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Archives

State paddy collecting agency to license rivals after price controls create shortage

Feb 12 (EN) SL will change the law of a state commodity trading company to allow it to license competitors, a govt statement said, after import bans, high taxes and price controls created shortage of rice in the country. The governing law 54 year old of the state-run Paddy Marketing Board Act would be immediately revised “to introduce a licensing methodology to monitor irregular paddy and rice stocks collection and more..

AKD’s attention drawn to ITAK’s threat to demolish Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya

Feb 12 (Island) Former Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera said that it was the responsibility of the NPP govt to ensure the safety of Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya, Kankesanthurai. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake holding the defence portfolio in addition to being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces should look into the developing situation, the retired Navy Chief of Staff said. Ex-lawmaker was responding to ITAK leader S. Sritharan’s threat to demolish the Tissa more..

Open verdicts returned on deaths of two foreigners

Feb 12 (Island) Post-mortem examinations on 24-year-old British national Ebony McIntosh and 26-year-old German tourist Nadine Raguse were conducted on Monday (10). They died while staying at the Miracle Colombo City hostel in Colombo on 01 February. According to the police, the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) returned an open verdict, and forensic samples were sent to the Govt Analyst’s Department for further analysis to determine the precise cause of death. more..

State revenue soars 22.7% to Rs. 4.14 Trillion in 2024

Feb 12 (FT) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced that the country’s total State revenue increased to Rs. 4.14 trillion in 2024, registering a 22.7% increase compared to a year ago. Cabinet reviewed the fourth quarter financial report, which outlined Govt income and expenditure across Ministries, Depts, District Secretariats and Special Expense Units in line with the classifications set out in the 2024 Budget. more..

‘Don’t give pay hikes only to select categories’

Feb 12 (CT) Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) urged the Govt to refrain from creating more issues regarding salaries by giving salary increments to only a selected category of professionals in the upcoming Budget. JCPSM Convener, Chanaka Dharmawickrama, instead requested the Prez and the Health Minister to appoint a formal Salary Commission to correct the salary and allowance discrepancies without further escalation more..

China’s ethnic affairs minister to visit Sri Lanka on Feb 19

Feb 12 (ST) A top-level Chinese delegation led by China’s minister in charge of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission will visit SL from Feb 19 to 23. The delegation head, Minister Pan Yue, will hold talks with SL counterparts on topics related to ethnic harmony and reconciliation efforts. A key member of President Xi Jinping’s Cabinet, Mr. Pan is tasked with handling China’s minority affairs. He became a full member of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Central Committee in June last year. more..

පත්තරේ විස්තරේ

Inquiry: DC confirm Dasun played only after passing fitness test

Feb 12 (NW) Dubai Capitals have confirmed that Dasun Shanaka was medically cleared to play in the ILT20 2025 season only after passing a fitness test on February 2. Shanaka, who reportedly suffered a neck injury while playing in SL, underwent a clinical examination by physiotherapist Deep Tomar, which confirmed mild tenderness but no significant discomfort, Dubai Capitals said. After receiving medical clearance, he played for Dubai Capitals in their February 2 ILT20 fixture. more..

SL, Thailand strengthen legal and human rights cooperation through high-level...

Feb 12 (FT) Ambassador and Permanent Representative of SL in Bangkok Wijayanthi Edirisinghe met with the Chairperson of the House Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights of the Parliament of Thailand Kamonsk Leewamoh and Vice Chairperson Kannavee Suebsang on 22 January. The objective of the meeting was to strengthen bilateral cooperation in legal and human rights matters. The engagement also provided an opportunity to exchange more..

President meets Pakistan PM & Former British PM

Feb 12 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake who is currently attending the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai held several high-level bilateral discussions with Heads of State, today (11). During the day, the Prez met with Pakistan’s PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. PM Sharif extended his congratulations to Prez Disanayake on his govt’s significant electoral victory in SL. The discussions focused on strengthening trade relations more..

139 Police OICs Transferred

Feb 12 (NW) A total of 139 Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of Police stations have been transferred due to service requirements, with the approval of the National Police Commission. The transfers will be implemented in two phases—one group with effect from February 13 and another from Feb 18. The decision is part of routine service adjustments aimed at enhancing operational efficiency within the police force. The affected officers have been notified of their new postings. more..

Land allocation process to be streamlined

Feb 12 (TM) Govt is working to streamline the land allocation mechanism to improve the ease of doing business in SL, clearing barriers in land-related issues in the industrial sector, said the Deputy Minister Dr. Susil Ranasinghe. He highlighted the need to address the gap between land allocation and the country’s economic interests. "Our land sector mechanism has many shortcomings. It is not aligned with the country’s economic policies, and this needs to be resolved to clarify certain issues,” more..

