Feb 8 (DN) A diplomatic dispute between India and the Maldives in Jan 2024 triggered a notable shift in Indian tourists� travel preferences, leading to SL surpassing the Maldives in tourist arrivals for the month of January. The repercussions of the diplomatic tension were distinctly felt, with SL experiencing a substantial surge in tourist arrivals. The number of Indian tourists to SL more than doubled from 13,759 in January of the preceding year to an impressive 34,399 in Jan 2024. more..

Feb 8 (DM) NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP delegation held talks with Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, where they discussed about the development strategies for eliminating poverty in the State and the administrative system of the State during their third day in India's visit. The meeting took place at the Vidhan Sabha, also known as the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat. The delegation also held a special discussion with Minister of Industries more..

Feb 8 (DN) Even though the group of SJB MPs including its Leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa walked out of the chamber when Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe began to present the government�s policy statement at the opening of the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament yesterday, several SJB MPs including Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Rajitha Senaratne, Kumara Welgama, Faisal Cassim, A.H.M. Fowzie, Vadivel Suresh and Ishaq Rahman remained in the chamber more..

Feb 8 (AD) The much-disputed Online Safety Act has been brought under the purview of the Ministry of Public Security, as per an Extraordinary Gazette notification. According to the relevant gazette issued by the Presidential Secretariat, the Online Safety Act will be brought under the Ministry of Public Security, with effect from 7 Feb. The legislation which seeks to regulate online content was passed in Parliament, with amendments, on 24 January, amidst objections from opposition politicians more..

Feb 8 (Island) SL is not likely to join Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea to counter attacks mounted by Yemen-based Houthis. A section of the media discussed the possibility of deploying two vessels in support of the US-led operation after Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Jan 3 at an event at the BMICH declared the decision to join the multinational maritime task force. However, post-war SL lacked the capacity to deploy at least one more..

Feb 8 (DN) Asian Int'l School�s Christina Perumal brought pride to Sri Lanka by winning the country�s first medal at the BIMSTEC Youth Aquatic Sports Meet in New Delhi, India. Sri Lanka concluded Day One on a high note, clinching four bronze medals and securing the third spot in the medal tally at the BIMSTEC Youth Aquatic Sports Meet, which began at the Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex in New Delhi yesterday. Perumal�s remarkable feat came in the girls� 200m Breaststroke, more..

Feb 8 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday proposed to present an Economic Transformation Act to Parliament. �To advance, we must transition to a modern, robust economy. I will present the Economic Transformation Act to Parliament shortly, and relevant institutions have been established,� the President said in presenting his policy statement at the opening the fifth session of the Ninth Parliament. He also said the required transformation is a comprehensive and prolonged endeavour, more..

Feb 8 (FT) In what could be described as the most emphatic expression to date of rallying calls for a united and better future, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe urged key Opposition parties SJB and JVP to follow SLPP in supporting nation building. �In the interest of the nation�s welfare and the prosperity of our youth, the majority of the SLPP have set aside past animosities and reached a consensus. SLPP was most critical of me. more..

Feb 8 (FT) In a purely formal sense, Anura and the JVP-NPP have just 3 seats in Parliament and 3% of the vote. The Indian state usually doesn�t extend an official invitation to, and its Minister of External Affairs and the PM�s National Security Advisor don�t meet with, anyone of that de jure status who is not even Opposition Leader. It is more striking when it is the leader of a Marxist party. Anura�s achievement is therefore all the greater and more creditable, because it is recognition by more..

Feb 8 (DM) In a heated parliamentary session today, SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella, accused the govt of orchestrating a delay of the upcoming Prez Election. Kiriella asserted that the President's Govt Policy statement notably omitted any mention of the Prez Election, fueling suspicions of ulterior motives. Speaking in the Parliament, Kiriella outlined the alleged scheme, pointing to proposals for the abolishment of the executive presidency as a pretext for postponement. more..

Feb 8 (DM) While expressing concerns towards the accuracy of data and figures provided by the Finance Ministry, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage urged the Prez, govt officials and the Cabinet to exercise caution in trusting the Ministry of Finance. During his parliamentary speech, Aluthgamage emphasized the necessity of scrutiny, citing instances where Ministry officials themselves admitted to erroneous data submissions to the Financial Fund. more..

Feb 8 (EN) Sri Lanka could reduce fuel prices after March if there is no unpredictable events or sharp depreciation in the rupee currency, State Energy Minister D V Chanaka said. The government has raised prices in successive two months through February. �Usually, global oil prices are expensive during December to April because of the Winter season in Europe where their usage is high, and the demand is also high. This is why you see some increases during this period,� more..

