News

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has fined a businessman operating along Old Moor Street in Colombo 12 Rs. 10,000 following a raid carried out by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

The court also ordered the seizure and destruction of 19 sacks of imported turmeric chunks, each weighing 25 kilograms, with an estimated value of around Rs. 2 million. Investigations revealed that the products were being sold without legally required details identifying the importer, distributor, or supplier.

The CAA stated that the turmeric stock had been stored in breach of existing regulations and was considered unfit for human consumption at the time the ruling was delivered.

Nearly one in four Sri Lankan workers could find their jobs reshaped or threatened by the rapid advance of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), according to a new labour market analysis that paints a sobering picture of the country’s digital readiness.

Drawing on International Labour Organisation (ILO) benchmarks and Sri Lanka’s Labour Force Survey 2023, the study estimates that around 1.83 million workers, or 22.8% of total employment, are in occupations exposed to GenAI. While this is slightly below the global average, analysts warn that the real danger lies not in the technology itself, but in Sri Lanka’s limited capacity to adapt to it.

At the sharpest edge of risk is a smaller but highly vulnerable group: over 187,000 workers in occupations with the highest exposure to GenAI, dominated by clerks and clerical support staff. These roles rely heavily on routine, information-processing tasks precisely the kind of work GenAI systems are increasingly able to perform faster, cheaper and around the clock.

“The threat is not dramatic mass layoffs overnight,” the report suggests, “but a gradual erosion of demand for certain roles.” As AI tools become more capable of drafting reports, processing documents and generating content, traditional white-collar jobs once seen as secure may quietly shrink.

Even professionals and technical workers are not immune. Nearly 142,000 workers fall into roles with rising exposure, signalling that GenAI’s reach extends beyond low- and mid-skill occupations. Meanwhile, millions employed in agriculture, crafts and elementary jobs remain largely shielded for now due to the manual and context-specific nature of their work.

Yet the most striking finding is not who is exposed, but who is ready. Of the 1.83 million potentially affected workers, only about 480,000 are digitally literate and employed in workplaces with basic digital infrastructure. This means the majority are theoretically replaceable by AI, but practically unable to benefit from it.

This digital gap creates a paradox. On one hand, low readiness may slow AI-driven job losses. On the other, it risks leaving Sri Lanka behind as global competitors harness GenAI to boost productivity and cut costs. Firms that fail to adopt may struggle to survive, indirectly threatening jobs across entire industries.

Source: Authors’ calculations based on LFS 2023 and occupation exposure categories identified by Gmyrek et al., 2025

The warning is clear: GenAI will not arrive as a sudden shock, but as a slow, structural threat. Without urgent investment in digital skills, workplace technology and reskilling pathways, Sri Lanka risks a future where jobs disappear not because AI is too powerful, but because the workforce is unprepared.

As the report concludes, the country stands at a crossroads. GenAI could either deepen employment insecurity especially for clerical and professional workers or become a tool for transformation. The outcome will depend on how quickly Sri Lanka acts, and whether its workers are equipped to work with AI rather than be replaced by it.

( Source : lankanews.lk)

President Donald Trump marked the one‑year anniversary of his return to the White House on Tuesday with a wide-ranging news conference that meandered from crime mugshots and immigration raids to the Nile River, Nobel Peace Prize and biker gangs.

Speaking at the White House briefing room podium, Trump repeatedly veered off message. He mused about the Nile River being in Egypt, joked about renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of Trump, made demeaning comments about Somali Americans, complained about not getting enough credit for his record and professed admiration for the controversial Hells Angels motorcycle club. “They voted for me,” Trump said.

The surprise appearance shortly before he was due to fly to Switzerland to join other world leaders at the World Economic Forum was meant to focus on Trump’s achievements during his first year back in office.

But in an 81-minute opening monologue full of superlatives, he veered between self-congratulatory and defensive, and his core message was often lost. He then took questions from reporters for 24 minutes, for a total time behind the podium of one hour and 45 minutes.

Immigration and crime dominated Trump’s remarks. He described U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, especially those currently involved in an immigration crackdown in Minnesota, as patriots and decried people protesting against them as paid agitators. A federal agent shot and killed a U.S. citizen there this month.

Trump this year has deployed the National Guard to Democratic-run cities, and he has threatened to deploy the regular military to Minnesota, moves that have drawn opposition from local officials. “To me a town, it looks better when you have military people,” Trump said.

