Feb 15 (FT) The National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), the competent authority for organic agriculture in SL under SL Export Development Board (EDB), launched its ambitious, islandwide initiative of awareness programs to promote organic farming practices recently. As part of the national program, the first awareness programme planned for 2025 was held successfully in Jaffna on 21 Jan at J Hotels. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 100 participants. more..

Feb 15 (DM) Every year, as winter arrives, thousands of migratory birds fly south in search of food and water. Many of them find a temporary home on Mannar Island, SL’s largest island. This special place welcomes birds from over 30 countries, offering wetlands where they can rest, feed, and breed for nearly six months before returning home. Mannar is an important stop on the Central Asian Flyway, a major migration route for birds. more..

Feb 15 (FT) Ambassador of Türkiye in SL, Semih Lütfü Turgut, yesterday called on Secretary to the Prez Dr. Nandika Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat. During the discussion, Ambassador Turgut reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering commitment to supporting SL in achieving its economic development goals while further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. He also praised the Govt’s Clean Sri Lanka program and expressed Türkiye’s willingness to assist more..

Feb 15 (DM) SL’s inflation is expected to increase sizeably in the third quarter this year (3Q25), with the possibility of it hovering around 2 percentage points above the inflation target in mid-2026, the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) said in its monetary policy report that was released yesterday. “Nonetheless, headline inflation is forecast to converge to the targeted 5% level over the medium term, supported by the implementation of appropriate policy measures,” it said. more..

Feb 15 (EN) Central Bank has not seen a strong demand for foreign exchange despite speculations that there will be demand after relaxing the ban on vehicle imports, Assistant Governor Chandranath Amarasekara said. The new govt relaxed a vehicle import ban last month amid pent up demand to import new vehicles. However, the new imports are allowed with a 50% surcharge on the import duty. more..

Feb 15 (EN) Rumblings of discontent with within SJB to a head, with information coming out that senior parliamentarian Harsha de Silva being denied Colombo district leadership, party officials said. “I was not given the leadership,” de Silva told reporters who crowded around his car after a party meeting Friday. “There is a no disappointment. This is not something that one can get by pressuring or crying. The leader has kept the position in addition to the national leadership.” more..

Feb 15 (FT) Minister Vijitha Herath will attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) to be held on 16 and 17 Feb, in Muscat, Oman. The Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean region, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, in association with the India Foundation. The 8th edition of the conference organised in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman will focus on the theme Voyages to New Horizons of more..

Feb 15 (Island) Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata signed two grant contracts under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) with two NGOs, Humanitarian Development Organization (HDO) and Nuffield School for Deaf and Blind, during his first trip to the Northern Province, a press release issued by the Embassy said. The signing took place in the presence of Northern Province Governor, Nagalingam Vethanayahan, at the latter’s office in Jaffna. more..

Feb 15 (ST) On Thursday, a day after the govt announced the minimum purchase price for paddy, farmers in Vavuniya contacted the regional office of the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) – only to be told that they could start work only the next day, as they had not received allocated funds. The disappointed farmers were turned back, and among them, some had already made up their mind to sell their Nadu harvest to a private paddy collector at Rs 125 – five rupees higher than the govt-announced price. more..

Feb 15 (EN) Migration of skilled SL workers could slow the recovery of the island nation’s bankrupted economy, Central Bank officials warned. More Sri Lankans seek greener pastures and are going abroad for foreign jobs since the island nation declared sovereign debt default in 2022. A record 312,836 people left the country last year, surpassing the previous record high of 310,953 hit in 2022, data from SLFEB showed. more..

Feb 15 (EN) SL’s coconut auction volumes dropped to 21,569 nuts, with 89,687 nuts offered, recording an all time low at this week’s auction. The auction was conducted at a fixed price of 140,000 rupees for a thousand nuts for the fourth straight week on Feb 13. It is uncertain why all the nuts offered were not bought at the auction. Last week 177,362 nuts were offered, down and 173,007 nuts were sold. Volumes offered at the auction have moved down after a fixed price of 140 per nut was agreed. more..

Feb 15 (Island) Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament on Friday (that he intended to take necessary action regarding requests made by MPs concerning allegations over USAID funding in SL. He made this statement in response to a question raised by Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who sought a clarification on the matter. Jayasekara noted that SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa had sent a letter to the Speaker calling for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) more..

