Mar 2 (CT) The officials of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) have been summoned to Parliament on 5 March, at 10.30 am, to inquire about a significant salary increase that has recently sparked controversy in the country. This decision was taken during the Party Leaders meeting on Friday (1). The upcoming parliamentary sittings are scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday this week. CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe had previously written to the President, in his capacity as more..

Mar 2 (AD) Chief Minister of union territory of Puducherry in India, N. Rangasamy has sought the intervention of PM Narendra Modi, for the release of fishing boats from the Union Territory, that have been confiscated by SL authorities. In a letter to the PM on Friday (1), Chief Minister said fishermen from Karaikal region sometimes crossed the IMBL due to their ignorance. When this happened, SL authorities arrested them and confiscated their fishing equipment. more..

Mar 2 (AFP) SL on Friday awarded the construction of three solar and wind hybrid power generation facilities to an Indian company after scrapping a tender won by a Chinese firm. New Delhi has long been concerned about growing Chinese influence in the island nation, which sits near key global shipping lanes and which India considers to be within its sphere of influence. The project, initially financed by an ADB loan, was temporarily shelved more..

Mar 2 (Island) Olympian Nimali Liyanarachchi turned tables on former national record holder Gayanthika Abeyratne to win the women’s 800 metres on day one of the First National Trial at Diyagama on Friday. Competing in the absence of Asian Games medallist Tharushi Karunaratne, the veterans from Sooriyawewa fought shoulder to shoulder in the second lap before Liyanarachchi shifted gears in the homestretch to win in a time of two minutes and 5.46 seconds. more..

Mar 2 (Island) SL powerlifters continued their impressive medal haul at the recent Asian Championships where over 600 athletes from over 36 countries in the Asian region participated. SL’s medal haul included four gold medals from Suranga de Silva and three gold medals from Rohan Paulas. Notable efforts came from Pradeep Sununu, Kunam Pushanthan and Uvindu Jayasinghe. Sulesh Mendis with a silver in the junior category excelled against some serious competition. more..

Mar 2 (FT) The Supreme Court recently dismissed the FR application filed by Supun Pathirage, the former Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority without granting leave to proceed. The application had been filed against the CIABOC, its three former members, Justice Eva Wanasundara, Justice Deepali Wijesundera, Chandra Nimal Wakishta and also against newly appointed members Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala (Chairman), Chethiya Gunasekera & K.B. Rajapaksa. more..

Mar 2 (DM) The best option to determine whether the course of action followed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana in appointing Deshabandu Tennakoon as the IGP is to seek an interpretation from the Supreme Court, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. Minister came out with this remark, speaking to journalists after the inauguration of a road development project in Pannipitiya. “It is best that Supreme Court gives an interpretation of the action taken by the Speaker,” he said. more..

Mar 2 (AD) Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health Saman Ratnayake was arrested on Friday evening (Mar 1) by the CID over substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) procurement. The arrest came hours after Dr. Ratnayake arrived at the CID premises to provide a statement. Prior to the apprehension of Dr. Ratnayake, 8 arrests had been made in connection with the drug procurement scam. more..

Mar 2 (AD) Sri Lanka’s earnings from tourism were estimated at USD 342 million in January 2024, the Central Bank’s latest report on external sector performance revealed. This is the highest monthly value the country has witnessed since January 2020. According to the document, published on Thursday (29), Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings in January 2024 marked a substantial improvement compared to USD 269 million in December 2023 and USD 154 million in January 2023. more..

Mar 2 (AD) The daily operations of Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will be temporarily halted for 45 days starting this July for a major turnaround (TAR), Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced on Friday (1). In a statement, the CPC said this essential maintenance and repair process is mandatory, in compliance with international norms, to ensure safe and reliable operations at the refinery for three more years. Sapugaskanda oil refinery’s previous TAR took place in February 2021. more..

Mar 2 (Island) The presidential election is the only election that the Constitution has set a time frame for and therefore it cannot be postponed, Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake has said. “The Election Commission has no direct authority over holding other elections. For example, the tenure of the local council is four years. The line minister can hold the elections a year before, or he can extend the tenure of more..

Mar 3 (SO) On March 8, women all over the world will celebrate the Int'l Women’s Day (IWD). In Sri Lanka too, various events have been organised by the Govt and the private sector to mark this significant day in the calendar. There are some on both sides of the gender divide who question the need for a separate day for women. But the truth is that the world needs to focus its attention on women on days such as these. Gender discrimination still exists even in the developed West more..

