Sep 22 (CT) The Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC), set up with funding of Rs 400 million from Port City Developers, is facing scrutiny over food stalls leased to private parties. It has been reported that these stalls will be removed by March 2027. This comes in the wake of the Dept of Immigration & Emigration’s preparations to implement the special three visa categories for the Port City in the coming two weeks. more..

Sep 22 (DM) This is pearl of a nation which looks up to heroes rather than working professionals. We saw the Mahinda Rajapaksa era when people looked up to the former president as a hero and said that they’d survive on one meal a day and not complain if funds can be used to finish off the war against terrorism. After the war concluded, that prez used his office, the funds available and loans taken, during his next term, to invest on projects that didn’t promise a worthy return. more..

Sep 22 (DM) The Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority (SNSCA) alleges that Royal Turf Club (RTC) is yet to pay a sum of Rs. 40 million as maintenance dues over the past few years. The 82-acre expanse of land- located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya- is one of the city’s main attractions. However, since 2012, this land came under the purview of the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority where the latter was responsible for its maintenance. But in addition to the failure of more..

Sep 22 (TM) In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the role of academic institutions and learning resources is continually adapting to meet the dynamic needs of students and learners worldwide. At the forefront of this transformation stands Arun Rajamani, Managing Director at Cambridge Uni Press and Assessment South Asia. With a distinguished career spanning over 28 years in the education sector, more..

Sep 22 (CT) Sri Lanka is nearing another election year amidst the prevailing economic crises. In relation to this growing election atmosphere, uncertainties have begun to emerge again. Some people fear that it might cause a reversal of the IMF programme. Therefore, they predict that Sri Lanka may succeed in its initial IMF reviews in Sept 2023 and March 2024, but election-related possible economic easing processes could hinder the third review in Sept 2024. more..

Sep 22 (TM) In a landmark decision, Supreme Court recently ordered the CEB to pay a compensation of Rs. one million to the Vavuniya Solar Power (Pvt) Ltd Co. following the hearing of a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the latter regarding failure to provide a licence to establish a renewable energy plant over several years. The SC also found fault with the State-owned renewable energy regulator, SL Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), for failing in their duty, and ordered more..

Sep 21 (DM) The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order preventing the operation of an explanation letter sent by SLFP Chairman Maithripala Sirisena to former SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara. Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana made this order taking into consideration a plaint filed by Dayasiri Jayasekara who was recently ousted from his role as the General Secretary of the SLFP. This enjoining order will be effective till Oct 5. more..

Sep 21 (DM) A heated verbal battle between Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and former Prez Maithripala Sirisena which erupted during the debate in Parliament on the Channel 4 allegations on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks caught the attention of many. The verbal battle erupted when Fonseka called MP Sirisena one of the two masterminds behind the April 21 bomb attacks. The Field Marshal said this when Sirisena recalled that the former could not even defend the Army Hq. more..

Sep 21 (EN) The 2022 annual average return on SL’s largest contributory pension scheme, the EPF, has fallen to its lowest in nearly two decades, Central Bank data showed. The annual average return in the last year fell to 9.52% from the previous year’s 11.4%. Returns on EPF has raised concerns among contributors after the govt decided to include EPF investments in the govt treasury bonds under the domestic debt optimization process. more..

Sep 21 (PMD) Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that over the past year, inflation in SL has significantly decreased to 62.1%, thanks to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s robust economic reform agenda. Mr. Siyambalapitiya also highlighted that inflation, which stood by 66.7% during the first and second quarters of 2022, has now plummeted to just 4.6% for the same period in 2023. He made this announcement during a press conference held at Prez Media Center, more..

Sep 21 (AD) The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is to commence high speed passenger ferry service from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai (KKS) in SL. The ferry service is likely to commence operations from October first week onwards. Sources in Shipping Corporation of India said that the high speed ferry service will cover 60 nautical miles distance and commence operation from Nagapattinam port. Tamil Nadu Maritime Board and the Indian Ministry of Port, more..

