Jan 24 (FT) The Parliamentary Housekeeping Committee decided to upwardly revise the daily meal charges for MPs from Rs. 450 to Rs. 2,000. The move was taken during a meeting held yesterday under Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly it was decided to significantly increase the price of breakfast, lunch, and evening tea. As per the revised pricing, the morning meal for MPs will rise from Rs. 100 to Rs. 600, lunch will increase more..

Jan 24 (AD) Police have arrested a 23-year-old suspect involved in a series of thefts at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Colombo. The suspect, identified as Khalid Muheideen, a Sudanese national of Eritrean origin, targeted four offices on the 26th floor of the East Tower during the early hours of Jan 17. Police investigations revealed that the man, who appeared well-dressed and wore a face mask, had entered the WTC at approximately 1.00 a.m. on the day of the thefts. more..

Jan 24 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday emphasised the importance of fostering stronger ties between SL and UK during his address at the UK-SL Parliamentary Friendship Association event held at the SL Parliament. Speaking in the presence of distinguished guests, including Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagat Vikramaditya and UK High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, Premadasa lauded the historical contributions of the UK to Sri Lanka’s development. more..

Jan 24 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers chaired by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revoked a decision made by his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe in June last year to award a controversial 484 MW of wind power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn to Adani Green Energy SL Ltd. The project was challenged on multiple grounds, including the arbitrary and excessive price of US cents 8.26 per kilowatt hour at a time when more..

Jan 24 (FT) The iconic Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) which has been held consistently in the Northern Peninsula for the past 14 years, hosting over 300 stalls and thereby strengthening a range of small and medium enterprises island-wide, will once again showcase its 15th edition at the Muttraweli grounds. Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS), a renowned exhibition organiser, this international trade event is to be held this year from 24 to 26 Jan, more..

Jan 24 (Island) Prez’s Office has issued instructions to ministers and deputy ministers setting limits for their staff, vehicles and expenses. Secretary to the Prez Dr. N.S. Kumanayake has said that a minister can have a staff of 15 members and that number has been limited to 12 for a deputy minister. The ministers and deputy ministers must recruit most of their support staff from those already in the state service and none of the support staff should include family members or close relatives, more..

Jan 24 (DN) Build SL Development Society (BSDS) in association with Global Business Enterprise Brussels, Belgium have relaunched their funding projects in SL and Maldives to provide 100% project funding without collaterals and guarantors through their international associates to boost the SL economy. BSDS was first launched in 2018 to bring foreign investments and foreign JV partners to SL as one of the premier investment destinations in the world and many projects were identified. more..

Jan 24 (FT) With continuing deflation, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday reiterated its explanation over the deviation of inflation target. In January inflation was a negative 2% reinforcing the deflationary conditions. In terms of Section 26(5) of the Central Bank of SL Act, No. 16 of 2023 (CBA), if the Central Bank fails to meet the inflation target set out in the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement (MPFA) by a margin specified in the same for two consecutive quarters, more..

Jan 24 (DN) Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando told Parliament that the Govt has not taken any policy decision to abolish the concessionary vehicle permits issued to public servants in the executive category. Minister emphasised that between 15,000 and 20,000 vehicle permits on concessionary terms have been issued to public servants in the executive category so far and that if this opportunity is given at this time, more..

Jan 24 (DM) Gem businessman Thushara Perera said he has been facing political threats over a special blue sapphire which he received in 2017 and is valued at over USD 400 million. This gem is a 350-carat blue sapphire from the corundum family. Although buyers from the United States and Germany were interested in purchasing it, he couldn’t bring the money into Sri Lanka due to legal and financial restrictions. He had to ask govt Ministers for help to sell the stone. more..

Jan 24 (DM) Sri Lanka possesses a strong foundation for a digital economy, with 75% of the necessary skills already in place, according to Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijesuriya. However, to fully capitalise on this potential, the country must bridge the remaining gap and enhance its digital competitiveness. Currently, SL’s digital competitiveness falls within the lower fourth quartile in terms of technology adoption, interest, and inclusivity. more..

