Sep 2 (CT) Although there are many positive proposals, the Interim Budget does not include a proper programme to create a productive economy in order to recover from the current economic crisis, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila said. There is no mention of extremely important measures to overcome the crisis, such as developing the service sector by taking advantage of SL’s geographical location and obtaining foreign assistance to extract natural resources, he claimed. more..

Sep 2 (ANI) Indian High Commissioner to SL Gopal Baglay on Friday handed over a statue of Maitri Buddha brought from India to SL President Ranil Wickremesinghe. High Commissioner Baglay also reviewed the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and agreed to bolster India-Sri Lanka ties in key sectors further. In a tweet, Indian Embassy in SL wrote, "High Commissioner handed over a statue of Maitri Buddha brought from #India to Hon'ble President. In their discussions, more..

Sep 2 (EN) Assets and accounts of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation would be audited shortly to get a correct picture of the agency, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. “I have got different data at different meeting,” Wijesekera told a forum organized by JAAR Corporate Solutions and supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. “The CPC, or its management or any other govt institution for that matter has an accurate idea of the assets and liabilities.” more..

Sep 2 (CI) Having been blown away by Afghanistan and then having to use every ounce of firepower to get past Bangladesh, they will once again face a trial by spin. Against the Rashids and the Mujeebs. However, the current Afghanistan team is beginning to establish a new bowling order. Their fast bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq have been the perfect prelude to the spin superstars. So as a batting unit, there's unlikely to be any respite. Does the current line-up have the confidence more..

Sep 2 (AD) Minister Ali Sabry says certain individuals are trying to remove Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe from his position as the Governor of CB. Speaking in the Parliament today during the parliamentary debate on the interim budget speech, the minister stated that he was appointed the Minister of Finance amidst the public upheaval, as no one else was willing to take up the challenge. He said he accepted the ministerial portfolio as negotiations with more..

Sep 2 (IT) Self-proclaimed spiritual leader and accused of rape, Nithyananda is reportedly seeking political asylum in Sri Lanka. Citing a deterioration in his health, the fugitive godman penned a letter to the president of the island nation on August 7 and flagged an 'urgent' need for medical attention. The letter mentioned the scarcity of medical infrastructure in the Sovereign State of Shrikailasa, an island established and named by the spiritual leader. more..

Sep 2 (Island) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will lose about Rs. 25 billion in the coming 12 months at current rates, if it does not adjust the commission paid to gas station owners, Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Pubudu Jagoda, said. He said that the CPC made losses, mainly due to the bad decisions of its management. “For example, the CPC gives a commission to the gas station owners. Until mid-2019, CPC paid 2.5% of the price of a litre of fuel as a commission. more..

Sep 2 (Island) A disgruntled section of the ruling SLPP intends to launch a new coalition, on Sunday (4), against Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s govt. The group includes former SLPP ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara (DLF), Wimal Weerawansa (JNP) and Udaya Gammanpila (PHU). The new alliance would be launched at National Youth Services Council, Maharagama, at 3 pm with the participation of rebel members. The CP, LSSP and Yuthukama Jathika Sanvidhanaya, too, are members of the coalition. more..

Sep 2 (APO) The Ambassador of Egypt in Sri Lanka Maged Mosleh called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry on 31 August, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Sabry and Ambassador Mosleh held wide-ranging discussions related to the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation. Minister Sabry briefed Ambassador Mosleh on current developments, the challenges faced by the country and measures taken by the Government to overcome these challenges. more..

Sep 2 (DM) A conspiracy is being hatched to oust Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinge by making false allegations and appoint a new Governor loyal to certain people, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged today. He told Parliament that certain govt MPs made unfounded allegations and accused CB Governor Weerasinghe of turning the country into bankruptcy. "He did not come to Sri Lanka looking for a job. He came here at the request of former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. more..

Sep 3 (DM) The govt’s move to restructure state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as SriLankan Airlines, CEB and CPC has irked the trade unions in those institutions. Whatever the reasons the authorities cite for the move may be, it is clear that this time the push for the move has come from the IMF from which the govt has sought assistance to come out of the current socioeconomic mess. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday told parliament while presenting his interim budget that more..

Sep 3 (CT) Prez Wickremesinghe took tentative steps to bring a semblance of orderly governance during the month. He ended the month presenting an interim budget to stabilize economic growth with the aim to create a surplus by 2025. After the exit of the Rajapaksas, their hopes of Wickremesinghe restoring democratic governance were belied when the govt used the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to rounded up the Aragalaya leaders, drawing severe criticism from civil society & UNHRC. more..

