Mar 25 (Island) The Hatton Police Division, covering Nallathanniya, Maskeliya, Polpitiya, Nortonbridge, Ginigathhena, and Norwood, have launched special operations to combat drug trafficking and the illegal use of alcohol along the Hatton Road leading to Adam’s Peak during the Sripada pilgrimage season. Last week, 14 individuals had been arrested for carrying drugs, including hashish, ganja, ganja mixed with herbal pills, and marijuana-laced cigarettes. The suspects were apprehended more..

Mar 25 (CT) In a continued effort to foster women’s economic empowerment, Naoki Kamoshida, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission and Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan in SL, visited on Friday (21), women entrepreneurs in Mannar District who have been supported through the Project Pathways to Peace: Realising the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in Sri Lanka with USD 1.7 million grant funding from the Govt of Japan, the Embassy said yesterday. more..

Mar 25 (CT) Sri Lanka, strategically located on the busy East-West maritime route, has seen a notable influx of warships from major global powers between 2024 and now. India led with eight naval vessels including two submarines, followed by China with five, Japan with three, the United States with two, and France with one aircraft carrier strike group. These increased naval engagements had deepened Sri Lanka’s growing importance more..

Mar 25 (TM) Former State Minister Sathasivam Viyalendran has been arrested by the CIABOC. Viyalendran, a Tamil politician and ex-MP from Batticaloa, was taken into custody following a CIABOC operation, though specific details of the allegations remain undisclosed. Following his arrest, Viyalendran was produced before the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court on today, where the Magistrate ordered his remand until 1 April. Elected to Parliament in 2015 as a TNA candidate, more..

Mar 25 (CI) Former SL batter Chamara Silva has been appointed as the head coach of the SL Under-19 men's team. His appointment runs from March 2025 to Dec 2026. This period includes the U-19 Men's World Cup to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia next year. Silva brings plenty of coaching experience from SL's domestic circuit. He is an ICC Level III qualified coach, and has served as head coach of the Police Sports Club. Before that, he has also coached Bloomfield CC & Panadura SC. more..

Mar 25 (DM) According to the IMF agreement, vehicle taxes cannot be reduced, and there will be no tax revisions on vehicle imports this year, Senior Economic Advisor to the Prez, Duminda Hulangamuwa said. He said that IMF agreement had been published and explicitly mentioned that no tax concessions could be granted during the year. "Govt expects to generate between Rs. 300 million & Rs. 350 billion from vehicle imports this year. more..

Mar 25 (Island) The Gratiaen Trust on Sunday announced the distinguished panel of judges for Sri Lanka’s most prestigious literary award for creative writing in English, the 32nd Gratiaen Prize. Founded by Michael Ondaatje in 1992, the Gratiaen Prize is awarded annually to the best piece of creative writing in English by a SL author residing in Sri Lanka. The prize aims to encourage and recognise literary talent in Sri Lanka, fostering a rich and diverse literary culture. more..

Mar 25 (TM) In addressing issues pertaining to the availability and affordability of rice, the Government should prioritise establishing its authoritative power to manage the rice market instead of making plans to import rice, farmers groups observed yesterday (24). National Agrarian Unity organisation's President Anuradha Tennakoon further cautioned that there is a high likelihood of rice prices increasing towards the Sinhala-Tamil New Year. He opined that in a context where more..

Mar 25 (NW) Prof Gananath Obeyesekere, a leading figure in anthropology and a prominent SL academic, has passed away at the age of 95. A former professor of anthropology at Princeton Uni, Obeyesekere was known for his influential work on religion, myth, and South Asian cultural practices. His notable publications include The Apotheosis of Captain Cook, The Cult of Goddess Pattini, and The Awakened Ones, which gained international recognition and challenged Western more..

Mar 25 (AD) A resolution to appoint a committee of inquiry for the removal of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon was handed over to the Speaker of Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne, today. This resolution has been signed by 115 MPs. This motion was submitted to the Speaker under Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No. 5 of 2002. The occasion of handing over this resolution was attended by Deputy Ministers Mahinda Jayasinghe, Eranga Gunasekara and MP more..

Mar 25 (Island) Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that summons be issued for the fourth witness in a case filed against businessman Mohamed Ibrahim and two other defendants, in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The directive was given by HC Judge Navaratne Marasinghe requiring the witness to appear in court on 2 July. During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama informed more..

