With tournament on the line, SL's Athapaththu looks within for answers
Oct 9 (CI) "Chamari, are we going to see some shots?" Alyssa Healy's wisecrack from behind the stumps during the Australia game has been playing on Chamari Athapaththu's mind over the past few days. It's because Sri Lanka, coming off a historic first-ever series win against England and a maiden Asia Cup triumph, are now on the brink of elimination following big losses to Pakistan and Australia.
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With somewhat muddled foreign policy where are we heading?
Oct 9 (Island) SL Navy will take command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 from the Egyptian Navy soon. Since its establishment in May 2023, US (Capt. Oliver Herion), Jordan (Capt. Ayman Al Naimat) and Egypt (Commodore Haytham Elsayed Khalil), respectively, commanded the unit, one of the five Task Forces that operated under the purview of the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The whole operation is spearheaded by Bahrain headquartered US Fifth Fleet.
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Building on hope, gaining Trust: Challenges for a new govt
Oct 9 (GV) Elections can be times of hope, offering the possibility of a fresh start, yet also bring deep divisions to the surface. SL is one of several countries where in 2024 voters have made, or are about to make, important choices. Each part of the world has a unique history and set of conditions. Yet there may be lessons to be learnt from other countries in which left and centrist parties have responded in varying ways to tensions linked with economic hardship or uncertainty, identity &
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දියවන්නා කුණු වළ සුද්ද කරන ශ්රමදානය
Editorial: Vital issues about victuals
Oct 9 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has met a group of food importers and discussed, inter alia, ways and means of making imported food items available to the public at affordable prices, according to media reports. He seems to think that discussions and moral suasion would help persuade the mudalali fraternity to refrain from profit maximisation for the sake of the public. If the govt is really keen to serve the interests of the public, it should make a decisive intervention to tackle the problem of
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AKD better watch more than his flanks
Oct 9 (ST) Some of the post-election sayings by the defeated trying to cover up their earlier sins, especially after clinging to the shaky Grusha bridge carrying a child—one of the poorest of allusions in retrospect—were the most jocular of defences uttered by ex-minister Dilum Amunugama. After the presence of hundreds of vehicles parked at Galle Face Green was highlighted by the media and commented on by NPP frontliner Wasantha Samarasinghe, drawing widespread public
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Eran Wickramaratne on why SJB faced a decline in voter support
Oct 9 (SO) In a candid conversation with former MP Eran Wickramaratne of the SJB, the Sunday Observer discusses the dynamics of SL’s current political landscape. With the recent election outcome and ongoing national challenges, Wickramaratne sheds light on why the SJB faced a decline in voter support, the rise of the NPP, and the shifting demands of the electorate. He offers a thoughtful analysis of the SJB’s strategies
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Creative Destruction of Sri Lankan politics is currently underway
Oct 9 (DM) In the 1940s, Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter popularized an idea now a free market economist’s mainstay. The concept, creative destruction is a process in which disruptive technologies, products, new methods of production and means of distribution dismantle and replace the established ones, making way for innovation as the driving force of capitalism. Schumpeter argued capitalism is never stationary & ever-evolving. ‘This process of Creative Destruction is
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New approach to Human Rights in Geneva
Oct 9 (CT) Diplomatic missions that took a keen interest in the outcome of the presidential election have lost no time in reaching out to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake after his victory. Prior to the election it appeared that former prez Ranil Wickemesinghe was the favourite of the Western bloc of countries. They made frequent public statements commending the president for his handling of the economy which were supplemented by similar supportive statements by the IMF.
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'President’s security vital in face of threats'
Oct 9 (SO) Senior Journalist Sunanda Deshapriya who has always raised his voice about human rights, is now in the country on a brief visit. He recently launched a book containing specific facts related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. He said that there may be a threat to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s life and that threat was there even before the Prez Election. There was actually a paradigm shift in the country
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The state of education
Oct 9 (TM) The prolonged period of crisis SL faced since 2019 has taken a toll on its education system, and experts have been warning, over the last two years, that there is much to be done to address issues in the sector. Even today, in a climate where SL has made some progress to stabilise the economic situation, the education sector and learning continues to be negatively impacted. On the one hand, with State expenditure stringently curtailed, & due to strong austerity measures
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Suicide and adverse effects of social media
Oct 9 (DM) Yesterday the Daily Mirror highlighted the death of a probable suicide by a teenage school girl. The girl had apparently jumped off the 29th floor of a building in the city of Colombo. Suicide is when someone voluntarily takes their own life. Often, this is a way to end an overwhelming hopelessness, frustration or to solve a problem for which they can’t find another solution. A young person dying by suicide is devastating to the family, and friends. Parents, siblings, classmates & neighbours
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කැබිනට් තීරණ දැනුම් දීමේ මාධ්ය හමුව
Despite research ban, Chinese navy tall ship docks in Sri Lanka
Oct 8 (AFP) A Chinese naval sailing ship was granted permission to dock in SL on Tuesday, but Colombo’s new govt clarified that a ban on foreign research vessels is still in effect. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the Po Lang, a triple-masted tall ship with a crew of 130, was allowed to dock in Colombo because it is considered “a training vessel and not a research craft.” “There is no change in the policy regarding research vessels,” AFP quoted Herath as saying to reporters.
