Feb 2 (ST) For the first time in its long history, Sri Lanka football was suspended by FIFA last week. So, the Red Card finally came out and the FIFA letter of Jan 22, 2023 addressed to the FFSL General Secretary, Upali Hewage (discarded by recent actions orchestrated by the Ministry of Sports (MoS), tells its side of the story. In summary, this is that story: In June 2019, a joint FIFA-AFC mission arrived in SL to review FFSL statutes. During that visit, the mission met the then MoS of Sports more..

Feb 2 (Island) Inclusion of the 3,000 metres to the U-18 age category is among a series of changes the Ministry of Education is about to introduce to its athletics programme after the proposals made by respected long-distance coach Susantha Fernando received the backing of leading sports officials of the Ministry at a forum to introduce long overdue reforms on Tuesday. 3,000 metres is the longest track event available for the U-18 age category at events sanctioned by World Athletics, more..

Feb 2 (ST) Amendments to the National Transport Act to regulate three-wheelers, school vans, and office transport services as public transport will be moved by March, the director general of the National Transport Commission (NTC) Dr. Nilan Miranda said. A decision to create a three-wheel regulatory authority from funds allocated in the previous budget, had been delayed by more than a year. more..

Feb 2 (FT) Hope was decidedly the overarching sentiment conveyed by Hatch at its Troubled Nation to Start-up Nation kick-off event hosted on Wednesday in collaboration with Draper Start-up House. Hutch the award-winning start up ecosystem builder entered a strategic partnership with the Singapore based Draper Start-up House, a global network of spaces connected to resources for entrepreneurs. Launch marked the start of a multi-pronged collaboration between the two more..

Feb 2 (Island) A young SL professional has brought honour and recognition to Sri Lanka by achieving world class results in a highly standardized examination held globally for the increasingly popular specialty of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Rasarie Wimalana showcased Sri Lanka internationally by obtaining Global Best results at the acclaimed International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) Exam held in Dec 2022. The exams drew applications from over 1400 licensed more..

Feb 2 (BBC) The Indian Ocean nation defaulted on its sovereign debt in May 2022, plunging the country into economic and political chaos. The Colombo govt secured a $2.9bn (Ł2.4bn) IMF bailout in principle the following September. But the cash will not be released to Sri Lanka until its sovereign creditors in China and India first agree to a restructuring of the billions of dollars of bilateral debt they are owed. more..

Feb 2 (CT) The Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture called for an explanation from the Chairman of Milco (Pvt) Ltd in connection with the alleged sale of over 638 MT of milk powder, that was unsuitable for human consumption, for animal feed without calling for tenders. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, upon having been informed of the intention of Milco (Pvt) Ltd to sell the said milk powder, the Minister of Agriculture previously appointed a committee to look into the matter. more..

Feb 2 (Island) Small and medium exporters want Central Bank (CBSL) to give them greater leeway on converting advance payments, they receive from their foreign clients, for confirmed export orders, into rupees. “Under the existing export repatriation guidelines, we are required to convert such advance payments, into SL rupees, within a time frame that does not take into consideration the processing time of export orders. When we receive USD advance payments for export orders, banks, more..

Feb 2 (TM) Chairman of National Sports Council Arjuna Ranatunga said yesterday that there is no need for this country to play as required by the international sporting Federations and all sports should adhere to the country's sports law. The press conference was called in order to clarify on the state of the administration of sports associations, at a time when officials of several national sports associations had expressed their displeasure over the changes in sports regulations. more..

Feb 2 (TM) A series of walks were held on 29 January with the view to raise awareness of leprosy and to reduce the stigma associated with the disease. These were organised and conducted in Moratuwa to commemorate the World Leprosy Day. The programme was conducted by the Offices of the Regional Director of Health Services in Colombo and Moratuwa in collaboration with other entities including non-profit organisations and charities. The programme saw the participation of over more..

Feb 2 (FT) SJB, yesterday clarified comments made by its leader, Sajith Premadasa, with respect to the IMF program, and said the party is committed to its implementation, but will negotiate some changes to the framework. Premadasa’s comments on Monday caused a stir within political and professional circles, when just last week his party’s Economic Council had challenged left wing parties to showcase any workable solution more..

Feb 2 (Island) JVP-led NPP says that the 13th Amendment should be implemented fully as it has already been presented as a solution to the national question. NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, said that however, there was a debate within her party whether the full implementation of the 13th Amendment would help solve the national problem. She said that her party had no faith in the promises, and initiatives by Prez Wickremesinghe as regards the implementation of 13th Amendment. more..

