Apr 26 (FT) Govt announced that the much-awaited debt restructuring framework to negotiate with creditors would be ready in May. �Debt restructuring process is the biggest challenge SL is facing now. However, Prez Wickremesinghe is confident that a framework for debt restructuring negotiations will be ready within May,� Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. He confirmed that two expert firms appointed by more..

Apr 26 (CT) Slowly but surely the ruling party is beginning to reassert itself. An indication is the removal of Prof GL Peiris from the chairmanship of the ruling party and replacing him with a Buddhist monk which gives a clear indication that the party intends to stay true to its nationalist roots. In the aftermath of the economic collapse last year Prof Peiris has been one of the few members from the SLPP to have adopted a reformist role. He was also one of the few members of the SLPP to vote more..

Apr 26 (Island) Sri Lanka's one-time costliest hotel Elephant Corridor, Sigiriya, will become Browns Hotels and Resort�s latest addition to their chain of hotels and resorts. The latter will be investing over Rs 1 billion for the purchase and refurbishment of the property, Browns Hotels and Resorts� Group General Manager Eksath Wijeratne said. �The hotel was initially run and owned by Sierra Group and we have acquired it from them. The hotel will be ready by the end of the year, more..

Apr 26 (FT) Global pioneers in sustainable integrated glove manufacturing, Dipped Products PLC (DPL), a subsidiary of the Hayleys Group, commenced commercial operations at its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Biyagama, in line with its ambitious diversification into precision-engineered sports gloves. Constructed with an investment of Rs. 1.3 billion, the new facility aims to leverage DPL�s exceptional scientific and technical expertise in producing gloves more..

Apr 26 (FT) The Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA) comprising 19 associations and its Macaque Coalition (MACC) involving 22 associations, have strongly opposed plans by Sri Lanka to export 100,000 toque macaques to China. In a statement AfA and MACC member organisations said they wholeheartedly support the call by Wildlife & Nature Protection Society (WNPS), Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Federation of Environmental Organisations (FEO), and more..

Apr 26 (Island) Thrower Dilhani Lekamge and middle distance runner Gayanthika Abeyratne reached qualifying standards for the Asian Games as they came almost closer to matching their personal best performances in their respective events at the SL Athletics conducted selection trial for three major Asian track and field events at Diyagama on Tuesday. Lekamge hurled the javelin to a distance of 58.87 metres to reach more..

Apr 26 (DN) As a bowler I had good patience to bowl and finally ended up with another five wicket haul following a long spell said Sri Lanka's most successful leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya after third day's play of the second Test against Ireland at Galle International Stadium yesterday. "It was not easy to bowl at this type of wickets but our two pacemen Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando played a good supporting role to get wickets", said Jayasuriya. more..

Apr 26 (DN) SL junior Netball Team is getting ready to take part in the Asian Junior Netball championship scheduled to be held next June in South Korea. However National Netball Federation has still not finalised the Junior National team and they also have to appoint an Assistant Junior coach for the South Korean tour. Selection Committee headed by former National Netball skipper Dhamayanthi Jayatilleka has picked a 12 member final team With 3 reserve players for National Junior team. more..

Apr 26 (TM) Federation of University Teachers� Associations (FUTA) has decided to make a final decision on commencing the evaluations of the answer scripts of the 2022 GCE A/L Exam, following a discussion with Prez Wickremesinghe. FUTA had reached the decision at a special meeting yesterday held in order to arrive at a final decision on engaging in the A/L answer script evaluation process. Meanwhile, HRCSL urged more..

Apr 26 (FT) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said that Indian tourists to Sri Lanka pay in their currency Indian Rupee (INR). He reiterated that making INR a designated currency by the CB enables not only trade settlement between the two countries in INR but also Indian tourists coming to Sri Lanka can use INR for transactions. Dr. Weerasinghe also expressed support for the linking digital payment interfaces between the two countries during his keynote at the webinar more..

Apr 26 (Xinhua) The outpatient building project of SL's National Hospital, built with Chinese assistance was handed over to Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella representing the two sides signed the handover documents and attended a ceremony to celebrate the event. Noting that the Chinese government has prioritized the health sector in the development of bilateral relations, Qi said China has provided medical supplies and vaccines more..

Apr 26 (DP) SL will gift Pakistan two elephants following the tragic death of an African mammoth, Noor Jehan, at Karachi Zoo. Honorary Consul General of SL, Yasin Joyia, confirmed the news, revealing that both elephants will be female, with one going to the Karachi Zoo and the other to Lahore. Joyia expressed his grief over the death of Noor Jehan, who passed away due to prolonged health issues, which reportedly worsened due to a lack of care at the zoo. more..