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Factum Perspective: Prez Elections in Sri Lanka – Key Takeaways
Oct 8 (NW) On Sept 21, Lankans elected their 9th Executive Prez, Dissanyaka Mudiyansalage Anura Kumara Dissanayake. His win was not a simple victory; rather, a phenomenal one. Dissanayake managed to secure 5,634,915 votes in the first preference votes itself, leading by more than a million votes than the candidate second in line, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Prior to 2022, NPP was not seen as the preferred party. Current prez only received 418,553 votes, 3.16% of
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Sri Lanka orders new probe into Easter Sunday bombings
Oct 8 (AFP) SL's new govt announced a probe into the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people, saying that previous investigations had failed to identify other culprits responsible for SL's worst-ever attack against civilians. In the aftermath, officials blamed a local jihadist group for the suicide bombings on three churches and three hotels, but a top SL intelligence official was also accused of orchestrating the
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Finance Ministry orders probe into Pandora Papers revelation
Oct 8 (CT) The Ministry of Finance has ordered the Inland Revenue Department to conduct a special investigation into the tax evading Sri Lankan companies and individuals mentioned in the Pandora Papers. Sources also stated that the Prez has ordered the Ministry of Finance to initiate a formal investigation regarding these issues, which have been discussed by political parties in Sri Lanka since 2021. Accordingly, a senior official of the Ministry of Finance said that
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PM orders halt to all statutory board meetings
Oct 8 (CT) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has directed Ministry Secretaries to inform all statutory bodies not to convene director board meetings until new heads are appointed to respective institutions. Accordingly, board meetings of all statutory bodies, including corporations, authorities and boards will stand suspended and all decisions taken by such boards will also be considered as invalid. PM’s Secretary Pradeep Saputantri has issued an order as per the directives of Dr. Amarasuriya to
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80 bar permits issued during pre-election breaching law
Oct 8 (DM) It has been revealed that MPs who promised support to the former govt in the run-up to the prez election were granted liquor licences to sell foreign liquor as a reward for the loyalty promised. Additionally, there are allegations that the independent candidate in this year’s prez election, who also served as finance minister, was involved in issuing these licences. Some officials from the Excise Dept of SL has expressed concerns,
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Minister Vijitha Herath clarifies new govt’s foreign relations policy
Oct 8 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath emphasized that Sri Lanka maintains balanced diplomatic relations with all countries, reaffirming that no nation is given special treatment. Minister Herath stated, “We are doing business with China just as we are doing business with India.” Furthermore, he addressed the govt’s decision to allow a Chinese military training vessel to visit SL later this month, noting that this falls within the framework of the country’s diplomatic engagements.
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Sri Lanka to seek BRICS membership this month: Cabinet Spokesman
Oct 8 (EN) SL’s will seek membership of the BRICS organization at the a meeting in Russia later this month, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said. “SL has been invited for the BRICS later this month… and we expect to seek membership in BRICS,” Herath told a weekly media briefing to announce the cabinet decisions. “We have discussed with Indian Foreign Minister when he was here last week as well.” The previous govt’s cabinet approved the country seeking the membership in BRICS
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දුක නැද්ද ඉතිං
Chinese warship Po Lang docks in Colombo
Oct 8 (SLN) Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship PO LANG arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning. The visiting ship was welcomed by the SL Navy in compliance with naval traditions. PO LANG is a 86-meter-long Sail Training Vessel crewed by 130 personnel including 35 Officer Cadets. Meanwhile, Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Ma Wenyong is scheduled to call on the Commander Western Naval Area,
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277 wild elephants killed up until now
Oct 8 (DM) While there has been a decrease in elephant deaths this year, a total of 277 elephants have been killed up to October due to both natural and man-made causes, according to the Dept of Wildlife Conservation. As many as 488 elephants were killed last year. Following investigations conducted by the dept, it was revealed that elephant deaths were mainly due to ad hoc electric fences erected by farmers to protect their crops. The dept investigated personal electric fences
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IMF, USAID ready to offer financial support to Sri Lanka: US
Oct 8 (DM) The IMF and USAID are prepared to offer financial support to help enhance the economic prospects of Sri Lanka, US Ambassador to SL Julie Chung said today. She said this during a meeting with Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Kumanayake at the Prez Secretariat this morning. The US has also committed to providing essential support to strengthen Sri Lanka's economy and that support would be focused on
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Sirimavo school gets Mahinda Amaraweera’s official residence
Oct 8 (NW) Former Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mahinda Amaraweera has handed over his official residence in Paget Road, Colombo to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya in Colombo, it was reported. The former minister vacated his official residence today in line with the recent regime change. Speaking to the media, Mahinda Amaraweera said the proposal to hand over the residence to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya had been presented by him to the former govt.
