Aug 23 (CT) 22nd Amendment to the Constitution abolishes the independence of the Judiciary and the powers vested in the Auditor General and CIABOC will be limited as well, said Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku. Supreme Court commenced hearing of the nine petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution yesterday (22) before the three-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare & Arjuna Obeysekera. more..

Aug 23 (EN) Sri Lanka is looking to set up a rehabilitation bureau for drug addicts, militants and members of violent extremist groups, a govt statement said. The bill to set up the bureau was approved by the cabinet of ministers this week. The cabinet gave the go ahead to draft the law last April. It is expected to oversee treatment, rehabilitation, post-protection and related activities for the individuals under the program. Sri Lanka’s existing Rehabilitation Centres more..

Aug 24 (CT) Early this year the govt under Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa amended the Prevention of Terrorism law. It accepted the position that the law was in violation of international standards and wanted to show it was committed to improving its human rights record. The ground was set to mitigate the pressures from the UNHRC and other international bodies. However, the govt’s plans now appear to be veering of course. This is reflected in the appeal of UN Special Rapporteur on more..

Aug 24 (GV) After a number of protestors were arrested in Colombo, three student activists have been detained under the notorious PTA despite expressions of concern from the int'l community. Amid an economic crisis caused largely by mismanagement by those in charge, top politicians risk further alienating not only the people of SL but also the wider world at a critical time, jeopardising chances of recovery. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe approved the detention and interrogation more..

Aug 24 (TM) It is an unspoken truth that SL has a considerable child labour force, which expanded following the dip in our economy caused by the prolonged lockdowns due to Covid-19 and then the sociopolitical instability the country has been facing. In yet another initiative to improve economic stability, Govt revisited the idea of allowing those aged 16 and above to seek part-time employment to ease the burden placed on parents and guardians. more..

Aug 24 (CT) The Economist, the prestigious global publication, carried an interview with Ranil Wickremesinghe, SL’s first unelected president. It was dated August 16. Very heavy on the macroeconomic side with a little bit of details on the micro aspects, the interview, taken by itself, stands out as an intellectual insight into the economic life of a country whose sociopolitical rudders have been let loose by those who were charged with the responsibility of taking charge in first place. more..

Aug 24 (CT) This newspaper, elsewhere on these pages today, quoting Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena, said that a new National Security Act (NSA) will be drafted to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). He said that Justice Minister Wijeydasa Rajapkshe is in the process of drafting the new Act. He also said that the NSA will not be as draconian as the PTA. Under the PTA, Defence Ministry recently approved a 90-day detention order on IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige. more..

Aug 24 (TM) Although the economic crisis has attracted the highest attention of the people, the Govt, and the authorities, a number of social, cultural, and environmental issues that SL is facing and which were developing even before the economic crisis broke out continue to affect the country. While the economic crisis has made it difficult to allocate resources to deal with such issues, to make matters worse, more..

Aug 24 (Island) Govt has amply demonstrated that it is ready to do everything in its power to quell protests. It has come under heavy fire for using the PTA against the organisers of anti-govt agitations. It has sought to defend itself, claiming that there were instances of terrorism during protests between 31 March and 13 June 2022, and the perpetrators thereof must be made to face the full force of anti-terror laws. True, what we witnessed in the immediate aftermath of SLPP goon attacks more..

Aug 24 (Island) A media release issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) says, “The ban was lifted after a study was conducted by a committee consisting of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AG’s Dept, intelligence agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of SL.” The report also states: “According to the Ministry, 577 individuals, and 18 organizations, had been blacklisted, in 2021, for financing terrorism, under UN regulations no1 of 2012. more..

Aug 24 (ST) Ministry of Sports is looking seriously on the overstaying Football Federation of SL (FFSL) administration, perhaps after FIFA on Tuesday (16) imposed a suspension on All-India Football Federation (AIFF) on grounds of similarity as their neighbouring islanders. The tenure of the current FFSL administration ended on June 30, 2022 after they were elected for a period of one year from 2021. The term in office at FFSL usually comes effective for a period of four years, more..

Aug 24 (DN) Former SL skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Chamara Silva reached personal millstones in the ongoing Major clubs three day cricket tournament . Chandimal the wicket keeper batter of Army SC who is in good form reached the 10,000 run mark at the last three day game against Bloomfield while Police SC experienced batter Chamara Silva reached 15, 000 first class runs in their game against BRC. Chandimal played his 137 th first class game last week-end scored more..

