Aug 23 (Island) The controversy over the berthing of China�s space and satellite tracking research vessel, Yuan Wang 5, at Hambantota was proof of how Sri Lanka mismanaged its foreign policy, says JVP Politburo Member and International Affairs Secretary, Bimal Ratnayake. He said India would continue interfere with the affairs of its neighbours. �It will meddle with the internal affairs of neighbouring countries. more..

Aug 23 (Island) Port trade unions yesterday urged Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva, to conduct a proper investigation into waste and corruption in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). At a meeting between the Minister and representatives of 37 port trade unions, yesterday, at the auditorium of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Colombo, the unionists demanded that actions be taken against those responsible for waste and corruption. more..

Aug 23 (Island) The Govt of Turkey donated USD one million worth of emergency medicines and other medical supplies which are urgently required by the hospitals in SL. The first consignment, which includes Filgasstrin injections, were airlifted to SL and were received by the officials of the Ministry of Health recently (14). Lankan Embassy in Ankara said: Ambassador of SL to Turkey, M.Rizvi Hassen, during his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and more..

Aug 23 (FT) Nine SL apparel exporting companies participated in Sourcing at Magic Las Vegas which was held during 7 to 10 August in the Convention Center of Las Vegas � USA, successfully capitalising the numerous business opportunities created at the event to access the vast US as well as the North and South American markets securing direct orders worth of over several million US dollars at the site itself, whilst establishing and consolidating a large number of business contacts with more..

Aug 23 (DM) Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) an ally of SJB Mano Ganesan welcomed the decision by the govt to introduce a direct cash subsidy to low income groups to purchase kerosene in the wake of the price increase. �I welcome your decision to provide a direct cash subsidy to low income groups to face the kerosene price increase. Please make sure that the poorest of the poor plantation workers and Colombo low income urban poor are included in the list of beneficiaries," more..

Aug 23 (FT) SL Govt is facing a severe international backlash after the detention of Inter- Uni Students Convenor Wasantha Mudalige and two others under the draconian PTA despite the Govt repeated assurances of reform. Police has confirmed detaining Mudalige, Inter-Uni Bhikku Federation Convener Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, and Kelaniya Uni Students� Union Member Hashantha Gunathilake under PTA. more..

Aug 23 (FT) SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has called out Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on his duplicity relating to the Aragalaya and its peaceful protestors. �Once he was appointed, he created a sense of hope by claiming he was not against the citizen�s struggle. He even promised to appoint a committee to look into their needs and not repress the people�s right to protest peacefully. �He included a politician, the Municipal Council and even the Police into the Committee and more..

Aug 23 (FT) The Govt yesterday justified the kerosene oil price hike, whilst revealing plans to provide a cash subsidy to dependents. �With prices now on par with costs, the Govt has proposed a direct cash subsidy to low-income families, fisheries, and plantation sectors that depend on kerosene oil,� Wijesekera opined via a Tweet yesterday. The announcement of the subject Minister came following the CPC decision to increase a litre of kerosene oil by Rs. 253 on Sunday. more..

Aug 23 (TM) Subsequent to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s statement to the effect that public servants who do not perform their duties properly should leave the service immediately, trade unions representing public servants claimed that Prez is attempting to divert public displeasure towards the current Govt and himself (Wickremesinghe) onto public servants, and that he should order inefficient politicians to go home in the same manner. more..

Aug 23 (DM) Chinese-funded Colombo Lotus Tower, which has repeatedly come under much criticism for being non-operational for a long period since completion of its construction, has received positive responses from potential investors to set up ventures. Following the expression of interest (EOI) called by Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company from the second week of August, many investment proposals have been received from interested parties across diverse sectors. more..

Aug 23 (DM) President office today denied reports that said an order has been given by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to deport the British women who has allegedly supported the Galle Face protesters by spreading falsehoods. When contacted by Daily Mirror, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry said the matter is handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. It was reported earlier that the Immigration and Emigration Department has taken action to cancel the visa of the said person. more..

Aug 23 (TM) SL�s debt restructuring plan, which is crucial to reaching the eagerly awaited agreement with the IMF, is yet to be finalised, despite the IMF team being scheduled to arrive in the country tomorrow (24) for continued discussions on economic reforms. �We have not finalised the debt restructuring plan yet. We are still working with the financial and legal advisors on this matter and are in discussions with our stakeholders,� more..

