GMOA to step up trade union action, citing Govt’s failure to respond
GMOA to step up trade union action, citing Govt’s failure to respond View(s):By Sajeniya SathanandanThe Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday resolved to intensify their trade union action to press ahead with their demands, claiming that the government and the Health Minister have not invited it for talks or shown sensitivity toward the issues. During an emergency committee meeting, the union decided to involve specialist grade medical officers (consultants) in the renewed trade union action, which will begin tomorrow. The GMOA has been continuing its trade union action since January 26, accusing the government of failing to implement the promised changes. The union demands an immediate increase, pointing out that the treasury in 2018 recommended a salary of Rs 120,000. If the government does not provide favourable responses to its demands, the GMOA secretary warned the GMOA would resort to heightened trade union action that could affect the entire health system, and the Ministry of Health should take full responsibility for it.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 17:20 UTC
SL’s solar success will stall without storage reform
SL’s solar success will stall without storage reform By Jeremy Fernando FEATURE View(s): View(s):Over the past decade, Sri Lanka has made notable progress in rooftop solar adoption, driven largely by the Soorya Bala Sangramaya programme. Excess daytime solar exports increasingly strain the grid, while the country continues to incur high costs and reliability risks during the evening peak. For the policy to succeed, it must be supported by realistic and bankable rules for energy storage. At the proposed tariff, battery investments struggle to recover costs, slowing adoption precisely when storage is most needed. (The writer is an independent Consultant on Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and a Patent holder with over decade of experience in the field.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 11:33 UTC
Way forward with cryptocurrencies
Way forward with cryptocurrencies View(s):The Sunday Times Business Club organised a discussion on ‘Bitcoins and Cryptocurrency- stable or risky?’ this week at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, host hotel of the club. The speakers were Dr. (Ms.) Subhani Keerthiratne, Director/Financial Intelligence Unit, Central Bank (right) and Mr. Savan Wijewardene, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Redhill, Singapore’s largest local public relations firm. NDB Bank is a co-sponsor of the club. Pic by M.A. Pushpa KumaraShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 11:31 UTC
Is ODI a dying format? Barmy Army: Not really…
And an England team still carrying the emotional weight of a bruising Australian winter. Not because England’s ODI form demanded attention. They came because following England cricket is rarely about convenience. Asked about England’s ODI identity, he pauses before answering. One day cricket, once England’s great obsession and later their greatest triumph in 2019, now sits awkwardly in between.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 11:31 UTC
Sri Lanka’s Sabina Yousaf secures 2nd runner-up title at Mrs World 2025
Sri Lanka’s Sabina Yousaf secures 2nd runner-up title at Mrs World 2025 View(s):Las Vegas: Sri Lanka earned international acclaim at the 41st Mrs World pageant as Sabina Yousaf was named Second Runner-Up, marking a proud milestone for the country at the prestigious global competition. In addition to her top-three placement, Yousaf was awarded the Mrs Photogenic mini-title and secured a position in the Top 20, underscoring her strong and consistent performance on the international stage. The Mrs World 2025 crown was claimed by Chanita Seedaket Craythorne of Thailand, while Paige Ewing of the United States was declared First Runner-Up. The evening concluded with the announcement of the Top Three Finalists, placing Sri Lanka alongside leading global pageant contenders and reinforcing the country’s growing presence and recognition in international pageantry. - Courtesy The Gulf ObserverAnother pearl from Negombo (The following is a part of a story The Sunday Times ran when Sabina was crowned Mrs Sri Lanka for Mrs World) The crowning of 25-year-old Sabina T Usef, from Kepungoda, Negombo, as Mrs Sri Lanka World 2025 took place in October 2025.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 07:35 UTC
A survivor’s memories 30 years after
A survivor’s memories 30 years after Dalrene Thirukumar recalls the harrowing events of Wednesday, January 31, 1996 - the deadly Central Bank attack by the LTTE View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka had already endured a long series of bombings even before the Central Bank bomb attack. I remember leaving home each morning, asking my mother to look carefully at what I was wearing, because rumours were rife that the Central Bank was a target. We occupied a section of the 4th floor of Carsons’ Equity Two building that faced the Central Bank. The entire wall facing the Bank was a glass window with blinds that we drew open during lunch breaks. From there, I saw a lorry attempting to force its way into the Central Bank compound, ramming the heavy metal barrier.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 07:35 UTC
The unfortunate politicisation of education reforms
The unfortunate politicisation of education reforms View(s):The demonstrations for and against the government’s proposed education reforms are a blatant example of the politicisation of education in the country. Education Reform in 2026The current opposition to the government’s proposed reforms in school education is a blatant example of the politicisation of education in Sri Lanka. The irony of the current protest is that those demonstrating for and against the reforms have no idea of the school education reforms. SummaryAlthough the country’s free education from pre-independence has achieved much, the politicisation of education has retarded the progress in education. Concluding reflectionThe real challenge before the government is in the implementation of the new reforms in school education.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 07:35 UTC
No relief for apparel workers
No relief for apparel workers View(s):Sri Lankan apparel workers would have to wait longer to receive the increased minimum wage of Rs.30,000 which should have been implemented in the month of January 2026. The minimum wage of Rs.30,000 per month for all categories of workers was published in a gazette notification effective January. Earlier the minimum wage of Rs.21,000 was increased to Rs.27,000 and implemented in September 2025. However at a meeting of the official Wages Board on January 23 pertaining to apparel workers, apparel factory employers lamented that they are unable to pay the January increased salaries for the next 3-4 months owing to tough economic conditions, trade union sources said. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 07:35 UTC
