Oct 3 (CI) The ICC has banned SL left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama from all cricket for one year, of which the last six months are suspended, after he admitted to breaching the global body's anti-corruption code. In August the ICC charged Jayawickrama with two breaches of the code. He has admitted to breaching article 2.4.7, which relates to: "Obstructing or delaying any investigation that may be carried out by the ACU [anti-corruption unit], including concealing, more..

Oct 3 (NW) Excavations at the Colombo Port have uncovered eight human skeletons, according to Senior Professor Raj Somadeva, who is leading the project. He confirmed that two skeletons have already been excavated and are now under police protection. Third phase of the dig is set to begin on Oct 17th. The discovery of the skeletal remains was first made on July 13th, prompting two phases of excavation thus far. Authorities are continuing their investigation to shed light on the origins and more..

Oct 3 (Island) Japan, a country that always stood by SL, putting its words into action � extending its support to the country by being a genuine partner in many socio-economic spheres in the past few decades � remains ready to carry the torch of its diplomatic legacy into the future, for the wellbeing of SL citizens. The above is a concise summation of the insightful speech made by Mizukoshi Hideaki, the ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka at the JICA Chair Programme more..

Oct 3 (TM) Applications for the 2026 US Diversity Visa programme will be accepted starting from tonight (2). The Diversity Immigrant Visa program is applicable to citizens of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US. For the year of 2026, up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) will be available. Accordingly, registration for the 2026 Diversity Visa Program will open today, 2 October, at 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) until 5 November at 12:00 pm EST. more..

Oct 3 (FT) Archdiocese of Colombo Spokesperson Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando has expressed deep concern over the missing report related to allegations made by British media outlet Channel 4 regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. Report, initially handed over to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, has since gone missing, raising questions about accountability, transparency in the investigation, Fernando said. more..

Oct 3 (TM) The Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) urged the Government to implement the electricity tariff revision that should have taken place last month (September), as soon as possible. Under the relevant provisions, electricity tariffs are supposed to be revised on a quarterly basis. ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that the NPP, during their Prez Election campaign, promised that significant electricity tariff relief would be provided to the public. more..

Oct 3 (FT) The Excise Dept Commissioner General M.J. Gunasiri yesterday called on liquor manufactures to pay their overdue taxes before 30 Nov, warning that legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply. Speaking to the media after a meeting with distillery manufacturers, he insisted that despite the challenges faced by the companies, extended time had already been given for payment. �The total unpaid taxes for the financial year 2023/24 amount to around Rs. 1.8 billion. more..

Oct 3 (TM) The visiting IMF delegation, in its preliminary discussions, has acknowledged that the current NPP Govt is committed to maintaining the ongoing IMF EFF programme while the new administration has proposed alternatives aimed at boosting revenue, which will require further discussions with the IMF, Govt sources claimed. Meanwhile, a high-level delegation from the IMF, led by Director for the Asia and more..

Oct 3 (FT) SL has the best chance of a win/win scenario it has had since 2009 when we won the war. In my columns (and sporadic TV and YouTube appearances) early this year on the elections, I made three points. We should grasp the chance for a generational change of national leadership with Anura and Sajith. We should end a long dark chapter in our contemporary history by electorally exorcising Ranil Wickremesinghe. While we can decide between Anura and Sajith as President more..

Oct 3 (FT) The 2024 SL Prez election was a turning point in the country�s political landscape. Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), with his bold promises of reform, social justice, and economic revival, captured the hearts of a nation desperate for change. However, as AKD steps into the shoes of the President, the challenges before him are daunting, and the journey to deliver on his promises will be anything but easy. Sri Lanka has seen its fair share of political upheavals, and more..

Oct 3 (AD) Election Commission (EC) says that steps will be taken to hold the Local Govt Elections, in compliance with the Supreme Court order, as soon as the upcoming General Election is concluded. The announcement notes that the EC has given due respect to the SC�s decision made on 22.08.2024, concerning the Fundamental Rights Applications related to the 2023 Local Govt Elections. Accordingly, the announcement further emphasizes that EC acknowledges its more..

Oct 3 (CT) Passengers alleged they were charged the old bus fares even though the Govt has taken steps to revise them in view of recent fuel price reductions. They also said that the conductors are charging the usual amount, citing not receiving the documents informing them about the price revisions yet as an excuse. They also alleged that the minimum bus fare is still Rs 30, as they do not get the balance Rs 3. Meanwhile, Director General of the National Transport Commission, more..

