Feb 11 (ST) In a fresh bid to control food prices, the government is to introduce a system for imports of essential food items by opening up the business without restricting imports only to licence holders. The move is aimed at eliminating corruption in issuing licences for imports following revelations that the existing system was leading to an increase in food prices. Among the essential food items would be dhal, sugar, potatoes, onions, and flour, while standards would be set for the imports. more..

Feb 11 (TM) Maithri Gunaratne, PC has informed the Fort Magistrate�s Court recently that the agreement between Govts of SL and Ukraine supposedly signed during the MiG deal has gone missing. These revelations were made when the case regarding the deal was called before the court last month through a motion. Gunaratne had informed the court that during the CID investigations into the deal, an Air Marshall attached to more..

Feb 11 (AD) A stock of gold jewelry and gold in gel form worth around Rs. 58 million has been seized while being smuggled out of the airport by a female employee of a private cleaning company at the BIA. The contraband was impounded by a group of officials of the Narcotics Control Unit of SL Customs this morning (10). The apprehended woman has been identified as a 55-year-old resident of the Miridiyalanda area of Veyangoda. The suspected woman has confessed to the SL Customs more..

Feb 11 (EN) Growth in SL�s remittances coming through official channels slowed to a 16-month low in January after it showed more than 80% following the CB�s improved exchange rate policy. Year-on-year remittance growth was 11.4% in January. SL saw less than the January growth in monthly remittances in Sept 2022 when it showed a gain of 1.7%. Since then SL witnessed a booming remittance growth. In January 2024, remittances went up to $487.6 m from $437.5 m in the same month a yr earlier. more..

Feb 11 (ST) The opening of a new session of Parliament, probably the last before the next general election, set the stage for what is in store on the political battlefield in the coming months. SJB boycotted the event which in the old days was the Throne Speech by a Governor General on behalf of the Govt of the day. It gave an opportunity to the Opposition to test the Parliamentary strength of the Govt and in March 1960, Dudley Senanayake Govt was defeated at the vote that followed. more..

Feb 11 (ST) My dear Keheliya, I am writing this to you not knowing where I should send it. I suppose Prison Hospital is the best bet. That is where you politicians go whenever you are detained, not to the actual prison unless of course you happen to be an opposition politician at the time like SB, the Field Marshall or Ranjan. You must have been surprised at this turn of events. You were loudly protesting your innocence in Parliament and ridiculing the opposition after defeating the vote of more..

Feb 11 (TM) �SL�s performance under the programme was satisfactory,� said IMF Senior Mission Chief to SL Peter Breuer, speaking to the press following the completion of the first review of EFF in December last year. SL met all of the IMF�s quantitative performance criteria for end-June 2023, except the one on expenditure arrears, while all indicative targets were met, except the one on tax revenues. more..

Feb 11 (DM) Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that he hopes that National People�s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) makes positive statements regarding his visit to India and he understands the need for investors in Sri Lanka. He said that whoever had invited AKD to India, had done a good thing. "AKD might have gained a vast amount of experience over the need for investors in our country from any country in the world, including India. more..

Feb 11 (SO) The SL Navy yesterday distanced itself from allegations made in Tamil Nadu that unidentified persons were attacking Indian fishermen on the Palk Strait and damaging their fishing vessels and added that irate local fish workers could be brawling with poachers within the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. �The Indian poachers come in their hundreds each night and we make every attempt to chase them away, but when this is not possible the Navy makes some arrests. more..

Feb 11 (ST) The recent matches played by the SL cricket team signify a return to their traditional style of play, believes former batting great Sanath Jayasuriya. Both the solitary Test against Afghanistan at the SSC ground and the inaugural ODI at Pallekele showcased the classic SL cricketing approach that has been revered for ages. SL secured a commanding victory in the lone Test, triumphing over Afghanistan by 10 wickets, followed by a 42-run win in the first ODI on the back of more..

Feb 11 (DM) SLC will facilitate the Uganda national cricket team for a 14-day training camp. The Ugandan team, who last year qualified for the T20 World Cup, arrived in the island today. "Facilitation will include the allocation of an int'l ground (GICS, Galle), allocation of a team from the High Performance Center Development Squads to play seven T20 games, and providing match-related logistics, such as umpires, scorers, match meals, medical support, and other relevant more..

Feb 11 (Hindu) Adani Group is negotiating with SL authorities to manage three airports in the island nation, including its premier international gateway, BIA in Colombo. SL�s minister Harin Fernando, said on Friday that modalities are being discussed between the two sides and could involve management contracts as well. Other airports being offered are Ratmalana Airport in Colombo and Mattala Airport, more..