Tea factories face financial disruption
Tea factories face financial disruption By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s tea industry is facing a number of factory closures as authorities are clamping down on adulterated teas from reaching the market while some others are closing due to financial constraints. The Sri Lanka Tea Board did not disclose the number of factories closed or whose operations have been suspended. Asia Siyaka Managing Director Anil Cooke explained that tea factory owners have been plagued with low production quantities ever since the fertiliser crisis hit the industry compelling them to cultivate without the required fertilisers. He noted that despite the drop in volumes the same number of factories clamours to obtain the teas and as a result the factories are paying extra to obtain more teas. And with the surging costs of production and the increasing wages the industry’s factories are facing financial crisis.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 07:34 UTC
CEB’s demise just one step away; tariff policy the hurdle
CEB’s demise just one step away; tariff policy the hurdle View(s):By Namini WijedasaFour out of five steps needed for the dissolution of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have now been fulfilled, but the last requirement—obtaining Cabinet approval for the national electricity policy and national electricity tariff policy—is yet to be completed, the Sunday Times learns. The preliminary transfer plan, the annual power procurement plan, the long-term generation expansion plan, and the long-term transmission development plan have so far been completed. Along with the national electricity policy and the national electricity tariff policy, these are mandatory steps before the minister can appoint the date by gazette notification. Mr Hedigallage maintained that the drafts are available and that they will be signed within three months of the appointed date. “The ICA will be valid till PPAs, PSAs and TSAs are ready, maximum till the final transfer plan gazetting date,” he said.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 05:31 UTC
Naval prodigy Lt Koyan Chamitha laid to rest with full military honours
Naval prodigy Lt Koyan Chamitha laid to rest with full military honours View(s):Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha (28), the first from the Sri Lanka Navy to successfully complete the coveted U.S. Navy SEAL training who passed away unexpectedly, was laid to rest with full military honours on Friday. Lieutenant Chamitha who was attached to the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) of the Sri Lanka Navy was based at Welisara Navy Camp at the time of his sudden demise. The Sri Lanka Navy says that he was found dead at the naval quarters within the Welisara Navy Camp on Wednesday. The US Navy SEAL training process is widely regarded as one of the toughest Special Forces qualification programmes in the world. Sampath Thuyacontha has directed the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy to conduct a formal inquiry and submit a report regarding Lieutenant Chamitha’s sudden passing.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 03:24 UTC
State law officers unanimously denounce attack on AG
State law officers unanimously denounce attack on AG View(s):By Ranjith PadmasiriThe Attorney General’s Department Legal Officers’ Association has unanimously passed a resolution taking notice and expressing grave concern over the recent “vituperative, unfounded, repeated personal attacks” on Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Meanwhile, the association also held a “brainstorming session on improving the efficiency and independence of the department” on Friday. During the session, the state law officers engaged in structured deliberations aimed at strengthening the efficiency and independence of the Department across four key thematic areas – structural, legal, procedural, and ethical improvements. This is the first such collective exercise undertaken by officers of the department in its more than 140-year history. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 03:20 UTC
Sri Lanka faces risks of being grey-listed by FATF, affecting banking relationships and investment
Sri Lanka faces risks of being grey-listed by FATF, affecting banking relationships and investment By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka is at a crucial juncture of potentially being sanctioned or blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due to deficiencies in Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) measures, affecting international banking and foreign investment, a top official from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka told this week. The upcoming third mutual evaluation will assess Sri Lanka’s AML/CFT effectiveness, especially concerning virtual assets. She also mentioned that FATF has 40 recommendations, with Sri Lanka adhering to mutual evaluations via the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering. “Sri Lanka’s compliance is evolving, with particular focus on recommendation 15 regarding virtual assets. He also highlighted that cryptocurrencies are a significant and rapidly evolving part of the global financial landscape with profound implications for emerging markets like Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 03:20 UTC
President’s Office agrees to reveal vehicle details after RTI appeal
President’s Office agrees to reveal vehicle details after RTI appeal View(s):The Presidential Secretariat this week agreed before the Right to Information Commission to release information regarding the allocation of state-owned vehicles to its staff. The information required to be released includes the name and designation of officials using them as well as the make, model and vehicle numbers. After an initial refusal, that information was released in December last year following appeal hearings before the Commission. Evaluating the refusal to disclose the details, the Commission ruled that details on state vehicle allocations cannot be withheld as personal information, ordering the release by 31.01.2026. The Ministry was directed to release the information in issue on or before February 27, 2026.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 03:14 UTC
Serious questions over health sector drug tracking restrictions
It’s time for the Prime Minister and others in government to ‘walk the talk’ on women’s rights. Politicians at school functions: Govt breaking its rulesWalking the talk on other issues is also not something Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has managed to do on education-related matters either. She led the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. National Day: Concerns over cost of event structuresWhile the government has pledged to spend less on Independence Day celebrations, the ongoing arrangements show a different picture. 100 million from the 2026 budget for the National Day celebrations but expects to spend only around Rs.
Source:Sunday Times
February 01, 2026 01:34 UTC