Jan 12 (Island) The ideological Left and Right in Sri Lanka have staked out their positions on the country’s perennial rice crisis. In the view of the ideological Left, the country’s food crisis including the recent rice crisis is even traceable to the allegedly flawed IMF program. And the preferred solution is getting back to the future and achieving self-sufficiency in food based on a public distribution system that has been neglected and/or abandoned after 1977. What is conveniently forgotten is more..

Jan 12 (EN) Sri Lanka’s red rice which disappeared from shop shelves after price controls were strictly enforced, was due to the ex-Prez distributing rice, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe claimed. “The last govt before the Presidential election did a dastardly (Alu-goth-theru, thaka-thiru wedak) before the prez election,” Samarasinghe told parliament. “They took red rice from mills in the South paying 10 rupee extra (per kilo) and distributed it around the country.” more..

Jan 12 (ST) Sports Ministry has intensified its involvement in the govt’s Clean Sri Lanka campaign by taking firm action against the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL), an organisation long plagued by deep-rooted corruption and manipulation. Following the NOCSL’s continuous failure to implement its own Ethics Committee’s recommendations to suspend Secretary General Maxwell de Silva over more..

Jan 12 (ST) The Attorney General’s Department has stated that the Court of Appeal (CoA) lacks judicial authority to entertain an application seeking to suspend the election of office bearers at the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL). Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Manohara Jayasinghe, presenting objections, argued that the CFSL is not a governmental institution and, therefore, the court cannot issue a stay order to prevent the federation from holding its elections. more..

Jan 12 (Island) In a musical celebration marking the 87th birth anniversary of SL’s iconic composer Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa, British conductor Colin Jagger will lead a performance of Khemadasa’s New Year Symphony at Malalasekara Hall, Nalanda College, Colombo, on Jan 25. The concert, which also features a selection of the musician’s other works, is set to honour his legacy. Show is presented by Khemadasa Foundation and guest artists together with Navy Orchestra. more..

Jan 12 (TM) The recommencement of all pending talks relating to the trade agreements SL was pursuing will be delayed until the relevant policy and procedural approvals are received, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development reveals. Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security & Cooperative Development Secretary K.A. Vimalenthirarajah said that although Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake had during more..

Jan 12 (AD) Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical & Civil Rights has alleged misconduct by State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), accusing it of awarding a tender to a blacklisted Bangladeshi company for the supply of disinfectant used to clean patients’ mouths. Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Prez of the alliance, criticized the tender decision, which he claims was made despite the company’s controversial status. “Serious tender transaction has occurred within the SPC in past few weeks. more..

Jan 12 (NW) SL Police distributed 30 advanced speed guns, valued at over Rs. 91 million, during a ceremony held on Jan 11, at Police Headquarters. Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya presided over the event. As part of the first phase, the devices were allocated to divisional officers in Negombo, Kelaniya & Gampaha, as well as the Southern Traffic Division of the Western Province. Future plans include distributing the equipment nationwide, along with officer training on device usage. more..

Jan 12 (AD) The Indian High Commission in Colombo on the occasion of Hindi Diwas (Hindi Day) on Friday launched SL’s first Hindi Certificate Course through open and distance learning. “A milestone in India-SL academic ties on #WorldHindiDay2025. SL’s 1st Hindi Certificate Course via open and distance learning, a collaboration between @iccr_colombo and the Open University of SL, launched by High Commission @santjha, Deputy Min. Hon. Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, more..

Jan 12 (CT) Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazário, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, is currently enjoying a holiday in SL. Known for his incredible speed and goal-scoring prowess, Ronaldo, nicknamed O Fenômeno (The Phenomenon), has been soaking in the island’s beauty and charm. During his stay, he was seen on a wildlife safari in Udawalawa, appreciating the natural wonders of the region. Ronaldo’s illustrious career includes winning FIFA World Cup twice more..

Jan 12 (TM) The Colombo Port is buckling under severe congestion as container volumes have surged dramatically, exposing critical infrastructure shortcomings and inefficiencies in Customs operations, according to Customs Spokesman Seevali Arukgoda. As per the statistics available with SL Customs, the number of containers passing through the ports has skyrocketed from an average of 800-1,200 per day to over 1,500, more..

Jan 12 (AD) Ministry of Defense has reiterated that the deadline for returning for inspection the licensed firearms issued for personal use will not be extended beyond Jan 20, under any circumstances. Firearms issued by the police and the army during the war, and currently held under personal licenses, must be returned to the Ministry of Defense by the stipulated date. Officials have also warned that legal action will be taken against individuals who fail to return the firearms by the deadline. more..

