Feb 6 (EN) The SL govt is in talks to establish free trade agreements (FTAs) with India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China by the end of 2024, its Minister of Foreign Affairs said. �These agreements will open up new markets for SL businesses, contributing directly to the nation�s economic growth,� Ali Sabry said on Tuesday. The govt is committed to diversifying the country�s trade partnerships and strengthening its economic resilience through strategic FTAs, he said. more..

Feb 5 (Island) Consultant Paediatrician LRH Dr. Deepal Perera said that there was an increase in cancer among children. Dr. Perera said that two years back there had been around 500 cases of cancer in children reported per year and during the last two years the number had gone up to around 900. Speaking to the media during a ceremony to mark World Cancer Day on Sunday (4), Dr. Perera said that obesity, addiction to short eats and sweet drinks, mobile phone use and canned more..

Feb 6 (AD) SLPP MP Keheliya Rambukwella, who is currently in remand custody, has tendered his resignation as the Minister of Environment. Accordingly, he had submitted his letter of resignation as the Minister of Environment to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has accepted the resignation. The former Health Minister was remanded on 3 Feb, following his arrest by the CID on 2 Feb, in connection with procurement more..

Feb 6 (DM) The trade unions representing the health sector will not hesitate to resume the suspended strike tomorrow (7) if the scheduled meeting with the Finance Ministry officials did not provide a satisfactory solution. According to Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Joint Council for Professions of Supplementary Medicine, a crucial meeting has been scheduled today at the Finance Ministry under the directive of the Prez where the grievances are to be taken into account. more..

Feb 6 (DM) Refuting claims by State Minister Diana Gamage that Cabinet approval has been granted to cultivate Cannabis for export, Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said no such decision has been taken to cultivate Cannabis. He said that no Cabinet paper has been submitted or any other decision taken in this regard. "She is not a Cabinet Minister. I can't take the responsibility for a statement made by her. No Cabinet paper has been submitted to the Cabinet or any decision more..

Feb 6 (Island) The recent prorogation of Parliament was intended to disrupt the workings of six parliamentary committees which dealt with public finance, Prof. G. L. Peiris alleged. He said Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe prorogued Parliament with the sole intention of disrupting ongoing investigations handled by those six committees. The dissolved mechanisms were Public Finance Commission, Public Accounts Committee, more..

Feb 6 (AD) Minister Harin Fernando has revealed that the presidential election will most likely happen in the first week of October. Acknowledging the need for there to be a newly elected Prez by 14 Oct, Fernando expressed his confidence that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe would contest the upcoming election. He further emphasised that Prez Wickremesinghe�s reappointment is essential in order for SL to further develop, and fully recover from the worst economic crisis more..

Feb 5 (EN) Sri Lanka has formulated a national disaster management plan, which will be tabled in parliament for approval, cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said. �A comprehensive national disaster management plan for 2023-2030 has been formulated taking into account the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the sustainable development goals, and conventions on climate change, and working with relevant institutions,� he said. more..

Feb 6 (TM) Govt Medical Officers� Forum (GMOF) has criticised the medical officer in charge of the Welikada Prison Hospital, alleging that her conduct has made the Prison Hospital a free area for elite persons and drug dealers. GMOF President Dr. Rukshan Bellana alleged that the Ministry of Health had not taken any action against the said medical officer, even though many parties had lodged several complaints against her conduct. He further alleged that not only elite persons but more..

Feb 5 (EN) SL�s digital marketing industry professionals say they fear a decline in social media marketing channels after the online safety law was passed. �Content developers, planners, the entire ecosystem will be impacted. Social media channels need to be active, but now people will restrict their activities � efficiency will be limited,� Managing Director of Ogilvy, Lalith Sumanasiri said. The online safety law may cause social media users to self-censor and curb their social media usage, more..

Feb 5 (DM) The law hasn�t been enforced yet against individuals who have constructed hotels on lands reclaimed within the Nuwara Wewa reserve in Anuradhapura. Some officials wielding power seem hesitant to initiate legal proceedings against such wrong doers. However, A'pura District Engineer of the Irrigation Dept recently took legal measures to remove unauthorised constructions on Nuwara Wewa more..

Feb 5 (DM) Amidst questions raised over NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake's visit to India for discussions, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has welcomed Dissanayake's Indian visit, signaling a potential shift in the JVP's stance on Indian investments which the JVP had for years criticized and neglected. Rajapaksa emphasized the importance of fostering unity and collective efforts in welcoming foreign investments to bolster SL's development agenda. more..

