Feb 13 (DM) Sri Lanka’s vehicle tax structure has come under renewed scrutiny, with tax experts warning that the imposition of the value added tax (VAT) on top of an already VAT-inclusive excise duty has resulted in a tax on tax scenario, making the system unfair and unnecessarily burdensome. Tax professionals this week highlighted that the composite excise tax structure, introduced in 2014, more..

Feb 13 (TM) The People’s Struggle Alliance Party (PSA) yesterday pointed out that the non-implementation of the recommendations issued to address various technical issues affecting the power generation process of the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai is one of the key concerns that came to light with the islandwide power outage that occurred on 9 February. Alliance’s member Tharindu Uduwaragedara said that when similar power outages occurred in 2020, 2021 and 2023 more..

Feb 13 (NW) Former SL captain Arjuna Ranatunga criticised current cricket players lacking essential skills and blamed franchises for the international game suffering. Ranatunga elaborated on his argument by saying that his 1996 Lankan team would easily defeat the current Indian team in India. “When I was captaining in the early 90s, you look at that batting order as a player… Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Amarnath. We couldn’t get them out twice…Azharuddin, Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, more..

Feb 13 (NW) Several Opposition political parties have called on the National Election Commission to postpone LG election until after the April New Year. Opposition parties, including the SJB & SLFP, made a written request from Election Commission, citing various reasons. SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said that election campaigning activities will be affected as the 2025 Budget will be presented in Parliament this month. more..

Feb 13 (NW) A meeting to discuss the Action Plan of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus was held recently (Feb 7) under the patronage of PM Harini Amarasuriya and the Chairperson of the Caucus, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savitri Paulraj. The Caucus discussed the possibility of enhancing women’s representation by achieving 25% women’s representation at the Provincial Level. Accordingly, the Caucus looked at the mechanisms of bringing in amendments to the prevailing more..

Feb 13 (EN) In a bid to fix interbank rates to within a few basis points, which leads to excess liquidity, external instability and can bring a second sovereign default closer, SL’s central bank has claimed that the Bank of England had a single policy rate since its inception. “The Bank Rate of the Bank of England, one of the oldest policy rates in the world, has remained a single policy interest rate since its inception in 1694,” the central bank says in its Market Operations report more..

Feb 13 (CT) During a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, it was revealed that Rs 37 million from the Mahapola Trust Fund had not been returned due to political decisions. These unreturned funds are part of the Rs 97 million allocated previously. The Committee announced that an investigation will be launched to determine the reasons behind this issue. During the session, MPs raised concerns about more..

Feb 13 (AD) Supreme Court’s determination on the petitions filed against the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill is expected to be presented in Parliament tomorrow, during a special Parliamentary sitting. The call on the said special Parliamentary Sitting has been announced through the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2423/04, issued by the Speaker on Feb 10. Accordingly, the Parliament will convene at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, and the Speaker has informed all MPs to attend. more..

Feb 13 (CT) The number of new child and adolescent cancer patients diagnosed in Sri Lanka annually exceeds 1,000, according to Consultant Community Physician Dr. Suraj Perera. Addressing the media in view of International Childhood Cancer Day on Saturday (15), Dr. Perera stated that, according to the 2021 National Cancer Registry, 1,032 child cancer cases were diagnosed that year. more..

Feb 13 (NW) Water supply has been disconnected to the guards’ division at former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official residence on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo 7. The water supply has been disconnected due to the failure to settle an outstanding bill amounting to Rs. 300,000. However, the water supply to the area in the property in which the former prez resides has not been affected. A representative of the former Prez said the water bills for the said property are paid by more..

Feb 13 (DM) The Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population is encouraging the public to celebrate this Valentine’s Day (February 14) by providing food and water to starving stray dogs as they are our closest, most adorable, tail-wagging friends. Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, an advisor to the association, told the Daily Mirror that as dogs have always been humans’ best friends, it is time we spare a little effort to care for them in return. more..

