News

The Ministry of Ports and Aviation has reported that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport continues to incur annual losses amounting to Rs 3.2 billion.

Deputy Minister Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that plans are currently being developed to minimize these losses.

As part of these efforts, it has been decided to waive the landing fees for aircraft arriving at Mattala Airport.

This new decision has already garnered the agreement of six airlines to land their aircraft at the airport.

Mattala Airport has an annual passenger handling capacity of one million.

However, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku pointed out that currently, only about 100,000 passengers use the airport annually. Plans are in place to increase this number to 200,000 within this year.

Additionally, Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku highlighted that the 17-kilometer-long security fence around Mattala Airport is in a state of disrepair. Steps are being taken to renovate the fence and ensure the security of the airport.

The initial step in the digitalisation of government services, ‘GovPay’, will be officially launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on February 7th, 2025, said the President's Media Division.

This ground-breaking initiative will streamline and modernize how government institutions handle payments, enabling seamless transactions through a secure and efficient digital platform, it added.

The government has approved measures to employ additional staff to accelerate passport printing and reduce delays.

The move follows recommendations from a Cabinet-appointed committee addressing the ongoing passport shortage. Accordingly, a proposal to employ retired personnel of the Department of Immigration and Emigration on contract basis received Cabinet approval.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayathissa said the procurement process has begun to acquire 1.1 million “P” category chip-embedded passport booklets.

In order to eliminate issuance delays, the Department of Emigration and Immigration plans to operate 24/7 issuing 4,000 passports daily.

Accordingy, the proposal by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to recruit retired department officers on a contract basis and reassign existing government officers with the approval of the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Administration, has received approval.

Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive Deshamanya Kandiah “Ken” Balendra has passed away at the age of 84.

Born in 1940, Balendra has held many corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region. He served as the first Sri Lankan chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd., the largest conglomerate in the island.

He was the chairman of Brandix Lanka Ltd. and the South Asia Regional Fund of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

(Ada Derana)

The Paddy Marketing Board has announced the guaranteed prices for purchasing paddy.

According to Minister K.D. Lalkantha, the prices are as follows:

Rs. 120 per kilogram for Nadu Paddy

Rs. 125 per kilogram for Samba Paddy

Rs. 132 per kilogram for Keeri Samba Paddy

Minister Lalkantha stated that only dry, weight-compliant paddy meeting the required standards will be purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board starting tomorrow (6th).

Renowned Sri Lankan industrialist and businessman Deshamanya Harry Jayawardena has passed away at the age of 82.

Don Harold Stassen Jayawardena, popularly known as Harry Jayawardena, was the chairman of Melstacorp PLC and served as the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in Sri Lanka.

Forbes had listed Jayawardena as one of the richest people in Sri Lanka.

Jayawardena had also served as the chairman of both Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka and Aitken Spence, the first Sri Lankan companies ever to be listed on the Forbes List of best managed companies outside the USA.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has warned that air quality in Sri Lanka is expected to deteriorate over the next few days, with several cities reaching slightly unhealthy levels.

According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) report, air pollution in most urban areas was at a moderate level over the past 24 hours. However, forecasts indicate that AQI levels will range between 85 and 128, pushing many cities into the slightly unhealthy category.

The decline in air quality is attributed to polluted wind flow from northern regions, which may further increase pollution levels nationwide. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, are advised to wear face masks and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties.

Cities expected to remain at a moderate level include Vavuniya, Nuwara Eliya, Puttalam, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura, while other urban areas may see increased pollution levels.

Salaries will be increased in this year's budget, considering the recommendations of the report of the Udaya R. Seneviratne Committee appointed by the previous Wickremesinghe administration to investigate salary discrepancies of government employees, Finance Ministry sources reveal. It is learnt that an amount between Rs. 7,500 and Rs. 10,000 will be added to the basic salary according to the existing salary scales. The increase in the basic salary will be made according to each salary scale.

Sources in the Finance Ministry say that the formula for increasing the salaries of government employees has been prepared by the Finance Ministry and that the President, as the Finance Minister, will decide the amount to be increased.

However, the relevant salary increase is to be announced in the 2025 budget, which will be presented by the President in his capacity as Finance Minister in February.

The relevant salary increase is scheduled to be implemented in April.

Even when the country was struggling, the previous Wickremesinghe government increased salaries by Rs. 10,000 from January 2024.

The arrears of Rs. 15,000 that were to be paid in this regard are scheduled to be paid in instalments of Rs. 5,000 each from January to March this year.

Economic analysts say that since the country's economy has been in a good state for the past four quarters and government revenue has increased by about 38%, there is a possibility of increasing the salaries of public servants by more than Rs. 10,000.

The President also said recently that a tangible salary increase will be implemented for government employees.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has emphasized that disciplinary action will be taken against officers and station heads who refuse to accept complaints at police stations.

In a circular issued recently, Acting IGP Weerasooriya stated that in addition to disciplinary measures, legal action could also be pursued against such officers under the provisions of the Police Ordinance.

The Acting IGP highlighted that he has received both written and verbal complaints indicating that certain officers are rejecting complaints presented at police stations, citing various reasons.

