Feb 7 (EN) SL’s Export Development Board (EDB) and the Consulate of SL in Gothenburg, Sweden have discussed strengthening bilateral trade between the two countries. Boosting exports through product diversification and market expansion in the next 5 years were discussed at the meeting between Marcus Pettersson and EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe. Wijesinghe highlighted “SL’s potential to further penetrate the Swedish market, particularly in key sectors such as apparel and textiles, more..

Feb 7 (CT) A new scam involving fake job advertisements is circulating on social media, using logos of State institutions to deceive job seekers and steal their personal data. SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) reported a surge in such fraudulent activities and urged the public to stay vigilant. Recently, Central Bank issued a warning about a fake job advertisement misusing its logo, while similar fraudulent postings featuring the SriLankan Airlines logo have also been more..

Feb 7 (DM) Coconut Cultivation Board has suspended 20 projects that planned to cut down coconut trees and develop approximately 400 acres of land. The board's Chairman, Dr. Sunimal Jayakody said these lands fall within the coconut triangle. Requests for projects ranging from 20 to 90 acres, including garment factories, animal farms and solar power plants have been halted, he added. Currently, Divisional Secretaries can approve requests to use coconut lands under 10 acres more..

Feb 7 (EN) Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves fell marginally to 6,065 million dollars in January 2025, falling for the fourth straight month, official data showed, after warnings of money printing in October. Gross official reserves made up of both monetary and fiscal reserves in January were only marginally down by US$ 57 million from December, but the trend has continued from October when warnings were made that money was being printed to suppress rates. more..

Feb 7 (AD) Three notorious wanted SL criminals with Interpol Red Notice, including a former police Sub-Inspector (SI) accused of aiding and abetting the killing of five people in Beliatta, have been repatriated to the island from Dubai this morning. The repatriated criminal figures including Mahesh Hemantha Silva, wanted over the killing of five persons in Beliatta in 2024, Rotumba Upali accused of murders in Akuressa, and more..

Feb 7 (CT) Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) raised concerns with Minister Vijitha Herath, about delays in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) clearance process for employee recruitment. These delays, often extending two to three weeks, hinder timely recruitment, particularly in urgent cases. FTZMA emphasised that background screening is a standard and necessary process to ensure compliance, helping employers verify work history, education, criminal records, more..

Feb 7 (CT) Dialog Axiata has strengthened its long-standing partnership with SriLankan Airlines by introducing a new feature that allows FlySmiLes members to convert their miles into Star Points. Previously, members could only convert Star Points to FlySmiLes miles, but with this latest enhancement, FlySmiLes members can now seamlessly convert their miles into Star Points, introducing a two-way conversion that offers greater flexibility and more ways to enjoy exclusive more..

Feb 7 (EN) Bar Association of SL has raised concerns over a possible review by the Cabinet over the Attorney General’s decision to release three suspects related to a high-profile killing of an editor in 2008. AG has released three key suspects in the long-running assassination case of high-profile editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, documents showed this week. Move has stunned people who have been seeking justice more..

Feb 7 (NW) The Attorney General’s Department has dismissed reports and says that the recommendation to release three suspects was not related to the murder case of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. Issuing a statement, the Department said that the recommendation was in relation to the abduction of Wickrematunge’s driver, who was an eye witness in the murder investigation. The investigation into Wickremetunge has not concluded, the statement said. more..

Feb 7 (NW) Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody dismissed MP D.V. Chanaka’s claims about unsafe water treatment chemicals, calling them misleading. MP Chanaka yesterday alleged in Parliament that recent imports of hydrated lime for water treatment contained carcinogenic levels of chromium. He claimed that in the past two weeks, 27 containers carrying 550 metric tonnes of hydrated lime arrived with unsafe chromium levels. Responding to the claims, more..

Feb 8 (DM) Those who supported the National People’s Power (NPP) at the recent Prez and Parliamentary elections seem to have been bewildered over the failure of the govt to deliver, despite them still having faith in their leaders as an untainted group. More than their bewilderment, they seem to have been agitated over their inability to face their political adversaries in their localities who tease them round the clock on the promises that the NPP leaders gave during the recent elections. more..

Feb 8 (CT) Sri Lanka’s recent history is marred by the brutal killings of journalists—an indelible stain on the nation’s commitment to democracy and press freedom. Two periods stand out for their sheer brutality and disregard for justice: 1987–1993 and 2005–2015. These two dark eras saw a surge in unsolved murders, kidnappings, and assaults on journalists. Despite mounting evidence and repeated calls for justice, none of these crimes have been met with accountability. more..

