Mar 17 (FT) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday dismissed the findings of the Batalanda Commission report, asserting that it was politically driven and aimed at discrediting him. In a special statement, he stated that the Commission was established solely to tarnish his reputation, but ultimately failed to achieve its intended objective. He emphasised that the report only referenced his involvement in facilitating more..

Mar 17 (FT) The emerging world economic order – now tagged as Trumporder after its initiator – has turned the economic policy package advocated by IMF and World Bank for member countries upside down. His weaponisation of tariffs1 to reach the elusive goal of making USA a great nation again has been met with resistance by countries on his hit list. There is a tariff war between USA which fights it solo on its side and Mexico, Canada, and EU, fighting jointly and severally on their side, more..

Mar 17 (FT) I read with much delight a book we were waiting for. As the apt title says, Contemporary SL Consumer: Insights into Emerging Behaviours and Value Propositions. The coveted collection of information, insights and intellectually stimulating discussion provides a plethora of patterns pertaining to SL consumers. Today’s column is a reflection of the salience of it, as opposed to a formal book review. “Every man is a consumer, and ought to be a producer. He is by constitution expensive, more..

Mar 17 (NW) Vehicle importers charge that a flawed decision on import regulations has resulted in around 400 vehicles being held at SL Customs for over 20 days. Chairman of Vehicle Importers Association of SL Indika Sampath Merenchige said that the requirement to specify either the production year or exact manufacturing date has made compliance difficult. He called for further deliberation on the decision. Merenchige warned that the situation could discourage potential buyers, more..

Mar 17 (AD) The suspect arrested in connection with the Anuradhapura hospital sexual assault case has been ordered to be remanded further until March 24, 2025. This order was issued after he was produced before Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (17). Meanwhile, although the suspect was scheduled to be presented for an identification parade today, the procedure has been cancelled as the victimized doctor did not participate for the identification parade. more..

Mar 17 (AD) The Court of Appeal has dismissed the writ petition filed by former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court against him in connection with the shooting incident that took place in Weligama, Matara, in 2023. Subsequently, the Appeals Court has ordered the CID to take immediate steps to arrest Deshabandu more..

Mar 17 (EN) The French Navy Ship Provence, with a crew of 160, has docked at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit, the SL Navy said. The 142.20m long Destroyer is commanded by Captain Lionel Siegfried. “A French Navy Ship Destroyer of the French Carrier Strike Group arrived at Colombo port today morning as part of Clemenceau 25 deployment for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between SL and France,” French Embassy in Colombo said. more..

Mar 17 (DM) The representatives of the National Steering Committee on Elimination of Child Labour agreed that immediate and effective steps must be taken to ensure the complete elimination of child labour from the country. The decision was announced at the first meeting held at the Labour Ministry recently. Chairman of the National Steering Committee and Labour Ministry Secretary S.M. Piyatissa, presented a number of ideas and proposals related to the elimination of more..

Mar 17 (EN) Import duties on finished vehicles brought to Sri Lanka, apparently as part of a balance of payments measure, has triggered fears of an expansion of a brand new rent seeking business sector and tax losses, though its extent is unclear as yet. Sri Lanka imposed a 30% tax on vehicles this year over fears that car imports may lead to loss of reserves or hurt the exchange rate or foreign reserves. more..

Mar 17 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the necessity of providing high-quality infrastructure and services for tourists visiting SL, as the country has gained significant international recognition as an attractive tourist destination. Accordingly, Prez instructed officials to pay special attention to this matter and take necessary actions. Prez issued these instructions during a discussion held today at the Prez Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Tourism. more..

Mar 17 (DM) The two suspects, who were previously arrested for allegedly defrauding cancer patients of over Rs. 2.2 million, have recently been implicated in another similar fraud case in Nikaweratiya, the CID told the Chief Magistrate's Court today. Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali thereafter granted permission to produce suspects, Rasika Damayanthi and Sithum Nisansala before the Nikaweratiya Magistrate’s Court on March 21 in connection with this new case. more..

Mar 17 (AD) SL’s first supermodel, fashion icon Akushla Sellayah, has passed away. Fondly known as Aku, she was a trailblazer who revolutionized the country’s fashion industry, leaving behind an enduring legacy of style, confidence, and authenticity. Sellayah’s rise to prominence in the 1980s coincided with the birth of SL’s fashion scene, a time when the country was beginning to make its mark on the global stage. With her smoldering beauty, captivating presence, and more..

