Oct 3 (DM) King Charles is to meet the British-based SL community in his first public engagement.Among King Charles' inaugural events, since the end of the period of royal mourning, will be a reception in Edinburgh in Scotland for South Asian communities living across the UK - bringing together people with links to several South Asian countries including SL. �They will invite 200-300 guests of British-based Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, SL, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Maldivian heritage from more..

Oct 3 (CT) SL Women edged past UAE Women by 11 runs (DLS method) to register their first win in the Women�s Asia Cup campaign worked off at Sylhet Int'l Cricket stadium, Bangladesh, yesterday. With thunder and lightning interrupting the match when UAE batted, they were given a revised target of 66 in 11 overs in reply to SL�s modest 109 runs. Electing to bat, SL were off to poor start losing their first wicket at 23 when skipper Chamari Athapatthu (6) was caught behind off Mahika Gaur�s more..

Oct 3 (FT) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva stressed that the law must be applied equally to all those responsible for economic crimes. However, noting the Govt is yet to commence any investigation on the matter, it is now preparing to refute the Economic Crimes allegations put forward at the 51st session of the UNHRC. �The international community is discussing this situation. They have expressed their willingness to support SL more..

Oct 3 (FT) SL Tourism Alliance (SLTA) has launched a Destination Marketing campaign to drive winter bookings and increase the visibility of the country through a number of different mechanisms. It said this is a critical requirement as, despite the lifting of most advisories, the return to stability is not being communicated to consumers in key markets, who believe SL is not ready for tourists. �The current demand for travel to SL is very low whereas overall global travel demand is at an all-time high,� more..

Oct 3 (CI) Batting is the art of accumulating runs safely. Its measures of merit say that a longer innings is better than a shorter innings, a bigger score better than a smaller one, a higher average better than a lower one. In terms of ESPN's control measurement, a higher rate of control is better than a lower rate of control for the batter. Hitting is different. It is the art of plundering each delivery for as many runs as possible. Its measures of merit must be different from those for batting. more..

Oct 3 (EN) Sri Lanka�s renewable energy industry is seeing a brain drain of engineers following a currency collapse an industry official said. �We have seen close to 50 engineers migrating to overseas countries. This is a brain drain,� Prabath Wickramasinghe, Past President Small Hydro Power Developers Association said. �How can we replace these professionals? The ones who are migrating are the best ones. How can we find professionals for new projects?� more..

Oct 3 (EN) Sri Lanka�s private credit contracted 58.9 billion rupees in August 2022, falling for the third straight month, while credit to state enterprises also fell, data showed as efforts are made to end a balance of payments crisis triggered by mis-targeted interest rates. Credit to private sector grew 12% to 7,612 billion rupees in the 12 months to August down from 15.2% a month earlier. Credit to state enterprises fell 54.2 billion rupees with the stock growing 49.5% to 1,699.8 billion rupees more..

Oct 3 (Island) Alleging that those who participated in the recent protests could be targeted, former Human Rights Commissioner Ambika Satkunanathan moved the Supreme Court last Friday against the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill. Attorney-at-Law named Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, as the respondent. The fundamental rights petition has been filed in terms of Article 121(1) of Constitution challenging Bill, more..

Oct 3 (CT) Award winning SL actor Darshan Dharmaraj passed away yesterday (2) morning. He was 41 years old at the time of his demise.The cause of death is not yet known. Dharmaraj was a SL actor, known for Matha, Machan, Spandana and No Address. He was mainly associated with Sinhala films. His other projects were Aloko Udapadi, Ulath Ekai Pilath Ekai and Porisadaya. Dharmaraj was awarded Best Actor Awards at several film festivals in SL for his portrayal as an ex-LTTE cadre more..

Oct 3 (TM) State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday (2) that there is no truth in the information being spread on social media claiming that the salaries of Govt employees will be slashed from next month. State Minister pointed out that the Govt has not taken such a decision at all. State Minister also said that he strongly condemns such campaigns, which he claimed were organised by certain individuals to provoke the people of the country. more..

Oct 3 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that there are drug addicts in the Parliament. Therefore, all MPs should be screened before the ordinary people are made to undergo drug tests in terms of the proposed Bureau of Rehabilitation Act, he says. Declaring his opposition to the Bill titled Bureau of Rehabilitation Act, the SJB leader said at a recent public gathering that the new law was meant to suppress anti-govt protests. Referring to some provisions of proposed Bill, more..

