Jun 25 (TM) The Cabinet has green-lighted the introduction of digital technology for Piriven education. Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Technology have jointly planned to implement a program to empower Piriven education through the introduction of digital technology. Through this, Piriven-related teachers and both clergy and non-clergy students will be able to utilise digital technology to explore and analyse the Sri Lanka national Buddhist heritage, more..

Jun 25 (SLN) The SL Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the wee hours of today. The operation led to the seizure of an Indian trawler (1) and apprehension of 10 Indian fishermen poaching in SL waters off Kankasanthurai, Jaffna. In an unfortunate turn of events, a sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron sustained critical injuries due to the aggressive maneuvers of an Indian trawler, resisting its seizure. more..

Jun 25 (PMD) Senior Advisor to the Prez Sagala Ratnayaka, has instructed relevant officials to provide maximum support for the successful organization of the Bora community�s spiritual conference and annual convention in SL. These instructions were given during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday afternoon regarding the upcoming Bora Conference and Convention. The Bora conference and Convention are scheduled to take place from July 7th more..

Jun 25 (DM) Sub-committee has recommended increasing the allowances for re-scrutinising answer scripts of the GCE O/L and Grade 5 scholarship examinations, Education Minstry said. They said the recommendation will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. Furthermore, the proposal submitted to Public Service Commission, which informs teachers' unions about replacing the existing modular system for teachers in the teaching service, is to be considered by the Commission and more..

Jun 25 (TM) Despite claims that the authorities are seeking to uplift the local coconut oil industry, in reality, coconut oil importers seem to be receiving more support from the authorities than local coconut oil producers, industry representatives alleged. They claimed that the taxes applicable to imported coconut oil has been reduced by around Rs. 200, which they pointed out is a significant reduction, while the VAT applicable to more..

Jun 25 (AD) NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya states that their party will support the private member�s bill tabled by SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawaththa to decriminalize same-sex relationships under the penal code. Dr. Amarasuriya explained their party�s stance regarding the LGBTQ+ community. �We have been advocating for this community for a while. They are also a part of this society. Gender identities are diverse, including those of the same-sex community. From the beginning, more..

Jun 25 (TM) Civil society organisations (CSOs) requested the media to take a more active role in combatting corruption, and to urgently identify the media�s responsibility regarding the same. One of the best ways to do that, they added, is to work in collaboration with CSOs. Citizens of the People�s Struggle organisation�s General Secretary Chanaka Bandara added that, due to the said situation, the media�s full potential to fight corruption has not been achieved, and that it is a serious issue more..

Jun 25 (DM) SL has recorded over 27,000 cases of dengue and nine deaths for this year amidst a festering problem of solid waste management. Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue can spread rapidly in unhygienic environments where fresh water stagnates in discarded receptacles, as well as in brackish water, a problem worsened by the recent monsoon rains that have flooded lowland areas near the West coast of the country. more..

Jun 25 (FT) China based Chongqing Airlines, resumed direct nonstop flights from Chongqing to Colombo yesterday. The inaugural flight from Chongqing to Colombo, OQ2393, arrived at 14:50 p.m. with 78 passengers and was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at BIA . The passengers were also warmly welcomed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance sponsored by SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and presented with tea gift packs sponsored by more..

Jun 25 (DM) SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake said today that though he does not agree with the party on certain matters, he will not act irresponsibly. �There are instances where I don�t agree with the stance taken by the SJB on certain issues, but I don�t act irresponsibly like party Chairman Sarath Fonseka,� Attanayake told journalists today. �I only talk of the issues I have with the party at the management committee or at the working committee meetings. more..

Jun 25 (EN) SL�s textile and apparel industry has showcased the country as a sourcing destination at an exhibition in the UK. The primary goal of SL�s participation in the exhibition is to discover new buyers and provide a boost to the country�s apparel export sector aiming to increase apparel exports to the UK by a billion dollar in 2026, the EDB said. SL unveiled its Your Vital Island brand to reaffirm its �dedication to meeting global standards while preserving its distinctive identity.� more..

Jun 25 (CT) A SL delegation left for Russia yesterday, to facilitate the repatriation of SL ex-military personnel involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, along with related discussions. According to MP Gamini Waleboda, the delegation consists of six members, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, Defence Ministry Secretary and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The official meetings between the SL delegation and the Russian Govt representatives are scheduled to take place more..

