Dec 29 (DM) The Department of Archaeology has taken steps to preserve an ancient tunnel which is located in the vicinity of Ananda Sastralaya in Kotte and is slated to fell the trees around it despite protests by the school’s Past Pupil’s Association. Director General Dept of Archaeology Professor Tusitha Mendis told Daily Mirror that eight trees would have to be felled to preserve it. “We are planning to build a canopy over the tunnel in order to stop the collection of rainwater in it. more..

Dec 29 (DM) The govt has decided to revamp the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) and convert it into a fully-fledged investigative arm like the CID, operating under a senior DIG, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said. Currently, CID operates under a DIG, and FCID is only a small unit under it. Minister said both CID and FCID would be placed under a senior DIG under the plan for restructuring of the police service. Prez Anura Dissanayake chaired a special meeting more..

Dec 29 (TM) Digital Economy Ministry plans to reduce the transaction cost for online payments from Rs. 20 to Rs. 15 as part of the Govt’s initiative to digitise all financial transactions in State institutions by January 2025, according to Ministry’s Coordinating Secretary Sumudu Rathnayaka. He said that the Govt was working to reduce additional costs associated with online payments. “Currently, a 3% surcharge more..

Dec 29 (ST) SL’s state-run airport management firm has invited proposals from reputed companies to study the feasibility of expanding the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) but not from countries adjacent to Colombo’s Flight Information Region (FIR)—India, the Maldives, Indonesia, and Australia—citing a conflict of interest. Separately, Airport and Aviation Services of Sri Lanka Ltd (AASL) has extended till March 18, 2025, the deadline to receive bids from Japanese companies for more..

Dec 29 (NW) A special traffic operation has been launched by the police targeting the festive season to minimize road accidents across the country. This operation primarily focuses on long-distance bus drivers violating traffic rules and driving recklessly. The police stated that officers in civvies are being deployed to inspect violations of bus drivers and conductors in long-distance passenger buses. During this process, the authorities will monitor traffic violations such as reckless driving, more..

Dec 29 (TM) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is currently processing 4-5 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) amidst the attractive valuations on offer in the equity market due to the current bull run. Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, CSE Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara revealed that there were around 4-5 IPO applications being processed at present at the Colombo bourse amidst improved interest in the market as a result of the record-breaking bull run currently being observed in the CSE. more..

Dec 29 (TM) Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been summoned to appear before the CID on 3 Jan 2025 in respect of an ongoing investigation. The investigation is in relation to a claim of ownership over a property in Kataragama. “There is an ongoing investigation in respect of a property in Kataragama, where we had questioned Major Neville Wanniarachchi day before yesterday and Rajapaksa has been summoned as a part of more..

Dec 29 (TM) Pharmacies around the country are facing a serious risk of closure due to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) making the full-time presence of a qualified pharmacist mandatory for the operation of pharmacies. However, All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (AIPPOA) claims that the Health Ministry is yet to respond to its numerous attempts to contact the Minister to discuss more..

Dec 29 (AD) A brother of former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has been arrested by the CID. He has been arrested in connection with a complaint related to alleged financial fraud. The arrest has been made in the Bibile area, according to police. Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga confirmed that the arrested suspect, Thisara Iroshana Nanayakkara, has allegedly defrauded around Rs. 3 million from individuals after promising employment opportunities in Finland. more..

Dec 29 (ST) The NMRA has withheld the renewal of licences of 60 private pharmacies till they prove that they employ a qualified pharmacist in their business, Chief Executive Officer Saveen Semage said. The vetting process was done when the pharmacies came to the regulator for their annual licence renewal. Those who could not substantiate that they had qualified pharmacists on their premises were not granted a renewal. “We are now looking strictly at whether this is adhered to,” more..

Dec 29 (ST) As the last Sunday of 2024 fades away, the most tumultuous and momentous event to emerge in the country’s political landscape is easily the outcome of the presidential and parliamentary elections. Anura Kumara Dissanayake from the JVP-led NPP won the Sept 21 prez election. It brought home the message that people were fed up with the traditional political parties that took turns at governance. more..

Dec 30 (DM) We have come to the end of 2024 a cataclysmic year, not just nationally but internationally as well. As September was drawing to a close Lankan’s elected a brand new president to lead the country. He did not receive the 50% plus one votes as required by the Constitution, but won after a recount as per Constitutional requirements. Comrade Anura Kumara Dissanayake -popularly known as AKD- of the JVP/NPP defeated the more seasoned political leaders at Prez Election. more..

