Feb 14 (EN) Stocks closed near four weeks� low as concerns over a drag in the IMF deal and delay in LG election weakened the investor sentiment, analysts said. SL�s main share index closed lower on Tuesday to its more than four-week low with continues to take a waiting approach due concerns over securing the IMF loan, analysts say. ASPI fell 1.73% or 147.76 points to 8,790.72, its lowest since Jan 20 and the bourse saw foreign outflow on a net basis for the first time since Jan 25. more..

Feb 14 (AD) A collective of election monitoring organisations have written to the Ministry of Finance, urging to release the funds required by the Election Commission to hold the 2023 LG election. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the group highlighted that as per the previous requests made by the Commission, the Parliament has already allocated money for the 2023 LG election. more..

Feb 14 (AD) The issuing of passports, which was temporarily halted yesterday due to a defect in the computer system of the Immigration and Emigration Dept�s offices islandwide, has recommenced this morning. Accordingly, the Dept has stated that all those who had appointments today have been requested to visit the department tomorrow. All applicants have been urged to visit the Dept not on the day for which they have been scheduled to come, but instead, the following day, more..

Feb 14 (TM) Colombo Chief Magistrate�s Court today ordered that the body specimens of late businessman Dinesh Schaffter be preserved, if any such specimens had been obtained for testing or investigative purposes. Accordingly, the court directed both, the Colombo Chief JMO and Govt Analyst to preserve anybody specimens of the businessman, based on a request made by President�s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appearing on behalf of the family of the deceased. more..

Feb 15 (DM) Our country has been in dire straits since it defaulted payment on its foreign borrowings. Our local tax collection dropped well below par, when a now disgraced president decided he was cutting income tax - perhaps on a personal whim or political fancy. According to the govt�s Inland Revenue Department and reported in our sister paper Daily FT - taxation halved from Rs.1,025,319,006,780 in 2019 to Rs. 523,933,624,905 in 2020 more..

Feb 15 (DM) I remember how excited we were when we got our first home computer. It was bulky IMB that needed two people to carry the monitor. There was no Wi-fi, I don�t think we had heard of that. A friend who was interning at a electricity service provider and dabbling with phones on the sideline drew a long wire from the telephone connection to the machine. Before we got on the net, half the neighbourhood probably heard dial-up sound. When some was on the net, phone line was gone. more..

Feb 15 (TM) As a result of the depletion of foreign exchange reserves in the country, SL health system is heading towards a critical situation due to the lack of medicines and medical consumables. Doctors, including the strongest trade union of SL doctors � the GMOA, have been warning the authorities regarding this crisis for many months. However, currently, the situation is rapidly reaching a tipping point, threatening more..

Feb 15 (CT) The importance of ecotourism in SL has been completely undermined with increased exploitation of the environment to reap economic benefits. The recent effort to hold a music festival in an environmentally sensitive area in Habarana is a clear depiction of such ignorance. The concert due to be held next to the Gal Oya forest reserve was organised on the pretext of attracting tourists while turning a blind eye to the overall long-term impact of having such a festival with loud music, more..

Feb 15 (GV) Prasanna Vithanage�s Gaadi takes place in the last year of the Kandyan Kingdom. It begins with an encounter between Ehelepola Adigar and John D�Oyly and moves on to scenes of the two of them negotiating the transfer of power in Kandy and the deposal of the king, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe. In the opening sequence, the Adigar informs the British emissary that should he succeed Rajasinghe, he will allow the English to conduct trade in the highlands. more..

Feb 15 (CT) State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya spoke about debt restructuring with China, restarting cancelled Japanese projects, re-introducing the 13th Amendment, India�s involvement in SL, and the future of the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans. Q: Where do we stand in terms of debt restructuring with the Chinese Govt? A: Chinese Govt has sent a letter expressing its support for Sri Lanka�s debt restructuring. more..

Feb 15 (TM) Although many Sri Lankans are gradually getting used to living with the impacts of the economic crisis, certain impacts are likely to last longer and affect more than anticipated. The difficulties faced by the country�s health sector are one such impact, which continue to affect the people despite various efforts by the Govt and health authorities. Owing to the Govt�s inability to procure the necessary resources, i.e. medicines and medical equipment, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella more..

