Apr 3 (Island) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in collaboration with Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted an Investor Forum held in Dambulla on the 27th of March at the Hotel Sannasa – Dambulla. The forum was organized with the objective of raising awareness on the importance of investor education with regard to the investment opportunities that exist in the Stock Market and investor protection. With the aim of educating the business community of the Dambulla district, more..

Apr 3 (Island) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Monday said he had not alleged that Colombo-based embassies had been behind Aragalaya Speaker Abeywardena said so in response to a query raised by dissident SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga. Cumaratunga asked the Speaker as to why a proper investigation hadn’t been launched into his (Speaker) declaration on March 21 that powerful foreign elements interfered and wanted him to act even contrary to the Constitution and more..

Apr 3 (DM) Sri Lanka will soon see the addition of a laboratory for energy efficiency testing of air conditioners, with the govt of South Korea agreeing to support the endeavour. South Korea will help, under the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Project to establish the said laboratory. The project is financed through the Korea Energy Agency, and the installation of the laboratory and necessary training of human resources in this project is scheduled to be completed during the year 2024. more..

~Apr 3 (DM) In response to mounting concerns over reports of several police officers being in contact with leading drug lords, some of whom operate from overseas while others are imprisoned following recent crackdowns on underworld gangs, intelligence officers have been deployed to identify the police officers collaborating with organized criminals and drug traffickers with their assets to be probed. Police have received information more..

Apr 3 (CT) Parliamentary proceedings, yesterday, were forced to be suspended for two hours owing to the absence of MPs who were scheduled to speak during the day’s debate. Banking (Amd) Bill and regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act were taken up for debate. Accordingly, the proceedings were postponed until 4:30 p.m. by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse as both the ruling party and Opposition speakers were not present in the Chamber. more..

Apr 3 (DM) Sri Lanka has claimed the coveted title of the number one destination for solo female travelers in 2024, according to Timeout.com Solo female travel is on the rise, with a recent survey indicating that over half of Gen Z women are considering traveling abroad alone. With more women seeking adventure, cultural immersion, and memorable experiences, the question arises: where to go and what to know? Several countries are renowned for being safe and accommodating for solo more..

Apr 3 (FT) SJB MP Kabir Hashim called on the Govt to temporarily suspend finalising the price agreement for a unit of power with the Indian Adani Group regarding the Mannar renewable energy project. Hashim highlighted that the CEB has initiated international tenders for an additional renewable energy project in close proximity to the proposed site for the Adani project. Hashim urged the Govt to await the determination of more..

Apr 3 (FT) The National People’s Power’s (NPP) current election campaign aiming for the presidential election has a strong momentum. The confident body language of its leadership is one indicator of this. Their rallies are well-attended and there appears to be a strong bottom-up support. The NPP’s seemingly growing electoral prospects have propelled it to being in the centre of political discourse, and this has led other political parties/factions to be on the defensive. more..

Apr 3 (EN) National guidelines for the management of shelters for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) were recently launched by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, following Cabinet approval. The guidelines are a collaborative effort by the Ministry, UNDP in SL, and a key component of the Enabling Access to Justice for Victim-Survivors of SGBV in SL project, a joint initiative with UNDP and UNFPA SL, with funding from the Govt of Canada. more..

Apr 3 (AD) Colombo High Court rejected the revision application filed by former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella seeking to be released on bail. The order was delivered by HC Judge Sujeewa Nissanka. Legal counsels of Rambukwella, who is in currently remand custody in connection with his alleged complicity in the substandard IVIG procurement, had submitted the revision application to the high court on 15 March, after the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court refused to release more..

Apr 3 (DM) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena has informed the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court that he will not provide a confidential statement before the magistrate in connection with his controversial revelation regarding the Easter Sunday attacks. Court had earlier directed the former Prez to appear before Court on April 4 following a request by the CID. In a motion before Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema, a lawyer representing former President Sirisena informed court that more..

Apr 3 (FT) Putting your foot in your mouth is a figurative expression about a person saying or doing something that should not be done or not have been said, especially if it embarrasses the person concerned or someone else. Among those who frequently put their feet into their mouths are politicians of all kinds and hues and from all parts of the world. Sri Lanka the miracle of Asia is second to none in this sphere. more..