Dec 30 (CT) Unless the scourge of corruption is at least controlled, if not eliminated, our country is doomed. In the absence of genuine effort, no amount of big talk of Yahapalanaya, Eradication of Beeshanaya and Dhooshanaya, Vistas of Splendour, are all hollow deceptions, and an insult to our collective intelligence. Let us demand that the currently pledged System change is truly meant, and will not merely join the lengthy queue of deceptive treachery. more..

Dec 30 (TM) Following the high prices of food commodities that prevailed throughout the year despite ongoing stabilisation measures, the outlook for Sri Lanka’s food commodity prices in 2025 remains up in the air, with extreme weather, rising geopolitical tensions, sudden policy changes, and other factors all likely to have a potential impact. Nevertheless, according to latest World Bank Commodity Markets Outlook, more..

Dec 30 (ST) After an elating sojourn in some exotic undiscovered island, from whose utopian bourn an NPP MP returned last week, bringing with her what seemed to be an old NPP edition of Paine’s Rights of Man, and proceeded to hold, it’s an absolute, fundamental right of the free and sovereign people of Lanka to tell a lie, knowing well it’s untrue, as if it was the gospel truth. Kalutara district NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi declared at an event in Kalutara: “We tell the people of Lanka, more..

Dec 30 (TM) As 2024 comes to a close, it has been a year of challenges, transitions and achievements for SL. Amidst this turbulence life continues, and the country will now look ahead to 2025 with renewed hopes for a Better Sri Lanka. It is essential to reflect on the past year, as there are valuable lessons to be learned that will guide us into the new year and beyond. However, what a better SL means in 2025 depends largely on who you ask? Past few years have impacted Lankans in different ways, more..

Dec 30 (CT) The fisheries industry plays a key role in SL’s economy, food security and social life. With its own culture, tradition and vernacular, the fisheries industry provides livelihood to a massive population who live along the littoral from around the country. It is estimated around 2.4 million people are directly and indirectly employed in this sector, and according to FAO estimates, sector’s contribution towards the GDP is about 2%. more..

Dec 30 (CT) Now that the nation’s bonds-holders have overwhelmingly signed off on the proposals to restructure international bonds worth 12.55 billion, and Fitch, too, has raised the nation’s credit rating, it may be time the ruling dispensation took a closer look at the demand-supply paradigm, not in the traditional commercial sense but in a holistic way. Coupled with the earlier rescheduling of Govt-to -Govt loans and those from international funding agencies, it is time more..

Dec 30 (Island) Atal Bihari Vajpayee memorial lecture 2024, delivered by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi over the weekend, was interesting, insightful, and had some takeaways on history, Indo-Lanka relations, SL’s economic crisis and recovery efforts, and most of all, the circumstances that led to the signing of the 2002 ceasefire agreement between govt of SL and LTTE, India’s support for SL during the Eelam War IV and at the height of economic crisis here in 2022. more..

Dec 30 (FT) Despite the pre-election fearmongering of catastrophe, mayhem, violence and Marxism by the metathesiophobists if Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and the NPP were to emerge victorious, the Presidential and General elections and the immediate post-election periods were probably the most peaceful since we gained independence in 1948. Kudos is due to the Govt which was in power at the time of elections and the contesting parties for readily accepting more..

Dec 30 (Island) On July 29, 1987 Prez J.R. Jayewardene signed the controversial Indo-Lanka Peace Accord with PM Rajiv Gandhi of India in Colombo. Most observers take the view that Jayewardene, fighting a JVP insurrection in the South and the LTTE insurgency in the North, had little option but to sign an agreement and he was railroaded into accepting India’s terms. LTTE was determined to win a separate state of Eelam for the Tamil people even at the expense of more..

Dec 30 (SO) If ever a name in SL’s music industry could be likened to a brand, Priya Suriyasena would undoubtedly hold that distinction. In the 1970s, the names Milton Mallawarachchi and Priya Suriyasena became synonymous with musical excellence, their iconic songs such as Milton’s Me May Gaha Yata and Priya’s Heta Dawase Apa Dedena resonating with generations. Priya Suriyasena was more than just a singer; more..

Dec 30 (DN) Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, missed a good chance to beat New Zealand in their opening game on Saturday. They meet again for the second T-20 today (30) at the same venue, Mount Maunganui, starting at 11:45 a.m. (SLT). This is a must-win game for Sri Lanka to keep the series alive, while the Black Caps aim for an early series win after their solid performance. In the first T-20, NZ invited SL to bat first. They were floundering at 65 for 5 during the first ten overs. more..

