May 29 (Island) Declaring that the govt of SL, while combating Tamil Organizations which were fighting for a Tamil Homeland in the North-East, committed genocide against the Tamil people, a resolution was tabled in the US House of Representatives, on May 15, 2024, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the conclusion of the LTTE’s terrorist war; it states, “Recognizing the hundreds of thousands of lives lost during SL’s almost 30-year armed conflict, which ended 15 years ago on May 18, 2009, more..

May 29 (ST) In the far-off plains of northern India, Prince Siddartha sat on his gold gilt seat, wrapped in deep thought. Gone was the cheer. Gone, too, the exuberant spirit, restlessly searching for new avenues of adventure in his four seasonal palace gardens. In these last few days, a brooding melancholy had laid siege on his lively outgoing personality and he lay sapped of energy. Not even the diverse pleasures of the palace where his sire held court and ruled the domain as more..

May 29 (SO) Last February, Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment introduced a scheme to provide fully electric vehicle permits to Sri Lankans employed abroad under luxury car tax concessions of up to Rs. 12 million for those who have remitted USD 20,000 or more to the country. Scheme was introduced in Sept 2022 and was extended further through separate gazette notifications issued on May 31 last year and more..

May 29 (Island) 15th anniversary of the end of the war has made it clear that the war may have ended but the problems related to it have not. Outside of the north and east, the site of military action, there is a sense of normalcy with the war being a receding memory. This has given rise to the belief that the govt could give its priority attention to other problems afflicting the country, most notably the economic collapse which continues to be a baleful presence in the lives of the great majority of people. more..

May 29 (FT) Dialog Axiata, has introduced Smartphone Plans - the nation’s first installment plan, designed to offer all Sri Lankans a convenient and affordable solution for purchasing the latest Android smartphones. This innovative plan enables customers to own the latest Android smartphones by paying just 40% upfront, with the balance conveniently spread over 24 months and integrated into their Dialog Power Plan Postpaid mobile bill. Prepaid customers can also upgrade to more..

May 29 (DN) SL boys under 19 team created history to take the gold medal at the South Asian Youth TT Championship held in Municipal Indoor Stadium Kandy yesterday. SL under 19 boys team comprised Saiifulla Akram (Trinity), Janith Batugedera (Royal) Vinuka Gunawardena, (Royal) Diran Hamer (Royal), Saluka Premachandra (Ananda) coached by Hasitha Samaraweera. According to a Senior official of Table Tennis Association of SL earlier in 2014 SL boys under 19 team had this achivement but more..

May 29 (FT) The leading blue-chip conglomerate, Aitken Spence PLC announced yesterday it has achieved robust fourth-quarter results, significantly contributing to an improved financial performance for the 2023/2024 financial year. The Group reported a strong PBT of Rs. 4.8 billion with a growth of 412% in the fourth quarter of FY24. During Q4 the Group reported an impressive EBITDA (earnings inclusive of equity accounted investees, before interest expenses, tax, depreciation, more..

May 29 (FT) The Central Bank yesterday sounded more emphatic that a further decline in lending interest rates is warranted especially for new loans. The Average Weighted New Lending Rate (AWNLR) is around 13.5% as against the Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPLR) of 9.68%. The latest assertion that lending rates should come down further, follows the Monetary Policy Board of CBSL yesterday more..

May 29 (ST) Land prices have bounced back to growth in the latest Land Price Index by LankaPropertyWeb. The overall land prices in the Western Province increased by 7.8% compared to the previous year, according to the 2024 Western Province Land Price Index (LPI), developed by LankaPropertyWeb (LPW). It said that the Land Price Index (LPI), updated annually, monitors the trends in asking price values of lands for sale across all three districts of the Western Province more..

May 29 (CT) In a world where perseverance and dedication are often overshadowed by instant gratification, the story of Deethri shines as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Aged 33, former Visakhian, Deethri’s journey has defied all odds where she transforms from a complete novice cyclist to an Ironman World Championship qualifier exemplifying the power of determination, perseverance and resilience. It was in 2019 when Deethri, with no prior experience in cycling decided to challenge more..

May 29 (DM) Attorney General's Dept informed the Court of Appeal that the AG will not appear on behalf of Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardane in a writ petition filed against him for his omission and serious dereliction of duty which led to the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Centre for Society and Religion had filed this writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order to conduct a credible investigation and take appropriate actions more..

