Dec 19 (CT) Maha Sangha is of the view that local politicians should voluntarily retire at the age of 60 and give opportunities to young people who can work. If doctors, engineers, and other professionals in the State service retire at the age of sixty, the same law must apply to all politicians, according to Venerable Kappitiyagoda Sirivimala Thera, Anunayake of Rajopavanaramadhipati Ramanna Nikaya of Gatambe. more..

Dec 19 (DM) Air quality in Colombo and Kegalle districts have dropped again today, as per the data put out by the NBRO. Accordingly Air Quality Index (AQI), Colombo and Gampaha were over 150 as of today. Residents in these areas could experience health effects while sensitive groups such as children and older people might experience severe health effects. However the air quality in Jaffna, Puttalam, Badulla and Pollonaruwa Districts which were low during weekend has improved more..

Dec 19 (NR) The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Sri Lanka welcomed Dustin Shiau, Senior Regional Program Officer of the US Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), on a visit to Sri Lanka. During this stay he met with food-insecure communities and heard first-hand accounts of the difficulties they are facing and how USAID and WFP support has helped provide regular meals for their families. more..

Dec 20 (DM) Why are there no incidents of ragging being reported from the private universities in Sri Lanka while brutal and barbaric criminal activities committed in the guise of ragging in state universities have made the entire so-called students movement a mockery? Here lie both the reason and the remedy for the inhuman ragging in state universities. Buddhist and Pali University’s administration office has closed the uni from Dec 19 until further notice following serious incidents more..

Dec 20 (Island) The year 2022 draws to a close, a year that has been the hardest and the most glorious of the past 10 years. It has been the year of exploding gas cylinders, the fertiliser ban and women rising against micro finance. It has been the year of long queues. It is when Colombo erupted in protest as millions converged in its centres, and the President fled the country: the year of the Aragalaya and the year of the Poraattam and the Struggle. It is a year of victories, big and small. more..

Dec 20 (TM) Recent media reports on the alleged increased use of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ice) among schoolchildren have come as a shock to many. In a context where Sri Lanka had not recognised ice as a drug that poses a considerable threat to schoolchildren or adolescents, Sri Lanka is now discussing whether more attention needs to be paid to saving schoolchildren from this drug, more..

Dec 20 (TM) Despite talks on reforming a number of loss-making sectors or State-owned enterprises, SL is yet to pay serious attention to reforming a number of other sectors that have remained stagnant for decades, and are facing various issues due to the lack of reforms. One such sector is the education sector, which, despite minor reforms, is yet to be subjected to considerable reforms that could bring about tangible, national-level changes that are capable of shaping SL’s next generation. more..

Dec 20 (CT) There were media reports circulating a statement issued by the CBSL announcing imposing of fines to 5 named Commercial Banks including State Owned Banks, for non-compliance of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act. According to the published report, the Financial Intelligence Unit collected a sum of SL Rs. 10.7 million as a combined fine from these Banks. The question that arises is, can the slapping of a combined fine be considered as a sufficient more..

Dec 20 (CT) The smell of new textbooks wrapped in fresh covers, shining stationery and the newly stitched uniform with the excitement to head to school has been one of the best experiences that I recall about my school life. Though the SL education system provides all the textbooks and clothing that is adequate to at least stitch one set of school uniforms or a voucher that reduces the price of the pair of school shoes, more..

Dec 20 (CT) The values of a 70-year-old university tradition that provides academic independence, integrity, and transparency in all operations, as well as respect for cultural diversity, are currently breaching their own mission by fostering unending conflict between teacher-student and student-student relationships. For the past several weeks, a number of incidents involving the Uni of Peradeniya have been making headlines, beginning with the assault on Prof. Athula Senaratne, more..

Dec 20 (ST) Those who heard of the unprecedented cutlis-pattis party early one Sabbath morning last month must surely be recording all that for posterity. It would add to the ever-expanding anthology of funny tales and other humorous happenings to tell their grandchildren of the glory days in this country like no other. What is more, if I were State Minister Diana Gamage (which, fortunately, I am not) I would have these anthologies of the comic tales of politicians and their faithful lackeys and more..

Dec 20 (Island) Religion and politics are best kept apart. But in this country religion has got politicised, and politics has become a religion of sorts. Worse, politicians are deified, and some Buddhist monks have become politicians to all intents and purposes. Self-important politicians are in the habit of not only citing scripture but also making strictures on the behaviour of Buddhist monks and the morals and mores of contemporary society. Some party leaders chose to parade what they made out to be more..

