Dec 13 (AD) High Commissioner of SL to Pakistan Admiral (r) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunartatne has stressed the need of strengthening people to people contact bilateral ties between Pakistan and SL. He was addressing a seminar organized by Punjab University Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) in collaboration with Dr Jahangir Badar Institute of Vision and Leadership to mark ‘SAARC Charter Day’. Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Shahid Malik, Honorary Council more..

Dec 13 (EN) The govt has awarded contracts to supply aviation fuel for SriLankan aircraft at 9 int'l airports. The contracts of supplying aviation fuel for aircraft at the Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hyderabad, Karachi, Male and Riyadh airports will end on February 29, 2024. The contracts at Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta airports end on March 31, 2024. SL had called for international competitive bids to supply fuel at these airports. “Bids have been furnished by 11 aircraft fuel supplying companies more..

Dec 13 (DM) Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene, who has been working as a consultant for the teams, met Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board officials on Tuesday, it is learnt. According to highly placed sources, the 47-year-old Mahela discussed the reasons for the team's debacle in the recent World Cup, where he travelled with the national team to India and he also had disclosed future plans for the betterment of cricket in the country. more..

Dec 13 (DM) Sri Lanka, in the last three years, has spent a staggering Rs.4,800 million on the import of Pinus wood, raising concerns as the country possesses ample commercial plantations capable of meeting its requirements for the next 18 years, a top committee reveals. The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, headed by SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma, in its report presented to Parliament, says it called for a meeting with more..

Dec 13 (Island) Global Tamil Forum (GTF) Spokesman Suren Surendiran said that if he supported a separate state he wouldn’t have been in SL. The UK based GTF representative said so when SLPP MP Sarath Weerasekera, a former Chief of Staff of the Navy asked him whether he supported the LTTE that waged war for a separate state in Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country. The former Public Security Minister raised the issue at a meeting held in the Committee Room 2 of Parliament, more..

Dec 14 (DM) With SL’s 2024 budget being approved by Parliament yesterday, IMF is likely to give approval to its second tranche of a USD 3 billion bailout package, after which the country’s economy is likely to stabilize. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has handled the economic crisis with skill, but the Govt of the SLPP is badly split with different fractions expressing different views. The vital factor is that the relief must reach lower and middle class people who are struggling to meet their basic needs more..

Dec 14 (GV) On Dec 10, 1948 UN General Assembly adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Drawing on grim experience of how misuse of power caused massive destruction and suffering and reflecting diverse traditions, this included social, economic and cultural as well as civil and political rights, which are often intertwined. Three quarters of a century later, plight of many people in SL and beyond reflects both how relevant the UDHR remains and the challenges of more..

Dec 14 (DM) JVP- led NPP former MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa takes questions over its policy approaches in view of future elections. NPP is now campaigning in anticipation of future elections. Q: What is your party’s stand on the current debt crisis and the Extended Fund facility with the IMF? A: As everyone else does, we also see this as a rigorous economic crisis. The real crisis is more serious than the one being painted by more..

Dec 14 (DM) From the time Sri Lanka received independence from the British, many avenues were opened for the downtrodden masses to educate themselves and hold high positions in society and even in govt establishments. Before that such positions and the best perks in society were enjoyed by members of the elite society with class playing a major role in deciding how far an individual would climb the ladder of progress as a citizen in this sun-kissed island. more..

Dec 14 (TM) This is the only way forward, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament, quoting Bertolt Brecht’s famous lines in The Caucasian Chalk Circle, while taking a victory lap, patting his Govt and himself on the back for managing to recover (reach stability) in a remarkably short span. He said that: “Those individuals who, with immense dedication, endured these tribulations for the sake of our nation, as well as those who stood alongside me in the Parliamentary arena, are deserving of pride. more..

Dec 14 (TM) Police torture is not just an issue that concerns the Police. In many cases, the victim’s suffering is further aggravated and is left unresolved for a long time in the process of seeking justice due to various factors such as the lack of support from lawyers and cases dragging out. Therefore, delays in obtaining justice should be identified as a crucial factor that allows the growth of violence and torture. more..

Dec 14 (ST) Gone are the days of the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Navarangahala and Tower Hall. Welcome Diyawanna Oya Maduwa. Comedy and tragedy as theatre has shifted to what seems more like a singularly appropriate place with each passing day. Now we have the theatre of the absurd located conveniently by the water’s edge where our tethered citizens can laugh or cry as they please watching the non-stop nadagam. There, the representatives of the people gather—lawmakers, law breakers, more..

