Jun 10 (DM) There are calls from the govt and experts in food and agriculture to start growing food in home gardens. Many years ago such a call would have been seen as an added burden by a person who is gainfully employed in a mercantile or state establishment. Things have changed in 2022 and just after the completion of the first quarter of the year we are heading for a food shortage. Other than the govt there is one other voice requesting people to start growing in their home gardens. more..

Jun 10 (GV) The oceans around Sri Lanka are a vital resource for food security, trade and shipping, coastal livelihoods, tourism, coastal protection and national security. Its coastal and marine resources and biological diversity, as well as the coastal and marine environment, provide a range of critical ecosystem services that benefit the people, sustaining livelihoods, as well as playing a vital role in economic development and strengthening protection from natural disasters, more..

Jun 10 (DM) UN Resident Coordinator in SL Hanaa Singer-Hamdy speaks about the looming food crisis and the initiatives by her office to assist the country. She also shares her views on the effects of SL’s decision to introduce organic farming. Q: What is the assessment of UN Agencies with regard to the impending food security crisis in SL? A: Several factors are interacting to put pressure on current food security situation more..

Jun 10 (CT) Despite the seriousness of the ongoing crises in SL, no advances have been made to resolve the political, financial, or social calamities. Instead of resolving issues and reappointing the same old failed folks into the cabinet, near-total lack of law and order. Besides, it uses taxpayer-paid govt employees, including the legal team and the police, only to protect themselves (i.e., abuse of public funds) and to work against the public interests, demonstrating that neither the president nor more..

Jun 10 (ST) The above words were exactly how Nana Mohideen, the jolly trader from Moneragala, described the plight of Sri Lankans today. He had arrived in Colombo and gave me a call to catch up on what he may have been missing these past few months. “Sri Lankans are having a hard time, noh!” he said. “Very difficult times,” I replied, after welcoming his call. “The new taxes will now result in higher prices and more problems for us,” he said, adding: “Why did they have to increase taxes more..

Jun 10 (CT) From a man-made garbage dump to being subjected to numerous environmental disasters, the Sri Pada ecosystem is now heading towards another catastrophe with houseplants being introduced to this biodiversity hotspot. Certain houseplants such as dendrobiumcrumenatum and white dove orchid have been introduced to the Sri Pada ecosystem along the Hatton and the Erathna roads, more..

Jun 10 (CT) Coinciding with Prez Rajapaksa declaring both health and electricity as essential services on Wednesday, country suffered a power outage the following day (yesterday), outside the scheduled power cuts, daily implemented for several months, as Sri Lanka doesn’t have adequate US dollars to import coal so as to provide the country with an uninterrupted electricity. CEB Acting General Manager Dr. D.C.R. Abeysekara was not immediately available for comment. more..

Jun 10 (TM) India is under fire over controversial comments made by ruling BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma, about the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and the country’s political powers seem to be trying to pacify the situation before it could worsen. She made these remarks during a television debate on 26 May, where she commented on the Prophet’s wife, Aisha, which attracted the wrath of Muslims both in India and in other parts of the world. One force that came forth to express its opposition more..

Jun 10 (Roar) “Going off-grid is the perfect solution to the current crisis in the country,” Naleem Deen (47), a resident of Hunupitiya, can power his house using hybrid batteries and solar power panels for two days — without having to depend on the national electricity grid that supplies the electricity. “I don't have to depend on the Electricity Board at all. That's why it's called off-grid. My electricity bill for the month is almost zero," he said. Off-grid solutions to power one's domestic electrical needs more..

Jun 10 (Island) Aeroflot flight SU 289 was preparing to take off from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), on June 02, when a fiscal officer, from the Commercial High Court of the Western Province, walked in around 12.15 pm, soon after the end of day’s proceedings. The official was accompanied by Attorney-at-Law Aruna de Silva, who appeared for the plaintiff, along with Avindra Rodrigo, PC. They were instructed by F.J. & G. de Saram, the leading law firm from the colonial times. more..

Jun 10 (Island) Despite continuing their record breaking spree St. Peter’s College athletes Rumesh Tharanga and Hirusha Hashen remain uncertain about their participation at the World Junior Athletics Championships. Two athletes who accomplished the tough task of qualifying for the World Junior event recently, continued to hog the limelight yesterday as they produced outstanding feats on day three of the Junior National Athletics Championships more..

