Sri Lanka News : InfoLanka News Room

Jan 29 (ST) Lanka Pay is on course to launch digital wallets, Alipay and WeChat Pay by the first quarter of this year, officials said. In 2023, a MoU was signed with Alipay, a payment app and e-wallet for technical implementation and Channa De Silva, CEO Lanka Pay said that WeChat Pay, a payment feature that is integrated into the Chinese WeChat app, will be launched in the first quarter of this year. “The technical implementation for both these wallets is ongoing. more..

ජනපති ආර්ථික සමුළුව අමතා කළ...

Ceylon Chamber Chief urges public and private to unite as catalysts for change

Jan 29 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa last night urged the public and private sector to unite and be catalysts for change. Speaking at the inauguration of CCC organised 2025 SL Economic Summit, Hulangamuwa said: “I hope this summit will inspire private and public sector leaders to unite as catalysts for change, becoming reform champions and agents of progress that our future demands.” Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was more..

Hidden dangers in pencils: A call for vigilance to protect children’s health

Jan 29 (Island) Colorful fancy pencils, a staple in every child’s school bag, may be hiding a silent threat. Recent revelations have raised concerns about the safety of low-quality pencils and stationery, which may contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals, posing serious health risks to children. Experts and activists are now urging parents, educators, and authorities to take immediate action to safeguard children from these hidden dangers. Dr. Mahinda Wickramarachchi, more..

Govt seeks lower tariff for Adani’s wind power project

Jan 29 (FT) Govt confirmed that it has begun negotiations to revise the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) over Adani Green Energy’s proposed 484 MW wind power project with a focus on reducing the tariff below six cents per kWh. The move marks a sharp departure from the original agreement approved by the previous regime, which offered Adani a tariff of 8.26 cents per kWh. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa asserted that the earlier rate more..

Govt assures support to uplift apparel industry workforce with vocational training

Jan 29 (DM) The govt has reaffirmed its support to uplift apparel sector workforce by pledging to collaborate with industry leaders and align vocational training programmes with evolving needs. PM Harini Amarasuriya acknowledged the apparel industry’s significant role in the economy which contributed almost 30% (US$ 4.7 billion) of total export earnings in 2024. Praising the sector’s 350,000-strong workforce for their resilience and dedication, she pledged the govt’s commitment to provide more..

Cases filed against Aragalaya activists; Govt to provide reasonable solution: Minister

Jan 29 (DM) Claiming that there is an issue in filing cases with regard to Aragalaya activists who were arrested during the Aragalaya time, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the govt will intervene to provide them with a reasonable solution. Minister said that the Justice Minister will hold discussions with the AG regarding the matter. He said this while responding to a question that the AG is not interested in expediting cases filed against Aragalaya activists just as in other criminal cases. more..

පත්තරේ විස්තරේ

Sajith joins discussion at President’s office

Jan 29 (NW) Board of Governors of the President’s Fund have approved extending the fund’s services to rural areas through a streamlined process coordinated via Divisional Secretariat offices. The decision was taken when the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund convened today (28) at the Presidential Secretariat under the leadership of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to outline plans and initiatives for the year 2025. The decision to extend the fund’s services to rural areas more..

CID launches probe on questionable directive

Jan 29 (CT) CID has launched an investigation into a questionable directive allegedly issued on a letterhead of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, which purportedly gave a special order to the Security Forces. CID officers presented this before Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura. Court was informed that copies of the letter had been sent to former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, the then Defence Secretary, and the Prez’s Secretary, instructing them to allow an illegal businessman more..

Govt urged to announce its policy on foreign research vessels soon

Jan 29 (Island) Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that the NPP govt was in a much better position to address concerns over foreign research vessels’ visit to SL harbours. Sabry, emphasized the need to act without keeping the issue in abeyance. The former National List MP said so in response to The Island query how he viewed the NPP’s decision not to lift the moratorium on foreign vessels, an assurance given by him during more..

War crimes: Canada’s Conservative Party leader vows to lead the world in seeking...

Jan 29 (Island) Canada’s Conservative Party leader, too, joins the bandwagon bashing Sri Lanka on war crimes allegations. Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, has declared that he would lead the world in seeking prosecutions in international courts against SL officials accused of war crimes if elected as Canada’s next PM. Speaking at the ‘Harvest of Hope’ event in Toronto recently, marking Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month, Poilievre said: more..

NCPA receives 8,746 complaints in 2024

Jan 29 (CT) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has received a staggering total of 8,746 complaints in 2024, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding child safety in Sri Lanka. Among these, 580 complaints were related to incidents of sexual abuse, with 321 categorised as serious sexual abuse of children. The largest share of complaints, totalling 2,746, involved general child protection issues, followed by 1,950 reports of child cruelty. more..

AKD asks private sector to come clean

Jan 29 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake last night urged the private sector to come clean and put an end to corruption and called for collective effort for transformation to create a better SL. He didn’t mince his words during a Q&A after inaugurating the SL Economic Summit at Shangri-La Colombo. Dissanayake called on the business community to step up and stay true to espoused principles and objectives for growth, more..

