Feb 21 (DM) As we have started the move on this journey, we eagerly anticipate the successful execution of the 94th traditional cricket encounter between Ananda and Nalanda, titled the Saga of a Prideful Legacy and Brotherhood. This event is scheduled for March 2 and 3, while the 47th limited overs encounter is set for March 17. Both cricket matches are scheduled to take place at the SSC grounds, marking a significantly new chapter in our shared legacy. more..

Feb 21 (Island) Even as the date for the prez elections approaches, there are increased speculations regarding those elections, not only who might win but also whether those elections will be held at all. There is also a debate being generated whether the prez elections ought to be held at all. There are many who feel that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe needs to be given more time to take the country to development. US Assistant Secretary of State for South & Central Asian more..

Feb 21 (ST) In the world of cricket, few roles carry as much weight, responsibility or honour as that captain. It demands not just tactical astuteness but also unwavering determination, exceptional communication skills and the ability to inspire and unite a diverse group of individuals towards a common goal. This is why the position is so revered. For Dimuth Karunaratne, who led the Test team for five long years before handing more..

Feb 21 (FT) In a bid to boost maritime passenger transport between SL and India, Cabinet on Monday approved introducing an affordable travel and transportation fee system. The move was spearheaded by the Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry to enhance connectivity between the two countries and promote tourism by making travel more accessible and cost-effective. As per the approved measures, the embarkation tax currently levied on passengers departing SL via more..

Feb 21 (Island) SL and India are planning to concludeEconomic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) soon. The news about attempts being made to sign the controversial agreement expeditiously could not have come at a worse time for the JVP, which is mending fences with New Delhi and crowing about its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake�s recent India visit. ETCA had to be shelved previously owing to vehement protests from SL professional associations, civil society more..

Feb 21 (EN) Iran, which is still grappling with a 2012 economic sanction imposed by the US is exploring new ventures and trade and investment in SL, the island nation which is still recovering from an unprecedented economic crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian met top SL govt officials including Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, PM Dinesh Gunawardena, and his counterpart Ali Sabri on Tuesday. SL is unable to pay for Iran investment and imports due to US sanctions, more..

Feb 21 (EN) Sri Lanka�s Ministry of Technology met with data protection consultants from the European Union to discuss a strategic plan for the country�s data protection authority, this week (19). �Met with a team of consultants representing the European Union�s Enhanced Data Protection & Data Flows project. The meeting aimed to share strategic learnings from the EU with Sri Lanka�s Data Protection Authority,� State Minister Kanaka Herath said on his Facebook page. more..

Feb 21 (ST) The recent violent armed robbery of a shop at the Meegoda Economic Centre and several other armed robberies and shootings have raised concerns over the effectiveness of the countrywide Yukthiya (Justice) Operation in tackling gun crime. Police however, argue that most of the country�s gun violence is entwined with drug trafficking and that the operation�s success will help limit such crimes. more..

Feb 21 (DN) �A fine team effort during the second T -20 paved the way to victory with openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka giving a good start,� said Angelo Mathews. We had good plan and it worked out for our team and will go all out to make a clean sweep of the series today. �The Afghans bowled well they had very decent line and length and we were struggling in first 10-15 overs. But our plan was Sadeera to bat until 17th over and I can play with more freedom. more..

Feb 21 (EN) Iran, which is still grappling with a 2012 economic sanction imposed by the US is exploring new ventures and trade and investment in SL, the island nation which is still recovering from an unprecedented economic crisis. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdposition regarding recent salary hikes for employees of the Central Bank he highlighted that around 99 employees, constituting around 10% of the Central Bank workforce, had travelled abroad more..

Feb 21 (TM) SL has commenced discussions on a multi-product petroleum pipeline connecting India�s Nagapattinam and SL�s Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm and Colombo, but the future course of actions with regard to the project will depend on the feasibility study, which is yet to be conducted, and a detailed study which is also required. Explaining that SL is currently looking into energy related projects, more..

Feb 21 (CT) A collective bowling effort, followed by impressive batting from Prasadani Weerakkody and Hasini Perera, guided Colombo Women to a dominant 9-wicket victory over Dambulla in the final of the NSL Women�s T20 Tournament held at Colts Cricket Grounds yesterday. Dambulla struggled against Colombo�s disciplined bowling attack, managing to post a meagre 82 runs. In response, Colombo chased down the target in 16.5 overs. Colombo�s decision to bowl first paid off more..

