Jan 4 (DM) Let us build a just and fair society was the New Year wish of our sister paper Sunday Times. Unfortunately, most people, most of the time, do not work towards this vision but instead are selfish and self-centred. Therefore, we prefer to get rather than to give, to obtain wealth, possessions and positions. Spirituality tells us that it is more blessed to give than to get. Freely as we receive, freely we must give. Our care for the other is a measure of our greatness. more..

Jan 4 (FT) In an effort to drive sustainable energy initiatives in Sri Lanka, Huawei recently organised a key conference titled Unleashing the Potential of a Sustainable Energy Future in collaboration with SL Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and Solar Industries Association (SIA). Event served as a dynamic platform for industry experts to share profound insights, fostering discourse on critical topics to drive the sector’s evolution, with over 300 prominent renewable energy invitees. more..

Jan 4 (TM) Strict rules and regulations should be implemented to control illegal, locally-made, improvised explosive devices such as Hakka Patas and Ali Wedi (elephant cracker) that cause secondary blast injuries due to primary explosives, in order to prevent both morbidity and mortality. These recommendations were made in case reports and a picture story on Injuries due to improvised explosive devices which were more..

Jan 4 (ST) During the 2024 budget debate which thankfully concluded earlier this month there was much bombast and belligerence which fortunately stopped short of fisticuffs, though the corridors were not entirely free of major power clashes. That led to three MPs being timed out like former Sri Lanka cricket captain Angelo Mathews in his international record-breaking incident not too long ago. But the cricketing metaphor is not without relevance. For there was this interesting sub-plot to more..

Jan (Island) The govt and the power sector trade unions are engaged in a game of chicken over the proposed restructuring of the CEB; they are all out to push each other to back down but without success. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has, true to form, read the warring unions the riot act. Having cancelled the CEB workers’ leave, he has threatened to suspend all those who may cause disruptions to the national power supply. His bellicosity reminds us of the unspeakably more..

Jan (FT) Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, yesterday announced the opening of its latest property the Sheraton Colombo Hotel, which is the second Sheraton hotel to open in SL. Featuring elements from the brand’s new vision of fostering community, the 320-room hotel seamlessly integrates Colombo’s vibrant spirit and cultural richness into its ambience, making it the perfect retreat for both locals and tourists to work, more..

Jan 4 (FT) Prime Lands Residencies, the real estate leader, has announced a change in leadership with Sandamini Perera assuming the role of Executive Chairperson of the company’s Board of Directors, effective 1 Jan 2024. She takes over from outgoing co-chairman, Premalal Brahmanage, who has stepped down from the role after nearly three years of dedicated service since the initial public offering in 2021. Sandamini, the co-founder of Prime Group, has served as the Executive Director of more..

Jan 4 (DN) SLC has joined with the Sports Ministry to formulate a crucial National selection policy, a commendable initiative, according to Chairman of the Selection Committee Upul Tharanga. Tharanga emphasized the importance of a National selection policy, stating that it requires extensive discussions and careful consideration. “We need to make short-term plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA next June, and more..

Jan 4 (DN) In an official announcement yesterday, the Boxing Association of SL (BASL) disclosed that the country’s top boxers are preparing for the 96th National Boxing Championship. The event, taking place at the Royal College MAS Arena from January 13 to 17 starting at 4 PM, is seen as a crucial step for SL boxers eyeing spots in the 2024 Paris Olympics. BASL, in collaboration with the National Selection Committee, has set its sights not only on the Summer Olympic qualifications but more..

Jan 4 (TM) The demolition of the Soul Beach restaurant in Dehiwala is questionable in several ways. One of the biggest concerns in the general society is whether the authorities had the necessary permissions and reasons to demolish it, because the publicly available information regarding the incident showed no such permissions or reasons apart from what is said by various parties. Above all, the manner in which legal actions are being taken against the restaurant is questionable. more..

Jan 4 (DN) Sri Lanka should try to adopt the highly successful Bangladesh tax payer process model, said Assistant Secretary General and Regional Director Asia-Pacific at UNDP, Kanni Wignaraja. During a meeting with State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe she said that the Revenue Dept of the former Bangladesh was accused of widespread corruption. “However, it has become a more effective and efficient institution due to the digitization and modernization of it.” more..

