Feb 14 (TM) Despite the Govt proceeding with the Online Safety Act in the face of strong opposition, stakeholders from all corners have called for corrective action, pointing to significant lapses in the act. Amidst mounting criticism from stakeholders against the recently-enacted Online Safety Act, Govt announced that it was already in the process of rolling out fresh amendments to be incorporated into the act. Ministry of Public more..

Feb 14 (FT) A top investor in listed equities from the UK last week expressed optimism on better prospects in Sri Lanka provided the country continues on the path of reforms. On a pleasure cum business visit, Hosking Partners LLP Founder and Portfolio Manager Jeremy Hosking along with CT CLSA Consultant Marianne Page spoke with the Daily FT about the investments made thus far, what sectors hold future promise and what can Sri Lanka do to enhance growth prospects. more..

Feb 14 (FT) The wide range of new opportunities for SL firms and individuals via the Free Trade Agreement with Thailand will be showcased at a top forum tomorrow organised by the Sri Lanka Thailand Business Council (SLTBC) and the Daily FT. A host of Govt officials will be the key draw at the forum scheduled from 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. at the Galadari Hotel. President�s Senior Economic Advisor R.H.S. Samaratunga, International Trade Chief Negotiator of the Office K.J. Weerasinghe, more..

Feb 14 (ST) When the Indian Govt decided the other day to stretch the hand of friendship to the once strongly Marxist-Leninist JVP, which, in the late 1980s, was seen as anti-Indian, it appears to have come as a shock to some political circles and commentators in Colombo. But it should not have been so. If there is one country that keeps its eyes and ears close to the ground, reads the tea leaves better than any other, and has a greater understanding of socio-political developments more..

Feb 14 (DN) SL having wrapped up the Afghanistan ODI series with an unbeatable 2-0 lead following a massive 155-run win last Sunday will be out to make it a clean sweep by winning the third and final game against Afghanistan today at Pallekele, commencing at 2.30 pm. SL Skipper Kusal Mendis wanted to continue winning mentality to get 3-0 series win Most probably there will be a few changes in SL team with Chamika Karunaratne off spinner, Akila Dhananjaya and leg spinner Dunith Wellalage more..

Feb 14 (CI) It's barely been three months since the end of SL's ill-fated World Cup campaign, but things are already looking up, according to head coach Chris Silverwood, who has been impressed by his side's showings so far, particularly in the last two ODIs against Afghanistan. SL won both games by 42 and 155 runs respectively, with the batters piling on the runs on pitches that have been flatter than surfaces traditional seen in SL. more..

Feb 14 (TM) SL should provide trade protectionism to domestic players but not for longer periods as the country has been doing in the past, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya said. He said that giving trade protectionism to domestic players in the market is not bad but added that the problem comes when protectionism is allowed for a longer period. �By doing so, only SL businesses reap the benefits,� he said, adding that the dominance of the domestic players in the tile industry in Sri Lanka more..

Feb 14 (FT) Govt of Japan and the UNDP SL, this week marked the launch of the new project titled Project for Promoting Economic Governance through Anti-corruption Policy Support. An official signing took place in Colombo with the participation of Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, UNDP Resident Representative Azusa Kubota and senior Govt officials. SL�s ongoing socio-economic crisis has reversed development gains achieved, with deep rooted transparency & accountability more..

Feb 14 (TM) Three members of the Board of Directors of National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) � attorney Manoj Gamage, Dr. Priyantha Serasinghe, and Supul Wijesinghe � have resigned citing the criticisms levelled at the NMRA regarding the controversial IVIG deal and the irregularities allegedly committed by the current NMRA administration. All 3 members � who were appointed as members of NMRA's Board more..

Feb 14 (CT) The Dadella Sports Complex in Galle has once again become the battleground for top class badminton action, with the start of the Li Ning Sri Lanka International Series. This prestigious tournament, endorsed by the Badminton World Federation and organised by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), began with a ceremony attended by the SLB President Rohan de Silva, today (13). As the second international badminton event hosted by SL this month, the series has become a focal point more..

Feb 14 (DN) Sri Lanka�s rising tennis talents, Sandithi Usgodaarachchi, Akesha Silva, and Annaya Norbet, excelled sweeping past Lebanon on the second day of the ITF World Junior Tennis Asia/Oceania Pre Qualifying tournament, organized by the SL Tennis Association at SLTA in Colombo yesterday. The SL girls� team displayed exceptional performance, securing a decisive 3-0 victory against Lebanon. In the first singles match, Sandithi Usgodaarachchi of Musaeus College more..

