Aug 27 (TM) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) owns 510 acres of land in Kuchchaveli, out of which 160 acres have been identified by 10 investors who anticipate to begin operations within the next two to 3 years. SLTDA Tourism Planning, Development & Investor Relations Director Dr. Prasad Jayasuriya said: �We want to develop Kuchchaveli as a beach resort. Moreover, we have already done master plan more..

Aug 27 (CT) The recently-released Credit Supply Survey for the second quarter of 2024 by the Statistics Dept of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) reveals a significant expansion in private sector credit, with an increase of approximately Rs. 119 billion compared to the Rs. 27 billion recorded in the first quarter of the year. This increase is mainly attributable to improved liquidity positions, positive expectations regarding general economic activities and macroeconomic stability, it added. more..

Aug 27 (TM) While there are nearly 9,000 people on the waiting list to receive the services of the Cardiac Catheterisation Unit at the National Hospital in Kandy, the Ministry of Health has failed to take the necessary steps to provide them with the said services promptly, claimed the SLPP Kandy District MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara. Cardiac catheterisation is the insertion of a catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart. This is done both for diagnostic and interventional purposes. more..

Aug 27 (DN) Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara praised the Sri Lanka team�s disciplined bowling and captain Dhananjaya De Silva�s tactical field placements in the 2nd innings in the first England test match concluded at Old Trafford, Manchester. He also commended the national team for their performance in the first Test against England, despite a five-wicket loss. Most of the cricket experts highly appreciated Sri Lanka�s fighting spirit during this match. more..

Aug 27 (TM) High Commission of SL in Kuala Lumpur recently hosted a fruitful engagement with the Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association (MITTA), in order to explore avenues for promoting the Ramayana Trail tourism in Malaysia. MITTA, which encompasses over 200 Indian-Malaysian travel and tour agencies, plays a pivotal role in advancing outbound and inbound tourism, with a particular focus on Tamil-speaking travelers, SL High Commission in Kuala Lumpur said. more..

Aug 27 (DM) Sri Lanka�s apparel sector performance expanded in the month of July from the corresponding period of the previous year, indicating an improvement in the order books. The apparel sector saw its export earnings expand 3.29% year-on-year (YoY) to US $ 414 million. In July 2023, the sector fetched export earnings amounting to US $ 401.18 million. Exports to key markets, except one, grew in July. Exports to US grew 5.47% YoY more..

Aug 27 (CT) Special letters will be issued to those who have applied for National Identity Cards (NICs) and have not yet received them, enabling them to vote in the upcoming Prez Election. These letters will contain information confirming the holder�s identity, he added. Currently, under the one-day service, about 300 NICs are being issued, and anyone from any province in the country can apply for NICs at the Southern Provincial Office. Additionally, those who need their NICs translated into English can more..

Aug 27 (AD) The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration says that the issuance of passports will be limited due to the limited availability of blank passports. Issuing a special announcement in this regard, the Controller General has therefore requested applicants to apply for passports only if their needs are urgent. The announcement also mentioned that new electronic passports (E-Passports) are set to be introduced soon, with the tender already awarded to a foreign firm. more..

Aug 27 (TM) The Parliament was not involved in the decision to allow MPs to retain two repeater shotguns each even after their term of office as an MP is over, said the Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. Ministry of Defence had informed the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera recently that MPs would be allowed to purchase two repeater shotguns each from their personal funds, more..

Aug 27 (DM) While stating that former MP Thalatha Athukorala was correct in calling for unity between Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, MP Rajitha Senaratne said that this is the best course of action for the country. "I also tried to convince Premadasa to cooperate with Wickremesinghe and the UNP, but he was against the move. I must say Thalatha came up with the best idea," MP said. The MP also revealed that there are SJB members who are frustrated with more..

Aug 27 (FT) SL is still bleeding. Decades of strife resulted in our lands running red with blood and dampened with sweat and tears. On the surface, the blood has stopped flowing, but the country is still haemorrhaging in so many ways. A nation in economic bankruptcy, we are now rushing to embrace environmental bankruptcy as if it were our natural destiny. Our politicians are destroying and giving away our most valued national treasures irrespective of them being already protected more..