Dec 20 (DM) Last week, a student mob at Peradeniya University stormed the residence of the former vice-chancellor, attacking the residents and ransacking the place. The attack followed a traffic accident involving the son of the vice-chancellor, whose vehicle had hit a student motorcyclist. Violence is not new in the Sri Lankan universities and is often overlooked. This time though, perhaps that it was a former don, who was at the receiving end, triggered a string of condemnation. more..

Dec 20 (FT) The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been crowned Sri Lanka’s Bank of the Year by the respected The Banker magazine of the UK, the Oscar equivalent of the banking fraternity. This is the 12th occasion that Commercial Bank has won this coveted award which is presented in recognition of the Bank’s ability to deliver returns, gain strategic advantage and serve the market while being regarded as more..

Dec 20 (FT) Saudi Arabia’s Ajlan and Brothers Holdings has recently inked into a strategic cooperation agreement with CHEC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, forming a strategic partnership to jointly develop Port City, Colombo and several key pilot developments worth over $ 1.3 billion. The initiatives include the Colombo International Financial Centre (CIFC) Phase 1, Marina Waterfront Commercial and Marina Hotel, Super Luxury Villa and Golf Development within the coming years, more..

Dec 20 (ANI) National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested nine Sri Lankans in a case linked to illegal drugs and arms trade between SL and India, the agency said on Monday. Accused were arrested from Trichy Special camp in TN. Those arrested have been identified as C. Gunashekharan, Pushparajah, Mohammad Asmin, Ghamini Fonseka, Stanly Fernando, Ladiya Chandrasena, Dhanukka Roshan, Vella Suranka and Thilipan. Case pertains to activities of a Sri Lanka drug mafia more..

Dec 20 (DM) Sri Lanka’s FIFA Fan Zone in Negombo was successful in creating a positive hype, which has helped to share with the world the message that the island nation is safe and open for international tourists, said the SL Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB). SLTPB said the zone, which opened on Dec 1, aimed at creating positive sentiments about destination Sri Lanka and by the end of the FIFA World Cup, the objective was achieved. “I would say it was a success. more..

Dec 20 (CT) People’s Bank announced that its 2021 Annual Report garnered yet another honour at the recently-concluded South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) Annual Report Awards 2022, receiving Joint Bronze in the Public Sector Bank category. Awards are conferred based on the criteria of improvement in transparency, accountability and governance and are selected from entries received from 8 countries in the South Asian region including India, Pakistan & Bangladesh. more..

Dec 20 (TM) Noting that his concern is to find out the culprits of the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, instead of finding only those who are alleged to have neglected their duties, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles said that he is willing to meet the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and other Bishops and explain regarding the matter if an opportunity is given. When contacted, he said: more..

Dec 20 (Island) Earl’s Hotels & Resorts, in a vibrant expansionary drive, has invested over Rs. 4 billion over the last 3 years to acquire hotels and build several new ones in Sri Lanka and Japan, its General Manager Dinusha Gunasena said. ‘Our latest addition is the Negombo, Earl’s Regent Hotel, which was built with an investment of Rs. 1.2 billion with 31 rooms. Very soon, we will add another 50 rooms to the property for another investment of Rs 850 million. more..

Dec 20 (FT) The Tea Exporters Association (TEA) at a recent meeting with CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe clarified its position on repatriation and conversion of export proceeds by its’ members. TEA said the tea export business is highly working-capital intensive: teas purchased at the auction are settled within seven days while sales proceeds are often received within 30 to 90 days from the shipment date or in certain cases full or part payment is received in advance. more..

Dec 20 (FT) Apparel export industry suffered its second consecutive month of decline year-on-year (YoY) in November, but early success has ensured 2022 heading to be a record year. As per JAAF provisional data, November exports dropped 9% YoY to $ 425.03 million, as predicted earlier that the market conditions for exports will be challenging in the latter part of the year. In October, exports dropped by 14% to $ 414 million YoY. more..

Dec 20 (ST) Restrictions on imports and the depreciation of rupee against the US dollar are weighing on Christmas sales, traders say. The rupee is one of the world’s worst performing currencies. The president of Pettah Textile and Merchants Association, Mohomad Yaseen Haja Najimudeen said that prices of imported textile products have doubled. “Compared with the years before the pandemic, we make only 25% of sales now. Even during the pandemic we had better sales." more..

