People’s Struggle Alliance condemns US Embassy’s terror alert
Oct 28 (FT) People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA), led by the Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP), last week voiced strong concerns regarding the recent US Embassy announcement cautioning its citizens visiting Sri Lanka about potential terror threats in Sri Lanka, specifically in the tourist hub of Arugam Bay. PSA Colombo district candidate Tharindu Uduwaragedara questioned both the timing of the Embassy’s statement and the Sri Lankan Government’s lack of an official response.
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No decline in tourist arrivals at Arugam Bay: Residents
Oct 28 (DM) Residents of the area and those engaging in tourism in Arugam Bay tourist zone point out that there is no unusual decline in foreign tourist arrivals in the area but there is a decline since this is off season. They said that despite a few Israeli tourists having left the area following the travel advisory a heavy influx of local tourists was being experienced at present, despite it being the off season. The recent information gathering momentum on a possible terrorist attack in
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Vehicle imports: Extra tax on dealers if they do not register within 90 days
Oct 28 (ST) A tax equivalent of 3 percent of the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value of a newly imported vehicle will be levied from the vehicle importers under new regulations on lifting import restrictions if they fail to register the vehicle within 90 days of importation. A senior Treasury official said the tax was aimed at preventing dealers from importing vehicles in bulk and stocking them in sales outlets, as
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'Two-thirds of public sector FTE expenses could be cut with correct technology'
Oct 28 (DM) The govt could potentially cut off two-thirds of its public sector workforce expenses by strategically implementing the correct technology to streamline public services, according to former ICTA chairman. Admin and public sector institutions in Sri Lanka are still overly reliant on investing in outdated on-premises systems that only end up increasing overhead costs even when more cost-effective digital solutions are readily available for better service efficiency,
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Easter Sunday attack inquires: Gammanpila to launch signature petition
Oct 28 (TM) Former MP Udaya Gammanpila said that they are planning to commence a public petition by gathering signatures to urge Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to remove current Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Senevirathne and Criminal Intelligence Analysis and Prevention Division Director Shani Abeysekara from the respective positions. Senevirathne, former SDIG of CID, and Abeysekera, its former Director, have been implicated in the report (which was released
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Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Manusha warns of threat to Korean job quota for Lankans
Oct 28 (FT) Former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara raised concerns about the potential loss of thousands of South Korean E8 visa category jobs for SL workers. He attributed this threat to inefficiencies within the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) and the current Govt, which he claims are jeopardising hard-won employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in South Korea. During a meeting, Nanayakkara described the extensive effort that went into securing E8 visa jobs for SL citizens.
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Sri Lanka prints Rs100bn through open market operations
Oct 28 (EN) Central Bank has injected around 100 billion rupees against domestic assets through multiple liquidity tools by Oct 25, driving up excess money in the banking system to over 190 billion rupees. CB injected 36.16 billion rupees through an overnight auction and 70 billion rupees for 7 days through a term auction of printed money. By October 25, excess liquidity deposited in the CB’s standing facility was 193.4 billion rupees, up from 138 billion rupees a month earlier.
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Singapore edge out Sri Lanka to take Asian Netball crown
Oct 28 (EN) Singapore emerged victorious over Sri Lanka in a closely contested final at the 13 th Asian Netball Championship, winning by a narrow margin of 67-64 played at Bangalaru, India yesterday. This final saw the most thrilling one after both teams equalled the points 52 all after four quarters while in extra 14 minutes once again two teams made closely contested game and after the first half of the extra time (7 minutes)
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India financing 35MW rooftop solar systems to multi-religious sites
Oct 28 (EN) A ceremonial handing over of solar power systems under a 17 million dollar, 25 MegaWatt rooftop solar project financed by India took place at four separate sites, Indian High Commission (embassy) in Colombo said. The solar systems were given to Hokandara Temple, Sri Aanjaneyar Temple, St. Anthony’s Church and Mutwal Jumma Mosque in the Western Province. The events were attended by officials from the Indian HC in Sri Lanka, CEB, and SLSEA.