Aug 24 (FT) Govt announced plans on an aggressive route to overcome the ongoing economic crisis, with a multi-step approach to boost revenue, cut down expenditure, and reform State-owned organisations via a medium term fiscal framework for 2023-2025. “As per the fiscal framework, the State revenue should be increased from 9% to 11.3% of the GDP, whilst reducing the Govt expenditure from 18.9% to 18.1% and more..

Aug 24 (TM) SL needs to show evidence that it would be finalising a debt plan with its creditors to reach a staff-level agreement with the IMF, given that the Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) has been completed, former CB Deputy Governor Dr. W.A. Wijewardena said. He said it would take another two to three months for SL to complete a debt plan, but the country needs to at least show some evidence that it would be finalising such with creditors, as this will prove sufficient for the country to arrive more..

Aug 24 (FT) Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday released 7 suspects who were produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Court allegedly on charges of trespassing, unlawful assembly and damaging public property at Prez’s House, Temple trees and at Presidential Secretariat Fort on 9 July. They were released on Rs. 500,000 personal bail. Another suspect who was alleged to have videoed sciences at Beira Lake during the incident at Galle Face GotaGoGama was remanded till 25 Aug more..

Aug 24 (Island) Sri Lanka Athletics has introduced tough qualifying standards to pick a team for the upcoming Asian Youth Athletics Championships which will be held in Kuwait in October. Youth athletes aspiring to qualify for the biennial event will get the final opportunity to impress selectors when the SL Schools Athletics Association conducts their premier event, Sir John Tarbet Senior Athletics Championships in September. more..

Aug 24 (FT) SLPP MP Premnath Dolawaththa is set to present a private members bill to parliament in order to amend legal provisions within the country’s penal code which criminalise same-sex sexual activity. Dolawaththa is expected to present the bill to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today which also marks the first-year death anniversary of former Minister Mangala Samaraweera, a known advocate for LGBT rights in SL. Accordingly, Dolawaththa’s bill will propose amendments to sections more..

Aug 24 (TM) Four officers attached to the Malabe Police Station have been arrested by the Kottawa Police in connection with an incident of stealing a gold chain and a mobile phone from a youth at the Vidyala Junction in Kottawa on 20 August, and the Superintendent of Police (SP) in charge of the Nugegoda Police Division has interdicted the suspects. The arrested officers include a Police Sergeant, and three Police Constables (PCs), including one attached to more..

Aug 24 (DN) The floriculture sector brought in revenue of USD 16 million in 2020 had set a target of doubling its exports to USD 32 million in 2024. Unfortunately, these figures have to be reworked due to the present crisis in the country. The floriculture sector which consists of cut foliage, rooted plants, tissue culture plants, cut flowers and landscaping plants had mixed results during the pandemic. Cut foliage which consisted of the largest export turnover got a severe beating due to more..

Aug 24 (DN) MAS Holdings (MAS) has been selected as a finalist for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion category at the 13th Reuters Events: Responsible Business Awards 2022 – the world’s leading celebration of responsible business excellence. Group Human Resources Director of MAS Holdings, Dinali Peiris, stated, “We are thrilled to be shortlisted in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category for the work that we are doing to create a diverse and inclusive organisation more..

Aug 24 (ST) SL’s overall electricity tariff hike of 75% approved by the Public Utility Commission of SL (PUCSL) considering CEB cost reflective pricing methodology has raised issues relating to its accuracy and justifiability, official sources said. PUCSL can approve the tariff proposed by CEB and LECO only after adhering to cost-reflective methodology of recovering actual costs in a reasonable manner for its activities more..

Aug 24 (FT) Govt will implement an Information and Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2023 in relation to all State institutions. The proposal to this effect submitted by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Technology Minister was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday. Adhering to the recognised international information protection standards, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) formulated the policy. more..

Aug 24 (TM) The ceremonial opening of the Faculty of Engineering Technology and Bio System Technology, Uni of Jaffna was held on 18 Aug at Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi. Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education Thumilan Sivarajah, Blue Ocean Group of Companies Chairman Nihal Ranasingha, UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, UGC Secretary Dr. Priyantha Premakumara, UGC Member Senior Prof. Vasanthy Arasaratnam, more..

Aug 24 (Island) General Secretary of the ruling SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam, MP, said that there should be no holds barred investigation into violence in the run-up to the May 9 incidents, at Galle Face, and outside Temple Trees, and after the resignation of the then Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa. Kariyawasam strongly defended the utilization of the PTA to deal with some of those who had been arrested, more..

