Feb 5 (PMD) PM of Thailand Joins as Guest of Honour. Global Leaders Extend Greetings, Including His Holiness Pope Francis and King Charles III. The 76th National Independence Day celebration took place with pride and grandeur at Galle Face Colombo, symbolizing a renewed commitment to Let’s Build a New Country. The event, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was honoured by the presence of more..

Feb 6 (DM) Following months of allegations of mismanagement of the health sector against him, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was arrested by the CID on Friday over an alleged scam involving the importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials to Sri Lanka. On Thursday, Maligakanda Magistrate, Lochani Abeywickrama ordered him to appear before the CID on Feb 2, after he had failed to do so on Wednesday (31) and submit written justifications for his absence. more..

Feb 6 (CT) Attorney-General had indicted 13 persons on 17 counts including murder following the death of one Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra in 2012. Sept 2016, in the High Court of Colombo, at the conclusion of a Trial-at-Bar before three Judges, in a majority judgment, five accused were convicted of several offences including murder, and were sentenced to death on the charge of murder, and to life imprisonment and varying periods of imprisonment and fines on the other charges. more..

Feb 6 (DM) NPP, the major alliance of JVP, is in a historical juncture of its political journey as its leaders have visited India on an invitation by the Indian Govt. In the 1980s the JVP took a strong stance on India, especially against the Indo-Lanka pact signed under the J. R. Jayewardene govt. Taking a more flexible line on geopolitics compared to several decades ago the NPP is ready to deal with any foreign power by placing national interest more..

Feb 6 (TM) Despite the authorities’ attempts at stabilising the country’s health sector, it seems like the sector is far from achieving the stability that it had before the economic crisis. On the one hand, the public health sector lacks medicines and equipment and is losing medical and health experts, while strikes are rampant in the sector. On the other hand, in its attempts to gain advantage of the situation, the private health sector has started violating various rules and regulations more..

Feb 6 (CT) When the multi-faceted crisis in Sri Lanka resulted in a full-blown hunger crisis, WFP indicated that a staggering 6.3 million individuals, comprising more than 30% of the nation’s population, grappled with food insecurity, desperately requiring humanitarian aid. This alarming figure inevitably surged as the crisis deepened in the subsequent and most challenging months. In essence, the economic upheaval not only plunged a significant portion of population more..

Feb 6 (TM) In a background where hundreds of elephant and human lives are lost annually due to the much talked-about human-elephant conflict, there has been a discussion as to whether a human-leopard conflict has also been created in the country. Incidents of leopard attacks on people living in mountainous areas, especially plantation-based areas such as Hatton, leopards approaching their houses and hunting animals such as more..

Feb 6 (DM) Salama Fikira (FP) Group, a leading global security and risk management firm, warned in January, that despite a perceived decline in Somali piracy, recent incidents indicate that the menace has not been eradicated and remains a formidable challenge. By Jan 2011, 736 people were taken as hostages and 32 ships were captured by pirates. Piracy impeded the delivery of shipments and increased shipping expenses, costing an estimated US $ 6.9 billion a year in global trade, more..

Feb 6 (ST) For the last 76 years, we have been celebrating an independence won in India’s pain, with the prospect, as these last seven decades of being the sole masters of our fate have amply shown, of perishing in our own. Today’s celebrations will be no different from the ones annually staged for the last three quarters of a century. The national flag will be raised, the national anthem will be sung, a few pieces of outdated military hardware, belonging to the world’s 18th largest army, more..

Feb 6 (Island) A JVP delegation, led by party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is currently visiting India at the invitation of New Delhi. This visit signifies an ideological about-turn on the part of the JVP, which went on a killing spree in protest against India’s interference in SL’s domestic affairs, in the late 1980s. Resistance to Indian expansionism is a cornerstone of the JVP’s ideology. There is no gainsaying that Sri Lanka has to maintain good relations with India. more..

Feb 6 (Island) Sunday this week marks SL’s 76th independence anniversary. By Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s reckoning another 24 years will have to go by before SL’s economy could fully recovery from the man made crisis it contracted two years ago. And what is immediately ahead is a grueling recovery path. That is the grim warning of Dushni Weerakoon, the respected Economist. Another Economist from abroad, Prof. Mick Moore, who coined the phrase man-made crisis more..

