Dec 2 (DM) A delay in issuing a crucial circular/Gazette has put over 200 specialist doctors in Sri Lanka at risk of premature retirement, threatening the country’s public health service. Despite a Court of Appeal ruling that extended the retirement age for specialist doctors in state hospitals to 63 years, and cabinet approving the same on 19th June 2024, the Ministry of Public Administration has yet to implement more..

Dec 2 (FT) Govt announced that it has decided to reduce the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) on imported from Rs. 30 to Rs. 10 per kilo. The new levy is in effect from yesterday till 31 Dec 2024, as per a gazette notification issued on 30 Nov. Move comes amidst rising prices for onions and growing concern about potential price hikes for potatoes and other vegetables, driven by adverse weather and season demand during the festive period. However, the SCL of Rs. 60 per kilo on imported more..

Dec 2 (PMD) Supreme Court Justice Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of SL before Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake today at the Presidential Secretariat. She assumes office as the 48th Chief Justice of SL, succeeding Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, who recently retired. Her appointment received approval from the Constitutional Council. She began her career at the AG’s Dept in 1985, rising through its ranks to become Deputy Solicitor General more..

Dec 2 (AD) The deadline for accepting applications for the 2024 (2025) G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination has been extended until December 10, 2024, the Department of Examinations announced. The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara stated that this decision was made in view of the recent adverse weather conditions that affected communities across the island. Initially, the relevant applications were called online from November 05 to November 30, 2024. more..

Dec 2 (CB) Four days is long enough to gain a feel of a foreign city, learn the basics of how to sail a yacht, or fall in and out of love. But is it long enough for Sri Lanka to find a way to rescue their suddenly sagging WTC campaign? It had better be, because four days is all the Lankans will have between the end of their historic thumping in the first men's Test at Kingsmead and the start of the second match of the series at St George's Park. Lose in Gqeberha and their prospects of more..

Dec 2 (TM) Sri Lanka’s rice industry is in crisis, with 75% of small- and medium-scale rice mills being forced to shut down due to the ongoing paddy shortage. All Ceylon Small- and Medium-Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association President B.K. Ranjith revealed that many of these mills had not had access to paddy for the past three weeks, with no sign of resolution despite multiple attempts to contact paddy sellers & relevant authorities. more..

Dec 2 (FT) Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has extended a formal invitation to the newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners to participate in the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. The invitation was made during a meeting held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry with nine newly appointed Ambassadors and a High Commissioner, who recently presented their credentials to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The new diplomats represent Burkina Faso, more..

Dec 2 (DM) Election Commission has announced that all candidates must submit their income and expenditure reports by Dec 6, with the deadline set at midnight. According to the Commission, this requirement applies to candidates on the National Lists, party secretaries, and leaders of independent groups. "The failure to meet the deadline (Dec 6 at 12 midnight) will constitute a breach of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, with violators facing legal consequences," it warned. more..

Dec 2 (EN) Sri Lanka has untapped potential in marine linked activities, with 1,340 km of coastline and two seasons that allow year-round action, and can be expanded into a billion US dollar industry quickly, an industry official said. “The geographical location offers yacht chartering, boating, whale watching, whatever you call, all the sea-based activities,” Kaushal Rajapaksa, Chairman, Chamber of Marine Industries more..

Dec 2 (TM) Another luxury vehicle suspected to have been illegally assembled has been found at a garage in Polgasowita based on information received by Western Province Police Intelligence officers, reports said. The garage owner when questioned had claimed that about one and a half years ago, the Land Rover SUV, along with a chassis, four tires, and an old engine, were brought in by a Buddhist monk in the Maharagama area. The owner had also stated that the vehicle’s parts more..

Dec 2 (TM) Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is set to rehabilitate 205 additional tanks across Sri Lanka by Dec 2025, with an estimated investment of Rs. 4,200 million. This initiative aims to support 12,000 farming families and irrigate 15,000 acres of farmland in hotspot regions, further strengthening climate-smart agricultural practices, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and funded by the World Bank, more..

Dec 2 (FT) All Island Dairy Association (AIDA) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the new NPP Govt for winning both recent elections and in particular welcomes the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Livestock development, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha – while pledging their full support to him. AIDA serves as the central forum for consensus building amongst different stakeholders within the dairy industry and develops the local dairy industry as a key sector of national economy. more..

