Nov 22 (FT) Govt yesterday engaged the private sector as part of efforts to resume negotiations of FTAs which were put on the backburner by the previous administrations. Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake told a meeting of the Trade Chambers and Industry Advisory Committees that the Govt’s intention is to fast track negotiations. He invited private sector stakeholders to creatively engage in this development initiative as they are the ultimate beneficiaries. more..

Nov 22 (Island) Sri Lanka’s post-harvest losses in the agriculture sector amount to more than Rs 55 billion, which issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible, Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said. “Since the whole world is heading towards a major food crisis, including SL, post- harvest loss is an issue the govt has been considering in a big way and many proposals are underway to address this issue, Pathirana said at the opening day of Pro Food, Pro Pack & Ag-biz 2022, more..

Nov 22 (FT) SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar says the current Govt has failed to elicit the confidence of the int'l community and the general public. According to him, the Govt does not have a people’s mandate and has been rejected as an extension of the country’s former rulers. “This is how the world views this Govt,” he said. Bakeer Markar made these comments in Parliament while participating in the Budget debate held yesterday. “Will the Govt be able to win over the international community by more..

Nov 22 (TM) Sri Lanka recorded export earnings seven times higher than its import expenditure through four Free Trade Agreements (FTA) in the first nine months of 2022, with over 17,000 products subjected to tariff concessions, Finance Ministry revealed. A report by the Ministry detailed that SL has exported goods worth Rs. 229.6 billion through four key FTAs with India, Pakistan, South Asia, and Asia Pacific (APAC) region, while importing goods worth Rs. 32.2 bil between Jan-Sept 2022; more..

Nov 22 (TM) The SLFP has decided to suspend the party membership of its onetime leader, former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga, and all SLFP members and SLPP-elected MPs who recently accepted Cabinet and State Ministerial positions contrary to the decision of the Central Committee of the SLFP. When contacted, SLFP Senior Vice Prez Prof. Rohana Luxman Piyadasa said that the decision to suspend party membership more..

Nov 22 (DM) Some groups of SLPP are to vote against the budget 2023 today while some opposition parties are to make the final decision today. SLPP MP who is now sitting in the opposition Charitha Herath said that his group will not vote in favour of the budget if the amendments proposed by his group is not accommodated. He said some of the MPs who voted for Prez Wickremesinghe including himself will have to vote against the budget if the amendment which was proposed by them more..

Nov 22 (AD) The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will vote against the second reading of the 2023 Budget in Parliament tomorrow (22), MP Tissa Attanayake says. The vote on the Second Reading of the 2023 Budget is scheduled to be held tomorrow. Meanwhile the SLFP has also decided to vote against the second reading of the 2023 Budget in Parliament tomorrow (22). The decision was reached at the central committee meeting of the SLFP this evening. more..

Nov 22 (CT) Central Committee of the SLFP yesterday decided to suspend membership of eight MPs who have accepted Ministerial and State ministerial portfolios in the Govt, contradicting the unanimous decision taken by the party, until a disciplinary proceeding against them are concluded. Former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga’s party membership was also suspended. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera was removed from the post of UPFA General Secretary & Thilanga Sumathipala more..

Nov 22 (FT) The bear run at the Colombo stock market continued yesterday with low volume but improved turnover and net foreign inflow. Both indices lost over 0.5% and turnover was Rs. 1.2 billion involving 36 million shares. The market witnessed some volatility during the session while activity levels remained moderate. ASPI opened higher to reach 7,861 before falling to a low of 7,695 and recovering to 7,823. Following this, the index moved within the range of 7,733-7,796 during more..

Nov 22 (DM) Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who arrived in SL on Sunday morning to a grand welcome at the VIP lounge of the BIA is yet to pay the bill for using the VIP services as well as for the food which was provided to the guests that arrived. With Basil neither being a minister nor a MP, he has no right to use the VIP lounge of the BIA and also gather so many guests, most of whom were MPs, officials from more..

Nov 22 (AD) Central Committee of SLFP has decided to vote against the second reading of the 2023 Budget in Parliament today (22). The decision was taken during the SLFP central committee meeting held this evening at the party headquarters. House is scheduled to vote on the Second Reading of the 2023 Budget in Parliament today (22). Meanwhile the SLFP central committee today also decided to appoint MP Thilanga Sumathipala as the General Secretary of the UPFA. more..

