Feb 6 (TM) Despite its historic reputation for premium tea, spices, and coconuts, SL’s agricultural exports sector faces mounting challenges as it struggles to keep pace with global advancements. While the nation earned $ 16 billion in export revenue in 2024, experts warn that reliance on traditional practices and delayed adoption of modern technologies could hinder long-term competitiveness. Labour shortages, more..

Feb 6 (TM) Sri Lanka is set to export poultry products to China following an agreement drafted in collaboration with China’s General Administration of Customs. The Cabinet has authorised the signing of a protocol with China, and at a media briefing, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the Chinese market was now open to the direct import of poultry products from SL. While SL’s current poultry capacity has the potential to meet this opportunity, there is also a need for increased more..

Feb 6 (TM) Yesterday three members of the same family that travelled to Colombo from Badulla on Tuesday evening and stayed overnight, joined a lengthy que to hand over the documents which the Dept of Immigration and Emigration requires to process their application, which had been made in early January. The group, who applied under the normal passport application channel and not the one day channel, were asked to check in with the Colombo office after two or three months to more..

Feb 6 (Island) JVP-led NPP govt has announced certified prices of paddy at long last. Minister K.D. Lalkantha said that the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) would purchase nadu, samba and keeri samba varieties at Rs. 120, Rs. 125 and Rs. 132 a kilo, respectively. Curiously, there was no mention of a certified price of red/white kekulu paddy. Announcing certified prices at which PMB intends to purchase paddy is one thing, but purchasing paddy, as promised, is quite another. more..

Feb 6 (CT) The decision to discontinue legal proceedings against 3 key suspects in the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge is a stark reminder of the persistent culture of impunity that continues to haunt SL. It has been 35 years since Richard de Zoysa was abducted, tortured, and his body dumped at sea; 20 years since senior journalist Sivaram, also known as Taraki, was abducted and killed, his body left at Diyawanna Oya; and 16 years since more..

Feb 6 (TM) When it comes to the State machinery of any country, its three major institutions, the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary, play a vital role. Among these, the Judiciary is entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the rule of law and justice. The judicial system operates with the involvement of many parties, among which lawyers play a significant role. In our context, everyone who practices law more..

Feb 6 (CT) In the page 112 of the Election Manifesto of the NPP, A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life, it was stated that a Stolen Public Asset Recovery Agency will be established to recover the stolen state assets. It was also stated that the Director General of the Bribery Commission will be facilitated with necessary authority to give effect to the International Convention on the Prevention of Corruption and Coordinating the Recovery of Stolen Assets. more..

Feb 6 (DM) In the second part of this series based on Eric Illayapparachchi’s seminal essay on the Sinhala song, we start with his views on the Subhavitha-Peechang (distinguished-cheap) conflict which dominated it for so long. Two towering figures come to mind immediately in this context—singers W.D. Amaradeva and H.R. Jothipala. The writer quotes Roland Barthes, Edward Said and musicologist Daniel Barenboim to illustrate his points, defining this Subhavitha-Peechang more..

Feb 6 (TM) The benefits being provided to former heads of state in the country have come under sharp scrutiny recently, with the Cabinet-appointed Chitrasiri committee recommending in principle to remove all their retirement benefits. According to Adviser (Legal) to Prez J.M. Wijebandara, the committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chitrasiri has recommended to remove, on principle, all retirement benefits being more..

Feb 6 (DM) SL is a country emerging from the worst economic crisis since the time of the Great Depression (1929-1939). Falling back into a time of shortages and immiseration is all too easy. Reforms are needed to control, if not remove, the causes of our despair. That places a premium on effective governing. Yet, it appears that our elected rulers keep falling back into what they are good at, campaigning. Multiplicity of staggered elections that SL is afflicted by is a contributory cause. more..

Feb 6 (DM) SL’s media fraternity is currently in a state of shock regarding a letter issued by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe recommending the release of three individuals who had been named as suspects in connection with the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge. In his legal advice, outlined in a letter addressed to the CID Director on Jan 27, AG stated that the prosecution does not intend to pursue further legal action against the three suspects: more..

