Speaker’s hoodoo pursues NPP Government: Wickramaratne faces fresh allegations
Mr Kularatne remains suspended with effect from January 23 after a preliminary inquiry. Mr Kularatne, however, had stated during the inquiry that he was being targeted by Speaker Wickramaratne owing to a personal disagreement he had with him. The decision to suspend Mr Kularatne was taken by the Parliament Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) chaired by Speaker Wickramaratne. He called for an independent inquiry to be held concerning Mr Kularatne and for an opportunity to be given to him to answer the charges against him. Mr Kularatne also claims that when civil society activists requested information under the RTI Act, he had recommended, as the Information Officer, that such information should be disclosed.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 22:37 UTC
Some stretched to the limit despite cyclone damage payouts
It is a challenge to handle the high volume of work.’’He said Rs 25,000 was given to 29,000 families for cleaning. About 24,000 families have been given Rs 50,000. She said she got Rs 25,000 to clean the house and Rs 50,000 to buy utensils but did not receive the compensation promised to schoolchildren. He received Rs 25,000 to clean his house but nothing for the shop. Officials have provided Rs 25,000 for cleaning up but have not given anything to recover the business.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 22:37 UTC
Climate-resilient housing: From rebuilding to belonging
Climate-resilient housing: From rebuilding to belonging View(s):By Sheri Pitigala, Dipak Dasgupta and Nihal PitigalaSri Lanka’s climate crisis is no longer a distant or abstract concern; it is a present economic and social reality. A better path: Building a pro-poor market for climate-resilient housingThe alternative is both practical and compelling: to develop a functional, pro-poor housing market for low-cost, climate-resilient homes, anchored in strong community participation and supported by fit-for-purpose public policy. The housing market does not fully value the wider benefits of climate-resilient construction, so too little of it is built. Climate-resilient housing generates substantial positive externalities—lower disaster recovery costs, improved health, higher productivity, and reduced emissions—that are not fully reflected in private investment decisions. Instead, investing in community-driven, market-enabled solutions for climate-resilient housing protects livelihoods, reduces fiscal risk, and restores dignity and agency to affected households.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
CIPM Great HR Quiz 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success
CIPM Great HR Quiz 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success View(s):CIPM Sri Lanka – the nation’s leader in human resource management, successfully concluded one of its flagship events, the CIPM Great HR Quiz 2026, on Wednesday, 28th January 2026, at the Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, with enthusiastic participation from the HR fraternity representing leading private and public sector organisations across the country. Since its inception in 2014, the CIPM Great HR Quiz has continued to inspire the sharpest HR minds, evolving in step with the rapidly transforming world of work. The Champions were presented with the prestigious “Great HR Quiz 2026 Champions Trophy” by the Chief Guest, Mr. Ranjith Cabral, Past President and Chartered Fellow Member of CIPM Sri Lanka, together with Mr. Priyantha Ranasinghe, President of CIPM Sri Lanka; Mr. Priyankara Seneviratne, Honorary Secretary of CIPM Sri Lanka and Project Chairman of the Great HR Quiz 2026; Mr. Ken Vijayakumar, Immediate Past President of CIPM Sri Lanka; Dr. Neil Bogahalande, Vice President of CIPM Sri Lanka; Mr. C. Hewapattini, Quiz Master and Chairman of the Great HR Quiz Technical Committee; and Mr. Jayantha Amarasinghe, Chief Judge of the Great HR Quiz 2026. The Great HR Quiz 2026 was followed by a networking session, providing participants and stakeholders with an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships, exchange insights, and celebrate the collective spirit of the HR fraternity. The CIPM Great HR Quiz continues to open new vistas for the HRM profession by promoting excellence, strategic thinking, and continuous learning.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Herath holds talks with Iran’s FM; vows to honour repayment deal
Herath holds talks with Iran’s FM; vows to honour repayment deal View(s):By Damith WickramasekaraAmid rising tensions in West Asia, the Sri Lankan and Iranian foreign ministers have discussed maintaining and strengthening ties between the two countries. Payments are made to the exporters by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) through the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB). Mr Herath said Sri Lanka would continue to honour this agreement. Minister Herath said that Mr Araghchi told him the Iranian economy was recovering. Mr Herath said he told Mr Araghchi that the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Iran should continue and be strengthened.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
CIC 9MFY26 revenue grows despite cyclone disruption
CIC 9MFY26 revenue grows despite cyclone disruption View(s):Agriculture-rich and diversified conglomerate CIC Holdings PLC’s consolidated revenue rose by 8.7 per cent to Rs. 70.28 billion for the nine months ending December 31, 2025 when compared to the previous corresponding year, despite the disruption caused to agriculture from Cyclone Ditwah. The remaining sectors, Industrial Solutions and Agri Produce, contributed 8.6 per cent and 6.4 per cent to group turnover respectively. Despite cyclone-related disruption to cultivation cycles, the group delivered a strong operating performance, with EBITDA and operating profit (EBIT) both recording year-on-year growth. Operating profit (EBIT) closed at Rs.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Local MSMEs on the brink of collapse, banks thrive
They urged the Finance Ministry coming under President Anura Kumara Dissanyake to enact binding legislation to enforce these measures. For the hundreds of thousands of MSMEs that had borrowed before these hikes, the sudden tripling of interest costs triggered a cascade of defaults and closures, MSMEs representatives claimed. However while small enterprises have suffered under these financial burdens, Sri Lanka’s banking sector recorded extraordinary gains. In the 2023-2024 financial year, total banking sector profits before tax have recorded an estimated Rs. “Banks and government coffers are flush, while MSMEs struggle to get basic working capital.”Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
