May 18 (TM) The GMOA said the drug Prednisolone (eye drop imported from an Indian company) which was used after cataract surgeries, is not in use for such eye surgeries in SL at present, even though operations have resumed. There were 13 patients who suffered complications including reduced eyesight, following its use, and evidence has come to light that the medicine itself was contaminated with a bacteria. The bacteria in question has infected the eye drop medicine, more..

May 18 (DM) Irrespective of the speculations that the dengue epidemic could strike by June, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Senior Consultant Physician at the IDH said that SL had already reached the epidemic threshold, adding that the worst is yet to come. Dr. Wijewickrama said �At the moment, we are experiencing an epidemic. The worry is that it is likely to get worse,� �Normally, the number of patients tend to increase in June and July. SL has already recorded over 34,000 cases. more..

May 18 (TM) Prez and National Policies Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued an order to release the lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces that have been acquired by the Department of Forest Conservation beyond the relevant limits demarcated as demarcated in maps prepared in 1985. In Addition, Dept of Archaeology has expressed their consent to review certain mistakes that they have committed with more..

May 18 (FT) SL�s economy has been hit hard by a record-high balance of payment deficit in 2021, reaching $ 4 billion, the highest in decades. This came on the heels of a $ 2.3 billion deficit the year before, which was not addressed by significant foreign borrowings. Without outside help, the Government was forced to dip into its reserves, causing a further drain on the country�s financial stability. Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa had promised to avoid the mistakes of his predecessors more..

May 18 (FT) In ancient times, the Master of the World was the country with the largest number of soldiers. This position got shifted about 200 years ago to the country with the physical capital allowing it to acquire industrial prowess. Then, about 100 years ago, the country with the highest financial capital became the Master. About 50 years ago, it was the human capital that promoted a country to this position. Today and tomorrow, it is the technology, supported by all the above more..

May 18 (DM) Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has announced the maiden call of a new service to the Port of Colombo that will connect Sri Lanka with the East Coast of the US via Asia, strengthening another important trade route for exporters and importers and making SL more accessible to global markets. Launched on May 16, 2023, this new shipping service �AA7� is operated by Wan Hai Lines as the lead line and Hapag Lloyd as the partner line. more..

May 18 (DM) A Buddhist monk who caused serious burn injuries to a boy by burning camphor on the boy�s palm to dispel evil planetary influence was arrested by Weerawila police. Injured is a 13-year-old boy from Weerawila Kuda Gammana area and a student of a school in Weerawila new town. The boy who had been abandoned by his parents was living with his grandmother. Investigations revealed that the grandmother had taken the boy to a monk in the nearby Weerawila Gangatilleka Rama Vihara more..

May 18 (AD) A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed requesting the Supreme Court to order the IGP to arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando and to take legal action against him for allegedly making remarks demeaning other religions. FR petition has been presented by a group including Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thero and several others. The petition was presented to the SC seeking the issuing of an order to IGP and respondents to arrest more..

May 18 (EN) Shares edged down at market close on a wait and see approach waiting to get the govt�s point of view on the IMF deal alongside debt restructuring and optimization assurances, an analyst said. ASPI was down by 0.49% or 43.07 points to 8,780.21, while the most liquid index S&P SL20 was down 1.24% or 31.45 points to 2,507.71. �Wait and see approaches have been adopted, looking for clearance and clarity on debt restructuring,� an analyst said. more..

May 18 (Island) Senior SLFPer Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa told a media briefing that arrangements have been made to observe the Republic Day of SL on May 22 in Kandy. This may be the time that the Republic Day of the country is observed after the 1978 Constitution came into effect, professor Piyadasa said. He said that highlights of the Republic Day in Kandy would be mainly a cultural event with indigenous items of dancing, singing and aesthetic items. more..

May 18 (FT) With our very own coffee variety � Lak Parakum introduced and promoted by Dept of Export Agriculture (DEA) being recognised as one of the top ten Arabica varieties of coffee in the global market, there is renewed hope for Sri Lankan coffee. The increasing franchise costs that entail imported coffees are also driving many popular coffee houses in Colombo and the suburbs to turn to local blends, some of them more..

May 18 (FT) The historical Treasury bill auction conducted yesterday reflected a positive outcome as weighted averages decreased across the board on all three maturities while the total offered amount of Rs. 180 billion was fully subscribed at the 1st phase of the auction. The drop in averages which was seen for the first time in six weeks was led by the 364-day and 91-day bills as it recorded declines of 35 and 33 basis points respectively, followed by 182-day bill by 20 basis point to 25.22%. more..

