Feb 27 (NW) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the govt’s tax policy, citing restrictions imposed by IMF agreements, which prevent sector-specific tax reductions. Minister was responding to the recent criticisms on taxation challenges and the need for better support mechanisms for freelancers in SL’s IT sector. He noted that while sectors like IT and tourism could benefit from tax exemptions, more..

Feb 27 (TM) A meeting between Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Italian Ambassador to SL, Damiano Francovigh, was held today at the Presidential Secretariat. Ambassador Francovigh reaffirmed Italy's support for SL's new administration in enhancing bilateral relations and boosting economic initiatives. Accordingly, the meeting emphasised cooperation in the development of SL’s tourism and investment sectors. Ambassador Francovigh also expressed hope for more..

Feb 27 (CT) Voters have the right to question politicians about their election pledges, if they are not fulfilled after the election, said Election Commissioner General, Saman Sri Ratnayake. He also said election laws should be reformed to allow voters to take formal action in this regard. However, he noted that there is currently no system for recalling a mandate in the country and that such mechanisms need to be introduced. He added that the Election Commission is seeking more..

Feb 27 (NW) Harmful speech increased by 113% in Nov 2024, coinciding with the SL Parliamentary Election held on 14 Nov, UN in SL said. Publishing its latest Bulletin on Harmful Speech, UN in SL said it has observed an 8-fold rise in hate speech targeting ethnic and/or religious minorities following the declaration of results of the prez election in Sept 2024. It has also observed a 159% surge in gender-based harmful speech, more..

Feb 27 (Island) Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA SL) has urged the govt to integrate CA SL’s Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CPFA) qualification into public service recruitment to bridge the critical skills gap in professionalising the country’s public sector finance management. CA SL President, Heshana Kuruppu said that there was an urgent need to professionalise SL’s public sector finance management, drawing comparisons to Cyprus’ economic recovery, which saw more..

Feb 27 (NW) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara criticized former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, claiming that despite the various titles associated with him, he is a fraud. “He had 39 Presidential Advisors. It is fair to have advisors as a Prez doesn’t know everything. But to have 39 advisors, he couldn’t have known about anything at all,” Nananayakkara said. He said at least 67 people had been appointed in an advisory capacity using titles such as Director. more..

Feb 27 (DM) The former govt had paid Rs. 28 million as compensation to famous soothsayer Gnana Akka for the damages to her house and shrine during the Aragalaya period, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. He said that the previous govt had paid Rs. 1,121 million as compensation to local govt politicians in addition to the Rs. 1,221 million paid to the MPs and Ministers. 14 Prez Commissions had been appointed during the previous regime and that Rs. 530.1 million had been spent for these commissions. more..

Feb 27 (AD) Water Supply and Drainage Board has cautioned the public about possible low water pressure and supply disruptions, particularly in high-altitude areas, due to a surge in water consumption. In an official statement, the water board revealed that certain areas may experience daily water shortages for extended periods and that to mitigate the impact, arrangements have been made to supply water via bowsers to affected residents under a monitored distribution system. more..

Feb 27 (Island) Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament that during its first 100 days, the JVP/NPP govt had to address problems inherited from previous regimes. Most of these issues had now been tackled and were in the process of being solved. Delivering the concluding speech of the second reading debate on the 2025 Budget from the govt benches, Minister stated: “None of these problems were caused by more..

Feb 27 (DM) Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today that Rs. 245 million has been paid to the victims from the funds recovered, as ordered by the SC judgment, in connection with the fundamental rights petitions filed over the failure to prevent the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, appearing for the AG, informed the SC that, as per the SC judgment, the respondents have paid a total of Rs. 311 million to the Office for Reparations. more..

Feb 27 (AD) A former Commissioner and a Senior Probation Officer of the Dept of Probation and Child Care Services in North Central Province, who were arrested for abusing a 17-year-old girl at an orphanage in Anuradhapura in 2021, have been granted bail by the A'pura Magistrate’s Court. The police had arrested a 49-year-old suspect and a 57-year-old suspect after investigations into the incident were initiated following a revelation made through the media on Jan 8, 2021, that illegal more..

Feb 27 (NW) Sri Lanka made a total of Rs. 1.78 trillion in digital payments in 2024, up by 114% from the payments made in 2023, totalling to Rs. 828 billion, PM Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament. “In 2024, the total digital payments made to governmental institutions were Rs. 1.78 trillion. The previous year, in 2023, the total in digital payments made to govt institutions was Rs. 828 billion,” Amarasuriya said. more..

