A proposal, set to take effect from October 1, 2023, stipulates rates of USD 130 for 5-star hotels, USD 100 for 4-star hotels, and USD 80 for 3-star hotels within the city of Colombo. While the authorities argue that this measure aims to counter underpricing by higher-tier hotels, this policy threatens to undermine the growth […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, declared in Parliament that the winners of LPL (Lanka Premier League) 2023 B-Love Kandy had been sponsored by an enterprise that was banned in the country. The statement was made in Parliament on 24th August. The one-time President of the Bar Association found fault with SLC […]

By Austin Fernando President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent statements on devolution show that he has realised that the granting of Police Powers (PPs) to the Provincial Councils (PCs) is too sensitive an issue and wants to keep it on the back burner. He seems to think the 13th Amendment (13A) even minus PPs will grant him […]

Thursday 24th August, 2023 It must have gladdened the hearts of all Sri Lankans, who are undergoing untold suffering owing to corruption, waste and economic mismanagement, to hear that the law had eventually caught up with two foreign political leaders. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was arrested and taken to jail, on Tuesday, upon […]

During the question-and-answer session, Dr. Dushni Weerakoon questioned the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy, as it weakened the country’s position in trade negotiations. The expert assertion was certainly not restricted to trade negotiations. Having signed ACSA (Access and Cross Servicing-Agreement) with the US, in August 2017, it would be ridiculous to still talk […...

Tuesday 15th August, 2023 The Professional Chef’s Association Sri Lanka (PCASL) made a fervent appeal over the weekend on behalf of everyone engaged in tourism. Pointing out that unfortunate instances abounded where foreign tourists faced exploitation at the hands of various persons, it stressed that the foreign guests helped boost the country’s economy and deserved […]

(Excerpted from volume ii of the Sarath Amunugama autobiography) During one of my visits to Colombo I got a call to see the President at ‘Breamar’. Gamini Dissanayake had told him of my friendship with Parathasarathy and he wanted me to help him repair the damage done to their friendship due to the abuse heaped […]

Through the eyes of Sena Thoradeniya: Sena Thoradeniya discussed successful US operations here taking into similar interventions in the past and present. The examination of the Egyptian and Iranian scenarios is surely useful. Those genuinely concerned about what went wrong for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who didn’t really receive the backing of any section of the international […]

Tourism is bouncing back after the Easter attack, Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the economic stake holders are optimistic and working hard towards a better future.The General Manager of Shangri-la Hambantota Refhan Razeen welcomed 2023 with a positive note with much expectations this year. having overcome the challenges of the past years. We Sri […]

Thursday 4th May, 2023 Government politicians, save perhaps a few, and their backers are still cock-a-hoop over the IMF bailout which they naively think is a kind of economic panacea. They went so far as to paint the town red when the IMF approved the much-awaited extended fund facility, in March, lighting as they did […]

By SHIHAR ANEEZ Sri Lanka expects to present an anti-corruption bill to the parliament in coming days, Cabinet Spokesman said, as the island nation has been urged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce corruption. The IMF has urged Sri Lanka to reduce corruption vulnerabilities through improving fiscal transparency and public financial management, introducing a […]

Reforms to be introduced to end ‘media abuses’ President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that the government was not in a position to lower the taxes. Delivering his second government policy statement to inaugurate the Fourth session of the Ninth Parliament, the President said: “Some people say that the primary taxable income should be raised from […]

BY GEORGE BRAINE This was early 1981, and the government was planning to start a state-run television service. Applicants were invited for an inaugural training course for producers, directors, researchers, and writers. I had applied, and was called for an interview. The interview was at the newly set up National Television Planning Centre, at Kirulapone. […]