Israel’s Minister of Transport and Road Safety, Brig. Gen. Miri Regev has called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to the PMD, the meeting delved into crucial matters concerning the safe return of Israeli hostages, with President Wickremesinghe affirming Sri Lanka’s unwavering commitment to advocating for their safety.
Two more members of the SLFP have crossed over to the main opposition, SJB party led by MP Sajith Premadasa. According to the SJB, former SLFP provincial council members Gamini Thilakasiri and Gamini Silva met MP Premadasa today and expressed their support for the SJB.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that he will support abolishing the executive presidency. Rajapaksa said he realized that this was also the demand of the people.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has secured detentions orders against criminal gang member Piyum Hasthika alias “Piyuma”, who was repatriated to Sri Lanka from Dubai, UAE. “Piyuma” is reportedly the main accomplice of the notorious underworld figure and drug trafficker Salindu Malshika Gunaratne alias “Kudu Salindu,” who is also currently in the custody of the CID.
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Excise Department to exchange information related to investigations and prosecutions of money laundering, terrorist financing and other related crimes.
The National Physical Planning Department has designated 11 temples of significant archaeological, historical, and sacred importance as Sacred Sites in the Government Gazette: the total count of sanctuaries recognized as sacred places of worship in Sri Lanka has now risen to 142.
Sri Lanka Police are seeking public assistance to arrest three suspects wanted over the mass shooting in Beliatta in which five people, including the leader of “Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya” (Our Power of People Party or OPPP) Saman Perera, were killed. The mass shooting took place on January 23 near the Beliatta interchange of the Southern Expressway.
Sri Lanka, in the spotlight ahead of upcoming elections, is facing external influence, notably from China, amid perceived instability, according to former President Maithripala Sirisena. Added that Sri Lanka has become entangled in great power politics between Washington and Beijing.
Sri Lanka’s annual economic growth is expected to remain positive in 2024 and gradually reach its potential over the medium term, the Central Bank said in its latest monetary policy report.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the dates for the 5th edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024. Thereby, Sri Lanka’s much-awaited T20 franchise cricket tournament is scheduled to be held from July 01 – 21 this year.
February 17, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of light showers will occur in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Showers or thundershowers may occur ata few places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in eastern slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western, Uvaand Easternprovinces and in Hambantota and Kandy districts.
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): In a significant diplomatic ceremony, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, presented his credentials to Cuban President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermúdez on February 13, 2024. The ceremony took place at the Palacio de la Revolución in Havana.
The state ceremonial presentation, held at the Palacio de la Revolución, included a warm reception for Ambassador Ulugetenne by the Cuban Chief of Protocol, accompanied by a guard of honour and a ceremonial welcome by the Presidential Guard. Following these formalities, Ambassador Ulugetenne officially presented his credentials to President Diaz-Canel.
During a brief conversation that ensued, President Diaz-Canel warmly welcomed the new Ambassador and extended his good wishes for a successful tenure. The Cuban President emphasized the importance of fostering healthy economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Cuba. Ambassador Ulugetenne conveyed the greetings and felicitations of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and expressed President Wickremesinghe’s eagerness to host his Cuban counterparts in Sri Lanka. President Diaz-Canel positively responded, recalling his previous meeting with President Wickremesinghe during the G77 summit.
Acknowledging Cuba’s support in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Ambassador Ulugetenne assured President Diaz-Canel of his commitment to enhancing the existing relationship between the two countries. He pledged to work towards elevating bilateral cooperation in the areas of economy, agriculture, sports, and healthcare for the mutual benefit of Sri Lanka and Cuba.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, addressing the Maharagama Regional Coordination Committee, has instructed officials not to wait for decentralized funds for routine tasks and emphasized the need for immediate, proactive measures. Expressing deep concern about the prevailing drug situation in the country, he underscored the urgency of officials’ duties for the long-term welfare of the people.
During the committee meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted the active implementation of decisions to combat the drug menace, with daily oversight by the Inspector General of Police and the Minister leading the eradication campaign. Gunawardena called for swift action by municipal authorities, police, and divisional secretaries against any illegal activities masquerading as legitimate work.
Emphasizing the importance of the Grama Niladhari officers and municipalities in supporting police operations, Gunawardena urged officials to act immediately upon receiving information, without waiting for formal complaints. He also addressed broader development goals, stressing comprehensive implementation across municipal and provincial departments.
The Prime Minister encouraged municipal councils to take responsibility for projects, noting that certain tasks, such as fixing a broken post, should not require waiting for decentralized funds. The meeting concluded with a collaborative commitment to addressing immediate challenges and ensuring the future welfare of the public.
As a symbolic gesture of support, Gunawardena presented a stock of masks to Venerable Nikapota Chandrajothi Thera. The event saw the participation of key figures, including former Western Provincial Chief Minister Isura Devapriya, former Western Provincial Council members, and government officials.