Nov 22 (DM) Outlining the main policy thrust underlying Budget 2023 that was unveiled last week, Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana said it was designed with the intention of contributing to the economic stabilisation path, which the country had already embarked on, while laying the platform for rebooting growth. He said the budget is confronted with three equally tough tasks of funding the govt machinery without letting it become dysfunctional, settling long and large overdue more..

Nov 22 (TM) Despite the recent statement made by Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha that the dress code of female teachers will not be revised for any reason, female teachers in many areas reported to work wearing casual clothing instead of sarees and Kandyan sarees (osari) yesterday. CTU Vice President Rasika Handapangoda said that as a result of a campaign carried out through social media platforms, more..

Nov 22 (FT) Sri Lanka, in the face of the ongoing economic crisis, has already taken the irreversible policy decision to seek IMF assistance. As the point of no return has passed, discussing that decision is only of academic interest. More appropriate at this point is to deliberate on Sri Lanka’s future course with the IMF. Contrary to the complete sanguine picture portrayed by the so-called independent economists of the land, this would neither be a pre-defined nor a smooth one. more..

Nov 22 (FT) Several implications relating to taxation have been frequently debated as a key concern in Sri Lanka’s development process over the decades. Despite achieving many objectives, Sri Lanka has been still struggling with a number of economic problems pertaining to the country’s tax system. However, this characteristic of taxation has been challenging as it does not deliver the potential tax revenue while maintaining a satisfactory level of tax compliance. In recent years, this issue more..

Nov 23 (AD) The debate on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2023 has commenced in Parliament. Parliament Sittings commenced today at 09.30 a.m. and from 09.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Second Reading debate on 2023 Appropriation Bill (Seventh Allotted Day) will be held. Accordingly, Vote on the Second Reading will be held at 5 p.m. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, presented the 2023 Budget to parliament on Nov 14, more..

Nov 23 (DM) An international force is behind SL’s economy and this force is still active, Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament today. Speaking during the second reading debate, the local agents of these forces are still active. “It was them who sponsored protests that are taking place in the nation. Their action affects the tourism sector which has begun to recover now,” he said. “Some are questioning the defence allocation. I would like to tell them that a country's defence is more more..

Nov 23 (EN) Sri Lanka has not decided to postpone local govt elections before March 2023, but some necessary amendments or the adjustments before the polls, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. Opposition and anti-govt activists in SL are pushing Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s govt for both local govt and parliament polls in the first quarter of 2023. The local govt elections were postponed by one year more..

Nov 23 (NR) Ministry of Sports and SLC together have handed over USD 100,000 to SL athlete Yupun Abeykoon, the fastest man in South Asia, to enhance his skills and as a future investment in the sports industry. The move comes on the advice of Minister Roshan Ranasinghe. Sports Ministry issuing a statement said the USD 100,000 will be awarded over a two year period. The main objective is to develop Abeykoon’s talents especially in athletics and to bring glory to SL by aiming more..

Nov 23 (Island) The CID took into custody a woman wanted in connection with the human trafficking ring involved in the alleged sex slavery racket of SL women in Oman. Police headquarters sources said that the CID had issued summons to the woman as part of the ongoing investigations into the human trafficking ring. Police said the 49-year-old woman had been arrested after her surrender to the CID through her lawyers yesterday. Police HQ said that multiple arrests had been made thus far more..

Nov 23 (Island) Accusing Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and PM Dinesh Gunawardena of conspiring to put off scheduled Local Govt polls indefinitely, Prof. G.L. Peiris has asked whether the Election Commission (EC) is backing the govt’s efforts to postpone polls. The former Foreign Minister has found fault with the EC for seeking the opinion of Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, as regards its legitimacy, consequent to more..

Nov 23 (AD) Colombo High Court today handed down indictments to Minister Keheliya Rambukwella for allegedly causing an unlawful loss to the govt in 2014 by purchasing 600 GI pipes for political purposes, when he was the Minister of Mass Media. Meanwhile, two other accused, former Chairman of SLRC Vimal Rubasinghe and former Director General of SLRC Chandrapala Liyanage, were also served indictments today. Later, Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe issued more..

Nov 23 (NAU) A SL cricketer accused of raping a Sydney woman he met on a dating app has been pictured for the first time since leaving custody on bail. Danushka Gunathilaka was granted bail on Thursday in his second bid for freedom, which was backed by a $150,000 surety provided by a friend of a friend and a further $50,000 to be paid by the cricketer. The 31-year-old was pictured on Tuesday as he entered Eastwood Police Station, in Sydney’s northwest, for his daily reporting condition. more..

