Feb 15 (TM) Following the indefinite postponement of the distribution of postal vote ballot papers for the LG election, several political party representatives have expressed their opposition to the Govt�s programme to postpone the LG poll and warned of a strong struggle to win the people�s right to vote. Dept of Govt Printing informed the Election Commission (EC) in writing on Monday that postal vote ballot papers could not be printed until more..

Feb 15 (FT) Nepotism or family bandysm can be defined as patronage bestowed or favouritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business and politics. Nepotism is by no means confined to SL politics, but the extended family favouritism has taken it to a whole new level. With the independence from British rule SL political dynasties flourished to new heights. Though the democratic electoral mechanism is meant to cater for electing capable politicians, more..

Feb 15 (FT) In the absence of a competition act in SL for international trade, SL exporters, importers and traders are constantly subject to various attempts by a section of the services sector to introduce anti-competitive practices to manipulate market driven prices. It is observed that the authorities are clueless in addressing the same and most of the time are taken on a ride by interested parties bringing in protectionism against competition which I have been writing for well over 20 yrs. more..

Feb 15 (AD) Chairman of Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha, Noel Steven has been temporarily removed from his position. This was announced in a special gazette notification published by Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa on Tuesday. Hence, the vice chairman of Mawanella PS, Korale Gedara Piyatissa has been appointed to the position for the time being. On Jan 13, the Mawanella PS chairman, who is reportedly a member of SLPP, was arrested on charges more..

Feb 15 (PMD) German MP Peter Ramsauer met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday afternoon. The progress of the projects being implemented at the Karapitiya Hospital with the support of the German Govt was reviewed and future activities were discussed during the meeting. Prez stated that he expects Germany�s technical assistance and investment in SL�s upcoming development program and requested further assistance in this regard. more..

Feb 15 (AD) Various new details have reportedly been revealed pertaining to the recent death of businessman Onesh Subasinghe, who was found dead in an apartment in Jakarta, Indonesia. Amidst suspicions of foul play, the CID confirmed that Subasinghe, who was the Managing Director at Opex Holdings, was murdered in order to obtain his life insurance worth USD 1.5 million, and his other properties worth billions of Rupees. more..

Feb 15 (AD) A group of people reportedly attacked the SJB party office in Dematagoda early this morning. Member of the SJB, Mujibur Rahman said that several individuals have broken into the party office and caused severe damage to the billboards which were inside the office. Furthermore, Rahman alleged that the President has created a new culture of deploying gangs to destroy party offices by intimidating the candidates who vie for the upcoming LG election representing the SJB. more..

Feb 15 (EN) Sri Lanka is expecting 1.55 million tourists in 2023 led by visitors from India, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Priyantha Fernando said. �We are targeting almost 260,000 India arrivals this year,� Fernando said. �With the Chinese traffic opening up of this month there will be further increases. �We are expecting 1.55 million tourist�s arrivals this year it is quiet promising. We ended with of 102,545 tourists in the month of January 2023.� more..

Feb 15 (DM) A 20-member US delegation team comprising high-level defence officials arrived in the country in two special aircraft of the US Air Force last night at the BIA. The delegation includes US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal. It was reported that the security in and out of the BIA and its surrounding areas had been tightened during the last few days due to more..

Feb 15 (Island) A leading transport service in Lithuania plans to recruit 600 truck drivers for its trans-Europe services and sought PM Dinesh Gunawardena�s intervention for a speedy training process for selected drivers. This request was made by Dana Janerikaite, Senior Director of Manvesta in Lithuania, who called on PM at Temple Trees on Feb 13, according to a media release issued by the PM�s Office. She said the company plans to recruit 600 truck drivers but could select only 109 more..

Feb 15 (DM) Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the operation of summons issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate on Western Province Senior DIG Deshbandu Tennakoon. Court of Appeal further issued an interim order staying the proceedings against DIG Tennakoon in the Fort Magistrate�s Court until the final hearing and determination of this writ application. On Jan 26, the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court had issued summons on Deshbandu Tennakoon to more..

Feb 15 (Island) JVP-led NPP called on the National Elections Commission to summon the Govt Printer, Gangani Liyanage, and to inquire from her who had asked her to suspend the printing of ballot papers for the March 09 local council polls. NPP national executive Committee Member Sunil Handunnetti said: �We have information she was summoned to the President�s House and pressured to stop printing ballot papers. This is an undue influence on a public official. We call on the Govt Printer to more..

