Feb 7 (AD) Election Commission of SL has noted that in the event the relevant authorities fail to comply with their fund request required to cover the basic expenses of the upcoming LG election, the matter will be taken to court. Accordingly, Chairman of the Commission, Nimal Punchihewa noted that in the event a favourable response is not received pertaining to the sum of Rs. 770 million requested from the Secretary to the Treasury, the matter will be presented before the court on 9 February. more..

Feb 7 (DM) Some allies of SJB have decided to participate in the opening sessions of Parliament despite the decision of SJB higher-ups to boycott the sessions tomorrow. SJB ally TPA is to attend the sessions today. TPA MP V. Radhakrishnan said his party has decided to participate in the sessions tomorrow. "We made our own decision as a separate party though we are one of the allies to SJB" " he said. TPA Leader said his party expects the Prez to state what he intends doing more..

Feb 8 (DM) February 4 has come and gone. At the Galle Face Green, govt leaders allegedly spent millions of scarce funds to organize pompous military parades to mark our nation�s 75th year of independence. The event was watched by selected guests. The general public was not privy to the spectacle. Ironically, the parade was held at the same venue where last year, massive crowds stormed the official residence of former prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was forced to flee more..

Feb 8 (DM) During the weekend, when Sri Lanka marked the 75th anniversary of its independence, it was a sober, sad, and indeed a bitter affair. Most of the public was bitterly critical of the celebrations. The police confronted silent protests. National flags were conspicuously missing in the city corners and houses. The police obtained a court order to cordon off the Galle Face green and its vicinity, the venue of the state event. The party went on without the people. more..

Feb 8 (TM) Although last year�s people�s movement that sought political, economic, and social reforms sparked a discourse on democracy and human rights among several other matters, the people are yet to see the connection between democracy and human rights. One crucial step in understanding that is identifying that human rights are connected to all aspects of people�s lives, and most importantly that human rights are more..

Feb 8 (CT) The govt celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its independence from colonial rule under tight security. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe did not even deliver a speech on the occasion. He had an excellent written speech, but chose not to deliver it for reasons not known. The speech was circulated later. The exclusion of the general public from the parade grounds was another notable feature of the Independence Day event. Under normal circumstances, Galle Face green where more..

Feb 8 (GV) Independence arrived in South Asia steeped in blood, trauma and resistance. A fierce independence struggle permeated Indian consciousness; a massive civil disobedience campaign birthed the world�s largest democracy. But the partition of India and Pakistan, the secessionist struggles from Assam to Punjab and the reality of entrenched casteism and socioeconomic inequalities all signaled a violent and traumatic origin story for the newly independent states. more..

Feb 8 (GV) During Black July, marauding mobs, when uncertain about the ethnic identity of a potential victim, would order him/her to recite the five precepts in Pali or the chant Itipiso Bhagawa. (The irony is grotesque in the extreme; the first precept is a pledge not to kill any living being; Itipiso mentions the nine qualities of the Buddha, starting with araham, a composite which includes eradication of hatred). more..

Feb 8 (TM) As part of Prez�s plans to establish a green economy, SL would soon be given a new Climate Change Act, while a new Environment Act will also be drafted to replace the old Act, covering several areas, including reforestation and forest cover. Revealing these plans at an event on strategies and actions to accelerate SL�s transition to a green growth pathway, Prez further said that SL has the potential to establish a green economy, especially by way of renewable energy. more..

Feb 8 (Island) The Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe regime is all out to derail the local govt (LG) elections scheduled for 09 March. The Election Commission (EC) is determined to ensure that the country goes to the polls as scheduled, and the Opposition is bragging that the govt�s plan to delay the mini polls has gone pear-shaped, and the SLPP-UNP combine will have to bow to the inevitable, but nothing is so certain as the unexpected in politics, which is full of surprises. more..

Feb 8 (ST) Ending last Sunday�s column on the dangers to SL�s democracy from a creeping deep state it was said the current collusion between the executive and the legislature leaves an independent, impartial and upright judiciary the only democratic bastion against those wielding an autocratic wrecking ball. Some important recent decisions have shown that such a judiciary does function by and large. But it is always in danger of being smothered by lawmakers and those who propose more..

Feb 8 (Island) The defeat of the LTTE is not expected to bring a closure to Sri Lanka�s national question. It would, however, create the space for the evolution of a political solution, free of threat and intimidation. It would also create the space for the government to totally focus on issues, relating to resettlement, rehabilitation and development. Public opinion is that both issues need to be addressed, concurrently, if the military gains are to be consolidated. more..

