Jan 18 (DN) SLIIT hosted its second annual SciFest recently, celebrating the groundbreaking innovations of young minds from schools nationwide. Organised by the Department of Applied Sciences of the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, this year’s event featured Professor Ruchira Cumaranatunga from Uni of Ruhuna as the distinguished guest. SciFest 2024 introduced a new element, Young Innovators Competition, complementing its traditional quiz competition. more..

Jan 18 (AD) The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has seized Rs. 283 million in currency notes, marking the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in SL. According to police, the money allegedly belongs to a suspect who is currently in prison, and that he has been orchestrating drug operations from inside the prison. The funds were recovered from a residence in Kurunegala during a search operation. Additionally, officers seized 18 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), more..

Jan 18 (Island) Agricultural experts have expressed concern about the got’s decision to release rice stocks purchased and stored at lower prices to the market as such action could lead to a significant drop in rice prices during the 2024/25 Maha harvesting season. Professor Buddhi Marambe, from Dept of Crop Science at Faculty of Agriculture, Uni of Peradeniya, has criticised the move, noting the govt’s earlier claims that previous administrations had failed to store even a grain of rice. more..

Jan 18 (EN) SL’s manufacturing and services sectors continued to expand in December, with wholesale and retail trade business activities posting a strong growth during the festive season and the peak of tourist season, according to a Purchasing Managers’ Index. PMI – Manufacturing recorded an index value of 57.2 in Dec 2024, indicating a further expansion in manufacturing activities. All sub-indices, except employment, contributed more..

Jan 18 (FT) Greenpeace South Asia has commended the SL Cabinet of Ministers’ approval for the proposal made by the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister to sign the Agreement on Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). This landmark decision represents a pivotal step towards addressing the escalating threats facing our oceans due to unregulated human activities in international waters. Greenpeace South Asia Campaigner more..

Jan 18 (CT) Amid claims of confusion over the NPP Govt being assured of a USD 3.7 billion oil refinery project while the UNP secured a USD 4.5 billion deal for the same project, the UNP clarified the historical and factual context surrounding the Hambantota Refinery. UNP explained that the USD 4.5 billion agreement came about after the ambitious project with Silver Park International was terminated by late 2023 due to construction delays. Subsequently, in Nov 2023, a new USD 4.5 billion deal was more..

Jan 18 (FT) In a long-awaited move, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) announced an average 20% reduction in electricity tariffs for all categories for the first six months of the year, effective from today. The decision follows the third delayed tariff revision of 2024 and was finalised after extensive public consultations and a detailed review of proposals from the CEB, reflecting adjustments in operational efficiencies and more..

Jan 19 (SO) If historical accounts are accurate – and there is no reason to dismiss the writings of Fa Hien, Admiral Zheng He and other Chinese explorers – the friendship between SL and China goes back centuries. Chinese coins have been discovered in several places in SL, which proves that the two countries were trading partners since ancient times, probably through the Maritime Silk Route. Newly Independent SL (then known as Ceylon) was one of the first countries in Asia to formally more..

Jan 19 (CT) The introduction by the NPP govt of the Clean Sri Lanka campaign has been hailed as a fulfilment of an election promise. However, doubts have also arisen whether this project is sincere or merely a cosmetic stunt. Further, that this was just a gimmick to deflect attention away from their major undertaking, to punish fraudsters, and to bring back the loot stashed away in safe havens. The explanation by AKD, that they do not wish to be hasty, but prefer to gather reliable data more..

Jan 19 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his NPP Govt is currently facing a mix of victories and defeats in its governance path. While AKD concluded a successful visit to China, his Govt is trying to put out many fires in the country while trying to balance State finances and ease the burdens shouldered by the masses. AKD’s first official visit to China as Prez was undoubtedly the most successful one out of the visits more..

Jan 19 (TM) While Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was absorbing the lavish red-carpet welcome extended to him by the People’s Republic of China as he embarked on a four-day visit to the country last week, domestic developments of the political kind appeared to have been weighing heavily on his mind. Just a couple of days before his departure to China, Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) endured multiple, humiliating losses at the Cooperative Society Elections held recently. more..

Jan 19 (CT) The recent revelation by Minister Chandana Abeyratne, regarding the shortage of over 3,000 Grama Niladhari officers in the country is a matter of grave concern. This shortage, which has led to delays in essential administrative tasks such as voter registration and census data collection, highlights the critical role these officers play in the daily functioning of the nation. Grama Niladhari, as the smallest administrative unit, is entrusted with managing local governance and more..