Sep 21 (CI) Sri Lanka Cricket has resumed its domestic cricket season, which was halted nearly three weeks ago, after coming to an understanding with the country's sports ministry over a dispute surrounding the restructuring of the domestic tournaments. As such the Major Club three-day tournament and the Tier B Club three-day tournament will resume on Friday, Sept 22. "Consent was given by Ministry of Sports & Youth, more..

Sep 21 (CT) UNP MP Wajira Abeywardena expressed concern regarding the dissemination of contradictory and truth-distorting statements on social media related to remarks made by him concerning the recent Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to probe the reasons behind the economic crisis in the country. During the committee meeting, Abeywardena claimed the country failed when the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) declared bankruptcy. more..

Sep 21 (EN) MTV Media Network, one of Sri Lanka’s top broadcasters, has secured the broadcast and digital rights for the ICC men’s Cricket World Cup which is scheduled to be held in India from October 5 – November 19. The MTV secured the right from Disney Star, the global rights holder. Accordingly, the Network will broadcast 48 matches of the 13th World Cup featuring 10 nations and livestream on www.sirasatv.lk, it said. “Cricket has always been an inspiration to SL people, more..

Sep 21 (EN) Arugam Bay Tourism Development Plan, which focuses on challenges to infrastructure development in the area and obstacles hindering the growth of the tourism sector, was discussed by govt officials and key stakeholders yesterday. Participants from heads of relevant organizations, the Police and district officers met at the Prez Secretariat to discuss how each institution could contribute to finding solutions to these challenges, PMD said in a statement. more..

Sep 21 (DM) A schoolgirl from the Bagawanthalawa area has walked a distance of 54 kms at a stretch in 8.30 hours and created a Cholan record. Wasantha Kumar Nitharshana (15) is a grade 10 student at St. Mary’s National School in the Hatton Education Zone. She set off from the Nawalapitiya police station grounds at 6.05 a.m. on Wednesday and ended the walk at 2.35 p.m. in Bagawanthalawa town, covering a distance of 54 kms. Schoolchildren, teachers & estate workers lined up the streets more..

Sep 21 (AAP) SL cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka had plenty of opportunity to covertly remove a condom during rough sex with a Sydney woman, a court has heard. As the 32-year-old's sexual assault trial entered its final day on Thursday, crown prosecutor Gabrielle Steedman said the sportsman should be found guilty of stealthing. She said Gunathilaka unsuccessfully tried to negotiate out of wearing a condom during sex more..

Sep 21 (Island) Grama Niladaris had not played any role in providing social welfare benefits to the people since 1994, President of SL United Grama Niladhari Association (SLUGNA), Kamal Kithsiri said. The Dept of Samurdhi Development carried out that task, he said. Kithsiri said the officials attached to the Dept of Samurdhi Development had now withdrawn from the Aswesuma welfare scheme. “The govt has decided to entrust the task of carrying out the Aswesuma programme to us. more..

Sep 21 (DM) A special delegation from FIFA and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on Sept 27. The purpose of their visit is to inquire regarding the election of office-bearers for Football Sri Lanka (FSL) which was earlier banned by FIFA. The FSL election is to be held on September 29 at 3.00 p.m. at the SL Foundation Institute. The international delegation visiting Sri Lanka comprises three FIFA officials and one AFC official. more..

Sep 21 (AD) Commissioner General of the Department of Examinations will announce the revised dates for conducting the 2023 G.C.E. A/L Examination next week, Minister Susil Premajayantha says. The minister made this remark while delivering a special statement in the parliament this morning. Speaking further, Premajayantha emphasized that a large number of students, as well as the MPs of both the ruling party more..

Sep 21 (NR) The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, and Provincial Councils and Local Government has unanimously consented to cancel the nominations submitted for the Local Govt Elections given that those who have submitted nominations have faced great difficulties due to the postponement of the elections. The consent was given during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, more..

Sep 21 (FT) In the dynamic world of culinary innovation, where trends often come and go, Food Studio stands tall as a testament to transformation and excellence. As they celebrate their fifth anniversary this September, it is clear that it is not just any food court management company. Food Studio has evolved into a culinary powerhouse, crafting its own food concepts and revolutionising the traditional notion of food court fare. With almost all of their 14 food brands more..

