Oct 18 (TM) National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) claimed that the use of dangerous drugs such as heroin among school children in SL has mainly been encouraged by the behaviour of the community. NDDCB Chairman Shakya Nanayakkara said that the lack of knowledge and understanding about the community and parental support have made children more vulnerable in this situation. He also said that the NDDCB has made different approaches from one community to another more..

Oct 18 (TM) There have been incidents where police officers conducting investigations related to drugs and organised criminal activities have been threatened by criminals, particularly those based in other countries, but the officers, with such challenges, perform their duties in a more robust and organised manner, stated the Police Dept. It was recently reported that organised crime figures based in Dubai in the UAE, more..

Oct 18 (DN) Due to the anticipated surge in air traffic operations to Palali Airport, a need for substantial improvements in both the arrival and departure terminals has arisen and the Ministry of Airport and Aviation Services (SL) (Pvt) Ltd to invest Rs. 200 million to upgrade the airport. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, instructed the Airport and ASSL authorities to enhance the passenger terminal facilities at Palali Airport, which currently functions as an international airport. more..

Oct 18 (DN) Railway Security Dept officers returned a handbag found with money and other valuables amounting to over Rs.3 Mn left behind by an Indonesian woman in the night mail train running from Trincomalee to Fort on Monday. This woman, Nurul Arafa, who has come to SL under a BOI programme, is temporarily residing in Minuwangoda, Kotugoda. Railway security officers found this handbag in the train at the Maligawatta railway yard. She had complained to the Tourist Police that more..

Oct 18 (DM) Just before the start of Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, one of Kumar Sangakkara's interviews with Sky Sports went viral on social media in which he said 'We know how to win a World Cup,' and went on to discuss the nation's performances in ICC events from 1996 to 2014 which would have given some of the cricket fanatics goosebumps as to how far Sri Lanka had gone despite being a tiny little Island in the Indian Ocean. The fans have been truly supportive in an era where more..

Oct 18 (CT) Senior Professor of the Veterinary Faculty of the Peradeniya University Ashoka Dangalla said following a second surgery performed on tusker Seetha, metal balls and aluminium particles had been removed. He added that there could yet be more particles of aluminium and metal balls lodged in the body of the tusker as a result of the shooting but rued the fact that they were incapable of removing those particles for want of necessary equipment. more..

Oct 18 (Island) Prof. Charitha Herath alleged in Parliament that leasing of President�s House, situated at Kankesanthurai, to SL Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), was contrary to recommendations made by the COPE in 2021. Prez�s House is situated on 29-acre land in the wartime high security zone. Declaring that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had made a decision in this regard, the former COPE more..

Oct 18 (FT) The Constitutional Council (CC) has declined to grant a third service extension to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, citing the Govt�s policy not to extend the service of State sector employees over the age of 60, sources said. CC had met in Parliament under the Chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday afternoon. Also in attendance were PM Dinesh Gunawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, MP Sagara Kariyawasam, and civil representatives. more..

Oct 18 (DM) Newly sworn-in MP Ali Zahir Moulana said he will remain in opposition but scoffed reports that he is to support SJB. �There were reports that I have met the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. It was true that I met him as the Leader of Opposition at his office. I met him at the opposition leader�s office and not in SJB office,� Mr. Moulana said. �I will not cross over to the govt unilaterally but would only do so if my party the SLMC comes up with such a decision,� he added. more..

Oct 18 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to make drastic changes in the higher up of the govt including in the cabinet and the defence ranks following the budget in November. The move comes at a time when the govt is feeling the heat over the inability of some ministers to perform in their portfolios and a call for change in some high defence ranks. Amidst the tussle to appoint a new IGP, the Daily Mirror learns more..

Oct 18 (FT) Over a week ago, at daybreak on 7 Oct when Hamas unleashed an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, they basically invited a brutally massive retaliation from Israel on the Palestinian people, which they would not be able to counter. The result is catastrophic on any count and is ongoing with the whole Israeli-Palestinian conflict reduced to Hamas terrorism. Over a year and a half ago Russia marched into Ukraine in Feb 2022 leaving heavy casualties on Ukrainian soil. more..

Oct 18 (PMD) Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong expressed Vietnam�s willingness to serve as a bridge for enhancing relations between Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. He emphasized that Vietnam is committed to taking the initiative in strengthening economic, social and cultural ties between SL and Vietnam. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in bilateral talks with President Vo Van Thuong during the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) international forum in Beijing today (18). more..

