Feb 17 (AD) A total of 13 out of 17 Sri Lankans who were forcibly detained in cybercrime camps in Myanmar have reportedly been rescued. The rescued individuals include 11 young men and two young women, all between the ages of 20 and 30. They are reportedly safe and will be transferred from the Thai border to the SL Embassy in Bangkok. Arrangements are being made for their return to SL in the coming days. Meanwhile, four other Sri Lankans remain detained in separate more..

Feb 17 (Island) The UNP and its breakaway faction SJB have failed again to reach a consensus on joining forces, ahead of the forthcoming Local Govt elections. Formal talks between the two parties were likely to be suspended pending LG polls, sources said, adding inflexible positions taken by some politicians undermined the reconciliation effort. The talks had fallen through due to the leadership issue, sources said. Declaring that the NPP govt had been struggling to cope up with a spate of issues, more..

Feb 17 (TM) Despite the current Govt’s pledge to curtail privileges for MPs, ministers, and other govt officials, the Ministry of Health has allocated nine double cabs and cars for the personal staff of the Cabinet and Deputy Ministers of Health and Mass Media, with a monthly fuel allocation of close to 2,000 litres. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni are serving as the Cabinet Minister and Deputy Minister of Health and more..

Feb 17 (DN) Sri Lanka has climbed to No. 5 in the ICC ODI rankings following their dominant 174-run victory over Australia, sealing a 2-0 series win at home. This marks SL’s biggest-ever win against Australia and extends their unbeaten home ODI series record since the 2023 Asia Cup. Team will now take a break from international cricket before hosting Bangladesh in June. With SL missing out on the 2025 Champions Trophy, the focus will be on rebuilding & preparing for future tournaments. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Sri Lanka’s canned fish manufacturers are seeking the removal of the 18% VAT imposed on locally produced canned fish to ensure accessibility for low-income families to the cheapest source of protein in order to tackle malnutrition among lower-income households. Local consumption of canned fish has dropped from around 300,000 tins per day two to three years ago to approximately 200,000 tins as of now. “Canned fish is actually meant for the poorer people of Sri Lanka. more..

Feb 17 (AD) Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has held a meeting with SL’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat on Sunday (16). “A productive interaction with FM Vijitha Herath on sidelines of 8th Indian Ocean Conference.” “Took stock of our wide-ranging cooperation. Committed to the economic recovery and progress of Sri Lanka,” Jaishankar posted on ‘X’. more..

Feb 17 (NW) Inayet Akbarally, the Chairman of Akbar Brothers Group and a pioneering figure in Sri Lanka’s tea industry, has passed away. A stalwart in the trade, Mr. Akbarally, alongside his late brothers Abbas and Abid Akbarally, co-founded Akbar Brothers, which went on to become Sri Lanka’s largest tea exporter for over 30 years. His leadership and vision played a pivotal role in shaping the company into a diversified conglomerate with a strong global presence. more..

Feb 17 (ST) CEB has appointed a committee to introduce a curtailment mechanism for solar power systems to cut production when electricity demand is low. If implemented, the move will be a blow to small-scale power producers who have invested in the hope of both returns and cheaper electricity bills. 8-member committee is headed by National System Control Centre (NSCC) Chief Engineer W.A.R.S. Weeratunga. more..

Feb 17 (ST) Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is facing a critical deadline as World Rugby (WR) has granted just four months to resolve its governance issues or face severe sanctions, including expulsion from international competitions. In a letter dated Feb 14, addressed to key stakeholders–Asia Rugby (AR) President Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai, National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) Prez Suresh Subramaniam, and Director General of Sports Shemal Fernando, World Rugby’s Chief of more..

Feb 17 (FT) LMD reports that the optimistic outlook (for economic sentiment) prevails as confidence strengthens amid positive trends. LMD adds: Confidence about the economy is growing in corporate circles, buoyed by the rise of LMD Business Confidence Index (BCI). And according to PepperCube Consultants, as reported in the magazine, the improved trajectory demonstrates growing optimism within the corporate sector against a backdrop of macroeconomic stability. more..

