Feb 16 (Island) The Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe regime is in overdrive to derail the local govt (LG) elections. It might succeeded in sabotaging postal voting. It knows that it is highly unpopular, and an electoral contest at this juncture will seal its fate. It is a dead man walking! In 1994, the then Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga offered the Northern Province to Prabhakaran without elections for a period of ten years in a bid to make him eschew violence. Her plan went pear-shaped. more..

feb 16 (ST) President of Negombo Football League, Ranjith Rodrigo, has fired a virtual show cause notice to J. Sri Ranga, President elect of Football Federation of SL (FFSL), for being inactive on the present crisis the game is facing. Ranga, President of Mannar FL, was elected on January 14, but within days FIFA suspended FFSL until further notice preventing SL from taking part in any international competitions. With the unexpected twist, FFSL under Ranga, has been left in the dark more..

Feb 16 (FT) SriLankan Airlines sets the stage to usher in Raid Amazones, the only itinerant women�s adventure race in the world, to SL for the second year running as the Presenting Partner. Raid Amazones will hit the fabled streets of the hill capital, Kandy, between 19-29 March 2023 with the participation of over 250 female athletes. SriLankan Airlines is stepping up its efforts toward restoring the country�s tourism industry, in part by drawing more..

feb 16 (Island) We, the citizens, were erased from the Independence Day ceremony, presided over by the supreme civil and military leadership of the state, at Galle Face. This was a far cry from last year, when this same space became the site of mass protests, as a collective expression of our agency, solidarity, and anger. Thousands of people, from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, gender and sexual identities, stood shoulder-to-shoulder, protesting against more..

Feb 16 (CT) SL will be eying to make it three in three and a seal a spot in the semi-final of the Women�s T20 World Cup when they take on defending champions Australia today in St George�s Park, Gqeberha. Australia are currently leading Group �A� with 4 points thanks to their superior run rate, while the Asia Cup runners up are sitting in second spot, also with 4 points, after winning their first two matches against South Africa and Bangladesh. SL are yet to reach a Women�s T20 World Cup more..

Feb 16 (FT) Design For Sustainable Development Foundation (DFSD), a subsidiary of AOD/Design Corp Group of Companies signs a MOU with the Chaudhary Foundation, a subsidiary of the Chaudhary Group, in setting up an initiative for the joint development of craft into lifestyle fashion and other related products. Over the next decade, AOD and the Chaudhary Foundation would pool their domain expertise to undertake design, development and manufacturing of a range of products more..

Feb 16 (Island) The Investment Relations Office to promote the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone (CPCSEZ) in Bangkok, Thailand, led by Dr Sarayut Lekplipol, the Regional Head of Investment Promotion (Asia-Pacific) for CHEC Port City Colombo (pvt) Ltd, recently hosted the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Presidents Council Meeting, which includes 36 countries, in partnership with the Thai-SL Chamber of Commerce. The event was held at Conrad Bangkok on 25th of Jan more..

Feb 16 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickremeratne, yesterday said elections are a sure sign and a sovereign right under democracy, and condemned Govt moves to delay the LG polls. He warned that attempts to meddle with the sovereign rights of the people will result in serious issues. �Govt�s efforts to delay the elections are a joke. Two cases were filed in court against the conduct of the LG poll, and in one case more..

Feb 16 (TM) Election Commission (EC) said that it has no power to summon Govt Printer Gangani Liyanage as has been demanded by the Opposition, but noted that she can be called for discussions. When queried as to whether the EC can summon the Govt Printer, its Chairman, G. Punchihewa said: �We can call for discussions, but we do not have the power to summon her.� He further stated that the EC is still awaiting a response to the letter written by him to Treasury requesting to release funds to more..

Feb 16 (DM) SL�s only private cooking gas player Laugfs Gas PLC returned to profitability in the Dec 2022 quarter, as the group is currently undergoing a major restructuring programme to downsize the operations and deleverage the balance sheet after years of debt-fuelled growth. The group reported a revenue of Rs.7.81 billion for the quarter under review, a 38% increase, after the domestic gas prices were raised exponentially and the supplies were restored after months-long shortage, more..

Feb 16 (DN) Four Police Officers including the OIC of the Crimes Division of the Hungama Police sentenced to death by the Hambantota High Court, the first time the death sentence has been imposed in the history of SL on four police officers. Hambantota HC Judge Priyantha Liyanage handed down death sentences yesterday to four police officers including the OIC of Crimes Division of Hungama Police Station more..

