CBSL holds policy interest rates at current levels.

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 14.50% and 15.50%, respectively. The decision was taken a…

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Rare 17-pound meteorite discovered in Antarctica.

During a recent excursion to the icy plains of Antarctica, an international team of researchers discovered five new meteorites — including one of the largest ever found on the continent. The rare meteorite is about the size of a cantaloupe but weighs a hefty 17 pounds (7.7 k…

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ICC most followed international sports federation on social media.

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) 92.2 million followers across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube makes it the most followed international sports federation on social media, according to a study from BCW Sports. Confirmed: The ICC increased its followin…

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NASA to test nuclear fission-powered spacecraft engine by 2027.

The top official at the United States space agency NASA has said the country plans to test a spacecraft engine powered with nuclear fission by 2027, an advancement seen as key to long-haul missions including a manned journey to Mars. NASA will partner with the US military’s …

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Pope says homosexuality "is not a crime".

Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church. “Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said during an e…

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Wanindu and Inoka named in ICC’s T20 Teams of the Year

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday (January 23) released the Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2022 and the Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2022, which both include one Sri Lankan player each. The ICC opened the 2022 awards announcement week by revealing the T20I Team…

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China's EXIM bank gives Sri Lanka debt extension.

The Export-Import Bank of China has offered Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt and said it will support the country's efforts to secure a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. India wrote to the IMF ea…

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Teams and Outlook go down for thousands of Microsoft users.

Microsoft is investigating an outage that left thousands of users around the world unable to access the website's services, including Teams and Outlook. The company did not say how many were affected, but Downdetector.com, which tracks outages, recorded thousands of peop…

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Chris Hipkins has been sworn in as New Zealand's 41st prime minister.

Jacinda Ardern's successor Chris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand PM. The 44-year-old was formally appointed to the role in Wellington, a week after Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation. Ms Ardern, 42, had said she no longer has "enough in the tank" to lead the…

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Meta to reinstate Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) said Wednesday (25) it will reinstate former U.S. President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks, following a two-year suspension after the deadly Capitol Hill riot on January 6, 2021. The restoration of his accou…

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International Customs Day - 26 January.

Every year on January 26th, International Customs Day recognizes the role of custom officials and agencies in maintaining the flow of goods across the world’s borders. On this day, members of the World Customs Organization (WCO) also showcase their efforts and activities. Cu…

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ICC announced five Teams of the Year in ICC Awards 2022.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has completed announcements of the ICC Teams of the Year, a feature of the ICC Awards 2022 which captures the best combined XIs across the different formats of men’s and women’s international cricket after an action-packed year of com…

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FIFA suspends Football Federation of Sri Lanka.

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has been suspended by FIFA with effect from 21st January 2023 until further notice. In a circular to member associations, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura stated that as a result of the decision taken by the Bureau of the FIFA …

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Biden to name Jeff Zients as next chief of staff.

U.S. President Joe Biden will name former COVID policy coordinator Jeff Zients as his next chief of staff, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday, refreshing a key role as Biden readies a likely re-election bid and faces a probe of his handling of classified docum…

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Brazil declares Public Health Emergency for Yanomami People.

Brazil’s government has declared a public health emergency for the Yanomami people in the Amazon who are suffering from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria because of illegal mining. The decree, signed by Health Minister Nisia Trindade on Friday (20), has no expiration…

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ICC Men's & Women's T20I Team of the Year 2022 revealed.

The ICC Team of the Year recognises 11 outstanding individuals who have impressed one and all – be it with the bat, the ball or their all-round exploits in a calendar year. Below noted 11 players who make the cut in the shortest format of the game for men's cricket. Below…

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New York passes bill to codify abortion rights in state constitution.

The New York legislature on Tuesday (24) passed an amendment to the state constitution that would enshrine abortion rights and other protections in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the federal right to abortion in Roe v. Wade.  It’s the second time t…

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1.2-Million-year-old Obsidian Axe Factory found in Ethiopia.

Reporting on the latest findings from the Melka Kunture archaeological site in Ethiopia, a team of researchers has described the discovery of an obsidian handaxe workshop within a layer of sediment dated to 1.2 million years ago.  This represents a staggeringly early example…

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International Day of Education - 24 January.

Every year on January 24th, the International Day of Education celebrates the role of education in global peace and sustainable development. Education is essential for many reasons. Education provides knowledge. It helps people better themselves and understand the world arou…

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Steven Spielberg wins big as Golden Globes make comeback

Steven Spielberg claimed top honors including best drama at the Golden Globes on Tuesday for his deeply personal film “The Fabelmans,” as Hollywood’s A-list stars flocked to the first major awards show of 2023 despite a series of scandals swirling around its organizers. The …

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