Mar 19 (DN) The Govt has decided to increase the monthly allowance provided to kidney patients by Rs.2,500 effective from April. This allowance will rise from Rs.7,500 to Rs. 10,000. Additionally, the monthly allowance for senior citizens will also be increased by Rs. 2,000, moving from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000, according to Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. Minister elaborated that the payments for allowances under this scheme for individuals with disabilities, kidney patients, and more..

Mar 19 (NW) An 18-member delegation from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) undertook a two day visit to Sri Lanka aimed at fostering collaboration and development in the automobile industry between the two nations. The delegation’s visit from 17-18 March 2025 aims to further strengthen the economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka. The delegation included representatives from leading Indian vehicle manufacturers across all segments, more..

Mar 20 (DM) The mouse hunt on former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon concluded yesterday when he surrendered to the Matara Magistrate Court after evading arrest for more than two weeks. In February this year, the Matara Magistrate Court issued an arrested warrant on the former IGP and eight others in connection to a fatal shooting that took place in Weligama in December 2023 which claimed the life of a Police sergeant while injuring a sub-inspector of Police. more..

Mar 20 (DM) The govt recently launched the first phase of the formulation of a national policy on Early Childhood Education & Development (ECED). The new initiative aims to establish a comprehensive policy that applies across central and provincial govts, which is accessible to all children, offering a structured approach to early childhood education, and complements wider educational reforms. While the shift from a fragmented policy approach to a unified, holistic one is always welcome, more..

Mar 20 (CT) At dawn one day, a group of insurgents stormed a village in a sudden raid. They spotted a few terrified children hiding behind a tree and prepared to execute them. Witnessing this, their mother desperately pleaded with the militants, begging them not to harm her children and instead take her life if necessary. One of the insurgents handed a firearm to one of the children and commanded him to aim at his mother and more..

Mar 20 (CT) The recent protest held by the Unemployed Graduates’ Association at Polduwa Junction near the Parliament access road, with the powerful slogan Job (employment) is a right, raises an important and thought-provoking question. Is the right to employment enshrined in SL law, or is it merely an aspirational demand born out of frustration from a generation of graduates struggling to find stable work? Currently, SL’s legal framework does not guarantee employment as a fundamental more..

Mar 20 (DM) The past few years has seen a spike in serious criminal activity in our country. Statistics reveal that in 2021 alone, 522 murders were reported. More recently between 2024 and the first few months of this year, 66 persons were killed in over 100 incidents reported across the country. Of these, 13 deaths occurred in organised crime-related shootings involving the underworld over the last three months alone. Police have reportedly arrested more than 50 suspects in connection with more..

Mar 20 (TM) Even as the Govt plans to amend the Penal Code to ban all forms of corporal punishment National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has highlighted that a number of procedural and cultural barriers prevent the creation of a society with zero tolerance for violence against children. NCPA Director Sajeewani Abeykoon said plans were afoot to amend Section 308A of the Penal Code. The existing provisions criminalise cruelty against more..

Mar 20 (CT) In an era where information is just a click away, democracy, once considered the pinnacle of governance, is increasingly under strain. Around the world, political manipulation, media influence, and public apathy are accelerating the erosion of democratic norms (Freedom House, 2022). The platforms that promised to democratise information are now being weaponised, leaving citizens vulnerable to misinformation, polarisation, and disengagement. more..

Mar 20 (ST) The daily news segment of a local television station has a slot for what is called happy news which features fun and happy stories. Borrowing from this concept, my contribution today for this segment is the news that Sri Lanka has been established as a country with the lowest terror threat in the world. Happy news indeed, when considering that not so long ago (before 2009), the country was labelled as a dangerous place to visit owing to a brutal war which had killed more..

Mar 20 (Island) The police have found their head at long last, but they’ve lost face. Their much-publicised manhunt for IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon came a cropper. Having been in hiding for 20 days, he surrendered to Matara Magistrate’s court yesterday and was remanded. Govt sought to save face by claiming, in Parliament, yesterday that Tennakoon had surrendered while a CID team was in Matara to obtain a court order to freeze his assets. It also said CID had conducted a thorough search more..

Mar 20 (Island) Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent interview with Mehdi Hasan on Al Jazeera’s ‘Head-to-Head’ series has caused controversy, both in and outside Parliament, over the role played by Wickremesinghe in the counter-insurgency campaign in the late’80s. The National People’s Power (NPP) seeking to exploit the developing story to its advantage has ended up with egg on its face as the ruling party couldn’t disassociate from the violent past of the JVP. more..