Feb 8 (CT) The decision to discontinue legal proceedings against three key suspects in the assassination case of senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge has sparked a strong backlash from media and civil rights activists, who allege it is an attempt to shield those responsible. On 27 Jan, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe informed the Director of the CID that prosecution would not proceed against three suspects: more..

Feb 8 (DM) In America, there is a raging debate going on today concerning issues of intelligence and the H-1B visa programme. The H-1B visa allows people with only a bachelor’s degree in a designated speciality area (often IT and engineering) to secure a non-immigrant visa to work for an employer for up to 6 years. It often leads to easy immigration when an employer applies for the visa that the US industry badly needs, and then to permanent residence. Others outside the speciality area more..

Feb 8 (CT) Call it shocking or amusing, reports that the nation consumes LKR 690 million worth of arrack and beer each day, with a daily toll of 50-60 lives, is agonising to say the least. It is unclear yet if the said consumption figure and the consequent revenue of LKR 165.2 billion for the govt in 2022, includes those from the sale of hard-liquor like whisky, brandy, or their soft variants like wine, but the fact that these reports have appeared when the shortage of rice, and of course coconut and salt, more..

Feb 8 (CT) The landscape of higher education in SL is in the midst of a significant transformation, with the debate over private medical colleges at the heart of the discussion. Historically, medical education in SL has been primarily the domain of public institutions, known for producing some of the best healthcare professionals in the region. However, with a growing demand for more doctors and an increasing strain on public resources, more..

Feb 8 (ST) During a cursory glance at the ruling NPP election manifesto, I was looking through the education segment and came across this statement: “…..serious social criticism exists on the education system’s failure to produce quality citizens. While education is not solely about preparing individuals for the job market, it should equip citizens to fulfil social responsibilities and contribute positively to the national economy.” This statement connected with a social media post I recently saw, more..

Feb 8 (ST) What would be the future of Sri Lanka by 2048, when we celebrate our 100-year Independence Anniversary? Have you ever thought of a question like that as we are now getting closer to our 77-year Independence Day on February 4th next week? Our children who are born this year will be about 23-year old youths by then. Today’s youth will have grown to be adults in their 50s and 60s. Today’s adults will be spending their elderly life of age 70s and 80s. But will they all be living more..

Feb 8 (Island) The govt has not yet disclosed its costing formula for paddy. It only releases information about cost calculations in dribs and drabs in an unorganised manner, which has left the public none the wiser. Farmers insist that their production costs are much higher than the guaranteed prices announced by the govt; some of them have even claimed that the average certified paddy price should be above Rs. 140 a kilo. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne more..

Feb 8 (Island) Vinasha kale vipareetha buddhi is an ancient Sanskrit proverb. It means: When a person’s doom approaches, their intellectual power becomes reversed/disoriented or turns against them (causing their destruction). This pithy saying seems to be as much applicable to incumbent prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake as it once was to former prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. This was brought to my mind by Prez Dissanayake’s absurd treatment of former prez Mahinda Rajapaksa in his keynote address more..

Feb 8 (ST) In the busy streets of Colombo, where tuk-tuks and motorcycles weave through chaotic traffic, a quiet transformation is taking shape. At the centre of this system is the CCTV Division of the Police. With 103 high-resolution cameras strategically positioned across 33 key locations in Colombo, providing a 360-degree view of the city under constant surveillance, every wrong lane change, stop-line crossed, and red light more..

Feb 8 (Island) This year the scaled-down Independence Day celebrations were just right. There was pageantry but no pomp. We must celebrate Independence Day and fortunately it was done. Every item was commendable: the mixed in race and gender choirs rendering so well the National Anthem, the Jayamangala Gatha and chant of blessing, directed at Prez. Cass’ thought that after a long time he really deserved these chants of blessing & good fortune for the country too. more..

Feb 8 (ST) Belinda Hunt, great-granddaughter of William Henry Gregory, Governor of Sri Lanka from 1872 to 1877, recently visited the country with her husband, Miles Hunt. The couple, who reside in England, explored Nuwara Eliya, a town deeply connected to her ancestor’s legacy. Governor Gregory significantly contributed to SL’s development, investing 1200 pounds in beautifying Nuwara Eliya. Belinda paid tribute to his work by visiting Gregory Lake, old Queen’s House, more..

Feb 8 (FT) Following the demise of business tycoon Harry Jayawardena, his son Hasitha has been appointed Chairman of investment holding company Melstacorp and younger daughter Stasshani Chairperson of diversified blue-chip Aitken Spence. Hasitha Jayawardena was also appointed Chairman of Distilleries Company of SL and Balangoda and Madulsima Plantations companies. Hasitha has vast experience in the tea trade, including agriculture, production, trading & export. more..

