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Japanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday. The Japanese Government’s intention to resume the Yen-denominated loans and the stalled Japanese investment initiatives, including the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, were among the topics taken up for discussion. Discussions were also held on the [...]
Agreements with visa companies to continue despite controversy
Public Security Ministry says implementation from next week after technical faults are corrected The government will go ahead with the agreement it signed with GBS Technology Services, IVS Global-FZCO and VFS VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd. to handle documents related to electronic and on-arrival visas to enter Sri Lanka, Public Security Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunetilleke told the [...]
New governance-linked bond could restart debt talks
A governance-linked bond has been proposed by the group of creditors as a way of overcoming the current impasse in debt structuring talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Group of creditors involving US$12 billion in bond investments. Talks between the Government and the Group of creditors at a two day session in London [...]
Overseas Lankans to get permanent residence visas here, if dual citizenship is an issue
By Damith Wickremasekara Sri Lankans living overseas and unable to obtain dual citizenship due to existing laws in the respective countries will soon be able to obtain a renewable permanent residence visa to live and work here, Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said. The regulations had been finalised and would soon be gazetted [...]
Japan vows to resume economic collaboration with Sri Lanka after debt restructuring deal
The visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa yesterday pledged to resume economic collaboration with Sri Lanka including yen loans, after the signing of the MOU on debt restructuring with the Official Creditor Committee and Sri Lanka. The visiting Minister conveyed the Japanese government’s position when she called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe last evening. Minister Kamikawa [...]
Retired senior government, judicial officials to get vehicle permit
By S Rubatheesan Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty. This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial [...]
Key takeaways in Japanese foreign minister’s talks in Lanka
By Ameen Izzadeen An early memorandum of understanding on debt restructuring, national reconciliation, governance reforms, and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region are some of the key takeaways of Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa’s talks with Sri Lankan leaders yesterday, according to her deputy press secretary. Speaking to a select group of journalists yesterday, the [...]
Fire at cricketer’s relative’s house in Kandy
By Shane Seneviratne A sudden fire broke out at a house belonging to a relative of veteran cricketer Kumar Sangakkara in Thalwatta, Kandy last afternoon. The Fire Service Department of the Kandy Municipal Council stepped in to extinguish the fire. A spokesperson of the Department said that the house was unoccupied at the time the fire [...]
Independent committee finalises report on CB salary hike
By Bandula Sirimanna An independent remuneration committee appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to review the recent proposed salary increase of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) employees, which triggered controversy, has finalised its report with recommendations, official sources confirmed. This report will be handed over to the president for necessary action, a senior government [...]
Two Lankans conferred ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ by Japan
The ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ was conferred by the Government of Japan on two Sri Lankans in recognition of their contributions to enhancing the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship. One of them is Kosala Rohana Wickramanayake, former President of the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society and former President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of [...]
Mahaweli settlers receive land deeds
President Ranil Wickremesinghe hailed the Government’s decision to grant land rights to the people as a ground-breaking step, emphasising that no other nation had undertaken such an initiative to date. The President made these remarks while participating in the inaugural event for distributing freehold land deeds to Mahaweli settlers as part of the ‘Urumaya’ programme [...]
Sri Wijyarama Rajamaha Viharaya declared a sacred area
The historic Sri Wijyarama Rajamaha Viharaya has been declared a sacred area (Pooja Bhoomi). The Deed of Gift (Pooja Bhoomi Sannasa) bearing this declaration was presented at a ceremony held yesterday to Chief Incumbent of the Sri Wijyarama Rajamaha Viharaya, Saddharma Keerthi Ven. Sri Amunumulle Jinarathana Thera. Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and MP Madhura [...]
Uncertainty over wage increase for plantation workers
By S Rubatheesan and Sandun Jayawardana The increase in the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs 1,700 is far from certain, although it was announced with much fanfare on May Day. Labour Commissioner General H K K A Jayasundara issued an extraordinary gazette notification on April 30 detailing a procedure of payment for workers [...]
First recipients of Senior Instructing Attorneys-at-Law title
For the first time in the country’s history, the President has conferred the honour of Senior Instructing Attorneys-at-Law, as per Act No. 26 of 2023. The inaugural recipients are: Dr J M Swaminathan, D M Swaminathan, G G Arulpragasam, Ms H R A D P Goonetilleke and Ms S N M Gunawardena.
Lankans reportedly recruited to Russian army: UN office sends docs to MFA
The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator has forwarded to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Ministry a large number of letters it received from families of Lankans reportedly recruited to the Russian army. Meanwhile, several of these families are due to take their cases to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this week, to complain that they [...]
New law mandates reporting of crime proceeds to Police Chief or CIABOC
Failure to disclose information will be an offence; Committee calls for public consultation on draft bill By Namini Wijedasa The draft Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) approved by the Cabinet introduces a “duty to disclose information” whereby any person who, in the conduct of his livelihood, comes across or has knowledge or information pertaining to the [...]
Tourism sector seethes as visa fiasco comes to a boil
By Namini Wijedasa Since last month, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has been fighting a three-pronged battle with the government: the outsourcing of visas to private companies that has resulted in visa fees soaring; the scrapping of an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system that had worked “just fine;” and the mysterious disappearance of the 30-day—most convenient [...]
