Jan 15 (SO) A tourist train service, Seethawaka Odyssey, to boost the tourism industry in the historic Seethawaka region, will begin its maiden journey today with 50 tourists. Realising the potential of promoting the tourism industry through a formal transport service, Minister Bandula Gunawardena has instructed officials of the relevant institutions to take steps towards this purpose. The weekend tourist train service will begin today to boost tourism in Seethawaka, Minister told a discussion more..

Jan 15 (TM) Govt yesterday effected an about-turn on Covid-19 protocols for touristsn arriving in the country, with Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella stressing that there was no change in the existing regulations. The move comes a day after SLTDA published a six-point protocol for all inbound tourists, calling on those who did not carry a valid Covid-19 vaccination card to submit a PCR report obtained 72 hours prior to arrival. more..

Jan 15 (DM) As SL continues to face delays in securing the much sought-after bailout from the IMF, the govt admitted this week that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for the people of the country. State Minister Shehan Semasinghe told an int'l forum on Thursday that while all is on track to firm up the relief package, the current economic crisis is impacting individuals and businesses in the island nation. �.� we are confident of securing the approvals with the assistance of our partners. more..

Jan 15 (EN) SL will see drop in egg prices to 50 rupees from next month onward, amid govt�s effort to import eggs to bring down the prices. Egg price has risen to over 65 rupees after the suspension of the gazette extraordinary published by the CAA stipulating a maximum retail price (MRP) on eggs. Egg producers have been stubborn and rejected the govt request to reduce the egg prices. MRP decision resulted in many poultry producers not supplying eggs to markets until the prices increased. more..

Jan 15 (Island) Grand plans of making former Chief of State Intelligence Service (SIS) Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawa-rdena would not succeed following the SC judgment on the Fundamental Rights petition filed in relation to the Easter Sunday attack, police headquarters sources said. SDIG Jayawardena would face a disciplinary inquiry conducted by the Police and the results of that investigation would be foreshadowed by the report of the findings of the PCoI on Easter Sunday carnage. more..

Jan 15 (PMD) It is indeed a great pleasure to extend my best wishes to the Hindu devotees of SL, on the auspicious occasion of Thai Pongal, celebrated to thank the Sun, Mother Nature and farm animals, that contributed to the bountiful harvest. This Thai Pongal is a celebration with added significance, considering the bumper harvest of the current Maha Season, from which the entire nation will benefit. The Pongal festival this year is opportune to signify the Govt�s endeavours, to build a self-sufficient more..

Jan 15 (ST) SL missions abroad have been informed to refrain from entertaining any direct requests from ministers or senior govt officials during foreign visits and any such requests should be channelled through Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) only, according to revised protocols and directives issued by Prez Secretariat. The new measure has been taken following several requests made to the Foreign Ministry at short notice more..

Jan 15 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the need of working within one policy framework by all while facing the economic difficulties the country is confronted with. Prez made these observations during a meeting with the trade union representatives at the Prez's Office held yesterday afternoon (13). Govt, semi-govt and private sector trade union leaders and representatives participated in the meeting which was presided over by Prez & PM to discuss more..

Jan 15 (ST) SL is running out of time to bring 12 coal shipments to run the Norochcholai coal power plant with full capacity of 900 megawatts before April 20 and manage the monsoon season (April to Sept), CEB sources said. For a season Lanka Coal Company (LCC) needs 2 million metric tonnes of coal � 33 ship loads to manage the current season and also for the monsoon season. LCC is bringing 21 ship loads of coal under already given contracts to two supplier companies last year, more..

Jan 15 (ST) It was a multitude of political developments this week and what they portend in the days and weeks to come will keep Sri Lankans in suspense. Among them: The Election Commission is steadfast in its resolve to conduct local council elections. As it steps up preparations, its Chairman Nimal Punchihewa says, �There are certain obstacles, but we are not worried.� Talks between Tamil political parties and the govt to more..

Jan 17 (TM) Why do we have to pay for politicians� incompetence and corruption? is undoubtedly one of the most common questions raised by the public in discussions on the need to increase electricity and water tariffs. The public argues that in a context where they have always purchased electricity and water by paying the stipulated price, which also includes taxes imposed by govt, if the institutions that provide electricity and water are suffering losses, that is the fault of those institutions. more..

Jan 17 (DM) Elections in Sri Lanka are nothing but standardized tests designed to assess voter intellect. It is a fact that at the last two Prez elections over 98% of ill-advised electors in the two camps, offered the nation with Executive powers to two irresponsible men who lacked direction and authority, and whose time in office [2015-2022], was rocked by scandals. Freud claimed that �the psychological process of leadership occurs because a group of people, more..

