Mar 26 (CT) SL’s gem mining industry, which has for centuries been a pillar of the nation’s economy and global reputation, is now at the centre of controversy following revelations that a special security deposit worth Rs 1.37 billion remains unrecovered. The deposits, charged to ensure the proper filling and restoration of mined land, have sparked debate over the regulatory failure to close and restore abandoned gem pits, more..

Mar 26 (CT) I published an article in the CT on 26 July 2024 titled IGP controversy & Prez RW’s failure to break up NPP appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon (DT) was a controversial issue surrounding the Supreme Court’s (SC) interim order that prevented DT from functioning as the Acting IGP in July 2024. In other words, the SC had directed that DT be restrained from acting as head of police until the court decides to consider all the petitions submitted against his appointment more..

Mar 26 (DM) The UK, our former colonial master yesterday announced the imposition of sanctions on four Lankans. The foursome are accused of committing human rights abuse during the course of the brutal ethnic war which gripped the country during the near 30-year-long civil war. UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy said: “The UK govt is committed to human rights in SL, including seeking accountability for human rights more..

Mar 26 (TM) A significant corruption scandal involving public land owned by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has surfaced following revelations in a report by the Auditor General. Following an ultimatum of two weeks that concluded on 14 March, COPA Chairperson Aravinda Senarath revealed that the committee was yet to receive an official report from the Chief Secretary of the Western Provincial Council. more..

Mar 26 (DM) Last month, Adani Green Energy announced that it would respectfully withdraw from two proposed wind power projects in Mannar and Pooneryn after the govt sought to lower the tariff in the power purchasing agreement. The decision came after the cabinet appointed a committee to renegotiate the price from an earlier hurriedly agreed $. 0.08 to about $0.06 or less per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Adani group has said the govt’s proposed rates are financially unviable. more..

Mar 26 (DM) I recall accounts by friends who participated in the 1971 insurrection on how they were instructed to engage in political organising. They were to live like ascetics. They could, if unavoidable, pay to go to a location to meet the party faithful and engage in educational or recruitment activities. But they could not spend any money on food and accommodation while being there. The costs of transport to the next destination had to be borne by their hosts. more..

Mar 25 (AD) Matale High Court has sentenced the Manager of the Kandy Samp Army franchise in the 2024 Legends League, Akash (Yogi) Patel, in absentia to four years of imprisonment for match-fixing. Meanwhile, the accused was also fined Rs. 85 million and was ordered to pay Rs. 2 million to former SL cricketer Upul Tharanga for defamation. Patel was charged with match-fixing, after Upul Tharanga filed a complaint that the Indian national had approached him to fix matches during more..

Mar 25 (DM) SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that it is ironic that the govt, led by the NPP, had been compelled to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the ground-mounted solar power project in Sampur in the Eastern Province along with Indian PM Narendra Modi since it was opposed to the project tooth and nail when in the opposition. Mr. Rahman told a press conference that the NPP, as a party in the opposition in 2016, even went to court against the project. more..

Mar 25 (EN) More Sri Lankans who are alleged of human rights violations and corruption have been recommended for target sanctions from US, UK, and Europe countries, International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) said. A source from the ITJP said the human rights body has submitted more information and names for other govts for actions. UK on Monday imposed sanctions on four key Sri Lankans who played pivotal roles more..

Mar 25 (DM) SJB MP Harsha de Silva questioned the remark made by Prez Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa who had said there has been no conflict of Interest in getting E&Y and him being an adviser to the govt. "Hulangamuwa says there is no conflict of interest in him being the Partner at E&Y and his role as chief econ advisor to the GOSL. He says he had (insider) information on all matters in IMF negotiations and has full access to data/ strategy. If E&Y was a juice company it’s ok, more..

Mar 25 (AD) Govt has decided to revise the tariff paid per unit of electricity generated by rooftop solar panels, with the proposed rates set to vary based on the scale of energy production. According to the Ministry of Energy, a cabinet paper outlining these amendments has been submitted to the Cabinet, following recommendations from CEB. The revision aims to adjust the existing payment structure for solar power generation, aligning it with current energy policies and market conditions. more..

