Nov 11 (GV) As the IMF has noted in its Governance Diagnostic Assessment in September, “The resignation of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July 2022 emphasized that addressing the crisis required changes in governance as much as changes in economic policies. The role of civil society in demanding accountability carried an equally important message about the drivers of change”. This article is being shared in accordance with the role that the IMF has called upon civil society more..

Nov 11 (CT) First, it was the decision to let the so-called Chinese research vessel Shi Yan-6 dock at Colombo and, going ahead with joint maritime explorations involving NARA experts in the country. Then, his questioning, US’s Double Standards in defending Israel in the West Asian crisis, but putting Sri Lanka in the dock on war crimes and other accountability issues in the UNHRC in particular. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision/declaration came not long after what could be more..

Nov 11 (TM) The recent fire in a Pettah six-storey building – which later claimed the life of one and put nearly 25 persons in hospital earlier this month – has once again shifted the spotlight to the fire hazards which have been left unchecked in many of Colombo’s densely populated and built up areas. Colombo Fire Brigade, city’s first responder for fire and rescue points out that lack of fire preparedness and fire awareness puts more..

Nov 11 (ST) The increase in public protests organised by numerous pressure groups has been a common issue now in SL. During the past few weeks, almost every day we have seen public protests somewhere in the country. In fact, it is not unusual to see the heights of public protests in crisis times according to the experience of all crisis-ridden countries. The causes of the protests in SL have been the issues like high cost of living, commodity prices, electricity tariff hikes, and more..

Nov 11 (CT) Thank you Deputy Chairman for the time allocated for me to speak on the very important bill that has been presented by the Minister of Justice today. I am saying important bill because for a long time the need was felt that the issue of contempt of court needed some intervention by the legislature. So what we thought was the application of the common law of contempt with all its uncertainties, be regulated better particularly with regard to the procedure one adopts more..

Nov 11 (TM) SL cricket, which not so long ago was one of the prides of the country, loved by a plethora of ardent fans who are now disappointed, has found itself at the centre of controversy, disappointment, and backlash. Disappointed fans question what happened to SL’s cricket followed by the question what happened to our cricketers. With the finger of blame almost always pointed towards the cricket administration for their imprudent more..

Nov 11 (Island) The incumbent office-bearers of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in their path in the form of a resolution Parliament unanimously passed on Thursday, calling for their ouster. This is something unprecedented, and different interpretations of the resolution have been made. The SLC administrators have chosen to remain silent. Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe has told this newspaper that the parliamentary resolution is nonbinding. more..

Nov 11 (ST) MAS Holdings has just announced the completion of the second phase of Project Photon, a roof mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar power project. This ambitious venture, initiated in 2017, has catapulted MAS Holdings to the forefront of the country’s renewable energy industry, making it SL’s largest generator and supplier of roof-mounted solar energy, the company announced on Thursday. Before Project Photon, MAS Holdings had a modest 1.7 MW of solar capacity scattered across more..

Nov 11 (Island) When I wrote that I felt discussions about secularism seemed inadequate, I did not mean that we weren’t talking enough about it. I simply meant that the discussions we are having now have not accounted for certain important cultural and historical factors. There is no point dwelling on secularism if, for instance, it is seen by a certain community as hostile to their values. In Sri Lanka secularism is perceived as being antithetical to Buddhist interests. more..

Nov 11 (CT) UNICEF South Asia Regional Ambassador and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar led a day for children and called for gender equality with Muttiah Muralitharan, SL cricket icon, during the India-SL match in Mumbai on Thursday. The One Day for Children is a milestone event under the ICC-UNICEF partnership to support children’s issues and causes during the ICC Men’s World Cup Cricket 2023 taking place in India. In the second innings of the match, Sachin Tendulkar and more..

Nov 11 (FT) The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on Thursday approved $ 150 million in financing for SL to strengthen the resilience of the financial sector. “SL’s economic crisis highlights the need for strong safety nets to support the financial sector. Stable and reliable banking sector is essential for the economy, businesses and individuals, small businesses and poor households,” said World Bank Country Director for more..

Nov 11 (FT) Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana underscored the critical role of steadfast pharmaceutical manufacturing industries in ensuring economic stability and to ensure a healthy nation. In a meeting with local pharmaceutical manufacturers held at the Health Ministry, he emphasised that historical data strongly supports this assertion. The objective of the discussion was to strengthen the understanding between the Health Ministry and pharmaceutical manufacturers, more..

