Mar 4 (DM) While expressing their views on removing ministers from their portfolios will not take SL out of the present crisis, the SJB yesterday called for an immediate election so that the country could come out of this crisis. SJB MPs Mayantha Dissanayake and Harshana Rajakauna made this call while leading a protest opposite the Nelum Pokuna late last evening. �The govt should go for an election now & let the people of this country more..

Mar 4 (CT) Committee for the Protection of Prisoners� Rights (CPPR), yesterday, urged UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to ensure that UN bodies and the international community realise the inadequacy of the proposed amendments to the PTA and that the recent amendments proposed earlier this year are cosmetic in nature and do not address the PTA�s most serious problems and appear to be an attempt to eye-wash the UN�s human rights mechanisms, more..

Mar 4 (DM) In a move that was long expected, Prez Rajapaksa yesterday sacked Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila and Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa from the cabinet after the two had made critical remarks against Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and had been critical of the govt's failures. The Daily Mirror learns that the Rajapaksa brothers had for some time been contemplating removing the duo from the cabinet but when Udaya and Weerawansa had blasted Basil more..

Mar 4 (AD) SLPP MP Dilum Amunugama was sworn in as the new Cabinet Minister of Transport, the PMD announced today. Accordingly, he took oaths before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today at the Presidential Secretariat. Amunugama�s appointment came after Pavithra Wanniarachchi, who was serving as the Transport Minister, was sworn in as the new Minister of Power last evening more..

Mar 4 (AD) The depression over the south-west Bay of Bengal located near (8.5N, 83.0E) at 05.30hrs today, 190 km to the east of Trincomalee coast, the Meteorology Department said in an advisory issued today. It is very likely to intensify into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and is expected to move northwestwards along and off the east coast of SL towards the north Tamil Nadu coast during the next 48 hours. Under the influence of aforementioned system, deep and more..

Mar 4 (EN) SL�s external trade of US$ 461 million with Russia and Ukraine is under threat, an official said after Vladimir Putin�s invasion of the neighbouring nation, triggered a humanitarian crisis and sanctions. �Russia and Ukraine war could have impacts on the SL exports because some of our exports, mainly tea goes to the region,� Anil Perera, Director of Economic Research at SL�s central bank told reporters in Colombo. SL exports 10.2% of tea to the Eastern European region. more..

Mar 4 (CT) The European Union (EU) and EU Member States' Ambassadors in Sri Lanka paid a two-day visit this week, to the Nuwara Eliya District in the Central Province to inspect EU-funded rural development projects and hand over a number of infrastructure facilities in the area, including a new Business Service Centre in Nuwara Eliya, a renovated tea estate water supply system in Ragala, and a potato seed production unit in Kandapola. All of these initiatives were created and more..

Mar 4 (DM) Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara says he would refrain from performing his duties as a Cabinet minister until justice is served for Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila who were removed from their portfolios. When asked if he is stepping down from his ministerial portfolio, Nanayakkara said he is withdrawing from performing his duties. He also condemned the govt�s move to strip Gammanpila and Weerawansa from their posts as Energy Minister and Industries Minister. more..

Mar 4 (AD) Supreme Court has refused to grant leave to proceed with all 5 fundamental rights petitions filed against the Yugadanavi power plant share transfer agreement. The verdict was delivered by SC�s five-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda and L.T.B. Dehideniya this morning. The chief justice said the judge bench decided not to issue more..

Mar 4 (CT) Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar yesterday, fixed 12 May for the Pre-trial Conference, in connection with the ongoing case against 25 accused, including Nauffer Mawlavi, who have been charged with conspiracy and the attacks on Churches and hotels on the Easter Sunday of 21 April 2019. The case was called before the Trial-at-Bar comprising Judges Damith Thotawatta, Amal Ranaraja and Navaratne Marasinghe. Court ordered the Director of the CID or a representative, more..

Mar 4 (Island) Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) and former Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya yesterday urged Sri Lankans to follow the example set by Ukraine and to join hands to formulate a common minimum programme to respond to the country�s current crisis. Issuing a press release Jayasuriya said that the fuel and electricity crises had disrupted the everyday lives of the people. The economic activities are grinding to a standstill, he said. more..

Mar 4 (CI) SL managed to deny Virat Kohli even a fifty in his 100th Test. They didn't let Hanuma Vihari convert his fifty into a hundred in his 100th first-class match. By the end of the day, though, they might have regretted getting them out because it brought Rishabh Pant to the middle, who went from 50 to 96 in 19 delightful balls and ended up dismissed in the 90s for the fifth time in his career. India racked up 357 for 6 in 85 overs. more..