Feb 6 (CI) SL's use of the second new ball sent Afghanistan tumbling to a ten-wicket defeat on day four. Having begun the day with only one wicket down and within striking distance of the lead, Afghanistan crashed, losing their remaining nine for 82 runs. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the primary destroyer, taking five wickets in a devastating spell either side of lunch. Asitha Fernando claimed two more wickets to add more..

Feb 6 (GV) As we mark another independence day celebrating the transfer of power from the British colonial govt to Ceylonese rulers, it is important to reflect on the situation that existed before, impact and the dependencies created henceforth. Away from the superficial ceremonial grandeur, is there a commendable social, economic, political and cultural reality post-independence? Does that reality deserve further scrutiny by the educated class including academics, journalists, intellectuals, writers? more..

Feb 6 (FT) Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) says the SLEDB can support the exports of the construction industry to boost foreign exchange earnings. “This is the best time for the Construction Industry to look for opportunities overseas. This is because; due to the economic crisis, over 60% of the construction industry in SL has been halted,” CIOB President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne said. “Many contractors are trying to accrue overseas projects and the main barrier for them is CB ruling more..

Feb 6 (FT) Continental is expanding the global manufacturing footprint of its specialty tires business area in Sri Lanka. By further enhancing local pre-production capacities, its Kalatura plant in the future may produce material handling self-sufficiently. This ensures an optimised manufacturing process and limits cross-country dependencies in the logistic supply chain. Continental will be investing around 13 million euros over the next three years, creating around 200 additional jobs. more..

Feb 6 (DM) SLC has appointed former Australian First Class Cricketer Craig Howard as the National Spin Bowling Coach. 49-year-old Howard also known as Howie, was the spin bowling coach of the NZ White Ferns team and the Victorian Men’s First Class team before taking over the new role. SLC said that Howard will assume the duties of the national team, starting with the ODI series of the ongoing Afghanistan Tour of SL. He is assigned a 2-yr contract, which commenced on Feb 1, more..

Feb 6 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday underscored the distinctive accomplishment of the current govt in providing land rights to the people of the country without the need for a revolution, despite numerous global movements advocating for land rights. Highlighting the initial success of the present govt in in rescuing the country from bankruptcy, Prez also emphasized additional achievements more..

Feb 6 (EN) Securities and Exchange Commission said it had started a webpage to report suspected market related wrongdoing on social media. “With the rapid evolution of communication channels and the increase of social media influence in the financial markets, the SEC recognized the need for proactive measures to identify and address potential social media wrongdoings that may impact investors and market stability,” SEC Deputy Director General Tushara Jayaratne was quoted more..

Feb 6 (DM) Justifying his earlier verbal attack on SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, party Chairman Sarath Fonseka said he did not have any other option but to voice his grievances in public when the party higher-ups are making unilateral decisions. He was responding to the remarks made by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa during the weekend, where he said those who criticize the party leadership and break discipline can leave the party. Mr. Premadasa also indicated that disciplinary action more..

Feb 6 (ST) Foreign bank accounts, foreign credit card machines, foreign currency cash payments and, now, even PayPal transfers—the informal foreign-owned business sector is thriving in some of SL’s busiest tourism hotspots. But where do their revenues go? The Sunday Times delved into the increasingly emotive issue of foreigners operating untaxed, unregulated ventures around the country. We interviewed both Lankans & noncitizens more..

Feb 6 (EN) Sri Lanka will have to manage and balance all the global powers to achieve its economic growth and thus the island nation’s foreign policy should aim for economic diplomacy instead of political diplomacy, State Foreign Minister Tharaka Balasuriya said. Analysts say SL has become the center of proxy geopolitical war between the country’s neighbour India and the World’s second largest economy China. China’s increasing influence in SL has raised security concerns to India more..

Feb 6 (EN) Switching to daylight saving time would reduce the country’s electricity load demand, State-Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit (SOERU) has said. “For the electricity sector, an immediate move to daylight saving time could reduce night peak load demand by as much as a third with consequent reduction in thermal energy generation,” SOERU said. The restructuring unit, established under the Ministry of Finance, in its report SOEs in SL: Governance and Consolidation Plan, more..