Feb 8 (DM) In a recent analysis comparing electricity charges across South Asian countries, Sri Lanka emerges with the highest household electricity costs, prompting concerns among the public regarding the burden on consumers. The analysis, conducted for Dec 2023 by the Verit� Research, sheds light on the stark disparities in electricity charges between Sri Lanka and its regional counterparts. more..

Feb 8 (FT) National People�s Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi recently creating huge excitement among some quarters. The Indian Minister said he was pleased to meet MP Dissanayake. Further he said, �A good discussion on our bilateral relationship and the mutual benefits from its further deepening.� The Minister also spoke about SL�s economic challenges and the path ahead. more..

Feb 8 (AD) L.K. Jagath Priyankara has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament to fill the seat left vacant following the death of State Minister Sanath Nishantha who represented the SLPP in Puttalam constituency. The new MP took oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena shortly after the parliamentary session kicked off at 9.30 a.m. this morning (8). Subsequently, he signed the MPs roll kept before the Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. more..

Feb 8 (Reuters) The world just experienced its hottest January on record, continuing a run of exceptional heat fuelled by climate change, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said. Last month surpassed the previous warmest January, which occurred in 2020, in C3S's records going back to 1950. The exceptional month came after 2023 ranked as the planet's hottest year in global records more..

Feb 8 (AD) The monthly allowances paid to disabled persons, kidney patients and elderly citizens will be retrospectively increased from January 2024, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe says. Allowances will be as follows after the revision: Kidney patients � Rs. 7,500 (previously Rs. 5,000) Disabled persons � Rs. 7,500 (previously Rs. 5,000) Elderly citizens � Rs. 3,000 (previously Rs. 2,000). The beneficiaries of Aswesuma welfare program who are entitled to these allowances more..

Feb 8 (EN) CEB has signed a power purchase agreement with Rividhanavi (Pvt) Ltd for a 100 MW ground mount solar project in Siyambalanduwa today. �Power purchase agreement for the 100 MW Ground Mount Solar project in Siyambalanduwa was signed by Rividhanavi (Pvt) Ltd with CEB today,� Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. �The project was advertised by the CEB in Sept 2022, evaluated in 2023 and was awarded to the lowest and successful bidder at the end of 2023.� more..

Feb 8 (Island) Supreme Court recently concluded a long-drawn out sexual harassment case in SriLankan Airlines. A 3-judge bench, comprising P. Padman Surasena, Janak de Silva and Mahinda Samyawardhena overturned an order given by Labour Tribunal (LT) on 22 Oct, 2013, and a ruling by the Negombo High Court on 19 Oct, 2016, upholding the dismissal of the employee-Ground/cum flight steward for sexually harassing an air hostess. more..

Feb 8 (AD) Three police officers have been interdicted in connection with the alleged poisoning of two suspects held in a cell at the Aduruppu Veediya police station. Reportedly, the duo had fallen ill after consuming a packet of milk handed to them by a visitor. They had been arrested by the police over a recent shooting incident that took place in Jinthupitiya. Two assailants on a motorcycle had opened fire in Jinthupitiya on January 25, leaving a youth injured. more..

Feb 8 (EN) Sri Lanka will definitely call a presidential election by July 2024, election observer PAFFREL said, accusing the govt of expediting development programmes targeting the coming prez poll. Chairman of the PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi told reporters that a circular issued by the presidential secretariat in January has directed officials to complete all 2024 development projects initiated under a 10-year plan to develop more..

Feb 8 (SLN) SL Navy, together with the SL Coast Guard, conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from SL waters in the dark hours of 7th Feb. The operation led to the seizure of 2 Indian trawlers and arrest of 19 Indian fishermen poaching in SL waters near the Delft Island, Jaffna. Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in SL waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the impact of those practices more..

Feb 8 (FT) Amidst the backdrop of relatively stable operating conditions in the economy, Hemas Holdings PLC (HHL) has demonstrated a steady performance in the first nine months of the financial year 2023/24, achieving a cumulative revenue growth of 10.3% amounting to Rs. 90.2 billion. Operating profits for the period mirrored the revenue growth, reaching Rs. 8.8 billion, while earnings experienced a 41.2% increase, posting a total of Rs. 4.5 billion. During the quarter, more..

