May 4 (CT) Emirates has pledged its renewed support to promote tourism in SL through a MoU signed with SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). Agreement outlines a host of initiatives designed to promote the nation�s tourism and trade industries, and comes as part of the airline�s long-standing commitment to SL spanning 37 years, Airline said. MoU was signed by Ahmed Khoory, Emirates� Senior Vice President, Commercial West Asia and Indian Ocean, and K.P.P. Siriwardana, more..

May 4 (FT) Attorney General�s Dept has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court over the decision taken by a special High Court Trial-at-Bar to acquit and release five suspects who were indicted for trafficking 196 kg of heroin. The appeal filed by State Counsel Kanishka Rajakaruna on behalf of the AG maintained that the judgement delivered by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar was without a fair trial, contrary to the law more..

May 4 (TM) Secretary to Ministry of Mass Media Anusha Palpita said that a standardised procedure for issuing licences to TV and Radio channels has already been prepared and that the draft has now been sent to Attorney General's (AG) Dept to obtain clearance. Palpita said that immediately after receiving the clearance of the AG and the Parliament's approval, all the existing licences will be cancelled and steps will be taken to issue new licences according to the new procedure. more..

May 4 (TM) SL Medical Association (SLMA) claimed that the flu spreading across the country these days could be a new variant of Covid-19. Chairman of the Association Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne emphasised that different varieties of Covid-19 can emerge depending on the nature of the disease. �We don�t really have a good understanding of those variants. It takes time to analyse them and to obtain the reports. Covid-19 patients are still being reported in many other countries like Indonesia, Vietnam more..

May 4 (FT) PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake went public with what he believes as doom and gloom over the proposed new CEB Act. He revealed that a committee appointed on the recommendation of the Minister of Power and Energy, has prepared a proposal and a bill to abolish the CEB Act and transfer its resources to 14 companies established under the Companies Ordinance No. 7 of 2007. more..

May 4 (FT) Ranil deprived the Opposition of a local authorities election. The Opposition could have retaliated by voting against his IMF agreement at the parliamentary debate or linking its response to a verifiable guarantee of elections. By its vote it could have signalled a less than smooth passage on the ground for the IMF deal, thereby nudging the IMF�s global stakeholders into strongarming Ranil on elections before the next tranche. Instead, by absenting itself at voting time more..

May 4 (DM) A penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible to Sri Lanka on the Vesak Full Moon day, Professor Chandana Jayaratne said. He said the eclipse begins at 08.44 p.m. SL standard time tomorrow with the moon entering the penumbra of the earth's shadow (less dark shadow) and ends at 1.01 a.m. on Saturday (6). Lunar eclipses occur on full moon days when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, which results in the obstruction of some or all of the Sun�s light from reaching the Moon. more..

May 4 (FT) There is a revival of physical training after a long lapse due to COVID and chaos followed thereafter. In order to have economic growth and business expansion, organisations both public and private, tend to focus more on training. Despite financial challenges, they should see it as a strategic investment rather than a mere cost. I get so many e-flyers and WhatsApp messages about new training programs, some interestingly without clear objectives and surprisingly without the name more..

May 4 (TM) Around 40,000 people die anually due to the usage of alcohol and cigarettes, while in extension another 40,000 introduce children to the world of drugs, said President of National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), Shakya Nanayakkara. He mentioned this while speaking at a press conference today. "Since the continuation of the situation could cause many issues , NDDCB will be taking action in order to help people let go of drug usage during the Vesak & Poson seasons, more..

May 4 (FT) For a few hours in early April, 2022, Wikipedia page of Ajith Nivard Cabraal described the then Governor of Central Bank as: A chartered accountant and the principal scum bag responsible for the current economic crisis in SL. Wikipedia also named the Finance Minister of SL as Basil Kaputa Rajapaksa and listed money laundering as a family tradition of Minister Namal Rajapaksa. According to internet reports, more..

May 4 (EN) SL will take up for debate a bill for a new central bank law on May 11 and a welfare benefit bill on May 12, the statement from the parliament said. The controversial new central bank is expected to legalize output gap targeting (printing money for growth) as a sub objective. The banks will also get a legal mandate to simultaneously operate money and exchange polices, (so-called dual anchor or impossible trinity regime), in the course of operating flexible inflation targeting regime. more..

