Jan 9 (DN) Rs. 4,089.54 has been spent on the Gin-Nilwala Diversion Project under the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry during the past eight years with no contribution to the country’s national economy, a Special Audit Report on the project issued by the National Audit Report reveals. Notwithstanding the fact that the initial geological researches and surveying activities had been initiated in 2015 the respective project has been stopped in 2015. more..

Jan 9 (DM) In a thrilling pursuit, a police sniffer dog named Johnny followed a scent trail for nearly 4 km through Wariyapola to track down a suspect who had stolen batteries from vehicles parked as case evidence materials at the Wariyapola District Court. The Wariyapola Police arrested the suspect and recovered five stolen batteries. Several vehicles, including a luxury bus, had been parked as case evidence at the Wariyapola Magistrate's Court when the batteries were stolen. more..

Jan 9 (DM) Sri Lanka is grappling with a rising trend of tobacco addiction among schoolchildren, highlighting the urgent need to address this growing issue to protect the well-being of the country's future leaders. Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Rumi Ruben expressed concern over the increasing incidence of schoolchildren using tobacco products. He stated that it is the responsibility of parents, teachers & tutors more..

Jan 9 (TM) The teacher responsible for leaking the questions of the Grades six and seven term test of govt schools in the North Central Province (NCP) has been interdicted with immediate effect, NCP Education Secretary Sirimevan Dharmasena said. On Monday, the Sinhala Literature question paper for the Grade 11 term test in the NCP was leaked on social media. As a result, the final term test, scheduled for Monday, was postponed. Accordingly, distribution of compromised question paper more..

Jan 9 (AD) The deadline of the period where permission was granted for the import of rice by the private sector is scheduled to end tomorrow (10). To address the rice shortage in the country, govt granted permission for private-sector rice importers to import rice stocks between Dec 4 and 20, during which 67,000 metric tonnes of rice were imported. The deadline for rice imports was extended until Jan 10, 2025, with the relevant Gazette notification issued on Dec 24. more..

Jan 9 (FT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) yesterday announced that the Govt Digital Payment Platform (GDPP) will be operationalised this year following successful pilot testing in 2024 as part of a three-year comprehensive plan to enhance the legal and institutional structure of the payments landscape. GDPP will enable Govt institutions without digitalised databases to receive real-time payments from the public through more..

Jan 9 (AD) Dr. Deepal Perera, a paediatrician at the LRH for Children, has raised concerns about the country’s declining birth rate, which he says has seen a considerable decline over the past decade. He emphasized that this trend could have far-reaching consequences for the future of the country. “One thing we have seen in observing the past 10 years is the gradual decline in the number of births in the country. In 2013, there were 350,000 births. In 2024, that number has dropped to 228,000. more..

Jan 9 (DM) While Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekera alleged that the Prez's Secretary had issued a circular prohibiting Ministers from meeting heads of foreign missions without the permission of Foreign Affairs Minister Bimal Ratnayake denied the claim and said he had met a diplomat yesterday. “Prez's Secretary has issued a circular prohibiting Ministers, secretaries and Governors from meeting heads of foreign missions without the permission of the Foreign Affairs Minister. more..

Jan 9 (CT) NPP National List MP Lakmali Hemachandra, speaking during the Adjournment Motion, said that people had been caught in a dilemma over having to pay taxes. Hemachandra lamented that the story behind the country’s ability to have been able to come out of the economic crisis had been enabled by the tremendous sacrifices made by the public. They would have had to undergo shortages of cash to spend on things that needed to be purchased daily. more..

Jan 9 (CT) NPP MP for Kegalle, Sagarika Athauda lamented that despite the international set criteria on the quality of food, Sri Lanka had ranked lowest among 113 countries. Speaking in Parliament, Athauda said that Sri Lanka had been among the lower-ranking countries in the 2022 Global Food Security Index. “Our country scores the lowest among 113 countries,” she lamented. When discussing social progress and the creation of a decent life in UN Human Rights Charter, more..

