May 2 (CT) The lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the identity and operations of facilitators involved in importing fully electric vehicles for SL migrant workers is deeply disappointing and raises serious questions about the integrity of the scheme. The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment�s Gazette No. 2368/24, which introduced this scheme, has come under scrutiny due to the absence of clarity regarding the facilitators� roles and operations. more..

May 2 (TM) The much-debated Electricity Sector Reforms Bill has come under fire once again, with engineers attached to the State-run CEB reportedly having prepared draft petitions challenging its legality. Sources indicate that the bill, recently gazetted, has prompted concerns over its quality and technical accuracy. The origin of the current controversy traces back to the turbulent journey of the bill through legislative process. more..

May 2 (CT) Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe (Ex PM, Ex MP and now the Prez) is reported to have berated the present Govt Authorities, for going around begging for funds to purchase the Anti-Corona Virus Vaccines from India (Astro-Seneca (Oxford)) and from China (Sinovac). Yes. It is great shame that our nation has managed its finances very poorly and recklessly. Even before the Robber Barons, invited by RW�s uncle �Dickie� got here, the local models were well immersed in the technology more..

May 2 (ST) Inconclusive talks on debt restructuring between the SL Govt and its private creditors revolving around US$ 12 billion invested in sovereign bonds have cast a shadow over any final agreement on a scheduled calendar of payments. Into the quagmire also falls the forthcoming elections with a former Treasury Secretary last week expressing concern that if no agreement is reached by June, the hopefully continuing discussions would enter the pre-election phase and more..

May 2 (TM) SL�s school education system is gearing up to roll out reformed education methods that have been in the pipeline for three years. As the timeline nears for schoolchildren to experience the new methods of learning, there have been various suggestions to add subjects and redesign curricula in a manner best suited to shape the thinking of a citizen in the 21st century. Among the latest such topics or subjects that the Ministry of Education has been requested to include in the curriculum more..

May 2 (Island) The police have embarked on a campaign, parallel to their war on drugs, to clear busy intersections of beggars who solicit alms near traffic lights, causing much inconvenience to motorists. Scores of beggars have already been arrested and hauled up before courts for doing so, we are told. Sri Lankans drive and ride like bats out of hell, and champ at the bit at intersections to zing. Amber, for them, means go. So, the beggars at traffic lights not only become a nuisance to more..

May 2 (ST) Persuaded by local agents that they�ll get non-combat jobs with hefty salaries, citizenship and residency for their families, Sri Lankan ex-military are flocking to Russia only to find themselves deployed to the front lines. �Even last week, a group of 40 arrived,� said one former Special Forces soldier hospitalised in Russia with injuries sustained in a Ukrainian drone attack. �A friend called me after landing. more..

May 2 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved accepting of a financial grant from India to proceed with the renovation of the Kankesanthurai Port (KKS) in Jaffna. Originally slated for implementation under the Indian credit facility, the project faced setbacks due to higher-than-expected costs estimated by consulting service agencies. Consequently, discussions were initiated with the Government of India to explore alternative funding options. more..

May 2 (FT) In a significant development aimed at revitalising maritime infrastructure, Cabinet of Ministers approved the signing of a MoU to obtain a proposed financial grant from India for the renovation of the Karainagar Boat Yard. The decision follows the clearance received from the AG for MoU, which will facilitate the receipt of the proposed financial grant from India. Additionally, approval from Foreign Affairs Ministry has been secured, further advancing the process. more..

May 2 (DM) As one who had the opportunity to serve as the Chairman and Director General of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission and later converted to the Board of Investment from 1991 to 1993 and prior to that as the Chairman of the People�s Bank during the period of Prez Premadasa, it will be appropriate for me to write about the importance to implement the economic policies of the Premadasa period to overcome the current economic crisis and achieve sustainable economic recovery on more..

May 2 (Island) Earlier this month the Cabinet approved a proposal presented by the Prez (as Minister of Defence) to admit fee-levying local students to the medical faculty of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). Thereafter, the KDU posted a call for applications from local students (day scholars) to its MBBS programme with a May 5th, 2024, deadline�barely two weeks after the call appeared on the KDU website. Medical education is delivered by 13 state medical faculties, more..

May 2 (FT) Exports in March have risen to a 19-month of $ 1.14 billion propelling first quarter performance by 5.7% to $ 3.17 billion. Exports in March were the highest since the Aug 2022 figure of $ 1.22 billion, and 9.8% above the achievement in the corresponding month of last year and above Feb 2024 figure of $ 1.05 billion. Expenditure on merchandise imports recorded an increase of 4% to $ 1.5 billion in March more..

