Dec 8 (DM) Do not fall prey to automobile smugglers and lose both wealth and the car, when vehicle imports are still strictly banned in the country! SL Customs warned the public. A trend is being observed about dismantled luxury and expensive cars being shipped into the country in the recent past where the smugglers attempt to clear them through the authorities by various ways and means. Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) foiled several attempts to import expensive cars dismantled more..

Dec 8 (EN) Sri Lanka’s remittances coming from its overseas expatriate workers fell for the first time in 27 months in November. The remittances edged down 1.3% to $530.1 million in November 2024 compared to the same month last year, the official data showed. The island nation has seen an increase in monthly remittances on a year-on-year basis since Aug 2022. The monthly remittances have been on the rise for the 27 months through Oct 2024, Central Bank data showed. more..

Dec 8 (TM) Around 60% of hotels currently operating in Sri Lanka remain unregistered with the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), according to SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam. Hewawasam revealed that only about 10,000 properties had been registered with the authority. To address this, SLTDA has introduced a mobile service to simplify the registration process for unregistered hotels. more..

Dec 8 (Island) The Hambantota International Port (HIP) supported a joint initiative by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Hambantota Chamber of Commerce, which are on an initiative to attract investments into the southern hinterland of Sri Lanka. In line with JETRO’s business engagement in India, the delegation of investors consisted mainly of Japan-based business organizations with branch offices in India and some in Sri Lanka, an HIP news release said. more..

Dec 8 (EN) A SL dermatologist has cautioned against using chemically heavy cosmetic products which could potentially create health issues. “Methasone and Clobetasol added creams should not be applied on to the skin without a consultation with a doctor,” consultant dermatologist Dr Nayani Madurasinghe said. These were prescribed for short term use for certain skin conditions she said. She pointed out that excessive usage of topical applications containing steroids more..

Dec 8 (DM) The number of accidents involving tourists engaging in unsafe behaviour on the upcountry mainline trains have been on the rise, prompting calls for stricter safety measures and greater awareness. Foreign tourists often lean out of train doors, hold onto footboard handles, and take selfies, oblivious to the risks. In a recent case, an Iranian woman sustained critical head injuries after striking a tunnel while attempting to take a selfie near Ohiya and Idalgashinna. more..

Dec 8 (Island) It’s been over 15 years since Chaminda Vaas hung up his boots, yet Sri Lanka is still in search for a fast-bowling heir to his throne. Suranga Lakmal was a trusty workhorse, racking up 171 Test wickets and even standing in as skipper on occasions. He could’ve breached the 200-wicket mark but opted for the golden handshake of a lucrative two-year deal with Derbyshire. The eternal question remains: will anyone ever replicate Vaas’ mastery? more..

Dec 8 (TM) There will be no reduction of Value-Added Tax (VAT) until alternate revenue generation schemes are identified to meet the revenue targets imposed by the IMF, according to the Cabinet Spokesman. Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa agreed that the application of VAT was fundamentally inappropriate due to its uniform application to all persons irrespective of their earning capacity and therefore had a disproportionate more..

Dec 8 (TM) The Supreme Court (SC) in a landmark case took steps to clear all existing doubts regarding the furnishing of security by an employee when appealing a decision of the labour tribunal, holding that such security provided must mandatorily be in cash and be furnished within 30 days of the labour tribunal order. Labour law experts claim that this will prove beneficial in discouraging frivolous appeals by employers as a matter of process. The SC on Monday delivered its judgment in the appeal more..

Dec 8 (CI) Before Pathum Nissanka was ever a search in your device, before his switch to being a primarily white-ball player, before he hit Sri Lanka's first ODI double-hundred, he was a 22-year-old batter who averaged 63 in first-class cricket. It is worth clocking this early, very good-boy version of Nissanka, because clearly the man himself has moved on so emphatically, it is easy to forget. This guy, once, took 252 balls to hit 103 on debut in Antigua. Nerd. more..

Dec 8 (CI) Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 82 and South Africa pulled away from Sri Lanka on the third day at St George's Park. They extended their lead to 221 after taking a slim 30-run advantage from the first innings, having bowling SL out for 328 earlier in the day. South Africa's strong performance came on the back of Dane Paterson's first Test five-for and Aiden Markram half-century, more..

