Jun 14 (DM) While rejecting reports on Sri Lanka's food insecurity and child labour, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha asked the experts where they were four years ago to predict that the country's economy would come to zero. While addressing a blood donation campaign organised in line with the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) at the Education Ministry today, he said there are laws in the country that should be followed when preparing reports. WBDD is held on June 14 each year. more..

Jun 14 (DM) 51 divisional secretariats across the island will start issuing passports via online from tomorrow, Minister Tiran Alles said. The online system to apply for passports will be launched tomorrow at the Homagama DS by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and Public Security Minister. Dept of Immigration and Emigration is introducing the facility to enable applicants to obtain passports at their hometowns without visiting Colombo. more..

Jun 14 (TM) The palm oil ban to persist till the report by the Ministry of Plantation Industries jointly with relevant ministries on palm oil plant cultivation suggests otherwise. Minister Ramesh Pathirana stated: �Once we get the report, we (Ministry of Plantations) can consider allowing them (palm oil planters).� However, he reiterated that the palm oil plant cultivation ban is to persist till that. The Minister added that the study looks into the possibilities of growing palm in Mahaweli lands more..

Jun 14 (AD) The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Media, Youth, Heritage and New Citizen has consulted the university lecturers regarding the areas to be focused on and future plans related to the media sector. This was discussed when the committee met in Parliament recently under the patronage of the MP Weerasumana Weerasinghe, and the committee�s chairman MP Lalith Varna Kumara, the parliamentary communications department said. Uni lecturers from more..

Jun 15 (DM) Sri Lanka is known as the island, which is the pearl of the east. But today, like in most other countries, it is a case of casting pearls before swine. We have not only polluted the ocean around Sri Lanka but also for political reasons allowed India�s deep sea fisher folk to exploit our sea by indulging in bottom trawling damaging coral reefs and the habitats of other forms of marine species. On June 8, the United Nations marked the World Oceans Day with the theme more..

Jun 15 (GV) COVID-19 and the severe economic crisis has resulted in an increase in human smuggling, illegal migration and forced labour in SL. People are heavily in debt after taking loans to tide them over the hard times. Small entrepreneurs have gone bankrupt, farmers lost production due to the organic fertiliser fiasco, the construction industry has collapsed, the hotel sector went into decline and garment workers have been lost overtime income; desperation has forced people to take risks more..

Jun 15 (DM) Priyangika Samanthie was another brown child from abroad when she landed in Norway, seven weeks after she was born. Even though many Sri Lankans thought that she grew up white for a better opportunity, she was searching for her roots since her childhood. Her adoption was based on false documents following which she lodged a complaint at the CID. Investigations are still underway. more..

Jun 15 (DM) In the second week of June, Yahapalana Govt dispatched several high-ranking loyalists to the UK or else instructed those, who happened to be in that country or were planning to visit for other business to lobby UK citizens of SL origin against Brexit. Harin Fernando, Harsha de Silva, Rosy Senanayake, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Dilan Perera and Susil Premjayantha are reported to have done the canvassing at the time. Majority of voters (51.8%) voted in favour of Britain exiting EU. more..

Jun 15 (TM) Among the priorities of the crisis affected SL, should be ensuring that its citizens are protected through social protection programmes. While certain programmes were in place even before the crisis broke out and certain other initiatives were launched following the crisis, there are many aspects of the prevailing social crisis that are yet to receive adequate attention. One of the foremost steps in this regard is increasing the funds allocated for social protection programmes. more..

Jun 15 (TM) In an exclusive interview, Public Relations and Communications Association Asia Pacific Regional Board Member Thanzyl Thajudeen, discusses his journey into the world of public relations and sheds light on the role of PRCA. Thajudeen also shares his observations on the state of the PR industry in Sri Lanka, its potential, and the need for skill development. Additionally, he offers valuable insights into more..

Jun 15 (TM) Reiterating the concerns relating to religious places� use of electricity, which surfaced again and again in the discussion about increased electricity tariffs, a leading Buddhist monk this week claimed that CEB has disconnected the electricity supply to many temples that had failed to pay the electricity bills on time. Noting that this was despite the Government�s promises that it would take measures to alleviate the burden of the increased electricity expenses on temples more..

Jun 15 (CT) When a State co-operative makes losses, the burden is most inevitably on the tax payers. Recently, Ministry of Finance declared that 52 State-Owned Business Enterprises (SOBEs) incurred a total loss of Rs 744.6 billion in 2022. Failing State cooperatives often become a burden on public finances. Govt may need to allocate significant resources to cover losses and sustain operations and as a country that is plunged in an economic crisis, we can�t afford to incur more..