Vulnerable visitors: Test of a nation’s conscience

Jan 29 (FT) The recent arrival of a boat full of Rohingyas in the country, raises some associated questions. What is the responsibility of the Govt of SL towards such vulnerable visitors and what was the fate of at least two similar groups who sought refuge in the Island of compassion, not too long ago? The Rohingya are an ethnic community from Myanmar who have been denied their right to nationality. This has subjected them to the worst atrocities and crimes of persecution, more..

Strengthening Sri Lanka’s export sector: Call for strategic Govt support

Jan 29 (FT) SL’s export sector is a critical pillar of our economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings, employment, and overall economic growth. However, despite the immense potential, SL exporters continue to face a series of challenges that are threatening their competitiveness on the global stage. As the Association of Professional Bankers SL (APB), we feel a deep responsibility to address these challenges and highlight how the Govt can play a crucial role more..

ඉබ්බන්ගෙන් පිහාටු ඉල්ලන නලින්ද

Female hotel officer injured after alleged abuse by Polish tourists

Jan 29 (DM) A female Executive Public Relations Officer at a leading five-star hotel in Wadduwa has reportedly fallen ill after an incident in which she was allegedly abused by a group of Polish nationals. On January 19, a group of Polish nationals, reportedly intoxicated and naked, were in the hotel's swimming pool when they allegedly pushed the 40-year-old officer into the pool. The fall caused her to suffer fractured bones and difficulty in breathing. She was admitted to Panadura Base Hospital, more..

SL to slash FDI approval to two weeks: Prez

Jan 29 (EN) SL will slash the time the Board of Investment takes to respond to an investment application to two weeks and also speed up other clearances in a bid to speed up foreign investment, Prez Anura Dissanayake said. “At the moment it takes about 80 days on average for the BoI to respond to an application,” Prez told an economic forum. “We want to cut it down to two weeks.” An investor had to get approvals from 82 state agencies, he said, and this takes over 2.5 yrs. more..

Video: MP Ramanathan Archchuna arrested

Jan 29 (AD) Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna has been arrested this afternoon by a special team of police officers in Jaffna, over allegedly obstructing the duties of police personnel in A'pura. The suspected MP is scheduled to be produced before the A'pura Magistrate’s Court. Police launched an investigation against the parliamentarian for allegedly obstructing the duties of traffic police officers in more..

Request to increase time limit for Musical shows

Jan 29 (NW) Member of the local music band, Sunflower Band, Neil Warnakulasuriya has made a request from the govt to extend the time limit to end music concerts to 1 am. Neil Warnakulasuriya made the request during a special media briefing in Colombo today. He pointed out that there were significant issues faced due to music concerts ending at 10 pm from Monday to Thursday. As such, he requested the govt to permit extending the time limit to end a concert at 1 am. more..

DMT introduces WhatsApp number for complaints and appeals

Jan 29 (AD) Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has introduced a WhatsApp number (071 4033300) for the general public to submit written complaints and appeals to the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic. As part of efforts to enhance the efficiency of public services under the new govt, the Department of Motor Traffic is implementing several initiatives. The introduction of this WhatsApp number is aimed at quickly receiving written complaints from service recipients. more..

Khawaja, Smith put SL to the sword in Galle

Jan 29 (CI) Stand-in captain Steven Smith scored his 10,000th Test run before completing the momentous occasion with a majestic century, while Usman Khawaja reached his 16th ton as Australia were rewarded for an aggressive approach against a spin-heavy SL attack on a slow Galle surface. Australia finished the opening day of the series in a dominant position at 330 for 2 with rain ending play after 81.1 overs. more..

'LKR forecast to depreciate in 2025'

Jan 29 (TM) SL’s rupee is expected to depreciate in 2025 with the surge in import demand and servicing external debt reversing the gains it had in 2024, Bloomberg Economics said. Accordingly, research arm of Bloomberg said that an expected surge in imports, resumption of external debt servicing and the need to buy more dollars to build foreign exchange reserves will increase demand for dollars depreciating the rupee. “At the same time, the CB’s accommodative monetary policy more..

Harsha Ilukpitiya’s bail application fixed for inquiry by Supreme Court

Jan 29 (DM) A bail application submitted on behalf of Harsha Ilukpitiya, the former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, was fixed for inquiry by the Supreme Court today. Ilukpitiya has been in remand custody for nearly four months over a contempt of court proceedings. The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Gamini Amarasekara and Achala Wengappuli decided to fix the contempt matter for inquiry on May 8. more..

හීරෝ ද - සීරෝ ද.. මේක තමයි ඉරණම්...

President’s Fund to offer incentives for surgeries performed after office hours

Jan 29 (AD) President’s Fund has decided to provide an incentive for surgeries performed after office hours in govt hospitals. This decision was made during the first meeting of the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund for the 2025, which was held yesterday. The meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. It was attended by PM Harini Amarasuriya, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, more..

