Oct 23 (ST) SL is having a remarkable year in Test cricket with six wins out of eight matches played so far in 2024. Their recent series victory against New Zealand rewarded the consistency displayed throughout the third edition of ICC World Test C'ship. Amidst this success, off-spinner Nishan Pieris has emerged as a key figure, reaping the rewards for his dedication and commitment since entering domestic cricket in 2016.
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Forgotten legislative protection
Oct 23 (TM) These days there is much talk of introducing new legislation or upgrading existing legal frameworks on a myriad of issues SL needs to address. While many of these legislative shortcomings impact the populous, rule of law and governance of our little island, there is one area which is hardly spoken about. Like govts of the past, the new caretaker Govt of Prez Dissnayake has emphasised the need to improve digitalisation, both of State services & pvt sector.
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Editorial: Enough gimmicks: Knuckle down
Oct 23 (Island) The new government is in overdrive to recover the state-owned vehicles which, it says, the former Presidents have been using in addition to the ones they are entitled to. No one should be allowed to misuse vehicles that belong to the public. However, some vehicles assigned to the security team of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have also been withdrawn, according to SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam. This is a matter for concern.
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විපක්ෂයට ඔළුවක් හයි කරනු ලැබේ!
Easter Sunday attacks and The reports saga
Oct 23 (CT) On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, suicide terrorist bombings that took place in three Churches and three hotels in SL killed around 277 people (including 8 suicide bombers) and wounded more than 400 people as per the information provided by Police HQ. At least, 40 foreign nationals and 45 children were reported to be among the dead. Investigators identified Zahran Hashim, one-time leader of the National Thowheed Jamaath, as the main suspect behind the execution of
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Forgotten legislative protection
Oct 23 (TM) These days there is much talk of introducing new legislation or upgrading existing legal frameworks on a myriad of issues SL needs to address. While many of these legislative shortcomings impact the populous, rule of law and governance of our little island, there is one area which is hardly spoken about. Like govts of the past, the new caretaker Govt has emphasised the need to improve the island’s – digitalisation, both of State services and the private sector.
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'Improving trade openness and agri. sector will help'
Oct 23 (TM) Sri Lanka needs to move quickly to reduce wasteful State expenditure and take robust measures to enhance its exports to make the most of the current economic climate which has improved to a moderate standing, says former Director for Development Economics and Chief Economist for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia at the World Bank Prof. Shantayanan Devarajan. Speaking on current economic
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Youth suicide: Need for greater intergenerational awareness
Oct 23 (GV) The recent incidents reported in the Sri Lankan media regarding youth suicides have revealed that the mental and emotional wellbeing of our children is in serious decline. This a global phenomenon, with adolescents all over the world experiencing high levels of stress. My thoughts expressed in this article are general observations and in no way reflect on any one person, individually. All of us as a community are struggling to understand this situation.
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SL needs a change in exchange rate policy
Oct 23 (CT) The IMF promotes a floating exchange rate mechanism. CBSL governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe agrees with it, I think. Some economists too insist that CBSL cannot regulate the exchange rate, hence should allow the rupee to float. SJB has a different idea. They say that they allow first floating the currency to permit market forces to reveal the equilibrium rate, and then stabilizing that rate through CBSL intervention. I am not sure about the ideological stance of prez
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‘Marking 3 preferences at Parliament poll’
Oct 23 (TM) The recent Prez Election brought about both praise and controversy. While the Prez Election was one of the most peaceful and well-organised Elections in history, certain issues emerged along the way. A few officials from Govt agencies were removed for allegedly engaging in political activities, and there were concerns about an alleged premature counting of preferential votes. Despite these issues, election observers,
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Continuing investigations and reports into Easter Sunday killings
Oct 23 (DM) It is over five years since the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks which left over 270 persons dead. The families of the victims in that mass killing still remain traumatised. There has as yet, been no closure to their sufferings as we Lankan’s as a whole and Catholics in particular have no idea as to who master-minded the evil deed. The attack itself was carried out by a number of demented terrorists who happened to belong to the Muslim faith. At the time some politicians attempted to
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Gammanpila’s Wikileaks: Campaigner or attention-seeker?
Oct 23 (DM) Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks exposed confidential documents in 2010, sparking unprecedented controversy and leading to intense scrutiny of American involvement in foreign conflicts. In SL, certain opposition politicians, particularly those associated with previous administrations responsible for the country’s earlier political and economic mismanagement, have begun a relentless mud-slinging campaign against the newly elected President and his small cabinet.
