Nov 29 (TM) Following several Maaveerar Naal celebrations being disrupted by the Police Dept, TNA of the Parliamentary Opposition said that the Govt�s double standard policy on the truth and reconciliation mechanism is disclosed by its suppression of such memorialisations. On Monday (27), a commemoration of Maaveerar Naal held in Batticaloa to remember the deaths of militants who fought with the LTTE during more..

Nov 29 (Island) State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said that investigations were still continuing into the alleged disappearance of Rs. 5 million from the Central Bank of SL (CBSL). State Minister stated that the CBSL initiated an internal investigation into the matter, while the CID, too, initiated a separate probe. In April this year the Fort Police was ordered to investigate the theft of Rs. 5 million from a safe at the CB, to arrest the suspects involved, and produce them in court. more..

Nov 29 (EN) Sri Lanka is expecting the official creditor committee representing bilateral creditors to follow China with an in-principle agreement very shortly, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said. �China Exim Bank was the first to provide Sri Lanka with the agreement in principle,� President Wickremesinghe told the SL Economic Summit 2023 organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. �We expect the official creditors committee to provide a similar agreement in principle very shortly.� more..

Nov 29 (TM) The SJB stated that they are currently considering filing a fundamental rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court (SC) with the aim of obtaining an order to stop granting privileges from public money to politicians and public officials who have been ruled by the SC to be responsible for bankrupting the country economically. On 14 Nov, the SC ruled that former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa; former PM, more..

Nov 29 (FT) Supreme Court recently held the once most powerful political family in South Asia, also cash rich (amassed allegedly during their three tenures), accountable for the economic mayhem which resulted in SL becoming a beggar nation. The list included their disgraced economic hitman Dr. P.B. Jayasundara. Rajapaksas must know the court decision was widely applauded by the majority. Even the non-productive Parliament was able to draw some attention from the public by crucifying more..

Nov 29 (FT) Is debating and quarrelling in Parliament over the SC decision on the responsibility of the three Rajapaksas and top officials on the economic crisis, the dissenting order almost forgotten, the most vital issue this moment? Or SLC and its mega corruption? Is personal security of MPs who wouldn�t know the Parliament elected by the People is an august assembly, anything important to be given public priority? Or is the temporary suspension of SL by ICC an urgent issue more..

Nov 29 (AD) The Netherlands has returned six SL colonial-era artefacts looted by the Dutch to Sri Lanka after more than 200 years. The six historical objects � the Lewke�s cannon, a Golden Kasthane, a Silver Kasthane, a Sinhalese Knife and two Guns � were brought to the island on board SriLankan Airlines flight UL554 from Frankfurt in Germany. The artefacts were ceremoniously accepted by Minister Vidura Wickremanayake at BIA in Katunayake at around 5:05 a.m. this morning. more..

Nov 29 (DM) The SL National Team will commence its 2024 international cricket calendar with a home series against Zimbabwe in January, which will consist of three ODIs and three T20i series. It would be followed by a series against Afghanistan during the Jan�Feb period, consisting of one test match, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Then, SL national team will head to Bangladesh for an all-format tour before heading to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be played in West Indies and USA. more..

Nov 29 (AD) Deshabandu Tennakoon, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) in charge of the Western Province, has been appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP). The appointment was made by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe pursuant to the powers vested with him, Police Media Division said. Accordingly, SDIG Tennakoon will serve as the Acting IGP for a period of three months. more..

Nov 29 (EN) Substance addicts will be able to seek rehabilitation through the police and hospitals in the future, justice minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa said. �Laws are being amended so that addicts, or their relatives, can refer them for rehabilitation through the police and hospitals.� Currently, drug addicts are referred for rehabilitation by the courts system. Rajapaksa said congestion in prisons can be reduced by diverting more addicts to the rehabilitation process. more..

Nov 29 (DM) The Supreme Court today fixed a date for the hearing of the appeal petition filed challenging the Court of Appeal decision to dismiss a writ petition which challenged the legality of State Minister Diana Gamage�s parliamentary seat. SC 3-judge-bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Shiran Goonaratne and Priyantha Fernando fixed the petition for support on January 8 next year. Social activist Oshala Herath has filed this appeal in the SC seeking an order in the nature of more..

Nov 29 (AD) Pastor Jerome Fernando has arrived in SL early this morning from BIA, a spokesperson from Dept of Immigration & Emigration has said. Jerome Fernando returned to the island from Singapore on board a flight attached to Qatar Airlines and left the airport through the Golden route of the BIA. Accordingly, he is slated to give a statement to the CID within 48 hours as per a court order. On Nov 17, Court of Appeal ordered the CID more..