Without providing data, he also said Washington had less crime since National Guard troops arrived in the U.S. capital last summer. “Your lover’s not going to be killed” walking through the city, Trump said.

In remarks that echoed a 2024 campaign speech, Trump repeated many talking points from the last election. He castigated his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, and again falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

TRUMP’S BINDER OF ACHIEVEMENTS

Trump paged through a thick wad of printouts entitled “365 Wins in 365 Days,” a compilation of what the administration cited as daily achievements since his second inauguration on January 20, 2025.

It pointed to accomplishments from drastically reducing the number of immigrants entering the country illegally to improving consumer choice for shower heads and toilets.

At one point, Trump took a large binder clip off the sheaf of papers and joked it could have taken his finger off, saying it had probably been meant to hurt him. “I wouldn’t have shown the pain,” he said.

He spent the first 15 minutes displaying mugshots of Minnesota residents who he said were in the country illegally and had been arrested for serious crimes. After he finished, he tossed the pictures onto the floor next to him.

Trump demonized Somali immigrants, calling them “very low IQ people” and repeated his false assertion that Somalia was not even a country. Trump has justified his Minnesota immigration crackdown partly as a response to fraud involving federal hunger programs by charities and organizations linked to the Somali community there.

Trump also reiterated his exaggerated claim that he has helped end eight foreign wars. He has repeatedly said that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, which he did not win in December, and has cited that omission as one reason for his push to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland.

He added on Tuesday he did not believe the Norwegian government’s statement that it does not control the Nobel Foundation, which awards the prize.

Source: adaderana.lk

Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, both sentenced for corruption, have filed appeals against their convictions, with the Supreme Court today (20 January) setting the hearing date for 9 March.The appeal petitions were heard by a bench consisting of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Achala Wengappuli. After reviewing the submissions, the bench directed that the appeals be scheduled for hearing on the March date.

Aluthgamage and Fernando were previously found guilty of causing a loss exceeding Rs. 50 million to the government during the 2015 presidential election period, linked to the import of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draughts sets through Sathosa. Aluthgamage received a 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence, while Fernando was sentenced to 25 years. Both have now challenged these rulings in the Supreme Court.

The Department of Meteorology has announced that the prevailing dry weather across the island is likely to change from Friday (23), signaling a shift in current weather conditions.

For today (21), however, mainly dry weather is expected to continue in most parts of the country. The department also warned of possible ground frost in certain areas of the Nuwara Eliya District during the early morning hours.

In addition, misty conditions are forecast in several regions, including the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Western, North Central and Uva provinces. Similar conditions may also be experienced in parts of the Galle, Matara and Ampara districts during the early hours of the day.

Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Ratnayake said the government is ready to set aside parliamentary time this week to debate a proposed No-Confidence Motion (NCM) being prepared by the opposition against Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

Speaking in Parliament today, Minister Ratnayake stated that the sittings scheduled for 22 and 23 January could be fully allocated for the debate, should the opposition formally submit the motion.

He noted that reports of an NCM being drafted against the Prime Minister are a serious matter, adding that it raises concerns if signatures are being collected without the motion being officially presented. The minister said the government expects clarity on whether the opposition intends to proceed with submitting the NCM.

In response, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatileke told Parliament that the issue falls within the opposition’s internal decision-making process and would be resolved following further discussions.

Minister Ratnayake subsequently urged the opposition to formally submit the motion, emphasizing that prolonged uncertainty could have implications for the country’s political stability.

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector has received a timely boost from the United Kingdom, as London moves to further liberalise trade rules under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), sharpening the island’s competitive edge in one of its most important export markets.

The UK, Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination, rolled out the DCTS in June 2023 to grant preferential access to 65 developing economies. For Sri Lanka, the scheme already opened the door wide: more than 92% of its product lines qualify for duty-free entry. Now, a new round of reforms promises to transform opportunity into momentum.

From 1 January 2026, liberalised rules of origin under the DCTS will allow Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers to source up to 100% of their raw materials from anywhere in the world without losing zero-tariff access to the UK market. The change marks a significant departure from earlier restrictions and offers manufacturers far greater flexibility to manage supply chains, control costs, and respond swiftly to global demand.

The stakes are high. Apparel exports to the UK were valued at around USD 660 million in 2024 and approximately USD 610 million in 2025, with garments accounting for nearly 73% of Sri Lanka’s total exports to the UK. Industry stakeholders say the revised DCTS rules could help reverse recent dips, attract new buyers, and secure long-term growth.

