May 27 (TM) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne alleged that despite the popular notion that the economy is reviving, only the appearance of the economic situation has changed, and that the economy is still in a crisis. He explained that declined tax revenue is proof that the economy is not recovering as expected or portrayed. Pointing out recently revealed tax revenue for the year 2023, He noted that the year’s expected tax revenue has fallen short by approximately Rs. 408 b. more..

May 27 (AN) Sri Lanka hopes to work closer with Saudi Arabia in tourism, labor and renewable energy sectors to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the island nation’s new ambassador told Arab News as he assumed his post in Riyadh on Monday. A career diplomat, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad concurrently served as ambassador in Oman and Yemen from 2019 to 2022. He had previously served as SL’s acting high commissioner in Singapore and deputy high commissioner in Chennai, India. more..

May 27 (CT) About 19% of children residing in homes for children, child care facilities and juvenile facilities in the Northern region, exhibit signs of psychosocial disabilities, according to a Census and Statistics Dept report of 2019. The report was jointly compiled by Census and Statistics Dept and Dept of Probation and Child Care Services in 2019 and released in 2022. Vulnerability to respiratory and heart-related diseases more..

May 27 (Island) The UK court has ordered the extradition of a SL man accused of running a people-trafficking ring while employed at a chicken shop to France, said a report published by the Sun of the UK. The Sun report said: Sathasivam Sivagankan, 58, a refugee granted asylum in Britain, allegedly organized clandestine Channel crossings from his rented home, as revealed in court documents. A judge has now ordered the dad of two’s extradition to France, where last year he was convicted of more..

May 27 (DM) NPP member K.D. Lalkantha trying to prevent his party from coming into power, SJB MP S.M. Marikar said. "Lalkantha is trying to prevent his leader leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as he is aware that Dissanayake is unable to run a govt effectively," he said. “Lalkantha is well aware that his leader will make a mess of everything if he comes to power. This is why he is making remarks which are disadvantageous to the NPP and trying to prevent Dissanayake from coming into power,” more..

May 28 (DM) Like a ritual, the UNHRC has been issuing reports annually on the human rights situation in SL since 2012 while in some years adopting resolutions on the same, expressing displeasure over the commitment of SL govt to implement the recommendations of those reports and the resolutions. SL govt too, like a ritual, has been rejecting the observations of those reports and the resolutions while making halfhearted attempts to implement the recommendations of them. more..

May 28 (TM) With the onset of the monsoon rains and strong winds, urban centres in Sri Lanka are once again seeing multiple incidents of roadside trees being uprooted, at times collapsing on unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians. It is reported that thus far this year (2024), seven lives have been claimed by falling trees due to adverse weather conditions. Just last week alone, nearly 60 trees collapsed due to the adverse weather in and around Colombo, reports indicated. more..

May 28 (TM) In a controversial decision, four Army personnel, including a Major General, were recently cleared of accusations stemming from the 2013 Weliweriya protests. This tragic event saw three unarmed protesters shot dead and 45 others injured during a demonstration where local villagers demanded access to clean drinking water. The acquittal has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for accountability, more..

May 28 (CT) The recent report from the Census and Statistics Dept, in collaboration with the Dept of Probation and Child Care Services, reveals a distressing reality for children in the Northern region. A staggering 19% of children in child care facilities, homes for children and juvenile facilities exhibit signs of psychosocial disabilities. This statistic is a reminder of the lingering scars left by the decades-long conflict in SL. Ceylon Today, this Sunday, reported the gravity of the situation, more..

May 28 (CT) Although improbable as it may seem, there is a significant power possessed by a single vote and hence the saying, Every vote counts. However, sensible voters who don’t follow a popular party politic agenda, at times, seem to think that their floating vote wouldn’t make much of a difference in the heavily -polarised SL political arena. If a voter needs encouragement that even one vote can make a difference, they don’t have to look beyond the 2011 LG Election of Kolonne PS, more..

May 28 (CT) A corruption scandal involving the top brass of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) has come to light, prompting an investigation by the Bar Council. BASL President, Kaushalya Nawaratne, along with the Deputy Prez and three others, pursued a project through a bid with the Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA). However, BASL members and the executive committee were not aware of the project. more..

May 28 (Island) Words undergo semantic shifts or progression over time, and the adjective, smart, has taken on a whole new meaning since the advent of the mobile phone which is capable of performing some of the functions of a computer and connecting to the Internet and has therefore come to be dubbed smartphone. One however cannot make oneself smart by using a smartphone, which has become de rigueur in modern society. There are ordinary people with smartphones, and smart people with more..

