Dec 17 (EN) Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product expanded 5.5% in the third quarter of 2024, up from 1.2% a year ago, as the central bank providing stability with largely deflationary policy. In the June quarter the economy expanded 4.7%. SL’s private credit expanded with falling interest rates and imports were picking up. The “increase in imports of investment goods as well as intermediate goods such as textile and more..

Dec 17 (TM) SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the SL Embassy in Thailand, SL Automobile Component Manufacturers Association (SLACMA), and the Thai-SL Chamber of Commerce, organised an exposure tour for representatives from nine SL automotive sector companies recently. Sri Lanka had finalised on its free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand during this year, after six years of having commenced talks with the South East Asian nation. more..

Dec 17 (AD) The Court of Appeal fixed for consideration on Jan 15, 2025 a quo warranto petition filed seeking a writ order disqualifying Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna from holding a parliamentary seat. The petition filed by the Chairman of Abhinawa Niwahal Peramuna Oshala Herath was taken up before a two-member Appeals Court bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Mahen Gopallawa today (17). The petitioner has alleged in his petition more..

Dec 17 (FT) Sri Lanka’s public sector has become a focal point of intense debate, reflecting its critical role in governance, service delivery, and employment. However, its inefficiencies, fiscal burdens, and disparities in resource allocation have come under sharp scrutiny amid escalating economic pressures. The expanding public workforce, while offering job security and supporting livelihoods, poses pressing challenges that demand urgent attention. more..

Dec 17 (FT) Over the past three years in particular, the whole country has been screwed to give high priority to the free-market economic crisis. The economic crisis having buckled their routine life for nearly one year, urban society does not seem interested in anything else. All politicians and economic experts are crazy talking about solving the economic crisis that now revolves around the IMF EFF assistance. A measly $ 02.9 billion loan assistance it is, agreed for a period of 4 years more..

Dec 17 (FT) Sri Lanka and India yesterday agreed to transform its bilateral relationship into a new standard for friendly and neighbourly ties. The agreement was reached during official talks between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where the former is making his first overseas State visit. The two leaders “noted that the effective and timely implementation of agreed measures, more..

Dec 17 (DM) General Membership of the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL), during its Special General Assembly (SGA), resolved to conduct elections for new office-bearers no later than March 31, 2025. This decision aligns with the NOCSL Constitution and the Olympic cycle of 2025–2028. The resolution is a critical step to address ongoing internal disputes and restore operational stability. The SGA was convened as per the NOCSL Constitution, following requests from more..

Dec 17 (DM) SL’s economic activities across both the manufacturing and services activities continued to expand during November. This is both as a reflection of the continuous recovery in the economy as well as the year-end seasonal pop seen in the demand for both goods and services, which is further supported by the lower interest rates and cooler prices. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for manufacturing recorded an index value of 53.3 in November, signalling continued expansion more..

Dec 17 (TM) Jaffna Teaching Hospital has urged the public to visit the Hospital or any other healthcare facility if they experience symptoms of illness, without panicking, following several deaths of confirmed and suspected leptospirosis (rat fever) patients. In recent times, leptospirosis cases have been reported from three Medical Officer of Health Divisions in the Jaffna District: Point Pedro, Chavakachcheri & Karavetti. more..

Dec 17 (CT) High level surveillance system will be set up at the Galle Prison in 2025 to curb the illegal interaction of the outsiders with the inmates and smuggling materials in, said Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage. He made this observation while presiding over the first Galle District Development Committee meeting of the new NPP govt, held at the Galle District Secretariat. During the meeting, it was brought to attention of the Deputy Minister that authorities have so far seized more..

Dec 17 (AD) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe says the govt has decided to impose maximum retail prices on a range of essential items in the future. The Minister highlighted the disparity between production costs and market prices, stating, “ A water bottle that sells for Rs. 100 can be sold for less than Rs. 40. A packet of salt, produced at a cost of Rs. 52, is being sold for Rs. 100.” He expressed concern over inefficiencies in the salt industry and other sectors, pointing out that more..

