Jul 1 (AD) State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinge has reaffirmed the govt�s commitment to keeping economic and other reforms on track, during a meeting with the US Treasury�s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia Robert Kaproth at the Ministry of Finance in Colombo. Semasinge stated that on behalf of the govt and people of SL, he extended sincere gratitude and appreciation to the govt and people of the US for their support and cooperation in helping SL recover economically more..

Jul 1 (DM) With the medical brain drain back on the increase after a period of decline, Health Ministry is in a tight spot as they run out of options to tackle the matter. Reports indicate that nearly 5,000 SL doctors have successfully passed exams qualifying them to practice abroad, intensifying concerns within the Health Ministry. With approximately 20,000 doctors currently employed in govt health institutions across SL, more..

Jul 1 (Reuters) The cost for overseas students to apply to study in Australia more than doubled overnight, without warning. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil announced via a statement on Monday that the international student visa fee had risen by $890. The increase is the latest move by the govt to rein in record migration that has intensified pressure on an already tight housing market. On 1 July, the fee rose from $710 to $1,600. It comes at the same time that previously announced measures more..

Jul 1 (AD) Former MP Hirunika Premachandra has filed an appeal requesting to invalidate the recent verdict issued by the Colombo High Court sentencing her to three years rigorous imprisonment and seeking her acquittal from the case. The relevant appeal has been handed over to the Colombo High Court to forward it to the Court of Appeal. Accordingly, Premachandra�s lawyers have also filed a bail application before the Colombo High Court requesting to release her on bail, more..

Jul 1 (TM) Ministry of Home Affairs said that it has implemented all possible measures to address the sectoral issues faced by Grama Niladharis, adding that it may take some time to reach a final resolution since there is a long procedure to be followed to grant relief. Despite these efforts, the Grama Niladhari Trade Union Alliance (GNTUA) that is engaged in their work-to-rule campaign, said their efforts will continue. more..

Jul 1 (Island) The SJB on Saturday called on Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint an Attorney General immediately. Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader�s office in Colombo, MP Chandima Weerakkody said that there were serious issues pertaining to additional solicitor generals and other attorneys-at-law of the Dept of Attorney General appearing for cases countrywide while there was no Attorney General at office. �We have seen this issue on Friday in many courts. more..

Jul 1 (EN) SL will commence digitalization of its Motor Traffic Dept, including introducing an e-ticket system despite opposition, Minister Bandula Gunawardena has said. �We are trying to digitalize the Department of Motor Traffic,� he said. �We are also trying to digitalize the way in which fees are being calculated in the expressway by calling for tenders.� However, Gunawardena said that despite proposals for an e-ticketing system to combat theft by bus conductors, there has been more..

Jul 1 (FT) Marking a milestone initiative to strengthen SL�s dairy industry, DFCC Bank has allocated Rs. 500 million to finance smallholder dairy farmers, in line with its commitment to supporting sustainable development. This dedicated initiative by DFCC Bank is the brainchild of the bank�s MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) Unit and is built upon the successful experience of lending to the beneficiary farmers of the USDA-backed Market-Oriented Dairy (MOD) program. more..

Jul 1 (DM) Outlook in the next three months remains positive as many expect an increase in the availability of new and bigger projects. The construction sector activities have extended its months-long expansion through May, despite holiday-caused decline in April, as new projects are coming back online amid improving fiscal space and overall economic conditions. The construction sector Purchasing Managers� Index (PMI) for May recorded an index value of 54.5 compared to 31.9 more..

Jul 1 (EN) SL�s budget deficit has collapsed to 361 billion rupees up to April 2024 from 824.2 helped by higher tax revenues and a falling interest bill. Revenues surged 48% to 1,216 billion rupees to April 2024, ahead of the 35% annual growth projected in a budget, with higher value added and income tax rates as well as economic activity recovering close to previous levels. SL is emerging from the worst case of more..

Jul 1 (CT) In a major intelligence operation, the Customs Department at the Chennai Airport busted a syndicate which was involved in the smuggling of 267 kg of gold worth INR 1,670 million from SL, during the last two months. An intelligence tip-off led to the arrest of a shop owner, and his staff who were allegedly involved in the crime. In a press release from Chennai Int'l Airport, Principal Commissioner R. Srinivasa Naik said a sales executive of the Airhub shop located at the int'l terminal more..

Jul 1 (AD) Actress Piyumi Hansamali has appeared before the Illegal Assets Investigations Division of the CID this morning, to record a statement regarding an investigation into the alleged suspicious acquisition of property. Hansamali, emphasizing confidence in her innocence, stated to the reporters: �I have not done anything wrong, so there is no need to be afraid. We were actually summoned last week, but I only received the letter on Saturday. more..

