Oct 22 (AD) The Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva has met with Sri Lanka�s delegation led by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the 2024 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington DC. IMF Managing Director said that she is encouraged by the SL authorities� commitment to continue the reform efforts to safeguard the hard-won gains under the IMF-supported program. more..

Oct 22 (DW) Sri Lanka is set to amend its TRC Act for the first time in 28 years, allowing third-party companies to construct telecom towers. That significant change aims to enhance competition and foster development in the telecommunications sector while promoting sustainable growth and ensuring market fairness. The need for this amendment has arisen from financial constraints resulting from an unprecedented economic crisis, forcing telecom companies to reduce their budgets more..

Oct 23 (DM) Julian Assange�s WikiLeaks exposed confidential documents in 2010, sparking unprecedented controversy and leading to intense scrutiny of American involvement in foreign conflicts. In SL, certain opposition politicians, particularly those associated with previous administrations responsible for the country�s earlier political and economic mismanagement, have begun a relentless mud-slinging campaign against the newly elected President and his small cabinet. more..

Oct 23 (DM) It is over five years since the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks which left over 270 persons dead. The families of the victims in that mass killing still remain traumatised. There has as yet, been no closure to their sufferings as we Lankan�s as a whole and Catholics in particular have no idea as to who master-minded the evil deed. The attack itself was carried out by a number of demented terrorists who happened to belong to the Muslim faith. At the time some politicians attempted to more..

Oct 23 (TM) The recent Prez Election brought about both praise and controversy. While the Prez Election was one of the most peaceful and well-organised Elections in history, certain issues emerged along the way. A few officials from Govt agencies were removed for allegedly engaging in political activities, and there were concerns about an alleged premature counting of preferential votes. Despite these issues, election observers, more..

Oct 23 (CT) The IMF promotes a floating exchange rate mechanism. CBSL governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe agrees with it, I think. Some economists too insist that CBSL cannot regulate the exchange rate, hence should allow the rupee to float. SJB has a different idea. They say that they allow first floating the currency to permit market forces to reveal the equilibrium rate, and then stabilizing that rate through CBSL intervention. I am not sure about the ideological stance of prez more..

Oct 23 (GV) The recent incidents reported in the Sri Lankan media regarding youth suicides have revealed that the mental and emotional wellbeing of our children is in serious decline. This a global phenomenon, with adolescents all over the world experiencing high levels of stress. My thoughts expressed in this article are general observations and in no way reflect on any one person, individually. All of us as a community are struggling to understand this situation. more..

Oct 23 (TM) Sri Lanka needs to move quickly to reduce wasteful State expenditure and take robust measures to enhance its exports to make the most of the current economic climate which has improved to a moderate standing, says former Director for Development Economics and Chief Economist for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia at the World Bank Prof. Shantayanan Devarajan. Speaking on current economic more..

Oct 23 (TM) These days there is much talk of introducing new legislation or upgrading existing legal frameworks on a myriad of issues SL needs to address. While many of these legislative shortcomings impact the populous, rule of law and governance of our little island, there is one area which is hardly spoken about. Like govts of the past, the new caretaker Govt has emphasised the need to improve the island�s � digitalisation, both of State services and the private sector. more..

Oct 23 (CT) On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, suicide terrorist bombings that took place in three Churches and three hotels in SL killed around 277 people (including 8 suicide bombers) and wounded more than 400 people as per the information provided by Police HQ. At least, 40 foreign nationals and 45 children were reported to be among the dead. Investigators identified Zahran Hashim, one-time leader of the National Thowheed Jamaath, as the main suspect behind the execution of more..

Oct 23 (Island) The new government is in overdrive to recover the state-owned vehicles which, it says, the former Presidents have been using in addition to the ones they are entitled to. No one should be allowed to misuse vehicles that belong to the public. However, some vehicles assigned to the security team of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have also been withdrawn, according to SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam. This is a matter for concern. more..

Oct 23 (TM) These days there is much talk of introducing new legislation or upgrading existing legal frameworks on a myriad of issues SL needs to address. While many of these legislative shortcomings impact the populous, rule of law and governance of our little island, there is one area which is hardly spoken about. Like govts of the past, the new caretaker Govt of Prez Dissnayake has emphasised the need to improve digitalisation, both of State services & pvt sector. more..

