Sep 22 (FT) Certis Lanka Security Solutions Ltd. recently reached a pinnacle of success by winning the prestigious Peak of Success award at the Bizz Awards organised by WORLDCOB held at Corinthia Lisbon Hotel, Portugal. It marked the second time Certis Lanka received this esteemed accolade, particularly noteworthy as they achieved the Peak of Success award, underlining their unwavering commitment to excellence. This global event brought together leaders from over 50 companies more..

Sep 22 (DM) Two companies engaged in liquor production owe a total of Rs 1.5 billion as taxes, the Ways and Means Committee revealed. The committee has recommended the cancelation of the licenses of these two companies (Wayamba Distilleries (Pvt) and Globe Blenders) if they fail to settle the due amount by Oct 15 this year. It has also been revealed that more than 90% of the bottles of liquor that have come under inspection by the Excise Dept consist of counterfeit stickers. more..

Sep 22 (TM) Police stated that the SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena had visited Parliament early this week to attend a session of the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Energy and Transport, and not to any meeting related to the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019. Claiming that Jayawardena had been invited to make a presentation regarding the terror attacks to MPs, Catholic Church expressed its displeasure over the incident, more..

Sep 22 (DM) Colombo High Court today served indictments on former Jaffna District MP M.K. Sivajilingam for committing offenses while commemorating the 33rd death anniversary of former LTTE member Rasaiah Parthipan alias 'Thileepan' in 2020. AG had filed indictments against M.K. Sivajilingam for organising and participating in a memorial event for Thileepan at Kondavil in Jaffna on or around Sept 15, 2020. High Court had issued a warrant for the arrest of Sivajilingam more..

Sep 22 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a cordial meeting with President Joe Biden of the United States in New York on Wednesday (20). This high-profile meeting unfolded amidst a lavish dinner hosted by President Biden, gathering all the heads of state who had participated in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The encounter began with a warm welcome from President Joe Biden, who extended his hospitality to Prez Wickremesinghe. more..

Sep 22 (DM) A picture of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry with his son at an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly has sparked criticism with people questioning as to why such privileges are offered to the relatives of politicians. The picture posted on X formerly known as Twitter is doing the rounds on social media with public questioning as to why Sabry's son is part of the official delegation that has travelled to the UN in New York. more..

Sep 22 (WFP) The USAID handed over a substantial consignment of 4,700 metric tons of soya beans and corn to SL Thriposha Ltd, to support the continuation of the Thriposha fortified food program. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) facilitated the handover at a special event held at the Thriposha factory. This consignment forms part of a wider contribution of $20 million from the US towards the U.N. World Food Programme’s emergency operation to support SL communities more..

Sep 22 (SLN) A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the Mankuliya Lagoon of Negombo today (21) led to the apprehension of a dinghy loaded with over 400kg of Kerala cannabis. The Navy conducts regular search operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to prevent the influx of drugs into the country. As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Kelani in the Western Naval Command mounted this operation in the Mankuliya Lagoon on 21st Sept. more..

Sep 22 (FT) Bank consolidation is internationally accepted as a means to achieve economies of scale and thereby ensure sector stability whilst providing needed financial support to aid economic growth. Better ratings, lower funding costs, the capability to introduce technology-based products that require heavy set-up costs, the ability to lower cost-income ratios, and the benefits of advanced risk management systems are some of the advantages larger surviving entities would enjoy after consolidation. more..

Sep 22 (FT) Article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees us the freedom of speech and expression including publication in any medium, subject to such restrictions as may be prescribed by law in the interests of racial and religious harmony or in relation to parliamentary privilege, contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. Yet, the Cabinet has approved a bill that grievously limits online speech, expression and related actions. more..

Sep 22 (FT) In a startling revelation, an audit report on the fuel price data submitted by PUCSL former Chairman Janaka Ratnayake has uncovered significant discrepancies in the pricing calculations presented to the COPE Committee on 7 July 2022. Overall loss is estimated at over Rs. 40 billion in 2022. The report, presented by the COPE committee on 6 Sept 2023, highlighted various irregularities in the fuel procurement process more..

