Jun 12 (FT) Sri Lanka�s leading private sector bank, HNB PLC, expanded its Walk the Talk initiative to promote a more eco-friendly, healthy and economical mode of transportation among its employees on World Bicycle Day in a bid to encourage simple interventions with major potential to reduce the carbon footprints for the bank and its employees. HNB employees across the island cycled to their workplace on World Bicycle Day, promoting alternative mode of transportation. more..

Jun 12 (EN) Sri Lanka Railway Department-owned lands will be leased out to farming societies for a very low tax rate for a period of one year, the PMD said as the country is struggling to avoid a food crisis in the near future. The plan was revealed at meeting with Prez Rajapaksa and public officials on the progress review of the Ministry of Transport and Highways. �It was also revealed that a plan to lease the reserved lands owned by the Railway Dept for food crops for a period of one year,� more..

Jun 12 (ST) A recent skinfold test found three key players of the national white-ball set up reporting levels exceeding the benchmark of 85mm, but a policy change helped the trio earn their place in the T20 team named for the ongoing Australian series. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga & Danushka Gunathilaka have all reported skinfold levels well above the set standards with Rajapaksa reporting shocking 106.2mm more..

Jun 12 (ST) Visakha Vidyalaya and St. Joseph�s College�s dominated the 46th National Age Group Aquatic Championship 2022 after effortlessly topping their respective gender categories with 354 and 556 points. Visakians and the Darley road lads have been consistently proving their prowess in the waters wining previous school meets also. Yesterday was only another testimony. SL National swimmer, Akalanka Peiris, a record-breaker on Thursday, renewed his own record of 26.27, more..

Jun 12 (ST) The ban on open account system has been conditionally lifted for two months with traders being allowed to import selected essential food items. An open account is an arrangement between a business and a customer, where the customer can buy goods and services on a deferred payment basis. The decision was taken after traders met PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday for discussions relating to the policy which caused controversy and outcry from importers last month. more..

Jun 12 (ST) Just two out of six Russian companies have responded to a call from SL for oil and that, too, was only to acknowledge the request letters sent to them by the CPC, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera revealed. Two out of six companies suggested by Russia�s Ambassador to SL have written back to us saying they have received our requirements and will get back to us, Minister said, in response to a question the Sunday Times more..

Jun 12 (ST) Chinese Govt has ruled out the possibility of entering into a US$ 1.5 billion swap arrangement with SL on the basis that SL may not be able to fulfil its conditions. Chinese govt�s position was conveyed when SL�s Ambassador Palitha Kohona met China�s Asian Affairs Dept Director General Liu Jinsong in Beijing, a senior official said. The ambassador was told that Chinese Financial Institutions were concerned about the likely violation of the terms and conditions. more..

Jun 12 (EN) Prez Rajapaksa is exploring steps to decentralize key public institutions to reduce number of public servants coming to capital Colombo and give priority to youth-led agriculture to achieve greater productivity, his office said on Saturday as the country is facing its worst economic crisis with fuel shortage and a looming food crisis. Govt officials have said that Rajapaksa administration is facing difficulty in ensuring fuel supply for public transport as its foreign reserves are exhausted for more..

Jun 12 (SO) Mahaweli Authority�s Deputy Director-General of Technical Services, engineer Nilantha Dhanapala said that the Mahaweli Authority released water from the Rantambe and Randenigala reservoirs with permission from the CEB. The CEB Engineers� Union yesterday denied any involvement in opening the sluice gate of Rantambe or any other hydro reservoirs, adding that the Mahaweli Authority has the sole say to release the repository of large reservoirs. more..

Jun 12 (TM) Treasury refuted allegations that only half of the $ 200 million Indian Line of Credit (LOC) for health and medicine imports would be utilised. Treasury Deputy Secretary R.M.P.K. Ratnayake asserted that the total of $ 200 million would be used to import essential medicines which were in short supply from India. �There is no reason why the full amount cannot be used. It is up to the private importers to submit the invoices, but $ 200 mil credit line in its entirety will be utilised,� more..

Jun 12 (TW) The head of SL�s electricity authority has testified before a parliamentary panel that he was told by SL Prez Rajapaksa that PM Narendra Modi of India had insisted a 500-megawatt wind power project be directly given to the Adani group. Responding to the claim, Rajapaksa has denied asking for the project to be given to any specific entity. CEB chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando said the SL president had told him more..

Jun 12 (ST) A proposal to allow public servants to go abroad for work for a maximum of five years on no-pay leave is to be submitted to the Cabinet tomorrow. Those who go abroad for work under this scheme will not have their seniority or pensions affected by their absence. The proposal is to be presented by Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Govt Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who will seek approval for the issuing of a circular outlining the new policy. more..

