Oct 11 (TM) Police officers attempting to violently apprehend several protestors, some of whom were carrying children, at the protest held on 9 October at the Galle Face drew the ire of the public, marking yet another incident of excessive force used by the Police against peaceful protestors. As described by the public on various platforms, this was an infuriating and insensitive act that amounts to harassment. The main question surrounding this incident is why the Police used more..

Oct 11 (ST) Following the reduction of the compulsory retirement age to 60 for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) employees, the optional age for retirement has also been reduced to 55 with a conditional extension of service till they reach compulsory retirement. A new circular, signed by Treasury Secretary and issued to all Heads of SoEs, Chairmen of commercial corporations including state banks and statutory boards, said a Cabinet meeting held last Monday granted approval to amend more..

Oct 11 (ST) Faced with pressure from political parties, students, parents and teachers, the Dept of Examinations postponed the 2022 A/L exam to Jan 23. Minister Susil Premajayantha, was reluctant to postpone the exam despite strong criticism even in Parliament. But, a section of principals and some students say exams should be held as scheduled on Dec 5. On Friday, Examinations Dept announced that the AL exam has been postponed more..

Oct 11 (Island) Never a dull day in Sri Lanka! Controversies crop up at such a pace that the people even forget their hunger, and lap up media reports on scandals. The Lotus Tower has lost its magic, and all eyes have turned to the World Trade Centre (WTC) towers, Colombo 01. A female finagler, who had a posh office at the WTC, has got into hot water for diddling a large number of her clients out of huge amounts of money. She has been arrested and remanded. more..

Oct 11 (FT) JVP Propaganda Secretary and MP Vijitha Herath says the President�s recent announcement that he intends to reduce the number of council members for local Govt bodies from 8000 to 4000 is nothing but yet another delay tactic. �The number of council members was increased to 8000 during the Ranil - Maithripala regime. The same Ranil Wickremesinghe is now claiming these numbers must be reduced in an attempt to delay the local Govt elections further,� he said. more..

Oct 11 (DN) Sadeesha Anushanka of Moratu MV and Peshalitha Perera of Panthiya MV Mathugama won boys and girls mini marathon at the All Island School Games held at Gampaha last Saturday. After laps of two years due to Global pandemic the school athletes were keen to take part this events which organised by the Education Ministry with the support of Nestle Lanka Pvt Ltd the makers of Nestomalt. Anushanka the the 18 year old athlete coached by Indika Cooray had a superb race more..

Oct 11 (ST) The energy crisis has hit both the producers and consumers of fish with a monstrous force. Fishers are out of sea: no fishing, no fish and no income!! Fish prices have reached unbelievingly high levels, some exceeding even Rs. 3,000/kg mark. Many families have neither physical nor economic access to fish. WFP has estimated that 37% of SL�s families are acutely food insecure. Fish had definitely contributed significantly to this crisis, although there is enough fish to be caught! more..

Oct 11 (DM) Amidst a severe economic crunch which has left people across the country facing severe hardships, one of the sector's which has also suffered a severe blow is prostitution. In an undercover story, some women and even men, forced into prostitution to survive the economic crisis and look after their families said that they had turned to sex as this was the only stable income available and charges had increased as the old rates more..

Oct 11 (FT) Romanian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Victor Chiujdea said IT-skilled youth of Sri Lanka have the potential and opportunity to join companies and multinational corporations in Romania. The Ambassador made these remarks when he called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees recently. The PM�s Office said they discussed on the bilateral relations between the two countries and the steps Sri Lanka is taking to overcome the current economic crisis. more..

Oct 11 (TM) Indian state Govt co-operative dairy society, Amul, is eyeing Sri Lankan markets to cater its dairy products. Indian Union Minister of Home Affairs and Co-operation Amit Shah said that Amul will be merged with five other co-operative societies to form a multi-state co-operative society (MSCS). The process for the merger has already begun, said Shah, adding that Indian PM Narendra Modi�s Govt is prioritising natural and digital agriculture for the certification of natural products, more..

Oct 11 (Island) The national marathon witnessed its fastest time in nearly 5 years in the men�s category when the event was held at Gampaha on Saturday. Thala Warige Ratnapala, who fell off the radar a couple of years after SL Air Force recruited him in 2010, emerged victorious at the national event as he became the first athlete from his community from Dambana to clinch the national marathon title. �I would like to thank the Air Force and my coach Sajith Jayalala for all the support they have more..

