Sep 28 (FT) IMF said SL is showing tentative signs of stabilisation but insisted concerted efforts are still required to steer the country towards a complete economic recovery. This observation follows the conclusion of a visit by an IMF staff mission team led by Peter Breuer and Katsiaryna Svirydzenka to Colombo from 14 to 27 Sept to discuss economic and financial policies to support the approval of the first review of the program more..

Sep 28 (TM) The Universities of Peradeniya, Colombo, Kelaniya, and Sri J'pura have been included in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The rankings are an annual publication by the Times Higher Education magazine. Less than 2,000 of the world’s 30,000 universities are included in what is widely accepted as the most prestigious and influential global university rankings. The rankings cover the three main areas of university activity more..

Sep 28 (DM) Five fishermen who trafficked 151.341 kilos of heroin on 2nd November 2019 were sentenced to death on three charges by the Colombo High Court. Suspects were sentenced to death after a long trial by Colombo HC Judge Namal Ballale, observing that the prosecution case against the five accused were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The five convicts Chaminda Fernando, Anton Fernando, Ravindra Perera, Liyanadurage Surange and Tharindu Fernando more..

Sep 28 (SMH) SL cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been found not guilty of sexual assault by a Sydney judge who said the evidence established there was no opportunity for him to have removed a condom during sex, and that he was truthful in his police interview. The 32-year-old batsman was accused of stealthing during sex with a 29-year-old woman without her knowledge in her eastern suburbs home on Nov 2, 2022. more..

Sep 28 (DM) Parliament is to debate on the brain drain which is said to be taking place in SL with the migration of professionals. Decision to have a debate on the topic was made during the party leader’s meeting which was held with Speaker Mahindananda Aluthgmage at the chair. The debate on brain drain is to take place on Friday, Oct 6, 2023. Civil Procedure Code (Amd) Bill (Second Reading), Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, Regulations under Mediation Act, more..

Sep 28 (Island) Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha said yesterday that a plan was underway to to standardise pre-school education in the country. He said: “There is a lot to change in the system. There are a lot of gaps in our early childhood development education compared to international standards. We don’t really have many meaningful regulations.” The Minister said that they are also paying a lot of attention to primary education. more..

Sep 28 (FT) SL and Australia recently marked a decade of Operation Sovereign borders. Australian Govt in Sept 2013 established Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB), a military-led operation to address the scourge of criminal people smuggling activities organising dangerous maritime ventures targeting Australia. Commander Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders, Rear Admiral Justin Jones, CSC, RAN remarked that before the establishment of OSB, Australia saw more..

Sep 28 (Island) Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security, Rear Admiral (retd) Sarath Weerasekera has told Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that the US should not deny a visa to an MP nominated by the SL Parliament to join an official delegation unless he/she posed a threat to US interests. In a letter dated 25 Sept 2023, former Public Security Minister has informed Speaker Abeywardena the issuance of visas was the prerogative of US mission, more..

Sep 28 (Island) Civil society activist Sirithunga Jayasuriya said that those genuinely concerned about political strategies of the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt should be wary of possible moves to put off the presidential election scheduled for next year. Pointing out that both PCs and LG polls hadn’t been held in violation of the supreme law of the land, Jayasuriya asserted that the possibility of the govt resorting to delaying more..

Sep 28 (DM) Remote hospitals, particularly those in peripheral areas, are grappling with a lack of medical doctors while the Health Ministry has an excess staff of 52 doctors, thus making many question the allocation of resources. This was revealed in the recently held COPA meeting. COPA convened the meeting to address various issues in the healthcare sector, including the shortage of medicines, migration of medical professionals and financial irregularities. more..

Sep 28 (DM) In compliance with the provisions of the Private Security Agencies Regularization Act No. 45 of 1998, Ministry of Defence has initiated a comprehensive review and revision of the licensing conditions governing private security agencies currently registered under its purview. Under these new regulations, all private security agencies that are presently registered with Ministry of Defence are required to submit applications for license extensions covering the next 02 years. more..

