Dec 10 (Island) Prominent Tamil Diaspora activist Suren Surendiran thanked the Amarapura Chapter for giving him, what he called, a historical opportunity, to attend and speak at an event celebrating the success of a religious leader who believes in equality, wholeheartedly. Surendiran said that the Tamil community was grateful for the unexpected honour. He was addressing the gathering on the occasion of the appointment of Ven. Dr. Madampagama Assaji Tissa Thera as the more..

Dec 10 (DM) Measures are underway by the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Technology and Research to launch a long-term, scientific and sustainable solution to protect crops from being destroyed by wild animals, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced. He said that this issue must be handled sensitively. He noted that, according to statistics, the population of certain animal species has increased significantly, leading to practical challenges for people and their crops. more..

Dec 10 (DM) The govt has granted approval to introduce an appropriate system for the utilisation of the bungalow Visumpaya and existing Presidential mansions in various areas under the control of the Ministry of Public Admin, Provincial Councils and Local Govt. Cabinet Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that there are 50 govt bungalows in the Colombo 7 and Colombo 5 areas under the authority of Ministry of Public Admin, more..

Dec 10 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal for the introduction of a new digital driving license to replace the existing driving license. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa pointed out that it has been almost 15 years since the introduction of the driving license as a smart card which is currently in use. Furthermore, Minister Jayatissa highlighted that the govt has identified the suitability of issuing a digital driving license, which is currently used in many countries of the world, more..

Dec 10 (AD) The former Director of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), ASP Neville Silva has been ordered to be remanded in custody until Dec 13 after he was produced before the Ratnapura Magistrate’s Court today . He was arrested by the CID on Monday. The CID had launched an investigation based on a complaint received claiming that ASP Silva had allegedly acted in a manner that was partial towards a complainant when investigating a case filed with the CCD in Aug 2023. more..

Dec 10 (EN) SL govt has given a thump up for the U.S. State Department for imposing sanctions on two of SL’s for president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s allies – ex-envoy to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga and former Sri Lankan Airline’s CEO Kapila Chandrasena. Both officials served under former leader Prez Rajapaksa’s two terms from 20o5-2015. MiG aircraft deal goes back to Rajapaksa’s first term when the country was more..

Dec 10 (TM) While welcoming the fact that interventions were made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake with regard to controlling rice prices, the National Agrarian Unity (NAU) organisation alleged that declaring controlled rice prices is unlikely to resolve the prevailing rice-related issues in the country. Noting that imported rice costs significantly less than locally produced rice, he expressed concerns that following the Govt’s decision to declare a controlled price for rice, more..

Dec 10 (DM) Despite advertisements by vehicle importers claiming that vehicle imports will soon be allowed, Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa urged them not to mislead the public with such claims. Minister explained that while the govt is considering the import of vehicles with restrictions, no decision has been taken yet to permit the import of all types of vehicles. "Deputy Finance Minister, Anil Jayantha, addressed a media conference prior to the last Cabinet briefing and announced more..

Dec 11 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to make his first international visit to India this week. This is expected to be followed by a visit to China in close order. The president, and the country itself, is walking a tightrope between these two Asian giants, one which is the world’s second largest economy and other its fifth largest. Both of them see the island of Sri Lanka as a strategic location for their geopolitical aims. In the case of India the stakes are particularly high more..

Dec 11 (CT) Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector has long grappled with a formidable challenge: wildlife encroachment. While the govt recently reaffirmed its commitment to resolving this issue as part of its agricultural policy, the measures proposed have sparked widespread debate. Farmers face mounting losses from wild animals damaging crops, but environmentalists warn of the potential ecological and legal ramifications of drastic actions. Finding a balanced solution is imperative. more..

Dec 11 (TM) Over the past two weeks, SL has faced a troubling decline in air quality, with multiple cities recording Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the slightly unhealthy range of 100-150. Major urban areas such as Colombo, Jaffna, and Polonnaruwa have appeared to be the hardest hit, exposing residents to significant health risks. The deterioration is primarily attributed to transboundary air pollution, worsened by cyclonic weather more..