Feb 2 (FT) The careless disposal of waste by commuters, vendors and certain business premises of the area are threatening the waterways and the ecosystem of Thalawathugoda which is home to several protected wetlands. A much-sought-after area for bird watching, walking paths, jogging tracks and plant nurseries, Thalawathugoda’s scenic beauty is seriously threatened by mountains of garbage collected on roadways and non-degradable plastic bottles, beer cans, polythene and more..

Feb 2 (CT) Leader of Tamil Progressive Party (TPA), MP Mano Ganesan and many other Tamil speaking political party leaders such as Rauff Hakeem, M.A. Sumanthiran, D. Sithadthan, Gajan Ponnambalam and Rishad Bathiudeen, who held talks with visiting US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said they had a unanimous stand that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe should demonstrate his credibility by matching his words with deeds and urged the US to assist Sri Lanka to secure the IMF bailout. more..

Feb 2 (CT) The Court of Appeal extended the Interim Order staying the inclusion of medical specialists and medical doctors in the Cabinet decision, to reduce the compulsory retirement age from 63 to 60 years. This was when the Writ Application filed by 176 consultant specialist doctors, challenging the decision to reduce the compulsory retirement age of doctors to 60 years, was taken up before Court of Appeal Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola. more..

Feb 2 (TM) The IUSF Convenor Wasantha Mudalige, who was released from a 167-day long detention yesterday, pledged to expose today a plan allegedly hatched by the Govt to assassinate him while he was being detained by the Police. Commenting to the media while leaving the prison premises, Mudalige said that the information about how the Govt planned to assassinate him while he was in detention, more..

Feb 2 (FT) US Political Affairs Under-Secretary Victoria Nuland, who is currently on an official visit to SL, expressed her Govt’s support for the on-going recovery efforts in the country. This was revealed during a meeting with Prez Wickremesinghe yesterday. During the discussions Prez extended his appreciation for the support provided by the US Govt during these difficult times. The discussion also focussed on the on-going discussions with the IMF, while the US pledged to continue to support more..

Feb 2 (EN) SL raised the price of Octane 92 by 8.1% or 30 rupees to 400 rupees per litre with effect from Feb 1 midnight, state-run fuel retailer said, as Prez Wickremesinghe administration is struggling to manage the govt spending. The state-run fuel retailer CPC left the prices of all other fuels steady. Data revealed by Minister Kanchana Wijesekera on Jan 25 showed petrol Octane 92 was making a profit of 6.29 rupees per litre even after a tax of 80.46 rupees when it was sold at 370 rupees. more..

Feb 2 (TM) Mahaweli Authority of SL has decided against dispatching adequate water from reservoirs to the CEB for the uninterrupted supply of electricity for the duration of the A/L exam, citing insufficient water in reservoirs and low rainfall. Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has described the decision as perhaps being made under a cloud of political interference, while the Commission and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) filed more..

Feb 2 (FT) The guns may boom in salute… The flag may be hoisted with full honours … We may stand in full attention singing the national anthem with gusto … words may flow extolling the heroes and the leaders that led the state and also led us to this state in the last 75 years. Pearl of the Indian Ocean is celebrating its 75th year of independence and perhaps an allocation to carry out that task is not an issue even though one may have had to dig quite deep into a pocket – you only get such more..

Feb 2 (FT) On our 75th Independence Day we should salute Wasantha Mudalige, student leader, political prisoner and freedom-fighter; a people’s champion and true patriot who fought fiercely and non-violently at the frontline of an Aragalaya which was armed only with the SL national flag, to liberate us from the rule of an arrogant, agriculture-destroying Prez and the family-based oligarchy he fronted—and in the most basic sense, won (though that victory is unfinished and must be more..

Feb 2 (EN) SL’s food and agriculture exporters are targeting exports showcasing their products at the largest trade fair for such products in the world, AHK, t German Chamber of Commerce said. A SL pavilion was organized by AKH Sri Lanka at Int'l Green Week (IGW) 2023, said to be largest food, agriculture and gardening fair in the world. “AHK SL chose IGW as the perfect platform for Made in Sri Lanka products, to grant them exposure and create more business opportunities for exporters,” more..

Feb 2 (DM) A 49-year-old businessman from Wellampitiya who had been missing since the past few days was found dead in a swimming pool of a building being constructed in Thalangama. The sister of the businessman had complained with the Wellampitiya Police on Jan 30 that his brother, Roshan Wanninayaka had not returned home. Police found the body of the businessman in a 3-story luxury building of his which is being constructed at Thalangama today. more..

