Mar 4 (DM) Members of a dozen SL Tamil families gathered in the evening at the residence of a fellow Tamil in Switzerland in early Nov 2022. They had all been ardent sympathisers of the LTTE when the tigers were militarily active in SL. They had been invited by the host to listen to a Mukkiya Arivippu (An Important Announcement) concerning the Tamil people that evening. The people were told by their host that someone more..

Mar 4 (CT) While Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW), his cabinet of ministers and the Governor of CBSL are awaiting anxiously to the early release of IMF’s $2.9 billion Extended Funding Facility (EFF), in spite of China’s reluctance to offer financing assurance on SL’s debt, the question remains whether that facility and in consequence of it an expected inflow of another $5 billion or so from the World Bank, ADB and other sources would be sufficient to cure the country’s systemic malaise. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Oh my goodness, the situation in the country which is already on fire and waiting for an explosion need not be in this position if only Ranil Wickremesinghe just puts aside his and his new found friends’ power hunger and diverts his attention to consider the 20 million Sri Lankans who are being suppressed and subject to so much difficulty in merely existing. Resentment against him and his SLPP bosses and followers is ballooning. Everyone warns of a shattering explosion and more..

Mar 4 (CT) Started with one or two vendors who sold pol roti and pork curry kept in the back of their cars, a trending phenomenon that started in mid-2019 especially in suburban areas in Colombo, Kimbulawala street food joint soon became popular amongst those representing different walks of life. Night street food joint, which attracted many street food lovers, suffered due to Covid restrictions in early 2020. more..

Mar 4 (TM) The right to the franchise is recognised as a core element of the sovereignty of the people embodied in Article 3 of the Constitution. As an integral part of the notion of sovereignty, the right to the franchise ensures that people have the power to elect representatives who are to govern them, albeit at different levels. It is to be remembered that Article 3 is entrenched in the Constitution, meaning that any change to Article 3 would require the approval of the people at a referendum. more..

Mar 4 (PW) Massive demonstrations that swept Sri Lanka last year exposed the serious challenges at the heart of the global economy. In July 2022, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee the country, only a few months after announcing a hasty default of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt obligations. He faced a wall of opposition as the nation suffered infamous kilometers-long fuel queues, power outages, and food and medicinal shortages, crippling everyday life. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order preventing the Secretary to the Finance Ministry and others from withholding funds allocated by Budget 2023 for elections. The order is in respect of a petition filed by SJB MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, requesting the court to rule that the Secretary to the Finance Ministry and other state officials had violated the fundamental rights of the people by refusing to release budgetary allocations for elections. more..

Mar 4 (GV) Twelve women artists are celebrating International Women’s Day this year with a group exhibition entitled With My Back to the World at the Saskia Fernando Gallery curated by Mariyam Begum and Ashini Nanayakkara featuring the work of Fabienne Francotte, Hansika Herath, Chathurika Jayani, Shaanea Mendis, Ashini Nanayakkara, Sabeen Omar, Anoli Perera, Sumi Perera, Saskia Pintelon, Anomaa Rajakaruna, Hema Shironi and Anoma Wijewardene. more..

Mar 4 (ST) Sadness and joy. Tears and smiles. Death and life. This embodied the poignant scene on the morning of February 18 at the bustling Sri J'pura General Hospital when a small knot of people gathered in the lobby before a large plaque with stars, to lay lamps with flickering flames and white roses. The stars commemorated each and every deceased donor whose families in their moments of grief had taken the decision to more..

Mar 4 (DN) Singapore-based investment firm Kreate Pte Ltd will open SL’s first foreign funded Casino and entertainment hub at the second floor of the Colombo Lotus Tower. The total investment for the project is USD one billion. The recruiting has already started while the Singapore management which has incorporated a local Company in SL is now in the progress of importing sophisticated equipment needed for the project. The investor was introduced to SL In late Nov by State Tourism Minister more..

Mar 4 (FT) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) together with the Department of Social Services recently held the first awarding ceremony for Social Service Officers (SSOs), Human Resource Development Officers (HRDOs), ESPD partner companies, workers with disabilities and other stakeholders as contributors of the linkage creating program (LCP) under the ESPD project. JICA SL office Chief Representative Tetsuya Yamada and officers from Dept of Social Services more..

Mar 4 (FT) Capital Metals PLC, a UK mineral resources company listed on the London Stock Exchange, is ready to commence development of its high grade mineral sands project in the Eastern Province. The extensive studies completed by the local SL subsidiary, Damsila Exports Ltd., indicated the availability of commercial quantities of high grade mineral sands in this region. Local investment company, Keynes Investments Ltd., was recently brought in to hold 60% of Damsila. more..