Oct 23 (ST) SL is having a remarkable year in Test cricket with six wins out of eight matches played so far in 2024. Their recent series victory against New Zealand rewarded the consistency displayed throughout the third edition of ICC World Test C'ship. Amidst this success, off-spinner Nishan Pieris has emerged as a key figure, reaping the rewards for his dedication and commitment since entering domestic cricket in 2016. more..

Oct 23 (DM) The old guard has collapsed is the popular catchphrase after Anura Kumara Dissanayake�s presidential election victory. If the result of the prez poll is the basis of that assumption, it is an oversimplification. True that the well-funded candidacy of Anura Kumara Dissanayake defeated equally two well-funded candidates who represented roots in the UNP and traditional old-guard politics, but the duo collectively polled one million more votes than the winner. more..

Oct 23 (FT) The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order suspending the decision taken to ban the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) as a club and formally issued notice on the respondents� returnable on 3 December. The Court of Appeal bench comprised Justice Bandula Karunarathna and Justice Sasi Mahendran. CMSC is one of the oldest motor sports clubs in Sri Lanka and is the member on behalf of SL recognised by the world governing body of Motor Sports for over 60 years, FIA. more..

Oct 23 (FT) A top official expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed organisation of this year�s World Tourism Day celebrations, calling for future events to be timely and impactful. Speaking at the national event held at Cinnamon Grand yesterday, SL Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) and SL Convention Bureau (SLCB) Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi criticised the decision to mark World Tourism Day 2024 nearly a month after its official date, 27 Sept. more..

Oct 23 (FT) Port City Colombo said it is progressively facilitating the growth of a robust digital ecosystem that would uplift the SL economy. In line with the Govt�s vision to establish a $15 billion digital economy by 2030, Port City Colombo aims to support the country�s ambitious growth targets by attracting leading technology companies from across the world to set up business operations. With a strong emphasis on enhancing job creation and providing a globally competitive regulatory more..

Oct 23 (FT) The newly appointed leadership of Sri Lanka Tourism has set ambitious targets to boost the industry, aiming to attract 4 million tourists and generate $ 8.5 billion in revenue over the next five years. Speaking at the World Tourism Day 2024 celebration event held at the Cinnamon Grand yesterday, SL Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) and SL Convention Bureau (SLCB) Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi more..

Oct 23 (Island) SL have long been nurturing a pool of young talent, and it seems the next big name in the cricketing world is left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage. With his potential clear for all to see, many believe he could play a pivotal role in the ongoing series against the West Indies. The future indeed looks bright for this rising star. Having made his debut two years ago as a 19-year-old, Wellalage has already left a mark, bagging two five-wicket hauls against the formidable Indian team. more..

Oct 23 (DN) After a convincing victory in the first ODI, Sri Lanka will take on West Indies in the second ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today commencing at 2.30pm. Sri Lanka team led by Charith Asalanka will aim to maintain their momentum and seal the series while Caribbeans will be eager to bounce back, level the series and force a decider but confident home team is expected to make plans to defeat opponent to win the series with one game to spare. more..

Oct 23 (DM) Outgoing Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, speaks about how bilateral relations evolved during his time. He also responds to questions about the business environment of Sri Lanka for Japanese investors. Q: You are now the departing ambassador. You have been in SL for the last three years. You witnessed the worst times in SL in terms of our economic situation. So during this tenure of 3 years, more..

Oct 23 (ST) With the Election Commission (EC) having issued preference numbers to candidates this week, campaigning for the November 14 general elections is now in full swing. Accordingly, the main political parties are now beginning to commence large scale campaign rallies throughout the country. The National People�s Power (NPP) held its first public rally in Tangalle yesterday under the leadership of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to formally kick off its elections campaign. more..

Oct 23 (Island) Ambagamuwa Central hurdler Ayomal Akalanka capped the five-day All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship with a new national junior record to bag the best athlete title in the boys� category at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Tuesday. The athlete trained by veteran coach Anura Bandara clocked 51.16 seconds to break his own 400 metres hurdles record (51.26) established at the National C'ships. In the girls� category Nannapurawa MV Bibila athlete Madushani Herath more..

Oct 23 (CT) Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne claimed, 22 Oct, that delivering justice to the families of the Easter Sunday terror attack victims is not possible under the administration of the new Prez, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He criticised the NPP, stating that their focus was solely on gaining power, using the Easter Sunday attack as a pawn in their political manoeuvring. He further argued that the govt led by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was the only solution to the country�s more..

