Sep 14 (DM) SL�s Gem & Jewellery sector has a vast potential to increase foreign exchange earnings to achieve the export targets and the sector is identified as one of the key foreign exchange earners in the country. Considering the importance of strengthening the Gem & Jewellery industry and increasing the sector�s contribution to the economy, EDB in collaboration with the SL Embassy in Thailand organized a SL pavilion at the 68th Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair (BGJF) 2023 more..

Sep 14 (Island) Korea Int'l Cooperation Agency, (KOICA) has upgraded and renovated the Korean clinic attached to the National Ayurveda Hospital of SL (Teaching). The clinic that has been set up in 2003 was meant for the advancement of the indigenous medicine sector in SL. About 150 patients receive treatment on a daily basis for diseases such as muscular vascular disease, disc collapse, shoulder pains, neck pain, lower back pain, osteolysis, multiple back pains, knee pains more..

Sep 14 (Island) Kahawatta Central athlete Malith Yasiru continued his record-breaking spree to win the Under 20 boys� triple jump on day one of the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Wednesday. Yasiru cleared 16.19 metres which is better than his recently established national junior record. But the absence of a wind gauge is likely to deny him a new national junior mark. Asian Junior Championship medallist cleared 16.17 metres to establish more..

Sep 14 (TM) Ministry of Health is to recall retired doctors on contract basis as a solution for the dire shortage of doctors and specialists existing in the country�s health sector. Secretary to the Ministry Janaka Sri Chandraguptha said that a decision is being made by the Ministry to recall them while giving them all the privileges that they were enjoying when they were in service. He also stated that the said decision was taken after more..

Sep 14 (DN) SL under 19�s were in a commanding position as they scored 326 all out in their first innings and West Indies once again struggled in their second innings scoring 251 for 8 wickets after the third day�s play in their second four-day cricket fixture played at Rangiri Dambulla Int'l cricket stadium yesterday. After the West Indies youth team was bundled out for 127 in their first innings SL youth team made a good total, 326 all out and in the Caribbean youth player�s second essay more..

Sep 14 (Metro) While working on serene beaches or by tranquil pools was once a dream for many, it�s now very much a reality. Working remotely is surging in popularity and, as a result, a growing number of countries are now offering digital nomad visas to entice people over. For those not clued-up, these particular visas allow remote workers to live and work in that country for a specified period, while being employed and earning an income from a business based outside of that country. more..

Sep 14 (FT) Reinforcing his foray into politics and ensuring good governance, Dilith Jayaweera has stepped down from the Boards of several public listed companies. Citrus Leisure, Colombo Land and Development Company, Waskaduwa Beach Resort and Hikkaduwa Beach Resort PLC separately announced Dilith�s resignation as Non-Executive Director from the respective Boards. Recently, it was announced that Dilith has been appointed as the leader of Mawbima Janatha Party signalling more..

Sep 14 (AD) Police Constable who had allegedly aided the failed attempt by notorious criminal figure Harak Kata to escape from the custody of the CID, is believed to have fled overseas, police reported. Accordingly, investigations have revealed that the suspect had called his residence in Seruwila, Trincomalee on Sunday night (10), soon after the incident, and had later called his residence via WhatsApp, assuring his family that he �was safe and in another country�, police stated. more..

Sep 14 (EN) State-owned, loss-making SriLankan Airlines will recruit foreign pilots if the need arises, its CEO said, as the national carrier has suffered an exodus of pilots last year following an unprecedented economic crisis. COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an economic crisis, hit the airline hard as it was deprived of the usual near full capacity flights amid a sharp fall in tourist arrivals to the island nation. Nearly 60 pilots have left more..

Sep 14 (AD) Immigration officers at the BIA, Katunayake apprehended Sanjeewa Kumara alias Ganemulla Sanjeeva, a notorious leader of an organized crime gang, this evening. Sanjeeva was apprehended upon his arrival at the Katunayake Airport via SriLankan Airlines flight UL-182 from Kathmandu, Nepal, at 5:46 p.m. Using a forged passport to enter the country, Sanjeeva's presence raised suspicion among immigration officials, leading to his subsequent arrest. more..

Sep 14 (FT) Tourism industry�s resurgence continues with the country welcoming over 950,000 visitors year-to-date (YTD), marking a significant milestone after a 3-year hiatus. During the first 12 days of September, SL received 46,308 tourists, propelling the cumulative figure to an impressive 950,626. For 2023, SL Tourism has set an ambitious goal of over 1.55 million visitors. The authorities anticipate 73,893 more arrivals during the following two weeks to meet more..