February 16, 2024 (LNW): The Sri Lanka National Archives (SLNA) has invited public comments on the proposed “Framework for National Archives and Records Management Legislation.” This initiative aims to modernize and strengthen the management, preservation, and accessibility of vital archives and records within Sri Lanka.
Dr. Nadeera Rupasinghe, the Director General of SLNA, emphasized the importance of engaging researchers, archivists, records managers, historians, and concerned citizens in the feedback process. The proposed framework is expected to significantly impact how both public and private sector records are handled, influencing the preservation and accessibility of historical archives for present and future generations.
The drafting of the framework was overseen by a committee appointed by the Secretary of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. Led by Archivist Nigel Nugawela, the committee included key figures such as Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, Piyatissa Ranasinghe, Yamuna Ranawana, and Ravindra Priyantha Lal.
Interested parties can download the framework document from https://bit.ly/slna and submit their responses until midnight on February 29. Responses can be sent by post, emailed to [email protected], or delivered in person to the National Archives head office in Colombo or the branch office in Kandy.
For further information, individuals can contact National Archives Assistant Director Chamila Priyangani at +94 71 444 9586 or Development Officer Lakmini Perera at 070 4340920. This inclusive approach seeks to ensure a comprehensive and informed discussion on the proposed legislative framework for the national archives.
February 16, 2024: In a recent announcement, the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, revealed plans to alleviate traffic congestion on the Kotte, Buthgamuwa Road within the next three months. The declaration was made during the Minister’s special inspection of the narrow bridge situated between Rajagiriya Kotuwegoda and Buthgamuwa, a notorious bottleneck causing daily traffic chaos.
Dr. Gunawardhana highlighted the severe congestion experienced by commuters entering and leaving Colombo during peak morning and evening hours, attributing it to the restricted capacity of the existing bridge. In response to the issue, the Minister directed relevant authorities to expedite the construction of a temporary bridge within the next three months, utilizing resources from the State Development and Construction Corporation, including recycled iron.
This interim measure aims to provide immediate relief to the ongoing traffic issues while plans are underway to either widen the existing bridge or construct a new one at the problematic location. The Minister’s proactive approach underscores the commitment to address the pressing concerns of the public and enhance the overall transportation experience in the region.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Rugby stands as a sports administration characterized by unwavering independence, refusing to yield to political pressures and standing strong in the face of injustice in Asia about a year ago. At present, the Deputy President, who has been appointed to the position of Acting President, has transformed the current situation into a lump of clay, susceptible to being molded by anyone according to their desires.
A member of the executive committee informed us that upon the resignation of the former president, Rizly Illyas, Nalin de Silva, the deputy president, was chosen to assume the role of acting president due to his perceived agreeable demeanor. We have previously mentioned this. However, at present, Nalin, liberated from the role of ‘Acting’ and volunteering to sign as the president ‘, those who opposed Rizly Illyas’ direct decision-making regime, are playing Nalin de Silva like a puppet to show that Illyas rule was an irresponsible group. It seems that the most tragic fact is that the acting president does not understand that he is a puppet of whose hand or tangled threads. In a currently endorsed advertisement by Sri Lanka Rugby, it is asserted that a rugby tournament has received approval not only from Sri Lanka Rugby but also from the Ministry of Sports. In one instance, ‘Rugby’ is erroneously mentioned as ‘Rubgy’. Also,in 2018, a decision was made to discontinue the use of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) and adopt the name Sri Lanka Rugby. However, the current advertisement still states as SLRFU.
The responsibility does not lie with the tournament organizer, but rather with Sri Lanka Rugby, which granted permission but failed to oversee the campaign. The Ministry of Sports also has a responsibility here, and if they give the approval and permission through Sri Lanka Rugby, if an advertisement with wrong information is circulated, then Sri Lanka Rugby will be held responsible for it. In this context, the Secretary of Sri Lanka Rugby holds a closely tied and responsible position associated with the President of the country. His busy schedule has also provided Nalin de Silva with the opportunity to manage the field with ease as required. We should appreciate individuals who step forward to introduce new tournaments and competition formats, aiming to promote and attract attention, fostering the expansion of the game. But in giving the permission for that and not checking the rugby processes done under its approval after that, is not fulfilling the responsibility assigned on behalf of Sri Lanka rugby. A sports administration with national responsibilities cannot sanction any form of work process and permit it to be executed arbitrarily. Every aspect of its operations must be subject to accountability and oversight, down to the single letter. But now, it appears that Sri Lanka Rugby has transformed into a personal endeavor for an individual who has shed the ‘Acting’ designation, making it a pastime to sign as ‘President’ wherever the opportunity arises.
However, in this context, the other officials of Sri Lanka Rugby are also accountable for not taking appropriate action against such actions. If he is unable to responsibly manage his personal pursuits, he should publicly acknowledge his shortcomings, tender his resignation, and advocate for a new election to ensure the best interests of the country. Stating unawareness is not a satisfactory response, particularly for the Sri Lankan Rugby secretary, who bears a significant responsibility for the security of the President of the country, despite any busy circumstances.
