Jun 26 (ST) Court of Appeal (CA) has ruled that a public servant has no absolute right to any pension or allowances, reaffirming an earlier determination on the matter. Accordingly, CA has stressed that petitioners cannot request a judicial order to obtain a pension. The CA gave the ruling after considering a writ petition filed by a group of pensioners requesting the court to issue an order quashing a decision taken by the Government to suspend their pension increase until more..

Jun 26 (TM) 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation emphasised the shared responsibility of the public and the law enforcement authorities in ensuring the safety of Suwa Seriya emergency ambulance service staff members, who provide essential services under challenging conditions. In light of the recent assault on Suwa Seriya personnel in the Thabbowa area, foundation’s Chairperson Dumindra Ratnayaka underscored the need for more..

Jun 26 (EN) Sri Lanka’s attempt to woo tourists from 67 countries with free visas is likely to face a 10 dollar charge from VFS Global, an outsourcing provider and also the website, Minister Harin Fernando said. “There is a doubt about that. Our govt will not take anything,” Minister Fernando said. “I think the current thinking is (mathaya) that the 10 dollar VFS fee will have to be paid.” Minister Fernando said he could not say exactly what will be in the final cabinet paper. more..

Jun 26 (Island) In a strategic move aimed at advancing national development efforts, the Sri Lankan govt is intensifying its focus on South-South Cooperation in the energy sector. Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Secretary of Ministry of Power & Energy, reaffirmed SL’s commitment to expanding partnerships with Southern hemisphere nations during a recent gathering in Colombo. Jayawardena stressed the invaluable contributions from Chinese partners in renewable energy technologies more..

Jun 26 (FT) State Minister Kanaka Herath yesterday detailed the country’s digital surge, noting significant growth in internet, social media usage, ambitious tech initiatives and economic reforms. Addressing the first DigiEcon Global Investment Summit 2024, he outlined ambitious plans to achieve a $ 15 billion digital economy by 2030. “Individual internet usage in Sri Lanka increased by 3.9% in 2023, surpassing the global average of 1.8%, while social media usage saw a surge of 6.5% more..

Jun 26 (FT) Keells, a leading supermarket chain has upped its game by introducing self-checkout systems from Diebold Nixdorf USA; the global leader for retail automation systems. This is a remarkable milestone for Keells as they have become the first supermarket to implement self-checkout systems in the whole of South Asia, well ahead of larger markets in this region like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Keells Supermarket has deployed multiple self-checkout machines in their more..

Jun 28 (FT) In a forward-looking address, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a strategic vision to expand and modernise economy driven by digital transformation, technological innovation and strategic educational reforms by 2030. Speaking at the first-ever DigiEcon Global Investment Summit (DEGIS) 2024, the President asserted the importance of leveraging technology and a skilled workforce to drive economic growth. more..

Jun 26 (FT) World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on Monday approved $ 150 million in financing for Sri Lanka to improve the quality and utilisation of its primary healthcare services. The newly approved SL Primary Healthcare System Enhancing Project will help improve quality of care and increase the use of primary medical care institutions, which provide essential health services to local communities. Capacity challenges and absence of a formal referral mechanism have more..

Jun 26 (FT) SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has said he will not support Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Presidential candidacy. Fonseka refuted rumours he will support the presidential candidacy of Ranil Wickremesinghe calling the reports completely untrue and baseless. He also denied media reports, claiming he would join the Govt shortly. A recent news report claimed Fonseka, along with opposition MPs Champika Ranawaka and Rajitha Senaratne are poised to align more..

Jun 26 (TM) In the midst of speculation on the fuel-related profit margins, the Ministry of Power and Energy stated that there will be no changes to the profit margins for fuel. Secretary to the Ministry Sulakshana Jayawardena stated: “Ministry has not taken any decision to change the profit margin for fuel.” He also emphasised that the current system employs a pricing formula that accounts for various factors, including landing costs, taxes, handling charges, and service commissions. more..

Jun 26 (DM) Teachers, principals, teacher instructors, and Piriven teachers are set to stage a one-day sick leave campaign today to protest against unresolved salary discrepancies and other demands. According to CTU, General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that the Cabinet sub-committee has agreed to address one-third of their salary anomalies as recommended by the Subodhini Committee Report. However, he noted that no action has been taken to resolve the remaining more..

Jun 26 (Island) Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G.L. Peiris has alleged that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is making a last ditch attempt to consolidate political power without facing elections. Prez’s recent attack on the judiciary, in Parliament, over the Supreme Court determination on the Gender Equality Bill, highlighted an extremely dangerous and volatile situation that should be addressed by those interested in preserving our cherished more..