Feb 8 (FT) The debt relief reiterated by China to SL last week still falls short of overall burden on the latter, according to analysts. China�s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning�s during the regular briefing on Friday reiterated the announcement by Export-Import Bank of China on 19 January. As the official bilateral creditor, EXIM Bank of China provided a financing support document to the Ministry of Finance, more..

Feb 8 (CT) There is no doubt that the new tax system in the country has been implemented in complete disregard of whether or not taxpayers are able to cope with the drastic increase in tax. We have now stepped into an era where graduates and skilled labour are only left with a small fraction of their earnings, as they pay a thumping amount as tax. It is rather tragic that years of education, followed by years of experience, has no value in this country, as skilled workers are now easy more..

Feb 8 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday has approved rebasing the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) and Colombo Consumers Price Index (CCPI) with newer expenditure weights and new base years from January 2023. �It was decided to update the NCPI from base year 2013=100 to the base year 2021 =100, process and publication of new NCPI and National Level Inflation Rate every 21 days from Jan 2023,� Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. more..

Feb 8 (FT) MSC America, yesterday became the first container vessel under the business promotions program to attract new lines to the Port of Colombo (POC), to call at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Port of Colombo. The latest program to attract new shipping lines to the POC has been planned and implemented in collaboration and together with the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Colombo Int'l Container Terminals (CICT), South Asia Gateway Terminals more..

Feb 8 (DN) Opener Lasith Croospulle stroked an unbeaten knock of 122 as SL 'A' scored 190 for 3 wickets at close on the opening day which was spoiled by rain in the second four-day unofficial Test match against England Lions played at the Galle Int'l Cricket Stadium yesterday. It was 24-year-old right-hander Croospulle's day as he played in his usual aggressive style to build up the innings but rain halted the game and the two umpires decided to call off the game with 45 overs to spare. more..

Feb 8 (ST) Millions of rupees went into the govt coffers last month by companies in several industries after deducting the new income taxes from their staff salaries. The top three apparel manufacturers have given close to Rs.1 billion in personal income tax by the employees last month, industry sources said. A renewable energy subsidiary of a large conglomerate that houses 150 staff had paid Rs. 10 million last month as more..

Feb 8 (Island) Tennis star Sharmal Dissanayake (26) made a comeback to the racquet game in Sri Lanka when he won the Men�s Singles event at the First Capital SSC Open Championships worked off in Colombo recently. The annual SSC Open tournament gave a great start to the tennis scene in the island for the New Year. It was also a new start for champion player Dissanayake after being away from playing on SL courts at local tournaments for a while. He overcame stiff resistance from more..

Feb 8 (FT) National Sales Average for tea in January had risen by Rs. 762.09 in January from a year ago bringing cheer to the plantation industry. Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said the NSA for January was recorded at Rs. 1,466.76 ($4.04) as against Rs. 704.67 ($3.51) in the same month of last year. It said High Grown average of Rs. 1,395.03 ($3.84) has recorded an increase of Rs. 35.25 month on month vis-�-vis Rs. 1,359.78 ($3.74) of Dec 2022. When compared to Jan 2022 average of more..

Feb 8 (FT) Govt announced a multi-step approach to cut down expenditure, and reform State-owned organisations via a tight fiscal framework. These plans on an aggressive route to overcome the ongoing economic crisis were announced ahead of the anticipation for the IMF $2.9 billion bailout package soon. Accordingly, Cabinet at its meeting on Monday has approved the appointment of 10 committees to ensure more..

Feb 8 (DN) There has been a lot of discussion in the cricket industry about a letter sent by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Shammi Silva to the Int'l Cricket Council (ICC), stating that there will be political pressure on SLC even before a week has passed since the appointment of former cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga as the Chairman of the National Sports Council, as reported in Dinamina. Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe handed the letters of appointment to the new members, more..

Feb 8 (CT) The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the apex body that guides SL apparel towards its ultimate goal of being the world�s number one apparel sourcing destination, held its 19th Annual General Meeting recently, re-appointing industry veteran Sharad Amalean as Chairman. It also unanimously re-elected its Executive Committee including Saifudeen Jafferjee and Felix Fernando as Deputy Chairmen, a spokesman said. Delivering the Chairman�s address, more..

