Mar 24 (CT) Karunawathie belongs to a community that represents the poorest of the poor in SL and lives in Uva Wellassa, one of the least developed areas. She has been paying land tax (Akkara Badda) for the land she seeks a shelter and cultivates to earn her family a daily pot of rice. However, she was recently informed that the land she was living on, no longer belongs to her, and in fact will be taken away from her to be more..

Mar 24 (DN) Former SL all-rounder Jehan Mubarak, (41), has been appointed as the new head coach of the SL Under-19 cricket team with immediate effect. On a recommendation made by Cricket Technical Committee, which later was approved by the Executive Committee of SLC, Mubarak will take over this post immediately, replacing his own club mate Avishka Gunawardene. Avishka�s tenure ended after the recently concluded U-19 World Cup held in the Caribbean, where the SL team lost very badly more..

Mar 24 (EN) SL�s stock index edged down on Wednesday (23) after gaining in three previous sessions amid concerns over the island nation�s economy and mixed sentiment over possible IMF deal, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 0.31% or 32.93 points to close at 10,457.81. Prez has said the country will seek IMF help to face the debt crisis though some of the govt officials have raised concerns over adverse impacts of conditions by global lender in the past. more..

Mar 24 (Island) The nation�s top cricketers have been informed to take part in the next rounds of the ongoing First Class tournament. Although, playing domestic games is mandatory for selections for the national team, there seems to be more emphasis this time around as players have been advised not to rest but to keep themselves occupied. SL�s poor preparations ahead of the recent India Test series was a point that was highlighted. Accordingly, all players will return to First Class cricket today more..

Mar 24 (EN) SL�s livestock including cattle and chicken are facing malnutrition due to the lack of feed, vitamins and rising costs, the island�s state veterinarians said as the forex crisis driven by money printing hits imports. �We have been monitoring the crisis for sometimes and have informed the relevant authorizes on how to protect the lives of these animals, but we have been ignored,� Nuwan Hewagamage Secretary of the State Veterinary Surgeons Association told more..

Mar 24 (CT) SL will soon launch global capital and financial market promotional programmes to attract much-needed bridging finance inflows to the nation, a top govt official told Finance Today. The nation�s usable foreign reserves presently stand at below USD 500 million. In contrast, the country has to fulfil over USD 5 billion worth of foreign loans and other repayment commitments in the coming 12 months. �Despite the Govt decision to launch more..

Mar 24 (DN) Former CB Governor Dr Indrajith Coomaraswamy noted that the interest rates in the country would have to more than double to provide a real return to savers. He further noted that though things are likely to get worse going forward it was better to have the confidence brought about through an IMF program than without one. Coomaraswamy was speaking on March 23 in the CT CLSA Securities webinar on the IMF: Order of Priorities for Reforms. Given the current rate of inflation more..

Mar 24 (FT) SL and the Netherlands plan to sign a bilateral aviation services agreement with the aim to launch direct passenger and cargo flights between the two countries. Although approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted to sign a bilateral aviation agreement between SL and Netherland at their meeting on the 30 July 2019, no such accord has been signed so far. Therefore, Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Minister Prasanna Ranatunga to sign more..

Mar 24 (FT) SL dazzled visitors to the Dubai Expo recently, showcasing its inimitable Ceylon Sapphire at a special event titled Day of Sapphires. Members of SL Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA) showcased gems worth $ 100 million, including sapphires hitherto unseen in public. Renowned world jewellery specialist, Helen Molesworth, graced the SL pavilion that day and offered visitors exclusive insights into history, more..

Mar 24 (FT) The Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The President briefed Nuland on the issues raised at the All-Party Conference this morning, its progress, and the discussion to be held with the TNA on Friday. Appreciating these efforts, the Under Secretary pointed out the importance of holding talks with the Diaspora in Canada, the United States, and European countries. more..

Mar 24 (DN) Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka Eric Lavertu highly applauded the SL private sector for their painstaking effort taken to develop the country�s export sector which helps to swell the economy to a greater extent. He was addressing the National Chamber of Commerce of SL (NCCSL) organized annual National Business Excellence Awards 2021 which was held on a grand scale at BMICH. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) was the Print Media sponsor more..

Mar 24 (FT) Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism SL (ASMET) and Colombo City Restaurant Collective (CCRC) strongly opposed any necessity to change the existing Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 completely. �We collectively remain steadfast in our opinion that the majority of the new proposals brought forward by the regulator can certainly be implemented within the current Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005,� the two industry bodies said at a joint media briefing yesterday under more..

