Dec 17 (TM) The CEB stated that while it allows a two-months payment window and a two-weeks grace period after disconnection notices, its institutional regulatory framework prevents offering additional relief for delays in settling electricity bills. It was reported recently that the average daily number of electricity disconnections for unpaid bills has risen from 2,660 last year (2023) to 3,443 this year. The Electricity Consumers' Association claimed more..

Dec 17 (DN) Jaffna Titans once again made a good batting display scoring 153 for 4 wickets recorded 53 runs win over Nuwara Eliya Kings to ensure top place of the points table in the inaugural Lanka T-10 Super League cricket tournament which now in progress at Pallekele. Jaffna Titans is the only unbeaten team once again expected to enter the final. Most of the matches were interrupted by rain. The first match between Nuwara Eliya Kings and Galle Marvels scheduled to be played more..

Dec 17 (ST) A special audit has uncovered significant mismanagement in the govt’s scheme for importing fully electric vehicles for expatriate workers, leading to substantial financial losses. According to Parliamentary sources, the audit report, recently presented in the House, examined the issuance of permits under the programme, which operated from May 1, 2022, to Sept 15, 2023. It also investigated the EV permit issuance between Sept 22, 2020, and June 30, 2023. more..

Dec 17 (ST) A Cabinet paper presented by Energy Minister Kumar Jayakodi to promote the use of liquefied natural gas in the electricity sector has projected a US$ 711 million saving over ten years starting from 2028—but that figure appears to be the result of a flawed calculation published in an expert committee report on LNG infrastructure development in SL. Based on the average cost of LNG and the estimated more..

Dec 17 (FT) Already enjoying record highs the Colombo stock market yesterday gathered further momentum as investors continued to remain bullish. ASPI gained by 2% or 295 points to surpass the 14,500-points mark and the active S&P SL20 rose by 2.5% propelling its year to date (YTD)return to over 40% mark to 41.76%. Turnover reached a 10-month high of Rs. 8.28 billion involving 211 million shares. Ceylinco Holdings (Rs 1.196 b), JKH (Rs 532.4 m), Sampath Bank (Rs 442 m), more..

Dec 17 (DN) Rashmika Sewwandi the medium fast bowler had fine figures of 4 for 23 in her 3 over spell but it was in vain as Bangladesh under 19 women’ recorded 28 run win over SL under 19 women in their Asia Cup cricket fixture played at Bayuemas Cricket Oval grounds Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Bangladesh women batted first scoring 122 for 9 wickets while rain reduced the game to 17 overs per side. SL lasses started with a positive approach. Opener Sanjana Kavindi hit 13 ball 21 more..

Dec 17 (ST) Six Superior Court vacancies—four in the Supreme Court and two in the Court of Appeal—are due to be filled shortly, the Sunday Times learns. Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna, Menaka Wijesundara, Mohammed Laffar, and Sampath B. Abeykoon are the most senior justices in the Court of Appeal. The Sunday Times learns that the Supreme Court vacancies are to be filled considering names from the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Unofficial Bar. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to conclude a successful state visit to India, after having talks with PM Narendra Modi and other Indian dignitaries on an array of key issues. Some bilateral agreements are also reported to have been inked. Modi and Dissanayake have issued a joint statement. and the latter has invited the former to visit Sri Lanka. Prez Dissanayake received a warm welcome from PM Modi and other Indian leaders in New Delhi. more..

Dec 17 (DM) In response to the CID complaint filed by a civil society representative alleging that MP Namal Rajapaksa had received preferential treatment during a law examination 11 years ago, Rajapaksa said that there was no special treatment given to any candidate, including him. Complaint was submitted by Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of citizen's movement against fraud, corruption & waste. more..

Dec 17 (FT) The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Sri Lanka recently presented its comprehensive set of proposals for the 2025 National Budget to Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma. Titled From Recovery to Sustainability – Crafting SL’s Economic Blueprint for 2025, the proposals focus on creating sustainable economic growth, enhancing public welfare, and ensuring fiscal responsibility amid Sri Lanka’s current economic challenges. more..

