Nov 5 (FT) Former MP S.M. Marikkar, who is contesting for the Colombo district from the SJB says that his party has the competent team to steer the country for a better economy and prosperity. He also says SJB is confident that it will secure a significant number of seats at the forthcoming general elections and will support the Govt for its good initiatives and decisions. “It is too early to comment about this Govt’s progress but Elpitiya election results have sent a good message more..

Nov 5 (FT) The National People’s Power (NPP) party’s vision for transportation is “to create an efficient, sustainable, and accessible transportation system that enhances mobility for all citizens while promoting economic growth and environmental conservation”. In his election manifesto titled A thriving nation – A beautiful life, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake cites an efficient transport service as a key element of A Sustainable Economy. Prez has promised five interventions aimed at more..

Nov 5 (AD) It has been revealed before the court today that the bus driver involved in the recent fatal bus accident in Badulla, while transporting a group of students of the Southern Campus of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU), previously had his driving license suspended for 05 months after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He had been arrested on Aug 4 by police in the Labuduwa area of Galle, within the Akmeemana police jurisdiction, more..

Nov 5 (DM) A tense situation was reported between villagers and SL pastor, Jerome Fernando during the latter’s visit to Meepitiya in Nawalapitiya today. Nawalapitiya Police had intervened to diffuse the tension between the pastor and area residents. The villagers had alleged that the pastor was building a religious site under the pretext of constructing a rehabilitation centre and that no state entities had been informed in this regard. Pointing out that the village is made of people from all religions more..

Nov 5 (DM) While setting aside the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar judgment which acquitted former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando of charges related to the Easter Sunday bomb attack case, the Supreme Court today ordered the Trial-at-Bar to proceed with the trial and to call upon the accused to present their defence. A 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Judges more..

Nov 5 (EN) SL’s Export Development Board has established a trade facilitation task force to address challenges in the export value chain and increase export efficiency. The task force comprises representatives from 35 public sector organizations directly involved in facilitating cross-border trade. “Its main objective is to identify operational issues and develop solutions to the obstacles faced by exporters, aiming to address these challenges in the shortest possible time,” more..

Nov 5 (AD) Former Minister Johnston Fernando has withdrawn the writ petition filed on his behalf with the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent his arrest. The petition had been filed by the ex-minister seeking an order to prevent his arrest over the case related to the unregistered BMW car allegedly belonging to him found parked in a star-class hotel premises in Colombo. The petition was taken up for consideration today before an Appellate Court bench comprising Judges Lafar Thahir and more..

Nov 5 (DM) Former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga raised alarm over a significant reduction in her security detail, warning of the potential for a targeted assassination, similar to the politically motivated killing of her husband, Vijaya Kumaratunga. In a letter to Ravi Seneviratne, the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Kumaratunga expressed concern that the number of security officers assigned to her had been more..

Nov 5 (NW) United Democratic Voice (UDV) candidate Tillakaratne Dilshan has challenged Prez candidate Dilith Jayaweera to prove his claims that the former cricketer was a dual-citizenship holder. Slamming Dilith Jayaweera for questioning his citizenship, Tillakaratne Dilshan said he was ready to quit his election bid if Jayaweera was able to prove his claims. He said, however, if Jayaweera failed to do so he should also promise to quit politics. Tillakaratne Dilshan further questioned more..

Nov 5 (CT) An election rally organised by the NDF in Chilaw descended into a brawl on Sunday after NDF Puttalam District candidate Anjana Sandaruwan assaulted Puttalam District UNP coordinator Nimal Warnakulasuriya. The altercation reportedly occurred because Warnakulasuriya allegedly omitted Sandaruwan’s name in his welcome speech. Video footage circulating on social media shows Sandaruwan and his supporters physically and verbally assaulting the UNP coordinator, more..

Nov 5 (NW) Kavinda de Zoysa, a career banker with over 30 years of industry experience and 25 years in management, has been appointed Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon (BOC), effective from today. Kavinda de Zoysa’s appointment is expected to bring leadership and strategic insights to BOC. His deep understanding of local and global markets positions him well to support the Bank’s objectives in this evolving environment. Known as a team player and innovator, he champions more..

Nov 5 (TM) Horana Plantations (HPL) is the first company in the country to develop a management system fully compliant with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), setting a new benchmark for sustainability and excellence in the industry. This achievement underwent third party verification by the global non-profit entity, Preferred by Nature, that works with an agenda to drive sustainable impact for people, nature and climate. This international body has been essential more..

