Jan 6 (FT) The Central Bank of SL (CBSL) has directed all licenced banks to establish a Relief Banking Unit to meaningfully help troubled Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurs (MSMEs), in addition to previous requirement of Business Revival Units. The latest direction was via Circular No. 01 of 2025 dated 1 Jan 2025. It also serves as an addendum to the previously issued Circular No. 04 of 2024 more..

Jan 6 (FT) Colombo continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination in South Asia, offering notable accessibility and liveability by ranking 33rd globally for easy to get visa. 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. The Brand Finance Global City Index results are based on insights from over 15,000 respondents across 20 countries, more..

Jan 6 (FT) Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced this week that Sri Lanka is focusing on enhancing the quality of its tourism offerings to woo high-end travellers this year. Speaking at an inauguration of a new ayurvedic resort in Bentara, he stressed the need for a balanced approach that prioritises both quality and quantity of tourist arrivals. “Tourism is not only an industry, it also reflects our history, culture, and heritage,” he said, describing ayurvedic treatments under more..

Jan 6 (NW) When you travel through a country, you want to be as close to the local population as possible, in order to benefit the local communities and the environment. With this in mind, and seeing as that we are seasoned campaigners on the roads of Goa, we decided to get some wheels (3 of them) from @tuktukrental Sri Lanka, and get ourselves to the varolious surf breaks in Ahangama. I not only love the independence of having our own transport, especially with 5 surfboards to load every trip, more..

Jan 6 (CT) Wildlife Department has decided to use GPS technology for operations to drive away wild elephants in several areas of Anuradhapura up to Wilpattu. Accordingly, the Wildlife Dept stated that an operation to attach GPS collars on wild elephants was launched from Oyamaduwa. It is reported that wildlife officials, SL Navy and local residents participated in this operation. Wildlife Dept said that the aim was to identify the locations of wild elephants and study their travel routes. more..

Jan 6 (EN) SL’s state sugar company can produce a lower cost alcohol for the people using ethanol made as a by product, and wean the people away from illegal tipples, Industries Minister Sunil Handunetti said. Lanka Sugar, a state firm built a Rajapaksa regime by expropriating private citizens, have ended up with large stocks of unsold ethanol after tax hikes in the wake of an economic collapse led to a fall in sales of for legal arrack. more..

Jan 6 (FT) The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has called on the Govt to investigate an incident involving the alleged obstruction of academic freedom at the Uni of Peradeniya (UoP). The FUTA condemned the actions of the University’s Vice Chancellor Terrence Madhujith, who reportedly intervened to prevent a seminar on the IMF impact on Sri Lanka from taking place as scheduled. The seminar, organised by the Political Science Students’ Union more..

Jan 6 (EN) Central Bank has bought US$ 2,841 million from banks on a net basis in 2024, as the agency operated largely deflationary policy at an appropriate interest rate. CB bought US$ 3,137.7 million to prevent the exchange rate from going up as a result of deflationary policy (strong side convertibility) and sold US$ 183 million (weak side convertibility) to prevent a fall in the exchange rate. The IMF has classified SL’s soft-peg or flexible exchange rate as other, managed. more..

Jan 6 (TM) SL Govt Officers’ Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA), representing around 200,000 public-sector employees, has requested the Govt to raise the Rs. 10,000 festival advance given to public servants for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year to Rs. 40,000. SLGOTUA National Organiser B.A.P. Basnayake said that the public servants are usually provided with an advance of Rs. 10,000 for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. However, he said that it should be raised to at least Rs. 40,000 more..

Jan 6 (AD) The board of duty (Rajakari Mandalaya) of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya has launched a strike by withdrawing from sacred pooja and rituals of the devalaya today (5), citing their objection to the appointment of an acting Basnayake Nilame, which they allege violates long-standing traditions and was influenced by political considerations. Strike followed the appointment of S.V. Chandrasinghe as acting Basnayake Nilame by the Commissioner for Buddhist Affairs. more..

Jan 6 (TM) Govt is planning to launch cleaning programmes under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative targeting urban areas on 20 Jan, according to Clean Sri Lanka programme member Chaminda Jayasuriya. He said that these efforts would address both physical cleanliness to create visible changes and moral reforms aimed at improving public behaviour. The first phase of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, launched on 1 January, more..

