Feb 21 (GT) SL�s National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) eased year-on-year to 53.2% in January, after a 59.2% rise in December, the statistics department said on Tuesday. Food prices were up 53.6% in January from a year ago, while non-food inflation was 52.9% higher. SL hiked power prices by a hefty 66 per cent last week, part of efforts to nail down a $2.9 billion bailout from the IMF, as the island struggles to find a way out more..

Feb 21 (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday condemned the alleged attack on TN fishermen by SL nationals on Feb 15. The CM wrote to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, requesting the central govt to intervene and take up the matter with the SL authorities. Stalin wrote, "I wish to draw your immediate attention to the incident of attack on Indian fishermen that took place on 15.02.2023. In this incident, a Country Craft bearing a Registration Number more..

Feb 21 (Island) SJB M.P Eran Wickramaratne recently unveiled the following eleven-point blueprint for the country�s economic development under a future SJB govt. Eran Wickramaratne, who is a member of the SJB�s Centre for Economic Policy, outlined his project titled, The Correct Direction of the Economy at a forum attended by the local business community, at the Hilton Hotel on Feb 14. Following is a transcript of Eran Wickramaratne�s address: more..

Feb 21 (TM) Prez of a democratic nation has no authority to postpone the LG election and intervene in the affairs of the election Commission (EC), SLPP General Secretary and MP, Sagara Kariyawasam said in response to claims that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was attempting to hold the elections next year (2024). He added that if the Govt did not have sufficient funds to hold an election, the Govt should officially state so and inform more..

Feb 21 (CI) Wanindu Hasaranga will not be joining Quetta Gladiators this PSL season as Sri Lanka look to manage his workload. Hasaranga was partially available, having been scheduled to play in six games before leaving on March 3, but the franchise confirmed he has been ruled out of the league altogether and they are now looking to find a replacement. Hasaranga was supposed to join the team at the start of the PSL and after his stint, Afghanistan legspinner Qais Ahmad more..

Feb 21 (DM) PM Dinesh Gunawardena urged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to recommence all projects that are temporarily halted due to fiscal issues. He made this request when JICA Director General for South Asia, Ito Teruyuki called on him on Monday. Teruyuki assured the PM that JICA projects would be resumed no sooner after the debt restructuring program is finalized by the IMF. US$ 2.5 billion worth 12 JICA projects have been temporarily halted due to fiscal crisis. more..

Feb 22 (DM) The last local govt elections held in our country in 2018, saw the then newly-formed SLPP winning a majority of the seats - 40% of the votes. The current round of local elections is scheduled to be held in March this year. Judging by the state of the country�s economy - our coffers are empty and we are unable to repay international creditors - our country is in simple language, bankrupt. We do not have the means to import essential food stuffs, fuel and gas and essential medicines. more..

Feb 22 (DM) LG elections ran into not-so-unexpected troubles last week. As things stand now, they will most likely be postponed indefinitely after the govt withheld funds to print polling cards. Govt printer refused to print the polling cards without the full payment of Rs. 400 million, citing a circular issued by Prez in his capacity as the minister of finance. Circular held the govt officials personally responsible for any services that they, in their official capacity, have obtained or provided on credit. more..

Feb 22 (TM) Given the role and influence of media institutions in shaping the public�s opinion with regard to electing public representatives, it is crucial that media institutions act responsibly during an election period. However, the matter is more complex than it appears to be, because media institutions and journalists too have certain opinions and biases about politics and elections. more..

Feb 22 (TM) The importance of having social welfare benefits in place for economically underprivileged groups, and such benefits being methodical and equitable is one of the most crucial discussions that stemmed from the prevailing economic crisis. While the number of persons identified as being below the poverty line, and are in need of social welfare benefits has soared drastically, many have pointed out that those benefits need to uplift the quality of life of those groups in the short and long term. more..

Feb 22 (CT) Misrule, mismanagement and misappropriation at the highest level of govt drove SL economy to bankruptcy, and that bankruptcy is turning out to be the crucible for the country�s democracy. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, when speaking at the Imagine 32nd Rotary District Conference in Colombo just a couple of days ago, made it clear that his first, second and third priorities would be economic recovery while maintaining law and order to prevent anarchy. more..

Feb 22 (CT) Hot on the heels of a Media Conference held by the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) on Thursday (9) in connection with the non-availability of essential medicinal drugs in the health sector, wherein the danger of postponing even routine surgeries were highlighted, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella urged hospital authorities to push back surgeries that could be delayed with counsel from the relevant consultants. more..

