Feb 26 (EN) A roundtable discussion between a delegation from Vietnam�s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, looked for collaboration opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The delegation led by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam Le Minh Hoan, comprised Ministry officials and entrepreneurs of Vietnam�s agriculture sector. SL is strong in several agricultural sectors, with tea, fruit and vegetables especially, more..

Feb 26 (EN) The SJB has filed a motion of no confidence against the Speaker of Parliament for approving the controversial Online Safety Bill allegedly in violation of Supreme Court recommendations. SJB said that the motion is being filed against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena�s gross misconduct and disregard for the supreme law of the land. �He has betrayed the trust of the people and the parliament. It�s time to unite for more..

Feb 26 (DM) Avissawella Police have initiated an investigation into the theft of Rs. 100,000 from a primary school office, a donation made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa a few days ago. The donation was part of the Sakwala programme during the Opposition Leader's visit to the Puwakpitiya South Primary School on Feb 23. A complaint was made to the Avissawella police by the school Principal that someone had broken the front door of the office and all the cupboards more..

Feb 26 (FT) Intelligent Harvesting Technologies Ltd. (IHT) unveils its latest, urgently needed innovation � the Automated Rubber Harvesting Robot, which is set to address a serious concern in Sri Lanka�s declining rubber industry. Since 1876, the Sri Lankan rubber industry has been deeply rooted in the cultivation of rubber trees and the meticulous processing of latex into various products such as tires and gloves and has been known for its worldwide quality recognition. more..

Feb 26 (DM) The inaugural edition of the Lanka T10 League is set to take place from Dec 12 to Dec 22, 2024. Originally planned for 2023, the tournament's rescheduled dates provide an optimal window for hosting a successful competition. Sri Lanka's newest addition to its annual cricket calendar, the Lanka T10 League, promises to showcase some of the finest international stars alongside the country's top cricketing talents. more..

Feb 26 (DM) The notice published on SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) official website notifying Russian and Ukraine tourists to get their visas in order, has been taken down. Industry sources shared with Daily Mirror that the notice was removed today since the Ministry of Internal Security maintains that it did not issue such an update. However, on 22 Feb, Dept of Immigration and Emigration wrote to the Ministry of Tourism requesting to inform Russian and Ukrainian more..

Feb 26 (AD) Doctors of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital suspect that the recent deaths of several dialysis patients was due to a chemical used for the treatment. The dialysis unit of the hospital was temporarily closed on 23 Feb, after a series of patient deaths, attributed to a suspected infection at the time, were reported since January this year. While an investigation was previously conducted at the institutional level to determine if the fatalities were a result of an infection caused by more..

Feb 26 (DM) Plastic wastes account for about 10% of the waste collected by local authorities, out of which about 70% is packaging plastic such as single-use plastic (SUP) shopping bags (40%) and lunch sheets (10%), according to a survey conducted by JICA. JICA conducted a survey through Project for Strengthening Plastic Management Capacity launched in Sept 2023 on the current situation of plastic waste management, which was not grasped in the past. more..

Feb 26 (EN) Opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka has presented a common minimum progamme to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and representatives of the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), with a proposal to trim the executive powers of the president�s office to 2015 levels. Titled A Step Forward with Unity for Our Nation, the 32-page document contains proposed short and long term solutions to Sri Lanka�s ongoing issues. Among these is a proposal that reads more..

Feb 26 (DM) Restructuring of the national carrier SriLankan Airlines is in tatters after Sunday�s ground handling debacle, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. �Deadline given to potential investors for submitting expressions to partner the national carrier ends on March 5. The information we have received as of now is that all those who have already expressed interest are planning to withdraw after the Sunday�s flight delay. more..

Feb 26 (DM) United Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd has entered a contract with Ministry of Power and Energy to supply Petroleum products in Sri Lankan Market. This event came into live after selecting the company based on RFP issued by SL govt to further liberalizing the country�s retail petroleum sector early last year. United Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd is a leading Petroleum Trading company in Australia owning over 500 fuel stations all over Australian sub-continent. more..

Feb 26 (AD) A survey conducted by the Uni of Peradeniya has revealed that 71% of the official telephone lines assigned to state institutions in the country are not functioning properly. The relevant survey was conducted by a group of students from the Uni�s Dept of Economics and Statistics, under the guidance of Prof. Wasantha Athukorala. As per the survey, only 29% of the official telephone lines introduced for the public to contact state institutions operate properly, more..

Feb 26 (TM) Senior DIG and Acting IGP, Deshbandu Tennakoon, has been appointed as the new Inspector General of Police. The appointment was made in accordance with the constitutional provisions outlined in Articles 41C.(1) and 61E.(b) of SL, by the authority vested in Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake presented the official appointment to Tennakoon. more..

