Understanding Sri Lanka’s seasonal rice shortage: An analytical perspective

Sri Lanka’s recurring rice shortage during December and January has become a predictable yet pressing issue. This challenge is rooted in the country’s reliance on its two main paddy cultivation seasons, Maha and Yala, alongside structural inefficiencies in production, distribution, and storage systems. Understanding the statistical trends and underlying causes provides clarity on the situation and highlights actionable solutions.

An act to balance India and China – Will the govt. be successful?

As the new government begins to balance its ties with all foreign nations, it has noticed that two countries who need special attention in their balancing act is India and China.

Finally, retirement age of medical specialists to be gazetted

Following unrest and uncertainty regarding the unpublished gazette on the retirement age of medical specialists, which risks the premature retirement of over 200 specialists, the Ministry of Public Administration has decided to take steps to publish the gazette notification, Daily Mirror learns.

IMF agrees to raise income tax threshold: President

The government was able to reach an agreement with the IMF at the third review to raise the income tax threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 per month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Plan to relocate President’s House, Temple Trees to Sri J’pura Kotte put on hold

The new government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has put on hold plans by the previous rule to relocate the President’s House, Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s office and the Presidential Secretariat to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a top source said.

RW praises AKD

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe commended his successor Anura Kumara Dissanayake for deciding to proceed with the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement with India.

Explanations called from parliamentary employees

The process of re-checking and updating the information of all MPs on the parliamentary website is underway following the discovery that some titles were fake, an informed source said.

Speaker resigns

Speaker Ashoka Ranwala has stepped down from his position amid controversies regarding his doctorate qualifications.

Former Sri Lankan diplomat in Australia fined more than $100,000 for ‘entrapping’ domestic worker

A diplomat who “entrapped” a domestic worker in her Canberra home, forcing her to work 14 hours, seven days a week, for less than a dollar an hour, has been fined more than $100,000 in the federal court.

Two more fake ’Dr’ titles rock govt.

Days after a shocking dispute over the doctoral credentials of Speaker Asoka Ranwala and his stoic silence over it, fresh controversy has emerged following the discovery that Urban Development and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilake also does not possess such qualifications despite him being referred to as ’Dr.’ on certain occasions and in instances, and the same of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara

SJB finalises National List nominees

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) finalised its nominees for the remaining national list slots today.

Security details of former Presidents reduced

Security details of former Presidents have been withdrawn after reviewing reports on the security threats they face, police said.

US re-emphasizes importance of IMF programme,encourages continuous engagement

In the wake of the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu as the first highest level engagement with the new government in Sri Lanka, the United States said it views the IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme as essential to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and resilience and encourages continued engagement to drive sustainable growth and improve livelihoods.

Adani Group opts out of US funding for Its Colombo Port project

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led conglomerate on Tuesday said it will use its own resources to fund a Sri Lankan port project and not seek US funding.

Parliament website removes ’Dr.’ title from Speaker’s profile

Amid allegations over the academic qualifications of Speaker Asoka Ranwala, the Sri Lanka Parliament website has removed the title ’Dr.’ from his profile.

No annual bonus for CEB employees

Despite request by the ruling party - affiliated Ceylon Electricity Employees’ Union, the director board of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has not approved bonus for its workers this year, an informed source said.

President directs fixed rice prices

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed rice traders to sell Nadu rice to consumers at a wholesale price of Rs. 225 per kilo and a retail price of Rs. 230 per kilo.  

No electricity price reduction for next six months: CEB

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided not to change electricity tari for six months and to go for a revision by mid next year, it was revealed yesterday.

Mill owner hoarding rice stocks included in SJB national list: Minister

A mill owner who had failed to release rice stocks to the market is included in the SJB’s national list, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament today.

Opposition flays Govt. over large budgetary allocation to Presidential Secretariat

The opposition flayed the government yesterday saying that a large budgetary allocation had been made to the Presidential Secretariat for the first quarter of next year despite pious pronouncements in the pre-election period to prune expenditure.

People queuing to pay taxes: Handunnetti

People, industrialists and entrepreneurs have volunteered to pay taxes where there was a long queue on September 31 to pay taxes while the online App of the Inland Revenue Department is congested with so many people trying to log in to pay taxes, Minister Sunil Handunnetti said today.

Political bribes - Govt. to investigate former MPs over liquor licences

The government is to carry out an investigation to determine whether any of the MPs who represented the previous Parliament or any one of their associates had received liquor licences as political bribes during the previous regime, a government spokesman said yesterday.

Women officers take charge of key Police Divisions

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s police history, several female officers have been appointed to senior positions in key divisions, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Special Investigation Unit.

No more state bungalows to ministers, duty free vehicle permits, pension scrapped for MPs

In its move for the curtailment of benefits for parliamentarian in keeping with the the election manifesto, the government has decided not to assign state bungalows to ministers,a Minister said yesterday.

Japan to consider new projects only after considering their economic status only: Embassy

Japan will consider new projects in Sri Lanka only after examining any request from the Sri Lankan authorities and its economic status first, the Japanese Embassy said yesterday.

Parliament Secretary-General clarifies stance on perks granted to MPs

Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera has clarified the process and policies regarding the privileges granted to Members of Parliament (MPs) and the allocation of official residences.

Air quality in SL at unhealthy level: AQI

According to the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI), the air pollution level indicated in Sri Lanka’s atmosphere is still at risk and the country will experience unhealthy air quality conditions.

Sri Lanka should not bow to external pressure: Chinese Envoy

Sri Lanka must not bow to external pressure and must maintain an independent foreign policy, especially at a time when some ‘parties’ are trying to take advantage of its economic situation, China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong told a group of journalists in Colombo last evening.

Tally of flood-affected people surpasses 400,000

A total of 401,707 people from 120,534 families have been affected across 24 districts due to the ongoing inclement weather, with 12 fatalities reported, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

Toll of deaths, injuries, missing persons due to adverse weather increases

The number of deaths caused by adverse weather resulting from the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has risen to six, with the number of injuries and missing persons increasing to 17 and six, respectively, the Meteorology Department reported.