Jun 25 (CT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to address the nation at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Speculation surrounds the President�s forthcoming address, with expectations that he may declare SL�s emergence from bankruptcy. The focus is anticipated to include updates on the country�s economic trajectory and progress in foreign debt restructuring. There are also rumors suggesting he may announce more..

Jun 25 (CT) SL multi-day fishing trawler Lorenzo Putha 4 and six SL crew members, who were detained at the Victoria Port in Seychelles, following their rescue after the vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea in January, were repatriated to SL on Sunday (23). The vessel, which set sail on its maiden voyage on 12 January, was hijacked 840 nautical miles off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia on 27 January. Following a joint rescue operation of Indian Navy, more..

Jun 25 (TM) The NPP of the Parliamentary Opposition expressed its intention to take legal action against Attorney General (AG), Sanjay Rajaratnam, for alleged misconduct during his tenure, irrespective of whether Rajaratnam remains in office. The remarks from the NPP come at a time when Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is reportedly considering resubmitting a proposal to extend Rajaratnam�s tenure, a proposal previously rejected by the Constitutional Council. more..

Jun 25 (NF) Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has formally raised a complaint with the Speaker regarding a press release issued by the Judicial Service Association, the professional organization representing District Judges and Magistrates in SL. Minister asserts that this press release has infringed upon parliamentary privileges. In response, the Minister of Justice has requested the Speaker to summon the President and more..

Jun 25 (AD) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in SL has handed over 10 units of submersible water pumps to the Disaster Management Center (DMC) for flood response efforts in the Kalutara, Colombo, and Galle districts. The pumps were handed over by Ms. Malin Herwig, Officer-In-Charge of UNDP in Sri Lanka to, State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon. The submersible water pumps will support efforts to cleaning flood-affected dug wells, more..

Jun 25 (FT) I recently had to see my doctor (who is also a personal friend) regarding some infected skin wounds that I had developed on my forearms. Little did I know that this would lead to the horrific realisation of the problems that the public are facing when obtaining their medications. I was prescribed a cream called Fusidic acid and the doctor, being a friend, wrote it by brand and told me that this is the original product which would be a little difficult to find. more..

Jun 26 (DM) The Prez elections are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka any time between Sept 17 and Oct 16, 2024, according to the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Voters will elect a president for a term of five years. As per www. Daily mirror 8.4.2024, the incumbent Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is eligible to run for re-election. As per the Presidential Act, no 15 of 1981, the Prez of Sri Lanka is elected via limited ranked voting. Voters can express up to three preferences for Prez. If no candidate receives over 50% more..

Jun 26 (ST) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s call to Parliament that Special Determination 54-55/2024 on the Gender Equality Bill violates the powers of the House under Article 4 of the Constitution and that a Select Committee should be appointed to look into it, is tantamount to gravely undermining the authority of the Supreme Court, never mind the President�s casual sop thrown to the gallery that, we need not summon the judges. Quite apart from his amusing rider that the majority of members more..

Jun 26 (CT) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH) notes that the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD and C Act) defines cosmetics as products intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, introduced into or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering appearance. A large amount of cosmetics and devices flooded the local market with more..

Jun 26 (CT) On the 18th of June, the parliamentary sessions started with the Speaker�s announcement of Supreme Court determinations on several bills, and mainly on Sri Lanka Telecommunications Amendment Bill. The determinations were clear and purposeful. There were several other announcements from the Speaker outlining the work of the day. Then he gave the floor to the President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, obviously on request, but the purpose was not announced. more..

Jun 26 (DM) Commissioner of Elections has confirmed that prez elections will be held sometime between 17 Sept and 16 Oct 2024. While a plethora of candidates could be expected to contest the election, the reality is that only three main candidates stand any chance of being elected. Prez Wickremesinghe is actively canvassing, courting political parties and religious leaders, disgruntled politicians/MPs, meeting with voters and initiating numerous development schemes and more..

Jun 26 (TM) In order to prevent overcrowding at the Yala National Park, targeted management-based actions to manage and decrease the traffic are required. Towards this end, one possibility is having a parallel road to the Yala Main Road with multiple crossroads between the two (Sithulpawwa approach road from Kirinda could be easily co-opted for this purpose, by making it a Park-only-road and limiting Sithulpawwa access to Kataragama more..