Feb 5 (ANI) Police officers from SL visited the Delhi Police training centre on Monday and engaged in an insightful interaction with the local officers to understand the functioning of the system. A discussion ensued between the SL delegation and Delhi Police officials, delving into the intricacies of the police functions in India. During their visit to the Specialized Training Centre at Rajinder Nagar, Chhaya Sharma, Special Commissioner of Police extended a warm welcome to the delegation. more..

Feb 5 (TM) The medical fraternity has raised concerns over the CID not having recorded a statement from former Chairperson of the NMRA Prof. S.D. Jayaratne, who first issued a media release regarding the controversial human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) deal. A batch of IVIG had recently been suspended from use following the revelation that the local supplier named Isolez BiotechPharma AG (Pvt) Limited more..

Feb 5 (AD) Special changes are to be made to the public sector work shifts to facilitate the Muslim officers who are taking part in prayers and religious activities in view of the Ramadan season this year. This was communicated by way of a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, addressed to the Ministerial Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Heads of State Corporations and Statutory Boards earlier last week. more..

Feb 6 (Reuters) SL has approved gradually lifting some limits on converting rupees to foreign exchange for outward remittances and the new directions will be presented to parliament for approval, cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardane said. SL's central bank had suspended permission to remit funds for overseas investments by SL residents from mid-2020 except under certain conditions. "SL's reserves have gradually improved and limits will be more..

Feb 6 (DM) SJB MP Gayantha Karunathileke said he attended the state ceremony to distribute land to the poor following an official invitation he had received from Prez Ranil Wickremeisnghe. �I was invited by the Prez and the govt and I thought it was correct for me to participate in the ceremony as I am a former Minister in charge of lands. I was the one who submitted a Cabinet Paper to distribute land for the poor during the Yahapalana govt. However, a certain party went to courts & stopped our more..

Feb 6 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval to import 15,000 tonnes of cashew nuts in shell since the country�s annual requirement of cashew nuts in shell has not been met due to the fact that the crops have not been harvested as expected in the last season. Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that the country�s annual requirement of cashew nuts in shell is around 25,000 Metric Tonnes. However, currently only 12,500 tonnes of cashew nuts can be procured locally and the cashew industry in the country more..

Feb 6 (DM) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana today said he has no authority to accept or reject any amendments from anyone including the Supreme Court to the Online Safety Act and that the sole authority of such exercise is vested with Parliament. Speaker was referring to remarks that have been made by opposition members including Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, who had accused him of violating Constitution more..

Feb 6 (DM) In a distressing incident, Kumudini Seneviratne, a SL housemaid who sought employment in Saudi Arabia, is currently battling severe abuse and torture at the hands of her employer. The harrowing tale unfolds in the Mundalama area, shedding light on the unfortunate plight of migrant workers pursuing better opportunities abroad. Seneviratne, a resident of Kajuwatta in Mundalama, secured employment in Saudi Arabia through a private foreign more..

Feb 6 (CT) Russia�s Airports of Regions Management Company, known as AR, is poised to collaborate with an Indian firm to lease and manage the Chinese-built Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota. The airport has incurred substantial losses, prompting the SL Govt to issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) last year. In response to the EoI issued on 10 July 2023, four companies applied, including the Russian Private/Holding company Airports of Regions Management. more..

Feb 6 (DM) Credit card activity, which remained anaemic for a prolonged period, appears to have broken its trend and set off to potentially a robust run of spending in the period ahead. The cardholders were seen swiping more frequently for their festive spending and leisure and travelling needs in December last year. Latest data available showed that in Dec 2023, the cardholders have ramped up their spending more..

Feb 6 (CT) The rulers, the legal system and the Health Ministry of this country should take the most recent arrest of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, in connection with the controversial medicinal drug scandal, as an example and make it an opportunity to work responsibly so that such situations do not occur in the future, doctors urged. Media Committee Member, Government Medical Officers� Association (GMOA), Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe yesterday (5) addressing more..

Feb 6 (CT) Although the Department of Agricultural Development has stated that Rs 9.6 billion has been allocated for farmers for paddy cultivation in the Maha season, farmer organisations have alleged that more than 70% of the farmers have not received the subsidy money, provided by the Govt, to purchase fertiliser. However, Agricultural Commissioner General of Agrarian Development A.M.H.L. Abeyratne has stated that 93% of the farmers have been paid for agricultural more..

