Jan 8 (FT) SL�s tourism industry has kicked off 2024 on an optimistic note, with provisional data revealing a robust start, surpassing 30,000 arrivals in the first week. �We are yet to receive the official figures, but I learned that it has exceeded the 30,000 mark as of Friday. It is encouraging to see the boost in arrivals, giving a positive outlook for the industry. We hope the industry will be able to maintain the growth momentum throughout the year,� Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said. more..

Jan 8 (SO) While cricket officials have been assured of an eternal existence, the whipping boy of SL cricket Dinesh Chandimal can see himself the first casualty in the maiden act of the new team Selection Committee while the current oldest surviving player Angelo Matthews has been brought back after nearly three years at age 36. Now aged 34, Chandimal is not part of the ODI or T20 squads selected for the home series against Zimbabwe and has never had a fair run during a 12-year career more..

Jan 8 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe declared a prompt allocation of funds to tackle health and education issues in the North by giving priority to identified needs. Specifically, initiatives will be undertaken to allocate land for the teaching hospital in Jaffna and allocate funds for the recruitment of teachers to fill vacancies. Prez articulated this commitment during a discussion held at the Jaffna DS with representatives from more..

Jan 8 (Island) The dawn of 2024 has marked the beginning of the season of defections. Politicians, including those who are so horizontally-gifted that they can hardly stand erect, are amply demonstrating their acrobatic skills. They remind us of Tom Stoppard�s play, Jumpers, which is a satirical exploration of complexities of human thought and behaviour, albeit in a different philosophical context and setting. However, the unfolding political drama in this country is also absurdist & brings into more..

Jan 8 (ST) The Colombo Tea auction was further delayed by another one hour on Thursday when it was planned to be held for the first time in the New Year as producers were in a rush to obtain SVAT registration. On Thursday as a result of stocks holding on since before Christmas there was pent up demand at the Colombo auction this week, Asia Siyaka Commodities Managing Director Anil Cooke said. But the day started out with a bit of chaos at the auction as tea producers were still more..

Jan 8 (TM) Following the Ministry of Power and Energy instructing the CEB to take disciplinary action against CEB employees involved in the 3-day trade union action, unions said they would take legal action against the CEB management if any of the workers are suspended. According to a letter sent by Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, CEB�s Chairman has been directed to take necessary measures pursuant to the relevant legal more..

Jan 8 (ST) A revised Anti-Terrorism Bill will be among eight bills�four of them amendments to existing laws�due to be presented to Parliament in the first sitting week of the New Year starting next week, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. The drafts that are due to be presented this month are the Anti-Terrorism Bill (for the first reading); the National Hydrographic Bill; Contempt of a Court Tribunal or Institution Bill; the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation Bill; more..

Jan 8 (FT) Gem and jewellery sector on Saturday renewed its concerns over being included under the new VAT regime but the Govt assured support to boost earnings. The platform for celebration of the industry�s rich legacy, achievements, future potential and fresh concerns as well as pledge of policy support from the State was the opening of the 3-day FACETS 2024 exhibition at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. Billed as the biggest show in the 30 year history FACETS 2024 has over 100 stalls more..

Jan 8 (DN) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved a regulatory framework to facilitate the issuance and listing of Infrastructure Bonds on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). This landmark decision by the SEC is aimed at fostering both foreign and local investments in infrastructure projects that will contribute to the economic development and well-being of the country. Infrastructure Bonds aim to raise capital for vital projects such as roads, rail, water more..

Jan 8 (FT) Hambantota International Port (HIP) in 2023 proved itself as the fastest growing RO-RO transhipment port in the region. With 700,000 transhipment vehicles handled, the port marked a significant 26% increase from 2022 figures. The milestone figure was achieved with Glovis vessel MV. HAE SHIN V.003B handling 3626 units for transhipment to Ulsan port, South Korea. �The port is geared and ready to handle volumes that are getting larger each year, not only because more..

Jan 8 (Island) FSP urged political parties in Parliament to oppose the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt�s decision to join a US-led multinational coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea against continuing attacks by Yemen�s Houthi group. Senior FSP spokesperson Pubudu Jagoda said that the move, announced by Prez Wickremesinghe on Jan 3 at an event at the BMICH, had taken all political parties by surprise. more..

Jan 8 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is in a quandary whether to announce the Prez election or General Election first as all surveys have revealed that the NPP has a better chance ahead of other parties, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Speaking at the Galle District Women's Convention he said on earlier occasions the rulers had no hesitancy in announcing a Prez or General election, but now the rulers are in a quandary over which election to announce first. more..

