Sri Lanka is facing cash crunch at present with the country’s balance of payments in a very bad position with escalating public debt, a massive fiscal deficit and dwindling of foreign reserves, economic forecasters warn.

The expected increases in taxes will raise the price of a cigarette by around Rs. 11.00, say health ministry sources.

Leaders of both the UNP and the SLFP have agreed that the 2017 budget will be presented in November with the approval of president Maithripla Sirisena.

Sri Lankan high commissioner in Malaysia Ibrahim Ansar has decided to leave the diplomatic service and enter politics, say sources close to him.

The appeal over the death sentence verdict issued against five persons including Duminda Silva, for the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and four others, was filed at the Supreme Court on the 22nd of this month.