Oct 23 (FT) The veteran dramatist and film-maker Dharmasiri Bandaranayake was recently conferred the Uni of Manchester Medal of Honour in recognition of the versatility of his career spanning over five decades. The highest medal award of the nearly 200-year-old seat of learning which is awarded selectively and infrequently, University of Manchester Medal of Honour, recognises Bandaranayake as a �courageous award-winning film & theatre director, actor and screenplay more..

Oct 23 (Island) Sri Lanka had not maintained the ancient tank bunds and most of them were unstable, Prof of Geology at Peradeniya Uni Atula Senaratne said. He said the bund of the Yoda Wewa in Mannar had developed a number of cracks; some of which were as wide as three inches. �We really must look into this and address the situation. The Yoda Wewa bund is about five kilometres long and in some areas the bund has weakened, due to erosion. Vehicles like tractors, travel on the bund all the time more..

Oct 23 (ST) Police investigating the delay of an Anuradhapura-bound train from the Fort owing to a cable issue suspect drug addicts for causing damage at the Kelaniya railway station. Minister Bandula Gunawardana, who suspects sabotage, has sought a CID investigation into the incident. Peliyagoda police are continuing day-night patrols at the location. The train to A'pura was delayed for 30 minutes on its maiden voyage more..

Oct 23 (ST) At least 47 workers of a non-Governmental demining organisation were injured in a major accident at Muhamalai in Kilinochchi yesterday (15). Twenty-five of them were seriously injured. Police said a fast-moving tipper collided with a private bus transporting employees of the demining organisation to work, on the A-9 road. The accident occurred while the bus was turning towards a by-road, and the tipper had rammed into the bus from behind, causing the vehicle to topple. more..

Oct 23 (DM) Local vehicle sellers in the country say that this is the best time to buy a vehicle as the prices of second-hand vehicles have dropped drastically. They said the importing of vehicles was halted and only the vehicles which have already been imported and the existing number of vehicles in hand are circulating in the market. "We cannot think of importing vehicles. The prices of vehicles have not declined significantly, but marginally," they said. "Due to escalating interest payment more..

Oct 22 (IT) A SL woman sold all her belongings, including her home, fled the crisis-hit nation and landed on the shores of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. She used the money she received by selling assets to travel to India. An illegal boat dropped the woman and her two children near Dhanushkodi. The Marine Police, in charge of territorial waters, rescued the three and brought them to Mandapam police station. A preliminary investigation revealed that the woman identified as Shanti is a resident of Jaffna. more..

Oct 22 (ST) Cuban is a favourite among workers at the Dehiwala zoo. She is believed to be the zoo�s oldest crocodile and they want visitors to stop throwing things at her to elicit a reaction�because enough is enough. The most common items to land on Cuban are plastic bottles and coins. The Sunday Times observed coins glinting around her and others in the crocodile pond located in one corner of their pen. Zoo employees complain they have a difficult time removing these from the water more..

Oct 22 (ST) Not even the Meethotamulla garbage disaster of 2017 has taught a lesson: Scattered all over the Western Province are 21 active garbage dumps in close proximity to human settlements�and people are suffering. Residents of Muthurajawela and Karadiyana said that visitors to their homes don�t even want to drink a sip of water from them. They lamented that clean air was only a dream. The environment was even more more..

Oct 22 (CI) England's World Cup campaign is up and running thanks to a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan. It was very much a performance of two halves for one of the tournament favourites. They were outstanding in the field, vindicating Jos Buttler's decision to bowl first by dismissing Afghanistan for 112 with a stellar hand from Sam Curran of 5 for 10, becoming the first Englishman to take a T20I five-for. But a stuttering chase took the gloss off what could have been more..

Oct 22 (CI) Ten years can be a good time to wait for some things - inspiration, lifetime service awards, the right blend of salt and pepper in your hair - but not a win. New Zealand last beat Australia in Australia in Dec 2011. They've finally followed it up, 15 matches later, with a performance that maybe makes it all worth it. Finn Allen announced himself as the new face of this batting line-up. His 42 of 16 balls was the spark that sharpened the iron, which his opening partner then took and more..

Oct 22 (ST) Abandoned fishing gear in SL waters continue to pose dangers to marine turtles, and there is little help on shore for creatures that are seriously injured. The bycatch remains problematic. But, in nearby Maldives, a group is helping to rescue and rehabilitate injured marine turtles. Three types of fishing gear have been identified as risks to sea turtles � gill nets, prawn/shrimp trawls, and longlines. more..