Feb 22 (CT) The standards of eateries have fallen below acceptable levels over the years, with food being unfit for human consumption, coupled with the failure on the part of owners and the administration to maintain premises in sanitary conditions. The importance of maintaining eateries that feed many has been undermined by those responsible for doing so and this could result in several implications including food poisoning and other aggravated health conditions. more..

Feb 22 (Island) The current Parliament has completed two and a half years of its term, and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is now in a position to dissolve it at a time of his choosing. The Opposition has already asked him to do so on the grounds that the govt is without any legitimacy and therefore has to seek a fresh mandate from the people. Angered by the govt�s efforts to postpone the local council polls, Opposition parties are bound to ratchet up pressure on Prez to end term of Parliament more..

Feb 22 (DM) The latest Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) polling in Jan 2023 shows NPP/JVP and SJB running neck-and-neck nationally in General Election voting intentions amongst likely voters at 32% and 31% each respectively. Both are well ahead of the SLPP, UNP and SLFP, but neither clears more than one-third of voters, and the difference between them is within the margin of error. IHP MRP analysis of likely voters indicates that since July 2022, more..

Feb 22 (wsws) The SL govt of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken deliberate steps to block LG polls scheduled for March 9. This is a major attack on the basic democratic right of working people to exercise their voting rights. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) condemns the anti-democratic actions of the Wickremesinghe regime. It is part of broader attacks on democratic rights in preparation for suppressing opposition to the govt�s savage austerity measures dictated by the IMF. more..

Feb 22 (TM) Following the order given by the Supreme Court (SC) on 12 Jan regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, Cabinet has approved the preparation of a Bill to establish the National Security Council (NSC) on a constitutional basis and with a clear composition. Minister Bandula Gunawardana said that SC, in its judgement with regard to several FR petitions filed over the Easter Sunday terror attacks, more..

Feb 22 (DN) "I had a good opportunity to bowl well during this tournament and was happy to finish as Player of the Series", said SL A bowling all-rounder Dushan Hemantha after the third and final ODI. "I had a good plan and skipper Sadeera and the team gave much-needed support to work it out. This is the first time I got the opportunity to play for SL A side and I did my best for the team and finally, we have won the series", said Hemantha the former St Peter's College Bambalapitiya player who more..

Feb 22 (Island) Ambagamuwa MV hurdler Ayomal Akalanka continued the trend set by the former students of his school as he reached qualifying standards for the Asian Youth Athletics Championships at Diyagama on Tuesday. The athlete trained by veteran coach Anura Bandara clocked an impressive 52.18 seconds to win the boys� 400 metres hurdles. Reigning champion of the Under 18 400 m hurdles in all three major national events, namely, the Junior Nationals, more..

Feb 22 (DM) Kandy Sports Club, fresh from winning their eighth consecutive Rugby League title, have indicated that they are likely to pull out from the Clifford Cup knock-out tournament after their request for the Nittawela ground to be used as for their home games was turned down by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR). Secretary of Kandy Sports Club, Sujeewa Liyanage said, �The last time Kandy Sports Club played their home games and had the final at Nittawela was in 2017. That was six years ago. more..

Feb 22 (FT) National Development Bank (NDB) said it recorded strong core banking performance in FY 2022 amidst unprecedented challenges by harnessing strength from versatile business strategy and investments in digital drive. Bank�s CEO said that 2022 was notable for the never-before seen challenges affecting the SL economy, from both domestic and int'l fronts. Unprecedented and unchartered times like these put to test the true resilience, versatility and agility of corporates. more..

Feb 22 (FT) SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumara Bandara filed a fundamental rights Petition before the Supreme Court naming Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana and several others as respondents for the failure to release funds necessary for the LG elections. The polls scheduled to be held on 9 March have now been postponed due to the failure of the Treasury and several other state institutions� failure to support the EC more..

Feb 22 (TM) Rugby World Cup sponsor Mastercard�s roadshow of flying in former Springbok star Bryan Habana to Sri Lanka in its quest to enhance the showcase of the William Webb Ellis trophy is bound to fuel the currently existing political storm taking place between the Ministry of Sports and Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), after the sports parent body was shunned from the public viewing ceremony held to unveil the trophy at the Race Course Grounds in Colombo last Saturday . more..

