Jan 2 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday assured a new economic policy framework which will address challenges in the economic system this year. “With the upcoming Budget, we aim to steer economic programs towards the eradication of poverty in our nation,” the President said during his address at the launch of the Clean Sri Lanka program attended by officials, business leaders, professionals, and more..

Jan 2 (TM) Sri Lankans have spent over $ 670 million on overseas travel in the first 11 months of 2024, an increase of 378% from the corresponding period in 2023, while the service sector continues to record net inflows, Central Bank data showed. According to the External Sector Performance report for November, total services sector outflows were estimated at $ 2.9 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, compared to $ 1.83 billion in the corresponding period in 2023. more..

Jan 2 (AD) In a 24-hour operation that concluded at 6 a.m. today (1), SL Police have enforced the law against 529 drunk drivers as part of a nationwide effort to minimize traffic accidents during the festive season. A total of 7,264 drivers were penalized for various traffic violations during this period. Among these, 1,057 drivers were charged for breaching traffic rules, 614 for license-related offenses, 54 for speeding, 57 for reckless driving and 4,953 over other traffic-related offenses. more..

Jan 2 (FT) FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda has called for an immediate investigation into the rejection of Govt tenders for rice imports amidst the ongoing rice shortage in Sri Lanka. Jayagoda alleged possible negligence by officials or a deliberate conspiracy aimed at destabilising the Govt. “The Trade and Commerce Minister confirmed that all Govt tenders for rice imports were rejected while tenders more..

Jan 2 (TM) Namal Kumara was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday. Police mentioned that the arrest was made in connection with the audio tape which is being circulated in social media which allegedly defames the reputation of the Archbishop of Colombo, Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Recently, the Archdiocese of Colombo requested for a probe into the incident. Archdiocese Media Director Father Jude Krishantha alleged that Kumara is an abettor of more..

Jan 2 (AD) Sri Lanka Police have launched the e-Traffic mobile application, a cutting-edge tool aimed at reducing traffic violations and improving road safety in line with the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. The app was officially launched today (January 1) by Acting IGP, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, at a ceremony held at the Police Headquarters. The e-Traffic app empowers the public to report traffic violations and related incidents in real-time. Users can upload photos or videos more..

Jan 2 (FT) Both exports and imports suffered a dip month-on-month (M-o-M) in November, though enjoying growth year-on-year (YoY) and cumulative wise, as per latest external trade data released by the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) this week. Earnings from merchandise exports amounted to $ 994 million as against $ 1.15 billion in October. The dip YoY was marginal at 0.5% and was attributed to a reduction in mineral and industrial exports, despite an increase in agricultural exports. more..

Jan 2 (NW) Cricket icons Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara expressed their support for the govt’s Clean Sri Lanka initiative, hailing it as a vital step toward national development. The program, aimed at promoting cleanliness and sustainable practices, was officially launched today at the Prez Secretariat under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Speaking to media following the event Jayawardena said that public participation in the initiative will be vital for its success. more..

Jan 2 (DM) The annual birth rate in the country, which previously stood at 350,000, has reportedly dropped significantly, LRH Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said. He explained that this significant decline in childbirth is reflected in the reduced grade one enrolment numbers in schools each year. "The paediatric population has decreased primarily because many young people have migrated, and a large proportion of them more..

Jan 2 (ST) Mount Lavinia Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura has ordered Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau (FIB) to investigate and submit a comprehensive report into the incident where Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe is alleged to have used a forged deed to lease out a two-storey building in Dehiwela owned by the National Workers Institute trade union. Minister Samarasinghe is alleged to have fraudulently leased the property to General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers more..

Jan 2 (EN) SL stockholders were 1.4 trillion rupees richer by the end of 2024, with the dollar value of listed stocks up by US$ 6.3 billion, an analysis if year-end data show. The market value of listed stocks was 5,695 billion at the end of 2024, up 1,446 billion from lasts year. The value includes new shares issued to raise capital in 2024. During the year inflation was largely absent allowing consumer spending to recover and companies to cut costs and retail prices, in sharp contrast more..