Mar 17 (CT) Former Chairman of the Association of Clearing & Forwarding Agents, M.S.M. Niyas, has called for a review of SL Customs’ risk criteria for selecting general cargo shipments for examination. He emphasised that only shipments requiring inspection should be targeted, rather than indiscriminately selecting cargo for scrutiny. He said that merely disqualifying an importer with a 2525 temporary VAT number from scan release or exempting them from examination should be more..

Mar 17 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said that his party wouldn’t allow its agenda and timetable to be decided by political parties that weren’t even represented in Parliament. Lawmaker Premadasa, who is also the Opposition Leader, said so when The Island sought his response to the UNP setting March 20 deadline for the SJB to declare its intention to join forces to contest the upcoming Colombo MC election. more..

Mar 17 (FT) La Maison de Colombo, the city’s first French boutique hotel, restaurant and wine bar recently opened its doors. Located on the vibrant Stratford Avenue, Colombo 6, it is a place where the charm of SL meets the elegance of French hospitality. Bringing this concept to life are co-founders Christophe Coucaud and Pascal Gavotto, two Frenchmen, both captivated by SL. Together with the team at La Maison, their vision is to create new ways of experiencing art de vivre or more..

Mar 17 (AD) Police have arrested suspected drug trafficker Sunimal Kumara, alias Thaju, for allegedly assaulting a police constable with a sharp weapon during a drug raid. The suspect was apprehended in Rajagiriya today. According to police, Sunimal Kumara is the brother of notorious drug kingpin Samantha Kumara, alias Wele Suda, who is currently imprisoned for drug trafficking. The arrest follows a special drug raid conducted last afternoon (16) in the Badowita Phase 3 area more..

Mar 17 (Island) China is confident that significant upheaval that had been caused by Prez Donald Trump’s unpredictable strategies in respect of Russia, Western Europe and rest of the world wouldn’t alter their strategic planning and objectives. Calling China’s relationship with Russia mature, resilient and stable, the Chinese embassy here reiterated Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent declaration their partnership more..

Mar 17 (NW) Eran Wickramaratne is not the Colombo Mayoral Candidate of the SJB, party member Niroshan Padukka said. He said that the names of three prominent members have been nominated and a decision will be made among those suggested names. Responding to queries of SJB Member Hirunika Premachandra claiming that Eran Wickramaratne was the party’s Colombo Mayoral candidate, Niroshan Padukka said there was no such decision. “Hirunika may have thought more..

Mar 17 (EN) SL coconut prices declined at a weekly auction, Coconut Development Authority (CDA) data showed. Average coconut prices were down 6.8%, at 135,731.72 per 1,000 nuts at the auction held on March 14, from 145,345.74 the previous year. Prices rose following the lift of a price cap that was imposed last month. SL’s coconut auction volumes declined this week, with 243,247 nuts offered and 178,309 nuts sold. The coconut shortage to be blamed on technical and administrative issues, more..

Mar 17 (CT) SL Institute of Marketing (SLIM) has fortified its commitment to advancing academic and professional excellence by entering into a landmark MoU with the Wayamba University of SL (WUSL). This collaboration is set to bridge the gap between academia and the marketing industry, fostering transformative opportunities for both, students and faculty alike. MoU was officially signed during a formal ceremony held at WUSL, with key representatives from both institutions present. more..

Mar 17 (AD) A notice has been issued by the court against a Satyagraha campaign and protest organized by the Unemployed Graduates’ Association from today until March 21. This notice has been issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court No. 04, pursuant to a request made in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedures Code, based on information received that this group is scheduled to hold a protest and Satyagraha campaign at Polduwa Junction more..

Mar 17 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya stated that the project to distribute smart boards for 1,000 schools with the goal of enhancing education has completely failed to meet its objectives and the investment of LKR 1.7 billion has been underutilized. Minister made these remarks in the Parliament complex while discussing the project to establish networked classrooms by facilitating smart boards to the school system, more..

Mar 17 (AD) A Jailor at the Boossa Prison, who had brought underworld figure Sanjeewa Samararathne also known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa to court on the day he was killed inside the Hulftsdorp court premises, has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). Subsequently, he has been ordered to be remanded until March 21, after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Presenting the suspect to the court, the Colombo Crimes Division officials have stated that more..

