Jan 2 (CT) Trade Union and civil society representatives visited former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s official residence yesterday morning with a floral wreath, which they left outside the gate of the residence. The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) and Civil Rights Organisations have challenged Rambukwella to a public debate, on the number of bribery and corruption incidents, which occurred during his tenure as the Minister of Health. more..

Jan 2 (DM) US National Nuclear Security Administration and the SL Navy are set to sign a MoU aimed at preventing the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials. The Cabinet has given its nod to the proposal for this agreement which has navigated through various regulatory bodies in SL. SL Atomic Energy Regulatory Council, SL Atomic Energy Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Planning have thoroughly examined the draft MoU. more..

Jan 2 (FT) Hameedia, Sri Lanka’s leading menswear brand synonymous with style and quality, marks its 75th anniversary with the unveiling of a special collection under the theme Celebrating Life, tailored for the festive season. The seasonal collection encompasses a comprehensive array of menswear solutions designed to elevate the modern man’s fashion game. From ready-made to made-to-measure, bespoke, and total accessories, Hameedia offers a diverse selection. more..

Jan 2 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal to announce the Asiri Port City Hospital (Pvt) Company as a primary business of strategic importance through a gazette notification and to grant related exemptions or incentives. Earlier, it was proposed by Asiri Port City Hospital (Pvt) Company to implement a project to develop a hospital within the Colombo Port City, under an investment of USD 100 million. Accordingly, the relevant project was deemed eligible for exemptions or more..

Jan 2 (FP) Before the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader, V Prabhakaran, in 2009, the LTTE had been fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in the island nation's northern and eastern provinces for almost 30 years. Following the end of the LTTE’s armed conflict in the island nation’s north and east in 2009, Sri Lanka made the first move toward establishing the much-delayed Truth Commission. This was a key demand for more..

Jan 2 (DM) Newly appointed national netball coach P.D.N. Prasadi today said that she is determined to help SL complete a hat-trick of victories at the 2024 Asian Netball Championships. 13th edition of the Asian Senior Netball C'ships, conducted by Netball Asia will be held from Sept 26 to Oct 6 in Saudi Arabia. SL won the title in 2018 in Singapore and retained the crown in 2022 at the same venue and now they are in with a great chance of becoming the first nation to win 3 back-to-back more..

Jan 2 (AD) Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union says it will launch a three-day protest against the Bill to restructure the state-owned CEB, from tomorrow (3). Chief Secretary of the union Ranjan Jayalal stated that they will demand the Minister of Power and Energy to immediately withdraw the relevant Bill. “[Minister] Kanchana wants to sell this off together with [Prez] Ranil. If this Bill is passed arbitrarily in the Parliament, CEB workers will go for a massive strike then.” more..

Jan 2 (PTI) Suspended by the ICC for political interference, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will soon introduce a new law to curb meddling of any sorts by people with considerable influence in the corridors of power. A cabinet sub-committee appointed by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe last November reported back to him on Monday with the necessary recommendations. The sub-committee was appointed after the then Sports Minister more..

Jan 2 (AD) SL govt says it is planning to implement an International A2P (Application-to-Person) short message services (SMS) centre. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal tabled by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe aimed at regularizing short message exchanges in order to confront fraud and spam and other illegal activities. A2P is the process of sending mobile messages from a business application to a mobile user, usually via an automated process, for marketing or more..

Jan 2 (AD) The Sri Lankan govt has decided to establish a High Commission in New Zealand’s Wellington in a bid to further bolster the diplomatic relations between the two countries. At present, Sri Lanka has only a Consulate in Wellington. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has green-lighted a resolution made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry in this regard. The first meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers for the year 2024 was held on Monday (Jan.01). more..

Jan 3 (DM) In October 2023, the SL Cabinet granted approval to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 18% with effect from the 1st of January 2024. The new enhanced tax would be applicable to certain other goods and services which at the time were exempted. The amendment was passed with a majority of 45 votes, with 100 MPs voting in favour and 55 voting against the bill. With the SJB - the leading political party in the Opposition - alone having 54 MPs in Parliament, it meant more..

Jan 3 (CT) “We pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country; they will destroy our blood and destroy our country", those are the words uttered by Donald Trump, the leading candidate of the Republican Party at the forthcoming Prez Elections in the USA. Words that we thought we would never hear again are reverberating in the American electorate now, in the twenty first century. more..