Dengue unit seeks community help to prevent possible rise in dengue cases
The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) foresees that the present dengue incidence could increase due to the upcoming south-west monsoon in June. Consultant Community Physician of the NDCU Dr Nimalka Pannila Hetti revealed that there have been 22,528 dengue patients and nine reported deaths throughout the country as of today (5). The Western Province (WP) [...]
Boat service once launched to ease traffic problems no more
By Reka Tharangani Fonseka The passenger boat service between Wellawatte and Diyatha Uyana in Battaramulla, which began amid much fanfare on March 11, 2020, has now ground to a complete halt. The boat service was launched as a solution to the traffic congestion in Colombo and the suburbs including Nugegoda, Rajagiriya, Kotte, Dehiwala, Mt. Lavinia, [...]
Seaweed farming tangled in bureaucracy, politicisation
By Mimi Alphonsus When the war widows of Valaipadu returned to their village in 2010 after over a year of displacement, they did not think there would be much opportunity awaiting them. But an unusual new product would soon transform their lives: seaweed. Seaweed farming is relatively straightforward. Nursery plants are grown for 45 days [...]
NBRO team conducts field research at landslide risk area of Karandagolla
Location an old landslide area where first landslide occurred in 2019 NBRO DG says situation “will not lead to disaster”; study will determine if there is a link between the landslides and the Uma Oya project, as alleged by residents By Sandun Jayawardana The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) is to submit a report [...]
Top companies’ names misused; beware of WhatsApp groups offering extra income
A scam using reputed companies as a front has caught the attention of hundreds of people as they have been added to WhatsApp groups offering them “extra income.” The groups identify themselves as “digital marketing agencies” associated with top companies. The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team’s (CERT) Senior Information Security Engineer, Charuka Damunupola, said: [...]
May Day brings in the crowds
Political parties and trade unions held their May Day events, showcasing their strength at gathering crowds in Colombo and around the country. The parties preparing for upcoming elections unofficially launched their election campaigns, and expressed their aspirations in their speeches. The main parties UNP, SJB, NPP, SLPP held their rallies in Colombo, while the SLFP [...]
Shortage of 3,000 midwives puts mothers and newborn at risk
The International Day of the Midwife, which falls today, is a reminder that the shortage of midwives in the state sector negatively influences maternal care and is taking a heavy toll on the families they care for. Typically, one midwife should assist 1,500–2,500 mothers, according to Family Health Bureau (FHB) guidelines. It says it is [...]
Different standards for govt. and street vendors in setting prices for visitors
The recent incident involving the arrest of a street food vendor in Aluth Kade, Colombo, for allegedly selling food at a higher price has sparked questions about the perceived discrepancy involving the government. Netizens questioned why the government enforces strict measures against vendors while imposing higher charges for foreigners at tourist sites. Some argue that [...]
How safe are your homes and surroundings for your children?
Experts insist on making home environment childproof; share tips on preventing accidents By Sandun Jayawardana Health experts and police are urging parents and guardians to exercise more vigilance over their children at home following a rise in fatal accidents that have claimed the lives of several children over the past few weeks. In one incident, [...]
Meethotamulla dump tragedy paves way for city waste reduction
By Dilushi Wijesinghe The daily collection of solid waste in the city of Colombo has dropped by about 46% in the five years to 2023, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) says. Asking households to separate their waste has helped. Still, the reduction is not at a satisfactory level, the council says. Five years since the [...]
Immunology expert says ‘rare’ side-effect of AstraZeneca was known back then
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi The ‘rare’ side-effect of blood clots was reported after the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine was given against COVID-19 in 2021 and this disclosure is nothing new, said an immunology expert this week, pointing out that people under-40 in many countries were advised back then not to take this jab. When contacted by the [...]
Economic review shows lasting damage done and the grind ahead
By Kapila Bandara A review of Sri Lanka’s self-inflicted economic degradation over the past year is a sharp reminder of the merry-go-round the country experiences when politicians and policymakers take turns wrecking fragile public finances. The consequences of lame, irresponsible fiscal and monetary policy choices linger for decades. Sri Lanka has held out its hand [...]
Birds that find foster parents to raise their kids
By Malaka Rodrigo During an early April visit to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, Dr. Ruwan Perera, a bird enthusiast, spotted a young Common Hawk Cuckoo perched on a branch. Capturing several photographs, he was surprised to see a Yellow-billed Babbler approach the young Hawk Cuckoo and feed it, despite the latter being larger in [...]
Sri Wijyarama Rajamaha Viharaya declared a sacred area
The historic Sri Wijyarama Rajamaha Viharaya has been declared a sacred area (Pooja Bhoomi). The Deed of Gift (Pooja Bhoomi Sannasa) bearing this declaration was presented at a ceremony held yesterday to Chief Incumbent of the Sri Wijyarama Rajamaha Viharaya, Saddharma Keerthi Ven. Sri Amunumulle Jinarathana Thera. Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and MP Madhura [...]
Transparency International Sri Lanka and journalist file FR petitions against appointment of CIABOC DG
By Ranjith Padmasiri Two Fundamental Rights Petitions have been filed challenging the appointment of the present Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). One petition has been filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka and its Chairman Pulasthi Hewamanna while the other has been filed by journalist Ruwani Niwanthika Fonseka. [...]