Jan 22 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI) called for immediate Government intervention to address an unprecedented coconut shortage threatening both domestic consumption and the export potential of the industry. Prior to 2023, SL’s annual coconut production typically ranged between 3000-4000 million nuts. However, this figure sharply dipped to 2,950 million in 2023 and further declined to 2,684 million in 2024. Based on data provided by CRI more..

Jan 22 (FT) Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) issued a statement setting record straight over concerns raised by aviation community regarding the boundary wall at Colombo Int'l Airport in Ratmalana. The regulator confirmed that the boundary wall at the Galle Road end of Ratmalana Airport complies with the required standards for Obstacle Limitation Surfaces. However, the regulatory body acknowledged the concerns raised by the aviation community and expressed its willingness more..

Jan 22 (TM) Following reports that several leading schools are operating without principals, Ministry of Education stated that interviews to fill these vacancies will be conducted in the coming days. Recent reports revealed that seven leading schools in Colombo, including Royal College, along with many others in various areas, are operating without principals. When queried as to whether they have taken steps to resolve the issue, more..

Jan 22 (FT) The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the apex body representing SL’s apparel industry, welcomes the launch of the Clean Sri Lanka program, spearheaded by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the Govt. With sustainability as a core principle, the SL apparel sector is uniquely positioned to complement this nationwide movement for environmental, social and governance initiatives. For several decades, the SL apparel industry has emerged a global leader more..

Jan 22 (HN) Radisson Collection Resort, Galle becomes Radisson Hotel Group's fourth hotel in Sri Lanka and its second in Galle, which is nestled on the country's stunning south coast. It also marks this luxury lifestyle brand's inaugural hotel in the South East Asia & Pacific (SEAP) region. The city of Galle is an exquisite setting for this high-end, highly experiential Radisson Collection brand. Long stretches of soft sand such as Unawatuna Beach set the scene for endless days of serenity more..

Jan 22 (ST) The CEB has requested the Energy Ministry to seek the Attorney General’s opinion on what it claimed were the PUCSL's significant statutory, regulatory, and procedural violations related to provincial stakeholder consultations on the electricity tariff revision. The CEB says the commission was not fully constituted when it, on December 11, 2024, called for provincial public consultations regarding tariff revision. more..

Jan 22 (ST) The Central Bank has taken steps to regulate informal money transfer systems including Undial and Hawala to ensure financial stability and prevent illicit activities. The Undial and Hawala systems are informal, trust-based methods of transferring money, common in South Asia and West Asia. They offer speed and cost-effectiveness but lack transparency, raising concerns about money laundering and illegal activities. Governments seek to regulate these systems. more..

Jan 22 (Island) Governor of the CB Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has said combating money laundering and countering financing of terrorism will help improve the credibility of the financial system, increase FDIs, enhance access to international financial markets, promote good governance practices and strengthen national security. Accordingly, a Financial Intelligence Unit has been given the opportunity to conduct further investigations into suspected transactions more..

Jan 22 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved awarding of a $ 4.2 million consultancy services contract to Dohwa Engineering Co. Ltd., as part of the Colombo Port Expansion Project. The original decision which was made during the Cabinet meeting on 26 June 2023 marks a critical step forward in the development of container platform II under phase II of the project. The approval follows a detailed evaluation process conducted in collaboration with the ADB, more..

Jan 22 (TM) A former distinguished SL rugby player, said that the indefinite postponement of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) on Tuesday, will pave the way for the national team to compete in int'l rugby competitions, without outside interference. The ex-star, an outspoken critic of the game here, but who did not wish to be named, said that saner counsel had prevailed finally among Sports Ministry officials, who had opted to defer the election, at the eleventh hour. more..

Jan 22 (FT) A scathing critique by the Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOAOA), detailed the severe crisis the domestic aviation industry faces due to a combination of unresolved safety concerns, regulatory shortcomings, and systemic inefficiencies. Addressing the media AOAOA Treasurer Nihara Jayatilleke outlined the pressing issues plaguing the sector warning of dire consequences if immediate corrective action more..

Jan 22 (DN) The SL Tennis Association (SLTA) officially unveiled the ITF World Tennis Number, an innovative international tennis rating system, during a launch ceremony at the SLTA Headquarters in Colombo yesterday. Powered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), this innovative platform offers an easy-to-use rating system that caters to players of all ages, genders, and skill levels. Players in Sri Lanka can now connect with others to find evenly matched opponents, whether more..

Jan 22 (DM) Rohingyas are an ethnic community from Myanmar’s Rakhine province who have been facing severe persecution for decades. Myanmar’s govt doesn’t accept them as citizens and hence, they are stateless. Many have been living as internally displaced in camps while others have gone to other countries as refugees. Bangladesh hosts most of the Rohingya refugees, numbering about one million. There are also Rohingya refugees in other countries. more..

Jan 22 (Island) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) is willing to vacate his official residence if the govt makes a written request to that effect, his eldest son, Namal, has said. This has been MR’s response to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent statement that the former Presidents would be asked to pay monthly rentals determined by the Govt Valuation Dept for their official residences or vacate them immediately. He said MR would have to pay about Rs. 4.6 million a month as rent! more..

Jan 22 (TM) The issuance of tax free permits for MPs and some senior govt officials has been a practice which has had a troubled and unpopular history in Sri Lanka. In the past, the permits have often been used to purchase high value luxury gas-guzzling vehicles by MPs, who have also used to sell the permit to the highest bidder to convert it into a tax free cash cheque. This practice has raised concerns about the ethical implications and financial impacts of such privileges, more..