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ගම්මන්පිල දන්නේ නෑ එයා උස්සන් යන...
Sri Lanka to amend telecom law for third-party tower construction
Oct 22 (DW) Sri Lanka is set to amend its TRC Act for the first time in 28 years, allowing third-party companies to construct telecom towers. That significant change aims to enhance competition and foster development in the telecommunications sector while promoting sustainable growth and ensuring market fairness. The need for this amendment has arisen from financial constraints resulting from an unprecedented economic crisis, forcing telecom companies to reduce their budgets
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Encouraged by Sri Lanka’s commitment to continue reform efforts: IMF chief
Oct 22 (AD) The Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva has met with Sri Lanka’s delegation led by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the 2024 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington DC. IMF Managing Director said that she is encouraged by the SL authorities’ commitment to continue the reform efforts to safeguard the hard-won gains under the IMF-supported program.
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Gota agrees to testify in court on Lalith-Kugan case
Oct 22 (NW) Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has expressed his willingness to provide testimony in any court in the country, except the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court, regarding the disappearance of two human rights activists in 2011. This statement was made through his lawyer, Romesh de Silva, during a hearing at the Supreme Court today. The case pertains to the abduction of Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan,
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Security Forces seeking immunity sparks outrage
Oct 22 (CT) An alleged plea by top security officials to withdraw human rights cases filed against senior underworld encounter officers, followed by a directive from Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the Attorney General, has stirred controversy, with human rights activists vehemently opposing any such move. On 20 Oct, it was reported that, during a recent National Security Council meeting, SL’s security chiefs urged Prez Dissanayake to exempt them from ongoing human rights cases and
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Johnston to record statement at CID over luxury car found at hotel
Oct 22 (AD) Former Minister Johnston Fernando’s attorneys have informed the Court of Appeal that he will appear before the CID tomorrow to provide a statement regarding the unregistered luxury car allegedly belonging to him, which was found parked at a star-class hotel in Colombo. A petition filed by Johnston Fernando seeking an order to prevent his arrest over the incident was taken up for consideration today. During this, his attorneys informed the court that
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Control Price of Rice Remains Unchanged
Oct 22 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated the controlled price of rice will not change. He also highlighted that plans are underway for a long-term program to create an organized agricultural plan, which would provide greater benefits to farmers. President Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion held today at the Presidential Secretariat with rice millers and officials from
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Harsha backs AKD on rice issue
Oct 22 (AM) Following a meeting between rice mill owners and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today on the ongoing rice price issue, former SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva held a special press conference regarding the matter as well. During the media briefing, Dr. de Silva expressed his support for Prez Dissanayake's stance on rice price control and clarified that he bears no personal grudge against Sirisena. "The rice monopoly didn't start today," Dr. de Silva noted, pointing out that
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Posters insulting the Mannar HC Judge CCD on the hunt for former MP Sri Ranga
Oct 22 (DN) Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage that investigations have been launched to arrest, obtain a statement from, and produce former MP Sri Ranga alleged to be the mastermind behind an incident of pasting posters insulting the Mannar High Court Judge. Colombo Crimes Division informed the Court that former MP Sri Ranga could not be arrested. Eight suspects were remanded in custody in connection with
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ප්රහාරයට කලින් රවී සෙනවිරත්නගෙන්...
