Easter attack allegations: Gammanpila to release reports today
Oct 21 (TM) Leader of the PHU Udaya Gammanpila, announced his intention to release two unpublished reports related to the Easter Sunday attacks today, as the deadline he gave Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to make the reports public expires at 10 a.m. The reports, commissioned by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, focus on the alleged involvement of SL’s intelligence services in relation to the 2019 attacks and
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Police seize luxury vehicles from house of former Minister’s son-in-law
Oct 21 (DN) Kandy Division Criminal Investigation Bureau has confiscated a BMW and a Prado jeep, valued at approximately Rs. 60 million, from the residence of former Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena's son-in-law in Aniwatta, Kandy. The seizure took place following information received by the SSP in charge of the Kandy Division. Police said that no one in the house was able to make a legal claim regarding these vehicles and hence they were seized accordingly.
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2019 Easter tragedy: Stop politicising the terrorist attack; Bishops Conf.
Oct 21 (TM) The Catholic Bishops Conference of SL (CBCSL) asked all parties including the Govt to stop using the Easter Sunday terror attacks for political gains and implement the recommendations contained in the reports that have already been released by the committees that investigated it. Former MP Udaya Gammanpila recently vowed to release two unpublished reports on the Easter Sunday attacks if the Govt fails to do so by today, and Minister Vijitha Herath challenged
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Police suspect murder after 3 bodies found following Chilaw house fire
Oct 21 (AD) Police investigations with regard to the three bodies found inside a two-storey house which was on fire in the Sinhapura area in Chilaw, are progressing on the suspicion of a possible homicide as one of the bodies was found with her throat slit. A 42-year-old man, his 40-year-old wife and their 15-year-old daughter were found dead inside the house after the fire was extinguished. Mother was found dead on
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Pushpika gets crown back
Oct 21 (FT) The Mount Lavinia District Court has ordered that the Mrs. Sri Lanka 2021 title be reinstated to Pushpika de Silva, following a legal dispute after the crown was stripped from her in 2022. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, follows a case filed by de Silva challenging the decision to remove her title. de Silva’s crown was initially revoked in 2022 after she alleged that corruption had prevented her from winning the global Mrs. World competition held in the US that same year.
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Manusha says NPP’s lies getting exposed
Oct 21 (NW) Former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara criticized the current govt, accusing it of implementing reforms without proper understanding and relying heavily on loans. He contrasted this with former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration, which he claimed managed the country’s finances with foresight. He said the JVP would be remembered as the first political party to use deceit to gain power. He said, “JVP is trying to move up the election date because they know things
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පත්තරේ විස්තරේ
Sri Lanka signs letter against Israel’s ban on UN chief
Oct 21 (ST) SL was a signatory to a letter signed by 105 countries condemning Israel for banning UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering Israel, SL’s Ambassador to the UN, Mohan Peiris, said. SL Permanent Mission in New York (UN) had asked the Chilean mission that sponsored the letter in support of UN SG that their names be added to the letter circulated on Oct 11th and had been informed by Chilean mission that an updated version of the signatories would be released
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Lohan’s private secretary found dead with gunshot injuries
Oct 21 (DM) A private secretary of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has been found dead in a house in the Katugastota area today (20). Police said he was found dead with gunshot injuries and that a firearm was also discovered near the body. Police are yet to determine whether the death was a suicide or a homicide. The deceased is a 49-year old resident of Werellagama in Katugastota while he had served as a private secretary to former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.
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Presidential candidates: EC to publicly display expenditure reports
Oct 21 (TM) The campaign expenditure reports of Prez candidates, submitted within the specified period, are to be displayed at Election Commission (EC) and District Secretariats (DS) while reports not submitted on time will be referred to the Police for further action, it is learnt. Under the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023, all Prez candidates were supposed to submit reports detailing their campaign expenditures,
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Imthiaz slams Govt refusal to sign joint UN letter condemning Israel
Oct 21 (FT) Former SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar expressed deep concern over Sri Lanka’s recent decision not to sign the joint letter issued by 105 countries condemning Israel’s ban on UN Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country. He said the letter reaffirms the crucial role of the UN in mediating global conflicts and providing humanitarian assistance, particularly in the ongoing Middle East crisis, and reflects the growing international call for justice and peace.