Dec 20 (EN) Two Sri Lanka state enterprises and the island’s aviation regulator had made a contribution of 2.0 billion rupees to support state finances, the President’s office said. Sri Lanka Ports Authority had contributed as billion rupees and the Sri Lanka Airport and Aviation Services had contributed a 500 million rupees. The Civil Aviation Authority, the aviation regulator had contributed another 500 million rupees, to the consolidated fund, the statement said. more..

Dec 20 (CT) Jaffna Kings completed their league phase of the LPL with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Colombo Stars in the 19th match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. Jaffna Kings put up a clinical performance to restrict their opponents to a modest 128 for nine after having elected to field first, in the first game of the double header. They went on to overtake that score quite convincingly with 25 balls to spare following a tremendous batting performance. more..

Dec 20 (Island) The CID is investigating an SMS believed to have been sent to the mobile phone of Brian Thomas by Dinesh Schaffter’s killer after the businessman became a victim last Thursday. Investigations conducted by the CID have revealed that the car in which Dinesh Schaffter travelled had moved directly to the Borella Cemetery from his home on Flower Road on the day he was murdered, last Thursday. A senior CID officer said that much information had emerged over the murder more..

Dec 20 (ST) SL has opposed the allocation of a staggering US$ 3.4mn (Rs 1.2bn) by the UNHRC resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in SL, the entirety of which the Govt has categorically rejected. The sum is part of the UN’s suggested programme budget for 2023 to assist implementation through its relevant arms of the resolutions and decisions adopted by the UNHRC on various countries. more..

Dec 20 (DN) SL should urgently reduce the domestic aviation taxes which were imposed before the recent budget and upgrade the domestic airports to kick start the local domestic aviation industry, said President Chamber of Tourism and Industry, A.M. Jaufer. There are 26 airlines operating in SL and there are 18 domestic air services in the country providing domestic flying by five institutions with flying craft and three with helicopters. All other craft are also used for flying training. more..

Dec 20 (Island) SriLankan Airlines is organizing the first-ever series of meetings in SL for Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Nepal as part of its ramped-up efforts to help the country rebuild and grow tourism. The airline’s commercial strategy and product portfolio caters to many different types of travellers, and MICE tourism remains a focal segment. As an airline, SriLankan is able to provide the complete package to MICE customers inclusive of air travel; hotel accommodation; transfers; tours and more..

Dec 20 (TM) A protest was staged outside the Ministry of Power and Energy last morning by the Electricity Consumers’ Association against a Cabinet paper being submitted to the Cabinet for an increase in the electricity tariffs during which they called for the said paper to be revoked. Speaking to the media during the protest, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha alleged that the Cabinet paper proposed a significant increase in tariffs. more..

Dec 20 (ANI) Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that 2,835 Indian fishermen have been released from SL since 2014. "Since 2014 the number of Indian fishermen released from Sri Lanka is 2,835," Jaishankar said while speaking in Lok Sabha. Hailing PM Narendra Modi for the release of the Tamil fishermen, Jaishankar further said, "PM Modi has given attention to the problems of Tamil fishermen. PM has spoken with SL President and PM on repeated occasions." more..

Dec 20 (TM) The IUSF is to meet with all political parties and groups of the Parliamentary Opposition as part of its programme against what the IUSF claims is the Govt’s programme of repression, including the continued detention of IUSF Convenor Wasantha Mudalige under PTA. Acting IUSF Convenor, Terrance Rodrigo said: “We hope to meet and discuss with a number of political parties and groups of MPs, more..

Dec 20 (DN) A full scale investigation is being carried out by the Education Ministry on the issue reported in the Ehetuwewa Bandaranayake Navodya School in the Galgamuwa Education Zone during the Grade Five Scholarship Exam held last Sunday. Examinations Commissioner L.M.D. Dharmasena said that the examination invigilators and the staff of the examination centre were summoned to the Education Ministry for an inquiry yesterday and their statements recorded. more..

Dec 20 (AJ) SL’s navy has rescued 104 Rohingya adrift off the Indian Ocean island nation’s northern coast, an official said. Tens of thousands of mainly Muslim Rohingya suffer hardships in cramped refugee camps in Bangladesh after they escaped violence by the Myanmar military. The UN said the military operation was conducted with a genocidal intent and it was investigating Myanmar officials. Many Rohingya in Bangladesh and Myanmar risk their lives every year by attempting to more..

Dec 20 (TM) The CID is to carry out a forensic examination of a mobile phone which belonged to murdered businessman Dinesh Schaffter and a mobile phone owned by former cricket commentator Brian Thomas, as part of the ongoing murder investigation. The forensic examination of Schaffter’s mobile phone has already commenced, but that it would take a long period before it is completed as there is a large more..