Aug 19 (EN) Sri Lanka has suspended fuel distribution at 12 filling stations that had failed to follow the guidelines of implementing the QR code system for fuel sales, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said. The decision was made during a progress review with the marketing division of the state run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). �Instructions were given to continuously monitor the stations and to submit complaints received by the public to the relevant police stations,� he said. more..

Aug 19 (TM) Agriculture Ministry has planned to provide a subsidy of Rs. 20,000 to farmers who purchase organic fertiliser, from a total allocation of Rs. 16 billion, while there are no plans, however, to provide such a subsidy for the purchase of chemical fertiliser, including urea, during the coming Maha cultivation season. Dept of Agriculture and experts in the field recently recommended the use of 70% chemical fertiliser & 30% organic fertiliser for paddy cultivation from Maha season onwards. more..

Aug 19 (TM) We the undersigned individuals from academia, the professions, the corporate sector, the clergy & civil society organisations, join all those citizens and groups in condemning the abduction, arrest, detention without due process, and other acts of abusive Presidential and State authority committed against persons who participated in the Aragalaya Peoples� Movement. We condemn the acts of violence that more..

Aug 19 (FT) Nine petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court claiming certain provisions of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill are contrary to the SL Constitution and fundamental rights accorded to the country�s citizens through it. The petitions were filed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and nine others. The petitioners are requesting the courts to order the provisions to be adopted only after it is approved by a two-thirds majority vote of Parliament & a referendum. more..

Aug 19 (Island) The SJB was interested in genuine reforms that could take the country out of the current economic, social and political crisis, MP Kabir Hashim said. �We need to deal with the current crisis. This was created by those in the Rajapaksa camp. From 2005, they were behind most of the governments. They never won an election by presenting concrete proposals or policies. They have always won elections by amplifying hate and other primal instincts of the people,� more..

Aug 20 (DM) We the individuals from academia, the professions, the corporate sector, the clergy, and civil society organisations, join all those citizens and groups in condemning the abduction, arrest, detention without due process, and other acts of abusive Presidential and State authority committed against persons who participated in the Aragalaya Peoples� Movement. We condemn the acts of violence that occurred during this time. However, we reject the narrative that the Aragalaya was more..

Aug 20 (DM) The govt�s move to remove some of the overseas SL Tamil organizations and individuals from its previous list of organizations and individuals supporting terrorist activities is somewhat perplexing. One reason is that some of these organizations have been alternately banned and unbanned several times since 2014. For instance, Tamil diaspora organizations such as the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) were included in the list of entities supporting terrorism; banned in 2014. more..

Aug 20 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (15) afternoon left for the Air Force camp at Katunayake to attend the ceremony organised to welcome the Donier aircraft that was being gifted to SL by India, after attending the annual Kandy Esela Perahera which was opened for the public after a lapse of two years. Prez whilst serving as PM in 2018 had made a request to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to obtain such an aircraft more..

Aug 20 (TM) Inflation looms large over every Sri Lankan as the price of food and other essentials continues to skyrocket. At the centre of this historic economic, political, social, and humanitarian disaster are a series of deeply flawed and widely criticised policy decisions which have plunged the nation�s agriculture sector into complete disarray. Among the decisions being singled out for criticism, both locally and globally, is the now infamous overnight ban on the importation of all agrochemicals, more..

Aug 20 (TM) The economic crisis has affected people of all backgrounds to different degrees. Even though how these issues have affected people financially is often discussed, their impact on people, especially on their mental health, does not receive adequate attention. However, in a context where mental health issues � in the current context, caused or exacerbated by economic and other crises � can have far-reaching impacts on people�s lives and can even lead to unforeseen newer issues, more..

Aug 20 (CT) Sriyalatha, a mother of two, had to leave the weekly fair (Pola) with only two sili sili bags of vegetables. She planned to buy meat and dry fish for the week too. However, even after spending more than Rs 5,000 she could not buy all the necessary food items. Therefore, she gave up the hope of buying poultry items. �It is sad that I cannot feed my children with meat or fish. I feel helpless when I think about it. more..

Aug 20 (CT) The recent resignations, first of SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM, as well as his Cabinet on 9 May, followed, two months later on 14 July of younger brother Gotabaya as Prez, is a reflection of people�s power (PP). In SL�s 74-year history of independence, only three leaders have succumbed to PP. They are PM Dudley Senanayake due to 1953 Hartal & now, brothers Mahinda/Gota. Globally, however, there are a number of cases, mainly dictators, succumbing to unarmed PP. more..