Oct 22 (NR) The funeral ceremony of Atamasthanadhipathi Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayaka Thera who passed away on Tuesday, will take place in Anuradhapura this afternoon. The funeral is scheduled be held at around 2.30pm at the Santhaagaara Hall in the premises of the Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi and the cremation will be held at the grounds of the ancient Maha Vihara adjacent to the Thuparamaya Stupa. Maha Vihara Maha Sangha led by more..

Oct 22 (DM) The newly-gazetted personal income tax will be implemented from Nov 1, after the approval by the Finance Committee of the Parliament and the signature of the Speaker. Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said this while speaking at a press conference in Ruwanwella. Earlier, a gazette notification was issued amending the Inland Revenue Act. Earlier, a gazette notification was issued amending the Inland Revenue Act. more..

Oct 23 (CT) Everyone is now talking about the Presidential system of govt. Its advantages and disadvantages, especially accruing to the people of the land, are being debated and conclusions, right or wrong, are being reached irrespective of one�s personal political beliefs. In a deeply polarized body politic such as SL, it�s rather painstaking to analyze and arrive at the right deductions. Each person would adopt each one�s methodology or approach to untangle the messy and shambolic system more..

Oct 23 (GV) Although the current financial crisis has had a broad impact on life and livelihoods in SL, the effects are felt by different social groups in varying and unequal ways. When a range of lives and livelihoods in a region are dependent on a particular economic activity, the inequitable impact within that space is amplified. It can also show how communities themselves strive for resilience amid crisis. The fisheries industry is such a livelihood. It is a keystone within certain local & regional more..

Oct 23 (SO) Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said that those who are clamouring for an election today were given the opportunity in May to capture power even without going for an election. Minister said it was also discussed to create an environment conducive for the Opposition to vest power and work as the Govt. However, they were reluctant to accept that challenge as there were severe problems such as lack of fuel, more..

Oct 23 (SO) As mentioned in these spaces previously, it will not be easy to emerge unscathed from the present economic morass without any collective pain. The IMF does not extend bailouts willy-nilly � some of the steps outlined by the IMF for socio-economic reform could be excruciatingly painful and hugely unpopular. Yet, we might have to make such a sacrifice to put this economic crisis in the rearview mirror. The recently announced tax hikes can be categorised as one such step. more..

Oct 23 (TM) It was exactly 21 years ago, on 3 Oct 2001 to be specific, that the then Parliament voted to enact the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. PM at the time, then in the second of his five stints in the role, was current Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. The amendment, which was the then UNP Govt�s response to the growing public calls to abolish the Executive Presidency, was universally hailed as a step in the right direction as it sought to vest excessive Executive authority in a CC more..

Oct 23 (SO) UNP was founded by D.S. Senanayake way back in 1946 with the unstinted support rendered by all community leaders of the day who fought for independence leaving aside petty communal agendas. Muslim community was represented by M.C.M. Kaleel and T.B. Jayah who were later appointed Cabinet Ministers. Jayah was appointed Cabinet Minister of Labour in the first UNP Govt headed by PM D.S. Senanayake. more..

Oct 23 (ST) The new tax regime introduced by the Govt has had regular taxpayers abuzz, not so much those who don�t pay their taxes. Much of the valid criticism comes from the fact that the Inland Revenue Dept has only 292,305 active income tax files when the number should be in the millions for a population of over 22 million. Those steering the nation�s financial crisis towards calmer waters and safer shores may be frustrated that citizens still do not realise the gravity of the situation more..

Oct 23 (ST) My dear Members of the Diyawanna Council, I thought I must write to you to congratulate you on what you achieved this week. On Friday, you passed yet another amendment to our Constitution. We are told this will reduce the powers of your big boss and give you more of a say in running Paradise, though that has done little for us all these years. The other reason why I am writing to you now, dear Members, is also because I am a bit confused about all this tinkering with our Constitution, more..

Oct 23 (ST) It hasn�t been the most convincing performance by the boys in the qualifying round of the T20 World Cup in Australia but the good thing is that we are in the Second Round. T20 cricket is such an unpredictable game and even little mistakes that you make can come back to hurt you. Take a look at the West Indies, two time champions and they are not even in the Super 12s. It was good to see the way we fought back after a shocking start in our first game & I hope the team goes from strength more..

Oct 23 (ST) After an exhaustive process of negotiations both within the House and outside, the 22nd Amendment (22A) to the Constitution was finally passed in Parliament on Friday (21) with a two-thirds majority. A total of 174 members voted for the third and final reading after amendments made at the Committee Stage. Only the SLPP MP Sarath Weerasekara voted against. Earlier, the bill�s second reading was passed by 179 votes to 1, with MP Weerasekara being the sole dissenting vote. more..

