Feb 17 (DM) The move by SL�s electricity regulator to approve another tariff hike sent shockwaves across the island nation yesterday, not sparing even the country�s largest gross export earner, the apparel sector. Highly resilient apparel sector yesterday slammed the move, stressing that the massive hike in electricity tariffs will be detrimental for all sectors of the economy. Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said its members are extremely concerned about the impact of the electricity tariff more..

Feb 17 (Island) TNA MP S. Sridharan has refused to accept summons sent by Jaffna Magistrate�s Court, on 15 Feb, stating that he did not understand Sinhala. Court had sent summons asking Sridharan to appear before the courts on 20 Feb. The MP told police officers, who arrived with the summons, that he did not understand Sinhala and that the summons must be sent in Tamil. Policemen then provided him with a translated copy. However, MP insisted that the Tamil version had not been more..

Feb 18 (FT) In a volatile global economy, our economy is contracting. We are in default. We are broke. Our economy is as idle as a painted ship in a painted ocean. In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Victorian poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge narrates the misfortunes of a sailing vessel. Dead winds keep the ship motionless. Spending days in this terrible immobility, dull and depressed sailors gave the place their own name � a period of no energy, utter helplessness, low spirits. more..

Feb 18 (ST) The guns have fallen silent. The paras have packed their chutes and gone wherever they go after jumping for joy. The mathematicians at the Prez Secretariat have done their calculations even faster than those Treasury boys who were bleating the other day they had no money to spend for a local election. That was after the allocation for it was announced in the 2023 budget last November and approved by parliament. So good were the higher mathematicians at the secretariat more..

Feb 18 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was in Paranthan, Jaffna last Sunday, attending the Northern Province harvesting ceremony, where he instructed officials to purchase a kilogramme of paddy at a guaranteed price of Rs 100. The President further said the Northern Province and Jaffna District will be developed as a province capable of supplying food to the whole country. He also inquired about the problems more..

Feb 18 (CT) The massive protest rally at Hyde Park on 7th Feb was not simply just another gathering of anti-govt factions who would prefer to have a different political party in power. Members of trade unions who have never come together under a common banner in recent history had come in their numbers to show solidarity in the commonly shared struggle. What echoed at Hyde Park that day was the combined angry voice of professionals who were not against taxation but were against more..

Feb 18 (GV) The traditional conservation laws and policies of SL are largely not working. If they were there would not be so much unrestrained destruction of wildlife and forests. These pieces of legislation were drafted in a previous age; a time when the human populations were smaller and the knowledge of the wilderness and things wild relied heavily on anecdotal, rather than scientific, evidence. Although science and research has now been given a greater voice and dedicated researchers more..

Feb 18 (CT) In the midst of SL�s enormous financial, political, and geopolitical upheaval, a story that no one wants to hear surfaced in the international media, especially in the in South Asian region, on 13 Feb, about Leader of LTTE V Prabhakaran being alive and will come out when the timing is right, as claimed by senior Tamil nationalistic South Indian Palzha Nedumaran. Nedumaran is a political leader, from TN, more..

Feb 18 (ST) Right at this moment, when I sit down to write this column, there is a coal shipment waiting in the Northwestern sea off Puttalam for unloading at the Norochcholai coal power plant. But the CEB does not have money to pay for that � not dollars, but rupees to buy dollars from the banks. This is not an unusual event which just happened randomly during this week. It has been a continuing story every week, if not a few times a week, since the days SL plunged into an economic crisis. more..

Feb 18 (CT) Even as the nation is debating/wondering if the Local Govt Elections (LGE) would be held on 9 March as scheduled, the JVP has begun promising a new govt without corruption, and committed to national unity and equal law for all. Rather, when the rest of them all are campaigning exclusively for the LGE, the JVP is also talking to the voters about parliamentary polls, which Prof. G.L. Peiris predicts would happen this year. Maybe, JVP boss Anura Kumara more..

Feb 18 (CT) The sudden visit of a defence delegation, led by US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (PDASD) for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal, to the island last week prompted many questions. A few days earlier, Royal was part of a US defence delegation that participated in Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru, the largest in history to visit Aero India. Announcing the visit, Ambassador A. Elizabeth Jones, Charg� d�Affaires of the US Mission to India, more..

Feb 18 (CT) Since the neoliberal economic policies were implemented by govts around the world a few decades ago, countries have faced numerous economic and social problems. Such policies have been promoted by govts and multilateral bodies under labels such as globalisation, free trade, opening economies and societies for business and migration, free movement of people, goods and ideas. Govts have been formed, changed and re-formed on the basis of various promises more..

