Jan 4 (FT) Pioneering business magazine LMD has announced that its Sri Lankan Of The Year (SLOTY) for 2024 is the Central Bank of SL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. LMD says, “The tough task of reviving a severely depleted economy began in earnest under Dr. Weerasinghe’s leadership. He was realistic about the challenges ahead and acknowledged that the crisis would not be resolved promptly. Weerasinghe didn’t sugar-coat the situation, & candidly predicted that hardships more..

Jan 4 (DM) Sri Lanka has secured the 33rd spot globally for its ease of obtaining visas, a key element bolstering Colombo’s reputation as a top destination in South Asia and the country’s competitiveness as a tourist destination, according to Brand Finance. “The introduction of visa-free entry for nationals from 35 countries may have significantly boosted the city’s appeal, making it one of the easiest South Asian cities to visit,” Brand Finance noted in a recent press release. more..

Jan 4 (NW) Former Millaniya Local Councillor Raveendra Namunni, who was arrested for making defamatory statements on social media about NPP Kalutara District MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi, has been granted bail. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court released Raveendra Namunni on a Rs. 500,000 surety today. SLPP member was arrested by officials from the CID this morning. Govt MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi had filed a complaint with the CID through her lawyer on Tuesday, seeking more..

Jan 4 (AD) Acting IGP, Priyantha Weerasooriya, has directed all police stations to initiate special traffic operations across every police division, effective from yesterday (2) and continuing until further notice, to enhance traffic control and ensure road safety while protecting lives on the roads. This initiative is part of the broader Clean Sri Lanka project, implemented under the new govet’s policy, A Thriving Nation - A Beautiful Life. The directive emphasizes particular attention more..

Jan 4 (FT) Prices and sales of condominium property in the third quarter of 2024 had declined though enjoying increases year on year as per a survey and real estate market analysis done by the Central Bank. It said the Price Index for New Condominiums within the Colombo district stood at 235.7 during the 2024 Q3, recording a year-on-year increase of 17.8%, as per the information collected through Condominium Market Survey more..

Jan 4 (FT) Govt is prioritising energy sector reform with a focus on reducing the country’s notoriously high energy costs and expanding renewable energy capacity. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody underscored these ambitions during a meeting with investors recently at the Ministry where progress and challenges related to medium and large scale renewable energy projects were discussed. “We are a country with the highest energy costs in the region and the Govt’s aim is to change that situation more..

Jan 4 (FT) The flagship gem and jewellery exposition FACETS Sri Lanka in its 31st edition will kick off today (4) under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. Organised by the SL Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) – in partnership with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA), is slated to be held till 6 January aims to make a bigger impact. Gracing the New Year, FACETS 2025 has become a highly anticipated event within the industry, more..

Jan 4 (ST) Sri Lanka recently rescued 32 citizens from cyber-scam complexes in Myanmar, but 14 remain trapped, underscoring the need for stronger anti-trafficking measures and for creating greater awareness of risks. They had all been lured with promises of lucrative employment abroad and ended up in cyber-scam operations in Myanmar, where they were forced to participate in fraudulent activities under threat of violence. more..

Jan 4 (NW) Colombo High Court extended the suspension on 16 fixed deposit accounts and 03 life insurance policies belonging to the family members of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The Court extended the suspension until 02 April 2025, following a request by the CIABOC. In June 2024, the Bribery Commission issued an order to freeze the accounts for seven days over suspicious transactions. In July, the Bribery Commission took measures to seize fixed deposit accounts more..

Jan 4 (NW) NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa has recorded a statement with the FCID over statements made regarding the wealth of former MP Basil Rajapaksa in the USA.Speaking to the media, former MP Weerawansa said he had recorded a statement over comments made many years ago regarding the wealth of Basil Rajapaksa and his family members. Wimal Weerawansa said that written information regarding his comments had been handed over to the Police. more..

Jan 4 (NW) The office of the Foreign Minister has issued a statement on delays in appointing High Commissioners and Ambassadors to overseas missions, citing procedural and diplomatic requirements. The explanation comes after envoys from 15 countries were recalled following the formation of the new administration in November, leaving key diplomatic positions vacant. These vacancies require a systematic appointment process that includes obtaining agreement from more..