Jan 22 (TM) As new research reveals a growing crisis of food insecurity in Sri Lanka, aggravated by the ongoing economic instability, with immediate food needs placing households under significant financial strain, the consequences could spell doom for the country’s gradual economic recovery. According to a study by Food-first Information and Action Network (FIAN) SL to assess the current household food insecurity & dietary patterns more..

Jan 22 (CT) Adverse weather has repeatedly affected many regions of the country in the recent past, including the recent rains taking place on the island, particularly in landslide-prone areas and the Northern, Northcentral and Eastern provinces. Multiple locations have already received amber warnings for landslides across five districts, and relief teams have been dispatched to areas affected by floods and other disasters to provide aid to affected communities. more..

Jan 22 (DM) Paddy cultivation in the country is a peasant industry with no corporate bodies involved unlike in tea. The paddy lands are essentially family-owned or by a small group of farmers. This background taken together with the fact there is no agricultural banks in the country leave a massive vacuum in financing paddy cultivation which is eagerly filled in by the big-time rice millers. These millers are an oligopoly mostly in the North Central province who quite readily advance money more..

Jan 22 (DM) TPA MP Palani Digambaram, spoke about the current political developments and stressed that both SJB and UNP should get into an electoral pact. He also stressed that a balanced foreign policy without favouring one country over the other is crucial. Q: Much is talked about the Prez’s recent visit to China and the agreements signed by both countries. What are your views in this regard? A: To put it in plain more..

Jan 22 (DM) If that happened anywhere else in the world, the very legitimacy of the democratic process would have been questioned. Trump’s America may offer a unique case of extreme political polarisation where a narcissistic billionaire property developer with a history of serial bankruptcy and a record of racism and misogyny has successfully managed to cosplay as the saviour of the average American. The vibes of his inauguration smacked the mixture of Italy in the 1930s and more..

Jan 22 (DM) Today we are witnessing a rather vulgar sight of a past and sitting president of our country spitting venom and washing dirty linen in public. It would be comical, if it was not so shameful. The unfolding drama of the inauguration of the 47th Prez of the United States -replete with threats, imposition of tariffs and bad mouthing opponents which preceded the ceremony is in similar vein. In the unfolding prez drama in our own country, former Prez Rajapaksa feels he is entitled to more..

Jan 21 (DM) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila has raised concerns over the President's recent remarks in Katukurunda regarding the development of the 99 oil tanks in Trincomalee. He further explained that the Prez presented this as a new initiative, although the project had already been finalised three years ago during his tenure as Minister of Energy. "In 2020, when I was the Minister of Energy, the 99 tanks had been leased to India in 2002." "Additionally, LIOC was using 14 tanks to more..

Jan 21 (DM) CIABOC announced that it has filed approximately 75 court cases under the newly enacted Anti-Corruption Act within the past nine months. The Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023 was enacted in September 2023, repealing the Bribery Act No. 11 of 1954, the CIABOC Act No. 19 of 1994, and the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975. The Bribery Commission stated that these cases were filed during the period from March 26, 2024, to December 31, 2024. more..

Jan 21 (FT) The SJB yesterday accused Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake of lying to people and governing the country according to whims and fancies. “Prez Dissanayake is no different from former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe as no change has been brought for a system change and nothing has happened yet. Prez Dissanayake is lying to people while the country is governed according to his whims and fancies,” more..

Jan 21 (DM) SL’s legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga unveiled his maiden book, titled Killer, at a grand launch event held in Colombo yesterday. The book, authored by Malinga, delves into 21 fascinating facts about bowling, offering insights into the art of fast bowling which made him a cricketing icon. “This book is not just for bowlers; it’s for batters too. It aims to provide valuable coaching insights for players and coaches alike, helping them understand and master the nuances of the game.” more..

Jan 21 (AD) The govt plans to revisit the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement to provide additional relief measures for the public, Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma said in Parliament today. Speaking during today’s parliamentary session, the Deputy Minister noted that the IMF agreement has already undergone partial revisions under the new administration, resulting in the introduction of several tax concessions and relief measures. more..

Jan 21 (EN) Sri Lanka expects to grow 40,000 acres of coconut in the North as part of efforts for long term expansion of the crop and also give free fertilizer to small holders Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Samantha Viddyarathna said. SL’s coconut prices have soared amid import controls and a crop shortfall. “We have taken steps to grow 40,000 acres of coconut in the Northern coconut triangle,” Minister said. more..

Jan 21 (DM) Claiming that several polticians are linked to the comapny which had supplied Papaverine injection at an exorbinat price from 2019 to 2023, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that an investigation will be conducted into the incident. He said that the investigation will find out how approval was given to this compnay to purchase the drug at such higher prices. The Minister said the govt has spent Rs. 342.49 million to import the drug from 2019 to 2023. more..

Jan 21 (EN) SL’s new govt will discuss and amend a key energy deal with India before proceeding in line with the mandate it got, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake’s ruling NPP has opposed Trincomalee oil tank farm joint venture deal with India citing it was bad for the country. However, after officially visiting both Asian powers India and China, Prez this week said SL is in discussion with India to build an oil refinery in Trincomalee which can make use of more..

Jan 21 (NW) Minister Samantha Vidyaratna said that two well-known politicians are allegedly behind an incident involving illegal sand mining. Minister made these remarks today while responding to a question in Parliament. “In the area reportedly belonging to the Chilaw Sand Company, sand has been excavated beyond the permitted amount. This has led to reports of a massive fraud. Currently, investigations are underway, and preliminary findings indicate that a fraudulent transaction more..

Jan 21 (AD) Police have launched an investigation into the alleged altercation involving Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna and traffic police officers on duty in the Rambewa area of Anuradhapura this morning. This was confirmed by Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga today. Earlier today, it was reported that a heated situation had occurred involving MP Archchuna in the Rambewa area, while he was on his way to participate in today’s more..