Aug 23 (FT) I drove by the once � and ever � iconic Galle Face Green one bright, sunny morning earlier in the week. Just to see, as they say. There was nothing much happening except the usual activity from decades ago along the city�s most frequented promenade. Hawkers, kite flyers, lovers on assignations, the odd member of the local constabulary loitering without intent as only law enforcement in the land is allowed to do. The colourful pavilions and artistic installations more..

Aug 23 (FT) When former Prez Rajapaksa�s residence was stormed by an enormous wave of disgruntled citizens, it wasn�t because they thought he was weak but precisely because they thought him autocratic. Having protested for months to no avail against a strong Prez armed with the 20th Amendment, a solid mandate at the Prez election and a strong Govt with a two-thirds majority, the long-suffering citizens at the end of their tether accumulated a critical mass that more..

Aug 23 (CGTN) This week, SL has once again made headlines in various news media outlets. The way the US and Indian media outlets are criticizing the foreign policy of the current SL govt, as well as the Chinese govt over the arrival of a Chinese ship in SL is baseless. China's space-tracking ship Yuanwang-5 anchored at SL's Hambantota Int'l Port (HIP) for replenishment purposes on Aug 16. According to media reports, it departed from the Chinese-run port on Aug 22 after refueling and other supplies. more..

Aug 23 (DM) While urging the govt to repeal the PTA, NPP today called on the govt to release the three student activists who were detained under the PTA. NPP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said that the three students including the IUSF Convener were detained under the PTA without producing in court as there was no evidence against them. He said most of the Aragalaya activists who were arrested earlier were released by the court as there were no evidence against them. more..

Aug 23 (AD) Sri Lanka ranks fifth, only behind Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and T�rkiye, with the highest food price inflation in the world, according to the latest World Bank assessment. The World Bank�s latest Food Security Update states that domestic food price inflation remains high around the world, with high inflation continuing in almost all low and middle-income countries and the share of high-income more..

Aug 23 (DM) Lanka SATHOSA has announced the price reduction of five essential foodstuff, including sugar and rice from today at all its outlets. SATHOSA Chairman Pasanda Yapa Abeywardena stated that the state-run supermarket chain was able to bring the prices of many essential commodities down in the recent months. Accordingly, a kilogram of imported and local big onions (Rs.220) was reduced by Rs.40. A kilo of imported Ponni Samba (Rs.225) was reduced by Rs.31, more..

Aug 23 (CNA) The Chinese tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 has finally docked at Hambantota Port in SL for replenishment after India and the United States tried, and ultimately failed, to persuade the local govt to turn it away. The arrival of the massive vessel might seem like a victory for Beijing in this strategically important island nation. But it is, in fact, nothing of the kind, because it reinforces the image of China as a predatory imperial power that is trying to exploit SL for its own purposes. more..

Aug 23 (Reuters) SL's former President Rajapaksa may return home in about two weeks after fleeing a popular uprising in July, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, depending in part on arrangements to secure his safety. One of the sources said his return was partly linked to the costs of his stay in Thailand. Rajapaksa fled SL in the early hours of July 13 after massive protests engulfed Colombo more..

Aug 23 (EN) State-run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) has awarded a contract to 3W Power Management Ltd to build a solar farm in Trincomalee, cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. Seven companies had responded to a tender to set up the solar farm at the premises of a short wave radio station in Kuchahaveli. The project has been awarded to 3W Power Management Ltd. �State media corporations are being maintained with great difficulty,� more..

Aug 23 (EN) Cabinet of ministers are discussing a voucher system for school uniforms from 2024, while uniforms for the academic year of 2023 will be distributed as usual along with the uniforms donated by the Chinese govt. Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said China has agreed to a govt request from SL to provide a percentage of the school uniforms needed for the year 2023. The cabinet has approved a proposal by Minister Susil Premajayanatha to source the rest of more..

Aug 23 (CI) A calf strain has put Dushmantha Chameera, SL's premier short-format quick, out of the Asia Cup. A member of the SL team management said that Chameera picked up the injury three-or-four days ago and will not recover in time for the Asia Cup. A doctor working with the team confirmed that Chameera's ankle injury, which has to do with his achilles tendon, has now moved up into the calf. While the injury has not been fully assessed yet, it is thought he can regain more..

Aug 23 (AD) The first meeting of the Committee on Public Finance of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament was held today under the chairmanship of MP Harsha de Silva. In accordance with the Standing Order 121, the Committee of Selection appointed SJB MP Harsha de Silva as the Chairman of the Committee recently. Accordingly, the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill to amend the Appropriation Act No. 30 of 2021 was considered at the committee and approved. more..