Mar 25 (Island) Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that summons be issued for the fourth witness in a case filed against businessman Mohamed Ibrahim and two other defendants, in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The directive was given by HC Judge Navaratne Marasinghe requiring the witness to appear in court on 2 July. During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama informed more..

Mar 25 (AD) A resolution to appoint a committee of inquiry for the removal of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon was handed over to the Speaker of Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne, today. This resolution has been signed by 115 MPs. This motion was submitted to the Speaker under Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No. 5 of 2002. The occasion of handing over this resolution was attended by Deputy Ministers Mahinda Jayasinghe, Eranga Gunasekara and MP more..

Mar 25 (NW) Prof Gananath Obeyesekere, a leading figure in anthropology and a prominent SL academic, has passed away at the age of 95. A former professor of anthropology at Princeton Uni, Obeyesekere was known for his influential work on religion, myth, and South Asian cultural practices. His notable publications include The Apotheosis of Captain Cook, The Cult of Goddess Pattini, and The Awakened Ones, which gained international recognition and challenged Western more..

Mar 25 (TM) In addressing issues pertaining to the availability and affordability of rice, the Government should prioritise establishing its authoritative power to manage the rice market instead of making plans to import rice, farmers groups observed yesterday (24). National Agrarian Unity organisation's President Anuradha Tennakoon further cautioned that there is a high likelihood of rice prices increasing towards the Sinhala-Tamil New Year. He opined that in a context where more..

Mar 25 (Island) The Gratiaen Trust on Sunday announced the distinguished panel of judges for Sri Lanka’s most prestigious literary award for creative writing in English, the 32nd Gratiaen Prize. Founded by Michael Ondaatje in 1992, the Gratiaen Prize is awarded annually to the best piece of creative writing in English by a SL author residing in Sri Lanka. The prize aims to encourage and recognise literary talent in Sri Lanka, fostering a rich and diverse literary culture. more..

Mar 25 (DM) According to the IMF agreement, vehicle taxes cannot be reduced, and there will be no tax revisions on vehicle imports this year, Senior Economic Advisor to the Prez, Duminda Hulangamuwa said. He said that IMF agreement had been published and explicitly mentioned that no tax concessions could be granted during the year. "Govt expects to generate between Rs. 300 million & Rs. 350 billion from vehicle imports this year. more..

Mar 25 (CI) Former SL batter Chamara Silva has been appointed as the head coach of the SL Under-19 men's team. His appointment runs from March 2025 to Dec 2026. This period includes the U-19 Men's World Cup to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia next year. Silva brings plenty of coaching experience from SL's domestic circuit. He is an ICC Level III qualified coach, and has served as head coach of the Police Sports Club. Before that, he has also coached Bloomfield CC & Panadura SC. more..

Mar 25 (TM) Former State Minister Sathasivam Viyalendran has been arrested by the CIABOC. Viyalendran, a Tamil politician and ex-MP from Batticaloa, was taken into custody following a CIABOC operation, though specific details of the allegations remain undisclosed. Following his arrest, Viyalendran was produced before the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court on today, where the Magistrate ordered his remand until 1 April. Elected to Parliament in 2015 as a TNA candidate, more..

Mar 25 (CT) Sri Lanka, strategically located on the busy East-West maritime route, has seen a notable influx of warships from major global powers between 2024 and now. India led with eight naval vessels including two submarines, followed by China with five, Japan with three, the United States with two, and France with one aircraft carrier strike group. These increased naval engagements had deepened Sri Lanka’s growing importance more..

Mar 25 (CT) In a continued effort to foster women’s economic empowerment, Naoki Kamoshida, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission and Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan in SL, visited on Friday (21), women entrepreneurs in Mannar District who have been supported through the Project Pathways to Peace: Realising the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in Sri Lanka with USD 1.7 million grant funding from the Govt of Japan, the Embassy said yesterday. more..

