'Send an honest team to Parliament to enable political transformation'
Oct 22 (SO) National Executive Member of the NPP Sunil Handunneththi said that the people at the Nov 14 General Election should send an honest and capable team to Parliament who can give a new dimension to the political transformation that has taken place in the country. In an interview, Handunneththi said that the NPP has put an end to the political culture which hurled insults and slung mud at their political opponents.
more..
‘Ratan Tata wasn’t a mere tycoon: He embodied the very soul of India’
Oct 22 (ST) Rattan Tata was not born with a silver key that would grant him automatic entry to the Tata kingdom nor with a direct claim to the Tata bloodline. However, when he died last week in Mumbai at the age of 86, he was not only the Tata Group’s emeritus chairman but celebrated as the business tycoon who turned Tata’s 5 billion dollar turnover into 100 billion dollars by transforming the Indian conglomerate into a global powerhouse all within a 21-year tenure in the chairman’s office.
more..
The never ending clash with the UNHRC
Oct 22 (DM) The new govt of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is encountering or is going to encounter several dilemmas some of which threaten its very survival, despite the ruling NPP or the main constituent of it, JVP having not been responsible for them. Planning and executing the economic growth so that the country would be able to repay the foreign debt from 2028, meting out justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, finding a lasting solution to the ethnic problem,
more..
Navigating Sri Lanka’s perpetual flood crisis
Oct 22 (CT) Despite the country having witnessed many disasters in the past accompanied by heavy rainfall during the South-west, North-east and inter-monsoon seasons, it seems no proper action has been taken so far to avert such situations. It is a pressing issue, as it directly impacts human life and livelihoods as well. Developing resilience against such natural disasters is the need of the hour. Many areas beyond vulnerable zones,
more..
Aftermath of AKD victory: What is in store
Oct 22 (CT) First action he is to take, is to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections. During this period from dissolution to summoning new parliament, country would be ruled by an interim govt, which will be constituted by members of the existing parliament. JVP has only five members including the newly nominated one, and therefore needs others to join. There will not be much problem as there are number of Muslim MPs who are ready to somersault, and opportunistic MPs like
more..
Editorial: Of that damning report
Oct 22 (Island) It is now clear why the JVP/NPP govt refused to release the reports of the presidential committees that probed Channel-4 allegations against the SL military, and the intelligence coordination and investigative processes, as regards the Easter Sunday terror attacks (21 April 2019). The committees headed by former Supreme Court judge S. I. Imam and retired High Court judge A.N.J. de Alwis submitted their reports to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who appointed them.
more..
ගම්මන්පිලගේ කොන්තරාත්තුව
Health crisis: GMOA seeks meeting with President and PM
Oct 21 (TM) Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is still awaiting a response from the Govt regarding its request for an immediate meeting with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, amid rising concerns about the country’s medical health situation. GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that it was yet to receive a response from the Prez or the PM to the letter it sent several weeks ago, soon after the new Govt was appointed.
more..
Electricity tariffs: New proposal awaits PUCSL nod
Oct 21 (TM) The CEB has stated that while a new tariff proposal has already been prepared by the board, it is waiting for the establishment of the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) to submit it. A senior official attached to the CEB, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that the decision on whether the tariff would be increased or decreased would be made by the PUCSL, which had the authority to do so. “We are waiting until the PUCSL is established,” the official stressed.
more..
Wet balls contribute to West Indies' defeat in Pallekele
Oct 21 (CI) West Indies have been unhappy with the state of the pitches in Sri Lanka. After their 2-1 defeat in the T20I series in Dambulla, coach Daren Sammy went as far as to claim a moral victory for West Indies, for having supposedly pushed SL into producing turning tracks for games two and three. In the first ODI, West Indies didn't just get another dry surface, the weather in Pallekele also conspired against them.
more..
Farmers face crisis amid controversial areca nut imports
Oct 21 (FT) The Spices and Allied Products Producers’ and Traders’ Association (SAPPTA) has raised concerns about the negative impacts of recent Government policies related to areca nut imports. In a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the SAPPTA has outlined far-reaching consequences of the Govt’s decision to re-issue import licences for areca nut, leading to a crisis in the domestic market and jeopardising crucial trade relations with India.
more..
LG polls will be on already submitted nominations
Oct 21 (DN) Election Commission emphasises that the Local Govt elections will be conducted as per the earlier submitted nominations, Elections Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said. This is despite issues such as some political parties not being operational after submitting nominations for the Local Govt elections, and some candidates switching alliances. Ratnayake also noted that holding the LG elections under the current circumstances presents a good opportunity
more..
