Aug 9 (DM) Claiming that the Opposition has declined to take up the debate on the no-confidence motion (NCM) on Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella this week, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe questioned as to how he can give an election when the Opposition is not ready to take up even the no-confidence motion. He told Parliament that the govt offered the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition on Minister Rambukwella this week and that they did not take it. "You want elections. more..

Aug 9 (SLN) In a remarkable display of compassion, the SL Navy rendered assistance to rescue a stranded whale in the Puttalam lagoon off the Ippanthivu island, guiding it back to the open ocean waters today (8). The stranded whale measuring approx. 20 feet in length belonging to the species of minke whale. An Inshore Patrol Craft of Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) in the Northwestern Naval Command spotted the stranded whale this morning, during a patrol in the Puttalam lagoon. more..

Aug 9 (Island) The recent water tariff increase has been in line with an agreement between the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). According to the Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry, the USD 200 mn loan has been announced, following a meeting at the Prez Secretariat, attended by Prez�s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, on 5 July. more..

Aug 9 (EN) Central Bank cut commercial banks� Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) by 200 basis points with effect from August 16 with an aim to inject liquidity to the banking system and further reduce market liquidity deficit on a permanent basis. �Monetary Board of the Central Bank, at its meeting held on 8 August 2023, decided to reduce the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all rupee deposit liabilities of Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) by 200 basis points, more..

Aug 9 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has granted 250 to 300 liquor licenses after he assumed duties as the Minister of Finance, NPP MP Vijitha Herath alleged. He said that the new Betting and Gaming Levy (Amd) Bill will allow the issuing of unlimited numbers of licenses for casinos in the country apart from the already existing four. Speaking during the debate on the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amd) Bill, MP said there are only two casinos in Singapore while there is only one casino in Malaysia. more..

Aug 9 (HS) A SL cricket star who has been stranded in Australia for more than eight months will be allowed to travel domestically after his bail conditions were eased. Danushka Gunathilaka wore black pants and a black heavy jacket when he appeared in Sydney Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday to ask the court for leniency on his bail. He has previously pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in her Sydney home while he was in the country for the T20 World Cup last year. more..

Aug 9 (TOI) Amid concerns in India about Chinese activities in SL, Lankan high commissioner, Milinda Moragoda, said that the recent visit by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had consolidated the trust-building process between the 2 countries and that the strategically located island nation in the Indian Ocean saw India�s security as SL�s own security. PM Narendra Modi had during the visit by Wickremesinghe underlined the need for the 2 countries to keep each other�s safety more..

Aug 9 (TM) GMOA stated that Ministry of Health should make a clear explanation on the incident of Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Dr. Ruhul Haq continuing to hold office despite a suspension imposed by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), claiming that the loss of public trust in the field of forensic medicine has a major impact on the country�s legal system. While the suspension imposed by the SLMC is to come to an end more..

Aug 9 (Island) US State Department Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption Richard Nephew, who will be in Colombo from August 8-9. The visiting delegation accompanying Nephew includes Dylan Aikens, Anti-Corruption Analyst for the U.S. Department of State. Nephew was scheduled to meet govt, opposition, IMF, private sector, and civil society interlocutors. The embassy said that his visit was meant to better understand efforts to address corruption, as well as the political and economic conditions more..

Aug 9 (CT) DP Education, the leading digital education provider in Sri Lanka, proudly inaugurated its 44th and 45th branches of the DP Education IT Campus in grand ceremonies at Kundasale Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery and SapugodaIlamgoda Temple, Matara on 23 and 25 July, catering to over 2,850 students. This landmark project marks a significant step towards democratising knowledge, offering free access to coding, robotics & AI courses for all Lankans. more..

Aug 9 (TM) The number of Buddhist monks imprisoned are significantly high, compared to other religious figures who are in prison as convicts and suspects for various charges such as child abuse, rape, and murder, State Ministry of Justice and Prisons Affairs said. An Opposition MP had requested data on religious figures who are in prisons as convicts and suspects for various charges. Responding to that question, more..

Aug 9 (Island) SJB MP Champika Ranawaka has said that according to a report submitted to Parliament by the Finance Ministry, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) had been earning profits during the past six months. Therefore, the recent tariff increases couldn�t be justified, former Minister said, warning of the possibility of the govt planning to privatise the NWSDB. Ranawaka was responding to media queries at the handing over of his party�s more..

