Feb 16 (DM) There was a popular breakfast show on television a few days ago where singers Bathiya and Santhush shared their ideas about being successful in music; the business that�s close to their hearts. What the duo underscored was the fact that they didn�t merely enter the music industry, but created a space for themselves in the music market. In other words, the duo had selling in mind, whenever they came up with a new album. There are many talent shows in this country which serve in finding more..

Feb 16 (CT) The Institute for Health Policy (IHP in short), as described on its web page, is a Colombo based independent research institution working to improve health and social systems in SL through quality research analysis. Though it is not within the direct mandate of the institute, IHP is conducting monthly opinion surveys, titled Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS), on presidential election voter intention. The survey reports time series results on monthly basis since Oct 2021, more..

Feb 16 (DM) The delegation was led by JVP/NPP leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and had talks with Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary, Vinay Mohan, and National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. The delegation was afforded a broad overview of India�s growth momentum, industrialization and its security interests in the region. NPP MP, Vijitha Herath who was part of the party delegation that more..

Feb 16 (ST) Let me ask you a question: If the government must allocate 6 per cent of GDP for education, how much is left for all other expenses? After seeing this 6% slogan popping up again and again, I could not resist asking that question. If your answer is 94%, then you need to learn some economics, because it is wrong! Even if you give the right answer arguing that �it is so in some other countries, so why not in SL�, I would say that we still need to learn some economics. more..

Feb 16 (TM) Being an island nation around which a bulk of the worlds� trade flows, Sri Lanka ought to have a robust mechanism in place to deal with different crises in the maritime domain. However, two incidents; the MT New Diamond, a very large crude oil carrier which caught fire and drift off the Eastern Coast of SL in Sept 2020, followed by the Singaporean registered freighter MV X-Press Pearl which caught fire in May 2021, sinking off the Colombo Port�s anchorage and causing more..

Feb 16 (TM) Despite the serious implications associated with private sector corruption, public limited companies continue to publish too little information about their commitments to comprehensive anti-corruption programmes, their widespread operations, and corporate structures. Continued opacity in company operations contributes towards the creation of an environment in which corruption is not only the norm, more..

Feb 16 (TM) At around 5 p.m. on Sunday (4), the up-market Thalawathugoda area bore witness to an unusual and desperate plea for help. A middle-aged man, adorned in respectable attire and carrying a backpack, sat near the entrance of a high-end supermarket. His earnest request for Rs. 1,000 to facilitate his return home went largely unnoticed, drowned in the cacophony of city life and the suspicion surrounding those seeking financial assistance. more..

Feb 16 (CT) SL�s public sector has reached a very critical stage during the prevailing economic crisis, with a major dilemma of both an overcrowded State sector workforce and an urgent need for digital transformation. This problem has gradually intensified over the years. Political appointments have occurred resulting in the use of public funds to reward loyalists who are relatively corrupt, incompetent and incapable of making decisions leading to inefficiency in service delivery more..

Feb 16 (Island) Much is being spoken about educational reforms, these days. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stressed the need to gear the education system to the much-needed economic transformation the country is seeking to achieve. A former Minister of Education, the President is au fait with global trends in the field of education, and one cannot but agree that the education sector should be reformed to prepare students for opportunities and challenges in the modern world of work. more..

Feb 16 (ST) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has delegated authority to the Tourist Police to check guides, tourist drivers and other services � including accommodation, water sports centres and restaurants � in a bid to regulate a growing informal sector which, according to industry sources, is also increasingly seeing foreigners offering such facilities without the relevant permits. �This interference results in the provision of inferior services, especially when it comes to guide more..

Feb 16 (FT) Former Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy on Wednesday rallied the country�s engine of growth - the private sector, to play a proactive role in ensuring the Govt implements the 16 recommendations in the Governance Diagnostic Assessment (GDA) by the IMF. Noting that the civil society is getting involved, Dr. Coomaraswamy stressed it was important that the private sector really more..

Feb 16 (FT) PickMe said the company has shown exponential growth in the 9 months of Financial Year 2023/24. It said the momentum which started at the beginning of the 3Q of FY23 continued at pace with the 3Q of FY24 beating all records and reaching an all-time high. PickMe which can be categorised as Sri Lanka�s truly digital company, that uplifted the socioeconomic status of many Sri Lankans via its mobility solution, has surpassed all expectations thanks to strong demand for ride hailing. more..

