May 11 (FT) State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya claimed the price hike in essential food items was unreasonable amidst rupee appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks. He also directed the Dept of Trade and Investment Policy to submit a report on the recent sugar price hike, noting that there is no possibility of the price being raised where the rupee has appreciated substantially. “The value of the dollar has decreased by about 13% compared to the rupee more..

May 11 (TM) Fumigation to eradicate the dengue epidemic should be carried out in a more scientific manner as the frequent use of it may cause mosquitoes to become resistant to these chemical fumes, stated GMOA. GMOA's Media Committee Member, Dr. Kamal Kodikara said that fumigation is not being carried out in all areas following proper procedures and stressed the need for it to be done in a more scientific method. more..

May 11 (CT) Following a narrow loss in the first T20I, SL Women will look to re-group and level the series when they take on Bangladesh in the second T20I today at the SSC. Heading into the match, the hosts will look to avoid a second straight defeat as it would hand the visiting team an unassailable lead and help them clinch the series. SL looked the better team in the ODI series, but Bangladesh have fought back in the shorter format. On Tuesday, Tigresses beat Chamari Athapaththu’s Lionesses more..

May 11 (AD) Social activist Piyath Nikeshala, who was at the forefront of the Aragalaya protest movement, has been arrested by police. He was arrested over a complaint lodged by the former Deputy Mayor of Kaduwela Municipal Council, Chandika Abeyratne. Earlier today, it was reported that former Deputy Mayor of Kaduwela, Chandika Abeyratne was arrested for assaulting Aragalaya activist Piyath Nikeshala. Former SLPP municipal councillor had been taken into custody more..

May 11 (CI) The PCB presented its hybrid solution for hosting the 2023 Asia Cup again to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), believing that this time it had resolved logistical and technical concerns the ACC had raised. Officials from both sides met in Dubai on Tuesday, but it emerged that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have both objected to holding a part of the tournament in the UAE. The hybrid model was the solution the PCB had proposed to account more..

May 11 (DM) Cabinet nod has been granted to amend the Tea, Rubber and Coconut Estate Act in order to restrict fragmentation of coconut lands above one acre. Minister Ramesh Pathirana on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to initiate measures to limit land fragmentation by allowing only coconut lands of one acre or less to be fragmented. According to provisions of the current the Tea, Rubber and Coconut Estate Act, coconut lands below more..

May 11 (Island) JVP-led NPP alleged in Parliament, on Tuesday, that a great deal of public funds had been siphoned off through a deal to import crude oil to Sri Lanka from the UAE from January to April this year. JVP-led NPP MP Vijitha Herath said that the Cabinet approval had been granted for importing crude oil from UAE-based Coral Energy DMCC Company but the delivery had been made by a different company of which more..

May 11 (DM) If the govt gives me a chance, I will control the spread of dengue within a week without allowing it to become adverse, former Minister Mervyn Silva said. He said that if he was in power, he will talk to the senior officials of the Dengue Eradication Unit and the Health Ministry. "What has happened is now politicians do not get involved with the programme. The current Health Minister is a good friend of mine, and I do not know what has happened to him. more..

May 11 (FT) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday told Parliament that critical debate looms for SL’s important GSP+ renewal from the European Union amidst pressure on the country over human rights violations and proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill. “As Sri Lanka approaches the end of this year, the country faces a critical debate on whether it will retain its annual trade concession worth over $ 500 million to the European Union (EU) through the Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+). more..

May 11 (Island) Parliament sittings were suspended abruptly yesterday after a heated argument that ensued over attempts to deprive SL of compensation for the X-Press Pearl ship disaster. The heated argument started after Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, rising to a point of order, told the House that the matter could not be debated in the House as a case pertaining to the same was pending before the courts. When SJB MP Thushara Indunil sought to move a motion for debate on the matters more..

May 11 (FT) Govt is setting up the scene for yet another Aragalaya to take place in the country, SJB S.M Marikkar warned in parliament on Tuesday. MP said while he does not condone violence, it has to be noted that the Govt still appears to be oblivious to the reasons that gave rise to the Aragalaya. “The MPs are instead making pompous speeches while being shielded by Ranil Wickremesinghe. They are setting up the scene for yet another Aragalay to take place,” he said. more..

May 11 (TM) The revision of electricity tariffs proposed by the CEB on 15 May should be in accordance with the data presented by Public Utilities Commission on the reduction in electricity consumption and electricity generation costs, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said. Early this week he has that the electricity consumers should receive an immediate electricity tariff reduction by approximately 20%, more..

