Jun 13 (DM) Protestors gathered outside the house of business tycoon Dhammika Perera today morning, who recently was sworn in as a national list MP from the SLPP, replacing former minister Basil Rajapaksa. The protestors chanting slogans, Go Home Dhammika were asking for accountability on his casino businesses and calling on him to come outside to answer their queries. Riot police and the army were deployed outside Perera's house as the protest was underway. more..

Jun 13 (TM) With the demand for foreign employment having risen exponentially due to SL�s economic crisis, foreign employment agencies are charging job-seekers exorbitant amounts that are much higher than the maximum charges listed on SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) website. Several persons who visited such agencies claimed that they were charged unreasonable amounts for work permits. more..

Jun 13 (FT) Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday said a fuel quota system will soon be implemented to put an end to hoarding and ensure a steady supply. �We have no choice, but to register consumers at filling stations and give them a guaranteed weekly quota until the Government can strengthen the financial situation, restore 24-hour power and a steady supply of fuel. I hope to have this system in place by the first week of July,� the Minister tweeted yesterday. more..

Jun 13 (DN) Local DocuSign integrator Bridge Advisory and Consulting (BAC) claim that they will be launching SL�s first regulated crypto exchange within the Port City in the coming 3-month period. They claimed to have communicated with the Securities and Exchange Commission alongside the CB to create a regulatory framework. BAC Co-Founder Michael Sathasivam noted that the exchange could result in exponential growth in the capital markets of Sri Lanka given more..

Jun 13 (EN) Sri Lanka has a balance of payments deficit of US$ 2,569 million up to April 2022 up from US$ 2,269 million US in March, despite the central bank running out of reserves. The central bank is now borrowing reserves from India, after the country allowed the central bank to defer payments due under the Asian Clearing Union. In March the central bank supposedly floated (suspended convertibility) which should have ended BOP deficits. Sri Lanka defaulted on most debt in April 2022, more..

Jun 13 (FT) UK has lifted the travel advisory in which the country previously advised against all but essential travel to SL, whilst the US has requested its citizens to reconsider their visits. As per the latest update on UK Govt, Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) no longer advises against all but essential travel to SL. In May, the FCDO warned UK citizens should only travel to SL for essential purposes due to the ongoing political & economic instability, following 9 May unrest. more..

Jun 13 (FT) Mattala Int'l Airport is losing Rs. 10 million monthly according to Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. He said since according to int'l air travel criteria SL needs a second int'l airport for emergency landings, alternative sources of income should be found while minimising costs of maintaining the airport. Minister emphasised that steps should be taken to minimise the loss and maintain the Mattala Int'l Airport as a more..

Jun 13 (ST) Local renewable energy players are gradually shifting their projects to Africa or altogether stalling the current projects as they lose interest in pursuing business in the country � at a time when Prez Rajapaksa has instructed officials to immediately implement projects in the pipeline. �SL renewable energy players have gained good experience and skills over the last two decades. It is a pity attitudes of our bureaucrats are now driving them away to other countries and we as a more..

Jun 13 (FT) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has categorically denied that he had not at any time given authorisation to award a wind power project in Mannar to any person or any institution. �The President vehemently denied the statement made by the Chairman of the CEB at the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in this regard,� a statement issued by President�s Media Division noted. Much controversy was stirred after the CEB Chief�s remarks at COPE last Friday. more..

Jun 13 (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will brief the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on External Affairs on June 18 over the ongoing crisis in SL. Apart from Jaishankar, India's Foreign Secretary and other MEA officers will be present at the meeting at the ministry office at 11 am. During the meeting, the Indian govt is likely to brief the members of Parliament on the economic crisis and the country's neighbourhood policy more..

Jun 13 (FT) Can someone wear so many hats during his professional and personal life? Yes, if you are Gamini Wickramasinghe, says Savithri Rodrigo, biographer and TV presenter, in her latest, The Quiet Maverick: The Dr Gamini Wickramasinghe Story, released a few months ago. But when one goes through the story of this maverick, one will have to disagree with Savithri; that is, Gamini is not a quiet rebel at all. His track record marked by so many hats he has worn in his professional life � more..

Jun 13 (AD) Muditha Peiris has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Litro Gas Company. He had served as the Managing Director of the state-run gas supplier during the previous government. Peiris had held the position of Managing Director of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. He takes up the position following the resignation of the former Chairman Vijitha Herath, who had stepped down on Friday (10). more..

