Mar 10 (Island) Medicheks, a pioneer in Sri Lanka�s healthcare sector, opened a convenient drive-in laboratory testing center at its flagship landmark at 104 Havelock Road Colombo 05. The main objective of opening the new facility is to provide fast and easy medical testing to people in Colombo, especially for Colombo-based office executives, as they tend to neglect their regular testing and check-ups due to the inconvenience at current testing locations. more..

Mar 10 (FT) The Colombo stock market remained positive yesterday reinforcing its latest status as the world�s second best performing with improved investor sentiment and activity. Both indices closed with 0.5% gain after dipping in early trading. Turnover was Rs. 2.5 billion involving 97.4 million shares. Net foreign inflow persisted as well. Year to date the ASPI has gained by 14.3% and the S&P SL20 by 8.7%. more..

Mar 10 (DN) Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), in their endeavour to uplift the standard of referees and the playing quality, recently felicitated three match officials, for their commendable acts and ensuring the players safety during the current season. Suranga Arunashantha, Gihan Yatawara and Praneeth Weranga were felicitated by SLR together with sponsors Nippon Paint Lanka and Hameedia for their excellent work and immediate action taken to implement safety towards the rugby players. more..

Mar 10 (FT) Dialog Axiata, has unveiled WiFi 6 − Next-Gen standard in Wi-Fi technology for the first time in Sri Lanka. It said with most homes having significantly more Wi-Fi enabled devices, from smartphones, tablets to TVs and smart home devices which require seamless connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 enables better communication between these multiple devices, which requires data simultaneously at faster speeds and lower latency along with wider coverage. more..

Mar 10 (TM) The appreciation of the SL rupee (LKR) that has taken place over the last few days is temporary, say local economists emphatically. Former CB Deputy Governor Dr. W.A. Wijewardena stated: �The factors that will contribute to a permanent stabilisation of the rupee-dollar rate aren�t present in the economy as yet. They consist of a surplus in the current account of the balance of payments,� adding that the reason behind more..

Mar 10 (ST) The artificial modular limb manufacturing workshop of the Colombo Friend-in-Need Society (CFINS) was declared open by High Commissioner of Canada in Sri Lanka Eric Walsh on Friday. Ms Valerie Oullette, Second Secretary (Political), in-charge of the Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives (CFLI) for Sri Lanka was also present. The CFLI has provided funds to purchase new machinery and equipment for the CFINS artificial modular limbs manufacturing workshop. more..

Mar 10 (EN) Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a program to cultivate Australian Hass avocado varieties with the aim of boosting foreign earnings through more exports. Compared to local green avocado, Hass is larger in size, matures faster, and has high production rates, along with a longer shelf life, which is crucial for perishable goods exporting, the official said. �Under the agricultural sector modernization project, we are currently cultivating Hass variety and hope to expand it further� more..

Mar 10 (DN) SL is yet to talk with Indonesia to formulate a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) leading to a (FTA) between the two countries, said Indonesian Ambassador to SL, Dewi Gusting Tobing. �Indonesian counterparts are ready for a PTA but we still are awaiting some initiative towards this from the SL govt,� she said. Currently SL has FTAs with India and Pakistan and is in talks with Bangladesh, Singapore and even China. �But hardly there are any initiatives done by SL with Indonesia.� more..

Mar 10 (TM) Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) launched a full-scale strike against the newly introduced tax policies with effect from yesterday until further notice, while the trade unions (TUs) which represent other categories of professionals have also planned to initiate several other forms of trade union actions against the same, including a strike on 15 March. A statement issued by the FUTA on Wednesday stated that it, together with other trade unions representing more..

Mar 10 (DM) Sensitive information of two SL state websites were claimed to have been leaked to a hacker forum last week, according to a cyber threat intelligence platform FalconFeeds.io. On March 2, FalconFeeds.io announced on Twitter that the administrator access of SL's Ministry of Defence website has been released to a Hacker�s Forum for sale. Personally Identifiable Information (PIIs) such as names, phones and emails were among more..

Mar 10 (DN) Trainee Full Stack Developer Course offered by the Uni of Moratuwa, on its online learning platform open.uom.lk, in collaboration with DP Education of Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation has been awarded first place at the 8th e-learning excellence award 2022 by the European Conference on e-Learning. This is held by Academic Conferences Int'l UK, a global academic research firm. E-Learning Excellence Award was established to identify innovative examples of more..

Mar 10 (DM) Offering promotions to senior police officers who have been held responsible for the failure to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks cannot be accepted, Catholic Church said. A member of the social communications committee of the Colombo Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini, said that these police officers are to be promoted at a request made by some senior politicians. "These police officers have committed a crime by failing to avoid the Eater Sunday attacks, though there was more..