Feb 21 (FT) Port City Colombo (PCC) on Monday hosted a special business networking session with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Chairman Lord Marland at the Port City Colombo Sales Gallery. Acting as an excellent platform for PCC to present its upcoming investment prospects, this occasion showcased Lord Marland�s strong support for PCC�s investment promotion drive, through CWEIC, to attract potential investors from across the Commonwealth and beyond. more..

Feb 21 (FT) National Development Bank PLC said yesterday it demonstrated its characteristic resilience and agility in withstanding external challenges through the financial year 2023. The Bank�s concerted efforts in operationalising its strategy, duly adapted in response to evolving macro-economic dynamics, resulted in the Bank generating sound returns to its shareholders. NDB�s newly appointed Director/ CEO Kelum Edirisinghe attributed such performance to more..

Feb 21 (DM) SL�s North will witness a boost in connectivity, with efforts to upgrade Jaffna International Airport (JIA) kicking off. The Airport & Aviation Services on Monday called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for enhancing facilities, infrastructure and capabilities of JIA. As per a notice, the EOIs were called by the Cabinet-Appointed Negotiation Committee, on behalf of Airport & Aviation Services. �The objective is to enable the operation of wide-bodied aircraft, more..

Feb 21 (DM) CID and Central Bank of SL have initiated separate investigations to apprehend a man and his wife who are alleged to have defrauded approximately Rs. 8 billion from around 22,000 individuals across different parts of the country under the guise of establishing a trading community. According to a large number of complaints received by CID and CB, that they have made about 22000 people in different parts more..

Feb 21 (ICC) SL superstar Chamari Athapaththu has set her eyes on the big prize at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup later this year. After winning the ICC Women's ODI Player of the Year award, Chamari Athapaththu is eyeing a bigger goal later this year at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. SL skipper recounted her incredible year in 2023, culminating in the big ICC award, and stated that going unsold at the Women's Premier League [WPL] auction was a big motivating factor behind it. more..

Feb 21 (TM) National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) said that the absence of NMRA Board Directors caused by the resignations of three Directors � attorney Manoj Gamage, Dr. Priyantha Serasinghe, and Supul Wijesinghe � has only a minimal impact on the NMRA�s functions even though the Ministry of Health is yet to take a final decision on filling the vacancies. NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said that NMRA has informed the Ministry to take measures to more..

Feb 21 (Island) SLPPer Janaka Wakkumbura has been sworn in as the State Minister of Provincial Councils, Local Govt and Environment before Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. PMD reported that this appointment supplements his existing role as the State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Govt. Earlier Keheliya Rambukwella gave up environment portfolio after he was remanded over the procurement of fake human immunoglobulin last year. more..

Feb 21 (CT) The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Supun Pathirage, requesting Court to declare that his arrest, which was connected to a bribery allegation, violated his fundamental rights. Last year, Pathirage was arrested by the CIABOC over a bribery charge and subsequently suspended from his position at the CEA. SC Bench, comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, more..

Feb 21 (FT) NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently downplayed Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s political acumen, stating that Wickremesinghe�s ascension to the presidency was not due to exceptional cunning or intellect. Dissanayake asserted that Wickremesinghe assumed the presidency only after SJB leader Sajith Premadasa declined the position, and SJB MP Sarath Fonseka requested more time to more..

Feb 21 (CT) Sugeeshwara Bandara, Private Secretary to former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, tendered his resignation from his post. Bandara submitted his resignation letter directly to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday. He served as the private secretary to Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his presidency as well. In his resignation letter, Bandara expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work under Gotabaya Rajapaksa. However, he cited unavoidable reasons and a deep respect more..

Feb 21 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne yesterday questioned the Speaker by raising a question under the standing orders, whether the Constitutional Assembly, which has been established as an independent institution, has approved the rules for approving Bills adhering to proper methods. He also questioned whether the Secure Transactions Bill, which was taken for debate in Parliament, was referred to the Consultative Council (CC) of the concerned Ministry and received its approval. more..

Feb 21 (TM) Parliamentary Opposition criticised Central Bank of SL (CBSL) officials for increasing their salaries by a large amount, even though the country is facing its worst economic crisis, and therefore urged Govt and the Parliament to suspend the CBSL�s decision. SJB MP, Lakshman Kiriella claimed that the decision taken by CBSL administration to increase the salaries of their workers in an unprecedented manner more..

