Feb 14 (EN) Prez's proposal to provide immediate relief measures for the public was approved by the country’s Cabinet ahead of March 9 LG polls as his govt’s popularity is on the decline due to some hard decisions he has taken. Prez Wickremesinghe, who was elected through an unprecedented parliament vote in July last year, has raised personal taxes to as much as 36 percent to boost the govt revenue in line with an IMF program to move out of the current unprecedented economic crisis. more..

Feb 14 (Island) World for Lanka (WFL) - a web platform designed to appeal directly to global netizens to support SL people was launched today. It’s a credible, transparent, and verifiable platform which anyone can use worldwide to help SL in this period of economic crisis. Santosh Menon, Director of WFL said “We came up with this idea in March 2022. To appeal directly to fellow humans around the world – to help families and children in need in SL emerge out of the ongoing crisis in SL. more..

Feb 14 (FT) Dialog Axiata has ended FY22 with a health revenue growth of 26% but its bottom line was hit by sharp depreciation of the Rupee and other aberrations. It said 4Q took into account the one off/non-cash provisions amounting to Rs. 12.1 billion. These provisions were compelled by the changing business/macroeconomic landscape and the increase in the company’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) due to elevated market interest rates. more..

Feb 14 (Island) The Parliament is scheduled to convene from 21st to 24th. This has been decided at the first meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently (10) under the chairmanship of the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. Accordingly, Parliament is scheduled to convene on Feb 21st at 9:30 am. From 9.30 am to 5.00 pm Four Regulations under the Sri Lanka Tea Board Law published under the Gazettes 2245/29, 2248/36, 2248/37 and 2258/14 as well as more..

Feb 14 (TM) While the Ministry of Health has instructed hospital authorities to postpone non-essential and non-urgent surgeries that could be delayed based on medical recommendations, GMOA is seeking an explanation from the Secretary to the Ministry regarding the basis upon which surgeries are defined as non-essential. GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said: “Several parties have been pointing out to the authorities more..

Feb 14 (DM) The suspect who stole the luxury car belonging to the Kuliyapitiya Additional District Judge which is valued at Rs.6 million has telephoned the magistrate and demanded a ransom of Rs. 500,000 to hand over the car and documents in the car. The Police launched an investigation after the official car of Kuliyapitiya Additional District Judge Amila Sri Sampath was stolen from Madapatha area after the Magistrate was locked up in a two-storied house. more..

Feb 14 (FT) The Attorney General yesterday filed a revision application before the Colombo High Court seeking the nullification of the order issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate to release the IUSF convenor Wasantha Mudalige from charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The move came following SL Police last week saying that they have decided to file an appeal against the recent release of Wasantha Mudalige from the charges filed against him under the PTA. more..

Feb 14 (AD) Two SL Army personnel have been arrested by Borella Police over the incident of a woman being fatally shot when a weapon misfired during a raid at Dematagoda last night (13). The incident had reportedly occurred at a house in the Halgahakumbura area on Baseline Mawatha in the Borella police area late last night. The victim is identified as a 25-year-old woman who is a resident of the same area. When the two army soldiers were attempting to take a suspect into custody, more..

Feb 14 (DM) While refuting the claim by Tamil nationalist leader Pazha Nedumaran who said that LTTE Leader V Prabhakaran was alive, SL Army said that there is no need to have any doubt regarding Prabhakaran's death. Nedumaran, who was speaking to reporters, said that the outlawed leader will appear in public at the right time. He also claimed that Prabhakaran is doing well, his family is in touch with him and he is revealing it with Prabhakaran's family's permission. more..

Feb 14 (TM) While stating that the main Opposition in Parliament, SJB, would nominate the same two SJB MPs as Chairmen of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and Committee on Public Finance (COPF), Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella raised concerns that the Govt may suspend the Standing Orders and appoint its own nominees as the chairpersons of the two important watchdog committees. more..

Feb 14 (PMD) Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by Prez aimed at reducing the difficulties faced by the people and providing immediate relief in the face of the current economic situation. Accordingly, Cabinet has also approved a measure to provide 10 kg of rice to 2 million low-income families each in March and April. This will provide immediate relief to families in need and help improve their overall well-being. It has also been decided that the gratuity arrears owed to 18,000 retired more..