Nov 29 (EN) SL�s Board of Investment has signed an agreement to develop a cable car system in the country. �Sri Lanka�s First Cable Car Experience! Amber Adventure signed an agreement for US$ 4.5 million, in collaboration with Ambuluwawa Bio Diversity Center, and technical and product expertise from China Machine-Building International Corporation,� the BoI said on X (twitter). Several proposed cable car systems in various parts of the island have not materialized so far. more..

Nov 29 (AD) A proposal is to be presented to the next meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, stipulating the duration of the tenure of the IGP, sources said. As such, the service period of the police chief is most likely to be capped at a maximum of three years. This development follows former Police Chief C.D. Wickramaratne�s decision to retire from the position, with effect from Nov.25 after four service extensions. Despite being destined to retire from the police service on March 26, more..

Nov 29 (DM) Lands worth Rs 10.5 billion will be released to investors next year, Minister of Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament today. Minister said lands worth Rs 7.5 billion have been released to the investors this year. �We have decided to release land on long-term payment plans,� he said. �We have already released Visumpaya Colombo and President�s house Jaffna to investors. Visumpaya is to be converted into a luxury hotel more..

Nov 29 (AD) Five individuals including four officials of the Health Ministry�s Medical Supplies Division, who were arrested in relation with the alleged import of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) have been ordered to be remanded further until Dec 13, 2023. This order was issued by Maligakanda Magistrate�s Court today. The Director of the Health Ministry�s Medical Supplies Division and three other high-ranking officials of the division as well as the owner of the relevant company more..

Nov 29 (DM) SL�s net per capita debt has reached an alarming figure of Rs. 1.2 million as of Dec 31, 2022, according to the annual report of the Auditor General marking a staggering increase from Rs. 264,811 recorded on Dec 31, 2012. The comparison of total public debt against the median annual population reveals a noteworthy trend, showcasing a 62.53% increase in net per capita debt when compared to the previous year. more..

Nov 29 (CT) Two major distilleries in the country, W.M. Mendis & Co Ltd and Randenigala Distilleries Lanka (Pvt), paid their overdue taxes to the State, shortly after the Dept of Excise halted their production of alcohol. The Department yesterday suspended alcohol production at the two companies. Following the announcement, the companies paid Rs 116 million within a few hours and their licences were reinstated. Top of Form On 2 Nov, the distillery licences of Synergy Distilleries (Pvt) Ltd, more..

Nov 29 (EN) SL and the official creditor committee has agreed on a debt restructuring deal, Paris Club Secretariat said. �The OCC and Sri Lanka agreed on the main parameters of a debt treatment consistent with those of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement between SL and the IMF,� the statement said. �This agreement will allow the IMF staff to present to the IMF Executive Board the first review of SL�s EFF arrangement and open the way for approval of the second disbursement more..

Nov 29 (AD) Govt has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with its Official Creditor Committee (OCC) on the financial terms of a debt treatment. Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy stated that the agreement in principle covers approximately US$ 5.9bn of outstanding public debt and consists of a mix of long-term maturity extension & reduction in interest rates. more..

Nov 29 (PMD) SL Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) has contributed a total of Rs.07 billion to the NTreasury this year, with a formal presentation of a Rs.04 billion cheque was presented to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, today at the Presidential Secretariat. In light of the prevailing economic conditions in the country, this substantial amount has been allocated from the operating surplus received by the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. more..

Nov 29 (DM) It has been uncovered that a staggering sum of Rs 1.3 billion was paid to a Chinese company for the import of organic fertilizers, despite failing crucial tests and lacking the necessary approvals from the Director General of Agriculture. The ill-fated transaction has left the agriculture sector in dismay, raising questions about accountability and the due diligence process. This was revealed in the annual report 2022 of the Auditor General. more..

Nov 29 (AD) According to the existing Inland Revenue Law, the annual income report for the assessment year 2022/2023 (i.e. from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023), must be submitted to the Inland Revenue Department before November 30, the officials of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) have stated. They have further pointed out that a fine of Rs. 50,000 and 5% of the tax payable will be imposed on those who maintain tax files without submitting the report by the relevant date, more..

