Mar 7 (CI) Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's half-century helped Bangladesh level the series against SL as the hosts completed a comfortable win in the second T20I in Sylhet. The visitors faltered in the middle overs with the bat before Bangladesh's top four got all the runs. The game was not without controversy though. Soumya Sarkar's not-out decision during the chase left SL fuming, after the third umpire ruled that more..

Mar 7 (FT) EFL 3PL, a subsidiary of EFL Global yesterday announced the launch of its flagship Grade A warehousing facility in the vibrant Bhiwandi region of Mumbai. This strategic expansion, with an investment of $ 5 million, marks a significant milestone in EFL 3PL’s commitment to enhancing its presence in India and solidifying its position as a leader in end-to-end logistics solutions and supply chain management. With over 25 years of experience in the Indian market, more..

Mar 7 (FT) Kapruka.com, SL’s leading e-commerce website launched the Kapruka Partner Central which provides an enhanced platform for partners to showcase their products and connect with a global audience on 29 February 2024. The event to launch the platform, which will mark a new era of empowerment and opportunity for partners across the digital space, was held at the Lotus Tower, Colombo. The Partner Central selling platform represents a culmination of meticulous more..

Mar 7 (TM) During the recent discussion organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), between the negotiating team of the SL-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) and industry experts, the industry expats called for increased focus on the FTA for SL's economic growth. Accordingly, CCC Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa, while stressing the importance of facing global market competitiveness, emphasised that SL needs to explore and leverage more..

Mar 7 (FT) In a ground-breaking move, ATIRE Ltd., the rapidly growing industrial solid tire company based in Sri Lanka, has redefined the standards of environmental responsibility by becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral industrial solid tire manufacturing company. This incredible milestone, certified by the Sri Lanka Climate Fund - under the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka, highlights ATIRE’s commitment to pioneering sustainable industrial practices. more..

Mar 7 (Island) Batsmen will be under presure when arch rivals Royal and S. Thomas’ meet in the 145th Battle of the Blues commencing at the SSC today. After having struggled to survive on more than one occasion during this season batting lineups of both Royal and S. Thomas’ will be waiting for new heroes to emerge to meet the demands of the three-day Big Match. Royal skippered by SL U-19 captain Sineth Jayawardane will be out to retain more..

Mar 7 (FT) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya outlined the importance of Parliamentary authority in decisions concerning the increase of Central Bank employee salaries, insisting on the principles of social equity. Speaking in Parliament during the debate on amendments related to Social Security Tax and VAT, he stressed the need for comprehensive reports from the CoPF, incorporating diverse perspectives, before presenting recommendations to the Parliament. more..

Mar 7 (ST) SL bagged one gold, five each of silver and bronze medals at Commonwealth Chess Championship 2024 held in Malaysia last week. SL emerged as a formidable force, clinching an impressive tally of medals in the prestigious event held from Feb 20 to 27. Organised by Malaysian Chess Federation and Persatuan Catur Melaka, championship witnessed intense competition among players from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, more..

Mar 7 (TM) Citing food-related health code violations, aesthetic concerns and the alleged misuse of facilities provided at concessional rates to operate eateries, SL Ports Management and Consultancy Services Company, an affiliate of SLPA which is responsible for the administration of the Galle Face Green, has, in conjunction with the public health authorities, as a measure of last resort, notified unauthorised food vendors and more..

Mar 7 (FT) Consolidating its legacy as a cornerstone of the nation’s banking system, HNB PLC, yesterday celebrated its 135th year of supporting customers and businesses to achieve their financial goals with the release of a commemorative stamp. HNB’s Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles said: “Since our inception, HNB has recognised that our true strength lies not only in our financial prowess but also in the people we serve – from budding savers to thriving SMEs. more..

Mar 7 (CI) SL were indignant in the second T20I following the controversial overturning of an on-field decision, by third umpire Masudur Rahman. Early in the fourth over of Bangladesh's chase, opener Soumya Sarkar had been given out by on-field umpire Sharfuddoula, who ruled that he had edged behind a short delivery from left-arm seamer Binura Fernando. Soumya reviewed that decision immediately, but had begun to walk off the field when the big screen showed a clear spike more..