Feb 5 (AD) Colombo High Court has issued a notice on SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa to appear before court on Feb 18 over charges of criminal misappropriation of Rs. 70 million in connection with the controversial Krrish project. After considering the indictments filed by the Attorney General, Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered the issuance of notice on the MP. The AG recently filed indictments against MP while the indictments were forwarded to the Colombo High Court, more..

Feb 5 (CT) The Clean Western Province campaign was launched on Monday (3) under the leadership of Western Province Governor Hanif Yusuf. It marked a significant step in the broader Clean Sri Lanka initiative. The programme began with an extensive clean-up drive at the Malabe Public Bus Stand and its surrounding areas, setting the tone for a week-long environmental effort across the province. Running from 3 Feb to 9 Feb, this initiative brings together govt institutions more..

Feb 5 (AD) The govt has officially announced the prices at which the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) will purchase paddy from farmers, in a special media briefing held today. The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lal Kantha and Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, who outlined the revised procurement rates. Minister said that the rates were decided after evaluating rice market trends and more..

Feb 5 (SLN) The Italian Naval Ship Antonio Marceglia arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning. The visiting ship was welcomed by the SL Navy in compliance with naval traditions. Antonio Marceglia is a 144m - long frigate commanded by Commander Alberto Bartolomeo. In addition, the ship is manned by a crew of 199. During the ship’s stay in the island its crew is expected to explore some interesting tourist destinations in Colombo and Galle. more..

Feb 5 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa chaired a key discussion today with opposition party leaders to discuss coordinating future political activities and parliamentary affairs. During the meeting Premadasa stressed on the need for a united opposition to strengthen Parliament, support beneficial govt initiatives, and oppose harmful policies. The primary objective of the meeting was to reach a consensus on collective action both inside and outside Parliament. more..

Feb 5 (EN) Sri Lanka has increased its Navy raids, monitoring, and arrests of Indian fishermen in the island nation’s waters in the Northern sea to prevent illegal encroachment, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. His statement comes a week after India’s strong condemnation over shooting of its two fishermen by SL Navy, which later said the incident was due to a misfiring. “This has been a dragging issue for a long time, more..

Feb 5 (DM) Liquid Cocaine or cocaine in the form of a liquid basis was seized for the first time in the country’s history by SL Customs yesterday. The package had been sent from the UK to a local addressee. The liquid cocaine found in a 500ml energy drink bottle is valued at Rs.13 million. SL Customs Narcotic Control Unit officials made the detection at the Colombo Cargo Courier yard, where they examined an unaccompanied personal baggage (UPB) sent to an addressee more..

Feb 5 (AD) SL cricketing legend Lasith Malinga has urged fans to rally behind former Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne as he prepares to play his final Test match tomorrow. In a heartfelt video shared on his official Facebook page, Malinga called on cricket fans to fill the Galle Stadium and give Karunaratne a fitting farewell during SL’s second and final Test against Australia, which starts tomorrow. “I request everyone who loves the game to go and watch the final Test match. more..

Feb 5 (DM) SL’s Ishadi Amanda who won first runner-up at the recently concluded Mrs. World 2024 pageant in Las Vegas spoke about the challenges she had to overcome along her journey to win the coveted title at a media briefing held yesterday following her arrival in the country. Amanda spoke about her roots and appreciated the support extended by her family. “Even though I was born in SL I was raised in France. But I haven’t forgotten the SL culture thanks to my parents. more..

Feb 5 (EN) Cabinet has cleared signing new agreements with the Japan International Co-operation Agency after loans were restructured, Minister Nalida Jayatissa said. There will be an exchange of notes with the Govt of Japan and new loan agreements with JICA. On June 2024, SL signed a MOU with official creditor committee. Agreement will be signed with the JICA and SL Airport Aviation Service Ltd for a loan to the airport. Sri Lanka restructured bilateral loans and more..