Dec 11 (TD) The NPP victory in the Nov 14 general elections — it secured 61% of the vote and 159 of 225 seats in parliament — is a remarkable performance in SL’s history of electoral politics. In Jaffna in the island’s Northern Province, NPP’s performance was particularly significant as it managed to secure the highest number of votes as a single party. Its ability to outperform regional parties in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Vanni and Amparai by winning three of the six seats in the city more..

Dec 11 (DM) Those on all sides of the political divide, and even those who hold reservations, could expect certain good things to come from this govt. One area of promise is more than an illusory commitment to fight corruption. Acknowledging that would not make you a sycophant but surely reduce the chances of you being a brazen hypocrite. This is not the first govt to make combatting corruption a main election slogan. However, throughout the past, the duopoly of politics in this country more..

Dec 11 (TM) Despite the lifting of the Govt’s 2021 ban on the import of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, imposed with the objective of making agricultural systems more financially and environmentally sustainable, the dynamics of farming practices and production outcomes in the paddy sector have been significantly impacted. The swiftness of the change to organic farming and banning agrochemicals have had more..

Dec 11 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his newly elected parliamentary team are being hit by a barrage of criticism more reminiscent of the firing of multi-barrel weapons which operated during the time of the LTTE-led war which lasted nearly 30 years. Political opposition has rounded on govt for its inability to control major rice millers manipulating prices. In Parliament, charges of govt’s failure to control the interplay between supply and demand of rice, have raised a cacophony of sound. more..

Dec 11 (TM) The JVP-led NPP Govt is facing its first credibility crisis with the academic credentials of two officials being questioned. With such incidents, the honeymoon period of the new Govt will gradually fade away next year, as the new crop of lawmakers rush through a steep learning curve on what it means to be in the driving seat of a nation. Yesterday, the Govt was forced to respond to growing criticism about alleged fake educational qualifications of Speaker of the Parliament more..

Dec 11 (Island) A much-feared underworld figure named Arumahandi Janith Madushanka Silva alias Podi Lassi, charged with possession of narcotics, has been released on bail. Lawyers who appeared for him told reporters on Monday that he needed protection because the STF had threatened him with death. What they left unsaid was that their client had issued threats to no less a person than the Head of State. In 2020, while being detained in the Boosa Prison, Podi Lassi and two other more..

Dec 11 (Island) SL Navy, renowned for its storied history as the nation’s maritime defence force, is celebrating its 74th Anniversary today (9). Under the able leadership of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, a series of programmes are being conducted across all Naval Commands, highlighting the Navy’s enduring traditions and religious practices as part of the anniversary festivities. In celebration of the Navy’s Anniversary, 2138 senior and junior sailors more..

Dec 11 (ST) In the outskirts of Jaffna city, JVP party office is located on A9 Road in what was once a house. In front of its name board is a mega banner of the NPP—an electoral alliance led by the JVP whose party machinery and unions reached out to communities from all walks of life in the northern region, including fisherfolk and farmers. Though the party tried to establish itself in the region during the post-armed conflict period, it faced more..

Dec 11 (Island) SL cricket has experienced a year of dramatic highs and sobering lows. Triumphs across formats—like breaking a 27-year ODI series drought against India, clinching a Test win in England after a decade, and securing a Test series victory over New Zealand after 14 years—are testaments to their resurgence. But the recent Test series defeat in South Africa has been a bitter pill to swallow, especially when a World Test Championship final berth seemed within reach. more..

Dec 11 (TM) Demand and sales volumes are expected to improve on a y-o-y basis in Q4 2024, driven by all three major economic activities, as the economy is expected to continue its growth, Central Bank said. Demand is expected to grow by 1 index point to 137 in Q4 while sales volumes are expected to grow by 4 points to 141 in the fourth quarter. It added that in line with the overall developments in demand and sales, capacity utilisation is expected to improve in Q4 in 2024. more..

Dec 11 (DN) “We will completely remove politics from sports while plans to take all sports to the Olympics will begin in the first week of Jan 2025,” said Sports Deputy Minister Sugath Tillekaratne. We cannot let the country’s sports stagnate. Issues within sports associations will be resolved promptly,” he said. Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Tillekaratne made these remarks while participating as the chief guest at the Fourth National Archery Championship held recently. more..

