Nov 27 (TM) Imagine stepping off a long flight, eager to explore a country rich in culture and natural beauty, only to be greeted by broken escalators, poor Wi-Fi, inadequate air conditioning, cracked walls, unfriendly staff at understaffed counters, limited seating, and unhygienic bathrooms with tissue-thrown, wet floors. The pervasive sense of neglect is hard to miss. At the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), SL�s main gateway more..

Nov 27 (CT) The inaugural session of the 10th Parliament convened on 21 November, heralded a moment of promise and expectation. A historic body of representatives, featuring the highest-ever representation of women and a significant number of newly elected members, reflects the will of a politically discerning electorate seeking change. Yet, the events surrounding this occasion � particularly the conduct of an independent MP � have reignited discussions about the urgent need to more..

Nov 27 (TM) Despite SL�s robust maritime security approach countering trafficking, the evolving dynamic of organised crime continues to pose significant challenges to national security. SL�s narcotics abuse problem has a long history of reactive action by the Govt, with little being done to address threats before they grow into major challenges. Over the last decade, SL�s counter narcotics supply efforts have predominantly focused on the heroin/methamphetamine inflows from more..

Nov 27 (CT) Tilvin Silva has been serving as the General Secretary of the JVP for nearly 30 years. He assumed leadership of the party in 1995, shortly after it was revived and re-entered mainstream politics. Starting from scratch, he held the same position until the party rose to power � a distant dream that many once believed would take another lifetime to realise. In a candid interview, the typically reserved JVP General Secretary more..

Nov 27 (DM) For the first time in recent memory, Sri Lanka now has a Cabinet devoid of Muslim representation. That is a grave error which should be rectified. At first, it appeared as an oversight, considering that the appointments to the Cabinet must have come through deliberations between the JVP and its partners in the NPP, which claims to represent a multitude of professional and civil society groups, and each lobbying on behalf of their members. But not any longer. more..

Nov 27 (DM) November is the month associated, with the commemoration of the dead. It has its origins in the Mexican D�a de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which evolved from Aztec traditions combined with Catholic beliefs brought by the Spanish to that land. Similarly, other cultures use this time to honour ancestors and remember loved ones, as the season�s natural shifts evoke themes of death, remembrance, and continuity. In our own country, Nov 2 is set apart by more..

Nov 26 (DM) In the wake of bribery allegations against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani in the US, Minister Nalinda Jayathissa said that the SL govt was taking the matter seriously. He said that the govt was reviewing Adani's ongoing projects in SL. However, Minister Jayathissa said that no decision had been made regarding Adani's projects in the SL cabinet meeting, and the govt was currently assessing the situation. He said reports have been requested from the relevant ministries more..

Nov 26 (AD) The necessary provisions for incurring and accounting for certain essential expenses in the coming period of the year 2024 should be made through a Supplementary Estimate, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said during the today�s Cabinet press conference. Minister highlighted that accordingly, certain identified expenses can be made through provision adjustments within the approved expenditure estimate for 2024, and the relevant adjustments can be made without exceeding more..

Nov 26 (AD) The CEB has strongly refuted recent claims regarding the revision of electricity tariffs. Addressing the controversy, the CEB clarified its position on a proposal submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) on Oct 24, 2024, which recommended a reduction in electricity tariffs by a range of 6% to 11%. CEB said that this proposal was based on projected expenses for the final quarter of 2024, revenue data more..

Nov 26 (NW) National Carrier, SriLankan Airlines has been Gazetted Under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The announcement was made via a Gazette notification, dated 25 Nov, issued by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlining the duties and functions of ministries and institutions under the new govt. The move suggests that it was in line with the govt�s decision to abandon plans to sell SriLankan Airlines.In October this year, more..

