Jan 24 (Island) The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI) has called upon the govt to import 200 million coconuts immediately to meet a shortfall in the domestic supply. Otherwise, the prevailing coconut shortage will take a turn for the worse during the upcoming festive season, the CCCI has warned. Widely consumed varieties of rice are also in short supply, and their prices are soaring. Red rice has become as rare as a snowflake in summer. The govt is all at sea, and more..

Jan 24 (Island) A stalwart who played a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s cricketing fortunes both before and after the country gained Test status, Neil Perera passed away yesterday at the age of 95, following a brief illness. An engineer by profession at the CEB, Mr. Perera’s heart always beat for cricket. He donned the whites for Panadura Sports Club before swiftly transitioning into cricket administration, where he made an indelible mark. He managed several SL teams, both in the pre-Test era more..

Jan 24 (FT) Galle Literary Festival (GLF), Gourmet Galle, and the Art Trail stand as vibrant showcases of SL’s cultural heritage, playing a vital role in elevating its tourism industry and economic prospects. Together, these festivals not only celebrate the country’s rich heritage but also position SL as a premier destination for cultural tourism on the global stage. The economic impact of these events is considerable. In 2024 alone, the festival generated a combined economic contribution more..

Jan 24 (FT) A SL delegation of food and beverage companies successfully concluded a four-day business visit to Saudi Arabia. Embassy of SL in Riyadh in collaboration with the SL Export Development Board organised the visit from 12 to 17 Jan 2025 to promote SL food products and beverages in the Kingdom. The visit was aimed at providing the SL food and beverage manufacturing companies with opportunities to build new business relationships, to explore new market more..

Jan 24 (ST) Vehicle owners are claiming that the implementation of regulations for vehicles under the Clean Sri Lanka project are confusing and arbitrary following the introduction of a registration process for some modifications. “I feel like the regulation just depends on whatever the examiner is feeling that day so you just go in hoping they’re in a good mood,” said 4 x 4 enthusiast Yanik Perera from Wattala. more..

Jan 24 (Island) SL’s decision to grant permission for an Adani Group renewable energy project has raised significant concerns among environmentalists, economists, and the local communities. Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage said, immediately after launching the South Asia Just Transition Alliance Report on three cross border energy projects in South Asia in Nepal, that despite its portrayal as a clean energy initiative, project serves broader geopolitical more..

Jan 24 (DN) Build SL Development Society (BSDS) in association with Global Business Enterprise Brussels, Belgium have relaunched their funding projects in SL and Maldives to provide 100% project funding without collaterals and guarantors through their international associates to boost the SL economy. BSDS was first launched in 2018 to bring foreign investments and foreign JV partners to SL as one of the premier investment destinations in the world and many projects were identified. more..

Jan 24 (Island) Former SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatte claimed that a bill he presented to the last parliament was not meant to promote LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) rights. Attorney-at-law Dolawatte stressed that he sought to amend Sections 365 and 365A in the Penal Code which criminalised same-sex sexual activity, though it is hardly enforced. The ex-MP Dolawatte said so responding to a query more..

Jan 24 (DN) SL Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) has received over 5,000 entries from around 2,400 swimmers for this year’s Novices Swimming Championship, which kicks off today at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool Complex. The 3-day tournament, running from Jan 24 to 26, will feature competitions across six age groups: U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17, U-20, and Over-20. Day one will focus on girls’ events, day two on open events, and day three on boys’ events in U-11, U-13 more..

Jan 24 (TM) National Association of Canoeing and Kayaking in SL (NACKSL) former President Prithiviraj Perera says that if SL’s Olympic movement is to forge ahead, then it will have no other alternative but to clean up the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of its undesirable elements, forthwith. He said if SL strives for anything untoward, then the country will be suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) for more..

Jan 24 (DM) Sri Lanka possesses a strong foundation for a digital economy, with 75% of the necessary skills already in place, according to Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijesuriya. However, to fully capitalise on this potential, the country must bridge the remaining gap and enhance its digital competitiveness. Currently, SL’s digital competitiveness falls within the lower fourth quartile in terms of technology adoption, interest, and inclusivity. more..

Jan 24 (FT) With continuing deflation, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) yesterday reiterated its explanation over the deviation of inflation target. In January inflation was a negative 2% reinforcing the deflationary conditions. In terms of Section 26(5) of the Central Bank of SL Act, No. 16 of 2023 (CBA), if the Central Bank fails to meet the inflation target set out in the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement (MPFA) by a margin specified in the same for two consecutive quarters, more..

