Dec 17 (DM) The Colombo High Court today served indictments on a biomedical engineer attached to the Biomedical Engineering Unit of the Health Ministry for allegedly causing a financial loss to the govt during the procurement of 35 operating theater lamps. When the accused, Janapriya Karunatilleke, appeared before Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe, he was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000, with two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. more..

Dec 17 (DM) MP Dilith Jayaweera proposed in Parliament that titles such as Doctor, Professor etc. should be avoided when introducing MPs in the House as it leads to social division. He told Parliament that MPs who come from various professions are in the House and that introducing them with titles before them must be avoided. "A doctor is relevant to hospitals and a Professor is relevant to universities. So, I propose that using their titles in the House be avoided," he said. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Former Ministers and MPs have disproportionately benefited from the President's Fund, receiving financial assistance for medical treatment that goes beyond the fund's original purpose. Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa revealed in the House that a number of former Ministers and MPs had received assistance from the fund, which was originally intended to support the poor and underprivileged. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Director's Office of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital has notified MP Ramanathan Archchuna that he will only be allowed entry to the hospital as a patient, and for no other reason. This decision follows a ruling by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court, which granted Archchuna personal bail of Rs 100,000 yesterday, in a case filed against him. The case has been postponed to Feb 7, 2025. The Court also imposed restrictions on Archchuna's access to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, more..

Dec 17 (AD) The SLFP's disciplinary committee has summoned MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, the party’s General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake said. He revealed that charges have been brought against Jayasekara for allegedly acting in a manner that goes against the party’s decisions. The prolonged internal crisis of the SLFP, once one of the largest political parties of the country, began as the then-Chairman of the party former Prez Maithripala Sirisena ousted Jayasekara from the SLFP more..

Dec 17 (AD) The tri-forces personnel assigned to provide security to former presidents will be withdrawn from next week and only police security will continue to be provided, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said. The Minister highlighted that the police protection will be provided to each former Prez in accordance with the outcomes of the security assessment conducted every 06 months. more..

Dec 17 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, currently on a three-day official visit to India, participated in a discussion with leading Indian business representatives today (16) in New Delhi. This discussion, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), brought together some of India’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Prez Dissanayake highlighted the investor-friendly environment in SL and invited Indian entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in SL. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Egg producers have been affected by the price drop of eggs in the local market caused by high production, SL Association of Animal Production president Ajith Gunasekera said. He said that a large-sized egg is currently sold in the market at Rs.30 to Rs.31, while a small-sized egg is sold at Rs.28. The current egg production exceeds the demand in the local market, and as a result egg prices are dropping rapidly. "The current cost of producing an egg is Rs. 34, but more..

Dec 17 (CT) A fake message is currently circulating on WhatsApp, falsely claiming that the President has approved financial assistance of Rs 50,000 for each household. The SL Police have issued an urgent warning, advising the public to avoid clicking on the link included in the message and refrain from sharing personal information. The police cautioned that clicking on the link could expose sensitive personal data to potential security risks, leaving users vulnerable to cybercrimes. more..

Dec 17 (AD) High Commissioner of Malaysia to SL, Badli Hisham bin Adam has met with PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the PM's Office to discuss avenues for enhancing economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two nations. During the discussion, high commissioner reaffirmed Malaysia”s commitment to the longstanding bilateral relationship. Discussions focused on investment opportunities, collaboration in sectors like telecom and automobile assembly, and promoting SL tourism in Malaysia, more..

Dec 17 (AD) NPP MP Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has been unanimously elected as the new Speaker of Parliament. Polonnaruwa District MP was nominated by PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya following the commencement of today’s parliamentary session. The proposal was seconded by Minister Bimal Ratnayake. Accordingly, Deputy Speaker, Dr. Rizvie Salih announced to the House that Dr. Wickremeratne was unanimously more..

Dec 17 (NW) Sports Minister Sunil Gamage summoned officials of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to the Ministry of Sports yesterday for a discussion on the current state of cricket in the country. The meeting focused on plans to develop facilities required for cricket, strategies to enhance the sustainability of cricket stadiums, and ways to leverage cricket for promoting tourism. Attention was also drawn to the existing challenges within the SLC system, with the Minister emphasizing the need for swift more..

Dec 17 (DM) Opposition MP Chamara Sampath today questioned why the Central Bank and Finance Ministry officials visited Washington spending a colossal sum of money despite the IMF's agreeing to hold discussions on its EFF via zoom facility. Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma said four officials of the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry and five officials of the Central Bank had attended the IMF discussions in Washington and that the decision to more..

Dec 17 (EN) Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product expanded 5.5% in the third quarter of 2024, up from 1.2% a year ago, as the central bank providing stability with largely deflationary policy. In the June quarter the economy expanded 4.7%. SL’s private credit expanded with falling interest rates and imports were picking up. The “increase in imports of investment goods as well as intermediate goods such as textile and more..

Dec 17 (TM) SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the SL Embassy in Thailand, SL Automobile Component Manufacturers Association (SLACMA), and the Thai-SL Chamber of Commerce, organised an exposure tour for representatives from nine SL automotive sector companies recently. Sri Lanka had finalised on its free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand during this year, after six years of having commenced talks with the South East Asian nation. more..

Dec 17 (AD) The Court of Appeal fixed for consideration on Jan 15, 2025 a quo warranto petition filed seeking a writ order disqualifying Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna from holding a parliamentary seat. The petition filed by the Chairman of Abhinawa Niwahal Peramuna Oshala Herath was taken up before a two-member Appeals Court bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Mahen Gopallawa today (17). The petitioner has alleged in his petition more..

