May 20 (GV) In SL of 2024, kanji is a four letter word. During the long Eelam war, all sides committed horrendous atrocities. SL forces, the LTTE and anti-Tiger Tamil groups all were guilty to varying degree of every conceivable crime, murder downwards. The war was never jus ad bellum or jus in bello. The path to it and the path through it were lined with avoidable errors and unnecessary crimes. During the second and third Eelam wars, more..

May 20 (Island) JVP-led NPP has fully endorsed its National Executive Committee member, K.D. Lalkantha’s controversial pledge that it would empower the people to exercise judicial powers at the village level if it formed the next govt. Lalkantha created quite a stir by making that pledge, which he reiterated the other day at a public event. Given the JVP’s violent past, it is only natural that its critics have warned of a possible re-emergence of kangaroo trials in the event of JVP-led more..

May 20 (TM) A collective of researchers, activists, civil society organisations, and community leaders came together on 18 May to launch Yukthi, a platform dedicated to pursuing debt justice for working people in the wake of the economic crisis. Yukthi aims to promote a better understanding of working people’s experiences, critical analysis, and alternatives to neoliberalism. At the launch event of the platform, speakers highlighted the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, more..

May 20 (ST) Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle condemned the continuing bloodshed in Gaza and called for a permanent ceasefire as the House debated the Palestine issue on Tuesday. Moving the adjournment motion, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem called on the govt to consider severing diplomatic relations with Israel should it continue with its military operations in Gaza in defiance of international calls for a ceasefire. Mr. Hakeem appealed to Hamas to free Israeli hostages it is holding unharmed more..

May 20 (FT) Tourist arrivals exceeded 65,000 in the first 17 days of the month, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) total to over 850,000 visitors reinforcing the industry’s rebound. “We have exceeded the 65,000 mark of arrivals for this month as of Friday. It is encouraging to see the boost in arrivals, which reflects a positive outlook for the industry. This also has pushed our cumulative arrivals to 850,000. We are optimistic that the industry will maintain its growth momentum and achieve set targets more..

May 20 (ST) For a veteran of 101 WODIs and 131 WT20Is, the reputation Chamari Athapaththu earned during her 15-year tenure with Sri Lanka cricket is immense and exceptional. Athapaththu can be easily rated as the most successful women’s cricketer Sri Lanka ever produced since the team’s int'l debut in 1997. Ever since making her debut for SL on June 15 of 2009, Athapaththu has transformed herself into an iconic figure, more..

May 20 (ST) If the SL State tried with all its might and main to look ridiculous in the eyes of the world, it could not do better than the preposterous performance of law enforcement agencies in the North and East during the formal remembrance of those who died during the ending of SL’s decades-old ethnic conflict on May 18th each year. Fifteen years after that inexpressibly sad phrase of the country’s turbulent history with images of emaciated men, women and children of the Wanni more..

May 20 (DN) Hatton National Bank CEO Jonathan Alles opined that in the current environment the larger players in the banking sector could borrow below 10% over the long term on unsecured or subordinated instruments like corporate debentures. In the immediate context Alles noted that a larger bank could issue an instrument closer to 11%. Alles said, “You just have to wait a bit and rates will come down.” On the broader interest rate movements Alles opined that there would be a gradual decline more..

May 20 (DN) SL Para athletics team led by Paralympic gold medalist Dinesh Priyantha Herath left for Kobe, Japan for the World Para Athletic Championship which will commence today. This is going to to be final hurdle for SL Para athletes to get Paralympic qualifications said National Para Olympic Committee (NPC) President Deepal Herath. Dinesh Herath and Samitha Dulan already qualified to Paris Paralympics next August while others are trying to reach qualification standard more..

May 20 (FT) Sri Lanka’s passport slipped one rank in the Henley Passport Index 2024, landing at 96th place, according to the latest rankings released by Henley and Partners. The Henley Passport Index, considered the most authoritative ranking of global passports, assesses the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visas. With data covering 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, it provides comprehensive information on global access and mobility. more..

May 20 (TM) The SJB yesterday issued a fresh set of dates for debate between a committee of experts and another debate between the leaders of its party and the JVP-led NPP. This, barely a day before the NPP-set deadline – of today for the debate to be held. The tug-of-war regarding the proposed debate has resulted in many disagreements and posturing and finger pointing between the two opposition parties, more..

May 20 (DN) SL T- 20 cricket team started their practices at North Carolina Church Street Park grounds last Thursday while they have scheduled practice untill May 25 and then move to Florida for two practice matches. The team started practices on Thursday while fielding sessions done on Saturday at the indoor training due to rain. Two players Kusal Mendis and Asitha Fernando will join next week while Janith Liyanage and throwing coach Vimukthi will join later after clear their visa issues. more..