Jan 19 (ST) Govt’s move to lease out the presidential bungalows and ministerial residences to the private sector has raised concerns due to the historic value of these buildings. The govt says a committee has been appointed to evaluate which properties should be handed over to private developers, but questions have been raised over how prudent such a move is. Former MP Charitha Herath is among those who raised concerns more..

Jan 19 (ST) China spared no efforts to roll out the red carpet for Prez A.K. Dissanayake’s state visit this week. Notwithstanding all the optics of the overwhelming hospitality, little of the substance of the official talks has come out into the public domain. There is, for instance, still no clarity regarding all the MoUs that were signed or the details of the additional meetings that were held. The Joint Statement (JS) envelops SL within the multiple folds of China’s global outlook, more..

Jan 19 (ST) My dear Harshana, I am writing to you because you seem to have somehow stolen the limelight this week by presenting an award to a former prison official who was convicted of murder and later acquitted by the highest court in the land. For many, this was more interesting than even Anura sahodaraya’s visit to China! You can say you did nothing wrong and there is no need to make such a fuss about this. Legally, you did nothing wrong. In fact, you presented the award not more..

Jan 19 (SO) Former SL women’s rugby winger Charani Liyanage will storm into the history books today as the first female to referee a men’s match when she takes charge of the whistle at the inter club League game between Kandy SC and Navy SC at the Nittawela stadium. The only sport that Charani knew was track and field as a sprinter for St. Anthony’s College at Dematagoda in Colombo and is now considered the pin-up girl for as many as 30 budding female referees in fast developing more..

Jan 19 (Island) There is an abundance of historical data available on the extent of land cultivation and the amount of paddy harvested based on well-established yields per unit area. Separate sets of statistics cover the Maha and the Yala seasons. The amount of rice produced is estimated to be about two thirds of cultivated paddy by weight. Paddy cultivation as well as rice production and consumption statistics are also available in an impressively disaggregate format, including more..

Jan 19 (TM) As the Maha harvesting season commences in parts of SL, farmers are grappling with concerns over whether the rice yield will be sufficient to ease the current market shortages. While the ongoing harvest may temporarily alleviate scarcity, farmers warn that the supply could fall short of meeting demand, with fears of another shortage looming by April. Farmers attribute the uncertainty to significant crop damage caused by floods more..

Jan 19 (Island) As the World Test Championship (WTC) inches toward its climax with South Africa and Australia locking horns in the finals, it’s time for Sri Lanka to rummage through the wreckage and figure out where the wheels came off. This was no ordinary campaign – it was a rollercoaster ride with breathtaking highs and gut-wrenching lows. A series win against the Aussies would crown Sri Lanka’s effort with a third-place finish, leaving fans asking themselves, What if? more..

Jan 19 (Island) Several decades ago, when the Food Drive led by PM Dudley Senanayake in a bold move to achieve self-sufficiency in essential foods wherever possible, the press officer in Mr. MD Banda’s Agriculture and Food Ministry, Lakshman Ratnapala telephoned several prominent personalities to get their views on the effort. One of them, the late Dr. EW Adikaram, the ascetic academic, told Ratnapala: “I can tell you what I think but you will not be able to publish my view.” more..

Jan 19 (TM) The much-heralded project to build South Asia’s largest commercial and logistics complex at the Colombo Port is finally scheduled to commence this year with the granting of the Attorney General’s (AG) approval for the proposed concession agreement, which will be entered into with the BOI, according to Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). SLPA Chairman Sirimevan Ranasinghe stated that the commencement of the logistics centre project had been delayed due to delays more..

Jan 19 (ST) SL’s political stability was rated as a critical factor for the momentum in the Colombo stock market along with other fundamentals and impending budget proposals which will capitalise on the country’s growth thrust. Analysts noted that the country came out on top in debt restructuring, the low-interest rate regime, and improved tourist arrivals. Inward remittances, and Prez Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s recent visit to China, which saw 15 bilateral agreements being signed as positive more..

Jan 19 (ST) International Olympic Committee (IOC) has firmly rejected an attempt by the suspended Secretary General of National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) and his allies to conduct the election of office bearers on March 31, 2025. This move, proposed months ahead of the scheduled timeframe, was seen as an effort to safeguard the interests of the embattled official. In Dec 2024, NOCSL, where Secretary General Maxwell de Silva more..

