Jan 17 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has decided to reduce electricity tariffs by an average amount of 20% overall, the PUCSL’s Director of Communications Jayanath Herath announced. He stated that the tariff revision will come into effect from midnight today and that this is for the first 6 months of the year. PUCSL Communications Director said the final decision was reached after studying and reviewing more..

Jan 17 (FT) Last year Sri Lankans participated in both Presidential Elections and Parliamentary Elections. In 2025, the country is likely to face two more elections: Local Govt and Provincial Govt elections. However, a significant portion of the Sri Lankan population residing overseas – working hard to provide food and a better living condition for their families and loved ones back home, continues to be denied their voting franchise. Does anybody care about them? more..

Jan 17 (AD) General Manager of SL Railways J.I.D. Jayasundara described the recent video widely circulating on social media—showing a group of locals performing massage therapy for foreign tourists on a train—as very insulting. He stated: “As a Sri Lankan as well as an employee of the Dept of Railways, I view this incident as very insulting.” Furthermore, he stated that based on the reports he has received, the incident did not take place on a regular passenger train more..

Jan 17 (FT) On 18 Dec 2024 Prez Dissanayake announced in Parliament a series of tax changes. Some taxes were increased while the other taxes were decreased. Those changes were revision of personal income tax, increase in withholding tax on interest from 5% to 10%, imposition of VAT of 18% on digital services, removal of export service exemption on income tax and tax them at 15%, increasing the corporate tax rates on betting, tobacco & liquor industries from 40% to 45% more..

Jan 17 (NW) Nearly 30 train journeys have been disrupted due to a shortage of locomotive engine drivers reported this morning, SL Railways said. Railway Dept said despite 68 locomotive engine drivers being required to be on duty, per the current schedule, only 48 had reported to work today. Dept further said that 27 locomotive engine drivers had refrained from reporting to duty. It is reported that locomotive engine drivers had not reported to duty due to preparing for a promotional exam more..

Jan 17 (FT) At the invitation of Xi Jinping, President of China, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka, paid a state visit to China from January 14 to 17, 2025. During the visit, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held talks with President Xi Jinping, and met with Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. more..

Jan 17 (AD) 2024 A/L Examination evaluation centre established at the Pannipitiya Dharmapala Vidyala has temporarily been closed, owing to a dispute between the school principal and female teachers engaged in answer sheet evaluation activities with regard to their attire. It was reported that the disagreement arose yesterday, which was a school day. The female principal of the school allegedly refused to allow the teachers to enter the school premises as they had arrived wearing gowns more..

Jan 17 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa announced that SJB Working Committee has approved engaging with Opposition parties, including the UNP, to form a collective approach for the upcoming local govt elections. Premadasa criticized the govt for failing to fulfill key promises, such as reducing electricity tariffs, lowering fuel prices, and providing fertilizer subsidies. He said gap between the govt’s pledges and actions highlights its inability to address public’s needs. more..

Jan 17 (DM) Sri Lanka through its latest trade and export policy is targeting annual export revenue of US$ 18.2 billion for 2025. The plan, as outlined by EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, is to increase merchandise exports from last year’s target of US$ 12.7 billion to US$ 14 billion, while elevating service exports from US$ 3.5 billion to US$ 4.2 billion within the next 12 months. Apparel sector is expected to lead the growth more..

Jan 17 (DM) Ministry of Finance has denounced allegations circulating on social media linking Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma to promotional activities for an online business. Ministry clarified that claims suggesting the Deputy Minister endorsed TTK Application Promotion Ltd, an online business entity, are entirely false. It emphasized that the Deputy Minister had not participated in any meetings or discussions with the company in question. more..

Jan 17 (DM) During the first nine months of 2024, over 70 HIV-positive males are between 15-24 years old, while only five female cases were reported in this age group. So far in 2024, 74 cases have been reported among males in the 15-24 age group. The ratio of reported cases between males and females in 2024 is 8:1, showing that males are the majority of those affected. SL is experiencing a rise in HIV/AIDS cases, with over 600 new infections and 35 deaths reported during the first nine months of 2024. more..

