Feb 19 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar has strongly criticised the newly presented Budget of the NPP Govt, describing it as a left wing gilded right wing Budget that fails to deliver genuine benefits to the public. He argued that while the budget is aspirational in rhetoric, it lacks meaningful relief for the people. He highlighted that, despite the Prez’s announcement of a Rs. 15,000 increase in the minimum basic salary of public servants, more..

Feb 19 (NW) SL spinner Maheesh Theekshana has toppled Afghanistan star Rashid Khan to become the No.1 ranked bowler in ODIs. He was brilliant in the two-match ODI series against Australia picking up four wickets in 12.5 overs. Theekshana, in the latest ICC rankings update, has jumped to the top with 680 rating points while Rashid has slipped to second with 669 rating points. However, Theekshana is unlikely to stay at the numero uno position for long with SL not playing ODI cricket for next 3 weeks more..

Feb 19 (NW) A heated verbal exchange took place between SJB MP Ajith P. Perera and NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra over the private-sector salary increment proposed in the govt’s 2025 Budget. Speaking during a televised debate, NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra said that the govt has received the consensus of private-sector stakeholders for a salary increment. She further said that a nearly Rs. 9000 increment has been agreed to by the relevant private-sector stakeholders, more..

Feb 19 (AD) Met Dept has issued a red warning, stating that the heat index—the temperature felt on the human body—is expected to remain at a caution level today. Temperature may increase in parts of the Northern, North Central, North Western, Western, and Southern provinces, as well as in the Ratnapura and Monaragala districts, the statement said. Meanwhile, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama warned that the prevailing hot weather may lead to health issues such as dehydration. more..

Feb 19 (DM) Following the shooting incident inside the Hulftsdorp Court Complex, where underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa was killed by a gunman disguised as a lawyer, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya said that all lawyers will undergo inspections before entering court premises in the future. The suspect, who shot at and killed Sanjeewa this morning inside the court chamber, fled the scene immediately after the attack. Several police teams are investigating to apprehend the suspect. more..

Feb 19 (AD) SL Police says that they have identified a woman who aided and abetted the shooting inside the No. 5 Magistrate’s Court within the Aluthkade Courts Complex this morning, which killed notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Samararathne alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa. SSP Buddhika Manathunga said that the suspected woman, who has also disguised as a lawyer and entered more..

Feb 19 (AD) New details have emerged regarding the shooting of notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Samararathne, alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa, inside the Aluthkade Court premises this morning. It has been revealed that the firearm used in the shooting, a revolver, was allegedly smuggled into the court premises by the suspect by concealing it inside a hollowed-out book, with the pages cutout in the shape of the gun. Meanwhile, it is also reported that more..

Feb 19 (AD) A female Russian tourist travelling on the Podi Menike train plying from Badulla to Colombo Fort has died after falling off the train reportedly while attempting to take a selfie. The accident has occurred this morning near the Amunuwelpitiya 180/25 post, close to the Badulla tunnel. The deceased has been identified as a 50-year-old Russian national, who had arrived in SL from Russia with a group of 12 other foreign tourists. The group had reached Badulla this morning, more..

Feb 19 (FT) Sri Lanka known earlier as Ceylon has produced several businessmen and industrialists of great repute over the years. There were however only a few who captured the popular imagination of the people. One such person was the industrial tycoon and media magnate Upali Wijewardene known widely as Upali. One could even say that there was none quite like him in the realm of Sri Lankan commerce. more..

Feb 19 (AD) Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the court’s Registrar to provide the police with all necessary CCTV footage to facilitate the investigation into the shooting and killing of notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Samararathne, alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa. He was shot dead inside the No. 5 Magistrate’s Court within the Aluthkade Courts Complex this morning. Keselwatte Police presented facts of the case before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali more..

