Feb 9 (TM) Although Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had agreed yesterday during a discussion with the SL Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (SLATCA) to arrange a discussion with the Treasury to review their salaries and allowances and to recruit 30 graduates to fill up the shortages of air traffic controllers, the SLATCA expressed dissatisfaction in this regard, claiming that the meeting had only provided part of the solution. more..

Feb 9 (DN) Opener Alex Lees (75) and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (86) shared an unbroken 112-run fourth wicket partnership as England Lions were 234 for 3 wickets in a bold reply to SL A's first innings total of 332 after the second day's play of the second four-day unofficial Test match played at the Galle Int'l Cricket Stadium yesterday. It was nice to see England Lions batsmen made a very positive reply to SL's A team at Galle wicket. The opener Alex Lees the 29-year-old left-hander from more..

Feb 9 (FT) The infrastructure development activities of the Colombo Port City, the largest FDI-driven project in SL, are slated to be completed by the end of this year, said Investment Promotion Ministry Secretary M.M. Nayeemudeen. He stated this during the National Steering Committee meeting held at the Ministry of Investment Promotion on Tuesday. “The project implementation is now in full swing with the land reclamation work already completed in 2019. As such, the infrastructure works and more..

Feb 9 (ST) SL’s latest coal tender has also run into problems, with the Indonesian company it was awarded to requesting a change to a crucial term that Lanka Coal Company (LCC) has deemed unacceptable, authoritative sources said. The hitch is likely to cause delays in procuring crucial coal supplies beyond March, they warned, adding that it was essential to replenish stocks before the monsoons set in to keep the Lakvijaya plant running without interruption, thereby avoiding more..

Feb 9 (FT) Board of Investment approved, Kelun Lifesciences Ltd., one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka has saved over Rs. 1.5 billion by manufacturing saline locally. This was revealed during an official visit to the Kandy Industrial Park by State Minister Dilum Amunugama, BOI Director-General Renuka M. Weerakone and Executive Director (Zones) M.K.D. Lawrance. The company fulfils 40% of the total demand for saline in the country at present. more..

Feb 9 (TM) Emphasising that religious leaders, political parties, trade unions, academics, NGOs and all other parties should unite and commit to implementing one policy with one objective within a certain period of time, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said that a social convention should be established in this regard while a change of the lifestyles should be adopted by everyone for the sake of the nation. more..

Feb 9 (FT) SJB MP S.M Marikkar says, SL immigrants who moved abroad recently due to the economic crisis will be able to return to Sri Lanka under an SJB Govt. He says the party will create a background in which they will be able to return to the country. The MP made these comments at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office yesterday. Slamming Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Statement of Govt Policy, Marikkar said the speech was nothing but empty words. more..

Feb 9 (DN) Suresh Dharmasena came from behind with a tremendous performance to win the Men’s Singles title at the SL Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which continued at the SLTA Courts in Green Path, Colombo yesterday. The Asian Para Games Bronze Medallist and the top seed continued his excellent form in this format and went on to beat his rival Sung Bong Han from South Korea in an exciting final encounter. Dharmasena made a disappointing start to the all-important final as more..

Feb 9 (TM) Despite a Court injunction preventing protests near the entrance to Parliament, a section of the Buddhist clergy marched towards the Parliament entrance yesterday during Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s throne speech and Statement of Govt Policy following the inauguration of the fourth session of the ninth Parliament, protesting against the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. more..

Feb 9 (Island) SL has recently engaged with the American Clean Energy Solutions Inc. of Ontario, Canada to develop a 100 Megawatts solar power project on SLBC land at Nilaweli, Trincomalee. This project is in line with the Govt policy directive and vision of achieving 70% of electricity generation from renewable energy resources by 2030. American Clean Energy Solutions Inc., will invest over USD 150 million to develop the Nilaveli Solar Power Project with the support from SL developer; more..

Feb 9 (FT) Japanese giant Mitsubishi Corporation has decided to wind up operations in Sri Lanka next month after being an integral part of bilateral ties and some of the country’s key infrastructure projects for nearly 60 years. The closure of Colombo Office by Mitsubishi by 31 March has come as a big shock to the private sector, both local and foreign which described the move as a big setback for SL. For Mitsubishi, Sri Lanka was one of its first overseas offices as it contributed immensely towards more..

Feb 9 (FT) The net foreign inflow to the Colombo stock market crossed the Rs. 3 billion mark year-to-date but locals remained wary resulting in mixed closing for indices. Foreigners accounted for net buying of Rs. 291.5 mil boosting the YTD figure to Rs. 3.2 bil and month to date to Rs. 2.8 bil. Net foreign buying topped in JKH at Rs. 180.9 mil followed by Tokyo Cement X (Rs. 85 mil) and Aitken Spence (Rs. 25.7 mil). Whilst bullish foreign outlook remains the sole silver lining, more..