Feb 13 (EN) India’s Adani Group has decided to withdraw its wind power deals with SL, the company said in a letter to the island nation’s BOI, after Colombo’s recently elected govt was preparing to renegotiate the project for a lower price. SL’s new govtlast month said it will start discussion with Adani Group over a new power purchase agreement and expected the selling price to the state-run CEB be below 6 US cents per kilowatt-hour from more..

Feb 13 (DM) A tense situation was reported at the Government Printing Department after a confrontation between a security officer and several employees. The altercation began when the security officer reportedly denied employees permission to leave the premises to purchase food from outside, after they refused to eat at the canteen. During the dispute, the security officer allegedly retrieved a knife from the guardroom and threaten the employees and trade union leaders. more..

Feb 13 (EN) Profits at SL’s Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka Plc grew 38% to 292 million rupees in the Dec 2024 quarter as revenues surged amid higher usage. PickMe revenues surged 40% to 1,524 million rupees in the December quarter and operating expenses rose 20% to 464 million rupees. “This revenue growth was primarily driven by a rise in platform usage, with a higher number of users contributing to increased volume,” the firm told shareholders in the quarterly accounts. more..

Feb 13 (FT) Sri Lanka, an island nation strategically located at the crossroads of maritime trade routes, shares a deep and enduring relationship with its closest neighbour, India. Rooted in history, culture, and economic ties, this relationship has evolved into a partnership of strategic significance. In fact, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, recently stated that India has always stood by Sri Lanka as a close friend. The govt of PM Narendra Modi, through his Neighbourhood First policy and more..

Feb 13 (FT) In May 2021, Govt of SL (GOSL) introduced a swift and sudden ban on the importation of all chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. The administration of then Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa had hoped that this policy of compelling the nation’s farmers to go organic almost overnight – no more subsidised fertiliser – would save State coffers up to US$ 400 million on imports annually. With the implementation of such an abrupt ban, farmers island-wide began to face more..

Feb 13 (EN) Attorney-General, country’s chief prosecutor, has reversed his earlier decision to discharge three key suspects in the Lasantha Wickrematunge assassination case amid calls for his impeachment. In a dramatic U-turn, AG Parinda Ranasinghe instructed the CID through Senior Assistant Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya that they should not proceed with his instructions dated 27 Jan. more..

Feb 13 (DM) Oracle Corporation expressed its willingness to support SL’s digitalization by providing Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Announcement was made during the World Governments Summit held in the UAE yesterday (11). Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the Executive Vice Chairman of Oracle Corporation Mike Sicilia. The discussion focused on SL’s digital transformation, the adoption of fintech services, and cloud infrastructure to enhance economic & governance efficiency. more..

Feb 13 (AD) CCTV camera footage has surfaced showing Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna assaulting an individual at a hotel in Jaffna. The incident had occurred following a heated argument at the hotel last night (11). The injured individual, who was attacked with a plate by the MP, has been referred for surgery. Reports indicate that the altercation between the MP and the victim was recorded on a mobile phone by MP Archchuna himself. more..

Feb 13 (TM) Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs is set to convene a discussion with the relevant ministries, including the military forces, regarding the controversial Tissa Viharaya in Kankesanthurai (KKS). Ministry Secretary A.M.P.M.B. Atapattu stated that the ministry is working to clarify certain confusions related to the temple, given its sensitivity to national unity. He explained that while more..

Feb 13 (NW) The Legal Officers’ Association of the Attorney General’s Department has expressed concern over what it says are factually incorrect and misleading media reports regarding legal advice issued by the Attorney General on Jan. 27. In a statement, the association emphasized that proper procedures were followed in advising the discharge of three suspects. It said the decision was made based on all relevant material facts and legal considerations, asserting that more..

Feb 13 (HT) Climate change-induced gale-force winds, erratic monsoons, and a turbulent sea are now hindering the smooth operation of the India-SL ferry service, which was resumed with much fanfare 17 months ago. Remained in suspended animation for 41 years due to the civil war that ravaged the neighbouring island nation, the age-old sea route was rejuvenated under the joint auspices of PM Modi and then SL Prez Ranil Wikramsinghe. Since its formal launch on Oct 14, 2023, more..