Feb 2 (TM) Necessary legal action will be taken to prevent illegal phone imports and the organised smuggling of unregistered phones to the country, which affects the security and health of the country while also impacting tax revenue, asserted State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. “We had a discussion regarding this on Tuesday with the legal importers of mobile phones in the country. The reduction in Govt revenue due to this issue more..

Feb 2 (DM) Former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe has been given the task of heading the SJB campaign for the local govt election. Senasinghe said that he will head the campaign of the party after being appointed as the Election Propaganda and Promotions Secretary of the party. "I got the appointment as the Secretary Election Propaganda and Promotions of the party from party leader Sajith Premadasa on Wednesday. I was also appointed as a Senior Vice President of the party," he said. more..

Feb 2 (EN) SL has issued a 1,000 rupee coin and a 50 rupee stamp to mark 75 years of self-determination from British rule which ended in 1948. The first coin was officially presented to Prez Wickremesingheby Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of CB at the President’s House at Kandy. The 50 rupee commemorative stamp was presented by Minister Bandula Gunawardena. The copper nickel coin will be available for sale from March 2023 at the CB Economic History Museum. more..

Feb 2 (AD) The Chief Prelates of the Three Chapters have accused Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe of confusing the country following his statement on the implementation of the 13th Amendment. In a letter addressed to the Head of State today (2), the religious leaders deemed the 13th Amendment as a piece of legislation that gives rise to serious concerns pertaining to country’s national security, territorial integrity & its independence. more..

Feb 2 (AD) Sumeda Aruna Shantha of SJB has been elected as the new mayor of the Kurunegala Municipal Council. He has reportedly been elected for the position after obtaining 10 votes in the poll held for the election of the mayor. Vijayananda Wedisinghe, who represents UNP, has also vied for the same position but managed to secure only 6 votes with the support of SLPP representatives. Aruna Shantha was elected after former Mayor Thushara Vitharana was removed from more..

Feb 2 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe called on the Chief Prelates of the Malwatu and Asgiri Chapters today and received their blessings. The President visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya and called on the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera. Prez inquired about his well-being and offered Atapirikara to the Maha Sangha. The Maha Sangha led by Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera invoked blessings more..

Feb 2 (DM) Mrs. Patricia Scotland, sixth Commonwealth Secretary-General, arrived at BIA yesterday for a visit. She was received at the airport's special guest room with a delegation of three. She is to participate in SL's 75th Independence Day. Secretary General and her delegation arrived in the country at 06.30 p.m. last evening. Foreign Affairs State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and a group of officials from SL's Foreign Affairs Ministry welcomed them more..

Feb 2 (PMD) Eleven newly appointed Ambassadors and six High Commissioners to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe this afternoon at the Presidential Palace in Kandy. Ambassadors have been appointed to Cote d’Ivoire, Uruguay, Mongolia, Serbia, Sudan, Armenia, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Sweden & Ecuador, while High Commissioners have been appointed to Jamaica, Tanzania, Malawi, Canada, Malaysia, & Maldives. more..

Feb 2 (DM) The Paris Club of creditor nations is ready to provide financing assurances to Sri Lanka, a key step needed to unlock a $2.9 billion bailout by the IMF, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The informal group of bilateral lenders is set to soon announce its support to the crisis-hit nation on a debt overhaul, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because talks are private. more..

Feb 2 (CI) Chandika Hathurusingha's appointment as Bangladesh coach has drawn diverse reactions from the country's cricket fraternity. The new two-year deal will be Hathurusingha's second stint in this position after he spent three years, from 2014 to 2017, before leaving abruptly for the SL role. According to the BCB president Nazmul Hassan, he has now returned as the all-format coach, which all but rules out S Sriram as the T20I coach of the team. BCB announced Hathurusingha as more..

Feb 2 (DM) Dept of Immigration & Emigration requested the public's help in locating British national Kayleigh Fraser, who posted about the protests at Galle Face. According to them, British national was questioned by Immigration & Emigration officers on Aug 3, and officials reportedly visited the home of British national Kayleigh Fraser and seized her passport for violating visa conditions. Kayleigh Fraser had posted a video on social media showing immigration officers inspecting more..

Feb 2 (DM) Sri Lanka’s protest movement, also known as the aragalaya (struggle) born in response to the govt’s protracted economic mismanagement and growing public discontent on corruption and nepotism has become a case study, locally and globally. But even though Sri Lankans are constitutionally entitled to the Right to peaceful assembly, state and law enforcement authorities proved otherwise. more..