Dec 18 (ST) For the first time in the 157-year history of the SL Police, and 72 years since women were first admitted to the police force, a woman was this month made Director of the CID. SSP Imesha Muthumala climbed up a rung from CID Deputy Director, a position she had occupied since June 2021, to head the Department. It was seen as a remarkable achievement and a progressive step within the male-dominated SL Police. more..

Dec 18 (DM) New Delhi laid out a red carpet welcome for Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on his first state visit outside the country. The Prez was ceremoniously welcomed by Indian Prez Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received a 21-gun salute and inspected a guard of honour presented by the Indian armed forces. During his visit, he also met, among others, Indian foreign finance ministers and health ministers. more..

Dec 18 (Island) It is the above quote that came to mind when witnessing the barrage of information coming out on the saga of the Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker Asoka Ranwala’s PhD qualification, or the lack of it. Of course, true to form, we have outdone ourselves – yet again. In Sri Lanka’s case, degrees are not only the “false faces for overeducated jackasses”. Our people who often wear degrees like expensive jewellery are the worst of the uneducated louts, to put it mildly. more..

Dec 18 (Island) A new Speaker was elected unopposed yesterday in Parliament. Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has succeeded Speaker Asoka Ranwala, who had to resign last week due to his failure to prove his academic credentials. It is popularly said in this country that a person who has been beaten with a firebrand is scared of even fireflies. So, PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake carefully avoided referring to Wickramaratne as ‘Dr’ when more..

Dec 18 (CT) Since assuming office, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is currently on his first foreign visit to neighbouring India at the invitation of Indian Prez Droupadi Murmu. It is anticipated that the two leaders will engage in many important bilateral discussions during this visit. Since ancient times, SL has thrived with a rich legacy of diplomatic relations. Records indicate that the island nation has engaged in trade with nations far and wide, and it has extended even to the modern day. more..

Dec 18 (TM) Amidst the controversy over the issuance of liquor licenses by the previous Govt, the spotlight is also being focused on the expansion of the country’s gaming and betting industry to attract more foreign investors and enhance the revenue generation mechanism. However, the proposed expansion of the gaming industry appears to have hit a snag due to the change in administration. more..

Dec 18 (CT) Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture, navigating complex geopolitical dynamics and domestic challenges. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake‘s upcoming visits to India and China underscore the island nation’s strategic importance to these Asian giants. Both countries view SL as pivotal in their geopolitical strategies, with India particularly concerned about China’s influence in the region. This article delves into the implications of these visits, the govt’s anti-corruption drive, more..

Dec 18 (DM) Located in between Chilaw and Puttalam is a pristine sanctuary that is now home to many flora and fauna. As one passes the Suruwila Wewa and adjoining paddy lands it gives a glimpse of perhaps one of the last remaining tank cascade systems in the country. Spanning over 1300 hectares in extent, the Anawilundawa sanctuary is an asset to surrounding communities. The Accelerated Natural Regeneration of Mangroves (ANRM) Project is one such initiative more..

Dec 18 (TM) With a spate of fever cases being reported from Jaffna during the past few weeks and the health authorities’ warning about the spread of leptospirosis (commonly known as rat fever), Sri Lanka's forgotten discussion on the prevalence and seriousness of rat fever has re-emerged. According to the health authorities, the recent rainy season has exacerbated the risk of the spread of rat fever in the country. more..

Dec 18 (TM) The Indo-Lanka relationship has always had a security and geopolitical dynamic. This has been a millennia-old dynamic which both nations have had to deal with. The visit by SL’s new president Anura Kumara Dissanayake was as much about security relations as it was about trade, support and all other things bilateral. Dissanayake, who some feared will align with China, has been quick to signal otherwise, especially to India. However, these are early days of more..

