Jul 5 (AD) The post-mortem examination has revealed the cause of death of the inmate who had died under suspicious circumstances at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre last week. The post-mortem examination had been carried out at the Polonnaruwa District General Hospital today. According to the autopsy, it has been uncovered that the death of the inmate was caused as a result of complications from assault injuries inflicted more..

Jul 5 (DM) A verbal battle between PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa rocked Parliament today with Speaker warning that he would have to suspend the sessions if the agenda is not followed. Mr. Premadasa who insisted that he has the right to reply to the PM irrespective of the agreed agenda said the latter had done the usual by talking about the bankrupt status of the country. Sajith: �PM has failed as he has ended up talking of the economic downturn more..

Jul 5 (AD) SriLankan Airlines and Kuwait Airways are pleased to announce the launch of a new codeshare partnership effective 20 June 2022, which provides enhanced connections and convenience to customers of both airlines. Each airline will place the other airline�s marketing code on its flights operated between Colombo and Kuwait with the alliance coming into effect. The new codeshare partnership will strengthen and take to new heights cordial commercial relationship more..

Jul 8 (DM) The media play an important role in shaping public awareness and providing information that shapes attitudes and public opinion. Media also becoming an increasingly powerful tool whether it�s television, radio, or the internet. Therefore it is important that media reports are factual and unbiased. Resultantly the question arises as to what the role of media that plays in a given society and what purpose it serves. Do the media play a positive role or a negative one? more..

Jul 8 (DM) They always say Beware what you wish for, for your wishes might come true. Well, for the 6.9 million who voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the last Prez Elections and for the Rajapaksa appendage Pohottuwa, at the General elections, some of their wishes came true. True to such an extreme an extent that even they might not have bargained for, even in their wildest dreams, or shall we say, nightmares? When they said, Kanna nethath, Inna Ratak (A safe country to live, even if you more..

Jul 8 (DM) The present economic crisis has affected virtually every sector and education is no exception. Apart from schools, universities were closed for the most part due to the pandemic and now the economic and fuel crises have precipitated their closure again. In the face of the acute economic hardships and the soaring cost of living, some students have opted to drop out of university to help their parents and families more..

Jul 8 (TM) The amendment of a constitution is a serious task. However, some may argue that it is not such an important task as far as SL is concerned. That is because of the most trivialised manner in which constitutional amendments have been brought about in SL in recent years. However, if the amendments to a constitution are treated in such a fashion, then that will further affect the nation and the state negatively. In a country which has already taken a downturn, introducing more..

Jul 8 (GV) SL has taken the (rather delayed) initiative to seek IMF aid and assistance to cure the economic crisis. Before I delve into what the IMF conditionalities and its impacts are, let me first outline the fundamental challenges faced by the SL economy. Firstly, there is an exacerbation of foreign reserves and therefore an urgent necessity to feed the treasury with foreign exchange; the balance of payments crisis (which has now become a humanitarian crisis) has too been offset by more..

Jul 8 (TM) SL is struggling today due to the absence of a foreign policy, with the lack of foresight and comprehension of consequences resulting in the current crisis situation, asserted diplomatic historian and Awarelogue Initiative Initiator Dr. George Cooke. �Randomly reaching out to a few countries is not the solution of the hour. We need a multipronged approach that would see SL launching a global appeal for assistance,� more..

Jul 8 (TM) There are a lot of debates these days as to whether PM Wickremesinghe is doing a good job, or at least good enough, after accepting the Premier post that some politicians refused to accept. However, one thing SL realised over the past few months is that it is not just a proper leader, but a proper system led by a proper leader, that is needed to save the country. A proper leader is one who can win the confidence of both the public and/or Parliament, which consists of public reps. more..

Jul 8 (CT) Every crisis has its origin; that origin is not necessarily traced to one single source; nor does it transpire without a cause. That cause in turn may not be one single reason. It is always a combination of many causes and many reasons. Attempting to dash to the origin is as nearly impossible as is the modern day scientists� quest in search of the first cause of the universe. However, for a discussion of the current crisis that we are faced with, I have deduced to place a milestone at year 1915 more..

Jul 6 (ST) The SL table tennis team, scheduled to take wings to Birmingham, England later this month for the Commonwealth Games 2022, may have already cleared the doubts of predicting what the outcome could potentially be with their performances at a recent top domestic competition. All four paddlers selected for the CWG 2022, interestingly, were defeated comprehensively at last week�s National Table Tennis Championship, apparently by those who deservingly should have been more..

