… Dissident SLPPers express contradictory views By Shamindra Ferdinando Prof. Ranjith Bandara, MP, yesterday (09) said that there was absolutely no basis for claims that he was asked to step down as Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) by anyone. The SLPP National List MP said so when The Island sought his response […]

Saturday 10th February, 2024 Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has become a huge embarrassment to not merely the government but the Central Provincial Council (CPC) as well. The SLPP-UNP government will disown him given half a chance. But there is no way it can throw him under the bus, for he will not go down alone […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita It was ironic to see President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had done everything in his power to postpone provincial council polls indefinitely, pledging to strengthen the same councils, in his policy statement presented to Parliament on 07 January, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Rohana Hettiarachchi told The […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita Thousands of jobs in Sri Lanka’s book publishing industry will be lost due to the imposition of VAT (18%) on books publishers claim.They claim that about 30 percent of bookshops have been closed due to the economic crisis. There had been no taxes on books before 01 January 2024, Sri Lanka Book […]

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is planning to reduce its workforce to 18,000, CEB General Manager, Eng. Narendra de Silva said recently before a parliamentary committee. Speaking before the Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate Causes for Financial Bankruptcy declared by the Government, he said that problems in the energy sector were a key reason […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his address at the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, focusing on the theme “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean, ” emphasized the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, noting the Indian Ocean’s vulnerability to warming and rising sea levels. He proposed initiatives such as the Tropical Belt Initiative and […]

Pakistan s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday claimed victory in national elections, saying that his political party has emerged as the largest in the vote and will discuss forming a coalition government.

Friday 9th February, 2024 Parliament is having a debate on the government’s policy statement, presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday, but some MPs yesterday took up the recently-passed Online Safety Act (OSA). However, it turned out to be a welcome digression in that it shed light on serious flaws in the new law and […]

By Ifham Nizam Plant extinctions signify a loss of biodiversity with profound ecological consequences. Deforestation, urbanization, and changes in land use significantly contribute to habitat loss, while altered climatic conditions impact plant species adapted to specific environments, says a top Scientist. Speaking to The Island, Research Professor S. Wijesundara of the National Institute of Fund...

[…]The post Jaffna University Teachers’ Association Condemns Police Violence Against Students & Protestors In Kilinochchi On The Independence Day appeared first on Colombo Telegraph.

Women in Pakistan now have taken the lead in the fight against the increasing cases of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings. Hundreds of women from Balochistan walked close to 2,000 km through the harsh winter to protest in the capital city of Islamabad. Women from other parts of Pakistan too have been holding protests as […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliamenty yesterday he was aware that Value Added Tax (VAT) was a burden on the public. He said it would be possible to reduce VAT with the passage of time. Delivering the government policy statement at the commencement of the new session of Parliament, the President said: “The prior scarcity […]

by Saman Indrajith Recalling that the JVP had cooperated with the UNP-led Yahapalana government (2015-2019), President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday asked the JVP why it could not cooperate with the incumbent government for the common good. The President recalled that JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake had nominated Ananda Wijepala as the head of the Anti-Corruption Office […]

By DR. C. S. WEERARATNA A trade deficit typically occurs when a country does not produce enough goods for its citizens. When production cannot meet demand as in Sri Lanka, there is a need to import thereby widening the trade deficit.  A persistent trade deficit is detrimental to a country’s economy because it is financed […]

Thursday 8th February, 2024 There could hardly be anything more shameful for a person than to be accused of carrying out pharmaceutical rackets and amassing wealth at the expense of poor patients who are fighting for their lives. Equally reprehensible is the act of defending such racketeers. One sees no difference between the crooks who […]

Attorney-at-Law and Secretary, Vinivida Foundation, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has moved the Supreme Court against the registration of the National People’s Power (NPP)/Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) as a political party by the National Election Commission. The motion has been filed during the consideration of a writ petition lodged against the Election Commission’s decision to reject the r...