Feb 16 (DN) Despite the global economic downturn, the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers� Association (FTZMA) apparel exports increased by USD 400 million in 2022. The revenue generated from appeal exports in 2022 was USD $ 8.5 billion and this figure was at USD 8.1 billion in 2021 showing an improvement of USD 400 million. Secretary FTZMA, Dhammika Fernando, (PICTURED) said that they witnessed a downturn in the last two quarters in 2022 mainly due to political unrest originating more..

Feb 16 (AFP) Air India will purchase 470 planes from Airbus and Boeing under an historic pair of mega agreements announced Tuesday, transforming the former national carrier as it prepares for scorching growth. The airline, which is owned by the Tata Group, announced a contract to purchase 250 Airbus planes at an AeroIndia salon in Bangalore at a ceremony attended virtually by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian PM Narendra Modi. That was followed by a White House more..

Feb 16 (Island) US Embassy yesterday declined to comment on an unannounced visit made by a high level US delegation. When The Island asked the US Embassy whether it would issue a statement regarding the visit, Embassy Spokesperson said that they didn�t have any comment on the topic. The delegation is believed to have been led by US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Jedidiah Royal. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that the issue more..

Feb 16 (DN) The Police had to be called-in, to quell a clash between two groups of students belonging to the JVP and FSP which happened following an argument over arrangements to celebrate the Valentine�s Day. This incident was an argument regarding a Welcome Arch (Thorana) been built at the Sri Jayawardenepura Uni grounds on Tuesday night. Mirihana police said that the property of the hostel has been severely damaged due to the fight. After the clash broke out the two groups of more..

Feb 16 (TM) Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and several professional colleges of specialist doctors yesterday submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) regarding the lack of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment in the country, and the failure of the relevant institutions including the Ministry of Health to provide solutions to the same. Convenor of Faculty of Medicine more..

Feb 16 (PMD) Construction Industry Revitalization Committee convened at the President�s Office today (15), led by Senior Advisor to the Prez on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayake. The committee aims to identify and address the issues facing the construction industry in Sri Lanka in light of the current economic crisis. During the meeting, Mr. Ratnayake emphasized the need to systematically address the problems facing the construction industry and to revive it. more..

Feb 16 (DM) Sri Lanka Women�s captain Chamari Athapaththu on Thursday said she was focused on playing for the country after she went undrafted for the inaugural Women�s Premier League (WPL) in India. Wicket-keeper Anushka Sanjeewani and spinner Inoka Ranaweera also went unsold, but the surprise omission was Athapaththu, who has previously featured in the Women�s T20 Challenge, a tournament organized by Indian Premier League that preceded the formation of the WPL. more..

Feb 16 (DM) India has been awarded the hosting rights for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup, with Sri Lanka excluded from the regional tournament as a result of the ongoing FIFA ban. The 14th edition of the SAFF Cup will be held from June 30 to July 3, with SL previously bidding to host the tournament, and since the decision on which country would stage it was announced on Thursday, India was awarded the rights. SL is currently sanctioned by FIFA, who suspended more..

Feb 16 (AD) A number of doctors have reported a severe shortage of medicines at several hospitals, including the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. However, Specialist Paedriatic Oncologist Dr. Sanjeewa Gunasekera noted that the crisis has been curtailed to an extent at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, owing to the donations made by people. He also urged all those interested in donating to the hospital, both private individuals and companies alike, to contact the Director of more..

Feb 16 (FT) PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake called on electricity users to brace themselves for an overall tariff hike of 66% to earn Rs. 288 billion for the CEB to cover its retrospective losses. �The proposal put out for approval by CEB was 66% to earn Rs. 288 billion for the year. However, the PUCSL only raised the tariff by 36% and reduced the CEB�s additional revenue to a manageable Rs. 142 billion per year. more..

Feb 16 (TM) Govt Printer Gangani Liyanage denied reports that she was summoned by Prez and Minister of Finance Ranil Wickremesinghe or PM and Minister of Local Govts Dinesh Gunawardena regarding the printing of ballot papers for LG poll, and was pressurised regarding the same. When queried as to whether she was summoned by any of them, she said: �No. There wasn�t anything like that. If I have received an urgent call from Prez, I would have to go. This applies to PM or any more..

Feb 16 (Island) Postponing local council elections will have a devastating impact on SL�s international reputation, Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi says. He said that in the past govt agencies involved in holding elections from the govt printer to the police had received payments for the services they provided after elections. �Now, Govt Printer Gangani Liyanage claims that Prez Wickremesinghe has warned on Jan 31 that public officials would be personally held responsible more..