Dec 8 (TM) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is steadily growing, with two million tourist arrivals expected this year, while 2.5 million visitors for 2025 seems achievable with the current progress. However, the set target of three million tourists will need a strong and consistent marketing plan. Experts highlight the importance of starting this campaign early in 2025 in order to attract more visitors and showcase Sri Lanka as a top travel destination. In an interview with The Sunday Morning, more..

Dec 8 (ST) Unattached foreign swimmer Zoe Tollit and Killer Whale Aquatics’ (KWA) Minagi Rupesinghe stole the show on the penultimate day of the National and Junior National Short Course Swimming Championship at the Isipathana College Swimming Pool Complex in Colombo yesterday. Competing in the Girls U-15 category, Tollit has surpassed SL’s national records in all five events she participated in. Her latest achievement came in the 200m breaststroke, where she clocked more..

Dec 8 (TM) Report compiled by Ethics Committee which recommended the immediate suspension of National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) Secretary General Maxwell de Silva has been rejected by majority vote by its Executive Committee. Seven members of NOCSL Exec Committee had maintained that the Ethics Committee’s report should be totally dismissed, while two of its members had voted in favour of the report; one other member having abstained. more..

Dec 8 (SO) Almost a month after a despised govt was given marching orders by a popular people’s vote and an anti-corruption regime installed, the country still awaits the changes in a set-up where cheating, dishonesty, nepotism, power and position-abuse and exploitation for self gain have flourished. New Sports Minister Sunil Gamage made no secret of the abuse and corruption taking place in sport but stopped short of fielding questions or spelling out his plans for a clean-up more..

Dec 8 (CI) Sri Lanka fancy their chances chasing anything around or below 300, on a wicket that is playing really well, at St George's Park, according to former captain Angelo Mathews. Though he acknowledged South Africa, at 221 ahead with seven wickets in hand, have the advantage, Mathews brought fighting talk to the third day's post-play press conference, with SL looking for a win to keep themselves in contention for more..

Dec 8 (Island) The election of Donald Trump as US Prez for yet another term has sent many world leaders scurrying for cover. Especially in the West. But even China is concerned. In the US itself, the longstanding maxim that there can only be one president at a time is being put to the test every day. Joe Biden, the outgoing president, is scrambling to salvage his legacy after a disastrous last year that has diminished all his achievements over the first three years on the domestic front. more..

Dec 8 (Island) Many compliant taxpayers have expressed their frustration with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for insisting that the Return of Income for the year of assessment 2023/2024 be filed as an electronic return (e-return). It is perplexing why such a requirement is being enforced in a country such as ours where computer skills are woefully lacking. In many other countries the taxpayer is entitled to submit a return either electronically or by hard copy (paper). more..

Dec 8 (TM) A central theme of the National People’s Power’s (NPP) socioeconomic discourse, messaging, and political campaigning was the renegotiation of Sri Lanka’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to ease the burden of the cost of living crisis. Several members of the NPP, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), have stated this many times over the last few years. The Sunday Morning carried an article in September by Imesh Ranasinghe, more..

Dec 8 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s impending state visit to India in a few days is anything but a ceremonial one, with implications beyond the purely bilateral. For the Prez, it will be an important opening to demonstrate on the external stage how far the JVP has evolved since its anti-India days, short of swinging to the other extreme and capitulating to Indian demands irrespective of studied national interest. The JVP has come a long way since the indoctrination of more..

Dec 8 (ST) Govt revealed details of liquor licences issued during the first 10 months of this year. The information was tabled in Parliament amid accusations that previous Wickremesinghe govt had used such licences as a political bribe to induce crossovers of opposition MPs. While statistics revealed that of the 361 liquor licences issued from Jan 1 to Oct 14, it also revealed that 172 of those licences were for wine stores, more..

Dec 8 (CT) On Monday (9), the world will celebrate the Int'l Anti-Corruption Day. There’s no better time to reflect on what corruption has cost us as a nation—and more importantly, what we collectively decide to do about it. In an unprecedented show of unity, people from all walks of life overwhelmingly voted for a govt promising to tackle the deeply entrenched corruption that has plagued us for decades. It’s no secret that corruption has been a cancer eating away at Sri Lanka’s potential. more..

