Jul 16 (FT) Women in Tech Sri Lanka hosted an interactive event, Rocket Your Career in STEM, earlier this month. The workshop, held on 4 June and tailored for corporate women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), aimed to equip participants with the tools and insights necessary to ascend to leadership positions in their respective fields. Women in Tech SL, a local chapter of the global Women in Tech movement headquartered in Paris, is dedicated to more..

Jul 16 (AD) Award winning celebrity baker Tharshan Selvarajah made history today as the first Sri Lankan to carry the Olympic Torch for the 2024 Paris Olympics. A number of French-Sri Lankans had lined the streets of Paris to cheer Tharshan as he carried the Olympic torch. As the Olympic flame had touched down in France from Greece back in May, excitement had brewed for the relay involving 10,000 torchbearers, representing diverse stories of achievement. more..

Jul 16 (EN) Three consumer confidence indices run by an independent polling institute increased to their highest levels since 2021 in June besides remaining at pessimistic levels. The three indices, generated by SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS), showered significant increase for June, the institute said. Their Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS), the broadest measure of the public’s view of their personal economic more..

Jul 16 (AD) The Cabinet has granted approval to implement the amended water tariff policy and the water tariff formula starting from 2025. The govt said the new tariff policy and formula of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board were discussed at the Cabinet Meeting conducted on April 08, 2024. It was ordered to forward the new tariff policy and formula, including the required amendments, after discussions with all relevant parties. Accordingly, Cabinet of Ministers has approved more..

Jul 16 (EN) An 8-acre land at Vedamulla, Kelaniya under the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation will be provided for a Board of Investment approved housing project to H M K Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd, a govt statement said. Cabinet approved the proposal to provide a portion of land 8 acres 2 rood 16.26 perches in extent “identified for implementation of the proposed project to the said company on the current assessment by the Chief Assessor of the Govt.” more..

Jul 16 (DM) SJB Chairman, Sarath Fonseka, says he is still on the fence on contesting the upcoming Prez elections but is willing to take the challenge and put the country back on track. Asked how he intends to put the country back on the right track, Fonseka responded saying there is a need to fight corruption and also bring about discipline in the country. He noted, for example, most motorists don’t know how to drive on more..

Jul 16 (FT) SL’s economy grew by +5.3% in the first three months of 2024. This was on the performance of a +4.5% growth seen in the last three months of 2023 which meant the economic turnaround has happened. Whilst the macro economic performance is on a positive, the reality at the household is that 91% of people are challenged by way of their income not covering their monthly expenditure as per Pepper Cube Consulting research report. The data goes on to explain that many are more..

Jul 16 (AD) General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin says that they intend to take legal action against the government’s decision to grant a one-time allowance to teachers who reported for duty during the recent strike. “In 1986, salary adjustments were made in this manner which led to a Supreme Court case. There it was stated that such unequal treatment could not be accepted. We will go to the Supreme Court on the basis of that decision”, he said. more..

Jul 16 (FT) I read with interest Rohan Pethiyogada’s article Adani controversy: Why the cheerleaders are wrong. The proposed 250 MW Mannar wind project (Mannar II), has recently been the subject of intense flurry of critics in the media which criticises development projects that have tried to come into SL. This project is a landmark case study for sustainable energy development in SL, offering significant benefits, that has interestingly brought forward a new revolution more..

Jul 16 (DM) Claiming that NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake had praised former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa in parliament recently, SLPP national organiser Namal Rajapaksa said today that they have no personal grievances with anyone except for policy matters. He told reporters after visiting the Elections Commission that they had only political differences. "You all believed that Anura Kumara and we are enemies. Anura Kumara praised Mahinda Rajapaksa in parliament recently. more..

Jul 16 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday said that the judiciary should not interfere with the affairs of the Executive. Speaking at a ceremony where freehold land deeds were distributed under the Urumaya at the Mahiyangana Public Stadium, Prez said it was Parliament that had judiciary powers. Prez Wickremesinghe highlighted the history of the Urumaya programme, which was initiated in 2002 and 2003 but more..

