Christmas buzz in Pettah View(s):With just a few more days left for Christmas, crowds were seen yesterday in Pettah shopping for clothes, gifts and decorations. Pix by Eshan Fernando. The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!
The lighter side of life in our diplomatic service View(s):By Thalif DeenUNITED NATIONS – In the Sri Lankan diplomatic service there is never a dull moment. In the US Foreign Service in a bygone era, virtually all diplomats were white males, mostly from prestigious Ivy League universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Columbia—with hardly any women. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service Association (SLFSA) has continued to voice strong concerns over diplomatic appointments, arguing that most governments have disregarded professionalism, meritocracy, and diplomatic expertise in favour of politically motivated selections. We had a foreign minister whose sister-in-law, brother-in-law and intended daughter-in-law were all assigned diplomatic appointments in different world capitals. Meanwhile, every Sri Lankan delegation included the country’s foreign minister, some impressive and knowledgeable and others not-so-impressive and ignorant of international affairs.
Hermitage is back with a bang View(s):Colombo’s most curious little shop, Hermitage formerly located at Gower Street, which was closed during the import ban, is back with a bang. This time at a brand new location at No. They are well stocked with their traditional Hermitage favourites including a fabulous collection of doors, windows and furniture, both antique and re-purposed from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh in India. Curious artifacts, a superb collection of original antique maps, stamps and an exotic range of ethnic and silver jewellery round off this unusual collection. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Audit findings reveal systemic mismanagement in fisheries harbours By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The fisheries harbour sector in Sri Lanka is increasingly coming to be recognised as a concerned case of the failure of governance, where again and again it has been found wanting in its procurement and financial management procedures by successive audits and inquiries, governance analysts say. Over 10 years now, there have been reported breaches in government procurement guidelines by the Auditor General’s Department. The leasing of fisheries harbour premises has also resulted in significant losses to the state. In addition, consultancy payments for harbour projects were released without required clearance from the Treasury, directly contravening established financial regulations. Perhaps the most cited symbol of flawed planning and governance is the Oluvil Harbour project.
Cyclone Ditwah exposes deep issues in Sri Lanka’s MSME sector By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) sector contributing over 52 per cent of Sri Lanka’s GDP and accounting for nearly 75 per cent of the country’s entrepreneurial base has once again proven to be both the backbone and the most vulnerable pillar of the national economy. Under these circumstances, Cyclone Ditwah struck a devastating blow. Initial assessments by a special support centre established under the Ministry of Industries indicate that at least 13,698 businesses have been affected. These are 5,639 micro enterprises, 4,636 small businesses, 2,986 medium-scale enterprises, and 437 large-scale enterprises. Without such reforms, Cyclone Ditwah may stand not only as a natural disaster, but as a warning of systemic economic fragility yet to be addressed.
Christmas: When God chooses to walk with the wounded By Fr. It is a profound statement about the dignity of human life, especially when it is wounded. God does not observe pain from a distance. If God has chosen to enter human suffering, then those who believe in Him are called to do the same. May it remind us that even in our most fragile moments, human life remains sacred, and new beginnings remain possible.
A/L high achievers shine View(s):The ninth phase of the islandwide programme to recognise outstanding achievers of GCE Advanced Level implemented by the President’s Fund, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya this week at Temple Trees. Under this phase, students from the Western Province who obtained excellent results at the GCE Advanced Level Examinations in 2023 and 2024 were recognised. Accordingly, 361 outstanding students from the Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts were awarded scholarships amounting to Rs 36.1 million by the President’s Fund. She further said that the government is committed to nurturing human resources capable of understanding and navigating the complexities of the modern world. The Prime Minister said the recognition conferred today was an investment and those who receive education and recognition under the government intervention bear a responsibility to serve society.
Mevan, Vihanga steer St. Benedict’s to innings win By M. Shamil Amit cricket View(s): View(s):All-round performances by skipper Mevan Dissanayake and Vihanga Ratnayake paved the way for St. Benedict’s College to record an outright win by an innings and two runs over Sri Dharmaloka MV, Kelaniya in the Inter-School Under-19 Cricket encounter concluded at Kotahena yesterday. Sri Dharmaloka MV, who were replying to the St. Benedict’s score of 295-9 declared, resumed from their overnight score of 87-1 on the second day, and were bowled out for 188. They were forced for a follow-on and were left with the task of erasing a deficit of 107 runs, but were able to muster a score of only 105 runs. Gurukula MV, Kelaniya had to be satisfied with a first innings win over Sri Sumangala College, Panadura in the match that ended at Bandaragama. Meanwhile Royal College, Colombo and Holy Cross College, Kalutara were on top against St. Sebastian’s College and Karandeniya Central College on the first day in two other matches started at Reid Avenue and Dombagoda respectively.
