Dec 1 (SO) AIDS/HIV caught everyone by surprise nearly four decades ago. Since then, 42 million people worldwide have succumbed to complications arising from AIDS, out of around 88 million infected persons. There are around 40 million people living with HIV worldwide. According to the latest reports, Sri Lanka has experienced a drastic surge in HIV/AIDS cases during the second half of 2024, marking the highest number of cases logged in a single quarter since 2009. more..

Dec 1 (CT) If Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake‘s (AKD) inaugural Policy Statement ten days ago was mellifluous in its delivery, it was also meticulous in detail, and sweeping in its themes and vistas. He literally spoke with words and numbers effortlessly flowing, but without notes or the help of the teleprompter even though he had the text in front of him. It was not soaring oratory but captivating eloquence. More like NM Perera in English; and Bernard Soysa, given the pirivena roots more..

Dec 1 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Govt – which seems to be slowly but steadily learning the intricacies of governance, especially in relation to the balancing of politics, economics, and policies – will witness the debating of its policies as well as present a three-month Vote on Account to the House this coming week. Following the completion of the third review of the IMF and taking the debt restructuring process more..

Dec 1 (TM) Among the current political debates, one that appears to take precedence is the one about time. Time as in that which is allowed for the new regime to get its act together and deliver on its commitments. While the commitments made are many, complex, and understandably not that easy to deliver, there appears to be universal agreement that while most of them will indeed take time to be worked on, it is not so with regard to one specific aspect. more..

Dec 1 (CT) The ongoing debate surrounding the reactivation of SL’s Parate Law underscores the complex balance between safeguarding banking stability and supporting struggling enterprises. With its suspension set to expire on 15 Dec 2024, the issue has drawn fervent arguments from both financial institutions and the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, reflecting a clash of economic priorities during turbulent times. The Parate Law, a mechanism enabling banks to more..

Dec 1 (ST) Last week, when PM arini Amarasuriya, Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, and JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, together with other members of the NPP, were spotted attending a tribute concert for the world-renowned Swedish music group ABBA, social media posts made some adverse—and perverse—comments about their attendance. In response to the criticism, Minister Herath addressed the controversy after more..

Dec 1 (ST) The President’s address at the opening of the 10th Parliament was wide-ranging and well-meaning, if naturally an aspirational roadmap of his fledgling Government. Even though his near hour-long speech might have gone on for longer, there were two important issues he missed out on; (i) the future of the Executive Presidency, and (ii) his Govet’s foreign policy direction. These cannot be unimportant issues, because the ruling JVP/NPP election manifesto refers to them. more..

Dec 1 (ST) My dear Velupillai, I am writing to you this week even though you are in the Land of Never Return, because your name is being mentioned frequently these days as your birthday is remembered. It is hard to imagine that it is 15 long years since you were gone – or that you would be 70 years had you been around now! Isn’t it strange that only your birthday is being talked about this year? There was a time when Mahinda maama’s birthday in Nov was celebrated with much fanfare. more..

Dec 1 (ST) The ongoing Abu Dhabi T10 League is facing significant scrutiny amid concerns about potential spot-fixing, particularly involving unusual front-foot no-balls. Sources report that the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has launched an investigation to determine if any foul play has occurred in the 10-team tournament, sparked by a series of suspicious front-foot no-balls. On the night of Nov 22, UAE seamer Hazrat Bilal, playing for the Morrisville Samp Army, overstepped more..

Dec 1 (Island) In his address to parliament last Thursday, president Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for a political culture free of racism and divisiveness. He said that democracy does not mean forcing everyone to unite under a single umbrella, but rather letting diverse viewpoints and ethnic interests flourish against the backdrop of multi-party politics. “We do not advocate for one-party rule,” he declared. “It is the responsibility of our govt to represent and address the needs and more..

Dec 1 (CI) South Africa have moved to second place on the World Test Championship (WTC) table after a 233-run victory over SL in Durban to break the visitors' unbeaten record at the venue. Marco Jansen finished with 11 wickets in the game with 4 for 73 in the second innings. After setting SL a target of 516 and taking five wickets on the third evening, SA may have expected play on the fourth day to be nothing more than a formality. more..

Dec 1 (Island) In early November this year, following the appointment of a new president, many headlines were grabbed by news of the recall to Colombo of 16 heads of SL missions overseas including ambassadors and high commissioners appointed outside the professional service for political and other reasons totally unrelated to the national interest. Among them were two high commissioners to India and Australia, who were retired members of SL Overseas Service reappointed on contract more..