May 11 (FT) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said there is clear evidence of a conspiracy behind the X-Press Pearl disaster and the following events. Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the X-Press Pearl disaster, Premadasa said the disaster has had devastating effects on the environment and fishermen due to the release of harmful chemicals. He expressed doubts if SL officials took the requisite steps to protect the country’s marine ecosystem following the X-Press Pearl disaster. more..

May 11 (DM) Imran Khwaja, Deputy Chairman of ICC, who is a member of the 3-member committee appointed by the ICC to look into the political interference in administering the game of cricket in Sri Lanka, arrived in the country early this morning. His visit is aimed at conducting a Fact Finding Mission pertaining to the said mandate. As part of his Mission Khwaja held discussions with President of SLC, Shammi Silva, and Executive Committee of the SLC during today. more..

May 11 (FT) Minister Ali Sabry in parliament defended the Attorney General amidst a barrage of criticism against his decision to initiate legal proceedings in Singapore to claim compensation for X-Press Pearl Marine disaster. He said one cannot simply look at the periphery and decide where legal proceedings must be initiated. “It is a complex legal matter,” Minister said. He said that just as medical practitioners are tasked with making more..

May 11 (PBS) The pandemic and global economic slowdown have increased pressure on developing economies. The IMF reports more than 50 countries are in debt distress. Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt last year and recently secured a $3 billion bailout from the IMF. Fred de Sam Lazaro traveled to the island nation of 23 million people to see how the country is faring. The pandemic and global economic slowdown have increased pressure on developing economies. more..

May 11 (FT) Can the incipient Opposition in-gathering reverse the ideological polarisation underway, which accompanies the uneven socioeconomic polarisation on the ground? In his May Day speech this year, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared that there were only two camps in SL politics. On the one hand, there is the camp of the Right consisting of the entire establishment that ruled SL for 75 years and ruined it—an establishment which includes the SJB more..

May 11 (AD) The wife of the owner of the hotel in Kalutara in which the 16-year-old girl had stayed prior to her suspicious death, has been arrested by Police. Accordingly, the suspect, a 48-year-old resident of Katukurunda, Kalutara, was arrested for not properly checking the National Identity Card (NIC) of the girl before providing her with accommodation at the Sicilian Walk, a hotel in Kalutara owned by her husband. Police further noted that the arrestee is due to be produced before more..

May 11 (FT) An NIA is born … What is that … This is the establishment of the National Innovation Agency in SL. 1 Jan 2022 witnessed the launch of the institution after the inaugural board meeting on 29 Nov 2021 with the approval of the cabinet. Of course, the journey to this position had been through multiple hearings and cabinet meetings. A new institution thus was added to the Public sector institutions in SL. Oh! Gosh another SOE! Some eyebrows raised! NIA is an agency to deal more..

May 11 (TM) Everyone in Sri Lanka must do a very simple blood test to find out whether they are a Thalassemia carrier before marriage as approximately 2,000 children are diagnosed with thalassemia annually, Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) claimed. Professor of Pediatrics at the Medical Faculty of the Kelaniya University, Sachith Mettananda emphasised that Sri Lanka is a failed State in terms of preventing Thalassemia. more..

May 11 (DM) Chamari Athapaththu top scored with 33 and Harshitha Samarawickrama contributed an unbeaten 29 to help SL Women to a comfortable 7-wicket, series-levelling win in the second T20I in Colombo today. Bangladesh were bowled out for 100 in 18.3 overs, with Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera and Kavisha Dilhari all taking two wickets each for the hosts. Oshadi Ranasinghe and Kawya Kavindini took a wicket each, ensuring that all six of the more..

May 11 (AD) Railway Station Masters’ Union has threatened to launch a week-long strike if proper solutions to their issues are not provided by the Minister following their meeting scheduled to take place on Tuesday (16). However, President of the union Sumedha Somaratne expressed hope that a fruitful solution will be provided during the relevant discussion. Somaratne deemed the 24-hour strike launched yesterday (10) a success, adding that he “trusts that the Secretary more..

May 11 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that SL will not support any work that hinders the unity of Asia. Prez revealed this while participating in the ceremony held yesterday to mark the 50th Anniversary of the BMICH, Colombo, which is the first int'l conference hall, built in Asia. Prez pointed out that there are many differences between the Asian geopolitics and the politics of the Pacific region and that we should recognize more..

