Dec 30 (TM) The Catholic Church of SL urged the Government to investigate the alleged connections between social media activist Namal Kumara and the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019, claiming that Kumara’s accusations against the then DIG in charge of the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID), Nalaka de Silva, contributed to the attacks. Colombo Archdiocese Communication Director, Rev. Father Jude Krishantha, alleged that Kumara is being influenced by a political force more..

Dec 30 (ST) More and more foreign investors are requesting reports on SL’s tax and finance viability for their investments, top consultancy firms said. “The frequency of foreign investors requesting feasibility and tax and financial implications about investments in SL has increased,” a top official from a tax consultancy firm said. An official from a second tax consultancy firm agreed, noting that now that political stability is intact and things are settled in the country, more queries are trickling in. more..

Dec 30 (DN) The proposal submitted by Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, for the renovation of the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex was approved recently by the Cabinet. This is good news for SL athletes who already have big issue without an International standard track with proper facilities. Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Tillekaratne inspected the Sugathadasa Stadium and this was their first assignment after assuming duties. more..

Dec 30 (AD) General Shavendra Silva is slated to retire as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and from active service of the SL Army with effect from 1 Jan 2025. General Shavendra Silva was appointed as the 8th Chief of Defence Staff of SL effective from 1 June 2022. General Silva has completed over 40 years of unblemished, distinguished, and victorious service in the SL Army and served as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff and 23rd Commander of the SL Army; the 4-star General to command more..

Dec 30 (ST) National Audit Office has found that 64% of permits issued under the last administration’s controversial electric vehicle (EV) import scheme were granted to just two out of 31 institutions that had registered to provide the facility for migrant workers. NAO has now released to the public its special audit on the Foreign Employment Ministry’s initiative to issue EV permits for Sri Lankans employed abroad based on their more..

Dec 30 (DN) The Provincial Councils and Local Govt Ministry said the Clean Sri Lanka programme will begin from January 1. This programme will be implemented by focusing on 341 Local Govt bodies. The programme is designed to foster the social, environmental, and ethical awakening of the country while strengthening environmental, economic and social sustainability. It also aims to enhance the efficiency of state machinery to ensure the successful realisation of its objectives. more..

Dec 30 (DN) With the stabilization of SL’s Economy which is the key to take the country out of the abyss and the economy moving in the right direction in a focused manner, economic indicators too are showing positive sentiments. SL’s Official Reserve Assets as at end Nov 2024 further increased and stood at 6,462 USD million according to the CB. On-year-on-year basis, National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2021=100) based headline inflation remained in the negative territory more..

Dec 30 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is experiencing a surge in tourist activity during the end of year holiday season as expected, with over 200,000 visitors travelling countrywide this December. This influx, coupled with an increase in domestic tourism, has pushed popular destinations to capacity. It marks a positive recovery trajectory for the country’s tourism industry, which has faced multiple setbacks in the past five years. more..

Dec 30 (FT) In Sri Lanka, income tax deadlines are primarily governed by the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017 (as amended). Below are the key deadlines for individuals and entities to note: 1. Income tax return filing: 30 November of the following year is the deadline to file the Income Tax Return as per sections 93 and 94 of the IRA, this is the deadline for filing income tax returns for the preceding assessment year (1 April to 31 March). 2. Quarterly income tax payments: more..

Dec 30 (FT) The country’s citizens are lucky, with uninterrupted electrical power supply met from large and small hydro power plants, thermal power stations owned by CEB and private, also to a lesser degree with bio-energy, solar and wind power. The situation could be improved with moving over to more solar and wind power. Electricity generated from hydro-power, wind, solar and bio-energy are referred to as renewable energy. The country’s hydro power sources are almost exhausted. more..

Dec 30 (AD) The MSME Chamber of SL has called for the immediate removal of the circular issued by the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), which states that any suspension of Parate law execution will not take place beyond 31 March 2025. Media Secretary of the MSME Chamber of Sri Lanka Susantha Liyanaarachchi emphasized the need for the CBSL to issue a new circular pertaining to the recent statement made by the Deputy Minister of Finance. Commenting further, Liyanaarachchi said: more..

Dec 30 (Island) Sita Ellawala Ratwatte, wife of the late Dr. Seevali Ratwatte, former Chairman of the Upali Group of Companies, passed away on Saturday at the age of 94. She was the sister-in-law of the late PM Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike. Mrs. Ratwatte was the mother of the Chairperson of Upali Newspapers Ltd, and Upali Group of Companies Lakmani Ratwatte Welgama and Eranthika Sirimavo Ratwatte Kelegama, and the mother-in-law of Managing Director of more..

