Dec 3 (FT) SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has reported a sharp rise in WhatsApp account hacking incidents, with 74 cases recorded in recent weeks. Hacking victims include prominent politicians, legal counsels, and even journalists. According to Senior Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola, these attacks often start with online meeting invitations sent via WhatsApp, either from unknown numbers or trusted contacts. Hackers then manipulate users more..

Dec 3 (TM) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to Kelum Harshana, who was arrested for allegedly promoting the LTTE Mahaviru celebrations. Commenting to the media following the trial, attorney-at-law Manoj Gamage stated that the Court granted bail to the suspect on the grounds that the charges did not demonstrate the promotion of terrorism. On 30 Nov, the CID arrested 3 suspects in connection with causing public disturbance by promoting LTTE Mahaviru celebrations. more..

Dec 3 (DM) SL will not be able to afford a large public sector in the near future and will soon need to start reducing the number of state employees, a senior advisor to the president said. Projecting that the Treasury would be unable to sustain the current expenditure levels in the coming years, Senior Prez Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa said that the country would have to downsize its public sector workforce from its current 1.3 m more..

Dec 3 (DM) Referring to the recent actions of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Harini Amarasuriya which has gained much publicity, SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha today said both should stop grandstanding. The MP was referring to the report that said PM Amarasuriya had visited a supermarket on her own and the report that Prez Dissanayake had walked from the Presidential Secretariat to the Finance Ministry. “PM's grandstanding comes at a time when more..

Dec 3 (Island) It was the unlikeliest of scripts: the host nation, South Africa, bowing out of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in their backyard, undone by a bizarre twist of fate – and a misread Duckworth-Lewis sheet. To borrow a line from Shakespeare, the fault lay not in the stars but in themselves. South Africa’s hopes were sky-high as they hosted cricket’s crown jewel, much like the unifying fervor of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where Nelson Mandela’s charm and Francois Pienaar’s leadership more..

Dec 3 (Island) The grid connection becomes a significant challenge as SL scales up solar energy, Senior Lecturer at the Uni of Moratuwa’s Dept of Electrical Engineering, Professor Asanka Rodrigo stressed. He added: “We must conduct extensive studies on load flow, dynamic impacts and protection measures to ensure grid stability.” Delivering the keynote address, at the partnership last Friday at the Marino Beach Colombo between E.B. Creasy, said to be one of the pioneers of solar energy more..

Dec 3 (FT) Nepal’s multinational giant CG Corp Global this week renewed its commitment to Sri Lanka, reiterating it will further grow its investments in existing and new sectors. CG Corp Global Group already has investments in Sri Lanka’s hospitality, financial services, and automobile sectors and its Managing Director Nirvana Chaudhary, who arrived in Colombo on Sunday, told the Daily FT that the Group is exploring opportunities in real estate, renewable energy, cement, more..

Dec 3 (TM) Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ruhuna, Prof. Sujeewa Amarasena who has presently been replaced by a Competent Authority, has alleged that his removal was politically motivated, describing himself as the first political victim of the newly formed NPP Govt. Prof. Amarasena claimed that the campaign against him was driven by a group of university lecturers aligned with the current Govt. more..

Dec 3 (FT) The National Savings Bank (NSB) showcased robust financial performance in the third quarter of 2024, propelled by the short-term advantages of liability reprising and a surge in fee-based income. The nation’s premier savings bank reported a remarkable net interest income of Rs. 53.4 billion for the nine months ending 30 September 2024, reflecting a remarkable growth of 191% compared to Rs. 18.3 billion recorded during the same period last year. more..

Dec 3 (FT) Baur & Co. Ltd, also known as Baurs, is a name synonymous with diverse industry sectors in SL, including a distinctive reputation for being a pioneering and innovative agriculture expert, actively blending both scientific and professional know-how to steer the nation’s future direction. This year, Baurs celebrates 127 years of continued growth and expansion across its business units. In 2021, Baurs took on the organic fertiliser challenge when the country decided to move towards more..

