Sri Lanka News : InfoLanka News Room

Jun 28 (CT) Reconciliation is part and parcel of economic development efforts in SL. However, apart from NPP/ANURA, other political parties (i.e., SLFP/SLPP and UNP/SJB) hardly discuss reconciliation in depth. It is clear that despite the LLRC (2011) and other subsequent efforts for reconciliation, there is a grave need to generate the expected results for well-understood reasons. Reconciliation is a complex and complicated endeavor for which Vision & Political Will more..

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Is Sri Lanka on right path for economic and social recovery?

Jun 28 (Island) Elected governments are temporary caretakers of national assets; they have no right to sell these to foreigners without a nationwide referendum. A simple majority of parliamentarians selected the current temporary president—not by constituents. The unelected executive branch and the conflicted cabinet rushing to privatize national resources, public assets, and state-owned enterprises threaten the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. more..

Editorial: Thus spake the man on collapsing vine bridge

Jun 28 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was expected to make a special statement, during his address to the nation on Wednesday, announcing his presidential candidacy. There was no such statement, but he made it abundantly clear that he would enter the fray. He did so by asking the public some rhetorical questions, followed by a warning. Having outlined how he had helped bring about economic stability and raise the country from the depths of despair, he posed these queries: more..

Foreign job scams: People falling prey to fraudsters despite warnings, says SLBFE

Jun 28 (ST) Despite repeated warnings by authorities, many people continue to fall prey to fraudsters running fake foreign job scams. While dozens of arrests have been made, it remains an uphill battle. Earlier this month, police sought public assistance to arrest an alleged fraudster accused of defrauding over Rs. 17.5 million from individuals in various parts of the island by promising them foreign employment opportunities in countries such as the UK more..

Ayomal, Indusara dazzle with amazing feats

Jun 28 (Island) 18-year-old Ambagamuwa Central hurdler Ayomal Akalanka turned tables on senior counterparts to win the men’s 400 metres hurdles on the final day of the National Athletics Championship at Diyagama. The athlete trained by veteran coach Anura Bandara produced an outstanding performance of 51.42 seconds. With that feat he has bettered the World Junior C'ship entry standards (53.20) more than a couple of times this year. He was joined by Indusara Vidushan to more..

England-SL U-19 ODI series begins today

Jun 28 (DN) SL under 19 team led by Dinura Kalupahana will play their first ODI of the 3-match series against England under 19 team today (28) at Chelmsford. The second and third ODI will be played on July 1st at and July 3rd at County ground Hove. England U-19 will be captained by Essex all rounder Luc Benkenstein, son of former South Africa batter and current Lancashire head coach Dale Benkenstein. Rockey Flintoff the son of former England allrounder Andrew Flintoff has been more..

මාලිමා ආණ්ඩුවේ ප්‍රතිපත්ති හදන අය

Vanavasi Rahula Thera calls for privatisation of tourist sites

Jun 28 (FT) National Namal Uyana founder Vanavasi Rahula Thera has proposed the taxation and privatisation of tourist sites, including Sigiriya. Addressing a press conference at the National Namal Uyana, Rahula Thera suggested that, apart from sacred sites visited by local and foreign tourists, tourist destinations such as Sigiriya should be privatised immediately. Rahula Thera highlighted the lack of basic amenities for foreign tourists visiting Sigiriya and similar sites across the country. more..

National Business Excellence Awards concludes successfully

Jun 28 (FT) National Chamber announced that the The National Business Excellence Awards 2024 celebrating its 19th year was concluded successfully in a grand manner on Thursday (20) at Shangri-La, attended by the large gathering of business community, leaders from corporate world, distinguished guests and invitees. Being one of the pioneering Awards Competitions initiated as way back as 2004, by National Chamber of Commerce of SL, National Business Excellence Awards more..

