Feb 14 (FT) Minister Basil Rajapaksa, known popularly as Basil, made the announcement in the Budget 2022 that the Govt will impose a tax surcharge of 25% on those companies and individuals whose taxable income in the tax year of 2020/21 amounted to Rs. 2 billion or more. It was to be a one-time tax payable by 62 high value taxpayers in 2022. Objective of this special tax was to raise the necessary revenue to finance the Govt expenditure programs for year undisturbed. more..

Feb 14 (AD) The Foreign Ministry says that it is constantly monitoring the situation with regard to the Sri Lankans residing in Ukraine. Due to the conflict situation in Ukraine, many countries have now informed their citizens living in Ukraine to leave. However, the Foreign Ministry stated that there are about 40 Sri Lankans in Ukraine at present and seven of them are students. The ministry said that these Sri Lankans are currently staying in that country without any problems. more..

Feb 14 (EN) Foreign visitors from Russia and Ukraine, the two countries now threatening the world of an armed war amid escalated tension, helped SL’s post-Covid-19 tourism recovery this year, official govt data showed. Russians accounted for 18,044 or 15.8% of the total 113,670 holiday makers who visited SL this year up to Feb 11, while Ukrainians accounted for 9,883 or 8.7% of the total visitors in the same period. more..

Feb 14 (Island) It seems that the Going Organic tale has lost its novelty and glamour and the matter has been done and dusted. Clumsy and ineffective face-saving efforts are grossly insufficient. Obviously, the President cannot be expected to know the background to guide a correct decision on most of the matters that come within his purview. There are too many instances where genuine error or ill-advised steps have to be quickly reversed. Square pegs in square holes cannot move! more..

Feb 14 (TM) Social activist Shehan Malaka Gamage has been arrested a short while ago by the CID, The Morning learns. Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the arrest of Gamage was made due to a statement made back in 2021 in regards to the Easter attacks. “Gamage’s arrest was made by the CID in connection to the statement he had made about the Easter Attacks in Sri Lanka. He claims he does not know, but he knows very well,” said Thalduwa. more..

Feb 14 (FT) In a welcome move of solidarity given the unprecedented economic crisis, the Opposition has come together urging the Govt to go for an orderly negotiated postponement and restructure of foreign debt repayment estimated at $ 25 billion between now and 2026. In a signed collective response to the economic crisis, 12 Opposition leaders and MPs said the “best way forward for SL is to Immediately initiate more..

Feb 14 (AD) A large number of health workers representing several trade unions staged a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this afternoon based on several demands. Protest march commenced from near the Colombo Fort Railway Station this morning and made its way towards the Presidential Secretariat building. This had caused severe traffic congestion in the area and on the connected roads. The strike action launched by several health sector trade unions continues more..

Feb 14 (MFA) A delegation headed by the Deputy Director General for Administration & Financial Affairs of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) Nedhal A. Al-Olayan visited SL recently to sign a loan agreement to construct and equip the Medical Faculty at the Uni of Moratuwa. The visiting delegation which included Deputy Director for Operations for East, South Asian & Pacific countries Yousef Al-Bader called on Ministers Prof. G. L. Peiris and more..

Feb 14 (DM) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had vehemently condemned the arrest of activist Shehan Malaka and the attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama and had expressed his concern on the two incidents, Member of the Archdiocese of Colombo Communication Committee Chairman Fr Cyril Gamini Fernando said today. Fr. Fernando said Cardinal Ranjith had informed him to express his dismay over the two incidents. more..

Feb 14 (EN) SL’s stock index surrendered its early gains to close marginally higher on Monday (14) as looming economic uncertainties weighed on the sentiment, brokers said, while the data showed the day’s turnover hit its lowest in four months. The main All Share Price Index (ASPI), which shot up 100 points or nearly 1% to hit its highest since February 8 closed 0.09% or 11.01 points at 12,470.81 points. The day’s turnover was 2.25 billion rupees, its lowest since Oct 12, more..

Feb 14 (FT) The Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) yesterday said the decision on future power curtailment mechanism will be announced tomorrow after considering the current water levels of the reservoirs. Electricity regulator PUCSL held a meeting on Saturday with officials of the CEB and LECO on managing the power demand in the next few months. “The mechanisms to go about with the load shedding request of more..

