Aug 21 (DM) Which one of these is worse? First, a Sri Lankan diplomat was ordered to pay her former domestic aide over AUD half a million in unpaid wages and interest, pending further charges for violating Fair Wage laws in the Down Under. Second, the Foreign Ministry in Colombo thinks she did alright, and in a flimsy press release, probably meant for local consumption, defends her and the practice. more..

Aug 21 (ST) Politics thy name is hypocrisy. Criss-crossing and double-crossing are turning out to be an intrinsic part of this political game. Only last month, the UK held a peaceful parliamentary election. But before that, one heard little or nothing of politicians pole-vaulting from one side to the other or back again or even into a third party, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak�s snap election gathered speed. That is the kind of thing we do not hear around these woods, certainly not with more..

Aug 21 (GV) Ah, but a man�s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what�s a heaven for? Ray Wijewardene (1924-2010) often quoted these words by the English poet Robert Browning, embedded in the poem Andrea del Sarto. An engineer, aviator, inventor, farmer and a public intellectual of the highest calibre, Ray was renowned for his unorthodox ideas and audacious experiments. Using his personal funds and working out of his garage or family farm, he tackled big problems in more..

Aug 21 (DM) While several elephants are parading the streets at the Kandy Esala Perahera, a 35-year old male elephant named Raja breathed his last in Bakamuna last Thursday (15). Incident had taken place when three police officers who had been patrolling the area had come into an encounter with this elephant. Suspects allege that the elephant had attempted to attack the three-wheeler in which they were traveling, and more..

Aug 21 (TM) SL is out of the woods regarding the worst economic crisis the island has faced, and with continued lack of a common national policy framework which has bipartisan support to ensure policy consistency on how we will navigate out of it, the future seems rather uncertain as of today. Nevertheless, crises do not wait around for us to get our act together and become a robust nation to present itself, and that is what may lie ahead of the bend for demography & economic capacity. more..

Aug 21 (CT) The law in Sri Lanka states that women enjoy equal opportunities and equal rights like men, yet in reality, the woman is only a second-class citizen in the county and the Prez Election 2024 is the latest proof to it. This election not only holds the records for the highest number of candidates in a prez race and the longest ballot paper. It will go down in history as an election with no women representation. Prez Election race 2024 has become entirely a male-dominated battle and more..

Aug 21 (Island) I teach in a postgraduate programme on gender and health offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. In the module I coordinate on gender-responsive healthcare, we discuss, among other things, the experience of LGBTIQ+ persons within the health sector. The situation is quite bleak. According to the activists who teach in the module, most health professionals lack basic training on delivering sex-/gender-responsive health services. more..

Aug 21 (DM) As Sri Lanka�s hospitality sector gradually gains global attention, two regional industry stakeholders highlighted the urgent need for Sri Lanka to step up its focus in facilitating its tourism industry in the digital landscape. The Asian region is expected to experience the highest growth rates in hospitality revenue over the next five years, with countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and China having already advanced in their digital readiness and workforce preparation. more..

Aug 21 (CT) Dept of Buddhist Affairs, a pivotal institution in SL, was the subject of the Auditor General�s Summary Report for the year ending 31 Dec 2023, which revealed significant financial discrepancies, mismanagement and non-compliance with established laws and regulations, raising serious concerns about the dept�s governance and operational efficiency. AG�s report indicates that, while financial performance more..

Aug 21 (Island) Election Commission (EC) has set a cap on campaign expenditure at Rs. 109 per voter, and now presidential candidates are legally permitted to spend as much as Rs. 1.8 billion each. Several candidates have already spent colossal amounts of funds on their campaigns, and they will have to account for only the expenditure to be incurred in the last lap of their spending sprees. Some candidates are bound to spend at least three times the amount permitted by the EC; more..

Aug 21 (TM) Sri Lanka�s tea exports in July 2024 reached 21.35 million kilograms, marking a decline of 1.42 million kilograms compared to the same month in 2023. Despite the decrease in export quantity, the �free on board� (FOB) value per kilogram increased significantly to Rs. 1,773.70 ($ 5.87), reflecting a rise of Rs. 158.39 ($ 0.80) compared to July 2023. The cumulative exports from January to July 2024, however, showed positive growth, totaling 140.47 million kilograms, more..