Jan 24 (DN) Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando told Parliament that the Govt has not taken any policy decision to abolish the concessionary vehicle permits issued to public servants in the executive category. Minister emphasised that between 15,000 and 20,000 vehicle permits on concessionary terms have been issued to public servants in the executive category so far and that if this opportunity is given at this time, more..

Jan 24 (DM) Gem businessman Thushara Perera said he has been facing political threats over a special blue sapphire which he received in 2017 and is valued at over USD 400 million. This gem is a 350-carat blue sapphire from the corundum family. Although buyers from the United States and Germany were interested in purchasing it, he couldn’t bring the money into Sri Lanka due to legal and financial restrictions. He had to ask govt Ministers for help to sell the stone. more..

Jan 24 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday reaffirmed its bullish momentum setting new benchmarks amidst gain in indices fuelled by banking stocks. ASPI gained by 197 points or 1% to close at 17,025 points and the active S&P SL 20 by over 36 points or 0.7%. Both indices have crossed the 6% mark in year to date growth. Turnover was Rs. 9.78 billion involving 304.3 million shares. HNB led turnover with Rs. 831 million. Fuelled by rumours of a share split, HNB closed at Rs. 360.50, more..

Jan 24 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday emphasised the importance of fostering stronger ties between Sri Lanka and UK during his address at the UK-SL Parliamentary Friendship Association event held at the SL Parliament. Speaking in the presence of distinguished guests, including Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagat Vikramaditya and UK High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, Premadasa lauded the historical contributions of the UK to SL’s development. more..

Jan 24 (FT) The iconic Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF) which has been held consistently in the Northern Peninsula for the past 14 years, hosting over 300 stalls and thereby strengthening a range of small and medium enterprises island-wide, will once again showcase its 15th edition at the Muttraweli grounds. Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS), a renowned exhibition organiser, this international trade event is to be held this year from 24 to 26 Jan, more..

Jan 24 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers chaired by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revoked a decision made by his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe in June last year to award a controversial 484 MW of wind power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn to Adani Green Energy SL Ltd. The project was challenged on multiple grounds, including the arbitrary and excessive price of US cents 8.26 per kilowatt hour at a time when more..

Jan 24 (Island) Prez’s Office has issued instructions to ministers and deputy ministers setting limits for their staff, vehicles and expenses. Secretary to the Prez Dr. N.S. Kumanayake has said that a minister can have a staff of 15 members and that number has been limited to 12 for a deputy minister. The ministers and deputy ministers must recruit most of their support staff from those already in the state service and none of the support staff should include family members or close relatives, more..

Jan 24 (AD) Police have arrested a 23-year-old suspect involved in a series of thefts at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Colombo. The suspect, identified as Khalid Muheideen, a Sudanese national of Eritrean origin, targeted four offices on the 26th floor of the East Tower during the early hours of Jan 17. Police investigations revealed that the man, who appeared well-dressed and wore a face mask, had entered the WTC at approximately 1.00 a.m. on the day of the thefts. more..

Jan 24 (FT) The Parliamentary Housekeeping Committee decided to upwardly revise the daily meal charges for MPs from Rs. 450 to Rs. 2,000. The move was taken during a meeting held yesterday under Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly it was decided to significantly increase the price of breakfast, lunch, and evening tea. As per the revised pricing, morning meal for MPs will rise from Rs. 100 to Rs. 600, lunch will increase more..

Jan 24 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s three-step plan for 2025 is an initiative that presents an opportunity for the entire country to rally round and contribute to the success of the plan. The President has placed good governance and anti-corruption at centre stage and if one can borrow from ph.pintrest.com, the given graphic illustrates broadly the substance of the speech that the Prez made on 1 January heralding 2025 and setting the tone and direction for his Govt. more..

Jan 24 (FT) SL has long struggled with the scourge of road incidents. Every day, headlines scream about collisions, injuries and fatalities on our roads. For too long, we have collectively labelled these events as accidents, suggesting that they were unavoidable, unforeseen or purely coincidental. But is that truly the case? A significant portion of these road incidents arises not from chance or mechanical failure but from sheer negligence, recklessness and wilful disregard for road safety. more..