Jun 26 (CT) A few weeks ago, the results of the 2023 G.C.E. A/L exam held earlier this year, were released. Following the announcement, TV channels, newspapers and social media were inundated with advertisements from tuition masters boasting about the district and island rankers they had produced. Recently, on the last day of the O/L exam, dozens of leaflet distributors awaited students outside school gates, distributing brochures and leaflets about A/L tuition classes. more..

Jun 26 (TM) Aggressive manoeuvres carried out by an Indian mechanised trawler in SL waters on Monday night, cost the life of a SL sailor and damaged a navy patrol boat. The Indian trawler, one of thousands which cross over the IMBL in the Palk Strait each week to engage in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), has been detained by local authorities. In most other countries, the vessel would be impounded, the suspects charged with IUU fishing and reckless endangerment of lives, more..

Jun 28 (Island) Free education is one of the strongest pillars of our society. In this column, I address the consequences for the education sector, after SL�s first-ever default on its external debt and the IMF�s arbitration of debt restructuring with the country�s external creditors. Sri Lanka defaulted only on its external debt in April 2022 due to the lack of foreign exchange for debt-servicing. However, debt restructuring with the IMF has entailed restructuring of not just external debt but more..

Jun 28 (Island) With elections and a change of govt in one way or the other imminent, the independent institutions of state vested with authority to monitor, and provide a check and balance to govt, are vindicating their existence. The reports of the Auditor General over the years has been a testament to the diligence with which public officials empowered with a mandate pursue their tasks and find out the misuse of resources that has taken place. One of its reports is on a petroleum scam more..

Jun 26 (Island) Olympic qualifying standards continued to elude javelin throwers on a wet track but 400 metres sprinters kept hopes alive with promising performances in the heats on day one of the 102nd National Athletics C'ship at Diyagama on Tuesday. All top contenders in the 400 meters secured their places in the final which promises to deliver a thrilling finale today. Aruna Dharshana and Kalinga Kumarage won their respective semi-finals more..

Jun 28 (FT) Software giant IFS announced that it is set to launch a new venture in Colombo Port City, a move expected to create additional 1,000 new employment opportunities. IFS CEO Mark Moffat made the announcement delivering the keynote address at the DigiEcon Global Investment Summit, underscoring the company�s long-term commitment to SL�s economic development. Moffat outlined the strategic importance of this new initiative. �This project will generate additional thousands more..

Jun 28 (FT) Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has criticised the Govt, which is led by his own party, for imposing numerous new taxes on the public. Speaking to the media at an event in Gampola on Monday, Rajapaksa criticised the Government for continuing to burden the people with taxes. Rajapaksa confirmed his intention to form a Government. �Yes, we will definitely form a Govt,� he declared confidently in response to a question posed. more..

Jun 26 (Island) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is apparently labouring under the delusion that India has suzerainty over Sri Lanka, and his supporters have a right to exploit the fishing resources of this country to their heart�s content. He is reported to have written to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking the latter�s intervention to secure the immediate release of all Tamil Nadu fishermen and their craft taken into custody by Sri Lanka for poaching. more..

Jun 26 (ST) Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, PC speaking at the Network of Magistrates/Prosecutors Responsible for Sports (MARS) set up by the Council of Europe, third annual meeting held at the INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon in France, highlighted SL�s effort in combatting sports related corruption. Dharmawardena who played a key role in enacting the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act No 24 of 2019, the first such law in South Asia more..

Jun 26 (ST) Waste segregation methods, lack of access to water in months of drought, and whether births and deaths have been registered are among some of the new questions that will be posed during the National Census due to take place later this year. These questions will be asked along with information on the interior structures of houses and even cooking utensils, will be added, said the dept�s Director General, Anoja Seneviratne, more..

Jun 26 (FT) Claims Tourism Ministry scheme exclusively benefits few franchise dealers, sidelining other importers. Asserts Investment Promotion Ministry scheme with 0% customs tariff on CIF value for importing EVs and PHEVs in SKD form for local assembly designed to benefit single company. The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) expressed serious concerns over two recent Govt decisions they claim unfairly benefit specific dealers and companies. more..