Jan 8 (AD) Minister Bandula Gunawardena and High Commissioner of India to SL Santosh Jha ceremonially launched track rehabilitation work at Galgamuwa Railway Station commencing upgradation of railway line including ancillary works from Maho to Anuradhapura on Sunday. The upgradation of the from Maho to A'pura on the mainline is the second phase of a Line of Credit project for track rehabilitation from Maho- Omanthai (128Km) which was undertaken by more..

Jan 8 (CT) Cheap and clean renewable energy (RE), also known as green electricity, led by CEB hydroelectricity, provided over 50% of SL�s total electricity needs for the 98th consecutive day to Wednesday, after 397 days. SL consumed a total of 42.77 Giga Watt hours (GWh) of electricity on Wednesday, of which RE�s contribution was 33.41 GWh (78.12%), while the balance 9.36 GWh (21.88%) was provided by the dirty and expensive fossil fuels comprising coal and thermal oil. more..

Jan 8 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa has said he was surprised by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s declaration that SL would send a warship to the Red Sea to deter Houthi attacks on commercial ships. Premadasa said that the Prez�s claim that a warship would be deployed because Houthi attacks caused an increase in the prices of goods here couldn�t be accepted. SJB leader said so on Saturday, addressing a gathering at Nadagamuwa junior school, Minuwangoda, after declaring open more..

Jan 8 (ST) An evaluation committee headed by former Health Secretary Janaka Chandraguptha not only approved counterfeit immunoglobulin and rituximab injections from the Seeduwa-based Isolez Biotech Pharma AG but also cleared the purchase of four other drugs without raising concerns about glaring discrepancies in the company�s bid documents, govt auditors have confirmed. more..

Jan 8 (FT) Today marks 15 years since the brutal murder of iconic journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge with none brought to justice. To mark the occasion Lasantha�s kids Avinash, Ahimsa and Aadesh issued the following statement which will be read out today at Lasantha�s graveside memorial at the General Cemetery Kanatte. 15 years ago today, our father Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated in cold blood in a defining moment of loss that shook the spirit of SL and broke the hearts of all more..

Jan 8 (DM) Bandarawela Police have initiated an investigation into a disturbing incident where the buried body of a 25-year-old girl, Rashmika Nadishani, who had succumbed to pneumonia in Badulugasthenna, Bandarawela a few days ago, had been exhumed and found stripped naked. Police said the body of the girl, who was a resident of Bandarawela had been found exhumed on Sunday by an individual or a group. The seventh-day almsgiving for the deceased was scheduled more..

Jan 8 (TM) There is no barrier to hold another election before the indefinitely postponed Local Govt (LG) Elections, the Election Commission (EC) said. However, in the event that the Prez Election is held without holding the LG Elections, citizens may question as to how provisions that cannot be made for the latter elections would be made for the former, the EC�s Chairman opined. more..

Jan 9 (FT) SL�s former ambassador to Oman, now an additional secretary at the foreign ministry, O.L. Ameer Ajwad, has released an important reference book titled SL-Oman Relations: Past, Present, and Future to mark the 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. As the subtitle to the book says, these relations have not been confined only to the period during which the two nations had formal diplomatic relations. They date back to the pre-Christian era in which more..

Jan 8 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had claimed during his Northern Province tour over the weekend there are ample powers awarded to provincial councils to establish a robust local economy, under the provisions of the 13th Amendment. He urged provinces to utilize the powers granted by the 13th Amendment for economic development, asserting that devolution should not merely be a political concept but an economic reality. This claim seems not to go well with the stand taken by more..

Jan 8 (TM) It is almost impossible or difficult for most people to meet their daily needs, including food, in the prevailing economic crisis. Expectations like buying land or building houses have become mere dreams. In such a situation, how unfortunate would it be for someone if living in their houses � built after years of hard work � is like lying on a deathbed? The story of a group of residents in the Kurunegala area who have had to live more..

Jan 8 (ST) Whether in regard to war crimes, gross corruption or economic white collar crimes, unearthing accountability in Sri Lanka is somewhat akin to peeling away multiple layers of a rotten onion. First, the stench overwhelms you. Secondly, each layer is correspondingly more decayed than the previous. Finally, one is left with the core which is but a revolting mass of pulpy nothingness, to be consigned to the dustbin. These less than propitious thoughts at the dawn of more..

