Nov 10 (FT) In a rare moment of unity, MPs of both the Govt and Opposition came together to unanimously pass a resolution in Parliament against SLC. The resolution, titled Removal of Corrupt Officials, Including the Chairman, from SL Cricket Board, received unanimous support from both Govt and Opposition MPs, leading Speaker Mahinda Abeywardena to pass the resolution without a formal vote. more..

Nov 10 (DM) While revealing many administrative inefficiencies and irregularities at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the COPE committee pointed out that there are not enough fuel stocks maintained at the CPC storages. The COPE committee had summoned Power and Energy Ministry Secretary Mapa Pathirana and CPC Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya, among several other officials, to reveal many administrative inefficiencies and irregularities at the CPC. more..

Nov 10 (Island) Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament that judges and lawyers were perturbed by certain matters discussed during a debate in the House on Wednesday pertaining to issues raised by the Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe. �I request the public not to lose faith in the judiciary. Similarly, I call on the members in the legal fraternity not to harbour any ill-feelings,� the Minister said, adding that there was no conflict between the legislature and the judiciary. more..

Nov 10 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe says the best solution for the Sri Lanka Cricket crisis is to implement the draft constitution for the cricket governing body proposed in the report compiled by the committee headed by Justice K.T. Chitrasiri. His remarks came during a meeting held with the ruling party MPs at the parliamentary complex on Thursday. Speaking further, the Head of State reiterated that he remains impartial in this matter, adding that he is on the side of cricket. more..

Nov 10 (DN) A large quantity of coir was destroyed due to a fire in a warehouse of a coir factory in Navagampura Industrial Park, Ampara. The fire had been caused by sparks while welding was being done for a repair, at the factory. Subsequently, its employees had informed the Ampara Police and the Ampara Municipality Fire Fighting Unit and they had arrived and started extinguishing the fire. Later, officers of the firefighting unit of the Ampara Uhana Airfor Camp had come and engaged more..

Nov 10 (TM) In the wake of the determination issued by the Colombo Magistrate�s Court (MC) that the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter was due to external pressure applied to his neck and facial area, Police stated that they are carrying out investigations into his death under a new investigation plan. A 5-member experts� committee comprising judicial medical officers appointed to uncover the cause of death had recently submitted its report to more..

Nov 10 (TM) National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) said that all trade unions affiliated with it are to launch a protest on 13 Nov in front of Parliament, demanding a salary increment of Rs. 20,000 for all public servants from the oncoming Budget for next year (2024). NTUC National Organiser Wasantha Samarasinghe said that the Govt must make an announcement about the exact salary increment rates before the next Budget is presented to Parliament, as otherwise they would launch a massive protest more..

Nov 10 (Island) Bandaranaike Centre for Int'l Studies (BCIS) will be honouring late Ambassador Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala for his invaluable contribution to diplomacy and his unwavering commitment to the promotion and safeguarding of SL�s national interest, at the convocation of its International Relations Programme 2023 to be held at the BMICH, Colombo, today. A BCIS press release said: �Ambassador Dhanapala�s career in national & int'l service spanned over half a century more..

Nov 10 (Island) Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said that just weeks after being appointed sports and youth affairs ministry by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, he had sought direct intervention of Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to secure a meeting with Asia Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah to clarify issues at hand. UNP leader accommodated the Polonnaruwa District lawmaker in his cabinet on July 22 last year more..

Nov 10 (FT) The landmark verdict delivered by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court in the first week of October has brought glad tidings of great joy to most SL political parties in general and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) in particular. The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Padman Surasena, S. Thurairajah and Mahinda Samayawardhena heard a petition filed by former SLMC Deputy Leader Zainulabdeen Nazeer Ahamed challenging his expulsion from the party. more..

Nov 10 (FT) The unveiling of Sri Lanka's National Budget 2024 by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled for 13 Nov 2023. With 2024 and 2025 expected to be election years, there will be great temptation to resort to vote winning short termism at the expense of sustainable long-term prosperity. Contrary to expectations, it is my hope, and certainly the hope of all SL citizens, that the Budget 2024 will not be a stand-alone proposal but the 2024 component of a very long-term plan. more..

Aug 10 (AD) Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis has apologised for the squad�s poor performance at the 2023 ICC Men�s Cricket World Cup, and assured that proper measures would be taken to avoid the repetition of such a fate. Speaking to the media upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, Mendis expressed his regret that despite playing their best as a team, the Sri Lanka squad was struck with continuous losses during the tournament. more..

