Jul 5 (FT) National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2024, organised by the SL Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP), concluded successfully on 24 June at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo. Held under the theme A Quest for Quality, Productivity, and Innovation, the event highlighted Sri Lanka�s dedication to excellence across diverse sectors. The convention attracted over 360 teams mostly from the manufacturing industry, more..

Jul 5 (FT) Most analysts yesterday described that the deal struck on $ 12.5 billion stock of International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) by the Govt and majority of the creditors was favourable whilst the Finance Ministry said it was fair. �The negotiated Joint Working Framework enables a fair sharing of upside or downside between creditors and Sri Lanka in case of an economic over-performance or under-performance by SL,� Finance Ministry said. more..

Jul 5 (FT) An apparent sense of indifference by local investors despite breakthrough in restructuring of $ 12.5 billion International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) saw the Colombo bourse dip yesterday whilst seemingly bullish foreign investors stepped up their buying. The benchmark ASPI declined 111 points (0.9%) and the active S&P SL20 index was down 38 points (1.1%). Turnover was Rs. 1.96 billion involving 59.8 million shares. The market saw net foreign buying of Rs. 972.4 million more..

Jul 5 (DN) Mikhail Jayaweera of Colombo Int'l School (CIS) achieved an impressive feat by winning the 1m Springboard, 3m Springboard, and Platform events at the 48th National Age Group Diving Championship, organized by SL Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), which was held at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool on June 28 and 29, saw Mikhail earn the honor of representing Sri Lanka at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championship in Rio, Brazil, from Nov 24 to Dec 1, 2024. more..

Jul 5 (FT) Research Intelligence Unit (RIUNIT), an international research and consulting firm has reported a notable dip in average land prices in the Western Province, marking the first decline in the 20 years it has tracked the market. Typically, land scarcity in island cities like Colombo creates constant upward pressure on land values. Even during Sri Lanka�s civil conflict, land prices in Colombo continued to rise. more..

Jul 5 (TM) SL Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) in an official letter addressed to the DG of Sports Ministry has recommended him to withhold the host rights to Science College for 2024 & 2025 seasons, in the aftermath of the unprecedented referees� assault incident on 30 June. SLSRFA has informed the DG that they have arrived at the said recommendation during a meeting of its disciplinary committee last Wednesday and to prevent mob-instigated violence at school rugby games. more..

Jul 5 (FT) One of Sri Lanka�s top tech entrepreneurs Sushena Ranatunga has been appointed as the Rotary Governor Sri Lanka and Maldives for the year 2024/25. The Co-Founder/Director of Creative Technology Solutions Ltd. � a company that pioneered SL�s software industry way back in 2002, he is also the Director of the BOI based healthcare software development company Cambio Software Engineering Ltd. One of his landmark projects for Rotary was being the Project Chair of more..

Jul 5 (DN) Dialog Schools �A� Division League Rugby Tournament matches scheduled for this week have been postponed This decision came after the SL Soceity of Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFR) decided not to officiate any matches following an alleged attack on a referee and touch judges. The incident occurred immediately after the Science vs S. Thomas� match at Air Force Grounds, Ratmalana, last Sunday. President of SL Soceity of Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFR) Dinka Peiris, more..

Jul 5 (Island) SL team from Moratuwa University has made history by securing the Second Prize in the Practice Competition � Cloud Track 1 at the Huawei ICT Competition 2023�2024 Global Finals. This marks the first time a team from Sri Lanka has advanced from the National Level to the Regional Level in Indonesia, and finally to the Global Level in China. The team, consisting of three talented students from the IT Faculty at Moratuwa University, includes team leader Sasika Sankalana and more..

Jul 5 (CT) Sixteen fixed deposit accounts and three life insurance policies belonging to the family members of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is in remand over the case of substandard human immunoglobulin scam, have been frozen by the Colombo High Court. High Court issued this order following a request of the CIABOC. On 27 June the Bribery Commission issued a seven-day restraining order on these accounts more..

Jul 5 (ICC) The Sri Lanka skipper in the 2023 ICC U19 Women�s T20 World Cup continues to scale new heights at the senior level, with the latest showcase of her skills coming in a home series against West Indies. Gunaratne was the Player of the Series for her 134 runs at 44.66 (Strike rate 83.22), with her crucial contributions of 40, 50 and 44 helping Sri Lanka lay a strong foundation in each of their three wins in the ODIs. It was Sri Lanka�s first whitewash of West Indies since 2008. more..

Jul 5 (FT) Before the go slow at the Department of Customs was called off, several trade and industrial bodies came together led by SL Shippers� Council to condemn the strike action, and remarked it was grossly immoral for officials of the dept to hold the people of the country and industries at ransom. SL Shippers� Council Chairman Sean Van Dort expressed his grave displeasure at the trade union action, and noted demurrage and other costs incurred by traders would ultimately be borne more..