May 29 (PMD) Minister Manusha Nanayakkara announced that the Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide social security benefits to all workers aged 55 and above across various industries. This initiative includes the preparation of necessary legal provisions, which will be developed alongside the Garusaru program. Minister highlighted the govt’s commitment to social security and labor rights. Minister further responded to criticisms about the lack of mental freedom more..

May 29 (CT) Vice President of the Buddhist Association of America, Viharaya of the Maryland International Buddhist Temple, Most Venerable Katugastota Uparathana Nayaka Thera emphasised that the opportunity to celebrate the International Vesak Festival at the US President’s House had arisen this year too. Ven. Uparathana Thera said, Theravada Buddhist Monks and Mahayana Monks were also working for the International Vesak Festival held at the White House on 23 May. more..

May 29 (Island) You’ve got to appreciate the frankness with which Upul Tharanga has gone about his business as Chairman of Selectors. The clarity the former captain has shown had it been followed by his predecessors, Sri Lanka wouldn’t have got knocked out of next year’s Champions Trophy. One question that everyone seemed to be asking when the Sri Lankan squad for the T-20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies was announced was from where the power hitting is coming. more..

May 29 (DM) NPP said that if the SJB is not ready for the debate between the two leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake on June 6 as previously announced, there would be no further debate or discussions about a debate after June 6. NPP Executive Member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said if the scheduled debate on June 6 is held, they are ready to engage in discussions on preparations for the debate between the two leaders. "What we have to do now is to decide more..

May 29 (TM) Legal action will be instituted under the Provisions of the newly enacted Online Safety Act (OSA) against those who circulate rumours pertaining to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) on various social media platforms, Minister of Sports Harin Fernando recently warned. Minister said that the social media accounts of those spreading fake news will be suspended forthwith, if found guilty of violating the Provisions of more..

May 29 (TM) Thilina Harshani, mother of three children, who was left permanently disabled due to injuries caused to the spinal cord in the bombing that took place at the St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya on 21 April 2019, died yesterday. Harshani had attended the Easter Sunday service at the Church on 21 Apr, 2019, and one of her sons, who was seven-years-old at the time, had died in the bombing. She was left permanently disabled due to bombing with major damage to spinal cord, more..

May 29 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved the allocation of necessary funds from the Treasury to pay the arrears of statutory allowances owed by SL State Plantation Corporation (SLSPC), Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB), and Elkaduwa Plantation Ltd. The decision also includes instructing the Commissioner General of Labour to reduce the maximum amount deductible from the surcharges payable by these institutions, as per the EPF Act No. 15 of 1958, following the payment of arrears. more..

May 29 (DN) Minister Bandula Gunawardhana said that 52% of the SLTB buses in this country are out of date. He further said those institutions have collapsed to the point where they cannot even get credit facilities to purchase new buses. He also said that the 500 new buses have been obtained under the Indian loan scheme. Minister said that the railway service of the country is currently in a very critical condition and rail tracks should be changed every five years more..

May 29 (TM) Customs trade unions said that they agree with the revised Customs rewards system, adding that it was agreed on by the Customs trade unions, the Customs administration, and the relevant subject ministers. Customs Officers’ Association Prez J.G.A. Sanjeewa, said that there is no issue with regard to the revised system, which allocates 50% of the money received through Customs fines for the Govt, 5% for the Customs’ compensation fund, 45% for Customs officers. more..

May 29 (DM) Cabinet Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today that, under public financial management, the govt is unable to allocate funds this year to address the salary anomalies demanded by trade unions in the public and govt sectors. He said several trade unions have requested that the president as well as the govt consider their demands. He mentioned that there is an ongoing trade union action by more..

May 29 (IS) As the Sri Lankan and Dutch fans waited for their teams to clash in the T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match on Tuesday, there was no broadcast of the same, or even any information too. But the unheralded Netherlands team beat the Islanders by 20 runs in their first warm-up match of the tournament, in Lauderhill. After batting first, the Netherlands, as per kncb.nl, scored 181 in their allotted 20 overs, while Sri Lanka could only manage 161 in reply. more..

May 29 (FT) Finance Ministry has announced the roll out of key reforms in State owned banks. Specific reforms include new business models for Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank and Capital Adequacy for the two State giants; strengthening governance of all State Owned Banks (SOBs) – licenced commercial and specialised banks and strengthening the risk management architecture of SOBs. Capital includes (a)providing further budget funds as and when required; or (b) selling new shares to more..

