Mar 20 (Island) The MEP that contested the last general election under the Swan symbol of the NDF, together with friendly allies, has fielded independent groups in Colombo and several other areas at the forthcoming LG elections for 336 local bodies. Having unsuccessfully contested the prez election as an independent candidate last September, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe gave the leadership to the NDF at the parliamentary election. more..

Mar 20 (DM) A heated argument broke out between registered and non-registered safari jeep owners in front of the Yala National Park, as the Wildlife Department continues its annual practice of registering new jeep batches, the Yala Safari Jeep Owners' Association (YSJOA) said. An official from the association told the Daily Mirror that a total of 551 safari jeeps have been registered with the department. An additional 40 new safari jeeps are awaiting registration, further increasing more..

Mar 20 (AD) A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued amending multiple import and export regulations, including a key change allowing Bureau Veritas inspection certificates for vehicles imported from all countries. The gazette notification, issued yesterday, bears the signature of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning & Economic Development. Under the new regulations, SL Customs is required to verify the authenticity of documents online more..

Mar 20 (TM) SL will lose out about 200,000 tax payers from its tax net due to the increase of Personal Income Tax (PIT) threshold to Rs. 150,000 per month, the Finance Ministry said. Speaking before the CoPF on Tuesday (18), Treasury officials revealed that it will lose Rs. 60 billion of tax revenue per annum from the proposed amendment to the PIT. “Rs. 60 billion loss (per annum) is expected from PIT relief, which is 0.2% of GDP- more..

Mar 20 (AD) More than 1,500 deserters from the Tri-Forces have been arrested for failing to report for duty without being legally discharged. Following an order from the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Sampath Thuyacontha, operations to arrest tri-service personnel who absconded from service without legally resigning were launched on Feb 22. As of yesterday, 1,604 deserters have been arrested. It is reported that 1,444 were apprehended in operations carried out by the Tri-Forces, more..

Mar 20 (EN) Sri Lanka’s delayed Local Govt election will be held on May 6, Election Commission said after accepting nominations from political parties and independent groups. The polls which were scheduled to be held in January 2023 were delayed after then President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared there were no funds to hold the elections after the country faced an unprecedented economic crisis in 2022. The Election Commission declared the date on Thursday (20). more..

Mar 20 (SLN) SL Navy conducted a successful shipwreck expedition from 10 to 17 Mar 25, focusing on historically significant shipwrecks located in the sea area off the coast of Colombo. The expedition was carried out to document the current state of numerous shipwrecks lying beneath the waves, off Colombo. The survey included the Coal Wreck, Chief Dragon Car Carrier, MV Astoria, MT Nilgiri, Thermopylae Sierra, MV Pecheur Breton, Taprobane East Wreck, SS Worcestershire, Toilet Barge, more..

Mar 20 (NF) The World Happiness Report 2025 has been released, revealing that Sri Lanka has dropped to the 133rd position, down from 128th in the 2024 report. A total of 147 countries are ranked in the World Happiness Report. World Happiness Report is the world’s foremost publication on global wellbeing and how to improve it. The World Happiness Report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, UN Sustainable Dev. Solutions Network more..

Mar 20 (AD) Hambantota International Port (HIP) has successfully discharged its second batch of vehicles for the domestic market last week, continuing to strengthen its role as a key hub for automotive shipments. A total of 1,159 vehicles were handled during the ship’s call, which included 462 BYD vehicles designated for the SL market. The operation involved the discharge of 490 vehicles & transshipment of 669 vehicles, more..

Mar 20 (NW) The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has decided to release former minister Lohan Ratwatte from the case regarding a traffic accident in Colpetty. Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura issued the order today after taking into consideration a request made by the lawyers of Ratwatte, who is on bail in connection to the incident. The court was informed that both parties had agreed to a settlement of Rs. 01 million to the defendants. Lohan Ratwatte was arrested in Colpetty for more..