Feb 16 (FT) Greenpeace has launched its South Asia regional office in Colombo with the arrival of the iconic ship Rainbow Warrior, marking the beginning of the highly anticipated People For Climate � Greenpeace Indian Ocean Ship Tour 2024. The opening ceremony, which was held onboard the Rainbow Warrior, set the stage for an inspiring journey focused on collective action demanding accountability and resilience in the South Asian region. more..

Feb 16 (SO) At least 7,000 Catholic pilgrims both from Sri Lanka and neighbouring India are set to arrive on the Kachchativu Island to participate in the annual church feast that starts on Feb 23 and ends the following day. As it has been the case in the past the Sri Lanka Navy is busy preparing the shrine and the surrounding areas for the feast and towards this end they are constructing sanitation and drinking water facilities, temporary shelters, roads, jetties, and ensuring electricity supply, more..

Feb 16 (DM) Sri Lanka�s private sector and government are to get fresh insights from a chief of a Commonwealth trade and investment organisation next week besides opportunities to expand businesses across the 56 Member States of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Chairman Lord Marland will meet Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to SL from Feb 19 to 21, 2024, as part of his larger trip to South and South East Asia. more..

Feb 16 (TM) Although they are of the view that there is no longer much of a need to bring a no confidence motion (NCM) against former Health Minister and incumbent MP Keheliya Rambukwella as he has already stepped down as a minister, the Parliamentary Opposition stated that they would however discuss the steps that could be taken regarding him continuing to function as a MP. The Opposition including the SJB recently stated more..

Feb 16 (DN) A meeting between the former President Maithripala Sirisena and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US State Department Afreen Akhtar took place last Wednesday (14) at the US State Department. The discussions were centered around the current political state of Sri Lanka and the alliance that will be created based on the SLFP has also taken place. Further steps of this discussion will be brought into work in the next few months. more..

Feb 16 (DN) �We played as a team and played good cricket and dominated all three departments to make a clean sweep of the series,� said SL�s jubilant skipper Kusal Mendis after the Afghan ODI series win at Pallekele. �I�m really happy we won this series in great style. we did it without our key spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga and that was great. The off spinner Akila Dananjaya and young leg spinner Dunith Wellalage were excellent and both of them gave me confidence,� more..

Feb 16 (TM) The ruling SLPP is divided regarding the fielding of a candidate for the upcoming Prez Election. SLPP MP and Chief Govt Whip, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga had allegedly told the media that no candidate from the SLPP would likely contest for the Prez Election. However, differing from his statement, SLPP General Secretary and Govt MP, Sagara Kariyawasam, when contacted, said that SLPP is of the view that more..

Feb 16 (FT) Transparency International SL (TISL) announced findings of the assessment of transparency in corporate reporting. It said John Keells Holdings and Teejay Lanka who ranked first in previous Transparency in Corporate Reporting Assessments (TRAC) were joined this year by Ceylon Tobacco Company, Dialog Axiata, and Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company. TISL said all have achieved the full score for transparency in corporate reporting, while 27 companies are considered more..

Feb 16 (ST) SL�s anticorruption framework is in the process of undergoing major changes with a systematic and formal set of rules to impose severe punishments for offenders to combat this menace. Govt will be introducing a strong legal system and a scientific approach, executed by trained officers, not only bringing corrupt individuals to justice but also to prevent corrupt practices. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe made this disclosure delivering the govt�s policy statement in Parliament on Wed. more..

Feb 16 (FT) Backed by its strong capital base, Sampath Bank said yesterday it continues to navigate adeptly through challenging times. The Bank has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to prioritising stakeholder interests in the face of challenging economic headwinds, thanks to its well-executed business strategies, increased vigilance, and proactive risk management measures. Regardless of continuing uncertainties and challenging economic conditions throughout more..