Jul 1 (TM) A group of Chinese and Indian nationals who were arrested by the CID on charges of committing online financial fraud are to face multiple charges. As a result of investigations carried out thus far by the CID, several Chinese and Indian nationals suspected of committing financial frauds through online platforms while staying in SL were arrested in the last few days. 137 suspects have been arrested by CID including 31 Chinese more..

Jul 1 (EN) Sri Lanka has appointed a committee to look into renegotiate all the cancelled projects with bilateral loans after the last week debt restructuring deal, Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said. The island nation reached US$10 billion debt restructuring deal with the members of Paris Club and China last week and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the success in the bilateral loans after the deal signed. A raft of infrastructure projects started with bilateral more..

Jul 1 (ANI) Condoling the demise of veteran Sri Lankan Tamil leader R Sampanthan, PM Narendra Modi said on Monday that he "will always cherish fond memories of meetings" with him. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "My deepest condolences to the family and friends of veteran TNA leader R. Sampanthan. Will always cherish fond memories of meetings with him." "He relentlessly pursued a life of peace, security, equality, justice, and dignity for the Tamil nationals of SL. more..

Jul 1 (EN) Bus fares will be reduced by 5.07% from midnight ‍July 1, Sri Lanka�s National Transport Commission announced. The minimum fare will be reduced by 2 rupees from 30 to 28. �We considered 12 factors for the revision including costs of tyres, tubes, battery and spare parts, interest rates, bus prices, to arrive at this percentage, and agreements with bus operator associations,� NTC Chairman Shashi Welgama told reporters. The revision is as follows: more..

Jul 1 (CT) More than 4,000 pilgrims embarked on a foot pilgrimage through the jungle path to Kataragama from Uhanthamale after the ceremonial opening of the path by Governor of Eastern Province, Senthil Thondaman. Ceremony included cutting a flower ribbon followed by a special pooja at the Uhanthamale Murugan Temple conducted by Chief Kurukkal Sivasiri K.K. Seetharam Kurukkal at 5.30 a.m. yesterday amidst chanting of Aroharaa by thousands of devotees. more..

Jul 1 (SLN) In a remarkable dive that highlighted historical reverence, Diving Unit of the SL Navy on 30th June explored the sunken remains of HMS Hermes, a fascinating and historic World War II shipwreck off Batticaloa. The event, which took place in the eastern seas, was joined by the Commander of Navy, Priyantha Perera and former Commander of Navy, Piyal De Silva (Retd). During the World War II, HMS Hermes was targeted & ultimately sunk more..

Jul 1 (TM) Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, PCs and LG announced an increase in the monthly executive allowance for Govt executive officers. Effective from today, their allowance will rise by 10,000 rupees, bringing it to a total of 25,000 rupees. Sampath Deshapriya, a member of the Executive Committee of the Joint Committee of Govt Executive Officers, expressed dissatisfaction and highlighted that certain existing allowances have been slashed. more..

Jul 1 (TM) A farmer from Welimada has made a novel innovation creating a Chilli-flavoured ice cream. Lasantha Lankathileke has produced the ice cream under the technical and financial contribution of the Agricultural Sector Modernisation Program provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries. This chilli-flavoured ice cream contains a mixture of sweetness and chilli, creating a unique flavour. It has been produced by researching the recipe under the guidance of more..

Jul 1 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar criticised the Govt for attempting to present the restructuring of $ 10 billion out of SL�s whopping $ 100 billion debt as good news. Marikkar pointed out that according to the Central Bank, SL�s debt as of March 2024 stands at $ 100.2 billion. �Of this total, $ 57.3 billion consists of local loans. Foreign loans amount to $ 37 billion. Additionally, Govt has borrowed $ 5.9 billion from Govt agencies, more..

Jul 1 (EN) Gevorg Sargsyan has been appointed the World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka, with effect from July 1. This newly created position will provide a single point of contact for access to the full breadth of World Bank Group products and services, the Washington-based lender said in a statement. �My priority is to strengthen the dynamic collaboration among the Bank Group institutions in SL, to improve our speed and make us a better partner to the govt, more..

Jul 1 (TM) The Ceylon Electricity Board Workers� Union (CEBWU) yesterday (30 June) called for the immediate implementation of the proposed performance-based salary structure ahead of the upcoming elections. CEBWU General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal expressed scepticism regarding the Government�s intentions. �The proposal is good. But we are not sure whether the Government has an intention to implement it. Otherwise, it could be a plan to get the votes,� Jayalal remarked. more..

