Nov 8 (CT) As the Parliamentary Elections approach, a striking revelation from the PAFFREL has captured the public’s attention: of 8,000 candidates, only around 1,000 have engaged in campaign activities. This widespread disengagement raises a crucial question: are candidates avoiding traditional electioneering out of choice or lack of motivation? Or else, has the Campaign Finance Act severely curtailed their freedom to connect with voters, so that they have given up on more..

Nov 8 (DM) This week, the Govt stated that 15 officials appointed to Sri Lanka’s foreign diplomatic service on a political basis have been instructed to return by 1 December. According to Cabinet Spokesperson and Foreign Affairs Minister, Vijitha Herath, children and spouses of certain Parliamentarians and Ministers have also been directly appointed to positions below top diplomatic positions. The Govt asserted that such appointments would not be made in the future. more..

Nov 8 (DM) This week the Govt declared all Divisional Secretariat areas nationwide as African Swine Fever (ASF) and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome as infected zones. Govt issued the communiqué under the Animal Diseases Act No. 59 of 1992. This Order enforces strict measures, including a ban on the transport, sale and slaughter of pigs and related products. The directive, which is valid for more..

Nov 8 (DM) Former Mayoress of Colombo and UNP stalwart Rosy Senanayake will be contesting from the Colombo District under the New Democratic Front ticket. In a candid interview with the Daily Mirror, Senanayake explained why former UNP candidates are contesting under a new Party and a symbol while sharing her thoughts about the new govt, challenges and opportunities she has as a candidate from Colombo and the need for women’s empowerment under the new govt. more..

Nov 8 (DM) NPP Executive Committee Member and Women’s Rights Activist Samanmalee Gunasinghe has entered the fray to contest at the upcoming Parliamentary elections. Gunasinghe responded to various allegations vested against the NPP by Opposition factions. She spoke about her journey in politics, NPP’s involvement in empowering women to engage in active politics, criticisms on the statement regarding legalising the trade of the sex workers and her plans for Colombo. more..

Nov 8 (TM) SL’s burgeoning tourism industry, already under pressure to recover post-pandemic, is grappling with an influx of foreign nationals overstaying their visas and engaging in unauthorised business activities. This trend, particularly among Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, and Israeli visitors, has affected local hospitality and tourism operators, who argue they are being sidelined as foreign-run enterprises exploit local loopholes. more..

Nov 8 (DM) Sri Lanka is an island, hence its citizens have to get accustomed to the influences of outsiders who set foot in here. These days are a buzz with the news that Israeli tourists holidaying here can be targets of terror attacks. This news is important from both a security and political perspective. Then, there is this buzz in tourism that foreigners are arriving in SL to soak in its beauty and enjoy a holiday. But the vibe generated in Arugam Bay is rather negative. more..

Nov 8 (DM) Sri Lankans are gullible to pseudoscience. Lawmakers and ambitious people are aware of this existence and use it to their advantage. The last time people believed in such nonsense was when a doctor in Kurunegala was accused of performing illegal sterilisation surgeries on females. Several complaints were lodged against this doctor by a number of mothers. They claimed that after they were treated by this doctor, they experienced complications in conceiving. more..

Nov 7 (EN) Central Bank signed an agreement to obtain and exchange information on investigations and prosecutions of Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and related crimes in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and of any persons connected with such bodies. The Central Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the National Secretariat for NGOs entered into the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday with this regard, the Central Bank said. more..

Nov 7 (EN) The number of Israeli tourists to Sri Lanka had declined, while tourist arrivals in general had risen in October, Minister Vijitha Herath said. “There was a drop in their [Israeli] arrivals. That is true,” he said.. “As of yesterday, there were 151 Israelis reported to be in the country,” Herath said. 21,913 Israelis visited the country in the month of October. On Oct 23, US Embassy in SL asked nationals to avoid Arugam Bay, a popular tourist destination, in SL’s Eastern Coast saying more..