Feb 16 (TM) After the distribution of postal ballot papers that was scheduled to be held yesterday was postponed indefinitely with the notification made by Govt Printer Gangani Liyanage to Election Commission (EC) that the postal ballot papers related to LG election cannot be printed until the relevant payments are received in full, several politicians representing the Opposition expressed critical views on more..

Feb 16 (FT) The Wickremesinghe administration is engaged in the financial-bureaucratic strangulation of the local govt election. The argument of insurmountable financial constraints can be elastically extended to all elections and the ruler�s personal temptation to do so would be greater at a national rather than local election. Logically therefore, this must be understood as an attempt at the financial strangulation of Sri Lankan democracy in general. more..

Feb 16 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, since he struck the deal with IMF, has been preaching his mantra about transforming SL�s economy into an export-oriented First World model led by a vibrant private sector, employing state-of-the-art technology and driven by renewable energy. His time limit is 25 years when the country would reach its centenary year of independence. This transformation according to him would gain momentum once the immediate financial crisis is overcome with the advice more..

Feb 16 (AD) The three 16-year-old youths, who were arrested in relation to assaulting a man to death with helmets in the Welipenna area, have been referred to be detained at a child detention centre until Feb 28. Welipenna Police had arrested the three youths in question for assaulting a 34-year-old father of one to death with helmets on the night of Feb 14. The victim, Ranga Viraj, who was returning from a shop near his house on a motorcycle, reportedly had an argument with the three youths in question more..

Feb 16 (DM) Unawatuna Tourist Police are still investigating to apprehend a suspect who is evading arrest over stealing foreign currency valued at more than Rs. 6 million from a group of Russian tourists who were lodging at the Watergate Hotel in Unwatuna. Earlier, police arrested the hotel owner, his son and another individual over the incident. The suspects had allegedly stolen cash Rs. 752,772, US$ 61,000, Ruble 195,000 and �200 from a Russian woman and two others who were more..

Feb 16 (AD) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says an uninterrupted power supply will be provided from today onwards as the new power tariff revision has been implemented. Speaking during a special press conference regarding the electricity tariff revision this morning, Minister Wijesekera mentioned that the Prez has also directed him to provide an uninterrupted power supply to the people. more..

Feb 16 (Island) Bishop of Kandy, His Lordship Bishop Valance Mendis, recently stressed the pivotal importance of providing quality education to children of those long suffering people of Kalpitiya peninsula, including those who live on the islands, if they are to protect their rights. Bishop Mendis, who is also Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chilaw, said that English education should not be limited to the rich. Bishop Mendis highlighted the importance of valuebased education for more..

Feb 16 (TM) A SJB Govt would increase the maximum tax rate under pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax to over 40% for high-income earners while maintaining a 25% tax rate for Rs. 500,000 monthly income, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said. He said that the SJB is not objecting to the amount of taxes imposed as per the direction of the IMF but to the humanity in charging those taxes from the public. �We believe for those who earn at least Rs. 450,000 to Rs. 500,000, we should be able to more..

Feb 16 (EN) SL�s total tax default and penalty for default have skyrocketed to 619.7 billion rupees at the end of 2021, state-run IRD data showed amid more tax evasions and avoidance despite two tax amnesties in the same period. The tax default which stood at 22.5 billion rupees by end 2000 has jumped to 368.4 billion rupees by end 2021, an IRD response to RTI request showed. The penalty imposed on taxpayers for defaulting their more..

Feb 16 (SLN) The Navy apprehended 53 persons for engaging in illegal fishing, during separate operations carried out from 09th to 15th February 2022. Along with the suspects, 13 dinghies, 01 fishing trawler, fishing gear, illegally caught fish, sea cucumber and conch shells were taken into naval custody. SL Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas of the country to prevent illegal fishing practices. As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Pussadewa in more..

Feb 16 (DM) Around 35 MPs who have formed the Nidahas Janatha Sandhanaya (Freedom People's Alliance) in a letter addressed to PM Dinesh Gunawardene has informed him to make arrangements to convene Parliament immediately in order to discuss the crisis pertaining to local govt elections. MPs have requested the PM to convene the House using powers vested to him under standing order 26. "The decision to postpone postal votes has become a threat for democracy. more..

Feb 16 (CT) Ministry of Agriculture has provided Rs 30 million as compensation to farmers whose cattle and goats perished in the Northern and Eastern Provinces due to the extreme cold weather in Dec 2022. In the first week of Dec 2022, a large number of cattle and goats perished in many areas of the Northern and Eastern Provinces due to the extreme cold weather conditions caused by Cyclone Mandous in the Bay of Bengal. The cheques for compensation was handed over by more..