Oct 13 (AD) The Embassy of SL in Israel has urged Sri Lankans in northern parts of the Middle Eastern country to be on alert and to follow emergency instructions properly, as concerns are rife about impending attacks. Embassy said the cities of Nahariyya, Akko, Haifa, Tiberias and Nazareth, located close to the borders of Lebanon and Syria are now under threat of attacks. As such, Sri Lankans in the aforementioned northern cities have been advised to keep daily necessities more..

Oct 13 (TM) Although it has been nearly two weeks since the removal of former Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Vice President (VP) Prof. Jayantha Jayawardana, SLMC President Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake is yet to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the same, a few SLMC members have claimed. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, early this month, removed Prof. Jayawardana as the SLMC�s VP, a move which was said to be aimed at reconstituting the board of the SLMC, more..

Oct 13 (DM) Hambantota International Port (HIP) has achieved a milestone by handling over half a million transshipment units by September, exceeding the port�s previous year�s roll-on/roll-off (RORO) figures. �As the global economy recovers gradually, we continue to aggressively market our location and services. As a result, RORO transshipment is steadily increasing at HIP and we have been able to better our volumes year-on-year,� HIPG COO Tissa Wickremasinghe said. more..

Oct 13 (DNA) A new chapter in cross-border transportation between India and Sri Lanka is set to commence tomorrow, as the eagerly awaited TN-SL ferry service is poised for its debut. This ferry route will connect Nagapattinam in TN to SL, establishing the first direct sea link between the two nations in several decades. The launch of this ferry service offers a significant opportunity for travelers from both countries to move more..

Oct 13 (PMD) GMOA met with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today and handed over an eight-step proposal on brain drain, health crisis and matters affecting the Doctors of this country. Prez accepted the proposal and assured due consideration and promised to meet the GMOA again upon returning from his official trip to China. MP Wajira Abeywardena, Prez�s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, President�s Senior Adviser on Economic Affairs more..

Oct 13 (PMD) Minister of State for Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama, announced plans to establish a Japan-SL Free Trade Zone in the country. He mentioned that the areas of Bingiriya and Iranavila have been selected for this purpose. Minister further elaborated on the progress related to the port city, which has been temporarily opened to the public. The port city is being developed under a third-party agreement, with US$ 15 billion allocated for this purpose. more..

Oct 13 (PMD) President Wickremesinghe convened a meeting with Federation of University Teachers� Association (FUTA) members today at the Presidential Secretariat. The primary focus of this meeting was to address the pressing issue of increasing research allowances for university lecturers and seeking exemption from taxation upon earning this allowance. more..

Oct 13 (TM) The University Executive Officers� Association (UEOA) yesterday (12) staged an islandwide protest demanding solutions to the issues faced by the community of State universities. UEOA General Secretary Sampath Udayanga said that all academic and non-academic trade unions affiliated with the State university sector have launched a joint protest for the first time in history against the Govt's alleged efforts to hamper the State university system. more..

Oct 13 (DM) With the tussle over appointing a new IGP escalating, C.D. Wickramaratne has been given a 3-week extension as the IGP by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. The extension has been granted as his three-month extension expired on Oct 9. Wickramaratne's term as the IGP ended on June 26 this year after a couple of extensions. SL Police, responsible for maintaining public law and order and preventing crime and terrorism, has been without an IGP for four months, while more..

Oct 14 (GV) Israel�s Western allies, the US in particular, believe that any investigation into Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip will exacerbate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution. I am quoting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken�s response to a request made by the Palestinian Authority to the International Criminal Court in 2021. However, such statements ignore the fact that Israel�s colonisation of Gaza is what stands in the way more..

Oct 14 (CT) While thanking Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for handing over to them copies of the Presidential Commission Reports on the Easter Blasts, Catholic Bishops� Conference of SL (CBCSL) now wants from the govt, reports of the investigations conducted by multiple national agencies of other countries in the matter. It could next happen that the Bishops and/or their legal brains would sit with all those reports and pronounce, who is guilty and who�s not � more..

Oct 14 (CT) Prostitution or sex trade is illegal in SL; like in many other developed and developing nations in the world. However, the manner in which the law enforcement handles arresting, charging and prosecution of female sex workers in SL reflects quite starkly on how the procedure is governed by traditional and rather out-dated societal norms and justified by social stigma. Unlike all the others who are tried before the law, more..