Feb 11 (ST) National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has started discussions with service providers to introduce a foolproof digitalisation system for medicine and device registration after its last initiative collapsed in the mysterious loss of nearly two terabytes of data without backup. The regulator is now looking at systems adopted by other regulatory authorities worldwide, especially a system that is operational in 16 countries, official sources said. The pharmaceutical industry more..

Feb 11 (ST) SL will be able to buy fuel from the proposed Chinese oil refinery to be set up in Hambantota under an agreement reached between the company and SL�s Board of Investment. Under the agreement, SL will be entitled to buy 20% of the production. China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation or Sinopec was selected to set up the refinery following a bidding process. A Treasury official said that among the advantages, SL would be able to buy fuel at a concessionary price more..

Feb 11 (ST) Hi guys! How are you doing, exhorted US Ambassador Julie Chung as she walked towards a group of MPs at the tea party hosted by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe last Wednesday. It came at the end of a policy statement he delivered after the ceremonial opening of Parliament. Turning to onetime minister, Champika Ranawaka, she declared, �I see from the media that you are going to be a prez candidate.� more..

Feb 12 (CT) History will remember Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe elected by a secret vote in parliament to serve the remainder of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s presidential term for another curiously singular reason. He will be remembered for the number of policy statements and Ceremonial openings of parliament during his tenure. Moral high ground is not a podium to preach from. It is an arduous mountain; one climbs on one�s own. In his latest address he asked � more..

Feb 12 (CT) As a small island nation with a relatively smaller population and a modest economy, it is understood that SL�s GDP or the size of the economy is dwarfed before the economic Gullivers in the world, such as the USA, China, Germany, Japan and even India. However, for any nation, the size of its economy shouldn�t be an indication how poorly the country is faring economically in the world. Ideally, if the personal income or the average personal salary is reasonably high, more..

Feb 12 (TM) �Under the neoliberal scheme of things, free education is being dismantled systematically, surreptitiously at first, and now a little more openly. This is because education is seen as an investment, not as a right,� charged Uni of Peradeniya Professor of English Arjuna Parakrama. �It follows that education for some people � the marginalised, the vulnerable, the disabled, and so on � then becomes something that you don�t more..

Feb 12 (DM) India�s invitation to the JVP/NPP and its leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake � popularly known as AKD � has made political watchers put on their thinking caps. Many seem to believe the Indian action indicates its belief that the JVP/NPP combine is in a position to capture power at the next General Election or even at the Prez Poll. The reality however is, that it is customary for the Indian govt to extend such invitations to major political players of nations in its neighbourhood. more..

Feb 12 (ST) While the govt used the two-day adjournment debate on Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s Policy Statement to echo his call for all parties to come together to resolve the economic crisis, opposition parties dismissed such calls as insincere, while adding that his statement to Parliament did not reflect the ground situation. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s Statement of Govt Policy made before Parliament on Wednesday (7) contrasted with the situation on Feb 2022 more..

Feb 12 (TM) Each time a well-connected person who is considered very important by societal standards is served a prison sentence, the said VIP is transferred to the Prison Hospital. The most recent incident was that of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella being transferred to the Prison Hospital following his imprisonment, which was followed by speculation that he had requested to be transferred to a private hospital, more..

Feb 12 (ST) SL Govt can ill afford to take the moral high ground and object to the Opposition calling the Online Safety Act, No 9 of 2024 as erroneous when it has become amply clear that the Act has disregarded the Supreme Court�s imperative revisions as detailed in (SD) No 66-120/2023. The question as to whether the Act has been passed according to law in consequence thereof has been rightly raised by Human Rights Commission of SL. This is in the context of more..

Feb 12 (TM) At the core of SL�s rot, lies a culture of impunity, which public officials, elected and appointed politicians alike have long practised. The recent remanding of the former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who during a parliamentary debate made light of the plight of Sri Lankans who were struggling to find medicines and adequate treatment in public hospitals, and his change in accommodation, to the prison�s hospital, is viewed by many to be part of the culture of impunity. more..

Feb 12 (Island) Minister Tiran Alles has said the ongoing anti-crime operation, Yukthiya, will not be abandoned under any circumstances. It is hoped that he will not face the same fate as Roshan Ranasinghe, who was sacked from the Cabinet for confronting crooked cricket administrators with links to some govt leaders. Lawbreakers usually have the last laugh in this country. It behoves Minister Alles and Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to take a critical look at Operation Yukthiya, more..

