Jul 28 (ST) My dear Deshabandu, I thought I should write to you at this difficult time when you have been told to step away from the top job in the khaki uniform. Being the respectful and law-abiding citizen that you are, I hope you will respect that order, and stay away from duties though some desperately want you to stay in your job. Honestly, Deshabandu, I always thought your campaign to become the top cop was disaster prone. To begin with, it seemed as if even Uncle Ranil wasn�t too keen to have more..

Jul 28 (Island) By a gazette notification issued on Friday, Election Commission declared that the much awaited prez election will be held on Saturday, Sept 21 and nominations will be received on Aug 15. Why the Election Commission, constitutionally empowered to set the dates since July 17, dragged its feet this long despite speculation and allegations swirling countrywide that the Ranil Wickremesinghe govt was looking for a way to put off the election is anybody�s guess. more..

Jul 28 (CI) It's 2004. India vs Sri Lanka, the inaugural Women's Asia Cup. India win 5-0 (it was a 5-match bilateral ODI series). Cut to 2024. India vs SL again, in a title decider. The format has changed, there were plenty more teams involved but one of them stands above the rest. Over the last two decades, India have grown into a powerhouse, winning all barring one edition of the tournament. They remain favourites to defend their crown, but will likely be pushed a little harder this time. more..

Jul 28 (CI) The papare played, the crowd bayed, wides were cheered and eventually SL snuck home with one ball to spare in the second semi-final. This is a thrilling script for sure, but not one unfamiliar to the locals in attendance - some of whom had made the nearly four-hour drive from Colombo to Dambulla to watch this game. But it was certainly unfamiliar to those SL players out in the middle. SL, to be sure, have come a long way more..

Jul 28 (CT) Putting an end to speculation and rumours, Election Commission announced that the Prez Election will be held on 21 Sept and nominations will be accepted on 15 Aug. Although the year 2024 was dubbed as an election year for the islanders, much debate occurred on the topic due to the postponement of elections owing to the volatile economic realities in the country. However, voters can now heave a sigh of relief knowing that at least one election is going to be held within more..

Jul 28 (SO) Dilrukshi Salman Arachchige, a SL bodybuilding athlete based in the USA, has faced and conquered numerous challenges in her life. Losing her father just minutes after the birth of her son Austin in America, Dilrukshi went into depression exacerbated by a thyroid diagnosis. Despite setbacks, Dilrukshi has risen to prominence in the sport, gaining international acclaim in the Bikini category competing in IFBB Professional League and Amateur Olympia contests. more..

Jul 28 (ST) SL�s Viren Nettasinghe will take on World No.7, Lee Zi Jia in his opening group stage encounter at the Paris Olympic Games badminton competition today. Competing in Group �G�, Nettasinghe will take on the formidable Malaysian opponent at 10:10am local time, 1:40pm SL time, at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, located in the La Chapelle neighborhood of Paris. This match will be a crucial test for the World No.70 ranked Nettasinghe, youngest badminton player to directly qualify more..

Jul 28 (Island) SL�s captaincy often has been decided on seniority in recent years. Muttiah Muralitharan never had a chance of captaining the side for he never wanted it. Otherwise, on seniority, he should have succeeded Sanath Jayasuriya in 2003. But in recent years, almost every senior player in the side wanted to give captaincy a crack. Some were spectacular failures while a few other captains� shortcomings were camouflaged as the side fared well thanks to the presence of a host of more..

Jul 28 (CI) India's new T20I era under Suryakumar Yadav began on a winning note, even if it was jittery at various points in their defence of a big score. A spirited Sri Lankan batting unit, spearheaded by Pathum Nissanka and his free-stroking 79 left an Indian team playing with just five bowling options hanging onto crumbs of hope. One of them was scoreboard pressure. SL had nine wickets in hand but they still needed 74 off 36. more..

Jul 28 (CT) Eight test players including skipper Dhananjaya de Silva are set to travel to England on Aug 3, well ahead of the 3-match Test series scheduled to begin on Aug 21 in Manchester. This early arrival is a strategic move to acclimate to the English conditions, which are known for their unique challenges, particularly for sub-continental teams. The cricketers include Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, and more..

Jul 28 (SO) SL�s biggest hospitality event, Hotel Show Colombo 2024 opened its doors to the public at the BMICH on Friday. The event has been organised by the SL Hospitality Graduates Association in collaboration with CDC Events. Today is the final day of the event. Chief of Staff to the Prez Sagala Ratnayaka was the chief guest on the opening day. Charge d�Affaires, Embassy of France Marie-Noelle Duris and British HC�s Deputy HC Lisa Whanstall were also present. more..