Feb 15 (DM) Education Ministry is ready to complete the distribution of all essential textbooks before March 27, when the 2023 school academic year begins, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said. The inaugural program for the distribution of textbooks related to the academic year 2023 was held today at the Education Publication Dept warehouse complex in Homagama. Minister said that the need for textbooks will complete by providing essential books for primary classes more..

Feb 15 (DM) Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has many a time been a beacon of hope, a bulwark against the excesses of executive power, and a defender of the sovereign rights of the people of Sri Lanka, BASL President Saliya Pieris said. BASL President Saliya Pieris made these remarks today while speaking at the ceremonial sitting held at Supreme Court to welcome Justice Priyantha Fernando as a Supreme Court Judge. more..

Feb 15 (DM) Radella Cricket Ground, built in 1856, which is situated 4,200 feet above sea level in Nuwara Eliya has been re-developed and is now ready for the national team to train ahead of their crucial tour of New Zealand, the SLC said. The SLC said the ground is the only high-elevation cricket ground that can be utilized for national level cricket training in Sri Lanka. The re-development work of the ground commenced following the consent given by SLC Member Club Dimbula Athletic more..

Feb 15 (Island) Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) yesterday commenced its election monitoring programme, which will deploy election observers across the country to monitor the use of public resources for campaign purposes and campaign finance during the upcoming Local Govt Election scheduled to take place on March 09. As it has done since 2005, TISL has deployed 25 District Electoral Observers who will work with 160 additional observers working at the electorate level, more..

Feb 15 (TM) The privileges enjoyed by former Presidents and their spouses through the Presidents� Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986 will be abolished as the first order of business under a Govt headed by the JVP-led NPP, the party�s Economic Council Member Sunil Handunnetti said while detailing the privileges afforded to former Presidents and their spouses. Handunnetti stressed that the aforementioned Act provided more..

Feb 15 (CT) The man who stole the official vehicle belonging to the Kuliyapitiya Additional District Magistrate, was arrested at Oliyamulla, Wattala yesterday, Police said. The magistrate�s car was also taken into Police custody. SSP Nihal Thalduwa yesterday said that investigations commenced after the Magistrate lodged a complaint with the Piliyandala Police. He said the suspect had contacted the Magistrate via a phone call and demanded Rs 500,000 to hand over the car. more..

Feb 15 (TM) SL apparel exporters are looking to supply to new brands in an attempt to revive export volumes and create competition among existing brands, an apparel exporter said. Sean Van Dort of the SL Shippers Council said that apparel exporters are looking for new brands that could benefit from SL�s capacity and expertise in apparel manufacturing. �We are looking for new brands that could benefit from these searches (for new brands) to help stir existing brands, as it makes them more..

Feb 15 (EN) Stocks edged down for the sixth session on Wednesday on weak macroeconomic sentiments as IMF loan and Local Govt postal voting continues to delay, analysts said. ASPI fell 0.12% or 10.34 points to 8,628.58, its lowest since Jan 20. �Market was heavily influenced by the present two main macro-economic factors which are in stages of delay,� an analyst said. �Panic selling pressures have come in and investors are seen to be moving to more fundamentally backed shares.� more..

Feb 15 (HT) With China yet to support SL debt restructuring based on the debt sustainability analysis (DSA) of the IMF and Paris Club, time is running out on Colombo to secure a much-needed loan to revive the nation from the present economic crisis. SL is seeking a USD 2.9 billion-dollar loan from the IMF over four years in eight installments. While India has agreed to support the Island nation on the basis of DSA, China still has differences over period of loan moratorium, debt restructuring more..

Feb 15 (PMD) Addressing the launching of the Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) at the SL Technological Campus (SLTC) Research Uni at the Trace City in Colombo this morning, Prez said that the govt will not give into the demands of protestors. He noted that just, because certain groups strike demanding the removal of certain officials, govt will not remove anyone arbitrarily as there is a procedure more..

Feb 15 (AD) Chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Nimal Punchihewa says that he will summon the Secretary of Ministry of Finance and its officials for a discussion tomorrow, in order to hold talks on the release of funds required for the upcoming LG election. EC chief also pointed out that they are trying to hold the postal voting on previously scheduled dates. Govt Printer had earlier informed the EC on Monday (13) in writing that printing work pertaining to the upcoming LG election more..

Feb 15 (DM) Calling for nominations for the election of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) members for the 2023-2025 period may commence this week, it is learnt. A top official of SLC said an announcement would be issued in this regard soon. �All preparations for the calling of nominations have been completed,� the official said. The election of office bearers at the forthcoming AGM of the SLC is scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023. It was reported earlier that nominations will be called for the election more..

