Feb 4 (Island) A Silk party at the Cinnamon Grand last week saw an interesting exchange between Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and JVP/NPP lawyer Sunil Watagala with the former puzzling the latter with the remark, �You�ll be on our side within the next six months.� The occasion was an event hosted by leading lawyer Romesh de Silva, PC, to celebrate his son, Eraj�s elevation to the inner bar. The guests included CBK, Ministers Harin Fernando and Tiran Alles and many more politicians. more..

Feb 4 (AD) Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was put behind bars on remand earlier today, has been admitted to the Prisons Hospital on medical recommendation. The lawmaker, arrested on Friday by CID, was remanded until 15 Feb on the orders of Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama. He was also listed as the 8th suspect in the ongoing case on the substandard human immunoglobulin procurement. Prior to the apprehension of Rambukwella, more..

Feb 4 (SO) SL celebrates its 76th Independence Day at the Galle Face Green in Colombo from 8 a.m. today. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and PM Dinesh Gunawardena will jointly preside over the celebrations on the theme Let�s Build a New Country. PM of Thailand Srettha Thavisin arrived in the country yesterday to participate in the national Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on the invitation of Prez Wickremesinghe. Historic SLTFTA was signed yesterday more..

Feb 4 (SO) Jetwing Jaffna, the seven-storey 55-room, star class hotel in the heart of the city, will invest over Rs. 500 million to add the much awaited new wing to the hotel. Also known as Jetwing Yarl, the hotel was the first star class hotel to be opened soon after ending hostilities in 1976 on a 35 perch land purchased by former governor of the Central Bank N.U. Jayawardena and sending out a positive signal for investors. Creating another landmark in the peninsula, the hotel will also introduce more..

Feb 4 (ST) For a second time, Constitutional Council (CC) has decided not to approve the recommendation by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint Hon. N.B.P.D.S. Karunaratne, President of the Court of Appeal as a Judge of the Supreme Court. This recommendation came in a letter Prez Wickremesinghe wrote to Speaker and CC chairman Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on January 9. more..

Feb 5 (ST) Boxing is one of the oldest sports in Royal College, Colombo. According to the History of Royal College 1985-2010, written by a distinguished old boy, Larlasri Fernando, the school founded in 1835 by Rev. Joseph Marsh, was first known as the Hill Street Academy and housed on Wolfendall Street, Colombo and became the Colombo Academy in January 1836, when it was shifted to San Sebastian Hill. Thereafter in 1881 under Principal J.B. Cull, with the patronage of the then more..

Feb 5 (TM) Despite the military pomp and pageantry, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka celebrated its 76th anniversary of Independence yesterday, many islanders were less enthusiastic and reserved about the celebrations. The reasons for this disinterest and at times disappointment with the occasion are many and well known. It is also a sign that Sri Lankans may be finally awakening from their decades-long slumber about how governance works in Sri Lanka. more..

Feb 5 (SO) Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, Minister of State for Defense, elaborates on critical issues concerning SL�s security, political discourse, and economic challenges. From assessing the current security landscape to advocating for a shift towards collaborative politics, the State Minister offers his perspectives on pressing national concerns. Q: As the Minister of State for Defence, are you satisfied with the current security more..

Feb 5 (DM) The 76th February 4th has passed, marked by four days of aerobatics, consuming considerable aviation fuel and time. This prompts questions about resource usage during such events. The primary question persists: why, after 76 years of independence, hasn�t this celebration translated into genuine freedom? To attain complete freedom for Sri Lankans, there is a need to fully implement the 13th Amendment or consider extending beyond its provisions. more..

Feb 5 (ST) Amidst furore over the long delayed arrest of SL�s former Health (and currently Environment) Minister implicated with his senior officials in the scandalous procurement of substandard human immunoglobulin, the certification of the Online Safety Act, No 9 of 2024 by the Speaker this Thursday plunges the country into new and dangerously untried depths of state repression. Along with decades-old fragmentation of communities by politically driven more..

Feb 5 (TM) In an astonishing revelation, National Audit Office (NAO) has exposed previous govts� failures to account for over Rs. 5.5 trillion, equivalent to a staggering 68% of total govt investments amounting to over Rs. 8.1 trillion between 2006 and 2021. NAO�s 2021 Annual Report discloses that Non-Financial Assets (NFAs) amounting to Rs. 1,850,007.34 million were reported as of 31 Dec 2021. more..

Feb 5 (CT) In a landmark decision by the Legal system in Sri Lanka to put an end to sexual harassment in the workplace, the Supreme Court recently set aside a judgment of the Negombo High Court and a Labour Tribunal and upheld the termination of services of a male SriLankan Airlines senior flight steward after finding him responsible for grave misconduct in the sexual harassment of a female cabin crew member. The respondent was charged for his actions committed in more..

