Jun 8 (TM) The discussion on the Govt’s newly introduced tax regulations has triggered various concerns as to what new parties would have to pay taxes, how the opening of tax files would materialise, tax evasion related issues, and most importantly, how fair the new tax regulations are in the current economic context. Amidst these concerns, in a move that is likely to be welcomed by the public, the Govt recently announced that politicians would not be exempted from taxes. more..

Jun 8 (ST) Now that was a shocking thing to say, even if it came from the mouth of a govt MP. Just the other day I read an MP of the Pohottuwa party claim there are some idiots in the cabinet. So what. Even idiots have a constitutional right to sit in the cabinet and vote with their hands held high or whatever way they show approval in that sanctum sanctorum. If anyone convicted of criminal offences or anyone with an unsavoury past like dabbling with the banned LTTE has at one time or more..

Jun 8 (TM) The unsafe use of alcohol or unsafe drinking is observed almost exclusively in males with alcoholic fatty liver being associated at the baseline with the male gender, the state of being overweight, and central obesity while new onset alcoholic fatty liver was associated solely with the male gender, a prospective, community-based study conducted among adults in an urban Sri Lankan community found. These findings were made in an original article on more..

Jun 8 (GV) Increased deforestation, greenhouse gas emission, coal mining, chemical waste and solid waste mismanagement are some of the grave global environmental issues faced at present. The govt’s initiative to establish a Climate Change University reflects Sri Lanka’s proactive efforts towards mitigating the impacts of climate change. Despite the hardline economic measures that have been introduced in a bid to address the country’s economic woes, more..

Jun 8 (CT) A govt without the Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghes: That will be the day. Whoever succeeds the defamed Rajapaksas and politically sterile Wickremasinghe in Sri Lanka in the current environment would have a day to celebrate; without any inhibitions. The country would be observing a day of relief; that might happen or that might not happen. Who would be the bold person or party to usher in such an alleviated circumstance? But history has taught us, if ever we are patient and wise to learn from it, more..

Jun 8 (FT) In 2005, the Newsweek magazine reported that officials at Guantanamo flushed a Koran down a toilet to hurt the feelings of Muslim detainees. In several Muslim-majority lands, protests erupted. 15 people lost their lives. An Australian journalist called religious leaders of that country, including Ajahn Brahmawanso, asking a test question. What would you do if your holy book was flushed down the toilet? Answered Ajahn Brahm, more..

Jun 8 (DM) Food safety goes beyond individual well-being; it plays a crucial role in a nation's overall welfare and economic progress. The imperative lies in prioritizing the modernization of food safety policies, which not only unlocks the immense potential of the food industry but also safeguards the health and safety of all Sri Lankans. What is not safe is not food. Globally, contaminated food results in about 420,000 deaths. Unsafe food also hinders economic growth, more..

Jun 8 (DM) When we cut trees or destroy forests, we cause physical or criminal harm to our mother. When we waste fresh water or other natural resources, we waste what has been given to us with love by our mother. When we pollute the environment by using excessive fuel, we are threatening our her with death. We may not be aware of it, but many of us are doing it and we know that ignorance of the law is not a justification for such a crime. These and related factors would have come to mind when more..

Jun 7 (DM) The Afghanistan cricket team that visited the island for a one-day cricket tournament in Sri Lanka took steps to prepare a special meal at the hotel where they were staying. Afghan superstars Rashid Khan and Yamin Ahmadzai had prepared this dish. A video recorded by the Afghanistan cricket team was published on the Afghanistan Cricket Board's official Youtube channel as well. The meal was called "Shinwari Rosh or Mutton Rosh," which is a famous dish in Pakistan. more..

Jun 7 (CT) The Ministry of Trade and the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) have conveniently made price regulation of eggs and chicken the answer to the soaring cost of vegetables and fish, All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association (ACEPA) charged. ACEPA Secretary, Ratnasiri Alahakoon, when contacted said, “It is unfortunate that the Ministry of Trade and the CAA were attempting to find answers to the country’s protein requirement by slapping regulatory prices on chicken and eggs more..

