s potential growth, outlining key priorities:

Trade liberalization and related reforms

Improving and streamlining regulations around Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Accelerating governance reforms

Strengthening social safety nets and deepening welfare benefit schemes

“Continuing to protect the vulnerable should remain a priority going forward,” Kozack emphasized.

13/11/2025

🔴LIVE : News 1st: Prime Time English News - 9 PM | 13.11.2025

13/11/2025

"Thank You, Sri Lanka!": Pakistan Cricketers Express Gratitude

13/11/2025

Steel Walls Rise: Mexico City Braces for Gen Z March at National Palace

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Paul ...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Paul Kapur, the newly appointed Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, on November 12, 2025.

The meeting, held at the State Department in Washington D.C., also included Deputy Assistant Secretary Bethany Poulos Morrison.

Ambassador Samarasinghe was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Madhuka Wickramachchi, Counsellor Chathuri Perera, and Defence Advisor Commodore Dumindu Abeywickrama.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested two alleged associates of the notorious drug kingpin known as ‘Loku Patty’...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested two alleged associates of the notorious drug kingpin known as ‘Loku Patty’ during a pre-dawn operation near the Aluthgama Depot railway crossing today (13).

Acting on intelligence, officers intercepted the suspects and discovered 6 grams of he**in in possession of one suspect and approximately 5 grams with the other.

In addition, authorities seized Rs. 2.6 million in cash, believed to be proceeds from narcotics trafficking.

Investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly laundered over Rs. 5.4 million through bank transactions, funneling profits from the drug network into formal accounts. Police say these funds are linked to operations run by Loku Patty’s syndicate.

The arrested individuals are residents of Uragasmanhandiya and Maha Iduruwa.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered the remand of Ayiyanap Pillai Mubarak, Chairman of the ...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered the remand of Ayiyanap Pillai Mubarak, Chairman of the Kuchchaveli Pradeshiya Sabha and member of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, until November 28 in connection with a bribery investigation.

The order was issued by Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama when the suspect was produced before court. Mubarak is accused of accepting a Rs. 500,000 bribe to prepare a land permit for property belonging to an individual who had migrated during the war and was scheduled to return to Sri Lanka.

President’s Counsel Anil Silva, appearing for the suspect, requested bail, which the magistrate rejected.

However, the suspect’s driver was released on bail, secured by two sureties of Rs. 1 million each.

The court also imposed a foreign travel ban on Mubarak.

The Bribery Commission arrested the suspects on October 31 following investigations into the alleged transaction.

(CNA) : A 42-year-old woman in Singapore was on Thursday (Nov 13) sentenced to one week's jail for lying about her addre...
13/11/2025

(CNA) : A 42-year-old woman in Singapore was on Thursday (Nov 13) sentenced to one week's jail for lying about her address to enrol her daughter in a popular primary school.

The prosecution had sought a fine, but the judge found that a jail term was warranted due to the aggravating nature of this case, including her calculated deception and "selfish motives".

After hearing of her jail sentence, the woman asked the judge to give her another chance, saying she could not go to jail and that her daughter needed her.

The woman cannot be named as the court imposed a gag order protecting the identity of her daughter, who is a minor. The gag order extends to the name of the school, which has since transferred the girl elsewhere.

The woman had pleaded guilty in September to one charge each of giving false information to public servants and giving false information when reporting her change of address. A third charge was considered in sentencing.

The court heard that the woman lived mostly with her partner and her eight-year-old daughter at another address.

She owned a Housing and Development Board flat, which she had been leasing out for about two years from 2023 to tenants.

During the 2023 Primary 1 registration exercise, the woman enrolled her daughter at the school via priority admission based on the distance of their home to the school.

She used the address of the flat she was renting out, as it was within a 1km radius of the school.

A school administrator later alerted the vice-principal that the woman had sent an email about changing her address to her partner's address.

As the partner's address was outside the radius for priority admission, the school personnel informed the accused that they were allowed under Ministry of Education (MOE) rules to transfer the child to another school.

The woman then said she would remain at her flat, although she had not been staying there.

The school began investigating and sent staff members for house visits to the woman's declared address.

(For More Info, Visit; https://english.newsfirst.lk/2025/11/13/singapore-woman-jailed-for-lying-about-address-to-enrol-daughter-into-popular-school)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Financial Crimes Investigation Division is scheduled to record a statement today from Nirmala Pr...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Financial Crimes Investigation Division is scheduled to record a statement today from Nirmala Prasanga, alias Backhoe Saman.

This is with regard to the assets owned by him.

Police say, 'Backhoe Saman' is also the owner of several other buses and a statement regarding this will also be taken.

'Backhoe Saman' is currently being held under detention orders by the Western Province North Crimes Division.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued an arrest warrant for Tusitha Halloluwa, a former Director of ...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued an arrest warrant for Tusitha Halloluwa, a former Director of the National Lottery Board, after a bail guarantor failed to appear in court.

The order was made by Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva during proceedings related to an ongoing investigation into an incident where Halloluwa’s vehicle was attacked and shot at in Narahenpita, with documents inside the vehicle allegedly stolen.

During the hearing, Halloluwa’s legal counsel informed the court that the suspect could not attend due to illness and promised to submit medical reports at the next date.

However, the bail guarantor present was found to be linked to a different case involving Halloluwa, not the current one.

This discrepancy prompted the magistrate to issue the warrant.

The case concerns allegations that Halloluwa failed to cooperate with the Colombo Crimes Division investigation into the shooting and theft.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that the national men’s team will proceed with its ongoing tour of...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that the national men’s team will proceed with its ongoing tour of Pakistan, following comprehensive security assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and relevant authorities.

The decision was confirmed on November 13, after close consultations aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of the 16-member squad, team management, and support staff currently in Pakistan.

The team will complete the three-match ODI series and participate in the Tri-Nation T20I Tournament featuring Pakistan and Zimbabwe. All fixtures will be played in Rawalpindi.

ODI Series:

Nov 14: Second ODI – Rawalpindi

Nov 16: Third ODI – Rawalpindi

Tri-Nation T20I Tournament

Nov 20: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Rawalpindi

Nov 22: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Rawalpindi

Nov 25: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Rawalpindi

Nov 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Rawalpindi

Nov 29: Final – Rawalpindi

COLOMBO (News 1st); The committee tasked with reviewing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and proposing its repeal h...
13/11/2025

COLOMBO (News 1st); The committee tasked with reviewing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and proposing its repeal has officially submitted its report to Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara.

The report was handed over by Committee Chairperson President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne.

The PTA, long considered one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Sri Lanka, has faced criticism for its impact on civil liberties and human rights.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the report will be made available for public viewing in the near future.

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