Mar 1 (CT) Govt supporters appear to be satisfied at the masterful manner by which they believe they have had the local govt elections postponed. They deny there was to be an election to be postponed at all. They find fault with the Election Commission for not having minutes of the meeting they had to decide on the date, and for not having a quorum among their five members for that meeting�although all five signed a letter declaring March 9 to be the date of the election. more..

Mar 1 (DM) A tumultuous year in Sri Lanka seems to be never ending. The island lurching from one disaster to another. Looking at home from afar, it always gives you the sense that its internally perched on a precipice. Maybe it has always been like that. But these few years spent away from SL, the longest stretch I have been away, makes you look at your own country differently. The loss of opportunities is just mindboggling. Several friends have returned after spending time in SL more..

Mar 1 (DM) The Minister of Energy recently increased the electricity tariffs by 1200 % to cover the losses of the CEB. General Secretary of CEB Trade Union Alliance Ranjan Jayalal recently made a revelation about the politicians who have not paid their electricity bills while the burden is placed on the public to cover the losses incurred by the CEB. He also revealed names of the ministers who did not pay their electricity bills. more..

Mar 1 (DM) On Tuesday February 21, at a security conference in Beijing, Qin Gang, the Chinese Foreign Minister told participants, that China was concerned the almost year-long war Russia-Ukraine conflict could spill out of control. He stated China was offering a 12-point proposal to end the fighting and added, �Chinese President Xi Jinping had put forward proposals to ease the situation and de-escalate the crisis,� The Daily Mirror however, has not been privy to these proposals. more..

Mar 1 (GV) Come, join us in jail! read the invitation to artist Sujith Rathnayake�s exhibition-cum-provocation, Crisis & Struggle. Indeed, a visitor to the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery in Colombo was quickly confronted by a police bus door, a remand cell gate and paintings of fallen protesters. The exhibition was a timely riposte to a bankrupt regime�s lavish-under-the-circumstances independence day celebration on Feb 4. It also was a timely commemoration of the Aragalaya, mostly peaceful protest more..

Mar 1 (Roar) In SL, the war on drugs is a recurring topic in political and social circles. Towards the end of last year, after significant socio-political upheavals in the country, the conversation on drugs rose up once more� this time with a specific focus on school children using Ice, the street name for crystal methamphetamine. People with addiction or substance use disorders are stigmatised and in most cases, criminalised in SL. more..

Mar 1 (CT) We have now partially made our way out of the fuel crisis and long fuel queues. There were different mechanisms adopted to overcome the difficulties faced in supplying fuel including distributing based on the last digit of number plates, following which the National Fuel Pass was introduced. Ministry of Power and Energy, on 16 July 2022, introduced the National Fuel Pass, which permitted the public to purchase a secured quota of fuel per week. more..

Mar 1 (TM) As many parties have aptly stated, Sri Lanka is going through not only an economic crisis, but also a period that emphasises a need for reforms. While these reforms should apply to all sectors that are yet to achieve their full potential, it has already begun with the public sector. SL Customs is one such public entity which has a massive potential and responsibility to assist the country�s economic recovery. Identifying it in the backdrop of the economic crisis, on Prez more..

Mar 1 (Island) The provincial govt of Ontario passed a bill (Bill 104) implying that a genocide of Tamils occurred in SL, and introduced a Tamil genocide education week (TGEW) into the school system [1]. This implicit Genocidal Tag on Sri Lanka will discourage many entrepreneurs from investing in SL, at a time of its dire need. The bill is part of a continuation of long-standing militancy of the Tamil Diaspora in Canada against SL. This Diaspora massively supported the military struggle of more..

Mar 1 (Island) Sri Lanka finds itself in the same predicament as a gang rape victim being forcibly kept in the custody of her rapists. Those who are responsible for stealing public funds, mismanaging the economy and bankrupting it continue to be in power. Worse, while living high on the hog at the expense of taxpayers, these characters are urging the people, who are struggling to keep the wolf from the door, to make more sacrifices and help straighten up the economy! more..

Mar 1 (FT) Sri Lanka's external trade had begun the New Year 2023 on a negative note with exports and imports declining year on year. Exports in January declined by 11% to $ 978 million year on year and was also lower in comparison to $ 1.07 billion achieved in Dec 2022. Imports had plunged by 29% year on year to $ 1.38 billion in January whilst it was lower compared to $1.42 billion in Dec 2022. more..

