By Dushni Weerakoon (East Asia Forum) Nearly two years after announcing a debt default in the middle of a severe social and political crisis, the Sri Lankan economy is showing the first signs of recovery. Year-on-year inflation dropped sharply to a low of 1.5 per cent in October 2023 from its peak of 70 per…
Chennai, January 26, 2024 In a sorrowful turn of events, renowned playback singer Bhavatharini Raja, daughter of the legendary music maestro Ilayaraja, breathed her last in a hospital in Sri Lanka after battling a prolonged illness. The 47-year-old singer, who had been receiving treatment in Sri Lanka, passed away ahead of the scheduled concert by…
Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe In recent days, Sri Lanka has witnessed a concerning trend in government actions, particularly with the introduction and debate surrounding the Online Safety Bill. While the government claims these measures are aimed at addressing online fraud, abuse, and false statements, it is evident that these legislative moves have wider implications, especially for…
Dilshan’s Tale of Police Brutality Raises Concerns Over Unchecked Power In a shocking turn of events, the recent shooting incident in Thelijjawila has brought to light the troubling narrative of police misconduct and abuse of power. The victim, Dilshan Madhusankha, who had previously lodged complaints against the police, now faces further trauma with a shooting…
In a recent educational workshop organized by the We Have a Dream Collective on January 19, 2024, Mr. Sarath Jayamanne, President’s Counsel and former Director General of the Bribery Commission, shed light on the main features of the groundbreaking Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023. The Act, designed to combat bribery and corruption, introduces several…
Commenting on the sky rocketing vegetable prices, the Trade, Commerce, and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said if vegetables were imported, vegetables such as a kilo of carrot, beans and leeks can be supplied at Rs. 300 to Rs. 350. “I informed the Secretary to the President to convene the Food Policy Committee and asked…
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…
