Dec 3 (FT) Baur & Co. Ltd, also known as Baurs, is a name synonymous with diverse industry sectors in SL, including a distinctive reputation for being a pioneering and innovative agriculture expert, actively blending both scientific and professional know-how to steer the nation’s future direction. This year, Baurs celebrates 127 years of continued growth and expansion across its business units. In 2021, Baurs took on the organic fertiliser challenge when the country decided to move towards more..

Dec 3 (FT) The National Savings Bank (NSB) showcased robust financial performance in the third quarter of 2024, propelled by the short-term advantages of liability reprising and a surge in fee-based income. The nation’s premier savings bank reported a remarkable net interest income of Rs. 53.4 billion for the nine months ending 30 September 2024, reflecting a remarkable growth of 191% compared to Rs. 18.3 billion recorded during the same period last year. more..

Dec 3 (TM) Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ruhuna, Prof. Sujeewa Amarasena who has presently been replaced by a Competent Authority, has alleged that his removal was politically motivated, describing himself as the first political victim of the newly formed NPP Govt. Prof. Amarasena claimed that the campaign against him was driven by a group of university lecturers aligned with the current Govt. more..

Dec 3 (FT) Nepal’s multinational giant CG Corp Global this week renewed its commitment to Sri Lanka, reiterating it will further grow its investments in existing and new sectors. CG Corp Global Group already has investments in Sri Lanka’s hospitality, financial services, and automobile sectors and its Managing Director Nirvana Chaudhary, who arrived in Colombo on Sunday, told the Daily FT that the Group is exploring opportunities in real estate, renewable energy, cement, more..

Dec 3 (Island) The grid connection becomes a significant challenge as SL scales up solar energy, Senior Lecturer at the Uni of Moratuwa’s Dept of Electrical Engineering, Professor Asanka Rodrigo stressed. He added: “We must conduct extensive studies on load flow, dynamic impacts and protection measures to ensure grid stability.” Delivering the keynote address, at the partnership last Friday at the Marino Beach Colombo between E.B. Creasy, said to be one of the pioneers of solar energy more..

Dec 3 (Island) It was the unlikeliest of scripts: the host nation, South Africa, bowing out of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in their backyard, undone by a bizarre twist of fate – and a misread Duckworth-Lewis sheet. To borrow a line from Shakespeare, the fault lay not in the stars but in themselves. South Africa’s hopes were sky-high as they hosted cricket’s crown jewel, much like the unifying fervor of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where Nelson Mandela’s charm and Francois Pienaar’s leadership more..

Dec 3 (DM) Referring to the recent actions of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Harini Amarasuriya which has gained much publicity, SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha today said both should stop grandstanding. The MP was referring to the report that said PM Amarasuriya had visited a supermarket on her own and the report that Prez Dissanayake had walked from the Presidential Secretariat to the Finance Ministry. “PM's grandstanding comes at a time when more..

Dec 3 (DM) SL will not be able to afford a large public sector in the near future and will soon need to start reducing the number of state employees, a senior advisor to the president said. Projecting that the Treasury would be unable to sustain the current expenditure levels in the coming years, Senior Prez Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa said that the country would have to downsize its public sector workforce from its current 1.3 m more..

Dec 3 (TM) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to Kelum Harshana, who was arrested for allegedly promoting the LTTE Mahaviru celebrations. Commenting to the media following the trial, attorney-at-law Manoj Gamage stated that the Court granted bail to the suspect on the grounds that the charges did not demonstrate the promotion of terrorism. On 30 Nov, the CID arrested 3 suspects in connection with causing public disturbance by promoting LTTE Mahaviru celebrations. more..

Dec 3 (FT) SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has reported a sharp rise in WhatsApp account hacking incidents, with 74 cases recorded in recent weeks. Hacking victims include prominent politicians, legal counsels, and even journalists. According to Senior Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola, these attacks often start with online meeting invitations sent via WhatsApp, either from unknown numbers or trusted contacts. Hackers then manipulate users more..

Dec 3 (NF) A report on the privileges given to MPs, Ministers, and former Presidents has been submitted to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The report was handed over by the chairman of the committee, former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chitrasiri. The committee, under the leadership of SC Justice K.T. Chitrasiri, was appointed to review the privileges provided to MP, Ministers, and former Presidents. PM Harini Amarasuriya and Secretary to the Prez Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake more..

