Feb 22 (ST) The implementation of the much-awaited End-post List 2024 for medical specialists is further delayed, causing severe discontent among those serving the country without seeking greener pastures, the Sunday Times understands. The End-post List which should have been implemented from January 1 this year is on hold as a specialist who has allegedly gone abroad on special no-pay leave for less than two years, has sent letters of protest to the Health Ministry and more..

Feb 22 (DN) SL’s young tennis stars, Ganuka Fernando and Lithum Jayabandu, triumphed over Iraq in the boys’ category, while Ivanka Samarasinghe and Dinara de Silva secured victory against the Maldives in the girls’ division. Both teams have advanced to the quarter-finals in both singles and doubles events at The Billie Jean King Cup Junior/Junior Davis Cup Asia Oceania Pre-Qualifying Tennis Tournament, hosted by the SL Tennis Association at SLTA courts yesterday. more..

Feb 22 (TM) The COPF had recommended to the Ministry of Finance to reconsider VAT exemptions for medical equipment, ambulances, high-protein agro foods for children, and agricultural items, which had not been considered by the ministry. The COPF, which previously considered the VAT (Amendment) Bill that removed all VAT exemptions back in November of last year (2023), inquired as to why the ministry has not more..

Feb 22 (DN) SL selected 58 athletes, including para-sports players, for the National High Performance Programme for Road to Paris 2024 Olympics. According to Dept of Sports Development, any player with a proven talent can join this system, says Director General of Sports Professor Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando. He highlighted the inclusivity of the system, stating, “Any player with a proven class can access this system.” He emphasized the importance of recognizing SL's top athletes, more..

Feb 22 (FT) LOLC Holdings, has received a prestigious recognition from Ministry of Education at national level, for its outstanding humanitarian endeavour, LOLC Divi Saviya, dedicated to enhancing the educational prospects of the nation’s children. LOLC said this historic accolade signifies the first time a private sector entity has been honoured by Ministry with such an esteemed national level acknowledgment for its impactful efforts in enriching the educational space more..

Feb 22 (DM) An Assistant Lecturer of the Colombo Uni who was knocked down by a lorry at Wickremesnghe Pura Junction in Battaramulla succumbed to her injuries on admission to the National Hospital in Colombo. The victim Lakmini Bogamuwa (24) was an Assistant Lecturer of the Arts Faculty of the Colombo Uni and a resident of Wickremesinha Pura. She was on her way to the university to report for duty when she met with the accident. The injured was admitted more..

Feb 22 (DN) Secretary General, Joint Apparel Association Forum SL (JAAF) Yohan Lawrence hailed the proposed signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with India. “The ECTA will create renewed export opportunities to the SL apparel sector,” he said. Under the current FTA, Sri Lanka is only permitted to export 8 million pieces of ready-made apparel to India without applicable duties. He opined this at the launch of CEMS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd more..

Feb 22 (DM) Amid the Yukthiya Operation crackdown in the Western Province, there has been a concerning trend of drug addicts increasingly turning to pharmaceutical drugs as alternative sources due to the shortage of heroin, ice, or cannabis and the authorities have launched a major operation in the western province targeting dozens of errant pharmacies that sell psychoactive drugs to drug addicts. more..

Feb 22 (FT) Govt has increased the Special Commodity Levy imposed for the importation of maize, black gram, green gram, cowpeas and kurakkan. The Extraordinary Gazette by the Finance Ministry noted that the revised levy will come into effect from 20 Feb to 31 Dec 2024. Accordingly, the special commodity levy on black grams (skinned, either split or not) has been increased to Rs. 300 per kg, green grams, cowpeas, kurakkan (seeds), kurakkan (other), millet (seeds), millet (other) more..

Feb 22 (DM) The Meteorology Department today issued a Caution level heat warning for some places in North-Western province and Gampaha, Colombo, Hambantota and Moneragala District. The Heat index Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre said that the heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to Caution level at some places in North-western province and Gampaha, Colombo, Hambantota and Moneragala District. more..

Feb 22 (TM) The committee appointed to look into forming the laws and regulations necessary for SL to commence nuclear power generation projects is expected to complete that process by June of this year (2024). This was stated by SLAEB Chairman Prof. S.R.D. Rosa, who serves as a member of the said committee. He said that the committee in question has taken into account the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks more..