May 4 (AD) National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide early warnings issued for parts of Badulla, Matara and Kegalle districts. Accordingly, a Level 1 (Yellow) warning previously issued for the following areas is extended until 4 p.m. today: Badulla district � Haldummulla and Passara Divisional Secretariat divisions; Matara district � Kotapola and Pasgoda Divisional Secretariat divisions; Kegalle district � Kegalle Divisional Secretariat division more..

May 4 (AD) The uni teachers have decided to take part in the evaluation of answer scripts of 2022 A/L examination with effect from today. FUTA chairman Prof. Shyama Banneheka said its members would not be subdued by the political pressurization. Prof. Banneheka said FUTA has called off its trade union action, however, vowed to continue their fight. The evaluation of answer scripts was delayed by at least two months due to more..

May 4 (SLN) The Navy apprehended 25 persons who engaged in illegal fishing, during a special search operation conducted in the sea area of Coral Cove, Trincomalee on 2nd May. The operation also led to the seizure of 5 dinghies and unauthorized fishing equipment used for the illegal act. The Navy carries out regular operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to prevent illegal fishing practices which threaten the sustainability of fish populations. more..

May 4 (AD) The committee appointed to probe the recent kidney transplant racket at a private hospital in Borella has recommended that the approval granted for the hospital to perform kidney transplants be temporarily halted. Accordingly, the Attorney General had informed the Court of Appeal today that the committee had recommended that all kidney transplants be suspended at the private hospital in question, until the relevant investigations have concluded. more..

May 4 (DM) India and SL will conduct a joint air drill soon, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said. He said that basics for such a joint exercise was discussed with Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari who is in SL. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari arrived in SL on 01 May 2023 on a four-day official visit. During his visit, he called on the tri-forces commanders, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, PM Dinesh Gunawardena, more..

May 4 (CT) With reports of prevailing malnutrition in several parts of SL due to the economic crisis, Health Ministry launched a ten-year National Nutrition Policy (2021-2030) yesterday at the BMICH. Health Secretary Janaka Shri Chandragupta, highlighting the importance of a nutrition policy to face a crisis situation by 2030 said, �It is an investment for the future of the country,� pointing out that only a limited number of govts in the world have intervened in nutritional sector more..

May 4 (EN) SL can be put on the path to prosperity if it achieves debt sustainability, an IMF official said, noting that the island nation must also confront the challenge of restructuring domestic debt without hurting financial stability. IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan speaking at an event said the SL govt is working on resolving some of these issues and will �flesh out a strategy.� �Hopefully very soon. more..

May 4 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone, which is the National Vesak celebration organized by the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo on May 3. Vesak program includes various events organized at the Galle Face Shangri-la Green and Presidential Secretariat Premises on May 3, 4, 5, and 6.During the inauguration, Prez switched on the lights to mark the start of the Vesak program and attended the Bhakthi Gee event more..

May 4 (AD) Special security measures will be in place across the island in view of the upcoming Vesak festival this week, police spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa says. The police spokesperson said this security program would be implemented at Vesak zones, temples and other places where religious events are held. In the meantime, the Prisons Department has decided to grant special inmate visitation opportunities on May 05 and 06, coinciding with the Vesak full moon Poya. more..

May 4 (FT) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reassured its commitment to support SL�s ongoing efforts towards recovery from the economic crisis, earmarking $ 2 billion over the next four years, a top Minister said. �ADB had committed already about $ 2 billion to SL for the next four years, with a potential of increasing it further,� Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said on the sidelines of the ADB�s 56th Annual Meeting in Incheon, more..

May 4 (DM) State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe said that the SL Ambassador to Kuwait is looking into the suspicious death of a SL woman who was employed in Kuwait. She made these comments during a media briefing where she conversed with the Ambassador via phone to inquire into the matter. The Minister presented concerns raised by the individual's family that the woman who was employed overseas for 7 years could not have committed suicide. more..

May 4 (AD) Head of Dept of Immunology, Allergy and Molecular Medicine at the Uni of Sri J'pura, Prof. Chandima Jeewandara says that the number of dengue cases reported in the country may increase in the near future with the new variant of dengue spreading these days. Therefore, people should be aware of the breeding sites of dengue mosquitoes, Prof. Jeewandara mentioned. Meanwhile, Uni of Sri J'pura has carried out research on dengue antibodies in children. more..

May 4 (AP) Danushka Gunathilaka will push NSW's public prosecutor to pay legal costs after being made to wait another two weeks to submit a plea for rape charges. The 32-year-old is facing four counts of sexual intercourse without consent while in Sydney for the T20 World Cup. After matching on Tinder, meeting up for a date and heading back to her home in Sydney's eastern suburbs, the complainant alleges the cricketer refused to wear a condom and choked her three times. more..

