May 17 (DN) SL Under-19 team is set to tour England on June 19 for three unofficial ODIs and two four-day games, with preparations already underway, according to a senior official from SLC. This tour is part of the team’s build-up for the next ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to be held in 2026 in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Vinodan John, Chairman of the National Junior Selection Committee, along with members Shane Fernando, Duminda Wickramasinghe, more..

May 17 (Island) Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris and General Secretary of SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara yesterday briefed the Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake regarding their growing concerns about the devious actions of the govt. Following the briefing Prof Peiris told the media that they had brought Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent declaration that he wouldn’t comment on the prez poll until the completion of action in respect of the ongoing IMF-led programme. more..

May 17 (FT) DPF MP Mano Ganesan yesterday condemned both the international community and Sri Lankan authorities following the recent arrest of Tamil women in Sampur, SL. Taking to X Ganesan criticised the international community, alleging its failure to support the Tamil community throughout Sri Lanka’s turbulent history. “The international community has completely failed the Tamil people of SL,” remarked MP more..

May 17 (FT) The family of the late Minister M.H.M. Ashraff has disassociated itself from President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to construct a memorial museum in the late politician’s honour in Kalmunai, at an estimated cost of Rs. 25 million. Taking to X son of the late Minister, Aman Ashraff said neither he nor his mother former Minister Ferial Ashraff are associated with the project. Commenting on the Government’s proposal, Aman expressed that if his father were alive, more..

May 17 (DM) The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order to release a flock of animals back to an animal lover, following their seizure by Wildlife Department officials for an alleged violation of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. The Court of Appeal Justice Mohammed Laffar further issued an interim order staying the proceeding in the Welisara Magistrate Court Case against the petitioner Shafeek Shuail until the conclusion of this writ application. more..

May 17 (TM) A former Executive Committee member of the SLFP, Montague Sarathchandra has filed a complaint with the CIABOC against former President and incumbent Opposition MP and former SLFP Chairperson Maithripala Sirisena. In a letter to the Chairperson of the CIABOC, Sarathchandra claims that Party supporters are speculating that Sirisena has paid compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks, with an advance obtained from selling the SLFP. more..

May 17 (TM) To express opposition to the delay in providing solutions to public sector executive officers’ issues, including addressing salary anomalies, as part of their ongoing trade union action, the Joint Committee of Govt Executive Officers has made a decision to commence a work to rule trade union action. According to the Joint Committee, this trade union action receives the support of more than 18,000 executive officers representing 18 sectors pertaining to more..

May 17 (Island) Termination of electricity supply to consumers in the wake of 2022 political upheaval caused by an unprecedented economic crisis revealed a pathetic situation, MP Gevindu Cumaratunga said. Escalation of power discontinuations against the backdrop of unwarranted tariff increases at a time hydropower generation had been at its peak during the last six months of 2023 was nothing but a crime, more..

May 17 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe informed the Daily Mirror that he is not in a position to participate in the live political debate organized by Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa between the political party leaders when an invitation was extended to him today. “I am engaged in debates in Parliament. If anyone wants to have debates with me they can join me in Parliament,” the Prez said. The Daily Mirror extended invitations to main presidential candidates Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

May 17 (FT) The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has ordered the Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry to disclose all details, including expenses, related to the NAAM-200 event organised by Minister Jeevan Thondaman and presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in November 2023. The event, marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Malaiyaha Tamils in Sri Lanka, was also attended by Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. more..

May 17 (Island) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila said that nominee to be the next US Ambassador to Colombo Elizabeth K. Horst had revealed that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt announced a ban on foreign research vessels’ entry into SL waters on January 1 this year at the behest of the US. MP pointed out that the disclosure had been made when Horst appeared before the US Senate Foreign Relations more..

May 17 (FT) Despite concerns about declining population in SL due to factors like reduced fertility, increased emigration, and rising mortality rates, short-term fluctuations do not necessarily signify long-term decline. Population dynamics are intricate, influenced by various factors. Even during slower growth periods, populations tend to increase due to past trends in fertility and mortality, known as population growth momentum. This article aims to provide a scientific understanding of more..