Jan 24 (DN) SL Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) has received over 5,000 entries from around 2,400 swimmers for this year’s Novices Swimming Championship, which kicks off today at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool Complex. The 3-day tournament, running from Jan 24 to 26, will feature competitions across six age groups: U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17, U-20, and Over-20. Day one will focus on girls’ events, day two on open events, and day three on boys’ events in the U-11, U-13 & U-15 more..

Jan 24 (TM) National Association of Canoeing and Kayaking in SL (NACKSL) former President Prithiviraj Perera says that if SL’s Olympic movement is to forge ahead, then it will have no other alternative but to clean up the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of its undesirable elements, forthwith. He said if SL strives for anything untoward, then the country will be suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) for more..

Jan 24 (Island) Former SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatte claimed that a bill he presented to the last parliament was not meant to promote LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) rights. Attorney-at-law Dolawatte stressed that he sought to amend Sections 365 and 365A in the Penal Code which criminalised same-sex sexual activity, though it is hardly enforced. The ex-MP Dolawatte said so responding to a query more..

Jan 24 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday reaffirmed its bullish momentum setting new benchmarks amidst gain in indices fuelled by banking stocks. ASPI gained by 197 points or 1% to close at 17,025 points and the active S&P SL 20 by over 36 points or 0.7%. Both indices have crossed the 6% mark in year to date growth. Turnover was Rs. 9.78 billion involving 304.3 million shares. HNB led turnover with Rs. 831 million. Fuelled by rumours of a share split, HNB closed at Rs. 360.50, more..

Jan 24 (Island) SL’s decision to grant permission for an Adani Group renewable energy project has raised significant concerns among environmentalists, economists, and the local communities. Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage said, immediately after launching the South Asia Just Transition Alliance Report on three cross border energy projects in South Asia in Nepal, that despite its portrayal as a clean energy initiative, project serves broader geopolitical more..

Jan 24 (ST) Vehicle owners are claiming that the implementation of regulations for vehicles under the Clean Sri Lanka project are confusing and arbitrary following the introduction of a registration process for some modifications. “I feel like the regulation just depends on whatever the examiner is feeling that day so you just go in hoping they’re in a good mood,” said 4 x 4 enthusiast Yanik Perera from Wattala. He noted that most of the communication and information surrounding more..

Jan 24 (Island) A stalwart who played a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s cricketing fortunes both before and after the country gained Test status, Neil Perera passed away yesterday at the age of 95, following a brief illness. An engineer by profession at the CEB, Mr. Perera’s heart always beat for cricket. He donned the whites for Panadura Sports Club before swiftly transitioning into cricket administration, where he made an indelible mark. He managed several SL teams, both in the pre-Test era more..

Jan 24 (FT) Galle Literary Festival (GLF), Gourmet Galle, and the Art Trail stand as vibrant showcases of SL’s cultural heritage, playing a vital role in elevating its tourism industry and economic prospects. Together, these festivals not only celebrate the country’s rich heritage but also position SL as a premier destination for cultural tourism on the global stage. The economic impact of these events is considerable. In 2024 alone, the festival generated a combined economic contribution more..

Jan 24 (FT) A SL delegation of food and beverage companies successfully concluded a four-day business visit to Saudi Arabia. Embassy of SL in Riyadh in collaboration with the SL Export Development Board organised the visit from 12 to 17 Jan 2025 to promote SL food products and beverages in the Kingdom. The visit was aimed at providing the SL food and beverage manufacturing companies with opportunities to build new business relationships, to explore new market more..

Jan 24 (FT) Leema Creations, SL’s most celebrated interior design solutions expert, marks its 25th anniversary this year, celebrating a quarter-century of excellence in the field of interior design and manufacturing of bespoke furniture. With an impeccable track record and recognition both locally and internationally, Leema Creations has firmly established itself as a leader in the industry. Throughout its illustrious history, Leema Creations has reached the pinnacle of success by more..

Jan 24 (FT) SL has exported 245.7 Mn kg in 2024 worth $ 1.4 billion narrowly ahead of last year’s low figure of 241.9 Mn kg. One significant positive aspect is that the value of exports reached an all-time high of Rs. 437 billion which converts to an approximate USD value of $ 1.435 billion. This USD value results in a highest ever FOB per kg of $ 5.83. But earnings in the hands of the farmer and estates had declined in Rupees because more..