Feb 22 (FT) Liberal-legalists urge the holding of a referendum on the abolition of the executive presidency at the same time as the earliest election this year. The logic is impressive: hold a referendum on the abolition of the country’s most important post, together with the election to pick someone for that very post. No less rational is the suggestion to abolish the executive presidency and restore parliamentary sovereignty, i.e., transfer power to the very parliament that is, more..

Feb 22 (FT) Earlier this week, the President’s Media Division issued a statement to the effect that the next Prez election will be held on schedule. What was the need for that statement? In terms of the Constitution, the Prez’s term of office ends not later than 18 Nov 2024. As far as I am aware, no MP has given any indication that he or she intends to introduce a Bill to amend the Constitution to extend the term of office of the Prez, as required by article 83 of the Constitution. more..

Feb 22 (DM) In response to the recent upheaval at the National Hospital of SL (NHSL), Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) raised deep concern over the events that transpired on the premises. The AMS observed an unsettling incident where a group of healthcare workers reportedly obstructed a deputy director of NHSL from leaving his office, demanding his removal over contentious statements made in the recent past. AMS highlighted several crucial points surrounding the issue. more..

Feb 22 (EN) Sri Lanka will get an update on the GSP+ trade concessions at a Joint Commission meeting with the European Union, the Foreign Ministry said. Three working groups on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Development Cooperation will report to the Joint Commission. “European Union will also brief on the current developments in the EU including an update on new GSP Regulation and the new cycle of the EU GSP+ concessions,” more..

Feb 22 (AD) Eng. Noel Priyantha has tendered his resignation as the spokesperson of the CEB. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, taking to his X handle, said this was communicated to him by the CEB management. CEB spokesperson made controversial remarks that received backlash for lacking empathy. When asked about the recent electricity tariff hikes and the burden it has placed on consumers, more..

Feb 22 (EN) Sri Lanka and Vietnam have signed an agreement to develop the agricultural sector in the island. The agreement will include the exchange of agricultural technology, studies and research, expertise, production of advanced seeds, application of fertilizers and pesticides, and training of farmers and officials to increase harvests. SL’s Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Vietnam Minister Minh Hoan Le signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, more..

Feb 22 (CT) Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe said 65% of prison inmates were in for drug offences while most of the children in prison were also in for drug offences. He said there were 36 prisons in the country, with over 33,000 inmates.​ It is said in a few years these numbers would increase to about 50,000 to 60,000. A majority of those in prison are youth. Prisons Commissioner lamented that the number of schoolchildren addicted to drugs was on the rise. more..

Feb 22 (DM) SL's T20 captain lashed out at the umpiring during the third and final T20I against Afghanistan at Palekelle on Wednesday, claiming that a missed no ball call in the final over influenced his team's three-run defeat. With 11 runs needed in the final three balls for SL to win, a full toss from Afghanistan's fast bowler Wafadar Mohammad soared above the waist of all-rounder Kamindu Mendis, as he stepped out more..

Feb 22 (DM) An appeal application filed by a British woman instagrammer Kayleigh Fraser challenging the authorities' decision to deport her from Sri Lanka has been dismissed by the Supreme Court. Kayleigh Fraser who had been documenting Sri Lanka’s anti-government protests on social media filed this appeal challenging the legality of the Court of Appeal decision to dismiss her writ petition. In her writ petition, the appellant sought an order to quash the decision of more..

Feb 22 (CT) Despite high tech equipment breaking down regularly and being acutely short-staffed, staff serving in State hospitals were doing their best to care for patients, Radiologic Technologists said. They said the equipment that was presently unserviceable included radiation testing machines, PET scan machines one (only two machines available in SL), six CT machines (the island has a total of 44 CT scanners), one MRI machine (a total of 13), 12 general X-ray machines, more..

Feb 22 (DM) SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne who has been continously expressing his support for the scrapping of the Executive Presidency today stressed that one should not suppress his or her independent views just because he or she belongs to a political party. "I don't think you should keep suppressing your independent views just because you have joined a party or are holding a post in it. There is no party in the world that fits into our ideology or conscience," Dr. Senaratne said. more..

Feb 22 (AD) The police have arrested a young woman in connection with the murder of a Buddhist monk, who was shot dead at a temple in the Malwathuhiripitiya area last month. She was taken into custody in Aralaganwila on Wednesday (21), on suspicion of sheltering aiding and abetting the main suspect in the shooting, according to the police. The 22-year-old suspect is reportedly a resident of Devagala area in Weragala. In the early hours of January 23, a group of four assailants, more..

