Dec 6 (FT) In a critical update to the ongoing litigation between Hamilton Reserve Bank (HRB) and Govt of SL, the Court has set deadlines to address Sri Lanka’s motion for a 45-day additional stay moved recently. The requested stay aims to facilitate the completion of SL’s sovereign debt restructuring, a process the nation asserts is at a critical juncture and essential to its recovery. Earlier this week Judge Denise Cote of more..

Dec 6 (ST) As a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal battered SL with gale-force winds and heavy showers, bringing about several deaths and injuries to numerous people, it was all aspects of trauma that came under extensive discussion at the National Trauma Conference 2024. The three-day conference from Nov 28-30, organised by the Trauma Secretariat of the Health Ministry in collaboration with the WHO on the theme Trauma to Triumph: Building Connections & Collaborations more..

Dec 6 (USE) This year, the US Embassy in SL proudly marks the 20th anniversary of the English Access Scholarship Program (Access), a free, transformative initiative that has empowered over 1,300 SL youth with English language skills, leadership development and cross-cultural connections since its inception. Launched globally in 2004 by the US Dept of State, the Access Program provides economically disadvantaged students aged 13 to 15 with a robust foundation in English more..

Dec 6 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday raised concerns in Parliament regarding the Govt’s tax policies, particularly the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax and the promises made by the NPP during the elections to provide tax relief. Marikkar pointed out that the previous Govt had raised the PAYE tax to 36% to collect Rs. 100 billion in revenue. However, he noted that as per available data, the Govt exceeded this target, earning Rs. 140 billion from PAYE tax last year. more..

Dec 6 (NW) The renovated Nandimithra Ekanayake Int'l Artificial Hockey Stadium in Matale was officially opened to the public today (5). The renovation was made possible with an investment of Rs. 110 million by Sri Lanka Cricket and an additional Rs. 50 million contributed by the Asian Hockey Federation and the Ministry of Sports. The stadium now boasts a modern artificial hockey turf, bringing it up to international standards. In a break from tradition, the opening ceremony was conducted more..

Dec 6 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on professionals across the country to actively support the Govt’s push for digital transformation, insisting on its critical role in modernising the economy and addressing systemic inefficiencies. Speaking after assuming duties as the Minister of Digital Economic Affairs, Prez outlined a bold vision to fully digitise the country within five years, with the goal of generating $ 15 bil more..

Dec 6 (DN) This Local automobile component assembly industry anticipates vehicle and two-wheeler exports and notably component exports to increase from the current USD 800 million to USD 2 billion within the next five years. This will also be creating 45,000 jobs in the industry, a senior member of the Local Assemblers’ Association said. This follows the example of countries like Morocco, Thailand, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey, which have leveraged strategic advantages more..

Dec 6 (DN) Twenty-seven Sri Lankans who were rendered helpless while staying in Lebanon due to the Lebanon-Israel war in the Middle East, arrived at Katunayake Airport on Wednesday night. Five children, three women and 19 men were among the people who arrived at the Katunayake Airport, thus. International Organisation for Migration, the officials of the SL Embassy in Lebanon and the officials of the Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Ministry had taken steps to send these Sri Lankans back. more..

Dec 6 (DN) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday urged media heads to refrain from reporting false information that could harm national harmony. While affirming that the media has the right to question or criticize the govt on political and economic matters, he stressed the importance of responsible reporting. He made these remarks during a meeting held with the heads of electronic media organisations at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (5). more..

Dec 6 (DM) The medical fraternity has raised serious concerns over a letter issued by the Regional Director of Health Services in Matale, instructing specialists over the age of 60 to retire by December 31. The letter, which the Daily Mirror has exclusively obtained, directs heads of relevant institutions in the district to advise medical professionals above 60 to vacate their positions. This directive has caused uncertainty among medical specialists in the area. Furthermore, the letter stipulates that more..

Dec 6 (TM) Prez and Finance, Planning & Economic Development Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to follow a proper mechanism when issuing Excise licences. These instructions were given during a meeting with senior officials of the Excise Dept, at the Prez Secretariat. He also urged officials to ensure timely tax collection. The discussion highlighted challenges in collecting Excise taxes more..

Dec 6 (Island) The Customs Department had devised a system to enable the release of imported rice just in four hours of its arrival at the Colombo Port, Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General Seewali Arukgoda said. Arukgoda said that the govt had allowed importers to bring in rice until 20 December and these stocks will be released within four hours of arrival at the port. He further said that the rice consignment would likely comprise 2,500 to 3,000 containers, more..

