Feb 19 (TM) The start-stop-maybe attitude of the administration with regard to conducting the long-overdue LG Elections is not doing it any favours in either the local or global context, with the not-so-subtle stalling process likely to backfire sooner than later. It will be recalled that following the People’s Struggle last year that paved the way for the current Prez to take office, the underlying appeal of the administration to discontinue the struggle was for people to shun the streets more..

Feb 19 (SO) State Minister of Finance Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the issue faced today is how to prioritise the expenses of the upcoming LG election. The State Minister in an interview said, “If we wish to, that can be taken to the top. Then the other urgent expenses will come down to second and third places. Our argument is entirely based on that. Govt has never said that it will not allocate money to conduct the election.” more..

Feb 19 (ST) Your Lordships, It is rarely that I write to you. I do so only when I feel that I absolutely must. If memory serves me right, the last time I wrote to you was five years ago. That was when Aiyo Sirisena tried to stage a constitutional coup, appointing Mahinda maama as PM until Your Lordships put a stop to it. So, please pardon me for writing to you again but I do feel the circumstances warrant it. That is because Your Lordships are about to decide on the local govt elections more..

Feb 19 (ST) Sri Lanka’s once-lauded health sector is in dire crisis. In addition to losing qualified medical staff in numbers, hospitals have run out of essential medication. Now, using the cover of urgency—one of the oldest tricks in the corruption playbook—the Health Ministry is procuring hundreds of medicines under the Indian credit line (ICL) bypassing regulation. But the depletion of medication developed over at least one year. The authorities know it. more..

Feb 19 (TM) “We have a governance crisis that has led to an economic crisis and in trying to solve the economic crisis without solving the governance crisis, we are creating a crisis for our democracy as well,” asserted Verité Research Executive Director Dr. Nishan de Mel in an interview, pointing out that SL’s economic crisis was very much a symptom of a serious crisis in decision-making and governance due to incompetence/corruption. more..

Feb 19 (Island) Dudley Senanayake, who was prime minister of this country four times (counting the short period he served after his father’s death before winning his own mandate in 1952) in his 62 years, once declared in parliament that Hansard could not be quoted against him. Although Ranil Wickremesinghe who has served as premier six times – though in a longer political career and lifetime – has outdone Dudley, there is no record of Dudley’s claim ever being proved incorrect. more..

Feb 19 (Island) Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros, I would like to beseech you Reverend Sirs, in all humility and with the deepest respect, to please write to Mahinda Rajapaksa MP or summon him before you, to demand that he explain to the nation why he now supports a measure that is likely to prolong the suffering and insecurity of the people and to endanger the survival of the Buddha Sasana, and, if it is something unavoidable at this stage, how he is going to make the proposed more..

Feb 19 (GV) Veteran human rights campaigner Reverend Marimuthu Shakthivel’s voice is tinged with frustration when he says, “There will come a day where we will see the end of our struggle for the rights of the forcibly disappeared.” As the coordinator of National Movement for Release of Political Prisoners, Reverend Shakthivel has been at the forefront of the campaign for the families of the disappeared. He is seen as a figure of hope but his words reveal a sense of impending doom. more..

Feb 19 (ST) Women’s skipper Chamari Athapaththu believes SL has a chance to create history in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup when they meet New Zealand tonight. Lankan ladies have never reached the semi-final stage of the global tournament and if they beat NZ today they are in with a chance to create history. “I do know a chance awaits to script a new piece of history. But we’re not placing us under undue pressure. If we play well and the way we do, we will reap the results,” more..

Feb 19 (ST) Whether or not SL will be able to receive the much-awaited bailout package from the IMF by March as Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed hopes this week, securing further financing from other global lending organisations such as the World Bank and the ADB is going to be more challenging in the future. These donor agencies have already indicated they will consider fresh financing facilities for Sri Lanka once more..

Feb 19 (Island) This week we celebrated 41 years of Test cricket having played our inaugural Test match in 1982 on the 17th of Feb. Over the years we have gone onto earn the admiration and respect of rest of the cricketing world for the sheer brilliance, creativity and innovativeness with which we have played the game. SL brand of cricket has challenged the way the game has been played and has added excitement & entertainment over last 41 yrs. Mind you it took India 20 yrs to win their 1st Test more..

Feb 19 (SO) Leeching, fleecing and scrounging in sports could be brought to an end, or come close to a burial ground, if and when new Legislation is implemented to rid the country of an outdated Sports Law that has bred countless numbers of shady characters who are having a field day behind closed doors. The new Law or Legislations is to be presented to Cabinet next week by a determined Minister Roshan Ranasinghe who will even quit if his move to vanquish career sports officials, more..