Jul 28 (DM) Supreme Court's decisions cannot be overruled by any other forum, and neither the PM nor the Speaker have the ability to do so, the Bar Association of SL (BASL) announced. BASL strongly condemned the govt's attempts to undermine the SC's interim rulings over the appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. BASL rejects the contention that Supreme Court lacks the authority to challenge nominations made by more..

Jul 28 (DM) In response to ongoing situations in certain regions, the Election Commission of SL has issued a new gazette notification outlining a special procedure for voters who fear they may be unable to cast their vote at their designated polling stations. This measure, rooted in Section 119B of the Presidential Elections Act, aims to ensure all eligible voters can participate in the upcoming election despite potential threats in their areas. The notification specifies that any elector more..

Jul 28 (ST) Asif Iqbal Muhammed Haathim of St. Peter�s College broke a decade-old Junior National record previously held by Sri Lanka�s current Paris Olympic swimmer, Kyle Abeysinghe at 4th day of the Long Course National Swimming Championship at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Complex yesterday. Haathim, already a standout with three gold medals, achieved another milestone in the Boys U-15 100m Breaststroke event. Haathim completed 100m Breaststroke in 1:12.33, more..

Jul 28 (EN) Colombo Dockyard, a unit of Japan�s Onomichi group will invest to boost afloat repairs at Sri Lanka�s Hambantota International Port, which is run by China�s CM Ports. Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) said it had signed an agreement with Colombo Dockyard to construct state-of-the-art ship repair workshop at the port. Johnson Liu, Chief Representative of CM Group in Sri Lanka and CEO of HIPG, emphasised the strategic advantage of HIP�s location. more..

Jul 28 (Island) During the Ekwa Jaya Gamu � Api Galle public rally held on Saturday at the Galle MC Stadium, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe announced for the first time that he will run in the upcoming presidential election and has already deposited the money. Prez highlighted that he has never shied away from challenges and stated that it is his political practice to fulfill his responsibilities quietly. He reaffirmed his commitment to moving the country forward as promised. more..

Jul 28 (TM) India and Sri Lanka have agreed on the unit price for the 50 MW Sampur Solar Power Plant, setting the rate at approximately $ 0.068 per unit. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between India�s NTPC Ltd and CEB are expected to be signed soon, reliable sources have confirmed. The relevant authorities of the two countries had last week agreed on the unit price for the Sampur Solar Power Plant. more..

Jul 28 (ST) Trade unionists are not ready to give up their fight for an increase in the pay structure insisting the recent govt gazette calling for an increase in estate wages clearly shows the need for a salary hike. This comes on the heels of a govt withdrawal of the gazette to increase estate sector wages to Rs.1700. However, now the govt, in the new gazette has called to establish a wage increase in collaboration with the Wages Board. With the new gazette issued by the govt on July 10 more..

Jul 28 (ST) The stalemate in appointing an acting IGP continued yesterday, but a long-term impasse could have implications in a series of other police functions, a senior official said yesterday. He said there were a series of other functions, including giving directions on operations, signing documents, and calling for tenders, and they require the directions of the IGP or the acting IGP. The official explained that though they could manage for a short period of about a week, they would need more..

Jul 28 (ST) Establishing an operation centre under a Senior DIG to monitor election-related violence and election law violations by next week would be among the top priorities in preparation for the conduct of the presidential election, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said. He said the first centre would be set up in Colombo, followed by centres in all districts for people to lodge complaints related to election violence and election law violations. He said he would coordinate through SDIG more..

Jul 28 (Island) Eminent lawyer Presantha Lal de Alwis PC criticized the presidential pardon granted to convicted prisoners, particularly those sentenced to death, as a violation of established procedures outlined in the SL Constitution. Addressing a meeting of the Rotary Club of Colombo Centenarian, under the chairmanship of its President, Chrisantha Perera on Thursday, De Alwis said: �The pardoning of individuals from execution, particularly drug offenders, is not based on any policy or more..

Jul 28 (ST) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is to seek an interpretation from the Supreme Court on whether an abstention or absence by a member of the Constitutional Council (CC) during a vote on approving a nominee submitted by the Prez amounts to a vote cast in favour or against the proposal. Govt sources said Prez is also considering seeking the SC�s opinion on whether the court has the power under the Constitution to remove more..

Jul 28 (DM) European Union (EU) has renewed its ban on LTTE for an additional six months, reaffirming its commitment to combat terrorism. This decision, made by Council of the EU on 26 July, is part of the ongoing measures under the Common Position 2001/931/CFSP. Renewal means that the LTTE, along with other listed persons, groups and entities, will continue to face financial sanctions. These sanctions include the freezing of funds and other financial assets or economic resources more..