Nov 26 (CI) SL's men are third on the World Test Championship table, with a win percentage of 55.56, and South Africa are right on their heels, on 54.17. Both are in striking distance of a top-two finish, for which presently, there are five serious contenders - India, Australia, and NZ being the other three. Ordinarily, this is enough to make this a tilt worth watching (there are distractions such as some Border-Gavaskar Trophy, plus a NZ vs England series elsewhere, apparently), but more..

Nov 26 (HRW) SL�s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, should address the country�s many human rights problems by fulfilling and building upon pledges he made in recent election campaigns, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the president on Nov 18, 2024. Dissanayake was elected president on Sept 21, and on Nov 14 his NPP coalition won a majority of parliamentary seats. In his election manifesto, more..

Nov 26 (TM) Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that commemorations linked to the banned LTTE are prohibited. He clarified that while individuals can honour their deceased relatives from the war, celebrations that glorify the LTTE, including displaying its symbols, uniforms, or images, are illegal. Minister emphasised that no space exists for LTTE-related celebrations, & Govt is committed to enforcing these laws. A new program to combat drug trafficking has been announced. more..

Nov 26 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake an official visit to India during the third week of December on an invitation by the Indian govt. This was confirmed by the Cabinet spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa during the Cabinet press conference. Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath had previously stated that Dissanayake will call on India�s PM Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who became the first foreign dignitary to call on Dissanayake . more..

Nov 26 (TM) NPP stated that while there has been no recent discussion on justice for JVP members killed during the 1988-1989 insurrections and their families, related efforts will be undertaken in the future. A Marxist-Leninist political party in SL, the JVP, is a founding member and key constituent party of the NPP coalition, which is now the ruling party. When queried as to whether there had been any discussion on serving justice to JVPers killed during 1988-1989 and their families, more..

Nov 26 (NW) The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has collected penalties amounting to Rs. 2.75 million in total from three institutions for non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act (FTRA). Central Bank of SL said the penalties were collected from MCB Bank Ltd, Bank of China Ltd, and Vogue Jewellers (Pvt) Ltd from May to Oct 2024. The Central Bank went on to note that by virtue of the powers vested under Section 19 (1) read together with more..

Nov 26 (EN) A committee of bondholders who negotiated with Sri Lanka to restructure defaulted bonds for GDP-linked new bonds, the first of its kind, have said they will take up the new bonds and urged all other holders to participate. The steering committee of the so-called ad-hoc group of bond holders own about 40% of US$ 12.55 billion of defaulted bonds while a group of local bondholders including banks have around 12%. more..

Nov 26 (NW) Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha provided clarification on the govt�s future policy regarding vehicle imports. �Permissions will be granted under several categories, particularly for commercial vehicles. However, this will be done within the framework of foreign exchange limits. At present, careful consideration has been given to the amount of reserves available. The Central Bank has also created a necessary buffer reserve,� more..

Nov 26 (EN) Sri Lanka has urged all bondholders to take part in a bond exchange launched on Nov 26, with a deadline of December 12 where 12.55 billion in defaulted bonds are exchanged for new ones along with past due interest. �I urge private sector creditors to participate in the debt restructuring process to provide essential relief, thereby laying the groundwork for a brighter future for Sri Lanka and its people,� President Anura Dissanayake said in a statement. more..

Nov 26 (TM) The Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) warned that if the Ministry of Energy bases decisions on the IMF's advice regarding critical issues like electricity tariffs, it will pursue appropriate legal action. It was recently reported that representatives of the Ministry were to meet a delegation from the IMF, and that the discussion would also focus on the electricity tariff revision. more..

Nov 26 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has received an official invitation to visit China. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Chinese Ambassador to SL has officially handed over the invitation. He further said that the govt is considering the visit following the Prez�s official visit to India. Prez had also received an official invitation to visit India. He revealed that Prez will engage in the visit during the third week of December, but the exact dates are yet to be decided. more..

