Dec 19 (FT) Finance Ministry yesterday said the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) was established and commenced operationalisation on 2 Dec, following the enactment of the Public Debt Management Act No. 33 of 2024 (PDMA) on 18 June 2024, declared effective from 25 Nov 2024. The PDMA provides the legal framework for the establishment of the operationally independent PDMO. It will be operational by Jan 2026. “This strengthens and centralises the management of public debt, more..

Dec 19 (FT) Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne assured that the Govt has not decided to move forward with the previous administration’s proposal to lease farms and milk distribution centres owned by the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) and Milco Ltd. to India’s Amul Milk Cooperative. The assurance came in response to a question raised by SJB MP Hesha Withanage. “The previous Govt attempted to hand over all NLDB farms and the Milco company to Amul and more..

Dec 19 (CI) SL have named a largely unchanged 16-man T20I squad to travel to NZ later this month. Only Dunith Wellalage misses out from the squad that faced the same opposition at home last month. The team is expected to leave for NZ on Dec 20. While no reason has been cited for Wellalage's omission, it is likely that his spin-bowling attributes would have been less useful in NZ's more seam-friendly conditions. more..

Dec 19 (FT) Serendib Flour Mills (SFML), a cornerstone of SL’s food industry, celebrated over 15 years of purposefully nourishing the nation with a gala event held on 5 Dec, at the Taj Samudra Hotel. The evening was a significant corporate milestone in SFML’s journey of transforming SL’s wider food ecosystem since its establishment in 2008. The celebration was graced by BoI Chairman Arjuna Herath and Al Ghurair Foods UAE CEO Turgut Yeğenağa alongside other distinguished more..

Dec 19 (TM) SL’s poverty alleviation programme, Aswesuma, aimed at the poor and vulnerable, is to continue making cash transfers to families who are no longer eligible from December, for the first quarter of next year, in addition to more families being reinstated within the scheme, Prez Anura Kumar Dissanayake said in parliament yesterday. “When the Aswesuma scheme was introduced it had four categories of beneficiaries, two of those four categories, which each have 400,000 people, more..

Dec 19 (TM) Following revelations made regarding overwhelmingly political beneficiaries of the President’s Fund and the massive sums that they have received, the Presidential Secretariat informed that there is no mechanism or process at present to ascertain or monitor whether the funds provided to eligible applicants have been utilised for the stated and intended purpose. This was communicated yesterday by more..

Dec 19 (DM) The SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), in collaboration with the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), has invited Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), to visit SL from Dec 19th to 21st. The primary purpose of his visit is to attend the 7th Edition of the SL Tourism Awards 2024 as the Guest of Honour. During his stay, Hamid will engage in discussions with the Chairman of SLTDA and SLTPB, Buddhika Hewawasam, focusing on more..

Dec 19 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Government for its support during debt restructuring as well as in the face of the economic crisis. He made these remarks during a meeting with National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Vice Chairperson Qin Boyong at the Parliamentary Complex yesterday. He stated that his appreciation extends to China’s assistance in the debt restructuring more..

Dec 19 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, briefing the Parliament on the consensuses reached between the Govt and the IMF during the External Fund Facility Third Review, claimed that a JVP-led NPP Govt would still be in power by 2028. He said thus in response to societal views that with Sri Lanka having to repay debt by 2028 following the restructuring of debt amounting to $ 12.55 billion ($ 12,550 million) with $ 1.7 billion ($ 1,700 million) interest to be paid on the said loans more..

Dec 19 (DN) SL’s candidate, Dr. B. D. Nandadeva was elected as an expert to the prestigious Evaluation Body of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) at the 19th Session of the ICH Committee Meeting held in Asunción, Paraguay. Dr. Nandadeva, a distinguished scholar with over forty years of experience in cultural heritage, will serve a four year term on the ICH Evaluation Body. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the work of more..

Dec 19 (DN) Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that the Govt has not held any discussions nor has entered into any agreements with India regarding the proposed Economic & Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and SL. Minister said that the Govt has not entered into any agreements with India other than the discussions held on export of excess electricity generated in the country under the BIMSTEC to countries more..