Jan 4 (ST) A process to replace the central storage server that broke down at the Govt Analyst Department’s digital forensic laboratory a few months ago has begun. “The central server broke down three months ago because it was a very old system that we received in 2016 through a donation from KOICA” said Sandya Rajapaksha, the govt analyst. She said that tenders have been called for a new server. “Once the process is complete, we will be able to extract the data from the server,” more..

Jan 4 (FT) Inland Revenue Dept (IRD) announced that it has achieved the highest-ever tax revenue in 2024, collecting Rs. 1.95 trillion. The record-breaking figure represents a 25.1% increase from the Rs. 1.56 trillion collected in 2023, highlighting significant growth in various tax categories. Income tax collection reaches Rs. 1,023 billion in 2024, marking an increase of Rs. 112.1 billion compared to the previous year. more..

Jan 4 (FT) The Embassy of SL in Riyadh under the Economic Diplomacy Initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of SL successfully organised a trade, investment, and tourism promotion forum at Ashqariya Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia on 18 Dec 2024. The forum was followed by a catalogue exhibition showcasing SL’s export products and services as well as investment opportunities and places of tourist attractions to Saudi market. more..

Jan 4 (CT) Aircraft Owners’ and Operators’ Association of SL (AO&OASL) has issued a dire warning to the Government and the Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL), regarding a safety hazard at Ratmalana International Airport, cautioning that the airport’s boundary wall could lead to a tragedy similar to South Korea’s Jeju Air disaster, which claimed 179 lives at Muan Int'l Airport. The Association recommended removing this unnecessary risk factor and replacing it with more..

Jan 4 (DN) Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit stated that it is closely monitoring reports of a virus outbreak in China. Information regarding this situation has been received yesterday (3) and further details will be shared with the media following a thorough investigation sources said. Reports from international media indicate that several viruses are currently spreading in China, five years after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the diseases spreading is the Human Metapneumovirus more..

Jan 4 (Isalnd) Amajor reshuffle of senior officers is on the cards in the Police Department and some high rankers are to be transferred, according to sources. The changes are expected to affect Senior DGs, DIGs, and several senior superintendents of police across various divisions. SDIGs responsible for administrative regions, including the Western, North Western, Eastern, Southern, Uva, and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, are among those to be transferred. more..

Jan 4 (NW) A local newspaper owned by a MP has received a stern warning from the Govt, over false news reports published recently regarding the govt’s Clean Sri Lanka national programme. Addressing the media today, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said unethical media practices will not be allowed. He said while protecting freedom of expression, the govt is vested with powers to to initiate action against such continuous more..

Jan 4 (ST) The private bus that crashed into a precipice in Malliappuwa in Hatton on Dec 21 killing three including a 14-year-old boy has stirred a debate yet again about reckless drivers and unlawfully modified buses. Seven passengers were seriously hurt and 43 suffered minor injuries after the driver appeared to lose control, as seen in a brief CCTV clip. He is suspected to have been speeding on a winding road. The driver’s-side door did not have a lock as observed by more..

Jan 4 (EN) A 10 member committee has been appointed to study the newly passed SL Electricity Act, following a cabinet decision to review the law, state-run Ceylon Electricity Board said. The 10 member committee has been appointed by the Ministry of Energy, “for a comprehensive review towards the amendment of the SL Electricity Act and to submit the recommendations within one month period”. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy will chair and more..

JJan 4 (EN) Sri Lanka Police is in the process of bringing back criminals who are living in other countries in a move to curb crimes, newly appointed Police Spokesman K.B. Manathunga said. “We have started a gradual process to tackle crime in the country. We are also in the process of bringing back criminals who are in foreign countries. We are in the process of issuing red notices and using bilateral agreements for this,” more..

Jan 5 (SO) There was a comment in a national newspaper that the Clean Sri Lanka program now under way is 76 years too late. We have to agree with this sentiment, because no post-Independence Sri Lankan Govt up to now has embarked on a collective mission to cleanse the country in every possible way. In fact, countries such as Singapore, which are now way ahead of Sri Lanka, began similar programs in the 1960s. This was a major missed opportunity for Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 5 (CT) The reassertion of democratic polity in SL during the year 2024 is the signal achievement of the people of the country, more than its political class. They had shown that the Aragalaya protests, which toppled Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Rajapaksa clan from power, mattered in deciding the winners in both presidential and parliamentary elections. They not only elected the NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (aka AKD) as Prez, but also gave NPP 2/3rds majority in parliament. more..

