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Although the United States and China are seen geopolitically battling over the control of the Indian Ocean, the two countries’ envoys — US ambassador Julie Chung and China’s Acting Ambassador– were seen in a single frame at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Day events held at the Galle Face Green, with the Cuban ambassador [...]
IRD gets tough with Lanka’s richest 100
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has set up a dedicated office called the High Wealth Individuals Unit (HWIU) to ensure tax compliance of highly wealthy individuals as part of efforts to restore fairness and confidence in the country’s tax administration. The ten-member unit, which is located at the Large Taxpayer Office of the department, will [...]
After Adani gets 500 MW project, local RE companies seek equal treatment
With India’s Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) securing 500 MW of wind power projects in the North, Sri Lankan renewable energy (RE) companies are urging the government to open up the sector through transparent, competitive tenders. Representatives of around 50 local RE companies met Power and Energy State Minister D.V. Chanaka this week and requested [...]
Finance Ministry revokes preferential treatment for SOEs and local companies
The Finance Ministry has revoked the preferential treatment granted by the previous administration to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and domestic companies when purchasing goods and services for the state sector. The ministry observes that the intended purpose was not served as “certain identified domestic manufacturing sectors have failed to deliver the desired results, and this has [...]
600 containers held up as Customs, Treasury clash over multimillion-rupee reward fund
A dispute between Sri Lanka Customs and the Treasury over the Customs reward fund erupted again, this time triggering a trade union action holding up more than 600 containers at the Colombo Port yesterday. The clash erupted after the Treasury on Thursday informed Sri Lanka Customs that the balance in the Reward Fund under the [...]
Voluntary sea guards to stop Indian poachers
The Fisheries Ministry has presented a Cabinet Memorandum seeking to establish a civilian voluntary force called “sea guards” to monitor Indian fishermen’s frequent illegal bottom trawling in Sri Lanka’s northern territorial waters. Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told the Sunday Times that the Ministry submitted the memorandum for Cabinet approval as a move to deter Indian [...]
Public Security Ministry statement only raises more questions
Apropos our story titled “OSA amendments only benefit the internet intermediaries, not the citizenry”, the Public Security Ministry says that neither the visit of the Ministry Secretary nor the Director Legal of the Ministry to Singapore was sponsored by the consultancy agency, Factum. Reporters’ note: The statement pointedly does not say who it was sponsored [...]
Ifthar at mosques around the island
The holy fasting month of Ramadan marked by Muslims commenced this week with the sighting of the crescent moon. The sacred month, marks a period of religious reflection. Several religious events were held in mosques across the country marking the event. The Muslims who were fasting during the day broke their fast (ifhtar) at sunset. [...]
Veteran artists honoured, students receive scholarships
A ceremony to award scholarships to students and felicitate veteran film artists Malani Fonseka, Anoja Weerasinghe, Swarna Mallawaarachchi and Ravindra Randeniya took place on a concept of Transport and Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday. The event titled ‘Satharawa Deepani’ was held at the BMICH. Prime Mininster Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and former Minister [...]
Agriculture officials on a drive to get farmers back to growing big onions
By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa A programme was launched by the Agriculture Ministry and the Central Province Agriculture Department to promote big onion cultivation in the Matale District. A house-to-house campaign was conducted last Thursday to educate farmers on this programme. This comes against the backdrop of the shortage of local big onions in the market [...]
A ‘rose’ by another name will still retail for up to Rs 400 a kilo
By Minaza Hassan Sri Lanka will import mid-sized, rose’ onions from India as a temporary substitute for big onions, said Trade Ministry Secretary A.M.B. Attapattu. These onions are already available but are smaller and substandard in flavour in comparison to the big onions. They are sold at Rs. 350 per kilo at wholesale and Rs. [...]
Fishcide warning for Kandy lake: Alligator Gar can eat up all other fish in one month
How did the ‘Alligator Gar’, a huge freshwater fish largely found in North America, come to Kandy Lake? The environmentalists want a probe conducted to find an answer to this question, as this fish is said to be posing an existential threat to fish endemic to the lake and the lake’s environment. Some say it [...]
Halt mushrooming medical faculties
Urgent look at SL’s need and also facilities & human resources to train students essential, say experts By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Mushrooming medical faculties sans a needs-analysis based on Sri Lanka’s requirement of doctors as well as the available facilities to train hundreds of students to ensure patient safety are causing serious concern among health experts [...]
Pallansena Correctional Centre supplies coir mats to prisons
The inmates of Pallansena Correctional Centre for Youth Offenders netted in a revenue of nearly Rs. 1.5 million last year by supplying coir mats to the prison sector. Assistant Prison Superintendent H.M Subash Nilanga Upuldeniya said the prisons that obtain coir from the correction centre also make four times their revenue. He said the Pallansena [...]
Underworld crime taking a toll on innocents, endangering public safety
By Kasun Warakapitiya An increasing number of recent shooting incidents where bystanders are being harmed is endangering public safety. The police said most shootings happen in the western and southern provinces, where organised crime groups are active. Police crime records reveal that around 32 shooting incidents took place over the first three months of this [...]
People facing potable water issues as arid weather conditions worsen
The prevailing arid weather conditions have started to impact on water levels in reservoirs as well as drinking water supply. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has appealed to the public to use water sparingly. NWSDB Deputy General Manager Anoja Kaluarachchi said that they have started to distribute water in a controlled manner [...]
Open train carriage to hit upcountry rails soon
The Ratmalana Railway Yard has come up with a novel idea of an open observation carriage for travellers to take in the scenic beauty when travelling upcountry. A 50-year-old Romanian compartment has been used for this carriage, which was built at a cost of Rs. 30 Mn. It also has a well equipped canteen. There [...]