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Akalanka creates history with stunning display at Australian Nationals
Oct 21 (DN) SL’s top backstroke swimmer, Akalanka Peiris, has made a significant mark in int'l swimming by qualifying for the 2025 Singapore World Aquatic Championships. The 24-year-old, who is based in Australia, achieved the feat at the Australian Swimming Nationals held in Adelaide, where he set two new SL national records in the Men’s 50m and 100m backstroke events. In the Men’s 100m Backstroke event, Peiris clocked an impressive 53.47 sec, smashing his own previous record
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Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Exam fraud: CTU calls for removal of Commissioner General of Examinations
Oct 21 (TM) Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) called for the immediate removal of the Commissioner General of Examinations due to recent incidents of examination fraud and the alleged failure to implement adequate measures in response. This demand was made by CTU President Priyantha Fernando. Fernando highlighted two extremely serious cases of examination fraud that have occurred under the current Commissioner General’s supervision.
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Vimansa breaks 200 m National Youth record
Oct 21 (Island) St. Joseph Vaz’s College, Wennappuwa sprinter Vimansa Rajakaruna established a new national youth record in the 200 metres and Nannapurawa MV Bibila athlete Madushani Herath produced an outstanding long jump feat to hog the limelight on day three of the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship in Colombo. Rajakaruna renewed the youth record with a feat of 21.42 seconds to win the Under 18 boys’ 200 metres ahead of Shashintha Silva
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Dr. Hans to lead Govt’s digitalisation process
Oct 21 (CT) The NPP Govt has invited top telecommunications sector professional Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya to head the Govt-proposed digitalisation process under a new institutional framework, Govt sources said. The sources also said he is willing to accept the invitation and commence work next month. Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, CEO of Axiata Group’s Telecommunications Business,
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Tea industry crucial to economic growth: Minister Vijitha Herath
Oct 21 (FT) Industries Minister Vijitha Herath last week underscored the critical role of the tea industry in driving economic growth, job creation and international recognition during his address at the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Herath called for a collective effort from all stakeholders to strengthen the sector, highlighting the importance of collaboration between tea factory owners, exporters, labourers and the Govt to ensure a prosperous future for the industry.
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Sri Lanka joins BRICS International Fashion Federation as Founding Member
Oct 21 (FT) At the recent BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, leaders from fashion associations across over 50 countries announced the formation of the BRICS International Fashion Federation, which includes Sri Lanka. This initiative aims to establish new centres of influence, strengthen international ties, improve industry sustainability, and provide emerging designers with opportunities to grow. Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) Managing Director Ajai V. Singh said:
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As Lebanon is pounded, Sri Lankans face a dilemma—to stay or go
Oct 21 (ST) An estimated 7,600 SL migrant workers and 126 SL UN peacekeepers are currently in Lebanon, with the situation escalating, but most workers are yet undecided whether to return home or remain in that country, which is under intense military bombardment by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). In Southern Lebanon, where SL soldiers are stationed as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),
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New Zealand beat South Africa in to win first Women's T20 World Cup title
Oct 21 (CI) Oct 20 can be written in big, bold letters, as one of NZ cricket's unforgettable dates. Hours after men's team recorded a famous Test win, their first in India in 36 years, the women's team delivered the country's maiden T20I World Cup in style in Dubai. As a nation of four million clocked in to work on Monday morning, Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates - grandmas of the team as Bates laughed in jest - had just about finished theirs, getting their hands on Women's T20 WC trophy
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Sri Lanka surpasses IMF annual primary surplus target
Oct 21 (DM) SL has exceeded IMF’s annual primary surplus target with the primary surplus reaching estimated 2.1% of GDP during the first eight months of the year. According to Pre-Election Budgetary Position Report 2024 released by the Ministry of Finance last week, the primary balance notably improved to Rs. 648.8 billion in the first eight months of this year from Rs. 55 billion recorded in the same period of 2023. However, it was down from 3.7% of GDP recorded in the first half of this year.
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ගම්මන්පිලට කළින්
Zellers reintroduces iconic chocolates with new flavours
Oct 21 (FT) The return of Zellers Chocolates aims to reshape SL’s premium chocolate market while reviving cherished memories from the past. Zellers stands as a pioneer in local craftsmanship and innovation, as fine chocolates have become a beloved indulgence and synonymous with amazing moments. Now, the brand aims to bring Sri Lankans world-class chocolates with a local twist, paying homage to the fond memories of time-honoured generations, while helping a whole new
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CIS’s Mikhail, only male diver to qualify World Juniors
Oct 21 (ST) Colombo International School’s (CIS) Mikhail Jayaweera, SL’s only male diver to qualify for the World Aquatic Junior Diving Championship, has once again grabbed attention by winning the Junior National title at the 48th National Diving Championship, organised by the SL Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), concluded at the Air Force Swimming Pool Complex in Ratmalana. Mikhail, who was the sole diver representing his school, led CIS to secure the overall runners-up title in
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Asalanka, Madushka help SL take 1-0 lead
Oct 21 (CI) A 137-run stand between Charith Asalanka and debutant Nishan Madushka provided the base as SL comfortably chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in Pallekele, to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Asalanka top-scored with a 71-ball 77, while Madushka finished with 69 off 54. Both departed unable to see the chase through, but considering the precarious position at which they had come together - 45 for 3 in the 7th over
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Mastermind at large; Udaya in crosshairs
Oct 21 (Island) PHU Leader and former MP Udaya Gammanpila is scheduled to release two vital probe committee reports pertaining to the Easter Sunday terror attacks, today. If things go as planned, the documents will be accessible online in a few hours. The annexures of the reports will be withheld as they contain sensitive information related to national security, Gammanpila has said. The reports at issue were prepared by two committees appointed by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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All hail, the warped comedy of Sri Lanka’s three ex-presidents
Oct 21 (ST) The hideous sight of three former Presidents of Sri Lanka laughing their heads off on the national stage when invited by the country’s accounting professionals to speak on a corruption culture that brought the nation to ruinous bankruptcy in 2022 sums up exactly why the political parties that they lead have been resoundingly rejected by the people. No more and no less. Certainly there is nothing wrong with a pithy joke or two in addressing an audience.
