Nov 30 (CT) A gradual increase has been witnessed in identifying new patients suffering from HIV, so much so that last year nearly 5,000 patients were detected but only 3,500 were registered with the programme and are being treated, Director, NSACP, Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli lamented. He expressing serious concern about the increasing numbers, said that the registration of new patients from 2020 to 2022 more..

Nov 30 (DN) Agrarian Development Commissioner General said that 338,446 acres of paddy fields have been destroyed due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. 137,880 farmers have been affected by this destruction. Highest losses are reported from Northern & North Central Provinces. It is not yet possible to obtain certain information about crop damage since the paddy fields in Jaffna, Ampara, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa districts have still been completely submerged,� more..

Nov 30 (ST) The escape of nine girls from a state-run child care institution in August this year has raised concerns about abuse in children�s homes. DIG, Children and Women Abuse Investigation Range Renuka Jayasundara stated: �Every year, statistics have shown that some children who are abused in their homes are repeatedly abused in Child Development Centres (CDCs) again.� A 2019 census revealed over 10,000 children live in CDCs, placed there by the Probation Department. more..

Nov 30 (DN) Ministers, govt officials and Security Forces are taking strenuous measures to provide assistance and relief to thousands of people in the North and East who have been impacted by the severe weather condition during the past few days. A group of Deputy Ministers, senior govt officials rushed to the North on Thursday to get the first hand information on how the relief measures are being implemented with the coordination more..

Nov 30 (AD) The Attorney General�s Department informed the Supreme Court that it will not represent former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne and former Defense Secretary Major General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne, who are named as respondents in a fundamental rights petition filed by former CID Director Shani Abeysekera, challenging his suspension from the service. The petition was taken up today (29) before a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising more..

Nov 30 (Island) Five prominent political figures, including former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, have yet to appear before the CID to provide statements regarding the distribution of substandard medicine to govt hospitals, despite a court directive. This was disclosed at the Maligakanda Magistrate�s Court on Friday. Representatives from the AG�s Dept said Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama had instructed CID to record statements from 18 former Cabinet Ministers concerning the case. more..

Nov 30 (CT) Govt of Japan has donated two fully-equipped ambulances to the BIA and the Colombo Port as part of the ongoing Border Health Project. Funded by Japan and implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the donation aims to strengthen emergency health preparedness at these critical Points of Entry (PoE). The ambulances, valued at approximately USD 100,000 each, are equipped with advanced medical technology, including cardiac monitors, more..

Nov 30 (CT) Western Province Governor�s Office is set to launch a new quick-response special operations unit, called the Tell the Governor hotline, aimed at enhancing the services offered to the public. The hotline number will be officially launched on 2 Dec 2024. This initiative will allow the public to express their grievances, share views, and provide suggestions related to policies. Additionally, any inconsistencies or issues can be reported directly to the Governor�s Office, more..

Nov 30 (CT) For years, it has been observed that the Sinhala nationalists have felt uneasy with the people of the North when arrangements are made to commemorate Maveerar Naal, and this time too, was no exception. Though adversely affected by inclement weather, groups have reportedly gathered in Kilinochchi and several other places to observe Maveerar Naal. Though expected to turn a blind eye to these celebrations, given their quest to more..

Nov 30 (AD) The Colombo High Court has sentenced six defendants to death for the murder of one person and causing injuries to several others during a 2016 incident at a funeral in Narahenpita. The verdict was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige following a lengthy trial. The Attorney General had filed the case against eight defendants regarding the murder of Manjula Mahesh Jayathilake and injuries to several others following a clash between two groups at more..

Nov 30 (FT) Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), one of the premier terminals under development in Sri Lanka, is on track for planned development with the upcoming arrival of new equipment to enhance its operational capacity at the Port of Colombo. On 1 December, the terminal will welcome a new batch of state-of-the-art equipment, which includes two Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes and three Yard Gantry Cranes (CRMGs), as part of its ongoing development. more..

