Jan 26 (SO) The small and medium sector enterprises accounting for the informal sector of the economy, while applauding the recent downward revision on electricity tariffs also expressed disappointment over the adverse impact of the unbearably high tariffs that were imposed on consumers to meet IMF conditions. “The damage to businesses due to high electricity tariffs was irrevocable,” said small and medium scale business proprietors. “Increasing energy tariffs to more..

Jan 26 (SO) Recent arrests and police investigations into the railway online ticket racket seem to have improved public access to tickets for the popular Colombo-Badulla train route. According to members of the RDMNS, a social platform for passengers, tickets were still available for public purchase over 30 minutes after the online reservation system opened at 10 am on Friday, a significant improvement compared to previous instances when tickets sold out within seconds. more..

Jan 26 (TM) The agreement concerning the controversial Adani project is currently under review and has not been cancelled, according to the Govt. Govt clarified yesterday that the review was being carried out to ensure the terms of the project aligned with the country’s best interests, particularly in benefiting its citizens and renewable energy sector. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa explained that review committee had already begun more..

Jan 26 (ST) With the incumbent office bearers of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) almost guaranteed re-election uncontested at the upcoming elections on March 31, calls are mounting for the Sports Minister to implement the Chitrasiri Committee’s recommendations before proceeding. A committee headed by retired SC judge K.T. Chitrasiri drafted a constitution for SLC to restructure the cricket administration that has long being criticised for lack of transparency and accountability. more..

Jan 26 (DM) The President’s Fund is set to launch a new initiative to deliver services at the regional level through the offices of the Divisional Secretaries, under the leadership of Prez Anura Kumar Dissanayake on Feb 7 at the Temple Trees. The decision has been taken in an effort to provide more efficient services to the public, the PMD said. "Previously, the official work of the President’s Fund was limited to the Colombo area. However, under the new plan, these services will be extended more..

Jan 26 (ST) The return to Colombo after a 4-day State visit to China appears to have placed Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a frenetic mood. Despite the much-acclaimed successful trip, the sense of urgency was palpable. He wasted no time rushing to address govt backers at Katukurunda in Kalutara, underscoring a profound compulsion. But he did not stop there. Prez held two more meetings in the Kalutara district and more..

Jan 27 (DM) Good: Malimawa facilitated the leaders of the UNP and SJB to set aside their egos and come together. Bad: It gave CORRUPT politicians an opportunity to stage a comeback. Ugly: The egos shed by the above were quickly picked up by some malimawa ministers. This is not an attempt to unfairly criticize the new rulers. On the contrary, it is an acknowledgment that they require time and space to adjust to their new roles as members of the govt—a significant shift from their more..

Jan 27 (DM) It has been nearly four months since Prez Dissanayake was elected into power. His parliamentary colleagues took over power from the Wickremesinghe-led regime in Nov 2024. Some present and past rejected parliamentarians have been quick to round on the new regime for not being able to keep many of their election promises. Do these politicians think, we need their input to notice the shortage of stocks of rice in the open market? Or of the astronomical heights the cost of more..

Jan 27 (SO) JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva shared his perspectives on the current political developments in the country and the Govt’s way forward. He said during its short tenure in office, Govt has put an end to the corrupt political culture which swindled public funds, creating an administration which is free from fraud and corruption. The people have realised that Govt has fulfilled an enormous task to get the country more..

Jan 27 (GV) One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien. J.R.R. Tolkien’s One Ring was an instrument of power and suppression, forged to subjugate the free people of Middle Earth. Yet, the first word-picture of the Ring begins by emphasising its seeming ordinariness. When Frodo Baggins, the hobbit to whom the One Ring is entrusted, takes it out of his pocket, it “appeared plain and smooth, without mark or device he could see. more..

Jan 27 (TM) Yesterday, Sri Lanka received yet another wakeup call about the appalling state of public transport safety in the island. While many, including some in the new Govt express shock and frustration, we are yet to see the fast-moving policy changes which were promised on the campaign trail about how the new Government will handle public interest issues. Reports of a collision involving three buses at Angulugaha Junction in Imaduwa, Galle, which left at least 29 passengers injured and more..

Jan 27 (TM) Following the conclusion of the deadlines issued for the surrender of weapons distributed by the Police and military to local Police stations or District Secretaries on 31 Dec 2024, and the completion of the review of all appeals on 20 Jan, the Ministry of Defence continues to claim that investigations are ongoing and no statement can be issued, pending final reports. In a concerted effort to bolster more..