Jan 24 (EN) India’s Adani wind power projects in Sri Lanka are under review to re-evaluate already approved tariffs to ensure that the project terms align with the new govt’s current priorities and energy policies, Adani Group said. President Anura Kumara Disanayake during his election campaign promised to review proposed Adani’s wind power projects in Northern Mannar and Pooneryn. His ruling NPP has said it wants to review the tariff which it considers expensive. more..

Jan 24 (NW) Switzerland has pledged its support in recovering assets that have been moved out of Sri Lanka. The assurance was given by the Ambassador of Switzerland to SL, Dr. Siri Walt during a meeting with the Secretary to the Prez, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today. During discussions, Ambassador Walt provided guidance on the international measures required for reclaiming such assets and expressed Switzerland’s readiness to extend support more..

Jan 24 (DM) Jaffna known as Yaarlpaanam in Tamil and Yaapanaya in Sinhala is the capital city of SL’s Northern Province. Jaffna has for long been regarded as the citadel of Tamil nationalism and the cultural capital of the SL Tamils. The tallest building in Jaffna city is the recently built Jaffna Cultural Centre. The iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre is currently in the eye of a minor political storm. The storm is yet minor because more..

Jan 24 (DM) Jaffna Cultural Centre which had been named as Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre has been renamed again as Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre on the request of the people and the Tamil politicians. The cultural center, established by the Indian govt had been declared opened in 2023 by then Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian PM Narendra Modi and named as Jaffna Cultural Centre. On January 18 it was renamed as Thiruvalluvar Cultural centre during more..

Jan 24 (NW) Sri Lanka’s star female cricketer Chamari Athapaththu has been named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2024. Describing Chamari Athapaththu, the ICC states; 458 runs and 9 wickets in 9 matches: Chamari Athapaththu had a delayed start to her ODI year, playing her first match in April, but she wasted no time making an impact. She struck a half-century in the second ODI against South Africa before producing a career-best knock of 195* in the final match. more..

Jan 24 (AD) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa has filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition with the Supreme Court seeking an order for the deployment of his security detail which had been reduced. PM Harini Amarasuriya and other members of the Cabinet of Ministers have been named as respondents in the petition. Petition filed by the former Prez, through his attorneys, alleges that security detail provided for his protection more..

Jan 24 (EN) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said it is working with SL to develop a climate-smart education system for the country. “UNICEF is working closely w/ Ministry of Education & other partners to develop a climate-smart education system for SL,” UNICEF said on X. “Education is a right & must not become a casualty of climate change.” Floods have disrupted the education of 515,306 students in SL last year, the UN body said quoting its recent report. more..

Jan 24 (Island) Department of National Zoological Gardens has announced that the public will be given the rare opportunity to name six lion cubs born three months ago at the Ridiyagama Safari Park in Hambantota. The announcement was made by Hemantha Samarasekara, Assistant Director of the Safari Park, during a media briefing held recently. The cubs, born to lionesses Dora and Lara, comprise five females and one male. They were born about three months ago. more..

Jan 24 (FT) Following a six-year hiatus, SL Tourism Awards returned, celebrating industry excellence under the theme Towards an Inclusive Tourism Economy. Among the esteemed winners, Jetwing Saman Villas, a trailblazer in SL luxury boutique hospitality, was awarded the prestigious Best Boutique Hotel. Organised by the SLTDA, awards aimed to elevate service standards, promote best practices, and foster a culture of excellence within the tourism sector. more..

Jan 24 (Island) The govt has increased compensation for lives lost due to the ongoing severe weather to one million rupees from the earlier 250,000 rupees, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara announced Wednesday during a media briefing at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Colombo. Over 18,600 people have been affected by the adverse weather so far, and two deaths have been reported as of Wednesday, according to DMC data. more..

Jan 24 (ST) Sri Lanka’s reputation in the tourism sector, as well as the govt’s initiative to enhance the image of the country, have had a jolt due to a scam surrounding online booking of railway tickets. In recent months complaints have emerged about tickets being snapped up within seconds of bookings opening up online, especially on trains bound to popular tourist destinations. This is a result of online tourist service provider companies more..

Jan 24 (EN) Sri Lanka is issuing an additional 250 passports daily ahead of the Hajj pilgrim season in June, Minister Ananda Wijepala told parliament. “We are issuing passports for Dabadiwa and Hajj pilgrims ahead of the season; for that we are issuing 250 passports daily,” Wijepala said. SL’s passport crisis has continued under the online system, creating larger windows between appointment and issuance dates. Applications made now will receive an appointment date in five months. more..