Feb 9 (EN) SL’s politicians, especially from the UNP have taken extremely difficult decisions to fix the country each macro-economists who do not appreciate sound money created monetary instability and economic collapses. Ranil Wickremesinghe is now taking very difficult political decisions. People are also watching with an unusual degree of patience – so far. Brakes have been put by the current CB governor after inflation ran up to 70%, & currency has fallen from 200 to 360 more..

Feb 9 (TM) Claiming that the prorogation of Parliament on two occasions within a short timeframe reflects a serious threat from the Executive Presidency to Parliamentary Legislative democracy and that the Govt led by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed to provide solutions to the people’s issues, over 30 MPs representing the Freedom People’s Alliance chanted Rajaasana (throne) mania and walked out of Parliament more..

Feb 9 (Island) Medical professionals had taken steps to ensure that patients’ lives were not threatened during their 24-hour token strike yesterday, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. Dr. Aluthge said the strike was a success. “While those who are working in emergency services and other specialized sectors were on duty, others had withdrawn from duties in support of the nationwide protests, organized by trade unions. Not only the doctors but all health sector unions more..

Feb 9 (DM) The country has lost an estimated revenue of Rs.1 billion due to several crucial sectors launching a protest today, inconveniencing millions of citizens and leading to roads being blocked in the business hub of Colombo, senior economists said. Colombo Uni Dept of Economics Prof Priyanga Dunusinghe said that more than Rs.1 billion of losses had been faced by the country today due to the massive trade union action staged by doctors and several other professionals over more..

Feb 9 (TM) Against the backdrop of the Election Commission (EC) requesting the Treasury to release Rs. 770 million for LG poll expenditure for the month of February, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policy, has instructed the Treasury and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana to only provide provisions for essential Govt expenses in order to maintain public services until the State revenue situation improves, more..

Feb 9 (Island) Election Commission (EC) has taken up alleged misuse by Local Govt bodies of public funds in the run-up to the LG polls with the Ministry of Public Admin, Home Affairs, PCs and LG. PM Dinesh Gunawardena, who is also the leader of the MEP, serves as Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Govt Minister. Authoritative sources said that the EC had advised Ministry Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinna to take tangible action in this regard. more..

Feb 9 (AD) It has been revealed that the death of prominent businessman Dinesh Schaffter, the director of Jana Shakti, was caused by ingestion of cyanide, when the case was taken up before the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court today (8). Further, the post-mortem examination report has also concluded that the injuries which have been caused by strangulation were not fatal. Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division of more..

Feb 9 (FT) Under mounting pressure, Govt yesterday announced revision to the circular on personal income tax relaxing certain incentives provided for an employee whose monthly income exceeds Rs. 100,000. As per the revised circular issued by Inland Revenue Department to exempt non-cash benefits of employees primarily include; company shares, residence, transport and communication facilities provided to an employee. The calculation of an employee’s gains more..

Feb 9 (EN) Thousands of Sri Lanka’s highly paid state workers protested against tax hikes, citing it as unfair with most of them have been caught into the tax brackets for the first time. The tax hike protest also saw hundreds of private sector workers also gathered in Colombo Fort, demanding a downward revision of the newly implemented taxes. The protesters later went to a central Colombo Hyde Park to continue their agitation after a court order issued them to clear the area. more..

Feb 9 (TM) Warning of a series of actions against the newly introduced tax revisions, thousands of public servants representing several trade unions (TU) of many sectors, including petroleum, ports, water supply, electricity, health and education held a massive demonstration jointly in Colombo yesterday, while separate trade union actions, including strikes, were also launched urging the govt to revoke the tax revisions in question. more..

Feb 9 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Throne Speech rolled-out a bold neoliberal vision for the next 25 years when it’s a safe bet he won’t be in that seat in 25 months and even the next 25 weeks are going to be a choppy ride. But that’s Ranil. Under this unelected President, democracy is up against the wall. Before our 75th Independence Day dawned, and in defiance of a magisterial order permitting a non-violent satyagraha (a sit-down), jets of Police water cannon, black-uniformed more..

Feb 9 (FT) At a gathering of women for a home cooked meal at Thai Pongal, a Hindu harvest festival, in the Eastern Province of SL, a Muslim woman remarked that last year 65 young girls in her community were married-off before their O’ Levels. The women listening knew that the economic crisis was driving families to take desperate measures. They questioned as to why the law was unable to protect these children from early marriages. The conversation quickly turned to the lack of more..