Allegations against Pastor Jerome: SC directs AG to submit report on probes’ progress
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Supreme Court this week directed the Attorney General to submit a report on May 13 on the progress of the investigations into alleged money laundering and defamation of Buddhism by pastor Jerome Fernando. The directive was given when two separate Fundamental Rights cases related to the pastor were taken up. One [...]
Multi-faith funeral service in Ottawa today for murdered family
The father and brother of the sole survivor of the Ottawa mass murder, Danushka Maduranga Wickramasinghe, have travelled to Canada to take part in the funeral of the victims held today. The victims, 35-year-old Dharshani Ekanayake and her four children aged 7, 4, 2 years and two-months-old, were killed along with a 40-year-old family friend. [...]
Govt.’s new education policy: Critics hit out at lack of equity, defenders say move towards modernity
By Mimi Alphonsus Dramatic overhaul recommendations in the government’s New Education Policy Framework (NEPF) have caused serious concerns, with even some of its drafters agreeing that its most contentious points must be revisited before implementation. Its creators maintain that the 33-page NEPF was essential to adapting public education to modern student needs and insist the [...]
14 as statutory rape age limit: Civil society activists slam penal code reforms
A group of prominent civil society members have raised objections to the proposed Penal Code amendments calling for the reduction of the age of consent, concerning statutory rape to 14 years. A statement has been issued by over 150 individuals and 55 Civil Society organisations calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Penal Code amendment. [...]
Oddamawadi solar power plant: Tender procedures violated; CEB will lose Rs. 1.39 billion a year
By Niranjala Ariyawansha A 100 MW solar power plant at Oddamawadi in Batticaloa has been approved, disregarding the Procurement Committee’s (PC) recommendation that a unit of power should be bought for USD 6.66 cents. Instead, a unit will be bought at USD 8.75 cents. The solar power plant contract will be awarded to Solar Forge [...]
Puhulpola ‘new village’ where promises ring hollow after Uma Oya destruction
By K.R. Rajamanthri in Welimada The Uma Oya multipurpose irrigation cum power project is gradually nearing completion, but for many who sacrificed their lands and houses for the sake of the project, life has not been easy. Some families have been awaiting compensation for 10 years for damage to their homes and lands. Some have [...]
Wattala walking park abandoned
By Sarath Chinthaka Two walkways in Wattala situated on either side of the Kalu Ela have been left without any maintenance. One of the two walking tracks which were once frequented by health-conscious people is deserted, overgrown with weeds, and has become a dumping grown for garbage. Crocodiles from the canal use it as a [...]
Forest and Wildlife Depts oppose Sengakkulam forestland clearance
By Hiran Priyanakara Jayasinghe A move to release 15 acres of land from the Sengakkulam forest in Puttalam has drawn strong protests from the Department of Forest Conservation and Wildlife Conservation. Former Chairman of the Nawagattegama Provincial Council, S M Indika Sanjeewa, claims he obtained the forest land for an agriculture project through a proposal [...]
‘Know Your Ocean’ the focus of IORA Day
IORA Day was celebrated last Sunday at the Galle Face Esplanade in Colombo for schoolchildren to be aware of the Indian Ocean and its Sustainability for the Future. The entire diplomatic core participated at the event with stalls showcasing their respective countries. President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the opening ceremony. The event was jointly organised by [...]
All systems in place to up patient safety
Healthy competition including a first on medication safety among wards and units at Kalubowila Hospital By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Organised and systematic, even for non-health personnel like us, it is easy to spot the colour-coded and clearly labelled equipment and medicines without confusion or delay. We are in a popular state hospital that has traversed a [...]
Lack of reliable data hinders efforts to reduce rabies in dogs and humans
By Nathara Abeywickrema Sri Lanka aims for zero rabies by 2025, but requires more effective, evidence-based strategies for its elimination. The estimated dog population in Sri Lanka is 2.1 million, and the annual canine vaccination coverage has ranged from 34% to 56%. Rural and suburban areas have a high proportion of free-roaming dogs with unrestricted [...]
Serene River Park offers residents and visitors place to unwind
Serene River Park in Holuwagoda was opened to the public on Wednesday by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. “It’s imperative that we prioritise initiatives like this. Galle has emerged as a prominent tourist hotspot today, and we must further enhance its development. By doing so, residents of these areas stand to gain substantial income opportunities,” President Wickremesinghe [...]
E-cigarettes: Neglecting student well-being opens door to vaping menace
Sri Lanka faces a mounting crisis as vaping gains popularity among its youth. Alarming rates of student uptake have prompted nationwide concern, sparking urgent calls for action to address the issue before it spirals out of control. National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB) official Ranjith Wickramasighe revealed that arrests have been made in Kekirawa and [...]
Claims and counterclaims by church and lellama protesters continue despite interim order
By Walter Richard Perera Despite the recent interim order given by the Negombo district court, the controversy and protests over the Negombo lellama or the fish auction bay continue. The dispute went to court after the Catholic Church asserted its ownership over the lellama, the second largest in the country. It is situated at the [...]
Lack of inputs, policy bungling contribute to volatile price of coconuts and oil
By Nathara Abeywickrema The scarcity of coconuts in Sri Lanka, mainly due to a lack of fertiliser, will probably reduce supply and push up prices further. As most curries use coconut milk, the rapidly rising prices will have a significant impact on prepackaged rice and curry meals, consumer and civil rights activist Asela Sampath believes. [...]