Mar 17 (TM) Nearly 5,000 residents across the Western & Sabaragamuwa Provinces have been badly affected by the ongoing dry weather conditions, DMC has announced. Approximately 1,284 families, totalling nearly 3,900 individuals in Divulapitiya area of Gampaha alongside nearly 900 residents in Kegalle are grappling with a shortage of drinking water. DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili highlighted the importance of affected residents reaching out to the DMC for more..

Mar 17 (TM) Power & Energy Ministry has approved a higher tariff for the controversial construction of a 100 MW ground-mounted solar park in Oddamavadi, Batticaloa, going against the recommendations put forth by the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC). It is learnt that while TEC had suggested a unit cost of $ 6.66 cents, developer, Solar Forge Batticaloa, had proposed a higher rate of $ 9.78 cents. more..

Mar 17 (AD) Dermatologists have raised concerns about risks of skin diseases stemming from the sweltering heat and urged the members of the public to take preventive measures. Commenting on the matter, skin care and cosmetic consultant dermatologist, Dr. Indira Kahawita advised people to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, to prevent sunburns, heat rash, sunspots, irritation, pus blisters and other conditions. She also encouraged seeking medical advice and refraining from taking more..

Mar 17 (AD) A total of 17 senior police officers including Senior Deputy Generals of Police (SDIGs) have been transferred with immediate effect. The transfers were made under the directives of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, pursuant to a decision made by the National Police Commission. Among the transferred officers are 8 Senior Deputy Generals of Police (SDIGs), one Deputy General of Police (DIG), 8 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) & one Superintendent of Police (SP). more..

Mar 17 (ST) As election fever mounts, both the ruling and some opposition political parties prefer a parliamentary election before a prez poll. In terms of the Constitution, the prez election will have to be conducted between Sept 18 and Oct 18. A proclamation of the date would have to be made on July 17. In determining this, the Election Commission has taken cognizance of the date former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa took his more..

Mar 18 (TM) The news that the Government has decided to establish a medical faculty at the National School of Business Management (NSBM) has sparked debates among many groups. Despite the announcement that the proposed faculty would function under the direct supervision and regulation of the Education Ministry, Health Ministry and the Sri Lanka Medical Council, many groups point out the same old argument about private medical faculties lacking standards. more..

Mar 18 (DM) Former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s book The Conspiracy to oust me from Presidency which was launched recently did not evoke much interest or create any stir among the people as its name suggests to do. Nor did it reveal any hidden facts or details about any incident that would have contributed to his ouster. However, the book is said to have been sold like hot cake due to the curiosity about what it could have contained. Hence, unlike the commotion that was created in Sept more..

Mar 18 (CT) �Anyone who values civility does not approve verbal harassment against MPs of a supreme body that discusses violence against women at home, on public transport, on the road and in the workplace and takes action to prevent such. This attitude is more or less recognisable, from the attempts of all three main ethnic groups, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims to define women as property of men, more..

Mar 18 (DM) On the 31th of this month Catholics and Christians of all denomination will celebrate Easter Sunday. The festival without a doubt brings to mind the Easter Sunday bombing of 2019. On Easter of 2019, terrorists exploded their deadly caches of explosives in three churches where Christians were celebrating what to the community was the most sacred of Christian festivals. Separately on the same day, in three five star hotels members of the same terrorist group more..

Mar 18 (DM) Bill Clinton wrote a book titled, Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Govt for a Strong Economy presenting page after page of intelligent suggestions on how the US can reduce its crippling debt, create new jobs, and reinvigorate its position in the global economy, emphasizing a return to forward-thinking initiatives. Barack Obama�s book, A Promised Land, manages to avoid being ponderous, as might be expected, and is always pleasurable to read. more..

Mar 18 (TM) Concerns have been raised over the recent statement made by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva regarding the potential risk to the jobs of over 6,000 employees at the National Carrier SriLankan Airlines, should the airline fail to demonstrate progress in its operational and financial units within the next six months. This statement has gained attention particularly as it coincides with the extension of the deadline for calling bids for more..

Mar 18 (CT) Election fever is gripping SL. It appears that a General Election could precede the Prez Election mainly because of Ranil Wickremesinghe�s (RW) rising unpopularity largely due to his IMF led economic recovery path. IMF for its part has no choice but to slow down its program after completing its second review, because election fever demands more time and energy from MPs outside the legislature than inside, and consequently it would not be possible for the parliament to pass more..

