Jun 30 (CT) The proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Commission (BRC) bill has ignited intense debates and disagreements among various stakeholders. While the draft bill has faced severe criticism, it is essential to redirect the focus of the discussion towards urging the government to ensure that any legislation enacted to regulate broadcast media in Sri Lanka is based on the principles of media independence, meaning complete autonomy from govt influence. more..

Jun 30 (CT) SL�s growing strategic importance in the Indian Ocean Ring and Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly apparent with the arrival of a significant number of warships to the country between 2020 and the present. Continuing this trend, the Indian submarine, INS Vagir (S41), named after the sandfish, made a significant visit to the Colombo Port in SL on 19 June 2023. This visit highlights the presence of six warships, more..

Jun 30 (CT) There is no wonder that Sri Lanka, an island nation that has been ultimately blessed with nature and beauty, is an iconic tourist destination in the world. In fact, there are other reasons, including the easy access to the country, favourable economy for foreign tourists and rich cultural heritage � both tangible and intangible � as well, for this small country to be amongst the giants in the industry. But are we, really? Tourism in SL, as an industry functions up to a certain level more..

Jun 30 (ST) Up-down, up-down like a yo-yo, the rupee has been swinging in recent times. Or is it like a pendulum? The currency has been on a roller-coaster ride since gaining to Rs. 290 to the US dollar on June 8. Thereafter, its trail has been mixed and on Wednesday it depreciated to Rs. 305 and on Thursday to Rs. 306. I was on the ball for today�s column, watching the pendulum swings of the rupee when the phone rang. It was Pedris Appo � short for Appuhamy � a retired agriculture expert more..

Jun 30 (TM) Ajith Perera, Executive Secretary of APTA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prez of Professional Business Coaches Association, and former CEO of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of SL (FCCISL), shared his insights on various aspects of the country's economy. With a wealth of experience in business coaching and commerce, Ajith Perera highlighted more..

Jun 30 (TM) It appears that the plight of electricity consumers, who were affected by long power cuts and astronomical tariff hikes which came as a result of the economic crisis, can get worse without more power cuts or electricity costs. According to certain recent media reports and allegations, those who fail to settle their electricity bills on time are likely to be victims of a mafia led by private contractors. According to the Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA), this mafia is built around more..

Jun 30 (CT) Call it one step at a time or shifting the goal-post, but by flagging the domestic debt-restructuring issue after the external restructuring of debt had reached a stage, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has given further cause for consternation among his sympathisers and supporters. They had begun rallying around after great trepidation only in recent weeks and months following his demonstrated ability to arrest the unprecedented economic downturn and more..

Jun 30 (Island) The muted, panicked voice came through the phone of a friend who croaked she was very confidentially warning Cassandra and advising her. Yours truly was immediately panic infected. With deep emphasis and concern the friend took her time to advise that Cass withdraws all money from banks. Cass was for once glad she was poor but what would she do by withdrawing the small amounts in two banks? Get FDs, the pal advised. And wait for an entire year to get measly amounts more..

Jun 30 (SO) St. Paul�s Girls� School, Milagiriya which began as a parish school of the Anglican, St. Paul�s Church, Milagiriya has marked many successful milestones in its 137-year history. The school which at the time began with four teachers and 24 students has now grown to educate 3,415 girls. Though the school�s academic performance began to drop in 2015, today the school is among one of the best in SL for education and extra-curricular activities under the guidance of its principal more..

Jun 30 (ST) Though the Govt relaxed import restrictions on 243 items including construction items, ceramic and bathroom items, materials used in carpentry, plastic furniture as well as electro-mechanical domestic appliances, consumers are yet to reap the expected benefits. People complain that prices of switchboards, electrical wire as well as other electrical items remain high, and that prices of electrical appliances are high despite more..

Jun 30 (Island) Govt�s domestic debt restructuring plan is being revealed in dribs and drabs, and the public will have to wait until the weekend, when it is scheduled to be presented to Parliament, to see what it is really like. The Opposition has predicted doom, and the govt has sought to make a molehill out of a mountain, so to speak. Both sides are notorious for terminological inexactitudes and mendacious propaganda. Therefore, one has to take their claims cum grano salis. more..

Jun 30 (DN) Sri Lanka cricket team confidence is very high when they meet Netherlands in their first super six round game today (30) at Bulawayo, commencing at 12.30 pm (SL time). Sri Lanka team led by Dasun Shanaka will come into super six with an unbeaten record which is a boost to play super six round and hope to maintain their winning streak .Skipper Dasun Shanaka is little bit worried with his poor form but he wanted to come back strongly during super six. more..

