Jul 1 (CI) SL batter Angelo Mathews has been withdrawn from the first Test against Australia in Galle after testing positive for Covid-19. Mathews was ruled out of the game on the third morning just prior to play starting. Oshada Fernando has been named as his replacement. "Angelo Mathews tested positive for Covid-19," an SLC statement said. "He was found to be positive during a Rapid Anti-Gen test conducted on the player, yesterday. The test was done, as the player was feeling unwell. more..

Jul 1 (CI) Australia's spinners tore through SL's line-up as they lost 10 wickets inside 23 overs in a staggering collapse to lose the opening Test in Galle inside two-and-a-half days. Nathan Lyon and Travis Head took four wickets each and Mitchell Swepson two, as SL were bundled out for 113. Australia needed just five runs to win and knocked them off with ease to win by 10 wickets before lunch on the third day and go 1-0 up more..

Jul 1 (DM) Reports reaching that 22 trains, including office and intercity trains scheduled for today have been cancelled as railway guards were unable to report to work due to lack of fuel, SL Railways Station Masters� Union (SLRSMU) said. They said there is a possibility of cancelling a few trains, including two long-distance trains from Colombo Fort to Badulla and Kankesanthurai (KKS) after noon today. Due to this cancellation of trains, commuters would undergo greater difficulties more..

Jul 1 (CI) India beat SL in the opening ODI of the three-match series in Pallekele, but not before a scare. SL offspinner Oshadi Ranasinghe took two early wickets, left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera took 4 for 39 through the middle overs, and for a brief period, it seemed that SL would successfully defend 171. However, their below-par total meant India's struggling batting line-up could creep up and register a four-wicket win, bringing relief to a unit that would have wanted to chase it down more..

Jul 1 (AD) The BOI today launched the five-year residence visa program dedicated to investors, stakeholders and BOI enterprises. Issuing long-term visas for investors has been the practice as per the international standards. On par with matching the international benchmark in respect of ease of doing business, the BOI has decided to launch this program to attract more investors to the country. The long-term visa program, a long-felt need, more..

Jul 1 (CT) Deputy Ambassador of Japan, Kotaro Katsuki, has strongly denied recent media reports claiming that Japan has refused to extend its support to SL. In an e-mail addressed to the PM�s Secretary, Katsuki assured that the media report in question had no grounds whatsoever, and that the Ambassador of Japan would do no such thing. Moreover, Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi met with Prez Rajapaksa today, during which Japan�s willingness to maintain a robust more..

Jul 1 (FT) Despite the economic downturn, the insurance industry saw double digit growth in the first quarter according to the Insurance Regulatory Commission of SL. Following is a review of the insurance industry during the period 1 Jan 2022 to 31 March 2022 by IRCSL. The insurance industry had achieved a growth of 12.29% in terms of overall Gross Written Premium (GWP), during the 1st Quarter of 2022, recording a GWP increase of Rs. 7,275 million when compared to same period more..

Jul 1 (DM) Railway staff at the Fort Railway Station has decided to temporarily stay away from duties as railway authorities have failed to resolve a tense situation which arose at the station, SL Railway Station Masters Union said. A tense situation has arisen after commuters at the Fort Railway Station protested as the train which was bound to KKS at 11.50 a.m. was delayed for more than two hours. Meanwhile, nearly 30 train services were cancelled as railway guards were unable to report more..

Jul 1 (FT) It�s mid-morning in a small village tucked away in the north of SL. Everyone is out and about, getting on with their daily chores. A vegetable vendor shouts the names of vegetables in quick succession as he wheels his cart down the street, prompting a string of calls in return as occupants of the nearby houses emerge. One house however, remains silent. A woman holds her door open just a crack, peering through fearfully. She knows he�ll turn up any time now, and create a scene. more..

Jul 1 (CI) Sri Lanka crashed and burned in the second innings, nosediving to 113 all out in 22.5 overs. Four of their top seven fell attempting sweeps or reverse sweeps. And of that top seven, only Dhananjaya de Silva was out not playing and attacking stroke - he left a ball that would have hit leg stump. Still, it wasn't SL's approach that paved their way to such a swift and comprehensive defeat, it was their execution, more..

Jul 1 (Island) Litro Gas Lanka, yesterday responded to criticism as regards the salary structure of its staff. Muditha Peiris, Chairman/CEO of Litro Gas Lanka has issued the following statement: �The Company has been severely impacted by rising global LPG prices, foreign currency fluctuations and not increasing prices of LPG in Sri Lanka in keeping with changing international rates of LPG. The once robust entity that consistently performed as a leading SOE with growth potential, more..

Jul 1 (CI) Dimuth Karunaratne: c Carey b Lyon 23 5.3 Bottom edge, given! Went for the sweep from outside off and gets a thin tickle. Neatly done from Carey who has done well in tough conditions behind the stumps. Australia have their first | 37 for 1 Pathum Nissanka: lbw b Swepson 14: 6.5 Big appeal and given lbw! Nissanka goes for the sweep and misses. Looks very straight but he reviews. Pitches middle, straightens a touch, takes the back leg. Not sure this will be missing. more..

