Jan 14 (CT) Former UN Resident Coordinator in SL Hanaa Singer-Hamdy reflected on her time in SL. She arrived in SL in 2018. Shortly thereafter, in 2019, the country was shaken by the Easter Sunday terror attacks and then the Covid-19 pandemic. She also frequently conversed with the Govt about human rights issues, Covid-19 related complications, the financial and political crisis and had been promoting UN more..

Jan 14 (CT) By now we know the govt’s prescription for the economic crisis is greater austerity. The regime has rejected welfare measures or state intervention, and is heavily promoting the neoliberal agenda of privatisation, deregulation, and tax hikes. While economic think-tanks in Colombo have effectively welcomed these proposals, trade unions and Left activists bitterly oppose them. Yet the situation is not comparable to what it was a year ago: middle-classes that cheered Left outfits more..

Jan 14 (GV) January is usually a grim indication of the perilous state of human rights in SL. It is reminder of the many cases that have gone unpunished with perpetrators still at large. On Jan 8, the Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was killed in Colombo in 2009. Former Rivira editor Upali Tennakoon was assaulted by motorcyclists in Jan 2009 while during the same week five young men were killed in Trincomalee in 2006. Political cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda disappeared more..

Jan 14 (CT) In a momentous decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday, ordered former Prez Maithripala Sirisena to pay a sum of Rs 100 million as compensation for the victims of the Easter Sunday Attacks and families of the deceased, for his failure to prevent the attacks even after having received intelligence information. SC also ordered former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former head of State Intelligence SDIG more..

Jan 14 (CT) The Govt recently announced that plans are afoot to celebrate SL’s 75th Independence Day with pride, with a new reformist programme for the next 25 years, reportedly at a cost of Rs 200 million. A series of multi-religious events, a massive art competition, a relics exposition, a cultural festival, a book containing newspaper reports and other articles about Independence, which will be launched at the Independence Festival and a special stamp with the image of first PM of independent SL more..

Jan 14 (ST) Many years ago when the late Kingsley Wickremaratne, Trade Minister during 1994-2000, sought to import eggs from India during Christmas and the festive season as local eggs had risen to unbelievably high prices, egg and poultry producers raised a big hue and cry. Following the protests, the plan to import eggs which would have been much cheaper than the local product, was abandoned. I was reminded of this when Aldoris came down the lane in his food-filled tuk-tuk on Thursday more..

Jan 14 (DM) Not many years ago -in 2010 to be exact- a particular past president of our country said his aim was to turn Lanka into The Wonder of Asia. Today in many ways, we have become a Wonder of Asia. Unfortunately NOT in the way or manner that president had imagined. Today, nearly 20-years later, our country is bankrupt, we are in a sense dependent on India’s good offices for our daily bread. Two days ago, Canada imposed targetted sanctions on two of our past presidents more..

Jan 14 (Island) An article in the Jan 8 Sunday Island compared Bangladesh with Sri Lanka. We were rather high in international esteem when Bangladesh was born out of a war between the two Pakistans with our Premier Sirmavo B helped by allowing planes on humanitarian business to land here. Then Bangla was considered the second poorest nation in the world. Now where is it and where are we? No need to elucidate. Our leaders gradually and steadily down the years ground us to dust. more..

Jan 14 (ST) With mixed views whether the retirement and migration of medical specialists would impact on the state health sector, the Sunday Times took a deeper look into the issue which would have a serious impact on patient care. For the men, women and children, the most important factor – whatever administrative issues assail the state health sector or differences of opinions that seniors and juniors would have – would be that they get more..

Jan 14 (Island) Thursday’s historic Supreme Court (SC) judgement could not have come at a worse time for the newly-formed Nidahas Janatha Sandanaya or the Freedom People’s Alliance (FPA), consisting of the SLFP, some SLPP splinter groups and others. The apex court has ordered SLFP leader and former Prez Maithripala Sirisena to pay as much as Rs. 100 million as compensation for his failure to prevent the Easter Sunday carnage (2019). The new alliance claims that it is run by a leadership more..

Jan 14 (FT) The much-delayed 66th Annual Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) will be held in April in Colombo, Minister Harin Fernando confirmed. “The TAAI Annual Convention will draw over 500 delegates representing top travel associations covering all states of India in April,” he said. Extending a special appreciation to the Government of India for being a true friend of SL in the most turbulent times, Minister was extremely grateful for patience & commitment of TAAI. more..

