Jul 7 (Island) The much respected senior Attorney-at-Law Gomin Dayasri, 77, is no more, but his voice carried such weight that he had the opportunity to advise the Mahinda Rajapaksa govt (2005-2015) at the highest level, in his heyday, despite not fearing to admonish them whenever it was deserved. The final rites were conducted on July 02 at the Borella Cemetery. A true patriot, Gomin had been among those who stood for Sri Lanka’s unitary status whatever the consequences. more..

Jul 7 (CI) The draft for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League was held on Tuesday evening, with each of the five franchises allowed to pick six international players, with one from each price category barring Gold and Silver. SL players were available for all categories. The pre-draft portion of the squad selection, however, meant that for many of the teams the top-tier draft picks had been decided well in advance of the draft proper. more..

Jul 7 (Island) The Opposition has, after weeks of dillydallying, agreed to form an all-party caretaker govt. The JVP remains noncommittal but it will have to make common cause with other Opposition parties if it is not to be branded a spoiler. The SLPP, however, has not taken kindly to the Opposition’s move; it is seeking to have one of its MPs appointed PM. Some Opposition parties have claimed that Prez is against the proposed all-party interim govt. If so, he is asking for more trouble. more..

Jul 7 (FT) Aitken Spence Plc has acquired 100% shareholding in Sagasolar Power Ltd., for Rs. 1.4 billion from Browns Investments Plc. Sagasolar operates a 10MW renewable energy plant in Hambantota. This is the second renewable energy acquisition by Spence in just over a year. In April last year it acquired mini hydro firm Waltrim Energy Ltd., for Rs. 900 million from Sunshine Holdings PLC and Mouldex Ltd. Waltrim operates three hydropower generation plants in Nuwara Eliya more..

Jul 7 (TM) Stylish Garments (Pvt) Ltd. unveiled its sixth BOI-approved factory in Ambalangoda, which manufactures children’s wear jerseys including school uniforms targeting the international market. Stylish Garments is a garment manufacturer and exporter of jersey knit and lighter woven apparel products. The latest project, which is a $ 3.5 million investment, is expected to generate 500 employment opportunities for people living in the South and other parts of the country. more..

Jul 7 (FT) Tourism Minister Harin Fernando yesterday said Sri Lanka is expecting close to one million tourists by the end of the year, whilst capitalising on new markets as well as on the neighbouring giant — India. “As June recorded an 8.8% increase in arrivals, we hope there will be a steady influx of tourists by December. We are looking at tapping into new markets as well as into India, which continues to be the largest tourist market for SL,” he told journalists yesterday. more..

Jul 7 (CT) Former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva acknowledged that the IPL and other T20 Leagues have benefited cricket, but urged India to allow star players to take part in tournaments overseas. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown into cricket’s hottest property attracting top foreign talent such as England’s Jos Buttler and Australia’s David Warner for millions of dollars to play in the high-octane two-month jamboree. more..

Jul 7 (DM) As a short-term solution to ammonium nitrate explosives shortage in the construction industry and other related industries, the govt has approved a new mechanism to import such explosives under the Defence Ministry, with the support of the private sector, for the next one-year period. Prez Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Defence Minister, this week submitted a proposal seeking the approval of Cabinet to take necessary actions to import ammonium nitrate more..

Jul 7 (DN) Minister Dhammika Perera has stated to bat for the Palm oil industry in a bid to save the country several billion incurred annually towards Palm oil imports. New Minister said that due to the Palm oil import ban SL is draining around USD 400million annually towards these imports. This is when palm oil was grown and manufactured in SL. There are about 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) of oil palms planted across Sri Lanka. Perera said that the successive govts were ill advised by more..

Jul 7 (TM) National Organiser of Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya (SVB), the female wing of the SJB, Hirunika Premachandra, and 11 others who were staging a protest against Prez Rajapaksa in front of the Prez’s house in Colombo Fort were arrested by the Police yesterday and subsequently granted bail. At around 11 a.m. yesterday, Premachandra, SJB Weligama Chief Organiser Rehan Jayawickreme, and a few others more..

Jul 7 (TM) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando stated that while the concerns of the UK – which resulted in a travel advisory being imposed against SL – are valid, the SLTDA is continuously working towards pushing the UK to remove this advisory. SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando stated: “SL remains honest and open, as the country cannot afford to lose credibility in the long term as a destination, even while we lobby British authorities to remove advisory.” more..

Jul 7 (FT) Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says when registering with the SL Foreign Employment Bureau to go abroad for work for a second time, the amount of dollars sent to the country through legal channels while working abroad previously will be checked. He said legislation will be enacted to allow only those who have repatriated significant amounts of money to go for foreign employment for a second time. Minister stated this while presenting flight tickets to a group of young women more..

