Dec 4 (FT) Govt has approved the procurement of medicines and medical supplies worth over Rs. 44 billion from local manufacturers, aiming to address shortages in hospitals and clinics, while giving a boost to the pharmaceutical industry. The decision follows recommendations by the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet. The procurement plan is based on approvals granted at the Cabinet meeting more..

Dec 4 (FT) The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has announced a significant investment of $ 41 million in state-of-the-art crane technology, set to be fully operational by January 2025. This enhancement includes the installation of four Quay Cranes (QC) and 13 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) at the Hambantota Int'l Port (HIP), expanding the port’s capabilities to a handling capacity of 1 million TEUs. Four Quay Cranes which arrived on the Mv. De Qiang 66 on 30 Nov more..

Dec 4 (Island) Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe govt was responsible for turning the electoral process into a mess. It arbitrarily postponed the LG elections. Election Commission (EC) had made all arrangements for the mini polls to be held when Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, ably assisted by the SLPP, threw a monkey wrench in the works in defiance of a court order; he refused to allocate funds for the elections. LG polls have been rescheduled for 2025, & Cabinet has reportedly decided to amend more..

Dec 4 (CT) Every ten minutes, a woman or a girl lost her life to gender-based violence in 2023. Partners and family members — those who should provide safety—committed these heinous acts. This grim reality underscores the urgency of addressing gender-based violence (GBV), a global crisis that continues to threaten the lives and dignity of millions of women and girls. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is not just another campaign but a vital moment to renew commitments, more..

Dec 4 (TM) With the onset of adverse weather, SL annually suffers a period of flooding and landslides. Despite a number of casualties and deaths which occur each year due to landslides in SL, little is done to mitigate the threat and build awareness about landslide risk. While some effort has been made to improve early warning of increased landslide risk, and landslide prone areas being mapped for disaster preparedness, one of the fundamental contributors to increased landslide-related risks has more..

Dec 4 (TM) Govt’s recent decision to import up to 70,000 MT of nadu rice has sparked debate, with consumers questioning the need for such a costly measure. As previously claimed by farmer unions, Sri Lanka already has adequate rice stocks, albeit concentrated in the hands of large-scale mill owners. Therefore, the move to spend millions of dollars on imports has prompted calls for alternative solutions. more..

Dec 4 (FT) Aitken Spence last night walked away with the coveted Grand Slam Award at the 21st Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards. Aitken Spence also claimed the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2024, to clinch the prestigious Grand Slam, awarded to companies that have achieved the impressive feat of winning the Best Corporate Citizen Award in five different years. Nestlé Lanka and Sampath Bank were adjudged first and second runners up respectively. more..

Dec 4 (CT) The decades-long civil conflict in SL caused immense suffering across all communities—Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims, and Burghers. While the magnitude of suffering varied, no group emerged unscathed. For many, the pain persisted not just for a year or two, but for over three decades. Those who left the country experienced their share of hardships, though their suffering was incomparable to those who remained amidst the devastation. This isn’t a contest to determine who endured the most; more..

Dec 4 (DM) The death of Deega Danthu II, an iconic tusker that roamed around Kala Wewa, Balalu Wewa and adjacent jungles in Kekirawa has sparked serious concerns about interventions taken by authorities including the Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to conserve and protect these majestic species. Environmentalists opine that the state incurs a heavy loss in foreign exchange whenever an iconic tusker or more..

Dec 4 (DM) The political Opposition in this country has yet again reduced to insignificance. This is a precarious existence for politics and the country at large, though this has been a recurrent phenomenon throughout the 2010s. Only the travails have incrementally worsened: In 2010, during the second term of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency, the UPFA won 144 seats, a tad short of the two-thirds majority, which was compensated with the pole vaulters from the Opposition to pass the 18th Amendment more..

Dec 4 (DM) Have some pity for our new govt. They were voted into power amid such high expectations; backed by the trade and student organisations. The people gave them a two-thirds majority in parliament. What is sad is we have never asked how these expectations will be matched. When Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected Prez, one of his sycophants promised that we Lankans, had seen the last of protest marches and strikes. Some among us, with a touch of irony, more..

