Apr 11 (ST) With over 270 entries already confirmed for the 28th edition of Fox Hill Supercross, the organisers, Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS), Sri Lanka Military Academy and Sri Lanka Army Motorsport Club are optimistic of an eventful day on April 21 at the Fox Hill Circuit in Diyatalawa. Returning after a five-year sabbatical, the joint organisers are hopeful that their comeback event would be one that of memorable with standards being set higher than before. more..

Apr 11 (ST) The govt is venturing into public private partnership with suitable foreign investors for the manufacture of phosphate fertiliser making use of the Eppawala rock phosphate deposit in the North Central Province, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Arrangements are being made to establish a chemical fertiliser company jointly with the Lanka Phosphate Limited (LPL) operating under the Ministry of Agriculture. Sufficient safeguards will be made against environmental damage more..

Apr 11 (ST) In a country where access to timely medical care was once a luxury, Suwa Seriya emerges as a beacon of hope, delivering swift and free ambulance services to those in need. Praised by the World Bank for its remarkable efficiency, Suwa Seriya stands as a testament to the power of digital innovation in revolutionising healthcare and emergency services. The ambulance service, initially funded by the Indian Govt, has played a pivotal role more..

Apr 11 (Island) The cabinet has approved a significant 40% increase in the minimum wage, aimed at assisting workers struggling with the high cost of living amidst an ongoing economic recovery from a severe financial crisis that began in early 2022. This crisis, triggered by a sharp decline in foreign exchange reserves, resulted in notable inflation, currency devaluation, and a default on foreign debt. The minimum wage will escalate from 12,500 rupees ($42) to 17,500 rupees, more..

Apr 11 (Island) Astrologers were clashing over the traditional New Year auspicious times or nekath, at the time of writing. Some of them are of the view that the nekath prepared by what is described as the State Astrologers� Committee of the Department of Cultural Affairs will have malefic effects on the country. However, Minister Vudura Wickremanayake has ceremonially handed over the nekath seettuwa or the table of auspicious time to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. more..

Apr 11 (Island) SLC�s excellent development structures has been a godsend for many up and coming players. It enables cricket coaches at the High Performance Center to identify new talents. District and Provincial Coaches along with Talent Scouts ensure that players with rare skills are fast tracked and their development is constantly monitored. Eventually, they go on to become stars of the great game. This wouldn�t have been possible if not for those people who identify these talents at grass root levels. more..

Apr 11 (ST) Cabinet approval has been granted for the establishment of a cyclotron radio-pharmaceutical facility to produce radio-pharmaceuticals critical for cancer treatment and diagnosis. Radio-pharmaceuticals are widely used in PET-CT scanning for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. Imported radio-pharmaceuticals cannot be stored for a long period due to the nature of the molecules. The cabinet has decided to award the contract to Access Int'l Pvt. Ltd. and Access Engineering PLC. more..

Apr 11 (TM) CEB Workers� Union (CEBWU) blamed the Ministry of Power and Energy for allegedly not having extensive discussions with the stakeholders including the experts in the subject, regarding the revised Electricity Sector Reforms Bill, which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers recently. Recently, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced that the Cabinet approved the said Bill during its meeting on Monday (8). The Cabinet approval directs the Ministry to Gazette more..

Apr 11 (DN) Richmond College led by Malsha Tharupathi emerged champions of the inter school under 19 division one Tier A cricket tournament when they beat Trinity on first innings yesterday at the SSC grounds. Richmond took major honours at the three day game while Trinity scored 203 all out in their first innings and Richmond made bold reply to score 304 all out with a hundred runs lead. Trinity played much better in the second innings scoring 254 for 8 wickets declared and Richmond had to get impossible target more..

Apr 11 (FT) SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane yesterday confirmed that the party�s presidential candidate will be determined by its leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa shortly. The MP said the decision was reached during the party�s politburo meeting held yesterday. Addressing the media following the meeting, Abeygunawardane clarified that the party�s politburo had determined that the party�s candidate and the declaration of candidacy would solely be made by party leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Apr 11 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe reaffirmed his dedication to empowering the people and strengthening the economy by ensuring access to education, land, housing and business opportunities. �Historically, land rights and housing rights were not granted without cost. However, we aim to change this narrative by empowering our citizens with the rights to education, land, housing, and business. This strategic approach will enable individuals to directly contribute more..

