Jan 9 (CI) Angelo Mathews is in line to play his first T20I in nearly 3 years after being named in SL's T20I squad for the series against Zimbabwe. Also in the squad are batters Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva, who are not in the squad for the ongoing ODIs, as well as spinner Akila Dananjaya, round-arm seam bowler Nuwan Thushara, and batting allrounder Kamindu Mendis. This will be Wanindu Hasaranga's first series as captain. There is still a spot in the squad for previous captain more..

Jan 9 (TM) The political future of the SLPP breakaway MPs representing the Opposition’s Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) who now plan to join the main Parliamentary Opposition Party, the SJB, will be decided on how much support they get from SJB supporters, said the SJB Chairman, Field Marshal and MP Sarath Fonseka. He also said that the SJB must adhere to strict policies against corruption when accommodating new members more..

Jan 9 (AD) Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the Princess Royal of the United Kingdom is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow. She will be accompanied by her spouse Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence during her stay here until January 13. “The visit comes as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. The UK and Sri Lanka share many strong personal ties and common interests making the two countries natural partners through the Commonwealth,” more..

Jan 9 (AD) Dr. Saveen Semage has been appointed as the CEO of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). Dr. Semage previously served as the NMRA CEO from Nov 2021 until May 2022, before he resigned from the position. He had blamed his resignation on then President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science, Ravi Kumudesh, after the latter accused the NMRA of being responsible for the drug shortage at the time. He was, however, reappointed to the post by Minister of Health more..

Jan 9 (AN) Debt-ridden SL's navy is preparing to join a US-led operation to protect merchant vessels sailing in the Red Sea against attacks by Houthi militants. The attacks by Houthis have targeted commercial shipping vessels transiting through the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait that links markets in Asia and Europe following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent war against the militant group in Gaza. more..

Jan 9 (NW) Cabinet approval has been granted for the renovation of optional roads, byways, and rural roads under the 100,000-kilometre roads programme. It has been proposed to enhance 1500 kilometres of roads of which construction work had been inaugurated under the said roads programme but had been suspended. According to the government, plans are underway to enhance 1500 kilometres of the said roads in a way appropriate for safe transportation during the year 2024. more..

Jan 9 (ANI) As many as 13 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka to Chennai on Tuesday, the Indian High Commission in SL said in a statement. In a post shared on X, the Indian High Commission in SL stated, "Back home safely! 13 fishermen">Indian fishermen were repatriated from SL to Chennai earlier this morning." Earlier on Jan 5, 21 Indian fishermen were repatriated from SL to Chennai, Indian High Commission in SL informed through a statement. more..

Jan 10 (DM) Other than in the early post-independence era, govts of our country have been extremely wary of media personnel. Such was the fear of the independent press/media under the leadership of Former Premier Sirimavo Bandaranaike; her govt took over the Lake House group of newspapers in the guise of broad-basing that media outfit. Unfortunately, the group was turned into a mouth-piece of the regime. Radio Ceylon and its Sinhala and Tamil counterparts more..

Jan 10 (DM) Northern Tamil elites always had a problem. It is not just a gripe with the successive Sinhalese-dominated govts that have ruled since independence. The problem is more fundamental. It is about reconciling with the existential realities of the demographic composition of the country and the corresponding distribution of power. The incestual circuit of NGO captains and root learning academics would blame that on discrimination. However, an objective analysis would reveal this more..

Jan 10 (TM) With Sri Lanka anticipating a severe drought in the months ahead, concerns have arisen regarding the readiness of the State-run CEB to counter potential negative impacts on SL’s power generation. As learnt by The Sunday Morning, CEB is making efforts to procure high-cost supplementary power, in addition to emergency power acquired last year, to address any potential deficit resulting from the forecasted severe more..

Jan 10 (CT) Regulatory bodies in a country are put in place to safeguard consumers and their rights. However, this does not seem to be the case for us, given the recent revelations about CAA's inaction to process numerous complaints, raising critical concerns about its purpose and functionality. Authority has failed to properly complete an alarming number of grievances citing unfair trade practices, over the last 5 years which remain in limbo, leaving consumers in a state of frustration and more..

Jan 10 (ST) As the people waited with great trepidation for new year dawn to break, not even the tremendous crack and dazzle of the midnight hour’s fireworks could exorcise their mounting dread as they shuddered to face Lank’s year of the VAT. Like condemned men, prisoners of a lost economic war, lined up to face the morning firing squad, they faced the certainty of waking up to meet an economic death after their commanding officers had been found guilty of negligence and desertion by more..

