Jan 11 (DM) Mullivaikkal is a remote coastal village in the Northern district of Mullaitivu in SL and its ethnic composition is predominantly Tamil. It has become significant as it’s where SL’s three-decade long civil war came to a bloody end in 2009, with hundreds of thousands still unaccounted. Those who surrendered to the Army in Mullivaikkal on the last days of the war are alleged to have been killed or disappeared. The whole of Mullivaikkal village and Mullaitivu district were displaced for several more..

Jan 11 (ST) Govt has imposed price controls on canned fish despite recent controversies over similar measures, amidst issues of quality and other industry concerns. The CAA has set a ceiling of Rs.380 for tuna, Rs.420 for mackerel, and Rs.560 for jack mackerel. Such interventions have sparked debates about their impact on quality, supply, and the domestic industry. Critics say price controls could result in shortages, more..

Jan 11 (FT) In a significant achievement for sustainable Pure Ceylon tea, Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC (BTE) has been awarded the prestigious North American Sustainability Tea Award (NASTA) for its exemplary project, the Climate Positive journey, during the 2024 North American Tea Conference (NATC) held from 24 to 26 September in Ontario, Canada. This accolade positions Bogawantalawa at the forefront of the global movement toward sustainable more..

Jan 11 (FT) Reiterating its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and furthering inclusive growth through digital innovation in SL, Mastercard collaborated with the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) to power Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2024. Organised from 18-24 Nov, GEW featured over 200 events and activities for entrepreneurs across all 25 districts in the country. Global Entrepreneurship Week is an annual event that unites over more..

Jan 11 (ST) SL’s iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is set to regain int'l attention following significant pledges of support for its conservation and development. Recent support extended by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are geared toward improving the site’s tourist appeal while preserving its historical and cultural heritage. KOICA has pledged to provide financial assistance of Rs.2.4 b more..

Jan 11 (DM) Following a recommendation by a specialist doctor, Duminda Silva has been transferred from the prison hospital to a general ward at the Welikada Prison, Prisons Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake said. He said that instructions have been issued to the Welikada Superintendent to take immediate action in the event of any sudden complications involving the prisoner. Duminda Silva had been admitted to the prison hospital based on a recommendation more..

Jan 11 (FT) The ground breaking ceremony for $ 120 million Marina development at the Colombo Port City took place yesterday ceremoniously with the Govt identifying it as a landmark initiative that embodies SL’s ambition, innovation and commitment to global excellence. The 3.1 hectare state-of-the-art luxury Marina development is by LOLC Holdings Group’s Browns Investments in partnership with more..

Jan 11 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday ended on the up though closing the week negatively amidst profit taking by investors. Yesterday the ASPI gained by over 114 points or 0.7% and the active S&P SL20 by 1.1%. For the week ASPI and the S&P SL 20 lost 0.8% and 1.1% respectively. Turnover was Rs. 3.7 billion involving 141 million shares whilst for the week turnover averaged Rs. 5.2 billion. The broad market rebounded from a loss of over 100 points yesterday more..

Jan 11 (ST) Thirty-one illegally constructed shops erected near the Galle Public Market were removed last Tuesday (31). Galle Municipal Council and the Four Gravets Divisional Secretariat filed a court case in 2020 against 34 shops with illegally erected buildings at the public market. The shops were removed after the court delivered the judgment for removal on Dec 10, 2024. The three remaining shops are scheduled to be removed on Jan 15. Galle Municipal Commissioner said more..

Jan 11 (FT) Making some bold comments on the downfall of the SJB its Chairman and former MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar this week said the party recorded its weakest period in the history during the past months. Speaking at the Party’s first ever Management Committee since Sept 2024 Prez elections, Markar said the SJB, which was created with a lot of dedication, hard work and sacrifices facing various difficulties in the past, more..

Jan 11 (Island) With urgent agricultural reforms becoming increasingly imperative, the session on Transforming Productivity in Agriculture at The SL Economic Summit (SLES) organised by CCC, will examine strategies to boost agricultural productivity, and the reforms necessary to support key targets. Conducted under the theme Shaping SL’s Future: Transformational Growth Rooted in Sound Economic Policies, the SLES will be held on Jan 28th and 29th at the Shangri La Hotel, Colombo. more..

Jan 11 (DM) SL’s tea industry is set for a year of modest growth in 2025, despite facing several challenges and uncertainties, an analysis by Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers showed. After a few years of declining production, the country is likely to experience a tight supply of Orthodox Large Leaf teas, following a production shortfall in India in 2024. First quarter of 2025 (1Q25) is expected to bring some stability, with the tea prices remaining buoyant, as SL enters its Western quality season, more..

