Dec 25 (TM) SL Embassy in Beijing is functioning at a limited capacity due to a number of staff members contracting the Covid-19 virus despite tight quarantine measures in China. According to sources, several members of the mission have begun working from home as they have been infected with a range of Covid-19 strains in China. When contacted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a number of its staff in Beijing had been infected; had begun to work from home. more..

Dec 25 (TM) After shutting down one 300 MW generator at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai on Thursday, CEB yesterday stressed that the available coal stocks would now be sufficient until 8 Jan 2023. SL’s available coal stocks were sufficient only until around 2 Jan due to supply delays caused by a backlog for coal embarkation at a South African port. However, due to the delay in receiving the next scheduled shipment more..

Dec 25 (TM) Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota is scheduled to receive its first int'l passenger flight since the worsening of the economic and political crisis in May 2022, with the arrival of the international flight chartered by the Russian Red Wings Airlines on 29 Dec 2022. AASL Chairman G.A. Chandrasiri revealed that a charter flight from Red Wings Airlines, which was a Russian airline, was scheduled to arrive at MRIA on 29 Dec 2022 carrying over 400 tourists. more..

Dec 25 (SO) Even with the proposed tax increases, SL still maintains a low tax regime compared to most of the other countries, said State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. He was speaking at a seminar on new tax laws and suggestions to improve them on Friday. He said that the current tax structure is lower than countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, and India which are in the same economic tier in personal and corporate income tax. “Even with the enhanced tax rates SL still remains lower than India.” more..

Dec 25 (DM) Bill Gates, the founder of world renowned Microsoft Inc. is to be invited to Sri Lanka, a spokesman from the Prez's office. Gates and other leading global personalities are to be invited to a global renewable energy conference which is to be held in Sri Lanka next year. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assigned his Advisors Erik Solheim and Ruwan Wijewardene to organise the conference and to invite personalities of the calibre of Bill Gates. more..

Dec 25 (SO) Three MPs, W.D.J. Seneviratne, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle and Piyankara Jayaratne are ready to cross over to the Govt from the Opposition, where they have been sitting as an independent breakaway group in Parliament, from the ruling party, SLPP. The group’s leader is MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa. The Sunday Observer asked MP W.D.J. Seneviratne whether he and his independent group of MPs would leave the independent breakaway group & rejoin Govt. more..

Dec 25 (TM) Despite the wave of Covid-19 infections sweeping China, Health Ministry has negated worries in the SL context given that it is too early to ascertain possible impacts and has requested that people continue to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and remain vigilant. Dr. Hemantha Herath said that it was extremely difficult to predict how the new Covid-19 surge in China would be transmitted to Sri Lanka, but more..

Dec 25 (ST) As the air quality of Colombo and several other areas again reached unhealthy levels, the situation will continue with a slight increase in air pollution in the next few days, NBRO said. According to NBRO, the air quality could drop to an unsafe level due to an increase in dust particles in the atmosphere. This would result in foggy or misty conditions in the coming days. One of the main causes of SL’s air pollution was an influx of dust particles carried by strong winds from India, more..

Dec 25 (ST) The rising cost of living has taken a heavy toll on consumer confidence this Christmas season and retailers are feeling the effects. Sri Lankans have been cutting back on discretionary spending, gifts, celebratory food and beverages and decorations. The situation is reflected in the Pettah Market, Colombo, where vendors say sales have been low. The retail sector as a whole is facing economic headwinds. The small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the retail sector more..

Dec 25 (ST) Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella—who returned from a 3-night trip to Chennai undertaken on the invitation of a medical supplier he is promoting for a lucrative Health Ministry contract—ignored Prez’s instructions to follow established guidelines and submitted two consecutive unsolicited proposals from locally unregistered Indian companies to buy drugs under Indian credit line. more..

Dec 26 (CT) A group of SL Muslim expatriates in the West, comprising mainly professionals and intellectuals, observed Remembrance Week – between 8 and 14 of December 2022- marking the violence against SL Muslims. This campaign which continued uninterrupted until the people’s uprising caused by economic bankruptcy and political instability and the realization by the Sinhalese that the hate campaign against the Muslims campaign had been used as a political tool by more..

Dec 26 (ST) Carrots tossed by Prez Wickremesinghe in the form of release of a few PTA political prisoners and return of lands to displaced owners in the North and East have given rise to unseemly jubilation on the part of SL’s Tamil political leadership or what passes as the leadership today. To be clear, one is not being facetious in saying this. On the contrary, it beggars belief as to how the TNA can cheerfully parade such trifles let alone to hold forth on the same to the national media more..

