Nov 1 (CT) Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has made a special request to the Education Ministry regarding the dress code of female school teachers. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin in a statement said that considering the Public Administration Circular No: 05/2022 issued on 27.09.2022, school teachers, especially female teachers too should be allowed to wear modest and appropriate attire, other than Saree and Osari. “The circular states that public officers should be allowed to dress in more..

Nov 1 (AD) Cabinet has given the nod for the Budget Debate Program which was proposed and presented for approval by the Prime Minister in relation to the financial year 2023. Accordingly, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies, will deliver the opening speech of the second reading of the Appropriation Bill to Parliament at 1.30 p.m. on Nov 14. The debate on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill more..

Nov 1 (CI) Sri Lanka kept a leash on Afghanistan's innings, making frequent breakthroughs before partnerships could truly blossom, holding the run-rate in check. Led by Wanindu Hasaranga, whose outstanding 3 for 13 was most responsible for hindering the opposition, SL conceded only 144 or 8 on a decent batting track. There was an early wobble in SL's chase, when Pathum Nissanka was out for 12. more..

Nov 1 (TM) Expressing its displeasure over the recent statements of certain parties that the recent protests in the country have caused the collapse of the tourism industry, Hotel Workers’ Union (HWC) of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union, whilst claiming that the tourism industry has collapsed because the Government has no programme to revive it, warned of a series of protests that will demand the Govt to find solutions to the issue. HWC National Organiser Jayathilaka Ranasinghe more..

Nov 1 (AD) Venerable Borella Sirisumana Thero has been arrested by the CID today. He was taken into custody over the information uncovered during investigations into the alleged financial frauds committed by Thilini Priyamali. Owner of Thico Group of Companies, Thilini Priyamali was arrested and remanded on October 06 over alleged multi-billion rupee fraud by swindling businesspersons and VIPs. Meanwhile, Isuru Bandara who is said to be her business partner was also taken into more..

Nov 1 (EN) Sri Lanka is unlikely to get an IMF deal in December as originally expected with delays in dealing with China and India which are out of the Paris Club as well as bilateral issues, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has said. Sri Lanka has to get creditor assurances on debt restructuring from bilateral lenders before the IMF’s executive board endorses a reform program formally. Unlike other countries which got into default, more..

Nov 1 (Island) Supreme Court yesterday commenced the hearing of the petitions filed challenging the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill presented by the govt. The petitions were heard before a 3-member Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Murdu Fernando and Janak de Silva. The petitions have been filed before the SC seeking a ruling that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill violates the Constitution of Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 1 (CI) Ten days into the Super 12s, England finally turned up at the T20 World Cup and delivered a clinical performance in a must-win game against NZ at the Gabba. Victory in their final group game against SL on Saturday should be enough to send them through, barring a significant net run-rate swing. Jos Buttler chose to bat first on a used pitch and produced his first significant innings of the tournament, making a superbly-paced 73 off 47 balls after 2 reprieves to set up England's total more..

Nov 1 (Island) The worsening economic hardships of the middle class people will pave the way for unforeseen repercussions that could end up in social disturbances and violence, warns SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella. He said that people of the middle class found it extremely difficult to make ends meet. “They have fallen from the frying pan into the fire. They cannot cope with the economic hardships. The govt is increasing taxes and tariffs. There is no end to the introduction of new taxes. more..

Nov 1 (BN) SL is still struggling to afford int'l fuel prices and is unable to fully procure country’s requirements, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. The cash-strapped country is still seeking financial assistance from oil-producing countries, but has yet to secure any aid apart from an existing deal with India, Wijesekera said on the sidelines of the ADIPEC conference in Abu Dhabi. SL’s financial crisis has been stretching on for months, impeding its ability to pay for food & fuel. more..

Nov 1 (Island) Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa of the Colombo Uni Law Faculty, lambasted the double standards in dealing with lawmakers over contempt of court, which, too, tended to erode public confidence in the parliamentary system. Attorney-at-Law said so referring to the sentencing of SJB MP Ranjan Ramanayake to four years imprisonment and TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran being allowed to take refuge under more..

Nov 1 (CT) Chief Sanganayaka of Matale, Ven. Mahalakotuwe Wimaladhamma Thera, says that he had requested the Anunayake of Malwathu Chapter, of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Ven. Dimbulkumbure Sri Saranankara Wimaladhamma Thera, to urge Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwathu, Asgiriya and Amarapura Chapters, to enact laws to prevent members of the Buddhist Clergy from contesting national elections. Ven. Wimaladhamma Thera revealed this during an event held at more..

