Aug 1 (DM) Former State Minister Diana Gamage today pleaded not guilty to the seven charges filed against her in connection with a magisterial inquiry over a complaint that she obtained a Sri Lankan passport by furnishing false information. When the matter was called before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court, Diana Gamage informed court that she is not pleading guilty to the charges. Accordingly, the case was fixed for trial on Oct 24 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage. more..

Aug 1 (AD) STF had arrested a Mawlawi at Navaladi Junction in Oddamavadi while in possession of two T56 firearms and several rounds of ammunition. The arrested suspect has been handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) for further investigations. Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) of the Army had provided information to the officers of the STF camp in Aralaganwila regarding an individual traveling by motorcycle with a firearm in the Navaladi area of Ottamavadi. more..

Aug 1 (EN) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe gained ground in a voting intent poll for June 2024 with, with the former surpassing leftist candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake by 13 points, with the latter catching up at only 10 points behind. The Institute for Health Policy (IHP) which carried out the survey found that support for Premadasa increased to 43% (+4) but decreased for Dissanayake to 30% more..

Aug 1 (AFP) India are still buoyant after their T20 World Cup triumph but skipper Rohit Sharma said his men were keeping focused ahead of their next engagement with SL. Rohit and star batsman Virat Kohli both sat out this week's 3-0 series sweep by the tourists, both having announced their 20-over retirement after snagging India's first international trophy in more than a decade. Both are back on tour for the first time since the Barbados final in June, for the first of 3 ODIs in Colombo on Friday. more..

Aug 1 (CT) The People�s Struggle Alliance (PSA) unveiled its manifesto yesterday at the Colombo Public Library Auditorium with its Prez Candidate, Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage presiding over the event. The document, titled People�s Manifesto, covers a broad range of issues and proposed reforms, including the abolition of the Executive Presidency, a programme to exit the IMF, auditing and cancellation of foreign debt, gender equality and equity, power sharing including more..

Aug 1 (ANI) The SL Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called on Thursday morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was registered over the death of an Indian fisherman, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. The statement said that a collision was reported earlier the same day between a SL naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat 5 nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island. more..

Aug 1 (FT) Lanka Premier League (LPL) has been in existence for the past five years, and with each passing year, it has grown gradually to be compared with some of the existing established leagues around the world. �I am not comparing it to the IPL; there is the Big Bash (BBL), the PSL (Pakistan Super League), the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) � we are there on par. I would say we are better than the CPL and other leagues, and equal to the PSL,� Anil Mohan, official rights holder more..

Aug 1 (DM) The Suraksha students insurance programme will resume from today. Students of all schools across the country will once again be able to benefit from this insurance scheme, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said. He said that life coverage will extend across all types of schools and include students from low-income families earning less than Rs. 180,000 annually. Suraksha scheme will cover 4.5 million students, offering health, accident, and life insurance. more..

Aug 1 (CI) Two further SL fast bowlers have been ruled out of the ODIs against India, with Matheesha Pathirana picking up a shoulder complaint, and Dilshan Madushanka injuring a hamstring. SL are also without Dushmantha Chameera, who is out with illness, and Nuwan Thushara, who fractured his thumb. Both these players had missed the T20Is as well. For now SL have brought uncapped right-arm seamer Mohamed Shiraz into the squad, team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed more..

Aug 1 (EN) Support for NPP declined in June to 26% of all adult voters surveyed by an independent institute, with the main opposition SJB leading at 38%. The Institute for Health Policy (IHP) which carried out the survey found that support for the NPP dropped by 5 points in June, while the SJB increased its support by 1 percentage point. The ruling SLPP was at 16%, gaining 2 percentage points, and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s UNP gained one point to reach 7 percent. more..

Aug 1 (CI) SL just can't catch a break. While still reeling from the almost comical nature of the defeat in the final T20I, one which handed India a 3-0 series sweep - and possibly a multitude of nervous breakdowns to those watching, their preparations for the ODI leg have been hampered significantly by the injury or illness-related absence of no less than five of their fast bowlers. This has meant that the uncapped Mohamed Shiraz more..

Aug 1 (TM) National Consumers' Front (NCF) called upon all presidential candidates to prioritise comprehensive policies aimed at market regulation and other related policies such as reducing the current living costs affecting citizens. NCF Leader Asela Sampath emphasised the urgent need for candidates to address this critical issue, which impacts individuals regardless of their political affiliations. "As living costs continue to soar, it is the responsibility of all prez candidates more..