Jun 15 (CT) A strange experiment that has been taking place in Sri Lanka for several decades now has reached a peak as the present govt is engaged in rapidly bringing out a series of extremely bad laws purportedly for the sake of rapidly becoming a better society. The plethora of such laws that is being discussed and even available in draft forms include a series of legal reforms relating to broadcasting named the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission Bill, also a draft of an anti terrorism bill more..

Jun 15 (Island) SL Customs has reportedly informed the govt that it will not be able to meet its revenue targets due to the existing ban on vehicle imports. It has suggested that a foreign credit line be opened for the import controls at issue to be eased. But the question is why a credit line should be opened for the importation of non-essentials? Such measures will only worsen the country�s debt crisis. Govt must remain maniacally focused on shoring up foreign exchange reserves, which are still woefully more..

Jun 15 (TM) A substantial loss amounting to billions of rupees has allegedly been incurred by the Employees� Provident Fund (EPF) during the period from Jan 2002 to Feb 2015, according to Verit� Research. The loss has been incurred mainly due to the Govt�s irregular transactions made on behalf of the EPF, Verit� Research notes, quoting a forensic audit report compiled based on a request by the CBSL. more..

Jun 15 (Island) Engineered for the future, TRI-ZEN apartments, located in the heart of Colombo in Union Place, Colombo 2, announced the successful sale of 75% of its inventory to date, as the much-anticipated project nears completion by the end of 2023. This remarkable achievement underscores the tremendous appeal and demand for TRI-ZEN, which is a joint venture project between John Keells Properties and Indra Traders (Pvt) Ltd. As the project moves towards the final phase more..

Jun 15 (FT) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued an approved list of firms to conduct statutory audits of listed companies from financial years beginning on or after 1 Jan 2024 except companies listed on the Empower Board. 10 firms are Ernst & Young, SL, KPMG SL, PricewaterhouseCoopers SL, BDO Partners, Deloitte SL (SJMS Associates), B.R. De Silva and Company, Kreston MNS and Co., Baker Tilly Edirisinghe and Company, more..

Jun 15 (DN) SL junior Netball team came back strongly to beat Chinese Taipei 83-17 and secured a semi final berth at the Asian Junior Netball Championship played in South Korea yesterday. It was real come back for SL junior team before important semi final against Malaysia which will be played tomorrow at the same venue. SL team led by Sajini Ratnayake had one sided affair yesterday against Chinese Taipei as they got an early lead from the first quarter which ended 23/2 and more..

Jun 15 (CT) SL �A� registered a comfortable 160 runs win over South Africa �A� in the first unofficial Test concluded at Pallekelle yesterday. Defending a target of 346 runs, SL spinner�s spun a web around the visitors to skittle them out for just 185 runs. Laskhitha Manasinghe, Lasith Embuldeniya and Ramesh Mendis ripped through the South Africa batting order sharing 2 wickets apiece. SA lads had a torrid time in the middle where none of the batters were able to impress and go past more..

Jun 15 (TM) First-ever Lanka Premier League Player Auction took place yesterday at the Shangri La Hotel in Colombo. A total of 360 players, both capped and uncapped, went under the hammer yesterday. Among the registered players were 156 overseas players and 204 domestic players. During the auction, a franchise were asked to pick a minimum of 16 players, including four foreign players, as each franchise more..

Jun 15 (Island) The inaugural Lanka Premier League auction took place in Colombo yesterday and was followed with keen interest and bidding for several big players was yet to start when this edition went to print yesterday. However, several SL players, young and old earned big dollars following fierce bidding. Middle order batsman Charith Asalanka was the biggest buy by 7pm yesterday fetching a sum of US$ 80,000. Listed at US$ 30,000, there was aggressive bidding for the former Under-19 SL captain more..

Jun 15 (FT) Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) SL Awards 2022 will be held today from 6.30 p.m. at Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. The awards, formally adjudicated by an eminent panel of judges, will be presented to winners at the gala celebration of excellence in logistics and transport. CILT in SL was established in 1985 and incorporated in the year 2000 by an Act of Parliament. At present it has over 2,000 members who are highly qualified in transport and logistics fields. more..

Jun 15 (TM) Since the US dollar, which appreciated by 78% compared to the SL rupee in the recent past, has only depreciated by 20% at present, the proposal to allow the import of vehicles should be studied in depth, said State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. It has been proposed during a recent session of the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Economic and Physical Plans, that the import of more..