Dec 6 (DM) The Colombo Additional Magistrate questioned how the arrest and request to remand individuals who shared videos related to recent Maaveerar Naal commemorations can be justified without first investigating those who created and uploaded the videos. Magistrate observed that this approach is akin to shooting the messenger. Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake made these remarks while granting bail to Renuka Perera, Administrative Secretary of SLPP, more..

Dec 6 (DM) The opposition flayed the govt yesterday saying that a large budgetary allocation had been made to the Presidential Secretariat for the first quarter of next year despite pious pronouncements in the pre-election period to prune expenditure. SJB MP Kabir Hasheem took the matter up in the House during the debate on the Vote on Accounts announcing allocations for the first quarter of next year. more..

Dec 6 (FT) It is now 15 years since the end of a brutal 30-year conflict. Yet, we remain trapped in a cycle of grief, division, and mistrust. This cannot continue. If we do, we will head down a path to ruin. A rare and golden opportunity stands before us now. The recently concluded general elections have sent a powerful message: our communities are ready to rise above the shackles of communal politics and chart a new course toward unity and hope. Addressing the matter now has more..

Dec 6 (FT) Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank announced that the bank is moving to a single policy interest rate mechanism, transitioning from its dual policy interest rate mechanism, with effect from 27 Nov 2024. This change marks another step in implementing a Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) framework. Accordingly, the CB introduced a new policy rate known as the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), as the primary monetary policy tool to signal and operationalise its monetary policy stance. more..

Dec 6 (AD) The remains of a 14-year-old girl who had been murdered and her body dumped in a toilet pit under construction in the Akarawita area of Gampaha has been discovered. The investigation commenced following a complaint filed by the girl’s mother with the Gampaha Police on the night of December 5, reporting that her daughter had been missing since December 2, according to Police. The mother has expressed suspicion that her second husband may be responsible for the murder. more..

Dec 6 (DM) Sri Lanka’s first-ever vision-impaired Member of Parliament, Sugath Wasantha de Silva addressed the Parliament today, marking a historical moment in SL’s Parliament. MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva was appointed as a Member of Parliament through the National List of the NPP led by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Addressing the Parliament today, MP Sugath de Silva said that after a period of 76 years, a differently-abled person has been appointed to the Parliament of SL. more..

Dec 6 (AD) The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) today announced that Mr. Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket, has officially assumed the Presidency of the ACC. Mr. Silva brings extensive expertise to the role, having served as the Chairman of the ACC Finance & Marketing Committee for several years, the statement said. As he takes the helm, Mr Silva expressed his gratitude and shared that: “It is a great honour to lead more..

Dec 6 (AD) Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake, announced today (6) that the position of Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) will be granted to the opposition. He made this statement in response to a query in Parliament regarding the Parliamentary Affairs Committee or the Party Leaders’ meeting. Minister Rathnayake said, “We have decided to give the position of Chairman of the COPA to the opposition. It is not something you requested. more..

Dec 6 (NW) The Nuwara Eliya Police has launched a probe into the robbery of nearly Rs. 9 million from the area’s SLTB bus depot. An unidentified group is reported to have murdered the security guard at the bus depot and stolen the cash that was kept to be deposited in the bank. The Nuwara Eliya Police said the murdered security guard was an 85-year-old resident of Galpaya in Nuwara Eliya. Preliminary investigations reveal that the security guard had been murdered and and nearly Rs. 9 million more..

Dec 6 (Island) A decrease in the fertiliser input has been one of the main reasons for a drop in the coconut harvest, Chairman of the Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB), Saman Dewage says, “There was no fertiliser for about two years and now the price of fertiliser is very high,” he said. Extreme weather events due to climate change also contributed to the decline in coconut production. “Pollination drops significantly when more..

Dec 6 (MK) IND U19 advanced to the finals of the Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 with a commanding seven-wicket win over SL U19 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday (6). The victory was spearheaded by 13-year-old sensation and Player-of-the-Match Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who delivered an explosive 67 off 36 balls, and the all-round efforts of Ayush Mhatre. Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka U19 were put on the back foot early, with their top three dismissed for just eight runs within the first four overs. more..