Jul 16 (TM) Following the SJB call for the Govt to ensure the security of its and the Opposition’s Leader Sajith Premadasa, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, said that any security related issue had to be taken up with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Speaking to the media following the assassination attempt on former US Prez Donald Trump, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne highlighted parallels between the situation in the US & SL, expressing fears that there could be similar more..

Jul 16 (AD) SL Tea Board has announced that USD 60 million of the USD 251 million owed by Sri Lanka to Iran for fuel imports since 2011 has been paid through tea exports. This initiative follows a strategic agreement signed between the SL and Iranian govts to use tea exports as a method of settling the debt, the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries said in a statement. The payments arrears for fuel imports were accumulated over several years due to various economic challenges more..

Jul 16 (FT) PUCSL yesterday approved a sharp 22.5% downward revision of electricity tariffs effective from today. “Considering the detailed review of the CEB proposal for the second tariff revision of the year, concerns raised by the stakeholders electricity tariffs during public consultations were further revised incorporating both subsidies, cross-subsidies and generation mix to an average reduction of 22.5%,” more..

Jul 16 (DN) UGC Vice Chairman Senior Professor Chandana Udawatte said that the strike ended after the signing of a collective agreement between the UGC Chairman and the trade unions. The strike has ended as a result of the collective agreement made by signing eight agreements including the payment of salaries and allowances to be given to strikers during the strike period, in two instances, immediately after the strike has ended and the non-academic staff reported to work. more..

Jul 16 (TM) Dept of Govt Printing has requested the Election Commission (EC) to help minimise the printing costs for the upcoming Prez Election, which are estimated to reach a maximum of Rs. 800 million. It was recently reported that the Dept informed the EC that printing costs for the Prez Election would range from Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 million. Govt Printer Gangani Liyanage stated that if the ballot paper used for the upcoming Prez Election is the same size as the one used in 2019, more..

Jul 16 (DM) SL’s commercial sector can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) approved a long-awaited reduction in electricity tariffs. The announcement made yesterday brings the much-needed financial support to industries and hotels. After months of lobbying for lower electricity costs, the PUCSL’s decision comes as a welcome change. Under the new tariff structure, hotels will be able to reap the benefit of a 26% reduction, more..

Jul 16 (DN) The temporary ban imposed on the import of canned fish from overseas must be made permanent to prevent a total collapse of the local canned fish industry and save forex to the tune of over USD 130 million annually, Canned Fish Manufacturing Association of SL urged (CFMASL) calling a press briefing in Colombo. CFMASL President Shiran Fernando said during the tenure of Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda the canned fish industry in the country has achieved more..

Jul 16 (FT) The CoPE has unveiled significant irregularities in the leasing and management of lands by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) causing major financial losses. At a meeting held last week under the Chairmanship of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardana, the CoPE findings highlight the need for stricter oversight and compliance within the UDA to ensure transparency and accountability in managing public assets and funds. more..

Jul 16 (EN) Sri Lanka’s domestic electricity bills will fall up to 38% for low domestic users who use up to 60 kilo Watt hours (units), with high users seeing a fall of up to 18.1%, the Public Utilities Commission said. Users who consume only 30 units will now have a bill of 280 rupees a month after July 16, down from 390 rupees, PUCSL Chairman Manjula Fernando said. The lowest category consists of 26% of total electricity consumers, Fernando said. The bill is less than 1 US dollar. more..

Jul 16 (CT) Joining the Lanka Premier League’s Pink Day campaign, SLC will start donating funds to raise awareness on ‘Breast Cancer in the country. Accordingly, every time a batter hits a six, a boundary, or takes a wicket, SLC will donate funds to the worthy cause. A Six will contribute Rs. 10,000 for the fund; a boundary will boost the fund by Rs. 4,000; and a wicket will strengthen it by Rs. 6,000. This campaign by SLC will continue until the last ball of LPL 2024 is bowled on 21 July more..

Jul 16 (DN) Former CB Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy critiqued the Debt Sustainability Analysis as using too low a growth rate for the economy. He noted that such a low growth rate compounded by the reopening of credit lines to the govt should help the economy grow at a much faster rate. “If we maintain macro-stability and do the structural reforms while combining what is going on in India we can go beyond 3%.” Dr. Coomaraswamy was speaking at a virtual investor event more..