Jan 2 (FT) Emirates, the world’s largest int'l airline, will operate an additional scheduled service between Colombo and Dubai, starting from tomorrow. The newly-introduced flight, to operate as EK654/655, increases the seat capacity on the route by 30% and supports SL’s plans to considerably increase tourist arrivals in 2025. The additional service will operate six times a week until 31 March 2025. EK654 will depart Dubai Int'l Airport (DXB) at 10:05hrs (every day except Wednesdays) more..

Jan 2 (DM) The controversy surrounding former Speaker Asoka Ranwala’s doctorate has taken a bizarre twist, with NPP MP K. Illankumaran from the Jaffna district describing Ranwala as a Medical Doctor. Ranwala, recently resigned amid allegations of using fake educational credentials. Speaking on a northern-based YouTube show, Illankumaran stated, “No, this doctorate was not awarded by himself but was created by the people. He went to Japan in 1989, comes from a family of medical more..

Jan 2 (AD) The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara says a decision has been made to award free marks to all students for the three questions which were alleged to have been leaked in the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Exam, as per the recent Supreme Court order. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declared that the fundamental human rights have been violated through the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision more..

Jan 2 (FT) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday announced the appointment of Vindhya Jayasekera as the CEO-designate, effective 1 Jan 2025. Jayasekera will succeed the incumbent CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, who is due to retire during the course of 2025 after serving for 11 years in that capacity. Jayasekera brings over two decades of extensive experience in capital markets, encompassing both buy-side and sell-side expertise across the investment banking and more..

Jan 2 (DN) Sri Lanka will meet Australia in their only ODI day-night game on Feb 13 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Int'l Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, following two Tests at Galle International Stadium: Jan 29–Feb 2 (First Test) and February 6–10 (Second Test). Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the ODI date and venue. South Africa has already secured a spot in the ICC Test Championship final, while Australia (second) and India (third) are competing for the remaining slot. more..

Jan 2 (DN) SL’s most notable achievement at the year 2024 was Samitha Dulan’s silver medal in the men’s F-44 Javelin Throw event at the Paris Paralympics. He also set up new world record with a throw of 67.03m breaking his previous record of 66.49m. His achievement is considered one of the greatest by a SL athlete in Paralympic history. Samitha Dulan also won the gold medal in the Javelin Throw F-44 at the Marrakech more..

Jan 2 (TM) Seven SL cricketers including women’s skipper Chamari Athapaththu have found their way into squads in all three formats of the game, chosen for 2024 by leading cricketing website ESPN Cricinfo. The much-sought-after website for print media outlets and news agencies the world over, has categorised squads for men’s and women’s Test, men’s and women’s ODI and T20Is, following in-depth analysis of player performances for the concluded year by its writers and pundits. more..

Jan 2 (DN) SL trio Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka topped the men’s ODI batting list in 2024, as SL won 12 out of 18 matches, including an ODI series win against India after 27 years. They also maintained a remarkable win/loss ratio in this format. Kusal Mendis was the highest ODI run-scorer in 2024, having scored 742 runs with a century and six fifties. His highest, 143 off 128 balls with 17 fours and 2 sixes against NZ at Dambulla last November, was the highest by more..

Jan 2 (ST) Wesley College, a historic seat of learning in Sri Lanka with a storied past of over 150 years, celebrated its deep-rooted sporting heritage last Thursday with the grand re-opening of its 127-year-old restored pavilion at Campbell Park, Wesley’s spiritual sporting home. Former Wesley and Ceylon cricketer L.R. Lucky Goonetilleke, considered to be one of the best left-arm fast bowlers Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) has ever produced, graced the occasion as chief guest. more..

Jan 2 (FT) The two back to back defeats in the first T20 Internationals against New Zealand which marked the end of international cricket for SL for 2024 would have been a bitter pill to swallow, but when you look at the overall picture, it was one of SL’s best years. In Test cricket they won 6 and lost 4 out of 10 matches giving them a win percentage of 60 which is equalled by South Africa and bettered only by Australia with 66.66. Highlights of the year were beating England by 8 wickets more..