May 28 (GV) For the first time, SL’s prez election in October will have three main contenders – Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe contesting under an independent symbol, SJB represented by Sajith Premadasa and NPP by Anura Kumara Dissanayake. There is speculation about a common Tamil candidate as well as rumours of Namal Rajapaksa coming forward as the SLPP contender. If some polls and word on the street are to be believed, Mr Dissanayake is firmly in the lead more..

May 28 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe‘s actions and the IMF bailout have relieved the public, but the long-term consequences are a significant concern. The high level of poverty, the closure of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the struggles of households with multiple pressures from high prices, income losses, increasing school dropouts and malnutrition, and underemployment have significantly affected the overall welfare and well-being of the people. more..

May 28 (ST) Amidst the not-so-happy transformation of Vesak from the serene marking of an incomparably sacred event in the Buddhist calendar to an indulgent if not excessive race to compete with the biggest pandal or the largest dansal (generous gifting of food to the public), President Ranil Wickremesinghe has sublimely remarked that the long lines of Sri Lankans patiently waiting for free food means that life is returning to normal. There are, of course, multiple interpretations more..

May 28 (CT) A high-tech tree scanner, used to identify trees that pose a risk of uprooting or falling due to adverse weather conditions, which was bought by the CMC in 2017, sits idle inside the municipal building, Colombo Municipal Commissioner Bhadranie Jayawardhana said. The machine was bought at a cost of Rs 7 million, but has not been put to use, since it was purchased, due to the lack of a qualified machine operator. more..

May 28 (Island) Cassandra is very conscious she writes her Cry on Vesak day and her readers will read her when the aura of Vesak still surrounds much of this island. This aura is now a mixed one. Cassandra nostalgically remembers the environmental ambience and the feeling that pervaded and prevailed in Kandy say fifty years ago. People paid homage to the Sacred Tooth in the Dalada Maligawa, not crowded then; with piety in heart and mind. Illuminations dotted the city more..

May 28 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Institute for Future Creations (TIFC) and other relevant stakeholders, including the London College of Fashion (UAL) and the Chamber of Ethical Lifestyle Enterprises (CELE), recently launched the Creative Sri Lanka 2030 project during a ceremony held at the EDB head office. The event brought together key stakeholders from the Government, private sector and civil society to celebrate the beginning of the program and more..

May 28 (FT) Australian Govt updated its travel advisory issuing Level 2 amber colour warning, advising its nationals to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to SL. The advisory notes that SL is due to hold its Prez elections in 2024 where public demonstrations can occur throughout SL and may become violent. “We’ve reviewed our advice for SL and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution. Public demonstrations can occur throughout SL and may become violent. more..

May 28 (FT) SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake asserted that, considering the significant drop in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in SL, it is misleading to suggest that the economy is in a good state. Tissa Attanayake said the latest Central Bank Economic Review revealed a stark decline in FDIs, dropping from $ 884 million in 2022 to just $ 172 million in 2023. “Import restrictions remain in place, and we haven’t started servicing our debts,” Attanayake said. “Given these conditions, more..

May 28 (ST) The integrity of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) has come under heavy scrutiny this week following the arrest of the newly appointed owner of the Dambulla Thunders on allegations of match-fixing. Tamim Rahman, one of the co-owners of the Dambulla Thunders, took a detour from cricket, straight to the courtroom as the British national of Bangladeshi origin found himself arrested on corruption charges just minutes more..

May 28 (Island) There have been eight T-20 World Cups so far and West Indies and England have won the crown two times each while SL, India, Pakistan and Australia have tasted success once each. SL have an enviable record in the biannual event having won the title in 2014 and reached two other finals in 2009 and 2012 apart from finishing as losing semi-finalists in 2010. Across the eight tournaments, SL have played 51 games and won 31. That is a winning percentage of 60 and more..

May 28 (ST) President’s Counsel Gamini Marapana passed away last morning (25) after a prolonged illness. He was 82 years of age. His remains will be at 103, Barnes Place, Colombo 7 for the public to pay their final respects. The final rites will be conducted today (26) at 6 pm at the Borella general cemetery. Marapana was educated at St Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, where he was a member of the College first XI in both cricket and hockey. He later obtained an honours degree in Law more..

May 28 (TM) Trade unions (TUs) affiliated with the Board of Investment (BOI) are to challenge the proposed Economic Transformation Bill in the Supreme Court due to its alleged adverse impact on the country’s investment sector. A trade union leader who wished to remain anonymous, stated that they have been working with several political parties and civil society organisations to challenge the legitimacy of the said Bill, claiming that more..