Dec 19 (TM) Minister of Plantations Samantha Vidyarathna announced plans to provide fertiliser subsidies to coconut plantation owners as a measure to resolve the prevailing coconut shortage. He revealed that out of the 55,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser recently imported, a total of 27,500 MT will be allocated for coconut cultivation. “The Ministry’s coconut plantations, spanning tens of thousands of acres, have not been fertilised for five years, resulting in reduced harvests. more..

Dec 19 (Island) SL’s former High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has emphasised the pivotal importance of Colombo and Delhi quickly moving to the implementation phase of the agreement on fostering partnership for a shared future. The former Minister said that the implementation should begin as fast as possible. He said so in response to The Island queries regarding the Indo-Lanka relations in the wake of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s meet with Indian Premier Narendra Modi. more..

Dec 19 (FT) To be launched on 17 Jan 2025, St. Benedict’s College, Colombo has issued a stakeholder proposal to raise funds for its much anticipated STEM education program – a pioneering initiative designed to shape a generation of forward-thinking innovators and lead STEM education in the country. STEM education is central to 21st century learning as it integrates the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to cultivate key skills, including problem solving, more..

Dec 19 (DN) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament that not even one grain of rice unfit for human consumption will be allowed to be imported into the country. The Minister said that considering the recent shortage of rice in the market and the increase in rice prices, it was decided to import rice to ensure that it is freely available to consumers. Accordingly, the Minister said that the first batch of rice imported by the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation (STC) more..

Dec 19 (DN) Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated in Parliament that the Health Ministry is investigating fraud committed in the purchase of rapid antigen test kits during the COVID period. Minister also said that Parliament will be informed about the details of this fraud in the future. He revealed that a company that was not registered with NMRA has spent the largest amount for the purchase of rapid antigen test kits. more..

Dec 19 (FT) Govt yesterday announced that it has received consent from International Sovereign Bond (ISB) holders amounting to 97.86% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of existing debt stock worth $ 12.5 billion. Acceptance is for both proposed modifications and exchanged for new securities or otherwise exchanged for new securities. $ 10.4 billion in Macro-Linked Bonds (MLBs), including $ 1.6 billion in Governance Bonds and Rs. 155.7 billion in Rupee Bonds, on 20 Dec more..

Dec 19 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage, yesterday ordered the Central Bank to take measures to prevent pyramid schemes in the country and submit a report in that regard within three months. The Court also observed that a considerable proportion of the population had fallen victim to the financial crime and a large number of related cases were filed in Court, hence it was the responsibility of the Central Bank to end these scams. more..

Dec 19 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake making a special statement in Parliament announced significant relief for professionals through adjustments to the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax structure, as part of broader measures aimed at stabilising the economy. Prez outlined tax reforms, social welfare measures, and strategies to bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves and economic resilience. more..

Dec 19 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s rise to the top bears some resemblance to that of PM Narendra Modi. His Indian visit was a triumph for him, and overall, a win for SL. He thanked India fulsomely for its economic support, arrived at convergence on a number of economic initiatives, and tabled some others. Sadly, he couldn’t secure a commitment on the piratical incursions by Indian fishermen. Connectivity of electric grids and building a pipeline are to continue to be considered more..

Dec 19 (FT) “Did you hear that Adani is refusing to supply Bangladesh with electricity?” a friend asked me recently. I knew it was a loaded question, my friend being a nationalist. “You recall we had no power because we couldn’t pay for shiploads of fuel and coal just a few years back?” I asked back. Instead of buying fuel for power generation Bangladesh is buying 10% of the electricity it needs from a dedicated power plant located at Godda across the border in Indian state of more..

Dec 19 (DM) The govt has approved increasing the daily allocation to Rs. 100 to provide breakfast for children attending Early Childhood Development Centres and preschools, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since 2017, the National Secretariat on Early Childhood Development has been implementing a programme to provide breakfast for children in centres and preschools with a high percentage of underweight children, under the technical guidance of the Health Ministry. more..

Dec 19 (CT) The number of children dropping out of education is increasing daily, Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated. She revealed that annually, around 350,000 children are enrolled in Grade 1, but an average of 50,000 leave school by Grade 10. Paulraj cited data from the 2022/2023 academic year, noting that at least 2,547 children dropped out after Grade 1. She questioned who should take responsibility for the significant number of children who abandon their education by Grade 10. more..