Jan 2 (ST) SL’s Northern fishermen continue to insist that Indian fishermen should abandon harmful mechanised bottom trawling immediately and are inviting Tamil Nadu-based politicians to see for themselves the destruction it has wreaked on local communities. Welcoming Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s request to Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi this week to curb this Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) more..

Jan 2 (FT) Kitchen Debate was an impromptu set of exchanges (via interpreters) between US vice president Richard Nixon and Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev, on the relative merits of capitalism and socialism. The two leaders were attending the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow. Their exchange took place inside a replica of a suburban American kitchen complete with all the mod-cons which would soon become staples of American middle class life. more..

Jan 2 (CT) The recently launched Clean Sri Lanka Program under the leadership of the Prez has generated significant attention. As someone deeply engaged in ocean sustainability efforts for nearly a decade, I commend this initiative as both timely and impactful. It represents an essential step toward fostering sustainable practices for a healthier ocean. For the past eight years, we have demonstrated practical methods for creating and maintaining a sustainable ocean environment. more..

Jan 2 (Island) New Year messages are usually run-of-the-mill statements which say very little in many words. But the one Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued for 2025 can be considered different; it sounds like a mini policy statement. He has highlighted his govt’s primary development goals, which include the eradication of rural poverty, the implementation of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative and the building of a digital economy. Prez has also said in his message that his signature project, more..

Jan 2 (ST) I read an interesting report by the news agency AFP this week, where it was stated that international drug barons were running their money laundering operations from the peaceful sanctity of Dubai, living it up and partying in glitzy hotels and restaurants without a care in the world and without fear of extradition. However, that’s all changing after drug lords Irishman Sean McGovern and Faissal Taghi — son of the infamous head of the Dutch-Moroccan Mocro Mafia – were recently more..

Jan 2 (CT) Marine Biology Division (MBD) of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), which has been entrusted with the task of conducting research on living marine species in a bid to uplift the local fishery, has two different types of research plans for next year (2025), said Dr. Sujeewa Athukorala, Senior Scientist at the MBD at the NARA. He made these revelations during more..

Jan 2 (DM) Sri Lanka is a country that pays special attention to workers, especially those employed in the garments industry. This is because workers can be categorised into a group that can be exploited or one that produces headaches for the govt. Rarely do we get workers who are obedient enough to eat out of the stretched hands of the superiors or those wielding political power. A recent news report states that two MPs from the ruling NPP govt were mobbed by crowds after more..

Jan 2 (DM) On the first working day of the New Year, the govt launched its Clean Sri Lanka programme, aimed at rebuilding a fractured nation as described President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. An 18-member Task Force was appointed by the President himself in order to plan and implement the programme. The appointment of this Task Force and its objectives were made official via an Extraordinary Gazette Number 2415/59 dated 19 Dec 2024. In his New Year message, more..

Jan 2 (TM) The Rohingya asylum seekers who arrived in Sri Lanka on 19 Dec will not have the privilege of naturalising as Sri Lankans, according to Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala. “SL is not a party to the international Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees nor its Protocol, and therefore Sri Lanka shall have no responsibility to accommodate the refugees who have arrived,” he said. more..

Jan 2 (TM) SL has entered 2025 with a sigh of relief and with a mind to make this year, a one of recovery and improvement. Last month, SL authorities celebrated the arrival of two million tourists to the island nation. Many have today forgotten the Oct 2023 security scare over Arugam Bay and the realities of the need for persistence vigilance. Persistence, vigilance and security is a modern price we as an island nation, like many others around the world, has to pay to ensure our freedoms and more..

Jan 2 (CT) In a country where education is seen as the key to unlocking a brighter future, the alarming figures revealed by the recent Household Survey on the Impact of the Economic Crisis – 2023 should serve as a wake-up call for us all. A staggering 55% of school students, especially those in rural and estate areas, are unable to afford basic school stationery as 2025 academic year approaches. This stark reality paints a picture of children, eager to learn, yet constrained by economic hardship. more..