Aug 1 (EN) Colombo port�s West Container Terminal, backed by India�s Adani and Sri Lanka�s John Keells expects to start operations in early 2025. The first bach of quay and yard cranes are expected to arrive in August 2024, JKH Chairman Krishan Balendra told shareholders in interim accounts. Commissioning and automation is expected to completed in the following months. The first phase of the terminal is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2025. more..

Aug 1 (AD) The main suspect in the killing of Club Wasantha at Athurugiriya, Sujeewa Ruwankumara alias Loku Patty has been arrested in Belarus. He has reportedly been arrested by security service personnel in Belarus, the source said. Several accomplices of Loku Patty, who is said to be an organized criminal and a large-scale drug trafficker, were arrested on multiple occasions over attempts to commit murders and more..

Aug 1 (FT) Finance Services Pillar at the recent Human Capital Summit 2024 showcased a compelling discourse on the future of financial services, featuring keynote speeches and panel discussions from some of the foremost minds in the field. The panel delved into the transformative impact of technology, the critical importance of human capital, and the evolving regulatory landscape, providing a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the challenges and opportunities that more..

Aug 1 (NCR) Twelve women religious congregations in SL have come together to address human trafficking, unsafe migration and exploitation of women and children in the island nation. "Sri Lankans started mass migration to other countries during the civil war [1983-2009], but now it has become organized human trafficking," says Apostolic Carmel Sr. Maria Dayalini, who coordinates an inter-congregational movement against this organized crime. According to UN Office on Drugs & more..

Aug 1 (CT) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) issued a set of guidelines yesterday (31) on how State officials should conduct themselves during the upcoming presidential election. Chairman of the HRCSL Nimal Punchihewa said guidelines have been issued to State officials and the police to carry out their work without compromising the integrity of a fair and just election. He also said there have been a number of reports where human rights of the public have been violated as more..

Aug 1 (EN) SL Customs has included 31 companies into a �Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Tier I status, qualifying them for faster goods clearance with reduced documentation, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said. The firms were awarded the status at a ceremony on July 30 by State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. The AEO Tier I status is aligned with World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and World Trade Org (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement. more..

Aug 1 (TM) Patali Champika Ranawaka, the leader of the URF, said that the decision made by the SLPP to present a candidate who has bankrupted the country on his own is very good and accordingly the people should treat that candidate democratically at this time. Ranawaka also mentioned that they should think twice about whether the members of the SLPP are still favouring the Rajapaksa family. more..

Aug 1 (EN) SL�s Employees Provident Fund has been repaid 231 million rupees it was estimated to have lost by purchasing shares of Laugf Gas Plc in 2011, the Securities Exchange Commission said in an online filing. The SEC had filed action against W K H Wegapitiya, U K Tilak N de Silva and T I Hulangamuwa on the purchase by EPF of 33 million shares of Laugfs Gas Plc on Oct 10, 2011. An application was made by counsel to the charged to compound the offence. more..

Aug 1 (AD) The notorious organised criminal figures and large-scale drug traffickers infamously known as Kanjipani Imran and Amila Sepala Ratnayake alias Rotumbe Amila have reportedly been arrested in Russia. However, SL authorities have not been officially informed regarding the matter, as per sources. Accordingly, the CID has reportedly requested Interpol to confirm the matter. Organised criminals Kanjipani Imran and Rotumbe Amila, were earlier arrested in Dubai more..

Aug 1 (TM) The Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) claimed that the CEB made an undue profit of Rs. 29.7 million during the period from 6 to 31 March of this year, deviating from the recommendations made by the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) regarding the fees to be charged for providing new electricity connections. Early this year, the PUCSL recommended reductions in the costs of more..

Aug 1 (DM) Asserting that uncertainties have emerged over the opportunity for people to elect a new Prez, PAFFREL requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe in writing to resolve the issue involving the IGP. PAFFREL wrote to the Prez that it is thankful to his assurance for the conduct of the Prez election without any obstacles. �However, a situation of uncertainty has arisen again as an Acting IGP has not been appointed following the interim order issued by Supreme Court restraining more..

Aug 1 (AD) The MEP led by PM Dinesh Gunawardena has also decided to support Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Prez Election. Meanwhile, Central Committee of the SLFP recently expressed their unwavering support for Prez Wickremesinghe�s victory in the forthcoming prez election. Additionally, 92 MPs including Ministers and State Ministers recently met with Wickremesinghe and pledged their support for the Prez in the upcoming prez election to ensure his victory. more..