Feb 16 (FT) US this week personally conveyed concerns on the controversial Online Safety Act to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. The US sentiment was expressed by USAID Administrator Samantha Power over a telephone conversation. �Administrator Power highlighted strong US support for freedom of expression and association and encouraged Prez Wickremesinghe to address concerns about the potential impact of the Online Safety Act on freedom of expression, as well as investment in SL�s more..

Feb 16 (Island) SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, MP, has accepted a set of far reaching and comprehensive legal reforms proposed by SJB Lawyers� Association. Speaking at a well-attended event in Colombo this week, Premadasa, having received the proposals, vowed that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s efforts to keep the Constitutional Council under his thumb would be thwarted. more..

Feb 16 (DM) The fees for utilizing the public restroom facilities at Bastian Mawatha Bus Stand have been raised to Rs. 50 per person. Previously, the lavatory usage fee was Rs. 20 per person, according to its maintenance personnel. Subsequent to an agreement with the National Transport Commission office, the charges for toilet facilities at Bastian Mawatha have been increased. With the increase in the water tariff, the monthly water bill has increased to Rs. 175,000, and therefore, more..

Feb 16 (AD) Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has arrested three suspects for allegedly aiding and abetting the incident of a visitor poisoning two suspects who were detained in a cell at the Aduruppuveediya police station recently. The apprehensions have been carried out in the Kotahena and Orugodawatta areas this afternoon (15). Police said that the arrested individuals were identified to be aged 22, 24 and 26 and are the residents of Kotahena, Orugodawatta and more..

Feb 16 (AD) Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and five others have been ordered to be further remanded until Feb 29, over the import of substandard human Immunoglobulin vials. This order was issued when the case was taken up before the Maligakanda Magistrate�s Court today (15). However, the former Health Minister did not appear before the court today owing to medical reasons, and Prison Spokesperson more..

Feb 16 (DM) After three years of uncertainty, SL exporters sounded upbeat on the prospects for 2024 despite a challenging global outlook. The fifth Export Barometer Survey carried out by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) revealed that exporters are optimistic and are confident in their growth. Amidst economic dynamics, the export sector exhibited robust growth in 2023. According to the survey findings, exporters stressed that increasing utility prices and cost of transport more..

Feb 16 (EN) SL is recovering from an economic crisis amid risks to exports from global slowdown and any derailment of an IMF program could create high economic risks, the central bank said. �A major factor that influences the economic outlook is the continuation of the IMF � EFF arrangement and the progression of the envisaged structural reforms,� central banks Monetary Policy Report issued in February said. more..

Feb 16 (CT) BBS General Secretary, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, yesterday tendered an apology to the Muslim community in the country if he had caused distress over controversial remarks he made, linked to the Kuragala Temple, during a media briefing held, 8 years ago. Thera informed Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige, from the dock, that he was seeking public forgiveness from Muslim community in SL for the controversial remarks made by him more..

Feb 16 (DM) Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed the opinion that it will be preferable to abolish the Executive Presidency and said that he had enjoyed having held the position. Answering a question raised by a journalist about the political situation in the country, he said the country's political situation is good and that it is better to abolish the Executive Presidency. "It should be abolished because the whole country is requesting to abolish it. more..

Feb 16 (TM) In the wake of allegations that independent commissions have become ineffective due to retirees being appointed as their members, Chairman of the Constitutional Council (CC), Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said that it is mostly retirees who are applying for such posts. CC is responsible for the appointment of commission members. Abeywardana said: �It is retired persons who are applying for these positions.� more..

Feb 16 (FT) I make the following clarifications in relation to the article SJB�s reply to President�s policy statement in the Daily Financial Times of 9 Feb 2024. Particularly, with reference to Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (not SL Insurance Corporation) and providing clarity on Puttalam Ilmenite Ltd. The SL Cement Corporation (SLCC) entered into a 30-year agreement with Asha Minerals Ltd. on 10 April 2023 without due process and in violation of a multitude of protocols. more..

Feb 16 (FT) The recent 5-day sojourn of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the NPP, and his delegation to India has become a focal point in SL�s political discourse. In an unprecedented move, the Indian Govt extended an official invitation to NPP leaders, signalling a departure from conventional diplomatic interactions. As the visit unfolded, it not only deepened bilateral ties but also shed light on the evolving political dynamics within SL, presenting both challenges & opportunities for NPP. more..