Jun 12 (SO) COPE Chairman and SLPP National List MP Charitha Herath said that there is no provision in Parliamentary Standing Orders to make an Opposition MP the Chairman of COPE. Presenting COPE Report he said that he had no objections to appointing one from the Opposition to chair COPE following an agreement by both sides but it was misleading and incorrect for the Opposition to say that position should be given to Opp. in accordance with Standing Orders. more..

Jun 12 (ST) An economic catastrophe spinning out of control with the increasing non-availability of essentials is clouded by a heavy fog � the impending constitutional changes. To procure more fuel to keep vehicles running, the transport services operating and cooking gas (LPG) for most households and restaurants, resources are dwindling. The lack of diesel has curtailed bus services. more..

Jun 13 (CT) Chairman of the CEB M.M.C. Ferdinando committed an unforgivable blunder last week, which could have sparked diplomatic tensions between SL and India � an eventuality that would spell doom for SL as India is currently extending a generous helping hand for the island nation to come out of its worst economic crisis in its history. The CEB Chairman told the COPE on Friday that he was told by Prez Rajapaksa that Indian PM Narendra Modi was exerting pressure that certain more..

Jun 13 (TM) The theme of the World Day Against Child Labour 2022, which fell yesterday, is Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour. This day is mostly intended to discuss and ensure children�s welfare, especially that of those who are working despite age limitations. In the SL context, this has been a national-level issue for a long time. Even though the issue of child labour is not being discussed in the SL context adequately, it is a globally prevalent issue, despite legal and more..

Jun 13 (SO) Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said that in a situation where the SL people are undergoing severe hardships, if SL expatriates can purchase some property, make some investment in SL or at least send some money to their relatives through the formal banking system, it would be very helpful to boost the country�s dwindling foreign reserves. He said in recent times Pakistan also faced a similar more..

Jun 13 (GV) Colombo�s mayor, Rosy Senanayake, has cautioned that Colombo might run out of food by September. The prime minister has warned that Sri Lankans will not be able to eat three meals a day for too long. Meanwhile Colombo clubs continue their invites for special Mongolian dinner nights, traditional yellow rice Sunday lunches and weekend starter breakfasts while a leading local cosmetic firm launches a skin care product for all women in SL using our heirloom rice as its main ingredient! more..

Jun 13 (CT) The country is literally burning in Bankruptcy and its citizens thrust into an Economic Hellhole of utmost deprivation. Then the President, increasingly seen as a Colossal Failure and immediate cause for the mismanagement of the Economy, appoints a PM who is also the Finance Minister, but does nothing but engage in dooms day declarations, dire warnings and predictions! What more can the people expect from such an appointment of sheer political opportunism more..

Jun 13 (TM) SL farmers can recover from the ongoing food crisis with the right guidance and timely support from local and international actors, Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Representative for SL Vimlendra Sharan said. He opined that SL could use the opportunity that had arisen through the current food crisis to build resilience for food security and strengthen the local food system to be more adaptive to more..

Jun 13 (ST) When questioned as to why Sri Lanka�s law works to its most ferocious extent against anti-govt protestors, PM Wickremesinghe�s answer was typically slick. �The police have also arrested MP�it is the magistrates who decide on remand�, he said. This was during one of multiple regional and global media interviews indulged in freely as the nation�s citizenry struggles in the death throes of decades of gross unchecked political corruption by Prezs & PMs of all shades and sizes. more..

Jun 13 (Island) The CAA has again stipulated a maximum retail price (Rs. 210) for two locally produced varieties of rice��white and red. Prices of rice have been increasing steeply during the past few weeks due to market manipulations, and the CAA�s move to protect the consumer is welcome. But the success of this intervention hinges on the govt�s ability to keep hoarders at bay. Warnings of an impending food crisis have prompted consumers to stock up on rice, and taking advantage of more..

Jun 13 (Island) SL has been facing an economic crisis like never before. This crisis emerged with the COVID-19 pandemic mainly due to a drop in external earnings from tourism and foreign employment which are common to almost all countries in the region, including Bangladesh and India. However, those countries were able to recover due to the maintenance of external earnings reserves (buffer of dollars). SL never gave much thought to reserving foreign earnings to more..

Jun 13 (ST) Prez laid bare his self-confidence and belief in his own inherent prowess to reverse the tide of failure and surf the crest of success when he told foreign news agency Bloomberg, �I have been given a mandate for five years. I will not contest again. I cannot go as a failed president.� This is not the first time that Prez Rajapaksa has said he is determined to see through the whole nine yards of his presidential term but it is the first time he has given a reason why he will not quit halfway: more..

