Jul 20 (TM) TNA categorically rejected Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s offer to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution sans Police powers, terming his proposal for development and power devolution another hollow promise. The 13th Amendment is an over 30-year old piece of legislation on the devolution of power from Colombo to the nine Provinces, but has never been fully implemented. more..

Jul 20 (FT) On President Wickremesinghe�s visit to India, there are things it is prudent for both India and Sri Lanka to undertake and commit to, and things each side should avoid in its own interests and that of the relationship. Ranil should not give away the store in economic terms. He should not integrate Sri Lanka with India economically as is his predilection, in what can only be a risky relationship of subaltern dependency rather than interdependence. This can only jeopardise SL�s long-term interests, more..

Jul 20 (FT) Every entity and leader today needs public relations to relate to their publics. Politicians want to relate to the public for their votes, but should reach out to serve them. Brands want to relate to their consumers to advocate purchase and adoption, but should relate to them with a higher purpose of making their lives better. Corporates seek public relations to become better known, safeguard their reputations and sustain their businesses, but should focus more on doing good for more..

Jul 20 (DM) A 57-year-old man died after he developed an allergic reaction at the Teaching Hospital Kegalle following the administration of the antibiotic used in the Peradeniya Hospital which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old girl. Hospital Director Dr. Mihiri Priyangani said the person was admitted to the hospital due to abdominal distension and fever on July 10 where he had been administered 14 separate doses of the antibiotic, Ceftriaxone. more..

Jul 20 (EN) Sri Lanka is to increase fuel quotas in the coming month, as fuel cargo plans and supply have been reviewed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said today. �Fuel import plans, refinery operations, refinery upgrade proposals, QR quotas, storage capacity, stock automaton, agreements with fuel stations, and distribution as was reviewed and discussed.� Minister Wijesekera said in a Twitter.com message. more..

Jul 20 (AD) Rohan Fernando, Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), has revealed that he has been removed from his post. Accordingly, Fernando said that the Board of Directors have removed him from his post as the Chairman of SLT. He claimed that he was removed by way of a Boardroom coup, in a bid to facilitate the immediate sale of the profitable State Owned Enterprise (SOE). Meanwhile, Reyaz Mihular, more..

Jul 20 (PMD) In a ground-breaking move, Ms. Chandani Wijewardena has been appointed as the Acting Presidential Secretary, marking the first time in SL�s history that a woman has assumed this esteemed position. The appointment comes as President�s Secretary, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, accompanies the President on an official visit to India. The momentous decision was announced today, 20th July, and will remain in effect until Mr. Saman Ekanayake returns to the island. more..

Jul 20 (Island) Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has said that the unfinished Krrish building, and the adjoining work site in Fort, posed quite a serious threat to the public. The warning was given recently at the Consultative Committee meeting of the Urban Development and Housing Ministry. A statement issued by Parliament quoted the Chief Govt Whip as having said that supporting structures could collapse due to strong winds whereas collection of rainwater there increased the threat of dengue. more..

Jul 20 (CI) It took a little over an hour for Pakistan to wrap things up, as they hunted down the remaining 83 runs in very un-Pakistan fashion - without fuss and little drama. Sure they lost three wickets, but from the very first ball - which was pulled for four - that they'd get there in the end was in little to no doubt. The result means Pakistan take a 1-0 lead against SL in this two-match series, and get them off to the ideal start more..

Jul 20 (SLN) Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Destroyer SAMIDARE today arrived at the port of Colombo on an official visit. Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by the SL Navy in accordance with naval traditions. 151m long Destroyer serves in JMSDF and she is manned by 195 as crew members. The visit is joined by the Commanding Officer of SAMIDARE, Commander OKUMURA Kenji and Flag Officer, Rear Admiral NISHIYAMA Takahiro. more..

Jul 20 (FT) Consul General-designate Alexi Gunasekera attended the inauguration ceremony of Best of Sri Lanka, SL product promotion campaign at Lulu Hypermarket Al Barsha last week. Spanning over the course of one week from 13 to 19 July, the Best of Sri Lanka campaign aims to introduce the unique flavours, exceptional quality, and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka to the discerning residents of the UAE. The promotion, features a wide array of Sri Lankan products, more..

Jul 20 (DM) Claiming that a mastermind behind the Pyramid racket called Onmaxdt should be revealed, MP Daiana Gamage said Rs. 29.2 million has been collected even after the ban of the institution. She told Parliament that some MPs were behind the racket and the investigations into the pyramid racket by the CID and AG's Dept were going at sanils' pace. MP said Rs. 30 million had been halted in the accounts of Onmaxdt while Rs. 300 million had been taken out of the country so far. more..

