Nov 29 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday urged the hotels to go above the Minimum Room Rate (MRR) harnessing SL’s culinary prowess, culture, diversity and scenic beauty. Prez said the industry must move away from MRR and seek higher revenue. He commended the industry’s anticipated achievement of 1.5 million tourists in 2023 but noted “Looking back at 2021, yes, it is good, but next year we must more..

Nov 29 (Island) Inter-club Nippon Paint sponsored league rugby tournament is set to make an ambitious start on Dec 1 for the 2023/24 season with Havelocks Sports Club hosting Air Force Sports Club at the Park Club under lights. The kick-off is scheduled for 6.30 pm. Rugby is a game of nerves and knowledge more than a contest between muscled men as of now. Today one needs the knowledge to take the ball forward and enough of information about where the opposition more..

Nov 29 (ST) On Oct 31, Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thera stood before the Malwatte Mahanayake at the Sri Dalada Maligawa to beg forgiveness for assassinating Prince Siddhartha’s character on various social media platforms. This was not, of course, the first time that Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thera, better known as Samanthabadra—who claimed nine years ago he had become an Arahant Buddha, and was on par with the Buddha—had stood before the Malwatte Mahanayake more..

Nov 29 (Island) The SLPP-UNP govt finds itself in the same predicament as the proverbial cat that defecated on a rock and struggled to cover the stinking mess. Having sacked Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe for taking on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials and ruffling the feathers of some members of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s kitchen Cabinet in the process, SLPP-UNP combine is trying to justify its action to protect the corrupt responsible for ruining cricket in this country. more..

Nov 29 (Island) The govt is facing an uphill task to rebuild the country which continues to be in a state of economic and moral decline which was evident in parliamentary proceedings last week. The initial hopes of a quick transition from the economic and moral decline that accompanied the pre-Aragalaya period ended with the accession of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to the presidency. Prez made skillful use of the security forces, in the first instance, and the parliamentary majority thereafter, more..

Nov 29 (DM) When this newspaper inquired from former Deputy Minister W.P.B Ekanayake whether he constructed a house near Bank of Tissa Wewa near the reserve area and whether the construction gets inundated during floods he responded by stating, “I didn’t build a house near the reserve. The house was made in 1968. At that time the water level of Tissa Wewa was quite low. Due to the construction activities in sacred land more..

Nov 29 (CT) In a significant move towards menstrual hygiene and gender equality, the SL Govt has announced that schoolgirls above Grade 6 will be provided with free sanitary napkins starting from next year. This decision, announced by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, aims to address the pressing issue of girls missing school due to menstruation, as also highlighted by a UNICEF survey in 2015. The UNICEF survey, conducted in collaboration with the then SL Govt, more..

Nov 29 (DM) There is a famous or infamous Sri Lankan theory, that any mistake or violation can be shaped up or can can be swept under the carpet if you know someone influential . From a traffic violation to tax evasion, things can be turned in your favour with the santhosam approach. It is tragic that Sri Lanka has not been able to keep to its rules and regulations and ethics due to this shape theory. If we as a nation do not get together, we are in serious trouble. more..

Nov 29 (TM) Romance is a genre that tends to be seen as frivolous easy-reads in the world of fiction, with many judging readers and writers of the genre rather unfairly. However, it is a genre with a strong readership, and research data and analytics group WordsRated says romance, selling over 39 million printed units during the 12-month period ending in May, is the highest-earning genre of fiction. Jeevani Charika is a British SL more..

Nov 29 (TM) During the height of the economic crisis, when the SL Govt was failing to provide basic necessities such as food, medicine, fuel, cooking gas and uninterrupted electricity, the island was spared from a worse fate due to the continued inflow of dollar remittance from SL migrant workers and expats living overseas. They were SL’s safety net, and will likely continue to be so for years to come. For SL, remittances from migrant workers are a major source of foreign exchange inflow. more..