Aug 27 (FT) It is said that the beauty of cricket is in its uncertainty. This could be the reason why we are so preoccupied with politics; we love its uncertainty. We should be thankful, for if it were certain, we would no longer be living in a democracy. While uncertainty in the outcome of an election is democracy, the breakdown of the system of government could become anarchy. �Don�t throw out the baby with the bathwater� are the words of President J.R. Jayewardene defending more..

Aug 27 (AD) Chief Medical Officer of Kandy, Dr. Pasan Jayasinghe revealed that around 50 tuberculosis (TB) patients have been diagnosed within the Kandy city limits during the period which has elapsed so far this year. Dr. Jayasinghe also highlighted that the most pressing infectious disease threat in Kandy is not dengue, but tuberculosis. While dengue cases are typically identified within six days and the treatment can be commenced, TB presents a much greater challenge, more..

Aug 27 (AD) Colombo High Court has sentenced former Minister A.H.M. Fowzie for two years of rigorous imprisonment and suspended it for 10 years after he pleaded guilty over the charge of misusing a vehicle belonging to Ministry of Disaster Management. Court also imposed a fine of Rs.400,000 on the former Minister, when the case was taken up today. Fowzie was charged over the possession & personal use more..

Aug 27 (EN) SL has commenced the formulation of its first Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Investment Plan funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture. The FAO said in a statement on Tuesday that the initiative aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the country�s agricultural sector from the adverse impacts of climate change. more..

Aug 27 (DM) The sun will be directly over Sri Lanka from Aug 28 to Sept 6 because of its movement southward, Met Dept said. Accordingly, the sun will be directly overhead at Delft Island, Pooneryn, Thadduvankoddi and Chundikkulam at around 12:11 p.m. tomorrow. In light of the rising temperatures, health experts advise people to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight and to drink plenty of fluids frequently in light of the comparative increase in the temperature in the country. more..

Aug 27 (HRW) The SL govt has been trying to persuade international partners of its achievements in reforming the economy and protecting human rights. However, a new report by the UN high commissioner for human rights warns that SL is facing renewed threats to fundamental freedoms. It finds that authorities have sought new repressive laws and engaged in intimidation and violence against victims of more..

Aug 27 (SLN) A special operation conducted by the SL Navy led to the seizure of an Indian trawler (01) poaching in Sri Lankan waters and apprehension of 08 Indian fishermen. The operation was conducted North of Mannar, on 26th August 2024. The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen. more..

Aug 27 (NW) Cabinet approval has been granted to prepare a draft bill introducing a new law concerning the rights of the indigenous community in Sri Lanka. Approval of the Cabinet was granted in May 2024 to the joint proposal by the then Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms and the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs concerning the introduction of the new law. At that meeting, it was decided to further analyze the concept paper more..

Aug 27 (AD) Supreme Court has expressed its dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in preventing police brutality, despite the court�s repeated orders aimed at curbing the alleged torture of individuals in police custody. Making a statement in the open court, the three-member Supreme Court judge bench, chaired by Justice S. Thurairaja, noted that neither the National Police Commission nor the IGP has taken necessary steps to implement the SC orders pertaining to the matter. more..

Aug 27 (DM) Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from Aug 16, by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera formally handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters yesterday. Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda is a distinguished old boy of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela. He joined the SL Navy in 1989 as an Officer Cadet of 19th more..

Aug 27 (CI) If spin bowling had a party, Sri Lanka would be the dude turning up in neon shades, sequined shirt unbuttoned halfway, and technicolour sneakers. Sri Lanka spinners have only really been good in the last 30 years, but right through those three decades, they have peacocked like no spinners have peacocked before. Carrom balls? Check the fridge, it's crammed with 'em. Seam-up arm balls? more..

Aug 27 (AD) SLPP MP Wimalaweera Dissanayake has met with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe along with several local govt representatives and extended their support to Prez in the upcoming presidential election. The local govt representatives including former Chairman of Uhana PS Upul Priyantha, former Vice Chairman Jagath Deshapriya, former Chairman of Dehiattakandiya PS Sugath Jathungaarachchi, and former Chairman of Mahaoya PS Indika Nilantha have met with the Prez more..

Aug 27 (AD) SLPP is set to unveil its prez election manifesto in the first week of September. SLPP media spokesperson Sanjeeva Edirimanna said that the party is currently in the final phase of preparing the policy statement. Meanwhile, Prez Candidate of SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has emphasized the importance of strengthening the Samurdhi programme. He criticized the negative perception some leaders have about the programme, which he argues has been crucial in alleviating poverty more..