Dec 2 (AD) Police have arrested two Buddhist monks and a hotel owner in connection with the theft of an ancient metal Buddha statue with a dragon canopy, valued at over Rs. 20 million. The statue was stolen from the Karahampitigoda Khettarama Purana Viharaya, a temple affiliated with the historic Devanagala Rajamaha Viharaya in Mawanella. The Chief Incumbent of the Devanagala Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Medirigiriye Punnasara Thero, had filed a complaint with Mawanella Police, more..

Dec 2 (AFP) Ahead of the snap legislative elections that Sri Lanka's ruling leftist coalition won by a landslide in November, an old video of opposition candidate Douglas Devananda being mauled by a crowd resurfaced on social media posts that falsely linked it to the polls. The video was first shared online in posts about a protest in April and SL police told AFP no such incident was reported during the election period. more..

Dec 2 (FT) Minister Bimal Ratnayake has declared that Sri Lanka stands firmly with Palestine, emphasising widespread support across the nation. He made these remarks during the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People event, held in Colombo over the weekend. Ratnayake highlighted that the turnout at the event reflected the country’s solidarity with Palestine. He reaffirmed that the new Govt, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, will continue to recognise more..

Dec 2 (AD) Sri Lanka Police is seeking public assistance in apprehending a suspect linked to withdrawal of a large sum of money from a stolen ATM card. Bandaragama Police had launched an investigation into an incident involving the misappropriation of Rs. 200,000 using a stolen ATM card in the Bandaragama area on August 21. After reviewing the CCTV footage of the cameras installed near the ATM machine in Bandaragama where the theft occurred, suspect has been identified. more..

Dec 2 (EN) Facing a possible supply shortage in rice in the first quarter of 2025, Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met small and medium-scale rice mill owners to discuss continuous and affordable supply of rice to consumers in the coming months, the PMD said. The meeting comes days after heavy rains destroyed more than 20 percent of the paddy cultivation area in the island including the large paddy farmland districts more..

Dec 2 (TM) The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) reports that Sri Lanka's Air Quality Index (SLAQI) is gradually reaching moderate levels, with readings between 100 and 110 in several regions. CEA spokesperson Ajith Gunawardena assured the public that the current slightly unhealthy air quality is temporary and will improve in the next two days. The recent decline in air quality, attributed to adverse weather and a border disturbance from the north, has impacted cities like Colombo. more..

Dec 2 (DM) The price of coconuts across various areas of the country has reportedly increased, with the cost of a single coconut in the local market exceeding Rs. 200. Reports indicate that in the Matale district, coconut prices range from between Rs. 200 and Rs. 230. According to some retail shops, this price hike is due to a prevailing shortage in the local market. Meanwhile, consumers have expressed concerns over sellers restricting their ability to select coconuts. more..

Dec 3 (CT) The adverse weather conditions experienced this past week have resulted in major setbacks for the entirety of Sri Lanka and, most importantly, for the country’s future food security. Yesterday, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board reported that the heavy rainfall has inundated approximately 390,000 acres of farmland, including land that was being used to cultivate paddy, maize, potatoes, and other crucial crops. On top of the damage caused to farmland, more..

Dec 3 (ST) Though Parliament’s new court jester—and he comes from Jaffna—did not bring a bunch of murungas to the House, as did the northern character in the 60s satirical play He comes from Jaffna when he arrived at a Colombo upper class home, he brought with him ton-loads of murukku to keep viewers busy munching while he entertained with his theatricals, both in and out of Parliament. Like a bird that flies in early to get the choicest worm, he breezed in early from his northern more..

Dec 3 (TM) Sri Lanka has emerged as a leading whale watching destination, offering substantial economic benefits from its diverse cetacean species. The presence of year-round blue whale populations in SL waters makes these species especially vulnerable to tourism related stressors. While regulations are meant to oversee whale watching, numerous operators participate in unlawful practices, contributing to a surge more..

Dec 3 (DM) The obnoxious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dm Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dm Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dm Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office as Prez. First suspects were arrested in connection with security threats to Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay in October and detained under this notorious law and later several suspects were arrested last week under it for their alleged involvement in displaying signs and images related to the outlawed LTTE. more..

Dec 3 (CT) Over the past 40 years, the world has experienced a fractious relationship between value systems associated with nationalism and globalisation, which social scientists have identified as two defining features of the modern era, producing complementary processes in the past. Two significant events in SL's recent political history—the Aragalaya (people’s uprising) of 2022 and the rise of the NPP as the holder of state power—occurred parallel to this global development. more..