Dec 14 (Island) Harin Fernando has done what he was made the Sports Minister for. After dilly-dallying for about two weeks, he has disbanded the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) interim committee, which was appointed by his predecessor, Roshan Ranasinghe. He must have received a pat on the back from the very hand that delivered a knuckle sandwich to Ranasinghe. When Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe sacked Ranasinghe, who was trying to rid the cricket administration of corruption, we predicted more..

Dec 14 (Island) One-time Foreign Secretary Kshenuka Senewiratne and Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (Rtd.) on Dec 4, 2023 assumed duties at the SL High Commission in New Delhi and Islamabad, respectively. It would be pertinent to mention that Wijegunaratne previously served as the Defence Advisor of SL High Commission in New Delhi from 2001 – 2005, at a time the relations between the Asian neighbours had been severely undermined by the conflict in North East more..

Dec 14 (CT) Violence, disregard for the context, is detrimental and disastrous, and could even be worse when practised within an intimate relationship. That is why most of the State agencies as well as NGOs have decided to take up the challenge of tackling intimate partner violence. Though either male or female partners may face intimate partner violence (IPV) depending on the nature of the relationship, statistics indicate a higher tendency for women to be the victims than men, more..

Dec 14 (TM) The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has issued a warning over the notable increase in dengue cases, citing an alarming 1,000 new infections in just five days since the beginning of December. Consultant Community Physician of the NDCU, Dr. Nimalka Pannila Hetti, revealed that up until the third week of November, 79,225 dengue patients and 46 deaths were reported throughout the country. more..

Dec 14 (SO) Many years ago, the plot of land known as Aluthwatta on which the Moratu Maha Vidyalaya stands today was purchased by M.J.C. Fernando to establish a centre for Buddhists in the area. The Sri Lanka Buddhist Society was founded on May 11, 1924. Following this, on July 28, 1924, the foundation stone for the Moratuwa Buddhist Mandir was laid, and the Mandir was officially inaugurated on June 24, 1929 with an elaborate ceremony. On the opening day of the Buddhist Mandir, more..

Dec 14 (DN) Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA SL) celebrated a remarkable showcase of excellence in corporate reporting at the TAGS Awards 2023 on Tuesday. Leading corporates, multinationals, SMEs, and non-profit organizations were honored for their commitment to producing outstanding annual corporate reports. With transparency, accountability, governance, and sustainability being paramount in corporate reporting, CA SL showcased its collective more..

Dec 14 (FT) 99x, a global leader in IT services, proudly announces its remarkable win at the National Chamber of Exporters Awards 2023 in the Extra-Large Category for the ICT, BPO & Related Services Sector. This prestigious accolade marks a significant achievement for 99x, continuing its legacy of excellence in the industry. 99x was recognised for having consistently demonstrated unparalleled excellence, having secured the top spot five times before, and now in 2023. more..

Dec 14 (DN) Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) has decided to have athletes from Sri Lanka to participate in 14 international athletic meets in 2024 and they have busy calendar in next year while France Olympics is the key event of the athletes. SLA President Palitha Fernando said that steps will be taken to get athletes from SL to participate in international tournaments mainly targeting the France Olympic Games qualification. At the moment athletes having off season but more..

Dec 14 (Island) SL’s former white ball captain Upul Tharanga has become the nation’s youngest Chairman of Selectors ushering in a new era. His predecessor Pramodya Wickremesinghe had got an extended run as chief selector doing the job for three years and eventually patience ran out following new lows for the national cricket team costing SL a place in the Champions Trophy. At 38, Tharanga SL’s youngest Chief Selector. more..

Dec 14 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Govt are shielding the Rajapaksas, who have been identified as accountable for the economic collapse of the country, as evidenced by a recent Supreme Court decision. Speaking at an event titled Voice for Justice held at the SL Foundation Institute on Tuesday, Premadasa said the court decision was revolutionary and revealed the faces of those who bankrupted the country. more..

Dec 14 (ST) The govt has already explored the offshore wind power potential in the country especially in the North and East, expediting two mega wind power projects of 286 MW in Mannar and 234 MW in Pooneryn undertaken by India’s Adani Green Energy Ltd for an investment of over US$ 500 million. Adani has requested the govt to include their claim for carbon credit in their project contract under SL Carbon Crediting Scheme (SLCCS) established for supporting local clean projects to benefit more..