Jun 13 (SLN) SL Navy apprehended a local multiday fishing trawler with 38 individuals, suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country via sea, during a search operation carried out in southeastern seas of the island on 11th June. In the search operation mounted in seas off Okanda, Ampara in the afternoon of 11th June, the Navy intercepted a suspicious local multiday fishing trawler carrying 38 persons who were suspected to be attempting to illegally migrate from SL more..

Jun 13 (DM) More than a month has passed since govt-sponsored armed mobs, wielding wooden poles and steel rods, brutally assaulted groups of peaceful protestors outside Temple Trees and GotGoGama on May 9, 2022. Despite overwhelming evidence, including video footage that identifies the perpetrators and instigators of these organised mob attacks, very few of them have been arrested and charged, to date, a media statement issued by the Artists of the People�s Movement said. It said: more..

Jun 13 (AD) M.C.C. Ferdinando has resigned as the Chairman of the CEB. He has tendered his resignation to the Minister of Power and Energy, who has accepted the resignation. �I have accepted the letter of resignation tendered to me by the CEB Chairman Mr MMC Ferdinando,� the minister tweeted. He added that CEB Vice Chairman Nalinda Illangakoon will take over as the new Chairman of the CEB. more..

Jun 13 (DM) Dr. Deepal Perera said that there�s a resurgence of influenza cases and that it is common among children. Symptoms include body ache, fever, cough and cold. Sometimes children may get fever and fits. Therefore it is advisable to wear masks in classrooms and adhere to COVID health guidelines such as social distancing etc. "If a child is having influenza we advise parents to keep the child at home and give the recommended dose of paracetamol, get the child to rest and keep more..

Jun 13 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers today approved a proposal to issue soft liquor licenses to all establishments registered with the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). This was announced by Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando in a twitter message. He stated that this will help promote tourism and bring foreign revenue for the country as well as all tourism stakeholders. �Big win for tourism in Sri Lanka,� he said. Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the proposal to issue more..

Jun 13 (DM) SL�s average monthly household income was estimated at Rs. 76,414 prior to the country�s economy fell deep into a recession and incomes deteriorated in the two years of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, according to data. While the average household income was over Rs.75, 000 and appeared attractive, this reflects the income for an average household comprising 3.7 people and there are also vast disparities more..

Jun 13 (TM) Dr. Talduwa Gamage Chandrasoma Asoka Dias has been awarded the Queen�s Service Medal for services rendered to improve health and serve the SL community. Dr. Asoka Dias has contributed to community health, particularly focusing on mental, social and spiritual wellbeing for the SL community, since he migrated to NZ in 1997. Dr. Dias led the fundraising initiative for SL Buddhist temple from 2004 until the successful establishment of the temple in 2014. more..

Jun 13 (Island) On Tuesday, 7th June 2022, the Royal Thai Embassy, in Sri Lanka, partnered with the Awarelogue Initiative, organized a seminar on Buddhist Diplomacy at the Buddhist Cultural Centre, in Colombo, highlighting the role that Buddhism has played to ensure longstanding diplomatic relations between both countries, and high-level connectivity over a long period of time. The initial segment of the seminar saw Poj Harnpol, Ambassador of Thailand to SL, deliver the opening remarks, more..

Jun 13 (EN) SL will be introducing three new trains into operation to ease the burden on travellers during the ongoing fuel crisis, authorities said. Minister Bandula Gunawardane told reporters on Monday (13) that a new luxury weekend train will operate from Colombo to Kandy �to curb the cost for people going to spend the weekend in Jaffna, and allow them to travel comfortably.� The train will leave for Jaffna from Colombo on Friday night and return to Colombo by Monday morning. more..

Jun 13 (Island) Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara on Saturday awarded air tickets and documents to the fourth group of migrant workers leaving for home-based nursing careers in Israel. The programme of providing Home-Based Nursing jobs in Israel is implemented as per an agreement reached between the govts of SL and Israel. Minister Nanayakkara said this programme had been initiated by him while he had been Deputy Minister more..

Jun 13 (AD) Addressing the UNHRC in Geneva, SL�s foreign minister Professor G.L. Peiris says that the govt seeks the understanding of the council regarding the challenging social and economic situation in the country. �We undertake to engage in the multiple tasks before us and to honour legitimate commitments,� he said, delivering a statement at the 50th Regular Session of the UNHRC in Geneva on Monday. more..

Jun 13 (DM) MP Dr. Harsha De Silva said that Sri Lanka will have to wait until the end of this year to obtain a loan from IMF. Even though staff level meetings are underway it�s monetary board has to approve the loan. "When I had a discussion with the Japanese Ambassador he said that they have lost their trust in SL. They said that they could consider giving a short term loan if there�s an all-party govt or else both the Opposition and the govt should sign the loan agreement," he said. more..

