Aug 6 (CT) In a bold move to further improve the standards of the maritime and shipping industry in SL, SL Association of Ship Owners (LASO) has signed a key initiative that signifiesthe two organisations� commitment toworking towards advancing the future of the industry by creating a younger, more inclusive and collaborative professional atmosphere that allows young maritime professionals to actively participate in the industry early on, in their careers by providing more..

Aug 6 (DM) Despite the operational challenges stemming from forex crisis, inflation and higher global oil prices, Lanka IOC PLC reported robust performance for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 (1Q23) with significant growth in revenue and profits. The company said its revenue increased by 196% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.49.93 billion. The Sales volume of the company also increased to 139,762 MT from 135,354 MT on YoY basis. The cost of sales for the quarter was Rs.34.4 billion more..

Aug 6 (Island) In spite of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) being quite clearly opposed to the declaration of Emergency, to deal with the continuing challenge posed by the protest movement, an increasingly vociferous section of the lawyers overwhelmingly support measures taken by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. A former top hand in the AG�s Dept Srinath Perera, PC, and more..

Aug 6 (AD) Two police constables who were on guard duty during the recent shooting incident at the Mount Lavinia court complex have been interdicted. A person who was among the crowd had opened fire at a suspect who was in the dock in the Mount Lavinia Court on Thursday (4) and fled the scene. No casualties were reported in the shooting. A search was initiated immediately after the incident to apprehend the gunman. It was reported that with the re-commencing of court affairs more..

Aug 6 (SO) An acute shortage of milk, eggs and dairy products vital for human nutrition will be inevitable within the next six months if the current power, transportation and forex shortage is not addressed immediately, State Veterinary Surgeons Association stated. Officials said repeated appeals to the authorities to take speedy measures to solve the power and foreign exchange crisis and avert a major crisis in the livestock industry had fallen on deaf ears. more..

Aug 6 (CT) Aimed at enhancing the Ease of Doing Business and accelerating digital transformation, the Board of Investment (BoI), the pinnacle body for investment promotion, announced the completion of the integration of the visa recommendation system in coordination with the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Ministry of Defence to provide online visa recommendation for potential investors visiting Sri Lanka and all the enterprises that fall under the purview of the BoI. more..

Aug 6 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said Thursday that his party would launch a non-violent protest movement against the supression of the people�s democratic rights. �We oppose the govt�s moves to arrest protesters and dissidents. People have rights enshrined by the Constitution. We oppose anyone who tries to violate these rights,� he said, addressing a press conference, held by MPs from several political parties. Premadasa said people have the right to engage in politics more..

Aug 6 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday declared that there can be no reliance on old economic models any longer and there should be innovative thinking, while paying prompt attention to the global changes. Prez made these remarks delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of the two-day Let�s reset Sri Lanka forum organised by the Advocata Institute. Prez Wickremesinghe pointed out that whether more..

Aug 6 (FT) Business magazine LMD�s August edition reports that the one-of-a-kind barometer that measures business confidence in Sri Lanka remained at its 21-year low of 49 basis points in July. �The LMD-NielsenIQ Business Confidence Index (BCI) reflects traction as there has been no further slippage from last month�s dismal 49 basis points. Still a far cry from what it was just two � but seemingly eons � months ago, of what now appears as a desirable 99 in May,� magazine notes. more..

Aug 6 (AD) SL wrestler Nethmi Poruthotage today (5) won a bronze medal in the women�s 57kg freestyle wrestling event at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Earlier today, she was defeated by India�s Anshu Malik in the semi-final stage via technical superiority. However, in the bronze medal match, the 18-year-old successfully secured victory over Australia�s Irene Symeonidis by technical superiority. This is the fourth medal bagged by SL's contingent at Commonweal Games. more..

Aug 6 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed the title All-party governance in lieu of the term All-party Govt if the main opposition is not agreeable to the latter when forming the proposed Govt in the coming days. Prez made this suggestion during a meeting with members of the SJB led by its leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat. SJB attended the meeting after more..

Aug 6 (FT) There are those who think Ranil Wickremesinghe is the cat�s whiskers. A recent tweet by some representative of Colombo�s liberal elite certainly suggests that the tweep feels a new Prez is bringing home the bacon. That tweet reads: �10 days into @RW_UNP presidency and I get 20 litres of fuel with the QR code. Gas (after 4 months). Violence subsided. WB funded gas for the next four months. IMF staff level agreement expected soon. Invite to all parties to form a govt. more..