Jan 3 (GV) Sexual and reproductive awareness is essential for the health of all human beings but it is often neglected or stigmatized in SL. The recent Covid pandemic and economic crisis have shown the need for greater health awareness in general, as many men and women throughout our country do not currently have access to healthcare, family planning and education about their bodies. This knowledge gap causes various health and wellness problems that need a multi-disciplinary more..

Jan 3 (ST) Sacked Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella should consider as one of his many blessings the privilege right still accorded him to order the CID to pay him house calls and offer their special VIP takeaway service as and when he decides to grant them a statement in connection with the massive billion-rupee immunoglobulin fraud which had occurred during his tenure at the health ministry. After the news broke on Tuesday that a CID team had visited his house on Boxing Day more..

Jan 3 (TM) In the processes of arresting and detaining a person, police officers have a responsibility to enforce the law in a manner that does not violate the rights of the arrestee and in accordance with the basic principles and policies governing the law enforcement sector. That is crucial for both the general public and the Police force. The manner in which police officers should deal with the general public when arresting and more..

Jan 3 (TM) The recent seismic activity in the Indian Ocean and Monday’s earthquake/tsunami that affected Japan, South Korea, and Russia act as reminders for SL on the need to build up disaster warning, resilience, and recovery capacity domestically. The magnitude 7.6 earthquake which hit Japan on early Monday morning, triggering a tsunami warning, has claimed the lives of around 50 people in Noto peninsula of Japan. Despite Japan having a well-designed and robust more..

Jan 3 (CT) Since the Easter Attack on 21.04.2019, the year (2023) has been the best performing year for tourism. Dec 2023 recorded over 200,000 tourists entering the country. The Tourist Board’s target of 1.5 million only fell short by a very small margin. We have welcomed 1.46 million visitors to the Island. The Ministry of Tourism and Lands pulled out the stops to make Colombo vibrant, and festive for both local and foreign tourists, as the new year dawned. Even logistics such as more..

Jan 3 (Island) Amidst deepening political turmoil over the suspension of nearly 150 Opposition members, following an unprecedented Parliament security breach in India, on Dec 13, a group of SL parliamentarians, led by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, MP, visited the scene of chaos. A total of 146 MPs in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) have been suspended for the rest of the winter session. Of them, 100 represented the Lok Sabha. more..

Jan 3 (ST) SL steps into 2024 aiming to strike an elusive balance between reviving economic growth to positive 1.8% from negative 3.8%, alleviating the hardships faced by ordinary citizens and maintaining fiscal discipline in an election year. Govt will be strengthening social safety nets by properly implementing the Welfare Benefits Act 2002 and updating the social registry system to cover all welfare benefit schemes. Measures will be taken to strengthen social protection institutions, more..

Jan 3 (FT) SL United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA) Chairperson Tania Abeysundara yesterday blamed Central Bank Governor P. Nandalal Weerasinghe and the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) for killing SL’s economy. Addressing a press conference, she severely criticised Weerasinghe’s recent statements to the media, where he adamantly asserted that Parate Law in SL would not be amended despite pressures from a specific gang. more..

Jan 3 (Island) The partial demolition of an illegally-constructed hotel close to the Dehiwala beach, on Monday, has grabbed headlines. The building belongs to a drug dealer who has fled the country, according to the police. There was a heavy police presence around the demolition site, on Monday, and some persons who protested were taken into custody. The demolition work however had to be suspended because the backhoes used for that purpose could not bite through more..

Jan 3 (DN) If the govt carries on with the proposed privatization process of all the businesses that the govt shouldn't be doing, the country could earn trillions of rupees from these sales proceeds. This was opined by founder Chairman of diversified business entity, with interest in real estate, Almas Holdings Imtiaz Buhardeen. He said that in addition to gaining massive amounts in trillions of rupees, this process will also help to increase efficiency and provide a better service to the public. more..

Jan 3 (TM) The Govt of Sri Lanka will not be able to meet tax revenue targets in 2024 despite the Value Added Tax (VAT) hike as reduction in consumption is expected eventually leading to an economic contraction, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa said. He said that the VAT should have been kept at 15% while removing the VAT exemptions as an 18% VAT is high which will reduce the consumption volumes of people and keep the tax collection low. more..

Jan 3 (FT) In a bid to transform the country’s agricultural landscape, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a comprehensive set of measures proposed by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for the implementation of the agricultural sector modernisation program. The approved measures include; the formation of a national policy framework, the engagement of experts in the agricultural industry to leverage the sector’s contribution to building a developed Sri Lanka by 2048 and more..