Sep 20 (Island) Amidst allegations that the abolition of the time-tested Exchange Control Act of 1953 contributed to the country’s bankruptcy and foreign exchange crisis, The Island, in terms of the Right to Information Act No 12 of 2016 requested from the Office of Secretary General of Parliament, the names of the MPs who had voted for the new law (Foreign Exchange Act No 12 of 2017) and those who opposed it. According to parliamentary records, 94 voted for the Bill more..

Sep 20 (Island) The US on Wednesday announced a USD 19.23 mn (Rs 6.2 bn) grant to support economic growth and democratic governance activities. It was made during an event held at the Finance Ministry. The US embassy stated: “The U.S. $19.23 million (Rs 6.2 billion) is obligated through the Development Objective Grant Agreement between the USAID and the govt of SL. This development assistance will support economic growth and democratic governance activities more..

Sep 20 (TM) The SJB claimed that there is enough evidence to suspect that the military intelligence services were involved in the Easter Sunday attacks that took place in 2019. Speaking in the Parliament during the two-day adjournment debate on the Easter Sunday attacks and national security, which commenced yesterday, SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha claimed that the SJB would raise its concerns over more..

Sep 20 (Island) Civil society activist Oshala Herath yesterday said that he had launched a special website (www.dianagamage.info) to inform the public of his case against State Minister Diana Gamage over the citizenship issue. One-time head of New Media an outfit established by yahapalana President Maithripala Sirisena emphasized the importance of winning public support to pressure the powers that be to take corrective measures. The Court of Appeal will deliver its verdict on Oct. 18 more..

Sep 20 (FT) Families of the Disappeared submitted a letter to the UN Office and several diplomatic missions in Colombo yesterday highlighting the failure of the authorities to deliver justice to the families of the victims of 11 youths allegedly abducted by a Navy abduction for ransom gang between 2008 and 2009. In the petition, the organisation requested the agencies and missions to demonstrate to the Govt that the international community is actively monitoring more..

Sep 22 (DN) Asian Games is the biggest sporting event in Asian region and this is a good opportunity for SL athletes said SL Olympic silver medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe’ before the departure of SL women’s cricket team. Susanthika Jayasinghe’ who is the women’s cricket Consultant of SLC further said this is like our mini Olympic Games while it’s value is very high. Our SL women’s cricket team led by Chamari Athapaththu is very strong and their performance has been very good recently more..

Sep 22 (DN) Gayanthika Abeyratne the SL middle distance medal hope and women’s captain of the Asian Games left for China yesterday (21) to take part in the Asian Games which will commence on Sept 23. Gayanthika from SL Navy coached by Sajith Jayalal is expected to run both 1500m and 800m events and her key event, 800m is more competitive this time. The 20 year old Tharushi Karunaratne who will leave on the 26th for the games will also compete in the 800m event more..

Sep 22 (DM) After temporarily suspending all vehicle imports, the Cabinet is now contemplating granting permission to a specific party to import electric vehicles (EVs) with 500 kW, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PEHV), and electric two-wheelers in a semi-knockdown (SKD) form for local assembly, with zero tariff, Vehicle Importers Association of SL (VIASL) claimed. VIASL secretary Arosha Rodrigo said a Cabinet Paper under more..

Sep 22 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has been formally invited by the King of Malaysia to undertake a state visit to the country. The SL leader has graciously accepted this invitation and has expressed his intent to schedule the visit in the early months of 2024, specifically in either January or February. The King’s invitation was personally conveyed by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim during bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York on Wednesday (20). more..

Sep 22 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the Minister of Finance, is likely to reconstitute the Monetary Board of the Central Bank. SL recently passed a new Central Bank Act, which was drafted with the support of the IMF, ensuring more independence to the country’s monetary authority. Prez Wickremesinghe is expected to reconstitute the Monetary Board under the new Central Bank Act. The present Monetary Board has five members, including the Treasury Secretary. more..