Mar 10 (TM) Social activist Oshala Herath, who has lodged a complaint with the CID claiming that the State Minister Diana Gamage had obtained an ordinary passport and a diplomatic passport by submitting false information to Dept of Immigration and Emigration, and that she was illegally staying in SL while holding British citizenship, has submitted a copy of the certificate issued by the British Govt in 1998, certifying that Gamage had obtained British citizenship, to the CID. more..

Mar 10 (Island) Electricity tariffs could be reduced without restructuring the CEB, CEB Engineers Union said. Responding to queries on Minister Kanchana Wijesekera�s statement that it will be possible to reduce the electricity bills by December, CEBEU Vice President Dhanushka Parakaramasighe said that if the generation cost was managed, power tariff could be reduced. He said that 400MW of electricity was generated daily by using costly diesel to maintain a 24- hour power supply. more..

Mar 10 (FT) The global perception of SL took a steep dive in the Brand Finance Soft Power Index falling from 73 to 115 position in the annual ranking, released in London recently. Global Soft Power Index is the world�s most comprehensive research study on perceptions of a country, surveying opinions of over 100,000 people across over 120 countries. Respondents representing the general public responded online during Oct-Dec 2022, more..

Mar 10 (DM) Narahenpita Police informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate that they had launched an investigation in connection with a fraudulent online transaction of nearly 400 US dollars from former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa's son Rohitha Rajapaksa's credit card. The police informed Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that someone had made four online transactions amounting to 387 US dollars from Rohitha's credit card. They said Rohitha Rajapaksa, more..

Mar 10 (CT) An investigation has been launched to see whether the soldiers, deployed to disperse the IUSF protest on Tuesday, carried iron rods and clubs, Brigadier Ravi Herath said. He said this investigation was launched following photos going viral, on social media, showing soldiers carrying iron rods and clubs during the protest. Army Spokesman said, SL Army did not get involved in controlling the protest. Police, STF and Riot Squads were at the frontline and soldiers had not deployed there. more..

Mar 10 (TM) In the wake of requests from Election Commission (EC) and Dept of Govt Printing for the provision of security for LG poll ballot paper printing process, the Public Security Ministry, under the purview of which the Police Dept comes, informed that they can make a decision on the provision of the same only if the EC responds to an earlier request on the Police LG poll expenditure estimation sent to the Commission. more..

Mar 11 (CT) On 26 June 2019, Prez Sirisena, who had been for some time talking about the need for the resumption of capital punishment in respect of serious drug offenders, announced that he had signed the necessary papers to execute four drug offenders. His decision to reverse SL�s forty-three-year-old moratorium on capital punishment evoked concern both in and outside the country, including from the UN Secretary-General. The decision was challenged in the Supreme Court more..

Mar 11 (DM) Many battles were fought during the long war between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE. Among these was the five-day battle fought at Ananthapuram in the Mullaitheevu District from March 31 to April 4, 2009. LTTE suffered huge losses with 625 Tigers cadres including many commanders being killed. It was a defining moment in the war as the military debacle at Ananthapuram sealed the fate of the LTTE. Six weeks later the war ended conclusively with the military defeat more..

Mar 11 (CT) US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen spoke with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (6) night. During their meeting, Secretary Yellen expressed support for SL�s steps towards an IMF-supported programme to advance economic reform and achieve a strong and durable recovery. Secretary welcomed Sri Lanka�s commitments to transparency and comparable treatment for all bilateral official and private creditors. more..

Mar 11 (DM) From the time we received independence, we Lankans have been warned by the US and the UK -our former colonial master- that democracy in our country was being endangered by various acts of omission and commission of our widely divergent different govts. When Lankans did not pay heed to these foreign warnings, punishments have been imposed on govts of the day. One of the best examples being the prosecution of SL before the UNRHC for alleged crimes more..

Mar 11 (CT) Sri Lanka last week welcomed a landmark agreement to enhance the international legal regime, concerning the conservation of marine biological diversity in the High Seas. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said almost two-thirds of the ocean that lies in areas beyond national jurisdiction and provides a framework for establishing marine protected areas (MPAs), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & to share the marine genetic resources of high seas. more..

Mar 11 (CT) Doctors are considered as gods the world over. The service they provide to the community cannot be described in words. Being a doctor comes with great responsibility, as they deal with life or death situations daily. While Sri Lanka is reeling from an economic crisis, there is still a glimmer of hope, as there are people who genuinely care and want to see the country succeed. SL�s primary industries are facing major more..

Mar 11 (DM) Can the continuous appreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar since February 28 change the current political alignments among voters which were indicated by recent opinion polls is a major question one might raise these days. However, yesterday LKR slightly depreciated against the USD. While the Bloomberg News Agency reported that the international rating agency Fitch Ratings as saying that the Rupee would decline about 20% by the end of 2023. more..

