Dec 12 (AD) Following tests on multiple samples, the fever which spread in the northern region of the island and claimed 7 lives, has been identified as Leptospirosis, also known as rat fever, the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health confirmed. At a media briefing yesterday, the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health said that an unidentified fever is spreading in the Jaffna District, raising concerns among health authorities. more..

Dec 12 (NW) The Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) has launched inspections to detect plastic and polythene unfit for use being sold in the local market. The PHIU has conducted inspections of several retail stores in the Colombo and Puttalam areas. The inspections are being conducted to detect plastic items sold for the forthcoming school year and the festive season. PHIU President Upul Rohana urged the public to be mindful of the plastic products being bought. more..

Dec 12 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Ministry of Finance to implement measures to enhance the efficiency and resilience of SL’s financial system. The President provided these instructions during a discussion with Finance Ministry officials at the Presidential Secretariat today. Highlighting the Central Bank’s crucial role as an independent institution, Prez Dissanayake assured that the govt would extend its full support and resources to stabilize the country’s finances. more..

Dec 12 (DM) If the Australian govt has recently culled millions of kangaroos to protect their land, SL could consider measures to export harmful animal populations causing significant damage to crops, former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera suggested. He said that the govt must address the issues faced by farmers and the public, rather than focusing on media spectacles orchestrated by some environmentalists. "After three discussions with China, more..

Dec 12 (DM) Policies should be formulated, and decisions should be made based on data that prioritises the best interests of schoolchildren. Officials should also treat the public humanely, recognising their role as providers of public services, PM Harini Amarasuriya said. She made this statement at a workshop held yesterday at the Colombo Foundation Institute on Preparing Relevant Strategies to Transform the Existing Education System. The workshop discussed key issues outlined more..

Dec 12 (NW) Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest and detention of former Western Province Governor Azath Salley in 2021, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), was unlawful. The Court further ordered compensation of Rs. 75,000 to be paid by the respondents. The respondents include former Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera and the then Director of the CID. Azath Salley was arrested on 16 March 2021, under the PTA, for his remarks at a press briefing on 9 March 2021, more..

Dec 12 (DM) While pointing out that the toque monkey is one of five mammals in SL not protected under the law, veteran environmentalist Dr. Jagath Gunawardane said farmers are allowed to take action against non-protected animals that trespass on their lands. The controversy stems from accusations that environmentalists are hindering farmers from managing the monkey population. Dr. Gunawardane dismissed these claims, pointing out that the real issue lies with illegal killings more..

Dec 12 (EN) Inadequate packaging is a major cause of significant post-harvest losses in Sri Lanka, Export Development Board has said. “In Sri Lanka post-harvest losses are significant, affecting 20% – 30% of vegetables and 15% – 20% of fruits. Inadequate packaging has been identified as a major cause of these losses,” the EDB said in a statement. The trade body recently conducted an awareness session focusing the packaging solutions for fruits and vegetable sector. more..

Dec 12 (AD) The SJB has finally announced the four names nominated to fill its remaining National List MP seats in Parliament. Accordingly, the main opposition party has named Mano Ganesan, Nizam Kariapper, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Mohamed Ismail for the remaining four National List MP posts. Following the General Election held on Nov 14, the SJB secured five National List MP seats (bonus seats). On Nov 19, the General Secretary of the SJB, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, more..

Dec 12 (CT) The first responsibility of the new Health Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, is to provide the necessary evidence and documents to the judiciary to expedite the legal proceedings related to the low-quality human immunoglobulin scam and the data fraud at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) said. MCPA President, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, observed that the preservation of the new Health Secretary’s reputation more..

Dec 12 (AD) The Colombo District Court today issued a restraining order preventing the SJB from submitting their National List MP nominees without including the name of Nizam Kariapper of the SLMC. After considering a plaint filed by SLMC leader MP Rauff Hakeem, Colombo Additional District Judge Chamari Weerasuriya issued this order on the SJB’s General Secretary, Ranjith Madduma Bandara. Petitioner Rauff Hakeem claims that the SLMC, led by him, supported SJB’s prez candidate, more..

