Sep 19 (Island) The year 2023 commenced against the backdrop of multiple crises facing our nation. Long queues for oil and gas became a common sight, while daily power cuts lasting five to six hours plunged the country into an energy abyss. The non-availability of 24-hour electricity delivery proved a severe blow to the nation’s economy. However, today, the nation is making a remarkable recovery. At the outset of the year, prospect of uninterrupted 24-hour more..

Sep 19 (EN) Sri Lanka hopes to resume suspended road infrastructure projects soon and complete them faster with the expectation that foreign funding and grants will start after finalizing external debt restructuring and ongoing first review of the IMF programme, State Highway Minister Siripala Gamlath said. The unprecedented economic crisis has forced the Sri Lanka govt to suspend most of its infrastructure projects due to lack of funding. All bilateral lenders stopped their funding more..

Sep 19 (EN) Labor minister, Manusha Nanayakkara, met with members of the transgender community on Tuesday to discuss their workplace rights. “Pleased to share that we’re considering a dedicated trade union and aligning our labor laws with global standards like ILO’s C190 and C180,” Nanayakkara said. SL’s efforts to recognize the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community has been progressed by the private member bill more..

Sep 19 (AD) Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate has ordered Anuradhapura Police to immediately arrest all the suspects in connection with the recent shooting incident that targeted MP Uddika Premaratne and produce them before courts. Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate has ordered the investigators to seek assistance of the police intelligence units and informants in order to identify the shooters. Furthermore, the court has called for a report on the progress of the investigations. more..

Sep 19 (EN) Shares were marginally down at close of trading on Tuesday, mainly due to profit taking and selling pressure. The ASPI was down 1.01% or 115.14 points to 11,248.50, the lowest the market has been since Aug 31. The S&P SL20, meanwhile, was down 1.05% or 33.73 points to 3,179.69 “The market remained sluggish, on a wait-and-see approach, due to uncertainties among investors around the IMF review. Most opted to sell now and wait with cash,” an analyst said. more..

Sep 19 (DN) The head of SL’s premier criminal investigative unit at the time of the Easter Sunday attacks has publicly revealed the suspicious behaviour of intelligence services before, during and after the worst single terror attack in the country. Senior DIG CID Ravi Seneviratne who retired in Dec 2019 had given evidence before three commissions of inquiry into the April 21, 2019 attacks, but his interview with TNL TV, more..

Sep 19 (DN) Ven. Vanavasi Rahula Thera said that a person who cannot go anywhere on time, no matter what his duties are, cannot govern a country, let alone a house. He said this when Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa did not arrive on time for the ceremony organised by the national organiser of SJB Tissa Attanayaka, on the occasion of the 1,500th programme of meeting Buddhist leaders to build religious harmony, which was held at the historic Vattarama Arahantha Maliyadeva more..

Sep 19 (FT) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera convened a discussion with representatives from 35 trade unions concerning the proposed reforms of the CEB and the broader energy sector. During the discussion held last Thursday, the Minister provided a detailed update on the progress of the reforms within the electricity sector. As per the Minister, the discussions surrounded critical aspects such as the structure of the new proposed Electricity Act, projected transition timelines, more..

Sep 19 (TM) While the extension of the retirement age of medical professionals, including medical specialists until 63 years of age, is to be implemented only until 31 Dec 2024, Ministry of Health is to assess the issues that may arise in the health sector following that period and take necessary steps to address such. A circular was issued on 14 Sept 2022 specifying that the retirement age of all public servants will be 60 more..

Sep 19 (FT) Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said encouraging economic growth figures for 2023 signal a positive shift compared to the second quarter of the previous year. He expressed confidence that this upward trend is expected to continue through the third and fourth quarters of the year. Siyambalapitiya highlighted a notable improvement in economic performance, indicating a shift from the negative growth of 11.5% recorded in the second quarter of 2022 to more..

Sep 19 (AD) The body of a youth, whose limbs were tied, has been found in the area behind a crematorium in Kirimetiya, Rathgama. According to the police, the deceased is believed to be a 27-year-old from the same area. The body was recovered last evening (18), following a tip-off received by the officers of Rathgama Police. Reports revealed that the youth had met up with a group of friends and consumed alcohol at a restaurant in Katudampe in Peniwatta on Sept 17 (Sunday). more..

