Sri Lanka’s inflation rose to 4.0 percent in December, the third consecutive monthly rise as the cash-strapped nation was set to increase taxes from the New Year.The benchmark Colombo Consumer Price Index jumped by 1.7 points to reach 195.1, or a 4.0 percent increase compared to a year ago when inflation was 57.2 percent. The […]

The Pathfinder Foundation has formed a Study Group of Experts to develop a blueprint and framework aimed at doubling Sri Lanka’s economic growth rate through accelerated economic integration and infrastructural connectivity with India. The framework document is expected to be formally launched in March 2024. Most economic forecasts place Sri Lanka on an average growth trajectory of 3% per […...

The Foreign Ministry announced yesterday (27) that Heart to Heart International, US, has so far donated medicines and equipment worth approximately Rs 15 bn. The Ministry said that this included the 9th consignment to be dispatched from the US soon. The latest donation includes an appropriate volume of – (1) Amlodipine besylate which is used […]

Outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Michael Appleton yesterday (27 Dec.), met with TNA leader R. Sampanthan. Taking to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Appleton said that several matters of concern were discussed at the meeting, including political developments in the North and East. They also discussed the approaches adopted by both New Zealand and […]

by Rex Clementine   Given the huge strides that India have taken in cricket these recent years, you sensed that this was the best opportunity for Rohit Sharma’s side to win a first ever Test series in South Africa. Although India have an excellent record in Australia in recent years, a series win in South […]

‘Ministry cooperating with CID on Immunoglobulin probe’ By Shamindra Ferdinando Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana yesterday (26) said that in case the government had to make emergency purchases, his Ministry would adhere to procedures laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Pathirana said so when The Island asked him whether he intended to […]

by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana Reading “From heyday to ‘hay day’”, the hard-hitting editorial laced with sarcasm (The Island, 18 December) and “Declining power and challenges before SLPP” by Shamindra Ferdinando in the Midweek Review of 20th December, I began wondering whether the recently concluded SLPP convention was the final flicker before the flame was extinguished […...

Wednesday 27th December, 2023 Perhaps, nothing represents Sri Lankans’ resentment towards the new tax regime and the aggravation of their economic woes better than the title of today’s comment; it is a literal translation of a slogan written on the rear of a tuk-tuk. It however is relevant only to the ordinary people who pay […]

Sri Lanka received over 1.4 million tourists by the end of the third week of December, the latest statistics released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) show. The SLTDA weekly report on tourist arrivals released on Saturday (23) shows that 1,404,998 tourists had arrived in the country by December 21, 2023. Between December 01 and 21 […]

by Jehan Perera The change that the country is looking for lies in the future. The change that the government has brought may have been sufficient unto the day, especially for the upper classes and the international community they fraternise with, but insufficient for the future progress and wellbeing of the masses of people.  This […]

Lanka receives drugs worth over USD 1 mn from Bangladesh Amidst continuing controversy over waste, corruption, irregularities in the health sector and high-profile CID investigation into the procurement of fake Immunoglobulin, the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government was seeking assistance from the international community to meet medical needs of the public, official sources said. Over the past two...

Head of Mission to the European Union, Ambassador Grace Asirwatham, has requested that Sri Lanka, too, be included in the Global Gateway Strategy to develop emerging markets in the fields, such as digital technology, energy and the environment. Launched in late 2021, under the French Presidency of the European Union (EU), the Global Gateway Strategy […]

By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London In a pivotal meeting last week, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in London, Rohitha Bogollagama, appealed for critical assistance from the UK’s Office of Lord Davies to bolster the aviation industry, enhance trade ties, and advance renewable energy initiatives between the two nations. The meeting, which took place between High Commissioner Bogollagama [R...

A 16-member delegation from Sri Lanka’s parliament led by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene and including his spouse and son who is his public relations officer last week completed a five day visit to India from Dec. 16 -20. The delegation comprised one minister (Mr. Keheliya Rambukwella) nine government and opposition MPs and four member of […]

In a diplomatic ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat, the newly appointed High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, on Friday presented his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, marking the official commencement of his tenure in Sri Lanka. His most recent assignment prior to the Sri Lankan posting was at the Embassy of […]