ජනතාව ආණ්ඩුව ගැන කලකිරිලා ද ?

Law enforcement: 17 cops sacked over drug use

Feb 12 (TM) 17 Police personnel have been dismissed during the last four months (Oct 2024-Jan 2025) over the charges of using narcotic drugs, SSP Buddhika Manathunga said. He further stated that a list of Police officers who use narcotic drugs has been identified through intelligence units and the Special Police Unit, adding that the identified officers are monitored and that strict action will be taken against them. He also noted that such officers will be referred to a medical examination more..

Royal and Ladies’ champions of RCUAC Water Polo Tournament

Feb 12 (DN) Royal College and Ladies’ College triumphed in the Boys’ and Girls’ categories, respectively, at the recently concluded RCUAC Challenge Shield water polo tournament. The event, organized by the Royal College Union Aquatic Club, took place at the Reid Avenue pool in Colombo. Royal College’s boys’ teams captained by Anuga Handunpathirana,excelled throughout the tournament. Under-9 and Under-11 teams got their campaign off to a strong start, more..

Adani wind power: Project committee decided on lower tariff, report reveals

Feb 12 (ST) SL’s project committee (PC) on the proposed Adani wind power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn had unanimously decided that the tariff for each kilowatt hour of energy generated from the plants should be adjusted to below US cents 5.50 – a stark reduction from the US cents 8.62 that Cabinet approved in May 2024, documents submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) by the AG's Department show. more..

Aitken Spence delivers 124% profit surge

Feb 12 (DM) Aitken Spence has delivered strong profit growth for the nine months ended despite external economic and geopolitical challenges. The improved financial performance of the conglomerate was driven by strong gains in tourism, maritime and freight logistics, and strategic investments. The Group reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 4.3 billion an increase of 124 percent for the 9 months ended 31 December 2024. For the same period, the PBT excluding forex reached Rs. 4.9 billion. more..

SL apparel sector to gain from new US tariffs

Feb 12 (ST) With the US imposing new tariffs on a number of different countries it would have a beneficial impact on states like Sri Lanka as buyers are now re-looking at their global supply chains and shifting orders. MAS Holdings CEO Suren Fernando said that they are currently receiving inquiries from buyers to the US who are now re-looking at their global supply chains and are hoping to make a partial shift of their orders to countries like Sri Lanka. US increasing tariffs on countries like more..

Sri Lanka aim to restore pride as Australia keep Champions Trophy in sight

Feb 12 (Island) Sri Lanka might be out of the Champions Trophy race, but they are determined to make the most of the two match ODI series against Australia, starting today. SL captain Charith Asalanka emphasized the importance of ensuring Sri Lanka never missed out on another ICC event. His side aren’t part of the ICC Champions Trophy that gets underway in Pakistan in a week’s time. “It’s disappointing, no doubt about it. more..

Royal Society of Chemistry delegates visit Institute of Chemistry Ceylon

Feb 12 (Island) A delegation from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) visited the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC) at Rajagiriya, on an accreditation visit during their tour to SL. The Vice President of IChemC, Prof. Hema Pathirana, warmly welcomed the delegation on behalf of the President of IChemC, Prof. Janitha Liyanage, who is currently attending the CRSI National Symposium in Chemistry in India. The delegation included Prof. June McCombie, an Honorary Fellow of Uni of Nottingham, UK, more..

From Hanuman to Havoc: Sri Lanka’s monkey chronicles

Feb 12 (CT) I read in the news that a monkey caused a nationwide power failure in SL by coming into contact with a grid transformer in Colombo. It left millions without power and highlighted the ongoing struggle between humans and monkeys in the country. It wasn’t the first time monkeys had caused such chaos; similar incidents have been reported over the years, including monkeys disrupting train services and raiding markets. This incident, while amusing, made me think about more..

පොලිස් කොමිසම ඇහැරලා

Today is Nawam Poya day

Feb 12 (DN) Navam Poya, observed today, is an important Buddhist celebration in SL, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. It marks the formation of the first Buddhist Council and the appointment of Buddha’s first two chief disciples. Held three months after his passing, the council ensured the preservation of Buddha’s teachings through the monastic code, Vinaya. The Dhamma, as expounded by Gautama Buddha, remains unshaken by external forces; however, its distortion more..

Samitha Dulan wins Gold in Dubai

Feb 12 (DN) SL Paralympic silver medalist Samitha Dulan started the 2025 season with positive note when he won the gold medal at Javelin throw F-44/64 event in the Dubai World Para athletic Grand Prix yesterday. Samitha Dulan achieved a distance of 61.88m to win the gold medal while Kazakhstan’s Rufat Khabibullin and Greece athlete G. Emmanouil won silver and bronze but their achivements were par below compaired to Samitha Dulan. Kazakhstan athlete had a distance of 40.01m while more..

