Sep 27 (FT) Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) member and MP Prof. Charitha Herath yesterday expressed his concern about the Govt’s attempt to introduce a two-year tax holiday for major investors. Herath emphasised the need for a thorough and comprehensive discussion of the proposal. “This is a country fraught with tax frauds. Every six years, successive govts provide tax holidays, essentially pardoning companies that have evaded taxes for an extended period,” he said. more..

Sep 27 (TM) With the legal provisions for the issuance of Environmental Protection Licences (EPLs) having been revised, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has launched a programme to identify places including factories that have not yet obtained the EPLs under the new criteria. A chemical factory in the Katuwana Industrial Zone in Homagama was destroyed due to a fire on 17 Aug 2023, and it was later revealed that the factory was not in the possession of an EPL. more..

Sep 27 (DN) Sinopec China will make what would be SL’s largest FDI in recent times when they enter refinery operations in SL, said Minister Kanchana Wijesekera at an event where Sinopec announced its official entry into SL’s dynamic fuel retail market in Colombo. A felicitation event for local distributors followed. He said that this will be announced and an agreement signed in October when Prez Wickremesinghe visits China. more..

Sep 27 (Island) CID informed Fort Magistrate Court that British citizen Kathiravelpillai Satkunam admitted to have pocketed the broker’s fee in a case involving approximately Rs 195 mn, which been fraudulently obtained from a group of shareholders following the sale of a plot of land at Kollupitiya, the majority shareholder being a UK-based limited liability company. Latest court papers filed indicated that the accused Satkunam of 43, Hays Walk, Sutton, an affluent suburb in the UK, more..

Sep 27 (FT) PHU leader MP Udaya Gammanpila yesterday claimed the Govt will not meet the International Monetary Fund’s condition of setting up a website to reveal information on all Govt dealings. “It is a promise they will never fulfil,” Gammanpila said during a press conference at the party head office. The MP pointed out that although the Government should have fulfilled 57 conditions outlined by the IMF up to this point, it has managed to accomplish only 38 of them. more..

Sep 27 (DM) A woman has been ordered to be remanded till September 27 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court after she was accused of sharing her nude videos online to make money. CID's Computer Crimes Division had arrested the woman, a mother of one child and produced her before court for allegedly committing offences under Section 2 of the Obscene Publication Ordinance and Section 286 of the Penal Code. CID alleged that the suspect had shared her nude videos online more..

Sep 27 (Island) SL’s injury woes during and prior to recent big tournament is legendary like it was the case lead up to the Asia Cup. With almost all the bowlers who would have featured in the playing eleven injured, the selectors were forced to scratch the barrel and the replacements did a commendable job taking the team to the finals of the six-nation tournament. Lead up to the sport’s showpiece event – the ICC Cricket World Cup – the team suffered another massive blow as star leg-spinner more..

Sep 27 (FT) SL’s export sector in August managed to marginally grow over $ 1 billion compared to July 2023, though on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, it fell by 11% due to sluggish demand in major markets. Earnings from merchandise exports increased by 6.8% month-on-month to $ 1.09 billion in July 2023, but down by 10.91% YoY. EDB said the decline in merchandise exports is due to decreased demand for more..

Sep 27 (DN) Prasad de Silva of Emjay International Pvt Ltd and Ishara Madurangi of Sri Lanka Port Authority emerged open men’s and women’s champions at the All Island Ranking Table Tennis Championship concluded Sunday at the Indoor Stadium, Bandaragama. Prasad de Silva made a five setter game to beat Nimesh Ranchagoda of Sri Lanka Navy at the men’s open final .The first set won by Prasad 1-5 but second and third set won.by Nimesh 12-10,11-6 to take 2-1 lead. more..

Sep 27 (TM) SL’s banking sector may have seen about 10,000 employees leaving in 2023 out of which a significant number has migrated, as banks resort to massive recruitment drives to fill in the vacancies, a top banker said. Speaking at a webinar held yesterday, Hatton National Bank (HNB) Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles said that he thinks the banking industry might have lost 10,000 staff in 2023, of which a significant number may have left for migration purposes. more..

