Sep 22 (DM) Heated argument erupted in Parliament today when opposition MPs charged that schoolchildren are facing serious issues without being able to get proper meal and that the govt has been unable to provide them meals with nutritious value. SLPP MP KPS Kumarasiri told Parliament that about 20 schoolchildren in three schools in Vilachchiya, Anuradhapura had fainted during school hours due to starvation and more..

Sep 22 (FT) Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera discussed with multi-religious leaders and members of civil societies, to resolve the issues and share alternative proposals for difficulties faced post-electricity tariff hike. Taking to Twitter, he said the groups discussed the electricity tariff revision, tariff formulas, and restructuring of the CEB. Minister also said they discussed on the use of renewable energy and introducing rooftop solar power for religious institutions. more..

Sep 22 (ANI) The apex edible oil industry associations from five major palm oil importing countries in Asia have come together for the first time to form an alliance -- Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA). The alliance commits to work worldwide to ensure that palm oil is recognised as a high-quality, economical, and healthy vegetable oil and to change the negative image of palm oil, a statement by India's edible oil industry body The Solvent Extractors' Association of India said on Thur. more..

Sep 22 (DM) The three-month extension of the expiry date of the Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines will be due on October 31, the GMOA said. According to the Health Ministry sources, they currently possess an excess of six million doses of Pfizer vaccine in stock. GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that on July 31 this year, Health Ministry extended the expiry date of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines on the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). more..

Sep 22 (AD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Speaker of Parliament that the Cabinet of Ministers & the Opposition would be briefed on the staff-level agreement reached IMF soon. Conveying the Prez’s clarification, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stated, “The Prez has informed me that even the Cabinet has not been briefed about these discussions. Though they say that it has been agreed with the officials, it has to be approved by the board of the IMF.” more..

Sep 22 (EN) The apparent suicide of an undergraduate student in Peradeniya University has once again resulted in heated debate about ragging at the island nation’s state-run institutes of higher education. The body of the 24-year-old psychology undergraduate was discovered in the Mahaweli river Wednesday (21) evening, police said, in the central district of Kandy, five days after he was reported missing. more..

Sep 22 (TM) Countering the indictment issued against the Govt of SL in the murder of editor Lasantha Wickrematunge by the People’s Tribunal on the Murder of Journalists in The Hague, Netherlands, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe stressed that it is impossible to issue an indictment against a govt, and that indictments can only be issued against individuals who are responsible. He noted: “They cannot issue an indictment against the Govt. more..

Sep 22 (TM) Colombo HC Judge Damith Thotawatte ordered Attorney General (AG) Sanjay Rajaratnam PC to present the progress of the investigations related to the May 2021 incident of the MV X-Press Pearl ship that caught fire in SL waters on 23 Nov 2022. The case concerning the MV X-Press Pearl vessel was taken up yesterday when the State Counsel who appeared for the AG informed the court that investigations related to the incident are still ongoing, but as relevant investigations more..

Sep 22 (TM) Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has stated that the en bloc retirement of approximately 300 medical specialists in a single day – on 31 Dec 2022 – as per the Govt’s decision to reduce the mandatory retirement age of public servants to 60 years will have a huge impact on maintaining healthcare services in the country. AMS stated that as per the Govt’s decision to reduce the retirement age to 60 years, more..

Sep 22 (TM) In the midst of the controversial situation that has arisen with the recent 555% increase in electricity tariffs in religious places including Buddhist temples, Chief Prelates (Mahanayakas) of the 3 main Buddhist Sects have requested Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to formulate a lenient policy regarding the electricity tariffs in religious places. This request has been made through a letter dated 20 Sept signed by the Mahanayaka of the Malwathu Chapter more..

Sep 22 (DM) PUCSL today approved request of the CEB to impose 2 hours and 20 minutes until Sunday (25). The extended power cut will come to effect from tomorrow. He said the approval was granted considering the dysfunctionality of Old Laxapana Stage 1 and lack of fuel availability at Westcoast and due to sudden increase in demand. Accordingly, the areas that come under groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V and W will experience the blackout for one hour during daytime more..

Sep 23 (DM) SL is painfully getting ready for the worst of the brain drain that’s taking place in the country. Qualified professionals are seeking greener pastures given that the new govt still cannot give the assurance that it can turn a dwindling economy around. Qualified professionals in the fields of information technology, medicine and science are said to be finding employment abroad. What’s worrying is that information regarding true brain drain figures is not made available to public more..