Jul 2 (DM) Over the weekend, social media caught fire over videos showing naked men and women parading the streets of Toronto, not bearing any shame, in a pride walk in front of spectators which included children. Some across the social media world hailed their performance as pride while thousands of others condemned their stunt as disgusting and shameful and called on the Canadian govt to halt such acts in public especially in front of children. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Sirasa TV1�s Public Platform (anchored by Sonali Wanigabaduge) of 29th June is only the latest in a series of valuable, one might say crucial, civil society and independent media initiatives to bring more clarity on SL�s debt crisis and the on-going negotiations believed to be rescuing us from it. Despite govt hype, experts with impeccable credentials that appeared on this and other programmes like it, are seriously worried about the on-going restructuring efforts more..

Jul 2 (TM) Govt of SL does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so. Noting this, the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report issued by US State Dept added that since the Govt has demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with last year (2023), SL remains in Tier 2 of the report. Tier 2 includes countries whose Govts do not fully meet US� Trafficking Victims more..

Jul 2 (ST) The SL people with all their fears, with all the hopes of future years, were hanging breathless to learn of their fate these last few days at the news that an auspicious announcement will be made by the Prez on Wednesday at 8pm on national television. With speculation rife over what he might say, and unbounded criticism flowing even before he had said it, the nation was held in palpitating suspense. With excitement mounting over a curious message stating suba aranchiyak more..

Jul 2 (CT) Sri Lanka will have elections soon. In fact, right now, the country is engulfed and is swirling in the vortex of election fervour. People still hold on to the expectation that democracy will hold sway. The daily discourses are dominated by nothing but the most dismal of news � about debt restructuring and how to squander the IMF loan. How unfortunate is that? Notwithstanding those, I want to point out that there is still some hope. A Nature news item by Benjamin Plackett (2024) reported that more..

Jul 2 (CT) Many stakeholders have shown genuine concern over a predictable failure of school education in SL, given the very low school attendance rates. In fact, it is reported that over 90% of GCE A/L students in schools under the Ministry of Education do not attend school regularly and instead, attend private tuition classes during school hours (7:30 am � 1:30 pm) and only register as school candidates for the exam. more..

Jul 2 (CT) Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, a veteran in Sri Lankan politics and a staunch advocate for Tamil rights, passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday, 30 June 2024. His demise marks the end of an era for Tamil political leadership in Sri Lanka, as he was a central figure in the Tamil struggle for equality and justice for over six decades. Born on 5 February 1933, in Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sampanthan had his roots deeply ingrained within the Tamil community. more..

Jul 2 (TM) Last month, Sri Lanka joined in marking the World Hydrography Day (falls on 21 June), with the National Hydrographic Council (NHC) and the National Hydrographic Office taking a lead in the matter. Hydrography and ocean sciences have long been a neglected area of study and regulation in SL, with land loving policymakers conveniently overlooking the fact that SL is an island and has an ocean domain rich in resources that is several times bigger in size, than of our land mass. more..

Jul 2 (DM) Have you heard of the proverb Hingannage Thuwale (Beggar�s Wound)? It describes a beggar�s ever-festering wound, which he never wants to heal because it sustains his livelihood. During a visit to the Northern Province, Sajith Premadasa, while opening the 225th computerised classroom in the North under his Sakwala programme, made a significant declaration to fully implement the 13th Amendment. His initiative to open Smart Classrooms in backward more..

Jun 2 (Island) Parliament is to have a debate on the recently-concluded external debt restructuring agreement between Sri Lanka and some of its foreign creditors. It is hoped that the focus of the House will remain undivided on the country�s debt crisis and the ways and means of overcoming it, and nothing else. Parliamentary debates usually descend into slanging matches. Opinion is divided on the aforesaid agreement which the government has made out to be a huge success. more..

Jun 2 (ST) India�s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the issue of Kachchativu again in correspondence with TN Chief Minister M.K. Stalin last Thursday. He was responding to a letter from Mr. Stalin regarding the recent detention of Indian fishermen caught poaching in SL territorial waters. Dr. Jaishankar noted that Indian diplomats in SL were working to secure an early release of the fishermen. more..

Jun 2 (FT) SL has registered 113,470 visitors in June, bringing the cumulative number of tourists to 1.01 million for the year, maintaining a steady upward trajectory. June arrivals reflect a significant 67% year-on-year (YoY) growth, although it is still 22.7% lower compared to the 146,828 arrivals in the benchmark year of 2018. In June, the country welcomed an average of 3,782 tourists daily, slightly higher than the 3,617 daily average in May 2024. For 2024, SL Tourism has set an ambitious more..

Jun 2 (FT) A discussion was held between Ceylon Italy Blue Economy Association President Vittorio Coco, Confederation of MSME Industries President Nawaz Rajabdeen and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of SL Past President Macky Hashim on the project for the production of hydrogen fuel from the ocean using solar power which has been submitted to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) which promotes the production of more..