Nov 11 (AD) Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) as defined by the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises revolves around the key principle of due diligence, which means the responsibility of businesses to identify, prevent, mitigate, and report on risks related to their operations, products, and services. To highlight its importance and create a conversation around RBC, Embassy of Netherlands launched the Addendum on RBC Handbook on Doing Business in SL yesterday in Colombo, more..

Nov 11 (Island) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) had prevented 586 persons from leaving the country this year for employment overseas. SLBFE unit based at the BIA had declined to process their applications as they were leaving the country on visit visas. SLBFE had received instructions from Minister Manusha Nanayakkara to prevent women from leaving for overseas employment on visit visas. The official said that the SLBFE had received instructions more..

Nov 11 (EN) Sri Lanka�s 2023 budget scheduled to be presented on Nov 14 is likely to focus on much delayed reforms but compromise on bold policies anticipated to put the crisis-hit economy back on track sooner due to political expediency, analysts and economists say. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the finance minister, will present the first full year budget of his govt on Monday (14). more..

Nov 11 (CI) There will be some nervous looks skywards over the coming days in Melbourne with rain threatening the men's T20 World Cup final between England and Pakistan at the MCG on Sunday, raising the prospect of the reserve day being needed and even a shared trophy. There is currently a 95% chance of rain forecast for Sunday with between 15 and 25mm falling. "Very high (near 100%) chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe, with heavy more..

Nov 11 (TM) SL�s banking sector has seen an increase in foreign currency assets by $ 400 million in the first eight months of 2022, as the net foreign currency exposure of the banking sector increased to $ 534.6 million from $ 132.2 million at the end of 2021, Central Bank revealed. According to the report Recent Economic Developments � Highlights of 2022 and Prospects for 2023 released by CBSL, the net long-term position of foreign currency exposure of banking sector increased by $ 402.4 m more..

Nov 11 (TM) Peacocks, monkeys, toque macaques (rilava), grizzled giant squirrels (dadu lena), porcupines, and wild boars have been removed from the list of protected animals, and measures to control the population of these wild animals are being examined, considering the massive crop damage they are causing. An official from the Ministry of Agriculture noted that elephants, peacocks, monkeys, toque macaques, more..

Nov 11 (EN) Associated Motorway, a unit of Dubai-based Al-Futtaim group which holds the agencies for Nissan, Suzuki, Yamaha, Renault and New Holland vehicles in Sri Lanka said it is downsizing Sri Lanka unit due to import controls and the ongoing currency crisis. �The restructuring of AMW is in direct response to Sri Lanka�s current economic situation and the challenges that high inflation, vehicle import bans and high interest rates place on the automotive sector,� the company said. more..

Nov 11 (EN) Food inflation in Colombo had declined in October compared to June when the island was at the peak of dollar shortage and social crisis, an inflation indicator showed. Bath Curry Indicator (BCI) of Advocata Institue tracks the prices of several food items consumed in Colombo. �Compared to June 2022, prices of the BCI basket of food have been declining. The average price of green chillies, tomatoes, dhal and beans fell over the past four months, contributing to the reduction of more..

Nov 11 (DM) Foreign Affairs Ministry is to seek a diplomatic solution between the two countries regarding the Chinese ship which freighted organic fertilizer to SL in 2021, at diplomatic level and the payment of US$ 6.7 million made by the SL govt. The decision was announced by the Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri during a discussion yesterday. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, requested the President during a cabinet meeting held earlier to extend the support of the Foreign Minister to more..

Nov 11 (AD) The Colombo Magistrate�s Court today (11) imposed a temporary restriction on the foreign travels of State Minister Diana Gamage. The ban is effective until November 17. The foreign travel ban was imposed when a complaint filed by social activist Oshala Herath challenging the veracity of the identity documents of State Minister Diana Gamage including her passport, birth certificate and the National Identity Card (NIC) was called before the court today. more..

Nov 11 (OI) Indian Supreme Court on Friday ordered the premature release of Nalini Sriharan and R P Ravichandran serving a life sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Both of them had moved to the top court seeking premature release. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and B V Nagarathna said the judgement of the top court in the case of A G Perarivalan, one of the convicts in the case, is applicable in their matter. more..

Nov 11 (ICC) The T20 World Cup in Australia has seen some stellar performances from players and teams alike, with many contests going down to the wire. After a roller-coaster ride, we finally have the two finalists, with Pakistan and England reaching the grand finale which will be played on Nov 13 at the MCG. Nine exceptional performers have been nominated for the Player of the Tournament shortlist, with all of them impressing and winning matches for their sides. more..

