Feb 18 (CI) In front of a sold out crowd in Dambulla, Sri Lanka edged a rollercoaster first T20I against Afghanistan, winning by four runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. Binura Fernando - who had been taken for 38 runs in three overs up until then - came up trump in the end, defending 11 runs in the final over. At the other end was Ibrahim Zadran - having batted through the innings - unbeaten on a 55-ball 67, but more..

Feb 18 (ST) The finalists of the LiNing SL International Series 2024 were determined after the completion of semi-finals yesterday at the Dadella Indoor Stadium in Galle. Accordingly Xiaodong Sheng of Canada will take on Rahul Bharadwaj of India in the Men’s Singles final to be held today, while Siti Zulaikha of Malaysia will meet Ruzana Ruzana of Indonesia in the Women’s Singles final. Thailand’s Sirawat Sothon and Natthapat Trinkajee advanced to the Men’s Doubles final and more..

Feb 18 (ST) All arrangements have been made to conduct the 22nd Inter-International Schools’ Athletic Championships 2024 on Feb 24 and 25 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. This was revealed at the official press conference held at the SSC in Colombo, by this year’s hosts Gateway College, headed by Dr. Harsha Alles. The Inter-International Schools’ Athletic Championship (ISAC) is the most important co-curricular event in the school calendar of all international schools. more..

Feb 18 (ST) The much-anticipated Sobadhanavi 350 MW Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Combined Cycle Power Plant at Kerawalapitiya finds itself entangled in controversy as unexpected delays and tariff adjustment negotiations create a cloud of uncertainty. Undertaken by LTL Holdings Ltd., the project has reached nearly 60% completion, but hurdles in negotiations for a tariff adjustment have presented what seems like an impossible more..

Feb 18 (ST) SL’s microfinance and credit regulatory authority bill tabled in parliament last month to regulate mushrooming rural credit institutions is now under fire following concerns of civil society activists on its inadequacy in addressing exploitative practices at the grassroots level. The provisions of the new bill have failed to restraint exploitation and exorbitant interest rates levied by lenders targeting vulnerable communities, several community service organisations complained. more..

Feb 18 (ST) Govt’s massive public investment of Rs 1.2 trillion this year remains confined to seven key sectors along with projects which were halted or delayed due to the pandemic or economic crisis, official sources divulged. At least 200 foreign-funded development projects suspended in 2022 due to holding of loans by foreign funding agencies, would most probably resume this first quarter, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said. Social and commercial infrastructure growth will be more..

Feb 18 (PMD) Amid a rejuvenated focus on revitalizing SL’s tourism industry, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe embarked on an observation tour in the Tangalle and Galle areas today (17), underscoring the govt’s commitment to enhancing tourist facilities. During the tour, President Wickremesinghe visited several tourist hotels, engaging with owners to understand their challenges first hand. Swift action was taken as the President addressed the concerns raised by more..

Feb 18 (DM) Maduragoda Police have initiated an inquiry into an incident where four primary school students from the Ibbagamuwa region fell unconscious, suggesting a possible connection to the consumption of an unidentified type of pill. Following the incident, 4 intoxicated students were rushed to the Rambadagalla hospital and transferred to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital. One of the students was found to be heavily intoxicated, prompting immediate medical attention. more..

Feb 18 (TM) Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) signed with Private Power Plants (PPPs) last September to procure 120 MW of emergency power, addressing deficits during the drought in the southern part of the country due to prevailing dry weather conditions, will not be extended further, according to the CEB. The PPAs are set to expire at the end of this month. Instead of extending the emergency PPAs, more..

Feb 18 (ST) Former Minister Gamini Jayawickreme Perera passed away yesterday morning at the age of 83. The late Minister was a veteran politician of the UNP and its one-time chairman. He was educated at Nalanda College. He entered politics in 1973 from the Katugampola electorate and elected to Parliament first at the 1977 General election. In 1978 Mr Perera held the Kurunegala District Ministry post. After the introduction of the provincial council system, Mr Perera contested as more..

Feb 18 (ST) SL Customs is at loggerheads with the Treasury over the rewards fund, with the Customs officials demanding control of the fund and resisting the influence of the Finance Ministry. Customs officials are insisting that funds required to pay for rewards to their staff should be retained instead of transferring the money to the Treasury and awaiting its approval to make the reward payments. Under the previous system, where the revenue was first sent to the Treasury more..

Feb 18 (CT) The project initiated to transport vegetables from Upcountry areas to Colombo Fort by train in 2023 has become a white elephant, costing a colossal Rs 200 million to the taxpayer. Six railway compartments were modified, with Rs 200 million being spent on the project, and these compartments have been abandoned at Maligawatta Railway Yard. SL Railways decided to introduce a dedicated train to transport vegetables from January 2023, with trial runs already underway. more..

