Apr 3 (Island) The absence of a universal definition of terrorism has not only stood in the way of dealing with the scourge effectively to make this world a better place to live in but also enabled dictatorial govts across the globe to suppress people�s rights and freedoms on the pretext of fighting it. SL political leaders sound like Humpty Dumpty when they define terrorism, for they want it to mean what they choose it to mean�neither more nor less�and they leave the public wondering, like Alice, more..

Apr 3 (ST) The guns are out for Donald Trump in Washington as he seeks a presidential comeback, and the first shot was fired on Thursday to thwart his return. The sound resonated throughout the States, when millions heard the breaking news that a grand jury had voted to indict Trump after investigating a $130,000 pay-out to porn star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair. It concerned the case of a payment made to the porn star in 2016 allegedly to buy her silence more..

Apr 3 (CI) SL's top order hasn't had the best time on tour so far, but in Auckland on Sunday, they finally clicked into gear. Pathum Nissanka may have fallen first-ball, but Kusal Mendis scored 25 in just nine balls, Dhananjaya de Silva 15 in 10, and then Charith Asalanka and Kusal Perera raced at nearly 10-an-over during a century-plus stand. It helped SL tie the game and then score their first win of the tour in the Super Over. more..

Apr 3 (ST) After an embarrassing exit from the 2015 tournament, England schemed its journey from the dumps to the pinnacle through sheer resilience, determination, and teamwork. Four years later, history was dramatically made when England beat New Zealand to win the ICC Cricket World Cup, their first global title. But that�s in England. Here, in Sri Lanka, the story is darkly different. Four years after exiting the tournament in the first round, things have plummetted further. more..

Apr 3 (FT) Singapore is beckoning more SL tourists as its flag carrier SIA bolsters services including the deployment of Boeing Dreamliner for the first time and going daily from October. Previously Singapore Airlines was operating an Airbus A350 and from last week it deployed the 337-seat Boeing B787-10 Dreamliner which increases seat capacity by 11% in addition to extra cargo space. SIA General Manager SL Zac Liew said that the airline will increase frequency from the current 4 times a week more..

Apr 3 (FT) HEINEKEN Asia Pacific Regional Managing Director Uday Sinha has recently made a landmark visit to Sri Lanka. Sinha�s visit focused on engaging with local teams and partners to strengthen HEINEKEN�s position in SL. This was his first visit to SL since the company HEINEKEN Lanka, a wholly owned subsidiary of HEINEKEN NV, commenced locally brewing its global premium flagship brand Heineken in 2021 � the only 100% pure malt lager beer in Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 3 (FT) Embassy of Indonesia in Colombo, initiated a landmark Project within the Embassy precincts when engaging the innovator of Green Technology for road and highway paving, AGC Innovate Ltd., to carry out the comprehensive renovation work of the internal road network of the Embassy premises using Plastic Modified Asphalt Concrete (PMAC). PMAC is a novel eco-friendly disruptive technology where the road surfaces are paved using asphalt-modified raw materials more..

Apr 3 (CI) Ish Sodhi's last-ball six tied the game after Dasun Shanaka looked to have almost won it for the visitors defending 12 off the final over, but Maheesh Theekshana held his nerve in the Super Over before Charith Asalanka chased down the nine-run target, to give SL their first win of the tour. It was fitting that Asalanka was the man left at the end after his 41-ball 67 had helped propel SL to a challenging 196 for 5 more..

Apr 3 (AD) The National New Paddy Harvest Festival, known as the Aluth Sahal Mangalya, was held at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura this morning (2), under the patronage of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. This festival is a longstanding tradition where the first harvested paddy of the Maha season is offered to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya. The event was organized for the 56th time by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Dept of Agrarian Services, under the guidance of more..

Apr 3 (EN) Sri Lanka expects discussions on GDP linked bonds and the possibility of future economic growth being higher than projected in a debt sustainability analysis done by the International Monetary Fund, bond holders were told in a presentation. The possibility of GDP being higher than projected by the IMF will be discussed at upcoming talks with private creditors, a representative of Sri Lanka�s financial advisors told an online meeting with commercial creditors. more..

Apr 3 (TM) A new political party named The United Republic Front is being formed and will be launched next month, Opposition MP, and 43rd Brigade political movement leader Champika Ranawaka said. He said that measures are currently underway to form a new political party by May this year. SJB MP, said that SL is now in need of a merit-based political system through which the prevailing bankruptcy can be overcome. more..

