Jan 25 (FT) Minister Vijitha Herath announced that the Govt is moving with the plan to offer free visas for nationals of 39 countries. “Cabinet paper will be formalised and presented to Parliament as a gazette notification to extend free visas for 39 countries. It is expected to be implemented in the near future,” he said. Free-visa initiative intended to be rolled out from 1 Oct 2024 for six months was approved by the previous administration’s more..

Jan 25 (DN) SL’s Under-14 tennis team clinched the top spot in the ITF Asia 14 and Under Development Championships 2025 Regional Qualifying Event, South, Southeast & East Asia, which concluded yesterday at the SL Tennis Association clay courts in Colombo, with SL emerging as the number one team out of 10 competing nations. SL team accumulated 1,400 points, finishing ahead of Nepal, who earned 1,370 points, and Pakistan, who took third place with 1,260 points. more..

Jan 25 (DN) Thai Pongal Festival organised to commemorate the Thai Pongal Day, which fell on Jan 14, was celebrated yesterday with great festivity under the patronage of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne at the Parliament premises. This marks the first-ever Thai Pongal celebration organised by the Parliament of SL in its history. This event was attended by Hindu religious priests, Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, more..

Jan 25 (CT) On Friday, Rajanganaya Agricultural Movement called on the Govt to implement a guaranteed paddy price of Rs 140, highlighting the lack of a definitive price for paddy farmers. This demand comes amid a shortage of raw rice in the market and due to the rice being sold above the control price in several districts. In response to the situation, the Govt has initiated measures to provide relief. In the Matara District, imported white rice was distributed to small-scale traders more..

Jan 25 (DN) Naula Nalanda Sudharshi Primary School Deputy Principal, Nimal Kanaheraarachchi had delegated his responsibilities along with the teaching duties of the staff to the students for one day with an objective of making school children understand the administrative work of a school, developing the their attitudes and making them understand the value of the teaching profession in obtaining employment after education. This programme was being implemented with more..

Jan 25 (DM) In order to avert a major coconut crisis in the coming months, Minister of Industry Sunil Handunneththi and Minister of Plantation Samantha Vidyarathna will submit a joint cabinet paper next week to urgently import coconut-related products which will be a substitute for coconuts which are right now in severe shortage as well as relevant authorities to conduct a study on conditions applicable for coconut imports, more..

Jan 25 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday ended the week with losses, a complete U-turn after the previous saw sharp gains. The active S&P SL20 lost by 1.23% and the benchmark ASPI by 0.64% on Friday. However, during the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL 20 gained 4.1% and 3.8% respectively. Turnover yesterday was Rs. 7.44 billion involving 257.01 million shares. Foreign participation in the market activity remained at subdued levels with foreigners closing as net sellers. more..

Jan 25 (CT) Small and medium-scale rice mill owners have warned that the price of 1 kg of rice could exceed Rs 300 in the near future, due to the rising cost of paddy during this year’s Maha season. Currently, the purchase price for 1 kg of paddy has surged to Rs 140-170, pushing up production costs. Price of wet paddy has increased to Rs 115-120 per kg in recent days. In response, Govt has provided Odapana loans to small and medium-scale paddy mill owners, enabling them to buy wet paddy more..

Jan 25 (EAR) In addition to facing troubles in Australia, Kenya, Bangladesh and the US, Indian tycoon Gautam Adani is facing ouster in SL. The populist SL govt of Anura Kumara Dissanayake has cancelled a major wind power project given to the Adanis and appointed a Procurement Committee to make recommendations on their proposal, which, in other words means, that the Adanis will have to start from scratch. more..

Jan 26 (ST) The public spat over official housing for ex-presidents spilling over to the security provided to them is not a good sign. Some, not all, presidents, when in office, weaponised the issue of providing security details to cabinet ministers and others, doing so when they didn’t get along with the president. The security was either reduced or withdrawn purely on political grounds. Former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar paid with his life when repeated requests more..

Jan 26 (SO) With private passenger car imports set to resume from Feb 1 despite the lack of clarity over the tax and duty structure, attention has again shifted to vehicle permits, a phenomenon perhaps unique to SL. Under earlier administrations, vehicle permits were granted to various categories, including religious dignitaries, Ministers and MPs, members of PCs and Local Bodies, sports stars, top taxpayers, public servants and expatriate workers (only for electric vehicles). more..