Mar 4 (DN) A fighting unbeaten 61 runs partnership between opener Sonal Dinusha and Ashan Priyanjan gave Dambulla a 177 run lead after second days play in their National Super League (NSL) final against Galle played at Galle Int'l cricket Stadium yesterday. It was a fine batting display by former Mahanama stroke player Sonal Dinusha who scored an unbeaten 51 in 114 balls with 8 fours while experienced Ashan Priyanjan made an unbeaten 34 in 75 balls with 5 fours more..

Mar 4 (CT) The new Inland Revenue Act (amended) and the Circular issued by the Health Secretary trimming Extra Duty Payments of all health employees have sparked yet another spate of Trade Union actions in varying degrees in the health service and throughout the country. The dawn of Wednesday slowed down the usual fast pace of routine activity with all professional trade unions who have henceforth been adversely affected by more..

Mar 4 (FT) Transparency International SL (TISL) welcomed the landmark determination of the Court of Appeal this week that affirmed the order of the Right to Information Commission to disclose the requested information on the Declarations of Assets and Liabilities of MPs. As SL celebrates six years since its RTI Act was operationalised, TISL said it welcomes this decision of the Court of Appeal as the first of its kind in SL, which sets a significant precedent in terms of information disclosure more..

Mar 4 (AD) Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe says onward discussions should be conducted to prepare necessary legal provisions and regulations regarding the 2023 budget proposal for registration of vehicles imported to or assembled in SL before Nov 12, 2021. This was mentioned during a meeting held between the Motor Vehicles Registration Depat and the Finance Ministry. The focus of the meeting fell on the reforms expected to be carried out on motor vehicle registration, more..

Mar 4 (CT) Secretary to Ministry of Public Admin. Neel Hapuhinne’s controversial letter, to all District Secretaries/ Govt Agents instructing them not to accept deposits from Political Parties for LG Election 2023, was sent following instructions received from the Cabinet, a RTI request revealed. Hapuhinna’s letter, issued on 10 Jan sparked controversy in the country and many political parties severely criticised the move alleging that, more..

Mar 4 (FT) The iconic British supermodel Naomi Campbell shows made in Sri Lanka ‘Samahan’ as an essential she tucks into her bag for a good immune system. “This is Samahan and it is good for your immune system,” she describes in her latest and exclusive interview for Vogue March India cover titled What does Naomi Campbell carry in her bag?. Considering her regular travel around the globe, it is no surprise that Campbell has on hand a menu of items to keep her going on the move. more..

Mar 4 (PMD) A discussion took place last night (02) over Zoom between the Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. The discussion focused extensively on the IMF financial facility and the expected debt restructuring for SL. Currently, there is a prevailing sense of optimism among all stakeholders involved in SL’s debt restructuring and financial facility. It is noteworthy that the IMF Managing Director is having this discussion more..

Mar 4 (EN) Central Bank of SL’s reluctant decision to hike rates at time when the it is running clearly deflationary policy with an ad hoc peg, has drawn praise from the IMF. CB said a 100 basis point rise in the policy rate was made as the last prior action of an IMF deal amid “some differences between the CBSL and IMF staff on the inflation outlook”. “CBSL’s decision to raise the policy rate is appropriate and in line with its objectives set under the inflation targeting framework,” more..

Mar 4 (FT) Colombo stock market ended the week on a positive note thanks to the strong rally in the past two days in an apparent sign of rebound in investor sentiment. ASPI gained 129.05 points (1.39%) during the week while the S&P SL20 gained 4.73 points (0.17%). Last week the ASPI gained by 5.28% and the S&P SL20 by 4.45% ending two weeks of losses. Daily turnover this week averaged Rs. 1.6 b down from Rs. 2 b in the previous week. Yesterday the market closed on the up more..

Mar 4 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe directed the petroleum minister and officials to swiftly carry out a plan to revive the Trincomalee oil tank farm and incorporate it into the country’s economy. Prez issued these directives during an inspection tour of the LIOC oil tank farm in Trincomalee this afternoon (03). Prez emphasized the urgency of implementing the Trincomalee Development Program by renovating more..

Mar 4 (Island) The off peak electricity tariff has increased by about 400 percent and this is an obstacle to garment factories to operate 24-hours a day, Deputy Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Felix Fernando, says. Fernando said that raw materials are the main expenses of a garment factory, followed by salaries, and electricity. The increase in electricity tariff, since August 2022, have had a significant impact on the bottom-line of garment factories, he added. more..