Jul 28 (AD) Leader of the NPP Anura Kumara Dissanayake called upon Sri Lanka�s Muslim community to join hands with the NPP in establishing a united govt. Addressing the Galle district rally of the NPP�s Muslim Brotherhood, he further went on to emphasize that the NPP expects to establish a united govt which commands the trust of all communities in Sri Lanka, adding that his party will come into power with the aim of developing Sri Lanka. more..

Jul 28 (ST) A crisis is brewing in the SLPP over support for the candidature of Ranil Wickremesinghe at the prez elections on Sept 21. The root cause is the leadership�s fear that a faction wants to break the party in two instead of heeding a decision over whose candidature the party should back. It is against this backdrop that the SLPP politburo meets tomorrow to formally decide on the party�s more..

Jul 29 (DM) In Parliament a few days ago the Minister of Agriculture made a startling revelation. According to him, vegetable prices in the market are normal. He added, there had been no startling increases in the prices of vegetables. It brings to mind a similar astounding announcement made by a particular Minister some years ago. At that time university students were complaining of the high cost of a meal. That minister, informed the country that it did not cost an average citizen more than more..

Jul 29 (DM) There�s a political poster that�s been splashed on the walls of Colombo. Black letters on a yellow background mean that the author or the party cannot be identified. It is obviously a teaser campaign. It comes with a promise, which of course is the bread and butter of all politicians. Apparently, the lie will come to an end, and on the 29th, the name of the messiah who will take all Sri Lankans to some yet-to-be-named promised land will be revealed. more..

Jul 29 (CT) State Minster Tharaka Balasuriya spoke to Ceylon Today regarding his recent tour to Russia to study the facts related to SL ex-Military men joining the Russian Military to fight the Ukrainians. He said they are not mercenaries as they joined the Russian Forces through a contract signed with the Russian Defence Ministry. He also said that many Sri Lankans have applied for citizenship, however, there are no confirmed more..

Jul 29 (GV) Comrade Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne�s legacy deserves recognition through thoughtful analysis. Comrade Karunaratne�s political journey began within the LSSP. However, in 1972, he parted ways with the LSSP when it joined forces with the SLFP. The 1972 republican constitution drafted by the SLFP inadvertently transformed SL into a Sinhala Buddhist state, marginalising the Tamil community. Subsequently, 1978 Constitution, enacted during PM Jayewardene�s regime more..

Jul 29 (TM) Sri Lanka, battered and bruised by an unprecedented economic and governance crisis, had just managed to get a small window of breathing space, when the long-standing political culture of impunity and self-interest has once again disrupted relative peace and is pushing the country towards a constitutional crisis. This latest crisis is the last thing a bankrupt nation struggling to get back on its feet needs at this juncture. SL does little to build confidence domestically and internationally, more..

Jul 29 (TM) While the long-awaited amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) are currently with the Attorney General (AG), Muslim women�s rights activists remain concerned about the multiple delays and the lack of transparency on this key piece of legislation. Justice Ministry Addl Secretary Piyumanthi Peiris said that MMDA amendments were currently with the AG and were pending his approval. more..

Jul 29 (CT) While it is true that Sri Lanka is an island nation blessed with a variety of natural resources, the smaller size of the country means that the said natural resources aren�t as abundant as we think they are. One fine example of this is the mangrove forests the country possesses. Although Sri Lanka indeed houses one of the most pristine mangrove ecosystems in the world, the area of mangrove forests in the whole country is a modest number of just 12,000 hectares. more..

Jul 29 (ST) As SL faces an unexpected constitutional crisis over this week�s interim order by a three judge bench of the Supreme Court restraining the IGP from exercising the powers, functions and responsibilities of office until the final determination of several fundamental rights challenges, it is not difficult to envisage the Wickremesinghe Presidency and the Govt (metaphorically) rubbing their hands in glee over this gift from the gods as it were. Prez has reportedly stated that he will abstain from more..

Jul 29 (CI) In Dambulla, Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama had countered India's spinners to lead Sri Lanka to the Women's Asia Cup title. About 100 kilometres away in Pallakele later in the evening, it was India's spinners who dominated Sri Lanka in the second men's T20I. Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel and Riyan Parag returned combined figures of 12-0-86-5 to trigger another Sri Lanka collapse and help India sew up the three-T20I series, with one game to go. more..

Jul 29 (Island) Sri Lanka has reached a crossroads where it could save for future generations as a prosperous country or become a permanently underdeveloped nation like some debt-ridden African nations. Voters can change direction, but they need to be educated based on facts. The current political landscape in SL is fraught with issues that render the existing politicians unsuitable for the presidency. How can people trust members of parliament who continue to sell their duty-free car permits? more..