Jan 11 (ST) The Fisheries Reward Fund (FRF), established with the aim of encouraging officials and informants involved in raids against illegal fishing activities, has not achieved its stated purpose, with more than Rs. 9.8 million yet to be disbursed from the Fund as cash rewards, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). The FRF, under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, was established in terms of Section 59 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 02 of 1996. more..

Jan 11 (FT) IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, proudly stands as the largest foreign carrier out of Sri Lanka. IndiGo currently operates 54 weekly flights to 2 cities in Sri Lanka – Colombo and Jaffna from 4 cities in India – Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. These direct flights between India and Sri Lanka are integral to IndiGo’s long-term growth strategy, underlining its commitment to expanding its global presence. IndiGo Global Sales Head Vinay Malhotra said, more..

Jan 11 (DM) A troubling rise in shootings linked to organised crime has left 66 people dead in over 100 incidents reported across the country since January 2024. Of these, 13 deaths occurred in organised crime-related shootings involving the underworld in the last three months alone. Despite intensified efforts to combat violence, challenges persist, including involvement of overseas-based traffickers and corruption within the prison system. more..

Jan 11 (CT) The tank bund of Aluthdiwulwewa in Galenbindunuwewa could be damaged, warned the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation on Friday. The Ministry issued a warning that Aluthdiwulwewa in the Galenbindunuwewa DS in the Anuradhapura District, could be damaged, as it has reached the spill level due to rain experienced there. The Ministry officials said that two schools below the tank bund were instructed to be kept closed during the last two days. more..

Jan 11 (CT) Opposition accused the Govt of being caught in an apparent blend of arrogance and ignorance, and going back on their own word, by attempting to have a monopoly on key Parliament committees. SJB stated that the entire Opposition will not attend the meetings of the corruption watchdog, COPE, as NPP Govt is determined to have the lion’s share of the committee. “They first wanted Chair of the COPE to be an NPP MP, claiming they are investigating the previous Govt’s corruption. more..

Jan 11 (EN) Sri Lanka’s third evaluation on its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework is postponed by one-year and rescheduled to commence in March 2026, the Central Bank data showed. The delay is due to the two national elections held last year, a Central Bank official said. Sri Lanka is facing a risk of falling into the grey list for a third time if it fails to implement strong AML/CFT measures recommended by the global body. more..

Jan 11 (FT) AASL Ltd, announced that a CTB luxury bus service is now operational between BIA and Makumbura Multi-Modal Centre, offering an enhanced transportation option for travellers. The buses stationed on the main road adjacent to the Police Station in Katunayake, ensures convenient access for passengers. The move is seen as a replacement for the previous luxury shuttle service between BIA and Colombo introduced in collaboration with the Transport and more..

Jan 11 (EN) SL has hiked alcohol taxes by around 5.9% from Jan 11, which is higher than the rate of inflation as advocated by some interventionists, but lower than hikes in previous years. The excise tax on a (proof) litre of special arrack has been raised to 7,244 rupees in a gazette signed by President Anura Dissanayake from 6,840 rupees. Excise on coconut arrack has been raised to 7,752 rupees from 7,320 rupees. more..

Jan 11 (DM) The lawyer, who represents one of the affected women, described how these women are left in despair after their foreign spouses leave the country post-honeymoon, forcing the women to seek legal remedies to secure divorces and compensation. In the specific case taken up before Colombo Additional District Judge, the lawyer detailed how his client had been lured by promises of a better life abroad. She married a foreign national during his stay in Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 11 (EN) Sri Lanka has hiked excise taxes on cigarettes, mineral water and plastics from Jan 11, 2025, to raise additional revenues, according to a gazette notice. The increases are lower than in previous years. Tobacco taxes were raised by around 5.9% with a lower 3.4% rate for the cheapest cigarette. The excise tax for short cigarettes below 60 millimeters which compete with so-called white beedi and beedi was raised to 18,350 rupees for 1,000 sticks from 18,720 rupees. more..

Jan 11 (Island) Russia is seeking SL’s assistance to confirm the identities of several ex-military personnel killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia has requested the relevant authorities to facilitate the identification of dead personnel through DNA testing to pave the way for the payment of compensation. Russia has assured the previous govt of sufficient compensation for those who had been killed and wounded more..

Jan 12 (CT) When at a loose end I am in the habit of pulling a book out of my bookshelf to browse through. I do it with both pleasure and profit; passing time gives perspective, offering new insights to books read long ago or casually put aside then. While reading I also tend to look up on the author, the times and the culture he lived in. There is no uniformity in literature, although its themes are universal; passion, love, jealousy, betrayal, loss, power, corruption being common themes. more..