May 17 (FT) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official statement on the issue of the restructuring of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) has driven the usual suspects into a fit of rage. Instead of addressing the content of the statement through facts and rational argument, one Ranga Jayasuriya has gone on a hate-spewing tirade on Daily Mirror. Let us keep aside all the ad hominem fallacies in his article, including childish name-calling, fear-mongering and false accusations. more..

May 17 (EN) SL farmers and fresh water fishermen had complained to the island’s human rights commission against a plant to set up a floating solar plant in Chadrika Wewa (reservoir) and Kiriibbanara Lake at Embilipitiya. Floating solar plants, depending on how much of the area it covers, can reduce sunlight and plant growth in waterbodies, reducing food for fish and other organisms. “We urge the authorities to consider these risks and explore alternative locations or methods for the solar more..

May 17 (AD) The Economic Transformation Bill and the Public Financial Management Bill will be presented to the Parliament on Wednesday (22), according to the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. Issuing a statement, she said that the Parliament is scheduled to convene on Wednesday (22). This has been decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, during its meeting held on May 14. more..

May 17 (OHCHR) SL’s Govt must take meaningful action to determine and disclose the fates and whereabouts of tens of thousands of people who have been subjected to enforced disappearance over the decades and hold those responsible to account, a UN Human Rights Office report released today says. It calls on the Govt to acknowledge the involvement of State security forces and affiliated paramilitary groups, more..

May 17 (AD) Sports Ministry’s Anti-Corruption Unit today informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that they are yet to receive the voice test report related to the investigation being carried on former SL cricketer Sachithra Senanayake, over allegations of match-fixing. This was informed to the court when the relevant case was taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage on Friday. The officials of the Sports Ministry’s Anti-Corruption Unit stated that even though more..

May 17 (DM) A youth and two schoolgirls who were marooned due to floods during their visit to Bomburu Ella falls in Uva Paranagama on Thursday (16) were rescued by the Ambagasdowa police with the help of the residents of the area. The youth is 18 years old and the two school girls are 15 years old. Police said heavy rain is experienced in Welimada at present and the water level in the waterfall has increased creating a flood threat in its surroundings. The youth and the two girls had been stranded more..

May 17 (DM) State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, who was summoned to the airport police over the assault on a porter, said he had done something that he should not have done as a MP. He told this to the media after giving a statement to the police. Responding to a question that the porter who was assualted had not reported for duty after the incident and that his whereabouts were not known, Minister said, "Why, he should come to work. more..

May 17 (AD) The officers of the CID at the BIA have arrested two Sri Lankan passengers who were in possession of 1,083 mobile phones and 200 high-capacity pen drives, which had not been declared. Police said that the duo had arrived at the BIA from Dubai this morning (17). One of the two arrested suspects has been identified as a 59-year-old resident of the Colombo 12 while the other suspect is a 24-year-old hailed from Colombo 14, Ada Derana reporter said. more..

May 17 (CT) Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who was named as the fifth suspect in the suspicious death of 16-year-old Jude Kumar Ishalini, who was serving as a domestic aide at his residence, in 2021, has been released from the case due to lack of evidence. Bathiudeen and the fourth suspect were released due to insufficient evidence. Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela has ordered charges to be filed against Bathiudeen’s wife (the third suspect), more..

May 17 (AD) Former Commander of SL Army, General (Retd) Mahesh Senanayake has joined the SJB. Subsequently, he has been appointed as the leader of the Samagi Ranawiru Balawegaya which is affiliated with the SJB. Senanayake was the 22nd Commander of the Army and served for over two years in the position. Prior to that, he had served as the Chief of Staff of the SL Army. After formally retiring from the SL Army, he was promoted to the rank of General by then-Prez Maithripala more..

May 17 (AD) Forbes today announced the ninth edition of its “30 Under 30 Asia” list, featuring 300 young entrepreneurs, leaders and trailblazers across the Asia-Pacific region, all under the age of 30, who are leading the transformation of industries and finding innovative ways to navigate new business realities in the region. The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2024 features 300 notable listees selected across 10 categories, including The Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink); more..

May 17 (AD) The four accused in the case over the shooting to death of three persons and injuring 45 others during a protest by villagers demanding clean drinking water at Rathupaswala in 2013, have been acquitted by the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar. Delivering the verdict in the case today, the court ordered to acquit and release the four SL army personnel including a Major General and 3 soldiers. more..