Dec 17 (ST) Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya’s question on Facebook last Thursday, about Hon Speaker Dr Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala’s academic qualifications, slightly raised a quizzical eyebrow amongst the people. Rumours sped faster than Jaguar’s latest electric racing car on the Grand Prix track, as speculations grew if Ranwala, too, had done a Mervyn, and was flaunting a bogus doctorate to fool a gullible public that he’s a learned man, worthy of the utmost respect. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement that the govt will not permit the erosion of its mandate for accountable govt in the context of the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament is on track with the promises made during the course of the elections that brought the NPP to power. Prez reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining public trust, stating his govt will take decisive action against any wrongdoing, regardless of rank, and emphasised the govt’s mission to uphold more..

Dec 17 (TM) In February this year, the visit to New Delhi by JVP/NPP Leader Aruna Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) was viewed as significant development in domestic politics and emerging power relations in the Indian Ocean. On invitation from the Indian Govt, Dissanayake led a delegation comprising Vijitha Herath, Nihal Abeysinghe and Prof. Anil Jayantha to New Delhi, and met both External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval. more..

Dec 17 (TM) With Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India this week, speculation is rife that the arrest of Indian fishermen in SL waters could figure prominently during discussions between the SL Prez and senior members of the Indian Govt. However, Deputy Minister of Fisheries Rathna Gamage said that the release of the Indian fishermen would not be a point of discussion but rather a potential solution to the ongoing more..

Dec 17 (DM) Former Election Commission Chairman Deshapriya has challenged former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala to prove his academic credentials; he says, if Ranwala fails to do so, he should step down, urging the NPP to take action. Such an accusation is not made lightly, leaving it to Ranwala to address the matter and clear the name of the NPP and its 6.8 million voters. The key question is whether Ranwala possesses a degree in chemical engineering from the Uni of Moratuwa and more..

Dec 17 (DM) The Anura Kumara Dissanayake govt, which was sailing smoothly despite unsolved economic issues, suffered the first jolt since coming to power, when parliament Speaker Ashoka Ranwala resigned on Friday amidst accusations that his PhD was fake. Urban Development and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilake and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara were also assailed for falsely claiming that they had Doctoral degrees. Ranwala maintained that he had acquired a PhD, more..

Dec 17 (TM) Trade Unions (TUs) attached to the education sector are up in arms over the Govt’s plan to provide sewn school uniforms to students, terming it impractical. The new Govt has decided to provide sewn school uniforms to address inefficiencies in the current system. Earlier this month, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Hadunnetti announced the Govt’s plan to provide sewn school uniforms more..

Dec 17 (DM) It seems to be a ritual rather than a custom for the SL Presidents in the recent past to undertake their first overseas tour to India, geographically closest country. Mahinda Rajapaksa during his first tenure as the Prez in 2005 paid his first official visit to New Delhi in December in the same year while his successor Maithripala Sirisena did the same in February 2015. The maiden official overseas destination for both Prezs Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Anura Kumara Dissnayake more..

Dec 17 (CT) When Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) concluded that the law had been implemented like a spider’s web, where small animals are caught, while larger entities can break through and evade it, Prez AKD hit the nail on the head of CIABOC authorities. CIABOC must understand the fact that the law is not for the authorities to sit on and ensure continuous impunity for culprits and hence to sow injustice anymore under the regime of AKD/NPP because AKD/NPP is fully committed to more..

Dec 16 (AD) Parliament will convene tomorrow where a new Speaker shall be elected following the Oaths and Affirmation of new Members of Parliament as provided by Standing Orders and the Constitution, said the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. The matter was discussed when the Committee on Parliamentary Business met today, chaired by the Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih. Several amendments have also been made to more..

Dec 16 (ST) The Embassy of Netherlands, in collaboration with SL Press Institute (SLPI), has announced the arrival of the prestigious World Press Photo Exhibition (WPP) 2024 in SL. The exhibition, running from January 10 to February 2, presents a curated selection of the best and most impactful photojournalism and documentary photography from around the world to engage in critical reflection on crucial global issues. Exhibition will be showcased across Colombo, Jaffna and Galle more..