Feb 9 (AD) The bodies of two females were found todayin a house in the Peragahamula area in Ginigathena. Accordingly, the deceased were identified as a 50-year-old mother, Pradeepa Indrani, and her 30-year-old daughter, Lakmini Lakmali, Police reported. The bodies were found after area residents informed the Ginigathena Police that a foul smell was emanating from the residence in question, and that its occupants had not been seen in days. Upon an investigation into the info received, more..

Feb 9 (DM) The circular issued by the Inland Revenue Department exempting employees from paying PAYE tax on non-cash benefits would not benefit the govt sector employees but would only benefit the Ministers and MPs who recieve a wide range of non-cash benefits, MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara told Parliament. MP said that Ministers, MPs and Chairpersons of state institutions were getting a wide range of non-cash benefits such as vehicle, fuel allowances, housing and more..

Feb 9 (AD) The Colombo Chief Magistrate has pointed out to the CID that a warrant will not be required for the arrest of State Minister Diana Gamage, if she has violated the Immigration and Emigration Act. Last month, the CID was ordered to obtain a report from the British High Commission in Colombo on Gamage’s citizenship, and to conduct further investigations in this regard. The relevant report was presented in court today (9). more..

Feb 9 (Island) The Gotabaya Rajapaksa govt had encouraged doctors to take loans at eight percent interest two years back, and after the interest rate doubled, most doctors were unable to make ends meet, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, President of the Govt Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) said yesterday. Increasing interest rates by 200 percent while increasing taxes drastically was not acceptable, Dr. Bellana said. He said that yesterday’s token strike launched by doctors was justifiable. more..

Feb 9 (AD) Court of Appeal (CA) has extended the interim order preventing the imposing of the PAYE tax on the salaries of judges till the relevant petition is supported. The order was issued when the case was taken up earlier today, before a three-judge bench, comprising of Judges Dhammika Ganepola, Neil Iddawela and its Chair Sobhitha Rajakaruna. Meanwhile, a motion filed by the petitioners requesting that the case be heard before the full CA bench is due to be considered before more..

Feb 9 (AD) SJB MP Vadivel Suresh has decided to resign from all posts held by him within the political party. MP revelaed that he has informed the SJB that he will be resigning from all posts and titles he holds within the party, with effect from today. He noted that he made this decision after Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa allegedly bailed out on a party rally scheduled to be held in the Madulsima area today. more..

Feb 9 (Island) Dept of Agrarian Development said Rs. 1,300 million credited to the farmers’ accounts had returned due to errors in account numbers. Agrarian Development Commissioner General H.M.L.A. Abeyratne told Agriculture Minister, and senior officials, at a discussion, that steps would be taken to credit all the money to the farmers’ accounts by the ends of next week. With the help of ADB, Dept of Agrarian Development distributed Rs. 08 billion to 1.2 million farming families more..

Feb 9 (DM) All Island Canteen Owners' Association (AICOA) has placed a demand that the responsible authorities must intervene immediately to stop the flour mafia and lower the wheat flour price to the extent that the people could bear it. AICOA Chief Asela Sampath told the media that the retail price of a kilo of wheat flour has increased in the local market to a maximum of Rs. 240. "The price of a kilogram of wheat flour was Rs. 193." "Wheat flour had become the staple meal among more..

Feb 9 (Island) PM Dinesh Gunawardena has urged Indian companies to invest further in Sri Lanka. Outlining the benefits of Indian investments in Sri Lanka, the PM highlighted that 90% of components, used by Lanka Ashok Leyland, were indigenous. The Premier said so at the Tata Tiscon Dealer Convention 2023 on Tuesday in Colombo, He also referred to India as the biggest friend of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis, in his address. Speaking at the event, Indian HC, Gopal Baglay, more..

Feb 9 (NR) Former Minister AHM Fowzie took oath as a MP before Speaker of House Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena this morning. Fowzie was appointed to Parliament for the seat which fell vacant following the resignation of Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahman. Last month, Mujibur Rahman resigned from Parliament to contest the Local Authorities Election. The gazette declaring AHM Fowzie, a Member of Parliament was issued by the National Election Commission on the 24th of January. more..

Feb 9 (EN) Health Ministry has taken a U-turn on the expiry date of $40 million US dollar worth Pfizer vaccines and now says the shelf life on the vaccine is in the process of being extended up to 18 months with the advice of Pfizer manufacturer. Ministry last month said a Health Ministry-appointed technical committee was evaluating future actions regarding $40 million worth expired Pfizer vaccines which were expected more..