Dec 30 (FT) According to the 34-point agreement which PrezAnura Kumara Dissanayake, AKD for short, had with PM Narendra Modi or simply Modi, the two countries have agreed to promote, among others, trade and investment between them. There are three agreements that are strikingly prominent and promising. One is that they have agreed to continue discussion on economic and technological agreement, more..

Dec 30 (FT) Asia Capital, and its majority owner Vijay Eswaran, yesterday categorically stated that no formal offer has been received from MAC Holdings regarding the purchase of majority shareholdings in Asia Capital PLC. The company was responding to recent news articles circulating on social media discussing MAC Holdings’ alleged offer to acquire Asia Capital PLC, and said it has misled the public with unsubstantiated claims. “This assertion, supposedly based on reliable sources, more..

Dec 30 (Island) Aitken Spence Travels walked away with the coveted title of Best Travel Agent Inbound – Large Category, Best Cruise Lines Operator and Best Professional MICE Organizer at the recently concluded Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2024 organized by the SL Tourism Development Authority. These accolades underline Aitken Spence Travels’ leadership and commitment to the continuous development of the tourism sector. They highlight the company’s dedication to destination more..

Dec 30 (EN) Many of SL’s groceries are no longer selling red rice after price controls were imposed and strictly enforced by the CAA as import controls reduced the supply of other varieties. Sri Lanka has higher rice prices than the rest of the world due to import taxes and licensing, but rice stock run low in December and January ahead of the main rice harvest in February. SL usually cuts import duties and allow imports especially in Jan more..

Dec 30 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayatihssa said that several international and foreign investment projects that were halted have recommenced with the new govt in place. Jayathissa made these comments after assuming duties as the Kalutara District Development Committee chairman. Stating that discussions have commenced to bring in foreign investments, he added that SL can expect a prosperous beginning next year. “Foreign diplomats have regained confidence and have started more..

Dec 30 (NW) Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has announced that compensation for crop damage reported during the 2024 Yala season will be fully disbursed by 5 Jan 2025. The Board said arrangements are underway to compensate farmers for crop damage incurred during the 2024/2025 Maha season as well. The Board revealed compensation is to be provided for crop damage caused by floods, droughts, and wild elephant attacks during the Yala season. more..

Dec 30 (EN) China donated 2,470 food packages worth 16 million rupees ($55,172 at 1$ = 290) to the people who are affected by the recent floods in Sri Lanka’s Eastern province, where India has been eyeing port and energy deals. China’s latest move comes weeks after Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong went to the island nation’s North and made some similar donations. “We hope that with our assistance, you can overcome these challenges and restore normal life as soon as possible,” more..

Dec 30 (DM) A mahout sustained severe injuries during the Sangamiththa perehera of the Dodanduwa Morakola Temple when one of the elephants unexpectedly became aggressive and attacked the mahout. Footage of the attack, captured on a mobile phone by a bystander, has been widely circulated on social media. The video shows the aggressive elephant attacking the mahout and then running along the parade route. The injured mahout is currently receiving intensive care more..

Dec 30 (AD) Major General Lasantha Rodrigo has been appointed as the Commander of SL Army, while Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda was appointed Commander of SL Navy. Accordingly, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo takes over as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, as the Army Chief, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage retires from active service. A seasoned military officer, Major General Rodrigo previously more..

Dec 30 (DM) Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has alerted the public on a false post circulating on social media claiming that unclaimed luggage is being offered for sale at a price of Rs. 645, Airport & Aviation Services SL Pvt Ltd (AASL) said. AASL clarified that this information is entirely false and not endorsed by AASL. "We have been made aware of unofficial social media pages and websites impersonating the BIA and publishing posts offering unclaimed luggage for sale," more..

Dec 30 (Island) The Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has formally called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to ensure unhindered access for its officials to inspect the welfare and detention conditions of 115 Myanmar asylum seekers currently held in Sri Lanka. In a letter to the President, the HRCSL emphasized that among the asylum seekers are over 40 children, many of them infants, who arrived by sea off the coast of Mullaitivu a few days ago and rescued by SL Navy. more..