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New Cabinet terminates three projects of previous govt
Oct 8 (DM) Cabinet has decided to terminate the services of officers and consultants appointed on contract basis for three projects initiated by the previous govt. Steps have also been taken to establish the Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad under the Prez's Office and to establish a National Peoples Council and implement the Agriculture Modernization Programme. The previous govt had appointed officers and consultants on contract basis for these initiatives.
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Sri Lanka to reject UNHRC draft resolution, uphold local reconciliation efforts
Oct 8 (AD) Taking into consideration the matters submitted by SL’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath relevant to the 57th session of the UNHRC, which is held from Sept 9 to Oct 11, 2024 in Geneva, the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers has been obtained to present the position of SL for certain matters. Accordingly, SL has strongly rejected the proposed drafted resolution at the present session of the UNHRC and
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15 new breast cancer cases diagnosed daily in Sri Lanka
Oct 8 (CT) Approximately 15 new patients are diagnosed with breast cancer daily in SL, the Health Ministry revealed. A senior spokesperson for the Health Ministry stated that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. 26.2% of the most prevalent cancers in women are breast cancers. Globally, around 2.3 million breast cancer cases are reported annually, resulting in 670,000 deaths. In SL, at least 15 new cases are diagnosed each day, with at least three daily fatalities.
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Rapid increase of HIV contracted individuals in Hambantota
Oct 8 (DM) Health authorities express concern over the rapid increase of HIV contracted individuals in the Hambantota district this year. A medical officer of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Unit of the Hambantota District said during a medical clinic held recently in Ambalangoda area. He pointed out that 21 HIV infected individuals had been identified from the district this year and that there could be more yet to be identified. He said a total number of 87 patients had been identified
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වසන්ත, අනුරට ඇහුන්කන් දෙන්න
Minority groups’ representation in Sri Lanka’s Parliament splintering: Research
Oct 8 (EN) Representation of minority groups in Sri Lanka’s Parliament is in danger of weakening in the upcoming November 14 elections, which could affect their rights, an European Commission funded study has revealed. Research by Oxford Brookes University as part of the Minority empowerment for democracy and pluralism programme revealed that major national parties have successively reduced the space within their parties for minorities to participate and raise their issues.
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Most SJB seniors to enter Parliament through national list this year
Oct 8 (DM) Most of the senior members of the SJB are expected to enter Parliament through the national list this year, a former MP from the party said. Former SJB MP and Polonnaruwa District Leader Kings Nelson told a media briefing that most of the senior members of the party are anticipated to enter Parliament via the national list. "Most of our senior members, including General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, are expected to come through the national list this year,"
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Sri Lanka's new govt pledges to review of Adani wind project
Oct 8 (BN) SL’s new govt said it will review a wind power deal with the Adani Group, throwing a fresh hurdle for the Indian conglomerate as it seeks to expand abroad. The previous administration’s approval of electricity prices for Adani Green Energy Ltd’s projects was a problem, Minister Vijitha Herath said after a meeting of the Cabinet ministers. The new govt would give the deal a fresh look after parliamentary elections
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Vasu’s DLF decides to back NPP in general election
Oct 8 (AD) The Democratic Left Front (DLF) has officially announced its support for the National People’s Power (NPP) in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. The party’s leader, former MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, confirmed this decision during a press conference held today (08). Nanayakkara stated, “The parliamentary election is approaching, and our party has decided to support the National People’s Power. We will be contesting while backing them in this election.”
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Constitutional Council approves Acting IGP appointment
Oct 8 (AD) The Constitutional Council has approved the appointment of Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya as the Acting IGP. The Constitutional Council convened a meeting at the parliamentary complex today under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to take a final decision on approving the appointment of the Acting IGP. Under existing regulations, any individual serving as Acting IGP for more than 14 days must receive the formal approval of the Constitutional Council.
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