Sri Lanka News : InfoLanka News Room

Mar 28 (CT) It’s quite difficult to survive in politics if one sees only black and/or white; or even right and/or wrong answers and solutions do not exist in the real world. Great idealists who have dedicated their lives to the cause that they chose, one time or the other, have compromised in order to reach agreement with their adversaries. From time immemorial man’s pursuit of happiness has invariably been entwined with the give and take principle. more..

වධ කඳවුරක දවස් 18ක් - ලැබූ අත්දැකීම්...

Hail Sri Lanka’s parliamentary democracy: Hail its MPs

Mar 28 (ST) History tells us that in ancient times Emperor Nero fiddled while Rome burnt. History sometimes could be misleading. My understanding is that there were no fiddles in Nero’s time. He was playing a lyre and not a fiddle. It is a word; Sri Lankans are less interested in the musical instrument than changing its spelling from lyre to liar to reflect the country’s growing political environment and those who are an integral part of it have successfully performed. more..

SSC 125th anniversary celebrations today

Mar 28 (DN) SL’s prestigious Cricket Club – Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) commemorates its 125th anniversary with a series of special events and activities held throughout this year. The celebrations of club’s anniversary will be spearheaded by a special gala event held at the Shangri La Hotel in Colombo today evening. This celebration will be graced by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prof. Mrs. Maithree Wickremesinghe and will include the launch more..

Wilful forest fires devastate land and wildlife

Mar 28 (ST) Forest fires are on the rise yet again, as dry spells provide an excuse for some locals to set forests alight, while officials plead against such wanton destruction. Contrary to popular belief that burning forests is beneficial, blackening acres of greenery is a common occurrence every year. No sooner the dry spells take over, reports of blazing forests with extensive acres of destroyed land begin to increase in number. more..

Women's U19: Tri-Nation T-20 Tournament SL meets Australia in series opener today

Mar 28 (DN) SL and Australia women’s cricketers will face each other at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota today (28) commencing 10 am in their U19 Women’s Tri-Nation T-20 Tournament. This will be good platform for under 19 cricketets of each three nations SL, England and Australia for the next year under 19 World Cup. Manudi Nanayakkara SL under 19 skipper said her team is very confident to take England and Australia challenge while more..

US hand in GR’s ouster: Speaker finally confirms allegations

Mar 28 (Island) Having comfortably defeated the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) moved against him on the late afternoon of March 21, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, MP, disclosed the direct role played by a section of the international community in Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s removal. Obviously, Speaker Abeywardena was referring to the US role, as previously alleged by MPs Wimal Weerawansa and Sarath Weerasekera, in his capacity as the Chairman of Sectoral Oversight Committee more..

සන්ධාන නිර්මාණය

Editorial: Reform political parties and their leaders, too

Mar 28 (Island) The govt is going hell for leather to bring forth electoral reforms as if there were no tomorrow. It would have the public believe that the current electoral systems are full of flaws, which need to be rectified as a national priority if the country is to be put right and progress ushered in. System bashing, as it were, has become the vogue in this country. Everyone is calling for a system change these days. Even those who have ruined the economy and enriched themselves more..

Asitha Fernando to replace injured Kasun Rajitha for Chattogram Test

Mar 28 (CI) Kasun Rajitha has been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh set to begin on March 30, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed, with Asitha Fernando to swap in as his replacement. Rajitha is understood to have injured his back while playing in the first Test in Sylhet, during which he had received treatment and managed to continue. In fact, his eight wickets, including a second innings five-wicket haul, were pivotal in Sri Lanka wrapping up a dominant win. more..

Train travel: Online ticket reservation causes havoc

Mar 28 (TM) The recently introduced system for the online reservation of train seats has made it almost impossible for ordinary passengers to make reservations, and certain individuals, particularly tourist service providers, have turned it into a racket. A system for the reservation of train seats only through online platforms was implemented by the Department of Railways with effect from 14 March. more..

