Jan 24 (Island) Sri Lanka�s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC has come forth as the title sponsor for Dialog � SLC National Super League Limited over Tournament which will be played on a standard 50 over format from Jan 24 to Feb 19. The Dialog � SLC National Super League will be broadcast LIVE on Dialog TV Channel 140 and will also be live streamed on SLC YouTube Channel. The five teams, Kandy, skippered by Kamindu Mendis, more..

Jan 24 (CT) It was raining sixes and fours on a severely windy and cold evening as Asia Lions scripted a stunning six-wicket win over World Giants to return to winning ways in the Legends League Cricket at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground. Smarting from their defeat to Indian Maharajas the previous day, Asia Lions rode on an 88-run partnership from 54 balls by the Sri Lankan duo of Upul Tharanga (63) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (52) to chase down a stiff 206 with 5 balls to spare here on Friday. more..

Jan 24 (TM) Colombo Land and Development Company (CLND) has, by CSE corporate disclosure dated 20 Jan 2022, announced the completion of the sale of its Liberty Arcade property to Seeview Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd. for a consideration of Rs. 640 million. In the corporate disclosure, CLND stated: �Upon the completion of the terms and conditions set out in the Sales and Purchase Agreement, the sale and transfer of the said property was concluded on 20 Jan 2022 more..

Jan 24 (FT) CIC Holdings PLC has announced a strong performance at the end of the third quarter of the financial year 2021/22 to record a profit after tax of Rs. 3.2 billion, up 14% over the corresponding period of FY21. Despite facing numerous challenges, CIC Holdings ended the third quarter with a turnover of Rs. 29.9 billion in the first nine months which was an increase of 6% from a year earlier. In the 3Q, revenue grew by only 1.5% to Rs. 11.3 billion whilst profit after tax declined by more..

Jan 24 (ST) Education Ministry with immediate effect has recalled the Islam text books for Grade 6, 7, 10 and 11 after the Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law, raised concerns over the contents of the books. Issuing a directive to principals of National and other schools that have received the text books in Sinhala and Tamil, Educational Publications Department Commissioner General P.N. Illapperuma instructed more..

Jan 24 (CT) Govt of SL's Face Value Money Printing (FVMP) debt on Friday, broke its own record established the previous day, Thursday, increasing by 0.2% (Rs 4,330.30 m) to a new record high of Rs 2,156,231.58 million (Rs 2.1562 t) due to GoSL�s sustained lack of revenue to meet its monetary commitments. GoSL�s highest to the third highest FVMP debt has been established in the three consecutive market days to Friday. Further, GoSL�s FVMP debt has been over Rs one trillion for more..

Jan 24 (FT) The electricity sector regulator, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) yesterday said it will not hold responsibility on legal repercussions that may arise due to unauthorised statements made with regards to power interruptions. �Commission has observed that various parties are making statements to the general public through media regarding scheduled power interruptions by CEB. However, it should be reminded to all parties that PUCSL has the sole authority to permit more..

Jan 24 (FT) Hotels Association of SL (THASL) declared that requiring non-residents to pay in foreign currency augurs well for the tourism industry and the country as it would boost reserves and encourage aggressive destination marketing. On Friday, Central Bank (CBSL) via an Extraordinary Gazette stipulated new guidelines following Monetary Board approval. �We are very grateful for the prompt action taken by more..

Jan 24 (FT) The SJB yesterday urged Prez Rajapaksa to set up a Disaster Management Council consisting of Govt and Opposition MPs if he is genuine in his call to the Opposition to assist in overcoming the pandemic induced crisis facing the country. SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told journalists yesterday the Disaster Management Act of 2005 provides for the setting up of a National Council for Disaster Management which is chaired by the Prez, PM as Vice Chairman, Leader of Opposition, more..

Jan 24 (DM) Various groups including lawyers are now seen expressing viewpoints about COVID vaccines, misleading the general public, State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said. "I cannot express opinions on something related to law as I am not from that field. I am qualified only in the field of medicines," she said. "Therefore, those who have zero knowledge on vaccines and medicines should abstain from speaking about them, as it could paint a wrong picture about vaccines and more..

Jan 24 (Island) The newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University, Senior Prof. H.D. Karunaratne, has lambasted local undergraduates at an event at the JRJ centre meant to attract Lankan students to the Tokyo Uni. The academic who is yet to receive the appointment formally declared that the majority of undergraduates here were an utterly irresponsible and destructive lot, in spite of receiving govt sponsorship and assistance, including the Mahapola Scholarship scheme. more..

Jan 24 (AD) UGC Chairman Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunga has been conferred with the title The Order of the Rising Sun by Japanese Govt. Award ceremony was held under the patronage of Prez Rajapaksa at the Sri Dharmavijayaloka Vihara in Rukmale in Pannipitiya on Saturday. The Order of the Rising Sun is conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on foreign nationals who have made distinguished contributions to enhance friendly relations with Japan. more..

