Mar 3 (DM) The govt should seek consultations from experts to find solutions to the current economic crisis, Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa said. Addressing an event organised by eleven political parties aligned to the govt, he said these challenges cannot be overcome by being conceited and that there should be a definite plan for that. "We need to take several measures to come out of this crisis situation. First of all, we need to obtain expert's assistance on this. more..

Mar 3 (Island) The exemption of the Colombo City from power cuts and thereby awarding it privileged status has raised many eyebrows. The CEB has a list of priority feeders (meaning 33 kV lines supplying power to vital installations such as hospitals, water pumping stations, and Board of Investment (BOI) zones) exempted from load shedding. These priority feeders are identified by respective area engineers in consultation with their provincial heads, the Deputy General Managers (DGMs). more..

Mar 3 (CT) Eleven parties of the coalition Govt unveiled Mulu Ratama Hari Magata: proposals to overcome the current economic crisis in the country, yesterday at Monarch Imperial, Sri J'pura Kotte. The SLFP, National Freedom Front (NFF), Democratic Left Front, LSSP, SL Communist Party, National Congress, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, SL Mahajana Party, Vijaya Dharanai National Council, United People’s Party and Yuthukama more..

Mar 3 (DM) Leaders of political parties representing Parliament are to meet today where they are expected to discuss several issues including taking action against MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara who have been accused of carrying a parcel inside the House illegally during the last sessions. It was reported that some govt MPs wanted action taken against the two opposition MPs for bringing in parcels into the chambers illegally. Also sources said party leaders will discuss more..

Mar 3 (DM) Despite the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, SL is still welcoming tourists from Russia as Russia continues to be the leading market for SL Tourism. CAASL Chairman Upul Dharmadasa said despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there was no huge impact on the arrival of foreign tourists, but the number of tourists from other countries, was expected to exceed the Russian and Ukrainian figures. He said that there are no passenger arrivals from Ukraine due to the country's closure of more..

Mar 3 (TM) Colombo Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, had met UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, and discussed about revealing the truth behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks and bringing justice to the victims, Catholic church said. Archbishop, who met with Catholic Church Head His Holiness Pope Francis at Vatican on 28 Feb, met Bachelet more..

Mar 3 (DM) Attorney General informed Supreme Court that the Ministry of Finance has decided to exclude 13 funds including Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Employees' Trust Fund (ETF), Pension Fund, Pension Trust Fund, Gratuity or Termination Fund from the ambit of proposed Surcharge Tax Bill. Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena appearing for the AG informed Supreme Court that the Ministry of Finance is planning to move several amendments at Committee Stage in P'ment. more..

Mar 3 (CT) A decision would be taken as to whether the strike by 17 non-medical health professionals would continue after today (3), or suspend it for another 10 days as the Govt was not responding satisfactorily. Convener of the FHP Ravi Kumudesh said, although the 48-hour strike was scheduled to end today, unions realised the Health Ministry paid very little attention to token strikes. Only continuous strike action caught their attention due to the possibility of outsourcing certain services to more..

Mar 3 (CT) Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is scheduled to leave for the US in the second week of April to commence the Balance of Payments (BoP) discussions with top officials of the IMF, World Bank (WB) and US Treasury officials, as exclusively reported by Ceylon FT on 23 Feb. The Lankan delegation is scheduled to leave on 10 or 11 April for this high-level meeting before the Spring Meetings of the WB Group and the IMF scheduled for more..

Mar 3 (FT) Sri Lankan politicians indict their successors by referring to the achievements on their watch and pointing out how the successors squandered what had been bequeathed them. Let’s apply that to diplomacy. The resolution at the UNHRC Geneva on Ukraine, a highly emotive issue on which there is a wave of global opinion propelled by the world’s most powerful coalition of states and superstar opinion-makers, obtained 29 votes. So that’s obviously a very high-water mark. more..

Mar 3 (FT) In recent days there has been much comment on the quality (or the lack of it) of our politicians of today. Upon reading a WhatsApp note on this theme addressed to prez, I felt provoked to share the following recollections, mostly for the benefit of younger readers who may not be familiar with our political leaders of earlier times. They were all not exemplary but, by and large, a majority of them were decent, educated and efficient unlike today’s lot of whom the less said the better. more..

Mar 3 (DM) A laptop belonging to a Russian tourist, which was stolen at the Fort Railway Station was recovered and handed back to her by the officers of the Fort Railway Station recently. A Russian lady had complained that her laptop was stolen while she was waiting for the Rajarata Rejina train at the Fort Railway Station on Feb 27. Railway officials at the Fort Railway Station headed by Station Master Pradeep Jayasuriya had managed to trace the laptop by using a mobile phone App and more..