EGM votes in favour of delisting and mega Rs. 63 b exit offer of Expolanka

Mar 28 (FT) The Rs. 63 billion worth exit offer from Expolanka Holdings to minority shareholders was passed last night by majority vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting held yesterday. The resolution on delisting won 5,138 votes in favour (80.84%) and 1,218 against (19.16%) from a valid votes base of 6,356 both proxies and shareholders. The exit offer price won 5,129 votes (81.12%) in favour and 1,194 (18.88%) against from a valid vote base of 6,323 from proxies & shareholders more..

Commendable step to introduce sexuality education

Mar 28 (CT) In Sri Lanka, where disillusionment with the conduct of Parliament and its members runs deep, it’s rare to find instances worthy of genuine appreciation. However, amidst this backdrop of cynicism, it becomes all the more imperative to acknowledge and commend the commendable. When Parliamentarians undertake initiatives crucial for the nation’s future, regardless of the prevailing sentiment, it is incumbent upon us to recognise and applaud such efforts. more..

Central Bank to step up revival of businesses

Mar 28 (FT) Central Bank on Monday said plans are underway to step up revival of viable businesses by lending institutions. Senior Deputy Governor Yvette Fernando said the CBSL’s Governing Board has approved a new framework for commercial banks to follow when it comes to business revival units and the financial services industry will be issued directions shortly. The initiative of an expanded framework more..

SL nets double Cager victory in Singapore

Mar 28 (DN) The Sri Lanka men’s 3X3 basketball team started their campaign with a bang, securing two impressive victories on the opening day of the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup qualifying round matches held at Singapore Sports Hub yesterday. The Sri Lankan squad, consisting of Ruskshan Atapattu, Pawan Gamage, Nilantha Mendis, and Simron Yoganathan from Jaffna, displayed stellar performances to outplay Indonesia and Northern Mariana Islands in back to back matches. more..

Sri Lanka to field 18 member team for Asian Junior Athletics Championships

Mar 28 (Island) Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Ayomal Akalanka and triple jumper Hasitha Kavinda Dissanayake are likely to be included in the SL junior team for the Asian Junior Athletics Championship subject to a fitness test. Sri Lanka Athletics has sought Sports Ministry approval to field a team of 18 athletes for the biennial event to be held from April 23 to 26 in Dubai. The five athletes who reached locally set qualifying standards for individual disciplines at the Selection Trial more..

මහේස්ත්‍රාත් තිළිණ ගමගේ මරන්න...

UK Trade Partnership Program promotes organic standards in Sri Lanka

Mar 28 (FT) UK Trade Partnership Program project in SL, funded by UK Govt and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), aims to promote exports through facilitating access to markets, providing technical advisory services to SMEs, and strengthening business support organisations. In this context the Sensitisation training on organic standards for private sector operators, which took place between 18 and 20 March at the Granbell Hotel in Colombo, raised awareness more..

Dhananjaya indicates Kamindu could be retained at number seven

Mar 28 (Island) Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva has indicated that young batting sensation Kamindu Mendis could continue to bat at number seven in Test match cricket although the team management and the selectors will be tempted to push him up the order to number three. Kamindu bats at number three in First Class cricket and had a prolific season in the National Super League. Making his comeback to the Test side, the left-handed batter scored hundreds in each innings to cement his place more..

Elections: Parliament Poll preceding Prez Poll a smokescreen: NPP

Mar 28 (TM) JVP-led NPP of the Parliamentary Opposition stated that talks about holding a Parliamentary Election before the Presidential Election are only an attempt to suppress the issues faced by the people. With the Prez Election scheduled to be held late this year, it was reported that a faction of the ruling SLPP MPs is of the view that a Parliamentary Election should be held before it. The matter has led to a social discussion more..