Feb 18 (Island) Following the World Cup flop, there were concerns in which direction Sri Lankan cricket would go, but four series wins inside two months have calmed those fears. More importantly the fans are back at the grounds. There was a gradual increase during the ODIs at Pallekele culminating with over 14,000 fans turning up for the final ODI. Then for the first T-20 at Dambulla, tickets were sold out more than 48 hours before the game. These are very good signs indeed. more..

Feb 18 (ST) The Maligakanda Magistrate has ordered that former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella be examined by a 7-member medical panel comprising consultants to determine whether he’s actually suffering from the ailments he claims he is afflicted with. Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama issued the order to the Director General of Health Services to present the medical panel’s report to court before Feb 29. more..

Feb 18 (DM) The HMS Trincomalee which was constructed in 1817 in Mumbai stands as the Royal Navy's last ship built in India, boasting over two centuries of history. According to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, prior to its current mooring in Hartlepool, this illustrious ship sailed more than 100,000 miles worldwide. Remarkably, HMS Trincomalee never engaged in battle but holds a rich narrative of service, ranging from patrol and protection to exploration. more..

Feb 18 (TM) The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) is yet to clear the antibiotic meropenem for use, while two batches of another antibiotic – co-amoxiclav – have been recalled by the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) after glass particles were discovered in them. MSD Deputy Director General (DDG) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said that the MSD had recalled two batches of co-amoxiclav from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) after glass particles had been discovered in them earlier this month. more..

Feb 18 (ST) There is a message underlying the govt’s reiteration periodically that presidential elections will be held this year. It is the reality that the govt is sensitive to the issue. The latest buildup of a likely postponement came in the wake of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policy statement after the ceremonial opening of Parliament. The absence of any reference to polls in the statement prompted main opposition to raise the issue. more..

Feb 19 (ST) The JVP turned a new Indian leaf after its nationalist bloom wilted under the hot Indian sun following a brief stint in the subcontinent by its leader Anura Kumara last week. Travel, broadens the mind and, indeed, it has expanded his horizons beyond measure. It was certainly not the man who had left his native land almost a fortnight ago who returned home nearly a week later. He seems to have undergone a metamorphosis while on the Indian mainland and turned from more..

Feb 19 (TM) The recent verbal rant by the Deputy Director of the National Hospital of SL (NHSL) and his characterisation of the minor staff of the institution, highlight a deeply rooted trait of the broader public service in SL. Issues between the deputy director and a segment of the NHSL’s staff go back some time, with allegations traded and protests held. However, it is evident that the deputy director crossed a few ethical boundaries when he branded the supplementary health workers more..

Feb 19 (GV) The news barely made the news. Defence secretary (rtd) General Kamal Gunaratne and Army Commander General Vikum Liyanage were ordered by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee to apologise to MP Chandima Weerakkody. Last October, two generals threatened Mr. Weerakkody inside the parliament at a meeting of the sectoral oversight committee on national security. During a discussion on downsizing more..

Feb 19 (CT) The Yahapalanaya govt, which came into power in SL with promises of transparency and good governance, faced significant economic challenges during its tenure. A series of missteps and unfulfilled commitments left a lasting impact on the country’s economic landscape. One of the notable issues was the delay in the Port City project by a year. This delay not only incurred opportunity costs but also resulted in the relinquishment of additional land to China. more..

Feb 19 (FT) With increasing grassroot support for NPP and its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) those two have become enemy No. 1 to champions of and campaigners for the corrupt system that is currently in vogue. All signs point towards a national mood for radical change led by AKD and his NPP. It is in that context that the recent visit to Delhi by AKD at the invitation of India is significant. He spent a few hours discussing in English with the Indian External Affairs more..

Feb 19 (CT) NPP Gampaha District Coordinator and MP, Vijitha Herath, says the world’s political trends have changed, so they have also changed with the times. Q: How has the JVP’s journey evolved from its origins in insurrection and armed struggle against the State to its current democratic stance, garnering political support? Are you satisfied with the trajectory you’ve traversed? A: In the inception of our political party, more..

Feb 19 (DM) Two years ago in Feb 2022, SL rapidly descended into an economic crisis that had long been in the making. The war in Ukraine and the sudden escalation of global commodity prices made it very difficult to import essential goods such as fuel. Having exhausted its foreign reserves without prioritising the imports of essential goods, the govt defaulted on its external debt two months later. Many neoliberal economists who saw the IMF as the final solution had begun calling in late 2021 more..