Dec 16 (EN) A joint statement was released after a meeting between SL President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Narendra Modi of India. The full text of the statement is reproduced below: PM of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi and President of SL Anura Kumara Disanayaka had comprehensive and fruitful discussions at their meeting in New Delhi on 16 Dec 2024, during the latter’s State Visit to the Republic of India. more..

Dec 16 (OP) India plans to deliver LNG to SL as part of efforts to boost bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, the Indian foreign ministry said on Monday as SL’s newly elected president visited India. Indian PM Narendra Modi welcomed SL’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his first visit to India since Dissanayake won the prez election in September. The two countries also continue discussions on establishing a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India & SL, more..

Dec 16 (TM) Ministry of Plantation is in the process of determining whether SL will seek a Geographical Indication (GI) for Ceylon pepper on a region-specific basis, while the GI for Ceylon golden pineapple is in its final stages, awaiting the conclusion of local registration. Ministry of Plantation Industries Development of Minor Export Crops Plantation Division Director R.C. Watawala stated that they had been working towards obtaining a GI for Ceylon pepper for a while. more..

Dec 16 (CT) The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that Sri Lankans residing abroad who have contributed by repatriating money to the country’s Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds will be exempted from paying income tax on the interest earned from those investments. In addition, the Dept has stated that any Samurdhi community-based bank established under the Samurdhi Development Dept has been exempted from income tax more..

Dec 16 (NW) SL govt has repatriated 27 nationals, including eight women, who were held in a human trafficking camp in Myanmar. The group returned this afternoon on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 405, which landed at Katunayake. Authorities escorted the individuals to their homes under special security arrangements. The victims had been trapped in illegal cybercrime operations linked to human trafficking networks. Officials report that 14 Sri Lankans remain in similar camps in Myanmar, more..

Dec 16 (FT) French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Secretary General Anne-Marie Descôtes undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka from 10-11 December to attend the inauguration of the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on 11 Dec. The Regional Centre for Maritime Studies is a Sri Lanka-France bilateral initiative that aims to strengthen capacity and knowledge mainly in maritime safety and security. more..

Dec 16 (EN) SL’s Prez Anura Dissanayake and Indian PM Narendra Modi discussed energy connectivity including picking up pace on the Sampur project, during Dissanayake’s first foreign State visit since assuming office. Modi and Dissanayake addressed a joint press conference and outlined their vision for strengthening bilateral ties. “In our economic cooperation, we have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity,” Modi, who spoke in Hindi, more..

Dec 16 (FT) The appointment of highly qualified finance professionals as chairpersons and board members of major banking and financial institutions is driven solely by merit to ensure competent leadership to address challenges and opportunities effectively, a top official said. Some of the recent appointments feature current and former professional bankers, including Kavinda De Zoysa as Bank of Ceylon Chairman, Prof. P.N.D. Fernando as People’s Bank Chairman, more..

Dec 16 (DM) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena, through his counsel, informed the Court of Appeal today that he will not claim any rights to the SLFP chairmanship in the future. Prez's Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, appearing on behalf of the former Prez, informed court that the contempt of court application filed against his client for allegedly disregarding an order issued by the Colombo District Court concerning the SLFP chairmanship more..

Dec 16 (CT) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has announced that it can authorise special Police investigations in cases where a complainant does not receive justice through other law enforcement channels or when the severity of the case requires immediate intervention. In such instances, the Chairman of the NCPA has the authority to grant permission for a special investigation to ensure that the rights and protection of children are upheld. more..

Dec 16 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was ceremonially welcomed by Indian Prez Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. The ceremonial reception began with Prez Dissanayake being escorted to the Rashtrapati Bhavan by a horseback parade. He was warmly greeted by Indian Prez Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi. The event included a 21-gun salute, marking the occasion with full state honours. Following the formalities, more..