Dec 26 (TM) The price of rice in the local market remains high despite the assurances given by the Govt that the prices will reduce to affordable levels by the festival season. The retail prices per kilo of common rice varieties including samba, nadu, kekulu (white), kekulu (red), ponni samba (imported), nadu (imported), and kekulu (white) (imported) remained at around Rs. 225, Rs. 220, Rs. 210, Rs. 210, Rs. 220, Rs. 195, and more..

Dec 26 (GV) When I look back at 2022, what strikes me more than anything else is how agonisingly slowly it passed. The early days of COVID-19 had been slow enough. But 2022 broke that record. From day one, we were hurtled into one crisis and shortage after another from which there seemed to be no end. We wished for a way out but there seemed to be no way out. Left with no options and faced with the prospect of the country going further down, we developed our coping mechanisms. more..

Dec 26 (ST) The night thickens on Christmas Eve. I snuggle into bed, pull the sheet over my head and pretend to be asleep in expectation of Santa’s traditional visit. My stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there. Suddenly the doorbell rings. The carol choir has come and gone and it’s way too late for any tippler to make a last-ditch call for a quickie. It’s the time the world stands on the threshold and awaits Santa to herald the imminent more..

Dec 26 (TM) The ongoing power crisis appears to be worsening by the day, with the two main generation sources of coal and hydro likely to reach dangerously low levels in the coming weeks, along with inadequate rains received by hydropower reservoirs and delays faced by the scheduled coal shipments. Until sufficient coal stocks arrive in the country, the only available option left to the CEB is to operate all thermal oil more..

Dec 26 (DM) When 2022 dawned, no one would have imagined we the people were about to begin a year of what could be described as one of an unimaginable and unmitigated disaster. Despite rising inflation, economists and political parties in the opposition predicted an economic crisis in the offing and none were prepared for the events which were about to engulf the country. By early February the country was experiencing food, medicine and fuel shortages. Rolling blackouts became more..

Dec 26 (CT) British have influenced every aspect of SL culture, including their language and dress code, but not their punctuality. Sri Lankans, especially some former Presidents, are notorious for arriving late to all of their events despite wearing branded watches. SL Leaders show up when they wish, not at the scheduled time, regardless of the seriousness of the meeting or event. Recently, a delegation from the renowned South Korea Disaster Relief Foundation (SKDRF) was irked when more..

Dec 26 (DM) At least four Sinhala Kings were converted to Christianity with the advent of the Portuguese whereas there was none converted during the Dutch era. According to historians, the first to be converted was Dharmapala (1551-1597CE) of the Kotte Kingdom. A.V. Suraweera, writing a comprehensive account of the rulers of Kotte Period and their relations with the Portuguese in his English translation of Rajavaliya states that the Kotte Kings – Dharma Parakramabahu 1X more..

Dec 26 (TM) In its message on the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, which falls tomorrow (27), the United Nations (UN) stated that the Covid-19 pandemic is more than a health crisis; and that it is an economic, humanitarian, security, and human rights crisis that has highlighted severe fragilities and inequalities within and among nations. Recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic is an ongoing process that involves learning from the harsh lessons the pandemic taught us. more..

Dec 26 (ST) For many SL households, ever-increasing prices of food items has made Christmas and a New Year an unprecedented challenge, despite the relative celebratory mood in the post-pandemic period. An egg cost about Rs 25 last year, but now, even at Rs 50 to Rs 55 each, there is a severe shortage. This means, making cakes, eggnog, and eggs for the Christmas lunch or dinner is a tough choice to make. more..

Dec 26 (TM) The Sri Lankan netball team have succeeded in moving up to the 15th position In the world netball rankings list, the highest position achieved by a Sri Lankan netball team thus far. A month ago, the Sri Lanka netball team reached the 16th position, and, now, a month later, have managed to move up yet another spot, as the Sri Lankan team secured 74 points. Australia hold the first position in the rankings, while New Zealand continue to remain in the second position. more..

Dec 26 (Island) There seems to be no end in sight to the plethora of shocks the hapless public receives from the govt almost on a daily basis. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has said another electricity tariff hike will be effected early next year. Bakery and eatery owners are already up in arms; they have threatened a countrywide strike to register their protest. The vast majority of electricity consumers, however, will be left with no alternative but to stand and deliver, so to speak. more..

Dec 26 (FT) Pelwatte Dairy, the leading local dairy brand in Sri Lanka that produces a range of dairy goods and saves valuable foreign exchange, is also a prime mover in farmer welfare. In its efforts to give back to its farmer community base and uplift it, especially given the economic hardships they presently face, Pelwatte is embarking on an innovative project of collaboration to fulfil a diverse array of farmer family needs. Pelwatte Managing Director Akmal Wickramanayake said: more..

