Jan 30 (SO) Just before sunset, planter and hunter Shelton Agar, a Britisher, peered through the bushes in a scrub jungle close to the Punani-Batticaloa road bordering the historic ancient city of Polonnaruwa waiting for his target, a notorious man-eating leopard that killed and ate an estimated 20 people. It was somewhere in August 1924 when Agar who eliminated several rogue elephants in the Batticaloa district sat by the remains of what was said to be the last human victim, more..

Jan 30 (FT) Referring to the SLT-Mobitel refusing to withdraw the case against the Dialog-Airtel merger widely reported yesterday in the Daily FT, official sources said Govt members on the SLT Board for months had not briefed Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe fully and was taking refuge on a board decision without highlighting their concerns about the spectrum allocation to TRC and reallocating the same amongst all existing operators according to law. more..

Jan 30 (ST) Ceylex Engineering through its subsidiaries, Kingsbru Teas (Pvt) Ltd and Ceylex Engineering Plantations, has invested in precision agriculture to combat food security, add value to their existing business, and as a national service to the country. �With food security being a challenge, we thought of getting into agriculture. Also, tea for Sri Lanka is the answer. So, we thought of giving it an additional boost,� Ravi Dahanayake, Director, Kingsbru Teas (Pvt), more..

Jan 30 (FT) SL Tourism is experiencing an influx of tourist arrivals during January, with the latest data indicating that the numbers are on track to surpass 200,000. During the first 28 days of the month, SL has welcomed a total of 189,574 tourists. Analysts said the daily average was 6,770 tourists and if this is maintained, January could end up with nearly 210,000 arrivals. Last month, arrivals amounted to 210,351. January however is set to fall short of the original target of 241,962 arrivals. more..

Jan 30 (ST) Police are investigating the presence of a third vehicle, which may be connected to Thursday�s accident that claimed the lives of state minister Sanath Nishantha and his personal security officer. A senior police officer said that since the drivers of the two vehicles have claimed the presence of a third vehicle, the Highway Police has been told to investigate and report back. Investigations and statements made by more..

Jan 30 (FT) United States Agency for International Development (USAID)�s Partnership for Accelerating Results in Trade, National Expenditure, and Revenue (PARTNER) activity, with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), have completed an on-the-job coaching program for 50 Development Officers (DOs) attached to the SL Export Development Board (SLEDB). At an award ceremony on 18 Jan, SLEDB, USAID PARTNER and CCC, recognised the officers for completion more..

Jan 30 (Island) The election of Sivagnanam Shritharan as President of the ITAK has the potential to bring Tamil nationalism to the fore again. The ITAK is the largest Tamil political party and the mainstay of the now fragmented TNA which was an alliance of political parties that came into existence during the latter phase of the LTTE period, at their instance, and continued thereafter. However, the ITAK�s new President did not win his election overwhelmingly. more..

Jan 30 (TM) The Injury Prevention and Control Unit of the Ministry of Health said that excessive speed resulting from driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, mental stress, and sleepiness were identified as the foremost factors affecting the increase in fatal road accidents. During the last two weeks, several fatal road accidents were reported from all over the country including the accident where State Minister Sanath N more..

Jan 30 (DN) SL under 19 team led by Sineth Jayawardena will meet West Indies led by Stephan Pascal in their ICC under 19 World Cup cricket fixture scheduled to be held at Kimberley, South Africa today, commencing at 1.30pm (SLT). After losing the game against Australia which was the last league match held at Bloemfontein on Sunday, SL team is expected to come to this game after rectifying their mistakes. The Manager of the team, former cricketer Jayantha Seneviratne said more..

Jan 30 (DN) The much published Krrish tower or the One Tower in Colombo Fort today is left to rot and is a major eye sore and also a paving way for a major disaster. The building reached over 50 floors and the crane on the roof top is unused for over a year and rotting. Many say that it may crash down creating a major disaster to the busy traffic in Colombo Fort road and even to nearby buildings. Urban Development Authority which leased this property to an Indian company was also planning to more..

Jan 30 (DN) As Sports Minister I had big challenge to lift this SLC suspension and finally we got success and now SLC headed by Shammi Silva can continue their activities without any issues, We missed hosting under 19 ICC world cup which is now in progress in South Africa. we hope to host ICC annual conference next June and hope ICC will give that chance from their next meeting said Sports Minister Harin Fernando. ICC lifted the suspension that was imposed on SL with immediate effect more..