Jun 7 (Nikkei) As SL rushes to work out debt treatment arrangements with its global creditors, the embattled South Asian nation faces the simultaneous challenge of restructuring domestic debt, sparking unease among the crisis-weary public. The govt had been expected to craft a plan for domestic public debt, largely held by banks and other institutional investors, by the end of May. But a week into June, the country is still waiting for more..

Jun 7 (AD) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia of U.S. Treasury Department, Robert Kaproth concluded his official visit to Sri Lanka during which he met with U.S. Ambassador in Colombo, Julie Chung and a wide range of SLofficials. Kaproth’s visit from June 05-06 focused on gaining a clear understanding of SL’s latest macroeconomic and financial conditions and outlook. During the visit, the Ambassador and Treasury official called on Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and more..

Jun 7 (AD) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered a case against former minister Johnston Fernando, Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayathilake filed over the attack on the GotaGoGama protest site at Galle Face Green to be recalled on July 19, 2023. The case was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage this morning. CID informed the court that a petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal, challenging the instructions provided by the Attorney General more..

Jun 7 (TM) Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union (CTSU) claimed that it is doubtful as to whether teachers will participate in the upcoming GCE O/L paper marking process unless the Govt takes steps to make payments properly for the GCE A/L Exam paper marking. CTSU President Mahinda Jayasinghe said that examiners who are engaging in the A/L paper making process have to face many difficulties as the Govt continuously delays more..

Jun 7 (AN) Food standards save lives is the theme of the fifth World Food Safety Day, which is marked today around the world. The aim is to recognise the importance of standards to keep consumers safe and protect them at the various stages of the food trade. Standards show food products’ origin, composition, appearance, freshness, permissible additives, maximum bacterial content, as well as information on hygienic handling. To mark the occasion, Ministry of Health sponsored more..

Jun 7 (PMD) In a momentous development, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a meeting today with a delegation composed of members from the esteemed SL Red Cross Society (SLRCS) and the prestigious International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The delegation comprised distinguished leaders, including Mr. Jagath Abeysinghe, President of SLRCS, Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, Director General of SLRCS, Mr. Alexander Matheou, more..

Jun 7 (DM) Claiming that more than 400 properties of small and medium-scale industrialists have been seized under the Parate execution law within the first four months of 2023, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the govt to suspend the Parate execution law considering the economic situation in the country. He said that small and medium-scale enterprises are facing a huge crisis today. "Parate law, which has a history of 30 years, should be amended to suit the modern era," more..

Jun 7 (AD) Police fires tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesting uni students near the Sri J'pura Uni at Wijerama Junction in Nugegoda. The protest march had been organized by the IUSF based on several demands including the revoking of the suspensions imposed on several uni student activists. Earlier today, Soratha Road – the stretch of road from Wijerama Junction to the Sri J'pura Uni – had been cordoned off by the police due to the protest march by the IUSF. more..

Jun 7 (EN) SL’s foreign reserves grew US$ 722 million to US$ 3,483 million in May 2023 from US$ 2,761 million in April, official data showed as deflationary policy and weak credit reduced above the line outflows. SL lost almost all its reserve in over two years as the central bank sold reserves and printed money to keep rates down including borrowed dollars from India. Gross official reserves fell to a low of US$ 1,705 mil in Sept 2022. more..

Jun 7 (AD) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, who was arrested over allegations of obstructing police duties, has been granted bail by the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court. Jaffna District MP, who represents the AITC in the parliament, was taken into custody by a team of officers attached to Maruthankerny Police at his residence in Colombo this morning for being complicit in obstructing the duties of police officers and verbally abusing them during a recent incident in Vadamarachchi. more..

Jun 7 (EN) President Ranil Wickremesinghe who stood for freedoms and independence of the judiciary in the past has turned upside down like Singer became Regnis and is now promoting anti-freedom legislation and opposition legislator questioned in parliament. In 2015 Ranil Wickremesinghe was PM he established independence commissions and ensured the independence of the judiciary,” legislator Thushara Indunil Amarasena told parliament. more..