Jun 10 (Island) The CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) and Minister Kanchana Wijesekera have locked horns over the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, which was steamrollered through Parliament. Wijesekera tore into the CEB engineers on Tuesday; he claimed the CEB was trying to have electricity tariffs jacked up in a bid to increase the salaries of already well-paid engineers, and, therefore, he was opposed to the proposed price increases. He has urged the engineers to allow renewable energy projects more..

Jun 10 (CT) Uzbekistan kicked-off their AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers Final Round Group ‘C’ opener in style defeating Sri Lanka 3-0 on Wednesday. Uzbekistan dominated from start to finish with goals coming from Jaloliddin Masharipov, Dostonbek Khamdamov and Farrukh Sayfiev to seal three points. Uzbekistan came into the contest at the Markaziy Stadium in Namangan with head coach Srecko Katanec fielding a strong side captained by Eldor Shomurodov alongside playmaker more..

Jun 10 (CI) Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the third T20I against Sri Lanka and is in doubt for the early part of the five-match ODI series after requiring six stitches in his left index finger following a bizarre laceration in game one in Colombo on Tuesday. Jhye Richardson, who replaced Starc in Australia's T20I side and took 3 for 26 in the three-wicket win in game two on Wednesday, has been called into Australia's ODI squad as cover for Starc. more..

Jun 10 (Island) The CEB Engineers Union (CEBEU) yesterday vowed to continue with their trade union action despite the Colombo District Court injunction preventing it from engaging in any strike action that prevents a continuous supply of electricity. Colombo District Court Judge Purnima Parangama issued the injunction order upon considering a complaint filed by the CEB. CEBEU Isuru Kasthurirathne however said that there wouldn’t be any power cuts other than the scheduled ones. more..

Jun 10 (FT) SLPP MP and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday resigned as a National List MP and at a media briefing spoke his heart out giving much fodder to political analyst, critics of the Rajapaksa regime and social media. Basil’s resignation came exactly a month after his elder brother Mahinda stepped down as the PM. Following his submission of resignation to the Secretary General of Parliament, more..

Jun 10 (DN) Sri Lanka ‘A’ will meet Australia ‘A’ in their second ODI which is scheduled to be played today (at the SSC grounds, commencing at 10 am. The first game between the two teams held last Wednesday at the same venue Australia ‘A had a comfortable seven-wicket win in a high-scoring game. However, in today’s game SL ‘A’ led by Dhananjaya de Silva is expected to win and equal the series. The only two ODIs in this series is very vital for the SL ‘A’ players as opponent more..

Jun 10 (ST) The opening ceremony of the swimming pool of Lyceum International School, Kurunegala was held recently. It has was christened as “Poseidon” in honour of the mighty Olympian of the Ocean. This is a milestone in the process of enhancing school’s infrastructure facilities and in the development of physical potential of young Lyceumites. Lyceum Kurunegala has undergone consistent progress and development over the past six years, and the addition of swimming pool more..

Jun 10 (Island) AIA Insurance will continue its commitment towards one of Sri Lanka’s longest standing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, the AIA Poson Safety Programme for the 27th year, this Poson. Held across three days, in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Mihintale, the programme facilitates 500 lifeguards across 22 reservoirs and lakes to ensure that pilgrims are safe when they bathe in the bodies of water. Specially in this year of challenge, more..

Jun 10 (DN) Sixteen leading school Netball teams will compete for the Milo Champions Cup which is scheduled to be held on Sunday (12) at the Buddhadasa Stadium in Battaramulla, Over 300 students are involved in this event which would give them match exposure. Holy Family Convent Kurunegala, who won the Milo schools Netball titles several times will be a key attraction at this tournament while Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya, Maliyadeva Balika, Musaeus and Visakha more..

Jun 10 (Island) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has recommended the release of information about the Monetary Board proceedings to restore public confidence in the handling of public finance. He has made this recommendation in a letter dated 08 June to Prez Rajapaksa. Referring to the recent shocking disclosure of politically-motivated decisions taken by the 5-member Monetary Board chaired by more..

Jun 10 (FT) SL’s most comprehensive development regulations – the Development Control Regulations (DCR) – introduced by Port City Colombo, was Gazetted recently and is now being enforced. An awareness program on the DCR conducted by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission was held at Port City Colombo, yesterday. The DCR was introduced by the project company, CHEC Port City Colombo, in 2018. It was prepared by Singapore-based Subrana Jurong, one of Asia’s largest more..