Tharushi battles wet track conditions & step motherly treatment to boost Olympic hopes

Jun 28 (Island) Asian Games gold medallist Tharushi Karunaratne battled wet track conditions and what her coach Susantha Fernando termed as step motherly treatment to secure the 800 metres title on the final day of 102nd National Athletics C'ship at Diyagama on Thursday. Pushed hard at some stages of the race by Olympian Nimali Liyanarachchi, former Ratnayake Central Walala athlete competed with determination to more..

No stock market cheer for RW’s good news

Jun 28 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday appeared unfazed by much trumpeted good news from the Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe-led Govt over external debt breakthrough as it ended negatively with low activity. The active S&P SL20 was down by 0.75% and ASPI by 0.6%. Turnover was a low Rs. 1 billion involving 41 million shares. Foreigners were also net sellers. Pro-Govt analysts were disappointed with the lack of cheer from investors to the deal on $ 10 billion debt held by more..

Racing ace Eshan triumphs in Japan

Jun 28 (DN) Eshan Pieris arrived back in SL this week after achieving a remarkable Silver Class win in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia 2024 held at Fuji International Speedway, Japan, last Saturday. At the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia, Eshan stood as the only racer on the grid representing SL and one of the thirteen entrants from Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific to take part. For the race, he paired once again with Tanart Sathienthirakul in the Absolute Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), more..

SLBA rejects misconceived diatribe against lending and debt recovery practices of banks

Jun 28 (FT) Sri Lanka Bank’s Association (SLBA) rejected a reported recent tirade against banks by two senior lawmakers, describing their remarks as misconceived, inaccurate, misleading and unhelpful. The SLBA was responding to the Daily FT article titled Ministerial duo deal heavy blow to banks highlighting remarks made by Ministers Ramesh Pathirana and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe at awareness conference more..

Fonterra Brands marks World Environment Day with focus on land restoration

Jun 28 (Island) Fonterra Brands Lanka commemorated World Environment Day by hosting an educational workshop focused on environmental awareness and soil conservation practices. Aligned with this year’s theme of Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience, the initiative aimed to empower the local community and future generations with the knowledge and skills needed to realize a more sustainable future. Held at the Fonterra Dairy Hub Pannala, more..

Optional Compensation Scheme for third party victims of motor vehicle accidents

Jun 28 (FT) The insurance industry has begun implementing an Optional Compensation Scheme (OCS) to compensate the third-party victims of motor vehicle accidents or their legal heirs without any legal proceedings. This is following an initiative by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of SL (IRCSL) in consultation with the Transport and Highways Ministry, stakeholder organisations related to the transport sector and the licenced insurance companies. IRCSL said third party victims, more..

විදේශීය ණයවලට මොකද වුණේ?

IT biz staff attrition drops to pre-pandemic times

Jun 28 (ST) Staff attrition levels in the IT businesses have dropped down to pre pandemic levels as per latest industry data, industry experts said. While the country’s economy and political stability have somewhat helped, the oversupply of tech talent in Europe and other Western countries is impacting the hiring, Hasith Yaggahavita – CEO of 99x Technology, a global product engineering company that operates in Norway, Malaysia, Brazil, and Sri Lanka told the Business Times. more..

1,251 MW of solar power generation expected by end of this year

Jun 28 (DM) Sri Lanka is expected to achieve a total capacity of 1,251 MW from solar power generation by the end of this year, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. While issuing a graph on solar power generation, the Minister said that it is expected to generate 1,100 MW of total solar capacity by the end of this month. 944 MWs are connected to the national grid from roof-top solar development, and 156 MWs are connected from ground-mount solar development. more..

SJB says good job with bilateral debt deal but warns that’s not all

Jun 28 (FT) The main Opposition, SJB, said it welcomed the restructuring agreement between Govt and bilateral lenders, but noted this was a result of the decades long relationship Sri Lanka enjoys with countries like India, China and Japan, and not the individual achievement of a party or person. The Party also warned the Govt against using the agreement with bilateral lenders as cover to enter into unfavourable agreements more..