Mar 20 (AD) The former IGP, Deshabandu Tennakoon has been ordered to be further remanded until April 03 by the Matara Magistrate’s Court. Tennakoon, who was subject to an arrest warrant in connection with a shooting incident near a hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama in 2023, surrendered to the court by submitting a motion yesterday (19), after evading arrest nearly 20 days. Following his surrender, the Matara Magistrate ordered that he be remanded until today (20). more..

Mar 20 (NW) India’s Adani Group has categorically refuted rumours circulating about claimed changes to its renewable energy agreement in Sri Lanka. Adani Green Energy SL Ltd said claims suggesting that the company has offered to revise the pricing to 7 cents per kilowatt-hour are entirely false and without foundation. “We remain fully committed to the original terms of the agreement as established with the relevant SL authorities. more..

Mar 20 (MoD) Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel Paparo, called on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today. Defence Secretary warmly received the U.S. delegation led by Admiral Paparo and had a cordial discussion. The USINDOPACOM was accompanied by the Defence Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Nelson. more..

Mar 20 (NW) Colombo High Court has rejected a request to lift the order freezing former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s bank account in the parliamentary branch. The request made by the lawyers of former Minister was rejected by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi today. In June 2024, Bribery Commission issued an order to freeze 16 fixed deposit accounts and 3 life insurance policies belonging to the family members of Keheliya Rambukwella for seven days over more..

Mar 20 (FT) As SL’s debt crisis intensified in late 2021, increasingly urgent calls were made for the Govt to seek assistance from the IMF. Even among the protesters who had taken to the streets to express their opposition to Govt policies, some could be seen holding pro-IMF placards. The prevailing sentiment was that only the IMF could prevent the country from descending into total economic and political chaos and, perhaps more importantly, restore it to a sustainable external debt path. more..

Mar 20 (FT) Closing the parliamentary debate of the budgetary vote of the Foreign Ministry, Minister Vijitha Herath spoke warmly about the appointment of Gary Anandasangaree as Canada’s Minister of Justice and congratulated him. Does Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, a senior JVP leader, know who and what he is talking about? Here’s a Toronto City News report. ‘Canada’s Parliament has created a day to recognize the genocide of Tamil people in SL. Parliament unanimously adopted the motion more..

Mar 20 (NW) The Attorney General’s Department opposed granting bail to suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, arguing that he evaded law enforcement despite an open warrant for his arrest. Tennakoon, wanted in connection with the 2023 W15 Hotel shooting in Weligama, surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court on March 19. The court ordered him remanded until March 20. Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, more..

Mar 20 (FT) The Govt on Tuesday assured that it would take necessary steps to resolve the delays in releasing newly imported vehicles, if there were any shortcomings in the existing mechanism. “After a five-year hiatus, the Govt has allowed vehicle imports and any procedural obstacle in their release would be addressed promptly,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday responding to queries at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing. more..

Mar 20 (TM) IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon – currently temporarily suspended from performing the duties and functions of the said office – who appeared before the Matara Magistrate’s Court (MC) yesterday morning, has been ordered to be remanded until today by the Court. Tennakoon had surrendered to the Matara MC earlier yesterday after evading arrest for nearly 20 days. Following Tennakoon’s appearance before Court, the case regarding 2023 shooting near W15 Hotel more..

Mar 20 (FT) Sri Lanka will make a fresh push to woo foreign portfolio investors next week via a key forum organised by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Over 100 foreign investors, including over 30 fund managers, are scheduled to attend the Invest Sri Lanka Capital Market Investor Forum 2025 from 27 to 28 March at Shangri-La, Colombo. It is hosted by the CSE in collaboration with the SEC and more..

Mar 20 (FT) Keells announced the opening of its first store in Northern Province, bringing its commitment to quality, affordability, range, convenience, and community development to Jaffna. While this marks its first supermarket in Jaffna, Keells has been closely connected to the region since 2015. Keells Collection Centre in Jaffna has been actively sourcing approx 200,000 kg of fresh produce each month, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality goods while supporting local farmers. more..