Feb 18 (ST) The death of a young scientist last week in a road accident near Horana at night has triggered concerns over the safety of airbags of vehicles imported to SL. Dr. Vimukthi Jayaweera, 37, had been returning home at the wheel of his Honda Hybrid Insight car bearing the licence plate number KR-0990. He had bought some lotus flowers from the Piliyandala area which his family needed for a Buddhist religious offering following day. more..

Feb 18 (Island) Most cricketers reaching 70 these days prefer the comforts of their homes, their holiday spots or spending time with their kids looking after their grandchildren. Even before reaching 70, Ian Botham is tasting wine and relaxing in Ravensworth in Yorkshire. Viv Richards is in Antigua sipping rum while Imran Khan is contemplating his political future. They have got nothing to do with cricket and even the other septuagenarians who have some interest in cricket like Sunil Gavaskar or more..

Feb 18 (DN) SL 'A' team led by Sadeera Samarawickrama has a difficult task when they will meet England Lions in their second ODI which will be played today at R.Premadasa stadium commencing at 9.45a.m The first game between the two teams ended with England Lions recording a four-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in this 3-match series while this second game is very vital for SL team to stay in contention in the tournament. England Lions want to win this second game more..

Feb 18 (Island) Govt leaders must be in seventh heaven, having disrupted the Local Govt (LG) election postal voting, which has been postponed indefinitely. They must be partying at the President�s House and Temple Trees. They have made a huge blunder. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has succeeded in preventing the Govt Printer from delivering the postal ballot papers on time. He has ordered all state officials not to provide goods and services unless they are paid for upfront. more..

Feb 18 (Island) The official red-carpet premiere of Yaaluwoda Yaaluida, Sri Lanka�s first fashion movie written & directed by Dilshara Jayamanna & produced by Rasitha Jinasena, was held recently at the Colombo City Centre Scope Cinemas. The movie, a Netflix flavoured Sinhala romantic comedy for the TikTok age, is due to be released in cinemas islandwide on 3rd March 2023. Starring newcomers Shereen Willis as Steffi and Eraj Gunewardane as Mithun in the two lead roles, more..

Feb 18 (EN) Bakery Owners Association which was raising prices by press conference at the height of the island�s money printing crisis, said it will not raise bread prices after a 66 percent rise in electricity prices. �There is no point of increasing it further, � Bakery Association Chief, N K Jayawardena said. �We did it several times and we do not think we can increase it more; we hope to discuss this with the authorities.� more..

Feb 18 (ST) A two-year-old male jaguar brought to Sri Lanka from the Netherlands is now in quarantine while it gets used to the conditions at the National Zoo at Dehiwala. Jaguars (Panthera onca), which are considered to be the third largest cat species in the world, are found in the western United States across Mexico and in Central America. They are also found in Amazon rainforests. They inhabit a variety of forests and open areas, but prefer tropical and subtropical forests and wetlands. more..

Feb 18 (FT) Mastercard yesterday announced that it will bring the Rugby World Cup 2023 trophy, known as the Webb Ellis Cup, to Sri Lanka for the first time today. The coveted trophy will be in the country for six days till 23 February, ahead of the Rugby World Cup event to be held in France later this year. The itinerary for these six days will include two days for public display of the trophy � at CR & FC Sports Club in Colombo on 19 Feb and at the Kandy Sports Club on 22 February. more..

Feb 18 (CT) Amidst doubts raised by TN politicians surfacing once again on the death of Velupillai Prabhakaran it had dawn on the SL authorities that the documents pertaining to the DNA report or the death certificate of the LTTE Leader were nowhere to be found. While the Ministry of Defence said, Prabhakaran was cremated in Mullaitivu and his ashes were scattered in the nearby sea in response to TN politician more..

Feb 18 (TM) The Police stated that investigations are underway into the incident of unidentified individuals stealing a laptop and two digital video recorders (DVRs) from the Indian visa application centre, IVS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. in Colombo. SSP Nihal Thalduwa said: �A complaint was lodged with the Bambalapitiya Police that a laptop and two DVRs have been taken by unidentified individuals from the Indian visa application centre. Investigations are underway into it. more..

Feb 18 (Island) Asia�s leading polls monitoring outfit, Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), said it was deeply concerned by the numerous attempts to disrupt the long overdue local elections, in SL. ANFREL said the local elections were supposed to be held on 20th Mar, 2022, and have been postponed, for almost a year, by Minister of PC & LG. The elections are currently scheduled for 9th March, 2023. �However, we regret the recent developments, aimed at disrupting elections, more..