Jun 7 (AD) SL’s national carrier is expecting a profit of USD 50 million for the upcoming year, SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall revealed, adding that he also expects passenger traffic to surpass pre-COVID levels by the end of 2023 owing to the economic boom in tourism. Nuttall said that he expected a stronger outlook for next year, with matters gradually returning to normalcy in terms of SL's economy and its tourist arrivals. more..

Jun 7 (TD) SL economy has not been doing well for the last few decades. Consistent balance of payment issues due to dwindling exports and ballooning imports, low levels of foreign direct investment, and significant youth unemployment and underemployment have been features of the country’s economy. Post-World War II history has shown us that land reform and labor-intensive manufacturing is the key to development. However, during its early years of independence, more..

Jun 7 (DM) State Minister Diana Gamage accused the SJB of forging her resignation in an attempt to remove her from the party's Deputy Secretary post. Gamage said a forged document had been submitted to the Colombo District Court indicating her resignation by the SJB. "This forged document indicating my resignation has been submitted to the District Court. I don't know what games these people are playing with the judiciary by forging documents," Gamage said. more..

Jun 7 (Reuters) Sri Lanka and Thailand could sign a free trade agreement (FTA) by March, a top official of the Indian Ocean nation said, as it attempts to rebuild its crisis-stricken economy. The two nations restarted deal negotiations in January, months after a severe financial crisis engulfed Sri Lanka, as its foreign exchange reserves fell to a record low. "Both sides are enthusiastic and there is strong political will," Sri Lanka's chief FTA negotiator, K.J. Weerasinghe, told Reuters. more..

Jun 7 (Island) India has launched a grant project to provide over 1,000 sanitation units/toilets for the people of the Batticaloa district. The Batticaloa project is among over 20 grant projects that are at various stages of implementation. The Indian High Commission spokesperson in Colombo said that a Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting on construction of sanitation units/toilets in the Batticaloa District was convened on Monday under the co-chairmanship of Deputy HC more..

Jun 7 (CI) Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara blasted out Afghanistan's top order, the spinners took care of the lower order, and then SL's top three raced to the target of 117 in 16 overs. It wasn't much of a workout ahead of the World Cup Qualifier, which starts on June 19; but having lost the first match of this series, the resounding nature of their victories to end the series will nevertheless give Sri Lanka some confidence. more..

Jun 7 (AD) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya and the owner of the YouTube channel SL VLOG Bruno Divakara to be remanded in custody until June 21, 2023. CID arrested the SL VLOG owner on May 31, after grilling him for more than 08 hours over the recent controversial comments of the stand-up comedian. Divakara was brought in for questioning as the video of concern, which had gone viral across social media more..

Jun 7 (EN) Shares closed lower on Wednesday after four consecutive gains in previous sessions spiraled into selling interest and profit taking, an analyst said. ASPI was down 0.28% or 24.39 points to 8,722.06, this is the lowest the index has been since May 02, while the most liquid index S&P SL20 was down 0.4% or 9.92 points to 2,468.44. “The market was gaining in the previous sessions and there is selling and profit taking present today, due to continuously being on green,” an analyst said. more..

Jun 7 (EN) SJB MP Harsha de Silva has been appointed as chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) following a proposal by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, de Silva’s office confirmed. The development follows months of controversy around the ruling SLPP allegedly blocking de Silva’s appointment to the post, despite the president having agreed to it. SJB leader Sajith Premdasa told parliament more..

Jun 7 (DM) PHU leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila thanked the police for arresting TNPF leader and MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. He said certain parliamentarians from both the north and the south are under the impression that they are above the law. "Therefore, we express our pleasure in the police having the backbone to remind the MPs of their real position. "This is not the first time that MP Gajendrakumar had obstructed the duties of the police and the army," Gammanpila claimed. more..

Jun 7 (DM) Minister Ali Sabri has provided a new official residence at Stanmore Crescent to former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, MP Shanakiya Rasamanickam alleged today in Parliament. Minister Ramesh Pathirana who refuted the allegation said that no such thing has taken place and the Minister of Foreign Affairs has no authority to provide official residences to anyone. "Minister of Foreign Affairs has no authority to provide official residences to anyone. Official residences are provided by more..