Jan 20 (DM) Gotabaya Rajapaksa was portrayed as a monument of efficiency who could uplift SL by his Viyathmaga cronies and his family party the SLPP at Prez elections of 2019. More than 6.9 million people voted him to stupendous success, Barely three years later Gotabaya fled SL and resigned as Prez due to a mass uprising against him that was described as the Aragalaya. A large number of the voters who elected him to office more..

Jan 20 (CT) Buddha statues, carved out of rock, stood so majestic and in repose; pillars of ornate carvings and stone inscriptions stood the test of time; Stupas patinaed with green moss mingled with Hindu temples; Moonstones and guard stones ushered into roofless cloisters�it was a grand tableau, displaying the glorious Buddhist past of Polonnaruwa. The temple troop macaques were all over, discriminating none. As a boy from Jaffna, during my school excursions, more..

Jan 20 (ST) Minister of Transport & Highways, Bandula Gunawardana launched his 54th economics book a few days ago at the SL Foundation Institute (SLFI). The book is basically a collection of documents that he has tabled with his Parliamentary speeches. He asked me if I could also speak at the book launch along with two other colleagues of mine; Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe from the Uni of Colombo and Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda from the Uni of Sri J'pura. I agreed to speak there. more..

Jan 20 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Davos in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Summit (WES). There was also another special reason for him to take part in it. That was due to SL being in need of investments for its economic revival. This particular Summit was attended by several prominent business figures from across the globe and other top diplomats. Hence, the opportunity was there for Prez to enlighten more..

Jan 20 (Island) The govt is all out to boost state revenue further. It has already jacked up taxes and tariffs exponentially, and achieved a marginal primary surplus. It has increased VAT to an unprecedented level to meet a shortfall in its projected revenue, making life even more miserable for the people. Oppressive taxes lead to social unrest and even popular uprisings. State workers are on the warpath, demanding a pay hike. The govt can increase state revenue without causing more..

Jan 20 (ST) Colombo will be the artistic hub from January 19-28 as a series of exciting events unfolds with Colomboscope, the interdisciplinary art festival that has served as a creative platform for many over the last 10 years since its first edition in 2013. The festival celebrates its eighth edition this year with a series of events � endearingly termed mushroomings - such as exhibitions, performances, workshops and much more involving over 40 local and int'l artists. more..

Jan 20 (CT) JVP Leader and Prez candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, AKD, should be a confused man now. It�s not over who his main contender would be in the Prez Poll, as some opinion polls have indicated that he is leading the pack at present. Instead, AKD and the JVP should be confused as to what Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, meant when he called on the people to muster courage to enforce system change. In his New Year message earlier, the Cardinal hoped that more..

Jan 20 (CT) Although SL boasts of having a free education system, from elementary level up to the higher education at university levels � a benefit the students in even some of the well-developed countries aren�t privy to � the limitations in education facilities in the country has created an unnecessary and unhealthy competition surrounding competitive exams which in turn has resulted in a myriad of ripple-effect issues. One such dark side of the aforementioned competition was revealed more..

Jan 20 (Island) Although usually about 300,000 new voters were added to the voter lists, there had been an addition of only 207,000 in 2023, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said. �This is because young people�s interest in being a part of the electoral process is declining,� he opined. With the Registration of Electors (Amd) Act, No. 22 of 2021, those who turn 18 can register for the voter list online, more..

Jan 20 (TM) Naval assets are tools through which a country�s geopolitical standing is constantly being tested, especially in contested waters. After Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, the US promptly dispatched two carrier battle groups to the Gulf and the Mediterranean. The purpose was to deter potential anti-Israeli elements rallying around to attack Israel. Global powers constantly use their naval prowess to showcase their intentions by deploying more..

Jan 20 (FT) The 3-day Jaffna International Trade Fair 2024 kicked off yesterday as part of its pivotal role in fostering economic growth and community development in the Northern Province. Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS), together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Yarlpanam (CCIY), Jaffna Int'l Trade Fair 2024 is the 14th edition in the series. LECS said the Jaffna International Trade Fair has not only stimulated economic growth but more..

Jan 20 (FT) A collaborative effort led by the Export Development Board (EDB) alongside SL universities, the Tropical Ornamental Fish Association and SL Ornamental Fish Farmers� Association organised a one-day workshop on 11 January. The key objective of the workshop was to help improve the export potential of ornamental fish, support grassroots development, and enhance the abilities of exporters. The initial stage of the workshop is directed at esteemed universities such as more..