Jul 1 (TM) With most other universities conducting online lectures for their students given the current crisis situation in the country, steps have been taken to transition all academic activities to an online setting, especially in the Uva Wellassa and Peradeniya universities, UGC said. UGC Chairman Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge said: �There�s nothing as a complete closure of universities now. more..

Jul 1 (Island) Canadian High Commissioner in Colombo David McKinnon has said that his govt was funding procurement of medicine for SL and urgently needed rice stocks for school meals programme here. HC McKinnon, in his Canada Day message referred to the developing political-econoimic-social crisis. McKinnon, who is also the envoy accredited to the Maldives, said: �While the acute phase of the pandemic is, thankfully, behind us, the world faces different and complex challenges that more..

Jul 1 (FT) Sampath Bank PLC yesterday announced the appointment of veteran international banker and risk management consultant Hiran Cabraal as Non-Executive, Independent Director to its Board of Directors, with effect from 30 June 2022. With a rich and diverse experience and a proven 34-year international track record in leadership roles, Cabraal brings with him a wealth of strategic risk management experience in the global banking and financial services industries. more..

Jul 1 (Island) Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed to conduct a joint comprehensive survey of the lands under forest conservation in the Trincomalee district that can be used for cultivation. This follows a recent discussion he had with the officials of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife and the District Secretary of Trincomalee and all the Divisional Secretaries in the District via Zoom. This discussion was held at the request of the public in some DSs of Trinco District. more..

Jul 1 (TM) The daily financial support provided by the Govt to children�s homes, per child, has been increased from Rs. 40 to Rs.100. When inquired on the state of children�s homes in light of the current economic crisis, the managements of most children�s homes had a positive outlook on the operations. Though experiencing a slightly less inflow of donations, the children�s homes are operating quite comfortably with children at most of them being given the required facilities to more..

Jul 1 (TM) Investigations into the suspicious death of an inmate at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, who died on Tuesday (28) evening, are yet to properly commence, owing to complexities that have arisen with regard to the identification of the deceased. Well-placed sources said that when those believed to be the parents of the deceased were invited to identify his body, the couple had revealed more..

Jul 1 (TM) Illicit liquor use is reported to be on the rise due to the price hikes of liquor attributed to the increase in retail tax as well as the increase in the price of sourced raw materials and the cost of production, which has in turn resulted in the decrease of the revenue of the Excise Department by 30%. Commissioner of Excise Kapila Kumarasinghe said that with the current crisis situation and the new taxes that are being enforced on liquor, a diversion of the market is seen more..

Jul 1 (TM) The National Movement of Health Professionals (NMHP) has launched a public petition requesting a referendum to introduce nine fundamental changes to the Constitution. NMHP Convener Ravi Kumudesh said that the fundamental changes to the Constitution that are sought, include enshrining United Nations (UN)-based human rights (HR); accepting diversity (racial, gender, religious, disability); having an independent Judiciary, Police, civil administration & Election Commission; more..

Jul 1 (CT) The current fuel crisis is capable of shutting down entire units and hospitals, without even a strike, if the Health Ministry fails to apply all possible pressure to obtain fuel to maintain their functions, Doctors warned. Media Spokesman for GMOA, warned that the collapse of the Govt health service was inevitable as already service categories were unable to run the health institutions satisfactorily as staff members were not able more..

Jul 1 (DM) Whilst ruling out a new multiparty govt, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday pledged to form a SJB administration with a fresh mandate. �We will form our own SJB govt comprising 113 SJB MPs with a fresh mandate. Do not show us carrots in the form of Premiership, state and deputy ministers as we will not accept any of these. We will form our own govt with 113 of our own MPs after a fresh mandate,� he said. �Be ready to chase the Rajapaksa's and others who more..

Jul 1 (CT) Lanka IOC, a member of the Indian CEO Forum, has contributed medicines worth Rs 2 million to Colombo South Teaching Hospital, especially for the Kidney and Epileptic disease patients. Managing Director, Platinum Reality Investments, Kishore Reddy, representing the Indian CEO Forum, was present at the occasion. Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director, Lanka IOC PLC, Manoj Gupta said �We express our sincere gratitude to the management of the Colombo South more..

Jul 1 (AD) Chief Incumbents of the four Buddhist Chapters have written to Prez Rajapaksa, stressing 10 matters, including the creation of economic stability and provision of relief to the people. In their statement, the chief prelates said the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution should be passed in the parliament without delay. They also stressed that the Prez should take expedite measures to convene political party leaders more..

Jul 1 (TM) A total of Rs. 59 billion in outstanding payments owed by the Road Development Authority (RDA) to contractors engaged in road maintenance work is to be settled with funds provided by the Treasury. RDA Director General L.V.S. Weerakoon said that the Treasury is releasing funds to pay the outstanding amounts in instalments and that he was signing the cheques for said purpose. The payments had been accumulating over the past six months, and continued delay in paying contractors more..