Dec 3 (CT) The death of Deegadanthu I, a majestic tusker of Kala Wewa, electrocuted by an unauthorised power line, has cast a shadow of grief across SL. Even amidst the devastation caused by recent floods, this heartbreaking incident underscores the persistent failures in protecting the nation’s wildlife. At approximately 35 – 40 years old, Deegadanthu I was not just a resident of the Kala Wewa region more..

Dec 3 (TM) The NPP has received accolades for the creation of a dedicated Ministry for Digital Economy. Over the last ten years, much has been said and promised about digitalisation of Sri Lanka and how it will open the door to better governance and improve economic performance of the Indian Ocean island nation. A previous govet had commissioned a National Digital Economic Strategy for 2030. Many experts have opined that digitalisation will greatly benefit Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 3 (Island) Incompetent govts that fail to live up to people’s expectations turn to the media as a convenient scapegoat, attributing their failure and declining popularity to bad press. Never do they own up to their bungling, much less mend their ways. This is particularly true of SL, where the media has suffered at the hands of successive unpopular regimes. The culture of media bashing has caught on in this country; the newly-elected JVP-led NPP govt has already thrown down the gauntlet, more..

Dec 3 (DM) Resonating with the health and welfare of over 39.9 million HIV patients living globally, World AIDS Day, marked on Dec 1 every year is a timely reminder reflecting on the importance of raising awareness and prevention of the HIV. According to WHO statistics, an estimated 1.3 million people have contracted HIV in 2023. The WHO theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right! sheds more light on the need to promote one’s right to health globally. more..

Dec 3 (DM) Twelve-year-old Mazyouna suffered devastating injuries to her face from an Israeli rocket and endured five months of unbearable pain before finally receiving approval for emergency surgery. She was unable to eat, speak, or move without discomfort. Although global attention led to her evacuation, 2,500 children in Gaza are still being denied access to critical medical care. UNICEF reports that less than one child is evacuated daily, with many medical applications denied more..

Dec 3 (CI) Thirteen years and more than 80 Tests into his international career, Dinesh Chandimal is in the throes of something brand new, in the same country he had debuted in. At his best, Chandimal is a free spirit - the kind of batter who goes out looking for run-scoring opportunities, then throws his entire body behind the aggressive shots. The lofted hits down the ground struck so vigorously his helmet shifts on more..

Dec 3 (ST) Manudi Nanayakkara of Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa has been appointed captain of the 15-member squad for the upcoming ACC Women’s U-19 T20 Asia Cup cricket tournament in Malaysia. Rashmika Sewwandi of Anura Balika Vidyalaya, Matara will serve as the vice-captain. The squad includes six players from Devapathiraja College, Rathgama, including one traveling reserve. The 15-member squad, along with two travelling reserves, is set to depart for more..

Dec 3 (TM) SL dollar bonds provided a return of 29% to investors in 2024 amidst debt restructuring, and positioned itself as a top performer among the emerging market sovereign debt, according to market data. Accordingly, SL’s international sovereign bonds (ISBs) have become an unexpected success this year, delivering an impressive 29% return as of the end of November. The dollar bonds that dipped below 50 cents per dollar in September, have managed to climb more..

Dec 3 (NF) With the right strategies and moves, Sri Lanka is well on its way to becoming a maritime hub, revealed experts at the recent inauguration of the Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference (CIMC) 2024. CIMC 2024 is the seventh edition of the Maritime and Logistics Conference, held on a rotational basis in South Asia among maritime nations. The conference focuses on discussing the regional developments of the shipping, ports, and logistics industry, more..

Dec 3 (FT) The Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) is set to host its Annual International Conference 2024, focusing on the theme Transforming Industries for Economic Revival in Sri Lanka. Scheduled for 6 and 7 December at the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) Auditorium in Colombo, the event promises to be a platform for dynamic discussions and actionable insights to steer the nation towards sustainable economic recovery. more..

Dec 3 (FT) SL’s tourism sector achieved a key milestone, surpassing 1.8 million arrivals in the first 11 months, whilst November recorded the highest number of visitors since July 2024. The country welcomed 184,158 tourists in November, marking a 22% YoY growth. It also recorded the highest November arrivals in five years. The monthly tally in November represents a 36% increase from October’s 135,907 arrivals, more..