Feb 15 (CT) The stirring of the leaves in the woods and their dancing to the melodious breeze would vanish in a little while. A rainstorm is imminent. What it takes away with the branches and trees could be anyone�s guess. Yet the fragrance of fresh raindrops on earth would continue to linger on for discerning men and women to relish. The aftermath of heavy and mighty rainfall has its own intrinsic merits; it�s a harbinger of even better things to come; with the dawn of the sun next morning, more..

Feb 16 (Island) P. Nedumaran, who leads a fringe group in TN, has got grabbing headlines down to a fine art. He used to ride on the tiger tails of the LTTE, as it were, when Prabhakaran was around, and attracted a great deal of media attention. He has sought to do so again. He has told the media that Prabhakaran is still alive and will appear in public soon. He made a similar claim in 2018, and more than four years have since elapsed. Maybe the task of returning from the dead takes much longer more..

Feb 16 (Island) Many of those who call for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment believe that all State land should be completely under the control of the provincial councils. The actual extent of the devolution of land powers would depend on the language used in the text of the 13th Amendment, and the interpretation given to that text by the Supreme Court which has exclusive jurisdiction in respect of Constitutional matters. Provisions with regard to land are to be found in 9th more..

Feb 16 (Roar) Home to abundant natural resources, SL has immense potential for sustainable or renewable energy, including clean, green and cost-efficient electricity. There are four main renewable energy technologies which are commercially deployed in SL at the moment: hydropower, solar power, wind power and biomass. Despite the availability of resources, other technologies such as wave energy & tidal energy more..

Feb 16 (Island) It�s a pity that not many young men and women choose the sports desk when they join journalism. Page one often deals with miseries of the world while the back page mostly celebrates the achievements of mankind. And if you are lucky, cricket takes you to some of world�s costliest tourist destinations like Barbados in West Indies, Queenstown in NZ and Cape Town in South Africa. Cape Town of all these places is special as that�s where South Africa play their New Year Test more..

Feb 16 (ST) The new football administration has a few tough games in hand. New President, Sri Ranga, whom his handlers felt would follow the script and dance to their tune have been rudely awakened. The football boss is here to stay, if all reports reaching the public is true. He has shaken up the establishment and is working closely with the Ministry of Sports to root out what he believes is a series of rampant corruption over several years. His rigorous stance is to make sure that more..

Feb 15 (FT) The Govt yesterday said the impending free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand will be inked within the first quarter of the year, to boost exports from the country by three folds to $ 1.5 billion. �Sri Lanka lacks FTAs with countries and that is one of the key reasons why we have not been able to boost our exports over time. The objective of the Govt is to boost exports from the current $ 550 million to $ 1.5 billion via Sri Lanka and Thailand FTA,� Minister Banduala Gunawardena said. more..

Feb 15 (EN) Sri Lanka and Indonesia has extended a deal to allow search and rescue operations in the air spaces under the control of the two countries, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization�s Chicago Convention, neighboring states should enter into agreements with stating the conditions for entering search and rescue units in their territories to strengthen cooperation and coordination in search and rescue activities. more..

Feb 15 (DM) The final tariff system recommended by the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) was approved today by the PUCSL chairman, but it was not approved by the other three members of the commission, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said. He said the proposal was submitted for the approval of the commission members this morning. The final tariff system has been extensively studied & recommended more..

Feb 15 (DN) Sri Lanka A team led by Sadeera Samarawickrama will play their first ODI of the three-match series against England Lions today at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium commencing at. 9.45 am. This will be a good opportunity for Sri Lanka A players before the important New Zealand series which will commence on March 9. After the two four-day unofficial Test matches at Galle, a new look SL A side look to give a good challenge against the England lions. more..

Feb 15 (CT) The Governments of Gabon, Jamaica and Sri Lanka have joined forces to fight back against damaging beauty practices, launching a joint USD 14 million project to eliminate the use of mercury in skin lightening products, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) statement said. Using cosmetics to inhibit the body�s production of melanin, leading the skin to appear lighter, is a centuries-old practice in many parts of the world that continues to take a toxic toll today. more..

Feb 15 (TM) CID informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya that the Govt Analyst (GA) has informed that the body of deceased Janashakthi PLC Director Dinesh Schaffter contained deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples belonging to an unidentified individual. Accordingly, to investigate whose DNA samples were found, the Additional Magistrate ordered the CID to present four persons, including the watchmen of more..