Dec 30 (CI) After a first T20I which had been more akin to a smash and grab, New Zealand produced a much more team-centred effort to come away comfortable winners in the second T20I, and with it secure the series 2-0. It means Sri Lanka's long wait for a series win in NZ continues. Having been set an imposing target of 187, Sri Lanka's batting once more threatened for large parts before falling away at the death. more..

Dec 30 (EN) Joint Apparel Association Forum said it has trained around 90 persons to boost knowledge of textile recycling and re-used partnering with several int'l organizations to orient the island towards global demands. The program began with a training-of-trainers session attended by 19 SL academics, textile professionals, and govt representatives. Called the GTEX initiative it is organized by the Int'l Trade Centre (ITC) and funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). more..

Dec 30 (CT) Pushpika de Silva, who was controversially stripped of her Mrs. Sri Lanka 2021 title in 2021, has officially been reinstated following a legal settlement. Chandimal Jayasinghe, the National Director of the Mrs. SL Pageant, announced this decision in line with the order issued by the Mount Lavinia District Court, considering the case filed by Pushpika. Controversy began on 4 Apr 2021, during the Mrs. SL pageant, when an organiser removed Pushpika’s crown on stage, more..

Dec 30 (AD) Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage has requested the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to transfer to another court the hearings of the case filed by the Bribery Commission against two individuals including former Western Provincial Councilor Salochana Gamage for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 9 million. Colombo Chief Magistrate has reportedly emphasized that his court is unable to proceed with the hearings of the said bribery case as Salochana Gamage, more..

Dec 30 (DM) Former Minister Harin Fernando was recently involved in an altercation at the CH & FC Club in Colombo. Witnesses reported that Fernando was heard swearing and yelling before being escorted from the venue. His actions reportedly drew boos from other guests present at the club. A video of the incident was edited to remove all swear words in order to comply with social media community standards. However, when contacted, Cinnamon Gardens Police said that no complaint more..

Dec 30 (DM) In the wake of African swine fever triggering fears about possible extinction of SL’s wild boar population in addition to the damage on the pork industry, SL’s biosecurity surveillance is under question since the virus is suspected to have entered the country through an unlawful consignment imported into the country during the time of the previous govt in 2023. The authorities contemplate the dispensing of more..

Dec 30 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed officials to take immediate measures to suppress drug trafficking and underworld activities that operated within the prison system. These instructions were issued during a discussion held today. Prez emphasized the need to expedite legal proceedings related to inmates involved in drug and underworld-related activities. He also proposed adopting online methods to streamline the judicial process and highlighted the importance of more..

Dec 30 (DM) To mitigate the adverse effects on the education of vulnerable schoolchildren, govt has decided to provide an allowance to assist with the purchase of school stationery at the start of the 2025 school year. In a notice, a survey revealed that 55% of schoolchildren have been adversely affected, with the percentage being higher in rural and estate areas. Additionally, 53.2% of the affected children have either reduced or completely stopped purchasing school stationery, more..

Dec 30 (Xinhua) SL Ministry of Education on Monday announced a cut of school days for 2025 from 210 days to 181. The revised schedule will apply to govt schools, govt-approved private schools, and Pirivenas, according to the ministry. SL continues to grapple with disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the economic crisis, with the third term of the 2024 academic year set to conclude on Jan 24, 2025. more..

Dec 30 (AD) The govt has decided to celebrate the 77th National Independence Day at the Independence Square in Colombo, at a minimal cost. Minister Dr. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, emphasized that the event should be marked with pride and grandeur to reflect the nation’s dignity. However, he added that since the country’s economy is in a state of collapse, attention should be paid to celebrating the 77th National Independence Day at a minimal cost. more..

Dec 30 (Island) Chairman of the National Construction Association of SL (NCASL) Susantha Liyanarachchi said that his organisation, along with former Director of Administration at Parliament, Lacille de Silva, would ask for a list of the MPs and Ministers who had obtained low-interest loans ranging from five to ten million rupees from two state banks. Liyanarachchi said they had information that many MPs who were entitled to the privilege have not repaid their loans. more..

Dec 31 (DM) The novice govt of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake seems to feel the heat of the lethargy and indifference on the part of the bureaucracy in the process of taking the country forward in its style. Recent statements by the President and several ministers on lack of cooperation by public sector officials clearly indicate the frustration of leaders over the issue. Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha, to whom controversy is nothing new, had accused bureaucrats days ago for not being changed more..