Feb 6 (BS) With the BCCI unwilling to send its team to Pakistan, the original host, due to geopolitical tensions, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided on a hybrid model and roped in SL to host the majority of the matches. This resulted in extra expenses being incurred on chartered flights, hotel bookings, venue hiring fees and travel, among others. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) made it clear during the ACC council meeting in Bali last week that it was not more..

Feb 6 (FT) Young business leader Hardy Jamaldeen has written to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles in response to the latter’s allegations during a media conference recently. Jamaldeen’s action follows serious damage caused by Alles’ allegations to the reputation of W15 brand of hotels, and owning company Lanka Realty Investments PLC in which he is the Managing Director and concerns from foreign investors. Last month Minister Alles, along with Acting IGP, held a press conference more..

Feb 6 (TM) The CIABOC is to investigate alleged financial irregularities of nearly Rs. 30 billion (b) in the importation of fuel and crude oil for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in the year 2022. Late last year, Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) had written to several parties including the CIABOC and CID, seeking an investigation into the alleged financial irregularities amounting to about Rs. 30 billion more..

Feb 6 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is off to a promising start in 2024, marking a robust start surpassing 200,000 arrivals in January after four years. As per provisional data released by the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), a total of 208,253 tourists arrived in January. However, January arrivals could not achieve the 241,962 set target or 210,352 recorded in December – the highest for a month since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. more..

Feb 6 (TM) The ruling SLPP said that no party-level action would be taken against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was remanded for allegedly involving himself in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) during his tenure as Health Minister. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam stated that no disciplinary action would be taken against Rambukwella since the particular matter was before the Judiciary and was yet to be resolved. more..

Feb 6 (Reuters) Sri Lanka expects to attract about US$5 billion in foreign funds in the next two years once it is able to finalise the restructuring of its overseas debt, the country’s foreign minister said on Monday. The nation defaulted on its overseas debt in May, 2022 after a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves triggered the worst financial crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. SL has since made progress on about US$11 billion of bilateral debt restructuring and more..

Feb 6 (DM) Human Rights activist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa was released on a personal bail of Rs. 25,000 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate. The doctor appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna De Alwis through a motion filed by his Counsel Rajitha Lakmal. During the inquiry Counsel told the Magistrate that on 1st of Jan, during a protest opposite the entrance to the CID, Police had arrested the doctor and some other suspects who were later produced before Fort MC. more..

Feb 6 (CT) There has been a tendency for the drivers and nurses of the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service to migrate and as a result, almost 60 per cent of the ambulances, across the island, are not operating, a senior official of the Suwa Seriya Foundation said. There is a great demand for the service certificate provided by the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service in foreign countries and accordingly the migration of more..

Feb 6 (CT) On top of a month-long delay in completing investigation into an exotic bird consignment imported without a valid permit, sources from the Customs and interested parties now allege that the errant importer is now trying to seek other avenues and get the consignment passed by obtaining a permit from the Import Controller. SL Customs Spokesperson Seevali Arukgoda said they are in the process of comparing inventory & documents, provided by importer, more..

Feb 6 (DM) It transpired before Colombo High Court that SJB MP A.H.M. Fowzie has requested the Bribery Commission to withdraw the indictment filed against him on corruption charges. President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing for MP Fowzie, informed court that his client, through his lawyer, had requested the Bribery Commission to withdraw the indictment considering its maintainability. Bribery Commission filed this corruption case against A.H.M. Fowzie for more..

Feb 6 (FT) NPP and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval in Delhi yesterday. Dissanayake along with a delegation of NPP politicians are currently on an official visit to India at the invitation of the Indian Govt. The delegation includes NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe & NPP national exec members more..

Feb 6 (FT) Sri Lanka as a matter of routine habit celebrated the anniversary of independence from Britain on 4 February. This relates to the political independence in which Sri Lankans are empowered to elect their own rulers. The exercise of this power has happened on numerous occasions in the past 76 years. As such, Sri Lanka has been branded as one of the longest surviving democracies in South Asia, next only to India which has done so for 77 years. more..

Feb 6 (FT) As SL parades past its 76th milepost on a journey of independence from colonial dominion today, there are a few factors to my mind that may help discern how the wind in that flag flies in the face of our march past. It sings of a stauncher freedom and untrammelled liberty, which we earnestly desire but often find to be out of reach year after year, generation after generation. The way we spend our days, of course, is the way we live our lives. This is as true of nations as it is of individuals. more..