Jan 2 (AD) A motion filed to make a submission to obtain bail for former State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) Chairman Rumy Mohamed has been rejected. Mohamed is currently under remand custody connection with the white van press conference until the 6th of Jan. However, the aforementioned motion was rejected when it was called before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today. more..

Jan 2 (EN) Sri Lanka’s tax office has detailed pay-as-you earn tax deductible from employees, after the threshold was sharply raised by the new administration. Employees earning over 250,000 rupees a month are liable to PAYE in changes announced by the new administration where the legal changes are pending. Dept of Inland Revenue has instructed employees to deduct a 6% PAYE tax for total income of over 1.5 million for more..

Jan 2 (DM) Instead of appointing separate chairmen for related state institutions, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to place them under the purview of a single Head for better coordination of work and cost reduction, an official said yesterday. In one instance, Jayantha Wickramasinghe has been appointed the chairmen of four government institutions- Coconut Cultivation Board, Coconut Development Authority, more..

Jan 2 (RN) Calling out the new govt’s alleged hypocrisy, JVP accused the Rajapaksa administration of continuing what the party called the previous govt’s practice of selling off valuable national assets. JVP MP Vijitha Herath said that the much publicised USD 250 million mixed development project associated with the Singapore-based Perennial Real Estate Holdings Limited was highly irregular. more..

Jan 2 (CT) Economics in a country like Sri Lanka follows politics. This is natural when Sri Lanka has no known oil or iron deposits, the twin engines of a self-sufficient economy, if such resources are available in commercial quantities, though it's reported that Sri Lanka has offshore gas reserves, they are yet to be exploited. The exception is Japan, the world's third largest economy, which has neither of these two resources. But the secret of its success can be attributed to three reasons. more..

Jan 2 (AD) Senior Attorney-at-Law Kanchana Ratwatte today officially assumed duties as the new chairman of the Bank of Ceylon (BOC). He assumed duties following a brief ceremony at BOC Head Office in Cololmbo. Ratwatte is the former Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). He obtained his primary and secondary education at Trinity College Kandy and later acquired an LLB degree from the University of Colombo. more..

Jan 2 (FT) A refreshing 31,557,000 seconds in 2020 are with us. A brand new year invites us not only to have brand new thoughts but to convert them into grand actions. As usual, people tend to have New Year resolutions. My suggestion is to go beyond scant resolutions, to have specific reinforcements. As an appetiser for a productive new year, I would like to share 20 thoughts for 2020 as essentials for excellence, especially with the Sri Lankan managers in mind. more..

Jan 2 (AD) MP Ravi Karunanayake says a strong UNP that can score a people’s victory in 2020 will be formed soon. Speaking to media joining an event organized to clean schools in Colombo North and Bloemendhal area for the new school term, he pointed out that there are various rumors of crises within the UNP. However, if such crises or issues exist, they shouldn’t be something that is discussed anywhere and everywhere, he added. Stating that issues cannot be resolved alone, more..

Jan 2 (AD) The Govt Parliamentary Group has nominated Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as Leader of the House. Meanwhile the Parliamentary Group of the ruling party has also reportedly nominated Minister Johnston Fernando as the Chief Govt Whip. The Ceremonial Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament by the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be held at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow. more..

Jan 2 (Island) Three more endemic species have been added to the Sri Lanka’s endemic gecko list. With this Sri Lanka now has 39 endemic species of gecko. In 2019, 13 endemic species were discovered. More new endemic gecko species will be discovered in 2020 with the ongoing research studies. The team of scientists that discovered the latest three species are S. Karunarathna, A de Silva, M. Botejue, D. Gabadage, L. Somaratna, A Hettige, N Aberathna, M. Madawala, G. Edirisinghe, more..

Jan 2 (AD) A leak has been observed in the upper corner of the main dam of the Moragahakanda Reservoir for several days as the maximum water capacity of the reservoir had reached. Director of Moragahakanda Kalu Ganga Reservoir Project PB Wijeratne stated that engineers from a Chinese company have already taken measures to halt the leak. However, this should not cause any fear or worry as the leak would not cause much damage to the reservoir of the dam, he pointed out. more..

Jan 2 (FT) Anticipating a shortage of power in the first five months of 2020, Power and Energy Ministry has decided to set up contingency power, and has called for bids to supply 200 MW of power on a short-term basis. The CEB on 26 Dec issued two tender notices calling for the generation and supply of 104 MW and 96 MW of supplementary power, under a power purchase agreement. According to the tender notices, more..

Jan 2 (Island) Judicial execution of drug lords would solve a lot of issues created by the spread of heroin, Minister of Justice, Human Rights & Legal Reforms, Nimal Siripala de Silva said at an event to mark the first day of work in the New Year at his ministry. "The US executes drug dealers. Malaysia and Singapore too kill drug dealers. Why can’t we do the same? Why are NGOs and external actors so opposed to this? There is no point in arresting drug users. We can’t solve the drug menace like this." more..