Dec 1 (Island) SL arrived in South Africa brimming with hope, like a ship setting sail on calm waters. With three overseas Test wins under their belt this year and a pre-series camp to acclimatize to the bouncy tracks in South Africa, they seemed ready for the challenge. But in one calamitous hour, all that preparation went up in smoke, derailing their World Test Championship campaign. They can still come back, but this was an opportunity missed. Durban had been a fortress of sorts for SL. more..

Dec 1 (TM) Local retailers are anticipating a strong winter season due to improved customer confidence amidst improved economic conditions and political stability that have been achieved in the aftermath of the recent elections. SL Retailers’ Association Prez Charitha Subasinghe pointed out that the political stability achieved in the aftermath of the recent elections, coupled with the fiscal stability and low inflation achieved by SL, had led to improved customer confidence across all metrics. more..

Dec 1 (TM) The ongoing internal power struggle within the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL), which has currently drawn the ire of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has contributed to inviting a ban from the world body. According to informed sources, IOC has already conveyed instructions officially to NOCSL to act on the recommendations of its Ethics Committee to suspend its Secretary General Maxwell de Silva forthwith, who has defied calls to resign more..

Dec 1 (TM) Sri Lanka has incurred losses amounting to millions of rupees due to yet another failed project to revive the country’s livestock sector. The objective was to breed high-quality goats and distribute them to local farmers and farms. As revealed by the National Audit Office (NAO) in its latest audit report issued on the Department of Animal Production and Health, the department had imported 100 goats, more..

Dec 1 (CI) The temptation is to throw a big sheet over the whole thing. People tend not to watch sports for the purpose of wallowing in misery. Cricket is supposed to exist in the realm of fun. On the other side of the ledger, you trounce a team, and tend not to want them to drink too deeply from the self-loathing cup. Their failing to believe in themselves cheapens your own achievements, and in elite, professional sports, you want to celebrate every win. Team you beat were just lying down more..

Dec 1 (ST) Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has highlighted the growing threat of corruption fueled by unchecked franchise cricket and the need for structural reform. “The advent of the IPL and the proliferation of franchise leagues have provided incredible opportunities for players,” he observed, speaking virtually to the SL Law College International Research Conference at BMICH on Friday. “However, this has also created significant challenges. more..

Dec 1 (DM) Japan will consider new projects in SL only after examining any request from the SL authorities and its economic status first, the Japanese Embassy said. The embassy said its priority is to carry out 11 projects that were resumed after debt restructuring. The embassy was responding to a question whether Japan had pledged new projects after the new government was formed. Asked about the status of ongoing more..

Dec 1 (AD) Marine pollution response experts claim that SL is now better equipped with the knowledge and strategies to address future marine disasters, having learnt key lessons in that regard in the fallout of the X-Press Pearl and New Diamond shipwrecks. Bethany Graves, a representative from the Ocean Country Partnership Programme at the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme Symposium in SL, emphasized that the shipping disasters in SL waters highlight the urgent need for more..

Dec 1 (EN) Sri Lanka’s average coconut prices were up 9.49%, recording the highest price, data from the Coconut Development Authority showed. Average coconut prices were up to 109,615.80 for 1,000 nuts from 99,684.19 at the auction held on November 28. A total of 527,199 coconuts were offered at the auction and 424,157 were sold. At the weekly CDA auction, the highest price for 1,000 nuts was priced at 110 rupees, while the lowest for 1,000 nuts was 96 rupees. more..

Dec 1 (AD) CPC has announced a revision of fuel prices effective from midnight today (30). Accordingly, the price of Petrol 92 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 2 to Rs. 309 per litre, while the price of Kerosene has been increased by Rs. 5 to Rs. 188 per litre. However, the prices of Petrol 95 Octane and Super Diesel remain unchanged, according to Ceypetco. Meanwhile, LIOC too have decided to revise its fuel prices, to match the state-owned oil company’s prices. more..

Dec 1 (SO) With nothing to showcase to the world and nothing to brag about in the island, SL Olympic officials running what is known as the NOC are displaying a kind of intransigence that separates the country from the rest of the world and earning it near pariah status that can snowball into an outcast. With only one medal in 75 years, Sri Lanka has been a spoilt brat both international and domestically securing both millions in overseas funding and political succor at home until more..

Dec 1 (TM) The govt is revisiting the Petronet LNG deal, with Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala confirming that the agreement is still on the table despite earlier statements to the contrary by the CEB Spokesperson. Prof. Hemapala cited the pressing need for a short-term solution to the energy sector’s challenges as justification for reconsidering the arrangement. more..