Sep 23 (DM) Often derided as a talk shop by its detractors, the UN is in session for the annual General Assembly summit. Although this year’s summit is seen as the first biggest gathering of world leaders in person after a three-year pandemic-hit gap, there is little to celebrate. Certainly, it won’t be a game changer. The annual UN summit is like a firework display. It is colourful and attractive. It briefly lights up the dark sky, stirring the hope of those groping in the dark. Then it is not there. more..

Sep 23 (DM) As a result of the ongoing dollar crisis many local industries are at risk of shutting down with around 5 million people being vulnerable to losing employment. Around 1.5 million have lost direct and indirect livelihoods with the shutting down of local industries. Even though the Govt indicates that the dollar crisis is the reason behind the economic downfall local industry owners maintain that there are other reasons for this more..

Sep 23 (GV) The assassination of Dr. Rajani Thiranagama on the 21st of Sept 1989 in Kokuvil, is one of many painful accounts which reflect the climate of oppression towards ordinary civilians who had committed themselves to challenge and critique the ever increasing social demise of integrity and courage. It mirrors in an unmistakable manner what dissidents of armed forces and military actors, such as intellectuals, feminists and activists dared to oppose in totalitarian & authoritarian policies more..

Sep 23 (CT) One way of solving a problem, is to pretend that it does not exist. A sub-head under this rubric is sweeping under the carpet. There are so many characteristics of our various plights where this simple thread, or common factor is overlooked or concealed. It is a question of numbers – be it unemployment, land hunger, hospital beds and health care, overcrowded trains and buses, insufficient schools, houses and many more. More subtle are drug addiction, alcoholism, more..

Sep 23 (TM) Even though period poverty appears to be developing into a pressing issue, especially with increased taxes pushing up prices of sanitary pads, cost-related issues are just one aspect of the overall issue. SL is yet to address a number of other issues such as the cultural and social stigma associated with menstruation and sanitary napkins, and also the lack of knowledge and constructive discourse about the same. more..

Sep 23 (TM) Govt is set to introduce massive tax reforms starting next month, with a focus on increasing direct taxes, which currently constitute around 20% of the overall tax revenue, and looking into alleged large-scale tax evasion. Announcing this, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya further revealed that all tax-related laws would be amended to achieve the said objectives. Boosting tax revenue is a necessity, as on the one hand, Sri Lanka’s direct tax revenue is extremely low more..

Sep 23 (CT) Finance Ministry on Tuesday announced that the Govt of SL (GoSL) will hold a virtual presentation with its external creditors on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring strategy today. Statement, couched in IMF jargon further said that during the meeting the authorities (GoSL) will participate in an interactive session where participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions. Presentation and a comprehensive Q&A will be published on the Ministry website, post event, it further said. more..

Sep 23 (Island) We are not short of leaders who claim to have laboured tirelessly to achieve national progress. Never do they miss an opportunity to make a public display of their patriotism, and boast of what they call the country’s achievements under their govts. But the abysmal report cards of these worthies have come to light again. The Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights (PFPMCR) has made a shocking revelation. It has said that according to the findings of a survey more..

Sep 23 (Island) Now in its 23rd year, the Colombo International Book Fair has become something of a social event. One doesn’t go there merely to buy books; one goes there to see it. It was the same, I felt, at Gotagogama: one went there not only to shout, to scream, to vent one’s anger and rage, but also to be a part of it. One particularly didactic newspaper editorial put it years ago that the choice at the Fair was between reading books and eating noodles. This was, a false dichotomy, more..

Sep 23 (TM) Pre-School Teachers’ Association (SLPSTA) stated that there is a significant decrease in the number of children attending preschools due to the inability to pay preschool fees in the prevailing economic crisis. SLPSTA Prez Asanka Srinath said that as many parents have lost their sources of income and their income has decreased, most of the parents find it difficult to pay their children’s preschool fees. more..

Sep 23 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in collaboration with the SL Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA), commenced the distribution of cricket balls to 325 schools playing in the ongoing U-19 Schools Cricket Tournament. Once completed, a total of 7680 cricket balls will be distributed to schools playing in Divisions 1, 2, and 3 of the ongoing Under 19 tournament. The one-day tournament, which commenced on Sept 5 will be completed on Nov 5 and 2-day tournament will start on Dec 20 more..

Sep 23 (ST) Pelwatte Dairy, one of the leading local dairy brands in Sri Lanka that produces a range of dairy goods and saves valuable foreign exchange for the country, has won the hearts of Sri Lankan dairy consumers thanks to its continued offer of SL goodness to its dairy consumers. In a media release it said, Pelwatte is also reputed to make its own Cattle Feed. Pelwatte began producing its own feed since 2009 and does not compromise on the quality of their manufacture. more..