Aug 23 (TM) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has officially informed Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana about the water bill related arrears of very important persons (VIPs). NWSDB Assistant General Manager Piyal Pathmanatha said that a letter requesting a discussion on the matter was sent to the Speaker a few days ago, and that the Board is therefore expecting an answer. more..

Aug 23 (EN) Sri Lanka�s parliament�s Committee on Public Finance has approved a cascading turnover tax proposed by the last administration ignoring advise to include it as part of value added tax to help turn the country into a competitive economy. Business chambers and tax analysts have said that increasing value added tax even by a large amount would be less distortionary than the 2.5 percent turnover tax which would hit value chains with taxes being heaped on top of taxes. more..

Aug 23 (AD) Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa today charged that the govt has created an era where the country�s youths are being hunted down by utilizing the PTA. He also pointed out that the Prez and the govt has taken steps to issue detention orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act against several individuals including IUSF convenor Wasantha Mudalige. The younger generation led a huge revolution and as a result, they were able to oust the president more..

Aug 23 (TM) SJB MP Tissa Attanayake alleged that were several issues with the procurement process of the crude oil shipments, as a minimum of $ 150 per barrel has been paid to the UAE-based Coral Energy Company, when a barrel of crude oil can be purchased at less than $ 100. Attanayake said: �It has been reported that a consignment of 100,000 metric tonnes (MT) of crude oil has reached the country, and more..

Aug 23 (EN) The United Nations International Children�s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Rotary International have partnered to provide lifesaving medicines, clean drinking water, education materials, and other critical supplies to children and families in SL, a UNICEF statement said. �The partnership will capitalise on Rotary International�s global network along with the alumni of Sri Lanka�s leading schools to raise funds from the SL community living overseas� statement said. more..

Aug 23 (TM) Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court ordered the release of eight suspects related to the attack on SDIG in charge of the Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon, on bail, after they pleaded guilty. The suspects were produced before Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday, when they pleaded guilty to the charges of attacking SDIG Tennakoon. Taking into account the explanations, Chief Magistrate ordered that the suspects be released on two personal bails more..

Aug 23 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of social media activist Pathum Kerner, who was an active member of the Aragalaya protest movement, and to produce him before the court. The order has been issued over his failure to appear before the court in relation to the case filed regarding the recent incident of unruly behaviour at the Polduwa Junction near the entry road to the parliament. The case has been filed by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). more..

Aug 23 (AD) The STF has arrested a wanted criminal by the name of Sameera Sampath Fernando alias Hal Sameera, along with several firearms and ammunition. The officers have conducted a raid at a house in the Minuwangoda area yesterday, according to a tip-off received by the special operations unit of the STF. During the raid, officers arrested the 36-year-old suspect who allegedly collected rice on a large scale from rice producers more..

Aug 23 (AD) Bar Association of SL (BASL) says it is deeply concerned at the use of the provisions of the PTA to arrest and detain persons who have been involved in protests against the Govt. In a media release dated 19th Aug the SL Police has stated that certain suspects are being presently detained in relation to incidents which occurred during the protests from 9th April 2022. The BASL noted that since then Detention Orders more..

Aug 23 (EN) Sri Lanka is continuing payments to World Bank, IMF and ADB, Minister Bandula Gunewardena said. �For now, we are continuing the repayments to the WB, IMF and ADB. Only other debts are being postponed,� he said. Sri Lanka is devising a plan to re-structure debt with financial advisor France-based Lazard and Clifford Chance LLP as legal advisors. On April 12, 2022 Sri Lanka announced it was halting debt repayments in a pre-emptive measure as it ran out of dollars. more..

Aug 23 (DM) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) in a letter to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has recommended the Govt to take all necessary steps to assess the threat situation and provide the former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family with the security protection provided under the law to safely return to the country whenever he makes such a request. HRCSL Chairperson Rohini Marasinghe and Commissioner Dr. Nimal Karunasiri informed the president that the family of more..

Aug 23 (TM) Due to the high price of stationery and school items, children are facing difficulties in continuing their educational activities. Electrician and Kuliyapitiya resident Pradeep Nishantha said that he could not buy school items or stationery for his two daughters due to the current prices. �The price of a pair of school shoes has increased from Rs. 1,550, to Rs. 3,780. I have two daughters who are schooling and we face more..