Feb 5 (CI) "The wicket was very good last time. I'm hoping it will turn more in this match." When a SL captain says this in Galle on the eve of a Test, there might be a dustbowl in the offing. What is clear is that the surface SL and Australia are set to play the second Test on appears substantially drier than the track they played the first match on. Partly, this is down to bright conditions in the lead-up. Where the days before the first Test more..

Feb 5 (DM) Authorities suspect toxic gas exposure in the deaths of two foreign guests at a Colombo city hostel, prompting an urgent investigation. Meanwhile, the Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the closure of the Miracle Colombo City Hostel in Colombo 3 following the mysterious deaths of two foreign guests. A 24-year-old British woman died after being admitted to the hospital on Feb 3, while a 26-year-old German woman, who was also hospitalized, succumbed to a similar illness more..

Feb 5 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayathissa said that the government is looking into the Attorney General’s recommendation to release three suspects in the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. “The govt has no intention of sweeping this under the carpet. We have no intention to set the guilty free. The govt will take some time to study this matter and we will do justice by the citizens of this country. We will not dishonour the people’s mandate,” Jayathissa said. more..

Feb 5 (AD) Cabinet has greenlighted the supplying of additional staff required for accelerating the printing of passports. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that as per the recommendations of the experts’ committee appointed by the Cabinet to submit recommendations on the actions to be taken for circumventing the shortage of passports, the procurement process has already been started d to supply 1,100,000 empty passports more..

Feb 5 (DM) The quality failures of drugs reported in the 2024 was comparatively lower than the quality failures recorded in the 2023. A total of 87 quality failures of drugs were recorded in 2024 the majority of which involved drugs imported from India. Of the drugs that have failed quality tests, approximately 47 were manufactured in India, while 12 drugs were locally produced and the others had originated from countries such as China, Kenya, Pakistan, Japan and Bangladesh etc. more..

Feb 5 (NW) Controversial Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan was involved in another heated exchange in Parliament today, alleging he was being denied the opportunity to speak. “I can’t speak (for) 77 days in this Parliament,” he said, after the Speaker instructed him to read only the contents of a document he had tabled. Ramanathan said that his rights were impeded after being stopped by Anuradhapura Police on January 20 and unable to produce an official parliamentary ID. more..

Feb 5 (AD) A vehicle dealer has been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting corruption by unlawfully importing a Toyota Land Cruiser into the country and illegally registering it with the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). The investigation into the luxury vehicle was conducted by the CIABOC in connection with its probe into vehicles registered with the DMT without clearance from SL Customs. The suspect, a vehicle dealer residing in Moronthuduwa, was arrested on Feb 3 by more..

Feb 5 (CI) Ramesh Mendis has been added to SL's squad for the 2nd Test against Australia, while seamer Vishwa Fernando and top-order batter Lahiru Udara have been released from what had been an 18-member squad. SL team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed the changes, and said Ramesh had joined the squad on Monday. Ramesh had been dropped both from the Test XI, and later from the squad entirely, on account of what SL's team management believed to be more..

Feb 5 (CI) Dimuth Karunaratne looks back on his career as he prepares to play his 100th and final Test. Q: You made your debut in Galle as well. What are your memories of that match? A: I was shocked when I heard I was coming into the national squad. But what everyone said was that staying in the team is much harder than getting into the team. I went to the middle with so many expectations, I got out for a duck 1st innings. more..

Feb 5 (DM) Amid the current economic situation in the country, the govt has decided not to import vehicles for Ministers. Instead, the Ministers will arrange their own transport based on the facilities available in their respective electoral seats and districts. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. He reaffirmed that, in line with the NPP policy, no vehicle permits will be granted to Ministers. However, a govt-provided vehicle will be allocated to each Minister strictly for official duties more..

Feb 5 (AD) UN Resident Coordinator in SL, Mr. Marc-Andre Franche, has paid a courtesy call on PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees. The meeting on Tuesday served as a platform to discuss SL’s development priorities and the ongoing collaboration between the UN and the SL govt in key sectors. UN Resident Coordinator extended his congratulations on SL’s Independence Day and commended the govt’s efforts in addressing poverty alleviation, digitalization, and the Clean SL more..