Sri Lanka News : InfoLanka News Room

Dec 28 (NW) A SL couple wanted for large-scale financial fraud amounting to Rs. 1.6 billion have been remanded after being arrested at the Katunayake Airport upon their return to the country. The suspects were remanded until 6 January 2025 by the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court today. The couple, against whom INTERPOL red notices had been issued, and their 14-year-old daughter were arrested by CID officials at the airport yesterday. The suspects are a 49-year-old man from Col 5 more..

Twenty20 Series begins today: Kiwis and Sri Lanka eyeing a winning start

Dec 28 (DN) NZ and SL will be eyeing a winning start to the Twenty20 International series when they lock horns against each other in the first game of the three-match series at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui today commencing at 11.45 am (SLT) The SL series will be NZ’s second home T20I series and they will be looking to win it. In the first Twenty20 Int'l series of the year at home earlier this year, the Black Caps suffered a 3-0 loss more..

Settled Sri Lanka look to break hoodoo against new-look New Zealand

Dec 28 (CI) While most of the world's attention will be on the Boxing Day Tests in Australia and South Africa - both with strong ramifications on the World Test Championship final - there's still plenty on the line for NZ and SL ahead of this three-match T20I series starting Saturday. Here are some of the key talking points to keep an eye on over the next week. "The bounce and seam movement - that's the main difference." That was SL captain Charith Asalanka's succinct analysis of the conditions they're more..

Govt committed to providing suitable environment for happy, quality life without...

Dec 28 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has affirmed the govt’s commitment to creating a suitable environment for all individuals to live a happy and quality life, free from discrimination. PM Dr. Amarasuriya made this statement today (27), during a ceremony held in Batariwatta, Moratuwa, to inaugurate the first phase of a housing project funded by Chinese financial assistance amounting to Rs. 22 billion. This initiative aims to enhance the living standards of low-income families, more..

රහස් කියන මී මැස්සා

NPP MP Dr. Kaushalya lodges CID complaint over malicious false news

Dec 28 (NW) NPP MP Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne has lodged a formal complaint with the CID regarding false news circulating about her on social media platforms. In her statement, Ariyaratne said the false news included targeted personal attacks and unfounded claims intended to harm her reputation. She called on authorities to investigate the matter and take action against those responsible. “I have lodged a formal complaint with the CID regarding the malicious and false news circulating on more..

CSE gathers more momentum with Rs. 10 b turnover

Dec 28 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday gathered further momentum with a turnover of nearly Rs. 10 billion whilst finishing the week with 5% gain. During the week, ASPI gained by 4.9% and the active S&P SL20 by 5.6%. Turnover averaged Rs. 7.7 billion. ASPI gained by 0.8% and S&P SL20 by 1.4%. Turnover was Rs. 9.8 billion dominated by HNB (Rs. 265 bil), LOLC HOldings (Rs. 667.7 mil), Commercial Bank (Rs. 445.7 mil), DFCC Bank (Rs. 331.7 mil) and LMF (Rs. 307 mil). more..

Littering humans invite monkeys to their doorstep

Dec 28 (ST) A reputed primatologist and a senior official in wildlife said that reducing the availability of food and water would be a viable solution to the human-monkey conflict. Well known primatologist, Professor Wolfgang Dittus, who lives in Sri Lanka, said that purposeful feeding of monkeys at religious and tourist sites creates pest species that get used to eating human-sourced food because it is easy to obtain. more..

S&P keeps Sri Lanka at selective default on unfinished SriLankan Airlines bond

Dec 28 (EN) Standard and Poor’s (S&P) said it was keeping SL’s sovereign rating at selective default because a defaulted SriLankan Airlines bond has not yet been restructured, but has rated newly issued restructured bonds at CCC+. 175 million dollar SriLankan Airlines bond is guaranteed by the govt and remains in default. “We could raise our long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating once SL completes the restructuring of its remaining foreign currency-denominated commercial more..