Nov 5 (EN) State-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has decided to implement a fixed amount for dealer margin from November 1 instead of a fixed percentage in the existing price formula, a top official said, in a move to reduce the fuel cost. However, dealers have challenged the decision of CPC Board of Directors in court, which has stayed the decision until Nov 12, the fuel retailer’s Chair D J A S De S Rajakaruna said. more..

Nov 5 (TM) Jetwing Travels Chairperson Shiromal Cooray expressed that the private sector within the tourism industry is dissatisfied with the govt’s management of a fund contributed by private entities for the industry’s development. She suggested that the fund could be better utilised and could be used to hire a public relations agent to promote the industry globally and effectively manage information that could affect tourism. When asked about the status of small & medium enterprises (SMEs) more..

Nov 5 (DM) The general amnesty period announced by the Dubai Consulate General, initially set to end on Oct 31, has been extended by two months, SLBFE said. The amnesty period, which began on Sept 1, allowed 8,513 Sri Lankans to benefit from the services provided by the Dubai Consulate General. This period will now conclude on Dec 31. According to the SLBFE, 8,513 people sought assistance at the Dubai Consulate General during the amnesty period implemented by the UAE more..

Nov 5 (DM) Singapore has once again claimed the title of the world’s most powerful passport, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released in Oct 2024. Sri Lanka was ranked 95 in the index, whereas the citizens will receive visa-free access to 44 countries in the world. Iran and South Sudan also ranked 95th in the index along with Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan passport was ranked 100th in 2023 and 102nd in 2022. more..

Nov 5 (NW) The new Surgical Unit at the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, built with Indian grant assistance of over LKR 300 million, was inaugurated on Monday. Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and SL’s Health Ministry Secretary Dr. P.G. Mahipala inaugurated the new Surgical Unit. The unit is expected to reduce waiting lists for surgeries at the hospital by 50% and benefit nearly 5000 new patients each year, considerably improving access to quality healthcare services in the region. more..

Nov 5 (DM) Former Lower and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera condemned a recent statement by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) Chairman D.J.A.S De S. Rajakaruna, clarifying that the previous govt did not enter into any agreement with other operators to compensate them for losses incurred on sales or pricing. In a post on the X platform, Wijesekera said that the CPC's fuel pricing is independent and unrelated to competitor or operator pricing. more..

Nov 5 (DN) Election Commission released a statement regarding a different format of the ballot paper for three districts in the country for the upcoming Parliamentary Election. Ballot papers of the Polonnaruwa, Monaragala and Kegalle districts will be printed in only one column for the 2024 Parliamentary Election, EC said. This is due to the number of recognised political parties and Independent groups and the number of candidates contesting from these three districts is lower more..

Nov 5 (DN) Migrant Voice Network has emphasised the urgent need for immediate intervention to address migrant issues, asserting that the focus should extend beyond merely benefiting from their contributions to the country’s economy. Ashila Dandeniya, Executive Director of Stand Up Movement Lanka, a member organisation of the Migrant Voice Network, stated that SL migrant workers, who play a crucial role in the country’s economic operations through remittances, more..

Nov 5 (TM) The anticipated removal of the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) from 1 Jan 2025 appears to be in jeopardy as the new Govt seeks to review the decision made by the previous Govt. Dept of Fiscal Policy Director General Kapila Senanayake stated that a decision was yet to be made on whether the new Govt intended to go through with the previous Govt’s decision to remove the SCL from 1 Jan 2025. “We have to have a thorough more..

Nov 5 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that rural development and upgrading the rural people’s social and economic well-being is one of the primary objectives of the govt during this term. Prez expressed these views during a discussion held today at the Presidential Secretariat with members of the SL Administrative Service Association (SLAS). Prez highlighted the necessity of public officials cooperating with the govt to successfully implement govt initiatives, more..

Nov 5 (DM) A total of nine out of 73 major reservoirs have begun spilling due to heavy rains in the catchment areas, Irrigation Dept reported. According to their real-time major reservoir status, reservoirs spilling include Batalagoda, Deduru Oya, Ellewela, Kekanadura, Rajangana, Tabbowa, Wan Ela, Weerawila & Yodawewa. Meanwhile, an advisory for severe lightning has been issued for 15 districts, including Western, Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva & North-Western more..

