Dec 10 (TM) On a tranquil morning, a resident of Ratnapura, Chinthaka Pradeep, stands under the shade of a towering coconut tree in his garden; its leaves swaying gently in the breeze. He looks up, scanning the tree for coconuts as a new year is approaching, but, the sight is disappointing. "There was a time when each tree gave us a very good harvest," he says with a sigh. Across SL, from Southern coconut plantations to those in more..

Dec 10 (ST) Parliament, once condemned as a home for the aged, assumed a new countenance on Tuesday the 3rd, as a Montessori for those hardly out of their political bassinets. But, quite apart from the initial fumbles and shambles of the newly initiated, Diyawanna’s waters glistened with hope that from the mouths of babes, the truth would come out. The political rhetoric, repeated ad nauseam on the pre-election stage, found a new echo within the chamber’s august walls as ministers and more..

Dec 10 (CT) As island nations, UK and Sri Lanka both know the importance of trade for our prosperity and economic development. Trade creates jobs, stimulates investment, attracts technology and generates foreign exchange to pay off debt and fund public services. The UK is SL’s second largest export market, with iconic brands such as M&S and Gymshark sourcing from Sri Lanka. To strengthen this relationship, this week the UK Govt has been working with Sri Lankan partners to deliver more..

Dec 10 (CT) This article aims to brief the readers on the main changes introduced to the monetary policy framework and implementation under the single policy interest rate mechanism and the rationale for this shift. Central Bank formally announced its transition to a single policy interest rate mechanism, effective 27 Nov 2024. This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of monetary policy in Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 10 (TM) The fall of Assad rule in Syria and the collapse of the regime which stood for more than 50 years has multiple implications for the region & beyond. Syrian civil war, which was largely dormant for several years, erupted with significant momentum causing the long-standing regime of Bashar al-Assad to collapse in days. The push to take the capital, ended the 60-year reign of the Assad family and the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party which took power following 1963 military coup. more..

Dec 10 (DM) NPP govt is apparently under pressure particularly to walk the talk on many issues. The pressure from some quarters is clearly politically motivated and mischievous while in some cases genuine expectations of people who voted for the NPP in large numbers at the recent Prez and Parliamentary elections. Some groups want the govt to renege on the country’s commitment to the IMF agreement while some others demand that the govt scraps straightaway Executive Prez mode more..

Dec 9 (AD) Center for Environment and Nature Studies (CENS) announced that it will submit a report today to the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, proposing measures to address wildlife populations that damage crops in SL. National Coordinator of CENS, Environmentalist Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasam, emphasized the significance of the issue and outlined the report’s recommendations. “The population of toque macaque has increased in SL. more..

Dec 9 (AD) Medical experts have emphasized that the unnecessary and incorrect use of antibiotics poses significant harm to human body by fostering resistance in the body, which reduces the effectiveness of these drugs. Deputy Director General of Tertiary Care Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Priyantha Athapattu, explained the concept of antibiotic resistance: “Antibiotic resistance refers to the diminishing effectiveness of drugs designed to combat microorganisms more..

Dec 9 (DW) At dawn, 48-year-old Sivakumar Chandradevi loads equipment and supplies onto a boat that sets off for Mantivu, a deserted island off the Jaffna Peninsula. The island, littered with land mines from the country's 26-year civil war, is her team's daily battleground. Chandradevi leads a demining crew working to make the land safe once more. For these women, demining is a means to support their families. more..

Dec 9 (NDTV) You might be used to paying the road toll to scrupulous transport employees sitting in a cooped-up cabin roadside but things are a little different in SL. Along the Buttala-Kataragama road, a majestic wild elephant, believed to be over 40 years old, performs the duties of a toll collector. Known to locals as Raja, meaning king, the elephant stands roadside but quickly seizes upon a vehicle coming from either direction and immediately requests food. The jumbo needs to be served. more..

Dec 9 (AD) Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has called on the govt to ensure proper payment of allowances for principals and teachers assigned to the 2024 GCE A/L exam duties. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin highlighted confusion caused by recent circulars issued by the Commissioner General of Examinations regarding transportation allowances for examination staff. “The A/L Exam is being conducted these days. A new issue has arisen regarding examination staff more..