Dec 19 (DM) Following unrest and uncertainty regarding the unpublished gazette on the retirement age of medical specialists, which risks the premature retirement of over 200 specialists, Ministry of Public Admin has decided to take steps to publish the gazette notification. Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa submitted a fresh note on the matter, addressing the Court of Appeal ruling that the retirement age for specialist doctors more..

Dec 19 (NW) A Quo Warranto application has been filed against Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Professor Upali Pannilage, seeking his disqualification as an MP. The application was filed by public interest litigant Oshala Herath at the Court of Appeal, stating that Prof. Upali Pannilage had been appointed as a MP under the NPP National List and was appointed a Cabinet Minister while being an officer in a public corporation. more..

Dec 19 (AFP) A Sri Lankan man faced Broadmeadows Magistrates Court today charged with allegedly committing an act of indecency on board an international flight. The AFP will allege the man, 41, committed an act of indecency on a female passenger during a flight from Sri Lanka to Melbourne yesterday. The passenger alerted airline staff to the incident, who then notified the AFP. AFP officers interviewed passengers and airline staff when the aircraft arrived at Melbourne Airport. more..

Dec 19 (ABC) A remorseless killer who fatally attacked his wife with a hatchet in front of their children has been jailed for 37 years, with a judge describing his excuses as ridiculous. On Thursday, Justice Mandy Fox said Dinush Kurera had put forward a hopeless explanation that he acted in self-defence, as she sentenced the 47-year-old for murder and attacking his son. Nelomie Perera had long been fearful of her estranged husband more..

Dec 19 (FT) Vidullanka PLC’s first project under its $ 12.85 million Engineering Procurement and Construction contract with the Guyana Energy Agency, the 0.7MW Moco Moco Mini Hydropower Plant, was inaugurated on 13 December 2024. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the PM of Guyana Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, as well as key representatives of the Government and local authorities, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the Lethem Power Company and the community. more..

Dec 19 (DM) The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of BBS General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera for failing to appear before court on the day the judgment was to be delivered over a case filed against him. When the matter was called before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, neither Gnanasara Thera nor his surety were present in court. However, the defense counsel representing Gnanasara Thera informed more..

Dec 19 (EN) Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to allow the import of 30,000 metric tonnes of salt amidst a possible shortage in the first quarter of 2025, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “The adverse weather conditions that prevailed could contribute to a possible shortage of salt arising in the first quarter of 2025, especially in the industrial sector,” Jayatissa told reporters on Thursday. Salt manufacturers have asked permission to import salt, he said. more..

Dec 19 (EN) CEB said it had inked a 150 million dollar loan with the Asian Development Bank to upgrade its grid to accommodate more renewable energy, and boost stability. “Through these funds, several essential projects in CEB’s long-term transmission plan will be implemented over 2025-2027, which will improve the overall reliability and stability of the grid,” CEB said. “Transmission assets built through this loan will enable the integration of planned large-scale renewable energy more..

Dec 19 (ANI) Minister Vijitha Herath, provided an update on the country's strategic efforts to revitalize its tourism sector, which has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years due to Easter Sunday attacks, COVID-19, and the economic crisis. Speaking at the India Foundation Program, Herath stated, "We too had such a big tourism before the Easter Sunday attack, 2018. We got (the) highest amounts of tourists. more..

Dec 19 (NW) Former MP Manoj Sirisena says he made a verbal and written clarification from the President’s Fund yesterday, about the recent statement made in Parliament by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa mentioning his name related to the misuse of funds from the President’s Fund. Issuing a statement, the former MP said that on March 9, 2009, while participating in an event held in Akuressa he was seriously injured in a suicide bomb. He revealed that on 21st March, more..

Dec 19 (DM) A masked woman was seen questioning NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi about whether their govt plans to recover stolen assets allegedly stashed in Uganda as mentioned by her during the election campaign period to woo votes. During a cultural event, MP Kottahachchi faced several sarcastic questions regarding the current state of affairs: Masked Woman: Will the govt bring about change? Kottahachchi: Yes. Masked Woman: Will the alleged stolen money hidden in more..

Dec 19 (CT) The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) urged Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa to introduce the concept of the Family Physician to rural hospitals to minimise congestion in larger State-run hospitals. MCPA President, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, on Tuesday, urged the Health Minister to introduce the Family Physician concept in rural hospitals in a bid to develop the services of more..