Apr 7 (TM) Proposed constitutional amendments relating to electoral reforms will not be implemented during the current Parliament, said Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, in an interview. “Until such time there will be a dialogue and conversation on them [proposed amendments] and any candidate or party can also tell the people about their stances on changing the Constitution in their manifestos,” more..

Apr 7 (TM) With election heat rising in anticipation of SL’s most-anticipated Prez Poll that is likely to take place in around six months’ time, it would be unusual if the political theatre in this drama-filled land had not gotten into a frenzy by now. As if on cue, there are already tell-tale signs of that phenomenon unfolding these days, with internal clashes within parties, jostling for nominations, governing types going on distribution sprees at taxpayers’ expense, legal interventions and prohibitions, and more..

Apr 7 (CT) During the month of March, political parties continued with what they do best: politicking over electing the next president. Basil Rajapaksa, chief of the SLPP, flew home from the US in time to muddy the political waters by proposing a parliamentary poll before the prez election. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared firm on holding the prez election on time as the parliamentary election could be held only after the IMF economic recovery plan is completed, hopefully by July. more..

Apr 7 (CT) An arbitrary and mischievous decision by party Chairman, former Prez Maithripala Sirisena to reshuffle three key positions at a special meeting on Saturday (30) has deepened the internal crisis of the SLFP. During the meeting, Sirisena announced the removal of MP Duminda Dissanayake from the position of SLFP National Organiser, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna from the position of Treasurer more..

Apr 7 (CT) As the Prez Election nears, political arena is getting warmer by the day and coincidentally, mostly by the actions and reactions of former Presidents. Among them is the former Prez Maithripala Sirisena who hasn’t failed to make many headlines, one after the other, for his brave controversial statements and contradictory actions. While it looks as if the former Prez is setting the stage and preparing the pitch for him to act and play a leading part in upcoming Prez Election, more..

Apr 7 (SO) Nationalisation was in vogue in the 1950s and 1960s, not only in Sri Lanka but also in developed Western countries. The premise behind nationalisation is that the State should be in control of main utilities and services to provide a better service to the public. This was socialism or communism in action, even though many Western countries such as the UK and Germany also followed this doctrine at that time. Today, the tables have turned and even some of the most more..

Apr 6 (DM) A patient who was subjected to permanent loss of sight due to the use of Prednisolone Acetatean, eye drop used after cataract surgeries at a govt hospital, has sent a Letter of Demand claiming a compensation Rs.100 million from Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and eight others for the damage caused to his eyes and possible threats to his life. The victim, Makkari Rajaratnam, a resident of Kandapola sent more..

Apr 6 (EN) The SJB has welcomed some of the most prominent members of the former SLPP govt headed by ousted ex president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, with the SJB general secretary particularly heaping praise on MP G L Peiris. SJB MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at a ceremony to mark the alliance between his party and the FPC headed by Peiris said the latter’s partnership was a great strength to the SJB. “G L Peiris and the team have become a great strength to us today. more..

Apr 6 (FT) The Sri Lanka Blue Green Alliance, this week called for an end to coal power plants in a bid to promote sustainable energy and community welfare. General Secretary Rajitha Abeygunasekera said, “Oil and coal claim more than 60% of the country’s electricity generation input mix, despite the country not lacking in Renewable Energy potentials, which impacts on national energy security heavily and is a major strain on the country’s trade budget with negative economic impact. more..

Apr 6 (NW) The IMF says there is a strong expectation that agreements with commercial creditors consistent with program parameters will be reached by the completion of Sri Lanka’s second review. Director of the Communications Dept Julie Kozak said the next steps on the debt restructuring are to conclude the negotiations with external commercial creditors and to implement agreements in principle with official creditors. more..

Apr 6 (DM) Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana today made an order suspending an enjoining order obtained against the office-bearers of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA). The order of the Court suspending the enjoining order was made in response to an urgent application filed by motion by the Attorneys-at-Law representing the President and Secretary of the SLSCA. The Plaintiffs had obtained the order on March 25, preventing the SLSCA from conducting more..