Apr 11 (FT) The Japanese Govt has extended a grant worth $ 8.4 million to supply state-of-the-art scanners to strengthen the capacity of the BIA in Katunayake and Colombo Port towards health resilient pro-mobility borders. With the country anticipates a surge in tourist numbers, with over 1.5 million foreign visitors recorded at BIA last year, alongside arrivals via sea ports the project aims to strengthen capacity at monitoring health issues among foreign arrivals. more..

Apr 11 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday rose to a two year high as investors sustained the recent bull run. On a shortened trading day due to upcoming holidays, ASPI gained by 0.6% or 70.6 points to close at 12,033 points. It was the first time ASPI crossed the 12,000-points level with the previous occasion being 21 Feb 2022. The active S&P SL20 gained by 0.7%. The sustained bull run ensured the ASPI closed the week up 2% and the S&P SL20 by 2.6%. Average daily turnover was Rs. 2.91 billion. more..

Apr 11 (Island) The SJB yesterday said the JVP-led NPP�s call for the participation of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in the proposed debate on the economy was a diversionary tactic. The SJB has challenged the NPP�s economic council members to a debate on how to resolve the economic crisis. The NPP has challenged SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa to a debate with its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the economy. National Executive Committee Member and MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on Monday, more..

Apr 11 (Island) No Tamil candidate will contest in the forthcoming Prez election, representing their community, under any circumstance, former Chairman of the NPC C.V.K. Sivagnanam said on Tuesday. Sivagnanam said that there was a clamour by various political outfits in the North and the East that there should be a Tamil candidate contesting in the upcoming Prez elections. Some parties have even proposed names and published pedigrees of persons who could be the prez candidate, as per their opinions. more..

Apr 11 (TM) TMTK Leader and Opposition MP C.V. Wigneswaran called on the majority community-based Prez candidates to clearly outline their solutions to the Tamil community's issues in the presence of foreign diplomats, if they (candidates) seek the Tamil community's support. He said that the majority community-based Prez candidates should be able to come forward and explain what they would do to resolve the Tamil people's issues, if they seek the Tamil community's support. more..

Apr 11 (FT) SriLankan Airlines, the exclusive ground operator at BIA, has initiated a phased upgrade of airport ground support equipment to accommodate the rising influx of flights and travellers transiting through the airport. Recently, the airline acquired three state-of-the-art passenger apron coaches, ensuring optimal comfort for passengers during transfers between the terminal and remote stands. With airport traffic steadily increasing and nearing pre-pandemic levels, acquiring more..

Apr 11 (Island) Five million undecided voters are waiting to hear the economic policies of the presidential candidates who will be running for President in October 2024, Member of Parliament Dr. Charitha Herath of Nidahas Janatha Sabawa (Freedom People�s Congress) told the media yesterday. Prez elections are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka sometime between September and October 2024 according to the Constitution of SL where voters will elect a President for a term of five years. more..

Apr 11 (Island) There will be no private buses on the 13 April, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijeratne said. He said that about 25% of private buses would operate on 14 April. Wijeratne said there would be fewer private buses on Friday as well. The LPBOA President said that they will be charging 150 percent of the bus fare for the special buses they have deployed for the festive season. The SLTB said 700 additional buses had been deployed from more..

Apr 11 (FT) Signifying a fresh start for Israeli jobs in the construction sector, 125 individuals chosen as the inaugural group for construction jobs in Israel received their air tickets yesterday from Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara. Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment General Manager Priyantha Senanayake and Additional General Manager Mangala Randeniya were present at the ceremony. These appointees are set to embark on their journey on 13 April. more..

Apr 11 (ST) The usual hustle and bustle of markets, busy streets, and crowded supermarkets associated with the National New Year were absent, despite Avurudu being just a few days away, coinciding with the Ramadan festival. Traders said the moderate crowd seen at the markets was more interested in buying clothing for the festivals than food items and household goods. They said they believed the high prices of Avurudu-related goods and household items were keeping shoppers away. more..

Apr 11 (DM) The Department of Excise is planning to launch a special operation in Colombo during the two festive dry days targeting illegal booze sellers and to implement law strictly during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. A senior Excise official overseeing the Colombo City told the Daily Mirror yesterday that a joint operation has been organised in collaboration with four main Excise stations in Kesbewa, Padukka, Battaramulla and Colombo City. As a result over 50 officials more..