Sep 27 (FT) S&P Global Ratings yesterday raised its long and short-term local currency sovereign credit ratings on Sri Lanka to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD’ (selective default). “At the same time, we affirmed our ‘SD/SD’ long- and short-term foreign currency ratings. The outlook on the ‘CCC+’ long-term local currency rating is stable. We also raised the issue rating on SL’s local currency bond maturing in Oct 2023 to ‘CCC+’ from ‘D’,” more..

Sep 27 (DN) In an incredible show of swimming talent, Dinali Karunadasa, representing Champions Visakha Vidyalaya, achieved a historic feat at the recently concluded All Island School Games Swimming Championship at Sugathadasa Swimming Pool. Not only did Karunadasa secure three gold medals, but she also shattered three records, marking a significant milestone in her young career. Visakha Vidyalaya claimed their fourth consecutive championship. more..

Sep 27 (Island) "Sri Lanka’s proximity to emerging and developing markets and its already developed air and seaports in Colombo and Hambantota gives it a unique opportunity to be the next leading logistics hub in the region, with the potential to overtake Singapore and Dubai, if the cards are played right and the right governance and Ease of Doing Business regulations are handled sensibly", logistics and supply chain specialist Sanjeeva Abeygoonewardena (SA) said. more..

Sep 27 (DN) SL 7-member rugby team, which went to Hangzhou, China under the Asian Olympic flag, had to finish its event at the Asian Games in 10th place. Due to an international ban, the SL rugby team, which entered the competition under the Asian Olympic flag, had to compete for places between 9-13 due to losing both matches in the preliminary round. However, the SL players, who won the first two matches of the 9-13 round, managed to record a great victory of 68-0 points in the match more..

Sep 27 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal in this regard presented by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Minister on Monday. These loans are intended to support the implementation of two vital sub-programs and under the first sub-program; a focused effort is underway to expedite comprehensive reforms aimed at fortifying the conflict management framework and stabilising the finance sector. more..

Sep 27 (ST) Supreme Court has directed the CEB to identify and take appropriate action against officials responsible for blocking a solar power project of a private company that had fulfilled all the conditions to secure a letter of intent from the board. The findings and action taken in this regard must be reported to court, the judges said. The stinging ruling saw Justice Yasantha Kodagoda hold the first respondent CEB and 2nd respondent SLSEA more..

Sep 27 (Island) Parliament last week wasted two days on a much hyped debate on national security and the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage carried out by local Muslim extremists radicalized by ISIS ideology. The debate didn’t help political parties represented in Parliament to reach consensus on the post-Easter Sunday reconciliation plan. But, the ruling Pohottuwa party and the solitary UNP National List MP Wajira Abeywardena defended the handling of the Easter Sunday investigations, more..

Sep 27 (Island) It is heartening that justice has finally caught up with a retired top cop, albeit after a lapse of more than eight years. The Ratnapura High Court, on Monday, sentenced former Senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe to a five-year jail term for having ordered the OIC of the Kahawatte police station not to arrest the then UPFA MP Premalal Jayasekera alias Choka Malli over a shooting incident in the run-up to the 2015 prez election. The victim of gun violence succumbed to his injuries. more..

Sep 27 (CT) Sri Lanka is still reeling from the after effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the crippling economic crisis that followed. Although we were grossly unprepared to face the devastating pandemic, economically, our healthcare system rose to the occasion, rendering a stellar service in containing the spread of the virus and treating those who were affected. Even amidst limited resources, the dedication of the healthcare professionals, at all levels, in controlling the virus more..

Sep 27 (TM) SL Judiciary recently sentenced the former SDIG in charge of the Sabaragamuwa Province to five years imprisonment over trying to influence a fellow police officer and prevent a govt politician being arrested over a shooting. The wheels of justice turning and holding those who enforce it accountable, is a refreshing sight. Particularly, due to the long-standing impunity some police officers seem to work with. Over the last several decades, lack of oversight, politicisation of the service, more..

