Aug 19 (ST) Ryan started his story: �Everything around us is made of what was either grown-up or dug-up�. In fact, he quoted it from Lang Hancock, an Australian mineral business tycoon who discovered the world�s largest iron ore deposit in Australia in 1952. �Really? That�s interesting!� I responded. Ryan Rockwood is a professional in the mining industry with Cambridge University qualifications and international experience in many different countries. . He is now the General Manager more..

Aug 19 (Island) Cassandra drooled with anticipation when reading the headlined article in the Sunday Island titled Cops to join IRD to raise revenue. It continued to say that the police had launched a new collaboration with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to track down unexplained wealth and go after black money. This move to collaborate came after the police started investigating Pastor Jerome and the discovery of over Rs. 12 billion which had gone unnoticed by the IRD. more..

Aug 19 (CT) As Minister Jeevan Thondaman, grimly forecasts that available water reserves will last for merely the next two months, SL�s poor water management practices come into the focus. Ceylon Today reported that the NWSDB too has urged the public to utilise water with utmost care due to the diminishing availability of purified drinking water. Accordingly, NWSDB has reported a significant reduction in the overall daily purified drinking water supply capacity, underscoring the severity of more..

Aug 19 (FT) Textile manufacturing multinational Teejay Lanka PLC has announced the commissioning of its own water and chemical testing laboratory as a process optimisation initiative as well as a milestone on the company�s sustainability roadmap � Abhivarah 2030. Aptly named �Iera� from a Sanskrit word for water, the laboratory is equipped to test physical, chemical and biological water quality characteristics in conformity with the highest industry standards, the company said. more..

Aug 19 (ST) Wildlife Dept is awaiting the Govt�s response to its proposal that the wildlife parks affected by the drought be temporarily shut down for visitors. Ranjan Marasinghe, Acting Director General of the Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), said that they are awaiting a policy decision from the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Reserve Conservation. He said the proposal and the requirement should be carefully reviewed by the ministry, more..

Aug 19 (AD) President of the Hotel Workers� Center, Janaka Adhikari alleges that the proposed labour law amendments are extremely inhumane. He emphasized that the proposals include many reforms that could result in significant injustices to the employees. �Govt has provided the opportunity to hire part-time employees under the proposed labor law amendment. This means that the hotel managers can hire employees for a maximum of 3 hours during peak hours and send them more..

Aug 19 (AD) The Committee on Parliamentary Business has scheduled an Adjournment Debate on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) moved by the Opposition for Aug 24. This was announced at the committee meeting on Aug 11, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, to decide on the parliamentary business for the next week. Accordingly, the parliament will be convened from Aug 22-25. Time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. has been allotted for questions for oral answers, except on Aug25 more..

Aug 19 (FT) SL�s tea industry continued to endure diverse patterns throughout the first seven months of 2023, with both exports and crops displaying a conflicting sequence that combined growth and decline. During the first seven months of 2023, tea exports have declined by 9%, whilst earnings jumped 24% from a year earlier. 134.99 million kilos of teas were shipped during January-July this year compared with 148.05 m kilos more..

Aug 19 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe directed officials to devise a new mechanism to optimise the operations of Local Council, Provincial Council, and Central Govt bodies to reduce budgetary inefficiencies. �Our focus must be on how to move forward in this way while also taking into account the administrative structure of the Central Govt. In some cases, identical services are provided by the three levels of Govt: Local Council, Provincial Council, and the Central Govt. more..

Aug 19 (FT) Purchasing Managers� Index (PMI) extended its decline in July with an index value of 44.6, hinting at delayed economic recovery, whilst the services sector remained strong at 59.5, highlighting its steadfast growth trajectory. CB said the dip in both production and new orders was primarily due to several factors, including a decrease in market prices. This decline occurred despite efforts to reduce prices. Notably, manufacturers in the textile and wearing apparel sector more..

Aug 19 (Island) Top SJB spokesperson Mujibur Rahman alleged that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt was continuing with controversial projects launched by the previous Gatabaya Rajapaksa administration. The former SJB lawmaker said so, referring to the high profile investment of South Asia Logistic Centres in the port of Colombo, a project initiated during Rohitha Abeygunawardena�s tenure as the Ports more..

Aug 19 (AD) Central Environmental Authority (CEA) says that the chemical storage facility at the industrial zone in Katuwana, Homagama, which caught fire last night (17), had not obtained a valid Environmental Protection License (EPL). Joining a press briefing, media spokesperson of the authority Ajith Weerasundara emphasized that the smoke has affected air quality in the area, adding that the wastewater discharged from the factory has polluted the surrounding environment. more..