England ‘flat’ as Crawley admits Australia a better side cricket View(s): View(s):Adelaide, Australia, AFP: Opener Zak Crawley said the mood in the England dressing room was “flat” on Saturday as they stared down the barrel of losing the Ashes within three Tests, admitting Australia were the better side. “They’re just flat,” said Crawley, who hit a composed 85, of his teammates. It’s an uphill battle from here, but the boys are going to give it a good crack tomorrow, he added. Crawley said while he was at the crease he always believed England had a chance. Crawley admitted England had been outplayed by a better side.
System unchanged View(s):Not for the first time has a single member embarrassed his political party so much in the public eye as the fake doctorate holder who last Friday crashed into fellow motorists, sending them to hospital. In the year since the incumbents waltzed into office, it may be unfair to single out this one party man as the solitary embarrassment to the ruling party. That is party camaraderie, however much it betrays the fact that there’s no ‘system change’ as promised to the people. There is a demand to turn the searchlight inward, for the ruling party to practise what it preaches. Even so, the Easter Sunday attacks happened with the national security and intelligence arms in disarray and demoralised at the time.
Regulation Roulette: Nobody to take the fall for scams By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has had several meetings with the Central Bank (CB) and its agency fighting money laundering and terrorist financing, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), concerning two major scams: ‘Blue Ocean Securities Limited’ and ‘Gladius South Asia’. “We have had meetings and given all the relevant details on these scams,” SEC Chairman Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara told the Sunday Times Business on Wednesday. He said this on the sidelines of a media conference by the SEC, to disseminate several key initiatives launched by them and also inform the public about these scams. “Several months ago we informed the Central Bank about the bank that Gladius has accounts in,” he said. “A bank in Sri Lanka will never transfer money as per the instructions by the Central Bank.
It was my friend, jolly-mood economist friend, Sammiya (short for Samson), suggesting instead that I discuss the role of migrant workers vis-à-vis the latest natural disaster. “You need to focus on migrant workers as they have helped tremendously during the cyclone crisis,” he said. “Yes, we have agreed to make a recommendation to the government on the right of migrant workers to vote,” Mr. Musthapa told a Business Times reporter at the time. He had said that the commission would recommend amending the election law and also suggest ways on how migrant workers could vote. Finally, in winding up, the contribution to the Sri Lankan economy by migrant workers is enormous.
‘Cyanide’ in cinemas soon View(s):Having completed more than 15 years since the end of civil war in Sri Lanka, ‘Cyanide’ gives film goers a glimpse on the last days of one of the longest wars in region. Set in the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s war, the story of ‘Cyanide’ revolves around a journalist who is sent to India on an assignment to report an exclusive story. Revolving around Sahan, a defence correspondent for a national newspaper who is asked to travel to India to get some exclusive stories on war. Sahan meets Professor Vishwajith, a political expert and the journalist expects the support of the academic for his journalistic coverage. The prof. introduces some Indian intelligence officers who provide Sahan with some exclusive information.
From November 23 onwards, IMD issued three-hourly and six-hourly weather updates of the system, indicating its development around November 26. His impersonation was so successful that he deceived the Gampaha electorate into voting overwhelmingly for him at last year’s elections. Where colour would have been only a distraction, black and white brought with greater force the grimness of the East. In 2022, Ryerson underwent a name change and is now known as Toronto Metropolitan University, or simply TMU. When he came to the crossroads to choose a career, he recalled an anecdote told to him a long time ago.
Lanka to tap UN climate fund for Ditwah compensation View(s):By Tharushi WeerasingheSri Lanka will apply to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD)—a UN Framework Convention on Climate Change—to seek compensation for damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Finally, he stressed that Sri Lanka must guard firmly against any loan components. More broadly, Mr Singh warned that the procedural demands of the FRLD risk privileging administrative capacity over actual need. “A fire brigade doesn’t ask you to fill out a grant application before turning on the hose – why does this fund?” Mr Singh questioned. How the Fund responds to Sri Lanka will be a defining test of its credibility, Mr Singh argued.