May 29 (FT) UNP Colombo District organiser Ravi Karunanayake yesterday criticised party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara’s proposal to postpone both Parliamentary and presidential polls for two years, highlighting a significant division within the UNP regarding the timing of the elections. He asserted that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is a leader who upholds democratic principles, despite the differing statements more..

May 29 (DM) In a distressing tale from Kebithigolleva, a 33-year-old mother of four found herself in dire circumstances as she laments enduring four months without electricity, two weeks of water scarcity, and the recent loss of her husband, the main breadwinner who supported the family through odd jobs. The grieving mother found herself thrust into a challenging situation following the tragic death of her husband, PK Chaturanga (34). The father of her two school-going children - more..

Mar 29 (FT) Recently, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara took to X, to announce the conclusion of intense negotiation between the Govt and Adani Group. Under this, the country will purchase power from wind plants built by the latter at 8.26 US cents a kilowatt hour for 20 years, to be paid in LKR on the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment. “On the current exchange rate considered as, 1 USD = Rs 300, the cost of energy will be Rs 24.78 per kWh. The current average cost more..

Mar 29 (FT) Former Cabinet Minister, Nuwara Eliya district MP and CWC leader Arumugan Thondaman would have celebrated his 60th birthday on 29 May, if he were alive today. Thondaman passed away due to a cardiac arrest four days before his 56th birthday four years ago on 26 May 2020. He was serving as a Minister in the cabinet of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the time of his death. This week’s Political Pulse – with the aid of my previous writings – focuses on Arumugan Thondaman to denote his 60th more..

May 29 (AD) Russia will now require Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry clearance for visit visas of ex-servicemen, says Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that he had a constructive meeting with the Russian Ambassador in Colombo, Levan S. Dzhagaryan today (29). “We addressed the urgent situation of Sri Lankans being deployed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and agreed on immediate steps to resolve these issues,” he said, in a post on ‘X’ more..

May 29 (EN) SL’s rubber production, which has collapsed over the last decade, will get into a deeper crisis due to mandated wage hike which will increase loss, an industry official said after the tea industry also protested the move. Sri Lanka produced 152,000 metric tonnes of rubber in 2012, but by 2023, it had fallen to only 64,400 metric tonnes, Manoj Udugampola, a former Chairman of Colombo Rubber Traders Association said. more..

May 29 (AD) Dr. Punsara Amarasinghe, a lecturer at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) who was arrested by the CID, has been released on bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court. He has been ordered released on a personal bail of Rs. 1 million by the Fort Magistrate’s Court after he was produced before the court today. Dr. Punsara Amarasinghe, a lecturer at the Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU), has been arrested by the CID. He has been taken into custody for allegedly making a false statement more..

May 29 (FT) Expolanka Holdings said it will be resisting a move by a few minority shareholders seeking Court of Appeal sanction to suspend the proposed delisting from the Colombo Stock Exchange. The company in a filing to the CSE said 9 minority shareholders holding approximately 0.012% of the shares thereof, have filed an application before the Court of Appeal challenging the de-listing of Expolanka Holdings. Both the SEC and the CSE have been made parties to said application. more..

May 29 (AD) PM Dinesh Gunawardena has confirmed that the Prez Election will be held in accordance with the Constitution and on the date specified by the Election Commission. He made these comments while responding to questions from journalists after attending the opening of the Martin Wickramasinghe Hall of Life section at the National Library and Documentation Services Board today. “The govt’s stand on the election more..

May 29 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who cannot win the prez election will never go for a referendum, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. He said that if Ranil Wickremesinghe could win the referendum, he would definitely go for the presidential election. Dissanayake said they are trying to create confusion in the society as Ranil Wickremesinghe and Basil Rajapaksa have no plans or vision for the election. "The other political groups are already engaged in election campaigns. more..

May 29 (FT) In the dynamic landscape of the transformer industry, where innovation meets expertise, two industry giants, Lanka Transformers Ltd, and APAR Industries Ltd, have forged an alliance that promises to redefine standards and elevate benchmarks. This alliance comes as a culmination of rigorous evaluation and meticulous selection, with APAR clinching the bid to supply bulk volumes of Transformer Oils to Lanka Transformers Ltd. Established in 1980 as a joint venture more..