Dec 26 (DM) An eighteen year old girl and a 16 year old boy were killed after a stone along with earth mound collapsed on a house due to bad weather and rain at Dunuwila in Alawathuguda this morning. Police said three children and their father and mother who were buried under the mound of earth were rescued and admitted to the Jambugas Pitiya Hospital. A boy and a girl who were among the injured died on admission. Police said an injured girl was transferred to Peradeniya Hospital more..

Dec 26 (DN) Tambuttegama Magistrate Courts on Saturday ordered to remand the electrician involved in the kidnapping incident of the 9-year-old boy residing in Kiralogama, Eppawala and a driver from Rikilagaskada who gave accommodation to them until Jan 4. The main suspect, Asela Fernando, an electrician, and the owner of the Johnland Estate house, Kumara Nanayakkara, a 42-year-old father of three were remanded. Eppawala Police referred the abducted child who was taken into custody more..

Dec 26 (TM) In the wake of Minister Tiran Alles having said that he is willing to meet Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to discuss the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, the Catholic Church stated that the Archbishop�s decision not to meet any politician or participate in State functions will remain unchanged until the Catholic Church is satisfied with the related investigations. more..

Dec 26 (DM) Statements from more than 75 persons including almost all the family members of murdered businessman Dinesh Schaffter have been recorded so far, police said yesterday. Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa however said the suspects involved in the murder have not been identified so far. "Also, further statements are being recorded based on the new information received through these testimonies. So far, no suspect has been identified in this regard," he said. more..

Dec 26 (TM) In the wake of the US State Dept sanctioning Maj. Prabath Bulathwatta over the violation of the human rights of journalist Keith Noyahr in May 2008, SL authorities stated last week that they would express their concerns regarding such, but not in individual cases. Minister of Foreign Affairs M.U.M. Ali Sabry said, last week, that it is an independent process of the US State Dept, and that while the Govt of SL will express concerns, it will however, not do so in individual cases. more..

Dec 26 (AD) A two minutes� silence will be observed islandwide today (Dec. 26) on National Safety Day from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m. in memory of all who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami and other natural disasters in SL. Today marks the 18th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, one of the world�s deadliest and most destructive natural disasters, which impacted over 10 countries in the Indian Ocean. more..

Dec 27 (DM) Although it is not surprising, it is sad that the reprimanding of Sri Lankans as a whole and a politician in particular by a Korean official for not being punctual and not keeping promises, did not draw attention of the people, at least to the extent that the video of a former Parliamentarian and a dog has drawn these days. The country has so stooped to the level that nothing can move the people of it. As Sinhala saying goes stains are not visible in a dirty cloth, corruption, waste, more..

Dec 27 (DM) LOUD-MOUTHED NONSENSE Have you ever heard such garbage. One can expect such rot from some of those who inhabit that House by the Diyawanna Oya. Armed with dubious educational qualifications, it would come as no surprise if some of the gallant 225 reach out into areas of competence way beyond their intellectual reach. But the citizenry expects creditable and credible contributions from those who represent the country at the highest level in the world�s more..

Dec 27 (DM) Ambassador of Netherlands Bonnie Horbach responding to questions posed by the Daily Mirror and shared her views on bilateral relations covering areas such as the island�s economic crisis, women rights and Human Rights. Q: SL is experiencing a debt restructuring process. It is seeking an arrangement with the IMF. How can the Netherlands support SL for a successful conclusion of them and early economic recovery? more..

Dec 27 (DM) Referring to bikkhu students at Pali and Buddhist University, who engaged in terrorizing freshers over arrack, and inhuman ragging, compelled the outspoken, Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale RajamahaVihara Ven. Walawahengunawewe, Dhammarathana Thera, to name them Taliban Monks. Our intention here is not to discuss the issues involved that led to protests, but place on record the aversion to the use of term Buddhist monks to describe them. more..

Dec 27 (CT) It is 18 years today since devastating Tsunami struck mainly the east coast of the island on Dec 26, 2004 and snatched away almost one percent of the Muslim population there. Billions of dollars of foreign aid poured into the country for Tsunami victims. However many said that they didn�t get any aid and they did not know where the aid money went. According to one report, money was feverishly transferred not only to govt establishments, but also to accounts of more..

Dec 27 (TM) Despite the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) backpedalling on its commitment to the consensus on the proposed reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), the move to amend the legislation is to continue as planned. MMDA reforms have been in the pipeline for decades and this month finally saw concrete headway being made. Muslim Council of SL Vice President Hilmy Ahmed said more..