Feb 26 (AD) A 51-year-old Public Health Inspector (PHI) has been shot dead at his residence in Pathiraja Mawatha, Elpitiya. Police said that the shooting had been carried out at around 7 a.m. this morning by two unidentified gunmen who had arrived at the residence on a motorcycle and subsequently fled the scene. Investigations have revealed that the assailants had used a pistol, while further investigations to apprehend the suspects are being carried out by the Elpitiya Police. more..

Feb 26 (EN) ASEAN countries have potential to expand intra-regional trade relations by signing more free trade agreements, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe has said. �Regional free trade agreements play a critical role in implementing an institutional framework that provides a stable operating environment for the success of trade and investment,� Semasinghe told a BIMSTEC discussion held on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2024 in New Delhi, this week. more..

Feb 27 (TM) One of the key reasons why Sri Lanka entered a downward spiral and ended up in declaring bankruptcy was due to the public�s lack of involvement in governance and policy making. Traditionally, Sri Lankans have left policy making to the elected officials and as the business of govt, was seen just as that, something which the govt was entrusted to do, and has nothing to do with the common man. The folly of such thinking, and the adverse impact which the community more..

Feb 27 (CT) Sri Lankans, on foreign land, are often the recipient of racist remarks, jokes and are subjected to harsh discrimination in schools, workplaces and public spaces because of the passports we hold and the colour of our skin. Worse, white privilege continues to stab us in the back even on our own shores, sometimes aided by locals who enable this toxicity, while at other times, white people need no help to further perpetuate behaviour that is, simply � for lack of a better term � off putting. more..

Feb 27 (CT) According to the latest reports, a growing number of Sri Lankans are becoming victims of human traffickers, who are exploiting them through illegal employment opportunities in Myanmar. This trend poses a significant challenge for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), where the officials are struggling to curb the arrival of more victims to Myanmar while attempting to rescue a group of 56 already stranded Sri Lankans. more..

Feb 27 (CT) Never in the history of independent Sri Lanka (SL) had its economic ties with neighbouring India grown so strategic and deep as during PM Modi�s decade from 2014 to the present. During that decade, SL had seen seven prime ministers and four presidents of whom a couple had been re-elected or appointed to those positions more than once. But what made Indo-Lanka economic connections so strategic and deep is the island�s rapid descent into financial bankruptcy & economic chaos in more..

Feb 27 (DM) Ever since Mr S. Sritharan was elected leader of the Federal Party or the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), numerous articles with a racist bent have begun appearing in a number of national news outlets in Colombo. The articles have a common thread running through them - Sritharan�s visit to the LTTE war heroes� cemetery in Killinochchi - and their (nationalist writers) interpretation of the symbolism of that visit. One of these Prophets of Doom even went to the extent of giving more..

Feb 27 (TM) The debate on parate execution has been going on for months in SL, with the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector opposed to banks using parate rights to recover loans, while the Govt, Central Bank of SL (CBSL), and banking sector believe that abolishing parate rights will impact the sustainability of the banking sector. The debate started back in November last year after the Supreme Court delivered more..

Feb 27 (ST) Next time you stroll down Galle Face Green, lengthen your walk to pass the old Parliamentary building where 76-year-old icons stand helplessly cemented to their pedestals, unable to dismount and express their dismay over the direction the nation is heading without compass or map, with nothing more than misplaced faith in slogans. Cross the roundabout where three Lankan lions laze by their waterhole spout, and go past the capital�s first high-rise tower with a kiosk more..

Feb 27 (SO) In commemoration of the centenary (1924-2024) of Al-Fasiyathul Nasriya Muslim Balika Maha Vidyalaya, the first Muslim girls� school in SL, in Maradana, Beruwala, in the Kalutara District, a special commemorative stamp and a first-day cover were issued recently under the auspices of the Minister Bandula Gunawardena. On that occasion, Minister said that on its 100th birthday, the first Muslim girls� school should initiate Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) more..

Feb 27 (CT) Janith Liyanage and Lahiru Madushanka displayed exceptional batting performances to lead team Jaffna to a thrilling one-wicket win over Team Kandy at Dambulla yesterday. Kandy, who were invited to take first lease of the wicket, posted a massive 359-7, thanks to half-centuries from Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamil Mishara, and Niroshan Dickwella. In response, Jaffna achieved the unthinkable by reaching the target in just 48.5 overs, courtesy of brilliant more..