Oct 18 (AD) The CIABOC informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court that further action will not be taken in relation to the Rs. 17.85 million in cash found at former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s official room at the Prez�s House in Colombo. The CIABOC attributed the decision due to the lack of evidence, and therefore stated that no measures will be taken in this regard. The money was found by protesters on the 09 July 2022, when they stormed the official prez residence more..

Oct 18 (TM) In an era where the digital landscape is a fundamental part of our daily lives, the need for legislation that ensures online safety has become more essential than ever before. Accordingly, SL has proposed its new Online Safety Bill, and it was recently published in the Gazette of 15 Sept (issued on 18 Sept) by order of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles. Bill intends �to establish an Online Safety Commission (OSC); to make provisions to prohibit the online-based communication more..

Oct 18 (DM) There are no moves to scrap the Executive Presidency as it is a difficult task, Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapaksha said. �Scrapping Executive Presidency is a complicated and difficult process. There is no way we can do it through the present Parliament. It is also an exercise in which the people of this country have to be engaged in,� Minister said. �However we have proposed introducing a new electoral system more..

Oct 18 (AD) Issuing soft liquor licenses for tourist hotels and restaurants has been temporarily halted, the Excise Dept says. Additional Commissioner General of the Excise Dept, Kapila Kumarasinghe stated that this measure was taken in compliance with a court order. Issuance of soft liquor licenses to hotels and restaurants registered with the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) kicked off based on a proposal made by the Tourism Ministry and nearly 400 tourist establishments more..

Oct 18 (DM) The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL), issuing a statement, expressed what it calls unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people during this period of increased resistance to Israel's criminal occupation of Palestinian territory. The statement said the CPSL places the full responsibility on the fascist right-wing govt of Israel for the sharp and dangerous escalation that has resulted in many innocent civilians losing their lives. "At the end of a shocking week in early Oct, more..

Oct 18 (TM) With the Young Journalists' Association (YJA) and four others filing a petition before the Supreme Court (SC), requesting that the proposed Online Safety Bill (OSB) be declared unconstitutional, the petitions that have been filed against the said Bill have reached nearly 50. Among the petitioners are YJA President Tharindu Jayawardhana, its Secretary M.F.M. Fazeer, its Convenor Shalika Wimalasena, more..

Oct 18 (AD) Two Police Sergeants attached to the Tourist Police unit at the BIA have been arrested by the Katunayake Airport Police for forcibly taking two packets of a gel-like substance mixed with over 600 grams of gold, worth Rs. 15 million, from the possession of a passenger. The suspects, aged 50 and 36, have been identified as residents of Kimbulapitiya and Munamaldeniya, and are due to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate�s Court today (18). more..

Oct 18 (CT) The Police Media Division announced that the public could now report incidents of Police personnel misconduct on the �118� hotline. Initially established by the Ministry of Public Security for reporting various crimes, this hotline has been extended to allow citizens to raise concerns about police behaviour as stated in a press release issued by the Police Media Division. The release states that individuals may provide information on anonymity if desired, and more..

Oct 18 (Island) Chairman of Open Parliament Caucus Mayantha Dissanayake Monday said that the open parliament concept was meant to promote democracy beyond party politics. Therefore, the way members vote for a particular Bill, their absence at the time of voting and other matters weren�t issues for the Open Parliament Caucus, SJB lawmaker said. MP said so in response to The Island query regarding the deterioration of Parliament at a time such high profile projects were undertaken. more..

Oct 18 (CT) Court Productions Room at the Hulftsdorp Court Complex was broken into once again on Monday night. This is the second unauthorised entry to the Court Productions Room in one month. The first break-in occurred on 5 Oct, prompting an investigation by the Keselwatta Police. Despite these recurring incidents, the authorities have yet to identify the individuals responsible for the break-ins in either instance. Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), arrived at the scene more..

Oct 18 (EN) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has proposed that the parliament call on the UN Security Council to intervene in ending the terrorism and state terrorism in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Premadasa told parliament that the bombing of the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza that reportedly killed over 500 civilians and other atrocities that have occurred during the raging conflict were seen by more..

Oct 18 (FT) In a significant move towards enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction, SPAR Supermarket, a global retail giant, has adopted the innovative Get Connectz solution for its operations in SL. This strategic partnership aims to revolutionise the way SPAR Supermarket manages its business processes, streamlines operations, and caters to the ever-evolving needs of its valued customers. Get Connectz is a versatile management suite that consolidates various organisational functions more..