Mar 20 (ST) The tragic accident at the Fox Hill Supercross event in April 2024, which resulted in nearly 10 fatalities and over 20 injuries, prompted immediate investigations by both the SL Army and the SL Automobile Sports (SLAS). Army appointed a 7-member committee led by a Major General to probe the incident, focusing on factors such as spectator safety and track standards. Similarly, the SLAS initiated an independent more..

Mar 20 (DM) Claiming that the expected paddy harvest this year had diminished by 5 million metric tonnes, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday the government may have to import rice again to meet the demand. He told Parliament that the estimated paddy harvest this year was 2.9 million metric tonnes and that it has reduced to 2.4 million metric tonnes due to adverse weather conditions and floods. more..

Mar 20 (EN) US Dept of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has added SL-based Marine Solution Pvt Ltd to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) list of individuals and companies that US persons are prohibited from dealing with, the US Embassy in SL said. “OFAC has added SL-based Marine Solution Pvt Ltd to the SDN list for its role as the registered owner and technical manager of the Barbados-flagged SHANNON II, which has shipped Iranian oil,” embassy said. more..

Mar 20 (Island) In the absence of Aruna Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage is shouldering an extra burden in living up to the reputation of Asian Champions in the 4×400 metres relay when the World Indoor Championship commences in Nanjing China on Friday. The men’s 400 metres is Sri Lanka’s biggest strength in track and field events though two javelin throwers currently dominate world athletics top lists for the 2025 season. With the track and field season still in its start, more..

Mar 20 (CT) A rare species of mushroom, which is considered one of the most unique in the world, has been discovered at a journalist’s residence in Hapugala, Galle, according to the Ceylon Journal of Science. This mushroom species was first discovered in Malaysia, and later reported in Madagascar. Prior to this, it had been documented in Sri Lanka in 1919 at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens among fungi. After a long gap, this species was reported again in Sri Lanka in 2023, more..

Mar 20 (TM) Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, making the concluding speech on the third reading of the 2025 Budget Proposals linked to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Tuesday (18) said that his ministry will never intervene in the election of office bearers of any sports institution. He said that instead what his ministry will do is to work towards the betterment of sportsmen and women while developing the overall sports sphere. more..

Mar 20 (TM) The Health Ministry noted that Sri Lankans pay inadequate attention to dental health, and that the available statistics suggest that only 50% of Sri Lankans brush their teeth twice a day. This was highlighted during a press briefing held by the ministry's Health Promotion Bureau yesterday, which had been organised for the World Oral Health Day which falls today (20). During the discussion, the World Oral Health Day Committee of the SL Dental Association Chairperson more..

Mar 20 (EN) Representatives of the German Import Promotion Desk (IPD) have visited 14 companies across 9 districts in SL on a sourcing mission aimed at boosting SL exports to the European market, EDB said. Companies in Kurunegala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Monaragala, Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Gampaha and Kalutara were visited. “This mission focused on identifying high-potential businesses in key sectors, such as spices, coconut-based products, nuts, sweeteners, processed food more..

Mar 20 (DM) Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela today ordered that the charge sheet on Arjuna Aloysius be officially served on April 30 over a case pertaining to an alleged fraud of Rs. 12 million linked to a purchase of printing paper for newspaper production. The complaint was filed by Neptune Paper (Pvt) Ltd, a company involved in importing and distributing printing paper, against Arjuna Aloysius and more..

Mar 20 (AD) Embassy of the US in Colombo announced that the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, will visit Colombo from March 19-21. During his visit, Paparo will engage with senior SL govt officials and military leaders to reaffirm the enduring US-SL security partnership and share the U.S. vision for regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. Commander Paparo’s visit underscores the United States’ ongoing commitment to more..

Mar 20 (TM) NDF MP Ravi Karunanayake, urged the Govt to introduce regulations for the registration of low-capital-based companies. Speaking in the Parliament, he said that the Govt should also take steps to expedite the company registration process, which currently takes a few days. “It takes five to six days to register a company now. This should be expedited. Companies in the Colombo Port City are registered in two days. This can be done for other companies as well,” he said. more..