Feb 14 (Island) Rugby has had its influential personalities over the years since the sport was introduced to the islanders in 1879. From personalities in the likes of IGP Rudra Rajasingham, Y.C Chang, Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Anton Benedict, Priyantha Ekanayake, DIG (retd) Hafeez Marso, Senior DIG (retd) Nimal Lewke, Priyantha Ekanayake, Hisham Abdeen, Ananda Kasthuriaarachchi, George Simpkin, Ana Saranapala and expatriates like Fijian Apisi Nagata more..

Feb 14 (Island) The employees of the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) have urged the Commission to reduce electricity tariffs by about 25%. They have stressed that due to ad hoc decisions of some stakeholders, consumers are being fleeced. They are scheduled to meet PUCSL Secretary Rohan Weerasuriya tomorrow (15). PUCSL has said electricity tariffs will be revised soon, following public consultations and analysis of proposals submitted by the CEB. more..

Feb 14 (TM) Despite the Ministry of Health�s request to return to hospitals without causing inconvenience to patients, unions representing the paramedical health services and professions supplementary to medicine-related health services led by the Health Trade Union Alliance (HTUA) have decided to continue the strike for the second consecutive day today (14). Co-Convenor of the HTUA, Chanaka more..

Feb 14 (DM) The latest Global Risks Report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights economic downturn, labour shortage, and energy supply shortage as the top three risks facing SL over the next two years. Developed in collaboration with Zurich and Marsh McLennan, the report draws insights from nearly 1,500 global experts. As per the 2024 report, there�s a predominantly negative outlook for the world in the coming years, with concerns anticipated to exacerbate over more..

Feb 14 (DM) Wildlife Dept warned the public to be vigilant when using rivers, lakes and canals in Colombo as there was a high possibility of crocodiles languishing in these waterways. Wildlife Conservation Dept Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said this while commenting on a video of a crocodile being seen in the Bolgoda River. "The Bolgoda River is a habitat for crocodiles, and there might be a large number of crocodiles living in the rivers, lakes and streams in Colombo. more..

Feb 14 (CT) During a meeting convened to discuss preparations for the forthcoming Yala Season, officials from Ministry of Agriculture and those of farmers� organisations vehemently protested against the subject Minister. Among those attending the meeting were Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Pavithra Wanniarachchi and State Ministers Sasheendra Rajapaksa and Mohan Priyadarshana Silva. Initially, officials from the agriculture, irrigation and Mahaweli sectors, aired their views on more..

Feb 14 (TM) One person was injured when the car � in which MP Ali Sabri Raheem was traveling � was involved in an accident, according to the Saliyawewa Police. The accident had occurred at around 1 a.m. yesterday near the 15th Mile-Post of the Puttalam-Anuradhapura Road. The person injured in the incident has been identified as H.M. Harshana Pradeep, a resident of Upper Puliyankulam in Aluthgama. He has been admitted to the Puttalam Base Hospital for treatment. more..

Feb 14 (CT) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation has categorically stated that there is no truth to the claims made by Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando, during the Mumbai tourism roadshow, that an Indian investor might take control of the three main airports in SL, including the BIA. Minister, speaking at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM), said, �I will break the news that Indian companies are taking our three airports more..

Feb 14 (AD) SL Customs on Tuesday (13) foiled an attempt to smuggle in 4 container loads of readymade garments worth approximately Rs. 150 million. The shipment, falsely declared as fabric, had been sent from Malaysia. Around 44,000 readymade garments were recovered from each container. Had the containers been cleared undetected, govt would have incurred a loss to the tune of Rs. 60 million in tax revenues, Customs officials revealed. The consignees of this shipment were identified more..

Feb 14 (DN) Govt Medical Officers� Association (GMOA) media spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe yesterday lashed at the striking health staff identifying it as an illegal act which could force the govt to look at an alternative such as using more technology and machines while reducing human resources for health services. He said that this is an era where new technology and machines are used more and more to provide health services with new innovations sweeping the world. more..

Feb 14 (DM) SL is in the process of downsizing the existing SL Army cadre to 135,000 by the end of this year, and the number has already dropped to nearly 150,000 from the existing SL Army cadre of 200,783. Last year, State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon announced that SL would cut the number of Army personnel by a third to 135,000 by this year and to 100,000 by 2030, as part of the govt's efforts to overhaul its finances. more..

Feb 14 (FT) What do Ranil Wickremesinghe, Dinesh Gunawardena and Anura Bandaranaike have in common? They were born a year after independence in 1949 and were classmates together at Royal College, Colombo. All three were from illustrious families involved in politics and went on to be brightly shining stars in the Island nation�s political firmament. Anura Bandaranaike born on 15 Feb 1949 was regarded as the crown prince of SL politics due to the fact that he was the son more..