Mar 3 (AD) Dept of Examinations has released the finalized results of 2020 (2021) G.C.E. O/L Exam, including the marks of the practical exams of aesthetic subjects. Exam results can be obtained from the official website of the Department of Examinations – www.doenets.lk. Any inquiries regarding the results can be made by contacting the School Examination Organizations and Results Branch via the following telephone numbers: 0112 784 537 / 0112 784 208 / 0112 786 616 / more..

Mar 3 (AD) Several changes in Cabinet ministerial portfolios are to be announced shortly. Accordingly, the portfolios of several Cabinet Ministers are expected to be changed today. Prez Rajapaksa has decided to change the ministerial portfolios of several Cabinet Ministers while two new Cabinet Ministers are to be appointed, the source said. Gamini Lokuge, who was serving as the Minister of Power, is to be appointed as more..

Mar 3 (DM) Trade union action launched by 17 trade unions attached to the health sector has been temporarily called off for 10 ten days. Accordingly, the strike will be called off from 8 am tomorrow. President of the Federation of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh said the strike was called off considering the positive response conveyed by Secretary to the Health Ministry at a meeting last night. Moreover, the prevailing conditions linked to fuel shortage, by which the people are more..

Mar 3 (Island) SJB lawmaker Dr. Harsha de Silva pointed out that he had urged the incumbent dispensation to seek IMF intervention, way back in Nov 2020. The former State Minister said that the national economy was in such a bad shape the SLPP or the so-called rebel group couldn’t do anything about it. He declared that the govt has failed to manage the economy and the country was now paying a huge price. Lawmaker de Silva said that they never asked govt not to settle debt.“ more..

Mar 3 (DM) Claiming that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa was maintaining stoic silence in the face of the unfolding crisis, NFF Leader and Minister Weerwansa yesterday charged that the ignorance of the Finance Minister could either be attributed to his stupidity or he deliberately wanted the crisis to be advanced to a disaster. Weerwansa blasted the Finance Minister for not seeking sound economic advice. more..

Mar 3 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge, Damith Thotawatta ordered to temporarily lift the foreign travel ban imposed on former head of the SPC Mohammad Rumi for the latter to take part in a trade fair to be held overseas. The accused has been charged for making unsubstantiated charges against Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, during a media conference. Accordingly, the Judge ordered the passport of the accused which had been impounded to be returned to him for the period lasting more..

Mar 3 (DM) A man in his thirties died when police opened fire during a raid in Naula area this morning. The victim A.G. Thushara Chandraratne (37) succumbed to his injuries on admission to Nalanda govt hospital. A relative of Chandana Jayaratne said the deceased was his brother and both of them were preparing to leave for Dambulla when the police conducted the raid. He said when his brother had a scuffle with a policeman, another policeman opened fire causing injuries to him. more..

Mar 3 (CT) Minister of Mass Media Dullas Alahapperuma has not yet taken any action regarding Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation’s (SLRC) logo change, MP Mano Ganesan alleged. He said SLRC’s new chairman had changed the TV channel’s trilingual logo into a monolingual one on 22 February; displaying only the Sinhala language. “Rupavahini is a national channel and this was a unilateral decision by its new chairman. Private channels can adjust and re-adjust their more..

Mar 3 (CT) The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) is understaffed and faces logistics issues due to lack of funds, OMP Chairman Mahesh Katulanda told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry for Appraisal of the Findings of Previous Commissions and Committees and the Way Forward. He said the OMP currently has only 27 permanent staff members, adding however that a mechanism has been adopted to train graduates, while also emphasising on the need to set up a tracing unit. more..

Mar 3 (EN) Despite public transport providers limiting their services due to fuel shortages, leading to unusually crowded buses, Sri Lanka’s health authorities have not yet taken a decision to revise working hours for govt and private sector employees in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19. Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath told reporters that the Ministry of Health is aware of the transport issue but more..

Mar 3 (EN) Sri Lanka has abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh while Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan voted for Ukraine. Afghanistan had been invaded by Russia in the 1970s which eventually led to the creation of resistance groups. Five countries opposed the resolution against the Putin’s invasion including Russia itself, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria. more..

Mar 3 (CT) Kalmunai Mayor, Attorney-at-law A. M. Rakeeb said, a resolution was passed in the Kalmunai Municipal Council (KMC) urging the Government to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Rakeeb said the resolution was passed at the 47th monthly sitting of the KMC. Meanwhile, SLMC Member M.S.M. Nisaar had made certain remarks against the resolution, he added. He said the proposal was moved by TNA, MC member Henry Mahendran and seconded by more..

Mar 3 (AD) Minister Gamini Lokuge confirms that he has sworn in as the new Minister of Energy, the position previously held by MP Udaya Gammanpila. Minister revealed this while speaking to reporters outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, following a sudden Cabinet reshuffle by Prez Rajapaksa today. Minister Lokuge also said that Pavithra Wanniarachchi, who was serving as Transport Minister, was sworn in more..

