Jan 5 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is making significant changes to Sri Lanka’s national security portfolio. His efforts aim to adapt existing mechanisms to the unique environment, meet present-day needs, and depoliticize the system. The shift in threat perceptions underscores a significant evolution in national security priorities. With the defeat of Tiger guerrillas, it is logical for state intelligence more..

Jan 5 (DM) While denying reports that death row inmate Duminda Silva is receiving special facilities at the Prison Hospital, Prisons Department released photographs of the ward where Silva is being treated. Prisons Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake clarified that Silva is receiving residential treatment at Ward No. 3 of the Prison Hospital, alongside more than 50 other inmates who are also undergoing treatment. Dissanayake also said that the Director of the Sri J'pura Hospital had recommended that more..

Jan 5 (SO) About 150 elephants, including tuskers and calves, have been trapped for more than a week in the Oyamaduwa area in the Anuradhapura district. The elephants are confined to the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) farm and are not moving away despite efforts by wildlife officers and local residents, according to Wildlife Dept sources in A'pura. The crisis has brought renewed attention to the challenges of human-wildlife conflict in the region, as the Environment Ministry faces more..

Jan 5 (TM) Allegations have surfaced regarding the suspension of a power project in Badulla, which was set to provide electricity to over 200 families in the Sinhalayagama, Unakanda, and Annasigala regions. Despite being over 85% complete, the project has been halted, reportedly on the orders of Badulla District MP and Minister Samantha Vidyarathna. However, Ministry of Energy Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala denied more..

Jan 5 (ST) SL has no cause for concern regarding the current outbreak of the virus causing flu-like symptoms in China, health authorities have said, assuring that they are vigilant and continuously monitoring global health developments to ensure public safety. “The increase in respiratory illnesses in China is due to known viruses, and no new or unusual pathogens have been identified. The current situation does not warrant action and it does not have a significant impact on more..

Jan 5 (TM) Authorities have reported no formal complaints regarding online prostitution in Sri Lanka this year, despite allegations from some NGOs that it is on the rise. According to DIG Renuka Jayasundara of the Child and Women Abuse Investigation and Prevention Division, the division’s actions remain complaint-driven due to limited resources and the current legal framework. Jayasundara clarified that the authorities could only act on online prostitution advertisements if a more..

Jan 5 (SO) Just hours after the New Year fireworks stopped and the smoke cleared, an elite cast of Sri Lankans that also included high-ranking clergymen came together on one platform as part of the enough-is-enough campaign to rid the country of corruption in sport and the Society at large, lock stock and barrel. Among the anti-corruption activists was Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, former World Cup winning cricketers Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena along more..

Jan 5 (CT) SL-Thailand Business Council elected their office-bearers for the year 2024-2025 at the AGM held recently at Ramada Hotel Colombo. The keynote address, titled Opportunities in Business Interactions between Thailand and SL, was delivered by the Chief Guest of the occasion, new Ambassador of Thailand in SL, Paitoon Mahapannaporn. Following is the keynote address: Good evening, at the outset, I wish to express my appreciation for inviting me to attend AGM more..

Jan 5 (ST) With no orders still placed for a fresh consignment of passports beyond the 750,000 now being issued to the people, SLBFE has warned that the continuing crisis threatens to cripple labour migration. An influx of applications is expected in the coming weeks as candidates wishing to take the Korean language proficiency test must furnish passport numbers to qualify to sit. Around 30,000 travel documents are usually required to more..

Jan 5 (AD) SL Police have confirmed that an audio clip currently circulating on social media, claiming to be a special announcement in line with the govt’s Clean Sri Lanka – 2025 program, is a fake. The audio clip, allegedly citing a section of the Police Ordinance, instructs the public to maintain cleanliness in front of their residences and warns of legal action against non-compliance after Jan 15, 2025. Police emphasized that no such announcement has been released by dept. more..

Jan 5 (SO) Cyber security which is posing a huge threat should be prioritised by policy makers, a top CERT official (Computer Emergency Readiness Team) said. CERT, Lead Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola said once the Information and Cyber Security Policy for State institutions is enacted and the Cyber Security Strategy for 2024-2028 is implemented, the growing threat of cyber security could be minimised to a great extent. more..