Jul 20 (TM) Founder of world renowned tea brand, Dilmah, Merill J Fernando has passed away early this morning. In 2019, Fernando stood down as CEO of Dilmah and was succeeded by his son Dilhan Fernando. Merrill J. Fernando�s greatest achievement is in overcoming the exploitation of SL's tea industry and taking his tea, to tea lovers around the world. Equally, it was the philosophy that he decided would be the foundation of his family tea, making business a matter of human service. more..

Jul 20 (AD) Restrictions imposed on imported goods will be further relaxed later today, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says. Thereby, import restrictions on 328 more items will be eased. He said the gazette notification announcing the import restriction relaxation would be published tonight. Announcement comes a month after the govt relaxed import restrictions on 300 other items including electronic equipment, more..

Jul 20 (AD) Minister Susil Premajayantha says that it has been decided to reduce the compulsory school attendance of the students applying to sit for the 2023 GCE A/L to 40% from the existing requirement of 80%. Commenting further regarding the matter, he expressed that the decision was taken in consideration of the situation which had prevailed in the country. �One must have completed 80% school attendance percentage to apply for the A/L exam as a school applicant, according to the letter more..

Jul 20 (CT) The 2nd Stage of the Deegawapiya Stupa Restoration Project was launched by placing a symbolic brick by Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, the Initiator of the Deegawapiya Aruna Trust and first Trustee, at the Deegawapiya premises, on 10 July. Gen. Gunaratne, the driving force behind the entire Project since its beginning, paid homage to the Chief Prelate of the Deegawapiya Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Mahaoya Sobitha Thera on his arrival. A brief discussion related to the progress more..

Jul 20 (EN) Parliament passed a controversial new central bank law which the opposition slammed for lack of accountability in a country where there is growing understanding of the inevitable effects of central bank rate cuts enforced by inflationary open market operations. Law passed with 66 MPs voting for and 23 voting against in a partially empty house where the debate was disrupted earlier in the day amid protests that more..

Jul 20 (PO) SL will host Afghanistan�s three-match ODI home series against Pakistan scheduled for next month. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has approached its counterpart in SL with the request to facilitate holding three match white ball series against Green-shirts at one venue in Aug 2023 before the Asia Cup. Due to unavailability of cricket grounds, Afghanistan is playing its home series on neutral venues. Afghanistan also has the option of playing matches in the UAE or Qatar. more..

Jul 20 (IT) A day ahead of SL President Ranil Wickremesinghe�s visit to New Delhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the problems faced by Indian fishermen and the welfare of SL Tamils. SL Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe will travel to India on an official visit from July 21 aimed at further advancing and consolidating the long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries, the foreign ministry announced on Tuesday. more..

Jul 20 (FT) GMOA issued a statement claiming the Governor of the Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman has agreed to cooperate with the association, its coordinators and branch union officials in the Eastern Province. The statement comes after the GMOA slammed Thondaman, accusing him of unprofessional behaviour towards medical professionals in the region. GMOA this week in a communique to Thondaman requested that he rectifies his behaviour immediately or more..

Jul 20 (CT) Batticaloa Peace Committee, Batticaloa Justice Walkers, and Family Members of the Disappeared said, before establishing the Truth and Reconciliation mechanisms, Govt must follow -up on the already-established findings related to a number of emblematic cases in Batticaloa, that were presented to the Prez Commissions and take concrete action on them. They also demanded to fast-track process to provide every affected family member with copies of key documents more..

Jul 20 (EN) A delegation led by SL�s attorney general has met lawyers representing the ship-owner interests in the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster in a meeting that discussed, among other things, interim claims made by SL authorities. According to a statement from PMD, the meeting took place in Singapore on July 18 and 19. SL delegation, appointed by the cabinet of ministers, comprised nine officials. more..

Jul 20 (CT) Director of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, T. Sathiyamoorthy, on Tuesday (18), issued a statement advising visitors of patients undergoing treatment at the hospital to adhere to the rules and regulations that are in place. Dr. Sathiyamoorthy said during a search operation conducted by hospital security officers, liquor bottles, betel leaves and moonshine were found in the possession of visitors who came to see patients. He said the hospital had received information about intoxicants more..

