Sajith says govt.’s impending electoral defeat cannot be reversed through constitutional means By Shamindra Ferdinando The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has urged the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government to put off the two-day debate on the proposed Online Safety Bill scheduled for January 23 and 24th. The NMSJ, led by former Yahapalana speaker Karu Jayasuriya, has […]

By M. Rodwan Abouharb Associate Professor in International Relations, UCL and Bernhard Reinsberg Reader in Politics, University of Glasgow Sri Lanka received a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in March amid soaring inflation, debt and a sovereign default. In exchange for US$3 billion (£2.4 billion), the government committed to spending cuts and tax […]

The Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and International Commission of Jurists have joined over 30 international human rights organisations to pressure the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government to halt the ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ operation. The grouping has expressed serious concern over what it called “drastic intensification” of anti-drug operations in Sri Lanka leading to significan...

Monday 15th January, 2024 The SJB is planning to move another motion of no confidence against Keheliya Rambukwella over the fraudulent procurement of a consignment of fake immunoglobulin on his watch as the Minister of Health. This is a welcome move. The first no-faith motion against Rambukwella was defeated in Parliament in September 2023. Issues […]

… USD 5 mn paid to Iran a month By Shamindra Ferdinando Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has confirmed that consumers of petrol and diesel have been made to pay Rs. 50 to Rs. 55 per litre since the middle of last year to settle what the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owed its creditors. […]

by Susantha Hewa A Shramadana (collaborative work) in a village is a good example of participatory democracy in action, where it is “of the villagers, by the villagers, for the villagers”. Of course, a few would organize and lead but they don’t stand to benefit more than the others. The coordinators would get their due praise for […]

Ms. Shashi Kandambi, a leading professional in the banking sector, has assumed office as the 19th General Manager/CEO of National Savings Bank (NSB) on 10th January 2024. Ms. Kandambi was the Senior Deputy General Manager of International Banking at Sampath Bank, where she had a long-standing and successful career. Her banking experience spans over 35 […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent disclosure that Sri Lanka intended joining the United States-led Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) in the Red Sea has triggered the inevitable response: Why are we fighting other people’s wars? Wickremesinghe, more than most, is acutely aware of the permutations and combinations of this equation both in the context of domestic politics […]

By Uditha Devapriya Speaking at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, January 3, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the government would be deploying a Navy vessel to the Red Sea. Wickremesinghe pointed out that the disruption of shipping lanes in the region would lead to increased freight charges and cargo costs, increasing import prices in the […]

During a meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankan authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday (11), the IMF congratulated the country on completing the first review under its program. The IMF highlighted the positive start of the program, recognizing the challenging reforms undertaken by Sri Lanka and their significant impact on the […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita The government will have to spend about USD 40 million to upgrade the offshore patrol vessel to be sent to the Red Sea to take part in operations against the Houthi rebels, Y.N. Jayarathna, retired Rear Admiral and hydrographer, said in a televised interview this week. The Sri Lanka Navy would be […]

Nepal has said the agreements signed with India mark another step towards fostering stronger ties. “Great to witness the exchange of agreements alongside H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar @DrS Jaishankar , Minister for External Affairs of India . These agreements mark another step towards fostering stronger Nepal – India ties,” Nepal ese Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash […]

… admits CEB-owned hydropower plant benefited from Samanalawewa leak By Shamindra Ferdinando Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has disclosed that cash-strapped Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) arranged for bank loans to its employees at government’s expense. The SLPPer said that of the 15%-16% interest, the CEB paid 2/3 whereas the workers paid the balance. Minister […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita Government hospitals were crippled yesterday due to a strike by health sector trade unions.In addition to the ten unions that commenced a strike on Wednesday, hospital administrators, management assistants and attendants too commenced a 24-hour strike from 6 am yesterday. They are also demanding the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance of […]

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