Jan 20 (ST) Urgent moves are underway to preserve SL�s coral reefs, which are facing the dual threats of climate change and pollution. National Zoological Gardens Dept and a researcher from the Ocean University of SL have initiated an ex-situ coral restoration project�a technique for the conservation of biological diversity outside their natural habitats. Captive breeding centres, aquariums, botanical and zoological gardens, and gene banks are some of the institutes that have adopted this technique. more..

Jan 20 (CT) Sri Lankans welcomed the New Year with optimism, only to be met with the unprecedented challenge of soaring vegetable prices, an issue never before witnessed in the nation�s history. Nuwara Eliya Dedicated Economic Centre (DEC) has become a focal point of concern due to the relentless surge in vegetable prices, posing a considerable burden on consumers. Staples such as carrots, leeks and beans have experienced more..

Jan 20 (DN) Four top teams: Army, Navy, Air Force, and HNB, will compete in the National Netball Championships, taking place today and tomorrow at Albert F Pieris Stadium, Wennappuwa. Dialog, the sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, in collaboration with the Netball Federation of SL (NFSL), is organising this event where over 35 teams vie for the coveted title. The Championship is a key talent identification event for the NFSL, aiming to expand the national talent pool. more..

Jan 20 (Island) A Shocking revelation on the Sunday Island of Jan 13. The article titled Speaker�s family members in his own and parliamentary staff subject of lobby talk stuns us Ordinaries to get to know his siblings and in-laws numbering five were listed � named with relationship revealed � holding Parliamentary admin positions. How are such things allowed for goodness sake? And how long has this Mahinda Y A been Speaker? Can he alone appoint his Coordinating Secy. and PR Officer? more..

Jan 20 (ST) Numbers do not lie and these numbers tell a tale of the dire straits the men, women and children of Sri Lanka are in, when considering the state health sector. There is a chilling shortfall of 630 Consultants among 61 specialties when looking at the requirements of this year (2024). In 2023, the total number of board-certified (certified by the Post-graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) Consultants were � 285 (all categories) more..

Jan 20 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday ended the week down 1.7% slumping to a six month low as investor sentiment remained depressed over prospects for listed equities. ASPI suffered a loss of 1.7% with the index at 10,433, a 6 month low whilst the active S&P SL20 dipped sharply by 2.4%. In the previous week ASPI and the S&P SL20 lost 1.4% and 2.3% respectively. So far in January, the ASPI is down by 2.1% and S&P SL20 by 3.8%. Average daily turnover for the week was Rs. 850 m, more..

Jan 20 (DM) While reiterating once again the importance of consolidation in the banking sector for higher scale, efficiency and strength, Central Bank said it is going to roll out the second phase of the consolidation master plan for the non-bank finance company sector in earnest. Consolidation in both the banking and non-bank finance company sector has been a recurring theme during most of the recent communications by the CB, as it aims at further strength and stability in the two sectors, more..

Jan 20 (DN) SL T-20 cricket team kicked off their journey to the next T20 World Cup on a positive note, clinching a 2-1 series win against Zimbabwe. Both skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Mathews emphasised the importance of regaining a winning mentality after the Zimbabwe series win. �I must take the blame for the defeat in the second T20 game, as the last-over drama cost us the victory. However, with the third and final T20, Wanindu Hasaranga bowled well to ensure this victory more..

Jan 20 (FT) Chief Prelate of the Malwatte Chapter the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera expressed the view that the nation is at risk of complete deterioration unless it is entrusted to a competent group during this pivotal period. Mahanayaka Thera made this statement during a meeting with the NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and former MP K.D. Lalkantha, who paid a visit to the Chief Prelate in Kandy yesterday to discuss the current situation in the country. more..

Jan 20 (Island) Dissident SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga faults Parliament for continuing to allow a special category of EPF recipients, created since 2022, regardless of the matter being brought to the attention of Parliament. He said that in spite of the public finance being under the control of Parliament, Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt had allowed an unprecedented discrepancy in what he called beneficial interest rates received by more..

Jan 20 (DM) The NPP was not expecting to legalize prostitution and that it would only amend some laws which inconvenience those who were forced to prostitution due to economic hardships, NPP MP Harini Amarasuriya said. She said that the main focus of the NPP was to revive the economy of the country as economic hardships had forced women into prostitution. The MP said women who were forced to prostitution had to face numerous hardships due to some laws more..

Jan 20 (FT) Despite the escalating electricity tariffs amid the ongoing economic crisis, reports indicate that Govt institutions have been mandated to illuminate their premises appropriately for the current circumstances in observance of SL�s 76th Independence Day on 4 Feb following a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The circular has provided guidelines for illuminating all Govt institutions, designating the country�s Independence Day as a special occasion. more..

