Dec 5 (ST) 16 years after the signing of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), SL still lags behind on rights and facilities. groups representing these citizens complain. They say the contribution of the state has been limited to an allowance and all the hype in November and the first week of December, when the Int'l Day of Persons with Disabilities approaches. Sri Lanka has 1.6 million people with disabilities. more..

Dec 5 (Island) Minorities for the most part live in some apprehension of the power of the majority. At their worst, majorities can inflict violence on minorities, such as in the form of riots. While minorities may resist, they tend to be at the receiving end. In democracies, minorities will invariably face the problem of majority rule, as the majority’s view of what is important will tend to take precedence over what the minority thinks as being important. Therefore, concepts of rule of law more..

Dec 5 (ST) Supreme Court (SC) has prevented former Kurunegala mayor and four other suspects from obtaining a second ruling from the Court of Appeal (CA) preventing their arrest after the SC had vacated an earlier such order issued by the CA. Having considered submissions made by Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon over the case regarding the demolition of the Raja Sabha Mandapaya (Royal Assembly Hall) of King Buwanekabahu in Kurunegala, more..

Dec 5 (ST) Weeks after the Nov 14th decision of the Supreme Court with the majority holding gross failures in fiscal and monetary discipline by the Rajapaksa-led regime from 2019-2022 had comprised an extraordinary breach of the Public Trust triggering SL’s bankruptcy, it does not seem that political leaders or their cheering squads have learnt important lessons reflected therein. Debates on both the majority (four judges) and minority (one judge) rulings are primarily driven by more..

Dec 5 (DM) In SL, the Carbon Crediting Scheme (SLCCS) is a national offset scheme established to support local clean projects to benefit from climate finance for Greenhouse Gas emission (GHG) reduction. This scheme is developed with well-defined provisions to enhance credibility, transparency and quality of emission reduction in SL. In an era, where vast opportunities are growing for low-cost GHG reduction projects, SLCCS enables it to bring multiple benefits to more..

Dec 5 (TM) A year after the worst of the crisis, SL’s problems remain far from fixed. With food, healthcare, and power costs still high and increasing, and poverty rates on an upward trajectory, economic recovery continues to elude the general public. Headline inflation, as measured by the YoY change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index was at 1.5% in Oct 2023 compared to its peak of around 70% in Sept last year. more..

Dec 5 (DM) What becomes of a people who are not just abandoned but willfully dispossessed by the state using the crisis as an opportunity? How do the people respond when political parties hardly see their suffering, and their trade unions are for the most part muted? These are questions we are confronted with as one of the most regressive budgets is about to be passed by an illegitimate Parliament. The implications of Budget 2024 are far reaching. Prez – elected by this very more..

Dec 5 (DM) As alerted by some foreign intelligence agencies a few days ago, a person identified as Dwaraka, the daughter of the slain leader of the LTTE Velupillai Prabhakaran appeared on a Europe-based website last Monday (Nov 27) and made a speech, marking the outfit’s Maveerar Naal (Great Heroes’ Day). The intelligence agencies had told that Dwaraka’s image had been created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to show the world that the LTTE leader’s daughter had not been killed in more..

Dec 5 (TM) He was never known to mince words, but, they were minced and spat out with great humour. And, in this instance, the truth, which nearly always hits home, certainly hit home hard. His brand of satire is courageous, to say the least. A genius playwright, a magnificent actor, and a bona fide director, Feroze Kamardeen has been in the Sri Lankan theatre for three decades or more. With over 40 plays under his belt, including more..

Dec 5 (TM) The recent death of a teenage child at the hands of a Matron, who was charged with his care in a National Child Protection Authority designated children’s detention home in Kalmunai, highlights the plight of children’s rights and the duty of care of state officials have towards them in SL, today. Such reports would have normally triggered a public backlash, but the masses and the state officials seem to be preoccupied with the ongoing cricket saga, or who gets more time to more..

Dec 5 (CT) The plight of SL last year is a horrendous memory no one wants any reminding of. However, the State, it would seem, possesses the ability to compartmentalise and disconnect not in the aftermath but amidst the storm too. Due to the economic collapse, worst in recent times, our people were forced into long arduous lines to procure essentials, some were made to choose between one meal or two a day while others were starving for days on end; no electricity, no food, more..