Jan 6 (ST) While restrictions on the import of vehicles for private use are to be lifted from next month, the govt will be keeping a close eye on its impact on foreign exchange outflow. While the govt’s target in lifting the vehicle import ban is to boost the economy and increase tax revenue, there is still a risk when allowing vehicle imports, as “we don’t know how exactly it will affect foreign exchange outflow and fluctuation of the rupee,” a senior Treasury official said. more..

Jan 6 (DM) In line with the Clean Sri Lanka project, SL Police has launched two traffic initiatives aimed at reducing accidents and easing congestion. The first initiative targets vehicles equipped with altered ringtones, flashing lights of various colors, illegal modifications, loud horns, noisy silencers and additional parts that increase accident risk. The second initiative involves deploying plainclothes officers to identify traffic violations by public transport bus drivers and enforce the law accordingly. more..

Jan 6 (TM) Secretary to the Prez has issued a new circular – Circular No. PS/SB/Circular/1/2025 – providing updated guidelines for Govt ministries and institutions regarding their interactions with foreign states, int'l organisations, diplomatic missions accredited to SL, and SL missions abroad. This circular amends the previous guidelines issued under Circular No. PS/EAD/Circular/16/2022 on 9 Jan 2023 more..

Jan 6 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake or AKD launched the most important project of his Govt – Clean Sri Lanka – on the eve of 2025 by addressing the nation standing on a red carpet at the front yard greens of the Prez’s Secretariat lively viewed by almost all Sri Lankans. It was followed by the affirmation of an oath by ministers, politicians, and all public servants throughout the country containing six points and pledging their support for the successful implementation of the project. more..

Jan 6 (DM) Let lovers make love! Why should others bothered about it? What has social media got to do with it?" asked Minister K.D. Lalkantha from the media after an event. He was responding to a question about the implications of his colleague MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi in a case. He said social media even fabricated a story, saying his daughter was studying at a university in Canada. "Even the state media made that news at that time. I, along with my daughter, was watching this news. more..

Jan 6 (FT) Resemblances to the early pre-transformation days of Singapore are beginning to show up with the new regime in SL. Six decades following Lee Kuan Yew’s cleansing and development of that nation has given rise to a world leader in a number of contexts including corruption elimination and cleanliness. More recently, it has also emerged as a leader in digitalisation. Ironically at the beginning of Singapore’s transformation journey Lee Kuan Yew set out to model more..

Jan 6 (AD) Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation, Dr Susil Ranasinghe, has stated that steps have been taken to launch a special place investigation into lands allocated for various purposes since 2015. The Deputy Minister also mentioned that necessary legal action would be taken following the investigation. “Land is being allocated to industries and agriculture through the LRC. However, in the past, there have been many issues with land distribution and land transfers. more..

Jan 6 (Island) Minister Ananda Wijepala said that investigations were underway to ascertain whether a group of Rohingyas rescued off Mullaitivu late last month were genuine asylum seekers. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority in Myanmar. Minister said that 12 members of the crew had been remanded pending investigations while others, numbering 103, had been moved to the Mullaitivu SLAF station, which was recently more..

Jan 6 (FT) SJB MP Mujibur Rahman has requested Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reconsider the Govt’s decision to deport 103 Rohingya refugees, including over 40 children, who arrived at the coast of Mullivaikkal in Mullaitivu, on 19 Dec 2024. “We are deeply saddened by the Govt’s decision to deport these Rohingya people who fled their war-torn country due to fear. SL Human Rights Commission has stated that there are over 40 children among them and their desire is to seek more..

Jan 6 (EN) SL has held a prepatory meeting for an Integrated Field Exercise under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Defence Ministry said, though the international body in charge and the Foreign Minister said the event had been postponed. SL announced in 2023 that it had ratified the agreement the country signed in 1996. Soon after signing the agreement a in 1996, an auxiliary seismic station was set up in Pallekele, Kandy. Work under the treaty including on-site inspection more..

Jan 6 (DN) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced that the Govt had decided to modernise and develop the Thriposha Company in Kandana, operating under the Health and Media Ministry and continue it as a State-owned enterprise to fulfill the nutritional needs of the nation. Minister revealed this decision during a discussion with officials to review the current status and future development plans of Thriposha Company. more..

Jan 6 (AD) Office of the PM and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, has categorically denied any involvement in the cancellation of the scheduled lecture organized by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at Peradeniya Uni. Issuing a statement, PM’s Office said that Dr. Amarasuriya has consistently championed academic freedom and democratic engagement, values fundamental to fostering critical discourse in educational institutions. more..