Feb 14 (DM) Instead of advising the Prez through Facebook, people can strengthen their home economy by marketing their products through Facebook. Colombo District MP Madura Vithanage said. He said this while addressing a ceremony held to donate financial assistance to low income Samurdhi families. While addressing the event, he said the govt's ambition is to give people a good economic srengenth by next year and not to make them wait for donations from other countries. more..

Feb 14 (TM) The reason as to why former MP Mangala Samaraweera introduced a fuel price formula was so that there would be consistency in fuel pricing for the consumer as well as the Govt who imports the crude oil, said SJB MP Harsha De Silva. He made this statement while speaking to the media, when posed with the question about his opinion of the current Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila re-implementing the fuel price formula proposed by Samaraweera. more..

Feb 14 (EN) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has raised fresh concerns over a retrospective 25% tax slapped on large companies after tax cut in 2019 and Coronavirus crisis de-stabilized state finances. The Chamber repeated its concerns that the retrospective taxes dent investor confidence, and gave new suggestions. “Chamber highlighted the retrospective tax to be arbitrary in nature while raising the issues of marginal relief more..

Feb 14 (CT) The Dept of Wildlife Conservation has deployed mobile patrols to prevent wild elephants from attacking safari vehicles within the Yala National Park. According to the Dept’s Director General, Chandana Sooriyabandara, two tuskers had apparently attacked two safari jeeps last week and another Safari Jeep was also attacked by a different tusker. “The safari jeep drivers were informed about the issue. According to the Dept of Wildlife, numerous safari jeeps have been more..

Feb 14 (TM) JVP has released a media statement condemning the attack that took place on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s home in the early hours of this morning. The media release statement mentioned that the television programme hosted by Samarawickrama has revealed the names of people who have supported the Govt in their dealings, and it might be because of this reason that Samarawickrama was targeted and that such acts were only an attempt to silence journalists more..

Feb 14 (DM) Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa and others who are eyeing to be ministers in a future govt should build up their images, its MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said during the weekend. Field Marshal Fonseka said there is no point in basking in the past glory without building positive images for the future. “We have a new leader today. This leader and others who are aspiring to become ministers in a future govt should build up their images. more..

Feb 14 (CI) Australia are 2-0 up in the series but only by the skin of their teeth. Sri Lanka nearly pulled off the impossible in game two and exposed some of Australia's weaknesses. If the visitors had more top-order support for Pathum Nissanka, the series would easily have been levelled. Australia's weak spots have been clear to see. Mitchell Starc conceded 44 in four overs in the first game, while his replacement Kane Richardson ended up giving 41 from another four in the second. more..

Feb 14 (TM) Catholic church is considering taking certain actions to compel the CID and other relevant law enforcement authorities to question former Attorney General (AG) President’s Counsel (PC) Dappula de Livera regarding the controversial statement he made last year that there was a grand conspiracy behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019. A representative of the Catholic church said that more..

Feb 14 (AD) The retired doctor from Piliyandala, who was arrested in connection with the hand grenade found at a church in Borella, has been remanded until February 28 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Last week, the court had released the church worker, who was under detention orders in connection with the incident. On February 2, the Colombo Additional Magistrate ordered the release of a church worker and two others who were arrested on suspicion over the hand grenade more..

Feb 14 (TM) Social activist Manorama Weerasinghe has been summoned to the CID on Thursday (17). Speaking to Mr Weerasinghe today, it has been confirmed that he received the CID summons this afternoon and the reason for the summons has not been clearly mentioned on the letter. “The letter states that I have to present myself to the CID on Thursday at 9am at the CID office. A proper reason as to why I have been summoned is not mentioned on the letter, although it vaguely states that more..

Feb 14 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has instructed the relevant officials to rectify the technical faults in train compartments imported during the previous govt’s tenure and put them into operative status immediately. President gave these instructions during the progress review meeting of the Transport Ministry and the State Ministry of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry more..

Feb 14 (TM) The UNP has condemned the attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s home that took place early this morning. In a media statement released today, the UNP statement mentioned that one of the key aims in 2015 of the UNP govt was to ensure that members of the media were no longer victims of violence. “The UNP is concerned by to the recent attack launched against renowned journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama in the early hours of Monday morning. more..

Feb 14 (DM) Officers In-charge of Police stations across the country have been instructed to conduct raids on parties organized at hotels and other places with drugs specially today, Valentines Day, Police said. Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that Police intelligence officers in respective areas have also been notified to find the places where such illegal parties are being organized and inform the OICs in those areas. He said it was revealed that drugs traffickers are using various methods more..

