Jul 13 (FT) Sadaharitha Plantations Ltd, said it has successfully entered into an agreement with agarwood growers in Malaysia to share and sell its proprietary SP Tech for the inoculation of agarwood trees. This technology, developed through years of rigorous research and development, is designed to boost resin production in agarwood trees using natural ingredients. Initially, this agreement will witness the inoculation of one million agarwood trees annually, while three new agarwood more..

Jul 13 (FT) The National Police Commission (NPC) has instructed IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to initiate an inquiry into the dissemination of footage showing Dulan Sanjula, a suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Sunhill Group of Companies Chairperson Surendra Wasantha Perera also known as Club Wasantha, being interrogated by a group of police officers. In the video that went viral on social media and other platforms this week, a group of police officers, more..

Jul 13 (FT) Oddamavadi, directed by Aman Ashraff, had a grand premiere on Wednesday at PVR, attended by eminent invitees that included the First Lady, Prof. Maithree Wickremasinghe, State Representatives, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, corporate leaders, and other distinguished representatives of society. The documentary film takes the audience on a poignant journey through an untold story of the SL Muslim community�s struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic, more..

Jul 13 (FT) The controversial non-transparent and non-competitive visa outsourcing deal has been literally crucified by the COPF which has called on Auditor General to launch an immediate probe, which could even mean abrogation of the agreement. In a statement, COPF, chaired by MP Harsha de Silva, said it has released a critical report revealing major discrepancies in the procurement process and agreement with more..

Jul 13 (Island) Railway services will only return to normal today (13), although the strike by station masters and railway controllers ended on Thursday night, the Railway Department said on Friday. The strike ended after a discussion held between representatives of the unions and Minister Bandula Gunawardena at the residence of former speaker Karu Jayasuriya. However, 14 morning trains were not operational yesterday because some vital staffers had not turned up to work, more..

Jul 13 (DM) Excise Dept had failed to collect the total tax amount of Rs. 1.8 billion in arrears up to June 15, 2024, from last year from the relevant liquor manufacturers despite recommendations from the Committee on Ways and Means, Committee Chairman MP Champika Ranawaka said. Committee on Ways and Means has expressed its strong displeasure over the failure to act on the recommendations given by the committee. Excise Dept stated that Finance Ministry is yet more..

Jul 13 (DM) As many as 45 SL criminals �red noticed by Interpol are stationed overseas - mostly in the UAE - and carry organised criminal activities in SL, a top police source said. The govt has initiated action to trap and bring them here for prosecution in terms of the Extradition Treaties signed with these countries. The source the UAE, as a country, is extending cooperation in tracking them. In recent investigations into the shooting more..

Jul 14 (SO) Elections are apparently around the corner. In just a few days, National Elections Commission (EC) will be empowered to call nominations and polling dates for the Prez Election (PE), which has to be held on any date from Sept 16 to Oct 17, though usually all elections are now held on Saturdays. This is to minimise the inconvenience caused to schools and temples which are used as polling stations. Sri Lankans have enjoyed the universal franchise since 1931, long before more..

Jul 14 (CT) After waiting, Supreme Court determination concluded the 5-year term of the prez, and it became a closed chapter. However, there is another petition by a lawyer seeking to postpone the presidential election until a referendum is held. People suspect that the govt is behind gimmicks. Prez RW wants to buy time to widen his voter base before he wants to declare his candidacy for the prez election. Given the above background, the Minister of Justice stated that attempts by more..

Jul 14 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Govt, while racing to conclude the country�s debt restructuring programme, are continuing to create confusion and chaos on the political stage. Govt has expressed hope of completing the country�s debt restructuring programme by the end of this month with the finalisation of the agreement with private creditors. However, Prez has made 2 contradicting more..

Jul 14 (CT) Sri Lanka is a country with rich natural resources. From graphite and freshwater reserves to mineral sands and even oil and gas resources, the country boasts a treasure trove of valuable resources many other nations yearn to possess. However, possessing such natural resources only gives the country bragging rights unless we utilise them in a sustainable and economically beneficial manner. Only a country with a strong economy and a stable political arena can afford to just more..

Jul 14 (TM) While the Supreme Court of this country continues to establish as to what constitutes fact amidst the sea of confusion that is being meticulously created over the interpretation of the Constitution in general and Articles 30(2), 62(2), and 83(b) in particular on the eve of a defining Prez Election, it appears that the powers that be have chosen to ignore those interpretations, possibly in the puerile hope that those established facts will cease to exist if they are ignored, more..