Jan 24 (EN) A senior SL ministers says demonizing the IMF as a fearful creature not match the history, while the country attempts to fix the external problems sans the Washington based lender. SL has not gone to the IMF saying it will demand spending control on the bloated civil service, which is referred to by pro-state Western analysts and progressive press as austerity as well as currency depreciation. more..

Jan 24 (AD) Two young girls are missing and feared drowned while sea bathing near the beach at Weligama. Three young girls and a 21-year-old female were sea bathing near the Weligama seaside park today (23) when all four of them were swept away by strong waves. The 21-year-old female and a 14-year-old girl had been rescued and admitted to hospital while the other two girls, aged 12 and 15, are reported missing. All four of them are said to be residents of Muhudugama in Weligama. more..

Jan 24 (TM) The number of Covid-19 infections reported daily in SL has increased significantly by present, with the daily caseloads surpassing 800 for several consecutive days. Over the past few weeks, 600-700 cases of Covid-19 infections have been reported daily, but the highest number of Covid-19 infections recorded in a single day in the last week was 845 last Saturday (22). In addition, 829 cases were reported on 19 Jan, 827 on 20 and 840 on 21 January and 838 yesterday (23). more..

Jan 24 (TM) The CEB Engineers� Union (CEBEU) called upon the authorities to immediately remove CEB Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando, claiming that his actions are rooted in ensuring the New Fortress Energy Inc (NFE) agreement. �CEBEU learnt that the bogus acting General Manager of CEB Dr. M.N.S. Perera has hurriedly signed some crucial documents pertaining to New Fortress deal today, under the title of General Manager. more..

Jan 24 (FT) COVID-19 detections during the weekend rose to 1,683 with daily detections exceeding 800 for five days in a row. A total of 838 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, of which 837 were from the New Year cluster and one was an overseas arrival. The previous day, 840 persons from the New Year cluster, four SL overseas returnees and one person from the Prisons cluster tested positive for COVID-19. 7,501 PCR tests and 5,160 RATs were conducted on Saturday. more..

Jan 24 (AD) Three prison officers including a Jailor have been interdicted in connection with the recent death of an inmate at the Kadurugas-ara open prison camp. Lalith Hettige, 49, a resident of Kandewatta in Matara, had been sentenced to 04 years rigorous imprisonment in March last year over the theft of Rs. 10,000 and was later transferred from Matara Prison to the Kadurugasara open prison camp. Prison authorities had claimed that the inmate had escaped and more..

Jan 24 (TM) The CEB Engineers� Union (CEBEU) said yesterday (23) that there will most likely be a one hour power outage today (24) and starting tomorrow onwards (25), there will be a nearly two hour power outages during peak times (between 6.30 p.m. and 9 p.m.) around the country. �Power outages will be done according to a grouping schedule, where the country will be divided into four hours. more..

Jan 24 (FT) Last week, two erudite Buddhist monks, Rev. Galkande Dhammananda of the Uni of Kelaniya and Rev. Dr. Uduhavara Ananda of the Uni of Colombo in their Poya Day discourse series discussed an important and timely topic for contemporary SL. That was how the Buddha�s teachings could be used for governing a modern state. Rev. Dhammananda, in addition to teaching at the Kelaniya Uni, functions as the director of the Walpola Rahula Institute of Buddhist Studies, more..

Jan 24 (FT) The new bill titled Special Goods and Services Tax was published by gazette dated 7 January 2022.1 The Special Goods and Services Tax (SGST) was originally proposed in Budget speech 2021 but was not implemented. It has once again been presented in Budget 2022. The SGST aims to consolidate taxes on manufacturing and importing cigarettes, liquor, vehicles and assembly parts, while also consolidating taxes on telecommunication and betting and gaming more..

Jan 24 (DT) Hanif Lakhany, VP FPCCI, has expressed his profound grief over the most unfortunate and gruesome Sialkot incident with a Sri Lankan national; and, respectfully acknowledged the SL resolve and resilience to continue to cement the brotherly bilateral relations between the two historically significant strategic partner nations. He was speaking at the visit of a high-profile SL trade & investment delegation comprising of high-ranking state functionaries and business leaders. more..

Jan 24 (DN) State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle was awarded at the H-Con 2021 Youth Entrepreneurship Summit in Colombo in recognition of her outstanding service as the Minister in charge of the prevention of COVID disease. The H-Con 2021 Young Entrepreneurs Conference organized by Herbline Sri Lanka was held at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo with the participation of the top 500 best more..

Jan 24 (AD) Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge says that a decision has been taken not to impose any power cuts today (24), following discussions with the President. The minister stated this while speaking to reporters following a meeting held today (24) with the President to discuss the country�s power crisis. He said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed to come up with programme that would allow the country to more..