Jan 24 (Island) The signing of US $3.7 billion deal to construct a state-of-the-art oil refinery oil refinery, with a capacity of 200,000 barrels, in Hambantota with Chinese state-run oil giant Sinopec during Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD)’s state visit to China, is indeed an important achievement. This is significant because successive governments had tried but failed to attract such a large investment into petroleum refining in Sri Lanka. However, it is appropriate to ask more..

Jan 24 (Island) The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI) has called upon the govt to import 200 million coconuts immediately to meet a shortfall in the domestic supply. Otherwise, the prevailing coconut shortage will take a turn for the worse during the upcoming festive season, the CCCI has warned. Widely consumed varieties of rice are also in short supply, and their prices are soaring. Red rice has become as rare as a snowflake in summer. The govt is all at sea, and more..

Jan 24 (ST) Recently, a friend of mine posed an important puzzle to me: “I know the value of free trade and competition for the success of businesses, but I have a difficulty of applying it to our rice production in Sri Lanka”. Many of our rice farmers are poor and the price they receive for paddy harvest is too low. On the part of the consumers – about 22 million people in Sri Lanka – market price of rice, their staple food, is too high. Accordingly, the price should be higher for the farmers, more..

Jan 24 (TM) Gaps in enforcing the rule of law has contributed to the public being weary of the Police and the State. Sri Lanka has had a systematic failure to enforce the laws which govern the land for decades. As such, lawlessness, crime and corruption reigned, and remains a constant issue. One of the key issues which has been a part of the problem is the lack of integrity and professionalism in the law enforcement agencies. Today, many have little or no respect for the Police. more..

Jan 24 (TM) As Sri Lanka braces for a projected 5.2% increase in electricity demand in 2025, concerns are mounting about the country’s ability to meet this surge in energy requirements, particularly during the upcoming dry season. With the CEB forecasting a substantial rise in demand, the question arises whether the island nation can avoid relying on emergency power purchases to fill the gap, especially when hydropower more..

Jan 24 (DM) Gamini Akmeemana’s (GA) brilliant article, English: What Our Politicians Failed to Understand (13th Jan), inspired me to offer both heartfelt praise and clarify a popular misconception. GA mentioned that he studied entirely in Sinhala medium during his school years and later learned English literature at Aquinas. Yet, as I recall, he achieved the remarkable feat of winning the prestigious Gratiaen Prize for best English fiction—a truly inspiring accomplishment. more..

Jan 24 (DM) Sri Lanka stands at crossroads in its economic history. Following a series of financial challenges, the country requires a robust and comprehensive policy framework to stimulate recovery and ensure long-term prosperity. This article outlines a multi-pronged approach that integrates fiscal discipline, structural reforms, social equity, and sustainable development. Achieving fiscal stability is paramount for restoring investor confidence and reducing the country’s debt burden. more..

Jan 24 (CT) SL’s first hotel entirely operated and managed by women, Amba Yaalu Kandalama wants to redefine the role of women in the hospitality sector, breaking down gender disparities in an industry where female participation has traditionally been limited. Hence, in the heart of Dambulla, where ancient kings once ruled and vibrant landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, a pioneering eco-friendly hotel is rewriting more..

Jan 24 (CT) The recent announcement by the Ministry of Finance allocating USD 10.5 million for the construction of the Kurinchakerny Bridge in Kinniya, Trincomalee District, is a long-overdue step towards addressing a critical need. For years, approximately 100,000 residents have faced immense challenges due to the absence of a safe and reliable means to cross the Kurunjankeni Lagoon. While this development offers hope, it also underscores the failures of governance, more..

Jan 24 (DM) When the much looked forward to film Rani is released soon, it is sure to take us back to a dark past when youth went missing sans a trace. Richard de Zoysa was one such youth who went missing. His mother was lucky to see the remains of her son after a gruesome killing. The film is based on the struggles Richard’s mother (Dr. Manoranee Saravanamuttu) makes to bring justice to her son, whose life was snatched away prematurely. It is suspected that Richard was killed due to more..