Jan 4 (FT) Govt has agreed to present a National Report on the steps taken to be submitted under the fourth Universal Periodic Review Cycle of the UNHRC. SL has participated in three review cycles so far and the next review is scheduled to be held on 1 February. Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the measures taken by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to present a self-evaluation regarding the steps taken since the previous review by the National Report of SL to be submitted more..

Jan 4 (FT) Cabinet at its meeting on Monday approved the incorporation of a treasury-owned holding company to keep the State-owned enterprises which are to be restructured. The objective of the establishment of the new 100% treasury-owned holding company is to fast-track the restructuring of SOEs as announced in the interim budget for 2022. “As everyone is aware, performance of State-owned commercial enterprises has not been satisfactory for a long time more..

Jan 4 (ST) The recently concluded Zonal level badminton tournament, to select players for the SL National Badminton Championships, had been a tournament marred by multiple problems. In one such problem, despite a documented directive from the Ministry of Education prohibiting any charge levied from the participating students, SL Schools Badminton Association (SLSBA), the organisers, have breached that rule and regulation by charging Rs.750 for Singles and Rs.1000 from more..

Jan 4 (TM) The foreign exchange earnings per tourist recorded by Sri Lanka last year had reached levels closer to that of 2018, which was the last year in which the country witnessed a significant influx of tourists, calculations by The Morning Business reveal. Accordingly, the tourism earnings per head for 2022 were $ 1,798.35, while 2018 saw a corresponding value of $1,877. The numbers indicate a recovery to the pre-economic crisis, pre-pandemic, and pre-Easter-attacks levels. more..

Jan 4 (ST) With a dengue epidemic raging in the country, many major state hospitals are facing a huge crisis in monitoring patients with a mandatory but basic test. “No Full Blood Counts (FBC) are being performed here and at many state hospitals due to reagents not being available,” confirmed Dr. LakKumar Fernando, who is the Head of Centre for Clinical Management of Dengue & Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever more..

Jan 4 (FT) Prices of alcohol and cigarettes have been increased following upward revision in Excise duties as the Govt scrambles to boost State revenue. Excise duty on all varieties of liquor, wines, beer etc. was increased by 20% and duty on cigarettes increased by 20%, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. Due to the 20% increase of excise duty on liquor, the prices of a bottle of 750ml special arrack will be increased by Rs. 206, locally brewed foreign liquor by Rs. 266, more..

Jan 4 (AD) All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association says that if the govt takes measures to import eggs, they will sell eggs at a lower price than which the imported eggs are sold. Treasurer of the association, Vijaya Alwis stated that they only receive a profit of Rs. 2 when an egg is sold at the rate of Rs. 50. “We receive only Rs.2 profit by selling eggs at Rs. 50, but if the Minister imported eggs, we will sell the eggs at a price lower than the imported eggs. If he gives eggs at Rs. 25, we will sell them at Rs. 20,” more..

Jan 4 (CI) India prevailed in a low-scoring thriller thanks to late runs from Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel, and exceptional seam bowling from an attack missing Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami. Wankhede pitch was anything but the batting paradise it usually is in T20 cricket: there was grip for spinners, which Sri Lanka used well, before the new ball seamed around for India's quicks. more..

Jan 4 (AD) Investigations into the incident where a police constable had allegedly fired at the car of former Director of the CID, retired SSP Shani Abeysekera, have been handed over to the CID. The incident had reportedly taken place on 17 Dec 2022, when the car in question, which was shot at by a police officer assigned to his protection, had been parked at Abeysekera’s residence. However, Abeysekera had not been at home at the time of the incident, and had not been informed of more..

Jan 4 (Island) Nearly 40 Parliament workers retired at the end of last month (December) as Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, backed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, failed to convince State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya to approve their plan to retain those who were past the retirement age. Sources said that of some 800 plus workers, about 36 retired on 31 Dec. 2022. Siyambalapitiya refused to back the decision taken by Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee, more..

Jan 4 (AD) Cabinet Spokesman Bandula addressed concerns raised regarding the abilities of SL’s Intelligence Units, pertaining to the recent escape of underworld kingpin Najim Mohamed Imran, alias Kanjipani Imran. Responding to a question raised by a journalist as to whether Kanjipani Imran’s reported escape to TN was due to the incompetence of the CID, Gunawardena stated that questions pertaining to how the relevant Intelligence Units remained unknown of the underworld figure’s escape more..