Feb 17 (FT) With Indian giant Adani last week withdrawing from the proposed $ 1 billion 500 MW wind power project in Sri Lanka, analysts were quick to provide a comparative financial analysis. They claimed that if Adani’s venture went ahead, Sri Lanka would stand to lose a staggering $ 1.26 billion over the span of the project, which is 20 years. Adani originally proposed to supply electricity at a rate of $ 0.0822 per kWh. more..

Feb 17 (FT) The poultry industry recently called on the Govt to remove or reduce the Rs. 25 per kilo tax on imported maize in the upcoming Budget, warning that failure to do so could lead to a sharp increase in the price of eggs and chicken during the Sinhala-Hindu New Year season. All Ceylon Poultry Traders’ Association Chairperson Mathali Jayasekara urged policymakers to reassess taxation policies that impact the cost of animal feed. “If the tax on maize is reduced or eliminated, more..

Feb 17 (DM) SL Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (SLPMA) urged the govt to create a level playing field for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers to compete with imported pharmaceutical products. SLPMA Chief asserted that domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers are competing with imported pharmaceutical products on an uneven playing field due to taxes imposed on critical packaging material imports required to produce various pharmaceutical products more..

Feb 17 (FT) Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has announced that steps are currently being taken to implement the e-Passport (electronic passport) issuance system. Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala confirmed that with the Court’s injunction order now lifted, there are no legal obstacles to the implementation of the system. He stated that the issuance of e-Passports is expected to begin within next 8 months, with agreements already signed with relevant companies. more..

Feb 17 (Island) is pleased to comment on two films, one Sri Lankan in Sinhala and the other American. She admits she is still to see the local film which is running in several cinemas to full audiences. It has been reviewed as outstanding; raved over by many; and already grossed the highest amount in SL cinema history – Rs 100 million from date of release January 30 to February 14. This last: testimony to its popular appeal and acceptance as an outstanding cinema achievement. more..

Feb 17 (ST) Challenges are mounting for Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his NPP govt. Despite holding an unassailable two-thirds majority in Parliament and being in power for more than eight weeks, substantial progress on election promises and newly emerging issues remains elusive. Against this backdrop, Prez Dissanayake will present his first budget tomorrow—a decisive factor akin to the proverbial more..

Feb 17 (FT) Lankan Angel Network (LAN) recently kicked off 2025 with a spectacular event at Monsoon, bringing together a dynamic mix of current and new LAN investors, portfolio companies, fundraising start-ups, key ecosystem partners, and LAN’s distinguished patron members, including recently appointed WP Governor Hanif Yusoof and Prez Adviser Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya. The event provided a platform for new and seasoned investors and emerging entrepreneurs to connect, more..

Feb 17 (Island) Prez Anura Dissanayake may be no hero like Odysseus, and IMF and the irate public are certainly no immortal monsters, but the perilous economic voyage AKD has embarked on is akin to sailing between Scylla and Charybdis. NPP govt’s maiden budget is to be presented to Parliament today. It will be the moment of truth for the incumbent dispensation troubled by more than its fair share of problems. What AKD has undertaken to perform on the economic front is a high-wire more..

Feb 17 (ST) The right to vote and the right to contest were central issues that weighed on the Supreme Court (SC) in its determination on the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, where a three-judge bench delivered a split decision. On Friday, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne read out in parliament the determination of the Supreme Court on the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill which was challenged under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution. more..

Feb 17 (CT) Three-wheeler transport service has long been a staple of SL roads, offering convenience and affordability. However, despite its deep-rooted presence, the industry remains riddled with issues that cause immense frustration for passengers. Unfair fare systems, a lack of discipline and the sheer disregard for passenger safety have made three-wheelers a menace rather than a reliable mode of transport. Authorities, including the Ministry of Transport and law enforcement, more..

Feb 17 (ST) Images of stilt fishermen on the southern coast have long been one of the most iconic scenes showcasing SL’s tourism. This distinctive traditional form of fishing is famous throughout the world due to the thousands of photographs that have been taken of these fishermen over the years by visiting tourists and professional photographers. While the practice was very much a source of livelihood for these more..