Jan 4 (FT) Sepalika Chandrasekara has been appointed as the Commissioner General at the Inland Revenue Department, succeeding the interim leadership of Upul Jayawardene. She has previously served as the Deputy Commissioner General - Tax Administration (Medium Corporate, Corporate Small Entities and Non-Corporate Sector, Regional Offices and Risk Management). Having served in various capacities within the Department, Chandrasekara has a wealth of experience to this more..

Jan 4 (CI) Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay and Akila Dananjaya have been recalled to SL's ODI squad for the three-match series against Zimbabwe. Kusal Mendis will lead the side, his first series since being appointed full-time ODI captain. SL's new selection committee, in their first assignment since being appointed, have made eight changes to the side that finished second-last at the ODI World Cup, with Wanindu more..

Jan 4 (DN) Indian Govt has invited SL to dive into the BIMSTEC Youth Aquatic Sports Championship, marking a significant moment in regional collaboration. This invitation, extended through the Foreign Ministry and Sports Ministry, sets the stage for an exciting event scheduled from Feb 7 to 14 in New Delhi, as confirmed by the SL Aquatic Sports Union yesterday. Focusing on the Youth Under-20 category, this championship promises to be a showcase of swimming, diving & water polo more..

Jan 4 (Island) Oil palm cultivation which underwent heavy criticism in Sri Lanka due to environmental concerns and subsequently led to a ban imposed on it by former prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa in April 2021 is now taking an interesting turn of events due to tea and rubber smallholders’ insufficient incomes and what they describe as better awareness of oil palm cultivation. With just over two and a half years, the very same tea and rubber smallholders who had protested against more..

Jan 4 (FT) The SJB expressed confidence in forming a new Govt after elections, and the party has already formulated an economic plan in consultation with all stakeholders that will be rolled out immediately. SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva says his party’s economic agenda will offer some respite to the people, whilst staying close to the deep reforms needed to revive the SL economy. “The increase in VAT will impose further burdens more..

Jan 4 (FT) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced the temporary suspension of the Rs. 50,000 fine specified by legal provisions for individuals failing to comply with Tax Identification Number (TIN) requirements. However, this revelation is in contrast to the Inland Revenue Department’s recent notice, cautioning that individuals not obtaining a TIN could face penalties, potentially reaching Rs. 50,000 with enforcement scheduled to commence from 1 Jan 2024. more..

Jan 4 (PMD) Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando pledges a significant reduction of 75% in the cost of living burden on the people by the end of the first quarter this year. He attributes this positive outlook to the initiation of 2024 with a positive economic growth rate. Minister Fernando expressed his commitment to enhancing consumer rights by introducing a new program for the Consumer Authority, aiming to provide greater security for consumers. more..

Jan 4 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the nation cannot revert to a period marked by scarcity of fuel, lack of fertilizers, and economic collapse. Prez further asserted that despite the challenges, the country’s economy can experience swift strengthening by persisting on the current trajectory, acknowledging the inherent difficulties. In his address at the Shilpa Abhimani 2023 Presidential Handicraft Awards ceremony held at the BMICH in Colombo today (03), more..

Jan 4 (FT) Citizen’s Collective, a civil society group, expressed serious concerns about the security of data on the Inland Revenue Department’s website in a written communication sent yesterday. The organisation noted that on observation it found that the Dept’s website www.ird.gov.lk lacks a Security Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption-based Internet security protocol. The group highlighted that this vulnerability could expose the website to various security threats, more..

Jan 4 (Island) Cabinet Office has handed over the documents requested by the CID investigating the procurement of fake immunoglobulin by the Health Ministry. Authoritative sources said that the two sets of documents had been handed over to the CID so far and a third set would be sent within the next few days. Sources said so when sought clarification from the Cabinet Office regarding the directive issued by more..

Jan (TM) SL held discussions with a delegation from the Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel on Tuesday in order to provide 20, 000 construction sector job opportunities in Israel, Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment said. Accordingly, discussions have taken place on the testing process prior to the provision of job opportunities for the Sri Lankans in the said sector. According to the Labour Ministry, testing process is to be conducted in collaboration with Israel Builders Association. more..

Jan 4 (DM) Three all-rounders and the top-ranked women's T20I bowler have been shortlisted for the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023 Award. Chamari Athapaththu (SL): 470 runs and 8 wickets in 16 matches. The veteran SL started the year with a Player of the Match performance in Cape Town in the Women's T20 World Cup, smashing 68 off 50 balls to help SL beat South Africa by 3 runs. The big upset win set the tone for a remarkable year for SL women and Athapaththu was at more..

