Jun 2 (TM) The Govt’s decision to relax restrictions on imports of multiple items, which had been imposed in stages from 2020 onwards, must be welcomed by all who are familiar with the destructive and knock-on effects of excessive trade restrictions. Setting aside the fact that the levies imposed on these imports are to be sharply increased – which will lead to hiked prices – there is still much to appreciate in this decision. The import restrictions that have been imposed in SL over more..

Jun 2 (DM) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister rendered a disservice to India and its relations with SL by raising the Kachchativu issue with the Indian PM Narendra Modi at a public function in Chennai on May 27. The demand for retrieving the Palk Strait Island to give TN fishermen fishing rights around Kachchativu, was both needless and ill-timed. It reopened a settled issue, put a spoke in the wheel of Modi’s Neighbourhood First or Friendship with Neighbours policy, and added to the fears of North SL more..

Jun 2 (FT) Fulfilling its ambition of being a multinational, the LOLC Group announced a Profit before Tax of Rs. 83.8 billion and Profit After Tax of Rs. 77.8 billion for FY22 reflecting 46% increase from a year ago. It said the Total Comprehensive Income of the Group reached Rs. 161 billion, claiming it as unparalleled in the history of any SL corporate entity. As the most diversified conglomerate in SL, LOLC Group’s strong global expansion is gaining traction as more..

Jun 2 (FT) COPE Chairman Charitha Herath directed officials of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation to take action to resolve the drug shortage in the country as soon as possible by using funds from the Indian credit loan assistance and other credit facilities. Officials from the SPC appeared before the Committee on Tuesday to discuss the shortage of drugs in govt hospitals as of 13 May and the measures taken to address the shortage. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Cricket lovely cricket and that’s what cricket fans here are enjoying, at the moment, with Angelo Mathews displaying his batting prowess, in Bangladesh. However, I believe all the attention will be focused on the T20 World Cup, to be held, later in the year, in Australia. Obviously, Sri Lankans, in Australia – in Melbourne, in particular – are gearing themselves up to give the SL team all the support. ICC launched its multicultural crowd participation push, at the Walawwa, more..

Jun 2 (CT) Just six days after his South Asian record breaking effort, Olympian Yupun Abeykoon continued his amazing run with a sizzling 10.08 seconds in the 100m at the Ostrava Golden Spikes Competition held in Czech Republic on 31 May. The Italian-based sprinter competed with world class runners, which including Olympic Gold medallist Yohan Blake of Jamaica and reigning Commonwealth Gold medallist Akani Simbine of South Africa. more..

Jun 2 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, said that the proposed 21st Amendment, aimed at protecting the Rajapaksas, had received the backing of those who couldn’t secure power through the ballot. MP Premadasa, who is also the Opposition Leader, said the 21st Amendment, in its present form, was not acceptable as it didn’t meet the aspirations of the public, demanding a genuine system change. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Marathoner Hiruni Wijeratne and the manager named by Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) for the track and field team have been dropped from the Commonwealth Games contingent. SLA sources said that with the US-based marathoner being dropped from the team there will only be three female athletes representing the country. The selectors of SLA picked a team of eight including 4 male & 4 female athletes for the quadrennial event starting on July 28th in Birmingham. more..

Jun 2 (ST) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to discuss with China to reactivate its offer to provide emergency diesel supplies, a senior official said. The directive came after revelations that SL had not responded to an offer made by China to provide stocks of diesel for emergency use. The offer was made before PM Wickremesinghe took office, the official said. China was ready to provide diesel from the stocks held in Singapore, but SL’s attitude had surprised the Chinese, he said. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Health Ministry has rejected a Treasury proposal for sharp cuts in medical staff’s allowances and overtime payments following objections from trade unions. The ministry had to reverse the circular issued early this week in keeping with Treasury directives on measures to curtail state expenses. A revised circular issued on Thursday reaffirmed that the allowances that were currently effective would continue as long as they did not exceed the basic salary. Confirming the reversal of the circular, more..

Jun 2 (TM) Ceylon Shipping Agents Association has informed the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation that shipping agents owe about $ 70 million to shipping companies for services that were obtained so far at the Colombo Harbour. In a discussion with the Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on Tuesday (31), Association has said that $ 70 million is needed to pay shipping companies for the services they have rendered so far, and has stressed that if these payments cannot be made due to more..

Jun 2 (TM) The CID, acting on the order given by the Supreme Court (SC) to arrest former MP Duminda Silva following the special Prez pardon granted to him by Prez Rajapaksa being suspended through an interim order, arrested Silva at the Sri J'pura General Hospital yesterday. Police Media Spokesman said that the suspect had been arrested by the CID when he was being treated at the said hospital last evening. more..

