Jul 21 (Island) Please allow me to start with a bombshell. Long years ago, as a very young Medical Student, I absolutely hated paediatrics. Of course, it was not a matter of hating children; I loved and adored them, including a whole lot of my nephews and nieces. What I hated was just the subject of Paediatrics which dealt with caring for sick children. I was most definitely convinced that it was the very last thing that I would want to choose as a professional career. more..

Jul 21 (FT) Asia’s premier gem and jewellery show is back for the 30th consecutive year. The 2024 FACETS Sri Lanka edition is showcasing to the world the wonders of SL, tracing the historic roots of the island’s gem and jewellery culture. SL is renowned across the world for being a treasure trove for gems, producing some of the world’s finest gemstones. SL’s unique and vibrant selection of gemstones is sought after around the world making it one of the largest gem hubs. more..

Jul 21 (ST) Past midnight, last Saturday, a cluster of Indian bottom trawlers entered SL territorial waters off Delft island in the North as usual and engaged in fishing until two naval vessels — northern naval command’s fast attack craft of 4th fast attack flotilla and another craft of the SL Coast Guard — rushed to the scene after spotting them. With most of the Indian bottom trawlers leaving the waters following a brief chasing stunt with more..

Jul 21 (ST) Under the setup of economic revival, govt has paid a massive interest payment for both domestic and foreign debt which is equivalent to state revenue during the first four months of this year. Govt revenue in the first four months of 2023 was Rs. 821.35 bil whereas the total expenditure on interest payments for domestic and foreign debt stood at Rs. 818.97 bil in the same period. The revenue and interest payments almost equals with slight difference of Rs. 2.38 bil. more..

Jul 21 (FT) Colombo stock market remained robust with indices clinging to gains amidst healthy turnover. The benchmark ASPI gained by 0.9% thereby crossing the 11,000 points mark after 16 months and the active S&PSL20 by 0.6%. Turnover was Rs. 4.17 billion involving 156.5 million shares. Foreigners returned to net buying mode as well. Asia Securities said the market continued its strong rally with the ASPI breaking through the 11,000 level, for the first time since March 2022, more..

Jul 21 (ST) He is at play with his younger brother in their garden in Udugampola in Gampaha. Kalindu Wijewardana with his quirky smile is eight years old. He has a tale that is not commonly heard from others of his age and he is more than willing to share it with us. “I like to study sometimes and go outside and play. It’s like that,” says Kalindu, soon after referring to his other life. What has brought us to his home is a call from his grandfather about his frequent references to this other life. more..

Jul 21 (DN) The insurance industry had achieved a growth of 3.67% in terms of overall Gross Written Premium (GWP), during the first Quarter of 2023, recording a GWP increase of Rs. 2,535 million when compared to the same period in the year 2022. GWP of Long-Term Insurance and General Insurance Businesses was Rs. 71,659 million compared to the first Quarter of 2022, amounting to Rs. 69,125 million. GWP of Long-Term Insurance Business amounted to Rs. 33,733 million more..

Jul 21 (FT) In a historic and significant development, MPs on Tuesday unanimously endorsed the adjournment motion presented by SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar on the humanitarian crisis in Palestine at present. Bakeer Markar, opening the debate, noted that it is unconscionable to allow the terrible terror of over seven decades to continue in this manner. MP said the issue is not limited to Palestine and is in fact a problem more..

Jul 21 (Island) Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Pavithra Wanniarachchi finds herself in an unenviable position. The two sectors under her purview are perennially in crisis, and sorting them out is a Sisyphean task, which no minister has been equal to all these decades. Among the intractable problems she is facing are the fast receding forest cover and the ever-worsening human-elephant conflict (HEC); the two issues are interconnected. more..

Jul 21 (CI) Don't say it. It's not a fair comparison. We don't even know if Pakistan properly like it yet. There's been a directive from the top to embrace a new style of batting, and it's easy to wonder if this thing is just like a knockoff version of that other thing. You know what that is. If you've followed cricket over the last few months, you have to know. You won't have had any choice but to have to know. The thing that's happening in England right now. Not the 143-year-old thing. The buzzword. more..

Jul 21 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe reaffirmed his dedication to securing and promoting Theravada Buddhism on an international scale. He announced the implementation of an Artificial Intelligence program to support these efforts, collaborating with educated individuals under the guidance of the Maha Sangha of the three chapters. Prez made this statement at the Edward Stadium in Matale during more..

