Tuesday, February 10

Politics

Independence Day 2026 – an analysis of opinion
5Feb By ILanka AdminNo Comments
Editorial, Main Story, Opinion, Politics, Top Story

Independence Day 2026 – an analysis of opinion

The Speech Was Calm. The Country Is Not Convinced.** NEWSLINE – The Daily by Faraz Questioning the Answers Sri Lanka marked its 78th Independence Day with dignity, ceremony, and restraint. The flags were raised. The bands played. The Republic behaved like a Republic should. And yet, beneath the surface calm, something else was unmistakable. The country listened — politely, attentively — and then withheld judgment. That, more than applause or criticism, defined Independence Day 2026. A Speech That Did Not Provoke — Or Persuade President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered a speech that was careful in tone and deliberate in language. It avoided the old traps: no chest- thumping nationalism, no demonisation of minorities, no foreign scapegoats, no triumphalism. That alone marked a depart...
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King Charles III Honours Sri Lankan Location-Tracking Pioneer, Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan
4Jan By Ceylon IndependentNo Comments
HOME RIGHT TOP NEWS, Main Story, News, The world, Top Story

King Charles III Honours Sri Lankan Location-Tracking Pioneer, Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan

A pioneer of location-tracking technology has been appointed OBE in the King's New Year Honours. His Majesty King Charles III has recognised Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan, who founded Cambridge company PervasID, and devised a real-time location tracking system used by NHS trusts, hospitals, aircraft manufacturers and retailers. He is among 105 people in the East of the UK,  honoured for their exceptional contribution to their communities. Dr Sabesan said he was "absolutely over the moon, thrilled" to receive the award. Dr Sithamparanathan is recognised for services to innovation technology and the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) subjects in education. He said it was "a great honour and testament to the hard work and inno...
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9Nov By P C JamesNo Comments
The world, World

WHO casts doubt on Turkmenistan’s zero-Covid claim

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Last year, Turkmenistan recommended residents wear masks because of "dust" even as the government insisted there were no cases A senior World Health Organization official has cast doubt on Turkmenistan's claim that it has zero Covid cases, telling the BBC it is unlikely the virus is not circulating in the country. "[It] has been spreading worldwide as a pandemic for almost two years now," said Dr Catherine Smallwood, a WHO senior emergencies officer. "From the scientific point of view, it's unlikely that the virus is not circulating in Turkmenistan." Turkmenistan is one of only a handful of countries, including North Korea, that claim to have no coronavirus cases. Dr Smallwood's comments represent the first public ch...
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WATCH : Rajitha, Harin clash with Jayasumana over NMRA missing data
23Sep By P C JamesNo Comments
LOCAL, Local, Politics

WATCH : Rajitha, Harin clash with Jayasumana over NMRA missing data

An intense discussion was held in Parliament today pertaining to the data reported missing from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). It was recently revealed that data on the Covid vaccination drive stored by the NMRA had reportedly gone missing. Addressing Parliament, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Harin Fernando and Rajith Senratane responded to several claims made by State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana on the missing data scam. The following video consists of State Minister Channa Jayasumana’s response to the allegations levelled on the matter by the opposition MPs. SOURCE :NewsWire  
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15Sep By Team IndependentNo Comments
Business, ECONOMY, HOME RIGHT TOP NEWS, Local, Main Story, News, Politics

NIVARD CABRAAL BEGINS RECORD SETTING THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK

  Ajith Nivard Cabraal became the first person in the history of Sri Lanka's Central Bank to serve in the position as Governor for a record setting three times. Governor Cabraal accepted his letter of appointment from President Gothabya Rajapaksa earlier in the morning 15th September 202. Speaking exclusively to Ceylon Independent Mr Cabraal told us: "All economic stakeholders expect the Central Bank to provide clear and firm guidance, particularly at turbulent times, such as the current times. Hence, in my assessment, the Central Bank's urgent priority will be to provide clarity with regard to the expected levels of Sri Lanka's macro-economic fundamentals and to guide the movement of such macro-fundamentals in the desired path, and thereby ensure stability in the financial...
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10Sep By Team IndependentNo Comments
HOME RIGHT TOP NEWS, Local, Local, Main Story, News, Politics

LAKSHMAN AS EXPECTED ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION – NO WORD OF CONFIRMATION FROM CABRAAL. Who will succeed Nivard as MP

The annoucement from Sri Lanka's Central Bank surprised no body. Prof W Lakshman announced that come 14th September 2021 he will step down as Governor. Ajith Nivaard Cabraal a former Governor and now an appointed MP and State Minister of Capital Markets is almost destined to be the Governor again. The biggest question is not who will be Governor but rather who will be appointed as the replacement MP for Cabraal. The usual rumour is that yet another member of the Rajapaksa family will be thus appointed. However knowledgable sources say it is most likely Jayantha Ketagoda who previously stepped down for Basil Rajapaksa.
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UNP appoints new acting General Secretary
5Dec By Ayman AmeerNo Comments
Local, Politics

UNP appoints new acting General Secretary

Party Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe has appointed Former Opposition Leader of North Western Province has been appointed as the Acting General Secretary of the United National Party (UNP), followed by former MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasamm stepping down from the post. New office bearers are to be appointed by the end of this year and Senarath will be serving in the post until then. He is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of party headquarters Sirikotha.    
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Ranil Wickremesinghe may creep into the parliament?
23Nov By Ayman AmeerNo Comments
Local, Politics

Ranil Wickremesinghe may creep into the parliament?

Former minister Arjuna Ranatunga said that the United National Party ( UNP) representatives have requested for party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to the Nationa List MP in Parliament. Ranil Wickremesinghe failed to be elected as a member of parliament in 2020. The party he leads ( The UNP) failed to secure 5% of the islandwide vote. This is an unprecedented happening for the UNP.
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PCoI on Political Persecution fires back against arrest warrant issued on Secretary of PCoI
6Mar By Team IndependentNo Comments
Local

PCoI on Political Persecution fires back against arrest warrant issued on Secretary of PCoI

The Permanent High Court Trial at Bar issued a warrant for the arrest of Pearl K. Weerasinghe, the Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of Political Victimization. The Presidential Commission of Inquiry issued an order to the Attorney General this evening and make know their stance regarding the matter. The Permanent High Court Trial at Bar issued a warrant for the arrest of Pearl K. Weerasinghe today, for failing to appear in court. The Permanent High Court Trial at Bar issued the warrant after considering the fact that the secretary to the commission failed to appear in court and failed to even give prior notice, which could amount to contempt of Court. Weerasinghe was issued notice to appear in court today and produce the information ...
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