Jun 2 (Roar) “There will soon come a time when we cannot afford to buy even a handful of chillies from the store. So, what I’m doing here is trying to help everyone, and share my knowledge. We must learn how to grow our food again,” Rajapaksa (76) told us while tending to Gota Go Gama’s first-ever community garden. Rajapaksa’s garden is not big, but it is a testament to what he can do with small space when it comes to cultivating a variety of vegetables and fruits. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Attempts to politicise the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) or bypass it during the approval process would have a dangerous impact on the safety of patients, secretary of the GMOA. Dr. Senal Fernando said. He said that the NMRA was the main institution responsible for ensuring quality and safety of medical drugs through regulatory and approval procedures. “It is imperative that independence and integrity as well as professionalism and more..

Jun 2 (CT) It was revealed in the recent COPE meeting that a total of USD 330 million of funds received from international agencies such as the WB, WHO, and Indian credit line had not been disbursed for import of essential drugs, despite an acute shortage. Furthermore, COPE Chairman Dr. Charitha Herath pointed out that despite receiving USD 200 million in financial assistance under the Indian credit line facility, by 22 April more..

Jun 2 (DM) A full-scale investigation will be carried out into the incidents where photos were shared on social media showing some students sitting for the O/L examination with umbrellas to protect themselves from rain, Examination Commissioner General L.M.D. Dharmasena said. He said disciplinary action will be taken against the principal of the Gampaha Thakshila Vidyalaya for compelling candidates to sit for the examination while holding umbrellas & posting images on social media. more..

Jun 2 (DN) SL champion long jumper Sarangi Silva is expected to take part at the Austria Open Athletic championship today (2) at Athletic arena in Vienna, Austria. This will be a good opportunity for Sarangi. The 25 -year old former athlete of Sri Sumangala Balika Panadura is currently representing SL Army. Sarangi’s coach Y.K Kularatne who is accompanying Sarangi in this Austria meet said “more than 40 international athletes with Austria athletes will compete at this meet and more..

Jun 2 (FT) The CEB has been summoned before the COPE on 9 June. The Auditor General’s report for the years 2018 and 2019 and the current performance of the CEB will be examined. In addition, the UDA has been summoned before the COPE on 7 June and the Uni of Moratuwa on 8 June. The COPE meets under the Chairmanship of Prof. Charitha Herath. Several meetings of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) are also scheduled to be held next week. more..

Jun 2 (Island) SLPP lawmaker Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has questioned the failure on the part of the new administration to investigate the organised violence, unleashed on MPs, on May 09. Dr. Godahewa, who was the Media Minister at the time violence erupted, countrywide, in the wake of attacks on those who had been protesting opposite Temple Trees and Galle Face, raised the issue at a govt group meeting, jointly chaired by Prez Rajapaksa & PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

Jun 2 (EN) SL’s nominal gross domestic product has been bloated after the base year was shifted to 2015 from 2010 adding 876 billion rupees to 2021 gross domestic product, reducing debt and deficit ratios. SL’s inflation adjusted GDP went up even more sharply from 9.88 trillion constant rupees to 13.1 trillion rupees. The expanded GDP statistics will also allow Western progressives (statists) to claim that more..

Jun 2 (TM) The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) and the National People’s Power (NPP) have held a discussion about three key areas, including the abolition of the Executive Presidency on Tuesday (31). “FSP requested a discussion with the NPP and we discussed the public struggle and how to achieve the public’s demands, State oppression following the 9 May incidents, the need to abolish the Executive Presidency, and political reform,” FSP Edu Secy Pubudu Jayagoda said more..

Jun 2 (DH) Facing a disaster of severe food shortage over the worst economic crisis in SL, Indian PM Narendra Modi has assured Prez Rajapaksa of fertiliser supply for the ongoing cultivation season. Rajapaksa on Wednesday announced that the fertiliser would be supplied with Indian loan assistance and has planned to supply it within 20 days once it is received here. He announced this at a discussion on the current crisis in the irrigation and agriculture sector more..

Jun 2 (ST) Political appointments to Sri Lanka’s overseas missions have skyrocketed with a rising pattern of parceling out clerical positions to supporters and relatives including the children of prominent politicians. Examination of records show that some Sri Lanka missions have not had a career Ambassador in decades while some others are manned by political appointees at the level of Ambassador as well as in the middle. more..

Jun 2 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is still very keen on hosting the Asia Cup in August and it is going to depend on how we conduct the Australian series which will commence from June 7, said Vice President of SLC Ravin Wickramaratne. Hosting the Australian tour successfully would considerably strengthen SL’s hands to hold the Asia Cup added Vice President of SLC. "We have already arranged the Australian full cricket series (Test, ODI and T-20’s) and the Australia team is scheduled more..