UNP chairman refutes opposition’s allegations of election delay

Mar 28 (AD) UNP chairman, MP Wajira Abeywardena has vehemently refuted the claims made by the opposition about the possible delay of the forthcoming elections. He stressed that the election amendment bills recently tabled in parliament will not impact the prearranged schedule of the elections, which he said are set to duly take place in compliance with constitutional regulations. Abeywardena alleged that opposition factions lacking clear slogans are resorting to more..

President instructs to reopen National Art Gallery before year’s end

Mar 28 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, during an inspection tour yesterday (26), visited the John de Silva Memorial Theatre and the long-delayed National Art Gallery. Despite construction commencing in 2011, both projects remain incomplete. Pre Wickremesinghe instructed officials to expedite the opening of the National Art Gallery before the year’s end, emphasizing the need for consensus among artists and architects. He also pledged govt support for financial allocations. more..

හිරු ටීවී පත්තරේ විස්තරේ

Siyambalapitiya tells banks to lower interest rates following CB directive

Mar 28 (FT) In the wake of the Central Bank’s decision to lower the bank interest rate, State Minister oRanjith Siyambalapitiya has called on commercial banks to swiftly follow suit and pass on the benefit to their customers. He stressed the importance of easing the financial burden on borrowers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to stimulate economic growth. He also underscored the potential for lowering loan interest rates to boost investor confidence more..

European Chamber Report: Diversity, equity and inclusion crucial for Sri Lanka's...

Mar 28 (Island) SL businesses must look beyond the surface to design Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategies that consider broader complexities, if they are to achieve tangible and transformative business results and greater social harmony, says a new landmark report that provides recommendations for businesses to harness the potential of DEI. The new report Unlocking the Power of DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a Strategic Imperative for Business Success and Social Harmony more..

MPs rally for snap general election amidst Prez’s push for Presidential poll

Mar 28 (DM) Following the exclusive revelation by the Daily Mirror on Tuesday that the prez election will be conducted in the first week of October, MPs from across the divide - except those from the NPP - have ramped up efforts to prevail upon Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to declare a snap general election as early as possible. Earlier, Basil Rajapaksa of the SLPP, requested the Prez in his one on one meeting that the parliamentary more..

Truth, Unity & Reconciliation Bill: Asgiri Chapter to consult top monks council

Mar 28 (TM) Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect is to closely study the proposed Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation Commission Bill and consult the Chapter’s Supreme Sangha (monks) Council before raising concerns regarding the proposed Bill. Last month, the Interim Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism presented a copy of the said draft Bill to the Chief Prelates of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters. Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera of more..

EC ready to squeeze in two national polls this year

Mar 28 (Island) Even if circumstances lead to holding a general election early, the Election Commission (EC) is ready to hold the presidential election on time between 17 Sept and 17 Oct, 2014, EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake has said. Asked to comment on SLPP MPs urging to support the proposal to conduct a general election, prior to the prez polls, Ratnayake said that they were ready to hold two national level elections within the current year. “If Parliament is dissolved, more..

Abans clarifies: Local McDonald’s franchisee not under its umbrella

Mar 28 (DM) In an attempt to set the record straight, Abans PLC today said the local franchisee of the US fast food giant McDonald’s is not a part of its umbrella. In a filing to the CSE today, Abans PLC pointed out that the local franchisee of McDonald’s is International Restaurant Systems (Pte) Limited incorporated under the Companies Act No.7 of 2007. The majority shareholder of the said company is Rusi Pestonjee who owns a 98.73% stake more..

Why the JVP-NPP’s moderate leftist pink paradigm deserves a chance

Mar 28 (FT) Why Bharat Matters, matters. The new book by one of the world’s most outstanding and admired foreign ministers, India’s Dr. S. Jaishankar, makes clear the centrality of Ramayana mythology within Bharat as BJP’s India and BJP worldview. Cosmology dominates ideology. In an ambitious exegetical enterprise, Dr. Jaishankar strives to confer the (non-secular) Ramayana a methodological and intellectual status as a strategic text that is implicitly above Kautilya’s more..