Oct 23 (FT) Hela Apparel Holdings, the publicly-listed fashion conglomerate headquartered in Sri Lanka, recently announced an exclusive long-term partnership with Authentic Brands Group to design, manufacture, and sell Reebok-branded outerwear across the UK and Europe. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding the Hela Group�s offering to the fashion industry by fusing its design, manufacturing and distribution expertise with Reebok�s iconic style. more..

Oct 23 (TM) The Govt has proposed to establish a Ministry of Digital Affairs in order to promote the development of digital infrastructure and prevent cybercrime. �We will be opening a new Ministry for Digital Affairs in order to improve the digital infrastructure and prevent cybercrimes,� Minister Vijitha Herath said. Herath said that in order to improve digital infrastructure and develop a safe digital environment, more..

Oct 23 (DN) 21 Sri Lankans have been picked for the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 League 2024 the most popular T -10 tournament. Abu Dhabi T10 League will be a ten-team league this season and will be played from November 21 to December 2 at Abu Dhabi Cricket Stadium. This is good opportunity for Sri Lanka players to get exposure before inaugural Lanka T -10 super league tournament which will be worked off from Dec 12 to 22 where six teams will be competing at this event. more..

Oct 23 (DN) The systematic lifting of the motor vehicle import ban would not have a negative impact on the local automobile assembly industry, said John Keells Group President, Retail, Charitha Subasinghe at the launch of the BYD Colombo Motor Show 2024 which will be held from December 6 to 8 at the BMICH. He said that the new Govt too has indicated that they would permit a systematic import of motor vehicles and this is highly laudable. Subasinghe said that vehicle imports would have more..

Oct 23 (DM) SL Economic Summit, the flagship event of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), is rescheduled to be held on 28-29 Jan 2025. The Summit was initially to be held on Nov 2024, but has been postponed in light of the forthcoming General Election. Under the theme Shaping SL�s Future: Transformational Growth Rooted in Sound Economic Policies, the Summit will provide an essential platform for discussing the path forward at a time when SL�s economic and political landscape more..

Oct 23 (CT) Reliable sources have reported that the Kelanitissa Combined Cycle Power Plant (KCCP) may face shutdown if naphtha is not delivered by Thursday at 10 a.m. Although the tanks were scheduled to be filled, this process has not yet commenced, according to internal sources. It has emerged that the planned transfer of naphtha to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on Monday (21) was cancelled, as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) prioritised exporting the fuel. more..

Oct 23 (TM) Govt announced that they would be bringing 750,000 new passports in stages amidst complaints of passport shortages. �There is no shortage of passports, so don�t panic,� Minister Vijitha Herath said. �We will be bringing 750,000 new passports in stages,� he said. Meanwhile, Herath also said that 7,500 new passports will be arriving on 26 Oct and that another batch of approximately 42,000 new passports more..

Oct 23 (DM) The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna is currently operating smoothly, IndSri Ferry Service Pvt. Ltd Managing Director, Niranjan Nandagopan said. He said that the ferry service operates four days a week with full capacity as usual. The passenger vessel, Sivagangai, resumed its ferry service between the two countries in Oct 2023. Operations were relaunched on Aug 16, 2024, after a brief pause. more..

Oct 23 (DM) To strengthen its fight against corruption, the govt yesterday raised the maximum expenditure limit for raids conducted by the CIABOC by Rs. 100 million. Accordingly, the limit of the Commission�s raid advance account which previously stood at Rs. 50 million will now be raised to Rs. 150 million. Cabinet this week approved Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake�s proposal to revise the expenditure cap considering the complexities and high stakes involved in bribery cases. more..

Oct 23 (DN) Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith stated that he was not satisfied with the investigations and the reports conducted into the Easter Sunday attack and therefore a formal impartial and transparent investigation was required. He emphasised the need for a formal investigation as there is a problem with the authenticity of the investigation committee reports related to the Easter attack. �Do a real investigation to find the more..

Oct 23 (FT) The front page of the Daily FT (9 Oct) carries a front page report titled Sri Lanka reaffirms neutral diplomacy. The report states: �Cabinet Spokesman and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday had assured that Sri Lanka maintains balanced diplomatic relations with all countries, reaffirming its policy of friends of all and enemy of none.� Quoting the Foreign Minister, the report states: �There is no favouritism. We do not consider any country to be special. more..