Feb 14 (AD) Issuing a statement, Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) stated that the primary concern of the Human Rights Commission, given the impugned directive to the CEB by the HRCSL was to protect the fundamental human rights of the A/L exam candidates. Justifying the initiation of the application to the Supreme Court, the Commission stated that its first priority was to move for a direction by the SC on CEB to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the period of the exam. more..

Feb 14 (Reuters) Officials from China, India, Saudi Arabia and Group of Seven nations will participate in a first virtual meeting of a new sovereign debt roundtable on Friday, IMF said on Monday. The roundtable will also include officials from countries that have requested debt treatments under the Group of 20 common framework - Ethiopia, Zambia and Ghana - as well as middle-income countries such as SL, more..

Feb 14 (FT) I could have got some satisfaction about my forecasting abilities about the beneficiaries of the patronage-centric economy. Instead, what I feel is sadness. Sad for them and sad for the country. Like the country, these people have been living beyond their means, driving leased vehicles fuelled by subsidised diesel on expressways built with inflated Chinese loans. Unknowingly, they have been part of SL’s descent to bankruptcy. Perhaps not so unknowingly, they may be part of more..

Feb 14 (FT) Sri Lanka is a strange country. Although its official name is Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the people living in this country are having an intense debate whether to hold an election or not. A sane person would think that a democratic country cannot exist without exercising universal franchise periodically. It is something we exercise no matter how difficult our life is due to economic conditions. The need of holding an election is a no brainer to a democratic mind. more..

Feb 14 (EN) Japan has agreed to grant five billion Japanese yen in aid to Sri Lanka for the purchase of fuel, primarily diesel, to continue the cash-strapped South Asian nation’s crisis-hit public health service uninterrupted. Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the weekly cabinet press briefing that US$ 35 million worth grant is to be made under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme so that Sri Lanka may continue essential and urgent health services uninterrupted. more..

Feb 14 (DM) Cabinet has decided to ban the importing, selling, using and distribution of 7 single-use plastic products effective from June 1st, 2023, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. They are straws, mixers, yogurt cups and spoons, plates, cups, knives, forks, garlands and string hopper mats made of plastic. “This is another step taken in the process to protect the environment. The production and use of plastic pose a huge threat to the environment. more..

Feb 14 (AD) Election Commission says the ballot papers for the postal voting of 2023 LG Election will not be distributed tomorrow as scheduled. Commissioner General of Elections said the decision was taken due to unavoidable reasons. Accordingly, the election body says it will schedule another date for distributing LG election postal voting ballot papers. Meanwhile, the Govt Printer has informed the election body in writing more..

Feb 14 (Island) A special team of CID sleuths is scheduled to leave for Indonesia to investigate the mysterious death of billionaire businessman Onesh Subasinghe in an apartment complex in Jakarta. Police said that 45-year-old Onesh Subasinghe, Managing Director at OPEX Holdings, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in an apartment in the Indonesian capital on 03 Feb. He was on vacationing there with his Brazilian wife, Rosa Silva, his daughter, his wife’s assistant. more..

Feb 14 (DM) The discussion on the electricity bill between Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) and CEB ended without agreement, the National Council said today. Speaker of the Council said a decision is expected tomorrow, as mentioned in the previous agreement. Officials representing PUCSL and CEB informed that they had met and taken the matter into discussion last afternoon. The officers informed the National Council that they could not reach a final decision regarding the matter. more..

Feb 14 (TM) Following the Colombo Magistrate's Court's direction that an arrest warrant is not required for the CID to take action against State Minister Diana Gamage for her alleged violation of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, CID has sought Attorney General's (AG) instructions prior to taking any action regarding the matter. When contacted SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the CID has sought instructions from AG, President's Counsel more..

Feb 14 (AD) Burial of the SL woman who died in the massive earthquake that rocked Turkey has been held in line with regulations imposed by the health authorities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The ministry stated that the identity of the deceased Sri Lankan is withheld at the request of the family. A massive earthquake of a magnitude of 7.8 struck southern Turkey and northwest of Syria in the early hours of Monday (6) while freezing cold weather added to the plights of the victims. more..

Feb 14 (FT) International Finance Corporation (IFC) has reaffirmed Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s status as the South Asian financial institution to record the highest number of climate finance transactions in fiscal year 2022, awarding SL’s benchmark private sector bank the prestigious Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) award in respect of the year. CAFI Award for climate reporting was conferred on Commercial Bank for successfully completing 314 climate finance transactions more..