Jan 14 (FT) The Founder-Chairman of Selyn, Sandra Wanduragala, has been recognised by Forbes Asia in their 50 over 50 list, where they have recognised 50 women over the age of 50, from the Asia-Pacific region who have reached exceptional heights in their industries and inspiring the region’s next generation. Sandra is the only SL female entrepreneur to be recognised in this way and also one of the few Sri Lankans to be recognised globally for their work in SL handloom & craft industry. more..

Jan 14 (CT) Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam writing to the Chairperson of the Office for Reparation, Dhara Wijethilake instructed the latter to submit the details of compensation payments made by former President Maithripala Sirisena and other respondents six months from the date of the judgement. Attorney General said the office must also submit a report on the scheme of payments it was ordered to formulate by the Supreme Court to disburse the funds to victims & their families. more..

Jan 14 (DM) History was made last week when two former executive presidents of Sri Lanka were sanctioned by the Govt of Canada. One was Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa known as Gota; who was the President of SL from Nov 2019 to July 2022. Gota also served as Secretary of Defence from Nov 2005 to Jan 2015. The other was Gota’s elder brother Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa known as Mahinda who was Prez of SL more..

Jan 14 (DN) We were in the game but didn't have enough runs in the game said Sri Lanka Skipper Dasun Shanaka after the second ODI played at Eden Garden Kolkata on Thursday. India won the second ODI by four wickets to win the series 2-0 with one match to spare and third and final game will be played at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (15) from 1.30pm onwards (SLT). I think at the start we hoped to get about 280 but Kuldeep bowled well. We had a chance as the ball was moving. more..

Jan 14 (ST) Thilina Kandamby, the former SL international cricketer, now turned coach, outlines the importance of upholding discipline at all levels, mainly when cricket teams win major titles. This he said days after Jaffna Kings, where Kandamby heads the coaching staff, retained the Lanka Premier League (LPL) title for the second occasion, their successive third win in the three editions SL’s topmost franchise cricket competition. “It’s important that players maintain their discipline, more..

Jan 14 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) will be forwarding a letter addressed to the Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers today (13), whilst copying the CEB and the other relevant agencies, stating that the interim electricity tariff revision approved by the Cabinet with retrospective effect from 1 January is in violation of the Electricity Act, No. 20 of 2009. Meanwhile, the CEB stated yesterday that more..

Jan 14 (Island) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced a partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to further enhance the Bank’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education projects and the delivery of STEM education to selected underperforming schools in SL. This initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Education comes a year after the Bank supported the establishment of 100 STEM smart classrooms island-wide to deliver digitised edu content. more..

Jan 14 (ST) With the dawn of 2023, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has embarked on a major initiative of SLT-Mobitel unification to steamline operations completely with the establishment of the unified organisation structure, according to a SLT Group CEO’s joint circular. As the group transforms from a Telco to a Techco, an aligned organisation structure is required to achieve operational and business efficiencies, joint circular signed by Group CEO Lalith Seneviratne, CEO SLT Janaka more..

Jan 14 (FT) Despite the adverse impact on business, SL Tourism yesterday supported the decision taken by the Govt to impose new health guidelines for all overseas arrivals considering the current spike in COVID-19 cases globally. According to the new guidelines, all overseas arrivals are advised to possess a vaccination card, and those who are not vaccinated should submit a PCR report obtained 72 hours prior to arrival. “There will be no exception to the rule for any nationality or more..

Jan 14 (Island) The National Physical Planning Department would gazette 26 places of worship, across the country, as Sacred Places in 2023, the govt Information Department announced on Thursday. Quoting the Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, the Information Department said that 16 places of worship were gazetted as sacred places in 2022.These gazettes are announced according to the criteria for declaring Sacred Places, the Minister said. more..

Jan 14 (EN) The IMF is working with China on extending maturities of Chinese loans to defaulted countries like SL, as there is resistance to hair-cuts, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters. IMF had had discussions with China’s Finance Ministry, the People’s Bank of China, China Development Bank and Exim Bank of China. IMF had discussed with China to find “a pathway for debt resolution of Chad, Zambia, SL, Suriname, more..

Jan 14 (PHC) High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (R) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M), alongside Ms. Asmma Kamal, Trade & Investment Attache, held a meeting with the newly elected President of FCCISL, Keerthi Gunawardane and Board of Directors. The HC congratulated Mr. Gunawardane on his new appointment and reaffirmed his commitment to continue working closely with FCCISL and member trade bodies to further strengthen bilateral trade, joint ventures more..