Nov 1 (ANI) SL captain Dasun Shanaka stated that the team would look to win their remaining matches with good margins to maintain a good net run rate, helping them maximise their chances to qualify for the semi-final of the T20 World Cup. SL registered a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Afghanistan, keeping their chances of making it into the semi-finals alive. SL was well aware of the fact that the team needs big wins in order to create a chance for them while expecting other teams like more..

Nov 1 (TM) TMTK Leader MP C.V. Wigneswaran said that Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had informed him that the Government hopes to release more prisoners detained under the PTA by Thai Pongal of next year in January. Wigneswaran said that he had met Dr. Rajapakshe in Jaffna on 30 Oct, and during the meeting, he was told that more PTA prisoners are expected to be released by Thai Pongal next year. more..

Nov 1 (CI) In the chase against New Zealand on Saturday, Sri Lanka had lost their top three for five runs, inside two overs. By the halfway stage they had lost six. Against Namibia, early in the tournament too, their top order had fallen in a heap. The key for Sri Lanka, assistant coach Naveed Nawaz said, was to keep wickets in hand through the early overs, even if they didn't score many runs. Because that's exactly the strategy that helped them overcome Afghanistan on Tuesday. more..

Nov 1 (DM) Those who would participate in tomorrow’s protests should be considered traitors, an MP said today. UNP MP Vajira Abeywardene told a media briefing that everyone who participates in tomorrow’s protest should be considered traitors as they will be playing a role in precipitating the country’s economic crisis. “Sri Lanka has managed to achieve some kind of stability with prices of essential goods being reduced to some extent and the pickup of the tourism sector. more..

Nov 1 (CI) England's victory against New Zealand means that there are still plenty of qualification possibilities in Group 1, with just three games to go. Here is a look at what each team needs to do to make it to the semi-finals. NZ: Played: 4, Points: 5, NRR: 2.233, Remaining match: vs Ire (Adelaide) Despite the defeat against England, New Zealand are still reasonably well-placed to qualify. A win by any margin in their last game against Ireland should be enough. Even if they win by just one run, more..

Nov 1 (CT) PHU MP Udaya Gammanpila claimed that MP Diana Gamage is a British citizen whose SL citizenship had already been revoked. He claimed that there is no evidence that she applied for dual citizenship after obtaining British citizenship and that she has become an MP without being a SL citizen. Implying that a foreigner entering SL’s Parliament is more dangerous than dual citizens becoming MPs, Gammanpila said, Speaker claimed it was the Election Commission’s responsibility to more..

Nov 1 (EN) With the likelihood of an electoral near-wipe-out of the ruling SLPP still high, SL’s main opposition the SJB and the leftist coalition NPP appear to be engaged in a low-intensity turf war over the coveted system change mandate. Though an election has yet to be announced — indeed, opposition parties across the board have expressed fears of an indefinite delay — JVP-led NPP has been busy organising well-planned and more..

Nov 1 (CT) Wild elephants which had been destroying crops in border villages, in the Ampara District, are now entering towns and semi-urbanised areas. Locals say that elephant herds are now invading villages even before sunset. As a result, local farmers have been vacating their houses during the night for safety and they return home in the morning. Alimnagar and Sinnamullaithivu in Akkaraipattu, Palamunai in Addalachennai, Veliverian field in Sainthamaruthu and more..

Nov 1 (AD) The NBRO has issued landslide early warnings for several areas in a total of eight districts – Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura. Level 3 (Red) warning has been issued to the Passara Divisional Secretariat Division of the Badulla District and its surrounding areas for a period of 24 hours until 2.30 p.m. tomorrow. Several areas in the aforesaid eight districts have also been issued with landslide early warnings of Level 1 (Yellow) more..

Nov 1 (TM) Several business chambers in a joint statement have noted with concern that some organizations have called for mass protests tomorrow (2). While recognizing their freedom of speech and right to express views, the Chambers requested all parties to call off protests of this nature that could undermine the efforts being taken to resolve the current economic crisis with the support of the int'l community. more..

Nov 1 (CT) Govt is vigorously defending itself on a plaint filed by a foreign bank to recover the credit extend by that bank to the GoSL, the Finance Ministry said. Ministry further said, “On 21 June 2022, Hamilton Reserve Bank (HRB) filed a lawsuit against SL in the New York Federal Court. HRB alleges that it has accelerated a series of bonds that were due in July 2022 (the July 2022 Bonds) and that it holds more than 25 per cent of the aggregate principal amount of the July 2022 Bonds. more..

Nov 1 (EN) Over 11,000 Sri Lankan refugees who had fled to India during the 26-year armed conflict have returned to the island, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. At an event on Monday October 31 to felicitate the newly returned refugees, Rajapakshe said 4,063 of the 11,712 returnees are from the Jaffna district. “We want to attend to the problems faced by all 11,712 persons,” said the minister, introducing a mobile service launched to assist returning refugees. more..

