Nov 12 (FT) Seven new Ambassadors and a High Commissioner to SL presented credentials to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The new diplomats assuming duties were Ambassador of Mexico Federico Salas Lotfe, Ambassador of Bhutan Rinchen Kuentsyl, Ambassador of Paraguay Fleming Raul Duarte and Ambassador of Luxembourg Peggy Frantzen, Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of Oman Ahmed Al Rashdi, more..

Nov 12 (FT) Amidst widespread economic uncertainty during the year 2022, Sampath Bank said yesterday it maintained a strong capital base and a steady liquidity profile. Proactive efforts to identify challenges and implement appropriate strategies has allowed the bank to further reinforce its strength and stability. The bank has also continued to lead by example in demonstrating its commitment to the national growth agenda by promoting inward remittances and more..

Nov 12 (FT) Board of Investment (BOI) in collaboration with the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Ministry of Defence launched the long-term residence visa scheme for condominium property holders in SL. The official function was held at the BOI auditorium under the patronage of State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama, BOI Director General Renuka Weerakone, Dept. of Immigration I.S.H. Controller General & other respective officials on Thurs. more..

Nov 12 (Island) TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran expressed serious concerns, on Thursday, about an amendment to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. He told Parliament: �There is a concern that the bail application has to now be made through the Court of Appeal instead of High Court. Now this is a very serious issue, this is not a question of making bail stringent. This is a question of access to Justice. more..

Nov 12 (EN) State-run fuel retailer Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) raised prices of diesel and kerosene with effect from midnight of Friday, the CPC said in statement, two days after the govt said both products are sold at a loss. The CPC increased widely used auto diesel price by 15 rupees or 3.6% to 430 rupees and raised price of kerosene by 25 rupees or 7.4% to a record 365 rupees. The only competitor Lanka OIC also raised the prices of the same products to match the CPC prices. more..

Nov 12 (GDI) The first meeting on the launch of the France�SL Friendship Association was held at the Embassy of SL in Paris on 3 November, with the participation of well-wishers representing various segments of the French community. While welcoming the participants, Ambassador Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama, emphasized the importance of the establishment of the France-SL Friendship Association for the promotion of friendly, social, cultural, and economic relations more..

Nov 12 (Island) Indian investments in some strategic locations in SL could pose a serious national security threat, Education Secretary of the FSP, Pubudu Jayagoda says. He added that Prez, who does not have a mandate to be the Prez, had initiated a number of economic policy and legal amendments to facilitate Indian investments in strategic areas. �Speaking in Parliament Prez urged Tamil political parties to join more..

Nov 12 (CT) Health Secretary, Dr. Janaka Sri Chandraguptha has called for a report into the alleged purchase of a consignment of sexual stimulant injections on 30 June 2020 for over Rs 40,000 each. A senior official of the Health Ministry on Friday said the purchasing had been done during the time of the former Chairman of the SPC, Dr. Prasanna Gunasena. Quotations had been called in June 2019. However, the Health Secretary will not be able to launch a probe into the purchase more..

Nov 12 (CT) A total of five animals have been adopted by four people for a sum of Rs 2,350,000 at the National Zoological Garden Dehiwala. Director General of the National Zoological Gardens Dr. Tilak Premakantha said, the foster programme is currently being used to provide care for five animals and it is a success. According to him, a tiger, a sloth bear, a chimpanzee, a pony, and a lion named Kesara have all been adopted under the Platinum and Gold levels. Dr. Premakantha further mentioned more..

Nov 12 (Island) Govt politicians may pretend that they are not scared of anyone or anything, but all it takes to make them head for the hills is to say, Election. Such is these worthies� fear of facing the people despite their braggadocio. SLPP leaders recently told a group of their party supporters that LG elections would be postponed for two years, dissident SLPP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has said. If his claim is true, then the govt is contemplating a blatant violation of the election laws, more..

Nov 12 (Island) Sri Lanka Telecom Group (SLT Group) has reported positive overall revenues of Rs 79.6 Bn, a consolidated growth of 3.9% for the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period last year, driven largely by prudent and proactive measures undertaken in financial and operational management. Demonstrating resilience in its business model, at Company level, SLT Q3 revenues grew to Rs 16.9 Bn, an increase of 7.4% when compared to the same period last year, more..

Nov 12 (UN) Amid a looming food security crisis linked to SL�s cost-of-living crunch, the country�s most vulnerable breadwinners wonder how much longer they can cope, as the Govt battles the nation�s worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. Long before the country�s first-ever int'l debt default in May 2022 and Russia�s invasion of Ukraine, which added to the country�s problems, tea estate labourer Nagamma had already more..