Feb 15 (CI) Saqib Mahmood marked his competitive comeback with three cheap wickets in England Lions' 4-wicket victory over SL A in Colombo. Mahmood has not played a professional game in ten months after a back stress fracture but is part of England's ODI squad for next month's tour to Bangladesh, and took 3 for 27 in 7.1 overs in the first of three List A fixtures on the Lions tour. His three victims - Avishka Fernando, more..

Feb 15 (DC) Reacting to Tamil nationalist movement leader Pazha Nedumaran's claim that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran is still alive, All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) chairman Maninderjeet Singh Bitta asked Tamil Nadu government to make its stand clear on the claim. AIATF chairman said it is wrong on part of leaders to engage in politics with those of terrorist ideology who are responsible for the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. more..

Feb 15 (Reuters) Sri Lanka and India will sign a pact to link their power grids and start negotiations on an upgraded trade agreement within two months, a SL diplomat said on Wednesday, as the island nation seeks a way out of its worst economic crisis in decades. India has provided some $4 billion in assistance to its southern neighbour since the crisis hit early last year, but SL is now seeking to enhance trade and investments as it moves to close a $2.9 billion loan from the IMF, more..

Feb 16 (DM) Consider the irony! As it should, Maithripala Sirisena, the former president, was indicted and found guilty of failing to prevent the Easter Sunday attack that killed 250 churchgoers and patrons at tourist hotels. He was ordered to pay Rs. 100 million in compensation to the victims of the attack. Other senior state and military officials, including the then defence secretary, IGP, and chief of State intelligence, were similarly found guilty of remission of their duties and more..

Feb 16 (DM) Amidst growing controversy over alleged moves to postpone LG polls scheduled to be held on March 9, Govt has run into more and deeper trouble while the cost of living is soaring and millions of families are finding it difficult to provide three meals a day, a proper education for the children, healthcare & other needs. Amidst such controversy within controversy, dispute within dispute and turmoil within turmoil, it is difficult to focus attention on other vital issue�gender equality. more..

Feb 16 (FT) Former TN state legislator and leader of the Tamil Nationalist Movement (Thamizh Thesiya Iyakkam) Pazhaniyappan Nedumaran created a stir on 13 Feb by making a sensational announcement. The 89-year-old Tamil politician held a press conference in Thanjavur on Monday and attempted to resurrect LTTE supremo Veluppillai Prabhakaran from the dead. Nedumaran, an ardent supporter of the LTTE for more..

Feb 16 (CT) The govt printer is in the news these days, with the National Election Commission (EC) announcing that the Govt Printer has stated that if funds are not provided, ballot papers will not be printed, posing a fresh hurdle to the upcoming LG Elections scheduled to be held on the 9th of March. Opposition circles have accused that there have been pressure from those top in the govt to prevent the elections from being held, while the govt attributes this to a shortage of funds for more..

Feb 16 (TM) Despite the Govt�s claims that it has no fear of elections and that the public still has faith in its capabilities, the indefinite postponement of the postal voting ballot paper distribution of the upcoming LG election, caused by the delay in providing funds for election preparations, could reasonably be interpreted as a sign that the Govt is actively attempting to derail the election process. This development comes against the backdrop of much of the Opposition highlighting more..

Feb 16 (TM) The interest rate hike and newly-introduced taxes have affected the vehicle market, with vehicle sales at an all-time low. The ownership of a motor vehicle appears to be becoming a distant dream for many, as most people who purchased vehicles before the crisis now struggle to honour the leases. According to Vehicle Importers Association President Sirishantha Gamage, the substantial drop in sales is due to the high lease interest rate. more..

Feb 16 (ST) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s call for unity on Wednesday (8) to resolve the economic crisis was to no avail, as evidenced by the fractious two-day Parliamentary debate on his policy statement. That opposition parties were not prepared to buy his arguments was clear even before he made his second policy statement in Parliament, with the main opposition SJB and NPP choosing to boycott sittings. MPs representing the Freedom People�s Alliance (FPA) led by more..

Feb 16 (CT) If Hambantota, from where two former Presidents and a handful of Ministers were elected, is not yet developed, how can the estate sector be developed with only one ministerial portfolio, Ceylon Workers� Congress (CWC) Chairman Senthil Thondaman queried recently. He said this while addressing a series of pocket meetings held in the estate areas of Maskeliya, Gawarawila and Maneluwa in support of CWC candidates contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections. more..