Jan 17 (AD) The Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) will issue its recommendation regarding the electricity tariffs revision for the next six months today (17). The PUCSL called for public opinions on the matter from the Dec 17 last year, while oral sessions were held from the Dec 27 to Jan 10, across all nine provinces. Around 400 individuals have submitted proposals during those sessions and it was proposed that the electricity tariff must be reduced between 20% to 30%. more..

Jan 17 (EN) SL and China have agreed to sign a MoU on maritime cooperation amid Indian concerns over Chinese research ships visiting the Indian Ocean. SL on Dec 31 relaxed one-year temporary ban on foreign ships entering SL waters for research purposes. SL had to impose the ban after strong Indian concerns over Chinese research vessels entering into SL waters for research purposes. However, SL and China agreed for maritime cooperation during Prez’s official visit more..

Jan 17 (ST) A tax increase on imports of coconut oil by the previous regime recently created another significant controversy involving systemic fraud and economic mismanagement. These alleged incidents of tax evasion and unfair market practices which claimed revenue losses of over Rs.5 billion quickly drew comparisons to Sri Lanka’s infamous sugar tax scam, resulting from manipulative schemes on the part of a few dominant importers. more..

Jan 17 (EN) Central bank has launched a digital payments promotion campaign in Hambantota, it said in a statement. The campaign, under the theme of Shaping the Future through Digital Transactions was launched by governor Nandalal Weerasinghe at the Magam Ruhunupura Administrative Complex in Hambantota. The campaign was organized by CBSL with the support of District Secretary of Hambantota Bimal De Silva, financial institutions and telecommunication service providers. more..

Jan 17 (CT) Two persons were killed by two unidentified gunmen, yesterday, in front of the Mannar Magistrate’s Court. Two persons out of four, who were critically injured when two unidentified gunmen opened fire at them in front of the Mannar Magistrate’s Court, died yesterday morning. Soon after the incident, the victims were rushed to Mannar Base Hospital, where two of them were pronounced dead on admission. Two others are currently undergoing treatment, Police said. more..

Jan 17 (DM) All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is expected to reach 17,500 points by the end of this year driven by stronger earrings and lower interest rate regime, according to First Capital Research (FCR). “2025 Stock Market returns may continue to remain positive amidst the extreme bullishness in 1Q2025, and slowdown during 2H2025,” FCR stated in its Equity Strategy Report for the year. For this year, FCR upgraded its fair value target for ASPI, more..

Jan 17 (DN) SL’s Annaya Norbet and Sahansa Damsiluni triumphed in a thrilling Girls’ Doubles final at the ITF Asia Under-14 and Development Championship Week 1, held at SLTA courts in Colombo yesterday. The dynamic duo overcame the Philippines’ Paglalunan Ella and Torrecampo Maristela in a dramatic 6-2, 2-6, 10-3 victory, securing the championship after a strong third set tiebreaker. Despite dropping the second set, SL pair held their ground and sealed the win with more..

Jan 17 (TM) Ministry of Public Security stated that the SL Navy has been placed on high alert to curb illegal immigrants from entering the country. The reports come in the wake of Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala’s statement in Parliament that there are indications of elements conspiring to move thousands (100,000) of illegal immigrants to SL. Following the recent arrival of over 100 Rohingya asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka, more..

Jan 17 (DN) SL Under-19 women’s team, led by Manudi Nanayakkara, will begin their campaign in the ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup when they meet Malaysia in their opening game on Jan 19 in Kuala Lumpur. Before the World Cup, SL played two warm-up games against Bangladesh and Samoa. SL lost to Bangladesh in the first warm-up game but recorded an easy 76-run win over Samoa, which is making its first World Cup appearance. SL and Bangladesh tied their 4-match T20 series more..

Jan 17 (ST) As Sri Lanka is on the move to attract high-end tourists and improve the quality of tourists with more than two million tourists in 2024, urgent policy reforms while streamlining of regulatory processes must be put into place for industries associated with tourism. The gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka has been repeatedly urging the government in the past on consistent policy reforms and reducing the high taxes and rigid import-export regulations. more..