Equally significant is the removal of complex compliance hurdles. The revised framework eliminates the requirement that two substantial manufacturing processes must take place locally an obligation that often added administrative burden and operational constraints. The simplified processing rules are expected to ease compliance, particularly for small and medium-sized exporters, while strengthening Sri Lanka’s overall appeal as a sourcing destination.

The benefits extend beyond apparel. Under the expanded scheme, Sri Lankan exporters can now source inputs from the Asia Regional Cumulation Group an 18-country network while still treating those inputs as Sri Lankan in origin for DCTS purposes. This expanded cumulation facility opens new pathways for diversification and deeper integration into regional and global value chains.

Trade officials see the reforms as more than a technical adjustment. They represent a strategic opportunity to reposition Sri Lanka as a resilient, flexible, and competitive manufacturing hub aligned with modern supply chain realities.

Reflecting this renewed momentum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Mangala Wijesinghe, recently met with British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, to discuss the enhanced trade prospects under the revised DCTS. Their talks also covered preparations for Sri Lanka Expo 2026 and forthcoming brand promotion initiatives designed to strengthen Sri Lanka’s footprint in the UK market.

As both countries reaffirm their commitment to deeper trade ties, the liberalised DCTS framework is set to play a pivotal role supporting export earnings, job creation, and sustainable industrial growth, while weaving Sri Lanka more tightly into the fabric of UK and global trade

(Source: lankanews.lk)

The Sri Lankan Rupee recorded a slight depreciation against the US Dollar at commercial banks today (20 January), compared to rates quoted on Monday, with the selling price reaching up to Rs. 313 at some banks.

At Seylan Bank, the US Dollar buying and selling rates remained unchanged at Rs. 306.90 and Rs. 311.65, respectively. NDB Bank quoted a buying rate of Rs. 306.45, while the selling rate stood at Rs. 312.95.

Meanwhile, People’s Bank reported steady rates, with the Dollar buying at Rs. 306.23 and selling at Rs. 312.99. At Commercial Bank, the buying rate was recorded at Rs. 304.49, while the selling rate increased to Rs. 313.

Sampath Bank also reflected the upward trend in selling prices, quoting a buying rate of Rs. 306.50 and a selling rate of Rs. 313 for the US Dollar.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes, a move he claimed would push French President Emmanuel Macron to join Trump’s Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.

When asked by a reporter about Macron saying he will not join the board, Trump said, “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.”

“I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join,” Trump said.

France intends to decline the invitation to join the initiative, at this stage, a source close to Macron said on Monday.

Trump originally proposed establishing the Board of Peace when he announced last September his plan to end the war in Gaza. But an invitation sent to world leaders last week outlines a broad role ending conflicts globally.

A draft charter sent to about 60 countries by the U.S. administration calls for members to contribute $1 billion in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years, according to the document seen by Reuters.

Governments reacted cautiously, on Sunday to Trump’s invitation, a plan that diplomats said could harm the work of the United Nations.

On Monday, Trump also said he has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a member of the peace board. “He’s been invited,” Trump said.

Source:adaderana.lk

Donald Trump is expected to meet global business leaders in Davos on Wednesday, sources familiar with the matter said, as the U.S. President’s presence looms large over the annual gathering of the global elite in Switzerland.

Business leaders, including CEOs in financial services, crypto and consulting, were invited to a reception after Trump’s address to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, the sources told Reuters on Monday. The agenda was unclear.

One CEO simply had “a reception in honour of President Donald J Trump” scheduled in their diary, while another said their understanding was that global CEOs had been invited, not just those from the United States. One of the sources said the invitations had come from the White House.

Anthony Scaramucci, an investor who briefly served as Trump’s communications director during his first term, said he knew the meeting was happening.
“I’m not going. I’m not sure I’m invited, but even if I were, I wouldn’t want to be a side show,” Scaramucci said.

Trump is expected to arrive on Wednesday in the Swiss mountain resort, where he is due to deliver a special address.

Several top U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, are also accompanying Trump.

China, meanwhile, is being represented in Davos by Vice Premier He Lifeng who is due to deliver a special address on Tuesday. He will also host a reception with CEOs and founders of global companies, a source told Reuters.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of business hours.

‘EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE THE PRESIDENT AT HIS WORD’

The WEF agenda has to some extent been overtaken by the U.S. president’s dramatic policy moves, including his demand in recent days that the United States take over Greenland.