Nov 29 (IE) SL cricket has announced their fixtures for 2024 and they will host the Indian team for a bilateral series in July. The series will see The Men in Blue and Island Nation compete in three ODI�s and T20Is. White-ball series is scheduled to play right after the 2024 T20 World Cup in June in the West Indies and the USA. Team India last toured Sri Lanka in 2021 for a bilateral series where the Shikhar Dhawan-led side won the ODI leg 2-1 and lost the T20I leg with the same margin. more..

Nov 29 (Island) MP Nalaka Godahewa says that even in this budget, the Prez�s plan to break a part of the opposition has failed. He said so at a recent press conference held at the Nawala office of the Freedom Janata Sabha on the budget and the current political situation. �We are in temporary relief like a debtor who hides until the police catch him for not paying back the debt to the creditors. To tell the truth, we are on top of a volcano. more..

Nov 29 (DM) International Centre for Foreign Studies (ICFS) is set to host a special spot admissions program for students aspiring to pursue higher education opportunities in countries such as Australia, Canada, UK, Ireland, NZ, and Finland. Scheduled for Dec 2, the event will take place at the ICFS Education Centre in Nugegoda from 10 am to 5 pm. This unique program streamlines the often complex process of university admissions, offering students the chance to secure admissions more..

Nov 29 (AD) Eleven individuals complicit in drug dealing have been arrested during a brawl over a long-drawn-out dispute between two groups in Peliyagoda. The arrests were made by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) based on a tip-off received by the officers of the Organized Crimes Investigation Unit. During the operation, eight men, aged between 23-35 years and three women aged 26, 46 and 47 years were arrested while in possession of four swords. more..

Nov 29 (AD) Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies has issued a clarification in reference to certain misleading media reports that have been published in several national newspapers and social media platforms relating to the procurement of Human Immunoglobulin drugs under the Indian Line of Credit by the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, Ministry of Finance states that in terms of more..

Nov 29 (TM) A number of civil society organisations, including the Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA), have organised a protest in front of the Ministry of Power and Energy today, urging the Government to lower electricity tariffs and fuel prices. ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed that Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has implicitly stated on several occasions that the Govt would have to raise electricity tariffs and fuel prices again. more..

Nov 29 (FS) Police are pushing for an apprehended violence order to be taken out against a SL cricket star despite him being cleared of sexually assaulting a woman at her Sydney home. Danushka Gunathilaka, 32, was finally allowed to leave Australia in October after about 10 months on bail after he was acquitted following a judge-alone trial in September. Police had alleged Mr Gunathilaka had removed a condom without consent, also known as stealthing, during a sexual encounter more..

Nov 30 (DM) In Sri Lanka we have people who cannot change when they live here in this island. Many among them who immigrate make the necessary changes when they fly overseas for employment. Suddenly, those who were proud to be Sri Lankan and cherished the islanders� way of life embrace other cultures and even adapt to changes in climate and different cuisine. Most importantly they become world citizens! The question posed by critics is whether these immigrants from SL more..

Nov 30 (DM) World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is marked by millions of people across the world. World Environment Day 2023 is hosted by the West African Country C�te d�Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and supported by the Netherlands and the theme focused on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign more..

Nov 30 (TM) Today we bring to you a thespian who yearns to create impact through drama and theatre, and continues to give back to the younger ones by nurturing them in various theatrical aspects. A drama and screen studies graduate from the University of Manchester, Tasmin Anthonisz � an alumnus of Ladies� College and past pupil of the Wendy Whatmore Academy (WWA) of Speech and Drama � more..

Nov 30 (ST) So, what news would you like first? The good, the bad or the utterly deplorable? To put some smiles on the faces of the despondent millions preparing to meet even more economic hardships when the new VAT swats at the dawn of the new year, the good news is that Sri Lanka Cricket�s functioning president Shammi Silva said he might quit his current role the next time round. Normally such news would have been greeted with the bursting of firecrackers more..

Nov 30 (CT) While addiction to anything could lead to disastrous outcomes, it is particularly villainous when the addiction is to substances (drugs). The toll of drug addiction does not exclusively fall on the user, but also on society as a whole, damaging numerous socio-cultural and economic strata. It affects the mental health, economy and the well-being of the user as well, while harming the smooth functioning of society and affecting values and morals. Sometimes, the harm is irreparable. more..

Nov 30 (TM) A severe shortage of sugar continues to plague Sri Lanka, even after the removal of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) imposed by the CAA. This move followed the introduction of a new import tax at the beginning of the month, aimed at stabilising the sugar market. Effective from 2 November, the Special Commodity Levy imposed on imported sugar was increased by order of the Finance Minister. more..