Aug 20 (CT) Thomas L. Friedman, New York Time journalist, coined, the word grasshopper generation in his book hot, flat and crowded in 2009, explaining the pre subprime crisis situation in the US where the hedonistic approach to economic life had led to economic and ecological deficit bequeathing to future generation. This outcome might have been due to excessive consumption, investments and innovations that gambled future resource availability. Looking at the present crisis in Sri Lanka, more..

Aug 20 (Island) The police have risen from a deep slumber like Rip Van Winkle. They have arrested Mervyn Silva for storming the state-owned Rupavahini Corporation hq in 2007 and roughing up a news director there. He was accompanied by some underworld characters during that incursion, which turned out to be a misadventure. They got their just deserts; the Rupavahini workers retaliated, and took them hostage. The police had to intervene to secure their release. more..

Aug 20 (Island) This timely publication could be described as a revelation of the fascinating nature of Sri Lanka�s religiosity. It is almost customary to refer to Sri Lanka as a religious country but it is not often that one comes across scholarly discussions on the subject locally. Multi-Religiosity in Contemporary Sri Lanka, a collection of research papers put together in book form, fills this void most adequately. Although not necessarily synonymous with spiritual development, more..

Aug 20 (FT) The downturn in the manufacturing and services sectors worsened in July as per Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) compiled by the CB. Manufacturing PMI declined in July 2022, indicating a contraction in manufacturing activities on a month-on-month basis. Manufacturing PMI recorded an index value of 41.4 in July 2022, with a decline of 2.7 index points from the previous month driven by decreases in all the sub-indices, more..

Aug 20 (CT) Defending Champions Sri Lanka will look to continue their domination at the Asian Netball Championship 2022 when they take on India in their first outing on 3 September and Philippines on the 5th in the second match of the Preliminary Round. The Asian Netball Championships 2022 is set to return after 4 years, with the top 11 Asian teams set to compete for the title. The top two finishers will qualify for the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa. more..

Aug 20 (FT) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe defended the Got�s decision to revise upwards the electricity tariff, pointing out that the measure was long overdue. �Cost-reflective pricing mechanism was important and, in my view, it would have been better if it was implemented earlier,� he said in response to queries posed at the post-Monetary Policy Review meeting. �These organisations are making huge losses,� he added, pointing out the tariff revision came after nine long years. more..

Aug 20 (DM) Following a meeting with the Cost of Living Committee and the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), AIPASL has decided to reduce the price of an egg by Rs.5 from Monday. Accordingly, the price of a red egg will be sold for Rs.55 from Rs.61 and the price of a white egg, which is currently at Rs.60, will be sold at Rs.55. Another official from the association said that with the increase in egg prices in the local market, more..

Aug 20 (FT) Dept of Agriculture and the agriculture sector has recommended to the Ministry of Agriculture that, 70% of chemical fertilisers and 30% of organic fertilisers should be used in paddy cultivation in the 2022/23 Maha season. It is proposed to use a mixture of chemical fertilisers and organic fertilisers for paddy cultivation in the coming Maha season. Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said measures will be taken to more..

Aug 20 (FT) JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva says the party unequivocally condemns Thursday�s brutal attack launched by the Police on protestors of the Inter-Uni Students Federation (IUSF). �It was the right to peacefully protest guaranteed by the country�s Constitution that was attacked by a battalion of Policemen that appeared to be prepped for war,� he said. According to him, Prez Ranil, appointed by Pro-Rajapaksa elements, is continuously repressing the people. more..

Aug 20 (Island) The Employees� Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees� Trust Fund (ETF) will lose about 600 billion rupees during the proposed domestic debt structuring, Co-Convener of the JVP affiliated National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) Wasantha Samarasinghe claimed. Samarasinghe is of the opinion that the govt is planning not to pay 20 to 25% of the loans it has taken from domestic sources. Successive govts have borrowed significantly from the EPF and ETF, he said. more..

Aug 20 (FT) Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has warned that the law will be strictly enforced against people and organisations that traffic migrant workers under the guise of providing tourist visas. Minister said they have decided to start a special investigation process combining SL Foreign Employment Bureau, Immigration & Emigration Dept, Airport & Airport Service Company and CID to prevent the smuggling of workers by obtaining tourist visas and sending them for foreign more..

Aug 20 (CT) SLPP General Secretary, MP Sagara Kariyawasam said it is yet a mystery as to whether former Prez Rajapaksa had sought the help of the Armed Forces and the Police, to quell the recent anti-govt protests, or whether such help had been sought and it has not materialised. �As a man under whose watch LTTE terrorism was wiped out from this country, it is a real mystery to us, as to the failure of the former Prez to crush more..