Jan 14 (DM) Premier industrial exhibition INCO 2023 kicked off in Colombo yesterday, showcasing the latest engineering technology and solutions in the country. Organised by the Institution of Incorporated Engineers SL, the annual exhibition offers a platform for small and medium enterprise sector industrialists, manufactures, engineering companies, exporters, importers, and service providers to showcase their products and services and to meet their potential customers under one roof. more..

Jan 14 (CI) The inaugural Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup is set to get underway on January 14 with 16 teams divided into four groups. The top three sides from each group qualify for the Super Six, where the teams will be pooled into two groups of six. Group 1 will have the teams from Groups A and D, while Group 2 will have sides from Groups B and C. The top two sides from each group will then progress to the semi-finals, both of which will be played in Potchefstroom on January 27. more..

Jan 14 (TM) The SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), which is awaiting special approval from the Treasury to provide its employees with their bonuses for last year (2022), expressed that it is highly likely that such approval would be granted, as the bureau has made an approximate income of Rs. 5 billion during the course of last year, SLBFE General Manager D.D.P. Senanayake said. “We are awaiting Treasury approval to provide our employees with their due bonus for last year. more..

Jan 14 (CT) A system should be implemented to collect taxes properly on non- cash benefits, starting from Prez of the country to all Ministers, MPs and officials, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance Dr. Harsha de Silva said. Non-cash benefits include vehicles, houses, employees, etc. owned by a person holding a certain position. Thus, these taxes should be carefully looked into, considering all elements, he added. more..

Jan 14 (Island) High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay undertook his first visit to Sabaragamuwa University of SL (SUSL), Belihuloya, on 11 January 2023. During the visit, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. R.M.U.S.K. Rathnayake, for the establishment of ICCR Chair of Hindi Language at the University. The MoU will pave way for deputation of professors, from India, to teach Hindi language courses at the University. more..

Jan 14 (DN) Former Western Province Chief Minister and Kalutara District SLFP leader Reginald Cooray passed away yesterday morning subsequent to being hospitalized after suffering from a heart attack during a political meeting held on January 12 night. Former Western Province Chief Minister and Governor, and SLFP Kalutara District Leader Reginald Cooray passed away subsequent to being hospitalised after suffering from a heart attack during a political meeting held on Thursday night. more..

Jan 14 (DN) The Attorney General has said that he will not appear on behalf of the respondent Election Commission and Chairman in the petition against holding the Local Govt Election. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris informed the Supreme Court yesterday that the Attorney General will not appear on behalf of the respondent Election Commission and its Chairman in the petition filed requesting to issue a writ restraining more..

Jan 14 (FT) As a developing tropical island nation, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Sea level rise, erosion, and storms affect the coastal zone while agricultural areas are threatened by erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, and soil degradation. Across the country and across key economic sectors, climate change already impacts livelihoods, lives, and human wellbeing, and is projected to become more severe in the coming decades. more..

Jan 14 (FT) Which Gen X veteran or Baby Boomer has not at one time or another uttered the phrase: When we were growing up...? It usually precedes some trite observation about the blessed assuredness of tradition – although on occasion, some sharp insights are not unknown to the ruminative. Now, at the time when yours truly was finding his feet in the arena of civics and governance, which is to say at the School by the Sea during GRC lessons more..

Jan 14 (FT) Hatton National Bank last night won the coveted Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2022 at the 19th Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Sampath Bank and Nestlé Lanka were adjudged the first and second runners up respectively. The annual BCCS Awards is the premier corporate citizenship award, and highlights sustainability champions in the national corporate arena. The awards promote corporate more..

Jan 14 (DN) Minister Bandula Gunawardena instructed the Motor Traffic Commissioner to take the necessary action to use online technology to submit the photos for driving licences and vehicle registration. Presently, online photos for National Identity Cards and passports are successfully submitted by photo studios all over the country using ICAO technology. The officers of the All Lanka Professional Photo Studio Owners’ Association explained that there are about 7,000 member more..

Jan 14 (ST) Govt’s decision to import eggs to bring down the prices was a miscalculated policy and would only break the already volatile local egg production industry, local egg producers and economists warned. They claimed egg imports was not the answer but only the removal of the increased cess on chicken feed and the utility tariffs could bring down the current high prices of eggs. AIPFA said the cost of production of an egg had gone up more..