Feb 22 (CT) An all-round performance saw SL �A� consign England Lions to a heavy defeat in the third and final unofficial ODI at RPS, Colombo yesterday to clinch the series 2-1. Electing to bat, England Lions were never seen comfortable in the middle and were bundled out for a below par score of 166 runs. Opener Jacob Bethell was the only batter to impress with 50 off 67 deliveries including 4 boundaries and six, while Jordan Cox also made a useful contribution of 31 from down the order. more..

Feb 22 (FT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the Govt is open to alternative economic revival proposals to be presented to the IMF. During a meeting with businessmen and lawyers in the Kandy district, Prez emphasised the importance of having a proper plan to strengthen the country�s economy. He praised the current Govt's economic program, which has helped reduce recent economic difficulties. more..

Feb 22 (DM) The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order reinstating Janaka Ravindra Kalupahana as the Basnayake Nilame of the Soragune Kuda Katharagama Devalaya. Janaka Kalupahana had filed a Petition in Court of Appeal challenging his suspension by letter dated 26th Jan 2023, from the Soragune Kuda Katharagama Devalaye based on purported allegations, without proper a hearing and thus the said suspension violates the rules of Natural Justice. more..

Feb 22 (Island) Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), consisting of a membership of over 120 entrepreneurs and highly recognized business entities, hosted their annual evening of open discussion and networking with the diplomatic community in SL. Minister Ali Sabry was invited as the chief guest who delivered an impassioned and clear message on the importance of international cooperation amongst the global community in supporting economic recovery more..

Feb 22 (AD) The newly formed Freedom People�s Alliance (FPA) has raised concerns over the recent resistance displayed by the Ministry of Finance to release the fund required to hold to upcoming 2023 LG election. In a letter addressed to the President, members of the FPA stated that in the event the 2023 LG polls are not held citing reasons if inadequate finances and resources, it will inevitably result in withholding the people from their right of suffrage, which the party deemed more..

Feb 22 (Island) Another huge barrier you face when you are in business is, basically getting some land to set up a factory, industry or even an office. I am a person who came from your side (private sector) to this side (public sector) and I can share my view on this area of activity of obtaining land for a Multi model Transport Hub. I had to get involved with the UDA, CGR, CTB, Municipal Council, the state authorities; just to get a plot of land sorted out and it took nearly two years. more..

Feb 22 (ST) Transparency International SL (TISL) petitioned the Supreme Court against Health Ministry moves to procure medicines from private companies through unsolicited proposals, bypassing regulatory oversight. The case was filed in the public interest. It names 47 respondents in relation to steps taken by Cabinet, Health Minister and Ministry of Health and NMRA to purchase supplies form 2 Indian companies. more..

Feb 22 (EN) Sri Lanka�s President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to meet China�s Finance Minister at a meeting of Group of 20 country in India on Friday as the International Monetary Fund is making a last ditch attempt to get Asian nation to conform to debt re-structuring framework. �During the meeting it is expected to look into how to restructure the debt of countries whose economies have collapsed,� President Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying at a meeting in the hill city of Kandy. more..

Feb 22 (FT) Minister Bandula Gunawardena says SL will pay back multilateral loans obtained via WB, ADB and bilateral partners. Compare borrowings during former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa�s regime and Yahapalana Govt. Treasury Secretary briefs Cabinet of Ministers on dried up Govt. coffers, calls for prudent financial management. Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved to service of $ 2.6 billion debt payments due in the first half of this year, whilst vesting the authorisation powers more..

Feb 22 (TM) The current tax policy in SL is not a normal tax policy but a rescue operation, and any disruption to this process will result in SL not being able to secure the IMF funding, which may also result in the opportunity to do business with foreign countries being lost, warned Prez Wickremesinghe yesterday. He made these comments while delivering the keynote speech at the Tax Forum 2023. The forum, held at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo today (21) was organised to more..

Feb 22 (DM) After months of struggle and challenges, SL has been successful in fulfilling the 15 tasks set by the IMF, and now awaits for the verdict if enough has been done to unlock the bailout, govt said. Prez Wickremesinghe confirmed that only last week​ the final requirement of the Fund was fulfilled and with that SL has done its part to obtain the relief package. 15th issue that had to be addressed was the increase in electricity tariffs as the severely mismanaged CEB continues to more..

Feb 22 (TM) The Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake is in the process of preparing the necessary documentation to file legal action upon his return to the country next week, against the unfair and unlawful electricity tariff increase which was implemented last week. When contacted yesterday, Ratnayake stated that the increase in electricity tariffs was unreasonable, more..