Jun 26 (DM) Sri Lanka is likely to secure a grace period to settle its debts to bilateral creditors - India and China and the Paris Club of Nations - when signing the restructuring agreements with them today, an informed source said. SL held extensive talks with the Paris Club of Nations, India and China and reached agreements with them on equal terms to settle borrowings. According to the govt’s statistics, bilateral creditors account for 28.5 percent of outstanding foreign debt of $37 billion. more..

Jun 26 (Island) An outfit calling itself the People’s Movement Against Corruption said that it would move the CID and FIB of police to recover over 1.5 billion US dollars public funds misappropriated from a state bank by a private company where ousted Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa had worked soon after his retirement from the Army. Convener of the PMAC, M.R.Y. Riffai said that they would complain to the CID and FIB about the the misappropriation of public funds soon as there had been no response more..

Jun 26 (EN) Sri Lanka will sign agreements on restructured debt with Paris Club creditors Wednesday, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said as sources said talks with private creditors are also due to start later in the week. The relevant senior officials and State Minister Shehan Semasinghe has already left the country to sign the agreements. SL has held detailed negotiations with bilateral creditors ever since a sovereign default in 2022 more..

Jun 26 (AD) The petition filed by plantation companies seeking a writ order invalidating the gazette notification issued by the Minister of Labor stipulating a minimum daily wage for plantation workers, has been fixed for hearing on Nov 8 by the Court of Appeal. The petition, filed by 21 plantation companies including Agarapatana Plantations Ltd, was taken up for consideration before Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna today. The petitioners have named 52 individuals including Minister more..

Jun 26 (FT) In the lead up to Presidential elections, the three leading political camps—the President Ranil Wickremesinghe-led Govt, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and the National People’s Power (NPP)—appear to converge on two key issues, namely, an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-led path to economic recovery, and the continuity of the Provincial Councils (PC) system. On the economic front, the current IMF program is now backed, to varying degrees, by all three camps. more..

Jun 26 (DM) Two Supreme Court judges today recused themselves from hearing a contempt of court application filed against former State Minister Diana Gamage, who lost her parliamentary seat for not being a citizen of Sri Lanka. Supreme Court Justices Janak De Silva and Kumuduni Wickremasinghe recused themselves from hearing the application as they were members of the Supreme Court bench that declared Diana Gamage disqualified from being a MP. more..

Jun 26 (CI) Stafanie Taylor scored an unbeaten 28 off 26 balls after Afy Fletcher's four-for had kept SL under check, as West Indies secured a six-wicket win in a rain-affected game in Hambantota to level the three-match T20I series 1-1. This was also West Indies' first win of the tour. Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 99 in 15 overs, Taylor and captain Hayley Matthews provided the visitors with an ideal start of 44 runs in 6.5 overs, and in the process ensured WI were always ahead of the DLS-par score. more..

Jun 26 (AD) SL has reached a final restructuring agreement for USD 5.8 billion of debt with its bilateral lenders’ Official Creditor Committee in Paris, France on Wednesday. This agreement grants significant debt relief, allowing SL to allocate funds to essential public services and secure concessional financing for its development needs. “We are pleased to announce that the final agreement has been reached on debt more..

Jun 26 (AD) Officers of the Narcotics Control Unit of SL Customs have arrested six SL passengers at the BIA for attempting to smuggle Gold Gel into the country. The suspects had concealed the gel-like substance mixed with gold, estimated to be worth around Rs. 180 million, in their rectal cavities and inside their luggage, an official said. The suspects, aged between 30 and 50, are residents of Kalmunai, Mutur, Colombo-10, Kalagedihena, and Minuwangoda, and are frequent flyers, more..

Jun 26 (EN) US welcomes the news of a final agreement on debt restructuring between SL and creditor nations reached on Wednesday, US AmbassadorJulie Chung said. The diplomat tweeted that the agreement is a positive step forward in SL’s economic recovery and resilience, helping build more confidence in SL’s fiscal environment. “The US encourages SL to continue the reform process, adopting transparent and sustainable changes that foster long-term prosperity and growth,” more..

Jun 26 (AD) State Minister Shehan Semasinghe says that he met the Chinese Vice Minister of Finance, Liao Min in Paris and the final agreement has been reached on debt treatment between SL and Export Import Bank of China. He stated that the formalities for signing of the implementing agreements are under way. Meanwhile, earlier today, SL had also reached a final restructuring agreement for USD 5.8 b of debt more..