WEF organisers have said that over 3,000 delegates from more than 130 countries will attend this year, including 64 heads of state and government, particularly from emerging economies.

The list also includes several heads of G7 nations, with changes in U.S. policy under Trump in focus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will also travel to Davos and hold meetings with members of the U.S. delegation, two sources with knowledge of the visit told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, national security advisers from a number of countries are due to meet on the sidelines of the event on Monday, with Greenland among the subjects on the agenda, diplomatic sources said.

One European diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Greenland had been added to the agenda of the previously scheduled meeting after Trump on Saturday to impose extra tariffs on eight European countries until the U.S. is allowed to buy the Arctic island.

Bessent said European governments should not retaliate against any measures taken by the U.S. in their dispute.

“I think it would be very unwise,” Bessent told reporters when asked about retaliatory trade measures on the sidelines of the WEF meeting, adding that Europe should not doubt Trump’s intentions over Greenland.

“I’ve been travelling, so I haven’t been in touch (with European officials), but I spoke to President Trump and evidently there are a lot of inbounds, and I think everyone should take the president at his word,” Bessent said.

Jenny Johnson, CEO of asset manager Franklin Templeton, said Trump’s moves were negotiating tactics that can feel uncomfortable, but appeared to be in U.S. interests.

“We all know his style. His style is, ‘I’m going to come out with a hammer, and then I’ll negotiate with you,’” Johnson told Reuters in an interview.

“But his instinct about trying to figure out longer-term positions for the U.S. is the right instinct,” she added.

Source:adaderana.lk

The Department of Labour has officially announced the implementation of the revised national minimum wage, marking a significant shift in the compensation landscape for Sri Lanka’s private sector. Effective January 1, 2026, the monthly minimum wage has been elevated to Rs. 30,000, up from the previous Rs. 27,000.

Labour Department Commissioner General Ms. H.M.D.N.K. Wataliyadda confirmed that this adjustment is enacted under the National Minimum Wage of Employees (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2025.

Statutory Wage Adjustments

The revision establishes a new baseline for both monthly and daily-rated employees. Employers across all industries are now legally mandated to adhere to the following rates:

• National Monthly Minimum Wage: Increased from Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 30,000.
• National Daily Minimum Wage: Increased from Rs. 1,080 to Rs. 1,200.

Expanded Employer Liability and Compliance

A critical component of the Amendment Act is the clarification of employer responsibility, particularly concerning outsourced or contract labor.

According to the Commissioner General, the law now explicitly holds both the immediate employer and the ultimate employer liable for ensuring that workers receive the statutory minimum. This provision aims to protect employees engaged through intermediaries or third-party contractors, ensuring no worker falls through the cracks of complex hiring structures.

Furthermore, the Commissioner General issued a strict directive regarding the composition of the wage:

“Apart from budgetary relief allowances specified under Section 4 of the Act, no other allowances received by employees as of 31 March 2025 may be used to offset or fulfill the minimum wage requirements.”

Integration with Statutory Benefits

The wage hike is expected to have a cascading effect on the total cost of employment, as the “minimum wage” serves as the foundational figure for several statutory calculations. Under the new revision, employers must ensure that payments for the following are adjusted accordingly:

• Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF)
• Overtime Pay and Holiday Pay
• Gratuity and Maternity Benefits

Enforcement and Dispute Resolution

To ensure the benefits of the Amendment Act reach the intended workforce, the Department of Labour has streamlined its grievance process.

Employees who find their wages are not in compliance with the new statutory floor are encouraged to seek redress through the Department of Labour’s Complaints Management System (CMS) at cms.labourdept.gov.lk. Alternatively, formal written complaints can be lodged at the nearest regional Labour Office.

The Department of Labour emphasized that strict adherence to these regulations is non-negotiable, as the government seeks to balance industrial productivity with the economic well-being of the private sector workforce.

(Source:lankanews.lk)

Air quality in many urban areas across Sri Lanka remained at slightly unhealthy levels over the past 24 hours, according to data released by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).

Areas such as Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Galle recorded Sri Lanka Air Quality Index (SL AQI) levels between 104 and 144, primarily due to elevated PM2.5 levels. 

In contrast, Nuwara Eliya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, and several southern and eastern towns remained within moderate air quality levels.

NBRO forecasts indicate that slightly unhealthy conditions are expected to continue through the next 24 hours in most cities, with SL AQI values projected to range between 48 and 140.

 (Source: Newswire)