Dec 19 (CT) In governance and society today, regrettably there are seven dwarfs. They are mostly not engaged in good faith, act without firm commitments towards their public trust accountability, lack requisite standards of professional care, and fail to act in the best interests of the common and marginalized citizenry of SL. President, cabinet & network cronies of the president in parliament and outside, the executive, business, religious leaders/intellectuals, more..

Dec 19 (TM) Sri Lanka is now turning to nuclear power as a firm energy resource to stabilise the national grid, with new additions of more Renewable Energy (RE) sources to meet the RE target by 2030. As learnt by The Sunday Morning, with the minimising of coal and other fossil fuel-fired electricity generation, the national grid must be supplied with firm electricity to prevent grid vulnerabilities. more..

Dec 19 (CT) In the never-ending saga of SL’s pharmaceutical misadventures, the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has urged the Minister of Public Security and the Judiciary to intervene in quashing the health mafia after alleging that three more fake medicinal drugs have been identified, increasing the total number of the counterfeit medicines distributed to national hospitals, to nine. In October, a batch of human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), more..

Dec 19 (TM) According to Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Sri Lanka will, in the coming year (2024), witness nearly 60 new Bills. This is in a context where the past 15 months saw the passage of 35 Acts aimed at updating laws related to a multitude of fields, which the Minister claimed helped gain the trust of the IMF in the process. While legal reforms are an undeniable need of the hour, Sri Lanka is facing major challenges in the process of establishing the rule of law. more..

Dec 19 (SO) Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay relinquished charge as Govt of India’s Head of Mission to SL on Dec 15 and has been named as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia. High Commissioner Baglay participated in a farewell reception at the Taj Samudra Hotel on Dec 13. High Commissioner Baglay assumed charge in Sri Lanka in May 2020 and his term as India’s top diplomat in the country witnessed several unmatched milestones in the bilateral partnership. more..

Dec 19 (IUCN) Kelani Valley Plantations, a leading manufacturer of tea and rubber, has partnered with IUCN SL to develop a conservation project, fostering a privately managed landscape as a beacon of hope for globally threatened species and ecosystems found outside of protected areas. The primary goal of the project is to establish a novel conservation model by creating a biodiversity sanctuary within the area, ensuring the long-term preservation of globally threatened species residing outside more..

Dec 19 (ST) The adverse impact of the VAT from January 1 is likely to be felt in a range of industries as well as the people. Anuradha Tennakoon, president of the National Agrarian Unity, criticised the Govt. “How can an agricultural country run by taxing agriculture?” he asked. The price of a 50 kilo bag of chemical fertiliser would increase from Rs. 8,500 to Rs. 10,000 and the cost of a Bhuthaya machine would increase from Rs. 7.8 m to Rs. 8.5 m. more..

Dec 19 (FT) Radical Agency was recently launched by PR Expert Nadiya De Lanerolle, with the mandate to catalyse the existing PR offering in Sri Lanka. The start-up aims to defy the industry’s more traditional norms by pioneering a model of public relations that focuses on engagement, strategy, and partnerships. This was exemplified by the recent management of brand partnerships for LA based content creator Victoria Paris when she visited SL. Radical was able to connect her with like-minded local partners more..

Dec 19 (FT) University of Moratuwa Vice Chancellor Prof. N.D. Gunawardena was handed over Rs. 6.4 million by IMS, UK Past Chairman, Overseas Representative D.L. Seneviratne to initiate a research and innovation endowment award to start a series of postgraduate research studies annually. He was accompanied by Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe when they visited Uni of Moratuwa to initiate the process. The research studies would concentrate on the Sri Lankan manufacturing industry sector more..

Dec 19 (DN) In a noteworthy event at the Air Force Squash Complex in Ratmalana, Swiss Coach Conor D’Cruz conducted a coaching clinic for SL junior players and members of the National Squad on Dec 16 and 17. The coaching clinic, held over the weekend, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 32 juniors and six members of the National Squad on both Saturday and Sunday. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, and all participants had a great time learning and playing. more..

Dec 19 (TM) Sri Lanka needs to have a growth plan beyond fighting against corruption despite the popular belief that eliminating corruption would help Sri Lanka to economically flourish, said SJB MP and economist, Dr. Harsha de Silva delivering a speech at a recent event. He said: “If the economy is shrinking or growing 1-2%, you are not going to be able to collect any taxes. So growth has to come. The question is: "from where is the growth going to come?” more..

