Apr 28 (ST) Aldoris, the choon-paan karaya, came down the lane in his tuk-tuk and screeched to a halt outside the gate. The trio had gathered there with the topic of conversation being the long Avurudu holidays. �Aldoris, mae avurudde, aluth avurudda kohomada (Aldoris, how was Avurudu this year)?� asked Kussi Amma Sera. �Hondai, hondai. Mae thama hondama avurudda, wasara thunakin (Good, good. It was the best Avurudu season in the past three years),� he said, while more..

Apr 28 (TM) In an incident which some social media users referred to as the latest example as to why SL needs a stronger Me Too movement (a movement against sexual harassment and the rape culture which encourages among other things, for victims to come forward), a popular female news anchor of the State owned television channel, the Independent Television Network (ITN), had alleged that she had to leave the institution due to sexual advances by certain senior officials of the institution. more..

Apr 28 (DM) He was born in SL, studied in Switzerland, worked in the hotel industry and stitches some of the most beautiful hand-crafted shirts in Italy and settled in Germany, Ignatious Josephhas come back to his Home. Established the IGN Joseph line of luxury shirting and accessories based on Italian artisanal production, for some twenty years Joseph�s hand-sewn collars and courageously classic fabrics have been distinguishing more..

Apr 28 (CT) Texas sky is spotlessly blue; emanating a cold and unresponsive disposition, it�s vast canopy is hardly disarranged even by a thread of white cloud. Yet its stupendous cover renders an ever-assuring shield to those who live under it. Notorious for its unique character of dispatching all four seasons in one single day, for a visiting vacationer like me, the Texas skies are a way too luxurious for a one whose skin is exposed to the scorching sun in 365 days of the year in Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 28 (GV) How can the most ambitious renewable power project in Sri Lanka have this many detrimental impacts on the environment and the local communities of Mannar? Thambapawani, a derivation of the name after which Sri Lanka was supposedly called by King Vijaya upon his arrival on the island, is the country�s first large scale wind farm, started in 2019 and also known as the Mannar Wind Farm. Thirty wind turbines have already been constructed under Phase 1 of the project, more..

Apr 28 (TM) SL�s journalists have been reporting in a highly socio-politically volatile environment for a long time. Constitution guarantees the Freedom of Expression, and journalists play a key role in materialising it. However, in doing so, the safety of journalists and media workers has been compromised and their working conditions have remained precarious. Since the aragalaya (2022 protest movement that sought to depose more..

Apr 28 (CT) Doctors are ready to assist in marking the GCE A/L Exam 2022 answer scripts if the Govt makes a request, Deputy Director of National Hospital Colombo and Govt Medical Officers� Forum (GMOF) President, Dr. Rukshan Bellana has stated at a press conference. �If we can be provided with answers, it is not a big deal for us to check these A/L answer scripts. Our doctors are willing to take over that responsibility, but the govt has to request us,� he said. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Ruling party MPs and their Opposition counterparts never see eye to eye on anything other than ways and means of feathering their nests. The national interest does not figure, at all, in their scheme of things. So, it is only natural that they are clashing over the IMF bailout, which is to be put to the vote in Parliament. Prez Wickremesinghe, speaking in Parliament, on Wednesday, urged all the MPs to sink their political differences and support the IMF deal, more..

Apr 28 (DM) Schoolchildren going without their mid-day meal and the govt announcing that there are no funds to pay suppliers, who provide the food, is a matter of concern. Suppliers providing meals to the schools have not been paid for the past two months, according to Education Minister Susil Premajayantha. Such news is both irritating and troublesome because this means the decision makers, who played with the lives of adults, are doing the same with children; our future. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Cassandra received an email a couple of days ago, parts of which she quotes below, after googling to verify facts. A news item on Monday 24th moved her hand to do this; the news being that SL is flying at a loss. No surprise; known for a long while. What stunned Cass, however, was the billions of debt incurred for these three months of the year. In contrast see what India has done. India will be hosting the 2023 G20 Summit of 20 member nations in New Delhi in September more..

