NewsNow, 225 H 1/1, Danister de Silva Mw, Baseline Road, Colombo/09, Dematagoda (2025)

Q: What is the address?

225 H 1/1, Danister De Silva Mw, Baseline Road, Colombo/09

26/02/2025

A suspect has been arrested by the police for the possession of 247 kilograms and 946 grams of cannabis, which was being transported in a car.

The Police Spokesman’s Office said the arrest was made as part of the island-wide crime and drug prevention operation being conducted by Sri Lanka Police under the directives of the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).

During this operation, officers from the Chilaw Divisional Anti-Vice Unit apprehended the suspect, acting on intelligence received.

The suspect, a 36-year-old resident of Thimbilla, Sanghathattana, was taken into custody last night (25) near a bridge at Merawala, within the Chilaw Police Division.

As a result, a total of 247 kilograms and 946 grams of cannabis was discovered inside the suspect’s vehicle, meticulously packed into 114 parcels and concealed in the rear of the car.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle was being used to transport the narcotics from Merawala to Munneswaram.

The vehicle has been seized by the police while further investigations are being carried out by the Chilaw Headquarters Police.

24/02/2025

Feb 24 (Reuters): Alibaba Group (9988.HK) announced on Monday its plan to invest at least 380 billion yuan ($52.44 billion) in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure within the next three years.

The Chinese e-commerce leader previously hinted at investments in these sectors during its earnings announcement last Friday but did not disclose exact figures at that time.

For the quarter ending December 31, Alibaba reported revenue of 280.15 billion yuan, slightly surpassing analysts' projections. The company highlighted that this planned investment surpasses its total AI and cloud computing spending over the last decade.

This strategic move positions Alibaba as a frontrunner in China's competitive AI sector in 2025, attracting significant investor attention. As a result, Alibaba's stock has surged over 68% so far this year.

Alibaba’s major investment aligns with broader industry trends, as other Chinese tech giants are also ramping up AI spending. ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly allocating over 150 billion yuan for capital expenditures this year, with a substantial portion directed towards AI development, according to Reuters sources.

Source: Reuters

18/02/2025

KFC & Pizza Hut Shut Down in Turkey Amid Boycott and Financial Crisis

Yum! Brands has terminated its franchise agreement with Turkish operator İş Gıda, leading to the closure of 537 KFC and Pizza Hut locations. İş Gıda, burdened with 7.7 billion TRY ($214M) in debt, has filed for bankruptcy.

Yum brands cited operational and quality failures, but speculation suggests Turkey’s boycott of Israeli-linked businesses played a role, as KFC’s sales fell 40%.

Despite winning Yum!’s “Best Franchise Partner of 2023”, İş Gıda’s rapid debt-fueled expansion and investments beyond fast food worsened its downfall. A court has granted the company three months to restructure.

The boycott, fueled by Turkey’s response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, has impacted multinational brands. The government has banned Israeli products, halted trade with Israel, and companies like Zorlu Energy have pulled out $1B in Israeli investments.

With soft drink sales plunging 50% and fast food chains struggling, global franchises in Turkey now face growing uncertainty.

18/02/2025

In a significant development ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand's seasoned fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out due to a foot injury sustained during a warm-up match against Afghanistan. Ferguson experienced pain in his right foot, and medical assessments have determined he will be unfit for the tournament's duration.

To fill this crucial vacancy, the Black Caps have called up Kyle Jamieson from the Canterbury Kings. Jamieson recently returned to domestic cricket after a ten-month hiatus caused by a back injury. Head coach Gary Stead expressed disappointment over Ferguson's absence but highlighted Jamieson's suitability, noting his pace and bounce as assets in the playing conditions expected in Pakistan.

This injury adds to New Zealand's challenges, as they are already without fast bowler Ben Sears, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The tournament has seen several notable absences due to injuries, including India's Jasprit Bumrah, South Africa's Anrich Nortje, and Australia's Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

👉lnstagram
https://www.instagram.com/newsnoweng

18/02/2025

Sri Lanka Announces Women's Squad for New Zealand Tour

Sri Lanka has announced its women's cricket squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, notably excluding seasoned players Inoka Ranaweera and Ama Kanchana. Batter Hasini Perera and 16-year-old left-arm wristspinner Shashini Gambini are also absent from the lineup.