Jan 27 (ST) Unlike Lankan politicians’ election promises to build a people’s dream of a rich and beautiful life in castles in the air, dissolving into dust when elected, Trump’s election promises had already taken concrete shape and form with over a hundred executive orders waiting to be signed the moment he took his presidential oath. But before being sworn in, Prez-elect Trump, soon to be the world’s most powerful man, went with his family to St. John’s Church in Washington DC more..

Jan 27 (DM) The life and times of former LTTE military chief for Jaffna district, Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar, has been the focus of this extended article. The first thee parts published weekly in the Daily Mirror told the tale of how an eighteen-year-old youth from Valvettithurai in Jaffna joined the LTTE as a guerilla and rose from the ranks to become the uncrowned king of Jaffna. Krishnakumar- known widely by his nom de guerre Kittu- killed himself along with some of his comrades more..

Jan 27 (Island) Daisy Achchi’s estate is in the news again. A son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa has been arrested over an issue related to it. A bag of gems belonging to Daisy Achchi received much publicity during the Yahapalana govt (2015-2019), whose allies including the JVP dismissed her claims about how she inherited her property as a tall tale, but the Rathu Sahodarayas’ own assertion that they are leading the good life thanks to the generosity of some undisclosed well-wishers more..

Jan 27 (Island) The recent cancellation of the lecture How to Fight Against the IMF Austerity Programme, organised by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE-Sri Lanka) at the University of Peradeniya, sparked a buzz about academic freedom in the country—though not to a significant extent. In Sri Lanka, academic freedom is a topic that is rarely discussed and often understood in a limited sense, which diminishes its significance. However, I believe more..

Jan 27 (FT) EDB announced a record-breaking performance in 2024, achieving its highest ever export earnings of $ 16.17 billion, marking a 7.06% YoY growth. Growth was driven by $ 12.7 billion in merchandise exports reflecting a 6.67% YoY growth and $ 3.46 bil in service export revenue registering an 8.51% increase over the corresponding period in 2023. “This achievement surpasses the previous high of $ 15.72 bil more..

Jan 27 (FT) Energy giant Adani is facing a fresh hurdle in SL for its $ 1 billion investment in green energy. As exclusively reported by the Daily FT on Friday, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led new Cabinet on 30 Dec decided to revoke Adani Energy’s 484 MW wind power energy plants in Mannar and Pooneryn approved by the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration in March 2022 as well as in Aug 2023. Prez Dissanayake and his Cabinet discussed the new Cabinet paper by the Energy Minister more..

Jan 27 (Island) Australia were the overwhelming favorites to clinch the 1996 World Cup final in Lahore, but Aravinda de Silva rose to the occasion with an innings for the ages, steering tiny Sri Lanka to cricketing immortality. His unbeaten 107 was a knock straight out of the top drawer, overshadowing his all-round brilliance – three prized scalps, including Mark Taylor, Ricky Ponting, and Ian Healy, with his off-spin, and two sharp catches to boot. It was the perfect World Cup final, more..

Jan 27 (SO) It has now been confirmed that Sri Lanka Rugby has become a laughing stock in the eyes of the world as two factions tussle for power in a dirty scrum to run the affairs of what was once a sport administered by gentleman of the highest calibre. One faction wants to thrive on the support of so-called Provincial Unions to be elected while the other wants to restore supremacy of the voting rights of the eight top clubs in the fray like in the past and rugby is now being played out in cour more..

Jan 27 (Island) One may often hear panelists at business forums waxing eloquent about domestic value additions to imported raw materials for re-export and earning valuable foreign exchange for the country. But one would rarely hear about a self-made Sri Lankan woman entrepreneur who is slowly but steadily attracting global attention towards Sri Lanka — for transforming imported human hair supply into stylish hair solutions for women — who face loss of hair and suffer from low esteem. more..

Jan 27 (ST) The long overdue enumeration process of the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) is yet to see its completion. The process was expected to be completed by Dec 19, the official Census Date. “We planned to carry out the census in 2021, but despite challenges like Covid, the economic collapse, cyclone Fengal, and floods, nearing the completion of the census is a big victory for us,” said Anoja Seneviratne, Director General of DCS. more..

Jan 27 (FT) Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mannar Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando has thanked Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake for revoking the approval given by the previous regime to Adani’s 484 MW winder power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn. In a statement, the Bishop also urged for a strategic environmental assessment. Following is the full text of the statement. It was with much pleasure that I read in Daily FT that the Govt has decided to revoke the Cabinet decision more..

Jan 27 (DM) As the importation of passenger vehicles is set to reopen with effect from 1st February, the govt is being urged to adopt a tax system to address the possible initial surge in demand for vehicle imports and to minimise revenue leakage through under-invoicing. Advocata Institute Chair Murtaza Jafferjee proposed a surcharge tax on vehicle imports, to be phased out within a stipulated time frame, to manage the anticipated surge in demand initially. more..