Sri Lanka Customs expects Rs. 25 b in next few days of 2024: DG

Dec 28 (FT) SL Customs is poised to make history, nearing an unprecedented revenue target of Rs. 1.5 trillion in 2024, marking a significant achievement for the Department and the country’s economy. As of 25 Dec, the Dept has already collected over Rs. 1.47 billion (Rs. 1,479 billion), leaving just Rs. 21 billion to be achieved in the remaining days of the year. “We are almost there. With four more days remaining, we are expecting at least Rs. 25 bil during this time,” Customs Director General Sarath Nonis said. more..

පත්තරේ විස්තරේ

‘Next Tsunami against bureaucrats’

Dec 28 (CT) JVP firebrand, Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha raised red flags against bureaucrats who, according to him, have not changed but obstructed the Govt from taking the country forward. “The people of this country brought a tsunami against corrupt, outdated politicians who dragged this country backwards and pushed it to bankruptcy. The next tsunami will happen against the bureaucracy of this country,” he warned. Minister emphasised that senior govt officials should have a more..

Wildlife depredation costs SL Rs. 55.3 billion

Dec 28 (Island) Crop damage caused by animals, such as wild boars, porcupines, and monkeys, caused a loss of of 55.3 billion rupees in 2022 and 2023, according to Chairman of the National Farmers’ Federation. Wild animals had destroyed approximately 86.7 million coconuts, valued at 5.2 billion rupees, affecting 17.5% of the nation’s total coconut yield across 140,450 hectares. The destruction of crops by wild animals are as follows: 25% of rice, 11% of maize, 7% of vegetables. more..

US court extends stay of Hamilton Reserve-SL case over ISBs to 15 Jan

Dec 28 (FT) The US District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted a motion to extend the stay of litigation between Hamilton Reserve Bank (HRB) and Sri Lanka for the fourth time, pushing the suspension of proceedings to 15 Jan, 2025. This decision, issued by District Judge Denise Cote, underscores the complex interplay of legal, economic, and diplomatic factors shaping the resolution of SL’s sovereign debt crisis. more..

Indian Anadrone Shikra drone caught by Sri Lanka fisherman

Dec 28 (EN) A jet powered target drone, bearing the marking of the Indian manufacturer Anadrone has been found by a fisherman off SL’s Eastern coast. The drone was found floating 36 kilometres off Trincomalee in the island’s Eastern waters, the fisherman said. “We found it in the sea near some fish were swimming,” he said. “After we finished fishing, I took the object on board and brought it ashore. Then I informed the police and they said they will inform the Navy. more..

Man deceives Deputy Minister; obtains 17 new passports

Dec 28 (DM) An individual who appeared as a Ministry official of the Public Security Ministry had deceived Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala and Ministry officilals and fled after obtaining 17 new passports. Public Security Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala revealed that the particular individual had escorted him to various departments of the Ministry on the day he assumed duties and even hosted a tea party. Deputy Minister said the individual had told the Ministry officials that more..

Service chiefs won’t get extensions; scrapping of CDS Office confirmed

Dec 28 (Island) The JVP-led NPP govt has decided against granting service extensions to current commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as any other officer scheduled to retire on 31 Dec., 2024, according to sources. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera are on their second extensions, whereas Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa more..

A commendable move

Dec 29 (SO) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing Parliament recently laid to rest all speculation regarding the import of vehicles for personal use. He said that the import of private passenger vehicles (mainly cars, vans and SUVs) will be permitted from February 1, 2025, subject to certain terms and conditions. This is heartening news from the point of view of thousands who are waiting to buy a new car, given that imports have been banned for almost five years. more..

Honeymoon blues

Dec 29 (ST) With the completion today of the traditional 100-day honeymoon period allowing a new president and his Govt to enjoy the fruits of their electoral victory and providing a little break from harsh criticism enabling them to ease into office, it seems the honeymoon is finished before it had properly started. Govt members themselves urged the country that gave them a massive majority to wait patiently for the delivery of the baby. But they failed to realise a political reality— more..