Jan 6 (AD) Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), D.J. Rajakaruna has initiated legal action against Ananda Palitha, a trade union leader affiliated with the SJB, over defamation. Accordingly, the CPC chairman has reportedly sent a letter of demand to Ananda Palitha seeking Rs. 500 million in compensation, alleging that Palitha caused damage to his reputation through a statement he made. The letter of demand, sent through Attorney-at-Law Sampath Yalewatte on Dec 24, more..

Jan 6 (EN) Sri Lanka’s red rice shortage was created by the govt through its price controls and import controls, by trying to interfere with the price signals, in a deterioration of policy seen over several years. The lack of food security and shortages is a direct result of self-sufficiency policies which had made exports impossible. The only way to prevent a similar crisis next year, is to avoid repeating the same mistake again. Price controls have a severe negative impact on perceptions of economic more..

Jan 6 (Island) The SJB was yet to decide on a specific course of action in the aftermath of presidential and parliamentary elections held last year, Kalutara District lawmaker Ajith P. Perera said. MP Perera, who is also the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s nominee at the Constitutional Council, said that they weren’t in a hurry and were in the process of looking at all options. He said that a cohesive opposition political grouping would be much better than going it alone. more..

Jan 6 (EN) Hundreds of online followers of Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe slammed domestic tyre producers after he revealed a request to further control imports, saying it will lead to a Rajapaksa administration style exploitation of consumers by protectionist businessmen. Local tyre makers had asked for import controls as there were more than enough locally made products, and after that prices more..

Jan 6 (AD) The Grade 11 Term Tests in all govt schools within the North-Central Province have been cancelled until further notice. This was announced by Education Secretary of the North Central Province (NCP). Earlier today, it was revealed that the Sinhala Literature question paper for the Grade 11 term test in the NCP has been confirmed to have leaked on social media, prompting authorities to take immediate action. As of this morning, the distribution of the compromised question paper more..

Jan 6 (Island) Former Chairperson of Human Rights Commission Prof. Deepika Udagama strongly condemned the cancellation of a lecture, titled How to fight against the IMF austerity programme, at the Peradeniya Uni. Responding to The Island query in this regard, Prof. Udagama said: “This reported move to censor a programme, within a uni, is surprising and is extremely problematic to say the least. It sets a chilling precedent. Universities are critically important sites more..

Jan 6 (DM) In the wake of a mysterious viral outbreak in China, the health authorities are still up in the air whether it could lead to a massive outbreak worldwide like COVID-19 pandemic. The virus spreading in China is called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and it is spreading especially among those under 14 in northern provinces. Its symptoms are mostly similar to that of COVID-19. more..

Jan 6 (TM) Following complaints from farmers in certain areas about not receiving the fertiliser subsidy of Rs. 25,000 per hectare provided by the Govt, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development assured that all subsidies would be credited to farmers by the end of this week. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Treasury to allocate an allowance of Rs. 25,000 per hectare to paddy farmers for the 2024/25 Maha cultivating season. more..

Jan 6 (DM) The expenses for the tea party hosted during the inauguration of the 10th Parliament was higher as the cost of the goods and services had gone up in the market, Parliament said while clarifying reports on expenses for the tea party hosted during the inauguration. Parliament's Communications Dept said the cost of the preparation of food items had gone up by approximately 100 percent when compared to 2020 when the tea party was hosted during more..

Jan 6 (AD) SL Police reiterated that modifications and decorations to three-wheelers are only permitted if they adhere to the guidelines approved by the Dept of Motor Traffic. DIG of Police for Traffic Control and Road Safety Indika Hapugoda emphasized that any alterations to a three-wheeler must be recorded in the vehicle’s registration book without altering its original model. “This allows police officers to easily verify approved modifications through the Dept of Motor Traffic, more..

Jan 6 (DM) India has pledged to provide unconditional support for the development of sports in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said. This commitment was made during a meeting between Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Sri Lanka's Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage. The Indian High Commissioner expressed that support will be extended for sports development initiatives across the country, focusing on a range of sports, more..

Jan 6 (DM) In response to concerns over the risks posed by fixed structures at the Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana and the recent Jeju Air Flight 2216 tragedy at Muan International Airport, South Korea, which claimed 179 lives, Minister Bimal Ratnayake has directed authorities to remove such structures. The Aircraft Owners’ and Operators’ Association of SL had previously raised alarms, urging the govt and more..