Mar 1 (EN) On August 23, 1950 Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, barely two years after independence, dumped the country�s single anchored money regime and replaced it with a pseudo currency peg that sealed newly independent country�s economic fate for the next 73 years. In 2023, as the unfortunate country celebrates 75 years of independence the pseudo currency peg with a policy rate is to be replaced by pseudo inflation targeting without a floating exchange rate. more..

Mar 1 (Island) A bilateral dialogue on Tourism organised by the Italian Embassy in Colombo held recently brought together key stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sectors from Sri Lanka and Italy with the goal of exploring and leveraging on synergies and opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. Ambassador for Italy in Sri Lanka Rita Giuliana Mannella delved into the relationship between Sri Lanka and Italy, calling it a strong and abiding one. more..

Mar 1 (FT) The Sri Lanka Retail Forum (SLRF) 2023 conducted by SL Retailers Association (SLRA) on 1 March, will address many of the pressing challenges currently faced by the industry, and explore proven strategies and vital avenues to explore to ensure stability and sustainability for the industry, SLRA President Murali Prakash stated. Against a backdrop of economic turbulence, Prakash called for urgent regulatory and policy overhauls to support the industry in the current context, more..

Mar 1 (FT) Bank of Ceylon said that it strengthened industry leadership position in FY22 amidst challenges. The Bank has reported Rs. 32 billion Profit After Tax (PAT) for the year ended 31 Dec 2022 despite of many headwinds caused by the never experienced economic and operational environment prevailed during the year. It said despite of never experienced economic and operating environmental challenges prevailed, the net interest income grew by 13.6% more..

Mar 1 (TM) A decision regarding summoning Secretary to the Treasury Mahinda Siriwardana to Parliament, or opting for a Parliamentary resolution to establish whether there are sufficient funds to conduct the postponed LG poll is to be reached at today�s Parliamentary Business Committee meeting. Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said that the members of the said Committee would decide today whether more..

Mar 1 (FT) The Govt has decided to expedite the finalisation of proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) under the guidance of the International Trade Office. The proposal to this effect submitted by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was approved by the Cabinet. �Although trade between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was low despite special provisions under accords the Government is confident that the PTA would be a catalyst to enhance commerce volume,� more..

Mar 1 (DN) National Cricket selection committee has done a tremendous job to select players for the National team and the appointed Provincial selection committee gave their best to select players for the domestic tournaments such as National Super League (NSL), Major clubs three day tournament and Inter club under 23 tournament. Their selection policy is very clear and they always consider current performances and fitness level of the players which are very important to select the team. more..

Mar 1 (TM) People�s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse and Bank of Ceylon Chairman Ronald C. Perera emphasised that their respective banks are ready to serve their customers today, at a meeting held at the Prez Secretariat regarding matters in the banking industry. PMD noted that both Chairmen said that it is the responsibility of all public servants to support Govt�s programme to build the country�s economy and expressed confidence more..

Mar 1 (TM) Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to allow foreign suppliers to supply Jet A-One fuel required for cargo and passenger flights arriving in Sri Lanka, as the supply of Jet A-One aviation fuel by the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has been disrupted as a result of the foreign exchange crisis. Although foreign suppliers will be allowed to enter the fuel market, the jet fuel supplied by the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery of the CPC will be given priority over the rest. more..

Mar 1 (DM) The govt expects a considerable fall in rice prices following the removal of the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) imposed on the purchasing of paddy, production of rice and marketing. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies sought the approval of the Cabinet to revise the Social Security Contribution Levy imposed on the purchasing of paddy, production of rice and marketing. more..

Mar 1 (FT) The Cabinet at its meeting on Monday approved to opening up of the aviation fuel market and allowing new entrants to offer competitive prices. The proposal to open up the market for high-quality, new entrants, for a more competitive price submitted by Minister Kanchana Wijesekera was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday. �All this while the CPC supplied Jet A-1 fuel required for the cargo and passenger flights called at airports via a monopoly. more..

Mar 1 (Island) Umayanga Mihiran of Vidyarathane Sports Club, Horana and L.I.N. Malshani of Air Force were adjudged the most scientific boxers at the National Boxing Championships concluded at Royal MAS Arena on Friday. Both Mihiran and Malshani won their maiden national titles. Mihiran, 19, gave a flawless performance easily outpointing Army�s Raveendranath in a thrilling flyweight (under 51kg) final. He oozed class and confidence winning all his fights comprehensively with a superb more..

Mar 1 (DM) Sri Lankan rupee appreciated yesterday on improved sentiments over the current and future foreign exchange conditions in the domestic market after the announcement that International Finance Corporation (IFC) is willing to provide US$ 400 million worth of swap facility for three commercial banks to support essential imports. The spot rupee appreciated to Rs.356.75 - 357.75 against the US dollar. more..

