Jan 31 (DM) The govt is planning to establish a new National Tourism Commission, which will have greater authority and oversight than the existing four tourism-related apex bodies, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe announced on Wednesday. This new establishment is part of the govt’s efforts to streamline decision-making, improve governance and efficiency within the tourism sector, according to the Deputy Minister. Currently, the tourism industry in SL is spearheaded by more..

Jan 31 (ST) There has been a drastic drop in wild elephant numbers in the Uda Walawe National Park in a short span of 10 years, an extensive research has found. The elephant population has dropped by a huge 50% (half), lamented Conservation Biologist Dr. Ashoka Ranjeewa who has been in and out of the park for over 20 years. He has been able to individually identify 700 elephants with around 400-600 more..

Jan 31 (FT) SL has achieved a remarkable milestone at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2024, held in Brunei Darussalam from 4 to 7 Dec 2024. The nation’s young innovators secured a Runners-Up position and two Merit Awards, reinforcing SL’s growing prominence in the global technology landscape. On 27 Jan, PM Harini Amarasuriya met with the students who achieved this remarkable feat. She expressed her appreciation for their outstanding contribution more..

Jan 31 (ST) The govt will not be bound by any finance- or debt-related agreement entered into by state entities without the approval of the finance minister under the newly enacted Public Debt Management Act (PDMA), according to a Treasury circular. “The govt will not be bound by any agreement, finance lease agreement, supplier’s credit agreement, derivative or any guarantee issued or purported to be contracted or issued for or on its behalf by any other entity or person, more..

Jan 31 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs (CCWE), in collaboration with the South Asian Women’s Development Forum (SAWDF) in partnership with a consortium led by Geres, and supported by the Agence Française de Développement and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, officially launched the transformative FAME project: Feminism: Action and Mobilisation for an Inclusive Economy. Held at the Marino Beach Hotel, the event united more..

Jan 31 (FT) Members of the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) expressed concerns over the proposed abolition of SVAT from April 2025 warning the move will impact exports and income of nearly half a million smallholder farmers. TEA said cashless SVAT system (Suspended VAT) provides exporters with a significant level of relief towards the constraints on their cash flow requirements to fund VAT payments on locally sourced inputs. SVAT was introduced in April 2011 to help export trade more..

Jan 31 (CI) It wasn't supposed to be like this. None of it was. You come, you see, you succumb. That's the visiting-team script, particularly as of late. And particularly in Galle. What you don't expect is for them to rack up 654 runs in the first innings - the highest total by a side batting first in Galle, eclipsing SL's record set just five months ago - have three players score centuries (including one double and one debut ton) and then have the more..

Jan 31 (Island) Can we keep a secret, just among us? It is an essential part of our traditional diet, but coconut has nothing superior relative to other foods. However, if we can earn much needed foreign exchange by calling it one, as the proverb says, we should make hay while the sun shines. But let us not forget that it is only a sales pitch. The term superfood is a marketing tool created to describe a food item that supposedly provides exceptional health benefits due to its high nutrient more..

Jan 31 (DN) Moves are under way to facelift the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, which is the only oil refinery in the country to meet the energy needs of the country. Accordingly, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody discussed with the top management of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) relating to the modernization plans for the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery and areas requiring special attention. Minister highlighted the timely and technological improvements needed to more..

Jan 31 (DM) Sri Lanka has set itself yet another ambitious goal, this time raising the renewable energy target from the current 70% to 100%, aiming for a complete transition to clean energy. The announcement was made by Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala when he addressed a forum on power sector reforms. Hemapala stated that the new policy will be centred on a people-centric energy transition more..

Jan 31 (DN) Asian Development Bank will continue to provide assistance to develop the renewable energy sector in SL, said Takafumi Kadono, Country Director, SL Resident Mission addressing the ADB’s Serendipity Knowledge Program Driving Power Sector Reforms for Enhanced Renewable Energy Growth and Sector Performance event held in Colombo yesterday. He said the renewable energy investment space is mainly for the private sector to handle under a transparent bidding process more..

Jan 31 (Island) The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) held its 21st Annual General Meeting on 27th January in Colombo. Speaking at the event the reappointed Chairperson, Saifuddin Jafferjee, reflected on the achievements of the past year while emphasizing the work needed to navigate upcoming challenges in the apparel industry. “I am deeply honored to serve this incredible industry once again,” Jafferjee remarked, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him. more..