Feb 22 (EN) SL’s parliament has announced the names of legislators appointed to a number of committees, including COPE and COPA. A statement from parliament citing Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse said on Thursday (22) that 19 members have been appointed to COPE. These are, namely: Jagath Pushpakumara, Janaka Wakkumbura, Lohan Ratwatte, Indika Anuruddha, Shantha Bandara, Mahindananda more..

Feb 22 (FT) Govt policy makers from across the vast Asia and Pacific region are meeting here this week to agree a pathway to reform their agrifood systems and accelerate recovery from pandemic and environmental crises, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), reported today. Govt Ministers and Heads of Delegation from as many as 46 FAO Member Nations have gathered in the SL capital for the opening of the 37th Ministerial Session of the FAO Regional more..

Feb 22 (CT) The increase in Indian fishermen poaching in SL waters has sparked a diplomatic tussle, with both the SL Govt and fishermen from the North and East urging the Indian Govt to address the longstanding issue, while the Tamil Nadu Govt and its fishermen are enraged over the arrest of 23 fishermen and are demanding their immediate release and said they have boycotted the upcoming Katchatheevu St. Antony’s shrine festival. The Parish of St. Joseph Church Verkottu, Rameswaram more..

Feb 22 (EN) CEB is expected to submit to the country’s public utilities regulator on Thursday (22) a proposal to slash a power tariff hike made in October 2023. Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said that the CEB expects to reduce rates by at least the same rates and percentages it was increased in October 2023: by 18% for the domestic and religious sectors, 12% for the industries and hotel sectors, and more..

Feb 22 (DM) Trincomalee District Court issued an enjoining order restraining office bearers of ITAK from holding the National Convention which was scheduled to be held on Feb 19. District Court made this order consequent to a plaint filed by plaintiff Chandrasekaram Para, a member of the ITAK, and this enjoining order will be effective till Feb 29. The plaintiff is challenging the election of the newly elected leader of the ITAK based on alleged irregularities followed at the election. more..

Feb 22 (TM) In response to concerns about parties providing various services to tourists, including accommodation, without obtaining the relevant permits, the Police has launched awareness raising activities. This was revealed by the Tourist Police Director, SSP Pradeep Ratnayake said that as part of these activities, service providers are instructed to register with the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) as per the applicable laws. Noting that the Tourist Police’s response to the said issue more..

Feb 22 (DH) The recent 5-day visit to India by a JVP delegation from Sri Lanka raised many eyebrows and questions due to the JVP’s historically anti-India stance. What factors led to the U-turn and the new bonhomie between India and the JVP? Formed in 1965, the JVP came into being as a result of the then-prevailing socioeconomic crisis in SL and the failure of the established SL Communist parties to address the crisis. It went on to bring about two insurrections in the 1970s and 1980s. more..

Feb 22 (AD) Kaduwela Police today arrested suspected drug trafficker and organised criminal gang member, Sudath Kithsiri alias Welivita Sudda. Police said the suspect was arrested in the Welivita area in Malabe, while in possession of 15 grams and 300 milligrams of heroin. Welivita Sudda had been out on bail following a previous arrest for the possession of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) while the Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Division of SL Police had launched a probe into him. more..

Feb 22 (Island) School dropout rate and absenteeism are on the rise due to the economic crisis and the govt burdening parents with expenses borne by the state in the past, says Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin. Stalin said that by Nov 2023, about 800 schools in rural areas had been closed and many more would face closure if the govt did not increase investment in the education sector. more..

Feb 22 (DM) The complaint made by late State Minister Sanath Nishantha's wife regarding the death of her husband must be investigated into soon and the culrpits brought to book if it was an organised murder, SLPP MP Johnston Fernando said today. Speaking during the vote of condolence in Parliament on the late State Minister, he said it was suspicious whether the death of Sanath Nishantha was an organised murder or death due to an accident. more..

Feb 22 (FT) The Daily FT last week published an Open Letter to the Education Ministry over alleged anti-secular activities at the Royal College, Colombo. Royal College Principal had reacted to this article via electronic and social media. Daily FT didn’t get a direct response from the Royal College Principal. Given the importance, today the Daily FT publishes Royal College Principal’s responses and the rebuttal by the original author Padmasena Dissanayake who is an old boy and a parent. more..

Feb 22 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday underscored that restructuring of vocational education should align with the demands of the modern world, ensuring that the country’s youth are equipped to excel in the competitive global job market. He also outlined plans to consolidate all vocational training institutes in Sri Lanka into a single vocational college, offering contemporary subject-related courses, more..