May 4 (DM) Even though the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) had requested the President for a discussion regarding the issues relating to the scrutiny of 2022 (2023) GCE A/L answer scripts, the President has left the country even without giving them an appointment for a discussion, Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) said. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that the issues relating to the scrutiny of A/L answer scripts have gone from bad to worse. more..

May 4 (TM) Promoting prostitution through websites is illegal, and the promoter will be produced upon the Court, said SSP Nihal Thalduwa. He noted that Prostitution, generally, is an illegal act in SL and those who engage in it would be arrested and produced at Court according to the Vagrants Ordinance and Brothels Ordinance. "Engaging in prostitution inside brothels or loitering along main roads and streets behaving inappropriately or more..

May 4 (DM) SJB MP Vadivel Suresh said nothing prevents him working with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and that he will do what his people want him to do. �I have no issues working with the president, and I will do what my people want me to do." I met both the Prez and the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa and told them that what my people want and I will do what they want me to do,� he told journalists after he met Mr. Premadasa at the Opposition Leader�s office. more..

May 4 (DS) Bangladesh Women's cricket team came out second best in the second ODI of the two-match series against SL as they lost the rescheduled match by 58 runs at P. Sara Oval. A dismal batting effort saw the women in red and green get bundled out for 128 with one ball remaining in pursuit of SL's 187 in a match that was reduced to 30 overs. Batting first, SL managed 186 for five, courtesy of a 60-ball 64 from skipper Chamari Athapatthu and a 48-ball 45 from Harshitha Samarawickrama. more..

May 4 (EN) Island�s Eleven: A History of Cricket in SL, book of a UK-based author Nicholas Brookes will help promote the country as a sports tourism destination. A book on SL�s cricket history by UK-based author Nicholas Brookes will help promote the island�s status as a sport tourism destination, officials said. �This book was no doubt a quest for the soul of SL cricket,� Brookes said. �But if it wasn�t the love of the game that brought me here, more..

May 4 (Island) Civil society activist Oshala Herath has, in a letter addressed to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, questioned the failure on the part of the CID to arrest and produce MP Diana Gamage in Fort Magistrate Court over the violation of the Immigration and Emigration Act. Herath, a defeated UNP candidate, at the last general election, has brought to the notice of Alles the CID�s failure to act despite having informed Fort Magistrate Court of violations perpetrated by MP Gamage more..

May 4 (SM) James Finlay Limited has bowed out of the Kenyan market in a deal that will see a Sri Lankan Company carry on its operations. Browns Investments PLC, a tea-producing company in Sri Lanka has entered into an agreement to purchase James Finlay Limited, making this the company's first investment in Kenya. Browns Investments, in a press release, said the company will continue to operate James Finlay Kenya as a leading global supplier of Kenyan tea. more..

May 5 (ST) There is one critical lesson that Sri Lankans can learn from its economic crisis. By experience, however, I know that learning is not an easy thing to do particularly after we leave our childhood, because it requires also unlearning what we have already learnt in the past. Apparently, unlearning is much more difficult than learning. It requires a greater degree of humility and ability to work against one�s ego. Today, I thought of connecting some of the economic matters more..

May 5 (CT) Most of the world is excited and is eagerly waiting to witness the most gorgeous cultural event that is just about to take place in the UK. It is none other but the coronation ceremony of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort of UK respectively. �Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May 2023. Service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and more..

May 5 (TM) Disasters do not affect populations equally and often disproportionately affect the world�s most economically and socially vulnerable populations, as they can disrupt livelihoods, education, and economic growth and harm health and social prosperity. In this context, as a key element of disaster risk management, early warning systems (EWSs) are the set of capacities needed to generate and disseminate timely more..

May 5 (DM) How can Sri Lankans find a new sense of belongingness and possibility in a country full of contradictions? At the time of writing even emigrating to a country like Romania is considered a wise option if doors are not open to enter countries like Sweden, Canada, England, Australia and NZ. For the record Romania is ranked 45th in the world out of 167 countries in the Legatum Prosperity Index. Some of the facts taken into consideration when given this ranking are; safety and security, more..

May 5 (TM) There are debates as to what extent the fact that SL�s health sector is in a crisis has been accepted by all relevant stakeholders and experienced by the public first hand. On the one hand, there is a considerable lack of resources which has led to the decreased availability of medicines and health services, and on the other hand, brain drain among medical and health care professionals in the context of the economic downturn has emerged as another threat. more..