Mar 25 (Island) The Hatton Police Division, covering Nallathanniya, Maskeliya, Polpitiya, Nortonbridge, Ginigathhena, and Norwood, have launched special operations to combat drug trafficking and the illegal use of alcohol along the Hatton Road leading to Adam’s Peak during the Sripada pilgrimage season. Last week, 14 individuals had been arrested for carrying drugs, including hashish, ganja, ganja mixed with herbal pills, and marijuana-laced cigarettes. The suspects were apprehended more..

Mar 25 (AD) Deputy Minister of Defense Aruna Jayasekara assured that the recent shooting incidents reported across the country do not pose a threat to national security. Deputy Minister emphasized that authorities have taken necessary measures to maintain public safety and order. “We have ensured the safety of the people and implemented a special program in this regard. Public security across SL remains intact. While there are clashes between underworld gangs, more..

Mar 25 (DM) The long-standing tradition of rapport between people and politicians is fast disappearing today, and people find no one to turn to in case of a dire need, an eminent Buddhist monk said yesterday. Leading Dhamma orator Venerable Dodampahala Rahula Thera who was preaching during a ceremony held at the historical Veheragoda Temple Sedawatta to celebrate the 76th birthday of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, said there is no one the people in the villages and more..

Mar 25 (DM) Civil Intelligence Front (CIF) has filed a second complaint with the Bribery Commission, demanding an immediate investigation into the alleged misuse of a high-tech pilot vessel - acquired in 2019 with Japanese assistance for the Trincomalee Port which was used for an unauthorized private trip, resulting in an accident and a govt loss of over Rs. 260 million. The convenor of the Civil Intelligence Front, more..

Mar 25 (Hindu) The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed DMK leader T.R. Baalu to replace former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who passed away in 2018, as petitioner in over a decade-old challenge against agreements entered into between India and Sri Lanka to cede Katchatheevu to the island nation. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna heard a short preliminary submission by senior advocate P. Wilson, for the petitioner side, more..

Mar 25 (CT) Several apparel factories have brought to the attention of SL Customs a critical issue affecting the garment industry this season. There have been severe delays in fabric shipments being cleared at the Port due to a lack of capacity and facilities. Many factories and suppliers are struggling as their consignments remain stuck for weeks — some for over a month — leading to heavy demurrage charges. While food supplies are prioritised, fabrics are also vital, as more..

Mar 25 (DM) India’s Adani Group is not ready to compromise on the initially agreed tariff rate and other parameters of the 484 MW wind and transmission project in Mannar, despite its agreement to execute the project if SL requests. Adani Green Energy SL Ltd informed SL’s Energy Ministry its position in this regard after SL authorities including Prez Dissanayake said that the price of US $0.0826/kWh (8.26 US cents) quoted and more..

Mar 25 (EN) SL-China Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament has been re-established, with Minister Bimal Rathnayake elected as its chair. Chinese Ambassador to SL Qi Zhenhong who attended the event, “emphasized the importance of strengthening relations in mutually interested fields through the Friendship Association,” a parliament statement read. “He also recalled the friendly and cooperative relations between SL and China, especially during challenging times.” more..

Mar 25 (AD) Police have arrested the suspected gunman in connection with shooting incident that occurred at Nagalagam Street in the Grandpass Police Division on March 17. Two individuals who arrived on a motorcycle had opened fire on two persons that night, leaving both victims injured. Accordingly, the suspect has been arrested by a team of officers from the Grandpass Police Station. The arrested suspect is a 32-year-old resident of the Grandpass area. more..

Mar 25 (FT) Recent revelations of the many instances of the abuse of power and privilege, the lack of transparency and the lack of accountability of national and political leaders in Sri Lanka range from the trivial to the significant. From the price of meals in the parliamentary canteen, disbursements from the President’s Fund to select parliamentarians and the ease with which they were made to them relative to the hassles which other applicants have to endure, extravagant compensation paid more..

Mar 25 (FT) SL Foreign Ministry recently issued a media release regarding Israel’s war on Gaza—an announcement that comes after noticeable hesitation. This statement follows sharp criticism in Parliament over the Govt’s prolonged silence on Israel’s renewed military action and the resulting humanitarian crisis. The most pressing question is why the Foreign Ministry’s statement fails to acknowledge the atrocities committed by Israel or express sympathy for the Palestinian people, more..