Dec 3 (DM) A 51-year-old Australian national has reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the Crescat apartment complex in Kollupitiya this morning. Police said, the foreigner, who held dual citizenship, had been temporarily residing on the 7th floor of the building. He reportedly jumped from the floor and was rushed to the National Hospital Colombo. The Kollupitiya Police are currently investigating the incident. more..

Dec 3 (TM) The UNP accused the NPP Govt for its alleged double standards regarding the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), claiming that the Legislation is being used to silence social activists. Former UNP MP Saman Rathnapriya criticised the NPP for employing the very law it had previously rejected. "The PTA, which the NPP once condemned as oppressive, has now become a tool for controlling the people's voice. Govt must clarify its stance on this Legislation," more..

Dec 3 (CT) General Education Modernisation Project (GEMP), a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at transforming SL’s education system, has faced several setbacks, according to a recent AG’s report. The GEMP project, which runs from 2019 to 2024, was designed to introduce digital learning resources, including digital books for core subjects like English and Mathematics. As per the project’s targets (DL3 Index), digital books more..

Dec 3 (AFP) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake's leftist coalition was on its way to a landslide victory in snap parliamentary elections in November 2024, social media users shared a screenshot with a misleading claim that it shows the total vote cast for a ticket backed by popular YouTuber Ashen Senarathna. The screenshot -- which indicated the group received eight votes -- only shows the number of postal votes it received. The official count from SL's election commission showed more..

Dec 3 (TM) Sri Lanka has been ranked 4th among the top five destinations for long vacations in a report by Ubuy India, based on factors like affordability, safety, and cultural richness. The island boasts eight United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites, a vibrant tourism sector, and an average cost of $1,630 for a 20-day stay. With a crime index of 42.1 and quality domestic transportation, Sri Lanka is ideal for extended stays. more..

Nov 3 (DM) Govt has decided to dispose super luxury vehicles used in govt institutions given their high maintenance and fuel costs. The govt will review all vehicles in its institutions. "Cars with petrol engines over 1800cc and diesel engines over 2300cc will be disposed, except for double cabs, single cabs, vans, and buses. The sale process will follow official procedures, and the vehicles must be disposed of by Mar 1, 2025. more..

Dec 3 (EN) Air Ceilao, a new private aircraft operator, has sought approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of SL, to operate domestic and international charter flights to transport passengers and cargo, an official document showed. The CAASL in a public notice said Air Ceilao, a new operator, has sought “an Air Operator Certificate and Airline Licence to engage in domestic charter and regular transport operations and international charter and regular transport operations carrying more..

Dec 3 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the govt for allegedly using the PTA to suppress social media freedom, despite promising to abolish the controversial legislation before coming to power. Premadasa pointed out that social media played a significant role in securing the current govt’s large electoral mandate. He added that however, after coming to power, the govt is using the very Act it had promised to repeal to suppress social media activists. more..

Dec 3 (NW) US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to Sri Lanka on 05 December 2024. US State Department said the US Assistant Secretary will engage in the tour alongside his visit to India, and Nepal. Donald Lu’s trip is expected to strengthen cooperation with key partners in South Asia to promote regional prosperity and security. On Dec 5, US Assistant Secretary Lu will travel to Sri Lanka, to advance US-SL joint efforts more..

Dec 3 (CT) The tusks and the head of Deegadanthu, which was a major tourist attraction in the Kala Wewa habitat are in the process of being preserved. The head with the tusks of the pachyderm was taken to Wildlife Field Range Office in Galkiriyagama to be sent to commence the preserving process. The head was taken away following the post-mortem held on the remains of Deegadanthu on 29 Nov. The death of the elephant was due to heart failure following electrocution. more..