Mar 20 (DM) Laugfs Gas recently hosted David Tyler, Director of World LPG Association (WLGA), during his visit to SL, where he discussed global LPG industry developments, market insights, and opportunities for local industry growth. In his keynote address at the Laugfs Gas hq, Tyler highlighted significant global LPG industry trends. Tyler said, “LPG remains primarily used for domestic cooking, yet it has numerous additional applications including power generation, industrial fuel, more..

Mar 20 (TM) Govt has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) to ensure that the transfer process for doctors of all categories is carried out on time, following the due process. Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that three transfer boards are responsible for handling the transfers of Grade Medical Officers (MOs), Specialist MOs, and Administrative MOs. However, he noted that the transfer process for these categories of MOs, more..

Mar 20 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya yesterday said the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code) is aimed at catalysing inclusive economic growth and development in SL via the economic empowerment of women. She commended the initiative’s commitment to using a multi-stakeholder data-driven approach to identifying the specific needs of women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (WSMEs) in SL, and more..

Mar 20 (FT) Sri Lanka’s rich tradition of craftsmanship and artistic talent is set to take centre stage in the global market through the ‘Creative Sri Lanka 2030 – Matchmaking Pilot Program’ launched yesterday, spearheaded by the European Union (EU) in partnership with the Export Development Board (EDB). The initiative aims to transform local creative industry into a major export sector by leveraging sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices. more..

Mar 20 (NW) Recently declassified documents related to the 1963 assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy have revealed details about CIA operations during the Cold War, including a secret base in Colombo. Russian-backed media outlet RT shared the findings on X, citing files released by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The documents suggest that the CIA had covert bases in various locations, shedding new light on its activities in the region. more..

Mar 20 (FT) SL’s tea exports registered a decline in February, despite a positive growth in key international markets. Total shipments in February amounted to 20.40 million kilos, down by 1.91 million kilos compared to 22.31 million kilos in the same period of 2024. Forbes & Walker said the decline was observed across most categories, except for packeted tea. The free on board (FOB) value for Feb 2025 stood at Rs. 1,737.25 per kilo, reflecting a decrease of Rs. 51.91 year-on-year (YoY) more..

Mar 20 (FT) Keells announced the opening of its first store in Northern Province, bringing its commitment to quality, affordability, range, convenience, and community development to Jaffna. While this marks its first supermarket in Jaffna, Keells has been closely connected to the region since 2015. Keells Collection Centre in Jaffna has been actively sourcing approx 200,000 kg of fresh produce each month, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality goods while supporting local farmers. more..

Mar 20 (FT) Sri Lanka will make a fresh push to woo foreign portfolio investors next week via a key forum organised by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Over 100 foreign investors, including over 30 fund managers, are scheduled to attend the Invest Sri Lanka Capital Market Investor Forum 2025 from 27 to 28 March at Shangri-La, Colombo. It is hosted by the CSE in collaboration with the SEC and more..

Mar 20 (TM) IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon – currently temporarily suspended from performing the duties and functions of the said office – who appeared before the Matara Magistrate’s Court (MC) yesterday morning, has been ordered to be remanded until today by the Court. Tennakoon had surrendered to the Matara MC earlier yesterday after evading arrest for nearly 20 days. Following Tennakoon’s appearance before Court, the case regarding 2023 shooting near W15 Hotel more..

Mar 20 (FT) The Govt on Tuesday assured that it would take necessary steps to resolve the delays in releasing newly imported vehicles, if there were any shortcomings in the existing mechanism. “After a five-year hiatus, the Govt has allowed vehicle imports and any procedural obstacle in their release would be addressed promptly,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday responding to queries at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing. more..

Mar 20 (NW) The Attorney General’s Department opposed granting bail to suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, arguing that he evaded law enforcement despite an open warrant for his arrest. Tennakoon, wanted in connection with the 2023 W15 Hotel shooting in Weligama, surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court on March 19. The court ordered him remanded until March 20. Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, more..

Mar 20 (FT) Closing the parliamentary debate of the budgetary vote of the Foreign Ministry, Minister Vijitha Herath spoke warmly about the appointment of Gary Anandasangaree as Canada’s Minister of Justice and congratulated him. Does Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, a senior JVP leader, know who and what he is talking about? Here’s a Toronto City News report. ‘Canada’s Parliament has created a day to recognize the genocide of Tamil people in SL. Parliament unanimously adopted the motion more..