Sep 28 (DN) The Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, who won the silver medal in the women’s cricket event at the 19th Asian Games, is scheduled to return to Sri Lanka tonight (28). Notably, Sri Lanka won an Asian Games medal after 9 years, and this is the third medal won in the cricket event at this Games. Earlier in 2014, the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team had won the gold medal and the women’s team had won the bronze medal. Meanwhile, the Nepalese team more..

Sep 28 (DM) A proposal has been made by Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry to allocate three acres outside the Kurundi archaeological site for the purpose of building a Buddhist temple, a Hindu Kovil and for public use. The proposal was made by the Secretary to Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs during Sectoral Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and Co-Existence which was held under the Chairmanship of Upul Rajapaksha recently. more..

Sep 28 (TM) Election Commission (EC) stated that the nominations called for LG elections, 2023, are still valid, and that they could be cancelled only through an Act in the Parliament. On 20 Sept, Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Adm, Home Affairs, PC, and LG had unanimously consented to cancel the nominations called for the LG elections. EC Chairman, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that more..

Sep 28 (AD) Minister of State for Tourism Diana Gamage announced plans to launch promotional campaigns aimed at attracting 1.5 million foreign tourists to Sri Lanka by the year’s end. She emphasized the govt’s commitment to ensuring the safety of tourists and mentioned initiatives such as establishing taxi associations to enhance the visitor experience. Minister also highlighted the transformation of high-tourist-traffic cities into vibrant, non-stop destinations, the PMD said. more..

Sep 28 (TM) State Minister Diana Gamage has sent a letter to the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, seeking appropriate action against SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara for his alleged use of an inappropriate term targeting her during a recent Parliamentary session. During the Parliamentary debate on the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 and related investigations last week, Gamage was making remarks on certain matters pertaining to the period during which more..

Sep 28 (FT) Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) is poised to introduce the Electronic Revenue License System (eRL 2.0) on 3 Oct. This innovative system, developed in collaboration with the Provincial Dept of Motor Traffic, is set to modernise the process of issuing vehicle revenue licenses, boosting the efficiency of officials while providing motorist with an enhanced service experience. more..

Sep 28 (FT) Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce President cum Israel-SL Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Anat Bernstein-Reich met EDB Chairman Dr. Kingsley Bernard on 28 August. This official meeting was initiated by the Ambassador of SL in Israel Nimal Bandara. The SL delegation was represented by Foreign Ministry of SL Additional Secretary Shanika Dissanayake, senior EDB officials, as well as representatives of private sector companies from SL’s export community. more..

Sep 28 (FT) The Colombo Port City Economic Commission has unveiled its Comprehensive Progress Report covering the period from January to August 2023, showcasing significant strides in the development of the Colombo Port City and the finalisation of legal frameworks for the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ). These advancements underscore the project’s standing as a premier investment destination and a burgeoning Gateway to South Asia. more..

Sep 28 (FT) Sun Match Company’s flagship, Soorya, is proud to announce sponsorship of 4th New Generation Awards 2023, an initiative dedicated to celebrating the exceptional achievements of young individuals, while recognising their innovation, excellence and inspiring talent in various fields. Soorya has been igniting and sponsoring the awards since its inception in 2020, as a commitment to the new generation of SL. This year Soorya has come forward as platinum sponsor & key partner. more..

Sep 28 (Island) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera is reported to have said at a conference, that there are more than 4,000 vacancies in the CEB and CPC. The vacancies at CEB and CPC number 1,192 and 3,000, respectively. He is said to have added, in the same breath, that both institutions can manage with the current workforce; his statement must have struck a responsive chord with the public, who must not be made to pay through the nose to maintain overstaffed, inefficient SOEs. more..

Sep 28 (Island) The makers of British television network Channel 4’s documentary on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks in SL have admitted that they did not have credible evidence to support the claims made by Azad Maulana, the self-proclaimed whistleblower who made serious allegations about the complicity of state officials, including the then Minister Counsellor in the SL mission in Malaysia Suresh Sallay more..

