Dec 16 (DM) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has lodged a formal complaint with the CID today requesting an inquiry into the inclusion of inaccurate educational qualifications in the Parliament database. Minister expressed concerns that the erroneous data might have been deliberately entered with the aim of defaming him or eroding public trust in the country. Minister Nanayakkara's name had been listed as more..

Dec 16 (TM) The Competent Authority (CA) for the three disbanded sports bodies, to netball, automobile and cycling, Dr. Shemal Fernando says, that each of those defunct federations could be revived in no time. However, he was quick to point out that there was a catch to it and noted for that to materialise, the pending legal cases filed against him, before the Court of Appeal, will need to be withdrawn by the respective petitioners. He said the onus was currently on those, more..

Dec 16 (AD) The Former SL High Commissioner to India, Austin Fernando, claims that there is a possibility that incumbent Prez Anura Dissanayake may reconsider the 13th Amendment to the Constitution when proposing a new Constitution. He noted that it is an excellent intension of the government to reduce corruption and bring back some of the money that are due to Sri Lanka but are hidden elsewhere. Meanwhile, he also highlighted that, under its vision statement, more..

Dec 16 (AD) The Indian owner of the Galle Marvels team in the Lanka T10 Super League, who was arrested on Thursday over match-fixing allegations, has been ordered to be further remanded until December 18 after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today. The case was taken up before Colombo Magistrate Thilina Gamage this morning. During the trial, the defendant Indian national has informed the court that he is prepared to provide a confidential statement more..

Dec 16 (AD) Three SL photographers made headlines with their remarkable captures at the prestigious Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photography Awards 2024, showcasing the beauty and challenges of wildlife through their lenses. SL’s Tharindu Dilshan Sendanayake claimed the coveted first prize with his breathtaking photograph titled Primal Fury, taken at Yala National Park. The image vividly captures a dramatic life-or-death struggle between a dominant SL leopard more..

Dec 16 (NW) Chairman of the Citizen’s Movement Against Fraud, Corruption, and Waste, Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, has lodged a complaint with the CID against MP Namal Rajapaksa, alleging irregularities at the SL Law College exam. Thushara claimed there is a witness who can testify that MP Rajapaksa received special assistance during the competitive exam at the Law College. “There is a witness who can testify more..

Dec 16 (AD) The public consultation conducted by the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) regarding the proposed tariff revision is scheduled to get underway from tomorrow. Accordingly, the general public are allowed to submit their opinions regarding the matter virtually or in writing before Jan 8, 2024. The relevant submissions can be forwarded to the PUCSL via; Email – info@pucsl.gov.lk; WhatsApp – 076 4271030; Facebook – www.facebook.com/pucsl; more..

Dec 16 (DM) India plans to supply liquefied natural gas to Sri Lanka's power plants and will work on connecting the power grids of the two countries as well as lay a petroleum pipeline between the neighbours, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday. Modi was speaking at a joint press briefing with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in New Delhi. India will collaborate with Sri Lanka on a Unique Digital Identity program, said PM Modi. more..

Dec 16 (EN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region, when he met Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. Prez Dissanayake is India on a three-day official visit through Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations and other cooperation including defence. This is Dissanayake’s first foreign visit since elected as the president in September this year following more..

Dec 16 (DM) A Cabinet Paper has been drafted to provide concessionary loan facilities for farmers affected by disruptions to their piggeries by the spread of the African Swine Disease in the country, Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said. According to the Department of Animal Production and Health, the disease, which initially affected wild boars, has started to spread to piggaries. Hence, steps are being taken to contain the disease. more..

Dec 16 (FT) SL adventurer Johann Peries is on the cusp of making mountaineering history as he sets out to conquer the prestigious Seven Summits challenge — scaling the tallest peak on each continent. Already celebrated as the first Sri Lankan man to summit Mount Everest, Johann has reached the peaks of four of these iconic mountains. Now, with unwavering resolve and a desire to elevate SL’s standing on the global stage, he’s preparing for the final three summits more..

