Jan 7 (DM) Govt and the opposition are in for a battle to see that the private members Bill on the local govt election reforms are debated in Parliament next week. Govt is expected to go ahead with the private members Bill submitted by MP Premanth Dolawatta while SJB MP Imtiaz Bakeer Markar had written to the Secretary General of Parliament requesting that his Bill be taken up for debate. �I handed over a written request that my Bill be taken up for debate next week. more..

Jan 7 (AD) Prez Wickremesinghe says that the govt is working to introduce an Act similar to Telecom and Social Media Act currently used in Singapore to regulate social media platforms including YouTube and Facebook. Prez made this observation during a discussion held today (6) with newspaper editors and news directors of electronic media at the Prez Secretariat in Colombo. Responding to a question about the programmes being followed by the govt regarding the activities of certain social more..

Jan 7 (CT) At the Panel Discussion on Strengthening Institutions for Sustainable Growth in the Post-COVID World, held in New Delhi yesterday, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said Sri Lanka is both externally and internally fragmented and the worst affected by the post-Covid world. He was responding to a question on whether there is a risk in choosing sides in order to avoid being trapped by fragmentation. more..

Jan 7 (Island) Year 2023 would be worse than 2022, Secretary to GMOA, Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. �Professionals will be taxed directly and unjustly. Meanwhile, indirect taxes that affect the poor people most, have also been increased. We have tried our best to make the govt rethink the tax policy. If they don�t consider our proposals, we will be compelled to resort to action that they understand,� he said. Meanwhile, Prez of CBEU, Channa Dissanayake said that they will take union action more..

Jan 7 (Island) CEB United Trade Union Alliance convenor Ranjan Jayalal alleged that CEB, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) and Ministry of Power and Energy were working together to increase the electricity tariff by an unjust amount. Jayalal said that Prez is trying to implement his Regaining SL agenda and is planning to sell 52 state agencies. �Once these institutions are privatized, SL will have no strategic autonomy. No govt will have a say in the country�s economic policy,� more..

Jan 7 (AD) A stock of 600 metric tonnes of illegally imported brown sugar was seized by SL Customs today (6). The consignment is believed to have been imported from India, under the guise of importing white sugar, owing to the ongoing ban on the importation of brown sugar. Accordingly, a stock of 1,200 metric tonnes of white sugar had been imported, amidst which 600 metric tonnes of brown sugar was found. The entire consignment of sugar has been estimated at a value of Rs. 241 m, more..

Jan 7 (EN) Hundreds of Sri Lankans who are now haunted by an unprecedented economic crisis after wrong policies under ousted Prez, Gotabaya Rajapaksa vented out their anger by expressing displeasure on Rajapaksa�s recent visit to a private Dubai zoo in the UAE. Rajapaksa�s pictures at the Fame Park in Dubai went viral in social media with frustrated Sri Lankans commenting on his visit. �The Rajapaksas are a rare species and this one got kicked out in the rear and booted out of SL,� more..

Jan 7 (ST) SL�s pharmaceutical industry this week voiced concern to the NMRA about Health Minister getting Cabinet approval to buy medical supplies for the State sector from locally unregistered Indian manufacturers, citing urgency. Cabinet has approved purchases from two companies named Savorite Pharmaceuticals and Kausikh Therapeutics. Savorite order has already been placed & Health Ministry has requested more..

Jan 7 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that priority must first be given to resolving the ongoing disparities amongst members of the Election Commission of SL with regard to holding the upcoming LG elections. Wickremesinghe made this remark while speaking at a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (6), with editors of local newspapers and news directors of electronic media. Accordingly, Wickremesinghe had instructed officials of Election Commission to resolve more..

Jan 7 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickramasinghe says that the govt expects to receive India�s response regarding SL�s debt restructuring at the end of this month. Prez stated that the negotiations with China regarding debt restructuring have recommenced. Prez revealed this during a discussion held today (06) with newspaper editors and electronic media news directors at the Presidential Secretariat. In the discussion held, the Prez further stated that the govt expects the extended fund facility of the IMF more..

Jan 7 (Island) The COPE has strongly protested against the executive intervening and undermining the parliamentary process in the wake of Minister Manusha Nanayakkara�s unprecedented attack on Auditor General W.P.C. Wickramaratne at the National Productivity Awards ceremony held at Temple Trees last month. Minister has also challenged the powers exercised by COPE. more..

Jan 8 (ST) The New Year has begun with the favourite pastime of political parties � elections. With the ruling coalition seemingly trying to duck them, and the gung-ho opposition parties demanding them as a stepping stone to greater victories on the horizon, the elections, legally scheduled for March, still hang in the balance. The Cabinet spokesman made an astounding, even dangerous statement this week to the effect that the Govt cannot afford to spend Rs.10 billion on elections. more..