Nov 11 (NIA) A four-member delegation from India comprising of Armed Forces instructors from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Military Institute of Technology, Pune, visited Sri Lanka from 07- 12 Nov. The delegation conducted a training capsule for SL Armed Forces� officers undergoing courses at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Batalanda on the latest Military Technology and its utility in present-day & future warfare. more..

Nov 11 (TM) There are purported plans to extend the detention order on IUSF Convenor Wasantha Mudalige, who is currently being detained under the PTA, while IUBF Convenor, Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera, who is also being detained under the PTA, will most probably be released, The Morning learnt. Well-placed sources stated that there are preparations to extend the detention order on Mudalige, more..

Nov 11 (AD) The fire that broke out at the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya has been doused completely, the hospital director says. The fire erupted inside the second flood of the cancer unit of the hospital due to an electrical leak. Acting on the information received about the situation, the fire brigade of the Galle MC has extinguished the flames immediately. Soon after the fire broke out, nearly 100 patients who were under medical care at the cancer unit have been moved to safety. more..

Nov 11 (EN) The captain of a migrant vessel that carried over 300 SL boatpeople had apparently deserted the ship and disappeared sometime after it foundered off the coast of Vietnam and started to drift, a media report said. They were later rescued by Helios Leader, a Japanese car carrier and brought to the Vietnam port of Vung Tau. Lady R3, a fishing vessel out of Myanmar which they were travelling was adrift and taking in water. �Before 303 SL citizens were rescued by the Helios Leader more..

Nov 11 (NR) National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to National Policy has decided to appoint a sub-committee made up of representatives of all relevant institutions to formulate policies related to ensuring food security in this country. The decision was reached when the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to National Policy convened under the Chairmanship of MP Namal Rajapaksa more..

Nov 11 (CT) A 17-year-old was arrested by Payagala Police for brutally assaulting a water meter reader. According to hospital sources, N.W.M. Kamal Lasantha, a meter reader attached to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board�s Payagala regional office, was admitted to the Kalutara Teaching Hospital and is being treated in Ward No. 32. The victim water meter reader was in the business of issuing water bills in North Payagala. Police say the assault occurred after more..

Nov 11 (TM) The CID has been ordered by IGP Chandana Wickramaratne to henceforth investigate into the complaints regarding ragging-related incidents in universities, and other higher education institutions, while Police stations have also been instructed to refer such complaints that they receive to the CID. Police Media Spokesman, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that IGP Wickramaratne has ordered the CID more..

Nov 11 (TM) Claiming that there should be at least 60,000 nurses in hospitals, but that there are only about 47,000 at present, and with a considerable number of nurses out of the existing cadre also leaving the country for jobs abroad due to the prevailing economic crisis, the All-Ceylon Nurses Union (ACNU) stated that it will not be possible to maintain the operations of hospitals if the Govt does not take immediate steps to address the issue. ACNU President S.B. Mediwatte said that more..

Nov 11 (TM) Noting that both civil and criminal prisoners had the ability to obtain a separate cell upon payment according to the legal provisions in place at the time, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said however that through the gazette notification 2288/15 issued on 12 July 2022, the ability of criminal prisoners to obtain such facilities was abolished, thereby rectifying a great inequality in the relevant legal provisions. SJB MP Rauff Hakeem yesterday raised a question regarding more..

Nov 11 (Island) JVP has called on youth to join its campaign to make Sri Lanka a better place to live in. Addressing JVP-led NPP�s electorate organisation at Ambalantota, party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the youth had to fight for their righst instead of leaving the country. �It could be done. You should not live as second class citizens in other countries. Instead, you must make this country a liveable place. more..

Nov 11 (AD) Special security arrangements have been will be implemented for the 2023 Budget Speech, Speaker informed the parliament. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Finance Minister, will deliver the budget speech on Nov 14 (Monday). Accordingly, entire parliament building including the rest rooms and wardrobes of the MPs was subjected to the security inspection today (11). On Nov 14, when the Budget 2023 is presented in parliament, galleries will be more..

Nov 11 (AD) The import tax on ethanol used for manufacturing disinfectant liquids, reduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been increased to its previous levels, the Ministry of Finance says. Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the govt expects to collect tax revenue of Rs. 1.6 billion through this import tax hike. When the Covid-19 pandemic was prevalent, ethanol was imported to the country in large volumes for the manufacturing of disinfectant liquids. more..