Apr 6 (DN) Youth for Renewable Energy Organisation Convener Indunil Bandara emphasized the need for swift approval of renewable energy projects that have been delayed. Bandara is of the view that these projects have the potential to enhance the country’s economy and benefit taxpayers. “The surge in electricity bills is adversely impacting businesses and entrepreneurs, hindering economic growth and innovation. He reiterated that though the Govt and the subject Minister more..

Apr 6 (ST) Hong Kong-based luxury hotels owner and operator Shangri-La Asia Ltd, which owns hotels in Colombo and Hambantota, and a mall and apartments on Galle Face, has reported a US$1.9 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2023. It was a sharp reduction in loss from 2022, when the hotels in SL were US$6.9m in the red, annual filings show. Revenue of hotels, mall, offices, and apartments, exceeded US$51m for 2023 – US$33.2m from hotels, and US$18.5m more..

Apr 6 (AD) An adjournment debate on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks is scheduled to be held from 24-26 April in accordance with a motion brought by the Opposition. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Parliamentary Business Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse on Friday (5), as per a press release issued by the Parliament’s Communication Department. Thereby, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) and Regulations under more..

Apr 6 (TM) The statements coming out of India on reclaiming Kachchatheevu island from Sri Lanka have no ground, SL Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda has said. The senior SL Tamil politician’s comments came days after the Narendra Modi govt targeted the Congress and its ally the DMK in Tamil Nadu accusing them of overlooking national interests in the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974. more..

Apr 6 (TM) A special bus service is set in place from today (5) for members of the public, given the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) stated. The SLTB explained that measures have been taken to deploy around 200 additional buses during the festive season for people in Colombo and suburbs who are visiting their hometowns. Accordingly, this bus service will be operational from Colombo to all parts of the island. more..

Apr 6 (Island) SLFP dissident MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has said that he does not rejoice in the court injunction against former President Maithripala Sirisena banning him from holding the post of SLFP Chairman. “Of course, he has made mistakes. He removed me from the post of General Secretary and ever since he has been making a series of mistakes. If I had been the General Secretary he would not have been in this mess. The Court decision against him, however, is disastrous for the party,” more..

Apr 6 (ST) The scorching sun and intermittent rains have not deterred the women and men protesting outside the Divisional Secretary office in Kalmunai North, a Tamil populated area in Ampara, since Monday. Their longstanding demand has been that the Divisional Secretariat area be given its due recognition, and function similar to other Divisional Secretariats across the country. Former Assistant Director of Agriculture, Kandasamy Sivalingam (70), alleged that funds coming from more..

Apr 6 (EN) Ayurvedic medicine should be integrated into the tourism industry more effectively, State Minister Sisira Jayakody has said. “Tourists show a particular fascination and enthusiasm for massage techniques offered by the traditional medical system,” Jayakody said. “In collaboration with the Dept of Ayurveda, we are establishing Body Mantra massage centres across the country.” The centres are planned for hotels and resorts within the country, as well as abroad, more..

Apr 6 (DM) Claiming that both Sinhala and Tamil people have a right to interact with the State in their own languages, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the proportion of the Tamil youth in public institutions, tri-forces and important sectors should be increased. Speaking at the Northern Provincial Conference of Ceylon Teachers Service Union, he said it was vital to defeat the racial political culture in the country on behalf of more..

Apr 6 (AD) Actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband, who was arrested by the CID over an alleged financial fraud, has been remanded on the orders of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. Accordingly, the couple will be behind bars on remand until April 17. The actress and her spouse, who had been wanted by the CID, were arrested after they appeared before the court on Thursday (4). CID is investigating Abeyratne and her husband, in connection with their involvement more..

Apr 6 (ST) The local batik industry has been hit hard by illegal imports of printed Indian material. Batik producers complain that the Indian printed batik sarongs and clothing items have reached Pettah markets for lesser prices, affecting the sales of local batik products. The local Batik Manufacturers Association (BMA) pointed out that increased production costs and reduced sales have affected their industry. An owner of a batik manufacturing company, Chammi Samaraweera said that more..