Mar 3 (TM) SL’s tryst with destiny continues, with hopes for meaningful and qualitative reform to raise it out of the hole it has fallen into fading with each passing week as the bar for good governance is pushed lower. It is incomprehensible as to why the current leadership that was presented with a golden opportunity to ring in the changes necessary to ensure better governance, if not the system change that was demanded by the people, is continuing to test the patience of the people with its more..

Mar 3 (TM) With the IMF gearing for the second review of the EFF for Sri Lanka, which includes a progress review of the governance diagnostic, it would be correct to say that the Ranil Wickremesinghe Govt has its work cut out in addressing the economic and governance issues highlighted by the IMF. A team from the IMF is to arrive in SL for the second review starting Thursday (7). Progress in meeting key commitments more..

Mar 3 (MFA) SL is deeply troubled about the death of over hundred people who were waiting to receive aid in Gaza and joins the call for investigation into the incident. The latest incident underscores the immediate need to end the blockade imposed on Gaza, depriving its civilian population, including women and children, of access to basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel. SL reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza more..

Mar 3 (SO) A team called the Sri Lions that has its roots in a foreign land has stormed the Sri Lankan rugby arena and probably given some much needed teeth to the island’s left-behind or crumbling set-up by winning the second best prize on offer at their maiden inter club appearance. The few remaining active rugby experts in the country contend that the Sri Lions have entered a new hunting ground more than 3000 miles away from the desert sands of the UAE where they took root. more..

Mar 3 (ST) The fourth phase of the Bharat-Lanka housing project was launched recently, with some 1300 houses across 45 plantation estates in ten districts to be built. Bharat-Lanka project aims to construct 10,000 houses for plantation sector workers. Each house is estimated to cost Rs. 2.8 million, and the Indian govt is funding the project. The project has been welcomed by many in the estate sector, as they believe that it would more..

Mar 3 (ST) My dear Deshabandu, I last wrote to you three months ago when you were first appointed to your job, albeit in an acting role. You seem to have acted so well that you have now been appointed in a more permanent capacity. So, I will say congratulations, despite all the controversy that now surrounds your appointment. I suppose what matters most is getting the job, not how you got there. If you have any doubts, just ask the person who appointed you, Uncle Ranil. more..

Mar 3 (CT) In a landmark Supreme Court decision, which carries national importance and relevance, the Court recently quashed the Cabinet Decision, taken in Oct 2019, to grant the residence at Mahagama Sekara Mawatha (formerly known as Paget Road), Colombo 7 to former Prez Maithripala Sirisena after his retirement. The residence in question was the former Prez’s official residence during his tenure as the Head of State. SC held that the Cabinet decision is arbitrary, unreasonable, ultra vires, more..

Mar 3 (DM) Parliament is in a dilemma whether it can undo the salary hike implemented by the Central Bank for its employees in large proportions amidst fiscal austerity, the Daily Mirror learns. The Central Bank recently increased the salaries of its employees by proportions of 29.53% to 79.97% under a triennial pay revision. It happened when the govt instructed all the state institutions to economize its expenses due to financial constraints. With the latest pay hike, the monthly pay of more..

Mar 3 (ST) Nalanda College skipper Sajitha Vithanage played a brilliant captain’s knock–100 off 178 balls while Sadev Samarawickrema struck a half century to lift them to 277 for 8 declared in their 94th Battle of the Maroons cricket counter against traditional rivals Ananda College at the SSC grounds yesterday. At stumps on day one, Ananda, in reply, were 55 for 2 with both their openers back in the dressing room, owing to a brilliant bowling effort from Osanda Pamuditha. more..

Mar 3 (TM) Even as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the field of education globally, Sri Lanka’s attempts at embracing this rapidly-evolving technology leave much to be desired. In planning to introduce courses on AI to the education system, the Cabinet on 10 February 2023 decided that it was appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed appropriate to introduce the proposed courses with the recommendations made by the task force appointed for more..

Mar 3 (FT) The economic landscape of SL has been a subject of fervent debate in recent times, with conflicting narratives surrounding the notion of stability. On the surface, there are indicators suggesting positive growth and progress, yet beneath the veneer lies a stark reality of pervasive instability, particularly for a significant portion of the population. In a recent episode of Face-the-Nation, a prominent TV broadcast program by News1st, titled Economic Stability – Myth or Reality, more..

Mar 3 (ST) SL and its people have been known for welcoming foreigners and being nice to them. Some Europeans came and overstayed for centuries, but now, emboldened by the lax implementation of the law and a thriving culture of official bribery, corruption and plain indolence, a rising number of foreigners are overstaying, exploiting the country’s economic downturn, its hospitality and crazed promotion as a cheap holiday destination. Last week’s story in this newspaper quoted more..