Dec 27 (CT) Four major airports, on a pear-shaped island with a total area of 64,630 square km, that were constructed with the goal to play a significant role in boosting tourism, are currently experiencing losses, with some earning nothing at all. Domestic travellers were promised first-class service at these airports, a SL grin, and hassle-free passage through the airport terminal. However, Ceylon Today quoted an audit of the performance of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Colombo Int'l Airport more..

Dec 27 (TM) Social media platforms are flooded with photos, memes, and posts of the recent floods in Kandy, especially at the Kandy Railway Station, which came as a surprise to many. While these floods have grabbed the attention of the authorities, the people question how Kandy got flooded. In addition to heavy rainfall, floods could be caused by siltation, the overflowing of water bodies, inadequate or blocked drainage systems, various construction-related work in flood plains, etc. more..

Dec 27 (Island) The 18th anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami was marked yesterday with a series of commemorative ceremonies. More than 35,000 lives were lost in this country because most Sri Lankans had not even heard the word, tsunami, despite being members of an island nation, and ignored the early warning signs of the impending disaster. Some people even ran seaward when the sea receded moments before the killer wave barrelled across the ocean, while animals were running away. more..

Dec 27 (FT) NielsenIQ Director � Consumer Insights Therica Miyana�deniya observed in the December edition of LMD that optimism is on the rise again as people are settling down to some degree of normalcy. She added: �It�s true what they say; Sri Lankans have a very short memory span, which in some ways is remarkable as the will to pick up and get on with life is strongly embedded in the people of this nation.� And as LMD noted: �Businesses dare to be upbeat about more..

Dec 27 (DN) A twenty member SL squad has been named for the forthcoming Indian cricket tour which consists of three T-20s and 3 ODIs. The squad is subject to approval by the Sports Minister said a senior official of SLC. SL squad is expected to leave for India on January 1 and they will have their practices from today to Dec 30 at the R. Premadasa stadium and Max cricket Academy Indoor nets under supervision of head coach more..

Dec 27 (Island) Thank the gods (Olympian to Cass�s borrowed Greekness or Hindu or our devathawas?) for an admirable SL public servant who shines forth. A poll taken a month or two ago had Central Bank Governor topping the list as the most admired and worthy Sri Lankan. Except for some high-up politicians, none in the country will contest the results of that poll and what Cassandra expresses this morning. She is so thankful that she can start this column during Christmas festivities more..

Dec 27 (Island) The consensus at the recently concluded meeting of the SL Party Leaders, chaired by the Prez, was for the Full Implementation of 13A (the 13th Amendment). However, none of the Party Leaders spelt out what precisely was meant by the phrase Full Implementation of 13A. The general opinion is that Full Implementation of 13A means the implementation of all the provisions specified in the 13th Amendment (13A). Since all provisions in 13A, except for Land and Police powers, more..

Dec 27 (FT) Minister Prasanna Ranatunga says the development projects implemented by the Local Govt agencies, which have been temporarily stopped in the current economic situation, will be restarted from January. He also said that a program to get equipment for school children who are unable to get school equipment due to the current economic situation and special projects to improve the nutritional status of children from low-income families are being implemented by more..

Dec 27 (CT) SL�s trade facilitation performance as per international surveys has been slipping in recent years, the ADB in a report released on Friday said. The report titled BIMSTEC Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework 2030, further said that in the World Bank�s Trading Across Borders indicator, SL fell to 99th rank out of 190 countries in the 2020 survey from 96th position held in the previous year (2019). Meanwhile, in the World Economic Forum�s 2016 Global Enabling Trade Report, more..

Dec 27 (FT) The tax revenue has seen a 35% growth or by Rs. 331 billion to Rs. 1.28 trillion in the first nine months of this year. The high growth is due to slew of new taxes and despite the contraction of the economy. 35% growth in September year on year is also impressive in comparison to 24.6% improvement by end June. Non-Tax revenue too has increased to Rs. 165 billion up 66.6% from Rs. 99 billion. As at June, the increase was 63%. more..

Dec 27 (FT) Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, in a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week discussed current challenges, evolving strategy for Sri Lanka Tourism and the role of the SL Missions/Posts in promoting tourism. The meeting was attended by the senior officials of the two ministries, and key stakeholders including the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau, SL Tourism Development Authority, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Hotel Association of SL and more..

Dec 27 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar says delaying polls and failing to display the people�s mandate will only further delay assistance in debt restructuring from the IMF and other creditors. �IMF and creditor countries have requested the Govt to show the mandate of the people. This is why the SJB has continually asked the Govt to hold elections,� he said. SJB MP also slammed a statement made by UNP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam claiming SL cannot afford to hold polls due to cost of Rs. 10 b. more..