Dec 16 (FT) One side-effect of the polarising effect of nationalism and populism around the world in recent years has been a decrease in the political stability and mandate enjoyed by incumbent regimes. From the erosion of nationalist hegemony in Malaysia or India to the rise of populism in the United States and pockets of Europe, swings in both directions have led to fragile coalitions, divided legislatures and a rise in uncertainty. One of the few silver linings to emerge from this cloud of more..

Dec 16 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya, on assuming duties at the vocational training ministry, is reported to have highlighted the importance of integrating school education, higher education, and vocational education as interconnected components of the education system. This policy goal of education is in line with the London University’s educationist Alison Wolf who said that education matters only if it involves both education and training and is connected to economic activities. more..

Dec 16 (Island) All Ceylon Union of Muslim League Youth Fronts (ACUMLYF) has requested K. Navas Kani, MP, of the Indian Union of Muslim League (IUML) to inquire into the high profile case of four Sri Lankans taken into custody in Gujarat on terrorism charges during the Indian general elections in May-June this year. Identifying the four persons taken into custody on May 19 at the Ahmedabad airport as Mohammad Nusrat, more..

Dec 16 (ANI) Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during his meeting with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday, highlighted the island nation's prominent role in India's Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. He further affirmed confidence that Prez Dissanayake's talks with PM Modi today will lead to greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo. "Pleased to call on Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. more..

Dec 16 (TM) SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday announced that the Opposition plans to propose a new Speaker for Parliament, representing the Opposition, on Tuesday (17). MP Bandara expressed concerns over recent developments in Parliament and the country’s governance. “The Parliament will convene on Tuesday, and a new Speaker must be appointed. We intend to present a Speaker who truly represents the Opposition, not someone with questionable credentials,” more..

Dec 16 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday began his three-day official visit to India, focusing on leveraging the giant neighbour’s vast market for the country’s economic revival. On his arrival at New Delhi, he was warmly welcomed by India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister of State Dr. S. Murugan, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Indian Ocean Region Additional Secretary Puneet Agrawal, more..

Dec 16 (DM) Due to formation of a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal, the Met Dept has issued a weather warning for the land and also the sea areas surrounding the island, valid for the next 24 hours. The low-pressure area is expected to intensify further and move west-northwestwards towards the Tamil Nadu coast, passing close to the northern part of SL in the subsequent two days. As a result, heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is likely in the Northern, Eastern, North-Central, more..

Dec 16 (CT) Ratnapura District Secretary, Wasantha Gunarathna, has issued a gazette notification outlining the regulations that the public must strictly follow during the Sri Pada pilgrimage season, which officially began yesterday. The guidelines aim to ensure safety, environmental protection, and the smooth management of the pilgrimage, which will continue until 13 May 2025. Wasantha Gunarathna said these regulations are part of an effort to manage the large number of pilgrims more..

Dec 16 (AD) Dept of Inland Revenue (IRD) has issued a notice to taxpayers, urging them to meet key deadlines for tax payments this December to avoid penalties and legal action. Taxpayers are reminded that VAT and Social Security Contribution Levy for the month of Nov 2024 must be paid on or before 20 Dec 2024. For those who have missed paying taxes due on their income tax returns for the assessment year 2023/2024, the deadline to settle these payments is 26 Dec 2024. more..

Dec 16 (DN) A team from Tokyo will visit Sri Lanka this week to negotiate the terms and conditions of the debt restructuring bilateral agreement between Sri Lanka and Japan based on the MoU signed in July and hoped that the bilateral agreement between SL and Japan will be signed soon probably early next year Chief Representative of the Sri Lanka Japan international Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tetsuya Yamada, told the CA Sri Lanka 59th TAGs Awards ceremony in Colombo on Thursday. more..

Dec 16 (TM) The controversial budget airline launched during the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa administration, Mihin Lanka’s financial liabilities are set for discussion this week, according to Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku. He confirmed that the Govt was prioritising preparations for the upcoming tourism season over addressing the unresolved status of Mihin Lanka. Kodithuwakku said that while more..