Jul 1 (CT) A collaboration of trade unions was formed in a bid to formulate policies to manage the current crisis overwhelming several sectors in the country. Co-Convener of the National Movement of the Health Professionals (NMHP), Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa yesterday compared SL to paralysed patient in need of intensive care owing to mismanagement by its political leadership. �We urgently need those who have practical solutions and professionalism to contribute towards more..

Jul 1 (EN) The national security candidates of SL�s last election cycle don�t seem to have delivered on that front and the govt is not ready to correct the mistakes of appointing retired military men to key civil administration positions, former Prez Maithripala Sirisena said. Sirisena said the SLPP-led govt has mismanaged the country politically, economically and socially. �National security was the foremost slogan of the last election. more..

Jul 1 (ANI) Following her side's four-wicket loss to India in the first ODI, SL captain Chamari Athapaththu has said that the side has not been batting well. Team India defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series at Pallekele Int'l Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Friday. For women in Blue, Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma played knocks of 44 and 35 respectively as the team chased the target of 172 with 12 overs still to go. Earlier, Fiery knocks by Hasini Perera more..

Jul 1 (EN) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) is investigating the escape of nearly 700 detainees at the Kandakauwa Drug Rehabilitation Center in Polonnaruwa, on Wednesday, an official said. HRCSL Acting Director Sulari Liyanagama said that the investigation was launched on the day of the incident, and that the HRCSL officers and Regional Coordinator from A'pura had visited the facility on Thursday. �We will give our recommendations based on our independent investigation,� more..

Jul 2 (DM) With the Aragalaya or the public revolt against the Rajapaksa Govt continuing for the 85th day and the crisis getting worse day by day with political leaders warning of a possible famine and hundreds of people surviving with one meal a day, SL needs to reconsider its economic policy and go back to the cooperative movement which played a key role in giving essential items to the people at affordable prices. The co-operative movement which started after the SWRD Bandaranaike govt more..

Jul 2 (DM) Almost all Sri Lankans have reposed or they have been made by their leaders to repose all their hopes on the IMF for their economic salvation. They have been made to assume that all their problems or at least the current economic catastrophe that have befallen them would be resolved by the IMF. However, it all depends on the programme that would be placed before the IMF by the leaders of the country. It is not yet clear the programme that is to be presented will be more..

Jul 2 (DM) While the entire country is crippled by the fuel shortage, the Govt is trying to secure fuel shipments from other countries, including India. The worsening fuel crisis forced the Govt to declare an unofficial lockdown until 15 July, as the remaining fuel stocks in the country are running out. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said two representatives are scheduled to fly to Russia to look into possibility of obtaining fuel from there. more..

Jul 2 (CT) Yes, dollars are important for our reserves! Yet without addressing root causes but focusing narrowly on earning $$ is probably the mindset of a gambler! The recent supposed cabinet decision of the govt to allow mothers of young children to go abroad and slave for the mirage of dollars, sends shivers down my spine. This is an intention of a pre-emptive strike before it is formally approved! I hope the Family Health Bureau, UNICEF & WHO joins in the protest more..

Jul 2 (CT) The scenario of virtually deserted streets seen in Colombo and in other parts of SL today is similar to what took place 33-35 years ago, when JVP terror stalked for more than two years from 29 July 1987 to 13 November 1989. The cause was the controversial Indo-Lanka Peace Accord (ILPA) of 29 July 1987, forced on SL by a belligerent India, at a time when the SL Army had cornered LTTE leader V Prabhakaran in Jaffna on 3 June 1987. India threatened military action if SL didn�t stop more..

Jul 2 (CT) Director General Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Asela Gunawardena on 9 June 2022 said it is not mandatory to wear facemasks indoors and outdoors to avoid the coronavirus from 10 June 2022. However he said that it is preferable for persons with respiratory infections and those traveling in public transport to wear a face mask. The release issued by the DGHS also noted that performing PCR or RAT more..

Jul 2 (TM) Sri Lanka, until Covid-19, was mismanaged in late 2021 due to overconfident Govt dignitaries under the illusions that they were on the right track. Tourism, by late 2018, was booming and making headlines worldwide, until a senseless attack on churches and hotels stopped the momentum in its tracks. Tourism, however, began to pick up once again by mid-2019, albeit dented by the pandemic. The economy began to tank by late 2021 due to poor policy options of the Govt. more..

Jul 2 (CT) When Ranil Wickremesinghe took the PM�s post a month ago, he warned that things would get worse rather than better. Wickremesinghe addressed the Nation at least thrice since then, and on all three occasions he has reiterated this warning. To be fair by him, he is right: things will get worse before they improve. In appointing Ranil Wickremesinghe as his PM, Prez Rajapaksa took a gamble. The gamble worked for a month. Now, however, we are at a standstill. more..