Apr 6 (ST) All upcoming national elections will be subject to new campaign finance laws that will limit the amount of funding that candidates, political parties and independent groups can spend on their campaigns. The new laws are yet to be tested, but with a prez election due this year and a parliamentary election to follow early next year, Election Commission (EC) has been meeting with various stakeholders to brief them on more..

Apr 6 (ST) With the Sinhala and Tamil New Year approaching, CAA and PHIs have intensified raids to prevent possible scarcities and the exploitation of consumers in the coming days. Director of Raids and Special Investigation of the CAA Sanjaya Irasinghe said that warehouses of essential food items were raided, taking note of their stocks. “This was done to avoid a possible scarcity as importers are known to stock up goods and sell for higher prices when the demand is high,” he said. more..

Apr 6 (FT) Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva yesterday unveiled plans to modernise the Hingurakgoda domestic airport with a whopping investment of Rs. 17 billion to facilitate international flight operations. The transformative initiative is set to elevate the antiquated airport, originally constructed during World War II for the Royal Air Force of England and known as RAF Minneriya at the time, into an international aviation hub capable of facilitating international flight operations. more..

Apr 6 (CT) Many speculate what the State of the Nation would be today if Lasantha Wickrematunge were alive. I have thought about it too. But, then I know. If it were not on that fateful day, the 8th of January 2009 it would have been another day. It is said that the greatest aphrodisiac known to man is the power of man over man. Lasantha had to be killed for one man’s power over all men in SL. He may be power hungry, yet be a coward who would use minions to do such a dastardly crime more..

Apr 6 (TM) In response to complaints regarding the rising number of fake medical practitioners and fake medical centres in the country, this week, the health authorities announced that they are taking newer and stringent measures to deal with them. Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena has said that based on the available data and also discussions with the private health services regulatory authorities, the relevant authorities have been instructed to get more..

Apr 6 (FT) Sri Lanka has completed $ 2 billion in debt servicing since the assumption of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prez, Govt announced. Of this amount $ 1.4 billion is multilateral loans, revealed the President’s Office Community Affairs Director General Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon. Quoting data from the External Resources Department, he said ADB was paid $ 760 million, $ 489.9 million to the World Bank, $ 29.9 million to OPEC fund more..

Apr 6 (DM) The trio of festivals-the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Ramadan and Easter Sunday fall within a short time of each other. The deadly Easter Sunday massacre of innocent civilians in churches and hotels in 2019 hit one of our biggest exchange earners badly. The Easter Sunday bombings also marked the beginning of a dark era that saw the crumbling of our country’s economy which had just begun to take off after the near three-decade-long terrorist war was brought to a close. more..

Apr 6 (DM) The once-powerful LTTE waged war against the SL state for over thirty years. The LTTE known popularly as the Tigers was the determining force in SL politics for nearly two decades. The decline of the LTTE began in 2004 when its Batticaloa and Amparai district special commander V Muralidharan alias Col Karuna led an eastern tiger revolt against the LTTE supremo Veluppillai Prabhakaran. Although Col Karuna - also known as Karuna Ammaan - was defeated militarily more..

Apr 6 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige, a Buddhist himself, had sentenced the obstreperous Buddhist monk Galagoda Atte Gnanasara, the Secretary General of BBS for four years rigorous imprisonment plus a fine of Rs.100,000 for the monk’s inflammatory remarks on Islam and Muslims. An appeal for his bail by his sympathizers has also been rejected. This is indeed a landmark judgement specially in the face of the unchallengeable power of political Buddhism, more..

Apr 6 (Island) US Prez Joe Biden’s come-to-Jesus telephone conversation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, is said to be yielding the desired results. Biden reportedly warned Netanyahu that there would be a sharp shift in the US policy towards the Gaza war unless Israel heeded Washington’s concerns about civilian lives and acted accordingly. White House said Biden had made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action more..