Nov 29 (DM) In its sessions in February - March next year, once again United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) - UN arm, whose mission it is to promote and protect human rights around the world - will once again rake up investigations into allegations of human rights violations in our country during its war on terror. The UN was set up to take effective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace. It is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its members. more..

Nov 28 (AD) Dept of Immigration and Emigration announces that a free Visa regime is implemented for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan with immediate effect, until 31 March 2024, launching as a pilot program to rebuild the tourism industry in line with the Cabinet approval. The department mentioned that the foreign nationals of the above-nominated countries possessing Diplomatic, Official, Public Affairs, Service, and Ordinary passports more..

Nov 28 (PMD) In a landmark address at the 58th Annual General Meeting of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) held yesterday at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a comprehensive strategy to propel the country’s tourism sector to new heights. Focused on surpassing the target of 5 million tourists and redefining traditional approaches, the President’s vision extends to achieving 7.5 million visitors in the coming years. more..

Nov 28 (DM) CID recorded statements from three officials of the Ministry of Finance, including Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, regarding the controversial Immunoglobulin import case. Statements were recorded in compliance with a court order from the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court. The CID extensively recorded statements from Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, along with the Deputy Director of the Ministry and more..

Nov 28 (AD) A meeting pertaining to the proposals included in the 2024 Budget was convened yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat presided over by State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Senior Advisor to Prez on Economic Affairs with representatives from numerous trade union leaders, National Youth Service Council and youth organizations, along with civil society activists. Dr. R.H.S, Samarathunga, emphasised the inclusion of substantial more..

Nov 28 (DM) The countries that are responsible for carbon emissions should pay what is called carbon debt amounting to USD 132 to 220 million to SL which is now engulfed in an economic crisis, UPF leader MP Champika Ranawaka said. MP said he once tried to establish a carbon fund but it never became a reality because of a lack of response from the then govt. He said carbon emissions should be considered in the assessment of development along with the GDP of the respective countries. more..

Nov 28 (DM) The apparel exports from SL continued their downward trend, with October exports declining 20% year-on-year (YoY) to US $ 330.95 million, data compiled by industry body Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) showed. Since Sept 2022, apparel export earnings have been on a downward trend on a YoY basis, primarily due to the economic slowdown in major Western markets. Exports to all major markets fell during more..

Nov 28 (AD) The private buses operating on the Colombo – Kandy route (Route No. 01) have withdrawn from passenger transport services as bus operators on this route have launched a strike since this morning (Nov. 28). The strike action was reportedly launched protesting over an alleged incident of employees of a passenger transport bus attached to Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) assaulting a conductor of a private bus. Accordingly, most of the private buses operating on more..

Nov 28 (AD) SJB MP Vadivel Suresh has reportedly been removed from his position as the SJB’s Passara Organiser. The decision has reportedly been taken in the wake of the MP voting in favour during the vote on the second reading of the 2024 Budget. Commenting in this regard, MP Vadivel Suresh stated that the youth of Passara area will receive a great hope in politics in the near future. Meanwhile, Letchuman Sanjay has been appointed to the vacant position of SJB organiser for more..

Nov 28 (AD) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Open and Accountable Government has directed the heads of local govt bodies to provide the necessary services with equal consideration to the public who come to obtain services. The matter was discussed when the said committee met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of MP Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi. The officials of the Urban Councils, Municipal Councils and Divisional Secretariats of the Western Province were summoned before more..

Nov 28 (AD) The production of alcohol at two of the country’s main distilleries, which was temporarily halted earlier today due to the non-payment of taxes, has resumed, Excise Department sources said. Accordingly, alcohol production at W. M. Mendis & Co Ltd and enigala Distilleries Lanka Ltd resumed a short while ago, after their due taxes were paid. According to Excise Department sources, a collective tax payment of Rs. 116 million was made from both distilleries. more..

Nov 28 (DM) Minister Bandula Gunawardane accused the state media of not providing enough publicity to the various development projects implemented by the govt. Minister who is also the Chairman of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media said that public media should broadcast the inconveniences of the public who are affected by various dilapidated buildings, roads, bridges etc. as well as inform more..