Jan 10 (DM) Law enforcement authorities have been able to net over 29,000 suspects during the past 22 days under its recently launched Yukthiya anti-drug operation. Main objective of this operation is to wipe drugs off the street and to establish a safer society for future generations. Even though the public has extended their support to the police and security forces, incidents of public strip searches and warrantless arrests too more..

Jan 10 (Island) Never a dull day in Sri Lanka! Interesting issues crop up at such a rate on the political front that one cannot keep track of them. The season of crossovers has commenced, and political leaders are busy engineering defections to have the public believe that their electoral prospects have improved. Amidst defections, something dramatic happened yesterday. SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri resigned from Parliament. The resignation of an MP is not something one expects in more..

Jan 10 (TM) Govt announced that Cabinet permission was granted for a proposal to double the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance paid for govt doctors, raising it from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000. A move by the main govt medical trade union, GMOA, was welcomed yesterday. The decision by the Govt has already triggered a trade union response from other state sector health unions, who asks why not us? Several professions linked trade unions more..

Jan 10 (Island) Canadian of SL origin Nishan Duraiappah on Dec 29 addressed the media at the office of Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. Duraiappah spoke to the media as the Chief of Peel Regional Police, Canada. SSP Nihal Thalduwa, sat on the Canadian’s left. Law enforcement in Peel Region is carried out by one of the biggest Municipal Police forces in Canada. There couldn’t have been a previous instance of a member of the Tamil Diaspora receiving an opportunity to address the media more..

Jan 10 (ST) Some shareholders of Asia Capital PLC are asking for a forensic audit from the capital market regulator on the company’s accounts and past management. Allegations of pilfering and siphoning out the company’s money were made against the then management. The issue escalated when in late Aug 2020, the long standing Japanese shareholders with nearly 15 per cent in the company were demanding their money amounting to US$18 million plus interest and legal fees claiming more..

Jan 10 (ST) Key questions remain over the shooting at Pelana in Weligama last Sunday (31) that left a police officer dead and another injured. The dead and injured officers were part of a Colombo Crime Division (CCD) team that, police said, was on a drug raid in the area. Police Sergeant Upul Chaminda Kumara (46) was killed in the incident, while a Sub-Inspector (SI) was injured. The eight-member CCD team that got caught up more..

Jan 10 (FT) Former Public Utilities Commission of SL Chairperson and Presidential hopeful Janaka Ratnayake emphasised that the revenue generated by the CEB last year should be directed towards the country’s consumers. “In the final quarter of 2023, the CEB recorded a profit exceeding Rs. 50 billion, achieved by unfairly imposing additional burdens on electricity consumers and unlawfully raising electricity tariffs in contravention to Article 30 of the Electricity Act,” more..

Jan 10 (CT) While the SL public is kept in the dark about the details of a proposed Wind Power plant/project of Adani Green Energy in the Mannar District, Board of Investment (BOI) has already signed a MOU followed by preliminary approval of the project with the Adani Group in early 2023. These details emerged from an appeal hearing last week when the Right to Information Commission directed the BOI to clarify responses to an information request submitted by more..

Jan 10 (DM) A drinking well in Pudukudiruppu in Mullaitivu containing water mixed with kerosene has become the cynosure of the people in the area. On information from the owner of the well, Police visited the scene and informed people not to use the well. The owner said the well had been abandoned for a long time and that he decided to clean and use it again. He said when he drew water he got the smell of kerosene. He said he immediately informed the Grama Niladhari and through him to police. more..

Jan 10 (DM) The rating of Sri Lanka Telecom (PLC) will no longer be dragged by the state ownership following the sale, Fitch Ratings said yesterday, as it announced it has maintained the telco’s ‘A(lka)’ National Long-Term Rating on Rating Watch Positive (RWP). According to the rating agency, the RWP reflects the potential rating upside from the removal of linkages with SLT’s parent, the Sri Lankan govt (Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR): CCC-). more..

Jan 10 (DN) My team’s victory was more important than my century and I wanted to pass D/L score that time said man of the match Janith Liyanage the latest addition to the SL ODI team. Liyanage playing in his second ODI showed his potential to build up his innings. Before this ODI series he played three T20 internationals. Janith Liyanage a product of St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya now playing for Ragama CC said that more..

