Jan 26 (TM) Parliament recommends the introduction of incentives to encourage greater liquidity in Sri Lanka�s secondary market and to maintain high public float. Accordingly, the Committee on Banking and Financial Services said that SL�s capital market is unable to realise its full potential as a facilitator of economic growth through cost-effective capital raising, due to a number of reasons, most of which can be attributed to the lack of an enabling environment. more..

Jan 26 (ICC) Chamari Athapaththu was rewarded for her exceptional year with the bat in ODIs. SL top-order batter made significant contributions with the bat and as captain, notably leading the side to a first bilateral series win over New Zealand. Athapaththu showcased exceptional skills and leadership throughout the year, excelling both as a captain and a player in the ODI format. Athapaththu started the year as skipper with a 1-0 win more..

Jan 26 (DN) SL�s Methvan Wijemanne secured spots in two finals, Boys Singles and Boys Doubles with Vichinthaya Nilaweera, at the ongoing ITF Junior Circuit Tennis Tournament held at the SLTA clay court in Colombo, giving SL hopes for a medal today. In the Boys Singles semi-final, Wijemanne defeated Devesh Sarawan of Malaysia with a 2-0 victory. The Royal College star displayed outstanding skills in a hard-fought match lasting two hours and 10 minutes, earning him a spot in crucial Boys Singles more..

Jan 26 (DN) Ceylon Energy, a company in power transmission projects, will commence their operations at the Naivasha SEZ in Kenya. The Company is scheduled to invest over (Kenyan Shilling) KSh.1.1 billion on five acres of land in the initial phase. Over 37o employment opportunities are expected to be created at the end of the entire project. The proposed investment is for the projects in galvanization, helical anchors, smart meters, tower manufacturing, steel fabrication plants. more..

Jan 26 (TM) The education sector trade unions, Ceylon Teachers� Service Union (CTSU) and Ceylon Teachers� Union (CTU), urged the Govt not to conduct any investigations in school premises that could be a mental and physical disturbance to students. In the wake of Public Security Ministry and Police Dept planning to eradicate the drug menace around schools in parallel to the Yukthiya (Justice) operation more..

Jan 26 (DM) After considering the favourable hydroelectric storage and profits earned during the year ending Dec 2023, CEB was directed by the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) to submit a tariff proposal. Accordingly, the end user and bulk supply tariff proposals by the CEB for January to March 2024 were received by the PUCSL on January 16, 2024. Subsequently, though the Commission had requested certain clarifications from CEB, information is yet to be received. more..

Jan 26 (DM) A group connected to a particular political party and fake account holders have posted insulting posts on State Minister Sanath Nishantha's tragic death, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. He said that they observed those who circulate such insulting posts on social media and came to know that they were being done by a group connected to a certain political party and through fake accounts. "Lots of insulting posts about his death are shared on social media. more..

Jan 26 (DM) The govt is in the process of introducing amendments to the Penal Code to institute raping of male children as a criminal offense, amend laws on constitutional rape of females mentioned in the Penal Code and to correct the shortcomings in the law of raping of females. Approval has already been granted by the Cabinet at the meetings held on 18.01.2021 and 28.06.2021 to introduce amendments to the Penal Code to amend laws on constitutional rape of females mentioned in more..

Jan 26 (EN) SL workers in the Maldives have to rely on Undiyal to send remittances home, as banks have limited dollar sales to customers amid forex shortages, a legislator told State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, seeking his intervention. Data showed that the Maldive�s Monetary Authority�s domestic assets had risen over the past several months resulting in reserve losses as the liquidity pushed up dollar demand. A large number of Sri Lankans work in the Maldives in high executive jobs more..

Jan 26 (FT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a vision to become a major global player in the confectionery industry, stressing the potential for the Made in Sri Lanka chocolates to gain international recognition. Speaking at the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers Association (LCMA) on Wednesday, the President encouraged local confectioners to expand more..

Jan 26 (AD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has visited the residence of the late State Minister Sanath Nishantha this afternoon (Jan.25) to offer his condolences to the bereaved family members. State Minister Sanath Nishantha lost his life in a tragic accident on the Colombo - Katunayake expressway early this morning. The deceased lawmaker is now lying in state at Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella, and the members of the public are allowed to pay their last respects. more..

Jan 26 (ST) Delays will be the order of things to come as vessels coming back from Europe and the West will be slow to come back and this should kick in any moment now, analysts said. Shipping industry sources said that delays on vessels coming from Europe and the West should start any moment now and the delays on vessels going from the Far East to Europe will start to kick in within about two weeks� time. The already high freight rates are expected to increase further as space on vessels more..