Dec 3 (Island) Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage granted bail to Kelum Harshana, arrested for allegedly sharing false and fabricated information and images about Mahaveer Naal celebrations in the North. Magistrate Gamage informed the CID that they should have arrested the organisers, and those who conducted the commemoration event, rather than the persons who shared such posts on social media. Chief Magistrate said that the provisions of PTA should not be abused. more..

Dec 3 (ST) Unsolicited project proposals must be submitted via open competition and must adhere to procurement guidelines with the most advantageous proposal being selected, new rules published by the Finance Ministry state. The project management guidelines—released by the Ministry’s Dept of Management Audit in consultation with other Treasury Depts—say a review of local and foreign-funded development projects reveals that more..

Dec 3 (TM) Three Police officers have been injured and hospitalised following the tense situation during a protest in front of the Ministry of Education at Isurupaya, Battaramulla, yesterday. Accordingly, a Sub Inspector of Police and two Constables have been injured during the tense situation that prevailed as the Police attempted to disperse a group of Development Officers who were protesting in front of the ministry. Meanwhile, one of the injured Police officers has been transferred to more..

Dec 3 (CT) Cuba has re-pledged its support to help Sri Lanka control the dengue menace. The Health Ministry yesterday said the Cuban Govt had pledged to support the country’s public health service with expertise and technical knowledge to control and eradicate dengue. A senior spokesman for the Health Ministry said Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had met with the Cuban Ambassador to SL, Andres Marcelo Gonzales who had apprised him of Cuba’s success in combating dengue, more..

Dec 3 (CT) The Cabinet recommended to award Free Marks to all students for the three questions, which were alleged to have been leaked in the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam, the Attorney General submitted before the Supreme Court yesterday. Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne appearing for AG further submitted that the Cabinet had decided that it was not necessary to re-conduct the exam for this question paper more..

Dec 3 (FT) In 2022, people of all ranks and files from somewhere, anywhere, nowhere and everywhere gathered to demand and send entire 225 MPs out. In 2024 the same people gathered to elect and send 225 MPs in. One columnist has put the change occurred on 14 Nov as The much awaited miracle did happen. This miracle was seen in: Aljazeera: Voters had said enough is enough, voting overwhelmingly to take a chance on the NPP. SL’s leftist win sparks hopes, bridges old divides. more..

Dec 3 (FT) I was at a meeting where a highly respected and experienced colleague said the Govt must conclude a successful prosecution of a big fish within the first year or lose all credibility. They rode to power on the corruption narrative and have to deliver, he said. If he is right, I thought, the Govt is in trouble. Unlike my colleague, I had done timelines for the big-fish cases. In 2007, a Deputy Minister (a big fish) took a bribe of Rs. 50,000 to give a job. In 2017, High Court found him guilty. more..

Nov 3 (DM) To minimise the negative effects on schoolchildren, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide an allowance of Rs. 6,000 for purchasing stationery as outlined below, prior to the commencement of the 2025 academic year. The proposal was presented by the Prez in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. A survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics revealed that over 55% of schoolchildren have more..

Nov 3 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has greenlighted the proposal to establish a Clean Sri Lanka Fund and appoint a Presidential Task Force for its management. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said considering the fact that SL is currently experiencing significant setbacks not only economically but also politically, socially, spiritually and environmentally, the program called Clean Sri Lanka has been planned to be implemented as a national mission to achieve the national aspiration more..

Nov 3 (BN) Work on a SL port’s expansion led by the Adani Group is progressing as scheduled, a top local official said, even as the fate of $553 million in American funding for the project remains uncertain following the indictment of the Indian conglomerate’s executives in the US. Construction at the Colombo West International Terminal remains ongoing, with phase one of the project still set for completion in early 2025, more..

Nov 3 (NW) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to allow the import of rice without permits, in order to address the current shortage of rice. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that rice imports without permits will be allowed until 20 December 2024. He further said that the decision has been taken after considering the shortage of rice, including Nadu, caused by adverse weather conditions, which has severely affected rice farmers. more..

Dec 3 (CT) India’s Kerala Crime Branch is on the lookout for 15 foreign nationals, including 11 Sri Lankans, who were arrested with forged travel documents at Nedumbassery Airport and later went absconding after securing bail. The other absconders included people from Nepal, France, Iran, and Russia. All of them were intercepted at the airport between 2001 and 2005 and are currently accused in cases pending before Aluva Judicial First-Class Magistrate-1 court. more..