Dec 17 (Island) Around 2,500 liters of water are required to produce just one kilogram of rice, putting immense pressure on SL’s water resources, especially during droughts, according to a release from the UNDP. In response, the Green Climate Fund-financed Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP) is tackling this challenge with an innovative solution: Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). This project, implemented by the Govt of SL with more..

Dec 17 (Island) Ten distinguished media veterans are listed to be honoured at the 69th Anniversary Convention of the SL Press Association (SLPA) and the D.F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Journalism Awards. The ceremony is scheduled to take place today at the SL Foundation Auditorium. The honorees, who have dedicated their careers to the advancement of journalism, are Daya Lankapura, V. Thanabalasingham, J. Sheela Wickramarathna, P. B. Ilangasinghe, Upali Arambewala, more..

Dec 17 (DM) Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, requested the President to establish a formal institution to receive and discuss sensitive information they have collected regarding the growing racism and religious fanaticism in the country. Thera said that he possesses various pieces of information that even the CID does not possess. more..

Dec 17 (TM) The All Ceylon Egg Traders’ Association has announced a significant reduction in egg prices for the upcoming festive season, with retail prices now set between Rs. 30 and 35, it is reported. The President of the association, Anton Appuhami had explained to the media that accordingly, regular eggs weighing less than 50 grams will be available for prices ranging from Rs. 30 to 32. For larger eggs, weighing over 55 grams, the price will be between Rs. 33 and 35. more..

Dec 17 (EN) SL and India have discussed resuming a second passenger ferry service between the island and the sub-continent during Prez Anura Dissanayake’s state visit. “While expressing satisfaction at the resumption of the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai, they agreed that officials should work towards the early recommencement of the passenger ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar,” a statement issued after Dissanayake met more..

Dec 17 (DN) SL’s number one ranked tennis player and national champion Dinara de Silva of St Bridget’s Convent clinched the Women’s Open Singles title, while Yuhansa Peiris of Bishop’s College secured the Girls’ Under-16 Singles title at the SLTA-YETI Hard Court National Tennis Championship held at the SL Tennis Association Courts. De Silva, a 16-year-old rising star, showcased excellent performance to overcome seasoned campaigner Rukshika Wijesuriya more..

Dec 17 (DM) Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma yesterday expressed confidence that SL can become the best place for foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Asia, with the Board of Investment (BOI) stepping up efforts to improve the services to the potential investors. The significant approval and int'l support from foreign govts and development agencies would serve as a catalyst for the BOI to drive better opportunities to attract more FDIs to the country. more..

Dec 17 (TM) The CEB stated that while it allows a two-months payment window and a two-weeks grace period after disconnection notices, its institutional regulatory framework prevents offering additional relief for delays in settling electricity bills. It was reported recently that the average daily number of electricity disconnections for unpaid bills has risen from 2,660 last year (2023) to 3,443 this year. The Electricity Consumers' Association claimed more..

Dec 17 (DN) Jaffna Titans once again made a good batting display scoring 153 for 4 wickets recorded 53 runs win over Nuwara Eliya Kings to ensure top place of the points table in the inaugural Lanka T-10 Super League cricket tournament which now in progress at Pallekele. Jaffna Titans is the only unbeaten team once again expected to enter the final. Most of the matches were interrupted by rain. The first match between Nuwara Eliya Kings and Galle Marvels scheduled to be played more..

Dec 17 (ST) A special audit has uncovered significant mismanagement in the govt’s scheme for importing fully electric vehicles for expatriate workers, leading to substantial financial losses. According to Parliamentary sources, the audit report, recently presented in the House, examined the issuance of permits under the programme, which operated from May 1, 2022, to Sept 15, 2023. It also investigated the EV permit issuance between Sept 22, 2020, and June 30, 2023. more..