Dec 27 (DM) Investigation into the death of Dinesh Schaffter, who died mysteriously, has now taken a new turn following the recovery of several evidences with investigators now suspecting that he may have committed suicide. This development reportedly developed when investigators found a piece of wire in his home similar to the wire tied around Schaffter's neck at the time of his death. more..

Dec 27 (AD) Requests have reportedly been made by 5,401 individuals to the Dept of Immigration and Emigration for obtaining dual citizenship in the year 2021. The majority of them are residents of Australia, which is numerically 1,621 individuals. Meanwhile, dual citizenship requests have been made by 885 individuals from the UK, 795 from the US, 371 from Canada and several others from the countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, NZ, France & Denmark. more..

Dec 27 (AD) Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, Nishantha Weerasinghe says that the demerit points system for the driving license will be implemented from next month in a bid to reduce the number of motor accidents reported in the country. Accordingly, a procedure of awarding demerit points and imposing related penalties will be introduced for the offences committed by drivers. The initial procedure for implementing the relevant points system has been completed and more..

Dec 27 (JT) An independent judicial panel has ruled an earlier prosecutors� decision not to indict officials at an immigration center in Nagoya over the 2021 death of a SL detainee is unjust, paving the way for the case to be reconsidered, it said Monday. In a decision dated Wednesday, the citizens who form the committee for the inquest of prosecution in Nagoya concluded that prosecutors should reconsider whether they can charge officials at Nagoya Regional Immigration Services more..

Dec 27 (EN) Ceylon Tea production has increased a marginal 0.9% in Nov 2022 from a year earlier to 20.2 million kilograms while the total output for the ten months dipped 16.8% from the previous year, mainly due to policy mismanagement and bad weather, reports said. �As a consequence to bad policy combined with adverse climatic conditions, tea production was adversely impacted and annual volumes are estimated to be approx 250-255 M/Kgs would record the lowest volume since 1995,� more..

Dec 27 (DM) SL�s nine-month govt revenue this year rose compared to last year�s levels, as the economy inflated amid the runaway prices and tax revenue started flowing, as a result of the hike in the indirect taxes such as the VAT, under the first round of tax increases came into effect from June. The fiscal data from the Treasury published by the CB showed that the govt had collected a total revenue of Rs.1,450.4 billion in 9 months, more..

Dec 27 (DM) Some of the SL envoys politically appointed to various capitals during the time of former Prez Rajapaksa will be replaced once their terms end, Minister Ali Sabry said. This will be done as part of the govt�s programme to fill the existing vacancies mostly with career diplomats. 16 vacancies have occurred and 12 of them will be filled with diplomats from the foreign service. SL�s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva C.A. Chandraprema who was appointed more..

Dec 27 (Xinhua) The fuel consumption in SL has plunged by 50% in the last months of 2022, compared to the first few months of the year, the state-owned fuel distributor CPC said. The company said daily fuel consumption averaged 5,500 metric tons between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022 in the South Asian country. The economic crisis, which had led to a reduction in consumption, the introduction of fuel rationing and the end of hoarding of fuel, has resulted in the decline in demand, it said. more..

Dec 27 (TM) A total of 1,511 individuals from 346 families in the Matale, Kandy, and Ampara districts have been affected by the current inclement weather conditions around the island, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported yesterday (26). Over 66 houses have been partially damaged owing to the situation, the DMC added. Meanwhile, two youths including a female were reported dead on Sunday (25) and another injured after an earth slip buried their house in Dunuwila, Akurana. more..

Dec 27 (TM) Colombo Crimes Division has arrested four persons on suspicion of attacking social media activist Dilan Senanayake with sharp weapons on 14 Dec, under the Mirihana Police Division. The Police has also taken two sharp weapons into custody, which are suspected to have been used in the attack, along with the suspects. The arrested suspects have been identified as residents of Dematagoda, Slave Island, and Borella, and are aged between 28 & 44, according to police. more..

Dec 27 (Island) Minister Ali Sabry, owed an explanation as regards his claim that the IMF had demanded the enactment of 21 Amendment as a prerequisite for the finalisation of USD 2.9 bn Extended Fund Facility Arrangement (EFFA) with SL, retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, MP, said. SLPP MP said that the much-touted IMF loan hadn�t materialised yet though Sri Lanka had enacted the 21st Amendment on 21 Oct. more..