Mar 13 (ST) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has still not received applications from Managing Companies to set up exchange-traded funds, it was revealed at a recent meeting the regulator had with unit trust (UT) industry representatives. The SEC, under the Collective Investments Code 2022 (CIS Code) introduced the regulatory framework for the operation of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Umbrella schemes over a year ago. more..

Mar 13 (FT) Cabinet on Monday approved publishing the Bill to introduce amendments to Recovery of Loans by Banks Act No.4 of 1990 in the Govt Gazette and to table it in the Parliament for approval. The move follows last month’s Cabinet decision to suspend the parate law enforcement used as collateral for loans till 15 Dec 2024. “The diligent efforts of the draftsman culminated in the completion of the amended Bill, more..

Mar 13 (CBC) Ottawa police admit they made mistakes last week when communicating key information about the city's worst mass killing in recent history. Six people including a mother, her four young children and a family acquaintance were found dead inside a townhouse in the south Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven on March 6. The woman's husband and father of the children remains in hospital. A 19-year-old man who was living with the family is in custody facing six counts of more..

Mar 13 (EN) SL is looking for $11.26 billion in investment to meet its renewable energy targets in eight years through 2030 including building storage capacity, Narendra De Silva, the Acting General Manager at the state-run CEB, said. De Silva, addressing a forum to explain SL’s renewable energy requirements for potential Indian partners said the island nation is likely to see solar power as a key source in the energy mix by 2026. “By 2026, day peak is going to exceed night peak. more..

Mar 13 (AD) The Cabinet has given approval to sign documents with the Japanese govt to receive a grant of Yen 1.6 billion (approximately Rs. 3.3 billion) under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Program for the implementation of several projects. Japan has expanded its corporation to provide SL with immediate humanitarian grants for the communities devastated by the present economic crisis and to empower the govt sector to upgrade economic situation of the country. more..

Mar 13 (AD) The main suspect in the murder of a Buddhist monk in Malwathu Hiripitiya was found to have been an ex-commando turned hitman, the police said on Tuesday (12). He was gunned down by police while attempting to escape custody. The deceased, identified as Kalhara Dilshan from Aralaganwila in Polonnaruwa, was reportedly complicit in a number of criminal activities including the murders of Dilan Ranga in Thalangama on 20 July 2023, Manna Ramesh and more..

Mar 13 (FT) France together with Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Spain and UK as long-standing and active members of the Paris Club recently requested the Southern District Court of New York to consider extending the 5-month stay in support of the Govt of SL to safeguard the ongoing debt restructuring process. Paris Club Secretary General Philippe Guyonnet Duperat, in a letter to Judge Denise L. Cote, strongly pointed out more..

Mar 13 (Island) EPDP leader and Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has told Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan that Indian fishing fleet must not be allowed to fish in SL waters under any circumstances. A statement issued by the Fisheries Ministry quoted Minister Devananda as having told Minister Radhakrishnan, over the phone, that a request made by the Tamil Nadu administration, in this regard, couldn’t be granted. Devananda has declared that more..

Mar 13 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said the inaugural UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on Sunday was nothing but a farce. He alleged that the UNP had gathered its Local Govt candidates from across the country to Kuliyapitiya on the day, likening the rally to a farce, akin to the UNP leader’s assertion in 2017 that a Volkswagen assembly plant would be established in Kuliyapitiya. Marikkar pointed out that despite Wickremesinghe’s extensive travels across the country over the past 17 months more..

Mar 13 (TM) A group of Opposition and Govt MPs are to meet next week to discuss what they claim to be the relevant authorities' failure to curb increasing crimes and the drug menace across the country. Despite the ongoing operation Yukthiya (Justice) which is aimed at eliminating organised crime and the drug menace in the country, several murders which are believed to have been directed by organised criminals and drug traffickers more..

Mar 13 (FT) The stabilisation of the economy and the adoption of IMF program requirements has created optimism that SL is heading in a positive direction. While the direction is positive, where this is going to lead us is not. If SL follows the IMF program to the letter, it is poised to have a smaller per capita GDP than India and Bangladesh by 2032. The measure of a country’s economic strength is the income per person, or GDP per capita, as more populous countries naturally have larger more..

Mar 13 (AD) Supreme Court has once again taken up for hearing the petition filed by State Minister Diana Gamage challenging a decision taken by the SJB to scrap her membership in the party. The petition was reheard before a 3-member SC trial bench comprising of Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Samayawardena. Appearing for the General Secretary of SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara, who has been named as a respondent more..