Sri Lanka to receive $ 1.69 b in loans within next 3-5 years: Report
Oct 21 (TM) The govt has spent only 53% of the welfare budget allocated for the year within the first eight months up to August. A latest report from the Finance Ministry indicates that the welfare budget has primarily been used to fund the Aswesuma welfare programme. Meanwhile, the report also states that Sri Lanka is expected to receive $ 1.69 billion in loans from multilateral agencies within the next three to five years.
more..
Petition filed against 2024 General Election date
Oct 21 (AD) A petition has been filed with the Supreme Court challenging the decision to hold the General Election on Nov 14, seeking an order declaring that the decision violates the Constitution. The relevant petition has been filed by the civil society activist and convenor of the Api Sri Lanka national organization Priyantha Herath. Attorney General, Secretary to the President, Chairman of the Election Commission and its members have been named as respondents in the petition.
more..
Appointments to State agencies: TUs objects new PDB Chair
Oct 21 (TM) United Employees Union of the Palmyrah Development Board (PDB) has urged Minister Vijitha Herath to reconsider the prospective appointment of Mariapillai Selvin as the new Chairperson of the Palm Development Board. In a letter addressed to the minister, the union raised serious concerns regarding allegations of corruption, fraud, and irregularities associated with Selvin. The union highlighted ongoing investigations into Selvin’s activities during his previous tenure as
more..
ගම්මන්පිලගේ විශේෂ මාධ්ය සාකච්ඡාව
Drop in tea and rubber production, coconut cultivations put on a brave face
Oct 21 (Island) During the first eight months of 2024, tea production saw a year-on-year decline, primarily due to unfavourable dry weather in March and April. However, production recovered in the subsequent months as weather conditions improved. Rubber production, although increasing steadily at the start of the year, experienced a year-on-year drop from January to August, largely due to adverse weather that affected tapping operations, particularly in the second quarter. In contrast,
more..
Sri Lanka restructures China Exim Loans, recapitalizing US$200mn in interest
Oct 21 (EN) SL has restructured about US$ 4 billion of loans from the Export Import of Bank of China, capitalizing US$ 200.9 million of interest in arrears. By March 2024 SL owed US$ 3,993 million of loan to China’s Exim Bank, which included US$ 903.8 million of principle in arrears. China Exim Bank funded SL’s Norochcholai coal plant, which was described by the island’s auditor general as the best investment made since, Mahaweli program with its hydro power plants in the 1980s.
more..
Income tax revenue surges 16.3% in 2024
Oct 21 (TM) SL’s state revenue from income taxes increased by 16.3% to Rs 624.7 billion in the first 8 months of 2024, Finance Ministry said. According to the Pre-election Budgetary Position report by the Treasury, revenue from income taxes increased notably by 16.3% to Rs. 624.7 billion in the first eight months of 2024 compared to Rs. 537.2 billion in the same period of 2023. “This is mainly due to the impact of implemented tax policy changes
more..
Budget 2025 to be presented in Feb or Mar
Oct 21 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the Budget 2025 will be presented to Parliament in February or March next year. The announcement was made during the inaugural General Election rally of the NPP in Tangalle. In his address, Prez Dissanayake revealed that a Vote on Account will be introduced in December to ensure the necessary financial provisions until the full Budget is tabled. He also highlighted that the upcoming Budget is expected to include
more..
Beware of eZ Cash scammers: Police
Oct 21 (CT) The public has been advised by the Police to remain vigilant and exercise caution regarding individuals involved in scams using the eZ Cash money transfer app, DIG Nihal Thalduwa. He explained, “These scammers can approach the public in various ways, asking for money under the pretext of helping people in distress. Their targets include officials from the private and govt sectors, students, and the public. They may request urgent money transfers via the eZ Cash app,
more..
Inflation drops to -0.2% in September
Oct 21 (AD) The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), has decreased to -0.2% in Sept 2024 from 1.1% in August 2024, according to the latest data. Meanwhile, food inflation also decreased to 0.5% in Sept, down from 2.3% in August. NCPI for all items for the month of Sept 2024 is 203.1 and it records a decrease of 1.0 in index points compared to Aug 2024.
more..
Over 50 firearms returned as per temporary handover notice by Defence Ministry
Oct 21 (AD) More than 50 firearms have been returned in response to the notice requiring civilians to temporarily hand over firearms and ammunition issued to them, according to Ministry of Defence. This decision was taken in compliance with the powers vested in the Defence Secretary under Sections 6(1) and 6(2) of the Firearms Ordinance Act No. 33 of 1916, allowing the govt to takeover firearms temporarily. Ministry stated that these firearms would be reissued after a review
more..
NMSJ criticises lack of consultation on dismantling National People’s Council
Oct 21 (FT) National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) led by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has said the Govt should have consulted the organisation before abolishing the National People’s Council (NPC) proposed by it which was intended to function as a participatory democratic model promoting active public involvement. Following the election of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a decision was also taken by the Cabinet to dismantle the NPC Secretariat set up to implement
more..