Dec 17 (ST) A Cabinet paper presented by Energy Minister Kumar Jayakodi to promote the use of liquefied natural gas in the electricity sector has projected a US$ 711 million saving over ten years starting from 2028—but that figure appears to be the result of a flawed calculation published in an expert committee report on LNG infrastructure development in SL. Based on the average cost of LNG and the estimated more..

Dec 17 (FT) Already enjoying record highs the Colombo stock market yesterday gathered further momentum as investors continued to remain bullish. ASPI gained by 2% or 295 points to surpass the 14,500-points mark and the active S&P SL20 rose by 2.5% propelling its year to date (YTD)return to over 40% mark to 41.76%. Turnover reached a 10-month high of Rs. 8.28 billion involving 211 million shares. Ceylinco Holdings (Rs 1.196 b), JKH (Rs 532.4 m), Sampath Bank (Rs 442 m), more..

Dec 17 (DN) Rashmika Sewwandi the medium fast bowler had fine figures of 4 for 23 in her 3 over spell but it was in vain as Bangladesh under 19 women’ recorded 28 run win over SL under 19 women in their Asia Cup cricket fixture played at Bayuemas Cricket Oval grounds Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Bangladesh women batted first scoring 122 for 9 wickets while rain reduced the game to 17 overs per side. SL lasses started with a positive approach. Opener Sanjana Kavindi hit 13 ball 21 more..

Dec 17 (ST) Six Superior Court vacancies—four in the Supreme Court and two in the Court of Appeal—are due to be filled shortly, the Sunday Times learns. Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna, Menaka Wijesundara, Mohammed Laffar, and Sampath B. Abeykoon are the most senior justices in the Court of Appeal. The Sunday Times learns that the Supreme Court vacancies are to be filled considering names from the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Unofficial Bar. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to conclude a successful state visit to India, after having talks with PM Narendra Modi and other Indian dignitaries on an array of key issues. Some bilateral agreements are also reported to have been inked. Modi and Dissanayake have issued a joint statement. and the latter has invited the former to visit Sri Lanka. Prez Dissanayake received a warm welcome from PM Modi and other Indian leaders in New Delhi. more..

Dec 17 (DM) In response to the CID complaint filed by a civil society representative alleging that MP Namal Rajapaksa had received preferential treatment during a law examination 11 years ago, Rajapaksa said that there was no special treatment given to any candidate, including him. Complaint was submitted by Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of citizen's movement against fraud, corruption & waste. more..

Dec 17 (FT) The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Sri Lanka recently presented its comprehensive set of proposals for the 2025 National Budget to Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma. Titled From Recovery to Sustainability – Crafting SL’s Economic Blueprint for 2025, the proposals focus on creating sustainable economic growth, enhancing public welfare, and ensuring fiscal responsibility amid Sri Lanka’s current economic challenges. more..

Dec 17 (ST) Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya’s question on Facebook last Thursday, about Hon Speaker Dr Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala’s academic qualifications, slightly raised a quizzical eyebrow amongst the people. Rumours sped faster than Jaguar’s latest electric racing car on the Grand Prix track, as speculations grew if Ranwala, too, had done a Mervyn, and was flaunting a bogus doctorate to fool a gullible public that he’s a learned man, worthy of the utmost respect. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement that the govt will not permit the erosion of its mandate for accountable govt in the context of the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament is on track with the promises made during the course of the elections that brought the NPP to power. Prez reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining public trust, stating his govt will take decisive action against any wrongdoing, regardless of rank, and emphasised the govt’s mission to uphold more..

Dec 17 (TM) In February this year, the visit to New Delhi by JVP/NPP Leader Aruna Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) was viewed as significant development in domestic politics and emerging power relations in the Indian Ocean. On invitation from the Indian Govt, Dissanayake led a delegation comprising Vijitha Herath, Nihal Abeysinghe and Prof. Anil Jayantha to New Delhi, and met both External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval. more..