Feb 19 (NW) The gunman in today’s Hulftsdorp court shooting left the courtroom claiming a shooting had occurred inside, allowing him to escape unnoticed, SSP Buddhika Manatunga said. “His disguise as a lawyer is what he used to his advantage. He left the weapon behind and walked out, stating there had been a shooting. Everyone inside the courtroom rushed out in panic,” the spokesman said. The Police Spokesman revealed these details in response to questions raised over more..

Feb 19 (TM) SL's economic trajectory has been shaped by a complex interplay of policy promises and their subsequent implementation. Over the years, successive Govts have pledged to stabilise the economy, promote sustainable growth, and enhance the wellbeing of citizens. However, the gap between political rhetoric and actual economic performance has often been a point of contention. The current administration, under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has embarked on more..

Feb 19 (FT) Having served on the boards of multiple banks for over 25 years, I have witnessed several financial crises. However, the economic crisis of 2022 was the most severe. Sri Lanka’s economy totally collapsed that year amid a crippling foreign exchange crisis but defied expectations with a faster-than-anticipated recovery. This turnaround was driven by a $ 2.9 billion IMF program secured in March 2023 and a successful $ 25 billion debt restructuring completed in December 2023. more..

Feb 19 (TM) Election Commission (EC) stated that it will set the date for the Local Govt (LG) Elections, while considering, as far as possible, the concerns raised by various parties regarding the timeline. Political parties representing the Opposition have been urging the EC to postpone the LG Elections, slated to be held in April, citing reasons such as the upcoming O/L Exam and the Parliamentary debate on the 2025 Budget. more..

Feb 19 (DM) All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners' Association (AICROA) has decided to increase the prices of all canteen and hotel food items from midnight today. Association Chairman Harshana Rukshan said that the price of a cup of plain tea will increase by Rs. 5, a cup of milk tea by Rs. 10, a plate of fried rice and kottu by Rs. 30, and the prices of short eats by Rs. 10. He said that no concessions were provided for canteen and restaurant owners in the recent budget. more..

Feb 19 (Island) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried. “Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? more..

Feb 19 (ST) A fault in a busbar—a metallic strip or bar that conducts electricity and distributes it to electrical devices—at the Panadura grid substation (GSS) last Sunday triggered a system frequency drop and caused SL’s entire power system to shut down, the CEB preliminary report on last Sunday’s countrywide blackout has held, sources familiar with its contents said. The 18-page document also contains a report more..

Feb 19 (TM) SriLankan Airlines’ growth ambitions are curbed by debt issues and the govt’s poor fiscal position as the airline should ideally double its fleet over the next 5 years, airline’s CEO Richard Nuttall said. He said that the airline’s growth is constrained by debt issues and the govt’s poor financial situation. “Ideally our fleet should be double what it is in 5 years,” he said. “We still have an awful lot of legacy debt and we need to find solutions to that before we go out and do big aircraft orders.” more..

Feb 19 (FT) Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena and CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe indicated thumbs up for the 2025 Budget presented by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday. Speaking at the E&Y’s 25th anniversary post-budget Forum, the duo spoke of the challenges prior and the progress made since leading up to a favourable Budget 2025. They said that even in the recent past Budget estimates were questioned but 2024 proved that SL could more..

Feb 19 (DM) SL’s 2025 budget doesn’t introduce major tax changes but includes a few welcome adjustments. However, a tax expert points out that the budget still lacks a scientific approach, highlighting the need for a dedicated tax unit to advise the Finance Minister. KPMG in SL Principal - Tax and Regulatory Suresh Perera noted that this budget is a very simple budget and there isn’t much change overall. However, what has happened is that certain tax statuses have undergone tweaks; more..

Feb 19 (DM) Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin claimed today that the govt has not addressed the issue of teachers' salaries in the recent budget. He said that both Prez and PM had assured that the existing salary issues would be resolved in the 2025 budget. He reminded that state employees staged protests demanding a Rs. 20,000 salary increment, while principals and teachers protested for the remaining two-thirds of their salary anomalies to be rectified according to more..