Nov 30 (FT) The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar on Thursday delivered a candid assessment of the country�s tourism sector at the association�s 59th anniversary celebrations. Addressing policymakers and industry stakeholders, he emphasised the vital role of hotels in the tourism industry, whilst calling for immediate policy interventions to address pressing challenges. �The tourism industry needs new robust policies to be adopted. more..

Nov 30 (ST) Ahead of the 2025 review by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), SL is toughening its anti-money laundering system, spurred by fresh legislation and int'l pressure. Although money laundering investigations had been going on for some time, with the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023, this task was formally given to the CIABOC. According to the Commission, it has formed a special unit to conduct money laundering cases with available officers & new recruits. more..

Nov 30 (FT) Right to Information Commission has delivered a landmark order by directing the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) to disclose information related to the Bank awarding contracts to a former Chairman�s company and other conflict of interest issues that appears to have taken place from 2007 to 2013. People�s Movement Against Corruption (PMAC) filed a RTI request in order to ascertain details related to the corruption, more..

Nov 30 (FT) The Colombo stock market ended the week yesterday on a mixed note with moderate turnover. ASPI closed with 24 points higher or 0.19% and the active S&P SL20 declined by over 12 points or 0.3%. Turnover was Rs. 3.7 billion involving 277.6 million shares. First Capital said the bourse experienced a day of increased volatility as mixed sentiment dominated the market. Amidst the decreased participation from retail and high net worth investors, ASPI closed in the green. more..

Nov 30 (DN) Two half-centuries hit by Sharujan Shanmuganathan (62) and Lakvin Abeysinghe (50), while leg-spinner Praveen Maneesha had fine figures of 3 for 30 as the SL Under-19 team started on a winning note, defeating Nepal Under-19 by 55 runs in their opening Asia Cup Under-19 cricket fixture played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday. SL U-19�s were invited to bat first, while experienced vice-captain Sharujan Shanmuganathan led from the front, scoring 62 in 99 balls with 2 fours. more..

Nov 30 (FT) Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the tourism sector into a cornerstone of economic growth, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. Speaking at the 59th Anniversary of The Hotels Association of SL (THASL), he outlined the vision, reiterating the Govt�s commitment to positioning the country as a top sustainable tourism destination, driving foreign exchange, more..

Nov 30 (FT) SriLankan Airlines recently celebrated the seventh anniversary of its Melbourne-Colombo route, launched in 2017. Since then, the airline has successfully connected many Sri Lankan expatriates and students to Melbourne while providing seamless travel options for tourists travelling between Melbourne, Sri Lanka, and beyond, particularly destinations across India. With steady growth in traffic, including tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, the Melbourne-Colombo route more..

Nov 30 (DN) Prabath Jayasuriya, the key leg-spinner of the SL Test team, became the joint second-fastest player to reach 100 Test wickets during the ongoing first Test between SL and South Africa in Durban. Jayasuriya only took 17 matches to take his 100th wicket in the format, faster than any Sri Lankan bowler who came before him. Prabath Jayasuriya became the second-fastest bowler ever and the fastest Sri Lankan to reach 100 Test wickets after he dismissed Tony de Zorzi during more..

Nov 30 (DM) The govt is eyeing to enforce the long-overdue anti-dumping laws, in order to ensure the fairness in trade and to safeguard the domestic industries from unfair competition from imports, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said. Although the country enacted the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act way back in 2018, before the country entered into its first comprehensive bilateral trade deal with Singapore in the same year, the successive govts failed to establish more..

Nov 30 (Island) A Japanese delegation recently announced the resumption of the previously stalled digital television project in SL following a meeting with the newly-elected Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The commencement of the digitisation project is now imminent. Once terrestrial television transmissions are digitised in SL, it will replace the old analogue terrestrial television forever. Therefore, it is critically important that the final outcome is better than the current analogue television, more..

Nov 30 (CI) Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs eased to Test centuries in the first two sessions, making South Africa's lead gargantuan, before the quicks snapped up five Sri Lanka wickets. Having utterly dominated the match since lunch on day two, South Africa finished the third day only five wickets short of going 1-0 up in a vital World Test Championship series. SL are 413 runs adrift, on a surface on which the bounce more..

