Colombo, Dec. 11 (Daily Mirror) - Following the involvement of former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, the government is likely to lift the ban on the cultivation of palm oil imposed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa when he was in power in 2021.

Over 3,000 complaints concerning incidents of bribery have been reported as of November this year, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said.

Sri Lanka’s remittances coming through official channels went up to $537.3 million in November 2023, up 40 percent from $384.4 million in the same month a year earlier, due to improved exchange rate after better monetary policy, finance ministry soirces said.

Russia has confirmed the commitment to further fortify the bilateral relations between the two countries, in the economic and security spheres, as well as the cooperation between the two countries on international agenda issues.

Many positive steps have been taken including the establishment of sectoral oversight committees and a budget office in Parliament to promote transparency and good governance, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev held meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and other senior government officials.

Sri Lanka Customs detected parcels containing psychedelic drugs worth over Rs.60 million sent from the USA and Canada at a local courier agency today.

Prospective bidders for the losses and debt-saddled Sri Lankan Airlines will have more time with the Government extending the deadline for Request for Qualification (RfQ) to 9 January next year.

Brazilian officials assured their willingness to further expand relations with Sri Lanka in diverse field’s vis-à-vis trade, investment, tourism and also in the service sector, etc.