Mar 24 (Island) This World Water Day which falls on 22nd March, Brandix recognises the importance of providing resources for clean water and sanitation to uplift the living standards of those in the community, and also the preservation of water to face the complex challenges of global climate change. Over a decade and a half ago, Brandix committed to providing its employees and their families with access to clean water, under its Manusathkara initiative. more..

Mar 24 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was welcome to extend his assistance to the govt, to save the people from the prevailing shortage crises, and there was nothing wrong with him claiming credit for that, Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament. �The Opposition Leader is welcome if he can assist the govt. He has said at a recent rally three countries have offered to send fuel to SL if he makes a request. more..

Mar 24 (TM) Former Prez and incumbent Govt MP Maithripala Sirisena said that steps should be taken to convene diplomats from friendly countries and to hold a conference aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to SL. Commenting on the current economic situation in the country, he also said that a plan should be drawn up to restructure foreign debt and that the Govt should take steps to bring in certain legal provisions if necessary. He said: �The country�s foreign debt needs to be more..

Mar 24 (TM) TNA Leader and ITAK MP R. Sampanthan has questioned how other socioeconomic issues in the country can be solved without addressing the issues that have contributed to the war, which has had a huge impact on the country�s economy for more than 30 years. Speaking at the all-party conference chaired by Prez Rajapaksa yesterday to discuss the current economic situation in the country, he questioned: �The 30-year-long civil war in the country has more..

Mar 24 (TM) The Bill to amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act No. 14 of 2002 increasing the VAT provision of financial services from 15% to 18%, was passed by the Committee on Public Finance (COPF). The approval was given at a meeting of the COPF chaired by MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa at the Parliament complex on Tuesday (22). This Bill has been prepared to implement the tax policy proposals mentioned in Cabinet Paper more..

Mar 24 (DM) SL violated the rights of a lesbian and leading LGBTI activist who was subjected to discrimination, threats and abuses due to the country�s Penal Code that criminalises same-sex sexual activity, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has found. In its decision published yesterday, CEDAW found that SL has breached the rights of Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, the founder and Executive Director of Equal Ground, an organisation defending more..

Mar 24 (DM) Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the SLFP did not propose an All Party Conference (APC) to strengthen the alliance with the govt, Deputy Speaker said. He made this comment at the SLFP Hq after the APC held with Prez Rajapaksa yesterday. "This APC was proposed as a duty and responsibility of the SLFP, as a party that directly contributed to the formation of this govt and as responsible agents for the people to get the country out of the abyss," more..

Mar 24 (TM) Following Govt MP Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition MP Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting the Govt to shelve the Budget operative for 2022 and the duo submitting a supplementary estimate containing only the essential expenditure, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa stated that he is prepared to submit such a supplementary estimate, subject to the consensus of the Cabinet of Ministers. more..

Mar 24 (FT) An international law firm to deal with the IMF? Only the Rajapaksa regime could come up with that eccentricity. What you do need is a negotiating team of the best Lankan economists (e.g., Howard Nicholas, Nishan de Mel, Dushni Weerakoon) and a top int'l economist (e.g., Joe Stiglitz, Paul Krugman, Jeff Sachs, or Robert Reich). The saddest but most accurate metaphor for the state of SL today is that Sri Lankans in war-torn Ukraine prefer to stay there than to more..

Mar 24 (FT) It is a shame, and I feel incredibly sorry for the 22 million consumers of Sri Lanka, including our farming community and myself, for not being able to convince or force the ignorant policymakers in this country to make rational decisions on agriculture at the correct time. We are heading towards the most disastrous scenario that the country�s agriculture has ever experienced (leaving the other economic sectors out for a moment), at least since gaining independence in 1948. more..

Mar 24 (SLN) SL Navy seized 02 Indian trawlers with 16 Indian fishermen while poaching in SL waters, during separate patrols carried out on the night of 23rd March 2022. Considering the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in SL waters on the local fishing community and threats to the biodiversity of the country's marine environment, the Navy has been conducting regular patrols and operations to curb such illegal activities. Accordingly, these apprehensions were made during patrols more..

Mar 24 (AD) Three including a father and daughter died in a fire that erupted inside a house in the area of Menikkumburawatta, Katugastota early this morning. The other victim was a youth who had visited the house, the police said. The mother was meanwhile rushed to the Teaching Hospital in Kandy in critical condition. The flames have been doused, however, the house was completely gutted in the fire. Katugastota Police has initiated investigations to uncover the cause of the fire. more..

Mar 24 (EN) SL�s central bank and the Finance Ministry says country�s banking system is stable amid speculation that there had been payment delay at a state bank. �Ministry of Finance and the central bank of Sri Lanka wish to assure the public and all other stake holders that the banking system is stable and that operations of the State Banks are being carried out smoothly, contrary to statements made otherwise,� CB said. more..