Jan 9 (TM) Although the ongoing Clean SL project has commendable aspects to it, without a sustainable plan, the project is unlikely to address deep-rooted, long-term issues that have plagued the country’s transport sector, Champika Ranawaka claimed. He pointed out passenger transport buses of inferior quality as a key issue affecting the safety of passengers, regarding which, he urged that a high-quality bus fleet be introduced to replace more..

Jan 9 (AD) Colombo Additional Magistrate today rejected the bail application submitted on behalf of the General Secretary of the BBS organization, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero. Colombo Magistrate’s Court today sentenced the Gnanasara Thero, to 09 months imprisonment over his defamatory statement on the religion of Islam. Although the Thero has filed an appeal against the sentence, his attorneys had requested bail pending the hearing of the appeal and more..

Jan 9 (AD) Traffic operations launched by Sri Lanka Police in line with the Clean Sri Lanka national initiative, are continuing further across the island. It has been observed that certain three-wheeler drivers are now removing the additional accessories they had previously attached to their vehicles. As part of the initiative, the police recently started removing unsafe modifications and accessories from buses, three-wheelers, and other vehicles in various locations, including Colombo and more..

Jan 9 (AD) The Appropriation Bill to allocate funds for the govt expenditure in 2025 financial year has been presented to the Parliament by PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Accordingly, the second reading (Budget Speech) of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held on Feb 17 and the second reading debate is scheduled to be held for 7 days from Feb 18 to 25. Thereafter, the vote on the second reading of the bill is scheduled to be more..

Jan 9 (SLN) The SL Navy and Coast Guard seized an Indian fishing boat (01) poaching in Sri Lankan waters and apprehended 10 Indian fishermen, during a special operation conducted off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna in the dark hours of 8th Jan. The Navy and Coast Guard continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in SL waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen. more..

Jan 9 (NW) First-time MP Dilith Jayaweera slammed the govt for failing to deliver on its promises, and instead covering up through various national programmes, such as Clean Sri Lanka. Addressing the Parliament today, MP Jayaweera said that 49 days since the inauguration of the Parliament, it is evident that the Govt has forgotten that it is the governing body of the nation and not the student council of the Kelaniya University. “The people had great expectations of this govt. more..

Jan 9 (DM) Claiming that the IMF has not made any objections to the proposed public sector salary increment, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today the govt will go ahead with the proposal and provide a significant salary increment in the upcoming budget. The Deputy Minister told Parliament that a significant salary increment will be provided to the public sector employees in line with the cost of living. While responding to a question by MP Ravi Karunanayake, more..

Jan 9 (EN) Sri Lanka will allow state imports coconut kernels to be used by mills to make oil and other products, Minister Sunil Handunetti said. SL is currently facing a shortfall of coconuts and the country does not allow fresh nut to be imported due to fears of diseases coming in. “We have decided to import kernels and give the mills,” Minister said. SL also exports powdered and creamed coconut milk and dessicated coconut. The country however allows coconut oil to be imported. more..

Jan 9 (NW) Deputy Minister of Justice Mahinda Jayasinghe has categorically stated that former MP and convicted murderer Duminda Silva will not be granted a presidential pardon, regardless of the narratives promoted by a TV channel linked to his family. Jayasinghe said, “We are not scared of TV channels, brother will not be released”. While not directly naming the channel, Jayasinghe alluded to its recent anti-govt more..

Jan 9 (IPS) SL’s economic crisis, fuelled by unsustainable debt and a default in 2022, left the country struggling to stabilise its economy. Its high climate vulnerability that disrupts livelihoods exacerbated the economic challenges. In the face of dual pressures from an economic crisis and climate vulnerability, the need for alternative approaches to financial recovery has never been more urgent. Therefore, debt-for-climate-and-nature (DfCN) swaps could be a possible option to lower more..

Jan 9 (NW) The govt is providing a fertilizer subsidy of Rs. 25,000 and free red powder fertilizer for the Maha season, PM Harini Amarasuriya informed the Parliament. PM made the statement, responding to a question raised during yesterday’s parliamentary debate regarding the Govt’s programme to provide fertilizer subsidies to farmers. Addressing the Parliament, PM said the period for providing fertilizer subsidy to each District is from the 1st of Oct 2024 to the 1st of Feb 2025. more..