TRCSL to implement new software to detect and block unapproved mobile phones

Jan 29 (AD) Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL) says that a new software will be implemented to detect and block the use of unapproved mobile phones that are not registered with the TRCSL. TRCSL also requests that the public refrain from purchasing any mobile phones without TRCSL approval in the future. Commenting further on this matter, TRCSL Director General, Bandula Herath, stated: “We kindly request the public not to purchase any mobile phones more..

US underscores its partnership role in SL’s growth drive

Jan 29 (Island) US ambassador to SL, Julie Chung reaffirmed the United States’ role as a partner in SL’s journey, stressing: “Together, we can drive economic growth in both of our nations while setting new standards of excellence on the global stage. Our partnership is built on mutual commitment to transparency, ethical practices and long-term collaboration, ensuring sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.” In a stirring address more..

Issuance of printed bills: CEB defies PUCSL directive

Jan 29 (Island) Electricity consumers yesterday complained to the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had ignored a recent directive that printed bills be issued to customers who asked for them. Sanjeewa Dhammika, National Secretary of the Electricity Consumers Association, said that despite guidelines issued by the PUCSL affirming consumers’ right to know the details of the amounts they were charged, CEB had failed to issue detailed bills. more..

Justice Ranaraja recuses himself from Karannagoda case

Jan 29 (CT) Court of Appeal Justice Amal Ranaraja recused himself from the 5-Judge Bench hearing the writ application filed by former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, challenging his inclusion as the 14th accused in the High Court case related to the abduction of 11 youths in Colombo and its suburbs. The application was heard before the Court of Appeal Bench consisting of Justices Mayadunne Corea (President), P. Kumaran Ratnam, Shashi Mahendran, Damith Thotawatta, and more..

Experts weigh on vehicle import resumption and outlook

Jan 29 (FT) As the Govt prepares to lift the vehicle import restrictions early next month, the implications and strategies for future management of the economy and the motor industry came under intense scrutiny last week. In a forum titled, SL Motor Industry: Outlook for 2025, key stakeholders in the vehicle industry expressed optimism about the anticipated economic progress with this removal, whilst acknowledging more..

SL sees increase in child pregnancies in 2024

Jan 29 (AD) The number of adolescent pregnancies in SL has risen to 213 in 2024, according to DIG Renuka Jayasundara, who heads the Bureau for Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women. She stated that child pregnancies had increased from 167 cases in 2023 to 213 in 2024. However, she noted that the overall incidents of sexual abuse of children has remained relatively unchanged between the 2 years. “Looking at the data for past 2 years, there is no significant decrease or increase. more..

Doctors threaten TU action

Jan 29 (CT) Doctors have warned they will take trade union action without prior notice after next week, if the Health Ministry does not reverse its decision to halt transfers between two major govt hospitals in the Southern Province. Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, Secretary of the GMOA, criticised the decision to suspend transfers between District General Hospital, Matara, and New District General Hospital, Kamburugamuwa, stating that it had disrupted the 2025 transfer list for grade more..

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

The double review failure that cost Sri Lanka 107 runs against Australia

Jan 29 (Wisden) On day one of the first Test between SL and Australia in Galle, the hosts were left ruing their non-referral of not just one, but two decisions against them. The first day of the series saw Australian skipper Steve Smith call the coin toss correctly, and choose to bat first. Travis Head, opening the innings in place of teenager Sam Konstas, made full use of the hard, new, ball – smashing his way to a 35-ball half-century before becoming the first wicket to fall, for 57 more..

Court hears evidence from three LTTE cadres

Jan 29 (CT) The evidentiary hearing against three LTTE cadres, who aided and abetted an LTTE female cadre in carrying out a suicide attack on former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, took place before High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe yesterday. Attorney General filed indictments against Selvarasa Kirubakaran alias Moris Sanmugalingam, Suriyakumar and Thambaiyah Prakash alias Dhanush with 230 counts. Senior Deputy Solicitor General more..

SL expects tourism growth with no campaign

Jan 29 (TM) Sri Lanka is yet to launch a global tourism promotion campaign, despite having announced a target of three million arrivals at the very beginning of the year, Outgoing President of SL Association of In-bound Tour Operators (SLAITO) Nishard Wijetunge said. “When you set the target at three million, you need 50% more of what had been achieved last year. This requires exponential growth,” Wijetunge said. more..

Firearm in possession of Yoshitha: Defence Ministry responds

Jan 29 (NW) Secretary to the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, was in possession of a significant number of firearms issued for personal security. Responding to queries by reporters if Yoshitha Rajapaksa was in possession of 07 to 08 firearms, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha confirmed it, saying that the weapons have been taken into custody by the authorities. He further said that at present, more..

Video: Indian fishermen injured due to accidental firearm discharge: SLN chief

Jan 29 (AD) Commander of SL Navy says that according to initial investigations, the two Indian fishermen who were injured when the SL Navy apprehended an India fishing boat poaching off KKS have been wounded due to the accidental discharge of a firearm of a Navy personnel. Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda stated that naval personnel had boarded an Indian fishing trawler that was in SL waters due to a suspicion after it did not respond to instructions to leave the area. more..