Oct 11 (Island) The ousted regime�s prioritization of political expediency over the national interest coupled with their currency printing spree exercise aimed at keeping interest rates at a low level, resulted in the country�s economic woes, CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said. �Today the SME sector is badly hit due to high interest rates. The reasons for it is traceable to the ousted regime keeping interest rates at a low level together with heavy money printing. more..

Oct 11 (FT) The higher 30% corporate tax proposed by the IMF and to be unveiled in the upcoming 2023 Budget is likely to threaten the resilience and robust performance of the crucial export sector, especially the high potential ICT services, industry analysts warned yesterday. The overall manufactured export sector is taxed at a supportive 14% and the IT services export sector is exempted as a special policy to boost investments, jobs more..

Oct 11 (DN) Inoka Ranaweera the experienced leg spinner had fine figures of 4 for 7 runs in just two overs as Sri Lanka women�s team recorded a thrilling three run win (D/L method) over defending champions Bangladesh in their Asia Cup T-20 cricket fixture played at Sylhet International cricket stadium yesterday. Rain interrupted the game when Sri Lanka lasses were batting first at 83 for 5 wickets in 18.1 overs and Bangladesh had to get a rivised target of 41 runs in 7 overs. more..

Oct 11 (Island) The release of 99,000 metric tonnes of crude oil held up from unloading for nearly three weeks for want of dollars would be further delayed. The vessel carrying 99,000 metric tonnes of crude oil has been anchored near the Colombo Port for more than 20 days due to the nonpayment of USD 7 million or more than Rs. 2,500 million. The ship has to be paid 150,000 dollars a day as demurrage. The ship containing Ural crude oil ordered from Coral Energy Company, arrived in SL on 20 Sept. more..

Oct 11 (FT) DHL Express, the world�s leading int'l express services provider, announced price adjustments that will take effect on 1 Jan 2023. �So far, 2022 has been another turbulent year with a volatile market environment challenging global trade. However, we have proven our ability to offer stable and reliable services to our customers globally,� DHL Express SL Country Manager Dimithri Perera said. �With the annual price adjustment, we are able to invest in our infrastructure and technology more..

Oct 11 (Island) SLT Digital Services (Pvt) Limited (SLT-DIGITAL), a fully owned subsidiary of SLT-MOBITEL, presented its most updated version of the National Business Directory eDirectory and Website recently. The enhanced eDirectory and Website offers existing and prospective customers and vendors greater value-addition as the most updated electronic Business Directory source in Sri Lanka. The new versions unleashes Power of True Local Search. more..

Oct 11 (Island) Rebel SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday said that corruption accusations pertaining to procurement of crude oil and coal should be probed against the backdrop of the Geneva-based UNHRC alleging economic crimes in Sri Lanka. The former External Affairs Minister said that in a resolution passed at the recently concluded 51 sessions of the UNHRC, the global body called on SL to get a grip on its economic crisis more..

Oct 11 (TM) Govt is awaiting a special determination by the Supreme Court (SC) to make necessary amendments to the controversial Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, The Morning learned, when speaking to Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe (PC). Dr. Rajapakshe, who, as the subject minister, presented the said Bill in Parliament on 23 Sept, said: �We are awaiting the SC order, and we will go by the directions of the court�, while further noting that a decision more..

Oct 11 (AD) PM Dinesh Gunawardena emphasizes that since the govt has instructed to give the govt lands to the farmers of the villages for cultivation in accordance with circular measures, no govt official should interfere with it. The PM mentioned this during the distribution of goods from the Parliamentary Decentralized Fund of Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena and Mr. Yadamini Gunawardena to organizations of farmers, women�s and voluntary entities in Homagama, Kandanawatta area more..

Oct 11 (TM) Young Journalists� Association of SL (YJASL) has requested IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne to carry out an impartial investigation and subsequently arrest the police officers who had allegedly interfered with and harassed people during a programme held on Sunday (9) at the Galle Face Green in Colombo in commemoration of the people who died while taking part in the aragalaya (the people�s struggle) more..

Oct 11 (DN) Sri Lanka cricket team led by Dasun Shanaka will play their first practice game against Zimbabwe today at the Melbourne International cricket Stadium (MCG) at 2.30pm (Sri Lanka time). Sri Lanka team already in Melbourne seven days time and got a training with their supporting staff headed by coach Chris Silverwood while they had their final fielding practice session at the MCG under lights yesterday before this first practice game against Zimbabwe. more..

Oct 11 (DM) A large number of dogs had been poisoned to death by an individual in Pattiwela area in Gallewela much to the anxiety of the residents of the area on full moon Poya day (09). Galewela police had initiated investigation of complaints in this regard received from the residents of the area. They pointed out several pregnant female dogs and those feeding pups were among those killed. Residents of the area accused the owner of a poultry farm, but he denied the allegation. more..

