Feb 10 (DN) Sithuki Yonara from Asian International School and Dinali Karunadasa from Visakha Vidyalaya made SL proud by winning two bronze medals each in swimming. Kithmi Marambe, the diving captain from Bishop�s College, also contributed by securing a silver medal. The championship, which took place in New Delhi, India, concluded yesterday with SL bagging a total of 14 medals. Yonara grabbed bronze in the girls� 200m backstroke event and teamed up with more..

Feb 10 (Island) Nearly 15.3% of Sri Lanka's schoolchildren are suffering from undernourishment while another 7.3% are suffering from over-nutrition, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said recently. Speaking at the launch of the Empowered Rice to Children program at the Colombo Ramada, Amaraweera said that though the available statistics regarding child nutrition were at different levels, it seems that there are a number of reasons causing child malnutrition in the country. more..

Feb 10 (CI) Pathum Nissanka has just become the first Sri Lankan to score an ODI double-hundred. Yes, read it, say it out loud, and let it sink in. This is not a drill, and why would anyone even prepare for such a preposterous eventuality? To say Nissanka doesn't fit the mould for batters to achieve this feat would be an understatement. For the record, here's the list of other men's double-centurions in no particular order: more..

Feb 10 (FT) Member of the FPC and MP Prof. Charitha Herath sharply criticised the Govt�s policy statement presented by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and said that it lacked any coherent vision despite the grand rhetoric. Participating in the parliamentary debate on the policy statement, Herath remarked that it solely comprised outdated IMF policies, which historically resulted in nations relying on begging bowls. He emphasised the absence of any alternative policies within the statement. more..

Feb 10 (Island) Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has become a huge embarrassment to not merely the govt but the Central Provincial Council (CPC) as well. SLPP-UNP govt will disown him given half a chance. But there is no way it can throw him under the bus, for he will not go down alone in such an eventuality. Politicians who find themselves in inescapable situations and feel let down by their masters often resort to political kamikaze attacks. more..

Feb 10 (CI) Pathum Nissanka's historic double ton ensured SL withstood a spirited Afghanistan counterattack to record a 42-run victory in the first ODI at Pallekele and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. That Afghanistan even got that close was down to a record 242-run stand between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, second-highest sixth-wicket stand in ODI history. Omarazai ended on a 115-ball 149, more..

Feb 10 (CT) In a startling revelation, Prof. Miyuru Chandradasa, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital (CNTH) in Ragama, said there are only four Consultant Child Psychiatrists within the entire State health sector at the moment, despite a population of 6 million children in the country. This alarming scarcity underscores a pressing need for more child psychiatrists to meet the growing need for mental health services among children. more..

Feb 10 (Island) Soul Coffee Group and Grape Expectations announced the signing of a national distribution agreement for the newly launched Soul Energise Drinks. The agreement will enable Soul Energise to be available across all major sales channels, including supermarkets, hotels, bars, and restaurants across SL. Soul Energise, a recently launched innovative beverage, is a tropical adventure drink crafted with natural caffeine from raw coffee beans and infused with more..

Feb 10 (DM) Prominent American academic of SL origin, Prof. Siva Sivanathan, called on SL expatriates to be part of SL�s growth story by contributing a portion of their earnings to the island nation�s children and youth. �Sri Lanka can be developed if all its expatriates contribute 5 percent of what they have earned for the future of SL children and youth,� Prof. Sivananthan told journalists in Colombo this week. �I, being a student of Hindu College Jaffna and University of Peradeniya, more..

Feb 10 (DN) Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company entered into a MoU to improve the sustainability of Beddagana Wetland Park. Beddagana Wetland Park has become an ecological haven for local and foreign tourists. It is a magnificent wetland park that was started in 2014 by the UDA under the assistance of the World Bank and handed over to the public in 2016. This wetland park, which is a part of Sri J'pura Kotte Bird Sanctuary, is home to many more..

Feb 10 (FT) Representatives from various sectors came together yet again this week to call on the Govt to address the pressing issues affecting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with parate execution, the impact of new tax regime and higher electricity cost. Speaking to the media anti-parate activists claimed how the temporary suspension of the parate law request made by them was misinterpreted by the CB Governor more..

Feb 10 (EAR) In 2023, Sri Lanka faced a complex interplay of economic and political challenges. Although fuel and food queues have disappeared, the dire impact of the economic crisis was inescapable. SL�s economic outlook was initially grim, with a 3.1% GDP contraction in the second quarter of 2023 and a projected 2% shrinkage for the year. The first quarter saw an alarming 11.5% contraction, highlighting the severity of the crisis. Despite a peak inflation rate of 70% in Sep more..