Oct 3 (DM) The Ninth Parliament of SL, which convened on Aug 20, 2020, and was dissolved at midnight on Sept 24, saw 19 parliamentary vacancies filled during its term. In total, 16 new members were appointed across 18 occasions, representing the full 241 MPs who had served during this period. Several key resignations and subsequent appointments defined the changes in membership. more..

Oct 3 (EN) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is ready to provide financial, technical and advisory support for SL�s digitisation projects, the govt said, citing an independent consultant of the foundation. A statement from the PMD said an independent consultant of the Gates Foundation by the name of Chanditha Samaranayake has met the Secretary to the Prez Nandika Sanath Kumanayake in Colombo. Gates Foundation�s projects related to upliftment of agriculture in Sri Lanka, more..

Oct 3 (AD) Colombo High Court has ordered for the case filed by the CIABOC against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the former Chairman of the State Printing Corporation, to be called for hearing on Nov 29. This order was issued when the relevant plaint was called before Colombo HC Judge Sujeewa Nissanka today. At that time, the accused former minister Keheliya Rambukwella had also appeared before the court. Accordingly, High Court judge had ordered the case to be heard more..

Oct 3 (TM) US Treasury states that there is lack of transparency in Chinese foreign exchange swaps similar to the arrangement with SL and urged the IMF to be wary of simply including them in its calculations of official reserves for developing nations. According to a statement by US Treasury Dept Int'l Finance Deputy Undersecretary Brent Neiman on Tuesday (1), the lack of reporting by the People�s Bank of China (PBOC) on more..

Oct 3 (NW) Britain�s King Charles III has extended his wishes to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as SL�s President, wishing him every possible success in guiding SL at this important time. King Charles also expressed hope to see the already close relationship between England and SL deepen further under the new presidency. �As C.O.P.29 approaches, I hope that our countries can work together as partners and as members of the modern Commonwealth, to protect our more..

Oct 3 (AD) Former MP Rajika Wickremesinghe and Daham Sirisena joined the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) led by entrepreneur Dilith Jayaweera. They received their letters of appointment from party leader Dilith Jayaweera at the MJP head office in Colombo today (03). Rajika Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the MJP�s Kegalle District Organisers and Dedigama electorate organizer while Daham Sirisena has been appointed Polonnaruwa District Organiser. more..

Oct 3 (ICC) Sri Lanka are seeking to rubber-stamp their status as ones to watch in the ICC Women�s T20 World Cup 2024 when they take on Pakistan in the opening match of Group A. Captain Chamari Athapaththu presided over an historic Asia Cup triumph in July which has fuelled the Lions� belief that they can compete on the global stage. The team has never previously reached the final four and face stiff competition in their pursuit of a knockout place this time with New Zealand, more..

Oct 3 (NW) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) has announced the issuance of the Banking Act Directions No. 05 of 2024 on Corporate Governance for Licensed Banks on 30.09.2024. These Directions were issued with a view to strengthening the corporate governance processes and practices of the licensed commercial banks and licensed specialised banks (hereinafter referred to as licensed banks), thus facilitating the conduct of banking business in a responsible and more..

Oct 3 (FT) Two major farming organisations yesterday called on the Govt to intervene and ensure the timely delivery of the increased fertiliser subsidy, which was suspended ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary elections. The subsidy, set to increase from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per hectare for the 2024/2025 Maha paddy cultivation season was approved by the Cabinet on 10 Sept but was delayed by the Election Commission to more..

Oct 3 (NW) Sri Lanka�s Foreign Ministry says measures are being carried out to provide the necessary assistance to Sri Lankans residing in Lebanon, in the face of the security situation in the country, which it said was volatile and constantly evolving. Issuing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the SL Embassy in Beirut is maintaining constant contact with SL Associations and individual Sri Lankans registered with the Embassy. Ambassador Kapila Jayaweera and officers more..

Oct 3 (RT) Sri Lanka�s political landscape has shifted with the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as president. The Marxist lawmaker�s victory marks a departure from the old political elite. Dissanayake now faces the challenge of balancing ties between regional powers India and China. His election comes as Sri Lanka strives to recover from a severe economic crisis. The crisis of 2022 led to shortages of essential goods and widespread protests. These events forced former prez more..