Jan 8 (ST) My dear new Maco Nimal, I thought of writing to you because we are beginning to see you and hear about you more often these days as Paradise prepares for a punchi chandey or small election to elect representatives to local govt institutions. It may be a small election for the voters but it will be a big test for you! Having been used to seeing the other Maco, Mahinda, for some time, many will be watching you with a lot of interest. This election is where more..

Jan 8 (ST) A leading digital marketing agency�s CEO recently explained on Twitter how their campaign managed to make one 5-star hotel client consistently become ranked No.1 on listings of one of the world�s largest online travel agencies. In doing so, he also revealed how completely out of touch SL�s tourism authorities had been on reaching out and encouraging tourists to visit the country. The hotel had been doing great after SL came out more..

Jan 8 (CT) On Dec 11, Sunday Observer reported that the Japanese Govt has agreed to reopen the Colombo-Malabe light rail project more than two years after it was highhandedly terminated by then Presidential Secretary PB Jayasundara. The project design was to start in July 2019 and construction completed by the end of 2024. The Malabe line is one of seven corridors radiating from Colombo and extending towards, Negombo, Kandy, Kaduwela, Malabe, Kottawa, Piliyandara & Moratuwa. more..

Jan 8 (TM) Less than a month away from celebrating SL�s 75th anniversary of independence and with the country reduced to literally scraping the barrel for its subsistence, there is very little to celebrate as far as the people are concerned, while the current interim administration appears to be desperately in search of positive news that will portray it as progressive � especially with the Local Govt Polls now on the cards. For a political establishment that thrives on mediocrity, more..

Jan 8 (TM) While Sri Lanka recorded the highest-ever number of people migrating for work last year, the focus this year is not on achieving large numbers of expatriate workers but sending skilled workers for foreign jobs and making 2023 the most beneficial year for expatriate workers, said Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, said. He also noted that foreign remittances were expected to rise this year, while outlining steps taken to encourage more..

Jan 8 (Island) A Great Game, if we may borrow a term from the history of British military strategy to retain the Empire�s stranglehold of India, is clearly afoot in this island of ours. This relates to the local elections that must be completed by February according to the present law. But govt politicians who are obviously afraid, nay terrified, of facing any election while memories are yet fresh of the agony people faced during what we called our annus horribilis in this space the previous Sunday, more..

Jan 8 (SO) We have often observed Govt ministries and departments working at cross purposes, without any coordination and planning. This should not happen in the New Year, especially at a time when we are yet to resolve the economic crisis. Funds cannot be squandered willy nilly by Govt entities that work in isolation. It is in this context that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has stressed the need for all sections of the Govt to act as one machinery to take nation towards stability by the end of the yr. more..

Jan 8 (ST) It took less than 20 minutes for the first Parliament sitting of 2023 to erupt in uproar over the fate of the local council elections. Soon after the sittings began on Thursday, PM Dinesh Gunawardena presented two reports in his capacity as Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, PCs and LG, containing his observations on two Private Members� Bills. The two bills had been presented by SLPP MP Premanath C. Dolawatte and SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar. more..

Jan 8 (TM) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva played down the recent revelations regarding SriLankan Airlines� failure to settle short-term loan facilities obtained from the two State banks during 2016-�17, pointing out that the airline was burdened with debt to the tune of $ 1.2 billion. 2021 Annual Report of Auditor General revealed that as of 31 March 2021, SriLankan Airlines was yet to settle the short-term loan facilities it had obtained from the two State banks amounting to $ 200 million more..

Jan 8 (CT) A badly damaged white car with broken glass windows, a seriously injured man being rushed to hospital and a scene of carnage and destruction is still etched in the minds of all those who were at the scene on that fateful day � 8 Jan 2009. This was the day that Editor-in-Chief of the Sunday Leader Newspaper Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated in broad daylight on Attidiya Road while on his way to office more..

Jan 8 (ST) SL National Badminton Championships 2022 will be held from Jan 16 to 22 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, and with the SLB and MBA courts in support to accommodate the large number of entries expected. As conducted in previous years too, the Badminton Nationals encompass the Senior and Junior Championships, with latest indications putting the number of entries at well over 1000 drawn from all parts of the country. Notably, this will be the 70th Senior Nationals more..

Jan 8 (Island) World Socialist Website (WSWS) quotes Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a TV programme, as admitting that SL has no choice but to go to the IMF. It cites him as saying that Sri Lankans need to bear the cost of doing so to a certain extent, that they are fed up of the political mainstream, and that they demand an exemplary group in politics. WSWS�s view of the JVP-NPP being generally unfavourable, it sees in the party leader�s remarks an example of his party�s more..