Apr 26 (FT) PM Dinesh Gunawardena held a discussion with Italian Ambassador Rita Giuliana Mannella about the expansion of trade and investment relations between the two countries. He urged the possibility of investments in new areas during a discussion held with the Ambassador of Italy Rita Giuliana Mannella and European Union Ambassador Denis Chibi when they called on him yesterday. PM requested Italy to assist in setting up Italian Language Depts in SL universities more..

Apr 26 (CT) Lanka Premier League (LPL) is back and better than ever with its upcoming 4th edition set to take place from 30 July to 20 August. This year, the matches will be played both in Colombo and Kandy, and will feature five teams: Galle Gladiators, Dambulla Aura, Lyca Jaffna Kings, Colombo Strikers and Kandy Falcons � with each team including 6 international players. Player Registrations will open on 15 May, more..

Apr 26 (TM) The World Bank (WB) has expressed willingness to extend support to establish social safety in Sri Lanka, following the approval of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Minister of Mass Media Bandula Gunawardana stated: "Under three key categories of transformation and development of economic activities, improving competition as well as protecting the poor and vulnerable, the World Bank extends its support to Sri Lanka." more..

Apr 26 (EN) The chairman of state-run Independent Television Network (ITN) will seek the advice of Attorney General and Principal of the SL Law College on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by a female news anchor against a senior ITN official. Minister Bandula Gunawardana said ITN chairman Sudarshana Gunawardena is out of the country at present. Ishara Dewendra, a senior ITN news anchor, resigned last week after allegedly facing sexual harassment at the workplace. more..

Apr 26 (GDI) Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona declared open a centre to promote cooperation between Chinese and Sri Lankan Traditional Medicine in Wudangshan at a conference of TCM practitioners. Wudangshan is a key centre of the Daoist tradition of China and many assert that the Dao philosophy is a central influence in China's traditional medicine system. Daoism advocates a holistic approach to life and balanced lifestyle. Many of the traditional medicine practitioners more..

Apr 26 (TM) All three experts from whom the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) had obtained instructions from and who made recommendations regarding filing cases seeking compensation related to the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster in the jurisdiction of SL had eventually agreed with the AG, Sanjay Rajaratnam�s opinion that it would be beneficial for SL to file the relevant case in a Singaporean court, said Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. more..

Apr 26 (FT) Inland Revenue Department�s (IRD) jubilation of 116% year-on-year rise in Govt revenue in the first quarter to Rs. 317 billion has raised questions over bleak status claims previously by Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe as among reasons why funding cannot be allocated for the conduct of LG polls as scheduled in March. IRD on Monday proudly announced the doubling more..

Apr 26 (TM) The Cabinet of Ministers have granted permission to publish the draft for establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office in the Govt Gazette notification and then submit it to the Parliament for its approval. Minister Bandula Gunawardena stated that the proposal submitted by President Ranil Wickremasinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies, was granted permission at the Cabinet meeting held on Monday (24). more..

Apr 26 (DM) Seven Senior DIGs including Lalith Pathinayake and Ajith Rohana who are competing for the post of IGP have been transferred with immediate effect due to service requirements by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security under the covering approval of National Police Commission. Accordingly, Lalith Pathinayake was transferred as Senior DIG in charge of Central from Police Field Force HQ while Ajith Rohana was transferred as SDIG Eastern Province more..

Apr 26 (TM) Minister Tiran Alles has handed over the complete report of the Prez Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that investigated the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of SL (CBCSL). An official of the Ministry of Public Security said that the report had been handed over to CBCSL President and Kurunegala Bishop, Harold Anthony Perera, with the approval of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. more..

Apr 26 (FT) The nasty, brutish and lengthy ethnic conflict has resulted in a large number of deaths and disappearances. Among these victims were several Catholic priests. Clergymen like Fr. Mary Bastian, Fr. Wenceslaus, Fr. Chandra Fernando, Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith and Fr. Xavier Karunaratnam had been killed. Others like Fr. Herbiet, Fr. Selvarajah and Fr. Jim Brown had been made to disappear. These deaths and disappearances were in the years before more..