Jan 31 (ST) The heavy downpours in the North, North-Central, and Eastern provinces throughout the week disrupted the ongoing paddy harvest and cultivation of grains. Farmers in Ampara, Batticaloa, and Kilinochchi had to put their harvest operations on hold due to the sudden heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday. Eight sluice gates of the Iranaimadhu tank, the largest agrarian tank in the north, were opened on Tuesday. As a result, paddylands in low-lying areas of Kandawalai & Pannankandy more..

Jan 31 (DM) Jaffna Magistrate's Court allowed a peaceful protest to be held tomorrow by the unemployed graduates of the Northern Province during the visit of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Jaffna. Prez is scheduled to participate in the Jaffna District Coordination Committee (DCC) meeting and attend several other public programms tomorrow. However, the Jaffna Police named five individuals, including Jaffna MP Archuna Ramanathan, who should be prevented more..

Jan 31 (DM) It is expected that the years-long import restriction on cars would be eliminated and very soon the streets on the most frequented roads of Colombo will be filled with brand-new cars. But Sri Lankans are already bombarded with the news of the high taxes, which will continue at the same high rates when there was a previous ban. This has made consumers worry about the amount of hard-earned money they have to more..

Jan 31 (DN) A special price reduction has been made by Lanka Sathosa on several essential consumer commodities providing relief to the public. Lanka Sathosa has reduced prices of five essential food items effective Jan 30 to provide relief to the consumers on the directives by the Trade, Commerce and Food Security Ministry. These food items can be purchased by the consumers from any of the Sathosa retails outlets available countrywide. Prices of Big Onions (imported), Wheat Flour, more..

Jan 31 (Island) Ministry of Health has taken steps to suspend Dr G.G. Chamal Sanjeewa, citing breaches of the Establishment Code. This decision follows findings from an investigation conducted by the Health Services Committee of the Public Service Commission. Dr Chamal Sanjeewa, who also serves as the Chairman of the Federation of Medical and Civil Rights Trade Unions, was previously suspended in 2022. That suspension was reportedly due to his revelations regarding more..

Jan 31 (DN) SL Tourism recorded a major milestone in the first 26 days of 2025 by attracting 212,838 visitors. This number surpasses the total arrival figure of Jan 2024 which was 208,253. The first 26 days arrival mark also betters monthly income figures from Feb to June and also Sept and Oct last year. The country also averaged around 7,500 daily arrivals in Jan 2025. With free visa on arrival, good connectivity with short flying time India was the best tourism source market more..

Jan 31 (DM) It is suspected that the collapse of the coconut industry in this country or the reduction in coconut yields has been due to the influence of foreign invasive insects or bacteria, Chairman of the Coconut Cultivation Board Dr. Sunimal Jayakody said. He said that several reports have linked the decline in coconut yields to foreign invasive insects or bacteria. "Importing coconuts carries the risk of introducing harmful insects or bacteria to the coconut industry. more..

Jan 31 (Island) The govt’s plan to curtail the entitlements of former presidents has sparked differing opinions, with Minister Bimal Ratnayake advocating for swift changes, while legal experts warn of constitutional and human rights implications. Minister Ratnayake recently announced that the govt would reduce the benefits granted to former presidents without requiring constitutional amendments. more..

Jan 31 (FT) After having successful rounds of discussions for a merger between the SJB and UNP, the two parties continued to discuss possibilities of bringing both parties under a strong alliance. The two special committees appointed by both parties to discuss merging them together by ironing out differences between them had met in Colombo, yesterday evening. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, who heads the five-member team of negotiators from the SJB, more..

Jan 31 (DM) The SL Customs, with the full cooperation of joint trade unions, launched a four-day expedited container clearance process today, aiming to clear the backlog of containers destined for examination yards by Feb 2, Customs Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda said. He said that all examination yards and the Valuation Directorate will operate from today till Sunday (2) with full staff, ensuring that all queued containers are cleared. Therefore, all consignees, clearing agents more..

Jan 31 (FT) In light of the ongoing challenges faced at the Colombo port, Joint Chambers and Associations along with key trade, maritime and logistics associations, yesterday with solutions called for an immediate action plan to resolve the port congestion crisis. In a statement, 29 chambers of commerce and industry proposed solutions to mitigate the impact of port congestion on the nation’s economy. more..