Feb 8 (TM) The Govt will settle over Rs. 87 billion of payments due to suppliers and contractors of road development projects before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April through the issuance of a Treasury Bond, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. He said that following a lengthy discussion with the Treasury, Ministry obtained a Treasury Bond to settle over Rs. 87 billion of remaining payments to suppliers and contractors of road development projects with a payback period of three years. more..

Feb 8 (DN) Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has ordered Sports Director General Amal Edirisooriya to make arrangements and appoint selection committees to the respective National Sports Bodies. According to Sports Director General Amal Edirisooriya, Sports Ministry plans to make a Gazette Notification and then advertise from the Media to appoint a selection committee for the Sports Bodies. "Sports Minister wants to create more transparency, so we plan to get more..

Feb 8 (TM) With only a partial payment of Rs. 1.2 billion of the 70% payment due amounting to Rs. 3.2 billion having been settled by the CEB for the 12th coal shipment which has reached SL maritime waters, Lanka Coal Company (LCC) has requested the relevant supplier as to whether the unloading process could commence without the full payment. When contacted yesterday, CEB Chairman N.S. Ilangakoon stated: more..

Feb 8 (TM) Reacting to allegations made by polls monitors recently that the Ruling Party, SLPP, had allegedly misused State property and committed a majority of election law violations reported during the LG election campaigning period so far, the party�s General Secretary Attorney and MP Sagara Kariyawasam yesterday denied the accusations and claimed they were baseless and malicious, noting that such complaints, if true, should be notified to the nearest election office. more..

Feb 8 (Island) British Council hosted a networking event to welcome the recent batch of Sri Lankan Commonwealth Scholars returning from the UK recently. Commonwealth Scholarships are offered to citizens and permanent residents of a Commonwealth country with a record of academic achievement and the potential to make a positive impact in their home country. The 2021/2022 cohort of scholars spanned a gamut of subject areas including International Commercial Law, more..

Feb 8 (DM) Visa, one of the world�s biggest leaders in digital payments, sounded upbeat about Sri Lanka as it expects great momentum in 2023. As measures are being taken to reduce the shocks faced by the ongoing crisis, and with efforts taken to move the country towards recovery, a visiting Visa official expressed confidence in Sri Lanka bringing in the necessary elements to improve its digital infrastructure framework. �We are very optimistic about Sri Lanka as a market. more..

Feb 8 (DM) Referring to the recent incident of hundreds of people rushing to Colombo for a bogus foreign employment opportunity in Turkey, Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies SL (ALFEASL) warned the public not to fall prey to such scams in the future. President of ALFEASL Faroos Marikkar said what happened on Jan 25th was a malicious act by someone who schemed to ruin the business opportunity of a legitimate foreign employment agent. more..

Feb 8 (Island) SJB and the dissident SLPP MPs have decided to boycott the ceremonial opening of the Fourth session of the Ninth Parliament by Prez Ranil Wickremessinghe today. Prez declared, on Jan 26, that he would brief Parliament on his decision to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution fully. MP Prof G.L. Peiris told the media that the FPC would boycott Prez Wickremesinghe�s speech, scheduled to take place today more..

Feb 8 (FT) SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella says the Govt is reluctant to hold polls as its voter base is dwindling. �They are attempting to delay elections, not due to the lack of funds but because they have no votes,� he said. MP said while the Govt is attempting to delay polls through the courts as well, he is confident in the courts as it has always refrained from issuing judgements favouring the postponement of elections. The MP made these comments at a press conference yesterday. more..

Feb 8 (TM) Govt is working towards reducing the prices of goods by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season in April, Minister Nalin Fernando said. �When considering the people�s income levels, the cost of goods is still high; therefore, we will work towards reducing the prices of goods. I think that by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, there is a great possibility for the reduction in the prices of goods.� In response to a question posed by the media on the importation of eggs from India, more..

Feb 8 (TM) Trade unions (TU) representing many sectors including petroleum, ports, water supply, electricity, health and education are to hold a massive joint demonstration in Colombo today and take separate trade union actions, including strikes, urging the Govt to revoke the newly introduced tax policy, which they claim to be extremely unfair. GMOA General Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said: more..

Feb 8 (FT) This article is the second in a new series by this column about the 1962 coup conspiracy. Last week�s article provided an outline of the coup conspiracy that aimed at seizing power through a well-coordinated exercise codenamed Operation Holdfast. A large number of top rung officers of the Army and Police were involved in the coup conspiracy. This week�s Political Pulse will focus � with the aid of previous writings � on the background to the coup conspiracy with particular more..