Jan 26 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa visited State Minister Sanath Nishantha's residence in Colombo this morning, after learning of his sudden death. Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa conveyed his condolences to the Minister's wife and children. The former Prez said that the sudden death of Sanath Nishantha is a great loss to the SLPP, the country and the people. "He was a Minister who took the lead in party activities and any task in the area," he said. more..

Jan 26 (Island) A group of SLPP MPs calling themselves New Alliance will soon launch a campaign in support of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe�s candidature at the forthcoming presidential election. The New Alliance announced that their inaugural meeting would be held at Ja-ela on Saturday (27) from 3pm. The group said that the rally would be held under the patronage of their Gampaha District leader and Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando. more..

Jan 26 (Island) Attorney General�s Dept had not studied the Online Safety Bill properly when it was first gazetted, President�s Counsel Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne has said. The govt first gazetted the Bill on 15 Sept 2023. �Then, we went to the Supreme Court against it and at the court the AG�s Dept officials said they would present over 30 amendments to the Bill. Constitution says that when a Bill is presented, the AG must more..

Jan 26 (AD) Jagath Priyankara who vied for the 2020 Parliamentary Election is tipped to fill the MP seat left vacant after State Minister Sanath Nishantha passed away in a tragic motor accident early this morning (25). Priyankara is a member of the National Freedom Front led by MP Wimal Weerawansa. State Minister Sanath Nishantha and his security officer died in a tragic accident that took place on the Colombo - Katunayake expressway in the early hours of the day. more..

Jan 26 (FT) State Minister of Water Supply and SLPP Puttalam District MP Sanath Nishantha Perera died in a tragic road accident which took place on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway in the early hours of yesterday. He was 48 at the time of his death and was a father of four. His Personal Security Officer (PSO) identified as Police Constable Jayakody was also killed in the accident. Sources indicate that the State Minister was en route to his residence in Colombo after attending more..

Jan 26 (AD) The US remains concerned about the potential impact of SL�s newly passed Online Safety Bill, Ambassador Julie Chung said on Thursday (25). Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the US envoy in Colombo expressed dismay at passing the legislation in the parliament by majority vote without incorporating important input from key stakeholders, including civil society and tech companies. The new law has come under fire more..

Jan 26 (FT) Unless there is a major political predicament, the Presidential elections will be held between Sept and Oct 2024. That is for what all political parties and formations are now getting ready. It was reported that Namal Rajapaksa is going around the country forming Dasa Maha Senawa (Great Ten Armies) among their political supporters like in the ancient days. During Dutu Gamunu�s time, he even selected Dasa Maha Yodayo (Great Ten Giants) to lead those armies. more..

Jan 26 (FT) SL�s Tamil politics just has a new leader. Sivagnanam Shritharan is not the leader I would have hoped and wished for the Tamil people�I was expecting and rooting for M.A. Sumanthiran, a sophisticated postwar parliamentarian�but that�s democracy and the autonomous choice of a community. The choice of Shritharan, a hardcore Tamil nationalist with sympathy for the LTTE including in wartime, indicates the propensity of Tamil nationalism towards what may seem more..

Jan 26 (AD) The saffron robed person claiming to be Vishwa Buddha has been ordered to be further remanded in custody until 02 Feb. This order was issued when he was produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate�s Court over another pending case. The suspect, who was out on bail, was re-arrested on Jan 23 by the CID over breach of bail conditions and was presented before the Gangodawila Magistrate�s Court. However, later he was presented before the Colombo Magistrate�s Court as per more..

Jan 26 (AD) Two more individuals have been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the mass shooting in Beliatta in which five people were killed earlier this week. The arrest was made by the STF in Wanchawala and Megalle areas in Galle on Thursday as part of the ongoing island-wide Yukthiya operation to crack down on narcotics distribution and organized crimes. STF officers have seized 9 grams and 300 milligrams of heroin, a knife, 3 mobile phones and a motorcycle from more..

Jan 26 (AD) The driver of the vehicle belonging to late State Minister Sanath Nishantha has detailed the chilling moment when the fatal collision, happened. During interrogations, Prabhath Eranga said: �We were trying to reach Colombo as soon as possible. The [state] minister was asleep at the time. I overtook the car in front of us, from the left side. And when I tried to get the jeep back to the lane on the right side, I hit the container more..

Jan 26 (Island) Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris said that there was absolutely no basis for claims that US Ambassador Julie Chung told him of the urgent need for the SJB leader Sajith Premadasa to reach a consensus with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to counter the threat posed by the JVP-led NPP. He said so when The Island inquired about recent speculative reports of the SJB aligning itself with Prez Wickremesinghe. Prof. Peiris said that he wouldn�t have bothered to respond to these more..