Feb 15 (CT) NPP’s first-ever Budget for 2025 will be presented to Parliament by Prez Dissanayake, in his capacity as Finance Minister, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday (17). As usual, the Budget debate will run for 26 days, from 18 Feb to 21 March. The Second Reading Debate is scheduled from 18 to 25 Feb, with the vote on the Second Reading set for 6 p.m. on 25 Feb. Committee Stage Debate will take place from 27 Feb to 21 March, with the Third Reading Vote scheduled for 6 p.m. on 21 March. more..

Feb 15 (CT) The potential of selling ready-to-cook fish to consumers through the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) networks is currently being explored, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar. Officials of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) also acknowledged Minister Chandrasekar’s concept, noting they are looking to sell fish to consumers through the CWE to assist people employed in both the public & pvt sectors. more..

Feb 15 (NW) Ahimsa Wickrematunge has strongly criticized the Bar Association of SL (BASL) and its president, Anura Meddegoda, for what she described as hypocrisy and double standards in defending the Attorney General over alleged failures in justice. In a scathing letter, she accused AG Parinda Ranasinghe of deliberately obstructing the murder investigation of her father, slain journalist Lasantha more..

Feb 15 (Island) Dept of Forest Conservation has urged the public to desist from engaging in activities that have the potential to spark forest fires. Director General Nishantha Edirisinghe has stressed that such activities could cause severe damage to the fragile ecosystems of the central highlands. So far this year, 11 forest fires have been reported in protected areas. The districts most frequently affected include Badulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Ratnapura, Monaragala, and Kegalle. more..

Feb 15 (CT) Accident victims brought to the National Hospital Colombo Accident Service are facing a dilemma, as both X-ray machines serving the facility are out of order at the time of going to print on Friday (14). President, GRTA, Chanaka Dharmawickrama, lamented on Friday that the second machine in the service had collapsed on Thursday. Fielding questions, he said that the requirement in the Accident Service at NH Colombo had resulted in the installation of two X-ray machines. more..

Feb 15 (CT) A group of 43 renewable energy developers has appealed to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging immediate action to address serious delays in renewable energy projects started under SL’s 2021 Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The developers have requested a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Power and Energy, the CEB, and the SLSEA, to resolve more..

Feb 17 (TM) Amidst countless promises and challenges, Govt is set to table its very first Budget today, and the people’s expectations, especially following the economic crisis, have never been higher. To say that the 2025 Budget will be a pivotal one would be an understatement. SL is still recovering from the economic crisis, which was exacerbated by the medium-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and decades of poor governance. Despite the official figures more..

Feb 17 (ST) Govt has promised to establish an independent Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), with the Cabinet spokesman venturing no further details except to assure that this will not lead to the abolition of Dept of the Attorney General. A DPP will deliver justice more effectively, it is claimed. A committee with representatives of the Govt, the official and the unofficial Bar and a senior judge with expertise in the relevant field will present a concept paper for public input. more..

Feb 17 (TM) After a week of much talk on monkeys, power cuts, the President’s shirt button, and the continuing controversy surrounding the killing of senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is all set to deliver the much-anticipated maiden Budget of his JVP-led NPP Govt tomorrow (17). AKD’s 2025 Budget will set the course, especially on the economic front, for SL for this year more..

Feb 17 (DM) According to latest reports, the fire at the Ella Forest Reserve in the Uva province had been doused after two days. Around 600 or more acres of the reserve has been destroyed so far. The blaze has spread towards the Ravana Falls, home to the Ravana Cave where the legendary Lankan king Lord Ravana resided and is supposedly buried. Tales passed down by word of mouth, have it that the cave was used by King Ravana to hide Princess Sita Devi whom Ravana allegedly kidnapped. more..

Feb 17 (CT) Clean Sri Lanka (CLS) is a commendable project not only to make the country preserve its natural beauty and attraction by maintaining a healthy physical environment but also more importantly to instil the idea of civic mindedness or care about the common good in the mindset of Sri Lankans. Excessive preoccupation in caring for one’s private interest leads to the neglect of interest in public welfare and increases the administrative cost of a govt, more..

Feb 17 (ST) Images of stilt fishermen on the southern coast have long been one of the most iconic scenes showcasing SL’s tourism. This distinctive traditional form of fishing is famous throughout the world due to the thousands of photographs that have been taken of these fishermen over the years by visiting tourists and professional photographers. While the practice was very much a source of livelihood for these more..