Feb 27 (CT) CEB states that electricity generation costs are rising due to the prevailing dry weather conditions. CEB Media Spokesperson explained that the dry weather has necessitated the increased operation of thermal power plants to meet electricity demand. He further noted that steps have already been taken to operate the Norochcholai Power Plant at its maximum capacity of 900 megawatts, while the Kelanitissa Naphtha Power Station and the Sapugaskanda Power Station have also more..

Feb 27 (AD) Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando addressed concerns regarding the taxation of individuals earning foreign revenue through digital services. He emphasized that recent amendments to the Inland Revenue Act have been misinterpreted, leading to misconceptions in society. Prof. Fernando clarified that the taxation system applies to all income earned within Sri Lanka, whether the source is domestic or int'l. more..

Feb 28 (DM) When I was in my mid-teens, my brothers and I were afforded several trips to our dad’s tea estate in Bandarawela. One way of nurturing our need for boyish pranks was to pull at the sarongs that some of the estate workers wore; and lo and behold, most of them never wore underwear! But there was this one person called Kesavan, the community headman, and when we tried our pranks on him he offered no resistance. To our surprise he wore underwear and even more..

Feb 28 (CT) In the world of politics only two things are for certain, according to Benjamin Franklin; death and taxes. In SL politics, perhaps there should be another addition to the list – broken promises. Almost every govt that was formed post-Independence depended on false promises to gain power and the govts falling short in delivering them really is an understatement. Once in every four to five years a presidential election is held in the island nation and if one was to review manifestos more..

Feb 28 (SO) Kelani Valley Line, one of SL’s key railway routes, stretches from Colombo to Avissawella, following the Kelani River for much of its course. Serving passenger and freight transport, the line is essential for economic activity. Recognising the need for modernisation, the Govt has prioritised upgrading the Kelani Valley rail track to enhance service quality for commuters. Prez unveiled plans to extend the rail track more..

Feb 28 (TM) Long-term failures in governance of Sri Lanka have created many victims. While all their stories are tragic, few are as sorrowful as that of children. Like in many parts of the world when families, societies and circumstances let you down, few are more impacted and changed for life – the children and the elderly. This is no different for SL children who find themselves at the mercy of the State, and of various institutions that are poorly regulated, and often overlooked as a priority. more..

Feb 28 (DM) It may not be an exaggeration to say that national security has become the most politicised topic in Sri Lanka these days. In parliament and political platforms, much precious time is spent on the critique of and in defence of the government’s national security policy, but there is very little introspection. Just as much as the war is too important to be left to the generals, national security is too precious a subject to be left to the politicians or the govt alone. more..

Feb 28 (TM) Despite repeated warnings from energy experts about Sri Lanka’s fragile power grid, Govt is pushing forward with long-term grid expansion plans while neglecting the immediate crisis. Instead of implementing critical short-term solutions to stabilise the system, authorities have chosen to invest in costly infrastructure projects that do little to prevent imminent blackouts. This approach is set to increase electricity tariffs, more..

Feb 28 (CT) The Common Man was hiding on his own free will; Independence of the country may have brought its celebratory social delectables to the pukka sahibs in Colombo; yet its profound sense and soul-stirring message may have evaded the ordinary minds of the rural folks. Their lives have not been touched by the nuanced shades of sophisticated definitions of freedom, independence and liberty. For them, after being a subject people of a King for nearly two thousand years, more..

Feb 28 (ST) Thursday Feb 20…..9.30 am. I am woken up by a call and it’s Kalabala Silva, the often-agitated academic, on the line. “What….you’re calling to discuss the budget?” I asked, still bleary-eyed after a late night on Wednesday. “Aiyo, by now the budget has been fully dissected and trashed, it’s not the flavour of the month anymore in my view,” he said. “So what would be important?” I asked again. “Well I am worried about the impact the recent freeze on USAID funding would have on more..

Feb 28 (SO) Impact of the 2025 Budget according to the Women’s Chamber and female entrepreneurs in SL would depend on implementing the policy proposals with their allocations. Past Chairperson Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Chathuri Ranasinghe said the overall impact of the Budget on women entrepreneurs will heavily depend on the specific allocations, initiatives, and policy measures introduced and implemented giving emphasis to access to finance. more..

Feb 28 (Island) This is only how Manorani sees Richard. It doesn’t have a lot of what Richard did. Although Manorani is not someone who pays attention to the happenings in the country. It was only after her son was kidnapped that she began to feel that this was happening in the country. She had human emotions. But she was a person who smoked cigarettes and drank whiskey and lived a merry life. (Interview with Rani film director Ashoka Handagama by Upali Amarasinghe more..