Feb 17 (CT) Clean Sri Lanka (CLS) is a commendable project not only to make the country preserve its natural beauty and attraction by maintaining a healthy physical environment but also more importantly to instil the idea of civic mindedness or care about the common good in the mindset of Sri Lankans. Excessive preoccupation in caring for one’s private interest leads to the neglect of interest in public welfare and increases the administrative cost of a govt, more..

Feb 17 (DM) According to latest reports, the fire at the Ella Forest Reserve in the Uva province had been doused after two days. Around 600 or more acres of the reserve has been destroyed so far. The blaze has spread towards the Ravana Falls, home to the Ravana Cave where the legendary Lankan king Lord Ravana resided and is supposedly buried. Tales passed down by word of mouth, have it that the cave was used by King Ravana to hide Princess Sita Devi whom Ravana allegedly kidnapped. more..

Feb 17 (TM) After a week of much talk on monkeys, power cuts, the President’s shirt button, and the continuing controversy surrounding the killing of senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is all set to deliver the much-anticipated maiden Budget of his JVP-led NPP Govt tomorrow (17). AKD’s 2025 Budget will set the course, especially on the economic front, for SL for this year more..

Feb 17 (ST) Govt has promised to establish an independent Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), with the Cabinet spokesman venturing no further details except to assure that this will not lead to the abolition of Dept of the Attorney General. A DPP will deliver justice more effectively, it is claimed. A committee with representatives of the Govt, the official and the unofficial Bar and a senior judge with expertise in the relevant field will present a concept paper for public input. more..

Feb 17 (TM) Amidst countless promises and challenges, Govt is set to table its very first Budget today, and the people’s expectations, especially following the economic crisis, have never been higher. To say that the 2025 Budget will be a pivotal one would be an understatement. SL is still recovering from the economic crisis, which was exacerbated by the medium-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and decades of poor governance. Despite the official figures more..

Feb 15 (CT) A group of 43 renewable energy developers has appealed to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging immediate action to address serious delays in renewable energy projects started under SL’s 2021 Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The developers have requested a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Power and Energy, the CEB, and the SLSEA, to resolve more..

Feb 15 (CT) Accident victims brought to the National Hospital Colombo Accident Service are facing a dilemma, as both X-ray machines serving the facility are out of order at the time of going to print on Friday (14). President, GRTA, Chanaka Dharmawickrama, lamented on Friday that the second machine in the service had collapsed on Thursday. Fielding questions, he said that the requirement in the Accident Service at NH Colombo had resulted in the installation of two X-ray machines. more..

Feb 15 (Island) Dept of Forest Conservation has urged the public to desist from engaging in activities that have the potential to spark forest fires. Director General Nishantha Edirisinghe has stressed that such activities could cause severe damage to the fragile ecosystems of the central highlands. So far this year, 11 forest fires have been reported in protected areas. The districts most frequently affected include Badulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Ratnapura, Monaragala, and Kegalle. more..

Feb 15 (NW) Ahimsa Wickrematunge has strongly criticized the Bar Association of SL (BASL) and its president, Anura Meddegoda, for what she described as hypocrisy and double standards in defending the Attorney General over alleged failures in justice. In a scathing letter, she accused AG Parinda Ranasinghe of deliberately obstructing the murder investigation of her father, slain journalist Lasantha more..

Feb 15 (CT) The potential of selling ready-to-cook fish to consumers through the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) networks is currently being explored, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar. Officials of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) also acknowledged Minister Chandrasekar’s concept, noting they are looking to sell fish to consumers through the CWE to assist people employed in both the public & pvt sectors. more..

Feb 15 (CT) NPP’s first-ever Budget for 2025 will be presented to Parliament by Prez Dissanayake, in his capacity as Finance Minister, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday (17). As usual, the Budget debate will run for 26 days, from 18 Feb to 21 March. The Second Reading Debate is scheduled from 18 to 25 Feb, with the vote on the Second Reading set for 6 p.m. on 25 Feb. Committee Stage Debate will take place from 27 Feb to 21 March, with the Third Reading Vote scheduled for 6 p.m. on 21 March. more..