May 20 (Island) The team that has won most County Championships in England is Yorkshire. Generally, Yorkshire’s players are snobbish often blowing their own trumpets and looking down upon others. But Chris Silverwood, SL’s Head Coach, has been the complete contrast. A friendly, unassuming man, Silverwood hardly gives you the impression that he was a former fast bowler; that too from Yorkshire. He has been very passionate about his coaching and has embraced the Sri Lankan culture. more..

May 20 (FT) With SL achieving much-needed stability, Citi’s Global Head of Emerging Market Economics, Johanna Chua last week stressed the importance of focusing on growth-enhancing reforms if the country were to overcome ongoing challenges. She said such a course is essential to boost private sector investment. Growth enhancing reforms also includes further opening up of SL and its markets, she added. more..

May 20 (TM) Civil activists questioned why the law enforcement agencies have failed to act on recent court verdicts over non-citizens holding office in the Legislature. Civil activist Oshala Herath opined that it is regrettable that CID has failed to arrest former State Minister Diana Gamage despite the fact that she has violated the Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948. It was Herath who filed the case before the Supreme Court (SC) which resulted in Gamage losing her Parliamentary seat over her UK citizenship. more..

May 20 (EN) SL will need to either connect to India or set up a nuclear power plant if the country is to reach its renewable energy targets due the country’s weather patterns, a researcher and policy advocate has said. SL has set ambitious goals for renewable electricity generation by 2030, apparently without much prior study or any costs being revealed when the target was set by Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Rohan Pethiyagoda, a taxonomist and researcher who had also been senior state officials more..

May 20 (DM) A TV star pawnbroker has been hand-picked to sell one of the world’s most impressive gemstones that has been valued at almost £250 million. The 683lb cluster is owned by a SL gem dealer who wants to cash in his asset to fund his financial security and lifestyle. James Constantinou, who became a hit on the Channel 4 series Posh Pawn, will be brokering the giant sapphire, known as the Queen of Asia, to his high profile global connections. “I deal with a lot of rare and more..

May 20 (DM) SL All Union Alliance of the Board of Investment (BOI) has issued a stark warning against the proposed Economic Transformation Bill, set to be submitted to Parliament on May 22. The alliance cautions that the Bill will severely destabilize the investment sector, which is already grappling with economic challenges. According to the coalition, the Bill caters to a select few individuals without consulting field experts or investors. The alliance calls for a transparent revision of the Bill, more..

May 20 (TM) BIA Police Station has wrapped up its investigations into the incident where State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera allegedly assaulted a Porter at the airport premises, due to the absence of a proper complaint by the party who got assaulted. Following a video being circulated on social media in which the State Minister is assaulting and threatening a porter with several security officers at the airport last week (14), more..

May 20 (FT) Thousands of Tamils on 18 May converged in Mullaivaikkal, along SL’s north-eastern coast, to pay homage to their relatives killed in May 2009, in the final battle of the island’s protracted civil war. As the war escalated before its gruesome end, lakhs of Tamil civilians were pushed to this narrow strip of land, declared a No Fire Zone by the Govt. Tens of thousands, including women and children, died in the indiscriminate shelling of the armed forces, while scores were seriously injured. more..

May 20 (DM) Over 280 kgs of narcotics were destroyed using a new high-powered incinerator built at a cost of over Rs. 11 million at Vanathavilluwa in Puttalam yesterday. Police said that a total of 251 kgs of heroin and 38 kgs of Methamphetamine (ICE) were destroyed in the presence of Minister Tiran Alles and IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. Previously, govt had to spend a significant amount of money to destroy seized stocks of drugs due to the lack of a permanent facility for this purpose. more..

May 20 (DM) One of Sri Lanka's senior cricketers looks set to retire from white ball cricket at the end of T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies, Daily Mirror reliably learns. The former captain of all three formats is expected to migrate to Melbourne, Australia at the conclusion of World Cup. Daily Mirror understands that the star all-rounder has already bought a few houses in Melbourne as he looks to settle down under with his young family. more..

May 20 (FT) As the world commemorates International Tea Day on May 21, Ceylon Tea stands proudly at the forefront, celebrating its rich heritage, unparalleled quality, and global significance. Renowned for its unique flavour profile and exquisite aroma, Ceylon Tea has captivated tea enthusiasts worldwide for generations. Originating from the lush hillsides of SL, this beloved brew continues to enchant connoisseurs and novices alike, embodying a tradition of excellence that spans centuries. more..