Oct 3 (ST) A canteen at the Uni of Peradeniya where some students are said to have faced physical violence and verbal abuse, must be accessible to all, administrators have decided. This follows a meeting between teachers and students. The dining facility of the faculty of arts where a recent bout of violence took palce, is popularly known as the gemba canteen. On Sept 14, around 3.30p.m, a group of law department students, had been forbidden by arts undergrads from entering the canteen, more..

Oct 3 (TM) Following the reductions of petrol prices on Saturday, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said that the Ministry of Power and Energy should have also reduced the price of diesel, as both petroleum products are produced from refined crude oil, while Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) JSS trade union Leader Ananda Palitha claimed the reduction of the prices of petrol was not carried out according to the price formula. more..

Oct 3 (DN) The business community in India is very much interested in doing business with Sri Lanka, said the President of Dhronacharya Business Council of India M. Gunaseelan in Colombo. India had been a true friend of SL from ancient times, he said at the National Chamber of Commerce of SL after the conclusion of the business visit to SL with the Dhronacharya International Business Council India. He said that the Indian business community now has positive sentiments towards SL. more..

Oct 3 (DN) Exporters should bring down proceeds within a month to the country and reduce the credit period offered to foreign buyers, Central Bank Governor urged traders addressing the 128th AGM of Ceylon Tea Traders Association (CTTA) in Colombo on Friday. �If you export today you should be able to bring in the proceeds within one month. The country needs foreign exchange in this kind of situation to support the basic needs of the nation,� he cautioned. more..

Oct 3 (TM) The SJB and FSP have alleged that the Ministry of Defence is paving the way for a private company � which they allege to be linked to the Rajapaksa family � to build a monopoly on the import of gunpowder (ammonium nitrate) and earn huge profits, by allowing the said company to import 1,000 metric tonnes (MT) of the same and sell it at a price of Rs. 1,926.16 per kg. FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda alleged that more..

Oct 3 (AD) Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, Nalin Fernando says that measures will be taken to reduce the price of wheat flour next week. The minister made this remark in response to a question raised by MP Rohana Bandara during the parliamentary session today. Accordingly, the price of wheat flour is expected to be reduced up to Rs. 250 per kilogram, he claimed. Further, the minister also emphasized that the imported wheat flour will continuously be received to SL from more..

Oct 3 (FT) Who are human rights defenders? Anyone, professionally or outside of a professional organisation, who seeks to protect and defend human rights. They are identified by their actions, and as such, a student campaigning for democracy or climate action, a politician protecting the rights of the citizens to be free from hunger and other human rights abuses, a collective campaigning against corruption, are human rights defenders. In SL, recent examples of human rights defenders more..

Oct 3 (SLN) SL Navy on 02nd Oct organized a special programme for the children, on the occasion of the World Children's Day celebrations, marked in SL annually on 01st Oct. The programme was held onboard SLNS Gajabahu, allowing an unprecedented experience for a group of children who took part in the event. This year�s Children's Day was celebrated in SL under the theme Sinaha Dakina Ape Lovak. Accordingly, a group of children visited SLNS Gajabahu at Colombo Harbour. more..

Oct 3 (FT) Whiz kid of economics, Aseni, and her grandfather, Sarath Mahatthaya, are continuing their probe into the economics of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, tagged Ranilnomics. Today, they look at the IMF bailout package and what else he should implement to deliver rich country status to SL by 2048, the centenary of the independence of the country from the British. Aseni: Grandpa, in the presentation which the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance made to a select group more..

Oct 3 (EN) The European Union will assess progress made on Sri Lanka�s commitments for the 500 million US dollar GSP+ trade concession very soon, with a report due to be released later this year or early 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s office said Monday (3) morning that von der Leyen had made this reference to the EU�s assessment of more..

Oct 3 (EN) SL�s tea exporters can reduce the current high interest costs by reducing the credit periods given to buyers, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said, while the industry officials said credit was a key reason for high Ceylon Tea prices. SL�s central bank has allowed rates to go up in April 2022 to prevent possible hyper-inflation and further collapses of the rupee which fell from 200 to 360 to the US dollar after two years of money printing to mis-target market interest rates. more..

Oct 3 (AD) A mother of three has died after a large mound of earth collapsed on an estate house in the upper part of Mount Vernon Tea Estate in Dimbula Pathana police division, early this morning due to heavy rains. The victim had died on the spot while she has been identified as Ramasami Kali Amma, a 46-year-old mother of three. Police say that the woman in question was preparing tea in the kitchen with her daughter, early this morning, when the incident had occurred. more..