Feb 5 (Island) Another Independence Day has come and gone. Hours of pomp and circumstance complete with thunderous cannon fire were over and the sobering reality was dawning on Sri Lankans as this comment was written yesterday. Independence Day celebrations are replete with irony; beaming from ear to ear and singing the national anthem with gusto, at such spectacles, are the political leaders who are responsible for ruining the economy of this country, which has become dependent on more..

Feb 5 (DM) Although Jaffna district Member of Parliament, Sivagnanam Sritharan had told the media on what principles he would lead the struggle for the political rights of the Tamil people after being elected as the leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) � popularly known as the Federal Party � it was expected that he would officially explain his policies after assuming office at the party�s convention that was to be held in Trincomalee last Sunday. more..

Feb 5 (DM) Since 2021, there has been a serious uptick in the crime rate in our country. Statistics show criminal activity in our land has seen a dramatic rise since 2021. Data from the Police Dept reveal there were 522 murders, 2,263 robberies and 6,813 house break-ins reported in 2021, while there were 183 murders, 948 robberies and 2,224 house break-ins in the first few months of 2022 alone. For the first time since the ethnic war ended, the country witnessed a mass killing, when more..

Feb 5 (ST) A 48-hour strike by healthcare workers, other than doctors, this week severely disrupted services at govt hospitals nationwide and caused inconvenience to patients, but unions threaten to resume the strike action if their demands are not met before Wednesday. Thousands of patients could not attend regular clinics and collect medicines, while indoor patients also faced severe inconvenience due to more..

Feb 5 (ST) SL is now on its way towards digital transformation via organisational overhauling driven by technology to enter onto the global stage, Minister Kanaka Herath said. Govt has already allocated Rs. 3 billion or 1.4% of total expenditures to digital and digitalisation efforts in 2024, with the aim of growing into a US$15 billion digital economy by 2030, he disclosed. The ministry has embarked on DIGIECON 2030 an ambitious roadmap for digital transformation to achieve this objective more..

Feb 5 (CI) Sri Lanka debutant Chamika Gunasekara was forced to retire hurt, and was ruled out from the remainder of the game, after he was hit on the helmet by a Naveed Zadran bouncer on the third morning of the Test against Afghanistan. Kasun Rajitha was quickly approved as a concussion substitute, and began bowling early in Afghanistan's second innings. SL's team manager confirmed that Gunasekara, 24, was taken to hospital for further assessment after leaving the field. more..

Feb 5 (CI) Afghanistan's men are just trying to build a Test record, the ongoing match against Sri Lanka being their eighth game in the format. The team is trying to get as many opportunities to play as many Tests as possible. And as captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said before this Test, they are also trying to develop seam-bowling talent, so they can be successful in this format. They will perhaps be glad to know that an opposition centurion has given them and their attack a top rating. more..

Feb 5 (CT) SLC will declare open several ground-breaking facilities at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium today, with the participation of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Chief Guest. Following an invitation extended by SLC President Shammi Silva and the Executive Committee, the Prez will declare open the new facilities. Sports Minister Harin Fernando will also be present at the ceremony. The new facilities, such as the opening of the country�s first state-of more..

Feb 5 (CI) Afghanistan came surging back into the Test on day three, first polishing off the Sri Lanka tail quickly, before Ibrahim Zadran put up big stands with Noor Ali Zadran and Rahmat Shah, as he completed a valiant maiden Test century. Ibrahim and Shah remained unbeaten at the close, which means Afghanistan have nine wickets left as they seek to wipe out the 42 runs remaining in their deficit, and establish a lead that will test SL. more..

Feb 5 (TM) Industry veteran, Saifudeen Jafferjee was elected Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) which is the apex body that guides SL apparel towards its ultimate goal of being the world�s number one apparel sourcing destination. At the 20th AGM held recently, the Executive Committee including Deputy Chairmen Felix Fernando and Aroon Hirdaramani were re-elected. Delivering the inaugural Chairman�s address, Jafferjee highlighted six key policy more..

Feb 5 (EN) Sri Lanka and Thailand are considering visa free travel to strengthen economic links between the two countries President Ranil Wickremesinghe said, after signing a free trade with the South East Asian nation. �In order to facilitate travel between the two countries, we have agreed to consider entering into an agreement for a visa free travel arrangement on reciprocal basis,� Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said after bilateral talks with a delegation led by Thai PM. more..

Feb 5 (TM) Ministry of Power and Energy will call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) internationally from interested strategic investors for the joint development of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm in partnership with the Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd. (TPTL). Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. (CPSTL) Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya revealed that within more..