Jan 9 (AD) The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has sentenced the General Secretary of the BBS organization, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, to 9 months imprisonment over his defamatory statement on the religion of Islam. Announcing the verdict, the Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena also ordered the imposition of a fine of Rs. 1,500 on the defendent. Police had filed this case against more..

Jan 9 (DM) If the current tax limits on vehicle imports are changed, the selling prices of vehicles in the market will also be affected, according to vehicle importers. Vehicle Importers' Association of SL said that the estimated prices can be calculated once vehicle imports resume under the existing tax rates. However, they noted that if the govt increases the tax rates, then the vehicle prices too will automatically rise, while a reduction in tax rates would lead to lower prices. more..

Jan 9 (CT) Bangladesh U-19 women’s team produced an all-round performance to secure a 4-wicket victory over SL in the third T20 match of their series, played at Surrey Maggona. SL, batting first, posted 109/6 in their allotted 20 overs. However, their batting effort was underwhelming, as most of the batters failed to build any significant partnerships. Dahami Senethma (24) and Hiruni Hansika (24*) were the top scorers, while the rest of batting order struggled to make an impact. more..

Jan 9 (FT) Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal moment, where bold and transformative reforms can lead the nation toward economic recovery and sustainable development. Decades of structural challenges, compounded by recent economic shocks, highlight the urgent need for fiscal consolidation, governance improvements, and policy modernisation. By implementing reforms that foster resilience, attract investments, and ensure equitable growth, SL has the opportunity to rebuild its economy, more..

Jan 9 (FT) The first time I came to know the JVP was during my school days around 1970, when the raw, rebellious energy of the movement swept through downtrodden youth like a wildfire. Young minds, restless and hungry for change, were drawn to its visceral appeal, captivated more by the intensity of its rebellious activities than by understanding the social inequities it sought to dismantle. The ‘71 insurrection followed, and I joined the Navy immediately afterwards. more..

Jan 9 (FT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) declared that SL stands stronger with restored macroeconomic and financial sector stability following several difficult years, and future success is conditional on the country’s commitments to pursue necessary economic reforms. CBSL said the economy in 2024 is estimated to have grown by 5%, the highest since 2017, reflecting improved macroeconomic fundamentals. more..

Jan 9 (FT) Public Security Ministry confirmed that over 100 Rohingya people rescued and currently held in Mullaitivu will be deported if they are proven to be victims of a human trafficking scandal. On 19 Dec 2024, SL Navy apprehended a multi-day trawler carrying 115 Rohingya people, including 25 children, from Myanmar, which drifted towards the coast of Mullivaikkal in Mullaitivu. Minister Ananda Wijepala said that according to investigations held so far, it has proved that the Rohingya people more..

Jan 9 (FT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) yesterday revealed that the economy in 2024 is forecast to have grown by a seven-year high of 5%. “Real GDP is projected to have grown by around 5% in 2024, registering the highest annual growth since 2017,” CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. In 2017, the GDP grew by 6.5%. He said that continuing the recovery observed in the second half of 2023, SL economy rebounded strongly in 2024, initially benefitting from the base effect, more..

Jan 9 (DM) In the wake of over 100 Rohingya entering SL recently, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today that the intelligence services have revealed that there was a plan to bring down some 100,000 illegal migrants to SL in the coming days. Minister told Parliament that an investigation has been launched into the matter and pointed out that it is identified as a grave social issue. “Police investigations and more..

Jan 9 (CT) Govt’s Clean Sri Lanka national initiative is to be taken up for debate in Parliament on 21 and 22 Jan, PM Harini Amarasuriya said in Parliament. PM further explained that the purpose of this debate is to help the public better understand the Clean SL initiative amidst the current dialogue. PM stressed the importance of changing societal attitudes to achieve meaningful social transformation, emphasising that such a shift is a gradual process that cannot happen overnight. more..

Jan 9 (DM) Claiming that the govt is not against free trade agreements, Deputy Minister Chaturanga Abeysinghe said the govt will negotiate with the Indian govt on how to rectify the concerns raised against the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) which was originally proposed in 2018. He said that earlier, there were concerns of the ETCA which was originally proposed in 2018 and that the govt will negotiate with the Indian govt to rectify those concerns. more..