Jul 7 (Island) Over the past few weeks, tea circles were abuzz on a rising trend of Indian teas being preferred to Ceylon Tea. Our enquiries supported by tea broker reports revealed that there is currently a drop in the production of Ceylon Tea. Because of this loss in production of our teas, buyers were moving to other suppliers. Particularly the demand for orthodox tea is dropping. As a result, buyers are switching to Indian producers. Asia Siyaka (AS) tea brokers said last week in a report authored by more..

Jul 7 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said that neither he nor the SJB or the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya have any no or can’t talk and will fulfill their responsibilities for the people at any time. Donating a stock of scarce medicines, the Opposition Leader said the Jana Suwaya and Samagi Jana Balawegayen Husmak programs are implemented with a view of creating a healthy nation. Specialist Dr. Anver Hamdanihas earlier informed the Opposition Leader about more..

Jul 7 (DM) Supporting citizens navigate the challenges faced by the ongoing fuel crisis, Aventage Labs, part of St. Anthony’s Industries Group, has launched a timely and value-driven project through the launch of the Aventage Carpool app, to support the public ride through the crisis worry free. Aventage Carpool is an app that can be accessed completely free of charge and allows users to publish rides, book rides or do both, more..

Jul 7 (CI) SL have been hit by three more Covid-19 cases on the eve of the second Test against Australia, with Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay ruled out of the game in Galle. It is understood that the trio had all reported feeling unwell which led to the entire SL squad being tested, with the positive results coming back on Wednesday. It brings the number of Covid-19 cases in the SL camp to five, following Angelo Mathews - who was the first and had to be more..

Jul 7 (Island) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said that the govt was planning to suppress his party by levelling false allegations against the latter. Dissanayake said that the plot hatched by the govt could lead to bloodshed. “A video has been released, on social media, instructing how to make Molotov Cocktails. The voice, in the footage, instructs the viewer to make bombs in a similar manner, and tie them to their bodies and explode themselves more..

Jul 7 (AD) An additional sum needs to be paid for a fuel shipment scheduled to arrive in SL on July 13, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says. Speaking in the parliament earlier today, lawmaker said the approval of the committee of officials appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers was received to import required volumes of fuel by July 13. However, if this fuel shipment is not secured, the public will receive fuel only after July 22, he explained, adding that the only concern is that supplier has quoted a price more..

Jul 7 (DM) Travel advisories against visiting SL, which were slightly relaxed just weeks ago, are now back and they could further hurt the already struggling tourism sector. As the situation in the country is showing no signs of improving and with public agitation against the govt led by Prez Rajapaksa and PM Wickremesinghe getting intensified, govts across the world are cautioning their citizens against visiting SL. UK and NZ issued fresh warnings to their citizens this week, more..

Jul 7 (Reuters) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) raised its key rates by a full percentage point on Thursday to tackle record high domestic inflation and to contain any buildup of underlying demand, it said. The Standing Lending Facility rate was raised to 15.50% while the Standing Deposit Facility Rate rose to 14.50%, the highest in 21 years. Inflation touched a record 54.6% year on year in June while food inflation accelerated to 80.1%. more..

Jul 7 (AD) Sri Lanka Railways trade unions have decided to call off their trade union action after discussions with Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena this afternoon (06). Minister and railway trade union representatives held a discussion today at the Ministry of Highways. After directing his attention to the issues faced by the railway employees, Transport Minister instructed the Secretary to the ministry and General Manager of SL Railways to provide immediate solutions more..

Jul 7 (AD) Colombo Fort Police has obtained a court order against a protest demonstration to be staged by a group of Buddhist monks and other religious leaders at Olcott Mawatha today (07). Police said the Colombo Magistrate’s Court has issued an order preventing a group of Buddhist monks, other religious leaders and their members from entering Olcott Mawatha and obstructing or inconveniencing the public by gathering at any other place in the vicinity of Pettah. more..

Jul 7 (TG) Dilith Jayaweera can still recall the moment he realised SL was hurtling, unstoppably, towards financial ruin. It was around Oct 2021 and Jayaweera, a SL media magnate and close friend of Prez Rajapaksa, had invited Basil Rajapaksa, Prez’s younger brother, who was also the finance minister, to join him for dinner. There was little love lost between Basil Rajapaksa and Jayaweera, who had long mistrusted each other. more..

Jul 7 (FT) Not to quibble too much in these sorely troubled times all round. But given everything that has transpired since SL declared bankruptcy, shouldn’t the state set a prime example in tightening its austerity belt? And empathise far more with the people they ostensibly represent? And surely it’s governors at national level – especially elected representatives who brought a once proud nation low (by design or default) – who must first feel the pinch? As well as walk the talk in terms of more..