Dec 17 (FT) Sri Lanka’s public sector has become a focal point of intense debate, reflecting its critical role in governance, service delivery, and employment. However, its inefficiencies, fiscal burdens, and disparities in resource allocation have come under sharp scrutiny amid escalating economic pressures. The expanding public workforce, while offering job security and supporting livelihoods, poses pressing challenges that demand urgent attention. more..

Dec 17 (FT) Over the past three years in particular, the whole country has been screwed to give high priority to the free-market economic crisis. The economic crisis having buckled their routine life for nearly one year, urban society does not seem interested in anything else. All politicians and economic experts are crazy talking about solving the economic crisis that now revolves around the IMF EFF assistance. A measly $ 02.9 billion loan assistance it is, agreed for a period of 4 years more..

Dec 17 (FT) Sri Lanka and India yesterday agreed to transform its bilateral relationship into a new standard for friendly and neighbourly ties. The agreement was reached during official talks between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where the former is making his first overseas State visit. The two leaders “noted that the effective and timely implementation of agreed measures, more..

Dec 17 (DM) General Membership of the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL), during its Special General Assembly (SGA), resolved to conduct elections for new office-bearers no later than March 31, 2025. This decision aligns with the NOCSL Constitution and the Olympic cycle of 2025–2028. The resolution is a critical step to address ongoing internal disputes and restore operational stability. The SGA was convened as per the NOCSL Constitution, following requests from more..

Dec 17 (DM) SL’s economic activities across both the manufacturing and services activities continued to expand during November. This is both as a reflection of the continuous recovery in the economy as well as the year-end seasonal pop seen in the demand for both goods and services, which is further supported by the lower interest rates and cooler prices. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for manufacturing recorded an index value of 53.3 in November, signalling continued expansion more..

Dec 17 (TM) Jaffna Teaching Hospital has urged the public to visit the Hospital or any other healthcare facility if they experience symptoms of illness, without panicking, following several deaths of confirmed and suspected leptospirosis (rat fever) patients. In recent times, leptospirosis cases have been reported from three Medical Officer of Health Divisions in the Jaffna District: Point Pedro, Chavakachcheri & Karavetti. more..

Dec 17 (CT) High level surveillance system will be set up at the Galle Prison in 2025 to curb the illegal interaction of the outsiders with the inmates and smuggling materials in, said Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage. He made this observation while presiding over the first Galle District Development Committee meeting of the new NPP govt, held at the Galle District Secretariat. During the meeting, it was brought to attention of the Deputy Minister that authorities have so far seized more..

Dec 17 (AD) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe says the govt has decided to impose maximum retail prices on a range of essential items in the future. The Minister highlighted the disparity between production costs and market prices, stating, “ A water bottle that sells for Rs. 100 can be sold for less than Rs. 40. A packet of salt, produced at a cost of Rs. 52, is being sold for Rs. 100.” He expressed concern over inefficiencies in the salt industry and other sectors, pointing out that more..

Dec 17 (Island) Around 2,500 liters of water are required to produce just one kilogram of rice, putting immense pressure on SL’s water resources, especially during droughts, according to a release from the UNDP. In response, the Green Climate Fund-financed Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP) is tackling this challenge with an innovative solution: Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). This project, implemented by the Govt of SL with more..

Dec 17 (Island) Ten distinguished media veterans are listed to be honoured at the 69th Anniversary Convention of the SL Press Association (SLPA) and the D.F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Journalism Awards. The ceremony is scheduled to take place today at the SL Foundation Auditorium. The honorees, who have dedicated their careers to the advancement of journalism, are Daya Lankapura, V. Thanabalasingham, J. Sheela Wickramarathna, P. B. Ilangasinghe, Upali Arambewala, more..

Dec 17 (DM) Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, requested the President to establish a formal institution to receive and discuss sensitive information they have collected regarding the growing racism and religious fanaticism in the country. Thera said that he possesses various pieces of information that even the CID does not possess. more..

Dec 17 (TM) The All Ceylon Egg Traders’ Association has announced a significant reduction in egg prices for the upcoming festive season, with retail prices now set between Rs. 30 and 35, it is reported. The President of the association, Anton Appuhami had explained to the media that accordingly, regular eggs weighing less than 50 grams will be available for prices ranging from Rs. 30 to 32. For larger eggs, weighing over 55 grams, the price will be between Rs. 33 and 35. more..

Dec 17 (EN) SL and India have discussed resuming a second passenger ferry service between the island and the sub-continent during Prez Anura Dissanayake’s state visit. “While expressing satisfaction at the resumption of the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai, they agreed that officials should work towards the early recommencement of the passenger ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar,” a statement issued after Dissanayake met more..

Dec 17 (DN) SL’s number one ranked tennis player and national champion Dinara de Silva of St Bridget’s Convent clinched the Women’s Open Singles title, while Yuhansa Peiris of Bishop’s College secured the Girls’ Under-16 Singles title at the SLTA-YETI Hard Court National Tennis Championship held at the SL Tennis Association Courts. De Silva, a 16-year-old rising star, showcased excellent performance to overcome seasoned campaigner Rukshika Wijesuriya more..

Dec 17 (DM) Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma yesterday expressed confidence that SL can become the best place for foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Asia, with the Board of Investment (BOI) stepping up efforts to improve the services to the potential investors. The significant approval and int'l support from foreign govts and development agencies would serve as a catalyst for the BOI to drive better opportunities to attract more FDIs to the country. more..