Dec 1 (DM) The govt is planning to develop Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) under a new model targeting health tourism, the Health Ministry said. The matter was discussed during a meeting with Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa recently. It was decided to take over the NFTH under the purview of the Health Ministry and assign all staff including the specialist doctors. A committee headed by the Director General of Health Services was appointed with the instructions of more..

Dec 1 (EN) SL’s gross current foreign exchange inflows of US$ 2,251 million have exceeded goods imports of 1,702 by US$ 549 million in Oct 2024, official data by the CB shows. Current inflows were made up US$ 1,158 million of goods exports, remittances of US$ 587 million and gross services of US$ 587.7 million which includes tourist earnings estimate of US$ 185.6 million. Total services outflows were reported as US$ 283.8 million of which travel abroad was US$ 58.5 million. more..

Dec 1 (ST) SL has been continuously expanding its Colombo Port in line with global changes and in this respect the Adani Group took over a stake of the West Terminal that is scheduled to commence operations early next year. Adani Group is currently embroiled in a fraud case filed in the US, as a result of which S&P Ratings have highlighted that the Port management company of the group handling the operations at the West Terminal at the Colombo Port has been given a negative outlook more..

Dec 1 (SO) US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung paid a courtesy visit to the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) Head Office on November 19. The visit marked an important interaction between the newly appointed Chairman Kavinda de Zoysa and Ambassador Chung. The US Envoy was received by Chairman de Zoysa, General Manager, CEO Russel Fonseka, members of the Board and the Bank’s senior leaders. This visit provided an opportunity to showcase the BOC’s role as more..

Dec 1 (TM) Despite speculation about proposed tax relief being granted to professionals, the Ministry of Finance denied knowledge of such an initiative, stating that it was unaware of any discussions towards this end. When contacted, Ministry of Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana stressed that he was not aware of such a discussion regarding a tariff relief for professionals. When asked whether any form of tariff concession more..

Dec 1 (DM) The govt will take a decision if Laugfs Gas fails to intervene to import and supply LP gas to the consumers, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said. He told reporters that there is no shortage of LP gas supplied by Litro Gas. 'We have two LP gas companies, Litro and Laugf in our country. There is no shortage in Litro gas at the moment. Laugf Gas must explain the reasons for the shortage in Laugf gas in the market. more..

Dec 1 (ST) The cyclonic storm Fengal departed Sri Lanka yesterday after a week of heavy rains and floods that left at least 16 dead, half a million affected, more than 2,500 houses damaged, and caused a drop in air quality. The depression in the Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm as it left Sri Lanka and headed toward Tamil Nadu early yesterday. As an immediate result, the air quality in several of the districts, including Colombo, was declared as slightly unhealthy by the NBRO. more..

Dec 1 (ST) A silver-grey Double Cab comes to park outside the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), a collective of Islamic theologians, at Maradana, last Tuesday. Alighting from the front seat was the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, followed by two bodyguards in civvies from the rear seat. He boarded a lift to an upper floor together with senior members of the ACJU to speak to them from a conference hall. more..

Dec 2 (DM) Sri Lanka has achieved another Staff-Level Agreement for the Third Review of the IMF program. The IMF delegation during its recent visit to Colombo praised the state of the economy and the success of their programme in Sri Lanka. The reality is far from its applause, where real output and incomes for people is much lower than where it was prior to the onslaught of the crisis. Worse, the IMF prescriptions of inflation targeting have drastically gone wrong, and the economy is caught in more..

Dec 2 (DM) As the month of December dawns, it brings to the minds of Christians the world over of the birth of Christ in a stable at Bethleham in Palestine. Christ’s message is love of fellowmen and peace to this world. Christ himself, a man of love and peace, paid price of his convictions with his life. Sadly, most political leaders in the Christian US and the West, seem to have lost sight of Christ’s message.Today, the political leadership in these countries, trample underfoot, more..

Dec 2 (TM) The CEB, Sri Lanka’s State-run utility, has once again found itself at the centre of public discourse. This time, it is over demands for employee bonuses amidst reported profitability. The calls, led by Trade Unions (TUs), are reigniting debates over the board’s financial management, its responsibility to the public, and whether bonuses can be justified in the face of high electricity tariffs and a debt-laden balance sheet. more..

Dec 2 (CT) SL’s recent political shifts and economic woes have created both challenges and opportunities. As you rightly highlight, emergence of new leadership is a chance to redefine the country’s global image, rebuild trust among creditors, and solidify international partnerships. Proactive diplomacy should prioritize reassuring stakeholders of SL’s commitment to economic stability and sovereignty while maintaining strong ties with traditional allies like China and India. more..