It could be viewed as an irresponsible statement, which is not favorable for the reputation of the president. According to the current situation of Rugby, who is using the elephant as a symbol of the President’s personal politics, the secretary should feel that the elephant is acting uncontrolled. We would like to remind you that if you feel this way and do not take up the mahout’s stick, the Rugby elephant will be playing with the name of the President’s elephant symbol. We commend the decisions made and the programs organized to promote the progress and expansion of the game of rugby. But they should not take place on the unacceptable issues of the administrative structure of Sri Lanka Rugby, lack of responsibility, structural errors, etc. We have based this post on the wrong advertisement that is being spread due to the lack of supervision of Sri Lanka Rugby, to say that Sri Lanka Rugby has become “just a game” without defining it with a scientifically based word like a game.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): In its latest monetary policy report released on Thursday (Feb.15), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka expressed optimism about the country’s economic prospects for 2024, foreseeing a positive annual growth trajectory that is expected to gradually reach its potential over the medium term.
The report provides forward-looking insights into various economic aspects, with a focus on inflation and overall economic growth. It aims to assess potential risks to projections, taking into account both domestic and global developments.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s achievements in 2023, the Central Bank noted the successful reduction of the inflation rate to single-digit levels, thereby restoring price stability after addressing the historically high inflation observed in 2022. The report projects inflation to stabilize around the targeted level of 5% (year-on-year) over the medium term.
Despite potential deviations from the target in the short term, attributed mainly to recent amendments to the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and supply-side disruptions, the Central Bank anticipates such impacts to be short-lived.
The report also acknowledged the government’s decision to increase VAT from 15% to 18% at the beginning of 2024, a measure taken to meet revenue targets under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery is discernible, with traces attributed to the IMF’s bailout package of USD 2.9 billion. The island nation had faced its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948 and defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time in history in April 2022. The IMF support has played a crucial role in stabilizing the nation’s economic situation.
February 16, Colombo (LNW): During the inauguration of the first phase of the North Water Supply Project, President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered a speech emphasizing the critical importance of peace, food security, and economic opportunities. Drawing inspiration from Lenin’s pre-communist ideals of “Peace, Land, Bread,” the President underscored his government’s commitment to establishing stability, ensuring food security, and providing land ownership opportunities.
President Wickremesinghe highlighted the current environment of peace and stability, noting that it allows for open criticism and protests. He acknowledged the significance of addressing basic necessities such as rice and bread to uphold the well-being of the citizens.
Specifically, the President commended the success of the Urumaya program in providing land ownership and emphasized the urgent need to create employment opportunities for the youth to prevent further unrest.
In a forward-looking approach, President Wickremesinghe recognized the necessity of foreign investment for national development. He announced plans to introduce new laws aimed at economic transformation and reiterated his invitation to the opposition and all stakeholders to collaborate on this national endeavor.
“We need to source funds and attract foreign investments soon. That is what we are doing. We will be introducing new laws for economic transformation. That is why I call everyone to come together and work together. Again, I invite the opposition and all others to join together and engage in this program,” stated President Wickremesinghe, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts for the country’s progress.
The President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Tanaka Akihiko calls on President Ranil Wickremesinghe on W. During the meeting, Dr. Akihiko expressed gratitude for President Wickremesinghe’s commitment to the economic reform program, acknowledging its challenging nature.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga denies recent media speculation about her involvement in the upcoming presidential election, stating that she has not endorsed any candidate. Additionally, she dismissed rumors of accepting a leadership role within the Podu Jana Eksath Peramuna council.
Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announces the signing of a direct air service agreement between Israel and Sri Lanka. Speaking at a press briefing themed “Collective Path to a Stable Country”, Minister highlighted the agreement’s focus on preventing delays in Sri Lankan workers’ migration abroad.
Application process for the second phase of the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefits scheme programme commences, aiming the selection of an additional 400,000 beneficiaries.
Education Minister Susil Premajayantha affirms that all necessary steps have been taken to commence the new school term of 2025 in January as customary, with plans in place to conduct the Advanced Level (A/L) examination earlier than 2025.
People’s Leasing and Finance PLC announced a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2,141 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2023/24, with the third quarter contributing Rs. 1,039 million, marking a 30.8% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is set to launch a new tourism brand, the “Buddhist Trail,” to showcase the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage. The initiative aims to position Sri Lanka as a global pilgrimage destination, emphasizing its deep-rooted Buddhist heritage.
Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals (CPSTL) has inked an agreement with the US-based petroleum products distributor ‘Shell-RM Parks’. The deal, signed at the CPSTL Head Office, focuses on the storage and distribution of fuel in Sri Lanka.
Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and five others have been ordered to be further remanded until February 29, over the import of substandard human Immunoglobulin vials.
Tickets for the first match of the T20I series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have been sold out, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced. Advises the general public not to arrive at ticket counters seeking match tickets for the first T20I to be played on Saturday.