Mar 3 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe never tires of appealing to the opposition to support the govt’s efforts to revive the economy shattered by the Covid pandemic followed by the aragalaya in 2022. Yet he continues to ride roughshod over the opposition most of the time and expects the cooperation of those affected by his style and acts of governance to assist him in the task of nation building and stabilizing the economy. Successfully doing so may, of course, help him to more..

Mar 3 (ST) Veteran journalist and columnist Lucien Rajakarunanayake passed away on Feb 29 at the age of 85. Late Mr Rajakarunanayake began his career in journalism as a reporter at the (former) Times of Ceylon and the Sunday Times from 1960 to 1971. He was a reporter, sub-editor, feature writer, and a lobby correspondent. He joined the President’s Media Division in 2015. He was a columnist at the Sunday Times, Sunday Island, The Sunday Leader, and Sunday Observer more..

Mar 3 (ST) SL will deeply feel the absence of their skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and dashing opener Pathum Nissanka when they start the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh at Sylhet tomorrow. Hasaranga, while he travelled with the team, remain suspended for the first two matches by the ICC following his altercation with umpire Lyndon Hannibal in the third T20I against Afghanistan on Feb 21. more..

Mar 3 (ST) SL is prioritising coffee cultivation with a number of plantations expanding into this industry, looking at capturing the export market with its speciality Ceylon coffee. The govt has also called to prioritise coffee crop and is looking at opening up empty state lands especially upcountry for cultivation purposes. SL which has a terrain and climatic conditions conducive for coffee cultivation was picked for this crop initially before moving into tea cultivation during the colonial era. more..

Mar 3 (Island) It has been reported that at a meeting of the Constitutional Council held a few days ago, the nomination made by Prez Wickremesinghe of Deshabandu Tennekoon for appointment to the office of IGP was approved, and Tennekoon was accordingly appointed. However, it has also been reported that the Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, has claimed that the appointment was made in violation of the Constitution and without the necessary approval of Constitutional Council. more..

Mar 3 (TM) A single tender has been floated by Lanka Coal Company (LCC) to procure 50% of the total coal requirements of the country’s only coal power plant in Norochcholai for two terms, 2024/’25 and 2025/’26. It is learnt that the LCC will be adopting a mixed coal purchasing option for the next two terms, which will include 50% of the requirement from a long-term contract tender and the rest from spot tendering. more..

Mar 3 (ST) It’s celebration time again for the young and old boys of the two top cricket playing schools Royal College and S. Thomas’ College as they will converge when their young cricketers battle it out in the 145th Battle of the Blues big match over three days beginning from March 7 at the SSC ground, which is fought out for D.S. Senanayake Memorial Shield. The encounter is deemed to be the second oldest inter-school match in the world after St. Peter’s College & Prince Alfred College more..

Mar 3 (ST) SriLankan Airlines and its subsidiaries catering and ground handling services is being pursued with glitches under the present difficult circumstance of attracting a broad range of potential investors, Aviation Ministry sources said. They said the prequalification deadline to buy a majority stake in the national carrier has been extended (until Mar 5, 2024) for the fourth time consequent to six recent flight delays and three cancellations due to technical issues and a rat found in a plane resulted more..

Mar 3 (TM) Hoteliers are seeking Government intervention to formalise the gentlemen’s agreement reached within the industry to increase the prices of rooms by extending the Minimum Room Rate (MRR) to the entire country. Former President of The Hotels Association of SL (THASL) and Mount Lavinia Hotel Chairman Sanath Ukwatte stated that following discussions, hoteliers had arrived at an informal understanding to increase the room rates for next winter due to increased expenses. more..

Mar 3 (CT) A letter has been dispatched to the Director General of Wildlife Conservation, urging immediate action to halt the unlawful excavation of elephant trenches, near Nakolagane Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Ehetuwewa of the Kurunegala District, despite a standing Supreme Court order. Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), in this letter, to the DG Wildlife Conservation, pointed out there is an order, issued by the Supreme Court, to halt the ongoing destruction of forests and more..

Mar 3 (TM) SL’s thermal power generation has risen to almost 67% of the country’s entire power generation with the advent of the dry weather conditions and lower rainfall. CEB official said that hydropower generation had been curtailed to conserve the remaining water resources in the next few months, considering the ongoing dry weather conditions in the country. The rainfall had now dropped to zero in most areas. more..