Jul 7 (FT) Going by the latest report of the respected Verite Research, the incumbent administration enjoys 3% support nationally. No administration comes back from that. This drop is not only vertical but its rate is accelerating: 59% to 10% in two years, and from 10% to 3% in six months. How long before it hits Ground Zero? It was Albert Camus, writer, anti-fascist Resistance activist and thinker, not a philosopher by profession, who nonetheless made a breakthrough in the field of philosophy. more..

Jul 7 (DM) Korean Ambassador to SL Santhush Woonjin Jeong promised to draw attention of the Korean govt over providing E7 visa facility for SL workers have worked in Korea for more than ten years and returned. E-7 visa holders can invite their spouse and children for a stable working life. The decision was revealed during a discussion held between the Korean Ambassador to SL, Santhush Woonjin Jeongand Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara more..

Jul 7 (EN) A 26-year-old pregnant woman in line with her husband to get her passport from Dept of Immigration and Emigration had gone into labor. Chandra Krishnan, the Officer at the Dept of Immigration and Emigration said that the couple had been in the queue since last night waiting to obtain their passports. Immigration and Emigration Dept has seen in a significant increase in new passports issued, with 31,725 passports issued in the first 10 days of June alone, a threefold increase. more..

Jul 7 (EN) Govt has suspended fuel for health workers for two days, the health ministry secretary said on Thursday, ahead of a July 9 protest to force the resignation of Prez Rajapaksa and PM Wickremesinghe. Health sector workers are given an exclusive fuel arrangement after a series of protests where the can pump fuel in designated state-run CPC outlets on Fridays. Scheme started on June 24. more..

Jul 7 (AD) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today officially handed over the US$ 2 million donation it promised to the country’s health sector to purchase essential medicines. Out of the total grant, US$ 1 million was donated to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, to buy essential medicines required for pediatric care for children. Meanwhile The National Cancer Hospital (Apeksha Hospital) was donated US$ 1 million to purchase essential medicines for the treatment of cancer patients. more..

Jul 7 (FT) DIMO, a leading diversified conglomerate in SL, together with Tata Motors Ltd, launched its first batch of locally assembled DIMO Batta HT2 trucks. Marking a significant milestone in SL’s automotive industry, DIMO is proud to introduce the first-ever small commercial vehicle assembled in SL. Produced at the DIMO Vehicle Assembly Plant at the Weliweriya Logistics Centre with a daily production capacity of three to four vehicles, the first batch of locally assembled DIMO Batta HT2 vehicles more..

Jul 7 (CI) It's not just about sweeping, surely? There's more to batting on turning surfaces than that. Sweeping is how Australia got to their last victory. And perhaps how Joe Root did it against SL in Galle last year. Sure. But there's more to life on turning pitches than that. Especially when you have a world beating spinner in the opposition. Perhaps they know this already, to be honest. Dimuth has played 27 innings at Galle. more..

Jul 7 (CI) Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar's all-round brilliance and Rajeshwari Gayakwad's three-wicket haul helped India beat SL by a comprehensive 39 runs in the third ODI to complete a 3-0 whitewash. After rescuing India with the bat with her 16th ODI fifty, Kaur removed a dangerous looking Chamari Athapaththu for 44 to land a colossal blow to the hosts' chances. Vastrakar, too, put in a vital contribution, making her third ODI fifty after India were in trouble midway through more..

Jul 7 (FT) National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya stressed that all political forces must unite to save the country from impending disaster. In a statement, he said less than two months have passed since Prez Rajapaksa addressed the nation and made an important pledge to the country’s people. However, it is now evident through the current conduct being exhibited that this pledge made before country will not become a reality. more..

Jul 7 (Island) SLPP lawmaker Sarath Weerasekera yesterday said that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe should concentrate on economic recovery instead of constitutional and electoral reforms. The former Public Security Minister also questioned the undue haste in bringing in 22 Amendment at a time the economy was on the verge of collapse. Colombo District MP said so in the wake of PM Wickremesinghe’s admission in Parliament on Tuesday that SL was negotiating with the IMF more..

Jul 7 (NDTV) Pakistan squad for the upcoming two-match Test series arrived in SL on Thursday. Skipper Babar Azam would hope that his team could win this series as it would boost their chances of finishing in the top 2 in the World Test Championship points table. Pakistan recently toppled India and went up to the third spot after India's loss to England in the Edgbaston Test and the subsequent docking of points due to slow over rate. Pakistan Cricket Board posted some photographs of the team more..