Jan 27 (DN) 26-year-old left hander Kamindu Mendis, who has shown tremendous performance for SL with consistent batting displays in the year gone by, has been named as the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year. Mendis, who scored 1451 runs across formats at an average just above 50, rubbed shoulders with some of the greats of the game. He had made just a solitary Test appearance for SL prior to 2024, but ended the year more..

Jan 27 (EN) A 103.5 MegaWatt wind power plant built by state-run CEB in Mannar area has generated over 1.1 billion unit of electricity over the past three years, official data shows, indicating plant factor of over 40%. The CEB’s Thambavahinni wind farm was built with a US$ 200 million ADB loan. The plant was expected to generate 321 GigaWatts (millions of units) in 2022 but had generated 347 GWh in 2022, 391.22 GWh in 2023 and 365 GWh in 2024, according to data tabled in in parliament more..

Jan 27 (DN) SL’s Super Six contest with Scotland of the ICC Women’s T -20 World Cup has been abandoned due to the rain at Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The two sides shared a one point each which put SL’s hopes of progressing to the semifinals under serious threat. At the meantime Sri Lanka, have last game and they would have preferred the two points from next super six game against Australia on 29th. If SL will against Australia they could get maximum 5 points which is more..

Jan 27 (CT) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) carried out a staggering 24,761 raids in 2024, leading to 23,953 legal cases being filed against traders violating consumer protection laws. As a result of concluded cases, Magistrate’s Court has imposed fines totalling over Rs 207 million. The raids targeted violations of the CAA Act, including serious offences such as selling goods above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), failing to display product details and prices, using deceptive pricing, more..

Jan 27 (ST) Sri Lanka will be among the countries that will be affected by the new Donald Trump administration’s decision to freeze all existing foreign assistance and halt new aid. The newly appointed United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, sent a cable to all US diplomatic missions, outlining the move, which threatens billions of dollars of funding from the State Department and State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) for programmes worldwide, more..

Jan 27 (Island) Farmers’ associations and political parties are flaying the govt for its failure to set a certified price for paddy and leaving small-scale farmers vulnerable to exploitation by powerful rice millers. Both NFF and FSP have blamed the govt for prioritising the interests of the big-time millers over those of struggling farmers. NFF has accused the govt of deliberately withholding a minimum price for paddy as a more..

Jan 27 (FT) High Commission of India, Colombo celebrated India’s 76th Republic Day in Colombo yesterday. It was on 26 Jan 1950 that the Indian Constitution-the world’s largest written Constitution entered into force. Preamble to the Constitution declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. On the occasion, Acting High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey unfurled India’s national flag at India House – residence of HC of India – and inspected the Guard of Honour. more..

Jan 27 (DM) Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) claimed that a mediation board in Oddusuddan in Mullaitivu District has issued a verdict to hang a dog which had bit a goat, in order to resolve a conflict between two groups of people. AWC Executive Committee Member, Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, said that a letter had been sent to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, informing him of the incident. According to the letter, the incident was reported Saturday. more..

Jan 27 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the govt has allocated Rs. 5000 million for the purchase of paddy, marking the highest allocation made by any govt in recent times for this purpose. President emphasized, “We have already allocated Rs. 5000 million for the purchase of paddy. This is the highest amount allocated by a government in recent times. Additionally, we are renovating all of our warehouses, which have a total capacity of 300,000 metric tons. more..

Jan 27 (FT) Export Development Council of Ministers (EDCM), a key institution tasked with guiding the export sector, is set to reconvene today under the leadership of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, marking a crucial step for the country’s trade ambitions. The meeting comes after a four-year hiatus and decades of irregular activity with the Council last engaging meaningfully in 1992 before briefly resurfacing in 2020. “Today’s meeting at the Prez Secretariat represents an opportunity to more..

Jan 27 (DM) Even after awarding free marks for three answers, the minimum score in the recent Grade Five scholarship exam results has dropped by ten points, reflecting the collapse of primary education in SL, Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said. He said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, a report was prepared under the leadership of Ms. Badra Withanage, the then Director of Education more..

Jan 27 (NW) SSP Buddhika Manathunga has clarified that a photograph of Yoshitha Rajapaksa taken during his detention did not originate from the CID or any police officer. He said the image, which has been widely shared on social media, was taken by a friend or another individual present when Rajapaksa was detained at the Beliatta Expressway checkpoint. Manathunga also explained that the use of handcuffs is not mandatory for all suspects and is left to the discretion of the officer in charge, more..