Jan 28 (Island) It looks as if the JVP-NPP govt considered the occupation by three former Presidents of state-owned houses as the biggest problem facing the country. Hardly a day passes without Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake mentioning the values of those houses and their imputed rentals and asking the former Presidents to vacate them. He renewed his call, on Sunday, while addressing an NPP rally in Anuradhapura. Gone are the days when politicians retired penniless in this country. more..

Jan 28 (DN) Army boxers Piyal Dharmasena and Sanduni Priyadarshani clinched the titles of Most Scientific Boxers at the 97th National Boxing Championships, organised by Boxing Association of SL (BASL), which was concluded at the Galle Face Green in Colombo. Sanduni Priyadarshani of the Army Boxing Club with the Best Boxer trophy. Veteran southpaw Piyal Dharmasena, a 34-year-old four-time national champion, delivered a knockout victory in the Bantamweight (under 54kg) final more..

Jan 28 (SO) Last week, entertainers, tourists, and hospitality industry stakeholders voiced their frustration over police-enforced shutdowns of late-night parties in SL’s popular tourist hotspots. Social media erupted with complaints, including one from a foreign tourist attending an event at a hotel in Matara. She shared a video lamenting the abrupt end of the music at 10 pm. “There are hundreds of people here, and no DJ. This is ridiculous; more..

Jan 28 (FT) Prime Residencies PLC has announced the launch of J’Adore Negombo located on Hotel Road, presenting a new chapter for premium beachfront serviced apartments, which is set to redefine luxury living along SL’s golden coast. Hotel Road, Negombo is known for its unique blend of charm and convenience, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals. The landmark development complex, situated on 229.2 perches of pristine beachfront land, features a distinctive more..

Jan 28 (Island) The govt is reported to be preparing legal amendments to ensure the conduct of long postponed provincial elections. Elections to the nine provincial councils have been postponed since 2017 when the govt at that time decided to amend the law pertaining to the conduct of provincial elections. But they never completed the process, which gave them the excuse not to hold the elections. Thereafter no government had sufficient interest in holding elections to the provincial councils by more..

Jan 28 (Island) The Aussies are in town for a three-week tour and any victory over them will be celebrated not just across the island but around the cricketing world. After all, everyone wants to knock over the Aussies. They’ve been the gold standard across all three formats for the last three decades, setting the bar sky-high. Taking them down is no walk in the park, and their hallmark has always been their never-say-die attitude. No one epitomized that better than Steve Waugh – who, more..

Jan 28 (DN) Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for December 2024 signaled expansions across the Services and Manufacturing sectors, reaching higher levels than the previous months. The services sector experienced the most significant expansion, reaching an index value of 71.1, paralleling the record high index of 71.1 reached in July-24 driven by the holiday season and the peak tourism season, a sustained increase in new businesses, and improvements in wholesale and retail trade. more..

Jan 28 (FT) US District Court for the Southern District of New York extended the stay in the legal proceedings between Hamilton Reserve Bank (HRB) and Sri Lanka until 31 Jan 2025. This decision grants Sri Lanka additional time to prepare its case against HRB’s renewed motion, which addresses key legal issues, including the admissibility of expert testimony and the incorporation of new evidence. more..

Jan 28 (EN) UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West is set to meet key officials, during her visit to Sri Lanka, to discuss economic growth, anti-corruption, human rights and national reconciliation. “I look forward to meeting with the new govt to drive forward our partnership. Our relationship is underpinned by the deep links between our people,” West said. The visit is the first ministerial visit to Sri Lanka since the formation of new govts in both countries. more..

Jan 28 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Sri Lanka Tourism to devise a comprehensive plan to establish Anuradhapura as a branded sacred and tourism city. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Anuradhapura District Coordinating Committee, insisting on the critical role of city branding in achieving the country’s ambitious target of attracting 3 million tourists in 2025. The President opined that more..

Jan 28 (DM) The govt is intentionally delaying the announcement of the minimum guaranteed price for paddy as there is a distorted situation with regard to paddy purchasing in the country right now, Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said. He said that the government will announce the minimum guaranteed price for paddy at the right time. "We are intentionally delaying the announcement of the minimum guaranteed price for paddy. more..