Sep 19 (Island) It is customary to avoid speaking ill of the dead and instead focus on their positive qualities and accomplishments. That may be the reason why those who recently spoke or wrote about the late Prez J.R. Jayewardene (JRJ), on the occasion if his 117th birth anniversary, paid him glowing tributes and overlooked the dark side of his rule. Prominent among them were Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Speaker Karu Jaysuriya. Former reportedly went to more..

Sep 19 (FT) Channel 4 documentary rocked the country on 5 Sept 2023. The Rajapaksas were pushed back to the corner, but the camp managed the affair, reading the local audience well. The Channel 4 team used Rupert Murdoch’s The Times of UK to build credibility to the story. A senior foreign correspondent, Catherine Philp, broke the news on 3 Sept 2023 at 00:01 UK time as a precursor to the Channel 4 release. The initial teaser was a minute clip with Moulana, the whistleblower. more..

Sep 19 (TM) Puttalam District Coordination Committee Chairman and MP Chinthaka Amal Mayadunna has directed the relevant officials to initiate legal proceedings against MP Ali Sabri Raheem, who has allegedly encroached on more than 200 acres of State land in Puttalam, under the Offences Against Public Property Act, No. 12 of 1982. He said that Raheem had been using 214 acres of State land for more than 15 yrs. more..

Sep 19 (EN) Higher Education Ministry is to introduce new regulations and a hotline for tips against bullying, or ragging, in universities, an official said. “Minister for Higher Education Suren Raghavan has introduced an advisory committee consisting of main institutions, the Ministry, Sri Lanka Police, Ministry of Defense, Presidential Secretariat and the Human Rights Commission,” Secretary to the Minister of Higher Education, Dilshan Jayakody told EconomyNext. more..

Sep 19 (PMD) South Korean Prez Yoon Suk Yeol pledged his support for Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic recovery plan for SL. He praised Prez Wickremesinghe’s program aimed at alleviating the severe economic crisis in the country and commended his dedication. Additionally, Prez Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned the potential for expanding the scope for job opportunities in South Korea for SL youth in the future. The South Korean leader lauded Prez Wickremesinghe’s efforts more..

Sep 19 (HS) A woman who claims she was tricked into having sex without a condom with a SL cricketer has told a court there were moments during intercourse she feared for her life. Danushka Gunathilaka is facing a judge alone trial at the Downing Centre District Court after pleading not guilty to one charge of sexual assault without consent. The int'l cricket player walked into the court complex holding hands with a blonde woman, more..

Sep 19 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (18) participated in the United Nations 2023 SDG Summit, a high-level political forum on sustainable development, under the auspices of UN General Assembly (UNGA). SL leader is in the United States to attend the 78th session of the UNGA, themed “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”, more..

Sep 19 (FT) Police arrested six persons yesterday on suspicion of being involved in the assault on TNPF MP Selvarajah Kajendren in Sardhapura, Trincomalee on Sunday while he was taking part in a procession to commemorate the death anniversary of LTTE member Rasaiah Parthipan also known as Thileepan. China Bay Police arrested four males and two females after the Thambalagamuwa Police received a complaint from Kajendran. Suspects were presented before the courts, were remanded more..

Sep 19 (FT) Industrial Development Fund (IDF), administered by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) under the purview of the Ministry of Industry has joined forces with Regional Development Bank (RDB) to extend loans to 25 deserving individuals. These loans, capped at a maximum of Rs. 500,000 per recipient, are earmarked for the expansion and development of micro, small, and medium-scale industries. The initiative aims to invigorate Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial landscape, more..

Sep 19 (DM) SL were absolutely embarrassed in front of a packed house at R. Premadasa Stadium by India, who clinched the Asia Cup without breaking a sweat yesterday. SL captain Dasun Shanaka, for some reason, opted to bat first under cloudy conditions in the big final, only to be blown away for just 50 runs by an Indian pace attack led by Mohamed Siraj, who picked up six wickets for 21 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne, who had been brought into SL squad to provide team a solid start, more..

Sep 19 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne on Sunday claimed a future SJB Govt led by Sajith Premadasa will not only reform State enterprises but will also manage public assets in a manner that will generate an income. MP criticised the Govt for its lack of intelligent management of public assets and accused it of burdening the people with heavy taxes, which has resulted in a mass exodus of professionals and academics from SL. more..