Mar 7 (DN) Dambulla and Kandy have booked their sports in the National Super League Limited Overs Cricket Tournament final. Dambulla secured their berth by overcoming Jaffna by 2 wickets in Hambantota, leading the table with 6 points. Meanwhile, Kandy, wrapping up the first round early, clinched the second spot in the points table to enter the final. In the last match of the first-round at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday, Galle defeated Colombo but missed out on the final. more..

Mar 7 (DM) The forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said that except for a few showers in the Ratnapura, Galle and Matara districts in the evening or night, mainly dry weather will prevail over the island. However, misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts during the morning. Mainly, fair weather will prevail in sea areas around the island. The winds will be easterly or more..

Mar 7 (FT) Former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa will launch a book today giving his version of events that led to his dramatic ouster from office in July last year. The book titled The conspiracy to oust me from the Presidency will be available in Sinhala and English in bookshops from today, the office of the former Prez said. “Foreign intervention has weighed heavily on SL since we won the war against the LTTE in 2009. more..

Mar 7 (ST) A one-year suspension of the driving licence is to be considered for those found guilty of driving under the influence of liquor and causing an accident. The measure is one of the proposals to be made to a parliamentary select committee that Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe wants the Speaker to appoint. The minister said he had written to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, seeking the appointment of a select committee to reduce road accidents. more..

Mar 7 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday drew parallels between the recent salary increase obtained by Central Bank of SL (CBSL) employees and what he termed as the laundering of the nation by the Rajapaksa regime, citing their involvement in resolving the country’s prolonged conflict. The parliament debate heated up after Marikkar questioned the Govt on the recent CBSL salary increase, pressing PM to present the specifics of the raises granted in parliament. more..

Mar 7 (DM) The IMF will kick off the second review under the EFF programme today. According to Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, the outcome of the review will be largely positive. “Nobody should doubt the release of the third tranche. The second review is going to be better than the first. We are confident about that. Sri Lanka has achieved much of the progress required and fulfilled majority of the requirements listed by the IMF. So, we are good,” Semasinghe said. more..

Mar 7 (DM) At a time where it is repeatedly stressed that SL needs to work closely with other nations, First lady Maithree Wickremesinghe called for diplomatic ties which would become connections of hearts, minds and souls. Ms. Wickremesinghe highlighted this point at the swearing in of US Peace Corps volunteers in Colombo. “The character of a nation consist not only of its geography and climate, origin, dominant culture, contemporary leaders in politics but also the caliber of its people and more..

Mar 7 (CT) Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake confirmed that the Prez Election will definitely be held at a date between 17 Sept and 18 Oct 2024. He said as a State that respects the Constitution, Prez Election should be held this year as the tenure of the Executive Prez ceases by November. “Constitution states the tenure of the presidency is five years and there are no provisions to extend the tenure. more..

Mar 7 (AD) Puttalam District MP Ali Sabri Raheem has been suspended from Parliament for a period of one month with effect from Wednesday (March 06). A resolution proposing the suspension of Raheem from parliamentary proceedings was approved by the MPs during today’s proceedings. Raheem was embroiled in controversy last year after he was detained at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo on May 23 along with a stock of undeclared stock of gold and mobile phones. more..

Mar 7 (TM) Further investigations into the incident of the CCD Organised Crime Division OIC, Inspector of Police Duminda Jayathilaka leaving the country citing threats to his life will depend also on whether he returns to Sri Lanka. Noting this, DIG Nihal Thalduwa explained yesterday: “He has obtained official leave only until today. Therefore, we will have to wait and see whether he returns, and future actions will also depend on the actions that he takes following his return, if he returns.” more..

Mar 7 (DM) The recent uproar over the Central Bank’s salary increases has caught widespread attention and according to Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, this controversy is a deliberate attempt to undermine the institution’s autonomy. He cautioned that exaggerating the salary increases to undermine the financial sector regulator’s independence could severely impact the economy, potentially regressing it to its troubled state more..

Mar 7 (EN) Sri Lanka’s combined harvesters for rice is next in line for price controls, according to statements made in a parliament, as price controls are also planned for three-wheelers and school vans in the wake of a currency crisis. The price charged for harvesting rice by owners of harvesting machines (colloquially known as a boothaya) is to be regulated from the next Maha season, State Minister of Agriculture Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva said. MP Samanpriya Herath, said however, more..