Mar 13 (DM) Doctors who had previously left SL for various reasons are now returning to the country, providing a hopeful alleviation of the ongoing shortage of doctors, the Health Ministry said. Deputy Director General Dr. G. Wijesuriya highlighted this positive development, citing a recent downward trend in doctors leaving the country. "Previously, there was a concerning trend where doctors, particularly those pursuing postgraduate training abroad, opted not to return to SL. more..

Mar 13 (AD) A former member of the LTTE has been arrested while transporting 3 kilograms of Kerala cannabis from Kilinochchi to Matara by bus. The arrest was made in a joint operation carried out by the Army Intelligence Unit and the SL Police Special Branch in Matara. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the stock of Kerala cannabis with an estimated street value of over Rs. 01 million, has been transported from the Kilinochchi area to Matara by bus. more..

Mar 13 (EN) Sri Lanka violated all 16 of its past agreements with the IMF and if the current agreement is also not honoured, the situation could get macarbe, according to Minister Bandula Gunawardena. “The previous 16 agreements with the IMF were all violated. It was after violating the agreements that the country went bankrupt. If we violate the agreement again even after bankruptcy, the country will not last. more..

Mar 13 (DM) Top professional Kavan Ratnayaka has been appointed as the Chairman of Bank of Ceylon (BOC), the bank announced today. In a filing to the CSE, BoC said the new Chairman will take over his duties with effect from tomorrow. Ratnayaka takes over the position from Ronald C Perera, PC, who stepped down as Chairman yesterday. Ratnayake had earlier served as Chairman of the SLPA, SL Tourism Development Authority, and Associated Newspapers of Ceylon (Lake House). more..

Mar 13 (Island) Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has granted USD 7.1 mn for the modernization of the plant quarantine system of SL. According to a KOICA statement, this project has been implemented with National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) of Dept of Agriculture (DOA) under the purview of Ministry of Agriculture. The project, originally launched in 2019, aims to enhance export competitiveness of SL agricultural products by improving plant quarantine capacity more..

Mar 13 (DM) Sri Lanka failed to meet 33% of the commitments due by end-Feb 2024 in its IMF programme, according to the February update of Verité Research’s IMF Tracker. Many of these commitments that are classified as not met on IMF Tracker were designed to improve governance, the Verité Research said. “These include commitments related to publishing information (transparency), and those that require more..

Mar 13 (AD) The prime suspect in the murder of a 17-year-old girl from Elpitiya was arrested on Tuesday night (March 12), the police said. The arrestee was identified as the deceased’s brother-in-law, named Sudesh Priyankara. During interrogations, he has confessed to killing his wife’s younger sister over her alleged romantic involvement with another man. The suspect has been remanded until March 21 after being produced before the Elpitiya Magistrate’s Court. more..

Mar 13 (EN) Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the appointment of Deshabandu Thennakoon as IGP. The petition was filed by CPA Executive Director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu against the presidential appointment of Tennakoon, CPA said in a statement. “Article 41C of the 1978 Constitution of SL provides that such an appointment by the Prez cannot occur without approval from the Constitutional Council of SL. more..

Mar 13 (Island) Trade Minister Nalin Fernando announced that the price of milk powder would be reduced by Friday (15). The announcement was made in the wake of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) lambasting both Trade and Finance Ministries for their failure to implement the milk powder pricing formula, introduced in 2018. CoPF Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva censured officials when he took up the issue with those officials summoned by the House Committee recently. more..

Mar 13 (AD) The Canadian High Commissioner to SL, Eric Walsh called on the Leader of NPP, MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday morning (13). During the meeting, which took place at the JVP head office, the current socio-economic and political situation in Sri Lanka was discussed at length. Taking to his X handle (formerly Twitter), Dissanayake said views were also exchanged between the two sides on the plans of the National People’s Power to build national unity. more..

Mar 13 (DM) A Chinese woman who attempted to leave her younger daughter aged three and half with her SL nanny and flee from the country was arrested at the BIA by the Airport Police last night when she was about to board the plane. Investigations revealed that the 35 year-old Chinese woman had been living with her mother and two daughters in a rented house in Dubai and earned her living as a dancer in night clubs. more..

Mar 13 (DM) In a bid to provide eggs at a reasonable price ahead of the upcoming festive season, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said a controlled price will be imposed in light of soaring prices. This was raised during a discussion held between the Agriculture Minister and representatives of the All Ceylon Egg Producers' Association today. During the discussion, the existing prices of eggs were taken into consideration, highlighting the need to further bring down the prices, more..