Feb 21 (FT) During my visit to Australia recently I took a keen interest to engage with several young persons of Sri Lankan origin in different cities. They were among the second and third generation youth from Sri Lanka�s migrant community resident Down Under. The idea of engaging with the youth came in the backdrop of Sri Lanka Fest � an expatriate cultural event that took place at the Federation Square in Melbourne on 25 November 2023. A good many people of Sri Lankan origin more..

Feb 21 (FT) I became the first person to officially transact using UPI in SL on 12 Feb 2024. In the presence of three heads of states/govts. Leaders of India, SL and Mauritius watched the transaction and celebrated its success with applause. So what is UPI? How does it benefit Indian consumers, merchants and its economy? And why is it such a big deal? And how can SL benefit from its introduction here? UPI is a payment gateway used in India that�s catapulting India from a primarily cash economy to a digital economy. more..

Feb 21 (DM) A total of 1,184,423 three-wheelers are currently registered in SL and the Transport Ministry is to implement a pilot project to popularize the registration and use of electric vehicles as a basic activity in relation to the e-mobility policy. With the aim of reducing environmental damage and limiting the increasing use of fuel-efficient three-wheelers, the electrification pilot project was implemented by Transport % Highways Ministry and Dept of Motor Transport in collaboration with UNDP. more..

Feb 21 (EN) Sri Lanka has introduced a minimum investment requirement of US$ 30 and 100 million for new casino licenses in an integrated development in amended regulations published by the Finance Ministry. In January, SL announced a fee of 10 billion rupees for a 20-year casino license in an integrated development of US$ 250 million, and five billion rupees for an integrated development of over US$ 500 million. Under the new rules announced in February, more..

Feb 21 (BN) Sri Lanka sent a new restructuring proposal to dollar bondholders through its adviser Lazard as the South Asian nation seeks to complete overhauling its defaulted debt, according to people familiar with the matter. A counter proposal to a bondholder group�s offer in October for a 20% haircut and the issuance of macro-linked bonds was conveyed through Lazard, the people said, declining to be named because negotiations are private. more..

Feb 21 (SLN) Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prez and Commander - in - Chief of the Armed Forces appointed Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake as the Chief of Staff of SL Navy effective from 16th Jan. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera formally handed over the letter of appointment in this regard to Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake at the Navy Headquarters today and expressed his best wishes. Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake is a distinguished past pupil of St. Thomas' College, Matale. more..

Feb 21 (Reuters) SL's inflation is expected to return to the govt's 5% target starting from the last two quarters of the year, a CBSL official said, as the economy stabilises from a crippling financial crisis. The economy has shown signs of recovery in recent months, aided by a $2.9 billion IMF programme, after it went into freefall in 2022 due to a severe foreign exchange shortage. "Inflation is projected to reach 5% in the medium term, which is from about the third quarter to the end of the year," more..

Feb 21 (EN) CEB plans to reduce power tariffs by a considerable amount through proposed reductions in capital and maintenance costs as well as postponement of non-essential maintenance work. CEB Deputy General Manager Noel Priyantha said that, while it does carry some risk, maintenance and repairs deemed non-essential have been postponed to 2025 and 2026. �We plan to greatly reduce our capital costs and maintenance costs, through which we expect to provide a considerable more..

Feb 21 (DM) SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane said today his privileges have been infringed due to a social media post posted by a woman in Katukurunda, Kalutara and requested the Speaker to bring her before the Privilege Committee. Raising a privilege issue in Parliament, MP Abeygunawardane said the woman had posted an insulting post in her social media account, stating that he and acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon were thieves and should be arrested immediately. more..

Feb 21 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and Iran�s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have discussed the Persian Gulf�s crucial role in broader Indian Ocean security, the ongoing violence in Gaza and opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation. Amir-Abdollahian, who is an official visit, met Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday evening. �Prez Wickremesinghe reiterated the SL govt�s firm stance on the Gaza conflict, emphasizing more..

Feb 21 (EN) SL�s micro and small medium enterprises have shown resilience between 2018 to 2023, amidst economic shocks, however sector recovery levels lag behind those of 2018, a survey found. �A trend is observed in the medium sector, with figures reaching 62,000 in 2021 and 75,000 in 2022,� the report said, citing the improvements in the number of medium enterprises within 2022. �However, despite this growth, it remains insufficient to match the levels seen in 2018,� it said. more..