Aug 9 (EN) Shares close down on Wednesday after profit taking spurred the market, an analyst said. ASPI was down 0.79% or 92.25 points to 11,631.97, this is the first time the market closed on red since July 26, while S&P SL20 was up 0.64% or 22.17 points to 3,447.96. �The economy has channeled some stability and some recovery, resulting in buying power for the banking sector and blue chip counters,� an analyst said. Prez Wickremesinghe has said debt restructuring is matter more..

Aug 9 (NR) Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations held discussions pertaining to the introduction of a special visa category for SAARC countries including India, Bangladesh and Maldives. The following was taken into discussion at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations which met in Parliament yesterday under the chairmanship of MP Namal Rajapaksa. There was a discussion on Sri Lanka�s foreign policy on behalf of the SAARC countries and more..

Aug 9 (PMD) State Minister Piyal Nishantha de Silva highlighted that to materialize President Ranil Wickremesinghe�s vision for 2048, it�s imperative for all to collaborate cohesively. He expressed these views today (09) during a press conference themed Collective Path to a Stable Country held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC). State Minister further said; Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has formulated a targeted plan aiming for a transformative national change by 2048. more..

Aug 9 (DM) New principal appointments are scheduled to be made without affecting the transfers of principals of five leading schools in the country, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said. He said that the principals of the five leading schools, such as Royal College, Colombo, D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo, Mahanama College, Colombo, Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Homagama and Central College Kuliyapitiya more..

Aug 9 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court today ordered the Borella Police to conduct further investigations into the recent death of a three-year-old at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, based on the medical reports and evidence presented thus far. The relevant order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya, upon consideration of the facts presented by the police when the case was taken up in court this morning. The Additional Magistrate pointed out that more..

Aug 9 (JP) Arkia Airlines, a well-established player in Israel�s aviation sector, has unveiled plans to launch the first-ever direct flights from Tel Aviv to Sri Lanka. The inaugural flight is scheduled for Oct 31. This development marks a notable expansion of Arkia�s flight network, providing travelers with a direct link to one of the popular tourist destinations in South Asia. SL is known for its scenic beaches, natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, and it has attracted many Israeli visitors over the years. more..

Aug 9 (DM) A recent survey conducted by Verit� Research has revealed that about 60% of the SL public does not believe that the Aragalaya movement succeeded in fulfilling the wishes and aspirations of the people. The study also highlights that 51% of respondents feel that addressing issues of governance and corruption is crucial to rebuilding the nation, one year after the Aragalaya protestors vacated Galle Face Green on Aug 10, 2022. more..

Aug 9 (AD) One of the two railway tracks on the Main Line has now been reopened for train services which were disrupted owing to the collision involving a container truck and the Fauzi office train near Mirigama. General Manager of Railways M.J. Indipolage stated that since 12 trains which were scheduled to operate following the office train which was involved in the collision have been parked on the tracks, they will be made to operate one by one on the single track. more..

Aug 9 (DM) The Colombo High Court today fixed for Oct 27 to hear oral submissions regarding the preliminary objections raised by MP Wimal Weerawansa challenging the maintainability of the corruption case filed against him by the Bribery Commission. Director General of the CIABOC had filed indictments against Wimal Weerawansa for the alleged unlawful acquisition of money and assets, estimated at Rs. 75 million within a period of six years while serving as a Minister between more..

Aug 10 (CT) SL is not normal for more than a year now. During this time of economic austerity, social ruptures, and political upheaval, it is critical for the fourth estate to hold state institutions, authorities, and people who work in the public sector accountable for their actions or inactions, omissions or commissions because for most ordinary people the state has become an enemy of the people as a result of alleged robbery of the people (taxpayers� money) by politicians and bureaucrats. more..

Aug 10 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on all political parties to submit their views on the 13th Amendment. He, more than anyone else, should understand that right now the legitimacy of all political parties (including his) and all politicians (including himself) is suspect (and I am being kind here). Nothing illegal about his ascension to the post of president, and nothing illegal about 225 persons representing various political parties remaining in Parliament, but more..

Aug 10 (TM) In the wake of many parties related to the education sector, including the Ministry of Education, working on introducing new educational reforms to the system, We spoke to education policy expert who served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, steering the work of three Prez Task Forces on General Education, Uni Edu, and Tertiary & Vocational Edu for almost a decade, Dr. Tara De Mel. more..