Nov 11 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday paused ahead of the 2024 Budget presentation on Monday though ended the week on the up. ASPI gained 82.41 points (0.76%) during the week while the S&P SL20 gained 50.43 points (1.66%). Turnover averaged Rs. 1,589 million, improving from Rs. 690 million last week. On Friday, ASPI was down by 17 points and the S&P SL20 by 7 points. Turnover was Rs. 1 billion involving 25.3 million shares. more..

Nov 11 (FT) As shopping begins to occupy thoughts with the year drawing to a close, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has unveiled a series of exciting discount opportunities in Nov and Dec in partnership with Daraz, South Asia’s largest ecommerce platform. From Saturday (11) to Friday (17), all purchases by Commercial Bank Credit Card holders will be eligible for a site-wide 10% discount under the Daraz 11.11 promotion. Simultaneously, Commercial Debit Card holders will enjoy more..

Nov 11 (FT) UN Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Ruvendrini Menikdiwela of SL, as Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Menikdiwela will succeed Gillian Triggs of Australia, to whom both the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Refugees are grateful for her dedicated service to the refugee cause. Menikdiwela, who currently serves as Director in UNHCR’s NY office more..

Nov 11 (Island) There were at least 50,000 tonnes of sugar in storage units when the tax was increased by 49.75 rupees on 2 Nov, leader of the URF Champika Ranawaka said. Ranawaka, who is also the Chairman of the parliamentary Ways and Means Committee, said that there was a massive fraud in sugar imports in June 2021. The fact that this happened is accepted by all, he said. “Auditor General Dept also showed that one importer more..

Nov 11 (TM) Despite the Gazette that has been already issued by the Immigration and Emigration Dept for the free visa entry to seven countries, it is to be delayed due to the 2024 Budget implementation. Minister Tiran Alles said: “The free visa has not come into effect. It will come into effect only after it goes to Parliament which was sent on Tuesday (7). When it is taken up and passed in the Parliament then only it will be effective from that day. It will go into effect this month, more..

Nov 11 (ST) Several bus stands in Colombo have been occupied by the homeless, posing a great inconvenience to commuters. The unhygienic nature of the stands contrasting with its well-constructed structure have caused passengers to avoid the use of the stand, leaving its purpose futile. Like most of the stands, the physical hygiene of the homeless occupying the stands are questionable. Some who may carry contagious diseases use the stands as a temporary shelter and depart at dawn, more..

Nov 11 (Island) Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe yesterday said that a unanimous decision taken by Parliament to ask the top management of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to vacate office was non-binding. Therefore, the SLC wouldn’t comply with the decision taken by Parliament, Deputy Speaker said. Hambantota District MP said so when The Island asked him whether Parliament would inform SLC of its decision. more..

Nov 11 (ST) Several bus stands in Colombo have been occupied by the homeless, posing a great inconvenience to commlosed the govt’s ambitious plan to inaugurate a new sports university in 2024. This initiative is under the visionary guidance of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Dissanayake emphasized the govt’s commitment to addressing challenges within sports federations. To facilitate this, Parliamentary Committee on Sports Ministries has been summoned to engage in proactive discussions and find resolutions. more..

Nov 11 (FT) SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar warned yesterday that the inability to preserve trust in the country’s democratic institutions could lead the youth to extremism and violence. “We, including those employed in these institutions, must strive to prevent this,” he remarked. Commenting on three private member bills presented by him to Parliament to increase youth representation in governance, the MP said it was a special day as two out of the three private member bills more..

Nov 11 (PMD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe, called for a comprehensive program to revive the country’s spice industry, which was once a major source of income. Speaking at the 19th Annual General Meeting of the Spice Council, he urged them to prepare a proper plan for the revival of the industry and said that the govt is ready to provide the necessary support. The Prez stressed the importance of bringing the private sector together to implement the program promptly. more..

Nov 11 (FT) Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) whose leader is PM Dinesh Gunawardena, this week submitted 10 positive proposals to be considered for the upcoming 2024 budget to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The 10 proposals are as follows; 1. To enrich the power sector of SL. The country is lagging behind in renewable energy of which the country has a huge potential and it can be tapped to align it to national economic generation and activation of the Global Renewable Energy more..

Nov 11 (AD) Former CEO of NMRA has been appointed as the director of the Medical Research Institute (MRI). Responding to an inquiry Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana explained that prior to his appointment as the CEO of the NMRA, Dr. Vijith Gunasekera served as the director of the MRI. Thus, following his removal from his positions within the NMRA, he was reappointed as the director of the MRI, Minister explained. more..