Sep 19 (TM) AITC MP Selvarajah Kajendren has accused intelligence officers of having orchestrated the attack on a vehicle carrying an image of Rasaiah Parthipan alias Thileepan of the LTTE in Kappalthurai, Trincomalee on 17 Sept. Thileepan was a member of the LTTE, who died in Sept 1987 while on a hunger strike after issuing a list of demands to Govts of India and SL. A vehicle carrying his image had started its commemorative journey from Pottuvil in EP to Nallur, more..

Sep 19 (DM) In response to a question raised by journalists at a media conference, whether politics was involved in Sri Lanka’s defeat in the Asia Cup Final on Sunday, an MP from SJB said an investigation has to be conducted to determine the reasons for it. SJB National Organizer and MP Tissa Attanayake came out with this remark whether Sri Lanka’s defeat on Sunday was a birthday gift for Indian PM Narendra Modi whose birthday fell on Sunday, September 17, 2023. more..

Sep 19 (FT) SL United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA) Chairperson Tania Abeysundara accused the Govt of enacting economic policies to safeguard itself and not the country which is in crisis. Abeysundara said the policy decisions taken by both the Govt and the Central Bank have resulted in a gradual and painful decline in the country’s SME sector. “We cautioned that by the end of 2023, at least one million people would be left unemployed. Today, it has sadly become a reality,” more..

Sep 19 (ST) In the low-income neighbourhood of Wanathamulla in Colombo city, Mrs Pushpa Galhena, 57, described a tough life in numbers, not sentiment. “I have electricity bills overdue for half a year, two microfinance repayments of 3,000 rupees (S$13) and 1,000 rupees I have to pay daily for 45 days, medical expenses of 8,000 rupees a week, food to buy and overdue rent of 25,000 rupees a month,” she said, rattling off the figures like a bank teller rather than a retired school teacher, more..

Sep 19 (Island) Rebel SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris asked Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe whether the latter intended to postpone the next prez election indefinitely by claiming the govt lacked sufficient funds for conducting elections. He raised the issue in the wake of UNP MP Vajira Abeywardena’s recent declaration that the govt wouldn’t be able to meet the basic requirements of the people if funds more..

Sep 19 (AD) The mother and brother-in-law of the police constable who allegedly aided in the failed attempt by notorious criminal figure Nadun Wickramaratne, alias Harak Kata, to escape from the custody of the CID have been taken to police custody. Meanwhile, the police also stated that detention orders have been obtained to hold them for a period of 90 days for questioning. The organized criminal gang leader known as Harak Kata, had reportedly attempted to flee more..

Sep 19 (Island) United States and Sri Lanka marked the fourteenth Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council Meeting in Colombo today (18), solidifying their commitment to enhancing trade and investment relations. The technical level meeting, co-chaired by K.J. Weerasinghe of the Govt of SL and Brendan Lynch, Acting Assistant United States Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, witnessed productive discussions on a wide range of crucial issues. more..

Sep 19 (CI) At any other point in Sri Lanka's history, crumbling to 50 all out in an Asia Cup final would've left the captain standing on extremely shaky ground. Especially if he's managed only two double-digit scores in his last 11 innings. Dasun Shanaka's form with the bat is difficult to ignore. But there is more than meets the eye in this story. "Dasun works so hard on his game," SL head coach Chris Silverwood said on Sunday. more..

Sep 19 (Island) Asian Games hopeful Tharushi Karunaratne excelled producing outstanding performances at the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championships, which turned out to be her last competition ahead of the Asian Games starting on Saturday. Skipping her pet event of 800 metres to abide by her coach Susantha Fernando’s training plan Tharushi competed only in the 400 metres and the 4×400 metres. Asian C'ship medallist lived up to her reputation in both creating records. more..

Sep 19 (AD) Minister Harin Fernando today (18) told the Supreme Court that he wishes to withdraw his petition filed seeking an order preventing the law enforcement authorities from placing him under arrest. This was communicated by the minister’s legal counsel when the petition was called before a Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Mahinda Samayawardana and Arjuna Obeysekara earlier. Fernando had filed the petition some time ago, more..