Mar 4 (EN) Sri Lanka�s bond yields marginally down at market close on Friday after the central bank hiked rates but the overall market remained dull, dealers said. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka increased the interest rates by 100 basis points in a bid to reduce money printing as forex shortages worsened even as tourism recovered. CBSL said the rate at which new money is printed would be raised 100 basis points to 7.5%. The rate is still half the 15.1 percent inflation in February 2022. more..

Mar 4 (CT) Following several attempts to meet the Minister of Transport and relevant authorities to find a solution to the fuel shortage affecting school transport services, before the school reopening on 7 March, All Island School Children Transport Association (AISCTA) claimed the authorities are yet to provide a remedy. A meeting had been held recently between private and public bus operators� trade unions and Energy Ministry officials to discuss possible solutions for the on-going fuel crisis. more..

Mar 4 (FT) Ernst & Young (EY) has signed a Board of Investment (BOI) agreement to set up a 1,000-seat Global Delivery Services centre in Sri Lanka. The EY Global Delivery Services (EYGDS) will offer business and technology consulting and audit services anchored on advanced digital skills via the facility at the World Trade Centre with an initial investment of $ 3.4 million. BOI said EY GDS had ambitious growth plans to scale up to 1,000 professionals in Sri Lanka by 2025. more..

Mar 4 (FT) The electricity regulator, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) held its first ever public hearing yesterday, on the countrywide blackout occurred on 3 Dec 2021, which incurred an economic loss of over Rs. 1.5 billion. The consequences of the said blackout include the CEB's or the transmission licensee�s inability to serve a total energy demand of 9.65 GWh equivalent to an estimated economic cost of Rs. 1,505 million followed by additional losses more..

Mar 4 (DM) Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar today ordered to release ten accused including former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke, CB former Governor Arjuna Mahendran from 13 charges in connection with the CB bond auction held on March 29, 2016. Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar bench, by majority decision, held that public property charges against the accused cannot be maintained. Accordingly, the Court ordered to release more..

Mar 4 (FT) The resurgence of tourism into SL after it was stricken by the pandemic for nearly two years has breathed welcome life and colour to the industry and its value chain. For years, tourism was perceived as an industry centred around glistening hotels and resorts. But following the Easter attack and the subsequent exodus, it became ever more apparent that SL tourism consists of a much broader and organised informal sector that infused significant value to the taste and experience of SL. more..

Mar 4 (NR) Acting Director of the Colombo Port City Commission Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama says the ownership of the Colombo Port City does not belong to China. He said lands have been vested with China on two 99-year lease terms. He said no local funds have been spent for developing any infrastructure within the Colombo Port City. Wickrama claimed however the public received benefits from investments made in the Port City opening employment opportunities more..

Mar 4 (EN) SL�s power crisis will continue into the first weekend of March, with most of the country to lose electricity for four hours on Saturday, while other parts face 3-hour blackouts at different intervals. CEB said there is a deficit of 423MW for the day peak, 253MW for the evening peak and 407MW for night peak for Saturday. According to the CEB�s power cut schedule, E and F areas will experience power cuts of 4 hrs more..

Mar 4 (EN) Central Bank has asked the govt to delay capital projects, raise taxes and sell off state assets to reduce the deficit and help bring under control a currency crisis brought about by money printed to keep rates down as deficits expanded. CB also raised its policy rate at which new money is printed 100 basis points to 7.5%, though inflation at 15.1% is still more than double the rate. The central bank has proposed increasing govt revenue through suitable tax increases on a sustained basis, more..

Mar 4 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has instructed the Bank of Ceylon and the People�s Bank to provide credit facilities to the Paddy Marketing Board in order to purchase paddy, keeping sufficient paddy stocks as surety. The President stated that the programme should be implemented with the aim of purchasing paddy competitively and maintaining an adequate paddy buffer stock in the possession of the govt. Prez made these remarks while making an inspection visit to Paddy Marketing Board more..

Mar 5 (DM) Human beings are expected to be good stewards of nature. Instead what have we done especially during the past few decades? Eco-friendly social analysts will tell us of the vital importance of forests, the animals, thousands of species of plants many of which have medicinal properties, insects and hundreds of other small creatures which combine to make a spectacular display of biodiversity. Later this month the UN marks the Int'l Day of Forests with the theme being more..

Mar 5 (DM) When the debt keeps piling up, it can seem like you�re sinking into quicksand and often when you struggle to stay afloat and escape your situation, it can lead to poor decisions, and even more problems. The psychological burden of debt not only saps intellectual resources, it also reinforces the reckless behaviour. As this article refers in particular to the consequences of an economy being burdened by debt, and being a Sri Lankan I would naturally highlight the plight of more..