The 16-member squad features fresh faces, including uncapped players Manudi Nanayakkara, Rashmika Sewwandi, and Chethana Vimukthi. Nanayakkara and Sewwandi showcased their skills in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, with Sewwandi previously selected for home T20Is against the West Indies, though she did not play.

The tour comprises three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), scheduled between March 4 and March 18, 2025. Matches will take place in Napier, Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The squad blends emerging talent with experienced players, aiming to build a competitive team for the New Zealand series. The inclusion of young prospects reflects Sri Lanka's commitment to nurturing future cricket stars.

This strategic selection indicates a focus on development and adaptability as Sri Lanka prepares to face New Zealand in both formats of the game.

17/02/2025

As part of the 2025 Budget, the government has proposed a revision to the public sector salary structure, focusing on increasing minimum wages and streamlining allowances to enhance employee compensation.

Presenting the budget proposals, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the minimum basic salary for public sector employees will be increased by Rs. 15,750, raising it from Rs. 24,250 to Rs. 40,000.

This salary adjustment will benefit employees across multiple sectors, including the judicial services, state corporations, statutory boards, university staff, and tri-service officers.

Additionally, the existing ad-hoc interim allowance and special allowance will be consolidated into the basic salary, along with a net increase of Rs. 8,250 in the minimum wage.

The salary increment structure will also be revised:

The minimum increment of Rs. 250 will be increased to Rs. 450.
The Rs. 500 increment will rise to Rs. 900.
The government has allocated Rs. 325 billion for this salary revision, with Rs. 110 billion earmarked for initial implementation in 2025.

The salary increase will be phased in as follows:

A Rs. 5,000 net salary increase and 30% of the adjustment will be implemented in April 2025.
The remaining 70% will be disbursed in two equal installments in January 2026 and January 2027.
In addition to salary adjustments, President Dissanayake announced plans to fill critical workforce shortages in the public sector. The government will recruit 30,000 new employees for essential vacancies, with Rs. 10 billion allocated in the 2025 Budget to facilitate this process.

17/02/2025

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced plans to develop and renovate Sri Lanka’s public transport system—including buses, highways, and trains—in both urban and rural areas, emphasizing that the initiative is a timely necessity.

Delivering the 2025 Budget Speech, the President outlined a pilot project aimed at introducing modern, high-tech, and comfortable buses to improve the country’s transport services.

As part of this initiative, 100 luxury coach buses will be deployed on three major corridors leading into Colombo City:

Kottawa – Pettah
Kadawatha – Pettah
Moratuwa – Pettah
To facilitate this development, the government has allocated Rs. 3,000 million for the purchase of these buses.

In addition, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will independently fund and introduce 200 more luxury coach buses into the public transport system. This move marks the first phase of a broader effort to modernize public transportation in the country.

“These buses will operate under the newly established ‘Metro Bus Company’, a separate corporation created for this purpose. They will not be managed under the existing transport authorities,” the President emphasized.

Furthermore, the proposed buses will be fully digitalized, integrating advanced technology for a seamless and efficient public transport experience.

The President also announced plans to streamline long-distance bus services by implementing a unified bus schedule, replacing the current fragmented schedules used separately by the SLTB and private bus operators.

This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and improve the overall experience for commuters across Sri Lanka.

17/02/2025

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake unveiled a series of cost-cutting initiatives aimed at curbing public expenditure as part of the 2025 budget proposals.

Delivering the 2025 Budget Speech in Parliament, the President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to financial discipline, particularly by reducing unnecessary spending by public representatives.

A key reform includes a review of allowances and benefits provided to Members of Parliament (MPs). As part of this effort, the insurance coverage for public representatives, previously set at Rs. 1 million, will be reduced to Rs. 250,000.

To further streamline government spending, the Cabinet size has been limited to 21 ministers, demonstrating a commitment to fiscal responsibility. The President also noted that the expenditures of ministers and deputy ministers have been rationalized to reduce overall government costs.

Additionally, a special committee has been appointed to oversee the allocation of public resources assigned to the President, Prime Minister, and Ministers, ensuring they are directed toward broader public benefit.