]Feb 15 (FT) SL�s most diversified blue chip Hayleys has succeeded in overtaking its best ever results posted in FY22 within the first nine months of the current financial year reflecting its resilience though higher finance cost and taxes impacted its third quarter year on year. As per interim results released, Hayleys consolidated pre-tax profit amounted to Rs. 36.5 billion up by a massive 88% from a year ago and in the process overtook the best ever figure of Rs. 35.7 billion achieved in full FY22. more..

]Feb 15 (FT) Amidst the changing global dynamics, with the intention of strengthening socioeconomic relations between Russia and SL, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of SL (FCCISL) recently organised a four-day program, Russia-SL Economic Forum (23-27 Jan.), which heralded fruitful outcomes for both nations. The program was organised in collaboration with the Embassy of SL in Russia, Economic Affairs Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs & SL EDB. more..

Feb 15 (DM) In an effort to make payment processes in public sector institutions convenient, Technology Ministry has called on its officials to take immediate measures to make electronic payment facilities mandatory, a proposal made in the 2023 budget. Decision was taken by State Minister Kanaka Herath at monthly progress review meeting. At present, govt institutions facilitate cash transactions by issuing handwritten receipts, which asserts the need to have electronic payment more..

Feb 15 (Island) SL High Commission in New Delhi said that regulations needed to facilitate the rupee trade between the two countries were formulated. High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda has thanked India, and Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharama for the assistance provided to Sri Lanka in the present economic recovery phase, in particular for the necessary regulations and approvals that were being set in place to facilitate the Rupee trade between the two countries. more..

Feb 15 (FT) The main Opposition, SJB yesterday unveiled its enhanced economic blueprint for a Sri Lanka with good governance and inclusive prosperity. Addressing a gathering of diplomats and members of the business community, Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa, said the country is currently trapped in a stagnant mud pool, and the SJB is the only party that offers a workable solution to alleviate sufferings of its 22 million citizens. more..

Feb 15 (Island) CEB would lose more than Rs. 100 billion from next year due to the delay in the construction of 350 MW Sobhadanavi Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant at Kerawalapitiya that was expected to add 200 MW to the national grid this year. However, non-availability of funds would bring the construction work to a halt at a time where such plant was the much needed. A senior Electrical Engineer said that the slow pace of construction was due to funding delays despite generators more..

Feb 15 (Island) Sri Lanka does not have a proper port management system and this drawback causes tremendous delays when dealing with documentation. It will not serve the purpose even if the govt expands port operations, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. �The govt should not regulate the shipping industry but on certain occasions act as a regulator in order to protect the interests of the people. Streamlining the port management system will enable us to create an efficient port. more..

Feb 15 (DN) Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that around 7,000 road construction projects implemented in the country, including in the North East, have been stopped. He said that the Central Expressway has stopped due to not receiving loans from China�s Exim Bank. �The 40 km stretch from Kadawatha to Mirigama, the road that was planned to be completed for Rs.158 billion has been stopped. Now the estimated cost for this road has gone upto Rs.265 billion�. more..

Feb 15 (DM) CB rebuffed the claims of money printing in recent times to settle govt bills or even for the payment of interest payments of previous borrowings and pointed at the mostly successful bill auctions in which it managed to raise the full amount offered from the market itself. Responding to a question on the subject, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said he doesn�t see any signs of increase in reserve money expansion, term used in economics for money printing. more..

Feb 15 (TM) Dept of Wildlife Conservation noted that they had not granted approval for the Deep Jungle Festival despite the event organisers claiming that they would proceed with the event as they had not received any official letter denying approval of the event by the SLTPB. DWC Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said: �No. We have not given any approval. We have requested some information, and once they provide more..

Feb 15 (FT) Texworld Evolution Paris 2023 closed its doors today at the Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition centre, and welcomed the huge number professional buyers from the fashion industry which came to meet the international textile and finished products manufactures. Design Studio Manufacturing Ltd, participated at Apparel Sourcing Paris and presented fashion garments to the professional buyers from the fashion industry which were coming to meet the international textile and more..

Feb 15 (AD) Seven suspects who were involved in stealing an ATM machine from a private bank in Gampola have been arrested by the police. The stolen ATM machine and a pistol that belongs to Puttalam district MP Ali Sabry Raheem have been recovered during the raid. According to the police, the pistol had been taken from the parliamentarian�s residence when it was set on fire during the countrywide unrest that ensued amidst the Aragalaya protest movement. more..