Aug 16 (CT) Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake said that the CMC has been implementing various development projects within the Colombo city limits to fulfill the pledges made in the UNP manifesto presented at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Election in 2018. Poverty alleviation, converting Colombo to be a city free from garbage, constructing multi-purpose buildings in every division coming under the purview of CMC limits and giving a new facelift to Colombo city were among them, more..

Aug 16 (AJ) When 37-year-old Harshana Pathirana quit his job in the hotel sector, sold his car, and invested in what he believed was a cryptocurrency, he dreamed of making a fortune, especially as the economy around him cratered. More than a year later, with the tourism sector battered in the face of SL�s worst economic crisis, Pathirana is unemployed and has lost all his investments. �I invested Rs. 2.2 million ($ 6,162) and was promised a five-times-higher return. more..

Aug 16 (AD) The writ application filed challenging the deportation order on UK national Kayleigh Fraser for participating in the recent protests in SL has been dismissed without hearing by the Appeals Court today. The order was issued when the petition was taken up for consideration before Appeals Court Judge Sobitha Rajakaruna. Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, attorney-at-law Nagananda Kodituwakku stated before the court that although the minister in charge of immigration had the power to deport more..

Aug 16 (DM) While claiming there are no suspected monkey pox cases detected in the country so far, Health Services Deputy Director General Dr. Hemantha Herath said that the country has the facilities to check suspected cases locally. He said that there was no need to be concerned about finding or importing test kits to check suspects infected with monkey pox. So far, we have not detected any suspected cases yet, "the doctor said. Earlier, we had planned to send the samples to more..

Aug 16 (DM) Department of Motor Traffic has sought approval to amend all its charges including the driving license and vehicle transfers in the near future amidst a growing trend of people applying for their driver�s license for foreign employment. The department has recently received the ministerial approval to amend charges for all its services, which will be gazetted soon, the sources said. Commissioner of Driving License (Werahera Head Office) Wasantha Ariyarathna told more..

Aug 16 (AD) Regional Director for Asia-Pacific from the UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) David McLachlan-Karr arrived in SL today. McLachlan-Karr is scheduled to meet with Govt, the Opposition, civil society, the diplomatic community and others. He will also travel to Jaffna to meet with govt and civil society groups there. His discussions with officials in Sri Lanka will focus on the launch of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 more..

Aug 16 (EN) Sri Lanka is on track to receive enough coal supply to last till April 2023, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said, as the country�s only coal power plant awaits repairs after a sudden breakdown that extended power cut durations. Sri Lanka�s current coal supply is only adequate till the end of October. Ratnayake had previously said the island nation would need 100 million US dollars to import more coal after the supply ran out. more..

Aug 17 (DM) Many are busy conducting post mortem reports for the Aragalaya. Some call it a success and others regard it with scorn stating that it only resulted in some of the leading individuals getting rich through donations received from well-wishers. Whatever it is, the fact that the Aragalaya, which was symbolized by the mass gathering at Galle Face Green which started months ago in protest, to force the Gotabaya regime to go home, marked an important juncture in more..

Aug 17 (DM) Four days ago, British-born author Salman Rushdie was stabbed by a knife-wielding attacker at a literary event in New York. Rushdie who remains hospitalized, suffered wounds to his throat and liver, and may lose an eye. Rushdie�s crime was writing a book- The Satanic Verses- which someone with a narrow mind, disagreed with. Rushdie was forced into hiding thirty years ago, after a man of the cloth with fundamentalist beliefs, somewhere in Iran, felt was critical of more..

Aug 17 (TM) Questions have been raised as to whether the Govt-imposed ban on certain types of imports last year has yielded the expected result of conserving foreign reserves, with CB statistics showing no major reduction in import expenditure in 2021. Total expenditure on merchandise imports in 2021 was recorded at $ 20,637.4 million while $ 19,937.1 million was recorded in 2019, the year that more..

Aug 17 (TM) The bitter truth is, despite the so-called solutions to the economic crisis being proposed, planned, or implemented, the situation only seems to be growing worse � people have started to eat and travel less, and most importantly, harbour less hope. Most members of the general public are gradually trying to come to terms with this new, unofficial new normal; the previous, official new normal being the one promoted in the context of Covid-19. more..

Aug 17 (GV) SL�s politics is at the crossroads. One path opened before the people is that of re-democratisation. It comes after decades of de-democratisation carried out by different factions of the country�s political elites. The other path takes forward the project of illiberal authoritarianism of the established political class. The driving force that wants to take SL along the first path are the non-elite and subordinate social classes. The other path has been the choice of the country�s dominant more..