Feb 17 (CT) Three-wheeler transport service has long been a staple of SL roads, offering convenience and affordability. However, despite its deep-rooted presence, the industry remains riddled with issues that cause immense frustration for passengers. Unfair fare systems, a lack of discipline and the sheer disregard for passenger safety have made three-wheelers a menace rather than a reliable mode of transport. Authorities, including the Ministry of Transport and law enforcement, more..

Feb 17 (ST) The right to vote and the right to contest were central issues that weighed on the Supreme Court (SC) in its determination on the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, where a three-judge bench delivered a split decision. On Friday, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne read out in parliament the determination of the Supreme Court on the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill which was challenged under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution. more..

Feb 17 (Island) Prez Anura Dissanayake may be no hero like Odysseus, and IMF and the irate public are certainly no immortal monsters, but the perilous economic voyage AKD has embarked on is akin to sailing between Scylla and Charybdis. NPP govt’s maiden budget is to be presented to Parliament today. It will be the moment of truth for the incumbent dispensation troubled by more than its fair share of problems. What AKD has undertaken to perform on the economic front is a high-wire more..

Feb 17 (FT) Lankan Angel Network (LAN) recently kicked off 2025 with a spectacular event at Monsoon, bringing together a dynamic mix of current and new LAN investors, portfolio companies, fundraising start-ups, key ecosystem partners, and LAN’s distinguished patron members, including recently appointed WP Governor Hanif Yusoof and Prez Adviser Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya. The event provided a platform for new and seasoned investors and emerging entrepreneurs to connect, more..

Feb 17 (ST) Challenges are mounting for Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his NPP govt. Despite holding an unassailable two-thirds majority in Parliament and being in power for more than eight weeks, substantial progress on election promises and newly emerging issues remains elusive. Against this backdrop, Prez Dissanayake will present his first budget tomorrow—a decisive factor akin to the proverbial more..

Feb 17 (Island) is pleased to comment on two films, one Sri Lankan in Sinhala and the other American. She admits she is still to see the local film which is running in several cinemas to full audiences. It has been reviewed as outstanding; raved over by many; and already grossed the highest amount in SL cinema history – Rs 100 million from date of release January 30 to February 14. This last: testimony to its popular appeal and acceptance as an outstanding cinema achievement. more..

Feb 17 (FT) Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has announced that steps are currently being taken to implement the e-Passport (electronic passport) issuance system. Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala confirmed that with the Court’s injunction order now lifted, there are no legal obstacles to the implementation of the system. He stated that the issuance of e-Passports is expected to begin within next 8 months, with agreements already signed with relevant companies. more..

Feb 17 (DM) SL Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (SLPMA) urged the govt to create a level playing field for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers to compete with imported pharmaceutical products. SLPMA Chief asserted that domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers are competing with imported pharmaceutical products on an uneven playing field due to taxes imposed on critical packaging material imports required to produce various pharmaceutical products more..

Feb 17 (FT) The poultry industry recently called on the Govt to remove or reduce the Rs. 25 per kilo tax on imported maize in the upcoming Budget, warning that failure to do so could lead to a sharp increase in the price of eggs and chicken during the Sinhala-Hindu New Year season. All Ceylon Poultry Traders’ Association Chairperson Mathali Jayasekara urged policymakers to reassess taxation policies that impact the cost of animal feed. “If the tax on maize is reduced or eliminated, more..

Feb 17 (FT) With Indian giant Adani last week withdrawing from the proposed $ 1 billion 500 MW wind power project in Sri Lanka, analysts were quick to provide a comparative financial analysis. They claimed that if Adani’s venture went ahead, Sri Lanka would stand to lose a staggering $ 1.26 billion over the span of the project, which is 20 years. Adani originally proposed to supply electricity at a rate of $ 0.0822 per kWh. more..

Feb 17 (FT) LMD reports that the optimistic outlook (for economic sentiment) prevails as confidence strengthens amid positive trends. LMD adds: Confidence about the economy is growing in corporate circles, buoyed by the rise of LMD Business Confidence Index (BCI). And according to PepperCube Consultants, as reported in the magazine, the improved trajectory demonstrates growing optimism within the corporate sector against a backdrop of macroeconomic stability. more..

Feb 17 (ST) Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is facing a critical deadline as World Rugby (WR) has granted just four months to resolve its governance issues or face severe sanctions, including expulsion from international competitions. In a letter dated Feb 14, addressed to key stakeholders–Asia Rugby (AR) President Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai, National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) Prez Suresh Subramaniam, and Director General of Sports Shemal Fernando, World Rugby’s Chief of more..