Nov 28 (DM) Govt is prepared to hold the delayed Provincial Council elections if the Opposition agrees on the electoral system, PM Dinesh Gunawardene told Parliament. “Opposition MPs are making a different proposal on the system under which the PC elections are to be held. We can hold the elections if they agree on the system under which the PC elections are to be held,” PM said. “Some Opposition members say the PC elections should be held under the old system & others under new system. more..

Nov 28 (EN) SL should make efforts to catch the individual(s) who had apparently stolen a big bundle of notes from the central bank’s currency issue office, opposition legislator Niroshan Perera told parliament. Opposition MP Perera of the SJB had asked for an update on the currency note theft from the finance minister. “You mentioned that there are two investigations ongoing into the theft of a Rs 50 lakh bundle of money from the central bank. So you haven’t caught the thief yet; more..

Nov 28 (EN) SL leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has crossed a seemingly elusive 50% hurdle in a voting intent poll conducted among 567 interviewees for October, though his net favourability rating remained negative at minus 9 indicating continued unpopularity. A SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP) showed that Dissanayake, who leads the NPP gained support to half of more..

Nov 28 (CC) Chamari Athapaththu had a point to prove when she arrived in Australia in early October. That is no longer the case, with the SL superstar crowned the Weber WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament. The Sydney Thunder import won a tight race by a single vote over Adelaide Strikers opener Katie Mack for the award, voted on a 3-2-1 basis by the standing umpires in each match. Athapaththu finished the regular season second on the runs table with 511 runs at 42.58, striking at 129.69 more..

Nov 28 (CT) SL High Commission in Singapore celebrated Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, at Sri Senpaga Vinayagar temple in Singapore on 18 Nov, hosting over 120 participants. The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps in Singapore, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, representatives of Singapore’s Inter-Religious-Council, representatives of SL associations, including Singapore Ceylon Tamils Association & Sri Senpaga Vinayagar temple more..

Nov 28 (AD) SLPP MP Wimal Weerawansa has warned that the downfall of the current govt has commenced. Weerawansa alleged that the Prez’s decision to remove Roshan Ranasinghe from his ministerial portfolios was a testament to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s true character, and further accused the Head of State of siding with thieves. “The current Prez had the crown [Presidency] fall on to his head thanks to the Aragalaya, but yesterday, he showed his true character very clearly. more..

Nov 28 (AD) Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has drawn attention to the fact that some people were getting the services of private security guards for their own protection, Parliamentary Communications Dept said. In a statement, it mentioned that the matter was discussed when the said committee met in Parliament on 22 Nov under the chairmanship of MP Sarath Weerasekera. The members of the committee pointed out that the public is facing more..

Nov 28 (AD) Court of Appeal has decided to take up further consideration of the case filed against the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) interim committee on Tuesday. Accordingly, the court has informed newly-appointed Minister of Sports Harin Fernando to present his status regarding the matter on that day. On 6 Nov, a 7-member Interim Committee was appointed by then Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, chaired by more..

Nov 28 (FT) A ten-year-old bowler from Colombo Hindu College Selvasakaran Rishiyudhan is making waves in the cricket world with his outstanding bowling performance in SL Schools Cricket Association Under 13 Division II tournament match against MDH Jayawardene MV Battaramulla. The match played at Ediriweera Sarathchandra grounds, Mulleriyawa saw Rishiyudhan returning the astonishing figures of 8 wickets in nine overs without conceding a single run. more..

Nov 28 (EN) Sri Lanka is developing a price formula for the state-run Water Board, with higher prices to be charged from commercial customers, Water Supply Minister Jeevan Thondaman has said. The draft price formula is expected to be finalized in December and religious, hospitals and schools are likely be given lower tariffs, Minister Thondaman was quoted as telling reporters at the President’s Media Centre. Higher tariffs are likely to be charged from commercial establishments. more..