Dec 30 (CT) Minneriya Police found a body inside a burnt double cab on 25 Dec night in the 13th Mile Post area, on the Habarana-Minneriya Road. The vehicle had caught fire, and the Polonnaruwa Fire Brigade later doused the flames. After extinguishing the fire, the Police found a body in the rear seat of the charred double cab. It is suspected that the deceased could be the owner of the vehicle. During preliminary investigations, it was revealed that the owner of the vehicle more..

Dec 30 (EN) China-backed Hambantota Int'l Port said it was planning to break into the container relay market, which will contribute to the island’s plans to handle 10 million boxes in 2025/2026. While transshipment involves feeder lines bringing containers from regional ports to a hub port, where mainline ships call, cargo relay involves transferring cargo within ships from the same carrier going on different routes. “As part of its seaside strategy, the port is entering the relay cargo market, more..

Dec 30 (ST) Police Sports Club has expressed their displeasure regarding the manner, in which the subcommittees of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), currently in charge of running the ongoing Mastercard Club Rugby League 2024, have handled three separate incidents that occurred during the first couple of weekends. The club rugby league is run by a tournament committee appointed by SLR’s Competent Authority, who is in-charge of the sport since May this year until a duly elected more..

Dec 30 (DN) 12-year-old Megumi Kularathna of Ghefari Dulapandan Swimming School (GDPS) has become the youngest swimmer ever to earn a spot in SL National Swimming Squad. SL Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) announced the squad this week. Megumi’s record-breaking performance in the 200m butterfly at the recent National and Junior National Short Course Swimming Championships established her place in the 50-member squad. Her record-breaking time, earned her 435 FINA points. more..

Dec 30 (FT) Exports in November grew by only 1% year-on-year (YoY) to $ 375 million. It was the lowest figure since $ 293 million achieved in April this year and lower than $ 397 million in October. Exports to the USA have indicated an increase of 2.05% to $ 144 million, while exports to the EU (excluding exports to UK) have reported a reduction of 8.6% to $ 115.7 million in Nov 2024. At the same time, exports to UK have increased more..

Dec 30 (DM) A week after the conclusion of the exchange of International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) for a collection of fresh set of bonds linked to its economic growth and governance, Sri Lanka has started trading in the secondary market this week, the data showed. Accordingly, the Macro-linked bond due in 2030, the bond with the earliest maturity with its step-up feature, has traded at 7.43% while the bond with the 2033 maturity was trading at 7.85% at the end of last week. more..

Dec 30 (FT) Former MP Prof. Charitha Herath has weighed in on recent comments made by Minister Sunil Handunneththi, who accused public sector officials of obstructing the Government’s efforts by clinging to outdated systems. Herath called for a more constructive approach, emphasising the need for systemic reform rather than blaming public officials. Minister Handunneththi, speaking at a program held in Colombo recently, expressed frustration over the challenges faced more..

Dec 30 (TM) SL Govt Officers’ Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA) urged the Govt to increase the salaries of State sector employees by Rs. 15,000, in addition to the Rs. 10,000 increment granted by the previous govt led by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, making it a total increment of Rs. 25,000, as proposed by trade union leaders affiliated with the Govt. SLGOTUA National Organiser B.A.P. Basnayake stated that more..

Dec 30 (FT) Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBL) was awarded the Best Sustainability Project Award for its initiative to develop retailer and distributor partners – Senehasin Jayamaga – at the Best Corporate Citizen Awards 2024, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The accolade highlights CBL’s dedication to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly women entrepreneurs, while fostering sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 30 (Island) During the period from Jan to Oct 2024, overall budget deficit decreased to Rs. 1,060.7 bn compared to Rs. 1,547 bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2023, the CB states. “Outstanding central govt debt decreased to Rs. 28,574.7 bn by end Sept of 2024 from Rs. 28,695.9 bn as at end 2023. By the end of Sept 2024, total outstanding domestic debt amounted to Rs. 17,595.1 bn while the value of total outstanding foreign debt amounted to Rs. 10,979.6 bn,” more..

Dec 30 (ST) President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda has announced his candidacy for the President of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) for the 2025/2026 term. Mr. Meddegoda is the current President of BASL and was appointed to the post following the resignation of former BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne. In announcing his candidacy, Mr. Meddegoda, PC said that he decided to contest for the BASL presidency considering the numerous requests from both senior & junior members more..

Dec 30 (DM) SL’s budget is getting into fine shape with substantially higher revenues made possible from higher taxes which are further supported by the robust recovery seen in the economy this year. This has helped to further narrow the overall deficit while putting the primary balance in surplus for the second year running. According to the data, the treasury has recorded a total revenue of Rs. 3,266.94 billion in the first ten months, more..