Apr 11 (DM) SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardene today lodged a complaint with the CID that former President Maithripala Sirisena's departure to Thailand was suspicious.a "We feel that former President Sirisena has fled the country for some reason, just like the way he did prior to the Easter Sunday attacks," he said. "I have therefore requested the CID to expatriate him immidately and hold an investigation," he added. He noted that Sirisena had created a controversial more..

Apr 11 (DM) Claiming that NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake first invited SJB leader Sajith Premadasa for a debate, the NPP said some members of the SJB were now attempting to divert the attention from the original debate. In a statement, NPP National Executive Member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the first conversation about a debate between the two sides was created with the statement made by Anura Kumara more..

Apr 11 (FT) Senior Advisor to the President Sagala Ratnayaka yesterday had a telephone conversation with the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan where the duo discussed matters to strengthen peace and security in the region. A statement from the PMD noted the dialogue encompassed a range of crucial topics aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between the two nations. Central to their discussion was the unwavering US commitment to supporting SL�s security and sovereignty. more..

Apr 11 (DM) A 23-year-old woman was discovered dead under suspicious circumstances at a hotel in Avissawella, Police said. The Avissawella Police were alerted after the individual accompanying the deceased woman reported her unconscious state to the hotel management. Upon receiving the call, Crime Scene Investigation Officers from the Sitawaka Police Division rushed to the scene and initiated investigations. The deceased is a resident of Walapane. more..

Apr 11 (FT) The recent statements by PM Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Kachchatheevu created a sensation in India and SL, especially regarding what would be their short- and long-term repercussions. Quotes such as every Indian is angered as PM Modi said, and India needing to sit down and work out a solution, declared by Minister Dr. Subramaniam Jashankar, insinuated the heartburn and the potential for follow-up action in Indian power-houses. more..

Apr 11 (FT) It is showdown time. I borrowed the caption from the The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats. Things fall apart and the centre cannot hold. Passionate intensity dictates debate. The next election, Prez or Parliamentary will be a head-to-head encounter between the dominant and the dominated. Despite polls and engineered parades, the dismantling of the hegemony of the dominant class is not a certainty. Since hope is not optimism, I would say that it is a near certainty. more..

Apr 11 (EN) Consumer confidence in Sri Lanka surged to a new peak in March 2024 though all three indices run by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP), which ran the survey, were still at pessimistic levels. The IHP�s March 2024 Consumer Confidence Indices, which are generated from its SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS), improved to a new all-time peak in March, the institute said in a statement. more..

Apr 11 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers approved designating several companies as Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act. The decision aims to provide exemption or incentives to the designated companies from specific Acts outlined in Schedule II of the aforementioned Act. Additionally, the Cabinet has authorised the publication of orders for the same through gazette notifications. more..

Apr 11 (Hindu) A team from Nature, through court documents, has found that Ranga Dias, professor at Uni of Rochester who had touted the discovery of room-temperature superconductor in March last year, committed data fabrication, falsification and plagiarism. The publication found an investigation report in court documents that stated the physicist had committed scientific misconduct. The 10-month-long investigation, which concluded on Feb 8, was carried out by a group of scientists, more..

Apr 11 (TM) The judicial proceedings with regard to the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster should be expedited and the relevant Govt agencies should support it, said environmental scientist, Dr. Ajantha Perera. She said that nearly three years have passed since the incident, and that there is no progress in the relevant compensation process. �The relevant Govt institutions are so lethargic, and are waiting doing nothing. more..

Apr 11 (EN) SL govt is waiting for the approval from the Legal Draftsman Department to proceed with Chartered Institute for Journalists, State Media Minister Shantha Bandara said. Cabinet has approved the establishment of Chartered Institute for Journalists in 2021, but it has not taken off the ground amid Covid pandemic and an unprecedented economic crisis. Minister Bandula Gunawardena had promised to complete the state-controlled professional media body by last year. more..

Apr 11 (AD) The 8 Sri Lankans, who were rescued from the cybercrime camps in Myawaddy area of Myanmar, have safely arrived at the Embassy of SL in Thailand. Commenting in this regard, Ambassador of SL to Thailand, Mr. Janaka Bandara said the rescued people will be repatriated to the island in the coming days. Out of the 56 Sri Lankans who were trapped in cybercrime camps in Myawaddy, eight were rescued by the Myanmar govt authorities in early March and sent to the Myawaddy more..