Feb 12 (FT) The Thought Leadership Forum, an independent, apolitical, awareness enhancement initiative, founded by Chartered Accountant Ranel Wijesinha, will conduct an interactive dialogue on electricity sector reforms, at the CA SL Auditorium at 30 A, Malalasekera Mawatha, Colombo 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on 15 Feb. �The sessions will inter alia address issues arising from the reform intentions, strategies, structures, processes and the legislation, under Electricity Reform Act more..

Feb 12 (FT) The tourism industry is off to a strong start in 2024 as earnings exceed $ 340 million in tandem with the boost in arrivals. Tourism earnings in January were at $ 341.8 million, reflecting a 122.7% increase from the corresponding period of last year. Even in a month-on-month comparison, January earnings are 27% higher than Dec 2023. It is the highest earnings registered in January since Easter Sunday attacks in 2019. more..

Feb 12 (FT) The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka last week concluded its 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM), a pivotal event that brought together Diplomatic missions, Government and Non- government officials, industry leaders, members and other stake holders. It was a momentous occasion with highlights and engagements of the National Chamber in the year 2023 and the future outlook outlining the strategic direction for uplifting the MSME sector in the nation. more..

Feb 12 (Island) SL cricket has been ahead of times compared to some of our Asian neighbours over the years. In our formative years, Gamini Dissanayake was convinced that the team needed a foreign coach and quite a few of them were hired including Sir Garry Sobers to help the team in early days. At a time when the board was penniless, Mr. Dissanayake had businessmen around him like Killy Rajamahendran to fund these foreign coaches. For about a decade then, several former local more..

Feb 12 (ST) In just a few weeks since the newly imposed 18% VAT, the coconut industry in Sri Lanka is right now in dire straits as oil millers have slowed down operations to about a few days a week resulting in over 50,000 workers losing jobs. Even punnakku is liable for VAT! For an industry that was exempted from taxes, about three weeks ago coconut oil millers in the medium and large scale sector have been asking workers to report to work for only about three days a week. more..

Feb 12 (FT) �Businesses enter February with a sense of trepidation, uncertain about what the near term holds. This uncertainty is reflected in the latest LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey,� business magazine LMD notes, in its February edition. It explains that a quarter of BCI survey participants �express optimism about the economy improving in the next 12 months,� marking a four-point increase from Dec (21%),� and 19% anticipate the economy to stay the same, more..

Feb 12 (CI) SL's middle order led by Charith Asalanka piled on a second successive 300-plus total, helping them secure a 155-run win in the second ODI in Pallekele. Afghanistan imploded in their chase to lose the three-match series with a game to go. Chasing 309, Afghanistan had seemingly set themselves up well for a late charge, particularly when Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah were in middle of their 97-run 2nd wt stand. more..

Feb 12 (SO) SJB Anuradhapura District MP Ishak Rahuman was also included in the official delegation that accompanied Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to the 7th Indian Ocean Conference held in Perth, Australia. MP Rahuman left for Australia with Prez Wickremesinghe on Thursday morning. MPs Ishak Rahuman and Amal Chinthaka Mayadunne also belonged to the delegation that accompanied the President to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Perth, Australia. more..

Feb 12 (DM) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is looking to extend the free Visa regime for tourists beyond March this year based on the success of the pilot programme. The pilot project came into effect from late last November in offering free visas for the first 30 days of stay for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan until 31 March this year in bid to rebuild the tourism sector. Originally, the pilot programme was to include only India. more..

Feb 12 (ST) Investigators have identified five key drug traffickers based in Europe, believed to be the masterminds behind large-scale narcotics smuggling into Sri Lanka, Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon said. The suspects, all born in SL, are now operating from a number of European countries, including France and Italy, Acting IGP said. While most drug kingpins were earlier believed to operate from West Asian countries, more..

Feb 12 (ST) All police personnel will receive an increase in their food and lodging allowance starting next Tuesday. Accordingly, the police will initially be receiving the first phase of the increase for six months and, in the next six months, will receive a higher allowance with arrears for the first six months, Public Security Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunathilake said. He said that from constable to sergeant ranks, police would receive an increase between Rs 2,340 and Rs 4,230, while more..

Feb 12 (ST) Similar to Lord�s cricket ground in England, the SSC holds a prestigious status as the Home of Cricket in SL. However, despite its esteemed reputation, the facilities at its media enclosure are woefully inadequate, particularly in terms of accessibility and infrastructure. A key issue is the lack of accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The absence of a lift within the four-storied building renders it virtually inaccessible to anyone with mobility impairments. more..