State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya provided insights into the Government’s fiscal strategy regarding the proposed Rs. 10,000 salary increase outlined in the 2024 Budget. The overall expenditure on Government employee salaries is expected to rise to around Rs. 14 billion following the proposed Rs. 10,000 salary hike which was originally slated for April. “At present, around…
Colombo Port Experiences Surge in Traffic Amid Red Sea Crisis Sri Lanka’s Colombo port has witnessed a significant increase in container volumes in recent weeks as vessels seek alternative routes to avoid the tensions in the southern Red Sea. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels’ attacks on ships in this vital shipping route prompted some shipping companies…
The Central Province of Sri Lanka is making waves by initiating action against 51 government school teachers caught conducting private tuition classes for their school students. This bold move targets the heart of the island nation’s “tuition menace,” a system that exploits students and burdens families with unfair extra costs. These teachers, hailing from across…
Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan drivers who’ve been stuck with flimsy paper licenses can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has announced it will clear the backlog of 865,000 temporary licenses by October this year, replacing them with proper laminated cards. This welcome news comes after months of…
Hatch, recognised as a leading organisation in Sri Lanka’s innovation and entrepreneurship domain, welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal to their co-working space during her official visit to Sri Lanka. The tour of Hatch offered her an immersive experience into the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit of Sri Lankan startups. In conjunction with the…
Asia Internet Coalition (“AIC”), a body comprising internet and technology companies in the world, and its members, expressed concern about the Online Safety Bill and called for extensive revisions and overhaul of it. Managing Director AIC Jeff Paine said in writing to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles that while his office appreciates the efforts made…
Sri Lanka’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market is set to welcome a new player! Indian giant Pune Gas has partnered with 3DH Group to form Lanka Gastech, a joint venture poised to shake up the sector. This move comes as Sri Lanka’s industrial and commercial sectors increasingly seek sustainable energy solutions. Jesal Sampat, Executive Director…
Telecom giants Reliance Industries and Lycamobile are among three potential buyers vying for a stake in Sri Lanka’s state-owned Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), setting the stage for a high-stakes bidding war. The island nation’s State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit confirmed initial interest from Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance, and Pettigo Comercio International, linked to the…
Sri Lanka faces mounting international pressure to halt its controversial anti-drug operation, “Yukthiya,” after accusations of mass arbitrary arrests, humiliating public searches, and forced military-run rehabilitation. Launched in December, the operation has seen thousands detained, primarily from marginalized communities, often without evidence or drugs in their possession. Critics, including 34 international rights groups, call for…
Volker Turk is urging Sri Lanka to review the operation and implement a rights-based approach to combatting illicit drugs The UN human rights agency on Friday criticised an ongoing anti-narcotics crackdown in Sri Lanka that has resulted in the arrest of over 30,000 suspects and sparked allegations of widespread abuses by the authorities. Police in…