Foreign aid suspension sparks global uproar

Feb 12 (CT) US Prez Donald Trump has made significant waves on the global stage with bold shifts in foreign policy, drastically reducing federal expenditures and pausing on foreign aid including for SL with immediate effect, while redirecting America’s priorities inward. His America First agenda focuses on rejuvenating the lives of his American people, representing a 21st-century approach to governance and self-defence similar to SL’s more..

667 shuttlers from 28 nations to vie for glory

Feb 12 (CT) SL is set to host the largest ever BWF (Badminton World Federation) event with 667 shuttlers expected to vie for glory at the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025, to be held between 25 February and 2 March at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo. The organisers, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), are overwhelmed with the record number of entries received from 28 countries, including SL, and the six-day competition is expected to showpiece more..

Did the 76 year curse end this Independence Day?

Feb 12 (ST) The NPP govt had come to power mainly on the slogan to finally end the 76-year curse that began, as they said, the day the Union Jack was unfurled and, in its stead, the Lion flag hoisted to freely flutter over the independent isle of Ceylon. It marked the end of an insufferable 133-year era when the island people were harnessed to the British yoke and the land lay completely under the sword of a foreign conqueror. Never in the field of Lankan history had any invader succeeded more..

විදුලි කප්පාදුවට හේතුව..?

Editorial: Buses as Chariots of Death

Feb 12 (Island) The tragic collision between two private buses in Kurunegala on Monday snuffed out four lives and left 25 others injured; five of them are battling death. The police say the bus that caused the mishap was plying at 90 km/h, which is close to the maximum speed limit on local expressways. Speeding is the order of the day on roads in SL, where deaths caused by accidents average seven or eight a day, but nothing much has apparently been done all these years to ensure road safety. more..

Making the success in Jaffna a lasting one

Feb 12 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is showing the change for the better that a single individual can bring by challenging old ways of doing things by those who have traditionally governed the country. According to news media and first person accounts by commentators contacted in Jaffna, Prez’s visit to the Jaffna Peninsula recently was a success. It seems that the Prez timed his visit to the North in the context of forthcoming LG Elections that are anticipated to be held in April. more..

Urban development: Projects to proceed while working on FDIs

Feb 12 (TM) All development projects in urban areas that have already been entered into development plans of UDA will be continued without any revisiting. It is also learnt that the Govt expects Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) for mega-scale development projects from China, Japan, and Korea. Urban Development, Construction, & Housing Ministry Secretary Ranjith Ariyaratne said that the various mega-scale projects more..

Monkeying around with truth and transparency

Feb 12 (DM) Late Sunday morning, the lights literally, all went out in Sri Lanka. During the regime of the good old Rajapaksa, the country would have been informed that it was the work of the LTTE. But all of that has now changed; instead, the Minister informed us it was the work of a monkey. Wow! What ingenuity, a single monkey blacking out the country in a moment of time. Our new government which promised to drain the pond apparently has been drained of ideas. Believe it or not, more..

What would Donald Trump’s return to 19th-century power politics mean for Sri Lanka?

Feb 12 (DM) Students of realism, the dominant school of thought in international politics, consider the Melian Dialogue a good starting point for studying the discipline. In the conversation, as recorded by Thucydides in The History of the Peloponnesian War, the Athenians demand that the neutral state of Melos submit to them. The Melians plead to reason and justice, arguing they have the right to neutrality and sovereignty. To which the Athenians reply, “Right, as the world goes, more..

Lasantha case: AG’s decision to release suspects: Unpacking the controversy

Feb 12 (SO) On Feb 4, the release of an official communiqué from Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe to the CID, informing them of the decision to release three key suspects in the Lasantha Wickrematunge assassination case, sparked a firestorm on social media platforms. In the letter dated Jan 27, the AG named former military intelligence official Prem Ananda Udalagama, along with former DIG Prasanna more..

Policing the Police

Feb 12 (TM) Seventeen personnel from the Police Department were dismissed during the last four months (Oct 2024-Jan 2025) over the charges of using narcotic drugs, the Police revealed yesterday (11). SSP Buddhika Manathunga stated that a list of Police officers who were found to have used narcotic drugs has been identified through intelligence units and the Special Police Units. The dept had taken strict action against them. The suspects have been referred to a medical examination more..

Learn from the past; prevent extremism

Feb 12 (CT) As the world once again observes the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, Sri Lanka does not fail to find itself in a familiar place when looking back at its past, still bearing scars that refuse to fade. The island has seen it all. It has been both a witness and a battleground for extremism in its many forms, each fuelled by grievances, misguided beliefs, and dangerously simple answers to complex problems. more..

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