Jul 21 (DN) SL is the third largest sourcing market for the UK education sector, said Acting British High Commissioner to SL Lisa Whanstall. She opined this at an event where Queen Margaret Uni (QMU) and Imperial College of Business Studies (ICBS) announced the launch of a groundbreaking partnership between the two institutions, aimed at providing world class education to our SL students in pursuing their Degree and Master’s qualifications in multiple trending disciplines. more..

Jul 21 (DN) The gem and jewellery sector which makes a significant contribution to the economy is also successfully adhering to the Central Banks Financial Intelligence Unit’s (FIU) Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations said Governor CBSL, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. “Furthermore, this adherence would also ensure compliance with the international recommendations, governance standards, and anti-corruption framework.” more..

Jul 21 (Island) SL’s current economic crisis could have been initially considered a man-made crisis rather than a natural crisis, but now it is vulnerable to becoming a natural crisis, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and SL Faris Hedad- Servos said. “Lack of proper economic management by the respective govts, outstanding debt composition and lack of competitiveness in global markets, resulted in this debt crisis, Hedad- Servos told a forum/panel discussion recently more..

Jul 21 (AD) Acting Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama has called for the modification and updating of Sri Lanka’s existing legislative framework, in a bid to make the country an investment-friendly destination. Speaking during a press conference themed Collective Path to a Stable Country held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) on Thursday, Amunugama revealed that new investment laws are expected to be introduced by the end of this year. more..

Jul 21 (DM) Merrill Joseph Fernando, the visionary founder and CEO of Dilmah Tea, the world renowned SL tea brand, passed away on July 20, 2023, at the age of 93. Born on May 6, 1930, in Negombo, Sri Lanka, he came from a modest background. Merrill’s initial ambition was to pursue a career in law, but he shifted his focus to the tea industry when he saw an opportunity as a tea taster during a time when the British controlled more..

Jul 21 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued an apology for an embarrassing mistake during the presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle. Pakistan captain Babar Azam was handed a presentation cheque that showed two different amounts in prize money, an image of which was widely circulated on social media. The cheque shows the prize money to be US dollars 2000 in writing, but US dollars 5000 in figures. more..

Jul 21 (TM) Claiming that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is enjoying power based on the mandate given by the people to former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the ruling SLPP stated that the former has no moral right to implement the 13th Amendment, which was not implemented by all his predecessors from J.R. Jayewardene to Rajapaksa. During a meeting with MPs representing the Tamil community on Tuesday, Wickremesinghe had said that 13th Amendment would be implemented more..

Jul 21 (TM) Ministry of Health opined that statements made by certain health professionals including doctors with regard to problematic situations in the health sector, are very disappointing. While the country has seen several deaths due to the alleged use of substandard pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines that are said to have been imported without following the due quality checking procedure in the recent past, the authorities, particularly the Ministry and more..

Jul 21 (CT) The SL Foreign Policy and Economic Diplomacy Dialogue with Indian and Chinese Govts and authorities is set to relaunch next month with an entirely new diplomatic team, a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said. Govt hopes to lay the foundation for this during the Prez’s visit to India this week and plans to accelerate the bilateral debt restructuring process and the new trade agreement signing process via enhanced Foreign Policy and Economic Diplomacy Dialogue. more..

Jul 21 (TM) Following Anti-Corruption Bill being passed in Parliament on Wednesday with amendments, a request has been made for experts in the sectors affiliated with anti-corruption to support the new Commission which is to be established under the Act. Former CIABOC Director General Sarath Jayamanne, who was involved in drafting the Bill, said that experts’ support is needed to ensure the success of the programme more..

Jul 21 (FT) Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe underscored the crucial role of political leaders and state officials in combating corruption and fraud in SL. Rajapakshe said it was insufficient to merely enact new legislation and said the unwavering support and commitment of both politicians and officials are pivotal in effectively combating corruption. Rajapakshe disclosed that the newly appointed Commissioners for the bribery commission will have a mandatory obligation more..

Jul 21 (Island) Some key announcements regarding stronger economic and commercial ties were expected to be made during President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s two-day visit to New Delhi, authoritative sources said. President Wickremesinghe left for New Delhi yesterday (20).India’s economic strengths and technological advancements coupled with SL’s recovery process lay a strong foundation for forging stronger economic & commercial ties, sources said. more..

Jul 21 (TM) Cesarean surgeries at the Kalutara Teaching Hospital have been halted due to the lack of an anaesthetic drug required for the same, SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa claimed. He questioned whether the reason for the lack of this medicine was due to a lack of money or the inefficiency of the Govt. He said that instead of waiting for mothers and children to die in this situation, Govt should reveal the actual more..