Feb 8 (Reuters) SL is hopeful of making progress by next month on two delayed wind energy projects to be built by India�s Adani Green Energy Ltd, its energy minister said. The cash-strapped south Asian island nation, which has suffered from crippling power blackouts and fuel shortages, has been trying to speed green power generation to hedge against surges in imported fuel costs, but the wind projects are still being more..

Feb 8 (NF) Maldivian Chief of Defense Force Lt General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef has arrived in Sri Lanka. Ministry of Defence said he will meet Secretary of Defense General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) on Thursday. The Chief of Defense Force of the Maldives is also scheduled to meet the Army Commander on Thursday (08) afternoon. He arrived in the country based on an invitation by the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Batalanda. He is a graduate of more..

Feb 8 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism is experiencing a promising start to February, with over 43,000 tourists welcomed in the first six days of the month, pushing the cumulative figure for tourist arrivals to 252,035. The surge in tourist arrivals is accompanied by an improved daily average of 7,297 visitors this month, compared to 6,718 in January, mainly boosted by Russian travellers. During the first six days of February, Sri Lanka saw 43,782 tourists arriving, setting a strong foundation more..

Feb 8 (DM) While claiming that the SL Parliament passed the Online Safety Act on 24 January, despite concerns raised by international internet providers and various other concerned parties, UK has stated that it will closely monitor the progress of this Act. Despite concerns expressed by civil society, opposition parties and international internet providers regarding the potential negative impacts of the Online Safety Act, SL Parliament passed it into law on 24 January, more..

Feb 8 (DM) Two individuals, including a monk, were arrested while attempting to sell two Blue Sapphire gemstones valued at Rs. 370 million. The arrest was made during a raid by Koslanda Police, acting on intelligence provided by the Army Intelligence Division. The arrested monk resides in the Weliweriya area, while the other suspect, aged 72, is the father of a local politician from a prominent political party. The seized gemstones are in the shape of pagodas and more..

Feb 8 (DM) Hot on the heels of the NPP undertaking a familiarization tour of India with interactions with the top Indian officials, the main opposition SJB has sought a similar opportunity from India. The NPP led by its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is currently in India on a five �day tour. The NPP leaders have already held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary more..

Feb 8 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island this morning to attend the Seventh Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Perth, Australia, from Feb 9th to 10th on an invitation from the India Foundation and the Govt of Australia. On an official visit, President Wickremesinghe will play a pivotal role in shaping discussions at the conference, slated as a vital forum for dialogue and cooperation within the Indian Ocean Region. Scheduled to deliver the keynote address, more..

Feb 8 (EN) SL Cement Corporation, with around 5,000 acres of mineral resource-rich land, is to be restructured, the State Minister of Primary Industries has said. �With arrangements in place to develop it, the corporation is expected to generate revenue of around USD300 million annually,� Chamara Sampath said at a press briefing held on Wednesday (7). �An institution has already been selected to propose a plan for this transformation,� Dassanayake was quoted in a statement more..

Feb 8 (DM) Agriculture Ministry has decided to reduce the extent of five acres stipulated earlier, to two acres of farmland for their owners to qualify to own shotguns to protect their crops. Ministry said that most farmers have abandoned their crops since wild boar, toque monkeys and giant squirrels have destroyed their crops, and the damage caused has exceeded fifty percent. Therefore, the govt has to implement the proposal of the farmers, more..

Feb 8 (DM) The govt has observed that there are some shortcomings in the recently enacted Online Safety Act and the govt is open to bring in amendments to the Act, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today. Responding to questions by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and SJB MP Harsha de Silva, Minister Rajapakshe told Parliament that it was pointless calling the Act as erronous and requested the Opposition to propose amendments to the Act. more..

Feb 8 (TM) SJB Parliamentary backbenchers said that they are ready to welcome talented and clean newcomers despite the various allegations made by some senior members of the Party. SJB MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena said that the backbenchers believe that various groups of people and individuals must get together to make the Party stronger and therefore, the Party cannot not welcome the distinguished personalities who wish to join the Party. more..

Feb 9 (ST) Nidahas? Mona Nidahas-da (Freedom? What freedom),� asked an exasperated Kussi Amma Sera, after watching on TV yet another protest restrained by police using water cannons and tear-gas. �Mata wena adahasak thiyenne. Mama vishwasa karanawa api Nidahas Dinaya samaranna-oney kiyala. Magey tuk-tuk eke mama jathika kodiya pradarshanaya karanawa (I have a different view. I believe we should celebrate Independence Day. I will fly a national flag on my tuk-tuk),� more..