Nov 12 (CT) It would be no exaggeration to assert that Sri Lanka is in today�s state of social, economic and political debasement, due to absolute lack of discipline � be it in Govt, education institutions, sports, public transport, or in places of religious worship. A serious breakdown in our values is witnessed at all levels of society, where absence of fiscal discipline is seen from individual to State level, and a political culture that is ever ready to plunder all of the country�s riches. more..

Nov 12 (DM) Our world, mother to all species inhabiting the planet is ailing and is slowly but surely killed off by cancer. The cancer of human greed. Over the years man�s greed has damaged the earth�s ability to renew herself through the rapacious denuding of forests, which provide watershed protection, prevent soil erosion, and landslides and mitigate climate change. Again the plundering of the Earth�s vast resources of coal, oil and gas to maximize private profit has resulted in more..

Nov 12 (CT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who attended the United Nation�s Climate Change Conference � COP27 in Egypt, arrived in the country at 8.45 a.m. on Thursday (9). The President, who took a few hours rest, then went to Parliament to answer the questions raised by the Opposition MPs with regard to the visit. Many MPs, both Govt and the Opposition stayed at the second floor of the House to meet the Prez more..

Nov 12 (CT) Inflation, growing inequalities of the economy, the obligation to address social needs are all interconnected basic factors associated with the structuring of the Tax System in the Govt revenue equation. Today in the context of the grim reality of the crisis situation the economy of the country is facing, taxation has become one of the most focused discussions. We are witnessing how political hypocrisy and selfishness dominates at these discussions to rationalise more..

Nov 12 (DM) Yet another high-profile climate summit and yet another half-hearted attempt by big-time polluters and rich nations to put the world on a war footing to face the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced � the existential threat from climate change. The enemy is none but ourselves. It is we who caused harm to the environment and it is we who now face its repercussions which will last for generations to come or till our living planet finally dies a premature death. more..

Nov 12 (CT) The same school that one would expect to be a safe haven for children turned into a torture chamber to three Grade 5 students who were gruesomely beaten to own up for a theft they had not committed. In a rather disturbing turn of events, a principal and a teacher of a school in Millaniya, Horana had brutally assaulted three Grade 5 students on 2 Nov for stealing within the school premises before handing them over to Police. more..

Nov 12 (CT) When man fails man, he goes to God. What if God also fails him? The question arises in the context of men of God and religion getting arrested for offences under the law, after the State and polity had failed the nation otherwise. Given the multiple crises that the nation finds itself in right now, it may be time that not only the State and polity, but also religion did some introspection to find answers and enforce them before it becomes too late. Leave aside the detention of two Buddhist monks, more..

Nov 12 (TM) Members of the SL Chinese community, who were formally stateless and have had permanent residence in SL since 15 Nov 1948, and were either born in SL or had come to SL with their parents at a very young age, were granted citizenship under the Grant of Citizenship to Persons of Chinese Origin (Special Provisions) Act, No. 38 of 2008. This observation was made by Professor in Chinese Language at the Kelaniya Uni Humanities Faculty�s Modern Languages Dept more..

Nov 12 (Island) It is reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tasked the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI) with reviewing SL�s foreign policy and making recommendations on the structure of the island�s diplomatic apparatus (The Sunday Morning, Oct 30, 2022). According to the Executive Director Dr. D.L. Mendis of the LKI, �once the consultations are completed, recommendations on a new foreign policy will be presented to the President and later to Parliament (Ibid). more..

Nov 12 (Island) We Sri Lankans seem to have a couple of character traits reposing in most persons, more particularly the Sinhalese, which seem never to die off. They are harboured across the board from the filthy rich to the disadvantaged and often exhibited in-country. One is short memories; two others are rank selfishness and dishonesty, yet another giving mere lip service and adulterated reverence to Buddhism which religion most Sinhalese profess as Sinhala Buddhists: more..

Nov 12 (CT) According to the WHO, additional scientific ambiguities will be cleared up and more data will become available before the end of 2022 on the coronavirus, at which point they will start a consultative process to create a global Covid-19 vaccination strategy for 2023 and beyond. WHO�s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) now advises a second booster (fourth dosage) for the highest & high priority-use groups 4 to 6 mo more..

Nov 12 (Island) Chauffeur Tourist Guide Lecturers Association (CTGLA) of SL seeks the support of the Prez, Minister of Tourism and SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to help them replace their old fleet of vehicles with new hybrid and electric vehicles in order to attract environmentally conscious visitors to Sri Lanka. They request the govt to solicit financial support from institutions such as JAICA, USAID, Australian Aid, ADB, World Bank and IMF, more..