Jan 2 (MoD) Iranian Ambassador to SL Mohammad Zaeri Amirani called for improved bilateral cooperation and friendship between Iran and Sri Lanka. He made these comments when he made a call on the Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne at his office, today. During the cordial discussion the Ambassador praised the govt’s commitment in handling the Police and the Armed Forces to maintain peace in the country. He also briefed the Defence Secretary more..

Jan 2 (EN) Sotheby’s International Realty in Sri Lanka says investor interest in properties in the Indian Ocean island is re-emerging and the firm is looking to market properties outside of the capital Colombo. “Sri Lanka Sotheby’s Int'l Realty is pleased to announce that it is receiving positive signals from the market, with increasing interest in Sri Lanka and particular properties in the island from various quarters around the world,” more..

Jan 2 (RN) The Police Media Division (SLPMD) has been re-established under a new police media spokesman, Police Headquarters said. Superintendent of Police Jaliya Senaratne has been appointed as the new Director of the Police Media Division. Speaking to RepublicNext, Senaratne said that he assumed duties yesterday (01). The Police Media has also resumed issuing daily press releases which were temporarily halted following last November’s presidential election. more..

Jan 2 (RN) State Minister Shehan Semasinghe is rejecting Opposition charges that the new govt is selling off land in Sri Lanka to foreigners. He said that these unsubstantiated charges are being made after an investor signed up to build a mixed-development tower in Colombo valued at US$250 million. “The former govt had mismanaged this project and because of that, it got delayed. But as soon as the govt of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power, more..

Jan 2 (DM) Indian PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended New Year greeting to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, a statement said. “In his talks with Gotabaya Rajapaksa, PM Modi expressed confidence that India and Sri Lanka would further enhance their friendly ties in the year 2020,” Indian PM Office said. In his conversation with the PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, Modi reiterated India's commitment to further more..

Jan 2 (AD) Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has handed over the letters of appointment to the new Heads of four institutions under the purview of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs today (02). The event took place at the Temple Trees. Accordingly, new Heads were appointed to the Central Cultural Fund, the National Film Corporation, the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation and the Public Performance Board. The new appointments are as follows: more..

Jan 2 (Island) Sajith Premadasa, who is tipped to be the Opposition leader, has challenged Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, to implement their threat of tearing up the MCC, ACSA, SOFA and the free trade agreement with Singapore. Addressing a public meeting in Negombo on Monday, Premadasa said that during the recent Prez Election campaign, the Rajapaksas who had spoken as if they were the only patriots in this country, threatened to scrap the MCC, more..

Jan 2 (FT) Cabinet has sanctioned granting a relief package to Secretaries of Cabinet Ministries, Non-Cabinet Ministries and State Ministries who were deprived of their posts following the dissolution of Cabinet on the election of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the appointment of new Ministers. A Cabinet memorandum to give effect to the relief measures was presented by Prez Rajapaksa in mid-December. more..

Jan 2 (MoD) Acting Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva pledged to ensure security of the country and its people to the maximum in compliance with the vision of the President and Commander in Chief of armed forces Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Lt. Gen. Silva, speaking to reporters after assuming duties at his office today assured to provide full assistance to tri-forces, Police and the Civil Defence Force (CDF) to execute their duties. more..

Jan 2 (CT) The GMOA called on the Govt and the public to do away with the Bad food culture. The GMOA, submitting two proposals to the Govt and the public to ensure prosperity this year, said that there were no signs to indicate that the past few years had been prosperous, owing to the growing number of people suffering from non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. They said that 70% of the country's deaths were due to NCDs. more..

Jan 2 (MoD) With a sharp increase in SL illegal migrants to Australia and NZ in 2019, SL Navy (SLN) has strengthened its surveillance operations with the support of SL Air force (SLAF) and Australia’s Operations Sovereign Borders (AOSB). The SLN said average of over 64 Sri Lankans had tried to flee the country illegally in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. “But 175 illegal migrants had left our shores only in last year. more..

Jan 2 (NR) Parliamentary Group of the UNF has elected MP Gayantha Karunatileka as the Chief Opposition Whip. The decision was reached during the UNF Parliamentary group meeting held under the patronage of Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe. Meanwhile Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has been appointed as the Leader of the House while Minister Johnston Fernando has been appointed as the Chief Government Whip. The names were unanimously approved more..

Jan 2 (Island) Senior Engineers of the CEB are planning to meet the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to inform him of the need for coal power. Speaking at an event in Colombo, Cardinal was critical of coal power plants. A senior Engineer said that a Green Mafia was working behind the scene to distort facts about coal. "Yes, there was a problem with the Norochcholai coal plant in 2016, but since then we have adhered to World Health Organisation (WHO)." more..