Mar 3 (CT) Govt of Australia donated three Explosive Trace Detectors worth Rs 18 million to Airport and Aviation Services (SL) (Private) Ltd on 1 March 2022. The ETD units will strengthen Sri Lanka’s explosive trace detection capability at BIA. This equipment will be deployed to screen all direct flights to Australia & UK, protecting the safety and security of passengers, crew, cargo, and the integrity of the aircraft. In addition, this equipment will be deployed to screen all the other flights too. more..

Mar 3 (CT) General Secretary of Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union, Vadivel Suresh, urged the Govt to publish a Gazette Notification to confirm that the 25% surcharge tax on Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees' Trust Fund (ETF) will not be charged from public funds. He said recently, Govt said they will not charge a 25% surcharge tax on EPF and ETF. “However, we do not trust and accept the verbal decisions of the Govt and we need it to be published in a Gazette Notification” more..

Mar 3 (EN) Sri Lanka will face a 7.5-hour cut for the third day running on Friday (04) as the CEB struggles to find fuel for thermal power generation. The CEB said in a statement on Thursday that for March 04, there is a power deficit of 703MW for the day peak, 838MW for the evening peak and 812MW for the Night peak. Therefore, the CEB said, 150MW will be shed from E and F areas while 400MW to be shed as per more..

Mar 3 (EN) SL has welcomed 96,507 tourists in Feb 2022, up from 82,327 in January as the country re-opens for tourism, led by Russia, data from the state debt office showed. SL used to get over 200,000 tourists in February before the Coronavirus crisis. In February Russia was the top generating market with 15,340 arrivals followed by India with 12,744, UK 10,642, Germany 7,740 and Ukraine 5,620. In the first two months of the year, Russia brought 28,818 visitors and Ukraine 13,062 visitors. more..

Mar 3 (DM) Three Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of the Prez Pardon granted by President to former MP Duminda Silva were today fixed for support by the Supreme Court. Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Vijith Malalgoda, Gamini Amarasekara and Justice Yasantha Kodagoda fixed the three petitions to be taken up for support on May 31. Former MP Hirunika Premachandra, her mother Sumana Premachandra and former Commissioner of more..

Mar 3 (EN) Sri Lanka’s public debt is unsustainable and the country should stop printing money, hike rates and taxes to prevent monetary instability from taking hold, the International Monetary Fund has warned. The IMF Executive Directors after an annual article IV consultations said “the country faces mounting challenges, including public debt that has risen to unsustainable levels, low international reserves, and more..

Mar 3 (EN) Foreign Ministry has asked SL expatriates and students coming from Ukraine to carry identification and travel documents on them along with essential supplies when crossing to border countries. Foreign Ministry started evacuating Sri Lankans in Ukraine last week as the invading Russian military further advanced into Ukrainian territory. “Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to liaise closely with the SL Embassies in Ankara and Warsaw to facilitate the safe passage and more..

Mar 3 (DM) Two main gas importing companies, LAUGFS and LITRO today said they would not be able to import gas, as the local banks do not permit them to open Letters of Credit (LCs), which could eventually lead to a massive gas scarcity in the country. They also said due to the current dollar crunch, the banks do not entertain opening LCs. Meanwhile, LAUGFS Holdings Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya said the existing gas will finish mostly by today and it is going to be another huge issue more..

Mar 3 (Island) The country has gone bankrupt due to shortages of fuel, electricity and essential commodities as there were no dollars, said SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne. MP also stated as follows: When there is no war or terrorism in the country, there are long queues at petrol stations without diesel. Central Bank does not have the dollars to bring in fuel from vessels anchored outside the port. But the CB governor is saying there is no more..

Mar 3 (Island) Former General Secretary of the Communist Party D.E.W. Gunasekera, has said the current economic crisis couldn’t be resolved unless SL deviates from the neo-liberal strategy. The former lawmaker said so at the opening of the 22nd National Congress of SL Communist Party recently. “44 years of experience is more than enough. We must embark upon a strategy of planning – market – state intervention. Strategy of Import & Consumption should make way for export-oriented, more..

Mar 3 (NR) MP SB Dissanayake has been appointed as the new Minister of Industries. The position was previously held by MP Wimal Weerawansa. Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila were previously sacked from their Ministerial portfolios. Decision was reached by Prez Rajapaksa according to powers vested in him through the Constitution. MP Gammanpila held the post of Minister of Energy while MP Wimal Weerawansa held the post of Minister of Industries previously. more..

Mar 4 (DM) Ukraine is in shambles and it reminds us of the last stages of the civil war in SL back in 2009. Russia is such a power that it has bulldozed its way into Ukraine claiming that it has to protect the Russian speaking people in that country. At present, despite sanctions being placed on Russia, its president Vladimir Putin seems unstoppable and not inclined to heed the calls for peace and genuine discussion. Little SL is also roped in to this conflict in a roundabout manner from tourism viewpoint. more..