Jan 26 (TM) JVP-led NPP Govt has now completed two months in office and pressure from the public continues to mount, while Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) made two key public appearances to speak of the Govt’s achievements. One of AKD’s public appearances was a public meeting in Katukurunda while the other was a political interview on a private electronic media station. However, Prez’s statements during more..

Jan 26 (CT) It is now four months since Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) was elected and the new parliament two months. People gave a resounding mandate of over two-thirds. The victory was solely credited to Prez AKD. Since the election, he has delivered many of the promises. Noteworthy the following: A different political culture demonstrated in his swearing in and parliament opening- a simple no extravagant events, saving millions. Only 21 ministers & 23 deputies more..

Jan 26 (ST) My dear Victor Ivan, We were saddened to hear that you had left us for the Land of Never Return this week. Still, it is fitting to write now to someone who wrote so much for so long without fear of any consequences. If anything, this is possibly the best time to reflect on the life you led and the times you lived in. You were Podi Athula before you came to be known as Victor. That was the name the rathu sahodarayas gave you. Then, barely in your 20s, you were fighting their cause. more..

Jan 26 (ST) Amid govt moves to provide official vehicles to MPs under certain conditions, the vehicle issue indeed has become a vehicle for MPs to send a subtle message to the govt. Ramanathan Archchuna, attention-seeking Jaffna district medical professional turned politician, was in the news once again this week when he argued with traffic police officers, lamenting that he had no vehicle or security to serve the people who elected him. more..

Jan 26 (TM) For a political outfit that thrived on crises and was smart enough to blame all else but itself and prospered from that narrative, the current governing party seems to be finding itself at the receiving end of its own medicine after just four months in office. NPP reaped spectacular electoral results at both the Prez Election as well as General Elections held during the latter part of last year by peddling the notion that all parties except it were responsible for what it described as the more..

Jan 26 (CT) In an era where citizens are grappling with the daily challenges of soaring inflation and an unrelenting cost-of-living crisis, even small gestures of accountability from public officials carry immense significance. The recent announcement by Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake, regarding the revision of meal prices in the MPs dining area is one such step in the right direction. The decision to raise the price of a breakfast meal to Rs 600, lunch to Rs 1,200, and a cup of tea to Rs 200 more..

Jan 26 (Island) Last week’s parliamentary proceedings proved combative with both the govt and the emasculated opposition hurling allegations at each other triggering much heat in the chamber. Observers must therefore be excused for wondering whether arrangements now being made to conduct the long postponed local govt elections followed by provincial council polls have enervated political players months after last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections. more..

Jan 26 (SO) Almost on the threshold of an election of office-bearers to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Parliament wants Sports Minister Sunil Gamage to ensure the ballot will not take place and instead implement a landmark Recommendation that calls for the setting up of an independent Chairperson and an 18-member board of governors to administer the sport’s affairs. Opposition MP Hesha Vithanage called on the govt to approve what has come to be famously known as the KT Chitrasiri Report more..

Jan 26 (TM) In a move to revitalise the country’s economy, Govt has announced plans to lift the ban on vehicle imports starting next month, a significant policy shift that comes after nearly five years of restrictions. The import ban, which was imposed on 1 March 2020 as part of efforts to address the economic crisis at the time, has left over 20,000 tax-free vehicle permits unused. Despite the Govt’s intention to reopen the vehicle import market, more..

Jan 26 (Island) I have been advocating the need for a rational evaluation of the need if any, and the wisdom of adopting LNG as an option for our energy needs, since 2019. I am led to wonder if I have been just wasting my time and efforts, judging from the recent events, as we hear the same inadequately analyzed and ill conceived and outdated proposals being aggressively pursued in total disregard to the significant changes which have been happening throughout the world in the interim. more..

Jan 26 (TM) Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has mooted plans to appoint an interim committee to liaise between World Rugby (WR) and Asia Rugby (AR) on a temporary basis until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is held. The interim committee proposed by the Minister is set to consist of three former rugby officials, namely Asanga Seneviratne, Dilroy Fernando, and Nalin de Silva, who are all currently serving on the AR Board. more..

Jan 26 (Island) The cricketing fraternity is mourning the loss of Mr. Neil Perera, a trailblazer who reshaped the sport’s landscape. His final innings will conclude on Sunday at Borella, marking the end of a remarkable 95-year journey that earned him the respect and admiration of the cricketing world. Mr. Perera first took guard as Secretary of the Cricket Board in 1972 under the stewardship of Robert Senanayake. Over the next 3 decades, he played a pivotal role in SLC, donning various hats, more..

