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 […]

Sam Bankman-Fried, who once ran one of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges and is facing decades in jail, will not face another trial, US prosecutors say. The 31-year-old was found guilty of fraud and money laundering last month. Prosecutors said the “strong public interest” in a resolution of their case against the former billionaire outweighed […]

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 […...

China has named Dong Jun as its new defence minister, two months after his predecessor was officially sacked. Dong, a former navy commander, takes over from Li Shangfu – who was last seen in public in August. Mr Dong’s appointment was announced by China’s top legislators at a Standing Committee meeting of the National People’s […]

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 […]

The end-November 2023 acid attack on former Shehzad Akbar at his London home by suspected ISI agents is a stark reminder that Pakistan’s military does not tolerate those who question the deep state. Soon after the incident a senior Tory MP claimed that the attack was carried out by an agent of the ISI. Shahzad […]

‘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 […]

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 […]

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...

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 […]

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been granted bail in a case alleging he leaked state secrets, but he remains in jail on other charges ahead of the general election due in February. The Supreme Court on Friday granted Khan bail in the case, but it was not clear how he could be released […]

Indian VP calls for lenient policy towards poaching Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has thanked Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar for giving Sri Lanka two more years to pay back INR 550 mn loan given at the onset of the economic crisis that was to be paid in three years. A statement issued […]