Dec 19 (DM) Despite the Central Bank of SL banning several entities engaged in prohibited pyramid schemes in the country, certain entities including Global Lifestyle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and OnmaxDT continued to operate such schemes for over a decade. Earlier, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that as per the Penal Code, legal action would be taken against organizations and individuals participating more..

Dec 19 (Island) The CID yesterday arrested former Health Secretary Janaka Chandragupta over a pharmaceutical racket. Thousands of phials of intravenous immunoglobulin supplied by a private company were found to be fake, and a probe revealed that the drug had been produced in SL. Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana has said that no institution in SL is equipped to manufacture immunoglobulin. Chandragupta was the Health Secretary at the time. Chandragupta’s more..

Dec 19 (Island) The govt’s greatest success has been to make the two most serious problems facing the country invisible and perhaps irrelevant to those at the top of the economic pyramid, including the international community. The govt is able to show statistics that the economy has begun to recover. Growth in the last quarter is positive at 1.6%. It is anticipated that this growth will continue into the future. However, there is another set of statistics that tell the story that poverty levels more..

Dec 19 (TM) The objectives of the Tamil diaspora organisation group, Global Tamil Forum’s (GTF) efforts in the implementation of the Joint Himalaya Declaration that it has formulated together with a group of Buddhist monks in order to build up a pluralistic society, are imprecise, yet the Buddhist clergy will support it if something progressive will take place, said Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect. Last week, the GTF delegation and more..

Dec 19 (CT) Existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) training models and platforms in Sri Lanka provide basic knowledge but fall short of offering employment-oriented opportunities, US-based AI expert Jothi Periasamy said. “To enhance employment prospects, there’s a crucial need to redesign the curriculum, incorporate industry-specific learning processes, and familiarise students with practical job roles and supervisory skills, which are currently lacking in these models,” more..

Dec 19 (Island) SL govt might be thinking of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings’ model on State Owned Enterprises (SOE), when it comes to listing individual companies or pooling companies in the future, a stock market expert said. Responding to queries at an Awareness Session on Regulatory Initiatives, New Products, and Sustainability Initiatives, recently at Taj Samudra, Colombo, Colombo Stock Exchange’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Renuke Wijayawardhane said that more..

Dec 19 (FT) In a pioneering move, SriLankan Airlines will become one of the first airlines in South Asia to introduce eco-friendly carpets onboard its aircraft after a successful trial. The eco-friendly carpets, sourced from Lantal Textiles in Switzerland, will help SriLankan Airlines reach another milestone in its journey toward a reduced carbon footprint through gradual fuel efficiency improvements. “We are excited to debut sustainable carpets onboard our aircraft, which brings us a step closer to more..

Dec 19 (FT) Former Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) Chairperson Prof. Deepika Udagama said the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Acting IGP has violated the fundamental rights of the country’s citizens. Udagama said the appointment of Tennakoon, who is facing serious charges and legal cases, by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the subsequent endorsement of this appointment by the Constitutional Council, constitutes a grave infringement upon more..

Dec 19 (Island) The Civil Society Initiative on Anti-Corruption Reform for Economic Recovery, comprising Transparency International SL (TISL), Verité Research, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Sarvodaya, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) and the National Peace Council (NPC) (the CSI Core Group) has reiterateed its view that governance and anti-corruption priorities that have been highlighted by more..

Dec 19 (FT) The US Congress last week approved the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (or FEPA) as part of the annual defence spending bill, known as the National Defence Authorisation Act, or NDAA. FEPA would make it a crime for a foreign official, including any employee of a foreign Government or any current or former senior official of a foreign Government’s executive, legislative, judicial, or military branches or any immediate family member or close associate thereof, to demand or more..

Dec 19 (FT) Young Journalists Association (YJA) in a communique to the National Police Commission requested the body to remove the recently appointed Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from the post of Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province and dismiss him from the Police service. In the letter, YJA highlighted the recent Supreme Court ruling which held Deshabandu Tennakoon accountable for the unlawful arrest, illegal detention, and severe torture of a SL citizen during his tenure more..

Dec 19 (DN) The internet penetration in SL accelerate leaps and bounds after the COVID pandemic and from 30% in 2022 it has now increased to 66% said Program Manager, World University Services of Canada Michelle Joseph at a Uber organized event where report on mobility was released. She said that due to this the access to mobility could increase female workforce by over 8% by 2028 in Colombo. “With ride-hailing boost to women over 50,000 more women more..

Dec 19 (TM) The Election Commission (EC) is awaiting a response to their letter sent to the Constitutional Council (CC) requesting the appointment of a suitable person to its (the EC’s) vacant member position. Opposition MP Prof. G.L. Peiris recently said that he doubted whether the Govt was not appointing a suitable person for the current vacancy in the EC as part of an effort to avoid holding the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections next year (2024). more..