Oct 23 (ST) As revealed in one of the Cafe items in the recent weeks, the CEA Chairman Siripala Amarasinghe and his son came under investigation for their alleged involvement in constructing a hotel within the range of the Knuckles world heritage site. Following these reports, the Environment Ministry appointed a committee to probe the allegations against the Chairman and his son, and it handed over the report this week. more..

Oct 23 (SO) Sandaruwan Kumara and Dilrukshi Dissanayake were adjudged Best Boxers at the North Central Province meet which served as a qualifier for the 47th National Sports Festival at the National Sports Complex in Polonnaruwa. The duo were a cut above the rest as pugilists from the Polonnaruwa district dominated the keenly contested selection meet conducted by the Department of Sports in the North Central Province. Polonnaruwa had no less than ten gold more..

Oct 23 (Island) US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu visited Sri Lanka last Wednesday (19). He is reported to have arrived early morning. Having briefed US Embassy staff, he then presided over a civil society roundtable, after which he paid a visit to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry. Given that civil society does not see the president eye-to-eye, there�s little doubt that these two sessions yielded two completely different pictures of Sri Lanka�s situation. more..

Oct 23 (Island) As far as banana peels go, SL found themselves on a big one, which in turn was placed on an oily surface. Playing the first round of the 2022 T20 World Cup, after coming in as Asia Cup champions, they struggled to adjust to a slow, two-paced Geelong pitch and ended up paying for it with a defeat to Namibia. Add to it a soft outfield that can leave you vulnerable to injuries. Five of the SL players have been injured so far. Dilshan Madushanka tore his quad during training more..

Oct 23 (TM) 18 Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials have reportedly lined up to travel Down Under at the expense of the Cricket Board to witness the ICC Men�s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. A letter requesting permission for the 18 officials from SLC was sent to Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe last month. However, in the absence of the Minister, Sports Secretary has intervened and only approved travel for eight officials. These officials have requested business class tickets, free passes more..

Oct 23 (ST) SL will begin their first Super 12 game of the T20 World Cup against Ireland today in Hobart, but without one of their two in-form batters. Opener Pathum Nissanka injured his groin on Thursday while batting against Netherlands and, while not ruled out of the tournament, will miss Sunday�s game. Nissanka could have played as it is a minor injury. But it was decided to rest him so he will be fit for the rest of the tournament. more..

Oct 23 (ST) After five of its players were injured during the qualifying round of the T20 World Cup, SL has decided to bring in more reserves into the side for use in case of further adversity. Three of the five players�Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera and Danishka Gunathilake�were ruled out due to injuries while the other two, Pramod Madushan and Pathum Nissanka, remain in the side with minor injuries. Accordingly, wicket-keeper-bat Niroshan Dickwella, fast bowlers Asitha more..

Oct 23 (TM) The dates have been announced for the much-anticipated Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022. The stage is set for the five teams � Colombo Stars, Galle Gladiators, Dambulla Giants, Jaffna Stallions, and Kandy Falcons � to fight it out for the LPL 2022 title. The curtain raiser of the tournament will take place on 6 Dec at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) in Hambantota while the knockout round will take place at the R. Premadasa Int'l Cricket Stadium. more..

Oct 23 (ST) Apparel factories have frozen new recruitments while small and medium organisations (SMEs) are struggling to stay afloat and larger corporates claim they have lesser orders despite exports doing well last month as well. Across factories the workforce is cut down as unions say in some places they are asked not to report to work; plans are underway to cut jobs of workers with less than six months; employees are paid more..

Oct 23 (ST) Under serious discussion for inclusion in the upcoming 2023 budget is a proposal to enforce a tax on three main export crops � tea, coconut and rubber hitherto exempted from tax, officials said. Meanwhile the Finance Ministry is weighing the pros and cons of new revenue proposals at present aimed at including higher taxes and more direct taxes amidst wider reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the Budget 2023 in line with commitments made to the IMF. more..

Oct 23 (Island) 2021 Annual Report of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has won four awards including a Gold and a Bronze at the latest edition of the MerComm ARC Awards, the world�s largest annual report competition. The Bank has been adjudged winner of the Gold Award for Interior Design, the Bronze for Interactive Annual Report in the Integrated AR & CSR: Non-Traditional Format category, and two Honours Awards for Written Text and Chairman�s/Prez�s Letter under more..

Oct 23 (Island) Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says that there is no need to seek int'l assistance to probe the Easter Sunday attacks anew and all what needed was to depoliticize the local investigation process. Delivering the homily at the Festive High Mass of the 75th Jubilee Celebration of St Theresa�s Church, Kandawala, Cardinal said: �We do not need the help of the int'l police to find the hidden truth about who was behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks. more..