Feb 19 (Reuters) SL's budgeted expenditure for 2025 will likely lead to a wider fiscal deficit and slower-than-expected fiscal consolidation, Moody's Ratings said on Tuesday, a day after the island nation unveiled its budget. SL aims to transform its crisis-hit economy to prepare to resume debt repayments from 2028, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said while announcing the budget which is seen as a key step towards more..

Feb 19 (AD) Two persons including a man and his six-year-old daughter have been killed following a shooting incident near the Kadewatta Junction in Middeniya. Police said that a group of unidentified individuals had opened fire at a 39-year-old resident of Galpotta who was traveling on a motorcycle with his son and daughter at around 10.15 p.m. pm on Tuesday (18). The motorcycle rider was killed on the spot while his son and daughter were admitted to the Embilipitiya and Tangalle hospitals more..

Feb 19 (DM) The recent 2025 budget proposals did not include any mention of the Piriven education sector, leader of the Janasetha Peramuna Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera said. He said that while the President highlighted allocations for the education sector, there was no reference to funding for Piriven education. "Piriven education plays a crucial role in providing student monks with a proper education in Buddhism, ensuring its preservation for future generations. It is concerning whether more..

Feb 19 (DN) A meeting between US Ambassador Julie Chang and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Gamage was held at the Ministry yesterday. Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara also participated in the meeting. Discussions were held on enhancing sports cooperation between the two countries, with particular attention being paid to the possible interventions that can be made to develop the tourism industry related to sports. Discussions were also held on how to provide more..

Feb 19 (DM) The active implementation of export-related proposals in Sri Lanka’s 2025 budget would be critical for the govt to meet the country’s debt repayment obligations in four years, a senior economist said. Although policy frameworks such as the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Central Bank Act will help maintain macroeconomic fiscal stability, the risk of debt sustainability remains severe as the national debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to remain at 100% by 2029, more..

Feb 19 (FT) Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma opined that the Budget 2025 was designed to extend the stability achieved in recent months and provide certainty in policy. Delivering the keynote address at the CA Sri Lanka Budget Seminar 2025, he positioned the Budget as a foundation for economic growth, emphasising that stability and continuity in policy are central to the Govt’s approach. more..

Feb 19 (DN) SL Masters led by Kumar Sangakkara will take part in the inaugural season of International Masters League (IML) from Feb 22 to March 16 in India. SL Masters team will leave today for this tournament. The opening game, of this IML tournament scheduled for Feb 22 at Navi Mumbai, will witness a faceoff between the Asian giants. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will lead an Indian team while Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Pathan brothers Irfan and Yusuf also among more..

Feb 19 (Island) Thurstan and Isipatana will kick start a Big Match season inclusive of at least 12 three-day matches. The long season commences on Friday with the Battle of Brothers encounter at the SSC. It is the first time, the majority of Big Matches are played as three day encounters. It has become possible after SLC decided to fund schools who are interested in extending their matches to three days from this season. Apart from the historic Battle of the Blues between Royal and S. Thomas’, more..

Feb 19 (ST) Dasun Shanaka, who is in trouble over allegations of faking an injury to leave a first-class match in Colombo hours early in order to play for the Dubai Capitals in the UAE that same evening on Feb 2, has time till today to respond to a charge-sheet given by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The board’s charge-sheet includes the allegation that first-class match referee Wendell Labrooy had been led to believe Shanaka had a concussion, more..

Feb 19 (ST) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has time and again requested authorities to ensure all accommodation units have a level-playing field and in this respect the authorities are going ahead to raid all illegal units in the country and take legal action against them. “We started encouraging people to register – but still there are so many properties under Airbnb that have not done the registration,” SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddika Hewawasam said. more..

Feb 19 (TM) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) claimed that obtaining medicines for haemophilia patients has become difficult. This is because necessary documents for procuring several new medications, essential for maintaining their quality of life, have not been properly prepared and submitted, MCPA charged. In patients with haemophilia, one of the essential clotting factor proteins is partially or completely missing, causing prolonged more..