Feb 8 (FT) The Colombo stock market closed the first week of February on a negative note, though there was a rebound yesterday. For the week, the benchmark ASPI lost 2.3% and the active S&P SL20 lost 2.3%. This was despite a gain by 1.38% and 1.4%, respectively, yesterday. Turnover amounted to a low Rs. 2 billion involving 78 million shares. For the week, turnover averaged Rs. 4.16 billion. First Capital said the positive momentum observed on Thursday carried over into yesterday more..

Feb 8 (FT) Attorney General’s (AG) Dept yesterday issued a statement refuting recent media reports regarding the suspects in the Lasantha Wickrematunge murder case, emphasising that the investigation remains ongoing and has not reached a conclusion. It clarified that the individuals referenced in a letter dated 27 Jan, sent by the AG to the CID Director regarding case no. B92/2009 before the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, more..

Feb 8 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the panel at the Budgeting for the Future forum at Galle Face Hotel, raising concerns over the government’s approach to selecting beneficiaries for the Aswesuma welfare program. Premadasa criticized the lack of a structured, data-driven methodology, pointing out that no official survey was conducted to determine poverty levels. He noted that the government relied on a Learn Asia study, which estimated poverty at 33%, instead of more..

Feb 8 (FT) In a bid to address pressing issues in the transport, highways, ports, and civil aviation sectors, the inaugural Ministerial Consultative Committee has established three sub-committees to explore legal and administrative solutions. The decision was made during a Parliamentary meeting on 24 Jan, chaired by Minister Bimal Ratnayake. Speaking at the meeting, Committee Chair Ratnayake said the Govt intends to introduce comprehensive reforms to modernise and streamline transportation, more..

Feb 8 (FT) SL’s Foreign Service Association (SLFSA) voiced strong concerns over recent Head of Mission (HOM) appointments, arguing that the Govt has disregarded professionalism, meritocracy, and diplomatic expertise in favour of politically motivated selections. In a statement issued, the SLFSA expressed deep disappointment over these appointments, which it claims have overlooked highly qualified more..

Feb 8 (ST) Intrepid Travel, touted as the world’s largest adventure travel company, has chosen Colombo, Sri Lanka, as the host city for its annual Global Summit 2025. This is only the second time the company has hosted the annual event outside its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia – underscoring SL’s vital role within Intrepid’s global operations, company officials said. Intrepid established an office in Colombo in 2012 and has gone from strength to strength since then. more..

Feb 8 (ST) The Jaffna International Law Conference 2025, titled Law as Gentle Civiliser of Change was held on Jan 25 and 26 at the Hoover Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine, Uni of Jaffna, in collaboration with the renowned Surana and Surana International Law Firms of India. Organised under the theme of Acting, Transitioning, and Persisting in the Context of Law as a Tool for Change, Justice of the Supreme Court Preethi Padmana Surasena as Chief Guest and Ms Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena, more..

Feb 8 (Island) The private sector is purchasing paddy at prices higher than the govt’s guaranteed rates, meaning the government will be unable to secure the planned buffer stock, according to the President of the All Ceylon Small and Medium Scale Mill Owners’ Association, U. K. Semasinghe. Semasinghe noted that although the govt’s guaranteed price for Nadu was Rs 120 per kilo, the private sector paid Rs. 125. Hiru TV presenter mentioned that Dudley Sirisena, more..

Feb 8 (DM) The govt aims to implement the long-awaited National Single Window for the public sector within the next three years, according to Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. The initiative is a key focus of the government’s digital economy drive, led by the Digital Economy Ministry, to streamline the service and trade processes within the public institutions. As part of this effort, Dr. Suriyapperuma shared that the govt officials are currently engaging with 5 industry chambers more..

Feb 8 (DM) Although the storage facilities of the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) remain open for paddy purchases at the maximum support price announced by the govt, farmers are reluctant to sell their produce to the state because private traders offer better rates even for paddy with high moisture content. PMB Regional Manager for Hambantota, said he had received information that stocks of paddy were being sold to private more..

Feb 8 (EN) Central Bank has excluded excess reserves from the reported monetary base, due to a definition in an IMF manual a top official said, amid volatile data published in the run up to and around currency crises. The monetary base or reserve money, is currency issued by the central bank which is held by the public (notes and coins in circulation) and banks as well as those deposited in the central bank. These instruments, which are mostly zero-coupon instruments now, more..