Jan 5 (TM) The dawn of the new year has brought about new hope for the people and more challenges for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Govt. Last week also marked a milestone in President AKD’s term in office as he completed the first 100 days of governance on Friday (3). A video was also launched to mark the milestone under the theme of A 100 days for a 100 years that captured key events during more..

Jan 5 (GV) In mid-November last year the National People’s Power (NPP) centre left coalition won a landslide victory in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election after its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was voted president in September. It reflected a major political shift arising from the aragalaya people’s movement based on rejection of the Rajapaksa former ruling dynasty, its inner circle and their economic mismanagement, authoritarianism, divisiveness and corruption. more..

Jan 5 (ST) My dear Imthiaz, I am writing to you after I heard that you had written to your leader Sajith suggesting a series of measures to improve the telephone party following its disastrous performances at the last two elections. I thought at least I would reply, as the chances of Sajith replying your letter are quite slim. The telephone party has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons. It achieved the unique feat of being the major opposition party in the last Parliament more..

Jan 5 (ST) It is a known secret in the state bureaucracy circles that the transfer process of govt employees is highly politicised. It is said that those who encounter problems in receiving transfer postings near their hometowns or resist transfers outside the home turf or their preferred locations often use political influences at whatever cost. The issue arose at a Jaffna event when Northern Governor N. Vedanayagan addressed more..

Jan 5 (TM) It will not take soothsayers, astrologers, or prophets to predict that 2025 will indeed be SL’s year of reckoning. Why? Because despite assertions to the contrary, the country remains delicately poised between salvation or damnation and at the mercy of its many external stakeholders. The people are aware of the gravity of the situation, having literally been to hell and back over the last few years, and are eagerly monitoring the actions of those whom they have installed in office to rectify situation. more..

Jan 5 (CT) The announcement by the Minister of Health regarding the unprecedented allocation of funds for the health sector in the 2025 Budget is a pivotal moment for the nation. This decision signifies the Govt’s recognition of healthcare as a cornerstone of national development, especially in light of recent challenges and the enduring value of the country’s universal healthcare system. SL’s healthcare model, which offers free medical services to its citizens, has been a linchpin in achieving impressive more..

Jan 5 (ST) Lyceum International School, Anuradhapura inaugurated Triton, its new swimming pool for the students on Dec 10. This facility will be available for the student community through the school’s sports department. A colourful but refined ceremony was held on the premises with the participation of A'pura Base Commander, Group Captain Poojana Nimantha Gunethilake of SL Air Force, who graced the event as the chief guest, while swimming legend Julian Bolling, more..

Jan 5 (EN) SL continued to record a surplus in the current account in the third quarter of 2024, CB data show as new borrowings were halted by bilateral lenders and debt repayments continue to multilateral lenders and foreign reserves were built. SL recorded a US$ 303 million surplus in the current account in the third quarter, down from US$ 432 million (revised) in the second quarter. The financial account was and Capital Accounts were US$ 303 million negative (subject to errors, omissions). more..

Jan 5 (TM) SL is at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey, with ambitious plans to digitise public services, integrate secure payment gateways, and protect citizens’ data. However, the rising threat of cyberattacks, exemplified by recent hacking incidents, poses significant challenges. To address these risks, the Govt is implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, strengthening legal frameworks, fostering public awareness, more..

Jan 5 (ST) Minister Vijitha Herath announced recently that the Digital Identification (ID) Project with Indian assistance is going to be the Govt’s first major foreign investment and that a team from India will be arriving this month to sign a MoU. During the recent state visit to India under the rubric of connectivity, both leaders agreed to collaborate in expediting people-centric digitisation, fast-tracking this project in addition to the 33 Indian projects in the North and East. more..

Jan 5 (TM) Govt has agreed to formulate a more viable package of incentives to revive the local Micro, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) sector considering the inadequacy of relief measures for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) announced recently by the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), according to the Ceylon Federation of MSMEs (CFMSME). The CBSL by Circular No.4 of 2024 dated 19 Dec 2024 announced that SL Bankers’ Association (SLBA) had agreed more..

Jan 5 (DM) Yoshitha Rajapaksa, second son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, has accused the present NPP govt of resorting to a political witch-hunt over a case which allegedly took place when he was a school student. Yoshitha was grilled by the CID for hours yesterday morning concerning the ownership of a plot of land in Kataragama, which he says he has no clue about. According to investigators, the land belongs to the state. Soon after his statement to the CID, Yoshitha said more..