Jan 26 (DM) Govt has allocated Rs.1,000 million for 2024 for the reconstruction of small-scale tanks, culverts and embankments in the country. This allocation has been made through the Agrarian Development Department for the reconstruction of 17,000 small scale irrigation systems in the country. These renovation works started last year with Rs.1,000 million allocated for 2023. The construction work of around 1,100 tanks, which were carried out under the full supervision of more..

Jan 26 (DM) Forty-eight-year-old Sanath Nishantha who hailed from Puttalam, left his house late on Wednesday to attend two weddings, one in Kurunegala and another in Chilaw. While wishing his wife and four children goodbye, little did he know that he would never return. At approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday (25) morning, while he was returning home on the Katunayake Expressway, his Land Cruiser met with a fatal accident more..

Jan 26 (CT) Another shooting incident was reported from the historic temple in Udaththapola, Dodangaslanda in the night of Wednesday (24), Police said. According to the Police, the assailants fired at the window of the residence occupied by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Ven. Galnewe Pannakiththi Thera. However, the Ven. Thera escaped unharmed. Police investigations have revealed that the perpetrators employed a firearm resembling a trap gun. more..

Jan 26 (IT) Music director Ilaiyaraaja's daughter and playback singer Bhavatharini died of cancer on January 25. According to reports, she went to Sri Lanka to get treated for liver cancer. However, she died at around 5 pm in Sri Lanka. Her body will be brought to Chennai tomorrow, January 26, where the final rites will take place. She is survived by her husband. Bhavatharini was 47 years old. She is the daughter of Ilaiyaraaja and sister of Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja. more..

Feb 26 (BBC) Police in Thailand have arrested a woman whose pet lion was pictured going on a joyride in the streets of Pattaya. A video that has now gone viral shows the chained lion cub seated in the back of a white, open-top Bentley. The lion was being driven about by a Sri Lankan man who has since left the country, and is believed to be a friend of the woman, Sawangjit Kosoongnern. While it is not illegal to own a lion in Thailand, it needs to be officially registered. more..

Feb 26 (DM) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today urged Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene to call for a party leaders' meeting to discuss the Online Safety Bill before endorsing it. SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna who raised this matter during a media briefing said his party has decided to urge the Speaker to call for a party leaders' meeting to discuss the Online Safety Bill as the government has not accommodated some of the amendments recommended by the Supreme Courts. more..

Feb 26 (CT) In a noteworthy step towards strengthening legal protection and establishing a more resilient framework to address sexual offences, the Cabinet recently approved amendments to the Penal Code, introducing the criminalisation of raping male children. Previously, male rape lacked explicit legal recognition as a criminal offence, depriving victims of proper avenues for justice. The draft bill, having received more..

Feb 26 (AD) Hearing of petitions filed against the govt�s new Anti-Terrorism Bill got underway before a five-member SC judge bench this morning. Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Shiran Gunaratne and Arjuna Obeysekera sat for the petition hearing. At least 27 petitions have been put forward against the proposed legislation which seeks to replace the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Among the petitioners are His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, more..

Feb 26 (CT) A total 8,534 cases of dengue had been recorded by the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), from the beginning of January till Thursday (25). NDCU noted yesterday, that by the last week of the month of January four (4) dengue deaths had been recorded in the island. The number of dengue cases recorded in Dec 2023 alone was a starling 13,311. Sri Lanka recorded a total 87,986 dengue cases by the end of 2023 and the death toll of the mosquito-borne disease reached 57. more..

Feb 26 (AD) SL Parliament will be prorogued with effect from midnight on Friday (Jan.26) until Feb 7 (Wed). This marks the closure of the fourth session of the Ninth Parliament. The prorogation was communicated in a proclamation published in the govt gazette by President�s Secretary Saman Ekanayake. The Extraordinary Gazette was issued by virtue of the powers vested in the President by Article 70 of the Constitution. more..

Feb 26 (EN) SL Police said it will continue to take street children into the State�s custody and eventually place them with a suitable guardian, a DIG said. �An operation to take street children into custody in 2023 saw us take into custody 102 street kids who were used for begging,� Deputy Inspector General of Police Renuka Jayasundara said at a press briefing. �We were able to place them with suitable guardians. We will continue this operation in 2024,� she added. more..

Jan 26 (CT) CINEC, known for its involvement in educational activities within the Naval sector, has expanded its reach into the aviation sector. On 23 Jan, the inauguration of the CINEC Aviation educational centre took place with Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva as the chief guest. In its initial phase, the CINEC Aviation Institute is set to commence two three-month courses, with a unique focus on Air Host and Airport and Ground Operations. more..