Jun 13 (NR) PM Champika Ranawaka says the country�s mandate is not towards the Prez or Parliament. The 43 Brigade met with the Chairman and other officers of National Election Commission today to discuss the need to amend the electoral system prior to holding the next election. In addition, attention was directed towards expenditure of candidates and political parties, the proportional representation and divisional system, the independence of the Election Commission, more..

Jun 13 (EN) Sri Lanka�s commercial banks quoted the rupee at 367 against telegraphic transfers on Monday (13) while the central bank interbank spot trade was at 359.83 under a daily guidance rate, little changed from Friday�s 359.8o. The commercial banks� rupee quote against telegraphic transfers was at 367 against the US dollar on June 10. The central bank guidance margin is set at plus 1.00 or minus 4.00 rupees. �We do not see much improvement in the currency market. more..

Jun 13 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said he had the ability to revive the country within the next five years. Premadasa claimed the SLPP Govt destroyed the country in the first two years of its tenure. �Govt destroyed a country that was doing well in terms of reserves and investments. My party is ready to solve problems and provide solutions to the country�s issues within the next five years. SJB will not shy away from problems, and will not be a part of the Government�s destructive policies. more..

Jun 13 (EN) Amid SL�s worst economic crisis and an impending debt restructuring, Ambassadors of China and the United States met on Monday (13) to discuss topics of mutual interest, the Chinese embassy said. The meeting took place as the island nation struggled to face the impact of dollar shortages including a reduced supply of essentials like fuel and medicines. SL has already announced it will not pay foreign debts as more..

Jun 13 (MNA) Pir-Hossein Kolivand, Head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has said that the society is ready to send medicine and physicians to SL. Kolivand made the remarks in a meeting with the SL Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran G.M.V. Wishwanath Aponsu, noting that the IRCS, in line with its high humanitarian goals, is able to offer aid after reviewing SL's pharmaceutical needs. If the SL administration declares a need and considers a place for providing services, more..

Jun 13 (FT) JAT Holdings PLC, has posted its best ever financial year on record, doubling its Profit After Tax (PAT) during FY2021/22. Demonstrating resilient performance amidst the most challenging economic environment ever experienced in SL, the company�s revenues rose by 66% to Rs. 8.897 billion, from Rs. 5.36 billion in the year prior. Meanwhile, Gross Profits grew 58% to Rs. 2.603 billion, compared with Rs. 1.644 billion in FY2020/21, while Operating Profit rose by 73%. Most notably, more..

Jun 13 (EN) A SL Muslim doctor sent on compulsory leave after being falsely accused of performing sterilisation operations on Sinhalese women in the wake of the 2019 Easter bombings is planning to use his salary arrears to purchase and donate lifesaving drugs as the country�s economic crisis threatens to leave patients untreated. Dr Shafi Sihabdeen said that he was in discussion with various companies to obtain more..

Jun 13 (CT) The Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms said a total of 173 prisoners are expected to be released on Poson Poya which falls tomorrow. Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has recommended that prisoners be released under an amnesty. Accordingly, steps have been taken to release 141 detainees due to the inability to pay fines and another 32 due to the reduction of their incarceration to 14 days. Welikada Prison will release 23 inmates as a first more..

Jun 13 (CT) The prevention and control work carried out by the National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)/ HIV AIDS Control Programme for the past 20 years is in danger of being wasted with the current shortage of kits to carry out laboratory testing, College of Medical Laboratory Scientists SL (CMLSSL) cautioned. President CMLSSL, Ravi Kumudesh said yesterday, the current economic crisis in the country which has impacted the State health service has resulted in the shortage. more..

Jun 13 (EN) Sri Lanka is seeing signs of unexpectedly higher rice cultivation in the ongoing minor (Yala) cultivation season after shortages scares drove up prices, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Sri Lanka farmers sow about 800,000 hectares in the �Maha� main season which starts from September and about 400,000 hectares in the minor Yala season. �We had estimated that about 275,000 hectares will be cultivated this Yala season,� Minister Amaraweera said. more..

Jun 13 (CT) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) accused the Govt of not making use of experts in various professions. MCPA Prez, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, when contacted said, Govt was more concerned from where it was going to get its next loan. �Complaints of experts in Medicine, Engineering, Business Managers and those with Information Technology knowledge have continuously urged the Govt to make use of their expertise to take the country forward,� more..