Apr 3 (TM) The opening of the new boxing ring of Nalanda College, Colombo, was held on 29 March at the college premises. Proud Nalandian Sumit Liyanage, who represented the Olympics in 1960, and Dian Gomes, President of SL Boxing Association, participated in this event as chief guests. A number of inter-house boxing matches and exhibition matches were conducted in the school at the new boxing ring. Old Nalandian Umayanga Mihiran, who was awarded as the 6th more..

Apr 3 (FT) As a member of a high-powered stakeholder panel at the Chartered Accountants Forum last week JAAF Chairman Sharad Amalean emphasised the importance of implementing policy reforms that promote market competitiveness to sustain SL's export-led economy. Amalean noted that despite the economic crisis and pandemic, the apparel industry maintained the confidence of global buyers due to the country's ability to continue operations during challenging times. more..

Apr 3 (EN) MOZBrands, a Sri Lanka start up, said it is taking hand woven fabric to the premium necktie market, helping a traditional industry to cater to modern needs. �Although SL has a 2,500 year history of hand weaving, including unique Dumbara weaving tradition, the handloom industry has not diversified and grown to cater to modern needs,� the company said. �MOZ has developed unique fabrics using traditional weaving techniques in collaboration with the Department of Textile Industries.� more..

Apr 3 (DN) With the victory of NZ in the third one-day match held in Hamilton, SL's one-day World Cup journey ended with the disgrace of having to play in a qualifying tournament to be held in Zimbabwe next June. SL, which previously won the ODI World Cup championship (1996) and two runners-up (2007/2011), has faced such a fate. Sri Lanka Cricket Board, which issued press releases saying that Mahela's role as the national cricket training consultant is not to travel with more..

Apr 3 (FT) Reflecting the challenging times, the country�s imports in February have plunged to over two and half year low but in the process reducing the trade deficit by a hefty 95%. Imports in February amounted to $ 1 billion, the lowest since May 2020 (in 33 months) and half of the corresponding month in 2022. All major import sectors declined due to subdued aggregate demand conditions while the biggest intermediate more..

Apr 3 (AD) NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has claimed that a group of MPs belonging to the SJB are expected to join forces with the President in the near future. Speaking at a rally, Dissanayake stated that a group of SJB MPs have decided to support the Prez, and will join the govt�s political parties accordingly. Despite these accusations, however, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa emphasised that those within the SJB will not sacrifice their Parliamentary seats for money. more..

Apr 3 (DM) Elections Commission (EC) is keenly awaiting a discussion with PM Dinesh Gunawardana to take a final decision on the conduct of the repeatedly postponed LG polls, EC Chairman, Nimal Punchihewa said. However, EC has not given up hopes to hold the much-delayed polls on the earliest possible day if and when the govt releases sufficient funds for the EC as ruled by the Supreme Court he added. �We have not been invited as yet by PM Gunawardana as the Minister of LG & PCs more..

Apr 3 (ST) High taxes have pushed individuals to perform more cash transactions to evade the banking system and thereby dodge taxes. Many try to avoid the banking system as the bank statements officially give the transaction records. Large traders and certain businessmen always encourage cash transactions, a businessman said. An economist said the withholding tax of 5% is stopping many professionals from taking money through the banking system. more..

Apr 3 (DM) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa alleged that there is a sinister move to buy over MPs from his party the SJB. Speaking during a public meeting in Dehiwala, Mr. Premadasa said some MPs have been offered millions of rupees if they cross over to the govt. "Buying over of MPs is the latest game plan of the govt," he said. The incumbent President once sent his MPs on a tour to Singapore to woo MPs to his side when a UPFA govt tried to woo them," he recalled. more..

Apr 3 (ST) Highways Ministry is to seek Cabinet approval next week to suspend land acquisition for the proposed elevated expressway from New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya�a project for which China Habour Engineering Company (CHEC) had been identified�as it starts pulling out of high-cost infrastructure construction citing lack of funds. While the proposed roadway was packaged as an investment project, Govt was still responsible more..

Apr 3 (ST) A US$ 750 million loan from the World Bank has been delayed as verification of welfare beneficiaries has not been completed, among other pre-requisites. The verification of the beneficiaries was due to be completed by Friday, March 31, but has now been deferred till April 10, thereby delaying the process of applying for the facility. Under the programme, the recipients will be entitled to Rs 14,000 a month. Both, the IMF and the World Bank have pointed out that several Samurdhi more..

Apr 3 (TM) Critics of the proposed anti-corruption bill should come forward with their own suggestions to improve it, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. He pointed out that if the provisions contained in the proposed anti-corruption bill, as claimed by certain parties, are not sufficient to eliminate corruption, the critics should work to suggest which provisions should be included. His comments come in the wake of former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga, during whose regime the existing CIABOC Act more..