Jul 6 (Island) In the Under 20 age category, athletes of only four countries in Asia have run the men�s 400 metres hurdles under 52 seconds, this year. One of them is a Sri Lankan. Dhanuka Dharshana, who is only 18 years old, has been the hurdler to beat during the last two years in his age category in Sri Lanka. In April, the athlete trained by reputed coach Anura Bandara turned the tables on his senior counterparts to emerge the national champion in the men�s 400 metres hurdles at more..

Jul 6 (TM) Several years ago, especially during the tenure of the former UNF-led Govt, the issue of unregulated microfinance loans and the unethical actions of those providing such loans attracted widespread attention, leading to several national-level discussions regarding the same. Even though that attention seems to have waned considerably, as The Morning reported recently, the issue is far from being resolved, and more..

Jul 6 (Island) Parliament was thrown into turmoil once again yesterday, when a group of Opposition MPs staged a boisterous protest against Prez Rajapaksa�s presence in the House. They shouted themselves hoarse, asking the Prez to step down. The whole country has been asking the Prez to go home, but he carries on regardless. Politicians who savour power never give it up of their own volition; they are like limpets. So, no amount of shouting will help the SJB, the other Opposition parties more..

Jul 6 (DN) Veteran actor Jackson Anthony who underwent surgery at the Colombo National Hospital after an accident on Saturday is recovering, hospital sources said. After successfully completing the surgery doctors have recommended that Anthony be kept at the intensive care unit for further treatment. Sources also stated that Anthony who was on a ventilator after the surgery was removed from the machine yesterday afternoon. Since the time of his hospitalization, a large number of people more..

Jul 6 (FT) Parliament will focus on taking measures against officials who do not implement recommendations and decisions made by the COPE, its Chairman MP Charitha Herath said. Speaking at a special COPE meeting, Herath said that the Committee has made recommendations relating to several institutions including Sri Lankan Airlines, Central Bank, State Timber Corporation, People�s Bank, more..

Jul 6 (TM) The growing frustrations of a public that has been dealt with blow after blow has resulted in the re-emergence of protests against Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa with new vigour, despite the slight lull last month. Ruling party MPs have also joined the chorus, calling on the President to step out along with his PM. MP Duminda Dissanayake last week claimed that President Rajapaksa�s rule had destroyed the country and its economy to an extent even the LTTE could not achieve. more..

Jul 6 (DN) The majority of people with intellectual disabilities are isolated and discriminated globally. They are labelled as disabled people who can do nothing but the fact is that they are capable of many activities that normal people cannot do. If they are given an opportunity to show their talents, they can be recognised as gifted people and be included in the society as skilled and respectable people to be involved in our society. This concept was promoted by the Joe F. Kennedy family who more..

Jul 6 (Island) SL Men�s and Women�s basketball teams took flight to Singapore on Tuesday for the FIBA Asia 3�3 Basketball tournament. The two teams have been in preparation since April and are being coached by Ajith Kuruppu. The men�s team has to first prove its worth against China and Tonga and one more team before qualifying for the main tournament. �It�s going to be a tough tournament, but the men�s and women�s teams have been practicing well. Our preparations were good and more..

Jul 6 (DN) A Japanese company is investing USD 25 million to build an airport transit hotel in Katunayake. This three star hotel which would be directly managed by a Japanese hotel brand will consist of 180 rooms and the construction is in its mid stages. The project is coordinated by Dr. Ruwan Perera, a well reputed and established business figure in Japan who has invested in many projects in SL. He has invested over USD 100 million in SL. On a request made by Dr. Perera more..

Jul 6 (TM) No new safety measures have been implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Highways in the wake of the severe fuel crisis that has hampered transportation systems across the country, causing commuters to hang onto buses and trains, thus placing their safety at risk. Ministry Secretary R.W.R. Pemasiri said that the Ministry has duly instructed bus drivers and station masters to avoid jeopardising the safety of passengers more..

Jul 6 (ST) Zero-emission delivery is the premise behind eDrops, the newest grocery shopping app, delivering goods solely through electric bikes. A subsidiary of CodeGen Int'l, eDrops is just one of the many initiatives by the company to bring about greener, sustainable solutions to the challenges of the present day. App is available for download on Google Play and the Apple store or via edrops.net. Further, deliveries will be free for consumers located within Colombo & Suburbs. more..

Jul 6 (Island) Presenting the findings of a research on Freedom of Expression and New media culture in SL Programme Director at the SL Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) Mohamed Azad asserted that 61.8% of those who participated in the survey considered social media as a reliable source of information, relating to important issues such as health and well-being. They had affirmed that they obtained information relating to COVID-19, such as vaccinations & govt guidelines, from social more..