Aug 20 (DN) SL para athletes won six silver medals and one bronze at the Indian Open National Para Athletics Championship held in Bangalore, India yesterday. �SL paralympic bronze medalist Samitha Dulan was satisfied with winning silver, while his distance was 65.27m, it was not enough to set up a world record�, said National Paralympic Committee President Deepal Herath. Dulan, who had a distance of 66.60m at the National Para Athletic C'ship, threw 65.27m to take the silver medal. more..

Aug 20 (FT) Unilever SL has been ranked the No. 1 Most Respected FMCG company in the country in LMD�s Most Respected Entities publication for 2022. This marks the 17th consecutive time that Unilever has been ranked in the list, moving four places up from 2021 to claim the overall sixth position from over 100 varying companies. Unilever was also declared the Sector Winner in both the Consumer Products Multinational categories yet again, maintaining its winning streak. more..

Aug 20 (VN) Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of SL is grateful to Pope Francis for, taking the initiative to send 100,000 Euro to help families of victims and survivors of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. In an interview with Vatican News, as the country's ongoing economic, political and financial crises reach new heights, the Archbishop of Colombo, who served in the Vatican for many years, reflects on the Holy Father's generosity more..

Aug 20 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) handed over Training Kits for 51 District and Provincial Coaches, who play an important role in preparing the young cricketing talent from across the country for the future. The training kits, which were handed over recently at the RPICS, Colombo, consisted of Fielding Bats, Senior and Junior Balls, Side Arm, Plastic Stumps, Spring Wickets, Stop Watches, Stretch Bands, and a cooler box, among many other important training tools. more..

Aug 20 (Island) The SJB was opposed to the privatisation of profit-making govt entities, MP Lakshman Kiriella, said. He said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had told The Economist magazine that they are thinking of privatising SL Telecom and SL Insurance. �These are two institutions that make a profit. What is the point in privatising these?� he asked. MP Kiriella said that they are not opposed to privatizing SriLankan Airlines, which has been making losses for years. more..

Aug 20 (DM) Though the request was made to the Ministry of Defence to obtain detention orders beyond 72 hours on IUSF convenor Wasantha Mudalige and two others, police said no actions have been taken so far as reported by certain media. Police said 19 protestors, including four monks, were arrested by the Cinnamon Garden, Slave Island, Borella Police Stations and the Kelaniya Divisional CID for being members of an unruly gathering during the protest march more..

Aug 20 (AD) Interpol has officially informed SL�s CID on Friday that wanted criminal and notorious drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata has been arrested by the Dubai Police. The CID said that the suspect is to be brought to Sri Lanka within 30 days under the Extradition Act. It was reported on August 12, that notorious drug kingpin and the leader of an organized criminal gang in Sri Lanka, Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata had been arrested during a covert operation in Dubai. more..

Aug 20 (FT) In a letter to PM Dinesh Gunawardena, SLPP MP Dullas Alahpperuma says the Govt is treating him and the MPs who supported him at the Prez election in Parliament in a hostile manner. Alahapperuma noted in his letter that the Govt has ensured it does not re-appoint MPs who supported him at the recent election to positions in Parliamentary committees. He expressed his disgust & protest in this regard. more..

Aug 20 (CT) National Fuel Pass Platform was gifted by Dialog and MIT to the Ministry of Power and Energy to manage the fuel crisis in the country. The Ministry of Power and Energy conveyed its appreciation to the country�s leading technology entities, Dialog Axiata, MillenniumIT ESP and ICTA as the facilitators of the National Fuel Pass system. Recently, at an event, Ministry recognised the three entities for their invaluable and gratuitous contribution and expertise extended towards more..

Aug 20 (AD) The attention of the government has been directed towards the expansion of the govt officials� foreign employment and referral program, the President�s Media Division reported. During the discussion with the President�s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, focus was placed on expediting the program on increasing foreign exchange through productively engaging state sector employees in foreign employment and resolving the issues faced by the connected institutions. more..

Aug 20 (AFP) The IMF said Friday a team will travel to SL next week to resume aid talks that were interrupted amid the unrest that led to the resignation of the nation's president. The island nation defaulted on its $51 billion foreign debt in April and is seeking help from the IMF after months of food, fuel and medicine shortages. Amid runaway inflation, country's CB warned that economy could suffer a record contraction more..

Aug 20 (TM) In the backdrop of three-wheeler fares being increased, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers� Association claimed that it has no control over the said increase, which it said was implemented by meter-taxi companies. Association President Lalith Dharmasekara said that the fares have been increased according to the meter-taxi companies. �Meter-taxi companies take Rs. 200 to increase the fare, and now it is Rs. 120 for the first km, while from the second km onwards, more..