Jan 26 (ST) An increase in the basic salary or allowances of public sector employees is under consideration by the govt as it prepares to present its maiden budget next month. The possibility of salary increments up to Rs 7,500 a month was within the current financial position, but a higher increase would depend on a decision taken by Prez in his capacity as finance minister. An increment is being considered as public servants’ basic salaries had not been increased for the past several years, more..

Jan 26 (ST) In their last Test outing at Galle, Sri Lanka’s spinners delivered a masterclass, claiming 37 wickets out of 40 to lead Sri Lanka to a dominant 2-0 series victory against New Zealand. That triumph, which took place in September and October last year, highlighted the potency of SL’s spin attack on their home turf. Four months later, the stage is set again at Galle, this time against the world’s top-ranked Test team, Australia. more..

Jan 26 (Island) SL’s spin wizard and the world’s highest wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan, has thrown his weight behind the home side, backing them to turn the tables on number one ranked Australia in the upcoming two-match Test series. Despite the series being a dead rubber – given that the finalists for the World Test Championship are already decided – SL are eager to reclaim the Warne-Murali Trophy, which slipped through their fingers in 2019. Muralitharan, who is set to more..

Jan 26 (CT) Sri Lanka will enter their Super Six match against Scotland in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2025 with a slight edge, despite a disappointing defeat in their previous encounter with India. The match, scheduled for Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, presents the team with an opportunity to bounce back and continue their pursuit of a semi-final spot. In their last outing against India, SL failed to live up to the high standards they had set in earlier stages of the tournament. more..

Jan 26 (TM) Yoshitha Rajapaksa, second son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested yesterday morning by the CID in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation. Following his arrest, the Acting Magistrate ordered him to be remanded until tomorrow (27). He will be presented before the Chief Magistrate in Court No. 4 on that date, when a decision on his bail application is expected, as confirmed by the Police. more..

Jan 26 (DM) Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe is expected to be appointed as the next Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). Currently serving as the Director General of Planning at the SLAF, Edirisinghe is set to take over command following the retirement of the current Commander, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa. Air Marshal Rajapaksa, the 19th Commander of the Air Force, is scheduled to retire on Jan 29. Born on June 20, 1970, in Kandy, more..

Jan 26 (TM) As part of its vision of realising a one-stop shop for investments, the Board of Investment (BOI) will be providing an online application process for prospective investors from June. BOI Director General Renuka Weerakone revealed that they were currently developing a system to allow for online applications from prospective investors. She explained that this development amounted to Phase 1 in the establishment of a one-stop shop for investments within the BOI. more..

Jan 26 (AD) SLFEB has reported a rise in incidents where individuals are paying money to illegal foreign employment agencies seeking overseas employment. Deputy General Manager of the SLFEB, Gamini Senarath Yapa, stated that the number of cases involving payments to scammers increased by 27% in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2023, bureau had received 3,675 complaints related to payments made to unauthorized agencies seeking overseas employment. more..

Jan 26 (DM) The preliminary investigations into the cause of death of scores of water birds found floating on the Beira waters during the past three days were due to severe haemorrhagic condition, which could possibly due to poisoning but not any avian disease. Over 30 carcasses of ducks and geese were recovered from the Beira Lake near Gangaramaya Seema Malaka area within three days since Wednesday and samples had been sent by the Dept of Wildlife for the post-mortem more..

Jan 26 (TM) The final report of the special expert committee appointed by the Prez to investigate the controversial passport issue is set to be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow, according to Minister of Ananda Wijepala. He said that a final decision on the recommendations proposed by the expert committee would be made during the Cabinet meeting. The report comes at a time when the country’s stock of new passports stands at approx 500,000, more..

Jan 26 (ST) The Colombo Port City construction delays due to successive govts’ ad hoc decisions of suspending the ongoing work from time to time have caused a loss of millions of dollars to the state, the national audit office revealed. These delays have had implications for the project’s timeline, investor confidence, and SL’s diplomatic relations, particularly with China, several foreign and current affairs analysts said. The mega development project, which is a 100% privately funded more..

Jan 26 (TM) Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) is under fire for allegedly breaching a Cabinet-approved contract with one JF Tours, leading to the cancellation of bookings for the iconic Viceroy Special steam train. The Viceroy Special, a 40-year-old luxury tourism venture managed by JF Tours, has been a staple in promoting Sri Lanka’s heritage to both locals and international visitors. According to JF Tours Managing Director Pavithra Fernando, the company holds a five-year contract with more..