Nov 2 (DM) Our country continues to limp through the worst financial crisis which hit it since independence. Our outstanding foreign debt remains well over US$50 billion, with still no final settlement reached with the IMF as per a financial bailout. Today, unlike during the worst days of the crisis in May/June earlier this year, basics are available, albeit at prices the majority find difficult to meet. Limited stocks of fuel and gas too are available. However, food prices are way beyond reach more..

Nov 2 (DM) 2022 UN Climate Change Conference, designated as COP27, will be held from Nov 6 to 18 at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Ahead of that, the noted British general medical journal Lancet has issued a document stating the multifarious and serious issues created by climate change and how the world has to walk the talk on mitigating its ill effects. Among ordinary folk, climate change triggers images of devastating floods, depressing droughts, cyclones, forest fires and other climactic more..

Nov 2 (DM) From announcing the countrywide hourly power cuts to increasing the electricity tariffs in places of worship, from monitoring the purchasing of coal and fuel shipments through tender procedures to observing the payment of demurrages, and from checking the standards of the fuel sold at filling stations to involve in filing legal action against the political VIPs for evading their electricity bills amounting to hundreds of more..

Nov 2 (GV) Capitalist transition within a state is a process that involves changing institutions or the rules of the game so that markets become the primary mechanism for resource allocation. These changes must be legitimised at an ideological level. When institutions to establish markets are successful, they become ideas that seem to be natural and common sense, thereby creating a hegemony. The establishment of the hegemony of markets is not a technocratic process but more..

Nov 2 (TM) The citizens entrust the land, its resources, and the people’s sovereignty to those they elect to govern the country. They do not expect these custodians to barter the land and its resources according to the land policy dictated by foreign agents. Land sovereignty has been alienated to be handled by foreign advisors for the past 70 years. SL’s land policy and registration functions according to the research papers of foreign experts, which are published on the internet. more..

Nov 2 (TM) It had all the makings of a red carpet event – the rock bands, Dua Lipa, and even royalty, but what was most exciting was hearing Sri Lankan Shehan Karunatilaka’s name being called: …and the Booker Prize 2022 goes to The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka. Lauded by the judges for its audacity and ambition and described as “a rollercoaster journey through life and death,” book is a searing satire more..

Nov 2 (TM) Everyone wants relief, fair treatment, and a sense of safety, and everyone demands the same from the Govt. Even though the Govt is currently limited in its ability to provide these to the people amidst this crisis, those who demand price changes in accordance with increased and reduced costs want the Govt to make even the slightest of price revisions within those limits. These are concerns that were at the centre of almost all dialogues on managing the prices of more..

Nov 2 (CT) The repercussions of several institutions being understaffed has been more evident over the recent years with the most recent being the Yala incident which revealed the shortage of wildlife officers in national parks. Although the shortage of staff surfaces when there is an issue, the need of the hour is to address it and make relevant appointments so there is enough staff, as failure to do so will only affect the quality of public services. On 28 Sept, a Ceylon Today article revealed more..

Nov 2 (Island) Cantankerous, holier-than-thou politicians are a dime a dozen in this country, which is badly in need of some honest, capable leaders. So, there is no dearth of braggadocio, and streams of invective on the political front. Many are the self-proclaimed messiahs who offer to deliver the hapless masses from suffering if they are voted into power. JVP would have the public believe that it has become popular enough to form the next govt. It claims that main political parties have ruined more..

Nov 2 (CT) The release of eight long term LTTE prisoners held under PTA by the govt was unexpected. The govt has arrested and detained about 4000 people associated with the protest movement though it has permitted bail to be granted to most of them. But several hundreds, if not more, continue to languish in detention for several months. The govt has so far not been receptive to calls for their release, or amnesty, by national and international human rights organisations. more..

Nov 2 (ST) The fifth edition of Race The Pearl, a 24-hour race that covers the entire length 600 km of SL from bottom to top, will take place on the 5th of Nov. Setting off from Point of Pedro in the south, Race The Pearl will see six international cyclists, one from the US, three from Great Britain one French and two Sri Lankans, lead the challenge of covering the distance, with over 50 more participants expected to join teams more..

Nov 2 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the anti-Govt protests planned for today will go ahead in spite of any obstacles that may come its way. “The protest march has been organised by various civil society groups, mass organisations, trade unions, activists and members of the public in a bid to re-establish the people’s freedoms and democracy in the country. We stand with the protest march no matter who refuses to support it. This is our right, the people’s right,” Premadasa said. more..