Nov 10 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be handed over to former captain Arjuna Ranatunga for a brief period for the task of rebuilding if SLC is suspended by the ICC, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said today. "We will hand over the task of rebuilding Sri Lanka Cricket to former captain Arjuna Ranatunga for six to eight months in the event Sri Lanka is suspended by the ICC. We will enact the Sports Act, go for an election and then we can go for other matches. more..

Aug 10 (CI) At no point in their final league match, against New Zealand in Bengaluru, did Sri Lanka seem like they could win it. At no point across this World Cup campaign have they seemed like serious contenders. It used to be true of SL that they would frequently be under-rated ahead of major tournaments. In the years in which Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara formed the core of one of smartest attacks in white-ball cricket, more..

Nov 10 (AD) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been issued summons to appear before the COPE later this week. Accordingly, the Cricket Board has been asked to make an appearance before the committee on 14 Nov, COPE Chairman Prof. Ranjith Bandara stated. The governing body fell victim to a series of nefarious allegations recently, with the Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe too, claiming that SLC had spent over Rs. 34 million as fees for lawyers alone, while also alleging that a group of more..

Aug 10 (DM) NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Chief Govt Whip Prasanna Ranatunga engaged in a verbal battle in Parliament with allegations being hurled at each other. The battle started when Minister Ranatunga reacted to an allegation by Dissanayake that he had been engaged in extortion. "Dissanayake had said I have been engaged in extortion but it was they who were engaged in such acts during the 1989 insurrection," Ranatunga said. more..

Nov 10 (EN) Chair of SLC�s selection committee Pramodya Wickramasinghe has implied the existence of a conspiracy behind Sri Lanka�s less than spectacular performance at the Cricket World Cup. The beleaguered cricket team along with officials returned to the island today and, amid tight security, spoke to reporters at the BIA. Wickramasinghe said he would reveal all in two days� time. more..

Nov 10 (NW) SL cricketing great Aravinda de Silva is to be inducted into the ICC's Hall of Fame in a ceremonial event in Mumbai on Tuesday (14). According to reports, Aravinda de Silva will be officially welcomed into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside other SL cricketing greats Muttiah Muralitharan (2017), Kumar Sangakkara (2021) and Mahela Jayawardene (2021) who were earlier awarded the privilege. SL�s 1996 World Cup-winning hero Aravinda de Silva has played 401 times more..

Nov 10 (HT) Six teams have already confirmed their spot, the three semifinalists in India, South Africa, and Australia, hosts Pakistan, and sixth-placed Afghanistan. ICC earlier last month threw curveball after revealing that the league-stage positions in the ongoing World Cup 2023 will decide on the eight teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy 2025. This implies two of the 10 teams in the tournament going on in India will fail to make it through for the event in Pakistan two years more..

Nov 10 (DN) There was a tense situation in Parliament yesterday (8) due to a group of members of the Opposition including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa protesting against a statement made by the Home Affairs State Minister Ashoka Priyantha, against MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne. They staged a protest at the well of the House demanding action against the State Minister as MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne has been insulted due to the statement made by him. more..

Nov 10 (DM) Despite the country facing burning issues which hits the common man's wallet, such as a heavy cost of living, a very concerning online safety bill which is yet to be passed, an upcoming budget and what it holds, taxes and much more, our 225 MPs decided it fit to dedicate an entire day to debate cricket yesterday and pass allegations on SLC. Following an entire day's debate, at the end of the day no vote was taken as initially planned and the proposal to vote out Shammi more..

Nov 10 (EN) SL�s court system needs to be urgently digitised in order to position SL as an attractive destination for foreign investments, and uphold the integrity of SL�s judiciary, minister of foreign affairs Ali Sabry said in parliament. �IMF diagnostic report on SL has analysed how SL�s delays in justice have affected the economy. We have to be as competent as our regional powers; and the judiciary has a big responsibility to more..

Nov 10 (DM) Three accused arrested and indicted in connection with the assassination attempt on the former Pakistani High Commissioner in 2006, were today acquitted and released from the case by the Colombo High Court. While handing out a judgment against the three accused Kanagaraja Adithyan alias Ranjan, Yogaraja Dickwella and a trishaw driver Subramaniam Chethiyaraja, High Court Judge Mahesh Weeraman observed that the prosecutors have failed to prove the accuseds are guilty more..