Jan 17 (FT) United Petroleum, Australian energy giant that made a high profile-entry into Sri Lanka's fuel retail market in Aug 2024, is on the brink of withdrawing from the country. Citing dissatisfaction with operational conditions and the pricing formula, company has halted its fuel supplies in Dec 2024 and is now engaged in negotiations with the Govt. Company’s decision to suspend operations marks a significant setback for what was more..

Jan 17 (FT) A new era of economic growth for Sri Lanka took centre stage yesterday as the SL Economic Association (SLEA), in partnership with ODI Global, leading global affairs think tank, hosted a successful book launch and expert panel discussion at the Uni of Colombo. The event, focused on the timely publication SL: from debt default to transformative growth, brought together leading economists, policymakers, academics, development practitioners and uni students more..

Jan 17 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB) will host the 26th edition of the Presidential Export Awards (PEA) ceremony on 7 Feb at the BMICH under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. PEA stands at the pinnacle of recognition bestowed by the Prez to SL exporters who have made exceptional contributions to the country’s export sector and economic advancement. These esteemed accolades seek to honour and acknowledge exporters who have played more..

Jan 17 (FT) In recent times, the country’s healthcare system has been burdened by a shortage of essential medicines. Among various contributing factors, the current procurement processes have played a significant role in delaying the arrival of consignments. While medicine shortages have been an ongoing issue since the economic crisis, the delays in approval timelines and coordination problems within the healthcare system are unacceptable. more..

Jan 17 (FT) A new mechanism will be implemented following instructions of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to refund Withholding Tax (WHT) for pensioners, who do not fall within the income tax range. At a discussion held recently with Finance Ministry officials, Prez directed the officials to come up with an efficient mechanism to refund WHT, soon. Prez was of the view that the pensioners were facing several difficulties and the Govt should introduce this mechanism to give them relief. more..

Jan 17 (ST) As the subject minister holding the portfolio of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala plays a key role in the implementation of the NPP govt’s ambitious agenda for the country. A close confidant of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Mr. Wijepala has served previously as his private secretary. Today, he holds the position of Chief of Staff to the President in addition to his ministerial portfolio. more..

Jan 17 (Island) The mission of the Clean Sri Lanka project is to reposition the nationwide efforts of environmental, social, and governance initiatives through introducing change, integration, and collaboration. As stated on its official website, “Clean Sri Lanka project aims to address a cleaner physical environment and a nationwide moral commitment to enhance ethical principles. Enhancement of the three pillars of sustainability; Economic, Social and Governance (EESG), have been identified as more..

Jan 17 (GV) In her latest work Darshi Thoradeniya, a senior lecturer at the University of Colombo, gives an insightful exploration of the history of women’s health in Sri Lanka, shedding light on lesser known facts and pivotal moments in healthcare policy evolution. At the launch of A Critical History of Women’s Health in Modern Sri Lanka, a panel moderated by Dr Asha Abeyasekera a senior lecturer in Gender and Women’s Studies at the Uni of Colombo, with Prof Nira Wickramasinghe more..

Jan 17 (TM) Sri Lanka has long dealt with violent crimes using ad-hoc measures instead of long-term, well-established policies. Once again gun violence seems to be on the rise instilling fear in ordinary citizens and posing a threat to the rule of law. Over the last decade, the country has been grappling with sporadic surges of gun violence, often linked to organised crimes. Repeated resurgence of gun violence and the impunity with which some criminals act is indicative of the deep cracks within more..

Jan 17 (Island) The Opposition has been able to put the government on the defensive on the propaganda front. The JVP/NPP carried out a propaganda onslaught against its political rivals, and rallied enough popular support to win last year’s elections. The boot is now on the other foot. On Wednesday, claiming that despite last year’s regime change, some big companies continued to import coconut oil fraudulently, causing huge losses to the state coffers, SJB MP S. M. Marikkar, said more..