Jan 4 (AD) Adarsha Karadana, who was recently in the spotlight after releasing a controversial video of her estranged partner Ashu Marasinghe, has filed a petition with the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. In her petition, filed through her lawyer, Karadana requested the court to release her on anticipatory bail as the CID is preparing to arrest her. Taking the petition into consideration today, Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna de Alwis issued notices to the CID director and more..

Jan 4 (TM) In the wake of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, PCs and LG stating that strict action will be taken against public servants who use mobile phones during office hours, SL Govt Officers’ Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA) stated that while it has no objection to taking measures against public servants who use mobile phones unnecessarily during office hours individually, it will however definitely initiate more..

Jan 4 (FT) The Cabinet at its meeting on Monday approved the incorporation of a treasury-owned holding company to keep the State-owned enterprises which are to be restructured. The objective of the establishment of the new 100% treasury-owned holding company is to fast-track the restructuring of SOEs as announced in the interim budget for 2022. “As everyone is aware, the performance of State-owned commercial enterprises has not been satisfactory for a long time more..

Jan 4 (DM) With the objective of enhancing the passenger experience at the BIA all duty-free electronic shops were relocated at the second floor of the arrival terminal building. The opening ceremony of the relocation of Arrival Duty Free Shops were headed by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva. He said the decision was taken to enhance the passenger experience at the at Airport. Scope of works consisted of construction of new electronic mall at the 2nd floor of new passenger more..

Jan 4 (AD) An Extraordinary Gazette notification was issued today (3), declaring the supply and distribution of electricity and petroleum products, and all services related to the health sector as essential services, once again. The communiqué, issued by Secretary to the Prez Saman Ekanayake on orders of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, was published in accordance with the powers vested in the President in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979. more..

Jan 4 (AD) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has released a detailed account of the new electricity tariff structure proposed by the CEB. Wijesekera released the tariff structure that was effective from 2014 to Aug 2022, the revised tariff structure in Aug 2022 and the proposed hike in electricity tariffs for Jan 2023. Proposed electricity tariffs was tabled and discussed at the Cabinet meeting, after which it was decided that the Cabinet would further analyse the proposals for an extended week. more..

Jan 4 (TM) CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) called for the resignation of Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, claiming he is unwilling to enter into discussions with stakeholders in order to resolve the issues pertaining to the revision of electricity tariffs, that he is acting in violation of Electricity Act & Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) Act, and that he is causing the downfall of independent power producers and non-conventional renewable more..

Jan 4 (EN) Sri Lanka has spent 225 million rupees to move all duty-free electronic shops at the BIA to the second floor to create a better order and ambience in the airport, officials said. AASL has spent 225 million rupees to allocate 1900 square meters on the second floor for 31 electronic related shops. The electronic shops in BIA mainly targets the Sri Lankan migrant workers. AASL said the relocation of the electronic shops was important to uplift the image of the airport. more..

Jan 4 (DM) A writ petition has been filed in Supreme Court seeking an order quashing the decision of the Election Commission to hold the Local Govt elections before March 10 as reported by media. Colonel (Retd.) W.M.R. Wijesundera filed this petition naming the Election Commission Chairman, members of Election Commission, PM Dinesh Gunawardene and several others as respondents. The petitioner states that the decision of the Election Commission to hold LG polls at this present more..

Jan 4 (FT) Minister Bandula Gunawardena acknowledged that two major loss-making State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) have extended bonuses to their employees despite the overburden they have on the taxpayers and ignoring Govt regulations. When asked if the Govt was aware that debt-ridden SOEs namely ─ Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and SriLankan Airlines have extended bonuses to their staff, more..

Jan 5 (DM) Local govt elections are expected to be held in March this year. The governing central govt parties have shown little enthusiasm toward the holding of local hustings. Those in opposition political parties meanwhile speak on the vital importance of holding the election on schedule. Chairman of the EC has announced that he intends holding LG elections in a timely manner, but has added a rider, regarding the availability of cash to organize such a large undertaking. more..

Jan 5 (TM) Ranil Wickremesinghe‘s New Year’s message is a hollow statement. It lacks substance. It lacks any policy pronouncements. Even its content that is presumed to be dealing with the overview of the past mistakes lacks sincere introspection as to Ranil’s own past performance, more than thrice as PM and many years as a powerful minister in the UNP-led govts. Mentioning the concept of a System Change more than once is not sufficient reason why the people should believe in him as a more..