Jul 5 (EN) IMF is awaiting more details on SL�s deal with sovereign bondholders to assess its compliance, Mission Chief Peter Breuer said. �We are currently awaiting additional information and will provide the authorities with an assessment of the agreed terms to ensure consistency with the parameters and debt sustainability objectives under the IMF-supported program,� he said. Advisors from both sides prepare deals on the belief that they are compliant with IMF�s Debt Sustainability more..

Jul 5 (TM) Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said that he had convened the Parliamentary session on Tuesday (2) at the request of PM Dinesh Gunawardena, emphasising that it was the Govt's responsibility to prepare the contents for discussion during the said session. Following a request made by the Premier, Abeywardana, in accordance with the relevant Parliamentary Standing Orders, took steps to convene a Parliamentary session on Tuesday. more..

Jul 5 (DM) Hot on the heels of the successful conclusion of bilateral debt restructuring, Japan has taken up the position that any new yen loan will be considered for SL depending on the successful implementation of projects suspended due to the economic crisis and subsequent confidence building, a top source said. Minister Ali Sabry, who was in Japan on an official visit, discussed resumption of all the suspended more..

Jul 5 (DM) Three more suspects have been arrested by the Mount Lavinia Police today in connection with the assault on three referees during the rugby match between Science College and S. Thomas' College at the Air Force ground in Ratmalana on Sunday (30). The incident occurred when a questionable decision on a try or no try by on-field referee Ishanka Abeykoon, after consulting with Assistant Referee Jeewaka Fonseka, led to the disallowance of the try. This prompted some spectators supporting more..

Jul 5 (CT) With major ports worldwide becoming green ports, the Govt has decided to expedite the transformation of the Port of Colombo into a green port. Accordingly, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation has planned to take all necessary measures to achieve this objective by 2025. The Chinese Govt, an economic stronghold in the world, has expressed its willingness to provide all relevant technology for this purpose at the Port of Colombo. A delegation led by Wang Xiao Jie, more..

Jul 5 (Island) Top Opposition spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris said that Chaminda Lenawa, who had moved the Supreme Court the previous day seeking the postponement of the presidential poll by one year should come clean as to who prompted him to seek a postponement of the vital poll. He said that Lenawa, a resident of Panadura owed an explanation especially against the backdrop of the PMD statement denying Prez Ranil more..

Jul 5 (EN) Sri Lanka�s forex reserves rose US$ 221 million to US$ 5,642 million in June 2024 from a month earlier. In June the IMF approved a review making available about US$ 336 million to Sri Lanka. There has been some volatility in the exchange rate in after earlier excess liquidity from dollar purchases. SL operates a so-called flexible exchange rate, which is neither a clean float nor a hard peg and has anchor conflicts. SL has a foreign reserve target set by the IMF which requires more..

Jul 5 (FT) As per the recently published IMF Staff Level Report, it is expected that the Imputed Rental Income Tax (IRIT) would be implemented before the beginning of the tax year, April 2025. Sri Lanka faced a crippling economic crisis in 2022, culminating in the nation�s first sovereign debt default � the worst economic hardship in its 70-year history. In response, SL initiated discussions with the IMF in September 2022 for a 4-year, Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. more..

Jul 5 (FT) SL signing agreements with bi-lateral lenders Japan, China and India to restructure external debts has received calculated praise from SJB leadership and from the IMF with expectations. Japan congratulated SL for effectively managing debt obligations. Endorsements, praises and congratulations apart, SL people have been left totally out of the whole process of debt restructuring and in the dark on conditions and measures the Wickremesinghe Govt has agreed to. more..

Jul 5 (AD) Three petitions for intervention have been filed with regard to the FR petition recently filed by C.D. Lenawa seeking to delay the announcement of the prez election, until the Supreme Court delivers its interpretation on the date of the Presidential poll. The petitions for intervention were filed by NPP, Wasantha Mudalige of IUSF & SJB. NPP MP Vijitha Herath, who is one of the petitioners, has sought a court order to dismiss the relevant petition without taking up for consideration. more..

Jul 5 (DM) The beauty products, including skin whitening creams endorsed by model Piumi Hansamali are not registered with National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). Reliable sources revealed that despite widespread usage in the market, the popular whitening creams endorsed by Hansamali have not been registered with the NMRA. Piumi recently claimed that her cream pack is worth Rs 35,000. more..

Jul 5 (DM) Sir Keir Starmer has become Britain�s new PM after winning a historic Labour majority of more than 170 seats. Starmer travelled to Buckingham Palace at midday on Friday and was invited by King Charles to form a government, as he prepared to lead the first Labour administration since 2010. Labour�s massive victory at Westminster saw the centre-left party win 412 seats, largely at the expense of Rishi Sunak�s Conservatives, who collapsed to worst defeat in party�s history. more..