Feb 27 (Island) SL politics is turning red in tooth and claw; the battle for the coveted executive presidency is getting down and dirty with every passing day. The presidential election is about eight months away, but the prospective contenders are already trading blows below the belt. At this rate, they might even run out of slander, vitriol, put-downs and taunts months before the contest proper! Let them be warned that it is a long climb, and they need to pace themselves accordingly. more..

Feb 27 (DM) Wanindu Hasaranga has already become one of the most popular Sri Lankan captains in the recent past just a few games into his new tenure as the skipper of the Sri Lanka T20 team. Sri Lanka may have lost their third T20 against Afghanistan last week, but the manner in which the team was able to play, has clear indication that under Hasaranga, Sri Lanka would not mind taking an aggressive approach against any team. more..

Feb 27 (Island) One of SL�s six RAMSAR wetlands, the Anawilundawa sanctuary is surrounded by a colorful coastline, enhanced by the lush mangroves that shield it, and supported by freshwater sources that are essential to life. Numerous plant and animal species can be found within the confines of this sanctuary, in addition to neighbouring communities whose survival depends on the health of this ecosystem for their survival. The intricate root systems of mangrove forests bridge more..

Feb 27 (DN) Dineth Weeraratne from Leeds International School and Shenella Seneviratne from Gateway College Colombo emerged as the Best Performers at the 22nd TISSL Int'l Schools Athletic Championship. The event, organized by Gateway College and held at the Sugathadasa Stadium, witnessed Lyceum International School Wattala securing the top position in the overall school rankings. Dineth Weeraratne, breaking records in the boys� 100m heats with a swift 10.62 seconds, more..

Feb 27 (FT) SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage announced yesterday that fleet expansion of the national carrier remains an immediate focus. Speaking to the media, he disclosed that the airline has contracted for three A320s, one of which is already received. Additionally, the airline has received offers for six A330s and hopes of finalising these acquisitions by the end of the year. �Govt procurement processes are time-consuming and the global demand for aircraft is escalating. more..

Feb 27 (FT) In a bid to address congestion and enhance capacity at BIA, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announced plans for the construction of a temporary terminal at a cost of Rs. 6 billion. He said that the temporary terminal will cater to an additional 1.5 million passengers till the completion of the second terminal. �I�ve allocated Rs. 6 billion to put up a temporary terminal and the tender process is underway. It is expected to be completed within 10 months,� he said, more..

Feb 27 (ST) Parts of the renowned Yala National Park, which is famed for conservation as well as an attraction to tourists, have become hubs for illegal activities such as cannabis cultivation, poaching, and the bushmeat trade. Princy Surendara, 39, an environment justice activist from Diulpallama in Tissmaharama, said he had informed the authorities and the police of illegal activities in the national park and even raised more..

Feb 27 (ST) SL�s electricity sector reforms need consultation from within to ensure the state enterprises receive the right breakthrough in becoming more efficient institutions. At a discussion held recently at the Chartered Accountants of Lanka auditorium a number of professionals from the CEB were brought on stage by the Thought Leadership Forum moderated by Ranel Wijesinha, a founder of the forum, highlighting the facts and figures in running the institution and laying out more..

Feb 27 (CT) Minister Siripala de Silva met SriLankan Airlines� trade union representatives, as well as SriLankan Chairman Asoka Pathirage, to address the flight disruptions at the BIA two days ago. However, the discussion descended into a heated blame game as additional issues, such as an alleged rat found on a flight from Lahore, Pakistan and technical problems on another flight, were brought to light, further complicated by 13 ground staff members taking leave at BIA, all of which more..

Feb 27 (DM) It has now come to light how former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa acted arbitrary and unreasonably for reasons best known to him when granting pardon to former parliamentarian Duminda Silva in 2021. Although the recent Supreme Court (SC) Judgement that quashed Silva�s pardon reveals this, the former President by an affidavit dated February 3, 2023, has informed the Apex Court that he followed the due process more..

Feb 27 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa claims that the Constitutional Council (CC) did not approve the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the new IGP and charged that the country�s Constitution is being blatantly violated for the second time. In a post on �X�, formerly known as Twitter, he said that during the meeting of the CC, four members had voted in favour of Tennakoon as the new IGP, two voted against it while the other 02 had abstained. more..

Feb 27 (Island) JVP-led Anti-Corruption Voice convener Wasantha Samarasinghe says that 118 files on allegations investigated by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the police and ready for prosecution are gathering dust at the Attorney General�s Dept. �We have submitted 570 files with our complaints to the FCID, CID and CIABOC. We know that the FCID completed investigations into 118 of them and handed them over to the AG�s Department for prosecution. more..