Nov 12 (Island) Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha yesterday admitted in Parliament that Sri Lankan schoolchildren were not receiving adequate food. Answering a question posed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said the govt was trying to allocate more funds for the school mid-day meal programme. Premadasa said, �I would like to urge the govt to expand the school lunch programme. We also need to conduct a survey on the nutrition of our children.� more..

Nov 12 (DN) Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Mahaseya temple and the Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Nuwara Kalaviya Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Thera assumed duties of the office as the 11th Atamasthanadhipathi yesterday at the sacred Jayasri Maha Bodhi premises. The new Atamasthanadhipathi was escorted in a colourful procession by Maha Sangha of the Maha Vihara sector from Maha Seya premises to Sri Maha Bodhi where the prelate was most respectfully more..

Nov 12 (DM) A 49-year old schoolteacher of the Dutugemunu Maha Vidyalaya in Hungama was arrested for mercilessly punishing a 10-year-old child studying in grade 5. Police said the schoolgirl's mother lodged a complaint with the Hungama police over the assault. During the investigation, it was revealed that the girl was injured on the back of her head. She is currently receiving treatment at the Tangalle Base Hospital and a medical report is scheduled to be presented to the more..

Nov 12 (DM) The UK PM�s Trade Envoy for SL Lord Davies of Abersoch concluded his three-day visit to the island nation yesterday. Lord Davies was in Colombo from Nov 9 to 11. During his visit, the envoy met with Ministers Nalin Fernando, Shehan Semasinghe and CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. Discussions focused on SL�s trade and investment landscape and plans on reforms and improving ease of doing business to support SL�s path toward sustainable economic recovery. more..

Nov 12 (Island) The U.S. Department of the Treasury�s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday designated two business associates of a sanctioned al-Qa�ida financial facilitator and external operations plotter. The two individuals designated today are Irshad Mohamad Haris Nizar, a Sri Lankan, and Musab Turkmen, who conducted businesses activities to assist Ahmed Luqman Talib (Talib), who was previously more..

Nov 12 (AD) A meeting was held on Nov 9 and 10 to discuss the matters pertaining to the establishment of a Constitutional Council. The meeting was attended by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, PM Dinesh Gunawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prez�s nominee for the Constitutional Council. During the meeting, Speaker Abeywardena has emphasized the requirement to establish the Constitutional Council at the earliest possible. more..

Nov 12 (FT) Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered the Police to record a statement from former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the Rs. 17.8 million found inside the Prez�s House on 9 July. The money was allegedly found by anti-Govt protestors who stormed the Prez�s House located in a HSZ in Fort on 9 July after widespread protests in the country calling for Rajapaksa to step down as Prez in light of the worst economic crisis faced by the country in recent times. more..

Nov 12 (FT) In a Backbench Business Committee debate on the UK response to the human rights and economic situation in SL held yesterday in the House of Commons, British MPs called on UK Govt to act on SL by way of imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions and refer the country to the Int'l Criminal Court. MPs also highlighted the need for SL to meet its GSP+ commitments and reduce its excessive spending on the military. more..

Nov 12 (Island) Perhaps, every one of us who has opted to live abroad could be considered an unofficial ambassador as our actions may have reflections on the country of our origin. However, most of us are so insignificant from a global perspective that we may be able to escape minor misdemeanours without affecting the reputation of our motherland. But this does not apply to those who achieve anything of significance, whether they reside outside or live in Sri Lanka but more..

Nov 12 (AD) Two women, who identified themselves as the mothers of the struggle, have been arrested while marching towards Galle Face Green from Kalutara, demanding the release of activists detained under the PTA. The arrest was made in the area of Gorakapola in Panadura today. A multitude of police officers had blocked the two women�s protest march soon after it began in Kalutara. They were interrupted again in Wadduwa. Later, as the police attempted to arrest them in Panadura, more..

Nov 12 (IE) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a charge sheet against three LTTE supporters who were allegedly planning terrorist acts to revive the proscribed group in Tamil Nadu. �The charge sheet was filed against the arrested accused from TN � Naveen alias Chakaravarthy M, Sanjay Prakash J and A Kabilar alias Kabilan,� a spokesperson for the NIA said. The NIA said the case was related to the recovery of two country-made pistols, ammunition and gunpowder more..