Aug 6 (AD) The STF has arrested a close associate of notorious criminal figures Samayan and Uru Juwa in the area of Ranala. The suspect, identified as a 32-year-old named Maduruwala Arachchige Ushan Chathuranga, was taken into custody in raid conducted on Friday (5), acting on a tip-off received by the STF. The STF officers also seized a foreign-manufactured pistol, one magazine and two rounds of 6.35mm live ammunition from the possession of the suspect. more..

Aug 6 (DM) Reiterating its commitment to establishing a high-performance and diverse work culture that delivers an impactful contribution, Dialog Network Services (DNS), a fully owned subsidiary of Dialog Axiata PLC was recently certified as a Great Workplace by Great Place to Work - Sri Lanka. A global authority on high-performance workplace cultures, the Great Place to Work institute provides the benchmarks, frameworks, and expertise needed to recognise outstanding work environments. more..

Aug 6 (ANI) Newly-elected SL PM Dinesh Gunawardena on Saturday thanked PM Narendra Modi and Indians for the generous humanitarian assistance extended to the country. Taking to Twitter, Indian High Embassy in SL said that the island country's PM noted in response to a congratulatory letter that was given from PM Modi that the enduring ties of friendship flourished between the two countries. "India and SL have flourished over the years into a mutually rewarding partnership more..

Aug 6 (ANI) SL govt has requested Singapore authorities to allow former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to stay in the country for another 14 days, local media reported. Rajapaksa, who is currently staying in Singapore, was expected to depart the country on August 11 when his visa expired. However, Rajapaksa will remain in Singapore for some more time at the govt's request. The former Prez was issued a 14-day visit pass when he arrived more..

Aug 6 (ANI) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has extended support to the SL govt and the people to meet their immediate and long-term needs. "The UN is ready to support the govt and people of Sri Lanka in meeting their immediate and long-term needs and is looking forward to continuing the cooperation of the UN in building peace, sustainable development and promoting human rights for all Sri Lankans," according to statement released by PMD. more..

Aug 6 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe became acting Prez when Aragalaya forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to run away from the country and resign from Presidency. A new President had to be selected by the Members of Parliament in a secret vote. Of the four initial contestants Sajith Premadasa resigned, hoping to become PM under Dullas Alahapperuma. With most party leaders supporting Dullas in public, he was expected to win, but party members refused to follow and Ranil became more..

Aug 6 (ANI) As many as 13 organizations have condemned the SL authorities' violent crackdown and increasing reprisals against peaceful protesters in the island country. The violent crackdown includes arrests, intimidation and the brutal attack on the protest camp in Colombo on July 22; News Wire reported citing a statement released by the organizations. "SL authorities must ensure that security forces do not use excessive more..

Aug 6 (AD) PM of Japan Fumio Kishida says he is hopeful for political stability in Sri Lanka and quick progress in negotiations with the IMF). He made this remark in a congratulatory message sent to SL�s Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on taking office as the new Head of State. In his letter, PM Kishida said: �On behalf of the govt and the people of Japan, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on your assumption of office as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of SL.� more..

Aug 6 (DM) SLPP group of MPs led by PM Dullas Alahapperuma announced that they have decided to support a national programme agreed upon by all political parties for a temporary period. Member of the group, Prof G.L. Peiris said that his group will only support a national programme agreed upon by all political parties. This programme should have a time frame,� MP said. �We have told Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and PM Dinesh Gunawardene that we will support anything done by the govt more..

Aug 6 (EN) The death toll of prevailing adverse weather in Sri Lanka has increased to 05 with more than 50 families still in relief centres, the DMC said. The DMC said on Saturday, that due to floods, heavy rainfall and landslides, 10 district in five provinces have been affected. As of Saturday, 232 people from 58 families are in 5 relief centres around the country. A total of 14,885 people from 3,850 families have been affected. One person has been injured, 3 people are reported to be missing. more..

Aug 6 (DM) Protesters at the Galle Face main agitation site yesterday said they will not leave the Gotagogama over any notice and challenged the law enforcement authorities to try and send them away if possible. Activist cum journalist Shantha Wijesooriya representing the Galle Face aragalaya said that they didn�t come to the mass protest site about four months ago with the permission of the police or the government.and that they will not leave the premises just because the police come & give notices. more..

Aug 6 (HT) The SL govt has asked the Chinese govt to defer the visit of its space-satellite tracker ship Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota port until further consultations are made between the two govts. The spy ship was scheduled to dock at Chinese leased Hambantota port on August 11 for refueling and leave on Aug 17. Designated as a research stroke survey vessel, Yuan Wang 5 was built in 2007 and has a carrying capacity more..