Jul 20 (DM) The newly formed youth party, New Peoples Front (NPF) in a letter to Indian High Commissioner in Colombo has said that the vocabulary used by TNA senior leader R. Sampanthan in his latest letter Indian PM Narendra Modi, is similar to the language of Khalistan separatists. �The vocabulary that the TNA uses now is very similar to what the Khalistan separatists use in countries like Canada and Australia and we strongly feel India & SL should join hands more..

Jul 20 (EN) The SJB has exposed a new central bank law for its lack of accountability after the bad money agency destroyed the people�s money for 74 years and drove the country into bankruptcy by trying to target a potential output. �In the new bill accountability is under question,� opposition legislator Kabir Hashim said in a debate over the bill. �The central bank can continue to create instability as in the past mis-using more..

Jul 20 (AD) SJB has moved a no-confidence motion against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella today, over what it said was the irresponsible import of substandard medicines and surgical equipment which led to a weakened health sector and even deaths. The SJB alleges that the govt continued to bring in the relevant substandard drugs outside of the procurement and registration process considering it to be a state of emergency, and that the move resulted more..

Jul 20 (DM) Despite the 24-hour token strike by the GMOA at the Outpatient Dept (OPD) of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) being called off yesterday, GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe warned of resuming the strike if solutions are not granted. The token strike was launched yesterday in protest over Health Ministry�s failure to take necessary action against an ill-tempered consultant at the hospital. According to Dr. Wijesinghe, the Health Minister had informed more..

Jul 21 (CT) It is now over four months since the local govt elections were postponed by the govt on the grounds of financial debility. For the first time ever an election was postponed outside of the legal framework and on the justification that the govt treasury had no money to hold those elections. Govt�s efforts to strengthen itself politically at the grassroots but without going for elections appear to have come undone. The Attorney General has opined that the govt�s preferred option more..

Jul 21 (ST) Lower interest rates would stimulate economic and business activity, generate more borrowing from primarily small and medium scale businesses (SMEs) and create more jobs. This is primarily the reason why the Central Bank for the second time in recent weeks reduced interest rates last week making it a total 4.5% rate cut which saw banks reducing their rates on borrowing and lending. The gradual easing of restrictions on imported goods � in this case a further 300 items this week more..

Jul 21 (TM) The local Magistrate has allowed the participation of international organisations as observers of the exhumation of the Mullaitivu mass grave site while activities will begin once costings are handed over to the courts. On 29 June, officials from the NWSDB made a significant discovery of human skeletal remains during a water-related project. The area was immediately cordoned off by the Police, who promptly informed more..

Jul 21 (GV) In the latest Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) polling, the net favourability ratings of all major party leaders fell significantly in June from their May ratings. NPP/JVP leader A.K. Dissanayake�s rating fell 16 points to -29 points and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa�s favourability rating fell 37 points to -48. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa continued to have the most negative rating at -90. President Ranil Wickremesinghe had a rating of -52. more..

Jul 21 (TM) Despite having dealt with the war between the LTTE and the Govt led armed forces almost 1.5 decades ago, beggar�s wound - the debates on the 13th Amendment has become, does not show promising signs of getting resolved anytime soon. Politicians from the N&E want the 13th Amendment, which has remained a part of the country�s Constitution for a considerable period of time, to be enforced in its entirety, while successive Govts have remained skeptical about it more..

Jul 21 (CT) Sri Lanka, with its rich history and vibrant culture, has been a hub of creativity and expression. However, the country has been struggling with a constant issue, the increase of posters, notices and any types of pastings and hangings on undesignated spaces around public places. While posters can serve as a means of communication and advertisement, the excessive use of posters in SL has become a menace more..

Jul 21 (DM) In 2021, the country�s tax revenue as a share of GDP reached its lowest level since 1959 � dropping to just 8%. Increasing tax-to-GDP ratio is one of the most important measures of SL�s ability to achieve sustainable economic recovery, and meet its commitments on the current IMF programme. The SL Govt has recognized this challenge and taken several steps since 2022 to increase tax revenues, by increasing tax rates and introducing new taxes. Among others, Withholding Tax more..

Jul 21 (CT) Tea tourism in SL possesses tremendous developmental potential, with its inherent strengths poised for further enhancement through focused marketing initiatives. It not only holds economic growth potential but also contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage. However, the industry faces challenges such as limited resources, restricted market access, and the need for customer involvement and innovation. To overcome these obstacles and fully exploit more..