Feb 10 (Island) A businessman was shot and wounded on Thursday night near the Thattewa Cemetery, Anamaduwa, by a man whose family was crippled by the former, last year, in a drunk driving incident. 44-year old businessman, named Mallawa Kumara, was travelling on a motorcycle. The victim told police that two men stopped him near the Cemetery and one of them had shot him. Kumara told the police that a man named Jayaratne shot him. more..

Feb 10 (DN) SL Embassy in Amman said that it had succeeded in repatriating 59 SL employees who were employed at two apparel factories in Jordan. �In coordination with Jordanian authorities, the Embassy yesterday repatriated the first batch of 59 SL employees out of 221 who were employed at two apparel factories with their salary dues, social security benefits and other entitlements,� Embassy said. The Mission�s efforts will continue to repatriate the rest of the SL employees more..

Feb 10 (ST) When the country�s largest wind farm was declared open in December 2020 on a key Asian bird migration path in Mannar despite vehement protests from fisherfolk communities and residents, many of them were not aware of how the new project would change the local topography and their livelihood in the following years. Three years later, residents are up in arms once again against the proposed extension of the project, with dozens of more wind turbines on more..

Feb 10 (FT) MP Eran Wickramaratne speaking on the adjournment debate on the policy statement by Prez Ranil Wicckremesinghe said the SJB disagrees with the broad theme of the President�s statement delivered on Tuesday that the problem facing this country is economic and not political. Speaking on the debate on Thursday he stressed that from the outset he rejects the Prez�s theme as the economy, politics and political economy more..

Feb 10 (Island) CEB is planning to reduce its workforce to 18,000, CEB General Manager, Narendra de Silva said recently before a parliamentary committee. Speaking before the Select Committee of Parliament to Investigate Causes for Financial Bankruptcy declared by the Govt, he said that problems in the energy sector were a key reason for the economic crisis in the country, He said that the CEB has built two LNG power plants. more..

Feb 10 (EN) Sri Lanka is in talks with India to establish a multi product oil pipeline connecting Nagapattnam, Trincomalee Tank Farm and Colombo, its Energy Minister said. �On the sidelines of the India Energy week I had a meeting with the Indian Oil yesterday. We discussed the proposal by the Indian Govt through IOC for a multi product oil pipeline connecting Nagapattnam, Trincomalee Tank Farm and Colombo,� Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said on his social media platform. more..

Feb 10 (CT) Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) have so far failed to start any investigation into the Sri Lankans mentioned in the Pandora Papers. Pandora Papers are 11.9 million leaked documents with 2.9 terabytes of data that the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published, beginning on 3 Oct 2021. more..

Feb 11 (SO) The Indian Ocean is probably the most important ocean in the world, judging by its trade, geopolitical and military significance. The eyes of the world are once again focused on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with the Seventh Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) having just concluded in Perth, Australia. The theme of the parley was Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was a keynote speaker at the 40-nation event and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, more..

Feb 11 (TM) The renowned American activist expressed these sentiments over his frustration and unhappiness with people who, despite the suffering they were undergoing, were yet unwilling to support his efforts to secure civil rights due to apathy or fear. Rings a bell? As of the recent past, consecutive leaders of this nation have had the uncanny knack of taking one step forward and two steps back, dragging this nation of 22 million back and forth. When the three-decade-long war ended, more..

Feb 11 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is yet to succeed in bridging the widening divide between his Govt and the general public despite the many policy statements read by him in Parliament on around five occasions, including the two Budgets presented by him as Finance Minister since assuming office. SL last week celebrated its 76th Independence and the Govt, in an attempt at reconciliation among communities, more..

Feb 11 (CT) It is no longer a secret that a progressive section of the Buddhist clergy (Sangha) and Tamil parties (for example the Global Tamil Forum) have met in Europe and North America and worked out a Road Map to put an end to repetitive riots and pogroms that have despoiled this country since Independence. Leaders SWRD, JR, Ranil, Ranasinghe Premadasa and Mahinda, all of them, have racist blood on their hands. DS took away the citizenship of Upcountry Tamils but more..

Feb 11 (Island) Public opinion last week overwhelmingly welcomed the resignation of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, widely perceived to be responsible for the chaos the country�s once proud health sector has plunged into. We have not been told whether he volunteered his resignation or caved in to a demand from above. Though in remand custody, he enjoys the comforts of the prisons hospital and home cooked meals very much like previously convicted or remanded more..

