May 10 (AD) Mujibur Rahman of the SJB took path as a MP before the Speaker, to fill the parliamentary seat vacated by the disqualification of former State Minister Diana Gamage. The swearing-in took place after the Parliamentary session convened at 9.30 a.m. this morning. SJB had decided to nominate former Member of Mujibur Rahman to fill the National List MP position left vacant by the disqualification of more..

May 10 (DM) The expulsion petition filed by former State Minister Diana Gamage challenging the SJB's decision to expel her from party membership was today fixed for May 28 by the Supreme Court. Diana Gamage’s stance regarding this petition is to be informed to the court on the next date. Accordingly, the Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Mahinda Samayawardena fixed the matter for May 28. more..

May 10 (DM) The SLPP is ready for the Prez eletion but they are yet to find a candidate for the presidency, SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa said today. He told reporters after opening its election office that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe will declare his stance on the elction by June 18 and said it will be even earlier after the conclusion of the Indian election. When asked whether the SLPP would support Prez Wickremesinghe, he said the party would decide whether to support him or not. more..

May 10 (FT) In the lead up to SL’s Prez election in October 2024, there have been numerous visits by foreign governments to create a good rapport with the various candidates. Visits by great powers to Sri Lanka appear to be a tradition before a national election or during global calamities. My analyses over the years indicate an increase in the frequency of interactions and their breadth during the visits. In order to ascertain this tug-of-war, this article is divided into three sections: more..

May 10 (FT) Political catch phrases like Dharmishta Samajaya, Yahapalanaya have won elections. People voted for these and the leader’s rhetoric as they either felt genuinely that they lived in a society that was not just, or in an ayahapath palanaya, an unjust governance environment or they were conditioned to think as such with smartly managed political rhetoric. In either case, it’s the people who voted in leaders and govts to office and in either case, it’s the people who voted more..

May 10 (DM) In the wake of the Election Commission officially announcing that the Prez election will be held between Sept 17 and Oct 16, a faction of both govt and opposition MPs have expressed concerns as they prefer a parliamentary election first. This follows the remarks by the founder of SLPP Basil Rajapaksa who reiterated that his party maintains its stance that the general election should take place before the prez election. more..

May 10 (CT) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya disclosed that during the first four months of this year, Excise Dept issued a total of 37 new liquor permits (FL4). Out of these, 16 were allocated to supermarkets, he said. Liquor consumption in the country had decreased by 19% in 2023 compared to 2022. Minister revealed that in 2023, 214 liquor permits were issued, with 147 allocated to the tourism sector. On the population ratio, an additional 474 liquor permits could be issued. more..

May 10 (DM) Japanese Ambassador to SL Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador to Switzerland Siri Walt and South African High Commissioner to SL Sandile Schalk met NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The meeting took place at the JVP head office where the First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy Murata Shinichi, Second Secretary of the South African High Commission Zanethemba Tshangela and the First Secretary of the Switzerland Embassy Justine Boillat more..

May 10 (FT) Embattled former State Minister Diana Gamage yesterday expressed her refusal to accept the recent Supreme Court ruling that disqualified her from Parliament, due to the political conspiracy behind it. Addressing the media for the first time following the ruling, Gamage levelled accusations against SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and several others, alleging they had more..

May 10 (DM) Speculation is rife in political circles that the Election Commission announced the plan for the conduct of the presidential election interpreting the Constitution in a bid to suppress any internal political discourse for a possible snap general election, Daily Mirror learns. There are talks that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe might consider a general election ahead of the prez election in case the govt fails to secure the next tranche of the IMF Extended Fund Facility. more..

May 10 (ST) Senior govt and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty. This was according to a circular issued by Public Admin, Home Affairs, PCs and LG Ministry. Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years more..

May 10 (AD) Two Italian nationals who had allegedly attempted to smuggle hundreds of endemic insects and plants collected from the Yala National Park to a foreign country, have been arrested in the Katagamuwa area. The officers of the Wildlife Conservation Office in Katagamuwa have apprehended the suspects on Wednesday. The wildlife officers stated that they seized a large number of jars in which the suspects had collected around 285 insects including butterflies more..

May 10 (DM) Coral reefs in the sea around Sri Lanka risk die-offs if the current marine heat level persists for another one month or so, a top scientist said yesterday. Indian media reported that an alarming situation of severe coral bleaching had been reported in the Lakshadweep Sea and the Gulf of Mannar. Asked for a comment in this regard, newly appointed Director General of NARA Dr. K.Arulananthan said heat level had increased to 31 degrees Celsius and remained for two weeks. more..

May 10 (TM) JVP-led NPP of the Parliamentary Opposition claimed that the remarks made by its Executive Committee member, former MP K.D. Lalkantha, at the recent May Day rally, which led to controversy, have been misinterpreted by certain parties, including Opposition politicians. NPP Executive Committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa claimed that the speech made by Lalkantha has been more..

May 10 (Island) Securities & Exchange Commission of SL (SEC) has approved a list of Accredited Shariah Scholars as Supplementary Service Providers. These scholars are authorized to certify the Shariah compliance of Islamic Capital Market Products intended for listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in accordance with the Listing Rules. SEC considers this as an essential step in view of products that require Shariah compatibility and to satisfy the needs of Islamic investors. more..

May 10 (TM) SJB stated that it is their position that the debate between the two economic committees of the SJB and JVP-led NPP also of the Parliamentary Opposition should be held before the debate between the two Party Leaders. NPP recently invited the SJB to suggest three or four dates leading up to 20 May for the debate between their Leader, Opposition MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and SJB and Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa. Since the SJB is yet to suggest the days more..