Feb 14 (FT) History will remember Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe elected by a secret vote in Parliament to serve the remainder of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s presidential term for another curiously distinctive reason. He will be remembered for the number of policy statements and ceremonial openings of Parliament during his tenure. Moral high ground is not a podium to preach from. It is an arduous mountain; one climbs on one�s own. In his latest address he asked - more..

Feb 14 (AD) Colombo High Court has fixed a date to deliver the verdict of a money laundering case filed against former Minister and SLPP MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage. Accordingly, when the case was taken up today, Colombo High Court Judge Nawarathne Marasinghe ordered that the verdict will be issued on April 25, 2024. Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been charged with failure to declare the source of funds used to purchase a luxury house worth Rs. 27.4 mil more..

Feb 14 (DM) Prof. Jayantha Jayawardana, a former member of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has been reinstated as an SLMC member after being removed by former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella. The reappointment has been made by Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. Accordingly, the term of office for the reappointed member, is set for five years, unless voluntarily resigned or removed as per the ordinance. Expressing gratitude for the reinstatement, Prof Jayawardana highlighted more..

Feb 14 (DM) Leasing and debt installment payers voiced concerns over Central Bank�s silence regarding the questionable practices of unregulated online loan providers in SL. Under the banner Association of Leasing and Debt Installment Payers (ALDS), the group asserted that borrowers have no legal obligation to repay loans obtained from these unauthorised online lenders. �Despite numerous complaints passed over to the Central Bank (CB), there has been no response, more..

Feb 14 (EN) A delegation of 14 senior SL officials, led by Prime Minister�s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, are in India for discussions with Indian institutions. The delegation will meet key Indian officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Personnel, and the Principal Secretary to the PM, to explore avenues for further collaboration, a statement by the president�s media division said. �The delegation aims to gain insights into India�s recent initiatives more..

Feb 14 (DM) The timelines for the commercial launch of 5G technology remains uncertain over the high cost involved in infrastructure building and securing devices, a source from the Technology Ministry said. The auction for 5G spectrum is still ongoing, creating uncertainty for operators. However, the source said the govt and telecom operators remain committed to launching 5G technology commercially. �Building the necessary infrastructure across the country requires more..

Feb 14 (EN) All is not well at SJB according to several MPs from rival and newly allied parties who claim that a section of SJB stalwarts plan to extend their support to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Both Wickremesinghe�s UNP and the ruling SLPP insist that a crossover is imminent. UNP general secretary Palitha Range Bandara told reporters that SJB and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa is trying to cobble together more..

Feb 14 (EN) SL�s China-backed Hamtantota Port Group said it was getting ready for container transshipment in 2024 after gaining a key position in the roll-on-roll-off vehicle shipping business. �We continue to grow our RORO and bunkering businesses and saw exponential growth in 2023,� Lance Zuo, General Manager, Commercial and Marketing of HIPG said in a statement. �In 2024 we will be looking at container transshipment for which the port is now ready.� more..

Feb 14 (AD) Govt of Japan, on Wednesday (14), provided a grant of JPY 1,230 million (approx Rs. 2.8 billion) for a project aiming to use renewable energy to stabilize power supply at hospitals in SL. Accordingly, the relevant grant assistance was provided by the Japanese Govt to install rooftop photovoltaic solar power generation systems at selected hospitals in SL. Rooftop photovoltaic solar power generation systems will be installed at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, more..

Feb 14 (DM) The National Front of Civil Organizations (NFCO) today requested electricity consumers to gather in front of the BMICH premises to express opposition to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), which is set to finalize the collection of public opinions for the upcoming electricity tariff revision, NFCO president Priyantha Thilakarathna said. He said that the PUCSL had raised the electricity tariff without taking into account public opinions. more..

Feb 14 (AD) USAID Administrator Samantha Power has urged Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to address the concerns about the potential impact of the Online Safety Act on freedom of expression. The head of USAID brought this up during a virtual conversation with the SL leader on Tuesday. Power has �encouraged Prez Wickremesinghe to address concerns about the potential impact of the Online Safety Act on freedom of expression, as well as investment in SL�s vibrant digital economy" more..

Feb 14 (AD) The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has summoned the Director General of the Fiscal Policy Dept of the Finance Ministry to inquire into the delays in establishing a gaming regulator. The inaugural COPF meeting of the 5th session of the 9th Parliament was held on Tuesday (13), chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, who was re-appointed to the position. Despite the agreed-upon deadline of Dec 31, 2023 more..