Jul 22 (CT) I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to giant in the business community of this country Mr Merril J Fernando, passed away yesterday. Nearly 40 years ago, I wrote my thesis for MSc on Alternative Approaches to Tea Price Stabilization. In that I said Brand promotions merely transfers the revenues from one transnational corporation to another and is not of benefits to producers like SL. Raising exports of processed teas and gaining some control over more..

Jul 22 (FT) There is a big risk that Sri Lanka may fall into another phase of bankruptcy if the current program prepared and implemented according to the IMF guidelines to overcome the bankruptcy facing the country collapses in the event of a change in the govt in an upcoming election or due to any other reason. Obviously, it needs not to be reiterated that the recovery will be extremely difficult if such a situation occurs. In such an eventuality there will be a real danger of SL falling into more..

Jul 22 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had a busy week with his visit to India falling in the mid of the week. Before leaving the country, he had to attend a wedding held in Wadduwa and the Upasampada ceremony (higher ordination) of the Ramanna Sect held in Matale. Prez Wickremesinghe, who came from Matale, left for India in the afternoon of the same day. Prez has been preparing for his visit to India more..

Jul 22 (FT) Twenty-five years from now, the year 2048 is earmarked as the most important year for SL. It has become Prez Wickremesinghe’s year for all targets. In 2048 SL would become prosperous. Would establish the most productive labour force. Would become the most sought-after tourism hub in Asia. Year 2048 is now going to be the year SL will have a robust education system to serve all market needs. Addressing the expert committee appointed to assist the 10-member more..

Jul 22 (CT) As we mark the solemn 40th anniversary of Black July today (23), we are compelled to reflect on one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka’s history. It all began when Tamil separatists, seeking autonomy in the northern regions of SL, escalated their militant attacks. On one fateful day, 13 soldiers who had recently reported for duty were killed by the separatists. In the aftermath of this brutal attack, Sinhalese mobs targeted Tamils across the country, resulting in a horrifying death toll. more..

Jul 22 (TM) In a triumphant celebration of the literary bridges that span across languages and cultures, the H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize for Translation has once again illuminated the art of linguistic alchemy. Awarded biannually, this prestigious accolade honours exceptional translators who bring captivating narratives from one language to another, enriching the literary world with the beauty of diverse voices. In the latest chapter more..

Jul 22 (ST) If I become rich, I can be debt-free! Have you ever thought of that? If someone is having this idea as an opinion or imagination, quite possibly it could be wrong. Today, the world is three-times richer than what it was at the turn of the century – about 22 years ago. World GDP has increased three-fold during the period 2000-2022, now growing above US$ 100 trillion. During the same period, the world’s public debt has increased five-fold, reaching $ 92 trillion by the end of 2022. more..

Jul 22 (Island) The SLPP-UNP administration continues to flex its parliamentary muscle tenaciously and secure the passage of vital Bills and resolutions with ease much to the disappointment of the Opposition, which is too impotent to act as a formidable countervailing force. It had the second reading of the Central Bank Bill passed with a majority of 42 votes on Thursday (20); there were 66 ayes and 24 nays in the 225-member House. Where were the other MPs? Soon afterwards, more..

Jul 22 (DM) Prez Wickremesinghe in his own words is a man on a mission. His mission ...to steady the Lankan ship which just brief year ago was floundering. A time when miles-long queues of cars formed outside fuel stations. A time when people rushed hither and thither in search of alternatives to LP gas as the item was not available. We were in the midst of 12-hour rolling power cuts, industrial closures, loss of employment, NO CASH to feed our kids, leave alone finding finances to continue more..

Jul 22 (Island) Imagine! This tiny island in the Indian Ocean – ours – has won eight medals in all including three golds, two silver and three bronzes. One gold was for schoolgirl Tharushi Karunaratne in the 800 metres creating an Asian Athletics Championship record after 21 years when Susanthika J achieved that honour way back in 2002. The second gold went to the men’s 4×4000 metres relay and the third to the mixed relay team. The relay teams seem to be excellent, the women winning silver more..

Jul 22 (CT) The recent demise of a young woman at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital was caused by an allergic reaction to administered medication and many news reports about irregularities in medicinal drug imports only confirm this theory. The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) alleged that the Health Minister has issued 760 waivers of registration letters in the past couple of months, endangering lives by importing more..

Jul 22 (FT) Colombo stock market saw renewed investor interest persisting with over 4% gain achieved this week amidst improved turnover. For the week the ASPI gained 511.52 points (4.83%) while the S&P SL20 gained 125.06 points (4.03%). Last week the indices only gained by 2.8%. Daily turnover averaged Rs. 3,666 million, slightly improving from Rs. 3,132 million last week. ASPI continued its bullish momentum for a 15th consecutive session on Friday more..