Mar 25 (AD) Govt has decided to revise the tariff paid per unit of electricity generated by rooftop solar panels, with the proposed rates set to vary based on the scale of energy production. According to the Ministry of Energy, a cabinet paper outlining these amendments has been submitted to the Cabinet, following recommendations from CEB. The revision aims to adjust the existing payment structure for solar power generation, aligning it with current energy policies and market conditions. more..

Mar 25 (DM) SJB MP Harsha de Silva questioned the remark made by Prez Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa who had said there has been no conflict of Interest in getting E&Y and him being an adviser to the govt. "Hulangamuwa says there is no conflict of interest in him being the Partner at E&Y and his role as chief econ advisor to the GOSL. He says he had (insider) information on all matters in IMF negotiations and has full access to data/ strategy. If E&Y was a juice company it’s ok, more..

Mar 25 (EN) More Sri Lankans who are alleged of human rights violations and corruption have been recommended for target sanctions from US, UK, and Europe countries, International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) said. A source from the ITJP said the human rights body has submitted more information and names for other govts for actions. UK on Monday imposed sanctions on four key Sri Lankans who played pivotal roles more..

Mar 25 (DM) SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that it is ironic that the govt, led by the NPP, had been compelled to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the ground-mounted solar power project in Sampur in the Eastern Province along with Indian PM Narendra Modi since it was opposed to the project tooth and nail when in the opposition. Mr. Rahman told a press conference that the NPP, as a party in the opposition in 2016, even went to court against the project. more..

Mar 25 (AD) Matale High Court has sentenced the Manager of the Kandy Samp Army franchise in the 2024 Legends League, Akash (Yogi) Patel, in absentia to four years of imprisonment for match-fixing. Meanwhile, the accused was also fined Rs. 85 million and was ordered to pay Rs. 2 million to former SL cricketer Upul Tharanga for defamation. Patel was charged with match-fixing, after Upul Tharanga filed a complaint that the Indian national had approached him to fix matches during more..

Mar 26 (DM) I recall accounts by friends who participated in the 1971 insurrection on how they were instructed to engage in political organising. They were to live like ascetics. They could, if unavoidable, pay to go to a location to meet the party faithful and engage in educational or recruitment activities. But they could not spend any money on food and accommodation while being there. The costs of transport to the next destination had to be borne by their hosts. more..

Mar 26 (DM) Last month, Adani Green Energy announced that it would respectfully withdraw from two proposed wind power projects in Mannar and Pooneryn after the govt sought to lower the tariff in the power purchasing agreement. The decision came after the cabinet appointed a committee to renegotiate the price from an earlier hurriedly agreed $. 0.08 to about $0.06 or less per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Adani group has said the govt’s proposed rates are financially unviable. more..

Mar 26 (TM) A significant corruption scandal involving public land owned by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has surfaced following revelations in a report by the Auditor General. Following an ultimatum of two weeks that concluded on 14 March, COPA Chairperson Aravinda Senarath revealed that the committee was yet to receive an official report from the Chief Secretary of the Western Provincial Council. more..

Mar 26 (DM) The UK, our former colonial master yesterday announced the imposition of sanctions on four Lankans. The foursome are accused of committing human rights abuse during the course of the brutal ethnic war which gripped the country during the near 30-year-long civil war. UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy said: “The UK govt is committed to human rights in SL, including seeking accountability for human rights more..

Mar 26 (CT) I published an article in the CT on 26 July 2024 titled IGP controversy & Prez RW’s failure to break up NPP appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon (DT) was a controversial issue surrounding the Supreme Court’s (SC) interim order that prevented DT from functioning as the Acting IGP in July 2024. In other words, the SC had directed that DT be restrained from acting as head of police until the court decides to consider all the petitions submitted against his appointment more..

Mar 26 (CT) SL’s gem mining industry, which has for centuries been a pillar of the nation’s economy and global reputation, is now at the centre of controversy following revelations that a special security deposit worth Rs 1.37 billion remains unrecovered. The deposits, charged to ensure the proper filling and restoration of mined land, have sparked debate over the regulatory failure to close and restore abandoned gem pits, more..

Mar 26 (TM) Sri Lanka has suffered from many shades of extremism over the years, and their impact has left the social fabric torn, contributing to the weak national identity crisis many feel. While Islamic extremism is linked with the most recent violent extremist outburst that culminated in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, the island has seen its fair share of religious extremists from all forms of religion and race. The thing about extremism, and linked violent extremism, more..

Mar 26 (CT) Sri Lanka’s schoolchildren are battling an invisible crisis—one that thrives in silence and festers in neglect. Suicidal tendencies among students are on the rise, yet the response remains woefully inadequate. Recent studies paint a grim picture: 3.7% of students reported having suicidal thoughts, and nearly 10% admitted to seriously considering suicide within the past year. Add to that the fact that a staggering 30.8% experience loneliness and 20.2% suffer from anxiety, more..