More SLPP dissident MPs to join New Alliance which backs RW

Jun 28 (Island) Chief Govt Whip Prasanna Ranatunga said that prez election would be held later this year in spite of continuing speculation about moves to put it off and advance the parliamentary polls. Gampaha District MP, who is also the Urban Development and Housing Minister, said the prez election would be conducted as scheduled followed by parliamentary polls next year. Addressing the media at the newly established election propaganda office at Lauries Lane, more..

Debt restructuring agreement: Sajith raises concern

Jun 28 (DM) Sajith Premadasa, leader of the SJB, raised concerns regarding the debt restructuring agreement signed by the govt with official creditor countries, citing specific issues with the terms negotiated. “We would have welcomed the agreement if it benefited the nation but there are certain issues, Mr. Premadasa told a public gathering. “IMF report talks of a grace period till 2033 while the govt claims that it had got a grace period till 2028 from official creditor nations. more..

හිරු ටීවී පත්තරේ විස්තරේ

GNs give ultimatum for continued strike

Jun 28 (TM) Citing lethargy on the part of the Govt which has resulted in salary and allowance-related issues faced by Grama Niladhari (GN) officers remaining unresolved, GN officers are planning to intensify the ongoing union action. GN officers commenced a strike on Wednesday, which is slated to continue until today. During the weekend, the officers will resort to work to rule action. If they do not receive concrete solutions by 1 July, they will make a decision to launch an indefinite strike more..

Police arrest three for duping gay men

Jun 28 (CT) Three suspects were arrested, by the Mirihana Police yesterday, in Nugegoda, in connection with an extortion racket targeting gay men. The suspects allegedly lured victims to an abandoned house under the pretense of meeting partners. According to Police reports, the suspects ambushed and assaulted the victims, harassed them and then blackmailed them into paying hundreds of thousands of rupees to prevent the release of the photographs & video footage on internet. more..

EC constitutionally empowered to call for Presidential poll in less than three weeks

Jun 28 (DM) The Election Commission which will get constitutional authority to conduct the presidential election independent of any governmental interference in another three weeks time has sprung up into action by issuing a circular to initiate action for staff, vehicle mobilization and polling centre inspections. Commission will get authority automatically after July 17 to issue the gazette notification calling for the election. more..

Namal raises concerns over policy differences with President

Jun 28 (FT) SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa has said that some actions taken by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe do not align with SLPP policies. Speaking at a party electoral organising meeting in Medawachchiya yesterday, Rajapaksa noted that while the SLPP appointed Wickremesinghe as President and supported certain legislations he introduced, the party disagrees with some of his policies as they do not align with those of the SLPP. more..

SC stays Pavithra’s Gazette on Vidataltivu Reserve

Jun 28 (FT) Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the recent gazette notification by Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, which proposed altering the boundaries of Vidataltivu Nature Reserve. This order responds to a fundamental rights application filed by Wildlife and Nature Protection Society. Contested gazette, issued in May, aimed to degazette a portion of Vidataltivu Nature Reserve to facilitate the establishment of an aquaculture industrial park in the area. more..

CC rejects rtd. AG’s service extension again: ‘No fresh nominee or acting appointment’

Jun 28 (TM) With the Constitutional Council (CC) rejecting for the 2nd time Prez Wickremesinghe's proposal to extend the term of office of the former Attorney General, Sanjay Rajaratnam, who retired on Wednesday, for an additional six months, the CC is awaiting a fresh nomination for the position and has not yet considered appointing an Acting AG. The proposal to extend Rajaratnam’s term by another 6 months more..

Why do banks exist?

Jun 28 (FT) Two leading Ministers Ramesh Pathirana and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on Sunday lambasted the banking sector for half-hearted support to the struggling Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) thereby endangering a quicker recovery in the economy following multiple crises. Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana on Sunday urged enterprises to take a stand against unfair banking practices and to continue lobbying for their interests regardless of political affiliations. more..