Jan 4 (Island) The largest SLPP dissident group led by Dullas Alahapperuma too has split over the call made by SJB to form a wider alliance against the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt, political sources said. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Dilan Perera and Dr. Nalaka Godahewa have pledged their support to the SJB whereas the others led by Dullas Alahapperuma have decided to operate as a separate group. Prof. Peiris, Perera & Godahewa have already addressed the media at Opposition Leader’s Office, more..

Jan 4 (TM) CEB has clarified that VAT rate increase which was implemented from Monday will have no impact on electricity tariffs. On an earlier occasion, CEB stated that it was awaiting a clarification from relevant institutions including the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies and the general Treasury as to whether the VAT revision would affect electricity tariffs. CEB’s media spokesman, Noel Priyantha said that while they had not yet received such a clarification, more..

Jan 4 (TM) Claiming that there is no possibility of not holding the Prez Election which is scheduled to be held this year, the Election Commission (EC) stated that it must, however, be held before 16 October, and expressed their trust in receiving relevant financial provisions. Although Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe recently said that both the Prez and Parliamentary Elections would be held during the course of this year, more..

Jan 4 (DM) Examinations Dept announced the holding of the 2023 (2024) A/L exam from today. Accordingly, the exam will be held till January 31 at 2,302 examination centers, with a total of 346,976 candidates, while 319 coordinating centres will assist the exam during the period. A total of 58,981 candidates will sit for the exam through the biology subject, and 43,712 candidates through the physics subject, while 69,077 candidates will sit for the exam through the commerce stream, more..

Jan 4 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (3) issued an Extraordinary Gazette deeming the provision of several services as essential services in the country. This includes all institutions providing services/goods essential to the community, supply of electricity, petroleum, fuel and discharging, transporting, storing goods from ports and airports. Accordingly, the gazette states that any Public Corporation, Govt Dept, Local Authority, Co-operative Society or more..

Jan 4 (FT) Trade Unions and staff of the CEB yesterday defied the circular issued by the Acting General Manager of the CEB on Tuesday cancelling the leave of all employees to engage in a planned protest against the newly proposed Electricity Act. The protest was held in front of the CEB Head Office in Fort at noon with the participation of a large number of employees. CEB United Trade Union Alliance Convener Ranjan Jayalal said more..

Jan 4 (FT) A common unfortunate experience shared by Sri Lankans is being exposed to clouds of unpleasant emissions from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This is a growing challenge, especially considering SL’s ageing vehicle fleets. Accordingly, 70% of SL’s total air pollution is attributed to the transport sector. According to statistics, there are more than 1.1 million internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles operating in SL excluding three wheelers and motor bicycles. more..

Jan 4 (FT) Sri Lanka is still experiencing an economic crisis. The effect of the crisis can be seen in terms of many hardships for common people as survival can be considered as the challenge. The country has again decided to go for the IMF which has cleared the second tranche of about $ 337 million recently. Is Sri Lanka getting IMF is one of the key searches on Google these days. It is unfortunate to see that the country is running out of all options and proceeds with loans. more..

Jan 4 (EN) Ministry of Agriculture is issuing air rifles to farmers to protect crops from animals, a statement by the Govt Information Department said. The rifles were given to farmers in Keppetiyawa along with agricultural equipment such as water tanks, water dispersal tools and water motors. These were given to farmers cultivating pineapple, pomegranate, guava and papaya. “Agricultural implements worth 10 million rupees were given to the farmers,” the ministry said. more..

Jan 4 (AD) The health authorities have decided to administer an additional vaccination dose against measles to infants aged between 6 - 9 months. Accordingly, an MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) is scheduled to be held on Jan 6 at all immunization clinic centres in 9 high-risk health districts. The vaccination program will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala more..

Jan 4 (EN) SL has agreed to send a Navy ship to the Red Sea to counter the Houthi attacks, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said. “A decision has been made to deploy a ship from the SL Navy to the Red Sea, contributing to the security of the region against Houthi activities,” Prez said. “Additionally, shipping has been disrupted due to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. To counter this, more..

Jan 4 (DM) On the heels of the health emergency at the Matara Prison due to fever conditions, an inmate has succumbed to Meningitis (brain fever) at the Galle Prison as well, forcing authorities to restrict various activities within the facility. Following health guidelines, prison authorities have implemented restrictions on various activities within Matara Prison. In a directive from the Commissioner General of Prisons, new arrivals at the Galle Prison too have been redirected to more..