Mar 5 (CT) Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former IGP Pujith Jayasundara said, how they were unable to connect with then Prez and Minister of Defence Maithripala Sirisena for months and months. Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said, he was not invited for National Security Council meetings after the 2018 constitutional blunder in which Sirisena appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM, more..

Mar 5 (CT) In the Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michele Bachelet, dated 28 Feb � 1 Apr 2022, which will go before UNHRC�s 49th sessions, she highlights continuing trends towards militarization and ethno-religious nationalism that undermine democratic institutions, increase the anxiety of minorities, and impede reconciliation. Among the several recommendations made by her, relevant to the subject is: �Ensure inclusive and broad-based consultation more..

Mar 5 (CT) The Bill to amend the Land Development Act of the Land Development Ordinance (1935) has been presented to Parliament. Besides, some technical niceties, it is aimed at making three significant changes that may lead to reconfigure the material territory in rural SL. The three significant new changes include provisions, explicit and implicit: Ensuring the right of inheritance to women and children: initially a right of the male child. Making land mortgages to banks and financial more..

Mar 5 (CT) An European war in the 21st century is unimaginable and frustrating at all costs, yet it is taking place 77 years after the last European war ended (World War II), and the latest war threatens world progress, which has already been battered by the pandemic. Today, Europeans have become refugees because of the war. Sri Lanka is one of the world�s smallest countries, and the conflict has already taken its toll. more..

Mar 5 (GV) Sri Lanka has reached out to the Russian Federation owing to the growing national crisis in the country, a national crisis that involves foreign exchange, fuel, power and of course basic essentials that have been scarce at intervals in the past several months. Yet the biggest crisis facing SL is the lack of decisive strategizing. The country is on the eve of its 75th anniversary of independence in 2023 but has no clear idea where it will be in the next couple of weeks let alone next year. more..

Mar 5 (Island) Europe�s imperial forays into the East were shaped by a long line of events, dating back to the Reconquista of 1492. These events sealed the fate of one part of the world: limited until then to occasional encounters with the West, Africa and Asia eventually turned into colonial outposts. That, in turn, had a profound impact on the course of politics in Europe; rocked by economic changes and religious tensions, it became a hotbed of conflict. These developments did not escape Sri Lanka. more..

Mar 5 (TM) The IMF Executive Board issued a statement on its staff report on Article IV consultations with Sri Lanka in December. The report itself is not public yet, but the press release provides a summary of the IMF�s assessment of Sri Lanka and what the IMF would expect as part of a programme. Overall, this is within our expectations of what the IMF would expect, calling for significant changes in fiscal policy, floating of the rupee, and hikes in interest rates. more..

Mar 5 (Island) The govt�s desperation to rein in the SLPP rebel group has found expression in extremely hostile action against some dissident ministers. On Thursday, Prez Rajapaksa�obviously at the behest of his sibling Basil Rajapaksa�expelled Ministers Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerawansa from the Cabinet. In January, he sacked State Minister Susil Premjyantha for being critical of the govt. Ironically, Weerawansa and Gammanpila were among the main organisers of the Mahinda more..

Mar 5 (CT) The fuel crisis in SL is affecting daily office transportation, with service providers finding it increasingly difficult to keep their buses and vans running. Private bus owners warn that the country�s public transportation system is on the verge of collapsing. The direct link between the fuel crisis and power supply is a distinguishing feature. When there is a fuel crisis, the power supply is disrupted as nearly half of the electricity more..

Mar 5 (FT) Health officials state that booster dose coverage among the target population has exceeded 50%, adding that COVID-19 vaccinations were administered to 26,028 persons on Thursday. According to Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa, 51% of the target population has received the booster dose. He added that exceeding 50% coverage was significant. �A drop in COVID-19 detections can be seen at present and we believe that the high percentage of booster coverage has more..

Mar 5 (CT) SLPP MP, State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said, the criticism levelled against the Govt during an event held by the 11 parties allied with the Govt, of which both Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila are part of, is false. He added the proposals put forward by them appear to target the next election. Wijesekara also said the failure on the part of the former Minister of Power to efficiently manage the activities of the Ministry has contributed to the fuel crisis, while adding that more..

Mar 5 (CT) Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal reiterated his position of not going to the IMF for aid to tide over SL�s foreign exchange (FX) crisis. �An IMF prescription will be much more painful to the masses than what we have recommended to the Govt,� he told the media at a briefing on Friday. �We only go to the IMF to seek their advice,� he said. Governor maintained his position vis-�-vis IMF at Friday�s briefing, more..