Nov 30 (TM) While the much-needed legal reforms concerning cosmetics will take time, people should not wait until those reforms materialise to protect themselves from substandard skincare products. Even if these reforms materialise, a great deal of the responsibility for protecting one�s health and taking action against substandard skincare products still lies with consumers. Noting this, the Colombo National Hospital�s consultant dermatologist Dr. Indira Kahawita raised concerns about more..

Nov 30 (FT) Plenty is written about the JVP-led NPP in 2024 Sept-Nov elections, with many comparisons and much praise. It is a historic achievement, no doubt. It was only possible with an amateur politician Gotabaya elected president by 6.9 million voters in 2019 November totally messing up everything possible. Politically na�ve and meek too, he was a total contrast to what he was projected to be, a Hitlerite leader. The #GotaGoHome protest campaign brought to Galle Face Green more..

Nov 30 (Island) A tragic incident where a car, reportedly guided by Google Maps, plunged off a bridge under construction, killing three persons in India has sparked a debate on whether online navigation apps should be held responsible for such mishaps. There are arguments for and against the culpability of the providers of online navigation services in respect of incidents of that nature, which however are rare. Above-mentioned accident and the debate thereon are of much relevance more..

Nov 30 (TM) The Prez and General Elections of this year ushered in a new era in our political history. We experienced the era of Western colonialism where we were usurped of all our rights and made second-class citizens under oppressive white supremacist rule. During this period, our national wealth was plundered and made the Commonwealth of the Crown. Our people were divided ethnically, culturally, religiously, and regionally, deliberately, by sensitising them on the differences as a strategy more..

Nov 30 (TM) URPA President Kusumitha Mudith Perera notes that the focus on higher-profit rice types, like Keeri Samba, has led to a decline in the overall yield per ha, thus affecting supply stability. Over the past few weeks, the country's rice shortage and pricing issue has sparked great public debate. The main problem allegedly centres on the Govt�s outdated control prices for rice, which have not been revised in over two years. more..

Nov 30 (CT) As it was reported in media recently, the General Secretary of SLPP, and Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam had stated in a meeting of SLPP�s headquarters that the government wants to postpone budget in order to win local elections by lying, as it did with the presidential and general elations. As per Sagara Kariyawasam, the said lies were basically related to reduction of VAT and income tax that AKD/NPP govt is committed to work in due course along with next govt budget, more..

Nov 30 (DM) The row in the New Democratic Front (NDF) led by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) over the National List slot allocated for them at the Nov 14 Parliamentary election seems to prolong for another week or more. NDF, commonly known as the Cylinder party that has won three seats at district level is eligible for two National List slots while the SJB with 35 district level seats has been allocated five seats as their national quota. more..

Nov 30 (CT) In a way, there isn�t much new in the book, The Rout of Prabhakaran by M.R. Narayan Swamy, who had authored an unauthorised biography of LTTE supremo V. Prabhakaran, Inside an Elusive Mind, way back in 2003, and two other books, one earlier and another latter, on the world�s most dreaded guerrilla force and its unpredictable leader, who had the uncanny knack of turning defeat into more..

Nov 30 (CT) Adverse weather conditions are wreaking havoc in the country, impacting 20 districts and affecting over 280,000 individuals. Rapidly rising water levels of rivers and reservoirs and torrential showers are causing floods in many areas, localised strong winds and lightning are posing dangers to people and property and landslides in the central parts of the country are already being witnessed. As a tropical country which receives the bulk of its annual rainfall courtesy the monsoons, more..

Nov 30 (DM) The monsoon season is here again. This time heightened by the adverse effects of climate change. According to latest reports, 13 persons have lost their lives. Over 400,000 persons from over 132,000 families have been affected by overflowing tanks, landslides and or flooding with 102 houses completely destroyed and over 2,000 partially damaged. Unfortunately, flooding, landslides and loss of life and property is not new to SL. It takes place at least twice a year. more..