The circular issued by the Acting IGP underscores that it is the duty and responsibility of police officers to record and investigate complaints reported to police stations.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has allocated Indian Rs 5,483 crore for aid to foreign nations, slightly higher than last year’s Indian Rs 4,883 crore.

The overall budget for the MEA stands at Indian Rs 20,516 crore, with aid to neighbouring and strategic countries remaining a crucial component.

The Indian MEA budget has placed a key emphasis on India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Indian Rs 4,320 crore – 64 per cent of the total scheme portfolio – has been earmarked for the country’s immediate neighbours for several initiatives like large infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric plants, power transmission lines, housing, roads, bridges and integrated check-posts.

Bhutan Retains Top Spot Bhutan continues to be India’s largest foreign aid recipient, receiving Rs 2,150 crore in 2025-26. This is an increase from last year’s allocation of Rs 2,068 crore. India remains Bhutan’s primary development partner, with funding directed towards infrastructure, hydropower projects, and economic cooperation.

Maldives Boost Amid Diplomatic Reset India’s allocation for the Maldives has increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 600 crore. This comes at a time when Male is attempting to mend ties with New Delhi following tensions over President Mohamed Muizzu’s pro-China stance after his electoral win.

In early 2024, India withdrew its military personnel from the Maldives. Now, with Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon visiting India earlier this month, efforts are underway to restore cooperation.

Afghanistan’s Aid Reduced Afghanistan has seen its aid allocation decrease from Rs 200 crore last year to Rs 100 crore in 2025-26. This is still a sharp decline from the Rs 207 crore granted two years ago. India has been cautious in its dealings with the Taliban government, limiting its engagement to humanitarian aid and economic cooperation.

Earlier this year, senior diplomat Vikram Misri met with Taliban officials in Dubai, marking the highest-level contact since Kabul’s takeover. Discussions centred around trade and India’s interest in Iran’s Chabahar Port, which serves as a crucial alternative trade route bypassing Pakistan.

Despite these engagements, India has yet to officially recognise the Taliban government.

Myanmar Sees Increased Aid Myanmar’s allocation increased from Rs 250 crore in the 2024-25 budget to Rs 350 crore for 2025-26 amid ongoing turmoil in the country, where ethnic armed groups have taken control of vast territories, including areas bordering India’s northeastern states.

The Centre recently tightened the rules for the movement of people across the India-Myanmar border. The new rules restrict movement from 16 km under the free movement regime (FMR) to 10 km, on either side.

Other Key Allocations India has maintained its allocation for Nepal at Rs 700 crore. The allocation for Sri Lanka saw an increase from Rs 245 crore to Rs 300 crore as the crisis-hit southern neighbour recovers from an economic meltdown.

Aid to Dhaka remains unchanged at Rs 120 crore amid a diplomatic rift between the two countries following former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster last year. Ms Hasina has been granted asylum in India, with the Muhammad Yunus-led government demanding her return.

Aid to African nations rose to Rs 225 crore from Rs 200 crore last year. The African Union joined the G20 in 2023 when India hosted the summit.

Latin America’s allocation has been increased

from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore. Last year, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita embarked on a nine-day official visit to Mexico, Grenada, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, underscoring the deepening ties between India, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The allocation for Chabahar Port in Iran remains at Rs 100 crore. The port project serves as a vital trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Disaster Relief allocation saw a massive increase from Rs 10 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 64 crore this year. India has consistently been one of the first to respond to global disaster relief initiatives. India was among the early responders when Turkey witnessed devastating earthquakes in 2023. India also sent relief to flood-hit countries like Laos and Vietnam in 2024.

Beyond direct financial aid, India is also expanding its soft power outreach. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has received Rs 351 crore, up from Rs 331 crore last year. Support for International Training Programs stands at Rs 1,247 crore. (NDTV)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing Sri Lanka’s 77th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo, said that there is a need for a collective national effort to achieve economic, social, and cultural freedom.

“There is a struggle we must all take part in to secure true economic, social and cultural freedom for our motherland,” he said, addressing the national celebration at the Independence Square. “We must all dedicate ourselves,” he said calling on all sectors of society to renew their commitment to nation-building.

The President pledged to build a country that fosters pride and opportunity for its citizens, enriched with scientific, technical, and intellectual advancements. President Dissanayake also stressed on the importance of addressing injustices which he said have taken root in every corner of in society, and urged Sri Lankans to unite in achieving economic independence without yielding to external pressures.

“The country we pass on to you will not be the one we inherited from history. Instead, it will be a nation you take pride in—a country that honours its citizens and thrives on scientific, technological, and intellectual progress,” he said.

President Dissanayake said while Sri Lanka may not be the richest nation, it has the potential to be the richest in national spirit, equality, and freedom.

“Although Sri Lanka cannot become the richest country in the world, if we try, Sri Lanka is capable of becoming the richest country in national spirit, equality and freedom” the President said.

Justice Mohammed Laffar Tahir, the senior-most judge of the Court of Appeal, has been appointed as its Acting President.

He was sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (02).

The appointment follows the pre-retirement leave of the current President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Bandula Karunaratne, which has been accepted by the President.

This appointment will remain in effect until a new Acting President of the Court of Appeal is appointed in accordance with the Constitution.