Nov 7 (AD) SL Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association has issued a statement addressing the ongoing passport crisis in the country, citing administrative mismanagement and a lack of adequate planning as key contributors for the issue. According to the association, statements issued by other parties on the matter have often been contradictory and misleading, compelling them to clarify the real situation and advocate for more..

Nov 7 (TM) Minister Vijitha Herath said that certain officials appointed to the country’s foreign service on a political basis have been instructed to return to the island by 1 Dec. He claimed that the children and spouses of MPs and Ministers have also been directly appointed to positions below top diplomatic positions. He declared that such appointments would not be made in the future. “Individuals who are not part of the foreign service have been appointed as Ambassadors and High Commissioners more..

Nov 7 (CT) On World Vegan Day, SLYCAN Trust marked the completion of the first phase of its initiative Plant-Based Gastronomy: Tales of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heritage. At a special event held at The Atrium, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, more than 100 participants came together to celebrate Sri Lanka’s plant-based cuisine and culinary heritage, showcasing how ethical, sustainable, and climate-friendly food systems can support the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors. more..

Nov 7 (IPS) The recent presidential election in Sri Lanka marked a series of firsts, setting it apart from previous elections. It saw a record-low number of 350,516 valid voters per candidate, implementation of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act of 2023, and a second count of votes. Notably, there was also greater engagement from Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in the country’s electoral process than at any time previously. more..

Nov 7 (AD) Sri Lanka has been voted the Most Desirable Island in the World at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024 in London. At the prestigious Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024 held in London, Sri Lanka emerged as the Most Desirable Island in the World, marking a significant milestone in its tourism recovery journey. More than 200,000 passionate travelers voted for Sri Lanka, reflecting the island’s powerful appeal and diverse attractions. more..

Nov 7 (AD) Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi says that despite 8,888 candidates vying for positions in this year’s General Election, fewer than 1,000 are actively campaigning, reflecting a notable decline in political engagement. Hettiarachchi attributed this trend to a shifting public perception regarding the benefits of political involvement and a growing disillusionment with traditional party structures. more..

Nov 7 (Island) A MOU for the construction of a 10-storeyed building for the cancer unit at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle, was finalis­ed at a meeting held at the Defence Ministry at the DHQC in Sri J'pura, Kotte, on Tuesday. The addendum to an MOU signed between the Secretary to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Colours of Courage Trust (Guarantee) Limited (COC) for the construction of a 10-storeyed building for the cancer unit at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, was signed yesterday more..

Nov 7 (AD) The leader of the Sarvajana Balaya alliance, Gampaha District parliamentary candidate Dilith Jayaweera claims that the NPP has failed to fulfil its promises to the people as they lacked the proper understanding of how to fulfil them. Jayaweera said the Sarvajana Balaya alliance is not engaging in politics based on promises and that their focus is on a type of politics that is about only speaking about what is definitely achievable. He highlighted that their wish is to provide more..

Nov 7 (EN) The US has sanctioned an Indian firm which is in a consortium with a Russian firm to manage Mattala Airport, official data showed. U.S. Dept of the Treasury sanctioned India-based Shaurya Aeronautics (Shaurya) last week among 275 individuals and entities involved in supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment that it desperately needs to support its war machine. more..

Nov 7 (EN) Sri Lanka’s gross foreign reserves rose US$ 474 million in the month of October to US$ 6.4 billon, the central bank data showed. Sri Lanka’s gross foreign reserves are made up of central bank’s monetary reserves and fiscal reserves from loans. Sri Lanka signed a US$ 200 million World Bank loan in October, it is not clear whether the it was disbursed. Sri Lankas’ central bank has operated deflationary policy for over two years, leading to balance of payments surpluses. more..

Nov 7 (TM) Indian High Commissioner (HC) to SL Santosh Jha inaugurated and handed over the Thiththavelkiwla Model Village in Monaragala to 24 families. Model Village Housing Project, implemented across all 25 districts of SL with support from the Indian Govt, aims to provide housing for low-income families. Each model village comprises 24 houses, selected by District Housing Committees. The project, initiated in 2017 through a MoU between the two nations, has already more..