Dec 4 (TI) When Lasith Malinga was on song, his toe-crushing yorkers terrifying opposition batters in white-ball cricket for a decade-and-a-half, SL did not have to worry much. Three years after retirement, Malinga is on song again, but on a different pitch. The former speedster has penned some songs and he looks to rock with his deliveries this time too. “Mastering the Yorker has been a great journey of following my passion. Now, I am again restless with my newest passion. more..

Dec 4 (DN) On the invitation of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, nearly 200 children with disabilities visited the Parliament today representing several schools all over the island, symbolizing the International Day of the Disabled Community which falls on 3rd Dec. After the group of students arrived at the public gallery of the Parliament, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena welcomed and greeted them. Speaker mentioned that this is truly a remarkable moment more..

Dec 4 (DM) Rohitha Bogollagama, known as one of the most extravagant Foreign Ministers in the history of SL, has re-entered public service as the High Commissioner designates of SL in London and has allegedly resumed his high-spending lifestyle even in less than a few months of travelling to the UK. Bogollagama was nominated as the special representative of Prez Wickremesinghe at 2023 UN peacekeeping ministerial meeting more..

Dec 4 (EN) Citrus Leisure Plc has said it will open its revolving restaurant at the Lotus Tower in a week or so. “We wish to inform you that Banquet Hall on the 26th floor and Revolving Restaurant on the 27th floor of the Lotus Tower Colombo, are expected to be opened on or around Dec 9,” Citrus Leisure said. “Get ready for a culinary revolution! Blue Orbit by Citrus, SL’s first revolving restaurant and the tallest in South Asia, is set to elevate your dining experience to new heights!” more..

Dec 4 (DM) Addressing the salary anomalies of teachers as a top priority during the current economic crisis may pose significant challenges in meeting the identified priorities for children, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said. He said the govt's primary focus is on distributing textbooks and uniforms, providing meals, and supplying shoes to schoolchildren. However, despite these requests, certain parties have advocated for rectifying of salary anomalies for teachers. more..

Dec 4 (EN) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has raised a question in parliament about profits said to have been earned by the CEB from increased hydro power generation and why that benefit cannot be passed on to the consumer. He sais that half a million electricity consumers have been disconnected from their power supply. “A few million have received a red notice warning of disconnection. more..

Dec 4 (AD) Sports Minister Harin Fernando says that a decision has been taken to appoint a new Selection Committee for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Minister said that the new Cricket Selection Committee will be chaired by former SL cricketer Upul Tharanga. However, Fernando did not elaborate on the other members of the committee and when the new selection committee will exactly be appointed. Ex-cricketer Pramodya Wickramasinghe serves as chairman of more..

Dec 4 (EN) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has vowed to take legal action against people that robbed the country. He said govt MPs who harassed him in parliament will not be able to undo his resolve to bring to book those that brought SL to financial ruin. “As you must have seen, when the court verdict on these people who violated human rights of this country was being discussed in parliament, those inside parliament that supported the family rule and also raised their hand more..

Dec 4 (DM) In a significant move to enhance the availability and accessibility of Coca-Cola products across SL, Coca-Cola Beverages SL (CCBSL) and Lanka Sathosa Ltd have announced the renewal of their strategic partnership, effective Oct 30, 2023. The partnership ensures the availability of a diverse range of Coca-Cola products across Sathosa’s extensive network of 430+ nationwide outlets. The signing ceremony was graced by key representatives from both CCBSL and more..

Dec 4 (DM) SL will see women heading the Army, Navy and Air Force before long, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon said. “A woman can only earn the rank of Major, especially in the army. However, the govt is looking towards changing military laws so that women could head the three forces,” Minister said speaking during the committee stage debate. “SL is yet to give equal status to women in many aspects. It was Bikkuni Sangamitta who brought the sacred more..

Dec 4 (DM) Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando, last week instructed the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) to look into the possibility of holding the 14th South Asian Games (SAG) 2024 in SL. In a special discussion held with the Ministry of Sports officials of NOCSL and top athletic, rugby, and football officials called by the Minister, NOCSL authorities were given the instructions, Director General, Dept of Sports Development, more..