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550 boxers vie for honours at Stubbs Shield meet
Oct 28 (DN) The 105th Stubbs Shield, SL’s oldest and most prestigious school boxing tournament, will begin on Oct 31 at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo. The tournament will run until Nov 5, drawing 550 boxers from 126 schools nationwide, competing across three age groups—under 16, under 18, and under 20—in 36 weight classes. This year’s competition, part of Education Ministry’s National School Games, promises fierce battles as top young boxers vie for the coveted Stubbs
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Sri Lanka's signs of batting resurgence good headache for Asalanka
Oct 28 (CI) Suddenly, SL have serious batting options. It was only in July that they crashed out of the T20 World Cup after an exceptionally dire showing in their first two matches. They'd stunk up the ODI World Cup even worse in late 2023, failing to finish among the top eight, and as such, missing out on qualification for the Champions Trophy for the first time. While there were issues with the bowling too, consensus had been that SL's batting
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Afghanistan ‘A’ win maiden Emerging Asia Cup beating Sri Lanka 'A"
Oct 28 (DN) Afghanistan ‘A’ emerged as champions, recording a 7-wicket win with 11 balls to spare against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the Men’s T-20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup final played in Oman yesterday. This was the first time Afghanistan ‘A’ won this tournament, achieved through a superb team effort. Left-handed opener Sediqullah Atal made an impressive batting display, completing an unbeaten 55 runs off 55 balls with 3 fours and a six. He was named Player of the Series after
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Oddity of the National List – Twins in a single body: A commentary
Oct 28 (Island) Forthcoming General Election allows us to revisit the state of the 29 individuals commonly known as the National List—apportion members under Article 99 of the Constitution—to join the 196 elected members in parliament as stipulated in Article 98(1). This List is akin to a shadow bicameral legislature with a moiety of members who have no accountability to the voting electors, the people, because they never had to promise anything to the voters and never received a vote
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ආණ්ඩුව ලොස්ද
CASIO intensifies fight against counterfeits
Oct 28 (FT) In a strong commitment to upholding brand integrity and protecting consumers, Casio Computer Co. Ltd, headquartered in Japan, after its successful enforcement against counterfeit watches, recently conducted another significant enforcement action against counterfeit calculators including both desktop and scientific ranges, in SL. This initiative is part of the Casio Group’s IP Enforcement Policy, aimed at combating the rising issue of counterfeit Casio products in the SL market and
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New appointments at Treasury
Oct 28 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the following appointments according to a proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Compilation, Planning and Tourism. Appointment of H.C.D.L. Silva, the Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Accountant Service, who is serving as a Director General of the Department of Treasury Operations, to the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. Appointment of D.A.P. Abesekara,
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IFS marks $ 1 b contribution to Sri Lanka
Oct 28 (FT) Global leader in enterprise cloud and industrial AI software IFS will be marking a $ 1 billion contribution to Sri Lanka by end of this year whilst promising further commitment to the country, according to its CEO Mark Moffat. “The $ 1 billion economic value added is happening this year. This is by way of successive investments, salaries etc., over the past 27 years and that is accelerating,” Moffat said during an interview on the sidelines of
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When young David became Goliath at Monza
Oct 28 (ST) Sri Lankan young motorsport sensation Yevan David created history last weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale de Monza in Italy, taking the distinct honour of playing the national anthem, not once, but twice. In a gripping and fiercely competed final race, 17-year-old David got the better of Fernando Barichelo by a mere 0.5 seconds to clinch his second race of the 2024 FormulaEuro World of Formula competition and to be crowned as the overall champion.
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Editorial: Victory & defeat equally balanced
Oct 28 (Island) JVP-led NPP bagged 15 out of 17 wards in Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) local govt election, but could not secure a working majority. Opposition parties obtained 15 seats, including two wards won by the SJB, which obtained a total of 6 seats; SLPP won 3 seats, People’s Alliance 2 seats, Independent Group 2 seats, National People’s Party 1 seat, and People’s United Freedom Alliance 1 seat. NPP is flaunting the Elpitiya PS election outcome as a great victory for it.
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ඇල්පිටියේ ප්රතිඵලය මාලිමාවට මතක...
No political opposition? Such nonsense from the NPP
Oct 28 (ST) The rhetoric of the Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) Presidency in calling on the public to fill the Parliament with members of his NPP party in the General Elections on 14th Nov 2024, has given rise to significant democratic discomfort. How can this not be so given that the Prez does not speak in a historical vacuum with our turbulent political past exhibiting exactly why this is such a disastrous eventuality? Slickly comforting reassurances from his Cabinet that
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President AKD! Constitutionalising social rights, Sine-Qua-Non for Sri Lanka!
Oct 28 (CT) Economic crisis has been long in the making. In response to the crisis, govt implemented dramatic austerity measures. People’s protests were a challenge to the existing economic order, authoritarian rule and in effect the deficiencies of the constitution. It was apparent that austerity as the only solution to economic recovery has been further driving the economy down the abyss. SL’s economic policies and the legal frameworks have been failing to secure the lives of ordinary people.