Jan 10 (FT) National Construction Association of SL (NCASL) Chairman Susantha Liyanaarachchi this week said the country’s business community is prepared to confront any potential measures of suppression by the Govt. His comments were prompted by a recent statement from Presidential Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, where the latter claimed the Govt would take action against individuals spreading misinformation regarding the recent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT). more..

Jan 10 (Island) SL just managed to overcome Zimbabwe on Monday recording a two wicket win with an over to spare in the second ODI at RPS. There were several infamous batting collapses last year and we are seeing an extension this year as the team was reduced to 112 for six chasing a target of 209. Newcomer Janith Liyanage fought well but failed to finish the job. At 172 for eight, still 37 runs required, SL were scratching their heads. Eventually, Dushmantha Chameera & Jeffrey Vandersay more..

Jan 10 (TM) SJB called for broad stakeholder consultation before the enactment of the proposed Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) Bill. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said that such important legislation must not be brought about in a hurry since it requires an extensive social dialogue regarding the matters attached to the subject of the said Bill. He made these remarks when more..

Jan 10 (CT) Afghanistan Cricket Board, on Sunday, announced the dates for Afghanistan’s all-formats away tour of SL which will be held in February. Afghanistan will play a one-off Test followed by three ODIs and three T20Is. They will then head to the UAE where they will host Ireland for a full series which includes one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. The one-off Test will be played at the SSC in Colombo from 2 to 6 Feb. R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host the three ODIs on more..

Jan 10 (FT) SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar raised concerns on whether Prez Wickremesinghe is steering SL towards involvement in a potential global conflict through the inclusion of the SL Navy in the US-led operation safeguarding merchant vessels in the Red Sea from attacks by Houthi rebels. Markar referenced an article from the Daily FT, authored by human rights activist Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka which raised questions about the deployment of a SL Navy ship in the prevailing circumstances. more..

Jan 10 (DM) SL’s foremost wrestler Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando and her coach left for Croatia today to compete at the first Olympic Qualifier for the year 2024. All arrangements for their participation at this event were finalised under the directions of Minister Harin Fernando. Nethmi is the only medallist at the Asian or Commonwealth Games wrestling at present. The 18-year prodigy from the Puttalam District in the North Western Province secured the Bronze Medal at the Birmingham more..

Jan 10 (FT) FitsAir, SL’s leading low-cost airline, is proud to announce a significant enhancement to its service offerings by obtaining approval for inflight self-catering. This strategic move aligns with the airlines vision to offer low-cost int'l travel. FitsAir’s Inflight Catering Services prioritise affordability and variety, providing passengers with wallet-friendly meal choices that won’t strain their budgets. The inflight menu features practical yet satisfying meal options, ensuring passengers receive more..

Jan 10 (Island) Sri Lanka will host the 3rd Asian Schools Athletics Championships in August. The Asian Schools Sports Federation event, dedicated to athletes in the youth category will be jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education, SL Schools Sports Council and the SL Schools Athletics Association. “We are planning to conduct the Asian Schools Athletics Championships in August this year. more..

Jan 10 (FT) The world’s fastest growing athletic footwear brand, Brooks Running, together with its local partner Asriel Holdings Ltd, aims to help more Sri Lankans discover the joy of running, following the brand’s official launch over the weekend. A wholly owned subsidiary of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc, Brooks Running is a brand that has rapidly grown to be synonymous with performance and innovation. With a robust 25% market share in the US, and a reported 100% year-on-year more..

Jan 10 (DM) Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake has been acquitted of charges connected to the Easter Sunday attack by a three-member bench appointed by the National Police Commission. The National Police Commission officially communicated the acquittal to police headquarters in writing on December 14 last year. Copies of the related report were also forwarded to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security. Senior DIG Nandana Munasinghe, in charge of Western Province more..

Jan 10 (KT) SL’s manpower development companies that recruit and send SL domestic workers to foreign countries have halted sending laborers to Kuwait, according to local sources. The sources said that a new decision was expected on the issue as Sri Lanka is waiting for a labor agreement with Kuwait that will include conditions and rules to bring in SL helpers to Kuwait. They said SL side wants Kuwait to reconsider salaries of domestic helpers and increase their minimum wage, more..

Jan 10 (CT) Although money had been allocated to install 80 Nano Filters for the purpose of providing safe drinking water to the people, only 28 have been installed, a senior official of NCWSD said. In 2022 only 25 Nano Filters had been constructed, spending Rs 121 million. In the districts of Puttalam, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Moneragala, where 30 of these 80 Nano Filters were planned to be installed, only three, that were purchased at a cost of Rs 35.96 m last year, have been installed. more..