Jun 30 (FT) Hayleys Fentons achieved a significant milestone at the National Business Excellence Awards 2023 by winning four major awards in their inaugural participation at the event. Hayleys Fentons was honoured as the Overall Winner claiming the Silver Award organised by the National Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka. The company also claimed Winner in the highly competitive Infrastructure and Utilities Sector and was awarded Runner-up in the Extra-Large Category. more..

Jun 30 (Island) There was a time when the Eastern city of Batticaloa produced the cream of SL basketball. St. Michael�s College were blessed with American Jesuit priest Rev. Fr. E.J. Hebert and his products were well drilled on the fundamentals of the game. Andrew Anthonypillai was one such player having excelled for St. Michael�s from under-13 onwards. He captained St. Michael�s College team that went onto win several championships and ended his school days winning the U-19 title more..

Jun 30 (TM) Considering divorce as a right of a person, Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms is working to amend the divorce law to suit the needs of the times. Secretary to the Ministry Wasantha Perera said that the Ministry also hopes to make necessary amendments in the divorce law by reducing the existing complexities in the current divorce law. �According to the current divorce law, more..

Jun 30 (FT) LAUGFS Gas, this week said it is ensuring uninterrupted supply of LPG dismissing speculation regarding a potential shortage. LAUGFS Gas is currently operating at maximum capacity, filling and distributing its LP Gas cylinders island-wide to assure their valued customers and the public that the company has more than enough gas to meet the demand. LAUGFS Gas has strategically planned its inventory and implemented robust supply chain management systems to ensure more..

Jun 30 (ST) The new surface treatment plant at the Sri Lanka Air Force Station in Palavi was declared opened by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana this week. The establishment of the Aircraft Overhaul Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake in 2015 was undertaken to provide a timely solution to the comprehensive overhaul of Chinese origin aircraft. The surface treatment plant, constructed as a mandatory workshop for the Wing, plays a crucial role in facilitating more..

Jun 30 (DM) Given the anticipated shortfall in state revenue from the targeted levels, a former Central Banker casted doubts on the narrow scope in the proposed Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) strategy providing sufficient leeway for the government to get the fragile budgetary situation under control, while raising concerns on the disproportionate impact on the low-income earners. �Given the scaled-down revenue, more..

Jun 30 (DN) Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando requested local govt authorities in the Ampara District to set up a tourism school. This is to meet the growing demand for trained hotel staff, not just in the locality, but throughout Sri Lanka. It is estimated that the industry urgently requires around 3,000 trained individuals. During his inspection tour of Arugam Bay, Minister also instructed the Govt Secretary of the area to provide an estimate to build a seaplane landing dock. more..

Jun 30 (TM) Sri Lanka won the silver medal in the qualifying round of the E-Sports category of the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China. Five countries including SL were included in the qualifying round of the Central and South Asian region. Sri Lanka competed in its mobile phone Sports category where Sri Lanka was able to remain at the top after the first round. The remaining four teams had to face off again for a qualifying round. Out of which Nepal won the first place, more..

Jun 30 (FT) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando shed light on the recent discussions surrounding the minimum room rate (MRR) whilst, calling on stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue, foster unity, and work collaboratively towards the common goal of developing a thriving and sustainable tourism landscape. �The topic was initially raised three months ago when hoteliers approached the regulator expressing their desire to re-impose MRR. more..

Jun 30 (FT) COPF Chairman and SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday via twitter gave an update on the oversight of Domestic Debt Optimisation. COPF meeting yesterday discussed the DDO plan but he said concerns were raised about the burden falling on superannuation funds especially EPF without considering the consent of members. While banks were excluded due to existing stress and non-performing loans, the EPF/ETF, which carries most of the burden, faces potential opportunity loss more..

Jun 30 (TM) The lack of interest of individuals with security related threats to inform the Police of such, and to seek support is a significant problem in eliminating crimes including shootings which are currently on the rise, according to the Police. In recent times, there has been a clear rise in crimes including shootings, particularly in the Western & Southern Provinces. SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that there is a possibility to advise those more..