Jan 30 (Island) Immense learning loss among the young, the likelihood of increasing school dropouts, the interruption of the school feeding programme and rising mental stress and confusion among children are just a few among the multiple ills that result from prolonged school closures in SL, Gamani Corea Foundation�s (GCF) 13th discussion session was told recently. The above insights formed part of a comprehensive issues paper that was authored & presented at the session held at BMICH more..

Jan 30 (FT) SJB Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahman said the party is unwilling to enter into a national Govt with the present administration which bankrupted the country, asserting that anyone with sound judgement would refrain from taking such a course of action. During a press conference, Rahman noted that the Govt is trying to attract Opposition MPs and, under the guise of the term national consensus, more..

Jan 30 (DN) To bring in more foreign direct investments to the country, Sri Lanka should have more export processing zones. For the past 10 years not a single comprehensive export processing zone has been established, disclosed Thilan Wijesinghe, Chairman & CEO of TWCorp Ltd, at the Advocata Institute organised special breakfast forum yesterday. He said that Sri Lanka should urgently set up these zones starting from Hambantota and Trinco and an Agro zone too was needed. more..

Jan 30 (TM) A future Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) alliance will be headed by the party Chairman, with executive powers, as per the alliance�s constitution, the party said yesterday (29). This, despite former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga�s name has been suggested as the leader of the new political alliance which is to be formed under the leadership of the SLFP. SLFP�s incumbent President is Opposition MP and former President Maithripala Sirisena. more..

Jan 30 (Island) This is a busy year for the national cricket team and having already played Zimbabwe, SL are preparing to host Afghanistan in an all-format series that will get underway later this week. The Afghans will arrive in the island shortly and will feature in a Test match in our soil for the first time. They were granted Test status in 2017 and featured in their maiden Test a year later when India hosted them. Although the Afghans have become a force to be reckoned with in the white ball formats more..

Jan 30 (CT) Convener of the Health Trade Unions� Alliance (HTUA), Ravi Kumudesh warned they would stage a massive protest in hospitals and in the vicinity of the Health Ministry today (30), as there was no response from the authorities to their demand for economic justice. ​ Kumudesh yesterday said that the protest would commence at 12 noon demanding the Ministry and government authorities to treat all State health service categories alike and give them economic justice. more..

Jan 30 (HRW) SL govt�s proposed law to create another body to investigate wartime abuses replicates previous failed efforts, ignores the needs of victims, and falls far short of meeting SL�s international legal obligations, Human Rights Watch said. SL authorities continue to silence and repress families of victims and their communities 15 years after the armed conflict ended. The Commission for Truth, Unity & Reconciliation more..

Jan 30 (DM) Some universities were planning to invite politicians and presidential candidates to universities and such moves should be stopped, State Minister Dr. Suren Raghavan said today. He said that politicizing of universities should be stopped. "I learnt that some universities are planning to invite politicians and presidential candidates to universities. This should be stopped. Please stop politicizing universities. Universities are meant for academic activities. more..

Jan 30 (Island) CID has informed the Maligakanda Magistrate Court that minutes on the files taken into custody from former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in connection with the fraudulent procurement of fake immunoglobulin were missing. CID investigators have observed that the other files pertaining to Cabinet decisions had their log entries and minutes but minutes had gone missing from the files pertaining to the Cabinet memorandum dates May30, Sept27, Oct25 & Dec5 of 2022, more..

Jan 30 (TM) Electricity charges are likely to be reduced by more than the average rate of 3.34% which was originally proposed by the CEB when it sought a tariff revision from the regulator. On 12 January, CEB Acting General Manager engineer Dr. Narendra De Silva had written to the power regulator, the PUCSL, seeking the latter�s approval to reduce electricity tariffs by an average of 3.34% with effect from 1 February. more..

Jan 30 (FT) Every few years, SL�s weakness in manufacturing comes up as the cause of our economic malaise. Economic growth through services is not real, they argue. In the most recent iteration, the slogan is that of a production economy, code for manufacturing. The need for local production is indisputable. But one must avoid the interpretation of local production as being limited to manufacturing, agriculture, and resource extraction, as is implied by the proponents of more..

Jan 30 (SLN) Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) SAIF arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning. The visiting ship was welcomed by the SL Navy in compliance with naval traditions. PNS SAIF is a 123m long Sword Class Frigate commanded by Captain Muhammad Ali. Meanwhile, she is manned by a crew of 276. Commanding Officer of the ship is also expected to call on the Commander Western Naval Area. During the ship�s stay in Colombo, its crew members will visit some of more..