Nov 7 (AD) A motion has been filed with the Colombo Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to hand over the investigations into the death of infamous underworld figure and drug lord Makandure Madush, who was allegedly killed in a crossfire between police and suspected underworld figures while in police custody, to the CID. A motion filed by a group of attorneys who appeared for the rights of the victim was taken up before more..

Nov 7 (FT) The fourth Youth Summit on Cyber Security 2024 took place at the BMICH in Colombo recently, where over 800 students and educators came together to tackle pressing issues in the field of digital safety. Organised by the Daily FT and CICRA Holdings and endorsed by the Education Ministry, this event celebrated a decade of Cyber Security Summits but also aimed to equip SL’s youth with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. more..

Nov 7 (AD) The Secretary to the Ministry of Trade M.M. Naimuddin today (07) handed over the report prepared by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on rice and paddy stocks in the country to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This assessment of the rice stocks available within the country was carried out following the Prez’s directive to gauge the rice supply amidst a market shortage of several varieties, including Nadu, White and Red Raw rice. In response to the instructions, more..

Nov 7 (PMD) Two newly appointed Ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (07). The two new envoys, His Excellency Adel Ibrahim, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and His Excellency Mr. ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan, also paid courtesy calls on the President following the presentation of credentials. more..

Nov 7 (AD) Another illegally assembled luxury car has been found in the garage of a Kapuwa, who was previously arrested over similar charges related to the possession of an illegally assembled vehicle. Investigating officers have located this additional luxury car during the interrogation of the Kapuwa of the Galthenna Devalaya in Kandy, who was recently arrested and remanded, police said. Further investigations revealed that the luxury carin question bore the same license plate more..

Nov 7 (AD) The Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association stresses that the growing rice shortage in the market is caused by the increased use of raw rice for beer production. According to the association, diverting more rice for brewing has impacted the availability of rice for consumers, leading to rising prices. Chairman of the association explained that the raw rice used in beer production is sourced from Nadu paddy. more..

Nov 7 (DM) Claiming that some opposition politicians are alleging that the govt has failed to fulfil its promises, Minister Vijitha Herath said the manifesto of the National People's Power (NPP) was presented to be completed within five years and not within five weeks. He told an election rally that the govt presented its manifesto to be completed in five years and that it cannot be fulfilled within five weeks as claimed by some opposition politicians like Sajith Premadasa. more..

Nov 7 (AD) Former Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife have been ordered to be remanded further until Nov 18 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court. The former Minister of State Lohan Ratwatte and his wife, who were arrested and remanded over the charges of using a luxury car illegally imported and assembled in SL, were produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court this morning. Ratwatte, who was arrested by Mirihana Police in Kandy on Oct 31, was ordered to be more..

Nov 7 (FT) SJB National List candidate Ranjith Madduma Bandara has strongly criticised the current Govt led by the NPP, citing unmet promises and growing discontent among the public. He highlighted the challenges facing the NPP administration, which took office nearly two months ago, following Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election victory. Bandara emphasised that Dissanayake’s Presidency, secured with more..

Nov 7 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed hope that SL will receive the third tranche under the IMF EFF by the end of January or early February next year. He said that IMF delegation is set to arrive in the country next week (14) and it usually takes around 3 months to complete the third review. Prez said the third review was delayed due to the two elections and added that if the third review had commenced in September as scheduled earlier, then it could have been completed by Dec. more..

Nov 7 (AD) British High Commissioner to SL Andrew Patrick has expressed eagerness to further strengthen the strong bilateral ties between SL and UK. During a meeting with Secretary to the Prez Dr. Nandika Kumanayake today, the British High Commissioner has proposed that steps be taken to educate SL MPs about the British parliamentary system to further enhance governance in SL, while emphasizing the significance of the British local govt system, noting its potential to reduce fraud more..