Oct 14 (Island) The title of this article is more than likely to arouse a plethora of sentiments. Lyrically, it means SL children: Whither goest thou? It would translate loosely as to what is in store for them. Where do they go? What is there for them? What of the future for them? And many other similar sentiments. Sadly, the answers to all these queries are not at all pleasant. They are the complete heartbreak of our nation at present. We celebrated Int'l Children�s Day on the first day of Oct2023 more..

Oct 14 (CT) Halgolla Forest Reserve, set amidst the picturesque landscape between Ampaana Forest Reserve and the villages of Wewalthalawa and Halgolla in Yatiyantota, in the Central Hills of SL, is facing an alarming threat as Halgolla Estate workers have been systematically felling trees for what they claim to be firewood, acting on the directives of the plantation company of the Halgolla Estate. Within the boundaries of the forest reserve, a diverse array of flora and fauna can be found, more..

Oct 14 (TM) Children and young adults in Sri Lanka rarely learn about sex, reproductive health, sexuality, and related topics from their parents, and teachers take a more technical approach to these topics. While many in Sri Lanka consider the topics as inappropriate for children � thus resulting in ignorant children and even adults � comprehensive sex education is vital in the safety and protection of children. more..

Oct 14 (ST) IMF, in its governance report on SL, has unveiled a comprehensive account of the country�s massive white-collar corruption levels, perhaps for the first time. But many have a valid question to ask: So what? Everybody knows and talks about them as daylight robberies and has been doing so over the past many years and decades. But there has been hardly any legal action against them. Any action as such is now a political decision, without which nothing is going to happen. more..

Oct 14 (Island) We are said to be living in a civilised world, and much is spoken about global democracy, human rights, equality and justice, but the underlying principle of the so-called rule-based world order seems be might is right in all but name. More than 2,000 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza, during the past several days, with Hamas and Israel clashing ruthlessly. The readiness of the two warring parties to do all it takes for them to achieve their military targets has come as no surprise, more..

Oct 14 (TM) It took only a few of months for doctors, who constitute a major part of the healthcare professionals� community that came to be known and revered as suwa wiruwo (translates as health heroes) during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, to be perceived as a group that decided to betray the country for money and comfort. This is due to the continuing migration of doctors for high-paying foreign jobs in a context where their role and contribution in keeping afloat more..

Oct 14 (FT) The first ever mega SL tourism promotional event in Georgia was organised by the SL Embassy in T�rkiye, accredited to Georgia in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 27 Sept, coinciding with World Tourism Day. The event was supported by the Honorary Consulate of SL in Georgia, ALFAD Group, Jetwing Travel, Interco, Walkers Tours, Dilmah Tea, Turkish Airlines, SL community including the students in Tbilisi. Event also marked 25 years of diplomatic relations between 2 countries more..

Oct 14 (CT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe spent the past week attending a few international Summits whilst drawing global recognition to the country in the process. SL which had been placed on the backburner globally has now managed to come to the fore due to the intervention of the Prez and due to his initiatives. Indian Oceanic Rim Association (IORA) took off under the aegis of the Prez & it was attended by Foreign Ministers more..

Oct 14 (CI) Kane Williamson resumed international cricket by doing Kane Williamson things, scoring a precise 78 against Bangladesh. He shepherded New Zealand close to the eight-wicket win, but couldn't quite see the chase through, as he left the field retired hurt in the 39th over. Daryl Mitchell got NZ home with 43 balls to spare, putting the seal on the team's dominating start to this World Cup. Williamson missed seven months of competitive cricket due to a right knee injury more..

Oct 14 (SO) State owned gifts and souvenir shop Laksala has earned a revenue of Rs. 381 million from January up to August this year. Laksala, Chairman Rushan Marambage said that 60% of the profits were from sales made to foreign visitors. The Chairman said in August alone this year Laksala recorded a revenue of Rs. 18 million due to the arrival of a large number of foreign visitors. Chairman Marambage predicted that with the arrival of a large number of foreign visitors more..

Oct 14 (SO) Nalanda College Colombo, established with the aim of nurturing individuals rich in wisdom and virtue and dedicated to the propagation of Buddhism and the preservation of local culture, originated as a distinct institution for Buddhist children in the city. This endeavour was made possible through the unwavering determination of a group of devoted patriots. Neighbouring Ananda College was established in 1886 during a period when Buddhist children were compelled to more..