Jan 12 (DM) The traders in several areas of the upcountry demonstrated demanding the supply of adequate stocks of Nadu and Red rice varieties in view of the Thai Pongal festive season. A number of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim traders from Agarapathana, Manrasi and Dayagama in the Nuwara-Eliya District participated. They pointed out that the rice mill owners supplied rice at higher rates and that it was not able to sell it to the consumers at controlled prices. more..

Jan 12 (DM) SL is set to expand homeopathy as part of its healthcare system, focusing on making it more affordable and accessible for the public. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa shared this vision during his visit to the Welisara Homeopathy Hospital, a govt-run facility. The hospital provides daily treatment for conditions such as respiratory issues, skin diseases, diabetes, arthritis and women’s and children’s health problems. It caters to 200 outpatients each day and operates a 24/7 inpatient unit. more..

Jan 12 (TM) There have been no reports thus far of Sri Lankans being affected by the Los Angeles wildfires in the US. The Los Angeles wildfires, which ignited on Wednesday (8), have caused widespread devastation, claiming 11 lives so far and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. The fires, fuelled by dry conditions and intense Santa Ana winds, rapidly spread across Altadena and neighbouring areas, consuming over 25,000 acres of land and destroying hundreds of homes and more..

Jan 12 (TM) The ongoing red rice shortage has particularly impacted the Hindu community, which is struggling to obtain the essential ingredient needed for upcoming Thai Pongal celebrations. As the festival approaches, many Hindus are finding it increasingly difficult to secure the red rice required for their traditional rituals and offerings. Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardana attributed the shortage to previous rice more..

Jan 12 (EN) Sri Lanka’s worker remittances hit the highest in six years as more people sent foreign currency from abroad with a record number from the labour force leaving the country. The 2024 full year remittances rose 10.1% to $6.57 billion, from nearly $6 billion in the previous year. In Dec 2024, the remittances gained 7.7% to $613.8 million compared to $569.7 million in the same month previous year. Worker remittances are one of the top foreign exchange revenue earners for SL more..

Jan 12 (DM) In a bid to address the salt shortage, chairman of National Salt Limited Gayan Wellala said plans are underway to fully activate the saltern including one in Elephant Pass in the north by March, this year to increase production of salt in the country. Mr. Wellala told the Daily Mirror that the Northern area salterns including the Elephant Pass that have been inactive since the civil war and is still not completely restored are being developed to help increase production. more..

Jan 12 (AD) Govt has announced new excise duty rates for vehicle imports, effective immediately, in a special gazette notification. This marks a significant step as the country resumes vehicle imports in February after a five-year suspension. Gazette notification was signed by the Prez. Under the new policy, excise duties range from 200% to 300% for vehicles that are not more than 10 years old from their date of manufacture. more..

Jan 13 (DM) While everyone is obsessed with the country’s economic crash, the consequences of the linguistic crash we suffered from 1956 onwards is just as serious. Even if the economy is salvaged at some point, SL will continue to suffer the devastating long term consequences of that other, more cerebral crash in the decades to come. First, let me get my own personal perspective across. English is my second language. Having studied at govt, Sinhala-medium schools from start to finish more..

Jan 13 (DM) Local govt elections have not been held in Sri Lanka since 2018. Elections were scheduled to be held in 2022. They were postponed to 2023 on a claim that the country’s financial situation made holding of elections impossible. Despite Court rulings, polls have been further postponed. After the recent victory at the Prez and Parliamentary elections, recently elected President Dissanayake has indicated local govt polls would be held prior to April this year. more..

Jan 13 (SO) Minister Sunil Handunneththi shared his perspectives on a wide range of issues facing the industries and SME sectors and elaborated on his plans to attract foreign investments to develop the sectors. He said they have created a single window system to provide all facilities to exporters. They have educated potential investors and unlike in the past, the investors need not run after politicians and offer them bribes to get more..

Jan 13 (ST) The gulf between what the NPP said on the campaign trail and what it is saying now in govt, was repeatedly highlighted by the opposition when Parliament debated the country’s Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report – 2024. Govt drew attention to the sacrifices made by ordinary people in the country’s economic recovery from the depths of bankruptcy. The opposition though, countered that the govt had not followed through with many of the pledges it had made to provide relief to those same people. more..