Aug 27 (EN) NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prez Ranil Wickrmesinghe saw their net favourability rating rise in July, with the latter surpassing opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, according to an independent poll. Institute for Health Policy (IHP) in its SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) for July found that the net favourability rating of Dissanayake rose 29 points from June to reach +3. more..

Aug 27 (TM) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairperson Keith D. Bernard shared information on growth prospects for Colombo and other SL ports given the competitive and geopolitical scenarios. He emphasised the development plans for the Port of Colombo, which include the construction of new deep-draft container terminals with automated container yards, the enhancement of logistics facilities through public-private partnerships (PPP), creation of larger zones dedicated to more..

Aug 27 (AD) Election Commission of SL has issued an announcement regarding the legal provisions for voters with disabilities to be accompanied by a person to assist in marking the ballot paper at the polling station. Accordingly, the election regulatory body stated that the provisions in Section 38(2) of the Prez Elections Act No. 15 of 1981 as amended by Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 28 of 2011 for a person who is totally or partially visually handicapped or physically disabled more..

Aug 27 (AD) Govt Medical Officers� Association (GMOA) has met with the pre candidate of the Sarvajana Balaya alliance, entrepreneur Dilith Jayaweera today, in order to discuss the current issues in the health sector. During the discussion, the representatives of the GMOA pointed out that one of the major issues prevailing in the health sector is the rising brain drain in the country. They emphasized that despite repeated warnings, no effective solutions have been provided by more..

Aug 27 (TM) Hambantota Int'l Port (HIP) has experienced an increase in volumes, with a 40% growth recorded in 2024 to date. The port�s commercial and marketing division says the growth is expected to reach 50% by the year�s end. "The impressive performance and strategic growth of the port in 2024 demonstrate the Hambantota Int'l Port Group�s expertise in networking and marketing, managing port operations as well as HIP�s ability to efficiently handle rising volumes,� more..

Aug 27 (AD) Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, says any political or social uncertainties or reversals of hard earned achievements that exerts significant pressure on the economic reforms agenda could lead to a deviation from the intended policy trajectory. He said this could potentially result in adverse and irreversible impacts on the economy and the recurrence of the economic and social crisis more..

Aug 27 (FT) In embracing the digital future of SL, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that digitisation would soon also be extended to the election system, as proposed by the commission led by former Chief Justice Priyasad Depp. The discussion took place at an IT Professionals� Forum, themed Coding the Nation�s Future. Industry experts, including World Bank Senior Digital Development Specialist Siddhartha Raja, spoke on the digital future of the country and the industry�s seven-year plan, more..

Aug 27 (IGO) SL�s Ministry of Tourism has thrown its support behind a new SiGMA�s new South Asia show set to make its debut in 2025. The event will take place between Nov 30 and Dec 2 in Colombo. SiGMA said the growth of mobile gaming, especially in India, is promising, citing industry projections that the country is set to lead with 269 million mobile gamers by 2027. What�s more, the event organisers said the opening of SL�s first integrated resort in 2025 � City of Dreams SL, more..

Aug 27 (AP) A political alliance centered on the working class has emerged as a strong contender in SL's presidential race, announcing itself to be the agent of change that millions of people called for when an unprecedented economic crisis led to disillusionment with traditional political parties. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of NPP and its presidential candidate, says he's serving those who were part of public protests that ousted more..

Aug 27 (EN) Sri Lanka's Inland Revenue Department (IRD), which is in charge of income tax collection, has issued 4.7 million Taxpayers Identification Numbers (TIN) and seen number of total new tax files more than doubling up to end July this year. Sri Lanka has set an ambitious govt revenue target of over 4 trillion rupees for this year, more than a quarter higher than 2023. The govt has made obtaining a TIN for every Sri Lankan who is above 18 years from January 1 this year. more..

Aug 27 (AD) The presidential election manifesto of the SJB is scheduled to be unveiled on Thursday (29). The SJB Senior Vice President, Sujeewa Senasinghe said that the policy statement has now been finalized. Meanwhile, SJB Prez candidate and Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, emphasized that the policy of maximum power devolution within one country will be implemented under an SJB govt. Speaking at a rally in Trincomalee, Premadasa outlined his vision more..