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"අල්ලනකොට කෙඳිරිගාන්න නම් එපා.."
A call for healthier lifestyles
Oct 21 (CT) WHO has issued a stark warning: by 2050, over 35 million new cancer cases are expected globally, a significant increase from the 20 million cases recorded in 2022. While this prediction alarms many nations, it is the low and middle-income countries, including SL, that are predicted to face the steepest rise in cancer rates. In Sri Lanka, this growing cancer burden calls for urgent attention to the factors contributing to this health crisis, particularly lifestyle-related causes.
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Is AKD the Robin Hood of Sri Lanka?
Oct 21 (CT) Robin Hood was a legend in the middle ages, who took away wealth from the Sheriff and the rich, to give the poor. In many of the stories about him, he was depicted as a heroic outlaw and rebel against tyranny. He was living in the Sherwood forest in England, with his loyal comrades fighting for justice, while facing tremendous hardships. The astonishing victory of the JVP/NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in the presidential election has invoked my beliefs in the power of
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Waiting for a democratic opposition
Oct 21 (GV) The point had been made often enough. Without a Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency, there wouldn’t have been an Anura Kumara Dissanayake presidency. For the NPP/JVP to go from 3% to 42% in four plus years, the system had to be broken from within by the very leaders entrusted with its care by a majority of voters. Gotabaya Rajapaksa achieved that feat in ways inconceivable even by his most stringent
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Relevance of a neutral foreign policy
Oct 21 (Island) The front page of the Daily FT (Oct 9) carries a front page report, titled “Sri Lanka reaffirms neutral diplomacy.” The report states: “The Cabinet Spokesman and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday had assured that Sri Lanka maintains balanced diplomatic relations with all countries, reaffirming its policy of friends of all and enemy of none”. Quoting the Foreign Minister, the report states: “There is no favouritism. We do not consider any country to be special.
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Conflicting reports and Lanka’s position re- sanctions on UNSG
Oct 21 (DM) Sri Lanka has always backed the cause of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people. Whichever govt was in power, unlike India which more recently has refrained from condemning Israel’s genocide in Palestine, SL has been consistent in its support of Palestinian rights. Therefore Lankans were shaken to the core, when a particular news media on 18 October announced SL had opted not to back the condemning of Israel for its travel ban on UN Secretary-General.
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Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia to boost trade, investments ties
Oct 21 (DM) Saudi Ambassador Khalid Alkahtani shared his views on bilateral ties as the two countries mark 50 years of bilateral relations. Q: How have bilateral ties evolved over the years? A: Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and SL were established in 1974. SL opened its Embassy in Jeddah in 1983 and later relocated to Riyadh in 1985. From 1977 to 1995, Kingdom’s Embassy in New Delhi oversaw bilateral relations
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Evolving the Army
Oct 21 (DM) The Sri Lanka Army, a key institution of the State, is in a period of transition as it turns 75 years this month. The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is at present undergoing an evolution, with the aim of transforming into an effective force that is both a deterrent and able to address a range of dynamic threats which Sri Lanka may face in the future. In many countries, such transitions take place following large-scale conflicts or when constitutional changes occur.
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World Bank’s Development Trap for Sri Lanka
Oct 21 (DM) The Western establishment has many ways to corner developing countries like Sri Lanka and set their economic trajectory in the interests of global capital. I have written extensively about the role of the IMF in trapping SL with financialised commercial borrowing and austerity measures. In this column, I address the other powerful twin from Washington, the World Bank, and its economic policy-making role in SL. The World Bank’s SL Development Update Oct 2024,
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