Mar 13 (AD) An elderly SL couple who died together outside their home may have been overcome by Melbourne’s blistering heatwave. The bodies of Doyne Caspersz and his wife Marlene were found outside their home on Antigoni Court, Warrandyte about 9.30am on Tuesday. CCTV captured their sad demise on Sunday, when temperatures soared in Warrandyte to 38C. It remains unknown why the beloved couple decided to leave their home, which is located in a wealthy Melbourne more..

Mar 13 (HRW) The IMF should urge SL’s govt to abandon draft legislation that would severely curtail civil society and jeopardize the IMF’s program in the country, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the IMF. The proposed Non-Governmental Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Act is among several recent and planned measures that would curtail fundamental freedoms, despite the critical role of more..

Mar 13 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) signed an MOU with Japan Cricket Association (JCA) to help Japan develop its game through collaborations, exchanges, and also providing expertise pertaining to the game. Under this MOU, SLC will help Japan by sending players, teams, coaches and curators to help Japanese cricket. SLC will send teams to play T20 matches in Japan and will also host Japanese cricket teams in SL, while opportunities will also be given to their players to train with LPL more..

Mar 13 (DM) Education Ministry is to launch an investigation after receiving the report from the Tirukkovil Education Zone regarding the death of the 16-year-old schoolboy in Ampara after collapsing while participating in a marathon race. The marathon race was held at the Tirukkovil Methodist Central College on Monday morning as part of the inter-house sports meet at the school premises. Student was admitted to the Tirukkovil Hospital and later transferred to the Akkaraipattu Hospital more..

Mar 13 (FT) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila has announced plans to submit a bill to amend the Central Bank Act, aiming to abolish recent excessive salary increases and prevent future arbitrary raises. He criticised the CB officials for allegedly abusing their independence and implementing a 70% salary increase without proper justification. He expressed disappointment over the lack of action by the Govt in addressing the issue, despite previous objections to granting excessive independence to the Central Bank. more..

Mar 13 (FT) The environment in which we live and work is complex. From emerging technology and rapid digital advancement to political conflicts and elections, every sector is affected by myriad disruptions. Case in point: COVID-19. The pandemic and subsequent financial crisis profoundly affected SL lives and careers, which reduced confidence in the economy and increased anxiety about upcoming general and presidential elections. From 2020 to mid-2023, leaders in business and more..

Mar 13 (DM) The govt will soon strengthen its laws to prevent foreign nationals from operating businesses in the country while they are under tourist visas and have already begun conducting raids in the south. Earlier this month, Daily Mirror exclusively reported that several foreign nationals including Russians, Ukrainians and Israelis who were in SL under tourist visas were operating businesses in tourist hotspots more..

Mar 13 (AD) The visiting delegates of the IMF held a discussion on Tuesday (12) at the Ministry of Power and Energy to review the progress of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) operations and commitments. The delegation led by Peter Breuer, IMF Senior Mission Chief for SL, has reportedly looked into the tariff reduction in the electricity sector, CEB and CPC balance sheets of 2023, current financial positions of the state-owned electricity supplier, more..

Mar 13 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Mr. L. Ilangovan as the new Chief Secretary of the Northern Province. Appointment letter was signed by the Secretary to the Presidential Mr. Saman Ekanayake, and the official handover took place today (12). Mr. Ilangovan, a distinguished officer of the SL Administrative Service, has previously served in various ministries in the Northern Province and held the position of Northern Province Governor’s Secretary. more..

Mar 13 (DM) On the heels of the cabinet nod to establish a medical faculty at the National School of Business Management (NSBM), the Govt Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has expressed reservations, questioning the necessity of the move as it appears unrealistic. GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe emphasized the importance of conducting a proper feasibility study before making a final decision. more..

Mar 13 (TM) In the wake of several allegations being made regarding a circular issued by the Ministry of Health that reportedly encourages hospitals to use expired medicines, the ministry said that no such circular has been issued encouraging the health sector to do so, adding that the objective of the circular has been misinterpreted by critics. Deputy Director General of Health Services (DDGHS) (Medical Supplies), Dr. G. Wijesuriya, told the media that these allegations made by more..

Mar 13 (AD) Dept of Meteorology has cautioned the people of rising atmospheric temperatures at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Southern provinces in the coming hours. The advisory, issued at 4 p.m. today (13), will be in effect until tomorrow evening (14). “Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western & Southern provinces”, it warned. more..