Oct 14 (FT) Marking a new era of collaboration between professional and academic realms, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA SL) entered into a MoU with Sabaragamuwa University recently, which reflects the shared commitment to enhance the quality of education and professional development in SL. Symbolising a progressive partnership, the MoU between the two institutions promises to elevate the standard of education and professionalism in Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 14 (SO) Concerns were raised by many about the proposed electricity tariff hike that, along with a 22% increase, would take a toll on the country. Electricity Consumers� Association�s General Secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika, said: �Energy bills going through the roof cause social hardship to Samurdhi and Aswesuma beneficiaries in particular. As of today, almost 20% of industries have taken a hit in one way or more..

Oct 14 (FT) Colombo stock market suffered another week of losses as investor sentiment remained bearish owing to macro concerns. ASPI lost 174.09 points (1.58%) during the week while the active S&P SL20 lost 58.70 points (1.89%). Average daily turnover was Rs. 972 million. In the previous week the ASPI and the S&P SL20 lost 3.1% and 3.0% respectively whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs. 739.8 million. On Friday, ASPI declined by over 5 points whilst S&P SL20 more..

Oct 14 (ST) There is undoubtedly something magical in the air on the nights of the annual Shakes finals. Whether it is the competitive spirit of the young actors and actresses or the excitement of the audience, it is hard to match. Worked out over two gripping nights, Ladies� College emerged winners in the Girls� final on Sept 27 and it was Ananda College that triumphed in the Boys� final on Sept 30. Organised by the Rotary Club of Colombo North in partnership with the Colombo YMCA, more..

Oct 14 (FT) A top panel of experts this week renewed the call for privatisation of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) saying this option was the need of the hour as the cumulative losses of 55 entities were a staggering Rs. 1.5 trillion during 15 years. �At the interim budget last year, a list of SOEs reforms were provided to be restructured. 14 months later nothing has changed even in one SOE,� Prof. Rohan Samarajiva said. more..

Oct 14 (ST) As a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, limited hospital visits, and field inspections, undetected leprosy cases will emerge in the coming years, a senior Health Ministry official warned. The Health Ministry�s Anti-Leprosy Campaign Director, Dr. Prasad Ranaweera, said if a person has been exposed to an untreated person over a long period of time (for several weeks or months), it takes about 3-5 years to manifest early symptoms such as pale patches on his or her skin. more..

Oct 14 (Island) Dubai-based underworld figures are reportedly issuing threats to law enforcement officers, particularly those engaged in combating organised crime, according to police sources. These criminals aim to disrupt operations against the underworld, with former IP Balendrasingha, recently assassinated, being among the officers consistently targeted with death threats. Balendrasingha�s assassination was intended to serve as a warning to other members of the police force. more..

Oct (Island) Asian Games medallist Jayeshi Uththara took a step closer to retaining the best athlete title she won last year as she produced a record breaking performance to win the Under 20 girls� 400 metres on the penultimate day of the Athletics Championship of the Western Province Schools Games at Sugathadasa Stadium on Friday. Uththara who won the women�s 4�400 metres bronze for SL at the recently held Asian Games clocked 55.6 seconds to establish a new meet record more..

Oct (DN) CID yesterday arrested Registrar of the Fort Magistrate�s Court on suspicion of having prepared a fake letter stating that the travel ban of a suspect had been lifted and the Immigration Controller informed by fax. Court had imposed a travel ban on this suspect. It is stated that the suspect Registrar has issued this fake letter to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration that the overseas travel ban has been lifted on a suspect who was sentenced in a case more..

Oct (OHCHR) We have serious concerns over two bills under consideration in the SL Parliament - the revised Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Online Safety Bill - which give the authorities a range of expansive powers and can impose restrictions on human rights, not in line with international human rights law. The Anti-Terrorism Bill is intended to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which has long been of concern to the UN human rights mechanisms. more..

Oct 14 (CT) With the current upheaval over the alleged scam by a pharmaceutical supplier, the Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) urged the Govt to prevent all those responsible for the Human Immunoglobulin intravenous (IV) 5-6g vial controversy from fleeing the country. JCPSM President, Ravi Kumudesh noted on Friday (13), that ten days had lapsed since the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had been called to probe the alleged scam. more..

Oct (FT) In a joint effort to reinvigorate its tourism industry, the Government has tabled a ground-breaking proposal for free tourist visas targeting visitors from five countries. The countries set to benefit from this potential visa waiver program are China, Russia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia. The initiative, as outlined in a statement from the Tourism Ministry, seeks to draw a significant influx of tourists, positioning Sri Lanka as a leading global travel destination. more..