Mar 18 (Island) Days after Basil Rajapaksa�s return to SL after his sojourn in the U.S. where he enjoys citizenship, the SLPP�s national organizer figured in a television talk show. Here he clearly expressed the opinion that Ranil Wickremesinghe is the best man to take this country forward but did not indicate whether it was a personal viewpoint or that of the SLPP. Nor did he say his party would back RW�s candidature. He also said that preferably, parliamentary election that is due next year more..

Mar 18 (ST) As familiar wrangling in Geneva takes place over the review of SL by the UNHRC, there is an eminently sound argument to be made, (ad nauseam until the point is acknowledged) that the country�s many ineffective bodies on transitional justice established to meet international scrutiny actually harm the Rule of Law. That harm occurs through repetitive mandates that overlap with each other with the State expending vast amounts of resources on institutions that go nowhere and more..

Mar 18 (SO) With India stretching its limbs far and wide in the island, SL wants its giant neighbour to play a frontal role in the affairs of two more spectator sports, rugby and football that are having fluctuating fortunes and got into the bad books of their global keepers. The invitation to the Indians to do what they were doing for cricket was extended by none other than Sports Minister Harin Fernando. �I like to say to all our investors and owners of LPL (Lanka Premier League) teams to more..

Mar 18 (ST) Wanindu Hasaranga on Friday delivered an impressive performance, claiming figures of 4 for 45 in the ODI match against Bangladesh. This was his best bowling performance in ODIs against Bangladesh, contributing significantly to SL�s victory in a closely contested game that leveled the ongoing three-match series. It was a remarkable turnaround for Hasaranga, who had previously gone wicketless and more..

Mar 18 (Island) Mass killings are rare in Canada and Sri Lankans living overseas have never been victims of mass killings anywhere. Both truisms were shattered last week when six Sri Lankans comprising four children, their mother, and a family friend were brutally killed by another SL teenager in Barrhaven, Ottawa. All of them had migrated to Canada within the last four years, intended beneficiaries of Canada�s immigration expansion program, especially its large intakes of int'l more..

Mar 18 (Island) Founder of the SLPP and former Minister of Finance, Basil Rajapaksa, is doing a Pontius Pilate. Having returned from the US recently, he is now trying to wash his hands of the unforgivable sin of ruining the economy and inflicting untold suffering on the public. He is also playing the victim although he has not publicly subscribed to his sibling, former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s claim that the 2022 popular uprising, which led to his ouster, was the result of a conspiracy. more..

Mar 18 (DN) Ananda College led by Iruth Gimshan demonstrated exceptional team work defeating their traditional rivals Nalanda by five wickets in their limited-over encounter regaining the P. de S. Kularatne Memorial Trophy after seven years yesterday at the SSC grounds yesterday. Dinada Athalage who crafted a superb unbeaten knock of 70 while Kanchana de Livera who scored 55 were instrumental in reaching their target of 229 with 6.5 overs to spare. more..

Mar 18 (AD) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Sunday accused Indian PM Narendra Modi of uttering a lie on the Katchatheevu issue to target the DMK and blamed him for staying silent over projects for the state. In a post on social media platform X, Stalin alleged that the Indian PM had blatantly lied in his rally at Kanyakumari on March 15 that Tamil Nadu fishermen are facing trouble from Sri Lanka only due to the past sin of the DMK. ��Tamil Nadu people know the true history pretty well; more..

Mar 18 (ST) With India�s Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) securing 500 MW of wind power projects in the North, SL renewable energy (RE) companies are urging the govt to open up the sector through transparent, competitive tenders. Representatives of around 50 local RE companies met State Minister D.V. Chanaka this week and requested that he publicise all opportunities for investment so they could compete. more..

Mar 18 (DN) We are going to do our best to win the final ODI today to clinch the series against Bangladesh said Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis. After getting 3 wickets win with 17 balls to spare in the second ODI Sri Lanka team is very confident of overcoming Bangladesh in today�s game i which will start at 9 am and dew factor will not affect both teams and it�s going to be a good battle. However batsmen of both teams have a responsibility to make challenging total today while more..

Mar 18 (FT) Showing signs of turnaround, Softlogic Holdings (SHL) has witnessed renewed business revival recording improved financial performance in core sectors in the third quarter of FY23 amidst on-going challenges. SHL saw a consolidated revenue growth of 4.2% to Rs. 75.6 Bn during the nine-month period under review while the quarter recorded a revenue growth of 9.3% to Rs. 27.6 Bn. During the cumulative period, Retail sector contributed 34% to Group revenue while more..

Mar 18 (TM) Police Dept has initiated a special mechanism to identify the high-ranking Police officers within the dept who are in league with organised crime, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon said. The new programme to vet senior Policemen for links with organised crime, including officers of the CID, is currently underway and, steps have been taken to take action against those officers implicated, the IGP stated. IGP said that several more..