Jan 28 (CT) Wayamba University and Maliban Biscuit Group of Companies recently signed a MoU. The ceremony was attended by Vice Chancellor of Wayamba Uni (Prof Udith Jayasinghe), Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies and Finance (Prof S.K. Gamage), Registrar of the university (W.A.D. Chithrananda), Head of Dept of Business Management (Dr W.D.N.S.M. Thennakoon), and staff members from Department of Business Management. more..

Jan 28 (DM) Despite the current stretch of deflation offers some space for the Central Bank to follow through another rate cut at its upcoming meeting this week, there is a bigger chance for the rate setting committee to stay the monetary policy at the current level. This is given the sizable cut in the policy rate back in last November, when it set the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 8%, First Capital Research (FCR) said. Releasing the customary pre-policy analysis just days ahead of more..

Jan 28 (TM) Ministry of Tourism stated that every vehicle used to transport tourists, such as safari jeeps and Boleros, must be registered and approved by the Dept of Motor Traffic if any modifications are made to such vehicles. These remarks were made by Deputy Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe while speaking to The Daily Morning regarding grievances raised by small- and medium-scale tourist transport companies over raids conducted by the Police Dept earlier this month more..

Jan 28 (TM) Minister Bimal Rathnayake expressed his belief that the Election Commission (EC) will take steps to hold the Local Govt (LG) Elections either in the second or fourth week of April this year. He made this statement while speaking to the media in Jaffna. He also stated that all parties have jointly submitted the draft Bill to Parliament for the amendment of the Local Authorities Elections Act to conduct the LG Elections. “With the agreement of the leaders of all parties, more..

Jan 28 (TM) Women Parliamentarians are presently conducting stakeholder discussions with a view to providing crèches/day-care centres for the public sector workforce. According to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, it is proposed to initiate the same with the Parliament for its staff and then expand the same to the public service, especially for teachers. These plans come in the wake of it being established that the lack of such support more..

Jan 28 (DN) Sri Lanka and Australia two Test cricket teams are getting ready for their two match Test series which will commence at Galle Int'l Cricket Stadium tomorrow. The two sides met each other last time in 2022 when Australia won the first Test by an innings and 39 runs and experienced Smith produced match winning unbeaten 145. However SL made good comeback with a 10-wicket win in the second Test with a fighting double century (206) by Dinesh Chandimal to level the series. more..

Jan 28 (DN) Prison sources said that the clash between two groups of inmates at the Galle Prison, which occurred on Sunday, broke out after water from one inmate’s bucket fell on several other inmates when a group of inmates was taking a shower in the prison. An investigation has been initiated into the incident under the purview of Matara Assistant Prison Superintendent Mangala Welivitiya, who has recorded statements from the relevant prison inmates regarding the incident more..

Jan 28 (NW) UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West met with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Colombo for a discussion on SL’s economic, social, and political challenges. The meeting was attended by Minister Catherine West’s Private Secretary, British High Commissioner to SL Andrew Patrick, and Second Secretary Alexander Smith. Representing the SJB, former MP Eran Wickramaratne, along with MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, Mujibur Rahman, and more..

Jan 28 (AD) Catherine West, Member of the UK Parliament and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister of SL, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on Jan 27, 2025, at the Prime Minister’s Office. During the meeting, Ms. Catherine West and Dr. Amarasuriya engaged in discussions on key government priorities, including poverty eradication, regional development, and economic equity, the PM’s Office said. more..

Jan 28 (DM) SL’s export fraternity must intensify efforts to diversify its markets and product basket as Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the industries and officials to work towards achieving an ambitious export revenue target of US$ 36 billion by 2030. With 2024 ending on a high note, recording the highest-ever export revenue of US$ 16.1 billion, plans are in motion to increase this figure to US$ 18.2 billion in 2025. more..

Jan 28 (DN) Supreme Court yesterday concluded the arguments put forward in support and against the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill. Four (4) Special Determination petitions had been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of this Bill. Later on, SC’s determination over the proposed Bill is to be communicated to the Prez and the Speaker. The Supreme Court Three-Judge bench comprised Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva more..

Jan 28 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that 2,300 centres will be established across the country to gather information required for the digital National Identity Card (NIC). Prez emphasised that the digital NIC will simplify transactions with financial institutions and enable tax payments. Prez Dissanayake said: “Our NIC is outdated now. You have to carry the NIC as a card and your face as well. The face will be checked to confirm whether it matches the person on the NIC. more..