Sep 14 (AD) The SL Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers� Union has reportedly called off their strike with immediate effect. The union had decided to call of their strike following discussions with the relevant authorities today (13), during which their demands were met with a favourable response. Accordingly, all railway operations are expected to return to normalcy by tomorrow afternoon (14), more..

Sep 14 (FT) Let alone who killed him, the State institutions still cannot tell the magistrate whether or not well-known young businessman Dinesh Schaffter was murdered, and how. DNA results aren�t in yet. Many months ago, he was found in his car at the public cemetery in broad daylight, with flexicuffs attaching his neck to his steering wheel. So, it is wildly illogical to assume that under the Wickremesinghe administration, any inquiry can reveal the truth about the Easter massacre. more..

Sep 14 (FT) Everyone in this world is entitled to 15 minutes of fame�is a legendary quote mis-attributed to the American pop icon Andy Warhol. Over the years, UN has laid down its own 15-minute rule for world leaders addressing the UN General Assembly. And this year is no exception, as the UN readies to host over 150+ world leaders at the high-level segment of the 78th session of the General Assembly, beginning 19 Sept. In a message to ambassadors & heads of missions in NY, more..

Sep 14 (SLN) SL Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from SL waters in the evening of 13th Sept. The operation led to the seizure of 03 Indian trawlers with 17 Indian nationals poaching in island waters off the Kakarathivu Island and Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna. Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in SL waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account consequences of these practices more..

Sep 14 (AD) Kopay Police on Wednesday (13) recovered the body of a 12-year-old from a room of a lodge in the Thirunelveli area. The girl is believed to have been deceased for a few days prior to her body being found, police said, adding that the child�s grandmother was also found unconscious in the room, and was subsequently admitted to the Jaffna Hospital for medical treatment. A letter written by the deceased�s grandmother was also found in the room, in which she claimed that more..

Sep 14 (FT) The SJB renewed its call for a comprehensive investigation into purchases of Treasury Bonds leading up to the financial crisis that bankrupted the country. SJB MP Kabir Hashim, called on Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint a prez commission to probe charges of corruption and insider dealing that plunged the country further into a mire. Hashim noted that reports published by the UNHRC too had pointed to grave economic more..

Sep 14 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court today ordered for the case filed against several persons including MP Namal Rajapaksa over allegations of money laundering to be heard on 15 Feb 2024. SLPP MP and his business associates are being charged over their alleged involvement in the investment of ill-gotten funds amounting to Rs. 15 million in HelloCorp (Pvt) Ltd. The relevant order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis when the matter was heard in court more..

Sep 14 (NTN) Danushka Gunathilaka will stand trial in a Sydney court next week as he battles allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman inside her eastern suburbs home. Lawyers representing the 32-year-old fronted the Downing Centre District Court on Thursday as Mr Gunathilaka gets set to face a judge-alone trial starting Monday. Police allege the international cricket star matched with a woman on a dating app and they chatted several times before they met on Nov 2 more..

Sep 14 (AD) Train operations have reportedly returned to normalcy this morning after the Locomotive Operating Engineers� Union called off their strike last night. Trade union action was nixed following discussions with the authorities during which the demands of train engine drivers were said to have met with favorable response. A total of 84 trade union members resorted to a strike at midnight on Monday (11) over several more..

Sep 14 (EN) Shares closed up on Thursday as investors have renewed and sense economic stabilization and a dull sentiment continues as investors adopt a wait and see approach, an analyst said. ASPI was up 0.82% or 93.87 points to 11,532.69, while S&P SL20 was up 0.84% or 27.13 points to 3,264.42. �Investors have adopted a wait and see approach on the IMF review and the upcoming budget,� an analyst said. A team from the IMF will be in SL from Sept 14 to 27 to more..

Sep 14 (DM) The Kandy Special Crimes Investigation Unit has launched an investigation to arrest an owner of a company and his wife who had defrauded more than Rs. 50 million from several persons promising plots of land. Police said at least nine complaints have been received against the couple. They said the couple, Muthuthantrige Jude Fernando, the owner of a private company and his wife E.H. Srimathi Thissakumari were absconding and released their photographs seeking public assistance to locate them. more..

Sep 14 (FT) Attorney General�s Dept informed the Supreme Court that it has issued instructions to the Police to end investigations against Minister Harin Fernando, whose statement was recorded regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attack. Fernando had filed a fundamental rights petition seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with the case. Deputy Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris, representing the AG, informed the court of the latest development when the petition was taken up more..