Dec 4 (PHC) Pakistan High Commission, Colombo in collaboration with Higher Education Commission, Pakistan held Allama Iqbal Scholarship Award distribution, in a graceful ceremony for the session 2023, amongst the deserving SL students. The scholarship is named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal, one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He envisioned the freedom movement and separate land for the people of Pakistan, which contributed towards establishment of Pakistan in 1947. more..

Dec 4 (AD) Minister of Sports Harin Fernando has appointed a 15-member National Sports Council, replacing its former chairman Arjuna Ranatunga with Dr. Maiya Gunasekara. The members of the new National Sports Council are as follows: 1. Dr. Maiya Gunasekara – Chairman; 2. Mr. I.U. Wickramasuriya – Secretary; 3. Mrs. Sriyani Kulawansa; 4. Major General (Rtd) Rajitha Ampemohotti; 5. Prof. Arjuna de Silva; 6. Mr. Panduka Keerthinada; 7. Mr. Ana G. G. Punchihewa; 8. Mr. Malik Kader more..

Dec 4 (Island) Sri Lanka has done extremely well on the economic front during the last 18 months, says former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. Dr. Coomaraswamy revealed his assessment of the country’s economic recovery process while addressing a Centre of Poverty Analysis (CEPA) symposium recently held under the theme, Retrospect & Prospects on Poverty more..

Dec 4 (EN) SL’s Haycarb Plc, an exporter of activated carbon said it had begun a campaign to expand coconut cultivation in the north of the island. This is being done in partnership with the Coconut Development Authority and Coconut Cultivation Board. “Haycarb aims to plant 100,000 coconut trees in the Northern regions of Sri Lanka, including Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna. This initiative is a vital part of a broader national endeavour to establish a second coconut triangle,” more..

Dec 4 (AD) State Minister Ashoka Priyantha says that more than 1,300 individuals have been recruited to the management service based on the results of Limited Competitive Examination for Recruitment of Management Service Officers held in 2021. In response to a question raised by an MP, State Minister expressed that accordingly, 660 officers were recruited to the management service under the first phase while 276 officers under the second phase and 448 officers under more..

Dec 4 (CT) Extensive environmental damage is being caused by the construction of an electric fence against wild elephants along Pambahinna Mawatha in Rajawaka Forest Reserve. This expansive fence, stretching over 57 km, has resulted in the marking of 8,338 trees within the Rajawaka Reserve, Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said. The CEJ alleged that the entire contentious project is being led by Secretary Ranjith Pushpakumara, operating under the authority of Minister more..

Dec 4 (AD) Uni of Kelaniya, excluding the Faculty of Medicine, has been closed until further notice. Accordingly, all hostels of the uni excluding the Medical Faculty’s hostels, will remain closed while all students have been instructed to vacate their respective hostels before 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Decision has been reached at by the uni administration owing to an alleged incident of a security officer of the university being abducted and assaulted while he was sleeping in more..

Dec 4 (AD) Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports have decreased by 14.6 % to USD 898.0 million in Oct 2023 compared to October 2022. Also, it is a 13.13 % decrease when compared to the value recorded in Sept 2023, the EDB says. The decline in merchandise exports is due to decreased demand for export products, particularly in sectors such as Apparel and Textiles, Rubber & Rubber-based products, and Coconut and more..

Dec 4 (AD) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) says it has formally lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in SL against former Sports Minister MP Roshan Ranasinghe. The complaint has been filed over the alleged misuse of funds provided by SLC to the National Sports Fund for the development of various other sports in Sri Lanka, the SLC said in a statement. The SLC said the decision to file this complaint stems from the concern that more..

Dec 4 (DM) Dehiattakandiya Base Hospital is facing a crisis as its only surgeon has left the country, bringing all surgeries to a standstill and leaving patients in desperation. This concern has been informed to the relevant health authorities by the Hospital Director in the form of a letter, and the actions are yet to be taken. According to the letter, 50 surgeries have been suspended, including emergency surgeries. Despite patients being sent to the nearby hospitals, including more..