Dec 14 (FT) In a special statement to Parliament yesterday, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the critical role of the Govt’s program, backed by assistance from the IMF and debt restructuring, in rebuilding the collapsed SL economy. Prez warned that deviating from this path could lead to another economic collapse, urging caution against the allure of political fairy tales. Prez highlighted the success achieved through more..

Dec 14 (TM) The print media publications of the Liberty Publishers, namely the Aruna Sinhala newspaper’s website, the Thamilan Tamil newspaper, and The Sunday Morning and The Daily Morning English newspapers, went away with a haul of six awards including Pen Trophies and Merit Certificates together with the coveted Photojournalist of the Year, the Sports Journalist of the Year (English stream), the Best Health Care and Medical Reporter of the Year (English stream), and more..

Dec 14 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa reiterated his party’s decision to reopen negotiations on the agreement between the SL Govt and IMF under a future SJB Govt. Premadasa said the two parties would reach an agreement that would not impose additional burdens on the Sri Lankan public. In reference to the recent approval granted by the IMF for the second tranche of funds under the EFF for SL, Premadasa maintained that the global lender permitted the disbursement solely because more..

Dec 14 (DN) The SL Under 19 team led by Sineth Jayawardena once again faced a batting slump, losing to Bangladesh by 6 wickets and exiting the semi-finals in the Asia Cup Under-19 Cricket Tournament in Dubai yesterday. Sri Lanka, despite back-to-back victories over UAE and Bangladesh, experienced a batting struggle throughout the tournament. The loss to UAE marked a turning point, as the home team secured their semi-final slot with a second consecutive win over Japan by 107 more..

Dec 14 (DM) An Indian man was taken into custody by the Katunayake International Airport Police on suspicion of sexually abusing a Sri Lankan girl, about nine years of age, who was a fellow passenger. He had been arrested by airline staff and handed over to the Police. The suspect and the victim had been flying from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The suspect, a 49-year-old carpenter, who arrived from Riyadh was a transit passenger flying to India through Katunayake. more..

Dec 14 (TM) No information has been received by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs regarding the joint declaration prepared by the Tamil diaspora group, Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and certain high-profile Buddhist monks which mainly advocates a pluralistic country. Last week, the GTF delegation and a number of high-profile Buddhist monks presented the Joint Himalaya Declaration, more..

Dec 14 (Island) The ruling SLPP on Monday (11) decided to vote for the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill (2024) today (13). The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Premier Gunawardena, who is also the leader of the MEP. Gunawardena emphasised the responsibility on the SLPP to thwart Opposition’s attempts to dislodge the govt ahead of the releasing of the second tranche of the USD 2.9 bn IMF bailout. The warning was issued at a group meeting at Committee Room 1. more..

Dec 14 (DM) The circulating image on social media, featuring Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva and his spouse aboard a special jet, has been clarified. It has been revealed that General Silva was facilitated by the Indian Air Force for his travel from Delhi to Dehradun in India. This travel was in connection with his attendance as the Chief Guest at the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA). General Silva was granted the uncommon privilege of being invited as more..

Dec 14 (DM) Education Ministry is expected to make the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam simpler by making several major changes in the existing education system starting next year. It has also been decided to grant the priority to measure the students' literacy and numeracy skills, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said. While participating in a ceremony at the Ministry for the evaluation of the students who have obtained the highest marks in the Grade 5 scholarship exam held in 2023 more..

Dec 14 (DM) With the govt's decision to implement the new VAT at the rate of 18%, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said that the tax will affect the private bus industry and will probably lead to a bus fare hike. He said that they were not aware that this VAT was scheduled to be implemented in January. "During the past 25 years, no tax was imposed on importing standard private buses. But when importing luxury buses, there was a certain tax charged. more..

Dec 14 (DM) A request by Institute of Sports Medicine to send Asian Games Gold Medallist Tharushi Karunaratne to Ireland for medical treatment was turndown by the Sports Minister Harin Fernando. This was revealed by the Minister at a meeting held at the Ministry office with representatives of the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL), National Sports Association (NSA), National Selection Committee (NSC), more..

Dec 14 (DM) Hemantha Liyanapathirana, a journalist from a private TV channel, has been awarded the Merit Award under the Prof. Kailasapathy Award for Reporting Under Special Circumstances, for his contributions while working for a Sinhala daily newspaper. However, Hemantha is currently detained at the Kuruvita Prison in connection with a shooting incident in Talduwa, Avissawella, on Sept 20. Police arrested Hemantha and three others, suspecting their involvement in the shooting. more..