Jul 5 (AD) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya clarified that individuals with a monthly income of less than Rs. 100,000 are exempt from paying income taxes, even if they have registered and obtained a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Siyambalapitiya said accordingly, they are not required to pay the taxes, even if the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) sends a reminder via text messages or letters. However, he pointed out that these individuals must inform the IRD more..

Jul 5 (EN) Businessman Dhammika Perera has said it is up to the ruling SLPP to decide who its presidential candidate should be and, until such time, he would continue his campaigning. Perera said 44% of the country have yet to decide whom to vote for. �No matter how big anyone talks on stage, no one talks about how to develop the economy. I�m ready for the prez election, but SL�s biggest political party should decide more..

Jul 5 (EN) Ministry of Environment has been granted 5 million dollars by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a chemical disposal project in Sri Lanka. A workshop was held to launch the project to dispose of POP pesticides in the agriculture sector and mercury and waste in the healthcare sector. Even though SL does not manufacture products which contain POPs or mercury, many products containing these substances are imported to the country for various uses every year. more..

Jul 5 (FT) Brazil, the country that gave the world natural rubber, has become the latest export market for CEAT tyres manufactured in SL. CEAT Kelani Holdings recently despatched its first export consignment of tyres to Brazil, second country in South America to join the Company�s international footprint, which covers 16 countries. The commencement of exports to Brazil was preceded by CEAT Kelani receiving the requisite INMETRO certification from National Institute of Metrology, more..

Jul 5 (RN) Labour and Foreign Employment Minister says he discussed with the visiting Israeli ambassador the matter of farmers coming to Sri Lanka to vet and recruit workers for its agriculture sector. �There have been issues with the first batch of workers sent to Israel to work in its agriculture sector,� Manusha Nanayakkara said on Meta (Facebook). Nanayakkara met the Ambassador of Israel to India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan Naor Gilon on Thursday to discuss the issues, he said. more..

Jul 5 (AD) Four individuals have been killed, while three others were left critically injured after a lorry overturned near Walihida area along the Badulla - Soranathota road, police said. Badulla Police said that the accident had occurred at around 12.00 noon today, when the lorry overturned on the main road. The group of persons who were travelling in the lorry at the time have been identified as workers from Monaragala on their way to install waiting shelters at bus stops. more..

Jul 5 (CT) Skin clinics conducted by State hospitals were currently seeing a large number of patients with a fungal infection known as Tinea � also known as ringworm, Consultant Dermatologist at Base Hospital Homagama, Dr. Nayani Madarasingha said. Dr. Madarasinghe pointed out that the skin disease was fast spreading due to failure on the part of patients to seek medical attention. Instead, they either obtain more..

Jul 5 (DM) SJB today denied any association with Chamindra Dayan Lenawa, who filed a petition calling for the postponement of the Presidential election by one year. "Some are trying to associate Lenawa with the SJB. We have nothing to do with him. Those who are trying to link him with us are merely engaged in mudslinging," SJB media spokesman Sujeewa Senasinghe told a media briefing today. He also said that others claim he is a relative of a senior figure in the NPP. more..

Jul 5 (CT) As a mark of friendship between Sri Lanka and Australia, a sapling of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was ceremonially planted at the Bodhi Dhamma Buddhist Vihara in Bendigo, Australia, on 9 June. The Guardian of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Atamasthanadhipathi, Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera led the religious blessings and observances during the ceremony. Minister Vidura Wickramanayake graced this historic occasion, accompanied by more..

Jul 5 (TM) The PHU issued a warning against any attempts to delay the upcoming Prez Election, asserting that such moves which are allegedly part of the Govt's strategy to avoid holding the said Election, should not be taken lightly. This statement follows a fundamental rights (FR) petition filed by businessman C.D. Lenawa, seeking an order to prevent the announcement of the Prez Election date until the Supreme Court provides more..

Jul 5 (AD) A total of 1,403 suspects have been arrested within 24 hours during the second phase of the Yukthiya Operation, which commenced yesterday. The detention orders will be secured against 57 among them for further questioning. Among the arrested individuals are 1,340 male suspects and 63 female suspect, according to Sri Lanka Police. Meanwhile, the authorities have seized 1.086 kg of heroin, 782.7g of Ice and 3.74 kg of Cannabis during the operation. more..

Jul 5 (DM) As part of ongoing efforts to promote economic diplomacy in Africa, Sri Lankan ambassador Kana Ambassador Kananathan met with Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio in Freetown and discussed investment opportunities yesterday. President Bio praised Ambassador Kananathan for his role as an election observer during the 2023 Presidential Elections and acknowledged his commitment to strengthening both diplomatic and economic relations between more..