Apr 3 (FT) Opposition MP M.A. Sumanthiran has called on all parties and citizens to launch a mass struggle against the newly proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Addressing a gathering in Jaffna over the weekend, Sumanthiran said while parties can go to court against the new legislation, the Supreme Court will merely determine if any provisions violate the country�s constitution. �Just because we go before the courts, more..

Apr 3 (FT) Three conditions which the SL Govt should meet before end-June 2023 to receive continued assistance from the recently approved bailout package of $ 3 billion seem to have been extraordinary to many observers of IMF�s global operations. They are the establishment of proper governance systems, introduction of strong anti-corruption mechanisms, and enacting a new law to make the central bank an autonomous institution. The first two are interrelated and more..

Apr 3 (FT) Many countries in the world celebrated World Water Day on 23 March as usual. This year�s theme was A relief to the water crisis through a rapid change. Given the fact that two-thirds of our earth is covered with oceans, how come there can be a water crisis? In fact, we are able to consume only freshwater, and almost all our industries and agriculture too, depend on the same while the world�s freshwater availability is just under 1%. On top of that, the impacts of climate change and more..

Apr 3 (SLN) SL Navy intercepted a suspicious dinghy, during a special search operation conducted off Kankasanthurai, Jaffna in the dark hours of 02nd April. The operation led to the apprehension of 02 suspects and the dinghy loaded with over 428kg of Kerala cannabis. The seized narcotic substance was brought to the Kankasanthurai harbour where Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was present to inspect them this morning (3). As per the directives of the Commander more..

Apr 3 (EN) Stocks closed on a 9 month low turnover due to the long weekend and holidays taking over the investor sentiment, an analyst said. The main All Share Price Index closed down 0.69% or 64.16 points to 9,236.93. The market generated a turnover of 569 million rupees, the lowest turnover since July 08 during the peak of the protests. �The market is muted on sentiments of the long weekend approaching and going back to the mentality of potential debt restructuring,� an analyst said. more..

Apr 3 (EN) European Union has raised concerns over SL�s new anti-terrorism draft, its Colombo envoy said, as the new legislation is the key in the bloc�s decision to renew a lucrative trade deal that has helped boost SL�s exports. GSP+ has to be renewed next year, but SL has failed to fulfil some of the 27 conventions under the broader themes of environmental protection, good governance, human rights, and labour rights more..

Apr 3 (TM) Indictments were served before the Colombo High Court against former Chief Minister of North Central Province S.M. Ranjith on charges of corruption for allegedly persuading govt officials to obtain Rs. 5,379,629 as fuel allowances during his tenure as the Chief Minister. The indictments were handed over to the courts before Colombo HC Judge Mahen Weeraman today (3). Later, the court has also ordered the defendant to be released under two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each. more..

Apr 3 (AD) Price of a 12.5 kg domestic cylinder of Litro Gas will be reduced by around Rs. 1,000 with effect from midnight tomorrow, according to Litro chairman Mr. Muditha Peiris. The new prices, based on the pricing formula, will be announced tomorrow. He mentioned that this is the highest price revision of Litro Gas in the company�s history. Several factors including the drop in gas prices in the global market and the strengthening of SL Rupee have influenced significant price reduction. more..

Apr 3 (DM) SL govt is seeking Russian cooperation in multiple sectors, namely, tourism, air traffic, and locomotive construction, besides eyeing crude from Moscow. Colombo is negotiating a deal to buy discounted crude from Moscow, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. "SL today does not buy Russian oil and gas, but this issue is on the agenda of the Ministry of Power and Energy of our country, more..

Apr 3 (PMD) Following customs and traditions, the Nekath Seettuwa, the table of auspicious times for this year�s Sinhala and Tamil New Year, was presented to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe by Minister Vidura Wickremanayake and Dept of Cultural Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat today. Auspicious periods comprise of various timings such as the sighting of the new moon, bathing rituals for the old year, New Year�s Eve, Punya Kalaya or inauspicious time, timings for cooking, working, eating, more..

Apr 3 (DM) The All-Island Poultry Farmers' Association (AIPFA) said today that the price of fresh chicken would increase during the upcoming holiday season. AIPFA chairman Ajith Gunasekara said that the long weekend and the upcoming New Year's season would drive the demand for chicken higher. �Therefore, we are doubtful whether we would be able to cater to the demand. The retail price of chicken in the local market will depend on distribution according to demand. more..