Mar 11 (TM) The liability for causing harm to the environment can be implemented as both criminal and civil liability. In considering the criminal liability for acts such as the killing or the smuggling of protected species and plants, the authorities impose both physical and financial punishments and fines on the perpetrators. On the other hand, when considering the civil liability for environmental harm, it primarily focuses on imposing financial liability on those who either directly or indirectly cause more..

Mar 11 (FT) State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath recently emphasised that preparations are underway to establish a significant milestone in SL�s IT sector by 2030 through the development of necessary plans and framework. He further highlighted that the Govt, led by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, has prioritised the development of the country�s digital economy. He made this statement during his attendance as the Chief Guest at the e-Swabhimani Awards ceremony, more..

Mar 11 (Island) A pair of Chinese built F-7 multi-role jet fighters flew over SLAF China Bay parade grounds, within minutes after Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived there, on March 03, to take the salute, as the Chief Guest, at a Commissioning and Wings parade of the No 65 Officer Cadets� Intake, comprising a total of 40 officers, belonging to No. 17 Lady Officer Cadets� Intake, and the No. 35 and No. 37 Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Intakes. F7s flew from Katunayake air base, more..

Mar 11 (FT) Fitch Ratings yesterday welcomed the likely approval of the IMF Executive Board for financing support to Sri Lanka but flagged off several concerns which point to further challenges. Fitch said that IMF funding should improve Sri Lanka�s external liquidity but the timing of any debt restructuring agreement with official and private creditors remains uncertain. Fitch expressed the belief that SL is likely to secure more..

Mar 11 (Island) Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe govt�s fear of elections is so intense that it is ready to do anything to sabotage the LG polls in a bid to avoid a disastrous midterm electoral setback, which will prove that it is without any popular support and legitimacy. Needless to say, a regime that undermines the people�s franchise is a threat to democracy. A dead man walking! When the Opposition exulted recently at the issuance of a Supreme Court (SC) interim order preventing more..

Mar 11 (FT) The latest edition of leading business magazine LMD notes that: Business people are weighing in on an economy under siege. NielsenIQ�s Director � Consumer Insights Therica Miyanadeniya notes in the magazine: �The optimism that was evident towards the end of last year seems to be waning. Once again riding high as the most pressing national issue is the economy.� LMD reports that a notable majority (77%) of executives responding to LMD-NielsenIQ Business Confidence Index more..

Mar 11 (FT) The Colombo stock market closed yet another week on the up despite a sharp fall yesterday. The benchmark ASPI gained 162.04 points (1.72%) during the week while the S&P SL20 lost 15.04 points (0.53%). Daily turnover averaged Rs. 2.7 billion improving from Rs. 1.6 billion last week. Asia Securities said the indices ended Friday on a subdued note as investors extended profit-taking in LIOC (-1.9%), SAMP (-2.5%), DIAL (-1.9%), MELS (-3.3%), SUN (-2.2%), more..

Mar 11 (FT) Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts (CH&R), one of the largest luxury hotel chains in Sri Lanka, is planning to expand its footprint beyond SL and Maldives and has started evaluating options, said its Chief Commercial Officer Christian Pertl. �We would like to leverage the Cinnamon brand for int'l expansion. We have started evaluating the countries and partners that will go with our brand,� he said in an interview. Right now, CH&R has 15 properties � eight resorts and three hotels in SL more..

Mar 11 (CI) SL's seamers edged the visitors ahead on the second day of play at Hagley Oval as NZ's batters were made to grind in their pursuit of SL's first innings total of 355. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara picked up two wickets apiece, while Kasun Rajitha, arguably the pick of the bowlers, grabbed a deserved scalp in the final half hour of play. For the hosts, Tom Latham top scored with a dogged 67, while Daryl Mitchell remained more..

Mar 11 (CI) This is not a bad set of seamers. There is variety here - Lahiru Kumara's pace, Kasun Rajitha's movement, Asitha Fernando's intensity. But it is not a set of seamers you expect wonders from either. They are without a serious spearhead, Lakmal having long since retired. And attacks more promising than this one have gone to NZ and failed to keep the hosts in check. There is perhaps less heft and grit to this NZ batting order since the likes of Ross Taylor and BJ Watling retired, more..

Mar 11 (FT) SL human rights activist and lawyer Ranitha Gnanarajah this week accepted the US Dept of State�s prestigious Int'l Women of Courage award for 2021 at a ceremony held at the White House in Washington D.C. She was announced as a winner in 2021 in recognition of her efforts in fighting for and defending the rights of marginalised and vulnerable communities in SL despite the risk of threats and challenges to her safety. Gnanarajah was one of 15 women to be honoured with more..