May 30 (BBC) US and Europe have separately announced major takedowns of cybercrime networks that defrauded people of billions. The US has arrested Chinese national YunHe Wang and seized assets including a Ferrari, luxury watches and 21 properties. While Europol, Europe's crime agency, has made four arrests but said eight fugitives are on the run. They will be added to Europe’s most wanted list. more..

May 30 (AD) Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, has announced that the Parliament is scheduled to convene from the 4th to the 7th of June. This schedule was confirmed during the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held on Tuesday (28), chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, according to the Parliamentary Communications Department. On Tuesday, June 04, Parliament will begin with Questions for Oral Answers from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. more..

May 30 (Reuters) New York will boost security for the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup in June, the governor said on Wednesday, after reports of threats especially related to the India-Pakistan match. "In preparation for the @cricketworldcup, my team has been working with federal & local law enforcement to keep attendees safe," Governor Kathy Hochul wrote on X, adding there was "no credible threat at this time". ABC News cited a New York City Police Department bulletin, opens new tab more..

May 11 (DM) When we think of elections in SL we are forced to think of marriages as well. This is largely because the incumbent Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to contest the upcoming prez elections as an independent candidate with the support of a strong alliance. These are days when we see many promises being made on the political scene by ambitious individuals. People on this sun-kissed island are used to this bluff, but sadly they aren’t immune to more..

May 11 (DM) Protecting children from tobacco industry interference is the theme for World No Tobacco Day this year. No tobacco day falls on May 31. Thus the World No Tobacco Day for 2024 will give a platform to young people across the world who are urging governments to shield them from predatory tobacco marketing tactics. The world made a mistake by allowing tobacco companies to make and sell cigarettes. Thus the tobacco industry targets youth for a lifetime of profits; more..

May 11 (CT) This is a different version after tender was floated and bidding closed and this report was prepared in Oct 2022 and tender was called in April 2024. Once again, SL Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and the CEB are entangled in a subtle dispute over the Phase 1 expansion of the 50 MW Mannar farm project. The bids to select the final bidder remain unopened, raising concerns about potential tariff issues more..

May 31 (TM) Hamstrung by challenges of a bureaucratic nature in accessing funds and recruitments to address staffing shortages, the services rendered by the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) – the country’s apex body in terms of the protection and promotion of human rights – is facing issues in their myriad related endeavours, among others, specifically in terms of proactiveness in probing incidents that go under the radar, their engagement with marginalised groups more..

May 11 (ST) A few days ago, I received a phone call from Yasawardena Rodrigo, a journalist from the Sinhala newspaper Deshaya. Once in a while, he used to contact me for comments and interviews on current economic issues of the country. This time too he had an important and interesting question: “People are burdened with so much of hardships. In response, there are lots of trade union activities and public protests in the town, demanding for higher salaries and lower prices. more..

May 11 (Island) The challenge before us, as a nation, is to build national resilience to climate change, says internationally recognised SL scientist and policy advocate, Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, in an interview with The Island. “If the West wants us to reduce emissions, they should damn well be made to pay for it. As for us, we should reduce emissions only if and when this serves our national interest, that is, when it generates more..

May 31 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked why none of the presidential aspirants has pledged to abolish the executive presidency. Rhetorical as this question may sound, it may be said by way of an answer that the presidential hopefuls have, for once, refrained from making a promise they do not intend to fulfil in case of victory. All those who won the executive presidency by promising to abolish it reneged on their pledges. Circumstances compelled Presidents more..

May 11 (GV) When the JVP was hosted by India a couple of months ago everybody sat up and took notice, especially those old enough to recall that once-revolutionary movement’s strident, even armed, anti-Indian postures in its turbulent, twice bloody, past politics. The public’s attention was drawn to this infrequent episode in inter-country ties since it is not often that a country’s political organisations get such invitations. In this first part of a two part article, more..

May 11 (TM) Sri Lanka has yet again been pushed amidst the global geopolitical tug-of-war over the Russo-Ukraine conflict, with reports alleging that Poland is attempting to use third-party sources to obtain a large consignment of surplus ammunition, mostly artillery shells, rockets and mortars from SL with the intent to provide to the ammunition starved Ukraine. SL has avoided taking sides in the conflict, calling on both parties to come to a negotiated settlement of their grievances. more..