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IPKF in Sri Lanka: A diplomatic blunder
Oct 28 (SO) A few days ago, Jaffna Teaching Hospital paid tribute to 21 civilians including patients and doctors who were gunned down by the IPKF personnel on Oct 21, 1987. The portraits of all 21 victims were displayed within the Hospital decorated with garlands to mark the 37th anniversary of the horrible incident. Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jeyshankar, a career diplomat was functioning as a special official
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The urgent fight against child sexual abuse
Oct 28 (GV) As defined by the UN Int'l Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a child is any person under the age of 18. This period of life for any child is supposed to be marked by safety, love and development. However for many children, these formative years are marred by abuse – an alarming reality that society must confront head on. According to statistics from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) for the first six months of this year, there were 4,380 child abuse
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National security & Border control
Oct 28 (TM) The recent disruption of day-to-day life and tourism in SL due to heightened risk warnings by several foreign nations, has pushed the island nation's porous border control system, and its Foreign Affairs apparatus back into the spotlight. With the US issuing a security alert for tourists, and officials regarding visiting the west-coast surfing magnet – Arugam bay, the warning opened a can of worms for the local tourism industry and the Govt, who were both left with their pants down,
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FTZs have become places of misery
Oct 28 (CT) Free Trade Zone (FTZ) workers have long faced significant challenges financially, gender-based violence and sexual harassment and exploitation, but their plight during election time is especially concerning. Of the 80,000 FTZ workers in SL, 22% were unable to vote in the recent Prez Election, according to several civil organisations supporting their welfare. Nowhere else in the world would workers lose their attendance
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Petty politics shouldn’t divert attention from justice to Palestine
Oct 28 (DM) The Middle East, more realistically East Asia, is now virtually a tinder box. Over the past decade or so Israel has assassinated a number of Iranian scientists. Iran protested the provocations but took no retaliatory action. Perhaps this emboldened Israel to attack the leader of Hamas earlier this month, while he was a guest of the Iranian govt. At this point, Iran retaliated. Hundreds of missiles rained down on Israeli military targets. Some cities too were hit.
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Shoot the Messenger or Shoot Yourself in the Foot?
Oct 28 (DM) Last Wednesday, we exposed Udaya Gammanpila when he attempted to embarrass the govt and garner some attention to himself, along with the govt’s response to his claims. We do not want to see the new Prez—born from the hopes and aspirations of the people, and poised to comfortably win the parliamentary elections and rule the country for next five years—lose his credibility so swiftly due to drama orchestrated by disgruntled politicians over a report by a politically motivatedmore..
Plot to attack Israelis backed by a foreign power
Oct 27 (ST) Police have averted what would otherwise have turned out to be a massacre of Israelis in a synagogue in Arugam Bay on the southeast coast. The attacks had been planned for a day between Oct 19 and 24 during a largely attended religious event that was taking place, according to intelligence sources. They said investigations were underway to ascertain to what extent a foreign power was backing the plot
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Terror threats: Govt claims situation under control
Oct 27 (TM) In light of recent terror threats, Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne has confirmed that security measures have been significantly enhanced nationwide. “The situation is currently under control,” he said, emphasising that authorities were actively implementing precautions to address any potential risks. Seneviratne said that with the support of all security forces, Sri Lanka had been able to bring the situation under control. “This threat is not just targeted at SL;
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Israeli citizens in Sri Lanka: Removal of arrival slips complicates tracking
Oct 27 (TM) The decision to eliminate arrival and departure slips, a legal requirement for all passengers entering and leaving Sri Lanka, from 1 May, has raised significant concerns regarding national security, particularly in locating Israeli citizens currently in the country. SL Immigration & Emigration Officers’ Association Secretary K.P. Manawadu had addressed this issue in a letter to the Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration on 30 April.
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A few Israelis remain in Sri Lanka surfing town despite terrorism warning
Oct 27 (Reuters) The last of the Israelis left in a scenic surfing hotspot in SL said they felt safe and would stay put despite a warning from the Israeli govt to immediately leave due to the threat of a possible terrorist attack. Israel's national security council called on Israelis on Wednesday to get out of tourist areas in the south of the Indian Ocean island nation, saying it had information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas & beaches.
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Sri Lanka safe but worries over future tourist bookings
Oct 27 (ST) The Sri Lankan tourism industry is concerned about future bookings due to the series of travel advisories by the US and several other countries which generate travellers to the country, while Sri Lanka Tourism has urged tourists to visit saying they are safe. At the moment except for a few there have not been any cancellations by tourists visiting the Arugam Bay on the east coast, Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka President M. Shanthikumar said.
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Lanka allowed to join as partner member of BRICS; will join group’s development bank
Oct 27 (ST) Sri Lanka’s application to join the BRICS as a full member was not accepted, in view of the group’s decision to maintain the membership at nine, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath told the Sunday Times. However, he said permission had been granted for Sri Lanka to join as a partner membership country. Mr. Herath said that permission had also been given to join the BRICS’ New Development Bank, which provides financial assistance to member countries.
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