Sep 23 (ST) Queen Elizabeth II made two train journeys – one to Anuradhapura and the other to Kandy– during her second visit to SL in 1981. The compartment she rode in has been well preserved and it will soon take its place at the Railway museum coming up in Maradana. The engine that was used on the trips still runs on a regular basis. The compartment is currently being touched up at the Ratmalana Yard. The 40-foot compartment fit for a Queen had been specially put together more..

Sep 23 (ST) To celebrate the bicentennial of the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, once known as the Royal Botanical Gardens, four stamps were issued this week together with a first-day cover at a ceremony where Tourism Ministry Secretary Chitrananda Perera participated as chief guest.The first-day cover was stamped by Deputy Post Master General Rajitha Ranasinghe and presented to the Garden’s Director General Shelomi Krishnaraja during the ceremony held on Monday more..

Sep 23 (FT) Parliamentarian Prof. G.L. Peiris charged that the right to speak in parliament for MPs belonging to his faction is being denied. Raising a Privilege Issue in parliament Peiris said 13 MPs in the house are being purposefully denied this right. “It is being done intentionally in an organised manner. This has been the situation since 30 August for a period of 22 days. We are unable to tolerate this anymore,” he said. more..

Sep 23 (DN) Ragama CC wicket-keeper batsman Nishan Madushka is likely to reach a milestone when they meet Kandy Customs CC in their Major Club Three-day cricket tournament fixture at Thurstan grounds today. 12 inter-club matches will commence today with Madushka the prolific run-getter of Ragama CC who has scored 925 runs in five matches just short of 75 runs to complete 1000 runs in this tournament. The 23-year-old right-hander is in top form having scored heavily more..

Sep 23 (FT) Despite his service of over 25 years in the SL Police Sub-Inspector Sugath Mendis has been languishing helplessly for two years without being able to meet his basic responsibility as a father and as a husband; fulfilling his family’s needs. The issue sparked when a witness of a concluded case, pertaining to the abduction and killing of a businessman Mohommed Siyam for which a former IGP Vass Gunewardena was arrested and later convicted, reverted on his statements, and more..

Sep 23 (TM) A workers’ rights group has alleged local apparel companies in the free trade zones (FTZs) are mistreating workers by forcing them to work extra hours and reducing allowances and bonuses, while the apparel sector employers have denied these allegations and claimed that the welfare of all workers has been ensured. The workers’ rights group Stand Up Movement Lanka alleged that apparel companies have been more..

Sep 23 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket will initiate its latest programme Gaman Maga, or Pathway a national development project recently in Polonnaruwa where talented cricketers could reach the national level. The programme is mainly targeted at scouting talented young cricketers from less privileged schools in the rural areas and the first stage will cover the Polonnaruwa district. The initial programme took place at the Royal College ground in Polonnaruwa, more..

Sep 23 (FT) Colombo stock market sustained its upward movement yesterday helping the benchmark index to move to the 10,000 point level once again amidst healthy turnover and net foreign inflow. ASPI gained 88 points to close at 10,001 points and the S&P SL20 improved by 31 points. Turnover amounted to Rs. 4.1 billion involving 147 million shares. Asia Securities said the ASPI gained supported by price gains in LOLC (+5.6%), ALUM (+7.1%), HHL (+6.2%), SAMP (+4.4%), more..

Sep 23 (FT) With continued focus on giving back to the society, Lanka IOC Chairman Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra this week donated a cheque of Rs. 200 million to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe towards contribution to the President's Fund meant for advancement of education, upliftment of the society or any other purpose in the interest of the public. During the meeting, between Prez Wickremesinghe and Mohapatra accompanied by LIOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta, among matters more..

Sep 23 (DM) Actress turned activist Damitha Abeyratne said that now is the time to have an election to provide an opportunity for those who want to work for this country. "There are few politicians in parliament who still think about this country and there are many intellectuals outside parliament as well," she said. She said that with the injustice she faced she would have to take a decision about entering politics. "The more we stand independently more we are being attacked. more..

Sep 23 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is failing in all his attempts to retain power with the backing of the Rajapaksas as finally the people in the north have united with their brethren in the south in the campaign for repealing the draconian law PTA, MP M. A. Sumanthiran said. MP who was amongst a number of opposition politicians and civil society activists who attended the event to submit signatures to a mobile campaign in Galleface more..