Jan 8 (CT) Although the economic crisis is not as grave as it once used to be � resulting in people dying while waiting in queues � and the lines outside the Department of Immigration and Emigration to acquire passports are not as long as they used to be, the fleeing mindset of the people is still prevalent, evident by the number of daily contributions to the mass exodus of workers. The fighting mindset peaked in 2022 when the people�s protests managed to topple a govt, but more..

Jan 8 (CT) As the SL Govt strives to secure an IMF bailout package, encompassing obligations addressing issues like corruption probes and allegations of human rights violations aligned with the UNHRC, SL has formally established the long-awaited Commission for Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation in SL. This Commission is tasked with investigating, providing recommendations, and offering remedies to those impacted in N&E more..

Jan 9 (FT) Not for the first time, I went to a certain graveside this warm January morning, to observe a chronic grief as the year shifts gears into election mode later in 2024. Many other fellow travellers and companionable pilgrims on journalism�s journey were there. As always mindful of the black hole as regards justice in our once bankrupt nation-state where their erstwhile colleague is concerned. We were all there on an annual pilgrimage to commemorate a people person scribe, more..

Jan 8 (TM) Past years, 2022 and 2023, shone a spotlight on the corruption, malpractice and irregularities associated with the procurement, supply and standards of medicine in SL. While there have been many past instances of such, the events of 2022 and last year, triggered a public backlash of the magnitude the political authority of SL, the law enforcement apparatus and the justice system could not ignore. And as such, the issue is now being diligently pursued. more..

Jan 9 (Island) Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe govt is under fire for having agreed to deploy the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in the Red Sea to fight the Houthi rebels, at the behest of the US. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly consented to do so, and the Rajapaksas have chosen to remain silent on the issue. It is puzzling why the US has asked Sri Lanka to join naval operations to hold the Houthis at bay while besmirching the reputation of the SLN with war crimes allegations. more..

Jan 9 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) says there is no truth to reports in the media that the CEB has submitted a report on proposed electricity tariff reductions. The energy sector regulator clarified that no such reports have been received as of today (8). PUCSL mentioned that although media reports claimed that CEB had handed over a proposal for the electricity tariff revision to obtain the commission�s approval, no such document has been received by PUCSL more..

Jan 9 (DM) On January 3, a WhatsApp message written by one Gerald De Saram revealed another incident of alleged police brutality on two teens. The incident had occurred when two youths, a boy and a girl were stopped by officers at the Kollupitiya Police Station for a random check under the Yukthiya operation. The family claims that the police had not only manhandled the boy but had forced him to strip his trousers and more..

Jan 9 (ST) In a dazzling display of strategic brilliance and tactical finesse, International Master Susal de Silva and the promising young talent Oshini Gunawardhana left an indelible mark at the prestigious Asian Youth Chess Championships 2023 held in Al Ain, UAE during the last week of December in 2023. In a fiercely contested Under-18 Open category, where 40 players battled for supremacy, Susal de Silva of Nalanda College emerged the undisputed champion, more..

Jan 9 (FT) SriLankan Airlines yesterday clarified that AOG Technics is no longer an approved supplier of the national carrier in response to social media reports concerning the matter. In a statement, SriLankan said the Civil Aviation Authority of UK and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued safety notices to alert owners, operators, maintenance organisations, and distributors of suspected unapproved parts distributed by AOG Technics on 4 August 2023. more..

Jan 9 (FT) Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Sri Lanka is the Women�s Forum of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) SL. WiLAT SL was inaugurated on 21 March 2013 and is one of the five pioneering fora in Global WiLAT that was launched in the same year to promote the logistics, transport and supply chain industry to female members and to encourage and support their career development. By 2018, WiLAT had over 2,000 members in 20 countries more..

Jan 9 (FT) Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar hailed the strong rebound in tourism in 2023. Shanthikumar thanked Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and the SL Tourism Board for their tireless efforts to achieve the figures recorded for the year 2023 in terms of arrivals and revenues. In 2023 earnings from tourism amounted to $ 2 billion with 1.48 million arrivals, both highest since 2019. Arrivals from India at 302,844 were the highest in 2023 followed by more..

Jan 9 (CI) SL's ninth-wicket partnership snuck their team home in the Colombo rain, battling off a spirited Zimbabwe bowling and fielding performance led by Richard Ngarava. Defending only 209, Ngarava took early wickets, and finished with 5 for 32 from his 10 overs, as the likes of Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani produced menacing spells of their own. And together they had repeatedly had SL on the ropes more..