Jan 19 (Island) HNB Assurance made a significant ascent in the latest LMD 100 rankings climbing 13 places to reach rank 64, cementing its position as one of SL’s leading listed companies. Throughout the past few years, HNB Assurance has grown stronger, smarter and more united in its purpose, turning challenges into opportunities and refining every aspect of its operations. LMD 100 is a prestigious annual ranking that evaluates the financial and strategic performance more..

Jan 19 (EN) Import tax reductions for the people of SL under a free trade agreement with Singapore has been halted, suspending the implementation of the deal, according to transcript of parliamentary proceedings. SL has agreed to reduce the Port and Airport Levy, imposed on imports from Singapore over 5 years under an FTA signed in 2018. Rising PAL, CESS and import duties on goods, allowing local producers to overcharge domestic consumers hiding behind a wall of tariffs, more..

Jan 19 (TM) Five M11 engines, valued at over Rs. 3,825 million and imported from India under the Indian Credit Line in 2019, are still awaiting repairs at the Railways Dept’s workshop in Ratmalana. It is learnt that these engines, which had been brought to SL without a proper Technical Evaluation (TE), are unsuitable for the country’s railway tracks. Despite having been in SL for more than 5 years, no proper investigation more..

Jan 19 (AD) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that steps will be taken to increase the number of Sathosa outlets across the country to 1,000 locations with the aim of controlling the prices of consumer goods and to provide relief to the consumers. He made this statement while attending the opening of the renovated Sathosa outlet located in front of Public Market Complex in A'pura. He further noted that the govt was able to reduce the prices of goods by 17% over last 3 months. more..

Jan 19 (NW) SL Air Force officially opened its newest golf course, the Eagles’ Citadel Golf Course, constructed to international standards, at SLAF Station Sigiriya yesterday (17 ). The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) and graced by the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa. Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of Sigiriya, more..

Jan 19 (ST) National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), which has not met for several months now particularly during the tenure of the previous Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, finally met on Wednesday after a long spell where trade unions reiterated demands for a higher national minimum wage for the private sector. Veteran trade union leader, Palitha Athukorale, President of the National Union of Seafarers in SL, told the meeting which was chaired by Minister of Labour Anil Jayantha and more..

Jan 19 (ST) Boxing Independent Integrity Unit (BIIU) has initiated a formal inquiry disciplinary inquiry against SL boxing referee Nelka Shiromala, a referee affiliated with Boxing Association of SL (BASL). The case stems from allegations that Shiromala violated the Article 25.6.8 of the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) Technical and Competitions Rules by participating as a referee and judge in the U-19 World Boxing Championship held in USA from Oct 25 to Nov 3 in 2024, more..

Jan 19 (Xinhua) "Sri Lanka and China are ushering in a new chapter in bilateral relations," Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said. At the invitation of Chinese Prez Xi Jinping, Dissanayake is on a state visit to China from Tuesday to Friday, his first trip to China since taking office in September as SL president. "I first visited Beijing in 2004. Returning after 20 years, I see a tremendous transformation," Dissanayake said. more..

Jan 19 (TM) Cricket icon Kumar Sangakkara will lead the SL team in the upcoming International Masters League (IML) which will be held in India from 22 Feb to 16 March. This will also be the first time ever that the 47-year-old former Lankan batting ace will be involved in any form of competitive cricket since his retirement from the international game 10 years ago. Season 1 of the IML will witness the rekindling of rivalries, with all-time greats representing cricketing powerhouses more..

Jan 19 (CM) Supreme Court has ruled to immediately release a Sri Lankan man from detention, highlighting the risk of torture he faces if returned to his home country. The court issued a habeas corpus order after rejecting a decision to keep him in custody, agreeing with the asylum service that he should not be deported to SL due to the danger of inhumane treatment. The case, as detailed in the supreme court’s decision, dates back to 2017, when the man applied for a renewal more..

Jan 19 (AD) The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has uncovered further information regarding a planned terrorist attack targeting tourists in the Arugam Bay area, a popular tourist destination frequented by Israeli tourists. The facts were presented before the court on Friday (17). The TID reported that the terrorist attack was planned while the perpetrators were in prison. When the case was taken up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, more..

Jan 19 (DM) Attorney General yesterday (17) provided an undertaking before the Supreme Court that any further complaints not yet considered could be forwarded by the petitioners to the AG and these complaints will be reviewed when making a final and independent decision regarding potential action against Pastor Jerome Fernando in connection with alleged hate speech undermining religious harmony in the country. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva, representing the AG, more..