Apr 26 (FT) Sinhala Avurudu is a time to forgive, forget and move on. In the old days Avurudu was celebrated when Atu-kotu or storage units are filled with the harvest and all debts are settled. That is not the case now. Debt is part of life for a country or a family. The least we can do is to manage our debts better in the new year. Education along with other govt expenditure was funded partly by printing money. Govt is targeted to change the primary deficit from minus 3.8% of GDP in 2022 more..

Apr 26 (AD) The State Trading Corporation (STC) says that a number of issues have emerged without the required certificates to clear the recently imported consignment of eggs from the port. The clearance certificates were supposed to be issued by the Department of Animal Production & Health after testing the egg samples obtained on Saturday (22). As a result, the imported eggs could not be duly distributed among the bakeries as planned, STC Chairman Asiri alleged. more..

Apr 26 (DM) While claiming that there is no debate over restructuring local debt, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne said govt should not go for a haircut on local debt for any reason and that it should ensure the stability of the banking system. Speaking during the debate on the IMF report, he told Parliament that the govt must not create any instability in the banking system through the local debt restructuring. �We have no debate over restructuring local debt. more..

Apr 26 (DM) Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa's revelation in Parliament over one Chamara Gunasekera being the recipient of a US$ 250 million bribe to bury the X Press Pearl compensation claim sent shockwaves amongst politicians and journalists who were hurrying to find who the name was connected to locally. However, after intense investigations, the name did not find any link locally leading to conclusions that the entire scam more..

Apr 26 (AD) The revised indictments on former Minister of Fisheries Rajitha Senaratne and two others were served before the Colombo High Court today, for causing losses to the state when leasing out Modara Fisheries Harbour in 2014. The case was called before the Colombo High Court judge Navaratne Marasinghe this morning. There, the Bribery Commission handed over the revised indictments against the defendants before the open court. Later, the attorneys representing more..

Apr 26 (CT) In a tragic turn of events, a seven-year-old child died of an overdose of paracetamol. Grade 2 student of the Uduwella Primary school, developed a fever and was given the paracetamol by the Gampola Kurunduwatte hospital. Post-mortem revealed that the child had died of paracetamol overdose. The child had been taken to the hospital twice, as she developed a fever. Whilst the doctor had specified a certain dosage of paracetamol for the child, the hospital pharmacist had written more..

Apr 26 (EN) EPF members will not be harmed in any debt domestic restructuring and but it was not possible to set preconditions before negotiations with foreign creditors, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said. �They (foreign creditors) are saying to discuss domestic debt restructuring as well. We haven�t taken a final decision,� Prez told parliament. �I saw a question on the EPF. I would like to say that will not more..

Apr 26 (DM) SL�s first export-oriented potato chip processing factory has been established in Bandarawela by a young farmer company in SL. The factory has been completed in the Kahattewela area of Bandarawela. Kahattewela Young Farmer Company is carrying out the production and export activities of this potato chips factory. This factory was built with the Small-scale Agribusiness Participation Program (SAPP) at a cost of Rs. 20 million and with the financial contribution more..

Apr 26 (AD) Manufacturers have expressed their agreement to reduce the prices of locally manufactured schoolbags and school shoes during a discussion held with the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya in the Finance Ministry. During the meeting held yesterday (25), State Minister Siyambalapitiya had pointed out that the commodity prices that increased relative to the depreciation of the SL Rupee were not reduced back when the Rupee appreciated. more..

Apr 26 (DM) Former President Maithripala Sirisena charged that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is impatient with the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, adding that the head of the Catholic Church is keen to have him sent to the gallows. "There has been no conclusion to any of the ongoing Easter Sunday attack investigations," the former President said, adding that other countries have taken ten to fifteen years to conclude similar terrorist attack investigations. more..

Apr 26 (DM) Katunayake airport authorities took measures to divert three planes arriving at the airport to the Mattala Rajapaksa In'l Airport (MRIA) due to the bad weather conditions and heavy rain that suddenly occurred in the area around the airport last evening. Accordingly, SriLankan Airlines flight UL-116 arriving from Mal�, Maldives was diverted and landed at the MRIA at 6.02 pm yesterday. A Sri Lankan Airlines flight (UL-120) arriving from Ireland landed at MRIA at 6.18 pm while more..

Apr 26 (APP) People smugglers have become increasingly sophisticated in duping Sri Lankan students and families by posing as migration agents and promising Australian permanent visas. A Senate inquiry into migration has been told how hundreds of migrants sell their most prized possessions to come to Australia, only for their dreams to vanish when smugglers fleece them out of thousands of dollars. more..