Cardinal questions credibility of Ranil’s committee to probe SIS, CNI
Oct 22 (DM) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith questioned the motive behind former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe appointing a committee headed by Retired Judge A.N.J. Alwis earlier this year, to look into actions taken by the certain intelligence authorities in the lead up to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing. The committee was appointed to investigate the actions of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) & other related authorities
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Sri Lanka delegation to BRICS summit led by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane
Oct 22 (MFA) Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane will lead the SL delegation to the BRICS Outreach/ BRICS Plus Summit to be held in Kazan, Russia from 22-24 Oct. BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa recently expanded its membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE. Over the years BRICS has become an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. SL has formally initiated the application
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Statement on misinformation over the demise of Radhya Gunasekera occurred
Oct 22 (DM) Parents of the late Radhya Gunasekera, a teenager who tragically passed away on 7 Oct at the Lotus Tower, have issued a heartfelt statement addressing the widespread misinformation and harmful speculation surrounding the circumstances of their daughter's death. They emphasize the emotional and psychological toll inflicted on Radhya due to baseless rumors and relentless bullying by some parents and
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Netball: Sri Lanka beat Japan to record fourth straight win
Oct 22 (DM) This was Sri Lanka’s fourth successive win in the tournament following their success over the Philippines (71-41), Saudi Arabia (118-5) and India (81-31) respectively. The six-time champions, targeting a hat-trick of titles, took the opening quarter 17-6 and built up a commanding 39-11 lead at half time. SL conceded just a solitary goal to their opponents in the third quarter and went on to add the finishing touches in style. SL will play Malaysia in another fixture tomorrow,
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Lanka Corrugated Industries enters new era
Oct 22 (FT) Lanka Corrugated Industries (LCI), a long-standing player in SL’s packaging sector, said this week it is entering a new phase of growth with a substantial upgrade in capacity and technology. A BOI-approved venture, LCI has provided reliable, high-quality packaging solutions for over two decades. Originally founded by entrepreneur Sydney Gajanayake, the company is now gearing up to reshape the industry with state-of-the-art equipment sourced from China and Europe.
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‘Take over ACE Embilipitiya’
Oct 22 (TM) Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) called on the Govt to immediately take control of the ACE Embilipitiya Power Plant, raising concerns over its alleged significant financial losses, along with claims of mismanagement and corruption. ECA Chairperson Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed that the failure to bring the power plant under Govt control has already caused considerable losses. “Due to the Govt’s delay in
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Govt to restrict disposal of railway & SLTB scrap metals to local industrialists
Oct 22 (NW) Cabinet approval has been granted for the disposal of scrap metals in the SL Railway Department and Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) via international competitive bids for local industrialists. According to the govt, a huge amount of scrap metals is collected by the SL Railway Dept and SLTB annually. Approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting in June 2024 to remove the stock of scrap metals collected at present following the int'l competitive bidding procedure.
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Reduce cost of living without increasing public sector salaries: IRES
Oct 22 (Island) Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Reforms & Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake says Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has got his priorities mixed up and is making the same mistakes as his predecessors. Prez, while launching the NPP parliamentary election campaign from Hambantota a few days ago, promised to increase public sector salaries through Budget 2025. IRES head said that increasing public sector wages would only benefit about 1.6 m
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ඔබ හරි අවාසනාවන්තයි
New DGs appointed to Coast Conservation Dept. and Central Cultural Fund
Oct 22 (AD) The Cabinet has granted approval to appoint Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe as the new Director General of the SL Coast Conservation Dept. Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana, who had served as the Director General of SL Coast Conservation Dept, retired from the service on Sept 13, 2024 after the completion of 55 years of service. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Defense,
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Prepare a new proposal to rationalize the Provincial Council system
Oct 22 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the Governors to prepare and submit a new proposal aimed at rationalizing the Provincial Council mechanism. The President also stated that, given the current govt’s transitional period, the provincial councils must strive to deliver the best possible services to improve the living conditions of the people. President Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion held with the Governors this morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
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Sri Lanka’s export economy heavily concentrated around apparel: IPS
Oct 22 (EN) SL’s goods and services exports accounted for nearly 20.4% of GDP in 2023, with manufacturing exports contributing 14%, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) said, noting however that the country’s export economy remains heavily concentrated around industrial goods, particularly apparel. IPS said that industrial goods—primarily apparel—make up 77% of export income, while agricultural exports contribute just 22%.
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China donates Rs. 30 million to Sri Lanka as emergency flood relief
Oct 22 (PMD) Chinese Ambassador to SL, Qi Zhenhong, met with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat. During their meeting, Ambassador Qi made a donation of LKR 30 million (USD 100,000) as emergency flood relief to assist those affected by the recent flooding in the country. In addition to immediate relief measures, the discussion also extended to a dialogue about long-term flood prevention and management strategies.
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SriLankan airlines regains 7-star rating after pilot incident
Oct 22 (DM) AirlineRatings.com, an Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency, has restored SriLankan Airlines' 7-star status after the airline took swift action against pilot for breaking cockpit protocol rules, SriLankan airlines announced today. Earlier, the airline's safety rating had been downgraded from seven to six stars by AirlineRatings.com due to an incident involving a captain who reportedly locked his female co-pilot out of the cockpit during a 10-hour flight
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