May 31 (Island) Cassandra was rather starved of grist to her mill when two VIP politicians made some stupid pronouncements, one surely manipulated and the other extempore. Speaking plain, SL was blundering along with minor skirmishes which were not worth commenting on by Cass in her Friday Cry when 28 Tuesday gave unto her two incidents which she could go to town on. The press reported both on Wednesday. General Secretary of the UNP, Palitha Range Bandara, made stupidest statement. more..

May 31 (LMD) Dr. Howard Nicholas is a distinguished economist whose extensive career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and an impact on the world of economics. For over four decades, he has been at the forefront of teaching economic development, business economics and financial markets. Nicholas has taught these subjects at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) – part of Erasmus Uni more..

May 31 (FT) Emirates Group revealed yesterday that outlook for travel to SL has been increasingly strong in 2024, with passenger bookings up more than 200% compared to 2023 levels. The UAE and UK continue to represent the most prominent source markets seeking to travel to the country, it added. To further boost destination Sri Lanka the Emirates-linked dnata Travel Group on 3 June will hold a travel industry event in Colombo hosted by senior representatives from its global brands. more..

May 31 (FT) People’s Bank yesterday announced a total consolidated operating income of Rs. 20.4 billion and post-tax profit of Rs. 2.5 billion for the first quarter of FY24. The Bank reported total consolidated operating income of Rs. 20.4 billion and post-tax profit of Rs. 2.5 billion. Excluding the impact of exceptional adjustments in view of greater prudence considering current macro-economic circumstances, these figures on a normalised basis were otherwise Rs. 28.4 b and Rs. 6.6 b, more..

May 11 (CT) With a heavy heart, I share two photographs of George Michael, a former Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism: one taken on his retirement day and the other published years later by the ministry’s chief accountant at that time. This heart-wrenching image, which circulated on social media earlier, calls for financial or other assistance to support him. This piece, which should have been written earlier, is not meant to generalize but rather to highlight why more..

May 31 (DN) A flood situation has been reported in certain areas of Ratnapura due to the rapid rise in the water level of the Kalu Ganga. The water level of the Kalu Ganga has reportedly reached the 07m level at the Pulungupitiya Gauging Station. As a result, Alupotha, Ratnapura main bus route has been flooded in the Athoya area, disrupting traffic movement. It is reported that many byroads in that area connected to the main roads are also inundated, with houses in the vicinity at risk. more..

May 31 (Island) Sri Lanka Athletics has kept the door open for sprinter Yupun Abeykoon to compete at the 102nd National Athletics Championships to enable him to gain maximum possible ranking points to qualify for the Olympics. The Italy based sprinter has entered the Road to Paris 24 Olympic rankings for the first time at the 87th position following his impressive performances at Anhalt Athletics C'ship last week. more..

May 31 (ST) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has recommended the extension of the tenure of Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, by six months. The recommendation to give a six-month service extension to Mr Rajaratnam has already been submitted to the Constitutional Council (CC). The CC is expected to consider the request when Parliament meets in the first week of June. Mr Rajaratnam is due to retire on June 27 upon reaching 60 years of age, unless he receives the extension. more..

May 31 (TM) With the possibility of at least a few prominent rugby-playing schools pulling out of the forthcoming schools rugby season, Sports Minister Harin Fernando sold a dummy and passed the ball to his Cabinet colleague Dr. Susil Premajayantha at the launch of the Schools Rugby League 2024 in Colombo last Wednesday (29). A few schools have already spoken of boycotting the upcoming League – a highly popular sports competition in the metropolis and in Kandy, in protest of more..

May 31 (TM) In the wake of the strike launched by the university non-academic staff unions, which has continued for about a month, FUTA sought active Govt intervention to resolve the ongoing strike, claiming that the authorities should pay much attention to the matter that directly affects the undergraduates’ future. The continuous strike started by the unions of the university non-academic staff on 2 May, more..

May 31 (DM) dnata Travel Group, a leading Dubai-based travel services provider, part of the Emirates group, is launching a travel industry event in SL this June, Horizon: Sri Lanka, hosted by senior representatives from its global brands, amidst growing demand for travel to the island country. For dnata Travel Group brands and its partners at Emirates Holidays, outlook for travel to SL has been increasingly strong in 2024, with passenger bookings up more than 200% compared to more..

May 31 (Island) Retired Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara says Sri Lanka shouldn’t hesitate to recongise a Palestine state formally against the backdrop of Spain, Ireland and Norway having done so already. The veteran Foreign Service officer was responding to The Island query regarding what SL’s response should be to the raging Gaza conflict. Asked to explain the developing situation, Palihakkara said SL’s position with regard to Palestinian statehood ought to be clear more..