Dec 12 (NW) The security detail provided for former Presidents has been reduced to 60 personnel following a review conducted by the Acting IGP, it was reported. 116 Police officers deployed on security duty for former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa have been transferred with immediate effect. The officers transferred to 38 divisions, include seven Chief Inspectors and four Police Inspectors. Meanwhile, three vehicles that had also been granted to former Prez Rajapaksa have also more..

Dec 12 (DM) The Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Khaled Nasser Al Ameri extended an official invitation to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to visit the UAE as a gesture of goodwill. The invitation was extended during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Secretariat today. Ambassador assured Prez Dissanayake of the UAE’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and pledged UAE's support to the SL Govt’s efforts to create a developed and prosperous nation. more..

Dec 12 (EN) The Colombo Stock Change All Share Price Index (ASPI) hit a record high today breaching the 14,000 mark. The index has been steadily rising since November. Market participants have said that local high networth individuals and institutions were taking positions in anticipation of company profiles improving. Investor interest in banking stocks led the charge originally amidst expectations of the successful completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring. more..

Dec 12 (FT) Sri Lanka’s equity market as measured by the Colombo Stock Exchange is hitting new highs, in a wave of political and economic optimism. Buoyed by expectations of stronger than expected economic growth and fuelled by lower interest rates, the benchmark stock market index the ASPI sparkles this December like a Christmas ornament. Market liquidity which appears on the way up and hopes of capital gains tempt individual investors to increase their risk tolerance and more..

Dec 12 (FT) However formidable, even brilliant, a leader and protagonist in the national political arena Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is, dialectics in general and the dialectics of the debt deal in particular, will undermine and undo AKD-NPP rule. A contradiction lies embedded at the very heart of the Govt between the NPP’s progressive political sociology—its generational and gender configuration—and its regressive political economy. AKD and the NPP’s economic decisions; their choice of economic strategy and model; more..

Dec 12 (DM) The govt is ready to take up the discussion again on exporting Toque Macaque monkeys to China as one solution to the monkey menace, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Lal Kantha said. He told reporters that the govt is ready to find solutions to the destructions caused by wild animals to the cultivations in all aspects. "We hope to find solutions to this issue in all aspects. more..

Dec 12 (DM) Director of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, Dr. T. Sathyamoorthy, said that if MP Ramanathan Archchuna visits the hospital again and disrupts its operations, he will be captured and handed over to the Jaffna Police. Dr. Sathyamoorthy made this statement during a media briefing held yesterday (10) regarding a complaint lodged at the Jaffna Police, alleging that MP Archchuna's recent visit to the hospital had disrupted its daily operations. Providing further details, more..

Dec 12 (Island) Objection raised by the legal representatives of former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara and former State Intelligence Service Chief Nilantha Jayawardena, claiming that compensation lawsuits filed against them, related to the Easter Sunday bombings, were not filed within the stipulated period of three months as per the provisions of the Police Ordinance, were dismissed by Negombo District Judge Lalith Kannangara yesterday (11). more..

Dec 12 (TM) The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health said that an unidentified fever is spreading in the Jaffna District, raising concerns among the health authorities. Meanwhile, the death toll from the unidentified fever spreading in Jaffna has risen to five, according to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital’s Director Dr. T. Sathyamoorthy. The deceased, aged between 20 and 65, succumbed to the fever and respiratory complications. more..

Dec 12 (Island) Minister K.D. Lalkantha’s recent statement that there are no legal restrictions on taking measures against wildlife that damage crops on private agricultural lands encourages farmers to violate the law, says Sajeewa Chamikara of Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR). Chamikara noted that such remarks undermined the principles outlined in the govt policy declaration A Prosperous Country, A Beautiful Life, which emphasises fostering responsible more..

Dec 12 (CT) The Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera ordered Police Children and Women Bureau to investigate and report to the Court on a group of Sri Lankans who uploaded pornographic photographs and footage to the Internet. The Magistrate observed that the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) in USA had revealed that a group of Sri Lankans uploaded children’s pornographic photographs and footage to the Internet. more..