Aug 24 (FT) SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition will voice its dissent in Parliament against the recent exorbitant electricity tariff increase. He said the people are already facing many challenges in their day-to-day lives due to increasing costs & therefore Opposition will come forward in Parliament against this development as a people’s Opposition. Premadasa made these comments during a special meeting with Electricity Consumers’ Association held yesterday. more..

Aug 24 (Island) The national insurer Sri Lanka Insurance is among the most profitable State entities with a stellar performance in the first half of the year 2022 to record a profit before taxation of Rs 7.7 billion, with a strong improvement in combined Gross Written Premium (GWP) of Rs 21 billion denoting a growth of 13.1%. Notwithstanding the stringent economic and social conditions that prevailed in the country, Sri Lanka Insurance’s asset base increased to Rs269 billion and more..

Aug 24 (TM) More than 194,801 Sri Lankans have left the island for foreign employment so far this year, said the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), and the Govt intends to secure a total of 300,000 new jobs in foreign countries in 2022. SLBFE General Manager D.D.P. Senanayake said, “The majority left for jobs in the Middle East. We are promoting foreign employment by job fairs at the moment and, hopefully, we will be able to achieve our target for this year.” more..

Aug 24 (CT) Public Health Inspectors urged the Health Ministry and the Govt to act with more responsibility in the control and preventions of Covid-19. President of the PHIUSL, Upul Rohana lamented that although there was a degree of immunity, the careless behavioural patterns may turn the situation into catastrophic proportions. A majority of fever patients in village areas test positive for Covid-19. While parents send children to school even when they show Covid symptoms, more..

Aug 24 (AD) The import of over 300 items has been temporarily suspended with effect from today (23) under the Import and Export Control Act through a govt notification by the Finance Ministry. The regulation has been issued by has been issued by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, in terms of the powers vested in him by Section 20 of more..

Aug 24 (AD) Supreme Court of SL has concluded hearing of the nine petitions filed challenging the 22nd Amendment. The court concluded hearings today and informed that the Supreme Court determination would be delivered to the Speaker of Parliament. Supreme Court this morning (23) commenced hearing of the petitions for the second consecutive day before a 3-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare & Arjuna Obeysekera. more..

Aug 24 (DM) According to the Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners' Association (CPPBOA), following the introduction of the QR code system under the National Fuel Pass (NFP) portal as a result of the fuel crisis, fuel sales have dropped by 60%, leaving tanker operators and filling station owners in dire straits. Addressing the media, Association Secretary Shantha Silva said that they agreed with the efforts taken to control the endless fuel queues and to save foreign exchange. more..

Aug 24 (TM) Legal counsel for IUSF Convenor Wasantha Mudalige, Kelaniya Uni student activist Hashan Jeewantha, and IUBF Convenor Galwewa Siridhamma Thera will file a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court (SC) tomorrow regarding their detention. Attorney-At-Law Nuwan Bopage, appearing for the three activists, said that a FR petition will be filed tomorrow regarding their detention under the PTA. more..

Aug 24 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has allowed the import of electric bikes from August 2022 as forex shortages from money printing triggered fuel rationing and queues, in the worst currency crisis triggered by the island’s intermediate regime central bank. Electrical bikes were among items banned in 2021 as money printing intensified reserve losses. In a gazette notice issued on Aug 23, Prez has allowed the import of electrical bikes subject to import licenses. more..

Aug 24 (Island) The first Unit of the LakVijaya Coal Power Plant Complex, in Norochcholai, will be back in operation during the weekend after repairs, a senior electrical engineer of the CEB said. The plant’s first unit developed technical hiccups on 15 Aug, forcing CEB to depend more on hydroelectricity and extend the duration of power cuts to overcome the loss of nearly 300MW from Norochcholai. “We have identified the problem and we would connect it to the national grid by next week; more..

Aug 24 (EN) Sri Lanka may have to shut loss making state enterprises many of which are overstaffed and will have to cut down staff to reduce the burden on the public amid a severe economic crisis, Minister Bandula Gunewardena said. “In order to come out this crisis we need to increase our income. Restructuring will have to be done,” Minister said. “We may have to shut down some losses making state enterprises or take other action.” more..

Aug 24 (FT) Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour and nearest friend, India celebrated her 75th anniversary of gaining freedom from British rule on the 15th of this month. Incredible India also made history last month by electing a woman from a tribal community as the Republic’s 15th Prez. 64-year-old Droupadi Murmu was sworn into office after being elected India’s Prez last July. She is India’s first president hailing from the Aadivaasi community or people from scheduled tribes. more..