Aug 10 (DM) Recently the UN marked the International Day of Friendship in a world wreaked and ruined by wars and violence, mainly the bloody conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the crisis in the West African country of Niger where the Prez Security Division ousted the legally elected Prez and the African Union is threatening to take even military action to restore democracy. The world needs to remember that in conflict resolution, friendly dialogue is more effective and lasting. more..

Aug 10 (GV) A short documentary film, The People�s Voice Is Louder, featuring the works of four lens-based practitioners from different parts of the country captures the energy, passion and desperation of the people�s uprising of last year and presented an alternative view to the violent images captured by the international media. It was screened in Colombo last month. The film is the result of a documentary photography project initiated by the Goethe-Institutes Chennai more..

Aug 10 (TM) The annual monsoon rains have failed to reach the Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces in strength once again ahead of the Yala season, leaving thousands of farmers and the nation facing uncertainty over the upcoming harvest period. Over the last month, paddy farmers alleged that their farmlands were drying up due to the lack of adequate water given the prevailing severe dry weather conditions experienced in the area. more..

Aug 10 (TM) Early this week, the latest aircraft crash involving the SLAF was reported from the China Bay Air Force Base in Trincomalee. While the fact that this incident cost two lives hit the headlines immediately, the discussion that entailed was not limited to this particular crash or the two lost lives. Allegations have surfaced that the crashed aircraft was manufactured over six decades ago, which raises obvious questions of their suitability to continue to remain in operation. more..

Aug 10 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Parliament yesterday, introduced his plans for the 13th Amendment and devolution of power, urging a comprehensive review of his proposals. He invited fellow MPs to share their thoughts, as the ultimate decision about the role and future of Provincial Councils lies solely within the Parliament�s jurisdiction. He emphasised the necessity to implement the 13th Amendment in a way that suits the nation�s growth and future. more..

Aug 10 (Island) Actress Shalani Tharaka dominated electronic, print and social media recently after the shocking disclosure that Sri Lanka Cricket heavyweight Jayantha Dharmadasa recommended her for an Australian visa among other faux pas committed by the cavalier SLC Executive Committee. The revelation, based on Auditor General W.P.C. Wickremaratne�s draft report on the country�s disastrous T-20 World Cup tour of Australia late last year, embarrassed the SLC. more..

Aug 10 (ST) The Sunday Times last week pondered about the decadence that pervades sport and the moral high ground that the Minister of Sports was championing, though not with the finesse it requires. However, even before the print had dried, we learnt last week, that a probe was underway by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Ethics Committee, about a possible tryst that our own National Olympic Committee (NOC) Secretary General was supposed to have had with more..

Aug 10 (ST) While farmers continue to agitate, demanding that water be released from the Samanalawewa to the Udawalawa Reservoir to irrigate their paddy fields, the possibility of having to impose power cuts across the Southern Province in this event has resulted in the Cabinet preferring to keep the water for power generation purposes thus far. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that he & Irrigation Minister more..

Aug 10 (Island) A double hat-trick is any bowler�s dream, but only a handful of cricketers have been able to achieve it. On Tuesday, dissident SLPP MP Wimal Weerawansa, known for his political googlies, scored a double hat-trick of sorts in Parliament. He brought parliamentary proceedings to a halt four times by pointing out that there was no quorum, much to the consternation of the govt MPs. Quorum in the 225-member Parliament is 20 MPs including the presiding one. more..

Aug 10 (DN) Playing cricket in Sri Lanka is interesting and I am very keen to play here in this subcontinental wickets said David Miller the key player of South Africa. I always like to travel to Sri Lanka and this LPL gave good pathway to us, said David Miller. �Our plan is to win the game always and happy to see Pallekele matches ending in winning note, said Jaffna Kings key player David Miller in an exclusive interview with the Daily News at Pallekele Int'l Cricket Stadium. more..

Aug 10 (CI) Nine matches in the upcoming ODI World Cup have had their dates or start times changed, the ICC has finally confirmed, including the India-Pakistan fixture in Ahmedabad, which will now be played - as reported earlier - on Oct 14 instead of Oct 15. The changes were confirmed by the ICC with less than two months to go before the start of the game's showpiece event. Pakistan, Bangladesh and England are the most affected, with the three sides having three games changed by date more..