Jan 2 (Island) Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the Foreign Relations Ministry was in consultations with the Attorney General’s Department to help formulate a new govt stand on the accountability resolution co-sponsored by the previous govt against the country. Prof. Peiris said that Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s govt wouldn’t follow what he called treacherous yahapalana foreign policy. more..

Jan 3 (CT) HNB Managing Director/CEO – Jonathan Alles and just retired CBSL Governor – Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy have not thought it fit to touch even with a barge pole the damning allegations in the exposé “HNB’s grand tax evasion” published in a well-known website (not Colombo Telegraph) at the time Dr. Ranee Jayamaha was HNB Chairman. These allegations if credible (Ranee Jayamaha apparently thinks so) have huge implications to the integrity of Sri Lanka’s banking system, more..

Jan 3 (CT) It has been common practice for some years to a have a ceremony on 1 January each year making public servants take an oath swearing to uphold ourselves as one nation committed to our work. That was fine with most of us. This year some creeps seemed to be at work. This year’s Circular from the Ministry of Public Administration (shown here) seemed innocuous but was sinister in reality. It referred to an oath to be taken. Oath was given on a different sheet of paper for each language. more..

Jan 3 (Roar) A haunting Test series loss against Australia; a historic series triumph in South Africa; one all-time great T20 spell; abysmal T20 collapses; captains being switched; a bowler being banned; young talent being unearthed; coaches being elbowed out —the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team has careened from precipice to precipice through 2019, awesome on some occasions, abysmal at others, absurd the entire time. more..

Jan 3 (ST) When Jan 1, 2020, dawns it will be just another day in paradise, as Kussi Amma Sera reminded me this week. “Aie janavari palavenida enakang balagana inne (Why are you looking forward to Jan 1)? Eka thavath davasak nemeda (Isn’t it just another day)?” she asked, as she brought me the morning tea. “Ovu Ovu (Yes yes),” I nodded in agreement, watching her walk towards the gate where Mabel Rasthiyadu and Serapina were bargaining with vegetable seller. more..

Jan 3 (ST) For 30 years prior to 2009 we had a big excuse – the conflict! We missed many opportunities, and kept looking at how other countries in the region were exploiting them and surpassing us. We were left behind, but we had an excuse. SL was once on the top of the list of second-tier newly industrialising countries in Asia after the rise of four dragons – South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. But we never became a newly industrialised country like them. more..

Jan 3 (CT) Despite Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa's vision to take the country forward by developing the IT sector and digitising, the Government sector, a bureaucratic glitch at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Local Govt and Provincial Councils (MIHAPCLG) has put the e-Local Govt (eLG) platform that is used by Local Govt bodies to efficiently collect rates and other taxes in jeopardy, and with the dawn of the New Year 2020 more..

Jan 3 (SO) SL’s vision to tackle the unemployment issue is on path since the introduction of the technology stream into the school syllabus in 2013, Minister of Education Dullas Alahapperuma said. Referring to the newly released GCE A/L Exam results, Minister Alahapperuma said 10% of the students who faced the exam under the technology stream have passed. “We introduced the technology stream in hopes of reducing the number of students opting for the arts stream. more..

Jan 3 (SO) The background to this story comes from the Government mining and exporting Ilmenite to Japan from the late 1960s to early 1970s. Japanese Govt, was so pleased with Sri Lanka’s Ilmenite that Japan wanted more and more of it! The real story was that Japanese were wanting high quality SL Ilmenite to be as a raw material for the Japanese production of Titanium, which is a tremendous value addition and which would fetch a much higher foreign exchange value. more..

Jan 3 (Island) This newspaper, yesterday, published a heart-warming picture of Musaeus College, Colombo, making a donation of more than Rs. 11 million to Little Hearts. Various organisations and individuals are also engaged in raising funds for this worthy cause and their efforts, too, should be appreciated. Little Hearts is an ongoing fundraising project under the supervision of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, to construct a cardiac and critical care complex at the Lady Ridgeway more..

Jan 3 (Island) It’s just over two years since China Merchant’s Port Holding Company (CMPHC) leased Port of Hambantota for 99 years. China Merchant Port Holding owning eighty five per cent of the company whilst SLPA holding the remaining share of fifteen per cent. The Hambantota port under CMPHC has made significant strides during the past couple of years in terms of port utilisation in imports, vehicle transhipments to various other ports, ship repairs etc though local exports yet to get off the ground. more..

Jan 3 (Island) The national cricket team has got a hectic schedule in 2020 where they will play nine Test matches, 12 ODIs and at least 16 T-20s. They will be playing more T-20s than the other two formats for the obvious reason that this year the World T-20 will be staged in Australia in late October. This is apart form the Asia Cup, also a T-20 tournament to be played in Pakistan. SL will host England and Bangladesh in Tests at home more..