Apr 3 (CT) Minister Bandula Gunawardana addressed concerns regarding the substantial tax arrears reported by the Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), claiming despite these alarming figures, there is no way to collect the taxes by force, and as a result, Govt has to go through lengthy legal proceedings to recover them. He explained that the process involves issuing orders for the collection of overdue taxes, followed by legal action in Courts. more..

Apr 3 (FT) In 2018, EUROPOL headquartered in Hague, Netherlands, a key organisation established to prevent and combat serious internationally organised crimes, cybercrime and terrorism, had clearly defined the difference between cyber-dependent crimes and cyber-enabled crimes. As defined by them, any crime that can only be committed using computers, computer networks or other forms of information communication technology was named as cyber-dependent more..

Apr 3 (CI) Despite some dogged resistance from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sri Lanka needed just a little over an hour on the final morning to take the last three Bangladesh wickets and secure a resounding 192-run victory in Chattogram. The result meant Sri Lanka swept the series 2-0, but more importantly, collected vital World Test Championship points that see them go up to joint-third on the table. Bangladesh, meanwhile, dropped to eighth. more..

Apr 3 (Island) Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Walahahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thera, on Tuesday, told govt officials that his temple did not need state funds for the 2024 National Poson Festival. The committee entrusted with the 2024 National Poson Festival met at the temple yesterday. Thera said Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs had phoned him on Monday and offered five million rupees for the 2024 National Poson Festival. more..

Apr 3 (AD) Three activists, who had been arrested during a recent protest march organized by the Jana Aragala Vyaparaya were granted bail on the orders of Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. Accordingly, FSP activist Duminda Nagamuwa, youth activist Lahiru Weerasekara, and Ven. Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thero have been released on bail conditions. The trio was taken into custody during a demonstration held on 20 March during which at least 05 police officers were injured more..

Apr 3 (EN) SL’s banks have been asked by the central bank to set up business revival units to help restructure debt of troubled borrowers who have a chance of recovery, starting from May 2024. “The challenging macroeconomic conditions prevailed during the recent years have led to disrupting the income generating activities of businesses, adversely impacting the ability of borrowers to duly repay their loans and thereby impairing the recovery process of licensed banks,” central bank said. more..

Apr 3 (Hindu) Three SL nationals convicted in the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case — Murugan, Robert Payas and Jayakumar — who had been prematurely freed from prison and later detained at a special camp in Tiruchi, were released on April 2 at night. According to sources, upon the receipt of final clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs to send them back to Sri Lanka, the Revenue Department which runs the Special Camp, released them. more..

Apr 3 (Island) SL’s former Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Gomi Senadhira said that the ill-fated Singaporean cargo vessel Dali chartered by Maerask wouldn’t have taken on board containers carrying hazardous materials that were to be unloaded here without specific approval from the relevant authorities in Colombo. Senadhira said that the govt without any further delay should take tangible measures more..

Apr 3 (DM) Every GCE A/L student who receives the driving skill medal given by the School Road Safety Association is eligible to take the practical test without sitting for the written examination conducted by the Dept of Motor Traffic, Transport State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. The programme of setting up school road safety forums and awarding medals is scheduled to be implemented today and students from the primary to the A/L will have the opportunity to participate. more..

Apr 3 (FT) Board of Investment (BOI) and Port City Economic Commission Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody in this interview responds to some of the questions posed covering the investment challenges facing the country. Q: Why does Sri Lanka get less FDI than most regional neighbours? A: According to most credible surveys carried out, the main drivers of investment decisions are political and macroeconomic stability and the country’s regulatory and business environment. more..

Apr 3 (CI) It was only apt that a SL fast bowler sealed a 2-0 series win in Chattogram. When Lahiru Kumara yorked Khaled Ahmed, it was 11.15am local time on the final day. It was always going to be a quick end to the game after SL took seven of Bangladesh's fourth-innings wickets on the fourth day. Kumara finished with a four-wicket haul to take their fast bowlers' tally for the series to 33 scalps. It is the most by a SL pace attack more..

Apr 3 (EN) Now that SL has transitioned away from relying solely on the central bank for economic stability, and opted to engage directly with the market, the next step is to evolve into a competitive, export-oriented economy, prez has said. “Under this new paradigm, we envision a singular investment zone encompassing the entirety of SL, with investors assuming the mantle of licensees. Within this framework, investors will have autonomy to develop and manage their own zones” more..