Dec 8 (CT) NPP received massive mandate by the people across ethnic, religious and social divide to charter the course of the country for the coming five years. Attracted primarily by their slogan of eliminating corruption and reducing wastage and others like delivering social justice to all and applying meritocracy in selection, they have been ushered into position of authority. However they have made a fundamental mistake in deciding that problems faced by Sinhalese and Tamils are the same and more..

Dec 8 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Govt, it seems, have understood the complexities of governance and the sensitivities surrounding the country’s fragile economy. It is these reasons that seem to be pushing Prez AKD and his Govt to follow economic principles in decision-making processes rather than give way to populist moves despite pledges and statements made on election campaign trail. more..

Dec 8 (TM) With the festive season fast approaching, Sri Lanka, for the first time in its history, is staring at the very realistic prospect of enduring a shortage of its staple food: rice. While the reasons for it are many, and admittedly some beyond reasonable control, the bottom line is that it is the regime in office that has to face the music and ensure that people are not deprived of their staple diet at the beginning of a new year. With Sri Lanka primarily being an agricultural nation, more..

Dec 8 (SO) NPP Govt deserves plaudits for deciding to do away with the luxury car permit previously issued to our erstwhile people’s representatives. This was a sheer waste of precious foreign exchange, even when SL’s economy was on a much better footing. Under each permit, an MP was allowed to bring in a vehicle worth up to US$ 55,000 (Rs. 16 million duty free). Multiplied by 225, this amounts to US$ 12,375,000. Right now, in the present state of our economy, handing out more..

Dec 7 (Island) In the previous Parliament, where there were six Opposition parties, 10 slots were allocated for the Opposition at the Committee on Parliamentary Business. However, there were now 12 Opposition parties represented in Parliament but only four slots had been allocated for them in the same Committee, SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilaka told Parliament. “We met Speaker Ashoka Ranwala Friday morning to discuss this. more..

Dec 7 (Island) Senior DIG for the Northern Province, Tilak Dhanapala, told The Island that the police were planning to arrest the organisers of seven illegal commemorative events promoting the LTTE in the Northern Province. He said that reports on the individuals who organised those events had been submitted to the courts to facilitate their arrest. Investigations have revealed that four of those seven events were held in the Point Pedro area, two in Kilinochchi, and one in Jaffna. more..

Dec 7 (Island) Locally produced superphosphate would be introduced to the market next year, Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya, Prez’s Senior Advisor on Science and Technology, Professor at the University of Houston, in USA, said. Prof. Udugamasooriya said that currently SL only produced rock phosphate from the Eppawala deposit. While rock phosphate was good for long-term crops because it was a slow-release fertiliser that provided nutrients over time, it did not work well for paddy, etc, he said. more..

Dec 7 (EN) Industries Minister Sunil Handunetti said cabinet approval will be sought to lift value added tax from brown sugar made at Lanka Sugar, a state enterprise made from firms including once-listed Pelwatte Sugar, expropriated during a Rajapaksa regime in 2011. Unsold stocks of sugar are stuck at Pelwatte and Sevenagala plants of Lanka Sugar, Moneragala legislator, R M Jayawardhana told parliament. more..

Dec 7 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday closed the week on a positive note with improved investor sentiment. S&P SL20 gained by 0.22% and ASPI by 0.40% on Friday. During the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL 20 gained 3.2% and 4% respectively. Turnover yesterday was Rs. 4.99 billion involving 374.5 million shares. Turnover during the week averaged Rs. 4.04 billion. Foreign participation in the market activity remained at subdued levels with foreigners closing as net sellers. more..

Dec 7 (FT) In its December edition, leading business magazine LMD reports that business confidence shot up by 15 basis points to reach 154 in November, from 139 in the month prior. “This is the highest point the LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) has reached in 2024 and the fourth month in which the barometer has crossed into triple digits this year – most recently last month, when the official rate of inflation entered negative territory,” it explains. more..