Aug 21 (ST) Theirs maybe the final trumpet call SL would hear from within the Sinharaja Rainforest, as they are a unique pair within an already unique area. The last of the two Sinharaja elephants, Loku Aliya and �Panu Kota� thus named by the villagers who have seen them roaming this UNESCO World Heritage Site and global biodiversity hotspot, had many man-made dangers, including translocation (to be taken from their home to another place) in the not-too-distant past, which fortunately came more..

Aug 21 (FT) Abolishing the Executive Presidency and independent corruption prosecutors were among recommended priorities for aspirants of the country�s top-most job, according to several experts. At the SL-Korea Business Council organised SL�s Future: Forecast, Scenarios and Challenges forum, moderator Advocata Institute CEO Dhananath Fernando asked panellists Verit� Research Executive Director Dr. Nishan de Mel, Senior Economist & former CB Assistant Governor more..

Aug 21 (CI) Dhananjaya de Silva, SL's captain, has revealed that his team wanted to play more than one warm-up match before their Test series against England but were denied the chance to do so. SL lost by seven wickets in their four-day, first-class match against an inexperienced England Lions team at New Road last week. They were bowled out for 139 on the opening day but grew into the match, with Nishan Madushka, more..

Aug 21 (CI) And now we return to our regular programming� After three weeks of bright lights, big city action in the Hundred, England's men resume Test commitments with a three-match series against SL. Which is the bigger deal is arguable, of course. Test cricket might still be the main economic driver in this part of the world but the ECB's hopes for a significant injection of cash through its marque white-ball competition, and a low-profile summer for the longest format, mean the runes are more..

Aug 21 (FT) Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) has announced the launch of its latest initiative, the Young Lankan�s program. This youth development project is designed to foster entrepreneurship among the next generation, empowering young minds across SL to become the driving force behind the nation�s economic growth. As the world rapidly evolves, COYLE recognises the need to invest in the youth of today to secure a prosperous future for tomorrow. more..

Aug 21 (FT) Dept of Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said it is awaiting instructions from the Attorney General (AG) to resolve the ongoing visa issuance debacle following a Supreme Court ruling earlier this month. �This is now a legal matter and we have sought the AG�s advice to resolve the visa issuing process,� he said. He highlighted that the challenge stems from the termination of the previous ETA system, more..

Aug 21 (FT) For the first time in SL, six prominent election observation organisations have established a Campaign Finance Observation Online Tool to monitor the campaign expenditures of election candidates for the 2024 Prez Election. The tool, named Chanda Salli Meetare, aims to advocate for the effective implementation of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act of 2023, empower citizens with vital information to make informed voting decisions, ensure a level playing field more..

Aug 21 (CI) The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has been moved out of Bangladesh and will now be held in the UAE. "It is a shame not to be hosting the Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as we know the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would have staged a memorable event," ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said in a statement. "I would like to thank the team at the BCB for exploring all avenues to try and enable the event to be hosted in Bangladesh, but travel advisories from more..

Aug 21 (CT) The 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday Attack, which caused a stir in the country, has taken centre stage in this year�s election, and the Prez Candidates have promised to reveal the truth about it. Against such a backdrop, the Catholic Church continues to charge that justice has not yet been served regarding the Easter Attack and the mastermind has not yet been revealed. However, at this time, prez candidates have met Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith more..

Aug 21 (DN) SL inform left hand batter Harshitha Samarawickrama and Ireland opener Gaby Lewis have finished with career high positions in the ICC Women�s T20I Player Rankings at the end of their two-match series in Dublin that ended 1-1. Samarawickrama�s knock of 65 off 44 balls in the second T20I helped her move up 3 places to 13th position while Lewis�s match-winning 119 off 75 balls that came with the help of 17 fours and two sixes, has lifted her four places to a career best more..

Aug 21 (TM) SL�s Catholic Church will not be endorsing a Prez candidate despite meeting several key nominees in the 2024 Presidential race. �We will not be endorsing anyone,� Spokesperson for the Archbishop of Colombo, Cyril Gamini Fernando said. �That is for the people to decide. We are only having discussions with several nominees regarding issues that concern Catholics.� Presidential candidates such as the SJB's Sajith Premadasa, more..

Aug 21 (Island) A fire alarm at Old Trafford yesterday afternoon when Sri Lanka came for their training saw the players being evacuated from the dressing room but later it emerged that there�s nothing to be alarmed at. It apparently was a false alarm. The Old Trafford pitch is not giving the team any alarms either as the grass has been cut and the wicket looks perfect for batting and it might assist spin bowlers too later in the game. The weather in Manchester remains wet and gloomy and more..