Jun 30 (TM) Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) said that while it has no connection with the recent incident in which a German tourist and local officers were seen having a heated exchange of words over the refund of a ticket issued by the DWC for a boat ride to the Pigeon Island Marine National Park, legal action has already been taken against the parties who were involved in the said incident. DWC Director General (DG) Chandana Sooriyabandara said that a dispute between more..

Jun 30 (DM) The govt is making a shameful attempt to bring in a Constitutional Amendment to extend the term of local authorities for an indefinite period and to reinstate the already dissolved local authorities, NPP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said. He said that a gazette notification was issued on June 23 as a private member's bill to bring in the amendment. �According to the Local Govt Elections Ordinance, the subject minister is empowered to extend the term of a local authority more..

Jun 30 (FT) Independent election monitors, People�s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) called for the recently gazetted Private Member�s Bill presented by SLPP MP Jayantha Ketagoda to be defeated. According to PAFFREL, the failure to hold elections as scheduled while attempting to reactivate Local Govt bodies whose tenure has elapsed by amending existing legislation as proposed is a significant blow to both the sovereignty of the people and the principles of democracy. more..

Jun 30 (DM) The CEB announced the settlement of accumulated arrears of approximately Rs. 4 billion due for Rooftop Solar customers. Accordingly all due arrears up to April 2023 has now been settled. During 2022, CEB was unable to settle the payment for Rooftop Solar customers in total due to severe financial difficulties faced by CEB mainly due to non availability of a cost reflective tariff. �However, with the implementation of cost reflective tariff on Feb 15, 2023, CEB managed to commence more..

Jun 30 (TM) Claiming that several animal rights organisations have presented impractical and absurd proposals when asked about the measures to be taken to prevent crop damages caused by animals, the Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera said that such organisations had disrupted the opportunity to provide toque macaques (rilawa - a reddish brown coloured Old World monkey endemic to SL) to zoos more..

Jun 30 (TM) Health Ministry�s Tertiary Care Services Director Dr. Priyantha Atapattu informed the COPA that 83 specialist doctors who went abroad without informing the Ministry have been issued notices of abandonment of service. Dr. Atapattu explained the procedure in such instances, stating that a letter will be issued to doctors who have gone abroad to return and that if they do not return within a month after the letter is issued, the order to leave the service will be issued. more..

Jun 30 (FT) Sri Lanka's tourism industry continues to thrive as arrivals have exceeded 600,000, showcasing the resilience and appeal of the country as a travel destination. Despite being the off-peak season, the daily average of tourist arrivals has shown remarkable improvement, exceeding 3,200 visitors. This upward trend in tourist footfall further underscores the growing interest in Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among global travellers. During the first 26 days of the month, more..

Jun 30 (FT) The Central Bank yesterday defended the decision to exclude the banking sector from the broader Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) framework saying the sector has already taken a brunt of the crisis via soaring non-performing loans, critical relief with moratorium and contributing heavily to taxation whilst aiding the economic recovery. It was pointed out that undermining the financial system stability could be detrimental more..

Jun 30 (CT) Association of Health Professionals (AHP) called for an immediate audit to be conducted on the effectiveness of the projects implemented by the Health Ministry. AHP President Ravi Kumudesh said that these were to establish data systems wasting public funds due to their non-functional state. Kumudesh alleged that billions of rupees had been thrown away, by the Health Ministry to set up data systems, which had only been wasted due to the lack of proper technology. more..

Jun 30 (FT) It now seems that the cabinet has approved a DDR (or domestic debt optimization as it is sometimes referred to) package that will most likely entail a maturity extension on T-bills held by Central Bank of SL (CBSL) and a voluntary extension of T-bonds held by the EPF and ETF. While this is considered a soft restructuring, allaying the fears of those in the financial sector of more drastic measures such as a forced haircut on all Govt debt or even a maturity extension more..

Jun 30 (DM) Health Ministry has initiated an investigation over an ill-tempered consultant pediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) following several complaints received against the consultant. This was confirmed by LRH Director Dr G. Wijesuriya. �I have received a spate of grievances from several doctors working with the female doctor over her conduct. Some of these doctors are co-workers, while other doctors represent medical associations,� he stated. more..

Jun 30 (AD) Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana says foreign debt restructuring will not be feasible without restructuring domestic debt. Joining a special media briefing organized by the Prez Media Centre on Thursday to discuss the Domestic Debt Optimization (DDO), the Finance Secretary said the govt prioritizes the safeguarding of both the banking system and the EPF. Siriwardana said it is essential to disseminate information widely about these programs, particularly reaching out more..