Conman plays Jekyll and Hyde during deputy minister’s visit; obtains 17 passports

Dec 29 (ST) Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Acting IGP has been asked to investigate Deputy Public Security Minister Sunil Watagala’s claim that a person used his (Mr. Watagala’s) name to obtain 17 passports. The deputy minister made the claim during an interview with a private television channel this week. Mr. Watagala claimed that when he visited the Dept of Immigration and Emigration, the man posed more..

2024: The year of elections & 2025: The year of consequences

Dec 29 (CT) Elections have consequences, President Barak Obama triumphantly told congressional Republicans in 2009, as he began his historic first term as the first African-American President of the USA. But the election of Trump eight years later and Trump’s election again in 2024 have turned the tables on Obama’s boast. It is Trump and his MAGA (Make America Great Again) Republicans who are now crowing the throwback to Obama: Elections have consequences! more..

National list fiasco

Dec 29 (ST) My Dear Uncle Ranil and Sajith, I am writing to both of you as 2024 comes to an end because it has been a horrible year for you both. Uncle Ranil, you were sent out of office this year and Sajith, you weren’t voted into office despite being Leader of the Opposition. To cap it all, both of you have been caught out by the National List! It is bad enough that both of you had to lose two national elections in less than two months, and that Anura sahodaraya ran away with all the spoils. more..

'President’s Indian trip bears fruit'

Dec 29 (SO) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake undertook his first official State visit abroad after being elected Prez in September and travelled to India from Dec 15 to 17 at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The world witnessed the grand welcome extended to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake by Indian state officials, led by PM Narendra Modi. Prez Dissanayake was accorded a 21-gun salute more..

Heavy on hope

Dec 29 (TM) As another year comes to an end, Sri Lankans from all walks of life will begin to reflect on the year that was and proceed to make the customary New Year’s resolutions. One thought that will likely influence those resolutions is whether this nation is in a better place today than it was a year ago. While the answers will differ depending on whom you ask, the general consensus is that although major change was anticipated at the beginning of 2024, not much has changed more..

Navigating the Tax Burden

Dec 29 (CT) In a significant move aimed at alleviating financial pressure on low-income depositors, Govt is in the process of introducing a mechanism to provide relief to individuals earning less than Rs 150,000 per month from deposit interest, currently subject to a 10% withholding tax. Minister Anil Jayantha revealed this plan on 26 Dec, stating that the Inland Revenue Dept (IRD) would soon provide further details on how the mechanism would be implemented. more..

එලවන්නම ඕනේ ලිස්ට් එකක්

Sri Lanka’s strategic balancing act ahead of President AKD’s visit to China

Dec 29 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to embark on a state visit to China early next year, following his recent diplomatic success in India. As SL rebuilds from the ashes of an economic meltdown, this visit will serve as a pivotal moment, shaping not just bilateral relations but also the island’s broader economic and geopolitical trajectory. While the allure of Chinese investments may offer short-term relief, the stakes are high: the decisions made during this visit more..

Aruna’s sub 45, Tharanga’s massive throw and Tharushi’s Asian best among highlights

Dec 29 (Island) In an Olympic year, sprinter Aruna Dharshana’s sub 45 seconds in the 400 metres and Tharushi Karunaratne’s 600 metres Asian record rank were among the country’s best moments of track and field sports in the passing year. There were unique moments that captured the imagination of the track and field fraternity but among them the aforesaid performances by the highest ranked male and female athletes of Sri Lanka standout. Sprinter Aruna Dharshana & Tharushi Karunaratne more..

New Zealand win first T20 as SL capitulate

Dec 29 (CI) It was a heist for the ages in Mount Maunganui as New Zealand secured an eight-run win in the first T20I, and with it took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. But more importantly it was a lesson in fight from the hosts, one the visitors would do well to take note of. For much of the game it had looked SL's to lose. The first instance was when NZ were reeling on 65 for 5 midway through their innings, and more..

Editorial: Trimming the fat

Dec 29 (Island) The decision of the present administration to reduce the army of security personnel allotted to former presidents at enormous taxpayer expense came into effect last week. This will, no doubt, be widely welcomed countrywide. There are five living former presidents and the widow of one (Mrs. Hema Premadasa), enjoying the considerable benefits of the Presidential Entitlements Act which became effective from Feb 1986. This law was enacted by the govt of more..