Dec 18 (DM) The media has often had great influence on public affairs and is referred to as the fourth estate. In the 19th century, the fourth estate came to refer exclusively to the press (print media). Today it’s applied to all branches of the news media and is accepted in general as being a legitimate political force performing a watchdog function. The idea of an independent newspaper in our country, was rather strangely introduced by William Colebrook. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Claiming that no one can use the title of a medical doctor without being registered with Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) as per the Medical Ordinance, govt MP Dr. Janaka Senaratne challenged SJB MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena to produce his SLMC registration. He said that MP Jayawardena had used the title medical doctor on Facebook, Parliament website and that according to the medical ordinance, no one has a right to use the title medical doctor without registering with more..

Dec 17 (CT) High Commission of India hosted the 11th edition of India’s Rich Buddhist Heritage Exhibition at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Temple complex in Anuradhapura on the auspicious occasion of Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day. Unduvap Poya Day holds deep significance as it marks the arrival of Arhath Sangamitta Theri in SL, bringing a sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. This sacred tree, a direct descendant of the one under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, more..

Dec 17 (TM) SL Customs announced that while the rice stocks imported by the Govt are yet to arrive in the country, 4,800 metric tonnes (MT) of rice had been imported into the country by the private sector by yesterday. Customs Media Spokesperson stated that this stock includes 3,000 MT of parboiled rice and 1,800 MT of samba rice. He explained that these imports were brought into the country to help meet the local demand. more..

Dec 17 (CT) Ministry of Agriculture launched a public consultation programme aimed at finding new solutions to prevent crop damage caused by wild animals in SL. Despite the implementation of various measures, such as air rifles, protective fences, and innovative pest control methods, crop damage remains a significant issue for the nation’s farmers. Ministry acknowledged that these efforts have not yielded the desired reduction in crop destruction and is calling for additional ideas from the public. more..

Dec 17 (EN) Coconut production in Sri Lanka declined by 17.8% in September this year compared to September 2023, central bank data showed. “Coconut production experienced a significant decline of 17.8% in September 2024,” the CBSL agriculture data bulletin for November stated. Coconut prices in the domestic market have been steadily rising since October. The wholesale price for a large nut was between 160-170 rupees and 130-140 rupees for small nuts on Dec 16. more..

Dec 17 (DM) AC Milan announced the arrival of the Milan Junior Camp project in Sri Lanka, which will make stops in the cities of Colombo, Galle and Jaffna at the beginning of next year. This landmark initiative is the first of its kind in SL and has been made possible through a partnership with the Academy of Colombo Athletic and Football Club and represents another significant step in the global development of Milan Junior Camp project more..

Dec 17 (NW) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has challenged MP Ajith P. Perera to provide proof of his credentials as an Advocate (අධිනීතිඥ). “It is not wise to throw stones from a glass house,” Nanayakkara said. “To claim that he is an Advocate, he must have sat for the relevant exam before 1973. After 1973, only Attorneys-at-Law practice in this country. It is impossible for him to have taken that exam at the time because he would have been about five years old,” more..

Dec 17 (NW) Former Prez Ranil Wickremsinghe has commended Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his govt’s decision to move forward with certain developments envisaged under Wickremesinghe’s administration. Wickremeisnghe said the joint statement issued by Dissanayake and Indian PM Narendra Modi was a welcome development which further deepens Indo-Lanka cooperation. “I also commend President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for going ahead with the ETCA and more..

Dec 17 (DM) The Colombo High Court today served indictments on a biomedical engineer attached to the Biomedical Engineering Unit of the Health Ministry for allegedly causing a financial loss to the govt during the procurement of 35 operating theater lamps. When the accused, Janapriya Karunatilleke, appeared before Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe, he was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000, with two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. more..