Jan 17 (TM) Sri Lanka is not yet out of the woods, with the recovery from an unprecedented economic crisis being slow, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said, while warning that the coming months and years were likely to remain challenging. This, as SL now anticipates the expected $ 2.9 billion IMF EFF assistance programme to be approved in the first quarter of this year and not by end of January as previously thought � more..

Jan 17 (DM) The Indian team poses with the winner's trophy after handing a 317-run thrashing of Sri Lanka, thus clinching the 3 match ODI series 3-0. The National Cricket team took a world record trouncing in India during the weekend in their third and final ODI, losing the series to 3-0. The 317-run defeat was shocking, demoralising and humiliating. An even more terrifying prospect is the upcoming ODI world cup, which will be played in India, probably under similar pitch conditions. more..

Jan 17 (DM) On April 12, 2022, our then govt announced Lanka was bankrupt. It suspended repayment of external debts admitting the country would be unable to honour its international commitments - nearly US$ 6 billion in debt servicing that year and US$ 25 billion till 2026. Govt leaders and bureaucrats added that we would be seeking assistance from the IMF. What followed were rolling 8 to 9-hour power cuts, long and winding queues at petrol sheds, people desperately searching more..

Jan 17 (TM) In October 2022, Sri Lankans faced an unprecedented electricity tariff hike of 75% and Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera is currently proposing another of about 70% more. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has opposed this latest hike, however the Cabinet recently granted approval for the hike on a cost-effective tariff formula, which is to be reviewed by the PUCSL in 40 days. more..

Jan 17 (CT) Due to a devastating paddy infection that is spreading over the entire country, SL�s agriculture is once again in danger, making it uncertain whether the Maha season harvest will be possible. Farmers, who are responsible for growing the majority of the country�s food, feel helpless in the face of the threat of crop damage caused by invasive pests invading the crops and depleting their nutrients. However, because the expansion of the insects is only slightly affecting entire country, more..

Jan 17 (Island) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena has broken his silence about last week�s Supreme Court verdict. Speaking at a public event, he has referred to the historic apex court order that he pay Rs. 100 million as compensation to the Easter Sunday victims for his failure to prevent a series of terrorist bomb blasts, in 2019, when he was the Prez. He has said he respects the judiciary but has no money to pay as much as Rs. 100 million and will therefore seek his friends� help to raise funds. more..

Jan 17 (FT) Aseni, a whiz kid in economics, has learned of a statement made by some leading economists numbering 182 demanding that Sri Lanka�s foreign debt be cancelled instead of restructuring as insisted by IMF and the Western countries that back IMF. The statement has been reproduced by the UK based charity Debt Justice in its website. This statement has been viral on social media and has been the top news by all the media houses in the country. more..

Jan 17 (TM) It is undoubtedly a tough time to be a fan of Sri Lankan Cricket. Sunday�s drubbing by neighbouring India was not only embarrassing, it absolutely put Sri Lanka to its knees. It was the drubbing of this century, and the team will have to do some soul searching before they face the Kiwis in March. The year 2022 was a good one for Sri Lanka cricket. Beating Australia at home in an one-day international (ODI) series and the Asia Cup triumph was the major highlight. more..

Jan 17 (FT) The Govt is to provide 10 kg of rice per month for two million low income families, including Samurdhi beneficiaries for two months. Cabinet yesterday approved the move based on a paper presented by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Govt will purchase 61,600 metric tons of paddy to meet the requirement of 40,000 metric tons. This program is proposed to be implemented by District Secretaries and more..

Jan 17 (FT) MP Prof. G.L. Peiris revealed his faction will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea before the courts against the Public Adm and Home Affairs Secretary Neil Hapuhinna over the letter sent by the latter to District Secretaries directing them to stop accepting deposits for the Local Govt elections. Peiris said Hapuhinna caused great harm to the country through his actions. �These directives were completely illegal. It has been described as a mere piece of paper. more..

Jan 17 (FT) A high-level delegation of China�s Communist Party (CPC), led by Vice Minister Chen Zhou, CPC International Department Head called on PM Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees yesterday and assured that China would stand by Sri Lanka in the current economic crisis. �SL is a very special friend of China and we are considering how we could assist SL to get over the current crisis,� Chen Zhou said and assured the PM, �You will have some good news soon�. more..

Jan 17 (Island) The govt�s proposal to set up a truth and reconciliation mechanism to deal with the unresolved human rights issues of the war will get a boost in the aftermath of last week�s unexpected developments that will directly affect three former presidents of SL hitherto thought to be untouchable by virtue of their power, prestige and legal immunities. The first was the Canadian govt�s notice that former presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be subjected to targeted more..

