Dec 11 (DM) Cricketer Niroshan Dickwella’s three-year ban for an alleged anti-doping violation has been reduced to three months following an appeal. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter had originally been handed a three-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine during a doping test conducted by the SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) on 14 July. The positive result was linked to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 tournament, where Dickwella's team lost to Jaffna Kings in the final. more..

Dec 11 (CT) Preliminary discussions at the Ministerial Level for the preparation of the 2025 Budget have commenced under the leadership of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. As part of this process, a meeting focused on the Budget proposals related to the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Health and Media was held last morning at the Prez Secretariat. The discussion was attended by Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Secretary to the Prez Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, more..

Dec 11 (USE) US Embassy in SL, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Dept of Archaeology, proudly celebrated the reopening of the newly restored Old Kandyan Kings’ Palace and Archaeology Museum, located within the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic complex, today. The ceremony was attended by US Ambassador Julie Chung and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi. This significant cultural preservation project more..

Dec 11 (EN) A competition to find the best entrepreneurs under the name ‘I am the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur 2024’ has been initiated by Sri Lanka’s Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE). The awards will be open to entrepreneurs from around the island with provincial to district-level recognition. Over 65 awards will be given under categories including Best Young Entrepreneur, Best Woman Entrepreneur, Best Social Entrepreneur, and the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year. more..

Dec 11 (DM) Liberal Youth Movement has expressed deep concern over allegations questioning the authenticity of the academic qualifications presented by Speaker Ashoka Ranwala prior to the elections and during parliamentary proceedings. These concerns have sparked significant public debate and raised serious doubts about the integrity of information shared by leaders with the electorate. While academic qualifications are not mandatory for holding the position of a MP or Speaker, more..

Dec 11 (TM) A group of specialists is to send a letter of demand (LoD) to the relevant authorities, warning of legal action against them for allegedly ignoring and not complying with a judgement issued by the Court of Appeal (CA) last year (2023). Concluding the hearing of an application filed by 176 medical specialists seeking a writ order against the former Govt's decision to reduce the retirement age of medical officers (MOs) including medical specialists, grade MOs, more..

Dec 11 (DM) Geethanath Cassilingam, SLPP Jaffna District Organizer, has called on the diplomatic community to temporarily halt all engagements with the Speaker of Parliament, Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala, amid growing allegations surrounding the authenticity of his academic qualifications. In a statement, Cassilingam expressed concerns over claims that Ranwala misrepresented his credentials by using the title “Dr.” during his campaign for the recently concluded parliamentary elections. more..

Dec 11 (AD) The final decision of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on the proposed electricity tariff revisions will be announced on 17 Jan 2025, the PUCSL announced. Meanwhile, the PUCSL also said that the public consultation regarding the proposed tariff revision is scheduled to get underway from 17 December 2024. Accordingly, the general public are allowed to submit their opinions regarding the matter virtually or in writing before January 08, 2024. more..

Dec 11 (FT) Rice shortages and the Maaveerar celebrations in the north and reporting of the same in the south are issues that took centre stage last week. These are issues that shape a practical ideology for the new Government as it transitions from election promises to the reality of governing. As for rice shortages, it is time for the Cabinet to put its heads together and learn about the limits of State intervention in the marketplace and adopt appropriate responses. In the second case, more..

Dec 11 (FT) CB Governor’s sanguine assurances about SL’s debt sustainability ring hollow in the face of SL’s impending foreign exchange obligations. While the recently signed International Sovereign Bond (ISB) restructuring agreement is touted as a panacea, the reality paints a far grimmer picture. CB Governor’s nonchalant dismissal of a potential balance of payments crisis in the new year reminds of Pied Piper that led the rats of Hamelin to their grave while in a hallucinated trance. more..

Dec 11 (PTI) Billionaire Gautam Adani-led conglomerate said it will use its own resources to fund a SL port project and not seek US funding. In an exchange filing late on Tuesday, Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd said the project is on track for commissioning by early next year and added that the company will fund the ongoing project through internal accruals, aligning with its capital management strategy. more..

Dec 11 (AD) A complaint has been lodged with the Jaffna Police against Jaffna District Independent MP Dr. Archchuna Ramanathan. Police said that the Jaffna Hospital authorities have lodged the complaint accusing the MP of disrupting the operations of hospital. The complaint states that MP Ramanathan entered the hospital without permission and obstructed with its activities. Jaffna Police stated that an investigation into the incident is underway. Previously, Director of Mannar Hospital more..

Dec 11 (DM) Newly appointed Chief Justice Murdu Fernando pledged her unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity, independence, and dignity of the country’s judiciary as an independent and impartial arbiter of justice. Chief Justice Murdu Fernando made these remarks while speaking at the ceremonial sitting held at the Supreme Court to welcome her as the country’s 48th Chief Justice. Justice Murdu Fernando, the second woman to hold the position of Chief Justice after Dr. Shirani more..

Dec 11 (FT) Former MP Thalatha Athukorala presented evidence to the media challenging the academic credentials of Speaker Asoka Ranwala, alleging he never pursued a doctorate at Waseda University in Japan, as previously claimed. The controversy surrounding Speaker Ranwala’s qualifications erupted after opposition parties accused him of falsely using the title Dr. Parliament website initially listed him as more..

Dec 11 (DN) Cabinet of Ministers has approved a monthly allowance of Rs. 9,375 for owners of small fishing boats, starting from Nov 1 and lasting for five months. This measure is intended to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the fisheries industry. The allowance will initially be provided to active small fishing boats registered with the Dept of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that run on kerosene. At the same time, the existing subsidies for diesel-powered boats will remain in place. more..