May 2 (FT) Electronic media baron and high net worth investor Raynor Silva has within weeks raced to become the third largest shareholder at SL�s most diversified blue chip Hayleys. The accession follows Raynor buying around 7 million shares of Hayleys between last Friday and Tuesday this week, thereby increasing his holding to around 13.5 million shares or 1.8% stake, which is slightly above the previous third largest shareholder McLarens Holdings, owning 13.2 million shares or 1.76%. more..

May 2 (CT) Vishmi Gunaratne�s unbeaten 73 runs propelled SL women to a resounding 67-run victory over Uganda Women in their third game of the ongoing Women�s ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers worked off at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi yesterday. Batting first, SL posted a decent 154-4 riding on the back of a half century by Vishmi Gunaratne, and in reply, Uganda fell well short of the target as they were bundled out for 87 runs. The opening partnership between Chamari more..

May 2 (Island) Asian Games gold medallist Thrushi Karunaratne and former national record holder of the women�s 800 metres, Gayanthika Abeyratne, 400 metres sprinter Nadeesha Ramanayake and Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon will vie for Paris Olympic Games qualifying standards when they compete against tough opponents at the Dubai Grand Prix on Friday. Both Karunaratne and Abeyratne have not more..

May 2 (FT) Promoters of the City of Dreams SL, the first of its kind integrated resort in South Asia have described it as both a game changer and a catalyst. The mega deal was announced on Tuesday whereby John Keells Holdings (JKH) has partnered with world famous Macau casino operator Melco for its former�s $ 1 billion integrated resort project developed by subsidiary Waterfront Properties Ltd. (WPL). Melco will also invest approximately $ 125 million in the fit-out and equipping of more..

May 2 (Forbes) Blessed with a tropical coastline that stretches over 830 miles (1,340 km), Sri Lanka beckons travelers with promises of sun-drenched shores and azure waters. Whether you�re looking for tranquil coves for sunbathing and snorkeling, thrilling surf breaks on a pristine reef, or vibrant beachside cultural hubs, Sri Lanka offers a diverse range of experiences to cater to every taste � with plenty of beautiful boutique hotels to boot. Thanks to its two monsoon seasons, more..

May 2 (FT) In a move set to enhance passenger experience and expand commercial offerings, Govt announced plans to introduce a gold shop in the departure/transit area of BIA. �At present, the departure/transit area of BIA does not feature a gold shop, leaving a gap in the range of retail options available to travellers. Recognising this untapped potential, the Airports and Air Services (SL) Ltd, aims to capitalise on the lucrative business opportunity presented by the absence of such facilities more..

May 2 (FT) The SL Purchasing Managers� Index for Construction (PMI � Construction) indicates an expansion in construction activities in March, as reflected by the Total Activity Index, which recorded an index value of 55.9. �This is the third consecutive month that the index remained above the neutral threshold, denoting a steady improvement in construction activities,� Central Bank said. It said new orders increased in March at a slower pace on month-on-month basis. more..

May 2 (DM) May Day was observed yesterday in the country and elsewhere across the world, but the question remained whether it was done in a befitting manner as usual in SL with politics taking center stage rather than the rights of workers. The day has been observed across the globe since 1886 commemorating the supreme sacrifices of the workers at Hay Market, Chicago, in the US for working eight-hours a day and more..

May 2 (DM) Former Pakistani legend Wasim Akram will conduct a two-day training program for national players, SLC High Performance Coaches, and the coaches of the major clubs, the Sri Lanka Cricket said. The SLC said that Akram arrived in Sri Lanka this morning and will conduct five sessions, covering the SLC pace academy, HPC, and major club coaches. He will also observe SL�s national players� preparation for the upcoming ICC Men�s T20 World Cup. more..

May 2 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a 70% increase in the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs. 1700 in an unprecedented move amid his plans to run for presidency later this year. Wickremesinghe announced the wage hike when he addressed the May Day rally of the Ceylon Workers� Congress (CWC) held in the central Sri Lankan town of Kotagala, an area predominantly plantation workers live. �It was the up country people who suffered the most during the hard times. more..

May 2 (FT) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena announced Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the SLFP Prez candidate. Sirisena denied he would contest at the polls himself and said instead the party would field Rajapakshe at the upcoming election. �Majority in the party are in favour of Rajapakshe�s candidacy,� Sirisena said. When questioned about the party�s stance on Sirisena�s candidacy, the former Prez reiterated that he had fulfilled an electoral promise to serve only more..