Jan 20 (FT) SL�s manufacturing and services sectors in December failed to sustain the strong upturn recorded in November judging by the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). Manufacturing PMI recorded an index value of 52.7 in Dec 2023, indicating an expansion in manufacturing activities. This improvement was attributable to the increases observed in all the sub-indices except Employment. In November, manufacturing PMI increased to 57.0 on a month-on-month basis in Nov 2023, more..

Jan 20 (FT) SJB Deputy National Organiser S.M. Marikkar reiterated the party�s intention to renegotiate the agreement between SL Govt and IMF. MP also assured the party will reform the current tax regime and this was intimated to the IMF by the party during a meeting with its representatives. �While taxes are essential, the current tax structure is too burdensome for the people to endure,� he stressed. Marikkar asserted that only the SJB and its leader more..

Jan 20 (DM) While granting Leave to Appeal in the State Minister Diana Gamage's citizenship case, Supreme Court questioned how the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration had filed a document containing the entry and exit details of Diana Gamage, and later had stated in an affidavit that he was not aware of which Diana Gamage this information pertained to. During the hearing the SC heard that the former Controller more..

Jan 20 (Island) CEB unions have convened a meeting with all state and private sector unions on Monday to decide on what to do about the decision taken by authorities to suspend 15 of their workers, Secretary of the Combined Trade Union Alliance of CEB Ranjan Jayalal, said. Earlier, he said they have interdicted 15 employees for disrupting services during a protest against the proposed restructuring of the state-owned electricity supplier seen by many as unwieldy in its current state. more..

Jan 20 (FT) Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday stressed that the Govt has the right to take corrective actions in light of new developments and difficulties in the implementation of the reform program and adjusting any International Monetary Fund (IMF) condition which is detrimental to the country. When a country borrows from the IMF, the Government agrees to adjust its economic policies to overcome the problems that led it to seek financial assistance. more..

Jan 20 (FT) IMF declared that SL is yielding first signs of recovery but stressed the need to persist with the economic reform program to fully emerge from the crisis benefitting the people. �The economic reform program implemented by the SL authorities is yielding the first signs of recovery. Real GDP recorded positive growth of 1.6% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2023, the first expansion in six consecutive quarters,� more..

Jan 21 (SO) It is a known fact that no country can exist in isolation in today�s inter-connected world. Even North Korea, perhaps the world�s most politically (if not geographically) isolated country, shares a border with China and is dependent on that country for trade and travel. While countries are free to engage in diplomacy and politics on their own, it is far better to be a member of a regional trade or political bloc which enables individual countries to reap more benefits. more..

Jan 21 (TM) Govt announced last week that it plans to issue a new �nomad� tourist visa for digital entrepreneurs and online workers to stay and work from Sri Lanka. However, by next week, the same Government is to bring in what it calls the Online Safety Bill (OSB), which, in the opinion of many including the world�s big tech companies, is a not-so-subtle attempt to piggyback on legitimate concerns over internet misuse to regulate and censor social media. The big tech companies coming under more..

Jan 21 (ST) Several worried ministers and MPs of the SLPP met with one of the party�s senior-most officials this week to raise concern over the delay in making preparations for the upcoming prez election. The ministers and MPs pointed out that one particular opposition party, though small in size, was making hectic preparations for the election. This includes holding large-scale meetings, setting up new bala mandalas and similar measures more..

Jan 21 (ST) Amidst the emergence of more new evidence regarding SL�s worst-ever medical scam�which led to the distribution of counterfeit, untested, unregulated medication to govt hospitals�pressing questions remain about how every official guideline introduced to minimise, if not eliminate, this type of dangerous, barefaced fraud was allowed to be flouted. There are at least two known concerns here. One is that decisions were made at the highest levels of the Health Ministry in 2022 to buy more..

Jan 21 (CT) A defining condition of the elections this year (Election �24), in my view, is the implosion of the Rajapaksas. They have been a fixture and a dominant factor in every election after the 2005 prez election that Mahinda Rajapaksa managed to win by the narrowest of margins thanks to the election boycott imposed by the LTTE in the northern and eastern provinces. The wheel of time, as the late TULF leader Amirthalingam (whose own wheel was cut short by the LTTE) more..

Jan 21 (TM) Prez Wickremesinghe and his Govt now have their work cut out given the continuing economic challenges and growing public dissention amid preparations for an election year. Skyrocketing prices of food commodities, especially vegetables, has now resulted in people posting their vegetable purchases along with the bills on social media, which is in turn widely shared online. While the general public is struggling to make ends more..