Jan 30 (FT) Judging from events unfolding in various parts of the world, including the annihilation of the Palestinians in Gaza, the ever-widening income and wealth disparity between the rich and the poor, the hunger and malnutrition that millions of very ordinary people experience, the millions of the forcibly displaced persons and refugees without a home or any hope, the value of international events such as the World Economic Forum is questionable. Rebuilding trust, restoration of collective more..

Jan 30 (AD) Four paratroopers have suffered minor injuries during Independence Day rehearsals this morning. According to SLAF spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe, two paratroopers belonged to the SLAF, while the other two were attached to the SL Army. The four paratroopers reportedly suffered minor injuries after their parachutes had gotten entangled mid-air, while landing at the Galle Face Green, during the ongoing Independence Day rehearsals more..

Jan 30 (AD) The police have fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse the SJB protesters in Colombo this afternoon. Joined by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB MPs and supporters, it was organized by the main opposition in protest of the conduct of the govt. Earlier today, three court orders were issued ahead of the SJB�s protest march, barring the demonstrators from entering certain locations in Colombo more..

Jan 30 (FT) Sri Lanka is charting a course towards a digital future with knowledge exchange from Australia. State Minister Kanaka Herath recently hosted a productive meeting with Australia�s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) to share insights and expertise. The meeting focused on the DTA�s successful strategies in driving digital transformation across Australia, and how SL can adapt these models to its own context. Minister expressed his gratitude for the support of his team, more..

Jan 30 (EN) Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to seek private investment on a built operate own (BOO) basis to build a power plant with six wind turbines at a wind farm in Mannar Island, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. Sri Lanka was originally planning to build the turbines with a US$ 47 million loan from the Asian Development Bank. �Asian Development Bank funds cannot be used until the govt�s foreign debt restructuring program is completed,� he said. more..

Jan 30 (AD) The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world�s largest charitable foundations, has agreed to establish a Program Support Unit to support the Office of President of SL. Accordingly, Global Health Strategies, an international organization established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and its local partner Connect to Care Organization, have agreed to establish a Program Support Unit to support more..

Jan 30 (FT) CFA Society SL (CFASSL) has commended the new corporate governance structure for listed companies. In its capacity as a leading professional body representing investment professionals in SL, CFASSL said it has been a powerful voice on local advocacy issues such as the drafting of new regulations, corporate governance and setting standards of best practices. �Society commends the SEC and the CSE for making the much-needed updates to the corporate more..

Jan 30 (Island) In yet another significant medical initiative, Rotary has handed over critical care equipment to the value of Rs.35 million for the expanded Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. This project was undertaken by the Rotary Club of Colombo West in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Hamamatsu South, Japan together with Rotary Districts 3220 and 2620 along with a grant from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. more..

Jan 30 (AD) Former MP Mujibur Rahman was reportedly rushed to the Colombo National Hospital after falling ill during the protest march staged by the SJB this afternoon. SJB MP Harsha de Silva stated that Rahman has been rushed to the Emergency Unit of the hospital. In a post on X, MP de Silva stated that Rahman had suffered breathing difficulties caused by strong tear gas attack. Earlier today, the SJB held a protest march against the conduct of the govt, more..

Jan 30 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has green-lighted a proposal seeking to continue the Aswesuma scheme for welfare benefits payments with several new amendments. The President has furnished the proposal in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies. The revisions are as follows: Extending the valid period for the vulnerable social group among the social groups qualified for Aswesuma benefits as from 1 April to 31 Dec 2024, more..

Jan 30 (CT) Several botanical experts have expressed concern that the Victoria Lily, which has been illegally brought to the country, could pose a severe threat to the natural water resources systems. After the Dept of Agriculture hinted at potential legal action against those cultivating this plant, some individuals have started releasing it into the natural environment. The initial information about this plant surfaced from a temple in more..

Jan 30 (EN) SL�s cabinet had given the nod to appoint a committee which will look into the feasibility of exporting up to a million tonnes of granite including a stockpile of rocks dug up when building the Hambantota port, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. The rocks are now piled up in the port premises near the administration building and by the Hambantota New Hospital, he said. �A committee will be appointed to study the possibility of exporting 1 mil metric tons of granite,� more..