Sep 3 (DM) Blessed are those Sri Lankans who have lived in different parts of the country, travelled widely within its borders and interacted with all people cutting across ethnic and religious barriers during times of peace and tranquillity in the past. Those who have had such broad experiences unsullied by narrow sectarianism know that the Island is truly God’s own country populated by friendly, good-natured people. more..

Sep 3 (DM) In Sri Lanka, racism and racial riots have often created crises. The first riots against the Tamil-speaking people took place in 1958 and thereafter several times, the worst being in 1983. This led to a full-scale 30-year war in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed, injured or displaced while the material cost is not calculable. This may be one of the reasons for the recent public uprising against the ongoing socio-economic and political crises. more..

Sep 3 (TM) SL seems to be limping back to normal after the past tumultuous weeks, which saw top Govt officials fleeing the country amid intense protests and rising calls for their resignation, following the collapse of the economy. The past days have seen the launch of food distribution campaigns, the introduction of a QR code system for fuel distribution, and fewer power outages. According to reports, people in general agree that the new Govt should be given time to revive the economy. more..

Sep 3 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe stayed in Colombo last weekend as he had been out of Colombo the previous two weekends. Even though the President took a break, there was no rest for his phone because he coordinated many things with regard to the Interim Budget 2022. The President held frequent telephone discussions with the officials of the IMF as well as with the heads of CB and Ministry of Finance. more..

Sep 3 (GV) SL was recently struck by a wave of mass protests and demonstrations throughout the country, which began because of the economic and political crisis. The protests were extremely effective. Protestors stormed barricades and there were clashes with police, who fired tear gas and water cannons at the protestors. There were reports of police and army vehicles being damaged, although it remains contested as to whether the damage was caused by protestors or actors external to more..

Sep 3 (CT) IMF’s Senior Mission Chief to SL Peter Breuer told the media from Central Bank Headquarters that Budget 2023 should be consistent with the IMF’s expectations. On the same day, the IMF issuing a statement said that a USD 2.9 billion staff level agreement with Sri Lanka was reached. Disbursement however is subject to China, one of SL’s largest lenders, agreeing to restructure its loans. All other lenders are amenable to such an arrangement other than China. more..

Sep 3 (ST) Microimage Mobile Media, an innovator in delivering media broadcasting and mobile solutions, has rebranded to Futura Tech Labs and opened an office in Singapore to cement its position in the Asia-Pacific region. With a mission to continuously innovate to deliver digital products and services for media, broadcast, film, and digital services, this revamped outlook comes at an important time in digitally transforming the way people consume news, entertainment, and more..

Sep 3 (Island) This is the first in a series of candid vignettes about Tony Ranasinghe, one of the most complex actors we ever had. It is based on an interview the writer did with him in 2014.Marlon Brando strode the theatre like the colossus that he was, changing the face of acting in a way none of his predecessors had. Yet, even after the shock of seeing him in A Streetcar Named Desire, nothing quite prepared people for his role as Mark Antony in Julius Caesar. more..

Sep 3 (ST) St. Mary’s Church in Bogawantalawa lies huddled against the upcountry mist, a cosy little retreat against the dark cold weather of the hills, with glowing stained glass. Here in its graveyard are the graves of many Britons who lived and worked for the empire, but the most resonant name of all would be Julia Margaret Cameron. A couple of small gravestones joined by a Celtic cross more..

Sep 3 (Island) Never a dull day in Parliament, where its members debate everything except what requires their immediate attention. On Wednesday, some of them wasted much of their time on a debate on begging, of all things. This particular subject may look quite appropriate, given the situation they and their leaders have landed the county in, over the years, but they were supposed to discuss the interim budget, which may have warmed the cockles of the hearts of a group of visiting IMF reps more..

Sep 3 (DM) The tourist arrivals for the month of August witnessed a 20 percent dip when compared with the previous month, with the numbers totalling to 37,760. With the August number, the arrivals for the first eight months of the year totalled to 496,420, making Sri Lanka inches away from the half a million mark. The August arrival figure is a dip when compared with the marginal increase in the number of international visitors entering the country seen in the month of June and July. more..