Jun 15 (EN) SL�s rupee was traded around 309 to the US dollar and spot market trading dwindled Wednesday dealers said as a so-called flexible exchange rate backed by inconsistent policy slid steeply, over a matter of days. Deals were done in the spot market at around 309 to the US dollar, with some guidance coming in for two days in a row, dealers said, and ended the day with a spot next quote of 318/325 rupees on June 14. Rupee was at 291.00/292.50 to the US dollar amid more..

Jun 15 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne accused the Govt of attempting to introduce anti-people laws. �Many problems have now arisen in the backdrop of the Govt bringing in several bills including Broadcasting Authority Bill and Anti-Corruption Bill,� the MP told the media. Wickramaratne said the Broadcasting Authority Bill is problematic while the Supreme Court has also determined that several clauses of the Anti-Corruption Bill are inconsistent with the constitution. more..

Jun 15 (DM) The govt has decided to repeal colonial-era Bread Ordinance No. 13 of 1864 and to introduce provisions under the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act to regulate SL�s bread sales. Minister Nalin Fernando on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare legislation to repeal the Ordinance. Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena said a conflict has arisen between the CAA Act and the Bread Ordinance. more..

Jun 15 (TM) Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Tuesday that following the restructuring of the CEB, arrangements will be made to operate the CEB�s EPF and ETF payments and retirement pensions through a separate institution. Speaking at the annual conference of the CEB Technical Engineers� and Superintendents� Union, Wijesekera also presented information about the need for restructuring the CEB and how the restructuring process is to be implemented. more..

Jun 15 (EN) The discourse around restructuring SL�s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is unhelpfully focused on a misplaced dichotomy between loss-making and profit-making entities, according to the head of a govt-appointed SOE restructuring unit. Suresh Shah, head of the Finance Ministry�s SOE Restructuring Unit, speaking at a webinar said that the loss-making versus profit-making debate is a major fallacy. more..

Jun 15 (FT) The SJB said the Govt needs to urgently embark upon a program of reforms that is relevant to the country, but that it lacks competence to see them through. MP Kabir Hashim, said the same Govt that promoted import substitution is now talking of importing luxury vehicles to grow tax revenues. He noted this was an immature statement by ministers in a country that is still recovering from a serious foreign exchange crisis. �There is no cohesion in this Govt, there is no real policy. more..

Jun 15 (FT) Foreign Employment Bureau of SL (FEBSL), Sri Jinaratana Educational Institute affiliated with the Gangarama Temple, and the Korean Coollife Institutes on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set up a specialised training centre to provide skilled SL workers for the shipbuilding industry in Korea. Minister Manusha Nanayakkara witnessed the signing by the FEBSL Chairman Hilmi Aziz, Sri Jinaratana Education Institute Secretary more..

Jun 15 (TM) �It is the ruling SLPP that has suffered the most due to the wild-ass freedom enjoyed by the media, and we will therefore support the introduction of a mechanism to prevent media freedom from being misused for political agendas,� said SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam. While commenting on proposed Electronic Broadcasting Authority Bill, he said that SLPP would always stand for media freedom, but that the media should also not be given the freedom of the wild ass. more..

Jun 15 (CT) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has taken a statement from SDIG Ajith Rohana, who was in charge of the Police Crimes and Traffic Division during the widespread violence that occurred across the country on 9 May 2022. The violence resulted in the destruction of private and public property belonging to a group of MPs and individuals associated with politicians. On Tuesday, HRCSL recorded a statement from SDIG Ajith Rohana, who is a member of more..

Jun 15 (DM) SL Customs along with Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) will destroy the largest haul of illicit cigarettes detected in the country�s history, which is over 200 million sticks came in 21 containers in 2021 with an estimated value of Rs.9.7 billion, in Muthurajawela today. Top officials of the Customs Dept including its chief Sarath Nonis with subject minister, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya will witness the destruction more..

Jun 15 (DM) Former MP and present SJB organiser for Horana, P.D. Abeyratne has been arrested for shooting into the air with his firearm to scared a group of people at Boralugoda in Horana. Police said a couple was staying to look after a land belonging to the former MP in the area, and he has told the couple not to bring outsiders to the place. However, when the former MP went to his land on Wednesday, a group of outsiders had been present on the land, & then there had been a dispute more..

Jun 15 (DM) Consultant Dermatologist Dr. Indira Kahawita warned the public about the widely sold skin-whitening creams and other products online. She said hundreds of skin-whitening products are available on various websites, and people are getting deceived that their skin would turn fairer overnight after using those creams and products. Dr. Kahawita warned the public to inquire about the product by asking questions such as the active ingredients used in them and whether more..