Jan 5 (ST) Sri Lanka is moving forward by introducing nuclear power into its energy mix in order to meet the growing electricity demand, combat climate change, and to secure energy supplies. Preparatory work for the country’s first nuclear power plant has already begun. The govt is working on legislation governing the generation of nuclear power and shortly will start inviting expressions of interest from potential investors. Prof. S.R.D. Rosa, Chairman, SLAEB said more..

Jan 5 (AD) SL is poised to make a significant leap in its tourism industry, aiming for 3 million tourist arrivals in 2025. This ambitious target comes on the heels of a projected 2.1 million visitors in 2024 as the nation steadily recovers from the economic challenges it faced in recent years. SLTDA, under the leadership of its newly appointed chairman, Buddhika Hewawasam, is spearheading several reforms and initiatives to strengthen the sector and attract more international visitors. more..

Jan 5 (DM) Around 150 elephants, including tuskers and calves, are reportedly trapped and starving in the Oyamaduwa area following a failed attempt to relocate them from regions such as Sravastipura, Thambuttegama, Vilachchiya, Moragoda and Thanthirimale in the Anuradhapura district to Wilpattu National Park. This was revealed by the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Populations. more..

Jan 5 (EN) Sri Lanka’s average coconut prices were up 18.32%, recording the highest price for a coconut in the weekly auction, data from the Coconut Development Authority showed. The weekly auction was not held in a month due to a lack of nuts. Average coconut prices were up to 129,699.00 for 1,000 nuts at the auction held on Jan 2, from 109,615.80 at the auction in November last year. The highest price was 130,000 for 1,000 nuts while the lowest was 120,000 for 1,000 nuts. more..

Jan 5 (AD) FACETS Sri Lanka - 2025 Int'l Gem and Jewellery Exhibition was inaugurated under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo today (4). Prez also visited and inspected the gem and jewellery stalls featured at the exhibition. Organized by SL Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA) in collaboration with National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and Export Development Board (EDB), this year marks the 31st edition of Asia’s leading gem and more..

Jan 5 (TM) A special meeting is scheduled for tomorrow between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe, PC at the Presidential Secretariat. This meeting comes amid ongoing speculation that the President’s Office has requested AG Ranasinghe to resign from his post. However, sources within the AG’s Department have confirmed that no official communication has been made in this regard. more..

Jan 5 (SO) Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) calls on the Govt to halt the import of new vehicles and permit only quality used-vehicles into the country for the next couple of years as this would assist in the foreign currency and State revenue issue, “We have presented a proposal to the Govt to curtail the import of new vehicles and promote the import of high quality used- vehicles which will limit the outflow of US dollars, enable more middle-income earners to purchase more..

Jan 5 (DM) Yoshitha Rajapaksa, second son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, has accused the present NPP govt of resorting to a political witch-hunt over a case which allegedly took place when he was a school student. Yoshitha was grilled by the CID for hours yesterday morning concerning the ownership of a plot of land in Kataragama, which he says he has no clue about. According to investigators, the land belongs to the state. Soon after his statement to the CID, Yoshitha said more..

Jan 5 (TM) Govt has agreed to formulate a more viable package of incentives to revive the local Micro, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) sector considering the inadequacy of relief measures for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) announced recently by the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), according to the Ceylon Federation of MSMEs (CFMSME). The CBSL by Circular No.4 of 2024 dated 19 Dec 2024 announced that SL Bankers’ Association (SLBA) had agreed more..

Jan 5 (ST) Minister Vijitha Herath announced recently that the Digital Identification (ID) Project with Indian assistance is going to be the Govt’s first major foreign investment and that a team from India will be arriving this month to sign a MoU. During the recent state visit to India under the rubric of connectivity, both leaders agreed to collaborate in expediting people-centric digitisation, fast-tracking this project in addition to the 33 Indian projects in the North and East. more..