May 28 (FT) Colombo Rubber Traders Association (CRTA) Immediate Past President Manoj Udugampola said the rubber industry now stands at a crossroad worse than the tea sector due to the recent Govt-mandated wage hike. He detailed the devastating impact of the 74% increase in the minimum wage for rubber workers, which now stands at Rs. 1,902 with EPF contributions included. “Current cost of production is Rs. 842 per kg, and we are already incurring a loss of Rs200 per kilo. more..

May 28 (FT) State Minister Arundika Fernando last week announced that State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are now open to private sector investments, subject to the Govt’s assessed value. “This directive aligns with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instruction to ensure that SOEs are not offered below their assessed value,” he stated at a press briefing. Fernando emphasised the revival of regional development projects previously halted due to economic difficulties. more..

May 28 (TM) SL expects to fully operationalise the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) by January 2026 after establishing the office in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 under the Public Debt Management (PDM) Law. Accordingly, it was revealed at the COPF last week, PDMO which will function within the Ministry of Finance under the Proposed PDM Bill will be established by Q4 of 2024 as per the guidelines of the IMF. Speaking before the COPF, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, more..

May 28 (TM) If the Parliamentary Election is held within 52 days after the dissolution of the Parliament within the course of this week, there will be no legal impediment to proceed with the actions related to the Prez Election, claimed Opposition MP Prof. G.L. Peiris. He also stated that there is a suspicion among the people as to whether the Parliamentary Election or the Prez Election will be held first. He noted that the Prez Election must be held first on the scheduled dates, more..

May 28 (DM) With the torrential rains sweeping across Sri Lanka, health experts are raising alarm bells over a spike in seasonal diseases including dengue, leptospirosis, diarrheal diseases and influenza. "The onset of the rainy season dramatically increases the risk of several serious illnesses," experts warned. Dr. LakKumar Fernando highlighted, “Dengue fever remains a significant threat during this time. more..

May 28 (DN) Our para athletes really performed well to get three medals at the World Para Athletic championship concluded in Kobe India which is a big boost and our target is to send more than ten athletes for Paralympics said National Paralympic Committee (NPC) President Deepal Herath. Winning one silver medal from Samitha Dulan and two bronze from Indika Gamage and Palitha Bandara inspired other para athletes at this stage. Samitha Dulan was able to set up new world record more..

May 28 (Island) Despite almost three years passing, a billion rupee sanitation project intended to be implemented within Kandy city limits is yet to reach completion as the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA)—the executing bilateral aid agency—is yet to release the final Rs. 1 billion required to complete the project’s final stage due to matters connected to SL’s debt restructuring process. “The reason JICA has given for not releasing the final Rs. 1 billion to complete the last leg more..

May 28 (DN) IMF’s Deputy Legal Dept Unit Chief Joel Turkewitz, highlighted the critical need for SL to abolish the Strategic Development Projects Act. This call came during the Charting the Course: Revitalizing Economic Governance for Prosperity Advocata event. Turkewitz called on the govt to act quickly. He said, “Abolish and suspend application of the strategic development projects act. This is a very specific recommendation that is a priority recommendation.” more..

May 28 (DM) LankaGPT Technologies is gearing up to launch SL’s first-ever Sinhala and Tamil AI Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) by July 2024. Named Sigiriya AI, the text-based AI platform is designed to generate human-like responses to prompts fed in the SL Sinhala and Tamil languages. “The main objective was to have a Sri Lankan-centric AI platform, accessible to Sri Lankans from anywhere in the world. We want to promote our culture and preserve our Sinhala & Tamil more..

May 28 (DM) Elon Musk's Starlink internet is now open for pre-order in Sri Lanka, with the public able to reserve Starlink by paying a fully refundable USD 9 deposit. Starlink aims to commence service in SL in 2024, pending regulatory approval. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis within each coverage area. Starlink’s Internet Constellation is one of the biggest breakthroughs in commercial satellite history. more..

May 28 (Island) Police are conducting investigations to trace the whereabouts of two persons involved in a shooting incident reported near the Batawala Pathegama Model Primary School in Weligama, yesterday morning. They arrived on a motorcycle and targeted a resident of Midigama, Weligama, but failed to hit him in the rush. The targeted person has been identified as Sudesh Madhusanka, 30, a resident of Pitiduwa Road in Midigama. He had brought his two children to more..