Jun 10 (ST) SL’s shipping industry has opposed the latest move by SLPA to impose dollar payments for port charges from June 1. As a result the authorities have been compelled to defer it by one month with the new date being July 1. SLPA wants shipping lines to pay stevedoring and navigation charges which forms 85 per cent of all port charges in dollars, a move opposed by agents in Colombo. They note that with payments to principals stuck in Colombo due to the lack of dollars, more..

Jun 10 (TM) The Irrigation Department has claimed in a letter that due to the power failure that took place in the early hours last morning, the Senanayake Reservoir and the Minipe Canal were cut off from the water supply, thus affecting about 150,000 acres of farmland. “Agricultural work is done under very difficult circumstances during this Yala season. Additionally, capacity of reservoirs has reduced to 57% more..

Jun 10 (TM) The Weeraketiya Police yesterday reported to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court that OIC Kelum Sangeethge has received death threats warning him not to investigate the obstruction of duties charges filed against SJB MP Dilip Wedaarachchi’s son and former Tangalle UC Chairman Ravindu Wedaarachchi, and the latter’s wife Nethmi Silva. Weeraketiya Police informed the court that OIC Sangeethge had been warned via text messages that his house would be torched more..

Jun 10 (ST) Reserves of rice will run out by September and farmers are still waiting in particular for urea distribution from the govt, while private imports are being sold at exorbitant prices. Farmers who have yet to get chemical fertiliser or fuel from the govt, will be cultivating fewer hectares during the Yala season. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sunday Times that after negotiations with India, supplies are expected, but he could not immediately confirm a date. more..

Jun 10 (TM) Riot Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protestors marching towards the Police Headquarters in Colombo yesterday when they attempted to breach the barricades and roadblocks along York Street, to demand justice on the one-month anniversary of the unprovoked attacks on the GotaGoGama protest zone on Galle Face on 9 May 2022. Speaking to The Morning ahead of the protest on Wednesday, Catholic priest Rev. Amila Jeewantha Peiris, more..

Jun 10 (FT) Out-going MP Basil Rajapaksa revealed that the famous chant by anti-Govt protesters Kaputu kaak kaak…Basil Basil is his his new ringtone. “I like my brand name, it is not a bad animal either,” said Basil in reference to Kaputa (crow). “It is my ringtone now, as it says Basil..Basil..Basil, which is my name,” he told journalists after resigning as SLPP’s National List MP. The chant originated after he referred to crows in the Sinhala as Kaputas speaking during more..

Jun 10 (Island) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament that the proposed amendments to the SL Electricity Act would not lead to the abolition of the competitive bidding process for procurement of electricity. Minister said that they were only trying to make the implementation of sustainable energy products easier subject to approval by the Sustainable Energy Authority. “There is also a misconception that the changes to more..

Jun 10 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa says that the country must build trust in the int'l community regarding SL Port by providing an efficient service utilizing modern technology. Prez made these remarks participating in the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation held at the Prez’s House. Port of Colombo operates with all the world’s leading shipping companies. Prez said that the entire staff, including the governing body, should protect this by acting responsibly. more..

Jun 10 (EN) IMF cannot give a date on which a staff level agreement would be concluded with SL or the size of is loan, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said ahead of mission visiting SL later in June. It was “too early for us to discuss the magnitude of financing of potential financing or the date for either the staff level agreement or when it might go the Board,” he said. “The timing of the staff level agreement would depend on the strength of the policies the authorities would propose and commit to.” more..

Jun 10 (AD) A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued creating a new portfolio titled Minister of Technology and Investment Promotion. This was announced in a communiqué published by Prez Rajapaksa last night, amending a previous gazette notification issued by him on the 27th of May, by virtue of the powers vested in him under paragraph (1) (a) of Article 44 of the Constitution. Depts and institutions gazetted under the purview of more..

Jun 10 (FT) SL is on the verge of falling into a dangerous and deeper abyss from the great precipice it is currently in. At the moment, the nation is hanging on a twofold cord jointly braided by Gotabaya and Ranil. It’s not strong, and it looks ugly. It is abstract and absurd. Therefore it’s not an ideal option, but at the moment the country has no other choice. At this juncture of the crisis facing the country, SL is compelled to hang on to that rope. There is no possibility of changing over more..

Jun 10 (DM) Two passengers on board a car died when their car crashed against a train in Ariyalai, Jaffna last night, Jaffna Police said. They said the accident took place at the railway crossing at Mampalam Junction in Ariyalai, when a Colombo-Jaffna intercity express train coming slammed against the car. Police suspect the accident would have taken place when the driver of the car had tried to drive through the railway crossing, ignoring the traffic lights, even though there was no gate more..