May 18 (FT) Hatch, the award-winning SL co-working space, start-up incubator and accelerator, said four of its startups have secured major funding from leading investors to take their businesses to the next level.The most significant funding opportunity came from Silicon Valley investor Tim Draper, who visited SL two months back. HyperGlade, a Hatch community startup specialising in blockchain and Web3 migration solutions, has secured $ 350,000 (Rs112 m) in funding from Draper Associates, more..

May 18 (DM) Evergreen veteran vocalist Christopher Paul passed away at the age of 87, said family sources. Christopher was a sought-after singer for over five decades, often invited to sing in outdoor and indoor concerts. 'Ha Mal Pipenne, �Ela Dola Ganga�, �Katuroda Gammane�, �Wathura Nala�, �Rosa Malak Dutuwama�, 'Ruwan Thoran', �Menika Menika�, and �Muthu bello� are some of his popular hits. Adihettige Christopher Emmanuel Paul was born on 10 April, 1936 as the eldest son of more..

May 18 (CT) Soldiers attached to the 4th Battalion of Women�s Corps engaged in a demonstration on Tuesday against a transfer of a group of women soldiers, from Kokavil to Medawachchiya. There are 129 soldiers working in the Kokavil camp. This group has been demanding that the transfer given to Vavuniya be cancelled and to assign them to another camp nearby. A total of 104 female soldiers have been serving in the Kokavil camp from 2012. The protest was launched demanding more..

May 18 (TM) The Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) has sent a letter to all MPs requesting to defeat the resolution submitted to the Parliament to remove the Chairman of the PUCSL, Janaka Ratnayake. The letter, read that exercising political power against honest and straightforward officials like Ratnayake, who raised his voice directly against the increase in electricity tariffs and the non-transparent increase in fuel prices, more..

May 18 (Island) Rebel SLPP lawmaker Gevindu Cumaratunga warned that post-war national reconciliation couldn�t be achieved by appeasing the TNA. National List MP Cumaratunga said so commenting on the discussion President Ranil Wickremesinghe had with lawmakers representing the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The talks centered on devolution of power. Tamil National People�s Front led by Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam skipped the meeting. more..

May 18 (AD) The 2nd Experts Meeting on the Migration Partnership between Sri Lanka and Switzerland was held recently at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was co-chaired by Director General/Europe & North America the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Shobini Gunasekera, and Ambassador Vincenzo Mascioli Director of International Affairs, State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) of Switzerland. more..

May 18 (SLN) Based on information derived from a coordinated intelligence operation conducted by the State Intelligence Service and SL Navy, a local multiday fishing trawler carrying about 111kg and 606g of heroin and about 10kg and 254g of hashish was intercepted by SLNS Vijayabahu on 13th May. The special operation mounted about 413 nautical miles (764km) off Dondra, South of SL, also led to the apprehension of 06 suspects more..

May 18 (AD) Supreme Court today fixed dates for the hearing of the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed by a group of individuals including Chairman of the PUCSL Janaka Ratnayake seeking an order to annul the decision taken by the CEB for the revision of domestic electricity tariff. Accordingly, the relevant petitions have been ordered to be taken up for hearing on July 17, and 19, when the petitions were called before the SC judge bench consisting of justices Preethi Padman Surasena, more..

May 18 (DM) SL has promised the European Union (EU), the country�s second largest trading partner, to present a plan by June to lift the import restrictions that came into place in 2020 as a measure to hold on to the fast-depleting foreign exchange reserves. This was conveyed during the 25th session of SL - EU Joint Commission that was held virtually on April 25. SL expressed its intention towards a gradual phasing out of the restrictions, factoring in the current economic conditions. more..

May 18 (DM) Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa has denounced Pastor Jerome saying the controversial Pastor is disturbing religious harmony. �We vehemently oppose the statement made by Pastor Jerome who had made irresponsible statements. The statement he made on Buddhism will disturb harmony and coexistence. Therefore we denounce him to the maximum,� Premadasa said in a special statement. �I am extremely saddened by the statement made by this pastor, more..

May 18 (TM) The representatives of the Federation of University Teachers� Association (FUTA) will reportedly meet with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today (18). Chairman of the FUTA Prof. Shyama Banneheka stated that the meeting is scheduled to commence at 3.00 p.m. this evening. The relevant discussion is convened after repeated requests made by the university teachers seeking an audience with President Wickremesinghe. more..