Mar 24 (DM) Refuting claims that the country was heading towards a food crisis, Agricultural Minister Mahindananada Aluthgamage said today special mechanism was in the making to supply rice at a reasonable price during the upcoming festive season. He told Parliament that he could guarantee that there won't be a food crisis as claimed by the opposition when considering the statistics of the extent of land cultivated during the last Yala and Maha seasons & estimated paddy harvest. more..

Mar 24 (AD) STF has arrested two more suspects in connection with the recent robbery and assault at a filling station in Nawala. According to the police, one of the arrestees is the son of deceased underworld figure Soththi Upali. The duo, aged 27 and 29 years, are residents of Borella and Colombo 08 areas. They have been handed over to the Mirihana Police. At around 3 a.m. on March 18, a group of five individuals wielding swords had attacked the filling station employees & robbed over Rs.250,000 more..

Mar 24 (AD) Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland called on Prez Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, on Wednesday. The Prez briefed Ms. Nuland on the issues raised at the All-Party Conference last morning, its progress, and the discussion to be held with the TNA on Friday. Appreciating these efforts, the Under-Secretary pointed out the importance of holding talks with the Diaspora in Canada, more..

Mar 24 (FT) Kosgoda is the cinnamon hub of SL, with the neighbouring Balapitiya considered to be this coveted spice�s hometown. Strategically located within, is the Cinnamon Training Academy (CTA) which is now into its 10th year and is recognised as a successful public-private partnership by WTO-STDF. CTA, which had to brave difficult times due the COVID pandemic in the past two years, has set its wheels back in motion. With Ceylon Cinnamon receiving Geographical Indication more..

Mar 24 (Island) The Bandaranaike International Conference Hall (BMICH) organised a special programme for its female staff members to celebrate International Women�s Day and acknowledge their contribution to the betterment of the institution. Sunil Dissanayake-CEO, BMICH said: �We are delighted to have a strong and dedicated lady workforce at the BMICH/BCIS who contribute to our successes on a daily basis, and we admire their courage, dedication to help achieve our goals. more..

Mar 24 (CT) SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna told Parliament that a situation has arisen where country�s land must be saved from the Govt, as the latter has become an auctioneer and was selling the country�s land. Participating in the debate on several regulations under the Land Development Ordinance, Rajakaruna said, �The Govt is having discussions with several countries such as India and the U.S. as the forex crisis is worsening. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa went to India recently. more..

Mar 24 (DM) While holding a special media briefing today, SL Station Masters' Union (SLSMU) said that the Railways Dept has increased the intercity and long distance special train fare from last night without prior notice. As such, the intercity fares for the Northern Line and the Up Country Line have been increased. The first class ticket fare from Colombo to Kandy has been increased to Rs.1,000, the second class Rs.500, and the third Rs. 300. SLSMU Prez Sumedha Somarathne said more..

Mar 24 (Reuters) SL will seek World Bank assistance to stave off a severe economic crisis in addition to an IMF rescue plan to be discussed next month. A 70% drop in foreign exchange reserves since January 2020 has left SL struggling to pay for essential imports, including food and fuel, leading to growing unrest and even military deployments at gasoline stations. Holding paltry reserves of $2.31 billion as of February, more..

Mar 24 (FE) Just about 3400 km away from New Delhi, its neighbour in the Indian ocean, Colombo, is roiling under one of the worst economic crises it has faced. Sri Lankans are fleeing the country due to food shortages and skyrocketing prices of essential items. Prices of milk powder are as high as Rs 790 for 400 grams, while rice is at Rs 290 a kilogram, V S Sivakaran, an activist based in Mannar, told The Indian Express. These prices are expected to heat up further & rise by upto 50% in coming days. more..

Mar 24 (Island) National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERD) yesterday re-launched a line of stoves it has developed as a solution to the current kerosene and gas shortages. NERD Deputy Director (Services) Eng. A.A.S.P. Jayasinghe said the NERD stoves were fuelled with biomass, and they were an ideal solution for the LP gas and kerosene shortages. Eng. Parakrama Jayasinghe, a past President of the Bio Energy Association of SL and former Board Member NERD said more..

Mar 24 (EN) State run Litro Gas Ltd will supply one million cooking gas cylinders in the next ten days while the CPC will supply fuel twice a day to fuel stations within Colombo, officials said. Litro Gas said on Thursday that a consignment of 35,000 metric tonnes is to arrive in SL that day while another consignment is scheduled to arrive on Saturday (27). The company said it has enough LP gas in store to meet the current demand. more..