Dec 9 (TM) A source from the Govt Analyst’s (GA) Dept has said that a database error related to the MV X-Press Pearl disaster will not affect ongoing investigations. However, the source refused to provide further information regarding the ongoing case, citing the fact that it could affect the case currently pending in court. Recently, Attorney General’s Dept Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon, representing the CID, more..

Dec 9 (Island) JVP Secretary Tilva Silva has assured the National Shoora Council (NSC) that the NPP govt has zero tolerance for racism and recent arrests of individuals involved in inciting racial hatred proved the govt’s progressive stance. Silva has emphasized that the govt respects the religious, linguistic, and cultural identities of all communities. A senior delegation from NSC recently met the JVP Secretary at the JVP headquarters at Battaramulla for a discussion. more..

Dec 9 (Island) India offers financial assistance to 200 students, 100 each from the Uni of Jaffna and the Eastern University annually, according to a statement issued by the Indian High Commission. The statement quoted one of the selected students from the Dept of Geography, Uni of Jaffna, as having said: “The monthly grant has been extremely useful in alleviating financial stress and allowing me to focus more on my studies. The financial assistance has enabled me to more..

Dec 9 (Island) Aviyana Hotel chief Dr. Thisara Hewawasam said that SL’s first seven-star luxury boutique hotel, situated in the heart of the Knuckles mountain range, would be ready for opening next year. Intended to bring in USD 500 mn in revenue annually, approximately 70 percent of Aviyana Private Chalets project had been completed with funds raised locally, the entrepreneur said, disclosing approximately 200 SL professionals contributed required funding for the mega project. more..

Dec 9 (Island) Newly appointed Director, CID, SSP Imesha Muthumala, said that inquiries were continuing into the disappearance of Rs 5 mn from the Central Bank, reported on April 11, 2023. SSP Muthumala said that the truth could emerge at any moment. The CB is on record as having said that a shortage of Rs.5 million worth cash bundle was discovered in one of its vaults during the currency operations on April 11, 2023. “An internal probe into the matter was commenced immediately, more..

Dec 9 (EN) SL’s new Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has sought assistance from the US to develop the renewable energy sector in the island nation. The move comes after Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s govt has promised to review India’s Adani renewable energy deal following some top officials of the Indian company indicted on multiple counts of fraud. Minister Jayakody sought assistance on Monday when he met more..

Dec 9 (NW) Lohan Ratwatte has withdrawn the writ petition filed at the Court of Appeal seeking to prevent his arrest over the incident of an illegally assembled vehicle found at a house belonging to his wife in Mirihana recently. Writ petition filed by Lohan Ratwatte was taken up for consideration today before Court of Appeal President, Justice Nissanka Banduala Karunarathne. During the hearing, Ratwatte’s lawyer informed the court that his client had already been released on bail more..

Dec 9 (EN) More than 80% of the candidates who contested in SL’s parliamentary polls have submitted their mandatory campaign income and expenditure reports before the deadline. Election Commission (EC) last week warned the candidates and political parties to file their expense report to explain their campaign financing before the end of Nov 6. Out of the total 8,361 candidates, 88.6% or 7,412 have submitted their reports to the before the deadline, EC said in a statement on Monday. more..

Dec 9 (Island) SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem, MP, demands to know why the Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe govt entered into an agreement with bondholders and commercial creditors just 48 hours before the prez election. MP Hakeem said that he raised the issue at hand in Parliament last week when Parliament deliberated the Vote-on-Account. He drew the attention of Parliament to what he called a matter of critical importance more..

Dec 9 (TM) Ambassador of SL and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Wijayanthi Edirisinghe recently met with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to discuss areas of collaboration between SL and Bangkok. Ambassador Edirisinghe underscored the profound Buddhist and cultural ties between SL and Thailand, drawing attention to key symbols of SL’s heritage, such as Kandy Esala Perahera and Ramayana Trail. She highlighted how such cultural icons not only reflect more..