Feb 15 (TM) In a context where Sri Lankans are plunging further into poverty, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, on Sunday (13), announced that the Samurdhi beneficiary amount will be increased by 28% from this month. This announcement comes in a context where almost all segments of the society are expecting the Government to alleviate the economic burden on their shoulders, not just Samurdhi beneficiaries, and are eagerly awaiting for the economy to return to normalcy. more..

Feb 15 (DM) The death of the 10-year-old boy in Badalgama who had to breathe his last on Feb 7, allegedly due to the superstitious beliefs of his parents will soon be forgotten, if it has not already been forgotten. He would sometimes be remembered only after a similar tragedy which might again claim another life. The postmortem of the boy which was conducted on last Saturday (12) had revealed that he had suffered from phlegm blockage, fever, as well as COVID 19. more..

Feb 15 (CT) After Sunday Ceylon Today published a news feature titled SMEs Allege Banks and Leasing Companies are Exploiting the Masses: Lament Lack of Intervention from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal agreed to respond to the series of questions posed to him. A majority of the questions were based on the allegations made by the SMEs that were emailed to the CBSL Governor. more..

Feb 15 (CT) Yesterday, this newspaper’s website carried a story under the heading, I cannot be silenced by attacks – journalist Samarawickrama. Quoting well-known journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama, the report further said, “I cannot be silenced by attacks on my house,” following an early morning attack on his residence yesterday. Speaking to the media, Samarawickrama said he had been threatened over the telephone on several occasions previously. more..

Feb 15 (DM) The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN HCHR) Michelle Bachelet is due to present to the UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC) an updated report on the extent of grave human rights violations in Sri Lanka. The UN HCHR was strengthened last year with the setting up in Geneva of a special mechanism dedicated to monitoring such violations committed exclusively in Sri Lanka. The special mechanism was named Sri Lanka Accountability Project. more..

Feb 15 (CT) When it’s closer to midnight and when almost every patient falls asleep and silence prevails in the hospital, which is otherwise filled with hustle and bustle, Geethananda would begin his routine, keeping his eyes and ears sharply focussed on two things, unnecessary lights and leaking taps. He starts walking around the hospital to tighten all the taps that are not properly closed, to switch off all unnecessary bulbs, more..

Feb 15 (ST) Sri Lanka’s contemporary politicians have, without exception, developed the robbing of the public coffers into a fine art. It makes little difference if they have hailed from the plush environs of Colombo with so-called historic legacies to boast of or from the wilds of Polonnaruwa and the deep South. With public funds fattening political wallets, Central Bank Governors have been dragged before court on various scams with one fleeing overseas as a fugitive. more..

Feb 15 (ST) Poor, pathetic, pitiful Pushpika de Silva. The controversial beauty queen seems unable to hold onto her Mrs. Sri Lanka crown but lets it slip out of her buttered grasp, given half the chance. She lost it once, albeit, briefly, for having supposedly misled the judges about her true marital status, only to regain the bauble the following day after a behind the scenes overnight fix. She has now been told that she has been stripped of her Mrs. SL title due to alleged conduct unbecoming of a title holder; more..

Feb 15 (Island) Goon attacks used to be bloody. The victims thereof were shot, bombed or hacked. But today they are different; they are getting dirtier. Some egg throwers were in the news about a fortnight ago. They hurled eggs at JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and two of them were caught and handed over to the police, who stand accused of having taken no action against them. Now, some faeces throwers, of all people, have grabbed the headlines. They attacked the residence of more..

Feb 15 (Island) The multiplicity of problems facing the govt, and by extension the country, and to which solutions are nowhere in sight, is undermining the govt’s credibility. Renewing its electoral mandate seems to be a strategy that the govt is contemplating. The mandate obtained by Prez Rajapaksa at the prez election was seen as paving the way for a new era in disciplined and development-oriented governance. There were high expectations from him. more..

Feb 15 (TM) Sri Lanka is going through unprecedented trying times. While the Covid-19 pandemic is often blamed for most of the economic and social issues, some issues are the result of the authorities failing to address small issues that existed for years, if not decades. The spate of strikes SL saw in the past few months, especially those launched by teachers and principals as well as health sector employees, more..