Mar 17 (AD) A well-known tusker named Unicorn, located in the Minneriya National Park, has died after being shotby certain individuals, Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi revealed in Parliament today. Minister stated that the elephant was likely shot on March 15, and its body was discovered by wildlife officials earlier today. Dr. Patabendi further noted that the Department of Forest Conservation has launched an extensive investigation into the incident. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Amidst a strict ruling by the Dept of Immigration and Emigration regarding foreign preachers entering SL for prayer festivals sans relevant religious visas is in place, the authorities raided another congregation in Nuwara Eliya during the weekend and ordered two foreign pastors to leave the country with immediate effect. A flying squad from the DIE Investigation Division from Colombo arrived at Nuwara Eliya on Friday more..

Mar 17 (NF) The Batalanda Commission report reveals another grave crime. Earl Sugi Perera, also known as Sydney, is a key witness in this commission. Sydney was an employee of the Ministry of Health. He also ran a lottery shop in front of the Kiribathgoda Young Buddhist Association. On March 23, 1990, Earl Sugi Perera was abducted. By that time, the leader of the JVP, Rohana Wijeweera, had already been assassinated. After Sydney was abducted and placed in a van, more..

Mar 17 (AD) Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of eight suspects arrested in connection with the murder of two brothers in the Grandpass police division until March 27. The suspects, who were arrested by Grandpass Police, were produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Thilakaratne today. Presenting facts before the court, the police requested that the suspects be remanded as investigations are still ongoing. Meanwhile, the defense lawyers more..

Mar 18 (DM) The Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme, commonly known as Batalanda Commission is making headlines these days, eclipsing almost everything in the country. This happened after former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s foolhardy decision to be interviewed by Mehdi Hasan in the latter’s famous Head to Head programme on Al Jazeera. Interview was aired on Mar 6. more..

Mar 18 (CT) It seems as if the entire nation was set ablaze after the now viral interview on Al-Jazeera featuring former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, which revived interest in the Batalanda Commission Report, also known as the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme. In response to the newfound debate on the commission’s report, the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs has reportedly more..

Mar 18 (CT) Ramadan is here, and if you’ve come across a Muslim observing the fast, you’ve probably asked, Not even water? It’s a reaction that many share, with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. After all, for most people, going without food is already a challenge, but the idea of forgoing water seems almost unimaginable. Even after hours of hunger and thirst, you might find yourself asking your friend why they would choose to more..

Mar 18 (CT) Batalanda Commission report which goes into details of what happened during the JVP insurrection of 1987-89 has become the centre of public attention. The controversy has long been a point of contention and a reminder of the country’s troubled past and entrenched divisions that still exist. The events that occurred at Batalanda during the violent suppression of the JVP-led insurgency, remain a raw wound, as seen in the sudden resurfacing of the issue. more..

Mar 18 (ST) The knife-point rape of a female doctor on Monday night, following her return to her hospital quarters after finishing her day shift to wait on call at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital premises, shocked the nation and led to the question: If a doctor is not safe within the hospital premises, is anywhere safe anymore? It is as safe, perhaps, as a heavily guarded suspect is, inside a heavily guarded Hulftsdorp courtroom in the Chief Magistrate’s building. more..

Mar 18 (SO) Two major incidents shook Sri Lanka last week. The first was the rape of a female doctor at the A'pura Hospital, which led to island-wide protests by medical officers demanding the arrest of the perpetrator. The second was the killing of former Superintendent (SP) of Boossa Prison, Siridath Dhammika, who was shot by an unidentified gunman in broad daylight at Thalagaha in Akmeemana. more..

Mar 18 (TM) Last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that a delegation of European Union (EU) representatives is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka next week to assess the EU’s GSP+ tax concessions granted to the country. EU is SL’s second-largest trading partner. It goes without saying that for dollar-strapped SL, the GSP+ concessions scheme is a vital economic lifeline. In 2023, Sri Lanka exported goods worth $ 3.63 billion to EU & UK representing 30% of total exports more..

Mar 18 (Island) Sri Lanka has been described as a country like no other. This description is not far-fetched. The govt of SL has tabled in Parliament an old presidential commission report that serves as a self-indictment, and the Police Department is still looking for its head. The Court of Appeal has rejected IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon’s petition seeking an interim injunction against an arrest order. The Batalanda Commission report, tabled by the JVP-led NPP govt in Parliament contains more..