Feb 18 (FT) SJB will on Monday hold a demonstration against the Govt�s attempts to delay LG elections which are scheduled to be held on 9 March. Demonstration will be held opposite Presidential Secretariat and Ministry of Finance. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara invited the public to participate in the demonstration. �We ask the people to fight for their rights. Prez might next claim there are no funds for a Prez election. Therefore, we ask the people to join more..

Feb 18 (FT) SJB Deputy National Organiser S.M. Marikkar says Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana and Govt Printer Gangani Liyanage will be the next to face legal action for their attempts to obstruct the upcoming Local Govt elections. Marikkar highlighted that the Constitution is the supreme law of the country and is above any circular issued by the Ministry. �The Parliament, the Cabinet, Ministry Secretaries or Heads of State institutions cannot violate the Constitution,� he noted, more..

Feb 18 (FT) Govt expects to receive the IMF $ 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) approved in March. This was disclosed by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe during a meeting with small- and large-scale rice mill owners on issues affecting them. Prez also mentioned that the possibility of reducing bank interest rates is being considered in line with the gradual drop of inflation rate. The discussion was aimed at identifying more..

Feb 18 (DM) The Hingurakgoda Magistrate's Court issued an order that bars the organizers of the controversial Deep Jungle Music Festival from playing loud music after 10 pm. The order was issued following a petition filed by environmentalists to prevent the festival, scheduled to begin on Feb 17 until 20, from taking place in the vicinity Habarana Elephant Corridor. Furthermore the Magistrate ordered that a team of 20 Police officers and 10 Wildlife Dept officers be assigned to monitor more..

Feb 18 (FT) Former MP Mohamed Musthapha (Myown Musthapha) was deprived of his civil rights for seven years by the Colombo High Court yesterday. Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi pronouncing his decisions of the bribery trial before Colombo High Court against Mustapa for offering Rs. 4,200,000 to NFF Member Mohamed Muzammil as a means of inducing him to support a common candidate of the Opposition, Sarath Fonseka during a Prez Election, made this more..

Feb 18 (DM) Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said permission had been granted to kill monkeys, peacocks, grizzled giant squirrels, porcupines, wild boars and toque macaques as they destroyed crops. He mentioned this during a meeting with potato farmers today. Farmers claimed that the killing of wild animals has stopped in the country, and due to that, the population of the said wild animals has grown uncontrollably. Therefore, the farmers requested that the minister provide more..

Feb 18 (CT) MEPA's newly-appointed Chairman, Asela B. Rekawa, has appointed a three-member Expert Advisory Panel to expedite the civil action on MV X-Press Pearl disaster that occurred on 19 May 2021, where the vessel finally sank near Bopitiya, North of Colombo. MEPA appointed the expert advisory panel, in view of the impending expiration of the prescription period of two years from the date of the MV X-Pearl incident and the paramount importance of speedy action on 23 Jan 2023. more..

Feb 18 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated that their existing staffing levels, which amount to 185 employees on their payroll, is justified given their continuing growth. A public perception exists that SLC is over-staffed beyond requirements, and Dailymirror sought both sides of the story regarding the matter. As of Dec 2022, SLC had 185 staff on its payroll, with their combined salaries exceeding Rs. 57 million; more..

Feb 18 (Island) Between 50 and 60 doctors apply for leave each month, for employment abroad, Govt Medical Officers Association (GMOA) spokesman, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, says. Dr. Wijesinghe told The Island that some doctors might have left the country without obtaining leave. �Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health does not have a list of medical professionals who have left the country. According to information available to us, more than 1,000 left the country last year. more..

Feb 18 (Island) Ballot papers for 10 districts had already been printed but progress was slow due to an unseen hand, trade unions of the Dept of Govt Printing said. Secretary of Govt Printing Employees Union, Asanka Sandaruwan, said that they started printing ballot papers on 12 Feb. �We are still printing ballot papers. In our history we have never taken this long to print ballot papers,� he said. Sandaruwan added that the Dept has adequate material for printing, necessary equipment more..

Feb 18 (BN) The IMF is considering approving SL�s bailout even without the formal assurance of debt-restructuring support from China, the nation�s biggest bilateral creditor, according to people familiar with the discussions. Under a rarely used policy on lending into official arrears, IMF may consider approving SL�s loan because China�s assurance is the only prerequisite missing, according to the people who declined to be more..

Feb 19 (SO) Electricity is a costly business. Erratic rainfall patterns have led to a situation where SL has to rely mainly on coal and thermal sources of power instead of hydropower. Of course, coal and fossil fuels have to be imported at a cost of millions of dollars per month. The lack of source materials resulting from a foreign exchange crunch led to lengthy power cuts that were later reduced to a more acceptable two hours and forty minutes. Compounding this problem was the fact more..