Jan 5 (TM) SL is at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey, with ambitious plans to digitise public services, integrate secure payment gateways, and protect citizens’ data. However, the rising threat of cyberattacks, exemplified by recent hacking incidents, poses significant challenges. To address these risks, the Govt is implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, strengthening legal frameworks, fostering public awareness, more..

Jan 5 (EN) SL continued to record a surplus in the current account in the third quarter of 2024, CB data show as new borrowings were halted by bilateral lenders and debt repayments continue to multilateral lenders and foreign reserves were built. SL recorded a US$ 303 million surplus in the current account in the third quarter, down from US$ 432 million (revised) in the second quarter. The financial account was and Capital Accounts were US$ 303 million negative (subject to errors, omissions). more..

Jan 5 (ST) Lyceum International School, Anuradhapura inaugurated Triton, its new swimming pool for the students on Dec 10. This facility will be available for the student community through the school’s sports department. A colourful but refined ceremony was held on the premises with the participation of A'pura Base Commander, Group Captain Poojana Nimantha Gunethilake of SL Air Force, who graced the event as the chief guest, while swimming legend Julian Bolling, more..

Jan 5 (CT) The announcement by the Minister of Health regarding the unprecedented allocation of funds for the health sector in the 2025 Budget is a pivotal moment for the nation. This decision signifies the Govt’s recognition of healthcare as a cornerstone of national development, especially in light of recent challenges and the enduring value of the country’s universal healthcare system. SL’s healthcare model, which offers free medical services to its citizens, has been a linchpin in achieving impressive more..

Jan 5 (TM) It will not take soothsayers, astrologers, or prophets to predict that 2025 will indeed be SL’s year of reckoning. Why? Because despite assertions to the contrary, the country remains delicately poised between salvation or damnation and at the mercy of its many external stakeholders. The people are aware of the gravity of the situation, having literally been to hell and back over the last few years, and are eagerly monitoring the actions of those whom they have installed in office to rectify situation. more..

Jan 5 (ST) It is a known secret in the state bureaucracy circles that the transfer process of govt employees is highly politicised. It is said that those who encounter problems in receiving transfer postings near their hometowns or resist transfers outside the home turf or their preferred locations often use political influences at whatever cost. The issue arose at a Jaffna event when Northern Governor N. Vedanayagan addressed more..

Jan 5 (ST) My dear Imthiaz, I am writing to you after I heard that you had written to your leader Sajith suggesting a series of measures to improve the telephone party following its disastrous performances at the last two elections. I thought at least I would reply, as the chances of Sajith replying your letter are quite slim. The telephone party has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons. It achieved the unique feat of being the major opposition party in the last Parliament more..

Jan 5 (GV) In mid-November last year the National People’s Power (NPP) centre left coalition won a landslide victory in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election after its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was voted president in September. It reflected a major political shift arising from the aragalaya people’s movement based on rejection of the Rajapaksa former ruling dynasty, its inner circle and their economic mismanagement, authoritarianism, divisiveness and corruption. more..

Jan 5 (TM) The dawn of the new year has brought about new hope for the people and more challenges for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Govt. Last week also marked a milestone in President AKD’s term in office as he completed the first 100 days of governance on Friday (3). A video was also launched to mark the milestone under the theme of A 100 days for a 100 years that captured key events during more..

Jan 5 (CT) The reassertion of democratic polity in SL during the year 2024 is the signal achievement of the people of the country, more than its political class. They had shown that the Aragalaya protests, which toppled Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Rajapaksa clan from power, mattered in deciding the winners in both presidential and parliamentary elections. They not only elected the NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (aka AKD) as Prez, but also gave NPP 2/3rds majority in parliament. more..

Jan 5 (SO) There was a comment in a national newspaper that the Clean Sri Lanka program now under way is 76 years too late. We have to agree with this sentiment, because no post-Independence Sri Lankan Govt up to now has embarked on a collective mission to cleanse the country in every possible way. In fact, countries such as Singapore, which are now way ahead of Sri Lanka, began similar programs in the 1960s. This was a major missed opportunity for Sri Lanka. more..