Nov 26 (DM) While condemning claims that Viyathmaga members are backing the NPP govt, Minister Nalinda Jayathissa today assured that no one from Viyathmaga has been appointed as Ministers or Ministry Secretaries. A journalist raised a question regarding the appointment of Professor Kapila Perera as the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation. Responding to the query, Minister guaranteed that Professor Kapila Perera was not affiliated more..

Nov 26 (AD) SL�s new govt has responded to allegations over the lack of Muslim representation in its Cabinet of Ministers. �We didn�t form the Cabinet according to the race, religion or the cast. We have selected the persons who are very much capable to hold those ministerial portfolios,� Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. Responding to a question during today�s Cabinet press briefing, he noted that the NPP govt has in fact appointed a Muslim businessman as Governor of WP more..

Nov 26 (AD) Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake has ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant against Jaffna District Independent MP Archchuna Ramanathan, through the SSP in Jaffna. This order was issued during the hearing of an ongoing case today related to an alleged incident of assaulting an individual after causing a traffic accident on the Baseline Road, Colombo in 2021. Meanwhile, on Nov 25, MP Archchuna Ramanathan, who had unintentionally occupied more..

Nov 26 (AD) Dept of Meteorology has issued a Red alert warning for the land and the deep and sallow sea areas around the island due to the deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal. As per the warning, the depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression. The system was located to southeast about 170 km of Batticaloa and 240 km of Trincomalee at around 11 a.m. of Nov 26. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Steps have been taken to close the wildlife tourist bungalows located in the Yala and Wasgamuwa National Parks due to the current adverse weather and flood conditions prevailing in the country, the Wildlife Conservation Department said. Accordingly, the Pahala Henathota, Thalgasmankada, and Warahana Wildlife Circuit Bungalow in Yala National Park have been closed. Meanwhile, the Mahaweli and Wavul Ebe tourist bungalows in Wasgamuwa National Park more..

Nov 26 (EN) SL�s new cabinet of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has yet to discuss removing a temporary one-year ban on Chinese vessels coming to SL waters, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The ban was imposed by former leader Ranil Wickremesimghe�s govt in December last year. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the ban was for 2024 and will end on Dec 21 this year. The decision to ban research ships was taken following strong security concerns raised by India citing more..

Nov 26 (DM) Examinations Dept announced that it has been decided to temporarily suspend the ongoing GCE A/L Exam. Accordingly, the subjects which were scheduled to be held on November 27, 28 and 29 have been suspended, Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara said. This decision was taken in view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, he highlighted that the exam more..

Nov 26 (FT) Prez of the Republic Anura Kumara Dissanayake spoke without notes in his first policy statement in Parliament. His unhesitating delivery in punctilious order was simultaneously translated into both English and Tamil. I rely on the English translation of the speech for the purpose of this brief commentary. He described it as a monumental moment in the history of SL�s Parliament. Indeed, it will be remembered as a watershed moment, a turning point of our politics if only more..

Nov 26 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today issued a notice directing former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran to appear before the court on Feb 25, 2025. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued this order in connection with an alleged corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission concerning the investigation into the 2015 Central Bank bond scam. The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar bench has already issued a warrant through Interpol for the arrest of former CB Governor more..

Nov 26 (FT) The sweeping victory of the NPP in SL�s recent elections marked a resounding call for change, as voters across the nation�from north to south and east to west�rejected corrupt political elitism in favour of a new, principled political culture. The scale of this victory, surpassing all predictions, demonstrated the people�s overwhelming desire for a transformation in governance, as clearly reflected in the election results, particularly the postal votes. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, more..

Nov 26 (NW) Police have sought public assistance in apprehending two suspects in connection with the murder of two individuals in Ahangama. Galle Division Crimes Investigations Unit has launched a probe into the incident to arrest the suspects who had fled the area. The two suspects aged 46 and 41 are reported to be residents of Magolla and Unawatuna. The public with knowledge of the whereabouts of the suspects has been requested to contact the Police via 071-8591452 more..