Dec 12 (DN) It has been noted that certain vehicle import groups are making strong and definite statements about market opening and representing the government direction. These have been made on national news and are highly inflammatory as the industry must wait for the government to announce such decisions and not individuals, opined Chairman, Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) Virann De Zoysa. “As a recognized association with over 100 years of history more..

Dec 12 (EN) Sri Lanka witnessed more than $33 million offshore inflows into its govt securities last week and the island nation has seen inflows for the 12th straight week. Analysts said foreign investors speculate further rate cut in the central bank’s monetary policy rate and further appreciation in the rupee. “So, foreign risk-taking funds are still buying SL govt securities. They are speculating further 150 basis point reduction in the market interest rates and more appreciation in the rupee,” more..

Dec 12 (TM) In the wake of the Technical Engineers and Supervisors Association of the CEB raising concerns over the CEB’s recent decision to purchase electricity from private thermal power plants despite heavy rains filling reservoirs to maximum capacity for hydropower generation, the CEB defended the move, stating that the purchase may have been made to address sudden changes in the electricity dispatch order. more..

Dec 12 (NW) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), is considering bringing a no-confidence motion against Speaker Asoka Sapumal Ranwala if he fails to clarify the authenticity of his academic qualifications, an SJB lawmaker said Wednesday. SJB MP Ajith P. Perera said the Speaker must make a statement on whether he holds a legitimate doctorate. “If he cannot provide proof and refuses to resign, the SJB will move forward with a no-confidence motion,” Perera said. more..

Dec 12 (FT) Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, had a cordial meeting with Assistant State Secretary and Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Peace and Human Rights Division Head Ambassador Tim Enderlin, during his recent visit to SL. The discussion centred on promoting national unity and reconciliation in the country. Foreign Minister reiterated the Govt’s commitment to building one national identity for all Sri Lankans and requested Swiss support for strengthening initiatives more..

Dec 12 (FT) Former MP Charitha Herath delivered a sharp critique of the NPP Govt during a media briefing held at the SJB head office in Pita Kotte yesterday. Addressing the gathering, Herath accused the NPP Govt of mishandling governance and prioritising trivial issues. “The Govt is currently in a quagmire of its own making,” he remarked, asserting that the challenges faced by the NPP stem from self-created “trivial issues” rather than those inherited from previous administrations. more..

Dec 12 (Island) 103 young talents are excited to represent Sri Lanka at the UCMAS International Competition 2024, which is to be held on 14th Dec 2024, at the New Delhi University. This is by far the biggest Abacus based Mental Arithmetic Competition in the World, held annually. Whilst children from more than 80 countries around the world are expected to participate in this competition, Sri Lanka is proud of being represented by the highest number of Overseas Children at this Competition. more..

Dec 12 (EN) CEB has asked to keep current tariffs for six months from Jan 2025, and the regulator said it will give a ruling on Jan 17 after conducting public hearings. Nine public hearing would be held from Dec 27 to Jan 10 in each province. Written submissions could be made till Jan 8 to info@pucsl.gov.lk or whatsapp on 0764271030. The staff of the PUCSL will review and revise the tariff proposal before public hearings. more..

Dec 12 (ST) In line with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on Dec 3, the Disability Organizations Joint Front (DOJF) this week expressed their views on issues faced by their community. They addressed a press conference on the theme of Expanding the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive Sustainable Future. A Panel comprising DOJF Chairman Rasanjali Pathirage, Vice President Tikiri Jayawardane (Physical Disability), more..

Dec 12 (CT) Colombo-centric residents are trying to find solutions for the human-wild animal conflict that they see on their computers, quipped former MP Charitha Herath. Praising Minister K.D. Lalkantha’s recent remarks in the Parliament where the Minister called on farmers to take any action that they deem necessary against wild animals that damage crops, Prof. Herath said that the damage done by wild animals must be managed. “There is a truth to what Minister Lalkantha said recently. more..