Dec 3 (FT) SL’s tourism sector achieved a key milestone, surpassing 1.8 million arrivals in the first 11 months, whilst November recorded the highest number of visitors since July 2024. The country welcomed 184,158 tourists in November, marking a 22% YoY growth. It also recorded the highest November arrivals in five years. The monthly tally in November represents a 36% increase from October’s 135,907 arrivals, more..

Dec 3 (FT) The Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) is set to host its Annual International Conference 2024, focusing on the theme Transforming Industries for Economic Revival in Sri Lanka. Scheduled for 6 and 7 December at the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) Auditorium in Colombo, the event promises to be a platform for dynamic discussions and actionable insights to steer the nation towards sustainable economic recovery. more..

Dec 3 (NF) With the right strategies and moves, Sri Lanka is well on its way to becoming a maritime hub, revealed experts at the recent inauguration of the Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference (CIMC) 2024. CIMC 2024 is the seventh edition of the Maritime and Logistics Conference, held on a rotational basis in South Asia among maritime nations. The conference focuses on discussing the regional developments of the shipping, ports, and logistics industry, more..

Dec 3 (TM) SL dollar bonds provided a return of 29% to investors in 2024 amidst debt restructuring, and positioned itself as a top performer among the emerging market sovereign debt, according to market data. Accordingly, SL’s international sovereign bonds (ISBs) have become an unexpected success this year, delivering an impressive 29% return as of the end of November. The dollar bonds that dipped below 50 cents per dollar in September, have managed to climb more..

Dec 3 (ST) Manudi Nanayakkara of Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa has been appointed captain of the 15-member squad for the upcoming ACC Women’s U-19 T20 Asia Cup cricket tournament in Malaysia. Rashmika Sewwandi of Anura Balika Vidyalaya, Matara will serve as the vice-captain. The squad includes six players from Devapathiraja College, Rathgama, including one traveling reserve. The 15-member squad, along with two travelling reserves, is set to depart for more..

Dec 3 (CI) Thirteen years and more than 80 Tests into his international career, Dinesh Chandimal is in the throes of something brand new, in the same country he had debuted in. At his best, Chandimal is a free spirit - the kind of batter who goes out looking for run-scoring opportunities, then throws his entire body behind the aggressive shots. The lofted hits down the ground struck so vigorously his helmet shifts on more..

Dec 3 (DM) Twelve-year-old Mazyouna suffered devastating injuries to her face from an Israeli rocket and endured five months of unbearable pain before finally receiving approval for emergency surgery. She was unable to eat, speak, or move without discomfort. Although global attention led to her evacuation, 2,500 children in Gaza are still being denied access to critical medical care. UNICEF reports that less than one child is evacuated daily, with many medical applications denied more..

Dec 3 (DM) Resonating with the health and welfare of over 39.9 million HIV patients living globally, World AIDS Day, marked on Dec 1 every year is a timely reminder reflecting on the importance of raising awareness and prevention of the HIV. According to WHO statistics, an estimated 1.3 million people have contracted HIV in 2023. The WHO theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right! sheds more light on the need to promote one’s right to health globally. more..

Dec 3 (Island) Incompetent govts that fail to live up to people’s expectations turn to the media as a convenient scapegoat, attributing their failure and declining popularity to bad press. Never do they own up to their bungling, much less mend their ways. This is particularly true of SL, where the media has suffered at the hands of successive unpopular regimes. The culture of media bashing has caught on in this country; the newly-elected JVP-led NPP govt has already thrown down the gauntlet, more..

Dec 3 (TM) The NPP has received accolades for the creation of a dedicated Ministry for Digital Economy. Over the last ten years, much has been said and promised about digitalisation of Sri Lanka and how it will open the door to better governance and improve economic performance of the Indian Ocean island nation. A previous govet had commissioned a National Digital Economic Strategy for 2030. Many experts have opined that digitalisation will greatly benefit Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 3 (CT) The death of Deegadanthu I, a majestic tusker of Kala Wewa, electrocuted by an unauthorised power line, has cast a shadow of grief across SL. Even amidst the devastation caused by recent floods, this heartbreaking incident underscores the persistent failures in protecting the nation’s wildlife. At approximately 35 – 40 years old, Deegadanthu I was not just a resident of the Kala Wewa region more..