Jan 13 (CT) Last week, news appeared titled Inter-linked mechanism mooted for lands. Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation Dr. Susil Ranasinghe was quoted in it. Ranasinghe rightly lamented the absence of a proper land policy that creates disorganization of institutions involved in land use, i.e., due probably to land-related issues created by the Forest Dept or Railway Dept causing complications in decision-making. Hurrah, in recent times this is the first attempt in my memory more..

Jan 13 (CT) The destruction caused by wild animals to crop cultivations, including paddy fields, poses a significant threat to the country’s economic stability and the livelihoods of thousands of rural communities that depend on agriculture for survival. The current Govt has made every possible effort to find a lasting solution to this issue, said Rohana Rajapaksa, Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development. more..

Jan 13 (TM) The Clean Sri Lanka campaign, the first major initiative of the newly-elected NPP Govt, has garnered considerable attention across the country. However, this attention is mixed, as the campaign and the Govt face both praise and criticism. While the intentions behind the initiative may be noble, its timing and execution raise questions about whether it truly addresses the pressing needs of SL. It is also indicative of the new Govt’s lack of governance experience. more..

Jan 13 (Island) The word Ahimsa, derived from Sanskrit, means non-harm or non-injury and is often translated into English as non-violence. The dictionary defines it as the ethical principle of not causing harm to other living beings. From its very inception, Buddhism has had a deep commitment to non-violence. Ahimsa represents a profound ethical principle in Buddhist thought just as in many other religious traditions. Dhammapada states Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. more..

Jan 13 (FT) Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) have been upgraded to ‘CCC+’ from ‘CCC-’ by Fitch Ratings (Fitch) in their latest rating review. Further, the Viability Rating (VR) was also upgraded to ‘ccc+’ from ‘ccc-’ and affirmed Short-Term IDR at ‘C’. According to the latest announcement made by Fitch upgrading BOC’s int'l ratings, Fitch has considered the following factors in order to support their rating action; more..

Jan 13 (DN) Duruthu Poya marks the first full moon of the year, celebrating Gautama Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka over 2,600 years ago. As recorded in the Mahavamsa, Buddha’s visit aimed to bring peace to the warring Yakkha and Naga tribes in Mahiyangana, Uva Province. His message of non-violence introduced Buddhism to the island, and on this sacred day, followers engage in meditation and good deeds. For over 26 centuries, Sri Lanka has hosted diverse communities. more..

Jan 13 (TM) Sri Lanka is facing an escalating crisis in the management of confiscated vehicles, leading to significant financial, logistical, and environmental consequences. Customs officials and Govt authorities including Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Kodithuwakku have acknowledged the severity of the issue and outlined the pressing need for reforms. Govt is seeking a mechanism to dispose of the vehicles stuck more..

Jan 13 (Island) JVP-led NPP govt is drawing heavy flak for its vitriolic attacks on the media. It has taken umbrage at media reports critical of its MPs and much-advertised programmes like the Clean SL initiative. It is apparently labouring under the misconception that the media is all out to sabotage its work and turn public opinion against it. There is hardly any need for the media to do so; the govt has amply demonstrated its inefficiency & incompetence much to the resentment of the public. more..

Jan 13 (CT) Modifying vehicles is not a crime, said SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, referring to the Police’s action to remove certain parts from vehicles under the Clean SL initiative. He stated in Parliament that measures such as preventing vehicle modification affect the automobile industry. “The livelihoods of a large number of people depend on it, so this industry must be protected,” he said. “It is ridiculous for a ruling party MP to raise an issue about the Clean SL programme in this House. more..

Jan 13 (CT) The Colombo High Court, on Friday (10), ordered to lift the foreign travel ban on former Minister Champika Ranawaka, who was indicted over the hit-and-run incident which took place in 2016, until 20 April. The Court, considering the plea made by the defence counsel, who submitted that former Minister had to travel overseas for a personal matter, lifted the travel ban. In the incident, the vehicle bearing registration No. WP KT – 7545 in which former Minister Ranawaka was more..

Jan 13 (FT) Tickets for the Galle Literary Festival’s events are now available, offering guests the chance to join a vibrant four-day celebration of creativity, culture, and engaging conversation. From Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 Feb, the south coast of Sri Lanka will host over 100 events featuring famed local and international writers and speakers. This year’s Festival promises a diverse program, including complimentary performances, insightful panel discussions, and culinary delights, more..

Jan 13 (NW) Minister Samantha Vidyarathna has accused Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Director General for Community Affairs, of illegally acquiring 18 acres of land belonging to the Dept of Wildlife and Forest Conservation. Minister said several complaints had been received from various parties, including environmentalists, regarding a racket involving land at the Bogahapelessa Forest more..