Jan 24 (AD) The Colombo High Court has fixed March 23 to commence the trial of the case filed against MP Hirunika Premachandra with regard to the alleged abduction, unlawful detention and assault of a youth from the Dematagoda area in 2015. The case was today (24) taken up before High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja, who ordered that the hearing of the case will commence on March 23 also directed to issue notice on the witnesses to appear before the court on that date. more..

Jan 24 (DM) Minister Udaya Gammanpila while admitting that there were some concerns on the quality of diesel and petrol sold in the domestic market among motorists, said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Indian Oil Company (IOC) issue fuel with 100% assurance that petrol and diesel sold by them were not substandard. Minister said that the fuel imported by the CPC and IOC are subject to laboratory tests for quality at the port of Colombo before pumping them to more..

Jan 24 (Island) One-time Executive Director of Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), Thushan Gunawardena says Immigration & Emigration Dept has barred him from leaving the country. An irate Gunawardena alleges he is being harassed over the disclosure of a massive garlic scam at Lak Sathosa last September. �Instead of prosecuting those responsible, expeditiously, I�m being targeted for ordering the raid that exposed corrupt lot,� more..

Jan 24 (DM) Second rule with contempt of court charges filed against former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake for allegedly making a derogatory statement regarding the Supreme Court was today fixed for March 9 by Supreme Court. Counsel Ashan Fernando appearing for Ramanayake informed court that his senior counsel Anura Meddegoda PC was unable to appear before Court owing to ill health. The Supreme Court was informed that former Gampaha district MP Ranjan Ramanayake more..

Jan 24 (AD) As furnace oil stocks at power plants are running out, the CEB Engineers� Union (CEBEU) says disruptions to the power supply are inevitable tonight and tomorrow. According to the CEB engineers, the consumers can expect one-hour power cuts between 5.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. today (24) and nearly two-hour power cuts between 1.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. tomorrow (25), under four categories. The time schedule for power cuts that are to be imposed tonight is as follows: more..

Jan 24 (TM) Responding to statements made by former President Maithripala Sirisena during an exclusive interview with The Sunday Morning, former Minister Malik Samarawickrama slammed certain statements made by Sirisena over the Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the Hambantota Port agreement, claiming that they were untrue. During the interview, Sirisena stated that Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNP had discussed the Singapore agreement in secret and more..

Jan 24 (Island) MEP leader and President of the SL-Cuba Friendship Association Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says the Cubans will continue to stand up against the attempts of the imperialists and colonialists to reverse the gains achieved by the Cuban revolution. Addressing a meeting of the Association held on Friday at the National Library Auditorium, Colombo on the commemoration of the 63rd Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, Minister said that they would stand up for the people more..

Jan 24 (EN) As Sri Lanka scrambles to find solutions to its worsening economic crisis, democracy may end up being the next victim, according to former opposition MP Sunil Handnunneththi. �As the country becomes bankrupt and they run out of solutions for the economic woes, they will then touch democracy itself,� Handunneththi said. The former JVP MP was responding to a controversial statement by MP Diana more..

Jan 24 (Island) Women are undergoing untold hardships due to the economic downturn while the ruling party politicians were helping themselves to public funds, says the JVP women wing. Secretary of the JVP-led Women for Rights Municipal Council Member Samanmalee Gunasinghe said: �The govt is further aggravating the situation with its short-sighted solutions. It has no solutions to the burning problems the people are beset with. Many essentials are in short supply. more..

Jan 24 (CT) A controversy has arisen at the Wayamba Uni due to a group of politicians writing to Prez Rajapaksa requesting him to appoint Prof. H.M.A. Herath as Vice Chancellor of the Uni. MPs Samanpriya Herath, Sanath Nishantha, D.Y.K. Rathnasekara, D.B. Herath, Nalaka Kottegoda and Gunapala Rathnasekara have written to the Prez regarding the appointment. Further, the Viyathmaga organisation has also requested that Prof. Herath to be appointed. more..

Jan 24 (TM) The UK Govt may �continue training police officers in Sri Lanka despite Police Scotland pulling out of the contract amid escalating concern around human rights abuses. Human rights campaigners and politicians had urged Police Scotland to stop the training programme when survivors, who allegedly endured rape, electric shocks and torture while being held by SL police, told of their ordeal after fleeing to Scotland. more..

Jan 24 (AAP) A Tamil family have received a boost in their fight to remain in Australia after a federal court ruled a decision to prevent them from applying for further bridging visas was procedurally unfair. However, supporters say it is a hollow victory and fear the federal govt will send the Murugappan family home to be arrested and possibly tortured in Sri Lanka later this year. The Federal Circuit Court on Monday quashed Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision in late June to use more..