Nov 5 (EN) Delays in clearing cargo in SL is pushing up costs for business and consumers, undermines global competitiveness and is also promoting competitiveness, according to a CCC paper. “This inefficiency not only exacerbates delays but also creates opportunities for corruption, ultimately inflating consumer prices on imported goods for local consumption while losing export competitiveness on imported inputs for more..

Nov 5 (NW) Independent decisions on price revisions cannot be made due to the agreements entered with other companies related to the fuel supply process, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited (CPSTL) Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said. Rajakaruna pointed out that when prices operate without a formula, they are often determined by political advantage. “When an election comes, price will be reduced and later changed again. more..

Nov 5 (EN) Central Bank has indicated its readiness to support the govt if it chooses to relax motor vehicle import restrictions, citing the country’s stable balance of payments position and a current account surplus for the second consecutive year. The decision, however, rests with the govt and fiscal authorities, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Oct 26. “It is a decision by the govt, fiscal authority. But we have indicated that we are in a position in terms of reserves & balance of more..

Nov 6 (TM) The recent rapid price fluctuations and sudden shortages of the staple food in SL, rice, has become a topic of discussion both in the political arena and the general society. Although it is not the first time that the country faced price and availability-related issues concerning rice, this time, there is a more widespread discourse about food security and business practices that have an impact on the cost and availability of rice. Large-scale rice millers are at the centre of this controversial discussion. more..

Nov 6 (CT) The recent incident involving a bus carrying students from the Southern Campus of the Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU) is the latest of an unending series of tragedies that take place on SL roads each day. While investigations are ongoing to unearth the reason behind the bus toppling, the Police have shared their suspicion that excessive speed may have played a role. This year alone, nearly 1,898 Sri Lankans have lost their lives in road accidents, out of which 676 were pedestrians. more..

Nov 6 (DM) Economist, banker and anti-corruption crusader Eran Wickramaratne revealed to the Daily Mirror how Gotabaya Rajapaksa before running away from the country created a big façade saying that the main opposition SJB was offered to administrate the country. Making the revelation Wickramaratne, said that while the country was in a hotbed with street fights and protests (Aragalaya), the Gotabaya Govt had planned to offer more..

Nov 6 (ST) At a campaign meeting in Matara last week, a rather irate Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake turned his multi-barrelled big guns on some media and politicians for churning out carefully crafted misinformation to discredit his NPP govt. His anger was palpable for his rapid fire shot down Goebelsian mischief makers who misread the Nazi propagandists’ techniques and appeared to believe they had world enough and time to convert next month’s voters against six-weak-old govt more..

Nov 6 (CT) SL’s political landscape stands at a critical juncture. As the country prepares for the parliamentary elections on Nov 14, there is an urgent need for reforms that address the systemic flaws in governance, enhance democratic functioning, and ensure that the future of SL is in the hands of a transparent, accountable, and democratic system. Contrary to the belief of many that no Govt should have excessive powers, one of the most pressing reasons why the NPP needs more..

Nov 6 (DM) NPP Executive Committee member and Colombo District Candidate Chathuranga Abeysinghe guarantees a new political culture if people vote for the NPP at the upcoming election. He also believes that a simple majority is enough to pass legislature and invites the Opposition to be part of the change that SL needs. Abeysinghe responded to various allegations made against the Party, NPP’s vision to drive country forward more..

Nov 6 (GV) The focus of this article is the politics of foreign aid given by other states to the Sri Lanka state during the post-colonial period. The post-colonial period is an interesting case study to understand the politics of foreign aid for two reasons. First, its history of state formation posed numerous challenges. Second, the state received foreign aid from sources with diverse political ideologies. Both these factors give a rich source of empirical material for analysis. more..

Nov 6 (Island) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has leapt to the defence of the JVP/NPP govt, which is under fire for the latest fuel price revision. Only the prices of Octane 95 petrol and Super Diesel have been reduced much to the resentment of the ordinary people who use Octane 92 petrol and Auto Diesel. CPC Chairman D. A. Rajakarauna has said that the CPC is no longer free to determine petroleum prices due to the presence of some foreign companies in the fuel retail market, more..

Nov 6 (TM) Power – everybody wants it, but campaigning is not the same as governing; National People’s Power (NPP) will now be beginning to appreciate this fact of political life. Whether you come from the Right or Left of the spectrum, governing from the Centre is a political art. “Power without principle is barren, but principle without power is futile,” said Tony Blair, one of the poster boys for Third Way Centrism and a key figure in the moderation of the Labour Party. more..