Jul 16 (FT) Colombo Strikers became the third team to qualify for the LPL 2024 Playoffs when they came up with a clinical performance to beat Galle Marvels by seven wickets in the second double header played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. With this win Colombo, who are currently third with 8 points have put themselves in a perfect position to pip second placed Jaffna Kings for the top two position in the table. Despite yesterday’s loss Galle remained on top, more..

Jul 16 (FT) The Committee on Ways and Means has expressed strong displeasure over the Excise Dept’s failure to act on recommendations to collect a total tax amount of Rs. 1.1 billion from liquor manufacturers for the year 2023. Despite instructions given on 24 April to collect the arrears by 30 June, the Dept has yet to take appropriate action. During the committee meeting held last week at the Parliament premises more..

Jul 16 (FT) IGP Deshabandu Thennekoon has sworn to eradicate the country’s underworld. “This is their last act. We will not tolerate this any longer. We are continuing to curb underworld activities according to a proper plan,” he declared. IGP made these remarks in response to media questions during the inauguration of a two-day workshop for police inspectors, funded by Australian Federal Police, yesterday. According to the IGP, over 800 individuals involved in organised crimes more..

Jul 16 (DN) Playing in LPL gives me new experience and I am really enjoying so far in this tournament said Galle Marvels opener Alex Hales. We won three matches by close margins and for the first time I had to face a super over in my career said former England top order batter Hales who is the icon player of Galle Marvels. It’s something different for me. I don’t think I’ve ever batted in a super-over before. Obviously, games don’t often go there and you often give the super over to the sort of more..

Jul 16 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has challenged SJB leader Sajith Premadasa to disclose the source of funding for the party’s ongoing school bus donation program. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe set a condition for joining the SJB led by Sajith Premadasa. Prez said he is ready to collaborate with the SJB to combat corruption, but only if Premadasa discloses the source of funding for the school bus donation program. more..

Jul 16 (FT) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) former Chairman Janaka Ratnayake yesterday highlighted his efforts to reduce electricity tariffs, criticising the timing of recent tariff cuts. “Not lowering the electricity tariff at that time was a political decision and lowering it now ahead of an election is also a political decision. However, the tariffs were not reduced then to take advantage of the election time by reducing the tariffs,” he said. Holding Prez Wickremesinghe accountable more..

Jul 16 (FT) In a significant milestone for SL’s education sector, onlineaccounting.lk has earned the prestigious Gold Accreditation from ACCA UK, becoming the first SL institute to achieve this honour as a fully online learning partner. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the largest professional accounting body globally, is recognised in over 180 countries, and this accreditation is a testament to onlineaccounting.lk’s commitment to excellence in professional education. more..

Jul 16 (Island) SL’s battle against corruption reminds us of the animated fantasy comedy, Shrek—of all things—wherein the eponymous ogre’s best friend, Donkey, marries a dragoness and fathers a litter of dragon-donkeys. We have seen numerous knights in shining armour embark on crusades to slay the dragoness of corruption during the past so many years, but they have opted for a polyandrous union with it and produced fire-breathing orators that dupe the public while living high on the hog. more..

Jul 16 (DN) Kusal Janith Perera fought a long battle scoring 40 balls 74 with 5 fours and 5 sixes but this knock was no avail as Kandy Falcons recorded 54 runs win over Dambulla Sixes in their LPL match played at R.Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday. Infact this match was vital for both teams to qualify for play offs and Kandy with this big win has more chances but they have to wait for today’s decision of the game between Dambulla and Colombo. It was a fine display by Kandy Falcons more..

Jul 16 (Island) National selection panel has met ODI captain Kusal Mendis to inform him that he will be replaced as skipper with the reins of white ball captaincy handed to Charith Asalanka. The left-handed batter was the front-runner to take over the T-20 captaincy vacated by Wanindu Hasaranga and yesterday it was confirmed that Asalanka in fact will lead both white ball teams taking over from Mendis in ODI cricket. more..