May 10 (DN) The much awaited and long overdue bill to amend the Telecommunications Regulatory Act after 28 years will be presented to the Parliament State Minister Kanaka Herath said yesterday. Additionally, he highlighted plans for the drafting of the National Cyber Security Act in May. He also disclosed that In furtherance of boosting the tourism sector, Rs.750 million has been allocated for the development of the Pinnawala and Kithulgala tourism corridor. more..

May 10 (DM) While denouncing the false rumours regarding imminent vehicle importation, the Vehicle Importers Association of SL (VIASL) clarified that no vehicles, including lightweight vehicles, will be imported within the current year or before the election. VIASL President Prasad Priyanga said that this decision was taken following a discussion held with the Finance State Minister yesterday. "According to the discussion, vehicle importation will take at least another year. more..

May 10 (FT) SL's automobile assembly is experiencing significant growth and development with the involvement of world-renowned brands including Hyundai, Proton, BAIC, DFSK, Wuling, Mahindra, TATA, Bajaj, TVS, JMC and Lanka Ashok Leyland emphasizing the favourable environment for investment. The approval to assemble a wide range of vehicles including SUVs, Cars, Two-Wheelers, Double-cabs, Trucks more..

May 10 (EN) SL govt will table amendments for Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Act for the first time in 28 years and the key changes will include third party being allowed to build towers, State Technology Minister Kanaka Herath said. Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL) was established in 1996 with an aim to promote sustained development in the telecommunication industry by shaping the regulatory process, protecting public interest more..

May 10 (DM) Uber, the global ride hailing and food and grocery delivery platform, hosted Uber Springboard, an initiative to encourage SL start-ups to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. With support from the Technology Ministry, govt of SL, Uber has selected three start-ups from a tech start-up competition that are set to travel to Uber’s centre of excellence in India for a mentorship programme. As part of DIGIECON 2030, Uber’s tech leaders interacted with 26 more..

May 10 (TM) A prominent netball player in the country and a former skipper of the national team, has reportedly tested positive to a banned substance, for the first time ever in the sport’s history here, The Daily Morning Sports, reliably understands. The incident had occurred when a random test done of the urine sample of the player had returned positive, during the ongoing training programme of the national team, more..

May 10 (TM) An investigation by The Daily Morning, revealed that two promising school cricketers, had been sent to the ongoing lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), as net bowlers, without requisite approval from the schools concerned. The two upcoming star players from leading schools of the country have thus been packed off to the IPL – the world’s most popular domestic T-20 tournament. It is said that the individual, who has undertaken the contract, to send these 2 cricketers to IPL, more..

May 10 (DN) Sri Lanka Golf (SLG) has nominated two junior golfers to participate in the R & A Junior Open golf tournament to be held in Scotland from July 13 to 19. The criteria for selection to represent Sri Lanka is that they must have won in two junior national tournament conducted by SLG in 2023 namely, SL Junior Open and SL Junior Match Play events. As such, SLG has selected one boy and one girl player in the under-16 years, who became eligible for the events, more..

May 10 (ST) Customs is striving to reach the highest revenue target in its 117 year history amidst inconsistent tax policy and under invoicing of unscrupulous importers and traders, the department’s official sources revealed. It is also noted that for the purpose of avoidance of under-invoicing and under-evaluation of importation of goods, a specific unit rate of duty (example: per kg amount) as well as mixed rates of duty have been applied within 3-band tariff system literally. more..

May 10 (FT) SL-Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with SL Export Development Board (EDB) and the SL High Commission in the Maldives, is organising a business delegation to the renowned Hotel Asia Exhibition in the Maldives from 13-15 May. Hotel Asia Exhibition is renowned as the Maldives’ premier food and hospitality event, attracting stakeholders from resorts, hotels, guest houses, safari boat operators, restaurants, more..

May 10 (FT) President Ranil Wickre-mesinghe and Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday clashed in Parliament after the former blamed the latter for the current crisis. Wickremesinghe accused Premadasa of being a responsible party to the crisis and suggested that the country’s outcome might have been different if Premadasa had agreed to assume the PM position in April 2022. more..

May 10 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe will today ceremoniously launch the world’s first of its kind Global Gestures for Empowerment aimed at discouraging sexual harassment. The ground-breaking initiative is by DP Education of Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation. The campaign includes three gestures created by Andy Jacobs, from US Hawaii who is a TV and Internet producer. The three gestures are to convey the following message You are harassing me and more..

May 10 (CT) This week, SL saw major economic announcements aimed at stabilising its fragile economy, looming elections and spirited campaigning by various contenders. Central Bank and six leading export sector chambers urgently stressed the importance of maintaining policy consistency, regardless of which party comes to power after the upcoming elections. The essence of these discussions, particularly highlighted by CB Governor in his sustaining Stability more..

May 10 (Island) Derrick Borte’s edge-of-seat psychological thriller, Unhinged, has an appropriate tagline: He can happen to anyone! We were reminded of this suspense flick full of gratuitous violence, and its catchphrase while reading newspaper reports that former Minister Mervyn Silva had recently been granted bail in a case pertaining to an incident which took place at the state-owned Rupavahini Corporation headquarters 17 years ago. The police must be asked to explain why more..

May 10 (ST) In 2015, I gave an interview to the Sinhala newspaper Deshaya which was published in its Sept 6 issue. The literal meaning of the title of this article was [there will be] nobody to save us, when we fall. I was referring to the debt crisis of Greece and the fact that Sri Lanka which was also on the verge of collapse like Greece is unlikely to receive the support that Greece received. The international bailout programme of Greece designed for its recovery from the crisis more..