Feb 7 (DM) Anura Kumara Dissanayake is presently in India. The head of the JVP/NPP alliance is actually on an official visit to India, at the invitation of the Indian govt. Believe it or not, AKD � as he is popularly known � has in addition to holding discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar, also held meetings with Indian Defence Advisor, Ajit Doval! The JVP has come a long way from its initial foray into international analyses where in 1971 it saw Lanka�s only real more..

Feb 7 (GV) Since being granted independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has been run by three family dynasties whose unaccountable, corrupt and incompetent regimes have led the country into various crises: economic, political and social including in the form of constitutional riots, two insurrections and a thirty-year long civil war. Currently the country is bankrupt and under the whims of international financiers. These families have successfully hidden their venality more..

Feb 7 (TM) Concerns have been raised over the decision by the Health Ministry to allow State hospitals to purchase medicines from the local market when the required medicine is not available in the warehouses of Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the ministry. The decision was taken as a solution to the ongoing severe shortage of medicines in the country. Several factors have affected this shortage, including more..

Feb 7 (DM) The NPP, the political alliance led by the JVP, undertook a tour of India, setting the stage for political development ahead of the presidential elections slated for the last quarter of this year. Its leader, MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, held talks with both Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday and with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan on Tuesday, further elevating the importance of the visit. more..

Feb 7 (CT) The week starting from 1 to 7 February has been designated as World Interfaith Harmony Week since the UN declared it as such in 2010. In today�s context of mass migration, where different cultures have become merged, homogenous societies are no longer the norm. People of many faiths with opposing ideologies and philosophies live among each other, making it necessary to be tolerant and understanding of not just religious views but also the political views of others. more..

Feb 7 (TM) Even though child sexual abuse has remained one of the most pressing social ills for a long time, with social, economic, cultural, and technological changes, the approach used to deal with such abuse should also change, and SL has reached such a point. While social and economic changes have placed children in vulnerable situations like never before, technological advancements have more..

Feb 7 (TM) The recent visit to New Delhi by leftist JVP)/NPP Leader Aruna Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is a significant development in domestic politics and emerging power relations in the Indian Ocean. On invitation from the Indian Govt, Dissanayake led a delegation comprising Vijitha Herath, Nihal Abeysinghe and Prof. Anil Jayantha to New Delhi, and met both External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar and Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval. more..

Feb 7 (CT) Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People�s Power (NPP) was officially invited for a visit by the Indian govt at a time when his popularity is unprecedentedly on the rise, due to the fact that the two major political parties that were in power from time to time, have done nothing but making the nation economically bankrupt, resulting in a situation where the citizens cannot fulfil even their basic needs, that is also to the minimum standard. more..

Feb 7 (DM) When pro-Palestinian groups planned protests on Armistice Day last year, policymakers in Europe were livid, calling, rightly so, the conduct disgraceful. No matter the context � in this case, the Israeli military campaign on Gaza in response to the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct 7th � such protests held on a special day of the collective memory are an affront to the majority, insensitive and provocative. On Sunday, Feb 4th, when SL marked its 76th anniversary of independence, more..

Feb 7 (FT) Macktiles Lanka Ltd., has achieved a monumental milestone as SL tiles make their debut in the Indonesian market. This historic accomplishment marks a significant shift in the global trade dynamics, with Sri Lanka transitioning from being a net importer to an exporter of premium-quality tiles. Macktiles is Sri Lanka�s largest manufacturer. �For decades, SL has relied on imports from Indonesia for its tile requirements. Today, we are immensely proud to more..

Feb 7 (FT) The Govt revealed yesterday that Sri Lanka is working towards more Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to boost exports, foreign investments and economic growth. Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry revealed FTAs with China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are being pursued by the end of this year. Govt�s aggressive foray to finalise FTAs was shared by Sabry following the signing of a deal with Thailand more..

Feb 7 (CI) A Women's National Super League (NSL) for both white-ball formats will begin this month, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed, with the 50-over contest set to begin on Feb 6, in Colombo, at the completion of which the T20 competition will take place. The tournament, similar to the Men's NSL launched in 2022, will see the country's top talent streamlined. In this case, into four teams - Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla and Galle - with 60 players taking part in total. more..