Mar 4 (DN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to dissolve the National Salaries Commission by the end of this month. The National Salaries Commission which is being run at an office at the BMICH premises comprises of 15 members and 36 staff and it is said that it costs Rs. 5.8 million monthly for its maintenance. The role assigned to the National Salaries Commission had been carried out prior to establishing the Commission by Director General of the Dept of Management Services more..

Mar 4 (CT) Health Secretary, Director General Health Services and Chairman of National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) failed to appear before the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL), on Friday, for an investigation into the complaint lodged by the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) and the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). President MCPA Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa urged the public to take legal action if there were no medicinal drugs more..

Mar 4 (TG) In September 2020, then UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Pablo de Greiff highlighted that the crackdown on memorialisation events including those that memoralised the fallen Tamil Tigers had a damaging psychological impact which was “retraumatizing and alienating”. This is because it denies victims a chance to memorialise their experiences. “Grieving families have expressed the need to bury or more..

Mar 4 (CT) SL is considering selecting one of three locations – Trinco, Hambantota, or Mannar for the proposed Russian mini nuclear power plant and the SL Govt intends to consult India before signing an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia. Regarding the funding of the project, SLAEB is of the view that the govt may go for fully Russian-funded nuclear plants or look for other options like a joint-venture. more..

Mar 4 (DM) Sri Lanka expects more tourists from India and is looking to make it the largest source market for the local tourism sector but some of the key and high-potential segments remain untapped, according to the Indian envoy in SL. While efforts are underway by SL Tourism authorities and the private sector players to lure more Indian tourists, the bulk of the focus thus far has been on the leisure segment. Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay recently pointed out that the island nation more..

Mar 4 (FT) SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara says his party has succeeded in securing LG elections for the people of Sri Lanka despite the Govt’s many attempts to delay it. “The SJB was able to go to courts on several occasions and obtain a court order. The court has now prevented the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance from withholding funds for the polls and instead ordered the release of the necessary funds. It also ordered funds be released to the Govt Printer,” he noted. more..

Mar 4 (DM) Director of US Intelligence Agency CIA William Burns arrived in Sri Lanka on Feb 14, as a part of a top secret visit to the island, MP Udaya Gammanpila charged. “For over three weeks we have been questioning as to who visited the island, but the govt and the US have maintained their silence,” he said. Four proposals compromising the national security of SL during this meeting, Gammanpila said. more..

Mar 5 (CT) February ended as a month of discontent for the public after the government raised power tariffs for a second time on February 15. It was said to be the last of 15 conditions to be met for the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of $2.9 billion. But the uncertainties over the EFF are not over as the IMF is yet to receive assurance from China as India and the Paris Club have done. China has offered only a two-year moratorium on its debts. more..

Mar 5 (CT) Whilst we are still recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic that affected the masses, an additional health risk has emerged with an increase in obesity amongst the Sri Lankan population. As reported in this paper, on Friday, Consultant Community Physician, of the Health Ministry, Dr. Shanthi Gunawardana said there was a marked increase in obesity amongst the Sri Lankan population. This is mostly due to an increased consumption of junk food in the recent past. more..

Mar 5 (SO) Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, said that there has to be a balance between peaceful protests which the Constitution has enshrined and the expression of dissent which is also a part of democracy. Minister said that protests have to stop at a particular point without breaking specific orders of the Courts, going into areas which have been prohibited or walking into sensitive places just like what happened last year to bring more..

Mar 5 (ST) Trade unions launched their strike against the Govt this week on a combo of issues from elections to electricity tariffs to taxes lest one of them was not enough to draw the workers out onto the streets. They paid little heed though to their obligations to pull the country out of the economic abyss it is in. It is all about rights, not duties. And one might say, it was all sound and fury signifying nothing that would help bring that extra dollar to the economy. With the IMF green light flashing more..

Mar 5 (TM) The dawn of the month of March has posed several challenges to the Wickremesinghe Govt, with the main focus being on reaching the Govt’s set deadline of securing the IMF's financial assistance package by this month. March timeframe was set by the Govt last December following the delay in implementing the conditions set out by the fund. Black Box reliably learns that the documents related to SL’s debt restructuring programme and other relevant details will be sent to IMF more..

Mar 5 (ST) Even when large-scale foreign bribery schemes–such as when Airbus greased palms in Sri Lanka–are successfully investigated and companies are hit with fines and penalties, victims usually do not receive compensation, Transparency International (TI) said this week. “Instead, large penalties and fines paid by bribe-paying companies are typically allocated to the treasuries of their home countries. more..