Nov 10 (DN) 11,757 acres of paddy fields, which were about to be harvested in the last yala season, have been destroyed by floods caused by heavy rains that have been falling for almost one and a half months. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had informed the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board to gather information about the damaged fields due to the long and severe drought last yala season. Accordingly, 64,088 acres of paddy fields have been damaged due to drought. more..

Nov 10 (ST) The final count is in and it bodes ill for the thousands of humble men, women and children who seek medical treatment at state hospitals across the country. SL is facing a dearth of around 790 medical specialists, the finalised 2023 Annual Transfer List shows, while between 2017 and 2021, the average shortfall was only around 400. State hospitals of all categories would be hamstrung by this major dearth which is due to more..

Nov 10 (TM) Palmyrah Development Board (PDB) has earned an income of Rs. 78 million through the export of palm-related products during the period from Jan to Oct 2023 in a background where 60% of the 11 million palm trees in the country have been left unused, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recently visited the PDB regional office in Mattala, and engaged in a discussion with the relevant officials on palm-related productions. more..

Nov 10 (AD) Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has given its approval for the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2024. Approval was given during a meeting of COPF members convened at the parliamentary complex on Thursday under the chairmanship of MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. Appropriation Bill 2024 is scheduled to be presented to the parliament on Monday (13) by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance. During Thursday�s COPF meeting, more..

Nov 10 (DM) The Sri Lankan Cricket team that returned to the country amidst tight security after dismal performance at the ICC World Cup, left the BIA in their private vehicles, despite SLC arranging secure transport for them. SL Team won only 2 matches of the 9 matches played at the Group stage. Sri Lankan Cricket team that lost its standing in the ICC World Cup and returned at 0505 early this morning from Bangalore, India, on SriLankan Airlines flight UL-174. more..

Nov 10 (EN) Amid speculation of a widening rift within the ruling SLPP over its political future, SJB has called the SLPP�s bluff, challenging it to defeat the upcoming budget if they want an election. Former SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman said the SLPP can defeat the upcoming budget if they want a parliamentary election. �If the Rajapaksas want to go for an election, they can defeat the budget. We don�t know if they�ll take that decision,� Rahuman said speaking to reporters. more..

Nov 10 (CT) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association (MCPA) called for an inquiry into alleged misconduct, by the Health Ministry Secretary and top health officials, in order to restore confidence in the country�s healthcare system while ensuring that those responsible for upholding the highest standards were held accountable. In a letter sent to the Prez�s Secretary, MCPA President Chamal Sanjeeva called for an inquiry into more..

Nov 10 (TM) COPF issued a directive to Ministry of Finance officials, instructing them to impose income tax on companies that exploited the midnight gazette to make significant profits which COPF refers to as super gains, in order to compensate for lost revenue. The Committee also tasked officials with developing and implementing mechanisms to collect these taxes or providing detailed explanations if they are unable to do so, along with proposing remedial actions to prevent such incidents in the future. more..

Nov 10 (DM) The super luxury cruise ship AIDAbella registered in Italy arrived at the Colombo port this morning, SLPA said. They said this cruise ship has the capability of transporting 1,900 tourists and 730 crew members. The ship had left from Khasab port in Oman on Nov 1. Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence, is the vessel�s local agent and has made all arrangements to facilitate the vessel�s call. The vessel consists of 1,025 guest rooms on 12 decks. more..

Nov 10 (CB) Bangalore's November rain, predicted and promised, never came to hamper the clash at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Yet, SL sank. And with them, also sank the hopes of their Asian counterparts - Afghanistan and Pakistan, unintentionally invoking the spirit of Gulbadin Naib 2019. "Hum to doobe hai sanam, tum ko bhi lekar doobenge" (If I'm going down, I'll take you with me). On Thursday, their challenge wasn't blown more..

Nov 10 (AD) Three persons including the chairman of Central Environment Authority (CEA), Supun Pathirage, were reportedly arrested a short while ago. Accordingly, the suspects were arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), for having solicited a bribe of Rs. 10 million. They had reportedly solicited the bribe within the premises of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources for a project being conducted by the CEA. more..

Nov 10 (AD) The World Bank�s Board of Executive Directors on Thursday approved $150 million in financing for Sri Lanka to strengthen the resilience of the financial sector. �SL�s economic crisis highlights the need for strong safety nets to support the financial sector. Stable and reliable banking sector is essential for the economy, businesses and individuals, small businesses and poor households,� said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and SL. more..