Dec 11 (TM) Govt yesterday stressed that Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act as amended (PTA) as well as the Online Safety Act should be urgently revisited, as it is crucial to address the concerns surrounding such laws that have negatively affected public trust in the country's law. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara made these remarks during a media forum held in Colombo on human rights related concerns. Convenor of the Justice for All group that more..

Dec 11 (FT) National Movement for a Just Society (NMSJ) patron and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has appealed to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to restore key democratic practices within Parliament. In a letter addressed to the Prez, Jayasuriya urged the Govt to reinstate oversight mechanisms such as the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Sectoral Oversight Committees, describing them as essential for ensuring transparency and maintaining public trust in governance. more..

Dec 11 (DM) Sri Lanka’s publishing industry yesterday raised serious concerns over the 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on books, which according to industry stakeholders has threatened the survival of the entire sector in the country. The tax has caused a ripple effect throughout the entire production value chain—from raw material imports to the point of sale, driving up book prices to levels that are now unaffordable in the local market, the industry said. more..

Dec 11 (TM) CEB Engineers‘ Union (CEBEU) urged the CEB management to reconsider its decision not to grant bonuses to its employees this year, despite the CEB Employees’ Union affiliated with the ruling NPP demanding bonuses by December, citing the CEB’s profitability. CEBEU Joint Secretary Isuru Kasthurirathne stated that the decision cannot be accepted at a position where the CEB is running with profits. more..

Dec 11 (TM) A Gazette notification has been issued stipulating the maximum wholesale and retail prices for both local and imported rice. According to the gazette notification issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), the maximum wholesale price for one kilogramme (kg) of local White and local Red Raw rice is Rs. 215, with a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs. 220. The gazette also states that the wholesale price of one kg of local Nadu rice is Rs. 225, while its MRP is Rs. 230. more..

Dec 11 (CT) Former Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and Environment Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media. The Health Ministry confirmed that Dr. Jasinghe had been appointed as Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media by Prez Dissanayake. They said according to the information, the new Secretary was scheduled to assume duties of the Ministry Secretary today. more..

Dec 11 (ST) Mihin Lanka, a low-cost carrier initiated by the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration in 2007, has suffered huge losses and thus drained public funds. The airline had closed operations in 2016, but the winding-up process remains incomplete, while no step was taken to recover billions of rupees in loans given by two state banks. According to an October 2024 pre-election budgetary report from the Finance Ministry, Mihin Lanka owes Rs.3.17 billion each to Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank. more..

Dec 11 (DN) SL Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) witnessed a remarkable transformation – with four patents having been commercialised, with an additional four innovations in the advanced stage of commercialisation. Under the leadership of Thilan Wijesinghe, Investment Banker and PPP Specialist who took over as Chairman of SLINTEC in Sept 2022, and CEO Dr Thushara Perera (formerly a Senior Scientist at Pfizer Inc, USA, and Director – Innovation Health Science & Tech at MAS), more..

Dec 11 (TM) University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) advised those questioning the veracity of the educational qualifications of certain MPs to ascertain such by contacting the original degree body or conferring institution. This, amidst allegations of academic fraud and related corruption leveled against some MPs, over the last week. It follows allegations of the Speaker more..

Dec 11 (DN) Workplace violence and harassment cost companies at least USD 1.7 million every year, according to an Int'l Finance Corporation (IFC) study to better understand the prevalence and impact of violence and harassment on employees and businesses in Sri Lanka between 2020 and 2022. This research covered workplace experiences and behaviors, and how these affect employees and was presented at the Top10 WIM Diversity Champion Awards 2024 hosted by more..

Dec 11 (Island) The govt should adopt smarter preventative measures to combat corruption and protect public resources, urged Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, a well-respected authority on governance and corruption. He stressed the importance of proactive reforms in governance and procurement systems, advocating for greater transparency and fairness in public sector dealings. In thought-provoking comments made while delivering prestigious S R Kottegoda Oration more..

Dec 11 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has offered the much needed support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grappling with the economic fallout of recent years by extending the suspension of the Parate law till 31 March 2025. The move for three months extension was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday, based on a proposal submitted the President who also holds the Finance, more..

Dec 11 (FT) MSME Chamber of SL welcomed the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led Govt’s decision to extend the freeze of Parate law implementation until 31 March 2025 on defaulted loans. “All Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country will respectfully pay the gratitude for you and your Govt for the above essential and timely decision, which no doubt will ease the pressure on the surviving MSMEs who are the backbone of the economy,” said more..

Dec 11 (DN) “We will completely remove politics from sports while plans to take all sports to the Olympics will begin in the first week of Jan 2025,” said Sports Deputy Minister Sugath Tillekaratne. We cannot let the country’s sports stagnate. Issues within sports associations will be resolved promptly,” he said. Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Tillekaratne made these remarks while participating as the chief guest at the Fourth National Archery Championship held recently. more..

Dec 11 (TM) Demand and sales volumes are expected to improve on a y-o-y basis in Q4 2024, driven by all three major economic activities, as the economy is expected to continue its growth, Central Bank said. Demand is expected to grow by 1 index point to 137 in Q4 while sales volumes are expected to grow by 4 points to 141 in the fourth quarter. It added that in line with the overall developments in demand and sales, capacity utilisation is expected to improve in Q4 in 2024. more..

Dec 11 (Island) SL cricket has experienced a year of dramatic highs and sobering lows. Triumphs across formats—like breaking a 27-year ODI series drought against India, clinching a Test win in England after a decade, and securing a Test series victory over New Zealand after 14 years—are testaments to their resurgence. But the recent Test series defeat in South Africa has been a bitter pill to swallow, especially when a World Test Championship final berth seemed within reach. more..