Mar 18 (ST) Sampath Bank, now steered by a new managing director, will be leveraging its strength in Renewable Energy financing and is discussing with institutional investors to launch green bonds. Sampath Bank started discussions with a few development financial institutions on green bond issuance and green credit lines a few months ago, Ayodhya Perera, MD, Sampath Bank said. �Sampath Bank has partnered in all large renewable energy projects in wind, solar, hydro etc. more..

Mar 18 (AD) Dept of Meteorology has issued a heat index advisory for North-western, North-central, Eastern, Western provinces and Monaragala, Mannar, Rathnapura and Vavuniya districts. Issued at 4 p.m. today (17), the advisory is valid for tomorrow (18). It states that the heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to Caution level at some places in North-western, North-central, Eastern, Western provinces and Monaragala, Mannar, more..

Mar 18 (ST) Finance Ministry has revoked the preferential treatment granted by the previous administration to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and domestic companies when purchasing goods and services for the state sector. The ministry observes that the intended purpose was not served as �certain identified domestic manufacturing sectors have failed to deliver the desired results, and this has led to certain market failures�. (Market failure is inefficient distribution of goods & services). more..

Mar 18 (CT) The Sahasara project, initiated by the Ministry of Transport in 2018, to provide an efficient and comfortable public transport service, to the commuters by the year 2022, had been halted midway due to operational inefficiencies, after spending Rs 249 million by the end of 2023. Of this Rs 249 million, Rs 181 million, accounting for 73%, was spent on administrative functions. Originally, an estimated Rs 26,860 million was earmarked for the project, from 2018 to 2023, more..

Mar 18 (AD) A Deputy Controller of Immigration & Emigration and a former Deputy Controller have been arrested by the CID for providing passports based on false information to underworld figures Nuresh Supun Dayaratne alias Heenatiyana Mahesh and Shan Arosh Liyanage alias Mathugama Shan, police said today. One of the two arrested suspects is to be produced before the Vavuniya Magistrate�s Court more..

Mar 18 (CI) Bangladesh's fast-bowling unit has the opportunity to stamp their authority in an important match on Monday. ODI series against SL is level at one-all in Chattogram, where the conditions have been stacked heavily against bowlers under lights. The dew has been omnipresent in both games, leading to the chasing side winning convincingly despite losing three wickets in the first powerplay. That will not be the case in the final ODI - a day game at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium more..

Mar 18 (CI) Dilshan Madushanka, who left the field during Sri Lanka's second ODI against Bangladesh on Friday, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour and is unlikely to play the first few matches of the IPL, where he is a part of Mumbai Indians. In a statement on Sunday morning, Sri Lanka Cricket said that an MRI scan has confirmed that Madushanka "has suffered a left hamstring injury", and he will "return [home] to start rehabilitation work". more..

Mar 18 (FT) Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers� Index for Manufacturing (PMI � Manufacturing) recorded an index value of 56 in February 2024, indicating an expansion in manufacturing activities. This improvement was attributable to the increases observed in all sub-indices. The expansion in new orders and production was largely driven by the manufacture of food and beverages. Many respondents mentioned that they are preparing for the upcoming festive demand. more..

Mar 18 (FT) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera revealed that United Petroleum of Australia has finalised an agreement with the Power and Energy Ministry to venture into petroleum retail operations in SL. The announcement comes following last month�s signing of the agreement between the two parties. �They plan to sign the agreement with the BOI and obtain the license to operate by mid this year,� he said. Wijesekera said United Petroleum Group CFO Nigel Simonsz visited the Ministry more..

Mar 18 (FT) NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the weekend emphasised the importance of bringing together Tamil leaders who promote unity into the governance of the country. �There are Tamil leaders advocating for unity who are inclusive and free from extremism and racism. It's crucial to gather these voices. If there are instances of Tamil racism in the north, it's important to isolate those responsible and liberate more..

Mar 18 (Island) Former COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti said his party was ready to prove in court allegations against incumbent COPE Chairman, Rohitha Abeygunawardena. Handunnetti said that Abeygunawardena had threatened legal action against a statement JVP MP Vijitha Herath had made against him. �We accept the challenge and dare Abeygunawardena to go before the courts. We will get an opportunity to prove all allegations against him,� Handunnetti said. more..

Mar 18 (DM) Claiming that the change of power is not going to be easy, NPP MP Harini Amarasuriya said a small elite group is doing everything in their power to stop the change from happening. Speaking at the London women's convention, she said the small elite group has been in control of what has happened in Sri Lanka for the last 76 years. She said this small group will not give up easily, adding that people of Sri Lanka have now realized that they are stronger than all of them. more..