Descent into lunacy

Jun 28 (FT) Consequent to endeavours and successes in banning nitrogenous fertilisers, establishing climate change universities, liberalising sodomy and LGBTQ+, decreasing the age of consent to 14 and thereby legalising paedophilia – all in obedience to the directions emanating from agencies of the United Nations and its patrons, the latest Sri Lankan move towards achieving the objectives of the Agenda 2030 is the proposed enactment of the gender bills. more..

කල් ඇතිව ගේන්නේ සංවාදයට!

China’s Vice Minister calls on Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beijing

Jun 28 (DM) China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong, called on former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beijing today and reiterated the strong partnership between China and Sri Lanka. Referring to Prez Rajapaksa as an old friend of China, Vice Minister Sun recalled the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Sri Lanka in 2014 during Rajapaksa's tenure. Vice Minister Sun Weidong emphasized that SL and China remain very good partners in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). more..

West Indies complete come-from-behind series win

Jun 28 (CI) West Indian top three of Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle ensured a triumphant end to a challenging tour of Sri Lanka, as they anchored a six-wicket win in the third and final T20I in Hambantota to complete a come-from-behind 2-1 series win. Campbelle remained unbeaten at the end on a 30-ball 41 as West Indies chased down a target of 142 with just one ball to spare. The margin of victory however belies the control the visitors exuded in the chase. more..

Video: Hirunika sentenced to 3 years rigorous imprisonment

Jun 28 (AD) Former MP Hirunika Premachandra has been sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court. The former SJB MP was sentenced after being found guilty of being involved in the abduction of a youth in the Dematagoda area on Dec 21, 2015 using a Defender and his wrongful detention. The sentencing was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja on Friday (28). more..

Sri Lanka economic stability under President reduced RE prices: Minister

Jun 28 (EN) Economic stability achieved by Sri Lanka under Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and policy changes had reduced renewable purchase prices, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said after investors bid steeply lower rates in a competitive tender in June, compared to earlier negotiated rates. “The key factor is the economic & political stability that the Prez & the Govt has brought in and the positive policy changes & legal frame work changes established in the sector,” more..

Parliament to debate debt restructuring agreements next week

Jun 28 (AD) The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided to debate the Resolution for the Implementation of External Debt Restructuring Agreements on July 2nd and 3rd, according to the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament. This has been decided in the Committee on Parliamentary Business held this morning (28), under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and with the participation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. more..

Japan to resume ODA projects with BIA expansion

Jun 28 (FT) Japan expressed hope to resume its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) inspired projects with the expansion of the BIA following SL’s successful conclusion of the MOUs with official creditors on Wednesday. Japan’s Acting Ambassador Katsuki Kotaro described the signing of MOUs with the Official Creditors Committee (OCC) and China EXIM Bank as a significant milestone considering more..

New Electricity Act came into effect yesterday: Ministry

Jun 28 (DM) New Electricity Act, which was endorsed by the Speaker three weeks ago, came into effect yesterday, the Power and Energy Ministry said. They said the bill was passed in Parliament on June 6, with amendments garnering a majority of 44 votes. The bill drew 103 votes in favour and 59 against at the end of the day’s debate. Earlier, the Supreme Court had identified certain clauses in the Bill that violated the Constitution, necessitating a special two-thirds majority more..

Sri Lanka to revise high feed-in renewable tariffs after cheap competitive tenders

Jun 28 (EN) Sri Lanka will lower high feed in tariffs offered to renewable developers after low prices that has come in from a 50 MW tender for power plant in Mannar, Minister Wijesekera said. “With the new competitive bids coming in, The Ministry of Power & Energy has already taken steps to revise the Feeding Tariff rates, Roof Top Solar Tariff rates,” Minister Wijesekera said. Formulas for negotiating renewable projects and economic indicators will also be revised, he said. more..