May 31 (FT) Minister Jeevan Thondaman who is an ally of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday used force backed by his supporters to reinstate 3 estate employees of Kelani Valley Plantations in Nuwara Eliya suspended over disciplinary grounds. The 3 employees were suspended earlier due to stoppage of work relating to planting of coffee and clearing pending inquiry with Assistant Commissioner of Labour Prabodhani Danapala informed accordingly. The parties concerned were more..

May 31 (DM) The International spotlight is already cast on the conduct of the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka with the European Union already deploying its experts for a pre-election assessment of the ground situation, an official said yesterday. Election observers are usually deployed to monitor national elections in Sri Lanka. They also carry out pre-poll assessments to ascertain whether a free and fair electoral process is ensured in the country. more..

May 31 (FT) In an inspired strategic move to rejuvenate foreign investment in the real estate sector, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has reintroduced the Investor Visa program. This revamped initiative, aimed specifically at non-Sri Lankans interested in purchasing condominium units, is set to go live online on 1 June. The announcement followed a successful meeting held on 22 May, at the Dept’s headquarters. more..

May 31 (Island) SL has again requested Canada not to repeat baseless allegations of genocide here. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane took up the issue when she met Canadian Deputy Minister for Int'l Development Christopher MacLennan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recently, Foreign Ministry accused Canadian PM Justin Trudeau of repeatedly propagating lies for political benefit. Ministry alleged that PM Trudeau engaged in what it called vote bank politics at SL’s expense. more..

May 31 (TM) The ongoing debt negotiations with the creditor nations and its process will not be impacted despite the Presidential Election that is to take place in SL, asserted the State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe. He made these remarks during the press conference responding to a question raised by a journalist. Semasinghe inquired, “without debt restructuring, what is the option left in overcoming this (economic crisis) and what is the option they suggest for the debt restructuring process?” more..

May 31 (Island) The US embassy said that this week’s meeting with the top management of the Election Commission hadn’t been influenced by what its spokesperson called any specific concerns or statements. Asked whether there had been previous meetings with the EC during Mahinda Deshapriya’s tenure as its Chairman or after and why the Ambassador Julie Chung had met the EC members on Tuesday, the spokesperson said: “(a) Ambassador Chung regularly engages with more..

May 31 (DM) Ruwan Jayasekara, alias Midigama Ruwan, a notorious underworld figure allegedly involved in planning an attack on the CID headquarters in Colombo to free drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata, brought to SL from Dubai by a CID team. Midigama Ruwan, who is also the brother-in-law of Nadun Chinthaka, was reportedly arrested by Dubai Police in March. Harak Kata himself was arrested by Dubai authorities last year and subsequently deported to SL. more..

May 31 (GV) Institute for Health Policy’s (IHP) SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) MRP provisional estimates of presidential election voting intent in April 2024 show support for NPP/JVP leader A.K. Dissanayake dropped to 39% levelling with SJB leader Sajith Premadasa. Support for Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe increased to 13% while a generic SLPP candidate trailed at 9%. The estimates use the IHP SLOTS Multilevel Regression more..

May 31 (Island) Amidst continuing controversy over UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara’s proposal that both prez and parliamentary polls be put off by two years, senior lawyer Manohara de Silva, PC, said that an amendment could be introduced to extend the President’s term. The constitutional expert, however, emphasised that in terms of Article 83, the incumbent Prez required 2/3 in parliament to approve it and by the people at a referendum, both of which amounted to more..

May 31 (GV) The latest estimates from Institute for Health Policy’s (IHP) SLOTS MRP model show the SJB and NPP/JVP both having 34% support of Sri Lankan adults in April. Support for NPP/JVP and SJB has shown a modest increasing trend since July 2023. Voters’ support for UNP, SLPP, SLFP, ITAK, SLMC and other parties remain relatively unchanged. The April estimates are provisional and are associated with a margin of error of 1–4% for the four leading parties. more..

May 31 (Island) Top Election Commission (EC) officials said that US Ambassador Julie Chung’s meeting with the top management of the independent commission shouldn’t cause concern among the public. EC’s Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said so when The Island sought his response to social media comments in respect of Ambassador Chung paying a visit to the EC on Tuesday. more..