Aug 19 (AD) The parents of the self-styled prophet, Pastor Jerome Fernando on Friday apologized for the controversial remarks made by their son. The couple called on Venerable Omaple Sobhitha Thero at the headquarters of Ramanna Nikaya. Fernando landed himself in hot water in May 2023 after a video of him making certain derogatory statements on religious figures during one of his sermons was widely circulated on social media, and stirred much controversy in the country. more..

Aug 19 (EN) Sri Lanka�s political landscape is compelled to change after the economic crisis with political opinions are in the process of changing, ruling party legislator Premnath C. Dolawatte said. Sri Lanka�s policies have taken U-turn after an unprecedented economic crisis before turned into a political crisis with hundreds of thousands of people staged street protests to oust both then PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Rajapaksas-led SLPP more..

Aug 19 (DM) Consultant Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), Dr. Ruhul Haq, who has been embroiled in controversy for defying a suspension imposed by the SLMC, has been sent on compulsory leave, it is learnt. Health Ministry's letter informing the SLMC of this decision was received on the 17th, but the specific reason for the compulsory leave was not clearly stated in the letter. Nevertheless, the decision has been made based on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission. more..

Aug 19 (DM) The CoPF called for a report regarding the earning of an excessive profit of approximately Rs. 700 from the sale of a bag of cement. It was revealed by the COPF that there is a huge profit of nearly 700 rupees between the price of cement landed at the port and the selling price after all taxes are deducted. The matter came up during the committee that met recently Chaired by Champika Ranawaka, who was appointed as more..

Aug 19 (DM) Health Ministry dismissed the reports suggesting that they are considering bringing in specialist doctors from overseas to address the current acute shortage of medical specialists. DDG (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said that such discussions have not taken place as it is not a feasible solution. He also elaborated on several key steps taken to address the dearth of medical specialists. �Firstly, the retirement age for specialists has been extended from 60 to 63, more..

Aug 19 (DM) In rescheduling SL�s external debts, China, as the single largest bilateral creditor, is likely to have its own debt management criterion for SL instead of having a common mechanism with other creditors, a top source said. Sri Lanka is currently in the process of restructuring its debts in keeping with programme with the IMF. India, France and Japan have formed a common platform to restructure SL�s debts. China has also taken observer status. Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda more..

Aug 19 (Island) The magical all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva came up with an extraordinary match winning lead from the front 6 for 9 captain�s role in B Love Kandy knocking out Jaffna Kings by 61 runs in yesterday�s decisive eliminator in staying on course to making it to the finals of the LPL at R. Premadasa Stadium. The leggy was simply unplayable in his decimation of three times winners of the title and reigning champions that took him just 3.2 overs as the Kings folded up for 127 more..

Aug 19 (FT) Public Security Minister Tiran Alles made a sudden observation visit to the BIA to inspect the eased security protocols initiated last week to enhance passenger convenience during peak hours. Following his inspection tour to key touch points such as Immigration counters, security check-ins and arrival and departure passenger terminals, Minister discussed the ground plan of the BIA with the Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd, Chairman G.A. Chandrasiri, more..

Aug 19 (DM) Opposition MPs seem to be holding different ideas on the recent remarks made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe that Sri Lankan children will have to learn Hindi and Chinese in the future. An MP who represents one of the parties which back SJB siad that the remark made by the Prez correctly reflected his policy of thinking out of the box. �Prez is correct in what he said about the children having to learn Hindi & Chinese more..

Aug 19 (DM) Sri Lanka has made the biggest contribution to China in history by gifting Vinaya Pitaka to 400Ad Buddhist monk Faxian who travelled through the old Silk Route in search of Buddhist scripts, said a chief prelate announcing a series of Chinese funded welfare projects to mark the 10th anniversary of One Belt One Road initiative. Chief Incumbent of the Sambodhi Maha Viharaya Ven. Boralande Vajiragnana Thera addressing a media briefing at the temple more..

Aug 19 (DM) A tense situation arose when a group led by TNPF leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam entered the Kurundi temple and conducted a Pongal Pooja. Police said however the situation was brought under control. According to a court order obtained from the Mullaitivu Court, a group, including MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, had gone to perform a Pongal Pooja at the Kurundi temple. However, the temple's donors had opposed them, deeming it illegal, resulting in a heated exchange of more..