Feb 14 (ICC) SL wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani has been fined 15% of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during SL’s Group 1 match against Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 on Sunday. Sanjeewani was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to using any language, action or gesture towards a batter upon their dismissal which has the potential to more..

Feb 14 (CI) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has tripled the match fee it pays to women's international cricketers, and has also introduced a winning bonus. Where players had been paid $250 per white-ball game, they will now receive $750. If they win, they will also get a further $250. Squad members who did not play the match, meanwhile, will get 25% of the match fee. "The move is part of SLC's efforts towards further enhancing women's cricket in the country and empowering female cricketers," more..

Feb 14 (TM) MP Patali Champika Ranawaka called on Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury Mahinda Siriwardana to release the necessary funds for LG election as SC judgement on the Easter Attack compensation case held that the ministry secretaries can be held personally liable for failure to fulfil the duties constitutionally assigned to them. Ranawaka stated that rumours are afloat about funds more..

Feb 14 (EN) Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to introduce a new excise act to replace a 111-year old excise ordinance that dates back to the colonial days. Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that the cabinet of ministers had approved a proposal by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Finance Minister to advise the legal draftsman to formulate a draft excise bill. The proposal was first made in the 2023 Budget when it was presented to parliament by the president. more..

Feb 14 (AD) National Council was informed by the respective officials today that the discussion held yesterday between the Public Utilities Commission and CEB regarding the electricity tariff had ended without agreement. National Council informed the aforesaid parties to arrive at a decision on the matter yesterday when the National Council met in the morning. Accordingly, officials representing PUCSL and CEB informed that they had met and had taken the matter into discussion yesterday. more..

Feb 14 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to ensure no one in need is overlooked in providing rice to low-income families. In addition, Prez directed the officers to purchase adequate rice to feed 2.85 million families subject to a maximum of Rs. 20 billion. Prez Wickremesinghe made these remarks today while attending a discussion related to the purchase of paddy at Ministry of Defence. more..

Feb 14 (AD) Sepal Amarasinghe, the YouTuber who was recently in hot water over his controversial statements about the Sacred Tooth Relic, has been further remanded until Feb 21. Amarasinghe was produced before the Colobmo Magistrate’s Court this morning. The YouTuber was arrested by the CID on Jan 5, after making several controversial statements about the much-venerated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Amarasinghe’s claims led to a chaotic uproar amongst more..

Feb 14 (TM) As per the Colombo Magistrate’s Court orders yesterday (13), the case related to the protest launched by Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya National Organiser and former MP Hirunika Premachandra in the Colombo 7 area on 14 November 2022 was adjourned until 6 May 2023. The case was taken up yesterday before Colombo Magistrate Prasanna Alwis, who also ordered the relevant media institution to submit the unedited footage of the incident to the investigating officers. more..

Feb 14 (DM) The florists in the Ven Baddegama Wimalawansa Mawatha in Town Hall, Colombo, claimed today that they had received plenty of customers to buy roses for Valentine's Day. "A single fresh red rose cost Rs.600 yesterday. A single red rose wrapped costs Rs. 650, while a bouquet of red roses costs Rs. 12,000. Certain bouquets with several roses cost more than Rs. 2,500," the sellers said. Certain flower sellers claimed that it was hard to sell a single rose due to its high cost. more..

Feb 14 (CT) All Ceylon Traditional Coconut Oil Manufacturers Association (ACTCOMA) has urged the Govt to enact a national policy for the importation of coconut oil. Minister Nalin Fernando met representatives of the ACTCOMA, to discuss the quality of coconut oil supplied to the local market. During the meeting, Fernando inquired about the market issues that local coconut oil producers are currently facing. “It is difficult for the traditional small and medium scale local more..

Feb 14 (DM) If the Deep Jungle festival is held as planned, the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said that legal action will be taken against the organizers of the music festival, the police, the Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Department, and the District Secretariat. CEJ Executive Director Hemantha Withanage said that currently there is no permission granted to hold the music festival. more..

Feb 14 (FT) German MP Dr. Peter Ramsauer is scheduled to pay an official visit to Sri Lanka from 14 to 18 Feb. The visit is of particular importance to the German-Sri Lankan bilateral relations since Dr. Ramsauer is Rapporteur for Sri Lanka and the Maldives in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag (Parliament). Furthermore, this special visit falls in line with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Germany established in 1953. more..