Jul 14 (ST) It is no wonder that when it comes to climate change, SL is among the more vulnerable nations in the region, despite its relatively low carbon footprint compared to big industrialised polluters in the West. A Reuters analysis report this week found that a programme meant to help developing nations fight climate change is funnelling billions of dollars back to rich countries. The report found that Japan, France, Germany, US, and more..

Jul 14 (ST) The Elections Commission (EC) was in full flow this week explaining to the media how the new election laws pertaining to campaign financing work. On the eve of scheduled Presidential elections by October and an expected Parliamentary election to follow soon thereafter, this topic has always been brought up before an election and observed in the breach with gay abandon by all in the fray. There is a free-for-all in funding political parties and candidates. The corporate big boys�, more..

Jul 14 (ST) My dear Basil, I thought of writing to you after hearing you speak at a ceremony in Kalutara last week to Raththaran Rohitha�s 27 years in politics. The important people gathered there were an interesting bunch. What they said � especially what you and Uncle Ranil said � was even more interesting. Do you have any idea why Rohitha celebrated 27 years in politics? Is it because he is not sure whether he will last until his 28th year? Or, should we not be surprised because more..

Jul 14 (Island) Despite the trumpeting from the housetops, no doubt with a weather eye on the plantation bloc vote, most estate workers are still not getting the Rs. 1,700 daily wage imposed on the plantation industry by govt fiat. Planters Association (PA) is adamant that the wage increase will drive the industry bankrupt. A number of plantation companies led by Agrapatana Plantations Ltd, both listed and unlisted, have obtained an interim injunction from a 3-judge bench of Supreme Court challenging more..

Jul 14 (Island) In Jan 2019, former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando appointed Major General Daya Ratnayake as the Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC), along with 14 executive members, with the goal of uplifting sports in SL. At the time, Harin Fernando stated, �As the Minister of Sports, my main focus is to ensure that sports are played clean in the country. Win or lose, playing clean should be the main focus. I want to put a stop to talented youngsters from rural areas being more..

Jul 14 (TM) While the developments related to SL�s debt restructuring negotiations & agreements reached thus far are being portrayed as subha aranchiyak or good news, the people are looking for a real subha aranchiya that improves their daily lives, asserted SJB MP Harsha de Silva. �The subha aranchiya has to be for the people. It has to be something to do with their lives � that they can afford to have three meals a day, for example. more..

Jul 14 (ST) Charith Asalanka, former SL U-19 skipper, is set to take over as SL�s T20 captain on a permanent basis from the forthcoming series against world champions India. This appointment follows Wanindu Hasaranga�s resignation as T20 skipper, prompted by significant public criticism of his conduct and leadership during his short six-months in office. Currently serving as vice-captain, Asalanka is expected to be promoted to captain when the selectors announce the team for upcoming more..

Jul 14 (TM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashley de Silva yesterday (13) refuted reports published by certain news agencies that Sri Lanka will be in line to replace India if the latter decide to withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which is due to start in Pakistan. He said that thus far there had been no official communiqu� to the SLC from the game�s world controlling body and insisted that it would be best to leave matters as they were. more..

Jul 14 (TM) The disciplinary inquiry pertaining to former Captain of the National Netball Team Semini Alwis, who had failed a doping test last March, has been held on 19 June, SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) Chairperson Prof. Arjuna de Silva said. The outcome of the inquiry was expected to be known either late this month or in early August, he added. Prof. de Silva further said that any future action by way of punishment to be imposed on the netballer concerned would hinge on the result of more..

Jul 14 (ST) Sri Lanka earned promotion to Group III in the Davis Cup with a convincing win over Kuwait at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, yesterday. Thehan Wijemanne, who had a successful run in the earlier matches, gave Sri Lanka a significant boost by defeating his Kuwaiti opponent Badel Alabdullah in straight sets. In the second match, Apna Perera, despite some anxious moments, made a strong comeback against Abdulhamid Mubarak. more..

Jul 14 (Island) Some of the biggest stars of cricket have been flops as captains. Names like Ian Botham, Sachin Tendulkar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Lasith Malinga were spectacular failures as captains. In sports, in general, a player�s seniority brings him the captaincy. But cricket is different. Captaining a cricket team is not merely walking in for a coin toss. It involves much more. It�s a tactical game. In most sports, coaches make the call. more..