May 17 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the govt plans to transform SL agriculture using modern technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). The govt is committed to support the private sector entrepreneurs interested in this initiative. Prez further mentioned that 100 Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been selected this year for the Agricultural Modernization Program. In the first phase, 25 Divisional Secretariat Divisions will receive the necessary facilities, more..

May 17 (EN) SL’s consumers should be more aware and vigilant when purchasing goods through online platforms and e-marketing methods, the Consumer Affairs Authority has said. “There can be any number of laws in the country but it will be useless if consumers aren’t aware of the legal recourse,” Janaka Prasad, Assistant Director of the Consumer Affairs Authority said. The methods of consumers purchasing goods and services have evolving faster than a country can enact laws, more..

May 17 (DM) SLC has denied recent reports that visas for two key players, including Kusal Mendis, in the SL squad for the T20 World Cup had been rejected. CEO Ashley de Silva said that Mendis' visa is currently under process and that he will likely join the team before the warm-up games. It was reported that Kusal Mendis and Asitha Fernando declined to travel to the US for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, despite more..

May 17 (TM) Indian Navy arrested 14 SL fishermen along with five boats for crossing the IMBL and for fishing sea cucumber yesterday. Sources from the Indian Navy said, ICGS Rani Durgavati apprehended five SL fishing boats with 14 SL crew at 13 nautical mile South East of Point Calimere Light, 7 nautical miles inside Indian waters. The SL boats were caught in violation of Maritime Zones of India Act 1981. Approximately 200 kgs of endangered fish species were seized on more..

May 17 (TM) SJB, expressed disapproval of the Govt’s recent decision to consider the rescinding of the nominations submitted for the Local Govt (LG) elections. It argues that the Govt is in no position to take such a decision in a legitimate manner. “How can the Cabinet of Ministers decide to call or rescind nominations in a country where a democratic process prevails and an independent and free Election Commission (EC) exists?,” SJB MP Tissa Attanayake questioned, more..

May 17 (TM) While expressing support to the university non-academic employees’ right to fight for their rights and demands as any other union, Federation of Uni Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) noted however that attempting to justify some of the former’s demands based on a comparison between the allowances that the two groups – academics and non-academics – are entitled to, is unacceptable. FUTA said that university non-academic employees’ issues should be looked into without more..

May 17 (ICC) ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match fixtures have been announced, scheduled from Monday, 27 May to Saturday, 1 June across the USA and Trinidad and Tobago. The venues hosting the 16 warm-up matches ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 include Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas, Broward County Stadium in Florida, Queen’s Park Oval and Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. A total of 17 teams play warm-up games, including South Africa, more..

May 17 (DM) MPs across the political divide are inclined to secure liquor permits under the names of their associates and relatives only to be sold for amounts as large as Rs.50 million at times. The govt has initiated the process of issuing liquor licenses under a renewed criterion which will provide for the establishment of 478 new liquor shops in the country. An informed source said a top parliamentary committee has started inquiring into criterion more..

May 17 (TM) A future Govt of SJB, will suspend all the newly-issued liquor licences but will not hold issuing licences completely as claimed by the media, said SJB MP Tissa Attanayake. Attanayake also said that the SJB’s stance on the excise sector has been completely misinterpreted by certain parties, especially on social media platforms. He said that the SJB’s intention is to prevent soliciting bribes for MPs and other individuals under the guise of issuing new excise licences to boost revenue. more..

May 17 (AD) IMF has highlighted SL’s commendable macroeconomic policies, rapid inflation decline, and steady economic growth. Director of IMF Communications Julie Kozack said “with respect to Sri Lanka’s economic performance, macroeconomic policies in Sri Lanka are starting to bear fruit. Commendable outcomes include a rapid decline in inflation, robust reserve accumulation and initial signs of economic growth while also preserving stability in the financial system. more..

May 17 (Island) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera (SLPP) has accused dissident SLPP lawmaker Gevindu Cumaratunga of hindering much needed reforms meant to improve the electricity sector. Matara District lawmaker alleged that the National List MP simply repeated unsubstantiated claims on the basis of false information that had been provided by various interested parties hell-bent on disrupting the proposed reforms. more..