Jan 8 (SO) Sri Lanka�s reigning sprint queen Amasha de Silva is confident of aiming for a medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China this year as she is currently being tried and tested in the Caribbean where there is no shortage of fast women. The postponement of the 2022 quadrennial event to this year has come as a blessing in disguise for the 23-year-old SL lass who is undergoing training in Trinidad & Tobago since last August. �The training methods are slightly different. more..

Jan 8 (ST) With just six days left for the football elections, former President of Football Federation of SL (FFSL), Anura de Silva, lashed out at the immediate Past Prez Jaswar Umar, for destroying the country�s image with sabotaging moves. De Silva, the former head of FFSL prior to Umar�s tenure that started in June 2021, claims that the recent incidents are clear indications of sabotage to disgrace the country�s image despite hitting the lowest in FIFA global rankings at 207. more..

Jan 8 (CI) Suryakumar Yadav's sublime century - his third in only 43 T20I innings - set up a series win for India against SL. Batting first in the decider, India scored 228 out of which Suryakumar hit 112 off just 51 balls. It was an innings full of trademark Suryakumar shots: inside-out drives over extra cover, ramps over short fine leg and wrists used to manufacture shots over square leg and point. India were helped along by a blazing more..

Jan 8 (AD) One of the most sought after international gem and jewellery shows on the global procurement and sourcing calendar, FACETS Sri Lanka Premier Edition was inaugurated by Minister of Industries and Plantations Ramesh Pathirana. Hosted by Cinnamon Grand and organised by the National Gem & Jewellery Authority and SL Gem and Jewellery Association, FACETS Sri Lanka also signals that the island-country is ready and open for business. more..

Jan 8 (EN) SL�s Chinese built Lotus Tower has generated a revenue of 268 million rupees since Sept 15 2022. The tower which is still not fully opened attracted half a million visitors within the first three months of its opening, the official said, adding that a plaque and a gift voucher were presented to the milestone visitor who had travelled from Matara. Tower is now open to small boutiques by the Lake Edge. Selected bidders are currently being signed onfor the retail and restaurant outlets, more..

Jan 8 (AD) An audit report submitted by the Auditor General about the 2020 annual report of the SPC has disclosed irregularities in the purchase of dopamine and epoetin. As per the SPC�s annual report, the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Health Ministry, in accordance with the international competitive bidding system, had called bids for the purchase of 120,000 ampoules of dopamine of 5ml to treat heart patients. more..

Jan 8 (SLN) A coordinated search operation mounted by the Navy and Police in Negombo on 4th Jan led to the apprehension of 2 suspects. The individuals are suspected to have collected money from people promising jobs in a foreign country after facilitating illegal migration. The search operation was carried out in Negombo on the evening of 04th January with the assistance of Negombo Police, based on information received by the Naval Intelligence. more..

Jan 8 (ST) SL tile manufacturer, Lanka Tiles PLC has reactivated its Indian mosaic tile manufacturing and aluminium fabrication unit while planning to also start a distribution arm there. Mahendra Jayasekara, Managing Director of the company said that reviving its Lanka Tiles India Pvt Ltd to restart exports to beat the tough market conditions in the country have put companies like his into survival mode and the only way to do so in the current context is to diversify and set up abroad. more..

Jan 8 (AD) The int'l tenders for the importation of eggs will be called from next Monday (7), Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation has assured. Accordingly, the invitation for the tenders, the quantity of eggs due to be imported and the selection of suitable importers will be decided upon by next week. The responsibility of the importation of eggs and all related activities have been assigned to the SL State Trading (General) Corporation by Trade Minister Nalin Fernando, more..

Jan 8 (AD) CB has decided to impose restrictions on the availability of the Standing Facilities to Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) under the Open Market Operations (OMOs) of CB, without considering market-based funding options to address their structural liquidity needs. Accordingly, effective from 16 Jan, Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) -- the overnight deposit facility that allows LCBs to park excess liquidity and earn interest -- will be limited to a maximum of 5 times per calendar month. more..

Jan 8 (DM) Sri Lanka�s health authorities are on alert for the new XBB.1.5 variant which has emerged in the USA and now seems to be rapidly spreading in the countries it has been detected in, senior health officials told Daily Mirror yesterday. The XBB.1.5 variant is from the XBB series and was reported first from the USA and while Sri Lanka had the XBB series of variants since Nov 2022, it is yet to detect the XBB.1.5 variant, officials said. more..

Jan 8 (EN) SL has successfully avoided 10-hour powercuts in 2023 after securing a continuous supply of coal, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said. �We had an issue about two months ago regarding our coal reserves. But we have come out of that situation and are now in a favourable place,� said Ratnayake. �We have secured around 25 coal shipments for this year and if we can get around seven or eight more coal shipments then we will be able to run till August this year�. more..