Aug 19 (CT) It has been revealed that though Sri Lanka had received fuel from Iran, in exchange for tea, during the early part of last year, to tide over its dollar and economic crisis, thus far the Govt has failed to keep up its promise to Tehran. It has come to light that though Sri Lanka had received USD 250 million worth of fuel from Iran, the Govt has to date reneged on its promise to that country to send tea valued at the same price. more..

Aug 20 (ST) My dear Mervyn, I didn�t think I would have the misfortune of writing to you ever again. When you were booted out of Parliament at the last general election, we thought we had seen and heard the last of you. We were wrong, not only about you, but others too � and we both know who we are talking about, don�t we? After the last election, we thought that politics in Paradise was at last, Mervyn-free, even though you have inspired a whole new generation of politicians to behave like you. more..

Aug 20 (ST) Once the hewers of wood and drawers of water for the British Raj, launched an attention-grabbing programme � , retracing the journey of the first groups of women and men � brought to Ceylon/SL to work in the newly opened, labour intensive coffee estates in the central highlands, 200 years ago. Ironically, the awareness march was sponsored by some NGOs while political parties and the community�s representatives in Parliament opted to keep away, more..

Aug 20 (CT) The intervention of political forces or elements both in the North and South who rely on racism or regionalism to politically survive have made finding solutions to the burning political issues more complicated, TMVP Leader and State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan said. �The activities of such elements have further worsened the situation and the political and economic issues of Tamil people enduring more..

Aug 20 (TM) Despite denials to the contrary from the usual quarters, there appear to be signs of a poll of some sort looming over the horizon in the not-too-distant future. That is the only rational explanation for the bizarre goings-on in the highest echelons of the administration these days, with even the usually reticent President seemingly changing gear and becoming all too keen to get behind a microphone. Unfortunately, what he is saying these days is no different to that of more..

Aug 20 (FT) The traditional three-month remembrance of the late Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala falls this month. It�s an occasion not only to recall his impressive career but lessons from his illustrious professional and citizen life. For those who had the good fortune of knowing and working with him, Jayantha Dhanapala, was the quintessential diplomat, trustworthy colleague, all-rounder par excellence and most importantly, a humanitarian to the core. more..

Aug 20 (TM) President Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently in the process of preparing the debt restructuring formula to be presented to bilateral creditors. The formula is being prepared in line with the discussions carried out with the consortium of SL�s bilateral creditors led by the Paris Club. It is learnt that the Govt will be presenting the proposed debt restructuring formula to the bilateral creditors, including China, next month. more..

Aug 20 (Island) Our front page lead story last Sunday, headlined Cops join IRD to raise revenue, scooped the news that the police has launched a new collaboration with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to track down unexplained wealth and chase black money. This, as our story explained, was a spin-off from the widely publicized cases involving Pastor (also called Prophet) Jerome Fernando who has still not returned to the country after the smelly stuff hit the fan and more..

Aug 20 (SO) There is hardly any doubt that Asia will be the economic powerhouse of the future. we are not envisioning about 100 years from now, but rather around 10 to 20 years. Asia already has three regional superpowers � Japan, China and India, which will lead the global economy in the not too distant future. In fact, China is likely to become the world�s leading economy in a matter of years, overtaking the United States and the European Union (EU). India is not far behind. more..

Aug 20 (Island) This article is written to evoke and revive the memory of two outstanding gentlemen who were responsible for the establishment of Sevanagala sugar industry under the SL Sugar Corporation (SLSC).The present staff at Sevanagala have not even heard of them and some of them seem to believe that Sevanagala was always like what it is now, No sir, a few people have shed blood ,sweat and tears to make it what it is. Before Sevanagala SLSC owned and managed more..

Aug 20 (CT) This is a sequel to what I wrote last week concerning Prez Wickremasinghe�s options and the country�s counter options. I will take one more kick at the can to say why now is the time for presidential and political reforms, and why the opportunity should not be missed. As potential reforms go, presidential reform is the centerpiece, but there are also other reform tasks targeting the electoral system, devolution and the provinces, and the administrative system to provide more..

Aug 20 (TM) Operations at many State hospitals could soon come to a standstill unless the Govt takes immediate action to counter the ongoing brain drain in the health sector, some health experts have warned. Statistics reveal that a significant number of migrations of healthcare professionals, spanning from lab technicians to specialised doctors and nurses, are currently underway. more..