Mar 7 (FT) SL will face elections sometime in the future, and a new Government may be elected. It could be led by one of the old political parties or could be a brand-new party. The purpose of this note is to provide some thoughts on designing a pragmatic economic policy regime by the incoming new Govt. The major economic policy regimes are capitalist, socialist, and mixed regimes. Capitalist regimes are based on laissez-faire (leave us alone in French) principle and Adam Smith’s doctrine more..

Mar 7 (DM) Contradicting the Power and Energy Minister's claim that the electricity re-connection fee was reduced to Rs. 800 this year, newly appointed Anuradhapura District MP M.C. Muthukumarana said he paid Rs. 3,000 as reconnection fee two months ago. MP Muthukumarana told this in Parliament after Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said that the reconnection fee which was Rs. 3,000 earlier was reduced to Rs. 1,300 last year and that it was further reduced to Rs. 800 from this year. more..

Mar 7 (DM) A police sergeant assigned to the Matara Division Crime Investigation Unit has been arrested for his involvement in aiding and abetting the failed escape attempt of organized criminal Nandun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata from the CID. The 36-year-old sergeant, a resident of Ahangama, was arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). IGP handed over the investigations into the escape attempt by Harak Kata to TID. Accordingly, during the investigations more..

Mar 7 (FT) With global attention focusing on conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, British peer Lord Michael Naseby called out for the British Govt to assist SL, whose people still face many challenges. On Tuesday, the House of Lords held a seven-hour debate on Britain’s Foreign Affairs and 63 peers from various political parties raised questions on Britain’s role in the current volatile international landscape. Former PM more..

Mar 7 (FT) The secret of Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and the NPP’s success, the reason why the combination is drawing record crowds and is the only political entity in the field to do so, is really simple. It’s the public imagination, stupid! Anura and the NPP have seized the public imagination in a way that nobody in this election year has. They have done so, not by resorting to base invocations of race and religion as Gotabaya Rajapaksa did. They have done so, because they are not boring while more..

Mar 7 (DM) A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the IGP. Anti Corruption Movement affiliated to the SJB filed this petition, further seeking a declaration that newly appointed IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon is unfit to hold public office including any post in the SL Police Force. Convener of Anti Corruption Movement Niroshan Padukka and Committee Member Ananda Palitha filed more..

Mar 7 (AD) National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) says it intends to compile a list containing the names of the offenders convicted of child sexual abuse. Chanaka Amarasinghe, NCPA chairman, explained that these convicts are most likely to repeat the offences once they are released from custody after serving their prison sentences, adding that this leaves children at risk of falling prey to molesters. more..

Mar 7 (DM) Steps are being taken to introduce a mechanism to pay the connection charge for new electricity connections through an instalment payment scheme, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said. He said that the proposal to introduce the instalment payment scheme has been approved by the Board of Directors of the CEB and that it will be announced by next week. Minister said the new system will allow consumers to obtain new connections after paying only 25% of more..

Mar 7 (AD) State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna has been elected as the chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA). Meanwhile, SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena has been elected the chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). New MPs nominated to the COPA are as Tissa Attanayake, Kabir Hashim, Niroshan Perera, J.C. Alawathuwala, Ashok Abeysinghe, Sivagnanam Shritharan, Hector Appuhamy, M. Udayakumar, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Dr. Harini more..

Mar 7 (AD) OIC of Udappuwa Police Crimes Division, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting several civilians, has been released on bail after being produced before the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court. Additionally, the Sub-Inspector in question was suspended from duties with effect from today on the orders of OIC of Puttalam Division, the police media division said. He was arrested for allegedly assaulting several individuals in Udappuwa on Tuesday night (5) during an altercation more..

Mar 7 (DM) Some 6.2 million stray dogs are roaming in different parts of the country, State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said today. He told Parliament that this situation has caused serious issues in tourist areas such as Sigiriya. Minister said, according to statistics, there are 6.2 million stray dogs in the country and that this has posed serious issues. He said it is important to find solutions to address this issue as it has posed serious issues in tourist areas as well. more..

Mar 7 (CT) Nearly 15% school going children in Sri Lanka suffer from constipation while another 13.5 % suffer from abdominal pain, Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Prof. Shaman Rajindrajith revealed. Addressing a media briefing at LRH, to create awareness of its Gastroenterology Clinic (Room 39), he noted that many of the gastroenterology diseases were results of lifestyles, stress, socio economic patterns. He noted that constipation could affect more..