Sep 22 (FT) IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, has announced the introduction of new direct flights between Hyderabad and Colombo from 2 November. IndiGo is also the first Indian carrier to provide direct connectivity between the two cities, reinforcing trade, economic, and cultural ties. This is part of IndiGo’s strategic expansion in international markets, providing customers with seamless and efficient connectivity. IndiGo Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra said: more..

Sep 22 (FT) Three employees of Verité Research, namely Deputy Director – Media and Politics Deepanjalie Abeywardana, Research Manager – VR Media and Team Leader – Parliamentary Research Rochel Canagasabey, and Lead Researcher – Economics Sumini Siyambalapitiya were awarded Chevening and Erasmus Mundus scholarships for 2023/24 recently. Abeywardana, who will pursue an MSc in Media, Communications and International Journalism at the Uni of Glasgow more..

Sep 22 (TM) In the wake of the Supreme Court (SC) ordering the CEB to pay a compensation sum of Rs. one million to the Vavuniya Solar Power (Pvt) Ltd ollowing the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed by the latter, the Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) emphasised that the said sum should be collected from the relevant officials who have neglected their duties and responsibilities. more..

Sep 22 (FT) Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, on Tuesday conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays on Sunil Gamini Wijesinha, former Prez of Japan-SL Technical & Cultural Association, JASTECA, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to strengthening economic relations and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and SL, by disseminating the Japanese management styles in SL. Wijesinha has played a pivotal role in promoting more..

Sep 22 (FT) Over 70% of public authorities have disclosed online less than 40% of the information they were required to by the Right to Information Act (RTI Act), according to a recent study conducted by Verité Research. Ministries of Agriculture and Public Administration disclosed just over half the information they are required to disclose and ranked highest in the assessment. Offices of the Prez and PM had disclosed less than 20% of required information & ranked among least compliant more..

Sep 20 (TM) Police stated that the measures taken to suppress crimes such as murders and drug trafficking are being implemented continuously, but that certain crimes being led by individuals residing in foreign countries raises practical problems in terms of the implementation of the law. With the country seeing a considerable increase in crimes including shootings linked to drug trafficking in the recent past, many parties have urged more..

Sep 22 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar addressing the Parliament yesterday assured that a prospective Government led by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa would initiate an investigation and apprehend the individuals responsible for orchestrating the 2019 Easter Sunday attack. “If the current Government does not carry out a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice the masterminds behind the Easter Sunday attack, a future SJB Govt will take the required actions,” he pledged. more..

Sep 22 (ST) The painting in a studio away from the main house is large and only half finished. Sanath Herath has just a few days left to get it done, framed, and up at the Barefoot Gallery in time for his first exhibition which opens on Sept 21. The artist though is not fazed. He likes challenges and the more intricate and complex, the more he is absorbed. This work needs patience and precision, again qualities he has ample reserves of. The painting once completed, will have all endemic butterflies more..

Sep 22 (FT) Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the Govt has earmarked Rs. 12 billion to facilitate farmers in procuring fertilisers for the upcoming cultivation season. This initiative aims to bolster agricultural productivity and support the country’s vital farming sector. The farmers will receive Rs. 15,000 per hectare, allowing them the flexibility to choose between organic or chemical fertilisers based on their specific agricultural needs. Amaraweera said that this decision more..

Sep 22 (FT) The 26th of Sept has become an important day in SL ever since the then PM SWRD Bandaranaike was assassinated in 1959. Bandaranaike who was shot by Talduwa Somarama Thera on 25 Sept, succumbed to his injuries the following day. Sept 26th however is of particular significance to a substantial number of SL Tamils also. For it was on this day in 1987 that a senior member of the LTTE Thileepan died in Nallu after undertaking a fast unto death. more..