May 11 (EN) Shares edged up marginally on Thursday, as investors adopt a wait and see approach as investors further pry for clarity on local debt restructuring and optimization. “The market is not condensed with high volumes and is stagnant on a wait and see approach with regard to firmer news on debt restructuring and optimization,” an analyst said. ASPI was up 0.65% or 57.48 points to 8,949.82, while the most liquid index, S&P SL20, was up 0.76% or 19.61 points to 2,608.24. more..

May 11 (Island) Lower Malwathu Oya multi sector development project hasn’t made progress whatsoever during the past decade, according to a statement issued by PM Dinesh Gunawardena’s Office yesterday. The statement quoted MP S.M. Chandrasena as having said that there hadn’t been any progress though the first feasibility study was conducted during his tenure as Deputy Irrigation Minister over a decade ago. The disruption of the project for want of funds was discussed on more..

May 11 (TM) Bar Association of SL (BASL) announced that it will give its fullest support to introduce a simple, strong and updated labour law system in SL. Speaking at the second public session of the Influx platform, the official platform introduced by Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment to gather public views on labour law reforms, held at the Ministry, Legal Advisor to the BASL on labour laws, Attorney Kanishka Weerasinghe expressed these views on behalf of the BASL. more..

May 11 (TM) Ministry of Agriculture has decided to appoint an experts’ committee to look into the reports that claim a 65% wastage of urea fertiliser used for paddy cultivation in SL, and accordingly make appropriate recommendations to increase the efficiency of fertiliser to 100% when used in the fields. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that recently there were reports indicating a 65% waste of urea fertiliser when used in paddy cultivation leaving out mere 35% effective on cultivation more..

May 11 (AD) The private tuition teacher accused of sexually abusing at least 16 schoolgirls in Kalutara was arrested this morning. The suspect was placed under arrest when he arrived at Kalutara Divisional Bureau for Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women to record a statement. Investigations are in progress to identify the victimized schoolgirls after analysing 16 video recordings of him sexually abusing more..

May 11 (AD) The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into the cyclonic storm Mocha and it laid centered near 11.2°N and 88.1°E at 5.30 a.m. today, Met Dept said in a new weather advisory. This cyclonic storm is very likely to move north-northwestwards and gradually intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight of today. Thereafter, it is expected to recurve gradually, move north-northeastwards from Friday morning (12) and intensify further more..

May 11 (DM) The assault on Aragalaya Member Priyath Nikeshala triggered a verbal duel in Parliament with SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha stating that such assaults would result in riots similar to May 9 last year and Chief Govt Whip Prasanna Ranatunga calling the opposition to be neutral. “Nikeshala came under physical attack by the Kalutara UC deputy chairman and we heard that both have been arrested. This is a disturbing trend,” Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said. more..

May 11 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to amend colonial-era land legislation and draft new regulations to reflect modern development needs and also to ensure future land acquisitions for govt projects are made at market value. Prez had called for the appointment of a committee to fast-track the amendment process. At a discussion, Prez had told officials that SL’s existing land policies, more..

May 11 (AD) Kurunegala Teaching Hospital’s doctors have withdrawn from duties this morning (11) after an alleged incident of threatening. It is reported that a man had threatened the doctors at the hospital’s maternity ward on May 08. Today, the doctors decided to withdraw from duties in protest of the failure of law enforcement authorities to arrest the man in question. However, the emergency treatment services at the hospital are not hampered by the token strike. more..

May 11 (SLC) Sri Lanka Cricket launched the SLC Level III Coaching Program, which is the highest level of homegrown coaching qualification it has conducted so far, focusing on enhancing the knowledge and training skills of cricket coaches in the country. Developed by the SLC Coach Education Unit, this new program focuses on multiple game-related knowledge-building topics such as the High Performance Culture, Team Branding, Mental skills, Skill Adaptability, Bio-Mechanics, more..

May 11 (Dawn) While opposing the possible shifting of this year’s Asia Cup to SL, Pakistan cricket officials are seriously mulling boycotting the regional tournament if their proposal is not accepted by Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Pakistan Cricket Board’s Interim Committee chairman chief Najam Sethi during his meeting with ACC officials in Dubai on Tuesday objected to the move to relocate the Asia Cup — originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in September this year more..

May 11 (AD) Supreme Court today adjourned the writ petition filed by Retired Army Colonel W.M.R. Wijesundara seeking the postponement of the 2023 LG elections. Accordingly, the petition was adjourned until 4 Sept, as per an order issued by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justices S. Thurairajah, A.H.M.D Nawaz and Shiran Gunaratne this morning. Appearing on behalf of the Election Commission of SL, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris informed the court that more..