Jan 12 (CT) The ongoing Clean SL initiative, a signature project of the new NPP Govt, appears to have got off on the wrong foot, attracting more brickbats than accolades ever since its ceremonious launch at the start of the year at the Presidential Secretariat. While no citizen in their right mind will object to the goal of making SL a cleaner, more visually appealing nation, the main grouse an increasing number of people appear to be having with the programme is that it seems to have more..

Jan 12 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his JVP-led NPP Govt have their work cut out for them in every sphere – economic, political, and social – this year. In fact, how AKD steers his JVP/NPP Govt and the country as a whole this year will determine the future of not only the Prez and his party but that of an entire nation as well. While being engaged in the ongoing economic recovery programme, SL has to manage more..

Jan 12 (CT) Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink… This is often said of sea-farers, who are stuck in the middle of the seas and still do not have potable water to quench their thirst. The island nation that Sri Lanka is, the country today does not have enough salt for your dining table, and there won’t be any local salt at least until around April. The govt has since decided to import 30,000 tonnes of salt for domestic consumption. It is not only salt that is in short supply. more..

Jan 12 (SO) Despite being a so-called Developing country, it seems that practically everyone in Sri Lanka has two mobile phones. This is borne out by official statistics – there were 32 million active mobile connections in Jan 2024, for a population of 22 million. Most, if not all, of these phones are data-enabled smartphones that can access the Internet. Everyone realised the value of having a smartphone during the Covid-19 pandemic when schools and most offices went online. more..

Jan 12 (ST) Though it is two months now since the general election, some scandals relating to certain parties and their candidates are coming to light. It has transpired that higher-ups of a newly formed political party that contested the general elections had offered Rs. 4 million to a teacher to contest the election from their party ticket in the Colombo district. The teacher, who was in govt service, had, however, found that there was more..

Jan 12 (ST) Last week, the Supreme Court in the case relating to a decision to award free marks for the leaked part of last year’s Grade 5 Scholarship Exam paper made some piercing observations on public service decision-making and the independence of state officials vis-à-vis higher political and supervisory officers. The judgment highlights the authority vested by law in a public functionary’—in this instance, Commissioner General of Exams—to act independently more..

Jan 12 (ST) My dear Nalinda, I thought I should write to you this week, both because you are the spokesman for the govt and also because what you have said recently has suddenly become controversial and the subject of much debate. As you may have already realised in your new role, any publicity is not good publicity! In a cabinet where subjects were scientifically divided, your portfolio, health and media was an anomaly. It was like higher education and highways during yahapalanaya more..

Jan 12 (Island) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake last week met four new ambassadors to Qatar, Russia, Kuwait and Egypt and our first high commissioner to New Zealand who will assume their assignments shortly. All of them are members of the Sri Lanka Overseas Service with no political appointee among them. The heads of mission were selected during the incumbency of the last regime and, in fact, had been cleared by the High Posts Committee of the last Parliament. more..

Jan 12 (ST) Sports Minister Sunil Gamage’s bold decision to suspend the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) over allegations of corruption and mismanagement should be commended. It underscores the minister’s commitment to clean up the deeply entrenched issues within SL’s sports bodies to ensure accountability and good governance. For years, these sports bodies have been plagued by allegations of corruption, inefficiency and more..

Jan 12 (CI) Rapid half-centuries from Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and Janith Liyanage put SL on course to a substantial total, before an electric new-ball spell from Asitha Fernando wrecked NZ's chase. Asitha swung the ball prodigiously in his five-over opening spell, taking 3 for 17 in that period. By the end of over seven, and chasing 291 for victory, NZ were 22 for 5, their chances all but dashed. Mark Chapman battled bravely for a run-a-ball 81, more..

Jan 12 (Island) It’s been a bruising fortnight for SL’s cricket fans as the team stumbled through the bilateral series in NZ. While losing the T20 series would have stung, the ODI defeats laid bare the long and winding road Sri Lanka must travel to truly compete with top-tier teams on foreign soil. For a side that once rewrote the script of white-ball cricket, watching their current struggles bring disappointment. Yet, there are glimmers of hope – pockets of improvement that, if nurtured, more..

Jan 12 (TM) SL Test Captain Dhananjaya de Silva’s elder brother Savithra Rathmal de Silva has been admitted to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila in a critical state on Friday night, according to Police. This was after Rathmal de Silva was injured in an attempt to evade a sword attack by an underworld gang at his Ratmalana residence, a source from the Police said. An underworld gang that had forcibly entered Rathmal de Silva’s house had tried to assault the latter with a sword. more..