Oct 11 (TM) The SJB has urged the Govt to convene a discussion with the Opposition parties, the Attorney General (AG), and the Govt to decide on appropriate amendments to the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill prior to next week�s scheduled two-day debate and vote on the Bill, fearing that govt may introduce unconstitutional provisions to it despite Supreme Court (SC) already having given its special determination., more..

Oct 11 (FT) The use of cannabis in medical applications has a long history of over 2,000 years, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. Some argue that it has a history of over 10,000 years. For example, in Asia, the Chinese herbal medicine, Indian (and most Southeast Asian countries, including SL) Ayurvedic medicine, and SL Hela Vedakama used cannabis as an essential ingredient in some of their medicines. The Guardian referring to research studies records that Jesus and more..

Oct 11 (FT) From our independence in 1948, for seven decades and more, the people have remained deaf and dumb, hopelessly submitting themselves to those who have utterly misgoverned them. The misuse of power and authority, and the gross abuse of the law by selfish and opportunistic politicians, especially from the dawn of this century, culminated in the country being declared bankrupt this year. In this background, today, Sri Lanka is at the crossroads of a historic struggle. more..

Oct 11 (EN) SL�s hoteliers are hopeful of increasing hotel bookings by Russian visitors as the Misco-based carrier Aeroflot returned to the island after 4-months following a legal spat. �The numbers are not impressive at the moment. But, we expect it to grow in the coming weeks,� M. Shantikumar,President of SL�s Hotels Association said, when asked if the resumption of Aeroflot would help boost tourist arrivals. Aeroflot recommenced its flight operations to Colombo from Moscow on Monday more..

Oct 11 (DM) Contradicting Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane, President's Media Division (PMD) said Sri Lanka will remain a middle-income country. PMD said in a statement that the govt is pursuing a reverse graduation policy for a limited period of time. Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane told the weekly Cabinet briefing this morning that the cabinet of ministers had approved a proposal to downgraded Sri Lanka from a middle income to low income status. more..

Oct 11 (BBC) Two Australian men have been charged with bribing SL officials to secure infrastructure contracts worth millions of dollars. Australian police arrested the pair last month after a decade-long investigation spanning several countries. The men, aged 67 and 71, worked for a company which has been accused of misconduct in South Asian countries. They are yet to respond to the charges & will face court on Tuesday. more..

Oct 11 (AD) United Nations� Development Programme (UNDP) joined on Tuesday the chorus of institutions and charities warning that a serious debt crisis is now taking hold in the poorest parts of the world. In a new report, the UNDP estimated that 54 countries, accounting for more than half of the world�s poorest people, now needed immediate debt relief to avoid even more extreme poverty and give them a chance of dealing with climate change. �A serious debt crisis is unfolding across more..

Oct 11 (AD) Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannilaththo claimed that he had received death threats for speaking in support of detained IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige and said he had a right to speak for Mudalige as he was part of their community. He said Wasantha Mudalige had voiced not against his personal issues but the issues faced by the people in the whole country. �I as their leader, have a right to speak for them if they face any injustice. I have had to face death threats for speaking more..

Oct 11 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe did not take up the job to protect the Rajapaksas or to do their bidding, and those who had to climb out of the Beire lake in their underwear would do well to remember that, an official of the president�s party said. UNP general secretary Palitha Range Bandara said at an event that politicians who claim that Wickremesinghe has been rehabilitated have forgotten that it was more..

Oct 11 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal to double the one-time allowance paid to the next of kin of missing persons. The proposal was tabled by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet on Monday. Thereby, the next of kin of a missing person will now receive Rs. 200,000 as compensation. Cabinet has also decided to ignore the requirement of obtaining the certificate of missing, if the compensation secretariat has confirmed that more..

Oct 11 (Island) Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said that an internal investigation had been launched to find out how a mobile phone had been smuggled into the Welikada Prison for Thilini Priyamali, the owner of Thico Group (Pvt) Ltd, who was remanded over an alleged financial fraud, blackmail, etc. Prison officials recovered the mobile phone, from the possession of Priyamali during a search carried out at the female ward of the Welikada Prison in early hours of yesterday. more..

Oct 11 (Island) Women Parliamentarians� Caucus says that the 22nd Amendment has failed to ensure gender equality. The Caucus headed by MP Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, met in the Parliamentary complex last week (06) and decided that the Bill should be revised to introduce a quota for women in decision-making entities including the Commissions and the Constitutional Council. The Caucus examined the 22nd Amendment Bill from a Gender Equality & Social Inclusion perspective. more..