Feb 5 (FT) Seylan Bank has introduced a solution to address the challenge of rising electricity bills. In response to the pressing need for sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions, Seylan Bank�s Solar Loan Facility will help its customers achieve financial independence and make sustainable choices for their energy needs. The Solar Loan Facility is designed with the rising electricity costs in mind, ensuring that people no longer need to compromise on the comforts of their home or more..

Feb 5 (TM) SL will not agree with any debt relief proposal from bondholders that is not consistent with the debt sustainability (DSA) targets of IMF, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. He said that any proposal by the commercial creditors on debt restructuring should be consistent with the debt sustainability targets set out by the IMF as the whole idea of debt restructuring is to restore debt sustainability. �Any solution that will not restore debt sustainability, I don't think we are more..

Feb 5 (SO) During a meeting held at Dewalegama, Kegalle on Jan 29, Duminda Nagamuwa, FSP Propaganda Secretary, said that the Railway Department and Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) can profit from abolishing train and bus season tickets for schoolchildren and civil servants. He proposed doing away with the railway season ticket scheme and raising the railway ticket charge to the same level as the bus fare to return the Railway Dept to profitability as quickly as possible. more..

Feb 5 (DN) More International shutters are expected to take part at the LiNing SL Challenge International Badminton Tournament which will commence today at the Dadella Sports Complex in Galle. Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) headed by Rohan de Silva conducted this tournament which is good platform for the local shutters to gain international exposure. This is the first int'l badminton tournament in SL from nine years. Elite shuttlers from 20 nations will be in action and keen tussle is expected. more..

Feb 5 (TM) The Police Department is awaiting Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s decision on the term of Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that while the Acting IGP�s term was expected to end at the end of this month, they had not received confirmation yet on whether his term would be extended. �This will have to come from the Presidential Secretariat, at the discretion of the Prez,� he said. more..

Feb 5 (DM) Taking an offensive stance against Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Leader of the Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said he will not hesitate to take displinary action against those who criticise decisions taken by him and his party. This offensive remark by Premadasa came just a few days after MP Fonseka criticised the decision made by Premadasa to appoint former Army Commander, General (Retired) Daya Ratnayake as Senior Advisor to the SJB. more..

Feb 5 (DN) Sri Lanka is preparing for the World Aquatic Championship happening in Doha from February 2 to 18. A team of four swimmers from SL is set to compete, with their journey beginning on Feb 9. Following the withdrawal of double Olympian Matthew Abeysinghe, third-ranked Kyle Abeysinghe steps in to join Akalanka Peiris, Ganga Seneviratne, and Hiruki de Silva. Initially, Matthew Abeysinghe and Akalanka Peiris secured their spots based on their high FINA points. more..

Feb 5 (AD) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has emphasised the need to free the country from oppressive leadership, and appoint a new leader. Speaking at a special service held at the All Saint�s Church in Borella in view of SL�s 76th Independence Day, the Cardinal charged that as of now, the country has fallen not only economically, but also politically. �We ask the leaders whose freedom are you celebrating? The freedom of the rulers? The freedom of the people? more..

Feb 5 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, promoted 211 Officers of the SL Army (Regular and Volunteer Force) and 1,239 Other Ranks of the Army (Regular Force and Volunteer Force) to their respective next rank, as part of the 76th Independence Day celebrations. Accordingly, the promotions of the 211 Army Officers were as follows; 02 Brigadiers were promoted to the rank of Major General, 12 Colonels were promoted to the rank of Brigadier, more..

Feb 5 (PTI) A delegation of the JVP, which led an anti-India campaign in 1987-90 against the Indo-Lanka Accord, will on Monday start on an official visit to India. �The delegation of JVP, the largest party under the broad entity National People�s Power (NPP), is to leave Colombo tomorrow (Monday) for India on an official invitation of the Indian govt," a statement from the party said. The delegation to India comprises more..

Feb 5 (CT) The suspected leader of the notorious criminal gang known as Ava group, which had committed various crimes, including extortion in Jaffna, was arrested by Police last afternoon, following a special operation, while he was ready to flee the country. The arrest was made by officers of the Walana Anti Vice Squad at a residence in Mt. Lavinia, believed to be owned by a 72-year-old woman. Investigations revealed that the suspect had paid a monthly rent of Rs. 25,000 since more..

Feb 5 (DM) Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a group of Jaffna University students and political leaders of the North, who staged a protest in Iranamadu, Kilinochchi calling the Independence Day a black day. Five uni students were taken into police custody during the protest for unruly behaviour. The protesters claimed that there is no proper situation in the country to celebrate Independence Day due to various reasons such as restrictions to media freedom more..