Nov 12 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is struggling to raise a second bail deposit of Australian 200,000 dollars for SL Cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka which has to be submitted to a magistrate court early next week to appeal for bail once again. SLC officials have already requested donations from certain individuals and cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga has already handed over a massive sum to go ahead in filing a bail application next week, sources familiar with the case said. more..

Nov 12 (EN) A court travel ban on state minister Diana Gamage will not bar her from going abroad as she has a diplomatic passport, the lawyer in a duel citizenship court case said. Sri Lanka�s latest constitutional amendment has disqualified lawmakers of holding dual citizenship and the SJB has been pressing to oust such MPs with dual citizenship from the parliament in line with the latest amendment. more..

Nov 12 (EN) SL has potential to boost tourism and trade with Mexico, with exports from the island outweighing imports by a big margin, newly appointed Ambassador Federico Salas said. Ambassador Salas, a senior career diplomat presented his credential to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and also met PM Dinesh Gunewardena, Foreign Minister Ali Saby and Trade Minister Nalin Fernando. Ambassador Salas said he wanted to promote people to people contact more..

Nov 12 (AD) Three girls are reported missing after the boat they were travelling on capsized in Mahawelikada Ara in Sooriyawewa today. Eight people in total had been aboard the boat when it capsized. The remaining five, including an eight-month-old infant, were hospitalized after being rescued by the residents of the area. The rescued infant is not in a critical condition. A joint search operation by the police and the navy is underway to rescue the missing girls, aged 18, 17, 10 yrs. more..

Nov 12 (AD) Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is working closely with the relevant parties for the early release of 8 SL nationals who are parts of the 26-member crew of the oil tanker MT Heroic Idun, which was detained by Equatorial Guinea in early August. SL High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya is in contact with the SL nationals in question. The vessel�s crew also include 16 sailors from India, one from Poland and another more..

Nov 12 (DM) Associated Motorways, popularly known as AMW, announced yesterday that they had begun the process of identifying locations, some of which will be closed, across Sri Lanka over the coming weeks. AMW is fully-owned by UAE-based conglomerate Al-Futtaim Group, which provides some of the world�s most recognized automotive brands, services, and mobility solutions to customers. AMW Group Managing Director Peter Mackenzie said the restructuring of AMW more..

Nov 12 (Island) A SJB administration would establish an independent body to take action against those who stole public funds, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said at Medawachchiya recently. Addressing a group of party supporters there, Premadasa said a number of govt MPs were making absurd allegations about donations made by the party. �We are donating buses to schools. An SLPP stooge is implying we are making money out of this. When a philanthropist wants to help a school, more..

Nov 12 (AD) An inmate among the escapees from Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre, who was apprehended in the jungle at Welikanda has died while receiving medical treatment, the police said. Police and army personnel had found him on Nov 10 while wandering in Welikanda Trikona Kanda forest reserve. He had been lost in the jungle without food for several days. He was admitted to Polonnaruwa Hospital in a starving condition and pronounced dead last night. more..

Nov 12 (DM) The officials attached to the investigation unit of the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) have arrested two people, including a woman who sent women to work in Dubai illegally on tourist visas. The raid was conducted on Nov 3, where a person from Addalachchenai sent a woman to Dubai to work on tourist visa. It came to light that when the affected woman's husband who raised a complain to the bureau that his spouse was not given the job more..

Nov 12 (AD) The Employees� Provident Fund (EPF), the largest social security scheme in SL, has suffered massive losses due to the investments made in listed and unlisted companies, a new report compiled by the AG�s Department revealed. According to the report, the fund has invested Rs. 5,000 million in Grand Hyatt Colombo, however, it has not made any profits to date. EPF lost Rs. 205.49 million by Dec 31, 2021, more..

Nov 12 (Island) The above topic is relevant to all countries experiencing economic crises for IMF and China, it appears are alternative and perhaps competing sources for economic aid and they are both accused of causing debt-traps for the recipient countries. IMF is accused by people like Joseph Stiglitz of manipulating the economy of poor countries in such a way that there is a drain of their wealth for the benefit of the rich countries. China is accused of trapping the recipients of its aid to more..

Nov 12 (ST) The underwater museum located off Sandy Bay Beach, Trincomalee is becoming famous among local and foreign tourists. Weapons used in warfare and colonial era wrecked ships are displayed in the museum along with war time statues. Vessels belonging to the SL Navy, and damaged while in action, are also on display in the water. Some of these were in operation in 1961 and 1972, and were made in China. The museum is located half a mile from the shore, more..