Jun 13 (CI) If you were watching on TV, you might wonder what the big deal was. Khettarama, one of cricket's great party grounds, overflowing as it almost always is for T20 internationals, roaring for SL lbw appeals, vibing to papare even through rain breaks, generally being its regular rambunctious self. On the field, a dramatic batting collapse is unfolding. Even this feels like a familiar and comforting companion to SL life. more..

Jun 13 (Island) Just as you began to think that Josh Hazlewood is emerging as the best fast bowler in the world and in fact Australia�s pace attack is infallible, Dasun Shanka told us to hold on. On Saturday night he reminded us that only the Pope is infallible. We had started marveling the Australian attack. There looked no weak link which Sri Lanka could attack. All bowlers were on the money showcasing in the Colombo leg of the series why they are World Champions. more..

Jun 13 (CT) SL long jumper Sarangi Silva leaped 6.33m to win the Gold medal at the Meeting International D�Athletisme de Geneve held in Switzerland on Saturday evening. The SL record holder of the event with a personal best of 6.65m, Sarangi left to Poland earlier this month to compete at the 68� ORLEN Janusz Kusociński Memorial, a World Athletics Gold label competition, where she finished 6th with a 6.35m performance. She then travelled to Switzerland with her coach more..

Jun 13 (ST) Somehow, we seem to be a country caught in a web of derelict governance! Day in and day out we hear of people we regard as leaders of our land, acting with such selfish attitudes, that the last person that comes to their mind, is that forlorn man in the street. That same sad plight appears to affect our bastions of sports, with the people at the helm carrying on, as if it is their very existence that sustains our fortunes, abysmal though it is at present. more..

Jun 13 (DM) It is over 50 days since the GotaGoHome campaign kicked off. The campaign which started off as non violent protests by groups of residents in Colombo against the lack of fuel, cooking gas, shortages of medicinal needs and a skyrocketing cost of living. The situation has become so desperate, hospitals have begun cutting back on surgeries as vital stocks of medicament ran out. The protest took a different turn when what started as protests by individual groups, more..

Jun 13 (ST) Plots inside Viharamaha Devi Park as well as premises surrounding Municipal Slaughter house will be among the 9.5 acres of land identified by the CMC for its urban agriculture programme, officials said. But agriculture experts also warn that the experiment, the first to be tried in the capital, could face considerable challenges including rats and other pestilence. Meanwhile, attempts to popularise home gardens more..

Jun 13 (MFA) Foreign Minister G. L. Peiris met with Dr. Richard Marles, Deputy PM and Minister of Defence of Australia, on the sidelines of the Shangri La dialogue in Singapore. Minister Peiris conveyed warm congratulations to the new Govt of Australia and expressed confidence in the further development of the bilateral relationship between SL & Australia. He thanked Govt of Australia for the announcement of AUD 2.5 million of targeted development assistance to boost food more..

Jun 13 (DN) Skipper Dasun Shanaka played a remarkable innings which was a match-winning knock and he can play this type of innings said SL�s hard-hitting batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa at the post-match virtual press briefing at Pallekele. Rajapaksa the 30-year-old left hander further said When Shanaka scored five runs in 11 balls at the middle stage of the innings we were bit worried but we knew he had the ability to play huge shots over the ropes and we had confidence about more..

Jun 13 (FT) Workers' remittances in May picked up month-on-month in May but remained negative at cumulative level as per latest data released by the Central Bank. Inflows in May were $ 304 million, up from $ 249 million in April but lower by 34% compared with $ 460.1 million a year ago. May 2022 figure also failed to match or better $ 318 million achieved in March. The gain in March was partly linked to the free float of the currency which saw the rupee plunge by over 30% in early March. more..

Jun 13 (ST) Tourism authorities are drawing up plans to generate revenue through instant solutions by targeting India and Russia to increase the foreign exchange earnings. SLTPB new Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu said that they are currently drawing up mid-term and long-term strategies to generate increased number of tourists. In this respect, authorities are currently focusing on the next six months to carry out road shows in India and Russia since �we need an instant solution�, more..

Jun 13 (TM) A group of employees of Litro Gas Lanka, has alleged that the past three chairmen of the State-owned gas supplier brought the company to its current pathetic financial state, and endorsed Muditha Pieris, Litro Gas Lanka Managing Director from 2015-2019, for the post of Chairman. �Anil Koswatte came, but he didn�t do his job properly and left. Then came Theshara Jayasinghe more..

Jun 13 (Island) Chairman of Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa yesterday (11) said that there was no legal requirement for a National List MP to submit his or her asset declaration before the EC accepted nomination made by a political party. Attorney-at-Law Punchihewa said so responding to The Island query whether he had received asset declaration from newly-appointed SLPP MP Dhammika Perera before the issuance of gazette notification pertaining to his appointment. more..