Jan 28 (EN) Sri Lanka has lifted the ban on a series of motor vehicles in a gazette notice issued by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake date January 27, as Finance Minister including those with cabs and special purpose vehicles. Among the vehicles allowed are small vehicles below 1000 cc engine capacity and vehicles with cabs. Motor vehicles for the transport of 10 or more persons, dumpers, milk tankers not more than 5 years old, more..

Jan 28 (FT) SL’s Corporate Income Tax (CIT) collection is notably lower than other South Asian countries, despite having a higher tax rate. In 2023, SL’s CIT revenue collection was 2.0% of GDP, with a CIT rate of 30%. In contrast, other South Asian countries like Bhutan and the Maldives, with lower CIT rates of 25% and 15%, collected—3.7% and 2.7% of GDP, respectively. India, which also has a 30% CIT rate, collects more revenue than SL. Only Bangladesh collects less CIT revenue more..

Jan 28 (FT) As the Govt races towards their first Budget, it must look at Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem as a way to restart the economy and as a way to create the exponential growth required to pay the debt. The startup ecosystem has grown tremendously in the last decade and it is showing results with successful exits and IPOs. We need not look any further than PickMe, which is now being valued at Rs. 28 billion. How do we support the startup ecosystem? more..

Jan 28 (NW) Cabinet of Ministers has approved proposals to enter into MoUs between SL universities and Foreign universities from Japan, China, India, Norway, Australia, US and South Korea. The proposals were presented by the PM, in her capacity as the Minister of Higher Education, to sign the MOUs with foreign universities to raise SL universities to the top of the world rankings and internationalize higher education collaborations with foreign universities. more..

Jan 28 (NW) Cabinet approval has been granted to acquire a plot of land belonging to Kotagala Plantation (Pvt) Ltd for a public playground for the benefit of the students of the Sri Palee Campus affiliated with the University of Colombo. About 850 students are studying in the Sri Palee Campus, but they lack a suitable playground for the students to practice sports and conduct sporting events. As such, discussions have been conducted with relevant parties to acquire 2.5 acres of land more..

Jan 28 (GS) India on Tuesday summoned the SL envoy in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over an incident of firing by the SL Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island, earlier in the day. Acting High Commissioner of SL to India, Priyanga Wickramasinghe, was summoned by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while the Indian High Commission in Colombo also raised more..

Jan 28 (DM) The air quality in many parts of the country has reached unhealthy levels, particularly in cities, according to the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI). The air quality in areas such as Kilinochchi, Trincomalee, Chilaw, Mullaitivu, Puttalam, Dambulla, Matale, Negombo, Kandy, Colombo, Ratnapura, Batticaloa, Kurunegala, Mahiyanganaya, Gampaha, Ambalantota, Galle, Bandarawela, Monaragala, and Polonnaruwa has dropped to unhealthy levels. Commenting on the matter, more..

Jan 28 (SLN) A delegation from the UN Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC), led by the Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), Ms. Siri Bjune met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters today (27). During this official interaction, the Commander of the Navy and the Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC exchanged views on several matters of bilateral importance. They mainly focused on training programmes more..

Jan 28 (DM) Attorney General has filed indictments against SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa over the alleged misappropriation of Rs.70 million belonging to Krrish Company. The indictments were filed before the Colombo High Court by the Attorney General, alleging the misappropriation of Rs. 70 million provided by the Indian real estate company Krrish Lanka Pvt Ltd for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 28 (DM) Stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed on the eve of the opening Test that Travis Head will open for Australia against SL in Galle. Australia will finalise their playing XI at the coin toss in Galle on Wednesday, but stand-in captain Steve Smith has confirmed that Travis Head will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja during the first ICC World Test Championship contest against SL. This decision ends speculation about Khawaja's opening partner, with Head set to replace more..

Jan 28 (CI) Australia's Test series in SL often seem to have a touch of the dramatic about them. Last time Australia were in Galle, SL saw the greatest mass protests in the country's history, while the teams battled out a 1-1 series. In 2016, Australia had nosedived spectacularly against spin, Rangana Herath gobbling up their top order en masse. Over the years there have been series-ending fielding collisions, such as in 1999 in Kandy when Jason Gillespie broke a leg & Steve Waugh broke more..