Sri Lanka junior sailors face hardest test

Dec 29 (SO) SL’s junior national sailing team left for the prestigious IODA Asian and Oceanian Championship to be held in Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong from Dec 29 to Jan 5. Representing SL this year are three girls Laila Hazari (Methodist), Sohanya de Mel (Ladies’) and McKaella Karunaratne (Ladies’) and seven boys Kevaan de Costa (Royal), Minuga Hettigamage (Royal), Luqmaan Aneeq (Royal), Binal Perera (Royal), Randira Hangarangoda (Royal), more..

ජනාධිපතිතුමා ගේම ගහන්නේ...

Ex-Provincial Councillor arrested in Rs. 9 mn bribery case, remanded

Dec 29 (DM) Sulochana Gamage, a former member of the Western Provincial Council, who was arrested while allegedly accepting a bribe, has been ordered to be remanded in custody along with another individual until Jan 6, 2025. The Hulftsdorp Additional Magistrate issued the remand order following their arrest on bribery charges. The former Western Provincial Councilor Salochana Gamage and another businessman were arrested in Pitakotte by the Bribery Commission over a Rs. 9 million bribery incident. more..

Gazette issued stipulating maximum prices for canned fish

Dec 29 (AD) A Gazette notification has been issued stipulating the maximum retail prices for canned fish. The Extraordinary Gazette notification, issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has stated that no local manufacturer, packer, distributor or trader shall sell, expose or offer for display for sale the types of canned fish listed in the gazette above the stipulated maximum retail price. The relevant maximum retail prices will be in effect from today (28), according to the CAA. more..

Health sector: Diagnostic services hit by shortages

Dec 29 (TM) SL’s healthcare sector is grappling with a critical shortage of radiographers, jeopardising the delivery of essential diagnostic services across the country. Radiographers play a vital role in modern medicine, operating advanced imaging technologies such as X-rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, which are indispensable for more..

Panel to address slow container release from Customs

Dec 29 (EN) SL govt has appointed a panel led by Minister Bimal Rathnayake to take necessary steps to fast track the release of containers from the port without any delay. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to appoint a panel. Importers have complained of slow clearance of containers due to long time taken to check by Customs officials. “Customs officers determine which containers need to be inspected at the exit gates and more..

We have to struggle with officials for our policies: Handunnetti

Dec 29 (DM) The NPP govt now has a struggle with state officials to safeguard the NPP's policies, whereas the NPP had to struggle on the streets for the rights of the people before taking over power, Minister of Industries Sunil Handunnetti said today. At an event to present the Shilpabhimani presidential awards, he said that some officials do not realise the mandate of the govt and still stand by their old decisions, agreements, Cabinet decisions and gazette notifications. more..

Foreign-funded water projects: Billions lost due to mismanagement

Dec 29 (TM) Govt has incurred a massive loss of approximately Rs. 1.44 billion due to delays, inefficiencies, and mismanagement in several major water supply and sanitation projects, the latest available audit report on the Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project reveals. The audit, which reviewed the status of multiple ongoing and completed projects, highlighted that the implementation of 38 urban and rural water more..

Unified Control Centre to check drug smuggling

Dec 29 (SO) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday proposed the setting up of a unified Command and Control Centre to check the entry of narcotics and contraband into the country. He outlined this proposal at a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat with the Heads of the Dept of Immigration and Emigration, SL Customs, and the Airport and Aviation Services (AASL). Highlighting the need to eliminate the negative perceptions surrounding SL Customs, Prez said that more..

Public urged to avoid panic buying, hoarding salt amid shortage fears

Dec 29 (AD) The newly-appointed Chairman of Lanka Salt Company in Hambantota, T. Nandana Thilaka has urged the public to avoid panic-buying and hoarding salt amidst rumors of a shortage. Addressing the media after assuming office today (28), Mr. Thilaka clarified that the current salt supply is sufficient to meet household needs in the country. “Two 400-gram packets of salt powder and one kilogram of crystal salt are enough for an average household for a month,” more..