Jul 6 (FT) Health authorities yesterday warned that there is a possibility for another COVID-19 wave, urging the public to obtain all four vaccines. �We have requested to get the fourth vaccine on many occasions after obtaining the first vaccine. At present, everyone over 20 years of age should get the fourth vaccine to avoid the risk of emerging new variants of COVID-19,� Health Services Dir-Gen Dr. Asela Gunawardena said. more..

Jul 6 (ST) A 50-member SL Navy contingent is taking part in the Rim of the Pacific 2022 (RIMPAC 2022) naval exercises in and around Hawaii and Southern California, USA. Navies of 26 countries are also participating in the world�s largest international martime warfare exercises. The largest contingent is from the Republic of Korea (ROK), which sent three ships and one submarine, followed by the Royal Australian Navy, with three ships. Canada, Japan and Mexico sent two ships each, more..

Jul 6 (Island) Illegal gem mining, at the Yala National Park, had increased, with Wildlife Dept officials claiming to be unable to conduct raids due to the current fuel shortage, Environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara said. He said large-scale illegal gem mining was on in areas, such as Kailakumbura, near Kumbukkanoyya, in Zone No. 4, in Yala and the Ruhunu National Park. The area is a no-go zone for ordinary visitors. �It is high time the Wildlife Dept Conservation and Forest Department more..

Jul 6 (TM) SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that a court order needs to be obtained if the approximately 100,000 litres of fuel that have been confiscated by the Police in raids conducted so far is to be returned to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). Thalduwa said that 980 raids conducted to date in this regard have led to the finding of 28,303 litres of petrol, 64,783 litres of diesel, and 13,268 litres of kerosene � a total of 106,354 litres of fuel. These raids have led to the arrest of 909 suspects. more..

Jul 6 (CI) Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are set to make their CPL debuts in the forthcoming season after having been signed by defending champions St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and Trinbago Knight Riders respectively. Hasaranga, who was the No.1-ranked T20I bowler not too long ago, was lined up to play for Patriots last season, but a clash with South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka meant that he had to stay back home for national duty. more..

Jul 6 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved enforcement of smart regulations concerning casinos, betting and gaming industry to boost tourists and tax revenue. The need to streamline the casino industry was discussed at the meeting based on a proposal by the PM as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies. It was decided to issue orders under the casino business more..

Jul 6 (EN) Stocks fell over 1.5% on Tuesday (05) to more than two-month low, after a gloomy picture on the economy given by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in the parliament amid acute fuel shortage has almost grounded the economy to a halt, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 1.64% or 120.96 points lower at 7,238.59, the lowest since April 26. �We saw some profit-taking today in Lanka IOC share shares as it continued to gain in the past few days. more..

Jul 6 (IFJ) Journalist and media activist Tharindu Uduwaragedara was summoned to appear before the SL Computer Crimes Division of the CID in Colombo on June 28. International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its SL affiliates, Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU), urge the CID to withdraw its investigation against the journalist immediately. CID began investigating Tharindu based on a complaint by Intelligence Division more..

Jul 6 (TM) Claiming that the allegations levelled against police officers on duty in connection with filling stations are sometimes exaggerated, Police Dept stated however that if any police officer has committed serious misconduct, such incidents would certainly be investigated. SSP Nihal Thalduwa said: �Most of the time, police officers are accused of taking several motorcycles and vehicles to get fuel, but this is because more..

Jul 6 (EN) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has requested foreign visitors to fill out a form to obtain emergency fuel in a move to ease the travelling for tourists amid acute fuel shortage and boost foreign revenue from the industry. The facility is available till the 10th of July and will be given on a priority basis. �SLTDA with Ministry of Tourism is facilitating emergency assistance to provide fuel for commuting and arriving guests,� a request form on the SLTDA website showed. more..

Jul 6 (CT) Health Ministry will be forced to make wearing of facemasks in public compulsory, if a new variant of the Omicron virus were to spread in the country once more, Director General of DGHS, Dr. Asela Gunawardena said. He added currently what has been enforced here is not a total lifting of the wearing of facemasks in public and only partial lifting, which was made compulsory during the rapid spread of the pandemic. Dr. Gunawardene stated that as a result those wanting to still wear more..

Jul 6 (TM) Prez Rajapaksa, who participated in the Parliamentary session last morning (5) in his first public appearance outside the President�s House in three months, left Parliament, after his presence in the House was protested against by the Opposition led by the SJB. The Parliamentary session commenced yesterday at around 10 a.m. and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe made a special statement on the progress of more..