Dec 19 (FT) The contention to be the elected President of SL yesterday got heated up with incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe’s UNP expressing confidence of continuity amidst reports of business leader and MP Dhammika Perera being declared as the SLPP candidate. UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardana yesterday expressed confidence that Wickremesinghe will secure a significant victory in the upcoming Presidential election, more..

Dec 19 (CT) The Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters have written to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, urging him to immediately take necessary measures to redeploy security at the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya. In their letter, two Mahanayaka Theras, while reminding that the State has a responsibility to safeguard and nurture the Buddha Sasana, have insisted that therefore it is important to safeguard this historic Buddhist heritage. The letter also stated that more..

Dec 19 (DN) The internet penetration in SL accelerate leaps and bounds after the COVID pandemic and from 30% in 2022 it has now increased to 66% said Program Manager, World University Services of Canada Michelle Joseph at a Uber organized event where report on mobility was released. She said that due to this the access to mobility could increase female workforce by over 8% by 2028 in Colombo. are will have a huge social impact more..

Dec 19 (TM) National Police Commission (NPC) is currently grappling with the issue of whether or not it could initiate disciplinary action against Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, whom the Supreme Court (SC) recently held, had – along with two other police officers – violated the fundamental rights (FR) of an individual by illegally arresting and detaining him. Ruling that three police officers including Tennakoon had violated more..

Dec 19 (DM) Sri Lanka would not have to face an Aragalaya anymore even though the country was facing a far more serious pressure situation even before the Aragalaya as US Ambassador Julie Chung is pleased with all that is happening in the country, NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa said. While speaking at an event in the UK, he said that people in SL were facing far more serious pressures now even before the Aragala and that it would be aggravated with the VAT increase next year. more..

Dec 19 (FT) Kiwi Govt last month scrapped laws to ban smoking for future generations. The move came as part of measures to boost revenue, plus, opposition from within its fold. SL has in place some of the tightest tobacco control laws and price regimes in the world, following years of lobbying by vested groups from within and outside the country, citing movements in the developed world. But this latest measure from NZ, which is a highly-developed free-market economy would naturally tilt more..

Dec 19 (MFA) Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will undertake a visit to Kathmandu from 20-22 December 2023 to attend the Inaugural Session of the Sri Lanka-Nepal Joint Commission at Foreign Ministers’ level. The Foreign Minister will lead the SL delegation and co-chair the Inaugural Session of the SL–Nepal Joint Commission with his counterpart Narayan Prakash Saud, Foreign Minister of Nepal. The Joint Commission will focus on a range of areas of bilateral cooperation between more..

Dec 19 (DM) Mumbai Indians bring SL pacer Dilshan Madushanka to Wankhede Stadium for Rs 4.6 Crore Mumbai Indians paid Rs 4.6 crore for Sri Lanka speedster Dilshan Madushanka in IPL 2024 Auction. Mumbai Indians went bullish over Sri Lanka pacer as they bought him for Rs 4.6 crore. They had a bidding war with Lucknow Super Giants for Dilshan Madushanka. Dilshan Madushanka: This SL pacer impressed in WC 2023, having taken 21 wickets in nine matches, including a five-wicket haul. more..

Dec 19 (EN) Cabinet has given greenlight to recruit a raft of technocrats to a committee that will assess $442 million worth Indian Adani renewable wind energy project in the north. SL’s govt officials have said the delay in the approval process of Adani project has angered India. Project was given to the Indian firm as an unsolicited deal with Adani Green Energy was issued provisional approval for two wind projects of 286 MW more..

Dec 19 (Hindu) Former PM Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict Murugan alias Sriharan can only be repatriated to SL, that too if its Deputy High Commission in Chennai issues the necessary travel documents, and cannot be sent to the United Kingdom as sought by him, the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) told the Madras High Court on Monday. Appearing before a Division Bench of Justices D. Krishnakumar and P. Dhanabal, Additional Solicitor General more..

Dec 19 (DM) A stock of chicken at the KFC Rajagiriya outlet was destroyed by the Public Health Inspectors following a complaint of the outlet selling spoiled chicken. Area PHI Tharindu said they had received a complaint from one of the customers of a foul odor emanating from a bucket of chicken they were consuming. “Subsequently, the PHIs rushed to the outlet and disposed a stock of chicken believed to be spoiled,” the PHI officer said. However, the PHI said the sample of chicken has been more..