Dec 6 (DM) Officers from the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) raided a factory in the Hemmatagama area in Mawanella which had a stock of bottled drinking water. The raid was conducted by CAA investigating officers based on a complaint. Investigations revealed that the registration certificate obtained from the Health Ministry had expired and it was obtained by providing false information. The officers seized 1,904 bottles of 500 ml, 484 bottles of 1 litre, more..

Dec 6 (Island) The Sri Rajeshwari Amman Kovil, freed from the Palaly High-Security Zone in Jaffna after 34 years, conducted its first religious ceremony on Wednesday evening (4). It was attended by Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayagam, Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe, amidst a large gathering. The temple premises were released as part of the government’s initiative to return lands in the Northern Province for civilian use. more..

Dec 6 (CT) NPP National List MP Lakmali Hemachandra accused the Opposition of fighting a straw man, expecting the NPP to be something which it is not. “Unfortunately, the Opposition did not even realise that the people had rejected the Wickremesinghe Govt,” she pointed out, stressing that the NPP would accept the responsibility that had been placed on its shoulders. Hemachandra said that the NPP was voted in by the working class, and was not there to destroy the economy. more..

Dec 6 (BU) Sri Lanka seems to be caught in a chicken-and-egg situation regarding its development of digital ID as its ministry sets out an agenda for its ongoing digital transformation. SL has faced major economic and political challenges for the past five years, in what has been described as its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. The island country has faced severe shortages of critical supplies such as fuel, more..

Dec 6 (EN) Election Commission (EC) has warned all candidates who have failed to submit their election campaign income and expenditure after contested in the November 14 parliament polls. EC has set a deadline to submit the income and expenditure reports for 12 midnight on Friday (6). R M A L Ratnayake, the Chairman of the EC said only few have submitted their reports so far. “It is not only for those who have elected to the parliament, but those all who contested the election. more..

Dec 6 (AD) A U.S. delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), Donald Lu, met with Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath today. Delegation included representatives of key agencies such as the USAID and US Dept of Treasury, which have played integral roles in SL’s economic recovery. “We congratulated SL’s new administration and discussed shared priorities, and explored ways we can work together through tailored programs, more..

Dec 6 (FT) Palm Oil Industry Association of SL (POIASL) renewed its call for the Govt to lift the ban on oil palm cultivation, insisting on its significant economic, environmental and strategic benefits during the association’s fifth AGM. POIASL President Dr. Rohan Fernando underscored the importance of engaging with the Govt at the highest level to reconsider the ban, which he described as an ill-conceived ad-hoc decision more..

Dec 6 (FT) Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and Sri Lanka Post have entered a ground-breaking partnership to reshape the accessibility of banking services across Sri Lanka. By combining the banking expertise of BOC with Sri Lanka Post’s extensive network, initially with 100 post and sub-post offices, this initiative aims to bring essential financial services to the nation’s most underserved communities. The official launch event in Colombo marked the beginning of this collaboration, more..

Dec 6 (AD) CEB has announced that it will submit its proposal for the revision of electricity tariffs to the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) today. CEB Chairman Dr. Thilak Siyambalapitiya confirmed that the proposal would be submitted as scheduled. Previously, it was proposed under the former govt that electricity tariffs be revised four times annually. However, in 2023, tariff revisions were carried out three times, while two revisions were made this year. The current govt has limited tariff revisions more..

Dec 6 (DM) A mill owner who had failed to release rice stocks to the market is included in the SJB's national list, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament today. He said this person who owns the Ratna Rice Mill has obtained a loan of Rs 3.5 billion from a local bank. SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna who responded said the NPP national list too comprises of those who are connected to suicide bombers. more..

Dec 6 (AD) Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who was released on bail yesterday, has been arrested at Kollupitiya following a traffic accident. Police said the former state minister was arrested due to driving under the influence of alcohol. A Land Rover Defender driven by the former MP had collided with a car in the Kollupitiya area while he was driving under the influence of alcohol, police said. Lohan Ratwatte and his wife Shashi Prabha Ratwatte were granted bail yesterday more..

Dec 6 (CI) The SL coach Sanath Jayasuriya talks about his tenure with the team and the mixed bag of results so far. You were a consultant with the team before you became interim coach in July. What shape was the team in when you took over? A:As consultant I just observed, mostly. When there's a coach in place, you can't interfere. I was mainly concerned about what the coaches were doing, and whether we are getting more..