Nov 11 (DM) Today Nov 11th is observed in many parts of the World including SL as Remembrance Day or War Memorial Day. It is also called Poppy Day due to the tradition of wearing a poppy flower. Remembrance Day has its origins in the end of World War One. Although World War I concluded officially on 28 June 1919 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, hostilities on the ground had ended At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the signing of armistice. more..

Nov 11 (SLN) The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended two suspects and seized a cache of controlled drugs, during a search operation carried out in the waters off Kalpitiya on the evening of 9th Nov 2023. The dedicated operation paved the way to intercept a dinghy carrying 570,000 capsules of Pregabalin, a type of controlled drug. To curb unlawful activities within Sri Lanka's maritime and coastal territories, the Navy maintains a continuous vigilance and carries out regular operations. more..

Nov 11 (FT) Sri Lanka has been voted among the Top 20 Favourite Countries in the world as per the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards conducted by the popular magazine Condé Nast Traveller. Sri Lanka was ranked at number 19 ahead of France and after South Africa in the ranking. Japan topped the list followed by Italy and Greece as second and third respectively. SL was also the only Asian country in the list apart from Japan. For the year under review, SL bagged a score of 88.36. more..

Nov 11 (DM) Air India flight AI-272, which departed from BIA for Chennai, India, was suspended this afternoon after a parcel with 2 kg of gold inside was found in the lavatory of the plane, airport customs said. They said the flight was cancelled while assuming that the parcel was a bomb. The black parcel was found while the flight was on the runway for take-off at 1.35 p.m. Security personnel had found the unclaimed black parcel in the rear lavatory of the plane during its final inspection. more..

Nov 11 (DM) The ICC suspended SL's crisis-ridden cricket board yesterday, saying it had failed to ensure there was no govt interference in its affairs. The game's world governing body said SLC was "in serious breach of its obligations as a member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and to ensure that there is no govt interference." The suspension came a day after parliament asked the board to resign more..

Nov 11 (FT) Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe disclosed this week that the Chitrasiri Committee report for a new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket cannot be implemented due to a court-issued stay order. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday he highlighted that despite the apparent inclination of many MPs in favour of implementing the report, there are three court orders in place that prevent the execution of crucial reports and decisions relating to cricket. more..

Nov 11 (DM) Disturbing statistics released by the Police Children and Women's Bureau revealed a shocking increase in child rape cases in the month of October. Total of 131 girls below the age of 16 fell victim to sexual assaults during this period. DIG of Police Children's and Women's Bureau, Renuka Jayasundara, provided further details on the matter. She expressed deep concern over the 131 reported cases and revealed that, even more distressingly, 10 of the victims are currently pregnant. more..

Nov 11 (CI) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been suspended by the ICC with immediate effect because of extensive govt interference in the board's administration. Though the ICC has termed the sanction a suspension, in reality it is a warning as the ICC seeks to prevent further government interference in the running of SLC. As it stands, the suspension will not have any immediate serious impact on Sri Lanka cricket. more..

Nov 12 (SO) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has rightly questioned Western double standards on Human Rights (HR), at an event in Welimada last week whereby countries in the Global South are hounded for HR issues while basically ignoring the HR abuses committed by rich countries or even their allies in various blocs. It has also been observed that many Western countries turn the other way when their preferred rulers in other parts of the world commit HR abuses. more..

Nov 12 (CT) When the proposed Online Safety Bill came into the limelight, many discussions, involving different sects, professionals and organisations in the society, who are concerned about the change the Bill tries to bring to the legal sphere, also came into the light. The common consensus of the voices which oppose the proposed Bill is that it lacks definition, is filled with ambiguity, and goes against the freedom of expression. The Bill proposes the establishment of more..

Nov 12 (TM) The second budget to be presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe – the 2024 Budget – that is due tomorrow (13) has been upstaged by the controversy surrounding Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which has resulted in SLC being suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC). SL’s Cricket World Cup campaign also ended this past week after the national team lost seven of the nine matches played, but the drama more..

Nov 12 (Island) Until 1977, when Kerry Packer set up the World Series Cricket (WSC) tournament, Australia and England took turns to hold the mantle of being the world’s top test-playing team; during this period, the West Indies did, on occasions, challenge the order of supremacy but were never able to be consistently good. The Indians and Pakistanis were competitive when playing at home but could not defeat the Australians in Australia. All that changed in 1979 when the Australian & English Boards more..