Mar 1 (Island) When the Leave to Appeal Application filed by the former Prez Maithripala Sirisena came up for Support yesterday before the Civil Appeal High Court Negombo, a further date was sought. The Counsel appearing on behalf of former Prez informed the Court that Faiszer Musthapha, PC, had been retained to support the Leave to Appeal Application on behalf of Former Prez Sirisena, and as it was not a convenient date for Mr. Musthapha, he sought another date for Support. more..

Mar 1 (Island) Athletes selected for the forthcoming Asian Youth Athletics Championships have been requested to find funds for their traveling and other expenses as the Ministry of Sports has halted funding teams for foreign tours. The athletes and their schools have been informed to find funds amounting to rupees 650,000.00 per person for their travel. �At this current situation, we are unable to provide funds for the air tickets from Colombo to Tashkent and back to Colombo. more..

Mar 1 (EN) SL�s inflation in Colombo fell to newly rebased Colombo Consumer Price Index 50.6% in Feb 2023, from 51.7% January, data from the state statistics office showed. In the month of Feb 2023, the CCPI index climbed 0.9% with non-foods rising. The food sub-index fell 2.2%, while non-foods, went up 1.8%. Clothing and footwear went up 4.3% and housing, water, electricity and gas went up 3.5%. New CCPI index with a 2021 base shows slightly lower level of inflation than the earlier one. more..

Mar 1 (AI) Responding to the news that one protestor had been killed and dozens injured as a result of the unlawful use of water cannons and tear gas by the police in Colombo on Sunday, Harindrini Corea, Regional Researcher for the Right to Protest at Amnesty International said, �It is worrying that even after months of widespread protests in the country, the SL police needs to be constantly reminded of their duty to facilitate the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and exercise more..

Mar 1 (FT) The Court of Appeal yesterday in a landmark decision directed the Parliament to release information of MPs who have submitted their asset declarations. Following a Right to Information (RTI) application, Justice Sampath Abayakoon together with Justice P. Kumararatnam upheld the RTI Commission�s decision holding that: �as a public authority, it is the Parliament that is in possession, custody or control of information more..

Mar 1 (DM) Incumbent President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Shammi Silva will seek re-election to the post at the upcoming SLC elections after handing over his nomination, the Daily Mirror learns. The Election Committee appointed to overlook the upcoming SLC elections, chaired by retired Court of Appeal judge Justice Malani Gunaratne, and including retired High Court Judge Shiromi Perera and retired senior public official Sunil Sirisena, accepted nominations on Tuesday. more..

Mar 1 (FT) Govt has taken a revolutionary decision to explore a very expensive, yet high power output and reliable � nuclear power with support from Russia to address the energy crisis in Sri Lanka. �This will be a historic decision and a milestone in SL�s history to address the power crisis via nuclear energy,� Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. Noting that on a previous occasion, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved exploring nuclear power as an alternative to address power generation, more..

Mar 1 (TM) Nearly 100 trade unions (TUs) representing several sectors including petroleum, ports, electricity, health, water supply, education, banking, and postal service are to launch a number of trade union actions including a one day token strike today, demanding the withdrawal of the tax policies recently introduced by the Govt. Representatives of several trade unions which represent govt & semi-govt institutions more..

Mar 1 (FT) The two most prominent opposition parties in SL are the SJB (Sajith Premadasa�s) and the JJB/JVP cross-breed. These two factions are entertaining the public with the wrath and revulsion they keep escalating between them. I would say that is the light side of our horrible opposition politics. Oh My God! I will die without this stuff. Give us more, please. Scotch isn�t any better! Sajith, at a recent meeting screamed: �If the JVP comes, private houses will be taken over, private boutiques more..

Mar 1 (FT) Many are familiar with the parable of the blind persons and the elephant. It�s the story of a group of blind persons who had never seen an elephant previously, are required to touch an elephant to learn what it is like. Each one has the opportunity to feel only one part, and they come up with individual explanations. The one feeling only the trunk claims that the elephant is like a branch of a tree branch, while the one who feels the tail thinks the elephant has a shape of a rope! more..

Mar 1 (AD) The Western Provincial Civil Appeals High Court has issued an interim injunction against the Chairpersons of SLFP, former president Maithripala Sirisena and the General Secretary of the party MP Dayasiri Jayasekara. The interim injunction was issued today, preventing the removal of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva from the position of Senior Vice President of the SLFP and all other posts held by him in the SLFP. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had filed a case more..