Sep 28 (Island) As disclosed by a report published on the Tamilnet website on 23 Jan 2015, TNA and the Tamil diaspora with the objective of achieving their goal of creating a federal state in the North-East played a key role in bringing about a regime change at the 2015 prez election. As revealed in this report, an LTTE front organisation in South Africa In Transformation Initiative organised a conference in Singapore in 2013, and it was funded by two European countries. more..

Sep 28 (DM) Relations between India and Canada have reached their lowest ebb, and relations between the two countries hit rock bottom after Canadian PM Trudeau, in the Canadian parliament claimed there was strong evidence implicating the Indian govt in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar -a Canadian citizen. Singh was gunned down outside a Sikh temple, of which he was President. While Trudeau claimed he had evidence to back his charge, more..

Sep 28 (CT) No. 7 Helicopter Squadron of SL Air Force, also known as the Cradle of Helicopter Pilots, located at SL Air Force Base Hingurakgoda holds an unbowed, unbroken and unbent reputation and a magnificent history from 1994 to date, by rendering 29 years of dedicated service to our motherland. Squadron was initially established as the No. 401 Squadron on 23 Sept 1994 comprising Bell 212 and Bell 206 Helicopters and was re-designated as the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron on 23 Mar 1996. more..

Sep 28 (ST) The times have not changed. SL carries on its usual blustering, bovine way, never mind who occupies the seat of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This month in Geneva the shrill sounds of SL protests were heard again. Sounds yes, but missing was the sense of it all. It is especially at times like this that one harks back to the days of Shirley Amerasinghe whose frequent clashes with Israel’s renowned Foreign Minister Abba Eban (who if I remember spoke more..

Sep 28 (SO) Being SL’s commercial capital, Colombo is known for its many shopping malls. From the ocean front One Galle Face to the classic Liberty Plaza, Colombo’s malls are not just big concrete hunks with shops and showrooms; they make up a very essential part of the city’s culture. Growing up in Kandy, I remember trips to Majestic City visiting our cousins in Colombo. Kandy didn’t have much of consumerism more..

Sep 28 (TM) A state-run, well-established social security system is a key indicator of a progressing nation. Mainly in developed countries this serves as a foundation promoting equality amidst diversity among their citizens. Such social security systems provide citizens a safety, financially or as services, when they are faced with contingencies of old age, disability, unemployment, raising children and curative or preventive medical care needs. Even though, in the SL context of social security more..

Sep 28 (CT) The sentencing of a former SDIG for giving illegal orders not to arrest a suspect. The reported sentencing of former SDIG, Lalith Jayasinghe, for giving illegal orders to prevent the arrest of a person allegedly involved in the shooting which resulted in the death of some persons, was a sentence of five years in prison, by the High Court Judge of Ratnapura. While the particular case may be of interest from a political point of view due to the MP who was later arrested and convicted more..

Sep 28 (TM) “Customer is king is still a concept that remains valid in all forms of businesses. But employers and employees are ordinary human beings with a limit to their patience. After all, respect is a two-way street. Customers who do not respect an establishment’s employees, the latter who are forced through employment contracts to respect customers before receiving any form of respect in return, are less likely to be more..

Sep 28 (DM) The recently established task force for the survey and preservation of archaeological sites in the Eastern Province of SL is a worthwhile endeavour as the preservation of a people’s cultural heritage is an important one. However, the implementation of this project requires a proper understanding of the historical background in which these structures i.e. Buddhist stupas viharas and Hindu temples were built. It must be kept in mind that Buddhism was prevalent in South India more..

Sep 28 (DM) World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day. It is the day in 1959 when the UNGA adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UNGA adopted Convention on Rights of the Child. In our country-SL - Children’s Day is marked on 1 Oct every year. Since independence, we have many laws protecting children including laws preventing the exploitation of children from being used as cheap labour. more..