Sep 3 (FT) Fitch Ratings said that the IMF Staff-Level Agreement with SL on a $ 2.9 billion programme, confirmed on 1 September, appears to signal a sharp change in policy settings in order to achieve macroeconomic stability, including through large fiscal adjustment, greater exchange rate flexibility and more central bank autonomy. “This should facilitate negotiations with official and private creditors, but the timing of any debt restructuring agreement remains uncertain,” Fitch said. more..

Sep 3 (FT) The all-island working committee of the SLFP unanimously approved the proposed amendments to the party’s constitution during its meeting held jointly with the party’s 71st Anniversary celebrations yesterday. The amendments seeking major reforms in the party’s disciplinary code were approved, following a majority show of hands by SLFP members of the all-island working committee. Addressing those gathered before the vote, SLFP Chairman Maithripala Sirisena called on more..

Sep 5 (EN) SL cannot import oil directly from Russia under current procurement rules Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said seeking the help of a finance committee under opposition legislator Harsha de Silva. Russian embassy in Colombo had suggested names of several Russian companies for the state-run CPC to deal with. However, Russian firms which were technically private, did not take part in tenders or more..

Sep 3 (FT) The preliminary agreement with the IMF, under which SL nation stands to receive $ 2.9 billion to tackle the ongoing economic crisis, is a first step in the long haul of economic recovery but will provide the country and investors confidence to attract increased investments and remittances, SL High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda said on Thursday. Moragoda said that with the IMF agreement taking shape, Sri Lanka now expects more countries to offer assistance more..

Sep 3 (FT) Colombo stock market remained positive and closed on the up yesterday and for the week whilst net foreign inflow continued. During the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL20 gained 5.9% and 5.1% respectively whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs. 3.12 billion. The indices closed in green for a fourth consecutive session on with the ASPI gaining 61 points (+0.7%) on the back of price increases in LOFC (+18.7%), SFCL (+22.0%), BIL (+6.5%), LOLC (+3.1%) Asia Securities said. more..

Sep 3 (AD) British PM Boris Johnson has commended the efforts of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for establishing an inclusive govt which will bring the stability needed to address issues for the SL people. In a congratulatory message to Prez Wickremesinghe on his appointment as the Head of State, British PM said that upholding democratic principles and seeking democratic consensus will be vital to Prez Wickremesinghe’s success. more..

Sep 3 (Island) SL is still in a position to prevent malnutrition becoming a serious problem, Head of the Dept of Nutrition at the MRI Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, said. She said that the nutrition level among children had improved in 2021. “We have the 2021 data and according to the data there was a drop in malnutrition among children. They were home during COVID-19, and things actually improved. Things however have changed since then due to the serious economic downturn,” more..

Sep 3 (CT) Health Ministry introduced price revisions to 43 types of pharmaceuticals inclusive of medicinal drugs and medical equipment, through a special Gazette. Maximum retail prices were introduced by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella under the National Medicines Regulatory Act No. 05 of 2015. Gazette signed on 31 Aug was enacted from Thursday. The list comprised lenses with delivery system (pre-filled medication cartridge such as Acrisoft prefilled delivery system more..

Sep 5 (FT) The World Food Program (WFP) has acceded to PM Dinesh Gunawardena’s request for additional support for nutritious food distribution programmes targeting children and women, especially pregnant and lactating mothers. Visiting Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific John Aylieff pointed out that WFP has a genuine partnership with the Govt of SL and their joint programmes such as mid-day meal for school children and thriposha for nutrition supply more..

Sep 3 (CT) The 156th Police Day celebrations began on Saturday (3), at the Police Field Force Headquarters and will continue until 10 Sept. Arrangements were made to hold the celebrations with the participation of the Prez, PM and the Speaker. The celebrations will include a guard of honour, parades by the Mounted Police, STF and official Police Dog shows and many cultural elements. Arrangements have been made to provide king coconuts to the patients more..

Sep 3 (FT) Giving honourable recognition to expatriate workers, a special HOPE GATE was opened on Thursday at BIA. This special gate is opened for workers leaving and returning from foreign countries, where all necessary facilities are to be provided to the expatriate workers at the airport, and a special hospitality service team has also been deployed to provide support. Through the HOPE GATE, a special rest facility for more..

Sep 3 (FT) Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), in a statement, yesterday commended the Staff-Level Agreement reached between the Govt and the IMF for an Extended Fund facility in support of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and the Govt’s commitment to work with the IMF on the much-needed reforms. “We particularly welcome the commitment by the Govt to address the corruption issue and introduce a strong anti-corruption legal framework in the country,” SLID said. more..