Jan 3 (Island) Within days after being handed the captaincy of the ODI team, Kusal Mendis has got under the radar following an incident at Reid Avenue during a domestic one-day game involving Bloomfield and SSC. Mendis was dismissed for a second ball duck and on his way back to the pavilion, he is alleged to have smashed the dressing room door. Following that incident, he had got involved in an altercation with more..

Jan 3 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved the initiation of the procurement process to select a prospective investor for the proposed development plan’s phase one in the Upper Tank area of China Harbour, Trincomalee. On 3 Jan 2023, the Cabinet approved leasing 61 tanks of the total 99 fuel container tanks of the Upper Tank area to Trincomalee Terminal Ltd., for 50 years. The commencement of the project is marked by the initiation of a feasibility study aimed at more..

Jan 3 (DN) Pathfinder Foundation has formed a Study Group of Experts to develop a blueprint and framework aimed at doubling SL’s economic growth rate through accelerated economic integration and infrastructural connectivity with India. Framework document is expected to be formally launched in March 2024. Most economic forecasts place SL on an average growth trajectory of 3% per annum for the next decade. Such an anemic growth rate will not help resolve SL’s daunting social and more..

Jan 3 (DM) In the face of having to collect additional tax revenue of staggering Rs.160 million per day from 1st January owing to the new VAT regulations, the Excise Dept of SL is on the brink of collapsing as its entire top rung of uniform staff are scheduled to retire in the coming three months. Being one of the country’s three main revenue generating arms, the Department of Excise is already facing a severe short of staff in more..

Jan 3 (DN) Holy Family Convent (HFC) Wennappuwa emerged girls Cup Champions while St Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa and St Thomas Matale won boys’ joint Cup championship at the All Island schools under 18 Hockey Championship played at Albert F. Pieris Stadium Wennapuwa over the weekend. St Joseph Vaz and St Thomas Matale met in the boys Cup final but the game ended in a nil all draw and both teams were declared joint champions. The girls Cup final between Holy Family more..

Jan 3 (FT) Cargills (Ceylon) PLC announced the appointments of Dushni Weerakoon and Ganesan Ampalavanar as Directors of the company. Dushni, a leading SL economist, brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the Cargills board, contributing to the company’s strategic direction. Ganesan, the former CEO of Nestle Lanka, Nestle Indonesia, and Nestle Vietnam, is set to play a crucial role in advancing the company’s FMCG business, drawing on his extensive global management expertise. more..

Jan 3 (TM) SL would be unable to meet the global demand of coconuts due to high cost on fertiliser resulting in a low yield in the country. Coconut Research Institute of SL (CRISL) Director Dr. Sanathanie Ranasinghe said: “The State-owned estates are applying the fertiliser, but out of 80% of the coconut growers are small growers who are reluctant to apply fertiliser due to the high cost. From Jan to Oct last year (2023), the coconut export revenue has reduced by 19% more..

Jan 3 (DM) The upcoming elections in the country would create the most intense battle ever in the SL political arena which would be a do-or-die game for the National People’s Power (NPP), its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday. He said the political camps that are in the offing and political divisions which are created are not ordinary in nature. Dissanayake said if the NPP lost the political battle this time, it would lead the country and the people into further misery and more..

Jan 3 (TM) Following the Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union (CEWU) launching a 3-day protest from today against the proposed electricity reforms Bill which seeks to restructure the state-owned CEB through a new Electricity Act, it will also challenge the said Bill before the Judiciary if the Ministry of Power and Energy tables it in Parliament. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera recently said that the Ministry is planning to table proposed Bill, more..

Jan 3 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has responded positively to a request made by Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, not to apply the recent increase in VAT on chemical fertilisers, according to the Agriculture Ministry. Govt, in the midst of great public criticism, increased the VAT rate from 15% to 18% by 3% with effect from Monday. subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that all chemical fertilisers such as urea, muriate of potash, and triple superphosphate more..

Jan 3 (FT) Litro Gas Lanka, has yet again secured a triumphant win at the National Occupational Safety and Health Excellence Awards 2023, marking a milestone moment in the company’s journey. The accolades garnered in multiple categories—Best Fleet Safety Management System, Manufacturing (Small/Medium Sector), and Other (Small/Medium Sector)—stand as a testament to Litro’s unwavering dedication to safety and excellence. Litro Gas Lanka Chairman Muditha Peiris said: more..