Aug 2 (CT) SL has a rich history of investment in education, reflected in its impressive literacy rate over 93%. However, since gaining independence in 1948, the island nation has struggled with political corruption and mismanagement, leading to increased economic instability and social unrest. According to Transparency International, while the average global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is 43/100, SL scores 36/100, placing it 101st out of 180 countries and territories. more..

Aug 2 (GV) On August 1 Sri Lanka celebrates Sri Lankan Leopard Day, which will be observed annually following a proposal from the Wildlife and Nature Preservation Society of SL (WNPS), the country�s oldest (and the world�s third oldest) nature protection society. This day aims to highlight the importance of the SL leopard, an iconic species central to the country�s wildlife tourism. In July 2024, the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) arranged for a group of tour operators to attend more..

Aug 2 (TM) After long-drawn-out discussions and debates in various contexts about the regulation of the three-wheeler transport service, the matter has received more attention with the transport authorities vowing to introduce legal reforms that will benefit both service providers and passengers. This will also rid the service of its informal status. Legal reforms are ongoing, although there are delays, and the plans on regulating the service have more..

Aug 2 (TM) Investigations targeting online scammers this week resulted in a major raid in the Puttalam area. According to the Police, the latest arrest involved over 50 foreign nationals who engaged in online scams while living in the country illegally. While the arrests of over 50 scammers is not a simple matter, recent media reports, which claim that over 200 such foreign scammers have been nabbed in the recent past in Sri Lanka, indicates that the issue is larger than it was reported. more..

Aug 2 (CT) Since Harry Potter is a novel series familiar to many, you might probably recall the words of Professor Dumbledore, We must all face the consequences of our actions, in Goblet of Fire. Though you might not have realised the weight those words carried back then, certainly, they must be loud and clear now. The country, along with the world, is facing the consequences of our collective sins. The whole world is facing the consequences of climate change exacerbated due to more..

Aug 2 (CT) On Tuesday (23), the Cabinet of the SL Govt issued a statement apologising for its mandatory cremation policy implemented during the covid-19 pandemic. This state apology has sparked a dialogue on its significance and implications. The controversial cremation policy had a significant impact on the country�s Muslim and Christian minorities, especially Muslim community, as cremation of a dead more..

Aug 2 (Island) Two dangerous underworld figures, Najeem Mohammed Imran alias Kanjipani Imran and Sujeewa Ruwan Kumara aka Loku Patty have been arrested overseas, according to media reports. The police believe they masterminded the killing of Surendra Wasantha Perera, better known as Club Wasantha, in Athurugiriya last month. It was reported yesterday that the Sri Lanka police had sought Interpol intervention to have Imran and Loku Patty extradited. One can only hope that efforts more..

Aug 2 (ST) All kinds of developments are taking place in SL as we head for the polls, the first one being Prez elections in Sept-Oct 2024 followed by in 2025 (or would it be earlier?) Parliamentary polls. Alarm bells rang on Wednesday after a special cabinet meeting was summoned. Cabinet normally meets on a Monday and a second one on Wednesday seemed unusual. Will they be proroguing Parliament? asked one business leader. Another predicted, It must be for more..

Aug 2 (DM) The plantation sector which has been a key pillar in the economy contributing to the export earnings of the country since colonial times is facing unprecedented challenges due to the drastic decline in the workforce leading to substandard performance in recent years. The need for corrective action to revive a 200-year-old lucrative industry is urgent and imperative. Senior Planter, Agricultural Advisor/Consultant and former Secretary General of Ceylon Planter�s Society more..

Aug 2 (SO) On the 2nd of Aug 2024, Colombo Toastmasters Club will host a landmark event in Colombo to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Toastmasters International at Cinnamon Grand Hotel. This grand occasion will also mark the installation of the club�s 41st president and executive committee, a significant milestone in the club�s distinguished history. Founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley, Toastmasters Int'l has spent a century empowering individuals to develop more..

Aug 2 (FT) After suffering its worth month to date in July, the Colombo stock market began August on a positive note though investor sentiment remains beleaguered judging by low turnover. After five days of losses, the active S&P SL20 gained by 0.5% and ASPI by 0.3% yesterday. This was after July saw worst performance with ASPI down 6% and S&P SL20 by 9%. Turnover yesterday was Rs. 576.7 million involving 25 million shares. John Keells Holdings saw a recovery yesterday more..