Jan 17 (ST) The opening race-day of the RTC #VisitSriLanka Horseracing Season 2023 will flag off today at the Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya, beginning from 10.00am. The inaugural race-day of the season, which is expected hype up by mid-April with the RTC Governor�s Cup, will include four races according to organisers, the Royal Turf Club (RTC). �We are really excited to host our first race-day of the 2023 season. Despite not having races as expected during the latter part of 2022, more..

Jan 17 (TM) Inter-Uni Students� Federation (IUSF) and Inter-Uni Bhikkhus� Federation (IUBF), in the midst of tear gas fired by the Police, a court-ordered ban on entering the Galle Face Green, and heavy rain, held a protest in Colombo yesterday demanding the release of IUSF Convenor Wasantha Mudalige, who is in remand custody under the PTA and against the rising cost of living and unfair tax policies. more..

Jan 17 (EN) A controversial remark by former MP K D Lal Kantha, a frontliner of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), was taken out of context and the ensuing outrage was emblematic of alleged suppression, according to former JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti. Speaking at an event in Japan on Sunday (15), Handunnetti poked holes in the criticism aimed at Lal Kantha. �They didn�t take the essence of it; did not take the idea behind it. They just clung to one word,� said Handunnetthi. more..

Jan 17 (ST) The rising credit card spend, and the steadily declining loan repayments reflect the struggling middle class striving to stay above water amidst the devastating economic crisis the country has ever witnessed. The average credit card spend is at least about 10%, while the housing loan, repayments are fast declining. Some financial institutions say that this is the same for car loans as well as personal loans. �We have seen credit card sales up by some 70% in some months more..

Jan 17 (TM) 43rd Brigade and NLFP, led by MPs Champika Ranawaka and Kumara Welgama, respectively, have come to an agreement to compete together for the upcoming LG election and signed a MoU in this regard. Ranawaka said regarding the representatives associated with the 43rd Brigade that while they would consider the groups that support the Rajapaksas (a reference to the family of former Prez Gotabaya more..

Jan 17 (Island) One-day cricket has been played for more than 50 years now and there have been over 4500 matches in this format and Sunday in the southern Indian city of Trivandrum we witnessed history as India bowled out Sri Lanka for a paltry 73 runs. The 317-run defeat is the heaviest in the history of the game by any team. This is no more an embarrassment. This is beyond repair. The national selection panel�s flawed strategies have led us into this mess. more..

Jan 17 (FT) Seven organisations called on the Govt to end the arbitrary detention of student activist Wasantha Mudalige who has been in custody for 150 days under what is described as: draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act. The organisations calling for Mudalige�s release are Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, CIVICUS, Frontline Defenders, Human Rights Watch, Int'l Working Group on SL and SL Campaign for Peace & Justice. more..

Jan 17 (FT) Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar welcomed the Prez�s remarks on a possible extension to the debt moratorium which the tourism industry has been repeatedly urging for. �We commend Ranil Wickramasinghe for strongly giving consideration to the request to extend the moratorium extended to the stakeholders for a further period. SME sector in our industry is struggling to survive and this will give them an opportunity to sustain their business more..

Jan 17 (CT) Captain Dasun Shanka highlighted the lack of intent from his players for the loss in the third ODI as India registered the biggest win by runs in ODIs at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. The all-rounder congratulated the Indian team for completely dominating the visitors and securing a historic win. �Playing positive cricket is the key. If the boys showed intent, bowling will be different. While playing international cricket, we need to play with intent. more..

Jan 17 (AD) External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar�s visit to Colombo on Thursday will focus on supporting SL in its current economic crisis, govt sources said, adding that talks are ongoing in the field of energy security, food security, currency swap arrangements as well as talks about restructuring SL�s debt. Two-day visit is expected to see some announcements. �India is expected to give a positive response to SL�s requirements, more..

Jan 17 (AD) SLFP has reached a decision as to which Local Govt institutions it will contest under the party�s Hand symbol and those it will contest under the Helicopter symbol of the Freedom People�s Alliance. Accordingly, SLFP will contest the upcoming Local Govt polls in N&E Provinces as well as in the Polonnaruwa District under tHand symbol. Colombo, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Moneragala and Hambantota districts will be contested under the Helicopter symbol of newly-formed alliance. more..

Jan 17 (DM) CCD has arrested three suspects, a broker and two Grama Niladaris in connection with the illegal kidney transplant racket at a private hospital in Borella. Earlier, CCD had commensed an investigation into several complaints received by the Borella Police Station regarding a kidney transplant racket operating at a private hospital in Borella deceiving people from poor families. Accordingly, a 32-year-old man, a resident of Colombo 13, who was operating as a main broker in this racket more..