‘Riverstone’ Strikes Gold at France’s Vesoul Film Festival
‘Riverstone’ Strikes Gold at France’s Vesoul Film Festival View(s):Sri Lankan cinema earned yet another moment of global recognition as director Lalith Rathnayake’s film ‘Riverstone’ clinched the Top Prize at the 32nd Vesoul International Festival of Asian Cinema, which concluded last week in France. The film was awarded the prestigious Golden Cyclo, with the international jury commending Rathnayake for having ‘fully expressed the humanistic spirit’ of the adapted work. Presided over by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Wang Bing, the jury included Korean director Shin Su-won, Iranian producer Katayoon Shahabi, andFrench director, producer and screenwriter Joël Farges. The festival concluded on February 3, following a week-long showcase of over 100 Asian films from 24 countries, drawing thousands of cinema enthusiasts to the French town of Vesoul. Founded in 1995 by Martine and Jean-Marc Thérouanne, who continue to co-direct the event, the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema remains a leading platform dedicated exclusively to Asian filmmaking.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Multiple Sclerosis can be controlled to lead fruitful lives
Multiple Sclerosis can be controlled to lead fruitful lives View(s):By Kumudini HettiarachchiMultiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease which impacts on the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve, is controllable. Those affected by MS, a disorder of the young, can lead a normal life – work, get married and have children. This is the crucial message that Consultant Neurologist Dr. Bimsara Senanayake, attached to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) is spreading loud and clear. “We want to re-assure people that Sri Lanka has neurological facilities and tools such as MRI scanning to ‘catch’ MS early,” said Dr. Senanayake. This Neurologist estimates that there are over 2,000 patients across Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Can Sri Lanka shift gears as a buoyant skipper claims?
Can Sri Lanka shift gears as a buoyant skipper claims? It requires character, clarity and more importantly consistency–three elements that Sri Lanka have rarely shown since lifted the title in 2014 in Dhaka. In 2016, the year they went in as defending champions, Sri Lanka bowed out with just a solitary win against Afghanistan. After their opening clash today, Sri Lanka will take on Oman in Pallekele on February 12, Australia, again in Pallekele on February 16, and Zimbabwe back in Colombo on February 19. Even if Ireland and Oman appear manageable on paper, recent evidence suggests Sri Lanka can no longer take any opponent lightly.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Sri Lanka to go with six-five combination vs Ireland
Sri Lanka to go with six-five combination vs Ireland T20 WC 2026 View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka have opted for a six-batsman, five-bowler combination for their opening T20 World Cup fixture against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium today. This means batters Charith Asalanka, Kusal Janith Perera, and Janith Liyanage will sit out. Young Pavan Rathnayake, who has brought a breath of fresh air into the team, will occupy the key No.4 slot, followed by Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka. Sri Lanka will field a two-man seam attack supported by three spinners — Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, and Maheesh Theekshana. Probable Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Shepherd takes hat-trick as Windies beat Scotland
Shepherd takes hat-trick as Windies beat Scotland T20 WC 2026 View(s): View(s):Kolkata, India, AFP: Pace bowler Romario Shepherd took the first hat-trick of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Saturday to help the West Indies blow away Scotland’s tail and win by 35 runs in their Group C opener in Kolkata. Shepherd grabbed four wickets in five balls in the 17th over to put an end to Scotland’s hopes of chasing their target of 183. Shepherd removed Matthew Cross, for 11, Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson and celebrated wildly before ending with an impressive 5-20 from his three overs. Holder finished with figures of 3-30 in 3.5 overs as he wrapped up the Scotland innings in 18.5 overs. Scotland rotated their bowlers and Leask struck the first blow with his off-spin as he bowled skipper Shai Hope for 19.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
‘La Bamba!’ West End comes to Cinnamon Life this April
‘La Bamba!’ West End comes to Cinnamon Life this April By Shannon Salgadoe Your chance to join the cast too View(s): View(s):‘La Bamba! Cinnamon Life, in collaboration with the John Keells Foundation and in association with Nations Trust Bank, announced the Sri Lankan staging of the musical on Thursday. For Cinnamon Life, the production marks a significant milestone in its cultural programming. We have also seen how much talent Sri Lanka has, and we have a great opportunity to showcase that talent on an international platform,” he said. Presented in partnership with London-based theatre company Paul Morrissey Ltd, ‘La Bamba!’ brings West End-aligned creative direction and production quality to Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Lanka to seek compensation for colonial-era losses
Lanka to seek compensation for colonial-era losses View(s):Sri Lanka will seek compensation from its former colonial rulers for loss of life and property as well as the return of artefacts stolen from the country, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath told Parliament on Friday. This was to compensate for the losses and damage done to the country during centuries of colonial rule. The Foreign Minister noted that the governments of Portugal and the Netherlands had agreed to return artefacts stolen from Sri Lanka during the periods they ruled parts of the island. The Netherlands had already returned stolen artefacts on two occasions and has agreed to return the remainder in the future as well, he told Parliament. The government also intends to seek additional reparations through economic channels in the future, he said.
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC
Vibrant colours at independence celebrations
Vibrant colours at independence celebrations View(s):Pic by Indika HanduwalaHitAd.lk is the best and biggest mobile phone market in Sri Lanka, and we guarantee you will find what you need here from our extensive listing of mobile phones for sale in Sri Lanka. Whether it’s a budget-priced smartphone for communication, or higher end features with advanced connectivity, there are many different options from which to choose from on our site!
Source:Sunday Times
February 07, 2026 20:10 UTC