Aug 17 (CT) The problems for SL farmers began in May 2021, when then Prez Rajapaksa, who was later ousted, imposed a sudden ban on chemical fertilisers. There was no fertiliser available to provide for crops in the following Yala and Maha seasons, and as a result, paddy and other crops suffered. Chemical fertilisers were illegally imported into SL and sold at exorbitant prices. Despite the fact that it was stated that organic fertilisers more..

Aug 17 (Island) SLPP MPs are said to be divided on provision in the 22nd constitutional amendment Bill for the dissolution by the Prez of Parliament two and a half years after the formation of a govt. The ruling party MPs loyal to the Rajapaksas are reportedly demanding that the constitutionally prescribed period be extended to four and a half years, but the dissident SLPP MPs and the Opposition are said to be convinced otherwise; they reportedly favour the current time limit. more..

Aug 17 (ST) Some years ago during the tenure of the Yahapalanaya (Good Governance) regime, a Business Times poll on the future of SriLankan Airlines drew the attention of the govt. The poll found a majority of Sri Lankans saying the debt-ridden national carrier should remain in state hands and not privatised. Some ministers supported the poll�s contention that while the airline should be restructured to reduce its debt, it should remain under state control. more..

Aug 17 (CT) According to the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, the natural condition of mankind was a state of war in which life was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short because individuals are in a war of all against all. Therefore, it was necessary for them to come to an agreement. The philosopher John Locke called this the social contract. Social contract arguments are that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of more..

Aug 17 (Island) As reported by a NDTV Staff Writer, �External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that India-China relations cannot be normal unless border situation is and added that if China disturbs the peace and tranquility in border areas, it will impact the relations further�. In view of the fact that the relations between India and China are dependent on the peace and tranquility in the border areas means that Sri Lanka�s relations with either at any time has to be complex; more..

Aug 17 (TM) SriLankan Airlines, which is currently running at full capacity, will face significant capacity restraints going forward, as the airline is scheduled to lose six to seven aircraft from its current fleet of 24 over the next 12 months. SriLankan Chairman Ashok Pathirage stated that out of its current fleet of 24 aircraft, three were non-operational due to issues relating to the engines. Furthermore, leases of six to seven aircraft more..

Aug 17 (Island) Playing on a matting wicket Gurukula shocked St. Benedict�s with 10 wicket win, S. Thomas� ended Moratu Vidyalaya�s impressive run, while Richmond, St. Peter�s, St. Joseph�s and St. Sebastian�s had it easy against their rivals in the Under 17 Division I cricket tournament pre-quarter-finals played on Tuesday. Gurukula delivered the knockout punch when Daham Vimukthi and Tharusha Kodikara grabbed three wickets each to bundle St. Benedict�s out for 71 runs. more..

Aug 17 (CI) SL captain Chamari Athapaththu and the South African trio of Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon are part of nine overseas players set to take part in the inaugural women's CPL. These players have been split into three teams, which will also be involved in a T10 tournament called 6ixty. Matches start on Aug 24 and go on till Sept 4. Most of the big names in women's cricket are currently involved in the Hundred in England, which ends only on Sept 3. more..

Aug 17 (FT) The Govt said it was open to alternative proposals by parties who oppose the decision to seek a financial bailout from the IMF, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. �Critics of the decision to seek IMF support must offer alternatives, rather than just opposing,� he said in response to a query from journalists. On Monday, independent MP Vasudva Nanayakkara who is also the leader of DLF said the group of independent MPs that more..

Aug 17 (FT) Govt has appointed a Cabinet Sub-Committee to organise celebrations of the 75th Independence Day next year with plans underway to recommence singing the national anthem in the official languages of Sinhala and Tamil. Committee comprises Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, and PM Dinesh Gunawardana. The Committee also includes; Ministers Douglas Devananda, Susil Premajayantha, Bandula Gunawardena, Keheliya Rambukwella, Ali Sabry, Vidura Wickramanayaka, Kanchana more..

Aug 17 (Island) Sri Lanka is located at the heart of a vital global shipping line and more than 45000 ships and an equal number of aircraft navigate this route via SL's Dondra head annually. However, not a single ship nor aircraft is enabled to make a stop-over at Dondra for bunkering, re-fueling and other operational services which could bring in billions of dollars for the country. Thus, we could be seen as sitting on a gold mine, former chairman, SLPA and CSC Ranjith Wickramasinghe said. more..

Aug 17 (ST) A new chapter is set to commence for the SL U-19 cricket team as they embark on a journey under the guidance of the newly appointed head coach Jehan Mubarak. His tenure will begin with a challenging tour to England. Mubarak, who comes in with a wealth of experience as a coach at school level, believes that the squad that is selected has the ability to do well in England. 18-member squad that has been selected for the tour comprises of a mixture of seniors who have represented more..