Aug 21 (Island) Senior Professor N.D. Gunawardena, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa, highlighted the university�s journey in transforming the future of education in Sri Lanka, as a crucial role. Speaking at an event held at The Taj Samudra, last week in association with the Union Bank, the Vice-Chancellor connected the Bank�s motto, Transform Real Lives, with the university�s mission to revolutionize education and make an impact on students. more..

Aug 21 (CI) Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama made it a canter for SL in the tour-ending third and final ODI against Ireland in Belfast, but their job was made simple by a strong bowling performance led by Achini Kulasuriya. Kulasuriya took three as Ireland, who had already taken the series 2-0, collapsed to 10 for 3 inside five overs. That became 28 for 5 not long after, but they recovered somewhat to post 122. But it was never going to be enough, not with Athapaththu more..

Aug 21 (GS) The pitches used for the first two matches of the men's T20 World Cup 2024 at Nassau County Stadium in New York, as well as the surface for the semi-final between Afghanistan and South Africa at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, have been deemed unsatisfactory by the ICC. This assessment was made nearly two months after the conclusion of the tournament, which saw India triumph over South Africa in the final. In the New York matches, SL were dismissed for 77 more..

Aug 21 (AD) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena has completed the payments of compensation of Rs. 100 million to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks as ordered by the Supreme Court. Accordingly, it is reported that the former Prez has paid the remaining amount of Rs. 12 million on Aug 16, thereby completing the total compensation payment ordered by the court. On Jan 12, 2023, the SC found that former Prez Sirisena, more..

Aug 21 (DM) NPP govt will take over the country with a plan to eliminate poverty while stopping waste, theft and corruption, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said NPP has a plan to develop agriculture, develop rural economy and micro industries. Dissanayake said NPP govt will provide minimum of Rs. 10,000 allowance to low income families until they get sufficient income. "We will look after poor people. We will reduce electricity tariff by 1/3rd and reduce fuel prices as well. more..

Aug 21 (DM) Twelve SL junior athletes are at risk of missing the 2024 World Junior Athletic Championships in Lima, Peru, due to the Sports Ministry�s last-minute withdrawal of financial support. The Ministry, which recently spent heavily on a sports fiesta, cited a sudden budget shortfall, leaving the athletes without travel and accommodation and raising serious questions about the Ministry�s priorities. The World Junior Athletic Championships, scheduled from Aug 27 to 31 represents more..

Aug 21 (DM) The driving licenses including heavy vehicle that do not have an expiry date will be canceled by the end of this year and those license holders will be provided with a reasonable time to obtain their new licenses, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said. Addressing the media, he said the physical fitness of such people has never been tested. more..

Aug 21 (CT) The horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at Kolkata�s RG Kar Medical College has not only shaken the conscience of India but, has also sparked discussions in SL, both in mainstream and social media. Indian Supreme Court, recognising the gravity of the crime, heard a suo motu case yesterday (20), led by a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud. The SC pointed out lapses by the authorities and highlighted the critical need to prioritise more..

Aug 21 (AD) Wattala Police have taken into custody four pythons that were allegedly illegally smuggled into the country and were concealed at a pet shop in order to be sold. Police stated that a Sri Lankan marsh crocodile was also discovered during the raid at the pet shop. The animals were found hidden on the upper floor of the pet shop which is located in the Wattala area. The shop owner and two other employees have been arrested in connection with the incident. more..

Aug 21 (EN) Nine SL banks have applied to, and Bank of China has expressed interest in, setting up branches within the special economic zone, COO of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission said. SL recently gazetted regulations governing banks within the Port City. The banks will be regulated by Sri Lanka�s central bank, Wikramasuriya told reporters in Colombo. Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath, NDB, NTB, Union Bank, DFCC, Bank of Ceylon and People�s Bank have applied to more..

Aug 21 (AD) SJB Ratnapura District MP Thalatha Athukorala has informed parliament that she will be resigning from her position as a MP. She made the announcement while delivering a statement in Parliament today (21). Thalatha Athukorala, the sister of the late UNP politician Gamini Athukorala, first entered Parliament in 2004. She has been re-elected in subsequent general elections in 2010, 2015, and 2020 more..