Sep 21 (Island) The COPE, on Tuesday (19), instructed the Sri Lanka Tea Board to submit a report within three months detailing the outcomes of all the money they spend on promoting tea. Chairman of COPE, Prof. Ranjith Bandara made this directive when it was revealed that the Tea Board had spent about Rs 4.6 billion on an advertising campaign which had yielded no results. It was also revealed that the Tea Board was operating without filling four key vacancies. more..

Sep 21 (TM) GMOA has raised concerns over the recent number of deaths that have taken place at the Teaching Hospital in Badulla, noting that out of the 1,883 postmortems conducted over the course of last year, 770 persons were found to have died of heart attacks. GMOA Deputy Secretary Dr. Palitha Rajapaksha attributed the high number of deaths caused by heart attacks to the absence of an angiogram machine. He revealed that in the past yr alone, 2,179 patients had been admitted more..

Sep 21 (TM) The primary objective of the recently gazetted draft of the Online Safety Bill is repressing and restricting all forms of social media rather than making cyberspace safer, claimed Bar Association of SL (BASL) former President, Saliya Pieris. He said that everyone should challenge the proposed Online Safety Bill which has now become the Govt’s new tool of repressing freedom of expression & free media. more..

Sep 21 (FT) Acuity Partners yesterday announced that it has been contracted as an Investment Advisory Service Provider for the USAID CATALYZE Private Sector Development (PSD) Activity’s funding readiness program, aimed at bolstering private capital in critical sectors of SL’s economy. This engagement underscores its commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and facilitating affordable financing access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises operating in SL. more..

Sep 21 (EN) Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment met with the National Chamber of Exporters Council Meeting last evening. “I discussed vital labor law reforms,” Manusha Nanayakkara said on X. “Objectives include boosting female workforce participation, attracting FDI, and robust social security.” SL plans to reform labour laws for an export-oriented economy. Prez has said previously that Sri Lanka will bring a comprehensive law to regulate labour. more..

Sep 21 (DM) A delegation of several MPs without ministerial roles has been included in the presidential entourage headed to New York for the UN sessions. It has triggered critical posts on social media with some people viewing it as a drain on the state coffers. Notable among the MPs in the entourage are Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardane, and Premanath Dolawatte from the SLPP, S.M.M. Muszhaaraff, as well as more..

Sep 21 (DN) Romania has reiterated its support to SL in the opening of a new Embassy in Bucharest, and its commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry met with the Foreign Minister of Romania Luminita Odobescu on Monday, for an official discussion on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UNGA currently being held in New York, at which the Romanian Foreign Minister reassured its support to Sri Lanka. more..

Sep 21 (EN) Shares were down at close of trading on Thursday. “It started positively, but then dipped. Retail activity remained on the lower side,” an analyst said. “A small transaction in Bimputh pushed turnover.” Turnover was 1 billion rupees. The main All Share Price Index was down 0.59% or 66.35 points to 11,207.98, while the S&P SL20 was down 0.58% or 18.38 points to 3,154.43. Blue chips were active, with institutional participation seen on the big caps. more..

Sep 21 (FT) Despite sitting on the periphery of the global supply chain nexus, Sri Lanka was not spared by the disruptions caused by COVID-19 restrictions and the Russian war in Ukraine. Ongoing rivalry between the US and China are going to change the phase of globalisation with the formation of new alignments. Despite being an advocate of fair practices in production and trading, industrial policies of the US are changing in favour of domestic producers and domestic production. more..

Sep 21 (FT) With only 28% of those polled being positive about Prez Wickremesinghe’s IMF program, of which only 15% believe it would make things ‘better both now and in the future’, why would anyone think Ranil could win an election next year? There’s more: “Approximately 45% of Sri Lankans believe the USD 2.9 billion EFF programme of the IMF will make things worse for the economy in the future, according to a new survey by Verité Research.” more..