අල්ලනකොට කෙදිරිගාන්න එපා උදය
Sri Lanka sees foreign inflows into govt securities for fifth straight week
Oct 21 (EN) Sri Lanka saw foreign inflows into its govt securities for the fifth straight week ended on Oct 16, data showed. However, foreign exchange analysts said the demand for rupee-denominated govt securities has slowed after yields fell last week. SL witnessed 495 million rupees ($1,7 million at 1 US dollar = 295 LKR) inflow into govt securities in the week ended on Oct 16, but much lower than the previous week’s inflow of 6.9 billion rupees (($23.4 mln), the official data showed.
more..
Gammanpila’s revealation : Cardinal says not accepting twisted reports
Oct 21 (NW) The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says attempts are being made to mislead the public regarding the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks. Archbishop said a new group, including former govt officials and MPs, is now working to create confusion regarding the probe. “Among the two reports of the former govt, one contains the same recommendations that were made by the PCoI into the Easter attacks.
more..
Marikkar slams Govt. for failing to deliver on key promises
Oct 21 (FT) SJB Colombo district candidate S.M. Marikkar voiced strong criticism over the weekend against the current NPP Govt, highlighting their failure to deliver on key promises made during their election campaign. Marikkar expressed disappointment over the escalating cost of living and heavy tax burden faced by the public, while accusing the Govt of prioritising media campaigns over meaningful governance.
more..
Sri Lanka’s rough rice forecast hiked to 2.02mn tonnes for 2024 Yala season
Oct 21 (EN) SL’s Yala season rough rice crop is projected at 2.02 million metric tonnes with 488,957 hectares cultivated up to end August. The projection is up from 1.77mn metric tonnes based in July based on cultivation progress at the time. After the seed paddy requirement of 80,000 MT, and abut 120,000MT of wastage, about 1.82 million metric tonnes of paddy would be available for milling. After milling, about 1.24 million metric tonnes of rice would be available for consumption.
more..
Sri Lanka struggles with high poultry feed costs amid maize trade controls
Oct 21 (EN) Sri Lanka is trying to find a solution to high costs of poultry feed amid import duties and trade controls for maize, which is keeping eggs and meat prices high, in a country which has high child malnutrition. To give unusually high profits to maize farmers and maize collectors, generally called the maize mafia, Sri Lanka has not only imposed 25 rupees a kilo import taxes (about 86 dollars a tonne), but also imposes quantity restrictions through a license raj.
more..
3 found dead inside burning Chilaw home: Double murder-suicide suspected
Oct 21 (AD) A post mortem examinations have been conducted today with regard to the three bodies found inside a two-storey house which was on fire in the Sinhapura area in Chilaw yesterday. Accordingly, the autopsies have revealed that the deceased woman and her daughter had been murdered by slitting their throats before their bodies were set on fire. Chilaw General Hospital’s JMO had carried out the post-mortem exam
more..
3 vehicles used by ex-president Mahinda returned to presidential secretariat
Oct 21 (AD) Three vehicles previously assigned for the use of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have been returned to the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. The vehicles returned today include an ambulance, a van and a double-cab. On Oct 1, the vehicles that had been brought to the Presidential Secretariat from various govt institutions, including Ministries and Departments, were returned to their respective agencies at the parking area near the secretariat.
more..
Call to withdraw FR cases against officers tackling underworld
Oct 21 (DM) Following a request from security chiefs for the removal of Fundamental Rights cases and arrest orders against officers tackling the rising underworld, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Attorney General to immediately intervene to address these allegations against such members of the law enforcement authorities. This was revealed when the National Security Council met last week, where they discussed the practical problems to combat the rising underworld
more..
ඩොලර් පෙරලන්න BRICS!
Undue attack on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP
Oct 21 (FT) I am delighted to express my heartfelt congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), a leader who has gained the trust and admiration of all Sri Lankans be it Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and even the Estate community, by being elected as the Ninth Executive President and Commander-in-Chief of Sri Lanka with an overwhelming majority. President Dissanayake’s remarkable accomplishment lies in his ability to cast aside pomp and circumstance, choosing
more..
What can AKD (and also SP and RW) learn from Economics Nobel Laureates in 2024?
Oct 21 (FT) Last week, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Sveriges Riksbank (Central Bank of Sweden) instituted Nobel Memorial Prize for Economic Sciences to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson abbreviated as AJR. The citation said that they are being recognised for this high award for their breakthrough studies of how institutions are formed and how they affect prosperity. The first two are presently located at the MIT and the last one at the Uni of Chicago,
more..