Dec 9 (AD) Notorious underworld figure Janith Madushanka, who is also known as Podi Lassie, has been ordered to be released on bail. The order was delivered by the Balapitiya Magistrate when the suspect was produced before the court this morning. He had been named as the second suspect in the case filed over the alleged death threats made in public at the Boossa Prison against former Prez Maithripala Sirisena, then Defence Secretary and certain high-ranking officers of Prisons dept. more..

Dec 9 (EN) Sri Lanka Ports Authority is planning to seek investors to build a second logistics centre in Colombo Port next year, followed by a third later, Chairman Sirimevan Ranasinghe said. “We have made plans and likely to float invitations to interested investors early next year for the Bloemandhal Centre,” Ranasinghe told Voyage SL 2024 forum organized by SL EDB on Nov 26. “Out of the logistic centres planned, this is already awarded and will commence its construction work early”. more..

Dec 9 (DM) Air quality across all urban areas of the island has reached slightly adverse levels today, according to reports. NBRO said the Air Quality Index ranged between 100 and 150 throughout the island. These air quality levels could pose health risks to sensitive individuals. The NBRO's Environment Division Director Sarath Premasiri said these air quality levels could pose health risks to sensitive individuals. "The air quality is currently being affected across the island, more..

Dec 9 (CI) South Africa have moved to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table after a 109-run win over Sri Lanka at St George's Park. They swept the series 2-nil after bowling SL out for 238 in 69 minutes on the final morning with the second new ball still 10.5 overs away. Keshav Maharaj completed his tenth Test five-for, and fourth at St George's Park, and took four of the final five wickets on the last morning. more..

Dec 9 (AD) Freedom People’s Congress alleges that former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s action to postpone the election without any justifiable reason is a “political abortion committed after a mass corruption as well as an economic murder committed financially”. Leader of the party Dullas Alahapperuma has expressed this in a letter addressed to the Prez, Opposition Leader, all MPs and the CIABOC. The letter titled “Pay the price for aborting democracy; a criminal charge more..

Dec 9 (EN) Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard Plc said its Japanese majority shareholder Onomichi Dockyard Company Limited is exiting the firm and is stepping down from management amid a financial crisis, making way for a new investor. T Nakabe, K Kobatake and J Furukawa who were nominee directors of the company had resigned with effect from December 06 and L Gamlath, a director of the company since 1993 has been appointed non executive Chairman, the firm said more..

Dec 9 (TM) It is unfair that while the ruling NPP govt still has time till the 12th of the month to negotiate the principles listed in the agreement for debt servicing in the next six months, it acts as if the deal is through with, opposition MP Harsha de Silva said. “The vote on account was taken with the impression that there had been almost full consensus to the debt servicing agreement among the ISB bondholders, and that it was more..

Dec 9 (FT) I read a long rant about the online submission of taxes posted on X, formerly Twitter, on the last day for submitting income-tax returns. This was by Nisansa de Silva, a friend who teaches computer science. It was a long thread and included words such as rage and many other words in capitals. But the most important sentences were: “Now I understand that this is the first time they are doing this online and it is bound to be bumpy. Woe be it if they go back to paper.” more..

Dec 9 (AD) Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who was arrested and remanded for causing a road accident while driving under the influence of alcohol, has been granted bail. He was ordered to be released on bail after being produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. Ratwatte was arrested on Dec 6 for causing a road accident while driving under the influence of alcohol and threatening the aggrieved party. Subsequently, he was remanded until Dec 9 after being more..

Dec 9 (DM) Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lal Kantha should walk the talk and introduce new laws to enable landowners and farmers to take action against animals that destroy crops, SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha said today. “Legal provisions should be provided to allow shooting at various animals that destroy crops, but only to chase them away without killing them,” MP Jayamaha said. “I was ridiculed when I proposed that guns should be given to farmers and landowners to chase more..

Dec 9 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his address to Parliament on 21 Nov 2024, announced two strategies to make SL a thriving nation and a beautiful country under the rule of his political alliance. One is immediate, picking the low hanging fruits in common parlance, and the other is medium to long-term that will create a turning point in the economy. This requires investment of funds for providing working capital to maintain the existing level of output, known commonly as GDP, more..