Feb 19 (SO) Two uncapped players Nishan Madushka (wicket keeper/top order batsman) and right arm fast bowler Milan Ratnayake were named in SL’s 19-member Test squad picked for the tour of NZ. Madushka 23, is a product of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya while Ratnayake 26, hails from Sri Sumangala College Wariyapola. But questions are likely to be raised before the Test series whether the in-form Madushka will be able to make his debut and prove a point as SL has a track record of more..

Feb 19 (Nikkei) Japanese companies like Mitsubishi Corp and Taisei Corp are closing offices and canceling contracts in SL as its devastating economic crisis makes doing business difficult. Trading house Mitsubishi says it will close its Colombo office at the end of March, citing changes in the economic environment. The office was set up to gather information and to serve as a liaison with the headquarters in Japan. The company handles engineering, procurement & construction for more..

Feb 19 (TM) SriLankan Airlines remains committed to reaching an amicable settlement with all bondholders, despite the recent event of default in respect of its coupon payment for its $ 175 million int'l bond due on 25 Dec 2022. SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage assured that the creditors of the airline had no reason to fear since the bond issued by the airline was a Govt-guaranteed bond. He further stated that airline was fully committed more..

Feb 19 (Island) Ceylinco General Insurance and SLT-MOBITEL recently announced the launch of a unique insurance benefit offered to SLT-MOBITEL customers. Under this new insurance cover, Ceylinco SLT-Mobitel Ananthaya, SLT-MOBITEL customers are entitled to a Serious Illness insurance of up to Rs 500,000 and a Personal Accident insurance of up to Rs 1,000,000 for death and total permanent disability due to an accident. SLT-MOBITEL Fixed and Mobile users are entitled more..

Feb 19 (SO) SL A did well to beat England Lions by 86 runs in the second one dayer played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday as leg spinner Dushan Hemantha grabbed five wickets. Batting first SL A saw their batsmen make useful contributions to total 315 for 7 in 50 overs. In reply England Lions could score only 229 runs all out in 39.1 overs with the spinners doing the damage. SL’s second wicket pair of Lasith Croospulle and Nuwanidu Fernando put on a valuable 108 runs to give the other more..

Feb 19 (AJ) As far as many residents of SL’s capital are concerned, the last thing their island nation needs in the midst of its worst-ever economic crisis is another beach – SL’s 1,340km coastline is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Yet, Port City Colombo (PCC), a vast new Chinese-built reclaimed commercial zone in Colombo, recently unveiled an artificial beach facing the Laccadive Sea. more..

Feb 19 (EN) Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene’s hands may tied under the island’s spending laws and cabinet directions, because tax revenues, though improving, are below target, analysts who have knowledge of the budgeting process said. LG Polls have stalled after the Govt Printer ran out of money print postal votes. Elections Commission has said process is suspended for the moment. Treasury officials who met the election commission on Friday has reportedly said more..

Feb 19 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe today pledged to prioritize the country’s economic recovery while ensuring that law and order is maintained to prevent anarchy. He made a commitment to restore the country’s economy and establish a functioning democratic society before the end of this year. Speaking at the Imagine 32nd Rotary District Conference in Colombo, the President emphasized the importance of economic recovery and improving citizens’ quality of life. more..

Feb 19 (TM) Despite the prevailing Govt revenue crisis, the proposed tax of Rs. 2 per beedi stick in the 2023 Budget is yet to be implemented due to the lobbying efforts of beedi manufacturers. Excise Department Commissioner (Legal and Enforcement)/Spokesperson Kapila Kumarasinghe stated that despite initially planning to commence taxing beedi sticks from 1 Jan onwards, the plans had to be postponed due to representations made by beedi manufacturers to Prez’s Office. more..

Feb 19 (SO) Govt will allocate nearly USD 132 million on massive development projects in all ports in the country, said Minister Ninmal Siripala De Silva. These investments would be made through revenue generated from Port operations. He was speaking at the SL Association of Non-Vessel Operating Container Carriers Licensed Agents (SLANA) AGM in Colombo where Harsha De Silva was re-appointed for another term as Chairman. He said that the Govt has allocated over US$ 100 mil more..

Feb 19 (TM) Election Commission (EC) is to file a motion with the Supreme Court to find judicial recourse to remove obstacles blocking the LG Polls from being held on time. A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the first election to be held after last year’s public protest and civil disobedience campaign – the Aragalaya – succeeded in forcing Prez Rajapaksa to abandon his presidency, with several State institutions more..

Feb 19 (AD) A special traffic arrangement will be in place today in Kandy in view of the Janaraja Perahera organized to mark the 75th independence anniversary of Sri Lanka. As per this traffic plan, implemented from 5.00 p.m. tomorrow until the end of the procession, traffic will be diverted away from Dalada Street, Yatinuwara Street, Raja Street and Kanda Street. Accordingly, motorists are requested to use alternative routes during this period to avoid any inconveniences. more..