Dec 26 (DM) The writer has read several well written articles in the press chronologically narrating and analysing the history of our current predicament. Now that the symptoms and diagnosis phases over the last 74 years are over and it is high time to find prescriptions and administer the medicines before the patient dies. In other words, specific solutions must be devised and implemented with a sense of urgency to mitigate the present crisis through critical system changes impinging on Public life, more..

Dec 26 (EN) As SL goes through an unprecedented economic crisis, Christmas celebration in the island nation is on muted sentiments as families struggle to afford their three-time meals while businesses are unable to import their seasonal decoration items. Even during the pandemic, hotels and stores in the island were adorned with Christmas decorations by mid-November. However, this year’s festive season is on a dull spell more..

Dec 26 (AD) Dept of Irrigation says that all eight sluice gates of the Deduru Oya reservoir have been opened due to continuous heavy rainfall. The situation is considered to exceed the minor flood situation. Accordingly, it is warned that the low-lying areas of the Deduru Oya reservoir and the roads are at high-risk of being flooded. Earlier, six sluice gates of the reservoir were opened this morning after the upper catchment areas of the reservoir had received rainfall of 150mm. more..

Dec 26 (CT) Winning coach Thilina Kandamby believes Jaffna Kings Vijayakanth Viyasakanth grabbed his opportunity after champion bowler Wanindu Hasaranga opted to play for Kandy Falcons at this year’s LPL. Vijayakanth had to remain patient during his first two seasons, being constantly in the shadow of Wanindu Hasaranga, but following the departure of the senior player this season, the 21-year-old from Jaffna Central College gleefully grabbed his opportunity. more..

Dec 26 (AD) Auditor General has reported that the operational expenditure of the Mattala Int'l Airport in 2021 was twenty-one times higher than its income for the same period. These comments were made by the Auditor General while reporting on the 2021 financial statements of the Airports and Aviation Services SL Pvt Ltd. Furthermore, the Auditor General has highlighted the operational performances of the int'l airports more..

Dec 26 (F2F) Sri Lanka’s EDB recently signed a MoU with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) to take the latter’s help to conduct market studies in the European Union (EU) covering areas like trade regulation, non-tariff measures, pricing, environment and social requirements for fish, processed foods and apparel products. “Sri Lanka has potential to expand the market share by entering into new/untapped markets enjoying the zero-duty market access offered EU GSP+ Scheme,” more..

Dec 26 (ST) SL is unlikely to become a competitive nation to produce garments if a further price hike in electricity tariffs is carried out next year. FTZ Manufacturers’ Association Secretary Dhammika Fernando said that going forward if there is a further increase in electricity charges next year it could mean that the country will not become competitive alongside other regional players. The association is said to have met the Public Utilities Commission of SL on Tuesday to indicate more..

Dec 26 (DN) Unity of the team is very important and skipper Thisara Perera handled the team well and that paved the way for the success of Jaffna Kings said head coach Thilina Kandamby. We were under pressure as two times champions but our team played really well. Actually we had a big challenge especially we missed a few key players like Wanindu Hasaranga from the last two years. We knew Hasaranga's vacancy is not easy to fill but young Vijayakanth Viyaskanth came bsck strongly more..

Dec 26 (DN) Two people were killed and over 1500 in the Central Province, especially in the Kandy district were affected as torrential rains swept the area inundating a number of towns and causing earth slips. In the Kandy District, 66 houses have been partially damaged. Authorities said that there was nearly 10 feet of water at some places in Akurana town. A number of vehicles were seeing submerged in flooded waters. Also several sluice gates in the Polgolla Reservoir have been more..

Dec 26 (TM) The atmospheric depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, which entered through the East Coast and moved across the country over the weekend, is likely to move to the Western sea area today. Accordingly, showers or thunder showers will occur at times over the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-Western & Northern provinces, it noted. Heavy showers above 100mm can be expected more..

Dec 26 (CT) Reserves were uplift by USD 25.82 million on Friday due to the settlement of banks’ foreign exchange (FX) sales to the CB. Banks are mandated to sell 25 per cent of their weekly FX accruals to the CBSL by the following week. Conversions are based on the administered value of the official, but benchmark ‘spot’ on Wednesday which was Rs 363.16 to the US dollar. Govt of SL face value money printing (FVMP) debt decreased for the 6th consecutive market day to Friday, more..

Dec 26 (ST) Central Bank (CB) has requested People’s Bank to reconsider its proposal to appoint Kurukulasuriya Canicious Joachim Clive Fonseka as the new CEO/GM of the bank. The reason given, in a letter dated Dec 22 to bank Chairman Sujeeva Rajapakse, is that Mr Fonseka’s experience is confined to the subject of Treasury, and that he lacks sufficient experience in the overall banking business operations. Incumbent CEO/GM Ranjith Kodituwakku is due to retire shortly. more..