Feb 11 (SO) Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that so many countries which have raised concerns about our Online Safety Bill (OSB) have statutes in all those countries to prevent the attempts by the social media to harm society. Similarly, in SL we are also bound to introduce such a law. Minister said that our civil society has pointed out certain laws to be amended so that we will engage in a dialogue with our local community and more..

Feb 11 (FT) The secondary bond market continued to rally, with aggressive buying interest driving yields down further while robust volumes were transacted. Trading continued to be predominantly on 2026-2028 durations. This was against the backdrop of the outcome of the Special Monetary Policy Board Meeting held on 7 Feb. Effective from 16 Feb, CB has decided to relax restrictions on Licensed Commercial Banks� access to its Standing Facilities under Open Market Operations (OMOs). more..

Feb 11 (FT) According to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Govt he leads and his supporters, SL has recovered from severe economic crisis. In reality, however, this recovery is a deepening of the economic crisis which is embedding extreme, near irreversible levels of deprivation and inequality in SL society. This article interrogates SL�s elite establishment, which is cheering on the Govt, and its responsibility for the unfolding societal catastrophe. more..

Feb 11 (SO) In yet another mockery of events taking place at corruption tainted SLC, the country�s best two white ball bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Mahesh Theekshana will be taking lessons from a lesser mortal from Australia by the name of Craig Howard who never played for his country and most followers in the island have never heard of. Howard has been contracted for a two-year period from Feb 1, 2024 and will be telling the world�s third and fourth best ranked spin bowlers Theekshana and more..

Feb 11 (SO) In a bid to salvage what is left by way of spectator interest in premier club rugby that is played to empty stands, a new format of the sport is set to take place in September and the conversion is currently gathering steam. Experts from Australia and Wales have joined SL Rugby�s former Consultant and CEO Dilroy Fernando to kick start what will be branded as the Colombo 11s and teams from America, South Africa, Australia and Asia will be in the fray competing against more..

Feb 11 (ST) Some SLPP MPs were in Polonnaruwa this week for the first phase of their Jana Rala programme. The group also met some of the party�s provincial leaders to discuss reorganisation efforts. Talk during the tea break turned to JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake�s trip to India. MP Namal Rajapaksa reminded those present that one of the JVP�s five classes used to be on Indian Expansionism in run-up to 1971 insurgency. more..

Feb 11 (EN) Sri Lanka's monthly tourism revenue hit a four-year high in January 2024, the highest since Feb 2020 with the island nation�s hospitality industry has focused on earning more foreign exchange after an unprecedented economic crisis. The tourism revenues in January recorded $341.8 million, more than doubled from a year earlier, as the arrivals have gradually picked up. The island nation, populour for nature tourism as a lower cost, last saw above the January tourism revenue more..

Feb 11 (GV) Mannar is one of the oldest cities in Sri Lanka dating back to the maritime Silk Road and the trade routes between India and SL. It also has some of the most important wintering wetlands for migratory birds. SL is a signatory nation for the UN Convention of Migratory Species. Hence, we have a global responsibility to protect about 15 million birds of 250 species visiting Sri Lanka from over 30 countries. Mannar alone gets about a million birds representing 150 species. more..

Feb 11 (AD) The delegation of NPP led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake has returned to the island this evening (10) following their 05-day official visit to India. Commenting to the media upon returning, he expressed that comprehensive details about his official visit would be made public by holding a press conference in the coming days. Marxist-Leninist communist party delegation left for India on Monday (5) on an official invitation of the Indian govt, as per a statement issued by the party. more..

Feb 11 (DM) President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed optimism of contesting the upcoming presidential election that is slated to be held this year. The President revealed this during an exclusive interview with Indian news channel WION. Prez Wickremesinghe, addressing concerns about China�s increased presence in the Indian Ocean region, stated, "....the island nation will not allow anything that would jeopardize India�s security." The Sri Lankan leader emphasized, more..

Feb 11 (TM) Cabinet approval is being sought to enable India to select a supplier to develop the IT system for the Indian-funded digital ID project after the disqualification of the two initial bidders. Although the Govt issued a tender last year to select a service provider for the system, the two Indian bidders of that tender have been disqualified. It is learnt that they had been disqualified due to their inability to comply with fundamental more..

Feb 11 (SO) David Pieris Group of Companies launched a program a few years ago to provide special technical training on three-wheeler repairing and servicing for women to increase the working female population and help them with high-earning self-employment opportunities. The program, Empowering Women through Technical Training started to help trained, certified women mechanics. It is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, as it is the only mechanic based technical program more..