Nov 22 (AD) Two more suspects involved in the human trafficking to Oman have been arrested by the CID today. The arrests were made in the areas of Pallekelle and Kurunegala. The arrestees were remanded until December 01 after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate this afternoon. Earlier today, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara told the parliament that the third officer of the SL Embassy in Oman who is accused of being involved in the human trafficking syndicate has more..

Nov 22 (EN) Facing a severe food crisis, Colombo Municipal Council has switched to vegetable cultivation in 600-acre land it owns in the capital city which it earlier used for ornamental plants. The island nation is faced with a food crisis due to decline in the production after a failed chemical fertilizer ban by former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2021. As a result, the country with 22 million people forced to pay higher prices with the nation-wide food inflation has been hovering around 85%, more..

Nov 22 (AD) The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2023 was passed in the parliament today, by a majority of 37 votes. Announcing the results of the division at the end of the debate on the second reading this evening, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said 121 MPs in total have voted in favour of the budget while 84 voted against it. Meanwhile, MP C.V. Wigneswaran abstained from voting. more..

Nov 22 (DM) A total of 14.5 metric tons of hybrid seeds of maize, which are sufficient for 2,900 farmers, was handed over to the Agriculture Ministry today, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Consignment of maize was handed over by Thai Govt under the UNDP aid of US$367,550 in SL being part of the support to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in SL. Agriculture Ministry has set a target of producing 100,000 hectares of maize in this maha season to produce 500 MT. more..

Nov 22 (SLN) SL Navy held a lorry transporting over 24kg of Kerala Cannabis and apprehended 2 suspects, during a search operation carried out in Nachchikuda, Mannar today. Coordinated search operation was mounted by SLNS Buwaneka in the North Central Naval Command with the assistance of Illuppukadawai Police in Nachchikuda area. The search led to interception of a suspicious lorry at the Wellankulam roadblock and recovery of 12 packages containing about 24kg and 200g of more..

Nov 22 (TM) While claiming that orders have currently been placed for pharmaceutical drugs sufficient for a period of two years, the State Ministry of Health stated, however, that there is currently a shortage of 152 drugs in the country, as a long process has to be followed in purchasing drugs through the credit facilities provided by the Government of India and the ADB. Additional Secretary to the State Ministry of Health more..

Nov 22 (NR) National Movement for Social Justice has called on Parliament to promptly address the incident of the Chairman of the National Police Commission and another member being present to welcome the National Organiser of the SLPP Basil Rajapaksa, upon his arrival in SL on Sunday. NMSJ said all commissions, including the National Police Commission, that have been made independent commissions, are in place to ensure they remain free of political involvement. more..

Nov 22 (AD) Acting Minister of Mass Media, Shantha Bandara says that steps will be taken to initiate disciplinary action against teachers who had attended schools dressed in casual attire. He emphasized that the Ministry of Education must take disciplinary action in this regard since the culture, morals and the existence of the school system should not be allowed to be changed. “I hope that the Educational Minister will definitely take necessary actions”, he added. more..

Nov 22 (Island) Members of Jananiyamu Kalakaruwo, affiliated to the JVP-led NPP has called on people not to resign themselves to living under an oppressive regime. They have said the public must fight for their rights and chase the dictatorial leaders away. Actor and senior lecturer at Uni of Visual and Performing Arts, Prasannajith Abeysuriya called on public not to give in to politicians who had no popular mandate to govern country. “How long are we going to put up with this oppression? more..

Nov 22 (TM) Measures are underway to introduce a new law to recognise sign language as an official language in SL. National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD) Legal Officer Nandana Chandrawansha said that the draft Bill has been forwarded to the Legal Draftsman’s Dept. “We drafted the Bill in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. We sent the Bill to the said department. Furthermore, we have been continuously sending our comments to dept, more..

Nov 22 (EN) Sri Lanka’s 21st amendment to the constitution is an eyewash that has not stripped the office of the executive president of any of its powers as promised, TNA legislator M A Sumanthiran said. Speaking in parliament, Sumanthiran said the 21st amendment allows the president to hold any number of ministerial portfolios, contrary to assurances made that it would serve as a check on more..

Nov 22 (CT) While raising concerns over the construction of the Moragoda Police Station, obstructing an elephant corridor in the area, the Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle (BCRC) of SL said this would only further aggravate human-elephant conflict (HEC) in the area. In a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources, Convener of the Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle of SL, Supun Lahiru Prakash noted that Police Station more..