Feb 19 (DM) The upcoming Local Govt (LG) is deemed to be one of the most decisive elections in the history of SL, which could result in a massive breakthrough. However, the possibility of holding the election is getting uncertain day by day with the recent statement made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance that it is difficult to release funds for holding the LG polls given the current economic challenges. In addition, Supreme Court has also given green light for Election Commission more..

Feb 19 (DM) The political authority and relevant govt officials would have to face legal actions by the Supreme Court just as in the case of Easter Sunday attacks, if they acted irresponsibly with regard to the Local Govt elections, Lawyers for National People's Power (NPP) said. Attorney-at-law Sunil Watagala told a news conference that the Cabinet of Ministers as the political authority and five govt officials were behind the moves to postpone the LG polls. He said the five govt officials who more..

Feb 19 (DM) Germany has sought Sri Lanka’s support for a resolution at the United Nations against Russia, a visiting German MP said. Speaking to a group of journalists after wrapping up a visit to Sri Lanka, German MP Dr. Peter Ramsauer said that he raised the issue with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. The European Union had this week circulated the resolution to be voted on by the UN General Assembly on the eve of next week’s first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. more..

Feb 19 (ST) The Deep Jungle Music Festival, set for this weekend, was cancelled yesterday morning following widespread outcry from activists and people. The controversial music festival was set to feature more than 57 artistes on four stages over the span of 100 hours in an elephant-inhabited forest reserve and buffer zone in Habarana. While the organisers had obtained approval from Forest Conservation Dept, more..

Feb 19 (AD) Lanka Coal Company (LCC) says payments have been settled for 13 shipments of coal imported to SL. According to the company’s general manager Namal Hewage, 12th shipment is currently being unloaded while the unloading of the 13th shipment is expected to begin tomorrow (18). Meanwhile, plans are afoot to bring down a total of 36 coal shipments to the country this year, Hewage said further. LCC is in possession of adequate stocks to ensure an uninterrupted electricity more..

Feb 19 (DM) While expressing its concern regarding the attempts by state authorities to disrupt the LG Elections, the Bar Association of SL (BASL) reiterated that all those responsible for interfere with the electoral process must be dealt with in accordance with the law. Issuing a statement in this regard, the BASL emphasized that all elections are a vital part of SL's democratic process and must not be hindered. The BASL noted several decisions by the govt in recent weeks, more..

Feb 19 (ST) SL on Wednesday met an IMF deadline that triggered the process of approval of Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of US$ 2.9 billion over 48 months. Now, the Fund’s board of directors will meet formally next month to place the stamp of approval. It came when the govt succeeded in having members of the PUCSL approve the tariff hike of 66 % on electricity. There were dramatic moves on Wednesday before the decision to more..

Feb 20 (DM) Our country is today caught up in a financial meltdown of our own making. We are dependent on the goodwill of all nations to keep our country economically afloat. We are now dependent on an IMF debt restructuring facility to make us creditworthy in the int'l arena. Only after this international credit will be available to us to import essentials, from food to medicines, to fuel and other industrial requirements. IMF and World Bank are creatures of the US, created in July 1944 more..

Feb 20 (CT) Two parties whose electoral prospects (LG or Provincial) regarding which there is much curiosity are Prez Wickremesinghe’s (RW) UNP and NPP/JVP. At this time, it does not seem likely that Sajith Premadasa’s SJB will encounter any spectacular change (maybe in the plus 10% to minus 20% range) and anything smeared with Rajapaksa faeces will be erased. Funnies like the Vasudeva-Gamanpilla and Tissa Vitarana cartoon strips are unlikely to make an impression more..

Feb 20 (SO) On Feb 4 as Independence Day was being celebrated an ATM machine belonging to a State bank in Gattuwana junction in Kurunegala was robbed along with the Rs. 9 million in it. Bank was made aware of the robbery only the next day by the company that provides ATM services to it. A police complaint was duly lodged by the manager of the bank’s Maliyadeva branch. more..

Feb 20 (ST) If it is one of the foremost duties of any govt in a democracy to hold elections on schedule, then this govt has fallen at the first ditch. If it fails or is reluctant to provide the necessary financial wherewithal to the Election Commission to hold local govt elections before the constitutional deadline, it risks being charged with dereliction of duty. Throughout these last two months, govt’s manner and conduct have left much to be desired. It has fallen far short of the high standards more..

Feb 20 (ST) The political shenanigans in Colombo over the last few months which suggested an intent to abandon the local govt elections on excuses so amusing, remind me of the saying of the well-known politician and minister of yesteryear, I.M.R.A. Iriyagolla. Mr Iriyagolla was also a writer (translated Victor Hugo’s French novel Les Miserables into Sinhala) and a songwriter who composed two popular songs one of which was Loken uthum rata Lankawai (World’s most honoured country more..