Feb 19 (Island) There are signs of the SLPP-UNP govt shifting its focus from its economic recovery efforts to populist politics. The ruling party politicians are using public assets to bribe electors in a bid to recover lost ground on the political front. They are in overdrive, distributing state land among farmers and spending taxpayers’ money generously on poor relief. However, there is no guarantee that the govt will stop trifling with the people’s franchise and hold elections. more..

Feb 19 (ST) Freight rates have to some extent stabilised if only marginally with the coming of the Chinese New Year however, Sri Lankan exporters are still facing issues with the rupee appreciating as a result of which there could be a drop in export volumes. National Chamber of Exporters President Jayantha Karunaratne said that there was only a marginal drop in freight rates but that most destinations are still holding onto earlier rates and they continue to be very high. more..

Feb 19 (DM) SL is described as a multilingual country but this definition could perhaps be deceptive when reflecting on the past and present. One may be quick to point fingers at various state policies that were implemented which made one language superior to the rest. However, language is an integral part of communication and is a key marker of identity. SL witnessed a time when minority groups faced linguistic discrimination which in fact was a political recipe for disaster. more..

Feb 19 (SO) For a nation’s development to go ahead, it requires well-developed sectors in education, health & transportation, particularly highways. Despite achieving high literacy rates and other excellent indices, our country has long grappled with the inadequate state of its highways. Efforts to implement highway and flyover projects have frequently encountered financial and other obstacles, leading to delays & setbacks. more..

Feb 19 (DN) SL T-20 team led by Wanindu Hasaranga is expected to win the series when they meet Afganistan in their second T-20 game scheduled to be played at Dambulla today, commencing at 7 pm. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga is little bit worried about their batting especially top order and middle order for not clicking as expected in the first game on Saturday but skipper himself promoted in the batting order ahead of Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanka scored more..

Feb 19 (DN) In a historic moment for tennis in SL, Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) is hosting the largest-ever tennis tournament – the Billie Jean King Cup Junior/Junior Davis Cup Asia Oceania Pre Qualifying event. Tournament is taking place at the SLTA courts in Greenpath from Feb 19 to 24. The excitement kicked off with a grand opening ceremony yesterday at the SL Tennis Headquarters, attended by 29 countries and 44 teams. The chief guest, Prof Shemal Fernando, more..

Feb 19 (FT) Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) said yesterday it has showcased strong and sustainable performance in 2023, in all aspects namely liquidity, asset quality, capital, efficiency and profitability amidst global and local economic uncertainties. The Bank recorded a profit after tax of Rs. 20.35 billion compared to Rs. 14 billion recorded in 2022 while the Group recorded a PAT of Rs. 23.6 billion compared to Rs. 15.7 billion in the previous year. The Board of Directors more..

Feb 19 (TM) SL's banking sector assets grew by 5.1% to Rs 20.4 trillion in 2023 mainly due to increased investments in govt securities while the Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio was at 12.8% by the end of the year. According to the Monetary Policy report by CBSL, despite the banking sector operating in a challenging environment during the financial year ended in Dec 2023, total assets grew by 5.1% year on year to Rs. 20.4 trillion by the end of the year, mainly due to increased more..

Feb 19 (FT) The debate over parate action got heated to a new level on Saturday at a webinar with the regulator and banks defending the move and borrowers insisting immediate suspension. The response to webinar title Can suspending parate rights help MSME recovery, from the CN Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe was a categorical No. In his keynote, Weerasinghe also attempted to make a clear distinction more..

Feb 19 (FT) AmCham SL’s annual CxO Forum: Unlocking 2024, powered by HSBC, was held on 31 January, at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. The half-day symposium comprised four cohesive sessions aimed at equipping members and organisations with global, local, and regional macro and microeconomic insights and inspiring and empowering transformative leadership through turbulent times. Welcoming the delegates to the sessions, AmCham SL President Shirendra Lawrence noted, more..

Feb 19 (DN) CR and FC savoured their finest moment on the rugby field in recent years, by winning the ‘A’ Division League Rugby Title after 26 years with a 33 points (one goal, four tries, two penalties) to 25 points (two goals, one try, two penalties) win over defending champoins Kandy Sports Club in the Nippon Paint Super Round League Rugby Tournament final match played at Longden Place yesteray after trailing 6-13 at half time. CR&FC kept their unbetan record intact, more..

Feb 19 (DM) Sri Lanka has the worst record among South Asian countries in blacklisting corrupt contractors in public procurement, according to a new report by Verité Research. The report shows that SL is the only country in South Asia that 1) does not recognise engaging in corrupt and fraudulent activities during procurement as a valid reason for blacklisting 2) has not blacklisted contractors that have defaulted on contractual obligations more..