Nov 3 (DM) An astrologer who buried a stock of fake gems in a home garden and misled the owner that a treasure had been buried in the garden and undertook to perform rites to unearth it had cheated him and taken away cash Rs.2.9 million as part payment for digging up the treasure. The victim was a 70-year-old businessman from Anuradhapura Airport Road. The suspect had performed rites and unearthed the bunch of more..

Nov 3 (NW) SL Navy has seized 01 Indian fishing boat with 18 Indian fishermen for poaching in SL waters. The arrest was made during a special operation conducted off Veththalakerni in Jaffna yesterday. When the apprehension was made, the fishing boat had crossed the IMBL by approximately 30 nautical miles, entering SL waters. As part of the Navy’s continuous patrols and operations in SL waters to curb illegal fishing practices, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft more..

Dec 3 (AD) Cabinet has approved amendments to the Aswesuma welfare benefits program while increasing the welfare benefit payments and extending the period of payments for certain vulnerable groups. The Aswesuma welfare benefits program has been implemented from 01 July 2023 and was revised by the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2384/30 which came into effect from 01 July 2024. Under this welfare benefits program, the beneficiary families are entitled to benefit more..

Nov 3 (DM) Jaffna District independenet MP Ramanathan Archchuna said he was beaten by SJB MP Sujith Perera when he visited the Opposition Leader's office. MP, while raising a point of order, said he visited the Opposition Leader's office to inquire into the time allocated for him for his Parliament speech. "If such things happen inside Parliament premises, how can we move on the streets?' he questioned. The presiding member requested the MP to lodge a complaint with more..

Dec 3 (TM) Ministry of Irrigation stated that it is planning to take measures to prevent potential disasters caused by the upcoming monsoonal weather, as most major tanks and reservoirs in the country have reached their maximum water levels with the recent showers. Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Udaya Herath, highlighted the gravity of the situation. “The water level is already at the maximum level as a result of the current weather condition. more..

Dec 3 (DM) Liquor licences in SL are issued in accordance with Extraordinary Gazette No. 1544/17 and Excise Notification No. 902, dated 04-10-2008 which outlines the excise guidelines and conditions. These regulations are further clarified by Gazette No. 2366/39 and Gazette Notification No. 02/2024, dated 12-01-2008. Act was passed and enforced by Parliament, but was amended again in Aug 2024. more..

Dec 3 (Island) Ambassador of Korea, Miyon Lee, emphasised the importance of fostering a cohesive investment-friendly environment to drive regional prosperity and unity. Addressing the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of SL–Korea Business Council (SLKBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), held recently in Colombo, Ambassador Lee commended the Council’s efforts in strengthening ties between the business communities of both nations, the CCC said more..

Dec 3 (DM) Claiming that several police officials had sustained cut injuries during yesterday's protest outside the Education Ministry, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today, he as trade union leader, had resorted to trade union actions with thousands of people but such unfortunate incidents had never occurred. Deputy Minister said he suspects that some organised groups were engaged in such acts to embarrass the govt. "Three police officers had sustained cut injuries. more..

Dec 3 (TM) Grama Niladhari (GN) Officers' Union Alliance warned of potential union action, alleging that certain Divisional Secretaries (DS) exert undue pressure on GN officers over the re-review of the Aswesuma social welfare programme. A 10-member committee was recently appointed by the Govt to investigate and prepare a report on Samurdhi beneficiaries who were subjected to injustice during the process of beneficiaries being selected more..

Dec 3 (CT) The tusks and the head of Deegadanthu, which was a major tourist attraction in the Kala Wewa habitat are in the process of being preserved. The head with the tusks of the pachyderm was taken to Wildlife Field Range Office in Galkiriyagama to be sent to commence the preserving process. The head was taken away following the post-mortem held on the remains of Deegadanthu on 29 Nov. The death of the elephant was due to heart failure following electrocution. more..

Dec 3 (NW) US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to Sri Lanka on 05 December 2024. US State Department said the US Assistant Secretary will engage in the tour alongside his visit to India, and Nepal. Donald Lu’s trip is expected to strengthen cooperation with key partners in South Asia to promote regional prosperity and security. On Dec 5, US Assistant Secretary Lu will travel to Sri Lanka, to advance US-SL joint efforts more..

Dec 3 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the govt for allegedly using the PTA to suppress social media freedom, despite promising to abolish the controversial legislation before coming to power. Premadasa pointed out that social media played a significant role in securing the current govt’s large electoral mandate. He added that however, after coming to power, the govt is using the very Act it had promised to repeal to suppress social media activists. more..