Jan 5 (TM) Although exam-related stress is common among children during exam seasons, it is crucial to closely evaluate whether stress in children before exams is caused solely by exam-related factors or whether it is a sign of more serious, long-term conditions, as it is not uncommon for exam-related stress to share symptoms with other mental health conditions. Either way, there are a number of simple yet effective steps more..

Jan 5 (DM) The voice would boom through the corridors, “Hey bugger, what have you got for me?” Early morning hours during a mid-weekday in a Sunday newspaper and few staffers were just ambling in. I would be among them; most often returning to the office after several days spent on reporting. Lasantha had a habit of never calling you during assignments. As far as I can remember I had received one such call during my decade of service at The Sunday Leader. more..

Jan 5 (GV) A recent World Food Programme (WFP) report underlines the magnitude of the food crisis in SL. The report shows that 36% of the country’s households are effectively food insecure while 76% are engaging in food-coping strategies. 35% of the country’s households are facing insufficient food consumption while female headed households (44%) are faring worse than male headed ones. Worryingly, food insecurity rose by four percentage points from Sept to Oct, more..

Jan 5 (CT) Everyone knows that the postman is delivering important letters or packages when they hear the tinkling of a bicycle bell early in the morning. People wait for days or even months to get these letters or packages. One’s life can be turned upside down if these letters or packages are delivered late or missed. Even though the world has become a global village due to the advances in communication, the postal service more..

Jan 5 (CT) The Govt announced that it is ready to import eggs in a bid to prevent an egg shortage and control rising egg prices in the country. Ceylon Today reported that this decision was taken following a proposal tabled by Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando to import eggs if the need arises. Minister Bandula Gunawardana said the decision was made after the Food Policy Committee briefed Cabinet on the present egg shortage and high prices. However, he said imports are only temporary. more..

Jan 5 (Island) Election Commission (EC) has stopped dilly-dallying and announced that nominations for the much-delayed Local Govt (LG) elections will be accepted from 18 to 21 Jan., 2023. This is certainly good news. Some Opposition politicians are in seventh heaven. They brag that they have been able to put paid to the govt’s efforts to postpone the polls. But it ain’t over until the fat lady sings. There is said to be many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip. more..

Jan 5 (TM) The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Govt has come under criticism over its recent statement that strict action will be taken against public officials who use mobile phones during office hours, especially to access social media platforms. One of the alleged reasons for this statement is the notion that the use of mobile phones by on-duty officials is the main reason for shortcomings in the delivery of public services. more..

Jan 5 (Island) Foreign Ministry announced the appointment of 14 heads of diplomatic missions, and two heads of posts. The new appointees included 13 members of the SL Foreign Service (SLFS). Statement issued by the Public Diplomacy Division appreciated Prez Wickremesinghe for giving the lion’s share of appointments to the SLFS. There hadn’t been a previous instance of the Foreign Ministry issuing such a commendation to any of Wickremesinghe’s predecessors. more..

Jan 5 (FT) The tourism industry yesterday warned that many hotels will close if the debt moratorium is not extended for another year as the anticipated recovery remains elusive amidst rise in costs, especially electricity. Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar said the industry had several rounds of discussions with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, more..

Jan 5 (FT) UN Assistant Secretary General, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Director Kanni Wignaraja expressed appreciation over SL’s plans for socio-political development. “We appreciate SL is heading back in right direction,” she said and assured UNDP’s continuous support. PM Dinesh Gunawardena congratulated her for her recent promotion as Assistant Secretary General when she more..

Jan 5 (FT) Bank of Ceylon (BOC) went into the red in 2022 but is now back playing in the black and Chairman Kanchana Ratwatte this week invited the business community to stay with the bank and take any next steps, as the bank is ready to face the challenges. BOC has cleared its balance sheet, and has just over $ 24 million in payables, which will be cleared next week, Chairman stated. Addressing staff and stakeholders of BOC, Ratwatte described 2022 as the most challenging year faced by more..

Jan 5 (DN) Skipper Dasun Shanaka was striking the ball well and brought Sri Lanka within the distance of the Indian total in the first T20 game but it was in vain as the Indians recorded a thrilling two runs win. The turning point of this match was the 17th over of the innings which was bowled by Umran Malik. The drama of the 17th over was highlighted by international TV coverage. The first ball of the 16th over saw Shanaka smashing a cut but straight towards the backward point and more..