Dec 3 (CT) Over the past 40 years, the world has experienced a fractious relationship between value systems associated with nationalism and globalisation, which social scientists have identified as two defining features of the modern era, producing complementary processes in the past. Two significant events in SL's recent political history—the Aragalaya (people’s uprising) of 2022 and the rise of the NPP as the holder of state power—occurred parallel to this global development. more..

Dec 3 (DM) The obnoxious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dm Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dm Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dm Act (PTA) has been used twice against suspects of unlawful activities after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office as Prez. First suspects were arrested in connection with security threats to Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay in October and detained under this notorious law and later several suspects were arrested last week under it for their alleged involvement in displaying signs and images related to the outlawed LTTE. more..

Dec 3 (TM) Sri Lanka has emerged as a leading whale watching destination, offering substantial economic benefits from its diverse cetacean species. The presence of year-round blue whale populations in SL waters makes these species especially vulnerable to tourism related stressors. While regulations are meant to oversee whale watching, numerous operators participate in unlawful practices, contributing to a surge more..

Dec 3 (ST) Though Parliament’s new court jester—and he comes from Jaffna—did not bring a bunch of murungas to the House, as did the northern character in the 60s satirical play He comes from Jaffna when he arrived at a Colombo upper class home, he brought with him ton-loads of murukku to keep viewers busy munching while he entertained with his theatricals, both in and out of Parliament. Like a bird that flies in early to get the choicest worm, he breezed in early from his northern more..

Dec 3 (CT) The adverse weather conditions experienced this past week have resulted in major setbacks for the entirety of Sri Lanka and, most importantly, for the country’s future food security. Yesterday, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board reported that the heavy rainfall has inundated approximately 390,000 acres of farmland, including land that was being used to cultivate paddy, maize, potatoes, and other crucial crops. On top of the damage caused to farmland, more..

Dec 2 (DM) The price of coconuts across various areas of the country has reportedly increased, with the cost of a single coconut in the local market exceeding Rs. 200. Reports indicate that in the Matale district, coconut prices range from between Rs. 200 and Rs. 230. According to some retail shops, this price hike is due to a prevailing shortage in the local market. Meanwhile, consumers have expressed concerns over sellers restricting their ability to select coconuts. more..

Dec 2 (TM) The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) reports that Sri Lanka's Air Quality Index (SLAQI) is gradually reaching moderate levels, with readings between 100 and 110 in several regions. CEA spokesperson Ajith Gunawardena assured the public that the current slightly unhealthy air quality is temporary and will improve in the next two days. The recent decline in air quality, attributed to adverse weather and a border disturbance from the north, has impacted cities like Colombo. more..

Dec 2 (EN) Facing a possible supply shortage in rice in the first quarter of 2025, Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met small and medium-scale rice mill owners to discuss continuous and affordable supply of rice to consumers in the coming months, the PMD said. The meeting comes days after heavy rains destroyed more than 20 percent of the paddy cultivation area in the island including the large paddy farmland districts more..

Dec 2 (AD) Sri Lanka Police is seeking public assistance in apprehending a suspect linked to withdrawal of a large sum of money from a stolen ATM card. Bandaragama Police had launched an investigation into an incident involving the misappropriation of Rs. 200,000 using a stolen ATM card in the Bandaragama area on August 21. After reviewing the CCTV footage of the cameras installed near the ATM machine in Bandaragama where the theft occurred, suspect has been identified. more..

Dec 2 (FT) Minister Bimal Ratnayake has declared that Sri Lanka stands firmly with Palestine, emphasising widespread support across the nation. He made these remarks during the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People event, held in Colombo over the weekend. Ratnayake highlighted that the turnout at the event reflected the country’s solidarity with Palestine. He reaffirmed that the new Govt, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, will continue to recognise more..