May 2 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged political parties, including the SJB and JVP, to collaborate with the govt in safeguarding the country�s economic stability by ensuring the success of the agreement with the IMF. Speaking at the UNP May Day rally in Colombo, Prez Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of not disrupting the IMF program and preventing the country from regressing to the economic situation of 2022, engaging in traditional political stances. more..

May 2 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa asserted that the SJB�s work, even while not in power, has positioned them as the foremost advocates for the people, contrasting with those presently in power, who he claims have only worked while holding office. �I want to address the events of 26 Oct 2022. They urged me to take the PM position 61 times, but I remained steadfast in my commitment to prioritise the greater good more..

May 2 (AD) Former SL cricket captain and former minister Arjuna Ranatunga joined the May Day rally of the SJB which was held in the Thalawakele area this morning (May 01). Speaking during the event, the 1996 World Cup-winning captain said he was invited to attend the May Day rally by former Minister Palani Thigambaram and that he gladly accepted the invitation. Ranatunga had recently joined the Anti-Corruption Coalition led by former Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe. more..

May 2 (CT) Addressing the rally to celebrate International Labour Day, former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa said the true popular opinion of the country was still with the SLPP and the candidate who will win the next Presidential Election will be from the SLPP. The former Prez was speaking at the May Day rally at Campbell Park in Colombo. �First of all, I pay my respects to the working-class people gathered today at Campbell Park. Today, you have shown strength of SLPP to the country. more..

May 2 (Island) JVP/NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said that victory was assured for his party in any forthcoming election as they had won support, trust and confidence of more than 51% of the electors throughout the country. Dissanayake addressed two May Day rallies of the JVP/NPP in Matara and Colombo. He said: �Our enemies mocked us saying that converting 3% of popularity into 51% would be a miracle. more..

Apr 2 (FT) As SL gets closer to the elections that are supposed to be held at the end of this year, a fierce contest seems to have occurred between the two main opposition parties, SJB and NPP. Representatives of the SJB Economic Policy Committee, such as Eran Wickramaratne and Harsha de Silva, seem to have launched a strong attack on the NPP questioning the latter on economic policy matters. One of the significant themes recurring in this attack is frequent more..

Apr 2 (FT) With exactly the same figures of indebtedness, we could still have been facing this crisis in far better shape than we are now. Even those who didn�t derive it from Prof Joseph Nye�s theory of soft power, would know from the final episode of Game of Thrones, the importance of stories; of narratives and their power to persuade, or the absence of such persuasive power. In 2022 SL was seen throughout much of the world as a heroic island in which there was a mostly peaceful more..

May 2 (AD) Meteorology Dept has issued heat index advisories for Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Southern and North-Western provinces and Monaragala district. The advisory is effective for tomorrow (3). Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to Extreme Caution level at some places in Northern, North-central provinces and Batticaloa and Trincomalee district and that values, is expected to increase up to Caution level more..

May 2 (EN) SL�s privatized plantations would be taken back by the state if a wage hike order is not carried out, State Minister of Plantations Industries Lohan Ratwatte said. SL suddenly gazetted a hike in plantations worker wages to 1,700 rupees this week, ahead of May Day rallies following the path of ousted Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa who suddenly hiked wages to 1,000 rupees a day in March 2021. Before unions exited collective agreements and the coercive power of the state came through more..

May 2 (DM) Chaos broke out at the BIA last night following the controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at the BIA by an Indian company. This company has been charging an extra $25, whereas the Immigration and Emigration Dept had been managing the process smoothly for several years. The Indian company assumed control of the on-arrival visa issuance process yesterday without obtaining more..

May 2 (DM) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka did not play any role in organizing SJB May Day rally and therefore, he did not deserve any prominence, its Vice Chairman Sujeewa Senasinghe said. �Fonseka has been critical of SJB and that was another reason for not giving him a speech at the May Day Rally,� Senasinghe told. He said speeches were given to only those who helped in organizing the rally. �I asked Fonseka what his issue was with the SJB and he informed me that he does not approve of more..

May 2 (TM) Chaos ensued at BIA following the handover of the country's on-arrival visa issuance to an Indian private company, sparking outrage among travelers and citizens alike. The contentious move involved transferring the electronic travel authorization system to IVS-GBS and VFS Global, a private entity, from Immigration and Emigration Dept, the longstanding Govt authority. Previously, visitors from neighboring South Asian countries under the SAARC umbrella were charged $20 for more..