Sep 14 (EN) Sri Lankan govt representatives met with a team from the IMF who are in the island to review the progress of the conditions for its Extended Fund Facility (EFF). �We marked the inaugural meeting for the IMF�s first review of the EFF programme at the Presidential Secretariat,� State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said on X (formerly known as Twitter). �We are collaborating closely with the IMF team throughout this process to overcome the challenges ahead of us.� more..

Sep 14 (DM) With the migration of medical professionals from SL reaching an alarming level, exacerbated by the low salaries offered to specialists, the health authorities are now admitting that the situation is beyond their control. According to a top source of the Health Ministry, Ministry is disappointed with the lack of support from relevant stakeholders such as Medical Colleges, Public Service Comm, more..

Sep 14 (CT) Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has formally requested Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to provide them with a revised copy of the Anti-Terrorism Bill that was recently approved by Cabinet. The Commission specifically seeks the revised version of the Bill initially gazetted on 17 March 2023, the HRCSL noted. Prez Wickremesinghe has been asked to provide his observations and recommendations concerning the Bill that was gazetted in March 2023. more..

Sep 14 (DM) The recent disclosures by Channel 4 have shed new light on the truth behind the tragic events of the Easter Sunday attacks, Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena said. He also called for an international probe into the disclosures made by the British TV channel. According to Sirisena, the reality of what actually happened during the attacks differs from the initial perception. He expressed feeling harassed for four years in connection to this issue, emphasizing the significance of Channel 4's more..

Sep 14 (TM) France and the UK have jointly made a request in favour of SL to the court of the Southern District of New York, for a six-month freeze on any litigation in the Hamilton Reserve Bank case until SL�s external debt restructuring is completed. Accordingly, last week the two countries filed a joint amicus curiae to the New York judge hearing the case, arguing in favour of SL�s request for a six-month freeze on any litigation. more..

Sep 14 (AD) Senior Indian diplomat Santosh Jha has been appointed as the new High Commissioner of India to SL. Jha, who currently serves as the Indian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the MEA added. Prior to his assignment in Brussels, Jha was the Ambassador of India in Uzbekistan from July 2019 to July 2020. Earlier, from July 2017 to June 2019, he served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at more..

Sep 14 (DN) Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, has officially announced that the forthcoming Anti-Terrorism Act will soon be gazetted. This significant legislative development has been amended in alignment with established int'l standards to ensure that it does not compromise the national security of the nation. Furthermore, Minister underscored that the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act has undergone substantial amendments with the primary objective of disseminating a balanced legal framework. more..

Sep 14 (DM) Korean govt today assured that they have taken necessary measures to open up new employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in Korea and increase the number of jobs provided to Sri Lankans. The decision was announced following an official meeting between Korea Labour & Employment Minister Lee Jung-Sik and Minister Manusha Nanayakkara today. On the invitation of Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, Korean Minister Lee Jung-Sik arrived in SL this morning more..

Sep 14 (DN) A person, who protested with the villagers against the dumping of excrement into the Bolgoda river from a hotel nearby, died suddenly yesterday after being admitted to the hospital. The deceased is 52-year-old father of three who resides of Bolgoda area of ​​Bandaragama. Villagers including the deceased person came to protest against a hotel that was dumping waste into the Bolgoda river. There, the CEA also came to the hotel and while inspecting the surroundings, more..

Sep 14 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to address the United Nations general assembly, attend a heads-of-states dialogue at the 2023 SDG Summit and also deliver a keynote address at a high-level meeting on financing for development in New York, among other events. Wickremesinghe will lead the Sri Lanka delegation at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, which he will address on Sept 21. more..

Sep 14 (TM) Former MP Nishantha Muthuhettigama has been remanded by Galle Chief Magistrate until 21 Sept. Muthuhettigama faces accusations of illegally assembling a high-end SUV. Court has ruled that Muthuhettigama must remain in custody until the next hearing. This action follows an incident in 2022 when officers from the Walana Anti-Corruption Task Force detained a high-end SUV operated by Muthuhettigama. Vehicle was found to have forged documents and a number plate that more..

Sep 14 (AD) Applications are accepted from today for university admissions for the academic year 2022/23, UGC says. Its chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge mentioned that the applications can be submitted online via the UGC�s official website (www.ugc.ac.lk) until Oct 5. Last week, he revealed that the govt plans to enroll a total of 45,000 students in state universities for the new academic year. The results of the 2022(2023) A/L examination were released on September 04. more..