Mar 20 (FT) SL’s tea exports registered a decline in February, despite a positive growth in key international markets. Total shipments in February amounted to 20.40 million kilos, down by 1.91 million kilos compared to 22.31 million kilos in the same period of 2024. Forbes & Walker said the decline was observed across most categories, except for packeted tea. The free on board (FOB) value for Feb 2025 stood at Rs. 1,737.25 per kilo, reflecting a decrease of Rs. 51.91 year-on-year (YoY) more..

Mar 20 (NW) Recently declassified documents related to the 1963 assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy have revealed details about CIA operations during the Cold War, including a secret base in Colombo. Russian-backed media outlet RT shared the findings on X, citing files released by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The documents suggest that the CIA had covert bases in various locations, shedding new light on its activities in the region. more..

Mar 20 (FT) Sri Lanka’s rich tradition of craftsmanship and artistic talent is set to take centre stage in the global market through the ‘Creative Sri Lanka 2030 – Matchmaking Pilot Program’ launched yesterday, spearheaded by the European Union (EU) in partnership with the Export Development Board (EDB). The initiative aims to transform local creative industry into a major export sector by leveraging sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices. more..

Mar 20 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya yesterday said the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code) is aimed at catalysing inclusive economic growth and development in SL via the economic empowerment of women. She commended the initiative’s commitment to using a multi-stakeholder data-driven approach to identifying the specific needs of women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (WSMEs) in SL, and more..

Mar 20 (TM) Govt has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) to ensure that the transfer process for doctors of all categories is carried out on time, following the due process. Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that three transfer boards are responsible for handling the transfers of Grade Medical Officers (MOs), Specialist MOs, and Administrative MOs. However, he noted that the transfer process for these categories of MOs, more..

Mar 20 (DM) Laugfs Gas recently hosted David Tyler, Director of World LPG Association (WLGA), during his visit to SL, where he discussed global LPG industry developments, market insights, and opportunities for local industry growth. In his keynote address at the Laugfs Gas hq, Tyler highlighted significant global LPG industry trends. Tyler said, “LPG remains primarily used for domestic cooking, yet it has numerous additional applications including power generation, industrial fuel, more..

Mar 20 (TM) NDF MP Ravi Karunanayake, urged the Govt to introduce regulations for the registration of low-capital-based companies. Speaking in the Parliament, he said that the Govt should also take steps to expedite the company registration process, which currently takes a few days. “It takes five to six days to register a company now. This should be expedited. Companies in the Colombo Port City are registered in two days. This can be done for other companies as well,” he said. more..

Mar 20 (AD) Embassy of the US in Colombo announced that the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, will visit Colombo from March 19-21. During his visit, Paparo will engage with senior SL govt officials and military leaders to reaffirm the enduring US-SL security partnership and share the U.S. vision for regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. Commander Paparo’s visit underscores the United States’ ongoing commitment to more..

Mar 20 (DM) Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela today ordered that the charge sheet on Arjuna Aloysius be officially served on April 30 over a case pertaining to an alleged fraud of Rs. 12 million linked to a purchase of printing paper for newspaper production. The complaint was filed by Neptune Paper (Pvt) Ltd, a company involved in importing and distributing printing paper, against Arjuna Aloysius and more..

Mar 20 (EN) Representatives of the German Import Promotion Desk (IPD) have visited 14 companies across 9 districts in SL on a sourcing mission aimed at boosting SL exports to the European market, EDB said. Companies in Kurunegala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Monaragala, Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Gampaha and Kalutara were visited. “This mission focused on identifying high-potential businesses in key sectors, such as spices, coconut-based products, nuts, sweeteners, processed food more..

Mar 20 (TM) The Health Ministry noted that Sri Lankans pay inadequate attention to dental health, and that the available statistics suggest that only 50% of Sri Lankans brush their teeth twice a day. This was highlighted during a press briefing held by the ministry's Health Promotion Bureau yesterday, which had been organised for the World Oral Health Day which falls today (20). During the discussion, the World Oral Health Day Committee of the SL Dental Association Chairperson more..