Oct 18 (DM) UN agencies have classified Sri Lanka as highly water stressed with a 90.8% indicator, reflecting the significant pressure from human activities on its freshwater resources and their sustainability, a joint media release from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said recently. The classification had been done in a 2021 report by the FAO and UN-Water. The total freshwater withdrawal in Sri Lanka more..

Oct 18 (AD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a Gazette notification appointing a nine-member Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice Priyasad Dep, in order to prepare proposals for electoral reforms. The members of the commission include: Justice Priyasath Gerard Dep, PC - Retired CJ; Suntharam Arumainayaham; Senanayake Alisandaralage; Nalin Abeysekara, PC; Rajitha Perera; more..

Oct 18 (AD) A court order has been issued, instructing that the two service pistols of the two police personnel assigned for the protection of MP Uddika Premarathne be submitted to the govt analyst immediately for forensic examinations. The relevant order was issued by Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Jayasuriya, while the CID was also ordered to submit the relevant analyst�s to the court. Order directing for the police personnel�s service pistols to be submitted to more..

Oct 18 (Island) Patients seeking treatment at the state-run hospitals are asked to buy almost all medicines from the private sector, GMOA, media spokesman, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe says. �Now there are issues with the quality of the drugs used in govt hospitals. Health staff members are also in a tight spot. We dispense the drugs the Ministry of Health sends us, and we can�t test the quality of the drugs.� Dr. Wijesinghe said doctors and nurses were now afraid to administer drugs to patients. more..

Oct 18 (FT) PM Dinesh Gunawardena revealed that 800 schools have already been closed in the country and education officials should focus deeply on protecting and preserving existing ones. �800 schools built by our elites and given to us in distant regions have been closed. This is the statistics. We cannot start all those schools again for the villagers,� PM said during his address at the inauguration of the new Matika Mata Uphara building at Wellawatta Vaishaka Vidyalaya more..

Oct 18 (Island) The agricultural policies of successive governments have rendered millions of Lankans insecure, Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) has said in a media statement. Historically, the major victims of these policies have been smallholder food producers and the members of the plantation community. However, during the past two years, due to the restrictions on imports, a large segment of Sri Lankans have felt the crunch, MONLAR has said. more..

Oct 18 (DM) Supreme Court�s affirmation of the expulsion of former Minister Naseer Ahmad from SLMC led to the loss of his parliamentary seat. Now, Ali Zahir Moulana has taken oaths as an MP representing the SLMC in the House filling the vacancy created. Article 99 (13) (a) of the Constitution says �Where a MP ceases, by resignation, expulsion or otherwise, to be a member of a recognized political party or more..

Oct 18 (FT) E-Commerce will enable financial growth and independence of women while tools like AI can be used to dissolve gender disparities within the business world, said female entrepreneurs and executives recently, highlighting methods of winning at e-business. The South Asia E-Commerce Summit 2023 organised by Daraz was held last week where accomplished women business executives and entrepreneurs shared advice and information about building a successful online business. more..

Oct 18 (TM) Ministry of Agriculture stated that although the prices of chemical fertilisers including urea may increase as a result of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Palestine and Israel, the prices of fertilisers provided to farmers in the country will not be increased. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the prices of chemical fertilisers including urea may increase due to escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and Palestine and Israel. more..

Oct 18 (EN) A move to remove police chief Chandana Wickramaratne through the Constitutional Council (CC) has backfired as Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe who is currently in Beijing intervened to stop the ouster. Council had discussed Wickramaratne�s third service extension on Tuesday at a time when both the president and his CC nominee Nimal Siripala de Silva were away from the country, political sources said. more..

Oct 18 (CT) Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition. As the world celebrates International Rural Women�s Day on 15 October each year, the day shines a spotlight and recognises the significant contributions of women to global development. To recognise the vital contribution of rural women in SL, a commemorative event took place in Polonnaruwa yesterday more..

Oct 18 (IE) After Kamal Haasan�s Virumandi and Viswaroopam, Vijay�s Leo is one Tamil film plagued by issues ahead of its release. While Kamal�s Virumandi (first named Sandiyar) faced a problem with the title and Viswaroopam for hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community, Leo is facing many problems at once. It started with political outfits calling out Vijay for glorifying smoking, later Lokesh was criticised for romanticising violence, and finally, release problems crept up. more..