Jul 14 (DM) Former SL cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene and MP Namal Rajapaksa are among the invitees of Anant Ambani�s wedding. The wedding of Mukesh Ambani and Neeta Ambani's youngest son, Anant Ambani, to Radhika Merchant has taken social media by storm, featuring some of the biggest celebrities and sporting personalities from around the globe. Lavish wedding celebrations for the son of Asia's richest man resumed on Saturday with a star-studded guest list more..

Jul 14 (TP) Jaffna Kings outclassed the Kandy Falcons in a shortened game of seven overs per side, beating them by 4 wickets in a powerful batting. Charith Asalanka unsurprisingly chose to bowl after winning the toss in a seven-over affair which was shortened due to heavy rains in Colombo throughout the day. Jason Behrendorff, taking the new ball for the Kings, was outstanding in the opening over. Behrendorff just conceded 6 runs while getting the prized scalp of Andre Fletcher. more..

Jul 14 (TM) The State-run CEB is planning to transfer its substantial billion-rupee debt to the company responsible for hydropower under the electricity reforms. These reforms propose to maintain Govt ownership of hydropower generation without opening it up to private investment. Under current arrangements, it has been disclosed that the debt will undergo restructuring and be incorporated as an additional expense within hydro unit. more..

Jul 14 (DM) Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund (VET) of Motor Vehicles has announced that vehicles emitting excessive smoke will be blacklisted. VET Director Dasun Gamage said that complaints about such vehicles can be sent to WhatsApp number 070 3500 525. Gamage urged drivers not to obtain the smoke certificate merely to obtain their vehicle revenue license. He noted that though some try to get the certificate through dishonest means, police & Motor Vehicle more..

Jul 14 (AD) A 3-member panel of judges has been named to take up for consideration the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed seeking an order to prevent holding of Prez Election as the 19th Amendment to the Constitution has not been properly passed in Parliament. Accordingly, the petition filed by Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri, is slated to be taken up for consideration before a bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Arjuna Obeysekara and Priyantha Fernando. more..

Jul 14 (EN) SL leader Ranil Wickremesinghe�s prez election campaign is facing a dilemma over coalition due to rivalry parties with different political ideologies. Prez Wickremesinghe is yet to announce his candidacy for the prez poll which is expected to be declared by the Election Commission after July 17. However, his close allies and some ministers in the current coalition govt have already started a campaign to promote him assuming that Prez Wickremesinghe will declare his candidacy. more..

Jul 14 (DM) Claiming that people continue to go to court at their whims and fancies to prevent the Prez Election, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday requested people and lawyers not to make a mockery of the judiciary. Minister told this in Parliament while responding to a question by MP Dullas Alahapperuma regarding another petition filed by a citizen to prevent the Prez Election being declared until the 19th Amendment to the Constitution is approved by a referendum. more..

Jul 14 (TM) There will be no change in the appointment of GBS Technology Services and IVS Global FZCO and its technical partner VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd. (VFS Global/the consortium) as the authorised representatives for online visa applications, Public Security Ministry said. This is despite the findings highlighted in the COPF report on Outsourcing Online Visa and Passport Application Services between more..

Jul 14 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized his commitment to building a robust economic framework that ensures long-term stability for future generations, steering away from short-term solutions that could risk economic collapse. He made these remarks today (13) during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art swimming pool at the Anuradhapura Central College. Reflecting on past economic and political crises, Prez highlighted necessity of a national-level political more..

Jul 14 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe announced plans to implement a program aimed at transforming A'pura, once a major trade and economic center, into a globally renowned city. He emphasized the need to highlight A'pura�s cultural, educational, commercial, and economic values and to initiate archaeological research to bring its significance to the world stage. While cities like Tanjore, Madras, and Sanchipuram receive global attention, A'pura has yet to be developed more..

Jul 14 (AD) Police have apprehended the suspect involved in the burglary of former SL cricketer Sachithra Senanayake�s house in the Kalalgoda area of Thalangama. The arrest follows a thorough investigation into the burglary incident, which occurred on the night of June 22, 2024, the police said. The suspect, a 34-year-old resident of Thalangama, was taken into custody after being identified through CCTV footage. The stolen items, including a laptop, two tablet PCs, more..

Jul 14 (SO) Election Commission (EC) Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake yesterday said the EC will set the date for the forthcoming Prez Election by the end of this month. The candidates for the PE must declare their election expenditure for the first time at this election, he said. The election canvassing financing regulations introduced last year under the Election Expenditure Act of 2023, which was not applied due to the last election being postponed, will be fully enforced at this election, more..