May 20 (Island) Reeling from a revelation that the Bar Association of SL (BASL) received Rs 21 million as payment for an anti-corruption study undertaken in terms of an agreement with Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA), without following proper procedures, the Bar Council has appointed a five-member committee consisting of five President’s Counsel to conduct an investigation. The committee comprising Kanag Isvaran, Faisz Musthapha, more..

May 20 (AD) Police have arrested a 33-year-old youth who had allegedly assaulted the Ambassador of Iran in SL, Dr. Alireza Delkhosh, during an incident near a shopping mall on Muttiah Road in Colombo 2. The arrested suspect has been remanded in custody until tomorrow (20), after being produced before the Aluthkade No. 02 Magistrate’s Court in Colombo. The incident had reportedly occurred on Saturday while the Iranian Ambassador was entering the car park of a shopping mall in his vehicle. more..

May 20 (AD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met with billionaire and investor Elon Musk on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting being held in Indonesia. During the meeting, Wickremesinghe and Musk have discussed the implementation of Starlink in Sri Lanka. It was emphasized that Sri Lanka is committed to expediting the application process to connect the country to the global Starlink network, the PMD said. Meanwhile, Minister Jeevan Thondaman, more..

May 20 (ST) A comprehensive national audit released this week says severe violations of internal controls, neglect of accepted procurement guidelines and actions that surpassed Cabinet decisions led to SL’s worst-ever medical purchase scam. Below are just some of the transgressions highlighted in the National Audit Office’s (NAO) 887-page report. In June 2022, the Finance Ministry Secretary directed more..

May 20 (FT) Asoka Handagama is notorious for challenging our cognitive capacity through his artwork, be it through poetry, fiction, stage drama, teledrama, or movies. His newest stage drama, A Death in an Antique Shop, is the best, or worst in some sense, in this tradition. You can watch it not on stage but on YouTube. In many respects, watching the drama on YouTube is better than doing it in a theatre-environment. First, it is free from attention deficiency which we will face in a theatre. more..

May 20 (FT) In the bustling chambers of SL’s Parliament, a disheartening spectacle unfolds with disturbing regularity – elected officials engaged not in constructive debate for the betterment of the nation, but in heated exchanges and even physical altercations. Yet, behind the façade of discord lies a disconcerting unity among MPs when it comes to safeguarding their own interests and privileges, even at the expense of the struggling populace. The recent decision by the govt to grant duty-free more..

May 20 (AJ) Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have been confirmed killed after the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in poor weather. The bodies of the people aboard were found on Monday morning, some hours after their helicopter crashed in Iran’s northwestern region, state media reported. The accident challenges the country’s senior leadership as Iran sits in the midst of heightened regional and global tensions centred on the war in Gaza. more..

May 20 (EN) SL has joined a group of nations led by Indonesia which aims to mobilise capital to achieve carbon neutrality, Minister Jeevan Thondaman said. Global Blended Finance Alliance mooted by Indonesia in 2018, was formally launched at the World Water Forum in Bali today. Among the other founding members are Fiji, France, UAE, Kenya, Luxembourg and Canada. “Through our collective efforts, the Global Blended Finance Alliance aims to mobilise both public and private capital to more..

May 20 (TM) The Election Commission (EC) stated that during the recent discussion with PM and Minister of LG Dinesh Gunawardena, there was no discussion regarding preparation to cancel the nominations called for the postponed LG elections. Prez and Minister of National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe recently instructed Gunawardena to look into the possibility of invalidating the nominations accepted for more..

May 20 (EN) A European Union delegation has visited Sri Lanka to review the country’s compliance with the EU’s Regulation on Deforestation Free Products in the cultivation of rubber, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries has said. The Regulation on Deforestation Free Products (EUDR), which comes into effect from December 30 this year, seeks to guarantee that products EU citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide. more..

May 20 (N18) Four suspected the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorists, who are believed to be Sri Lankan nationals have been arrested at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, said Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad officers. According to sources, Gujarat ATS officials are interrogating the four suspected terrorists. The arrested individuals — all Sri Lankan nationals — are reportedly affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), officials said. more..

May 20 (TM) Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) alleges that several members of Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) are no longer qualified to hold their positions as per the PUCSL Act, No. 35 of 2002. ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that he is planning to write to Minister Kanchana Wijesekara in this regard, seeking some sort of a solution. “As per Section 7(iv) of the PUCSL Act, if members have not more..