Feb 28 (FT) In a highly charged address in Parliament, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara launched a scathing attack on former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, and questioning the necessity of his extensive team of advisers. “Although it is fair for a Prez to have advisers because no one knows everything. But he (Wickremesinghe) had 39 Presidential Advisers — which means he knew nothing at all,” Nanayakkara claimed. more..

Feb 28 (Island) A surge in underworld activities has left the NPP govt red-faced, but it has eclipsed all other issues that remain unsolved. Nobody is talking about the high prices of coconuts, rice and other essentials, and the unfulfilled campaign promises of the ruling coalition. Underworld killings have also distracted the public, the Opposition and the media from Budget 2025, its shortcomings, and the govt’s failure to bring the perpetrators of unsolved emblematic crimes to justice. more..

Feb 28 (Island) Deserving finalists of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament, St. Sebastian’s College will enter the landmark Battle of the Golds Big Match as favourites. The historic encounter against arch rivals Prince of Wales will commence at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa today as a 3-day encounter. Sebs captained by Ryan Dissanayake recorded outright victories against Royal, Maris Stella and Maliyadewa in the tournament proper to reach the knockout stage where they beat more..

Feb 28 (SO) JETRO has conducted its annual survey on business conditions of Japanese companies operating overseas in August and Sept 2024, receiving responses from 5,007 companies in the Asia – Oceania region and 31 companies in SL. It said that Japanese companies in SL are clearly on the road to recovery from the economic crisis. 46.4% (+ 11.9% from 2023) expect a profit in operating income for 2024. This is the third highest figure since 2015, after 2019 (55.2%) and 2018 (48.5%). more..

Feb 28 (DN) The two leading Buddhist schools in SL Ananda College and Nalanda College will meet in the 95th Battle of the Maroons, which will be played from today 28 to March 2 at the SSC grounds. This year marks a historic moment for two schools as for the first time the match will be held over three days, with Anandians and Nalandians battling for the Dr. N.M. Perera Memorial Challenge Trophy. The Battle of the Maroons which dates back to 1924 has always seen a carnival atmosphere with more..

Feb 28 (ST) SL’s Energy Ministry has requested Adani Green Energy SL Ltd (AGESLL) to provide official notification within two weeks as to whether its parent company, India’s Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), has withdrawn the investment it had committed towards two wind power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn. “We have written to the local company to reply in two weeks what their investment is, & whether they will put investment back” more..

Feb 28 (CT) Embassy of Japan in SL hosted a hand-over ceremony for baseball equipment donated by Hokkaido Bunkyo Uni to SL Baseball Softball Association at the Embassy Ballroom on 25 Feb. This initiative highlights the strong sports and cultural ties between Japan and SL, further fostering friendship through baseball. Hokkaido Bunkyo Uni gathered the donated baseball equipment with the generous contributions of the baseball enthusiasts of the uni and the local community members. more..

Feb 28 (EN) Prez Anura Disanayake has met Air Force officials to discuss the country’s security situation after a spate of brazen killings around the island. “I met with senior officials of the SL Air Force today (27) to discuss the country’s security situation,” Disanayake said on X. “We focused on strengthening the Air Force as a maritime security force in the Indian Ocean and enhancing its support for Army & Navy operations. Budgetary allocations and operational needs were also reviewed.” more..

Feb 28 (TM) Ministry of Health stated that an agreement will be signed between the Govts of Sri Lanka and India to import nearly 30 pharmaceutical drugs currently in short supply. Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said that there is a shortage of around 30 drugs due to issues with certain suppliers. “Some suppliers fail to deliver orders on time, and some others have not submitted bids for the required drugs. more..

Feb 28 (FT) The SLT Group reported a massive turnaround in profitability as of Dec 2024, driven by strong operational performance and successful cost optimisation across fixed and mobile segments, with momentum accelerating steadily during the year. Group recorded a Profit after Tax (PAT) of Rs. 3.1 billion for 2024, compared to a loss of Rs. 3.9 billion in 2023, representing a substantial turnaround of Rs. 7 billion. Annual revenue for the Group in 2024 grew by 4.4% to Rs. 111.1 billion, more..

Feb 28 (FT) Bank of Ceylon (BOC), said it has achieved robust financial results in 2024, demonstrating both resilience and persistence. The bank recorded significant growth in key financial metrics, including total assets, deposits, and profitability. “This exceptional performance underscores BOC’s agility and adaptability in the face of volatile market conditions and numerous challenges,” bank said. CEO Russel Fonseka emphasised, “Our robust financial results more..