Apr 3 (DM) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith never received any prior warnings on the Easter Sunday attacks, Catholic Church in SL said. Church Spokesman Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, responding to a question said speculations that Cardinal Ranjith had received prior warnings of the Easter Sunday attacks were totally false. "The story that Cardinal Ranjith did not participate in an Easter service on the fateful year of 2019 is also false as he did hold an Easter Vigil on April 20, 2019. more..

Apr 3 (Island) Chief Government Whip and Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has declared that he wouldn’t support Namal Rajapaksa’s candidature at the forthcoming presidential poll. The Gampaha District SLPP strongman said that Namal Rajapaksa lacked sufficient experience to contest the presidency. Lawmaker Ranatunga explained his stance regarding the presidential polls at a meeting held in his political office at Udugampola. more..

Apr 3 (AD) The overseas travel ban imposed on Pastor Jerome Fernando has been temporarily lifted by the court. Order was issued when the case filed against Fernando was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. A request had been made to the court stating that the defendant is required to travel to several foreign countries and after taking the facts presented in this regard into consideration, court has temporarily lifted the foreign travel ban subject to previous bail conditions. more..

Apr 3 (TM) The Colombo Port City has not only been unable to deliver economic benefits as was anticipated, but it has also resulted in legal and policy changes that would in the long run be disadvantageous to SL’s economy, according to SLPP MP Chandima Weerakkody. He expressed concerns about the success of the Port City project, adding that the Govt has failed to attract investors despite its efforts which include legal and more..

Apr 3 (AD) Ministry of Defence has declared a general amnesty for the tri-forces absentees, enabling them to receive an official discharge from their respective services. General amnesty will be in force for a period of one month, from 20 April to 20 May. Accordingly, the tri-forces personnel who have been absent without leave (AWOL) before 02 April 2024 will be allowed to receive their discharge from military service during this period. Additionally, any financial obligations or more..

Apr 3 (EN) SL is promoting e-ticketing for state buses to stop revenue theft by bus conductors, Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardana said. “Some conductors take a portion of the money home,” he said. “The take home amount is 10 million rupees daily, or 100 lakhs, which together becomes 3 billion a year. “So therefore, I have struggled to implement e-ticketing from the moment I took this responsibility.” However, Minister said that there has been opposition from transportation workers more..

Apr 3 (TM) Following the surge in technology-related electoral malpractices all over the world as a result of the unprecedented development of technology, the Election Commission (EC) is seeking the assistance of SL’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) and Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) to address the possible impact of such issues in the upcoming elections. more..

Apr 3 (AD) Sri Lanka has appointed Mohamed Ismath as the country’s Honorary Consul for the province of Manitoba in Canada. The High Commissioner of SL to Canada Harsha Kumara Navaratne handed over the Commission of Appointment to the new Honorary Consul recently at the SL High Commission in Ottawa. Honorary Consul Ismath is currently a Director of Tennis Canada, a non-profit national sports association with a mission to lead growth of tennis in Canada. more..

Apr 3 (DM) In light of a plethora of complaints over the proliferation of quacks and fake medical centres in SL, Health Ministry has decided to strictly securitize private medical practice. Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said the decision to weed out the illegal practice of medicine was taken following a thorough study and a deluge of complaints pertaining to the private medical practice. “The matter was extensively discussed at the Private Health Regulatory Council more..

Apr 4 (ST) While public servants in the US and most of Europe are paid competitive salaries, it is Singapore that pays the highest salaries in the world for public servants, largely to deter corruption. Singapore’s PM Lee Hsien Loong was once quoted as saying: “(It is) best to pay the person according to what he is worth and according to what he is contributing. If you don’t do that, either you compromise on the quality of your civil service or people will find ways to make up and more..

Apr 4 (DM) SL’s public health service is facing one of its worst crises since independence. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the SLPP govt need to give much more priority to help the public health service recover; because as the cliché goes: health is wealth. With public health trade unions staging regular strikes during the past two years, poor people have had to travel a long way to a public hospital only to be told that the nurses, attendants and other paramedical staff more..