Oct 3 (EN) Sri Lanka plans to construct 2,000 housing units for low-income families to mark the country�s 75th independence day celebrations which falls on Feb 4 next year, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said. In a statement issued for World Habitat Day, Prez has said the project will benefit both urban and semi-urban populations. �The govt�s goal is to solve the housing needs of low-income families living in rural & urban areas more..

Oct 3 (NR) Police Sergeant BA Buddhika Kumara, who thwarted a robbery at a bank in Tambuttegama last week, has been promoted to the rank of Sub Police Inspector. Police Headquarters informed of his promotion. Policeman successfully foiled a robbery in Tambuttegama on the 26th of Sept. The incident was reported when a businessman at the Tambuttegama Economic Centre attempted to deposit Rs.22.3 million at a private bank. Two masked individuals had attempted to rob more..

Oct 3 (Island) A long-awaited revolutionary approach to the national education system is now to be launched next year by introducing the world renowned STEAM education framework with a sturdy focus on subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics to teach students how to think critically, solve problems and use creativity, in their mindset that prepares them to work in career areas that are predicted to experience significant growth. more..

Oct 3 (NR) Prices of Litro domestic gas cylinders will be reduced from midnight on Wednesday (5). Chairman of Litro Gas Muditha Peiris said prices will be revised based on the pricing formula introduced by the govt. During the last month�s revision, the price of a 12.5kg cylinder in Colombo was reduced by Rs.113 to Rs.4,551. Meanwhile, the price of a 5kg cylinder was reduced by Rs.45 to Rs.1,827 and a 2.3kg cylinder was reduced by Rs.21 to Rs.848. Litro Chairman Muditha Peiris more..

Oct 3 (EN) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed 26 minutes before its official ending time on Monday after one of the indices plunged more than 5 percent led by market heavyweights, the official data showed. �Please note that the market has been halted due to the S&P SL20 index dropping over 5% from the previous close, as set out in SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) Directive dated 30th April 2020. Accordingly, the market has been halted for the rest of the day,� more..

Oct 3 (CT) The special audit report, by National Audit Office, on the controversial procurement of 96,000 tonnes of organic fertiliser from a Chinese supplier, revealed that the SL Govt has incurred a calculable loss of more than USD 6,900,000 equivalent to Rs 1,382,720,494. The sum paid as compensation was equal to 75% of the value of the fertiliser, said to have been brought for USD 6,900,000. more..

Oct 3 (TM) SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said that he will travel around the country to show the public the projects implemented using the Central Cultural Fund, in response to allegations from parties related to the Govt who claim that he had misused the money of the said fund. He said: �The Govt and the Rajapaksas (a reference to former presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa) have now launched a project to sling mud at me, claiming that I have misused the Central Cultural Fund. more..

Oct 3 (DM) Arrangements have been made to open the mini Animal Zone, Animal Conservation and Migratory Bird Rescue Centre belonging to the second phase of Hambantota Ridiyagama Safari Park tomorrow. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the second phase will be opened in an area of about 500 acres, has been allocated for the Ridiyagama Safari Park and 13 zones have been set up for different types of animals. Currently, about 200 acres of the phase have been developed and more..

Oct 3 (IPS) The economic, political, and human rights calamity gripping Sri Lanka has made news around the world, but its roots go back years � or even decades. In September, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, underscored in her report on Sri Lanka that impunity for serious human rights violations [has] created an environment for corruption and the abuse of power. more..

Oct 3 (TM) The First Committee of the UN, which deals with matters relating to disarmament and international security, will begin its substantive work today (3), chaired by SL Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Mohan Pieris, who was appointed to the post on 29 Sept 2022. The work of the UN is primarily carried out by six Main Committees. First Committee deals with disarmament, global challenges, and threats to peace that affect international community, more..

Oct 3 (AD) STF has arrested Harsha Chathuranga Perera alias Pethiyagoda Sanka, a notorious drug trafficker and an organized criminal who has directly been involved in many underworld activities, along with two other suspects. A firearm manufactured in a foreign country, five live bullets and two mobile phones which were in the possession of the suspects have also been taken into police custody. Pethiyagoda Sanka was arrested in the Mulleriyawa New Town area according to a tip-off more..

Oct 3 (DM) Concerns were raised in Parliament by both government and opposition MPs over conducting of entrance examination to the Law College only in English language, which deprives the rights of rural students getting equal opportunities of gaining entrance to Law College. SJB MP Hesha Vithanage said entrance examination to the Law College should be conducted in Sinhala and Tamil languages as well, and conducting the examination only in English is unfair for rural students. more..