Dec 16 (DN) SL’s lifesaving team won nine medals at the 1st Indo-SL Lifesaving Championship, clinching four gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals at the week-long event took place from December 8 to 14 at Puri Beach, Odisha, India. Vihanga Silva from All Saints’ College, Galle, excelled in the Beach Flags category, winning two gold medals. Sandupama Dewjith of Ananda College secured another gold in the Under-19 Run-Swim-Run event, while Sapumal Perera of DS more..

Dec 16 (NW) With President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s departure from the country for an official visit to India, five acting ministers have been appointed to oversee key ministries during his absence. The appointments cover the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and the Ministry of Labour. As per the appointments: more..

Dec 16 (EN) Sri Lanka has relaxed import licensing on rice, a staple food, till Dec 20, in bid to reduce rising local prices, but still kept a 220 dollar at tonne import tax in place, which is almost 50% duty on basic South Asian rice grades. Under the Rajapaksa regime and even earlier, SL has imposed severe controls on the import of basic cereals, giving profits to politically powerful lobbies keeping both prices and malnutrition high. Going beyond taxes, import licensing was imposed, more..

Dec 16 (Island) Sri Lanka is grappling with a surge in leptospirosis cases at present. It is a bacterial disease often transmitted through contaminated water and soil. Following the recent devastating floods, the number of infections has skyrocketed, with over 10,000 cases reported so far, with a significant number of fatalities. In 2023, there were around 9,000 cases with over 200 deaths. In medical terminology, Leptospirosis is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can more..

Dec 16 (FT) After the Prez Election, there have been several claims regarding Govt borrowing. Some argue that borrowing is excessive, while others contend it is reasonable. There are also conflicting claims about whether most of the borrowing is allocated to cover the budget deficit, or to repay debt. This FactCheck.lk explainer clarifies three key questions surrounding Govt borrowing in Sri Lanka. Question 1: Why do Govts borrow? more..

Dec 16 (DN) Manudi Nanayakkara made a captain’s knock of unbeaten 74 in 40 balls as SL women’ s under 19 team recorded an easy 94 runs win over Malaysia womens under 19 in their Asia Cup women’s under 19 opening cricket fixture played at Bayuemas Cricket Oval grounds, Kuala Lumpur yesterday. It was a fine batting display by SL skipper Manudi Nanayakkara who stroked 10 fours and 2 sixes for her sparkling knock of 74 while Limansa Thilakaratne gave fine support scoring 41 more..

Dec 16 (DN) Hambantota Bangla Tigers made the highest team total of 163 for 6 wickets to beat Kandy Bolts by 47 runs in their Lanka T10 Super League cricket fixture played at Pallekele, yesterday. This was Hambantota Bangla Tigers’ back-to-back second win, and skipper Dasun Shanaka was outstanding, giving fine leadership to record their wins, which moved them to the top of the points table with 6 points after playing five matches so far in this tournament. more..

Dec 16 (TM) Election Commission (EC) is preparing to initiate legal action against a total of 1,042 Parliamentary General Election candidates and National List nominees for their failure to submit campaign expenditure reports by the deadline which ended at 12 midnight on 6 Dec. Under the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023, all Parliamentary Election candidates and National List nominees were supposed to more..

Dec 16 (FT) Hayleys PLC reached a pinnacle of achievement in corporate reporting, winning the coveted Cyril Gardiner Memorial Trophy Gold Award for Overall Excellence in Corporate Reporting at the recently concluded CA SL TAGS Awards 2024. Since the inception of the TAGS Awards in 2022, Hayleys has consistently claimed this top honour, firmly establishing itself as the benchmark for financial and sustainability reporting in SL. Winning a remarkable total of 20 awards across the Group this year, more..

Dec 16 (FT) Lanka Hospitals Corporation, has announced the appointment of Dr. Nilupul Perera, a distinguished Consultant Neuro Physician, as its new Chairman. Dr. Perera brings over 18 years of extensive clinical experience to this leadership role. Throughout his illustrious career, he has served in prominent hospitals across SL, including Base Hospital Gampola, Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Sri J'pura Hospital, Institute of Neurology at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, more..