Aug 6 (DM) West Midlands Police in UK have confirmed that two athletes from SL who had mysteriously disappeared from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have now been located, but a third is still missing. A wrestler, judo star and judo coach had not been seen since Monday. The trio had previously surrendered their passports so have been unable to leave the UK. After they went missing, officials have now removed documents from all remaining members of the SL team more..

Aug 6 (NR) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa says a rebellion can only be mitigated through suppression. MP Rajapaksa pledged his maximum support to Prez Ranil Wickramasinghe to accomplish his plans and goals for SL. Speaking to media after a discussion with PM Dinesh Gunawardena at the SLPP party office, MP Rajapaksa said the govt will work together and support the Prez to help the SL people. MP said former Prez Rajapaksa resigned to make way for an all party govt which is being more..

Aug 6 (DM) A leopard that roamed into the Logy estate in Lindula and frequenting a slope, had crashed into a house below through the roof. Wildlife officers said the leopard giving chase to track down a dog had missed its target and fallen into the house through the roof. It had charged at one of the estate workers that rushed to the scene to catch a glimpse of it, causing him serious injuries. He was admitted to Lindula divisional hospital more..

Aug 6 (DM) Sri Lanka�s petrol and diesel sales have plummeted from March to July this year, MP Champika Ranwaka said yesterday. Diesel and Petrol sales plummeted to a whopping one third, from 6496 to 2299 and 3764 to 1226 tonnes per day, respectively, within the 4 months from March to July, 2022. It is yet another glaring revelation of the severity of the economic disaster the country has made, to embroil Sri Lanka�s crisis,� one time Power & Energy Minister said in his twitter message. more..

Aug 6 (SLN) SL Navy apprehended 13 persons who were suspected to be attempting to illegally migrate to a foreign country by sea, during a search operation carried out in seas off Sand Banks, Talaimannar this morning (5). SL Navy has been conducting regular search operations and patrols covering the sea and coastal areas around the island with the aim of suppressing illegal migration and other forms of illegal activities. During a special operation mounted by a team of Navy more..

Aug 6 (AD) All-Ceylon Restaurant Owners� Association has decided to reduce the prices of a cup of plain tea and a packet of rice. The decision was taken in view of the reduction in the prices of essential food items, the association said further. Meanwhile, the price of a 12.5 kg cylinder of domestic LP gas is expected to be slashed by nearly Rs. 200 from next Monday (Aug 08), according to Litro Gas Lanka. However, vendors at the Manning Market and the Central Fish Market Complex more..

Aug 6 (CT) Police warned the public to be careful when parking their motorcycles and vehicles, unsafely as several complaints have been lodged with regard to stolen number plates by the organised criminals. The stolen number plates had been used in recent shooting incidents that killed several persons recently. The Police said complaints have been lodged over theft of motorcycle number plates that occurred in Galle, Galle Harbour, Tissamaharamaya, Ahungalla & Kataragama. more..

Aug 6 (ST) Govt will not proceed with the controversial tender to award the third section of the Central Expressway, and will call fresh bids for the project, Court of Appeal (CA) was informed this week. The undertaking was given on Tuesday by the RDA and the Minister of Highways through the Attorney General�s Dept. It was recorded in Court that no steps will be taken to grant the tender and that the project will only proceed more..

Aug 6 (NR) The All Ceylon Farmers� Federation alleges that the farmers have suffered greatly due to the lack of a stringent program to provide necessary fuel for agricultural activities. National Organizer of the Federation Namal Karunaratne said that it is essential to provide adequate fuel for the machinery used for agricultural activities. Speaking to media in Dambulla, Namal Karunaratne said if fuel is not provided stringently, he will stage a protest with farmers. more..

Aug 6 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe raised concerns about the manner in which the country�s capital market, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), operates, and asserted the need for the entire system to change. He said that shares of State-Owned-Enterprises (SOE) will not be listed on the Colombo bourse as a part of restructuring efforts as it is controlled by a few investors. Highlighting the market manipulation that takes place at the CSE, Wickremesinghe stressed he would not list more..

Aug 6 (ST) Though the Prez�s House was designated as a protected monument in 2009, the Archaeology Dept has no clear record of the artefacts inside the premises, a senior official said. �It would be difficult to obtain specific and clear information about the exact number of antiques that have gone missing in the Prez�s House and Temple Trees after anti-govt protesters occupied these premises,� the official said. more..

Aug 6 (ST) Registration for foreign jobs continues to record an increase as Sri Lankans endure the economic crisis. The trend is welcome news for a Govt desperate to see a rise in foreign exchange flows. According to Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, 172,505 people have registered with the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) as of July 29, 2022, while the number of foreign job opportunities SL is receiving has also increased. Job offers for this year as of July are already on par with more..