Jan 31 (FT) Sri Lanka earned $ 930 million from the export of both raw rubber and rubber products in 2023. Out of that the major share, around $ 900 million came from the export of rubber products. In the same year, SL was able to produce only 64 million kg of natural rubber compelling the industries to import more than 30 million kg of natural rubber to the country. Foreign exchange outflow from the country for importation of the shortfall in raw rubber requirement is around $ 50 million. more..

Jan 31 (FT) I took part in a webinar recently as a panellist. One keynote speaker pointed to agriculture as a lagging sector and paddy as one of the least productive crops that engages almost 50% of farmers. He noted this is mostly because policies bind farmers to paddy, whereas the Paddy Land Act is more a political bargaining tool than a growth policy. His suggestion was to discourage paddy cultivation. I expressed that paddy is not economical but cannot be abandoned immediately more..

Jan 31 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that a budgetary proposal will be made to establish a national festival that brings together all communities in Sri Lanka, celebrating all cultures, values, and traditions. Prez made these comments speaking in Jaffna, stating that Sri Lankans always have separate celebrations and questioned whether there should be one day for everyone to celebrate together. “We always have functions that are different from each other. more..

Jan 31 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his final respects to the late former MP and senior leader of the ITAK, Mavai Senathirajah. Accordingly, Prez Dissanayake, who arrived at the veteran Tamil politician’s residence at Maviddapuram in Jaffna this morning, paid his respects to the remains of the late Mavai Senathirajah and also extended his condolences to the former MP’s family members. On Jan 29, the former MP and former ITAK leader Mavai Senathirajah passed away at the age of 82. more..

Jan 31 (DM) US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) has announced that as of 24 Nov 2024, a total of 1,445,549 non-citizens are on ICE’s non-detained docket with final orders of removal. Among them, a total of 3,065 are SL nationals. ICE acknowledged that not all non-citizens can be deported immediately, citing several legal and logistical challenges. more..

Jan 31 (EN) Shangri-La Colombo rang in the Year of the Snake with a celebration that featured a lion dance, blessings and Chinese customs. The celebrations began with the lion eye-dotting ceremony, a revered ritual believed to awaken the lions’ spirits and invite good fortune, performed at the entrance by Shangri-La Colombo Director of Operations Zal Tarapore. The celebration came to life with the lighting of firecrackers, followed by the lion dance. more..

Jan 31 (NW) SL Police have launched the 1997 tip line to encourage the public to share information regarding criminal activities, drug networks, and other illegal operations. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and the public while ensuring the confidentiality of informants, Police said. The hotline will allow citizens to report various offenses, including drug trafficking, organized crime, child abuse, threats to national security, misuse of state resources, more..

Jan 31 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that land belonging to the people should rightfully remain with them. He further emphasized that the issue of land disputes in the Northern Province is under review and that steps are being taken to expedite the process of returning land to its rightful owners. Prez highlighted that while the govt has the authority to acquire land anywhere in the country for development projects or more..

Jan 31 (DM) During a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath urged the Italian govt to expedite the resumption of work visas for Sri Lankans, following their temporary suspension. When the Minister inquired from the Ambassador regarding the suspension of work visas in Italy, the Ambassador pointed out that the Italian govt is reviewing the granting of work visas to several countries and that this is a temporary measure. more..

Jan 31 (NW) The first printed copy of the National Business Directory, an annual publication by Rainbow Pages, an affiliate of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, was presented to PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Jan 30 at the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training. PM commended the services provided to the local business community, particularly the digital solutions offered by Rainbow Pages, such as new webpage development services that help connect more..

Jan 31 (NW) Police have released more details of the triple murder at a lodge in Mahabodhiwatta, Hiniduma, on Thursday night (30). According to Police two unidentified gunmen arrived on a motorcycle around 11:15 p.m. and opened fire before fleeing. One of the suspects used a T-56 assault rifle in the attack. At the time of the shooting, five individuals were inside the lodge consuming alcohol. Three of them were killed at the scene, while the other two managed to escape. more..

Jan 31 (NW) The CEB or its subsidiaries will not be sold, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has stated. Speaking during an inspection visit to the Norochcholai Power Plant, minister said that the govt considers these institutions vital national assets and will retain full ownership and control over them. “Even before coming to power, we have always opposed the sale of these institutions, and that stance remains unchanged,” Minister said, stressing that the govt must maintain authority more..