National Digital Economic Strategy 2030 takes shape

Mar 28 (FT) In a bid to propel Sri Lanka towards a digitally empowered future, the Cabinet of Ministers sanctioned the implementation of the National Economic Digital Strategy 2030. “The strategy aims to unlock new avenues for economic diversification, job creation and inclusive development,” Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. Recognising the imperative of a comprehensive digital economic strategy to steer the country towards higher revenue generation by 2048, more..

පොහොට්ටුවට අපේක්ෂකයෙක් නෑ!

Sri Lanka Customs sets up internal affairs unit, detects bribery

Mar 28 (EN) Dept of Customs has set up an internal affairs unit, and two staff members have been detained over a bribery allegations, Additional Director General of Customs Sudatta Silva said. The two staffers have already been detained following a complaint by person from whom a bribe was demanded, he said. After a detection is made, the suspects would either face internal disciplinary action taken or in the case of a criminal matter like bribery, referred to the Bribery Commission, more..

The digital road to heaven

Mar 28 (FT) Infrastructure development is a fundamental for economic growth. Any country seeking to improve its people’s lives must invest in infrastructure to ensure free and speedy movement of goods and services. Trade and commerce and therefore economic growth depend on such developments. So historically the road to economic heaven has been literally that – building of roads, and other infrastructure for free and easy movement of goods. This kind of development took yrs. more..

Gnanasara Thero sentenced to 4 years RI

Mar 28 (AD) BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero has been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment for the defamatory comments made against Islam in late 2016. The verdict was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige today while imposing a fine of Rs. 100,000 on the monk. Gnanasara Thero is accused of making defamatory comments against Islam during more..

Ven. Siridhamma Thera released from PTA charges

Mar 28 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate today ordered to release former Convenor of IUBF Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera from a case filed for allegedly committing offences under the PTA during the Aragalaya protests in 2022. Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis made this order considering the insufficient evidence against the suspect for charges under the PTA. Ven. Siridhamma Thera was produced before court on Nov 23, 2022 after being detained under more..

Sri Lanka to halt midnight border tax amid corruption concerns

Mar 28 (EN) Cabinet have given approval to draft a bill to suspend the Special Commodity Levy, amid corruption concerns, following a proposal submitted Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said. The SCL is applied as a single tax, instead of the tax-on-tax effect seen when duty, CESS, PAL and VAT are applied on top of food imports in particular. But SCL is imposed overnight as people are sleeping, without any discussion in parliament, raising serious concerns about more..

Legal action against Cabraal over 2012 Greek treasury bonds purchase

Mar 28 (AD) Legal action has been instituted against five individuals including former Governor of Central Bank of SL (CBSL) Ajith Nivard Cabraal, CIABOC says. Accordingly, Bribery Commission on March 26 instituted legal action in the Colombo High Court under Case No. HCB 271/2024 after concluding its investigations into a complaint filed by former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe. The complaint had been put forward against more..

Sri Lanka’s enchanting beauty and rich heritage on the Pekoe Trail

Mar 28 (FT) Imagine a breath-taking journey through the lush heart of SL’s central highlands, where The Pekoe Trail, recognised by National Geographic as a must-visit destination in 2024, invites you on a vibrant exploration of nature, history, and culture. As the first walking and hiking trail within the Serendipity Trails concept, The Pekoe Trail offers adventurers, history buffs, and nature enthusiasts over 300 kilometres of captivating landscapes, connecting the traveller more intimately more..

Namal takes over from Basil as SLPP national organiser

Mar 28 (CT) Hambantota District SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has been appointed national organiser of the SLPP at the Executive Committee meeting. The Executive Committee meeting took place last afternoon (27) at the official residence of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa in Wijerama Mawatha. Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa previously held the post. Namal has been entrusted with SLPP organisational affairs including overseeing the upcoming elections, according to reports. more..