Dec 3 (TM) Grama Niladhari (GN) Officers' Union Alliance warned of potential union action, alleging that certain Divisional Secretaries (DS) exert undue pressure on GN officers over the re-review of the Aswesuma social welfare programme. A 10-member committee was recently appointed by the Govt to investigate and prepare a report on Samurdhi beneficiaries who were subjected to injustice during the process of beneficiaries being selected more..

Dec 3 (DM) Claiming that several police officials had sustained cut injuries during yesterday's protest outside the Education Ministry, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today, he as trade union leader, had resorted to trade union actions with thousands of people but such unfortunate incidents had never occurred. Deputy Minister said he suspects that some organised groups were engaged in such acts to embarrass the govt. "Three police officers had sustained cut injuries. more..

Dec 3 (Island) Ambassador of Korea, Miyon Lee, emphasised the importance of fostering a cohesive investment-friendly environment to drive regional prosperity and unity. Addressing the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of SL–Korea Business Council (SLKBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), held recently in Colombo, Ambassador Lee commended the Council’s efforts in strengthening ties between the business communities of both nations, the CCC said more..

Dec 3 (DM) Liquor licences in SL are issued in accordance with Extraordinary Gazette No. 1544/17 and Excise Notification No. 902, dated 04-10-2008 which outlines the excise guidelines and conditions. These regulations are further clarified by Gazette No. 2366/39 and Gazette Notification No. 02/2024, dated 12-01-2008. Act was passed and enforced by Parliament, but was amended again in Aug 2024. more..

Dec 3 (TM) Ministry of Irrigation stated that it is planning to take measures to prevent potential disasters caused by the upcoming monsoonal weather, as most major tanks and reservoirs in the country have reached their maximum water levels with the recent showers. Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Udaya Herath, highlighted the gravity of the situation. “The water level is already at the maximum level as a result of the current weather condition. more..

Nov 3 (DM) Jaffna District independenet MP Ramanathan Archchuna said he was beaten by SJB MP Sujith Perera when he visited the Opposition Leader's office. MP, while raising a point of order, said he visited the Opposition Leader's office to inquire into the time allocated for him for his Parliament speech. "If such things happen inside Parliament premises, how can we move on the streets?' he questioned. The presiding member requested the MP to lodge a complaint with more..

Dec 3 (AD) Cabinet has approved amendments to the Aswesuma welfare benefits program while increasing the welfare benefit payments and extending the period of payments for certain vulnerable groups. The Aswesuma welfare benefits program has been implemented from 01 July 2023 and was revised by the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2384/30 which came into effect from 01 July 2024. Under this welfare benefits program, the beneficiary families are entitled to benefit more..

Nov 3 (NW) SL Navy has seized 01 Indian fishing boat with 18 Indian fishermen for poaching in SL waters. The arrest was made during a special operation conducted off Veththalakerni in Jaffna yesterday. When the apprehension was made, the fishing boat had crossed the IMBL by approximately 30 nautical miles, entering SL waters. As part of the Navy’s continuous patrols and operations in SL waters to curb illegal fishing practices, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft more..

Nov 3 (DM) An astrologer who buried a stock of fake gems in a home garden and misled the owner that a treasure had been buried in the garden and undertook to perform rites to unearth it had cheated him and taken away cash Rs.2.9 million as part payment for digging up the treasure. The victim was a 70-year-old businessman from Anuradhapura Airport Road. The suspect had performed rites and unearthed the bunch of more..

Dec 3 (CT) India’s Kerala Crime Branch is on the lookout for 15 foreign nationals, including 11 Sri Lankans, who were arrested with forged travel documents at Nedumbassery Airport and later went absconding after securing bail. The other absconders included people from Nepal, France, Iran, and Russia. All of them were intercepted at the airport between 2001 and 2005 and are currently accused in cases pending before Aluva Judicial First-Class Magistrate-1 court. more..

Nov 3 (NW) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to allow the import of rice without permits, in order to address the current shortage of rice. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that rice imports without permits will be allowed until 20 December 2024. He further said that the decision has been taken after considering the shortage of rice, including Nadu, caused by adverse weather conditions, which has severely affected rice farmers. more..