Jun 2 (DM) Confederation of Professionals for a National Policy, a group of professionals and youth involved in Aragalaya (struggle), presented a concise set of proposals outlining actions that should be taken to resolve the current political and economic situation to Prez Rajapaksa. The proposal was handed over to the Prez at the President's House, Colombo, today (01). Discussions focused on short, medium and long-term measures that should be taken to address current political, more..

Jun 2 (AD) Ministry of Finance has decided to lift the licensing system imposed for the importation of a large number of goods and items under 369 HS codes, with effect from today (1). The decision has been taken to significantly increase import duties, customs duties and surcharges levied on these goods. Accordingly, taxes will be increased on a number of imported foods including yoghurt, cheese, grapes and apples. more..

Jun 2 (FT) The disastrous situation faced by the country today is aggravated by the different responses to it by the different political parties. Their responses are based on how they look at the problem. Their perspective is based on capturing or keeping their power in the country. In fact, that is the purpose of their existence. However, this perspective provides a long-term self-centric solution which is not the need of the hour. We need a quick, people-centric solution which may have more..

Jun 2 (FT) In a sad song that tugs at the heartstrings, Sinéad O’Connor sings that it’s been 7 hours and 15 days since you took your love away. She’s particularly distraught because nothing can take away these blues and nothing compares to you. But there’s a silver lining in the cloud of the Celtic songstress: I can do whatever I want, I can see whomever I choose. I was reminded of that sense of marking time from a keystone moment when the emotions of the protestors at the Aragalaya more..

Jun 2 (CI) Top-order batter Nuwanidu Fernando, and right-arm seamer Matheesha Pathirana have broken into Sri Lanka's T20I squad, for the forthcoming series against Australia. Both have come into the side having impressed overseas - Nuwanidu (22) in England, and Pathirana (19) in the IPL. However, there are no places for allrounder Dhananajaya de Silva, fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, or wicketkeeper batters Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshand Dickwella. Kusal Mendis is likely to take the gloves. more..

Jun 2 (EN) Sri Lanka could get as much as 6.0 billion dollars in “bridge financing” from India and talks are underway with Japan to also get funds, ex-Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy who is an advisor to the govt said. “India has agreed to give US$ 4.5 billion,” Coomaraswamy told an online forum organized by the central bank. “There may be 1.5 forthcoming.” India had agreed to provide 500 million US dollars for fuel, and another billion US dollars for essential goods. more..

Jun 2 (DM) A complaint was lodged with the Weeraketiya police station by the policeman who was involved in an argument with a senior SJB MP’s son at the Bendigama Interchange on the Southern Expressway. A video footage is circulating on social media showing a motorist, alleged to be the son of SJB MP Dilip Wedaarachchi, shouting at the policeman at the Bendigama Interchange because more..

Jun 2 (EN) All the offices of Department of Labour will be closed on Fridays starting June 03 to limit the travel of state sector employees and save up on fuel, a statement from the Govt Information Dept said. All offices including the head office and divisional offices will now operate only from Monday to Thursday and will be closed every Friday. The Labour Department said the decision was taken considering the limited resources of state departments and to cut off additional costs. more..

Jun 2 (AD) A request made by the police seeking an order against a protest march organized by university students has been rejected by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe. The protest march scheduled for today is planned to proceed from Viharamahadevi Park to the UGC. Cinnamon Garden Police had sought an order from the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court to prevent uni students who are taking part in the demonstration from entering several roads in Colombo. more..

Jun 2 (EN) Prez Rajapaksa on Wednesday once again extended the tenure of the One Country One Law presidential task force headed by a controversial Buddhist monk, days after police informed a magistrate court that the Attorney General wanted charges filed against the monk. The tenure of the task force was extended by three weeks as of May 27 to complete the task assigned to it, according to a gazette issued on Wed. more..

Jun 2 (DM) Passports will not be issued for every application that is received at the department on a daily basis, as there is an unusual demand for passports from the end of April, the Immigration and Emigration Department said. They said the maximum number of passports that could be issued under one-day service is 2500. Meanwhile, the Department's Deputy Controller Piyumi Bandara said some 288,645 people had processed their passports during first 5 months of this year. more..

Jun 2 (EN) SL’s new govt should respect the independence of the central bank, and any interference would jeopardise the country’s rescue efforts, top economist W A Wijewardene said. Wickremesinghe’s statement that a billion rupees would be printed to pay salaries had triggered widespread concern, he said. “It is like giving a sugar meal to a diabetic,” Wijewardena told a forum. However there had been immediate pushback from independent economists, he said. more..