Mar 26 (Island) The Opposition has taken umbrage at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s talkathon, as it were, in Parliament last Friday, when the final vote on Budget 2025 was held. Some SJB MPs have claimed that the Chair had their microphones switched off so that the President could hold forth uninterrupted, and he used the budget as an excuse for haranguing the House. The govt MPs have sought to counter this argument. They insist that Prez Dissanayake, as Minister of Finance, more..

Mar 26 (Island) There is a vast and increasingly interesting body of literature on the ways in which small and militarily and economically not so powerful countries, such as Sri Lanka, could deal with more powerful countries such as India and China, the US and Canada and much of Western Europe, with whom SL has trade and political links. In general, small state diplomacy is understood in the context of and in opposition to great power diplomacy. Until the Cold War came to an end, more..

Mar 26 (ST) Though it has now been more than six weeks since a committee was appointed by the Finance Ministry to investigate the incident of 323 containers of imported items being released without Customs inspection, the committee is yet to complete its probe and submit a report. A Customs source said that the probe was “not even halfway through” but insisted any talk of a delay in completing the inquiry was unfair since more..

Mar 26 (FT) A new era of upscale dining has arrived in the heart of Port City Colombo with the grand opening of Chill Colombo. Located at The Mall at Port City Colombo, this two-storey restaurant, bar, and café brings an elevated culinary and nightlife experience, blending local and international flavours in an atmosphere of contemporary elegance. With a carefully curated menu and a sophisticated yet inviting ambience, Chill Colombo caters to various dining preferences, from casual brunches more..

Mar 26 (FT) Cyber Cinema Corporation Ltd, is set to redefine the digital entertainment landscape in Sri Lanka with the launch of Kaputa Cinema, the country’s first-ever completely free OTT platform. The grand unveiling will take place on 27 March at the Ramada Hotel at 4 p.m. Unlike any other platform in the region, Kaputa Cinema will offer 100% free access to a diverse range of content, including movies, short films, web series, cinematic documentaries, musical short films, more..

Mar 26 (FT) Global giant, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) is to divest its wealth and retail business in SL and focus more on corporate and institutional clients. The move is part of the Group’s strategy to concentrate resources and sharpen focus on markets that provide a distinctive proposition and necessary scale. SCB SL recently updated its colleagues and customers of its intention to explore the sale of the wealth & retail banking business in SL, subject to regulatory approvals. more..

Mar 26 (FT) Ant International’s cross-border mobile payment and digitalisation solution Alipay+ yesterday went live in SL in a landmark partnership with LankaPay – SL’s national payment network giving a boost to leisure and business tourism in the country. Under the partnership over 400,000 LANKAQR merchants across Sri Lanka will be able to accept cross-border mobile payments from tourists and business travellers via 14 international e-wallets connected to Alipay+ during the first phase. more..

Mar 26 (TM) Govt Radiological Technologists’ Association claimed that the CT scan machine imported for the Kalutara Teaching Hospital has been stuck at the Colombo Port for six weeks due to Customs clearance delays. Association’s President Chanaka Dharmawickrama claimed that the CT scan machine, worth Rs. 150 million, arrived at the Colombo Port on 14 Feb. However, he alleged that officials from the Ministry of Health more..

Mar 26 (DM) Deputy Minister of Housing T.B. Sarath refuted media reports that he had declared open a toilet. Ministry said in a statement that it was reported in some newspapers and social media that Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath had declared open a toilet. The statement said that there is no truth in the news reports and that the photos shared on social media is related to an incident where the Deputy Minister together with youth activists had built a toilet to a needy family some five years ago. more..

Mar 26 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has brought a few changes to the National Super League (NSL) four day cricket tournament this time which made it more attractive and competitive. After two weeks of this tournament Galle team led by Pasindu Sooriayabandara came on top with 27.951 points. Galle beat Dambulla by 145 runs in their game on Sunday while Galle scored highest team total so far, 602 for 9 wickets declared in their first drawn game against Kandy. more..

Mar 26 (EN) Investment bankers Lazard, is on track to be appointed to restructure Srilankan Airlines defaulted bonds, advisor to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Susantha Hulangamuwa said. Investment bankers Lazard, is on track to be appointed to restructure Srilankan Airlines defaulted bonds, he said. “Very soon the cabinet is expected to take a decision to appoint Lazard to restructure the int'l bond,” more..