May 18 (EN) Central Bank has terminated a cash margin requirement on import letters of credit imposed over the previous 12 months to limit imports, as liquidity injection triggered forex shortages and a currency collapse. In an order issued under the monetary law, the CB imposed a 100% cash deposit margin on 843 imports in May 19, 2022 and February 16, 2023 to discourage imports. Both orders were removed. more..

May 18 (CT) State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath requested the public to notify the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) immediately, if they find locally produced canned fish in the market without an SLSI certificate. During an inspection visit to the Sri Lanka Standards Institute on Tuesday (16) he praised the Institute for taking prompt action to restructure the technical sector in order to continue providing high-quality products to the Sri Lankan people. more..

May 18 (ICC) The White Ferns' tour of Sri Lanka will feature both ODI and T20I assignments, starting late June. The tour commences with a three-match ODI series which will form a part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-2025 cycle. New Zealand are currently third in the standings while hosts SL are seventh. The series will give SL a chance to climb up to the second spot with 11 points should they sweep the series. All three ODIs will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. more..

May 18 (DM) National carrier SriLankan Airlines is expecting to wrap up its re-fleeting exercise, which got the Cabinet approval last year, in the next two to three months, acquiring at least seven aircraft in the first phase, a top official said. �We have almost finalised most of it. So, I think within the next two to three months we are expecting to complete it. Of course, not the whole thing. Whatever that we have finalised and more..

May 18 (AD) Dept of Meteorology has issued a heat index advisory effective for the next 24 hours from 2.30 p.m. today (18), warning the public of increased temperatures. Accordingly, the heat index � the temperature felt on the human body � is expected to rise to the �caution� level at some places in the Northern, North-Central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala District. The heat index forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and more..

May 18 (AD) The Attorney General today told the Court of Appeal that sufficient protection is provided to former Director of CID Shani Abeysekera. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Rohantha Abeysuriya conveyed this when the petition seeking protection filed by the former CID chief was called before the Appeals Court judge bench. Appeals Court president Nissanka Karunaratne and Justice A. Marikkar sat for the hearing. ASG Abeysuriya also mentioned that more..

May 19 (CT) Much is expected from central Banks during the times of Financial Crises. The monetary policy strategies and initiatives by central banks become vital, compulsory and indispensable not only to save the dwindling economy but to stimulate economic activity during a financial crisis. There is much talk, rather a controversy, developing now into a political debate, in Sri Lanka about a new Enactment encircling the Central Bank and its operations, in the air. more..

May 19 (GV) �How are we supposed to heal when we can�t even remember our loved ones in peace?� asked Vinitha (name changed), a Tamil social worker who grew up during the most violent times in SL. Vinitha, like many other Tamils across the North and East, continues to face oppression for merely remembering the dead and disappeared of the brutal three decade long civil war. The week of May 18 is acknowledged as Tamil Remembrance Week across the Tamil community at home and abroad. more..

May 19 (TM) Many forms of rights related violations based on religious beliefs or identities are still prevalent in SL, despite improving dialogues about religious freedom and various initiatives aimed at improving inter-ethnic and inter-religious ties. To make matters worse, the perpetrators of these acts range from ordinary citizens to State backed groups such as the Police, and documenting and taking action against these acts has become difficult. more..

May 19 (TM) While the recent spate of incidents in which children�s safety and well-being were severely compromised by adults, especially the two incidents in Kalutara, have opened the eyes of many, Sri Lanka is seeking answers to several serious questions in this regard. While there is a concern as to how the offenders of these incidents should be penalised, the biggest question is what the country is willing to do to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future. more..

May 19 (CT) This paper reported that according to the National Report, Status of Sex Workers in SL 2022-2023 which was recently (17) launched by Sex Workers & Allies South Asia, nearly 77% of sex workers in Sri Lanka have never applied for the Samurdhi beneficiary programme, irrespective of their poor economic status, primarily due to a combination of lack of necessary documentation and social discrimination of sex workers. A small number who did apply were denied Samurdhi, more..

May 19 (CT) The shortage of various medicinal drugs has plagued SL�s healthcare system over the past few years and continues to impact patient care, safety and the medical workforce. State hospitals, which are bound to provide a service to citizens, who are in need, fail in their duties. As shortages continue to affect day-to-day patient care, hospitals and health systems are turning to standardised processes to manage and more..

May 19 (island) The COPE has striven over the years to meet the people�s expectations as a parliamentary watchdog outfit. Together with the Auditor General and others, it has exposed numerous state institutions for their shortcomings, accounting irregularities, avoidable losses, waste, and corruption. In some cases, it has even prompted corrective action to be taken. Thankfully, COPE continues its efforts to enforce accountability in the public sector & rationalise govt expenditure, more..