Dec 11 (FT) MSME Chamber of SL welcomed the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led Govt’s decision to extend the freeze of Parate law implementation until 31 March 2025 on defaulted loans. “All Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country will respectfully pay the gratitude for you and your Govt for the above essential and timely decision, which no doubt will ease the pressure on the surviving MSMEs who are the backbone of the economy,” said more..

Dec 11 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has offered the much needed support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grappling with the economic fallout of recent years by extending the suspension of the Parate law till 31 March 2025. The move for three months extension was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday, based on a proposal submitted the President who also holds the Finance, more..

Dec 11 (Island) The govt should adopt smarter preventative measures to combat corruption and protect public resources, urged Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, a well-respected authority on governance and corruption. He stressed the importance of proactive reforms in governance and procurement systems, advocating for greater transparency and fairness in public sector dealings. In thought-provoking comments made while delivering prestigious S R Kottegoda Oration more..

Dec 11 (DN) Workplace violence and harassment cost companies at least USD 1.7 million every year, according to an Int'l Finance Corporation (IFC) study to better understand the prevalence and impact of violence and harassment on employees and businesses in Sri Lanka between 2020 and 2022. This research covered workplace experiences and behaviors, and how these affect employees and was presented at the Top10 WIM Diversity Champion Awards 2024 hosted by more..

Dec 11 (TM) University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) advised those questioning the veracity of the educational qualifications of certain MPs to ascertain such by contacting the original degree body or conferring institution. This, amidst allegations of academic fraud and related corruption leveled against some MPs, over the last week. It follows allegations of the Speaker more..

Dec 11 (DN) SL Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) witnessed a remarkable transformation – with four patents having been commercialised, with an additional four innovations in the advanced stage of commercialisation. Under the leadership of Thilan Wijesinghe, Investment Banker and PPP Specialist who took over as Chairman of SLINTEC in Sept 2022, and CEO Dr Thushara Perera (formerly a Senior Scientist at Pfizer Inc, USA, and Director – Innovation Health Science & Tech at MAS), more..

Dec 11 (ST) Mihin Lanka, a low-cost carrier initiated by the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration in 2007, has suffered huge losses and thus drained public funds. The airline had closed operations in 2016, but the winding-up process remains incomplete, while no step was taken to recover billions of rupees in loans given by two state banks. According to an October 2024 pre-election budgetary report from the Finance Ministry, Mihin Lanka owes Rs.3.17 billion each to Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank. more..

Dec 11 (CT) Former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and Environment Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media. The Health Ministry confirmed that Dr. Jasinghe had been appointed as Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media by Prez Dissanayake. They said according to the information, the new Secretary was scheduled to assume duties of the Ministry Secretary today. more..

Dec 11 (TM) A Gazette notification has been issued stipulating the maximum wholesale and retail prices for both local and imported rice. According to the gazette notification issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), the maximum wholesale price for one kilogramme (kg) of local White and local Red Raw rice is Rs. 215, with a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs. 220. The gazette also states that the wholesale price of one kg of local Nadu rice is Rs. 225, while its MRP is Rs. 230. more..

Dec 11 (TM) CEB Engineers‘ Union (CEBEU) urged the CEB management to reconsider its decision not to grant bonuses to its employees this year, despite the CEB Employees’ Union affiliated with the ruling NPP demanding bonuses by December, citing the CEB’s profitability. CEBEU Joint Secretary Isuru Kasthurirathne stated that the decision cannot be accepted at a position where the CEB is running with profits. more..

Dec 11 (DM) Sri Lanka’s publishing industry yesterday raised serious concerns over the 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on books, which according to industry stakeholders has threatened the survival of the entire sector in the country. The tax has caused a ripple effect throughout the entire production value chain—from raw material imports to the point of sale, driving up book prices to levels that are now unaffordable in the local market, the industry said. more..

Dec 11 (FT) National Movement for a Just Society (NMSJ) patron and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has appealed to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to restore key democratic practices within Parliament. In a letter addressed to the Prez, Jayasuriya urged the Govt to reinstate oversight mechanisms such as the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Sectoral Oversight Committees, describing them as essential for ensuring transparency and maintaining public trust in governance. more..