Oct 3 (AT) Sept 21 was a day of many firsts in SL. Millions of people went to the polls to vote in the first prez elections since mass protests forced the country�s last elected president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, from office in 2022. It also marked the first time in SL�s history that a second round of counting had to take place after none of the candidates secured the 50% margin required for victory. A count of the second-choice votes more..

Oct 3 (DM) The Central Bank has issued a Gazette Extraordinary rescinding the pension benefits of the Governors of the Central Bank with effect from September 11, 2024. The Gazette issued by Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said that pension payments to a person who has been appointed as the Governor shall be discontinued with effect from 11.09.2024 and no claims for pension payments shall be entertained by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka after 11.09.2024. more..

Oct 3 (DM) SL has reported a staggering 239 elephant deaths within the last eight months owing to a plethora of reasons, Wildlife Dept sources said. The deaths include 40 from gunshots, 31 from electrocution, 28 from hakka patas (explosive devices hidden in food), 4 from poisoning, 5 from train accidents, 6 from a road accident, 11 by drowning, and 7 from other accidents. Further, the causes of other deaths are due to natural causes or causes that could not be identified. more..

Oct 3 (DM) Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture M.P.N.M. Wickramasinghe today announced the provision of Rs. 25,000 per hectare allowance to paddy farmers. The decision was reached today during a discussion with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. �This morning, the Prez visited the Ministry of Agriculture for a progress review with officials. He advised to implement a QR code system for farmers to purchase fertiliser, allowing the necessary information to be captured. more..

Oct 3 (NW) A tense situation was reported in Matale today due to a protest seeking justice for a 17-year-old boy who was recently murdered in the area. It is reported that the victim along with a friend had accompanied another friend to meet the latter�s girlfriend. However, the three boys had been assaulted by a group of persons, including the girl�s father, resulting in the death of the 17-year-old boy. Three persons, including the girl�s father, have been arrested as of now in connection to murder. more..

Oct 3 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed his commitment to supporting public servants who dedicate themselves to creating an efficient, citizen-focused public service. He emphasized that unlike under previous administrations government officials working in the interest of the people will no longer face political retaliation. Prez made these remarks during a meeting with ministry officials after more..

Oct 3 (PMD) A high-level delegation from IMF arrived in SL today (02) to engage with the newly formed govt led by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Primary objective of the visit was to initiate discussions on the progress of the IMF Program and necessary steps towards the release of the fourth tranche of the $ 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility. The meeting, held at the Prez Secretariat, featured cordial discussions between IMF delegation and the economic team of the new govt. more..

Oct 3 (EN) Former prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has never requested presidential immunity in the controversial bond scam legal process as claimed by Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath. Herath in his first cabinet media briefing said prez immunity stated in the constitution has been considered for not calling Wickremesinghe to the courts. �There was no need for former Prez Ranil Wickramasinghe to request any immunity and in fact the former Prez has never requested such immunity,� more..

Oct 3 (DM) Former MP M.A. Sumanthiran, last evening called on the govt to immediately disclose the names of former MPs and politicians who were involved in securing and distributing liquor licenses during the previous administration. Sumanthiran stressed the need for transparency, especially in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding the proliferation of liquor stores across the country. He urged the govt to release the list of more..

Oct 3 (CT) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) Commissioner, Nimal G. Punchihewa, said that it has been revealed that the investigations initiated by the CID regarding the Scholarship Examination issue have not been completed as yet. Accordingly, he also mentioned that HRCSL has instructed the CID to complete these investigations as soon as possible. He said the HRCSL has continued its inquiry into the alleged leak of the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam paper, more..

Oct 3 (DM) Amid confusion surrounding the govt's decision to provide a fertiliser subsidy of Rs. 25,000 to paddy farmers, Election Commission (EC) stated it has no objections to the move. Commissioner of General Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said, "This decision was initially made by the previous govt, which the EC withdrew as it was seen as a move to promote a candidate." "However, the latest move to grant the fertiliser subsidy by the new govt is the execution of the earlier decision," more..

Oct 4 (CT) The much awaited miracle did happen. Anura Kumara Dissanayake is our new Prez. A new President, a new country and policies but the old fundamentals of politics that would never change purely because those fundamentals govern all human activities; that is why they are defined as fundamentals. However, the question which is reverberating amongst all who waited for this occasion is how credible an approach the new govt would adopt and how soon the people could more..