As part of efforts to cut excessive government spending, all luxury government-owned vehicles with high maintenance costs will be auctioned in March. The allocation of funds for government vehicles will also be limited to selected officials to ensure cost efficiency.

“The MPs will not receive vehicle permits or any vehicles this year. No budget allocation has been made for that purpose—it is simply unaffordable,” the President stated, reinforcing the government’s strict stance on eliminating wasteful expenses.

17/02/2025

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the establishment of a Digital Economic Authority and the introduction of a new legal framework for digital payments to accelerate the country’s transition toward a digital economy.

Delivering the 2025 Budget Speech, the President emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening laws and institutions related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and data security to support this transformation.

Highlighting the recently launched ‘GovPay’ digital payments platform, he stressed the necessity of moving away from a cash-based economy. The transition will be implemented in phases, ensuring a smooth and well-communicated process.

“We must put an end to the reliance on currency notes. Strengthening the required legal framework will be a priority, ensuring the economy remains stable during the transition,” the President stated.

Additionally, he outlined plans to attract investments in key technological sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Financial Technologies (FinTech), and other emerging innovations.

Sri Lanka aims to expand its digital economy to exceed USD 15 billion, contributing over 12% of GDP in revenue. To support this initiative, the government has proposed an allocation of Rs. 3,000 million for the development of the digital economy in 2025.

👉lnstagram
https://www.instagram.com/newsnoweng

14/02/2025

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former U.S. President Donald Trump met at the White House on February 13, 2025, to discuss strengthening trade relations. During the meeting, Modi proposed reducing India’s high import tariffs and announced plans to increase purchases of U.S. oil, gas, and defense equipment.

Tariff Issues and Trade Deal Negotiations:
Trump criticized India’s high tariffs, calling them unfair to American businesses. He pointed out that these tariffs restrict the entry of U.S. goods into the Indian market. Both countries aim to finalize a trade agreement within the next seven months to resolve ongoing trade disputes.

Defense and Energy Partnerships:
India is also planning to increase defense purchases from the U.S., including fighter jets, and aims to make the U.S. a key supplier of oil and gas. Both nations have set a goal to double their bilateral trade by 2030.

This meeting is seen as a crucial step in strengthening trade ties between India and the United States.

SOURCE : Reuters

👉lnstagram
https://www.instagram.com/newsnoweng

14/02/2025

The second One Day International (ODI) between Sri Lanka and Australia is currently underway at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. As of the 24th over, Sri Lanka stands at 113 for 1, with notable contributions from Nishan Madushka (51) and Kusal Mendis (56).

Australia has made five changes to their lineup for this match, bringing in Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, and Tanveer Sangha. These changes aim to bolster the team's performance ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka leads the two-match series 1-0 after a 49-run victory in the first ODI. This ongoing match serves as a crucial opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies before the Champions Trophy.

👉lnstagram
https://www.instagram.com/newsnoweng

13/02/2025

The final match of the Tri-Nation Series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa is set to take place tomorrow (February 14, 2025) in Karachi, Pakistan. This match is also considered a preview of the opening game of the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin in a few days.

New Zealand has performed exceptionally well throughout the series, securing their place in the final. Meanwhile, Pakistan enters the final with great momentum after successfully chasing a 350+ target against South Africa. In that match, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha played a crucial role by putting together a 260-run partnership for the fourth wicket, leading their team to victory.

However, Pakistan's death bowling remains a concern. In their previous matches, they conceded 98 runs in the last six overs against New Zealand and 87 runs in the last seven overs against South Africa. This has allowed opposition teams to pile on runs in the crucial final overs.

On the other hand, New Zealand has maintained consistent performances throughout the series. With solid victories in their initial matches, they will be heading into the final with confidence and a well-balanced team.

Since both teams will also face each other in the opening match of the Champions Trophy, this final serves as an important test for their strengths and strategies ahead of the major tournament.

👉lnstagram
https://www.instagram.com/newsnoweng

NewsNow

26/02/2025

24/02/2025

18/02/2025

18/02/2025

18/02/2025

17/02/2025

17/02/2025

17/02/2025

17/02/2025

14/02/2025

14/02/2025

13/02/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category