Jun 26 (DM) Against the use of tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors, Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) has decided to continue their sick leave campaign for the second day tomorrow, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said. He said that today's trade union action was a success, with a large number of teachers, principals, and teacher instructors gathering at the Fort Railway Station to support their demands. "We will continue with our strike tomorrow and have decided not to more..

Jun 26 (CA) SL National Cricket Team are all set to host India National Cricket Team for a white-ball series in July and August this year. The two teams will be locking horns with each other in the three-match T20I and three-match ODI series in the island nation. The India tour to Sri Lanka will begin with a three-match T20I series. The first match of the series will be played on 27th July followed by the last two games slated to take place on the 28th and 30th July respectively. more..

Jun 26 (FT) India, the world’s biggest democracy, held Parliamentary elections this year in seven phases from 19 April to 1 June. 642 million persons voted in the poll. Results were announced on 4 June. The incumbent PM Narendra Modi was re-elected PM for the third time. His party the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 240 of 572 Lok Sabha or Parliament seats. Together with allied parties the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) obtained 293 seats in Parliament. more..

Jun 26 (EN) Minister Ali Sabry will visit Japan from July 01 and will hold discussions with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa. He will focus on making further progress on the outcome of Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s visit to SL on May 2024. He will also call on several other dignitaries including Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi. Japan is expected to re-start projects halted after a sovereign default was declared in 2022 after existing debt is restructured. more..

Jun 26 (AN) India is trying to secure exploration rights for a cobalt offshore deposit that could fall under SL's jurisdiction. New Delhi is driven by competition with Beijing, but Colombo also wants to extract minerals that are crucial for modern technologies, including for the energy transition. Cobalt is in fact used in batteries in laptops, smartphones, and electric vehicles, but also in jet engines and gas turbines. Concerned about China's presence more..

Jun 26 (FT) The eagerly-anticipated DMASL Digital Summit 2024 is ready to set Sri Lanka’s digital marketing space abuzz on 3 and 4 July at Waters Edge, Battaramulla. After the success of last year’s inaugural summit, which swiftly became the premier event in the digital marketing industry, this year’s summit is expected to be even more dynamic and engaging. The expansion to a two-day format highlights the summit’s growing significance and influence within the industry. more..

Jun 26 (AD) Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesting members of the teacher-principal trade unions at Lotus Roundabout in Colombo. The teacher-principal trade unions are engaged in an islandwide trade union action by reporting sick leave today. At the same time, the members of the trade union launched a protest march in front of the Colombo Fort railway station. Earlier today, the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court issued an order preventing more..

Jun 26 (DM) A sailor sustained fatal wounds and a Navy Dora damaged due to the aggressive maneuvering of a poaching Indian bottom trawler during a pre-dawn operation by the SL Navy to seize the intruding vessel in the seas off Delft Island in Jaffna yesterday. Chief Petty Officer Ratnayake was positioned in the front of the Fast Attack Craft (FAC) that was on hot pursuit after an iron hulled Indian poaching vessel trying to flee SL waters more..

Jun 26 (AD) Vice Chancellor of Flinders Uni, Professor Colin Stirling, recently visited Port City Colombo as part of the ongoing discussions regarding the educational investment opportunities available within this visionary master-planned city development. He was accompanied by a delegation of officials, including Dr. Harsha Alles, Chairman, Gateway International School Group. The delegation was welcomed by Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director, and other representatives more..

Jun 26 (EN) CEB has received a bid for 4.88 cents a kilowatt hour for a 50 MegaWatt wind power plant in Mannar from Windforce Plc, industry sources said. Vidullanka, Universal Energy and Square Mech, has made a bid for 4.98 US cents a unit. Lakdhanavi Limited had made a b id for 5.90 cents. The 4.88 cents works out to around 14.80 rupees a unit at 305 rupees a US dollar. Mannar has high winds giving high plant factor in excess 40%, based on the performance of CEB’s existing plant. more..

Jun 26 (SLN) In another successful operation of the Sri Lanka Navy, on receipt of information to Naval Intelligence, a local multi-day fishing trawler (01) carrying a large haul of narcotics, with 06 suspects aboard, was intercepted on the high seas about 120 (about 222 km) off Colombo on 24th June 2024. The operation, carried out by deploying SLNS Nandimithra, resulted in the seizure of more than 191kg of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (ICE), including their packaging. more..

Jun 26 (CT) On the instruction of Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, a special committee has been appointed to investigate the recent incident involving a suspected group of treasure hunters, who had used stone-cutting electric machinery to damage a section of the stone-made spillway, near the main sluices (Wane Gala) of Kalawewa reservoir, Director General of Mahaweli Authority Mahendra Abeywardena, said. The 5-member committee is to be chaired by Mahaweli Authority Director more..