Aug 17 (CT) Skipper Kusal Mendis, leading from the front, steered SLC Reds to a comfortable 7 wicket win over SLC Blues in the final of the SLC Invitational T20 League worked off at RPS, Colombo on Monday. Put in to bat, Blues posted a below par 136-6 in their allotted 20 overs, and Reds reached the target with 19 balls to spare. Blues were off to a poor start after opener Lahiru Samarakoon (6) departed cheaply in the second over which brought Sadeera Samarwickrama to the crease. more..

Aug 17 (FT) In an apparent head-hunter role, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has written to Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, recommending at least two persons for the post of CEO of GSMB Technical Services, a subsidiary company of Geological Survey & Mines Bureau. GSMB Technical Services is registered as a fully Govt-owned Ltd. company which undertakes projects facilitating engineering geology more..

Aug 17 (FT) Former Swimming Champion Julian Bolling and Businessman Jonathan Martenstyn have been summoned to appear before the CID today. The duo have been summoned over the protests held on 9 July. According to the CID Bolling and Martenstyn have been summoned to the CID in order to record statements from them for the purpose of future investigations into the arson attack on Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s residence on 9 July. Bolling is also a co-petitioner of more..

Aug 17 (ST) A Kotahena businessman�s home was robbed last Monday by two men who had claimed to be from the police. The terrified family had come home to St. Benedict�s Road, Kotahena after a pilgrimage to Thalawila. The robbers had fled with gold and money estimated to be worth Rs. 13.76 million. Police had recovered Rs. 854,000 in cash and a part of the gold items by the evening of Aug 9. Four suspects, two men and two women between the ages of 29 and 42 years were arrested more..

Aug 17 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee to oversee and grant prior approval for new appointments or changes to the existing positions of chairpersons and directors of State corporations, statutory boards, and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake will chair the committee, which also includes Secretary to PM Anura Dissanayake more..

Aug 17 (DN) Dedication and Displinee is vital for athletes to go forward while as a team we are (National Sports Council) always committed to give support to the athletes, said National Sports Council Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga at the discussion with the High performance Unit athletes yesterday at the NSC Auditorium at Torrington grounds. Actually we are very happy four athletes won medals at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. more..

Aug 17 (FT) Govt last night said that the recent foreign trips of former Prez Rajapaksa weren�t at the expense of the State but by his private funds. An announcement to this effect was issued by Govt Information Director General Mohan Samaranayake. It alluded to remarks by Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday that former Prez Rajapaksa is entitled to use public funds but Samaranayake clarified whilst former Prez�s enjoy certain privileges recent trips by Rajapaksa was self-funded. more..

Aug 17 (Island) Chairman of the NMSJ, Karu Jayasuriya, said that fears expressed by members of Parliament, and others, over the provisions, pertaining to the appointment of Cabinet of Ministers, were not unfounded. The former Speaker said that he was also concerned about allegations that the proposed 22 A could be abused and exploited to appoint a jumbo Cabinet. Jayasuriya suggested that political parties, represented in Parliament, and other interested parties more..

Aug 17 (Island) It had become obvious that some govt workers, too, were involved in hoarding fuel and selling it in the black market, D.V Shantha Silva, joint Secretary the SL Petroleum Private Tanker Owners� Association (SLPPTOA) said yesterday, addressing the media. He said that the introduction of the national fuel pass system is successful and the majority of fuel stations followed the system. �Some gas stations still try to manipulate the system but it won�t be easy,� he said. more..

Aug 17 (Island) SJB lawmaker Nalin Bandara alleged that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was under tremendous pressure from the SLPP to give up power to dissolve Parliament, two and a half years after the parliamentary election. He said that the SLPP wanted the provision, pertaining to dissolution of Parliament in the 19A, included in the 22nd Amendment, at the committee stage. In terms of19th Amendment enacted in 2015, more..

Aug 17 (TM) Former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s image was revealed to have been removed from the famous official digital backdrop used at media conferences of the SLPP, and has not been used at the SLPP media briefings since at least Monday (15). Previously, the digital backdrop showed the faces of former Prez and PM and incumbent Govt MP Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and former Minister of Finance and one of the founders of SLPP Basil Rajapaksa, in rotation. more..

Aug 17 (FT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed confidence that it will be possible to lift the current state of emergency by the end of this week. Pointing out that the country is gaining stability, he said under such circumstances there was no requirement to extend the state of emergency any further. President referred to this likelihood during his address at the Annual Conference and Awards of the Organisation of Professional Associations yesterday. more..