Sep 27 (TM) SL’s proposed Online Safety Bill, which aims to regulate online content and enhance user safety, has ignited a debate over its potential impact on freedom of expression and the risk of Govt censorship. While the bill is currently in draft form, several experts and stakeholders have voiced their concerns regarding its implications. Key provisions of the Online Safety Bill: The bill establishes an Online Safety Commission more..

Sep 27 (ST) Two most obnoxious legal bills were published in the govt gazette this week. One, newly called Anti-Terrorism bill could potentially make terrorists out of us all if we express dissenting views in public on govt policy. The other, euphemistically titled Online Safety bill could toll the death knell for the free and vibrant social media, extant today in SL, along with a host of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or rebranded X accounts which millions of Lankans daily use to air their pleasurable moments more..

Sep 27 (DM) World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day. It is the day in 1959 when the UNGA adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UNGA adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In our country-SL - Children’s Day is marked on 1 October every year. Since independence, we have many laws protecting children including laws preventing the exploitation of children from being more..

Sep 27 (TM) The past few months saw a renewed and a rather controversial national-level discourse on allergies and the quality of medicines available in SL, as allegedly, the medicine-related allergic reactions, especially instances that happened in public hospitals, were blamed for several deaths that occurred in questionable conditions. Probes, including those led by health authorities and experts, were also launched, more..

Sep 27 (DM) Last week, Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), which is in stiff competition with the TULF for the Northern Tamil votes, launched a commemoration campaign of Thileepan, a self-styled Lt. Colonel of the LTTE, who died in 1987 while engaging in a hunger strike. A vehicle procession carrying a life-size idol of Thileepan kicked off from Pottuvil on September 16th when Thileepan started his hunger strike ostensibly against the atrocities of the IPKF. more..

Sep 27 (CT) The country to which Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe returned after his international successes in the Americas remains in dire straits. In both Cuba and New York, prez made his mark at the podium holding his own with giants on the world stage. Addressing heads of state at the G77 Summit in Cuba, the prez spoke of the significance of science, technology and innovation in shaping the future of developing nations. He referred to the new technological divide emerging in 21st century, more..

Sep 26 (Forbes) In an era where wellness and cultural representation are at the forefront of our consciousness, Sajani Amarasiri, the founder of Kola Goodies, is on a mission to blend the two seamlessly. With a focus on creating delicious tea and superfood lattes inspired by her South Asian heritage, Kola Goodies aims to increase cultural representation and equity, from seed to shelf, in the wellness industry. Kola Goodies isn't just about crafting beverages; more..

Sep 26 (AD) A new law is set to be introduced to transform the Colombo Port City into a Financial Zone, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed. Speaking at the 2023 Commercial Mediation Symposium held at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo this afternoon, the Head of State revealed that the new legislation would transform Port City into the Colombo Financial Zone, granting it jurisdiction over offshore activities. The relevant new law is expected to be enacted by the end of 2023, more..

Sep 26 (IBT) Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has spoken out in support of India amid the latter's ongoing diplomatic row with Canada, and called the North American country a safe haven for terrorists. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has a way of coming out with outrageous allegations, Sabry said in light of Trudeau's recent statements about India having a hand in Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil. more..

Sep 26 (DM) A future NPP govt will never hesitate to work with the IMF and other institutions, former NPP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today. He told reporters that NPP will deal with the IMF while respecting the people’s mandate and will be committed to implementing the proposals agreed to by the mandate. He alleged that the present govt is only trying to postpone the economic crisis by hiding behind the IMF proposals rather than genuinely intervening to resolve the true crisis. more..

Sep 26 (EN) SL is struggling to meet its tax revenue target committed to the IMF this year due to inefficiency and corruption among the state officials at Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Customs, and Excise Department, ruling party MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said. Aluthgamage, the chair of the Parliament Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans, said the govt’s tax collection is far behind the target due to the lethargic attitude of the three main more..