Feb 13 (AD) The office of the Superintendent of Police in Panadura has initiated an investigation following a complaint that a father-of-one, who was arrested by Wadduwa Police, died after vomiting blood at home following his release on police bail. The deceased, Samitha Dilshan, a 24-year-old father-of-one and a resident of the Thalpitiya area in Wadduwa, passed away under these circumstances. The police stated that he was arrested by Wadduwa Police in connection with a vehicle accident, more..

Feb 13 (Island) Last Sunday’s nationwide power failure has sparked significant criticism and speculation, with activists and experts questioning the official explanations provided by the govt and the CEB. The outage has been attributed by Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody to a monkey colliding with the Panadura grid substation, causing a system imbalance. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism and outright dismissal by various stakeholders. more..

Feb 13 (DM) A re-investigation is underway into the disappearance of the Mount Lavinia artificial beach, which was built at a cost of Rs. 890 million, the Environment Ministry announced. Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said that a new study is being conducted on the artificial beach constructed along the Mount Lavinia coastline. Meanwhile, Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Dept Director more..

Feb 13 (DM) A tense atmosphere prevailed in the Angunukolapelessa area today when a group of individuals protested against a Farmers Conference’ organised by the National Agrarian Congress at Uswewa Gemi Diriya Community Hall in Angunukolapelessa. Its convenor Wimal Wattuhewa was scheduled to address the conference. The group which invaded the community hall claimed that the National Farmers’ Congress which was hosting the programme was in fact organized more..

Feb 13 (DM) Six lion cubs, which include five females and one male, were born approximately three months ago at the Ridiyagama Safari Park. The children were given the oppourtunity to submit their name till Feb 2. A total of 4,000 names were suggested. However, the names submitted by the children were selected and announced today during the exhibition. The male lion cub was named as Megha and the rest of the female lion cubs were named as Tara, Agra, Bhumi, Akira & Elsa. more..

Feb 13 (FT) Govt of SL and the United Nations in SL have launched the Transforming Local Administrative Data Collection Systems for SDG Acceleration Joint Programme, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. This initiative, named One Registry, implemented by UNDP and WHO in SL, and supported via the UN SL SDG Fund, aligns with the Govt’s broader digital transformation agenda and strategy, more..

Feb 13 (FT) Observer Research Foundation (ORF), in collaboration with High Commission of India, Colombo & Capital Maharaja Group, will co-host the inaugural edition of the Innovation Island Summit. Set to take place in Colombo on 20-21 Feb, the Innovation Island Summit will bring together over 150 distinguished participants from 50 countries. The high-level platform will explore the transformative dynamics of island nations, the innovations emerging from them, and their impact on more..

Feb 13 (TM) Police on Tuesday (11) announced that a total of 139 Officers-in-Charge (OICs) have been transferred within the Police Department, marking the largest such group transfer at the same time, in the Department’s recent history. The reshuffle includes 105 Chief Inspectors of Police (CIs) and 34 Inspectors of Police (IPs), with the transfers set to take effect in two phases – yesterday (13) and on 18 Feb. more..

Feb 13 (CI) Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann has been reported for a suspect action following Australia's Test series in Sri Lanka. Kuhnemann, who claimed 16 wickets in the two matches in Galle, will now have to undergo independent testing at an ICC-accredited centre with Brisbane the likely location. Bowlers are permitted 15 degrees of flex in their actions. It is the first time in a professional career which began in 2017 that Kuhnemann's action has been called into question. more..

Feb 13 (DN) SL para-athlete Palitha Bandara made history by winning the gold medal in the Shot Put F-42 event at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix held in Dubai yesterday. His outstanding performance brought pride to the nation, marking a major milestone for Sri Lanka para-athletics history. The 32-year-old, who won the Commonwealth silver medal in 2022 in Discus Throw, took part in Shot Put this time and won Gold. This was his first international Gold medal in Shot Put. more..