Dec 17 (DM) MP Dilith Jayaweera proposed in Parliament that titles such as Doctor, Professor etc. should be avoided when introducing MPs in the House as it leads to social division. He told Parliament that MPs who come from various professions are in the House and that introducing them with titles before them must be avoided. "A doctor is relevant to hospitals and a Professor is relevant to universities. So, I propose that using their titles in the House be avoided," he said. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Former Ministers and MPs have disproportionately benefited from the President's Fund, receiving financial assistance for medical treatment that goes beyond the fund's original purpose. Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa revealed in the House that a number of former Ministers and MPs had received assistance from the fund, which was originally intended to support the poor and underprivileged. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Director's Office of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital has notified MP Ramanathan Archchuna that he will only be allowed entry to the hospital as a patient, and for no other reason. This decision follows a ruling by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court, which granted Archchuna personal bail of Rs 100,000 yesterday, in a case filed against him. The case has been postponed to Feb 7, 2025. The Court also imposed restrictions on Archchuna's access to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, more..

Dec 17 (AD) The SLFP's disciplinary committee has summoned MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, the party’s General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake said. He revealed that charges have been brought against Jayasekara for allegedly acting in a manner that goes against the party’s decisions. The prolonged internal crisis of the SLFP, once one of the largest political parties of the country, began as the then-Chairman of the party former Prez Maithripala Sirisena ousted Jayasekara from the SLFP more..

Dec 17 (AD) The tri-forces personnel assigned to provide security to former presidents will be withdrawn from next week and only police security will continue to be provided, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said. The Minister highlighted that the police protection will be provided to each former Prez in accordance with the outcomes of the security assessment conducted every 06 months. more..

Dec 17 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, currently on a three-day official visit to India, participated in a discussion with leading Indian business representatives today (16) in New Delhi. This discussion, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), brought together some of India’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Prez Dissanayake highlighted the investor-friendly environment in SL and invited Indian entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in SL. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Egg producers have been affected by the price drop of eggs in the local market caused by high production, SL Association of Animal Production president Ajith Gunasekera said. He said that a large-sized egg is currently sold in the market at Rs.30 to Rs.31, while a small-sized egg is sold at Rs.28. The current egg production exceeds the demand in the local market, and as a result egg prices are dropping rapidly. "The current cost of producing an egg is Rs. 34, but more..

Dec 17 (CT) A fake message is currently circulating on WhatsApp, falsely claiming that the President has approved financial assistance of Rs 50,000 for each household. The SL Police have issued an urgent warning, advising the public to avoid clicking on the link included in the message and refrain from sharing personal information. The police cautioned that clicking on the link could expose sensitive personal data to potential security risks, leaving users vulnerable to cybercrimes. more..

Dec 17 (AD) High Commissioner of Malaysia to SL, Badli Hisham bin Adam has met with PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the PM's Office to discuss avenues for enhancing economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two nations. During the discussion, high commissioner reaffirmed Malaysia”s commitment to the longstanding bilateral relationship. Discussions focused on investment opportunities, collaboration in sectors like telecom and automobile assembly, and promoting SL tourism in Malaysia, more..

Dec 17 (AD) NPP MP Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has been unanimously elected as the new Speaker of Parliament. Polonnaruwa District MP was nominated by PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya following the commencement of today’s parliamentary session. The proposal was seconded by Minister Bimal Ratnayake. Accordingly, Deputy Speaker, Dr. Rizvie Salih announced to the House that Dr. Wickremeratne was unanimously more..

Dec 17 (NW) Sports Minister Sunil Gamage summoned officials of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to the Ministry of Sports yesterday for a discussion on the current state of cricket in the country. The meeting focused on plans to develop facilities required for cricket, strategies to enhance the sustainability of cricket stadiums, and ways to leverage cricket for promoting tourism. Attention was also drawn to the existing challenges within the SLC system, with the Minister emphasizing the need for swift more..

Dec 17 (DM) Opposition MP Chamara Sampath today questioned why the Central Bank and Finance Ministry officials visited Washington spending a colossal sum of money despite the IMF's agreeing to hold discussions on its EFF via zoom facility. Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma said four officials of the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry and five officials of the Central Bank had attended the IMF discussions in Washington and that the decision to more..