Apr 28 (DM) A decision taken to close liquor shops for an extra day in addition to the two standard holidays for Vesak this year would cause a staggering loss of Rs.337 million per day as revenue to the govt, the Dept of Excise said. Dept of Excise announced that countrywide liquor shops are ordered to be closed for Vesak festival on May 4th, 5th and 6th. Unlike in the previous years where the liquor sales were prohibited on more..

Apr 28 (DN) I am really happy with my batting performance and as an opener my knock gave me big boost said SL's new opener Nishan Madushka after fourth days play at Galle yesterday. "I am very confident after making runs at Galle. Being a wicket keeper batter I'd like to come as a top order batter," said Madushka. "Actually my first school Moratu MV coach Prasanna Dissanayake, my Master In Charge and Principal gave good support. I was attached to Colts CC first and then Pasan Wanasinghe more..

Apr 28 (Island) There are quite a few Cinderella stories in Sri Lankan cricket. Players with numerous economic hardships and challenges going onto become household names in the country thanks to their skill, commitment and perseverance is nothing new. We witnessed yet another such story yesterday as Nishan Madushka converted a maiden hundred into a double hundred becoming the second youngest Sri Lankan to the milestone after Mahela Jayawardene. more..

Apr 28 (FT) In honour of Unilever�s 85th year of operating in Sri Lanka and in view of appreciating the unwavering support and contributions extended by its partners in 2022, Unilever SL recently hosted an evening of fellowship under the theme Stronger Together, with its stakeholders across the value chain. The event reinforced the importance of partnerships and collaboration in rebuilding the economy and advancing social and environmental progress in Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 28 (DN) Continuing his discussions with large-scale Indian investors and corporate leaders, SL�s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with IndiGo airline�s Managing Director Rahul Bhatia in New Delhi. This was a follow-up to the meeting that they had in December last year. The discussion between HC Moragoda and Bhatia was centred around the critical importance of enhancing air connectivity as an essential means of increasing tourism inflows to Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 28 (TM) Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that it is questionable why medical specialists do not take advantage of the opportunity to work on a contract basis for two years after retirement. Medical specialists have however taken a collective decision to not work on a contract basis due to what they claim is potential loyalty related issues arising out of possible nepotism and cronyism on the part of more..

Apr 28 (DN) Former skipper Dinesh Chandimal was rushed to the hospital to obtain an x-ray after landing on his right shoulder while he was diving to his crease. Chandimal, who was on 13, immediately left the field as he experienced pain in his right shoulder. The 33 year old right hander Chandimal who came to bat at number five playing his 74th test had to face only 14 balls hit two fours for his 13 runs knock and attempted to make a run with Angelo Matthews but there was no run and more..

Apr 28 (FT) Apparel exports in March hit a three year low reinforcing the tough times faced by the industry. Apparel exports in March amounted to $ 388.36 million, lowest for the month since 2020's $299.87 million. In comparison to last year, the dip in March 2023 is 11% and as against 2019's $ 504 million it is a sharp 23% decline. March 2023 also marked the third month of exports below $ 400 million level. Since September last year, apparel exports have been on a downward trend year on year. more..

Apr 28 (TM) Opposition MP Gevindu Cumaratunga has requested the Govt to withdraw the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) Bill which has been presented to the Parliament, and to prepare a new draft to comply with the Supreme Court (SC) special determination on the said Bill. he SC special determination on the Bill, which was presented to the Parliament on 7 March, was informed to the Parliament by Speaker on 3 April. more..

Apr 28 (FT) Seylan Bank PLC, has announced the appointment of Ramesh Jayasekara as its new Director/CEO, effective from 1 May 2023. Having joined Seylan Bank in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer, Ramesh was later appointed Chief Risk Officer in 2016 and assumed the role of Deputy General Manager - Corporate Banking from 2018 until 2019. He was promoted to Senior Deputy General Manager in January 2020 and elevated to Chief Operating Officer the following year. more..

Apr 28 (FT) SLFP has refuted media reports which claimed the party has joined a new alliance formed by the main Opposition party SJB led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. SLFP admitted it attended a meeting between the SJB, other parties and groups in the Opposition on 24 April but said at no time did it agree to join any alliance. �The meeting was held on 24 April in the Parliament committee room. A lengthy discussion was held on the Anti-Terrorism Act and the IMF,� it read. more..

Apr 28 (DM) The woman who was injured in the Delft Island multiple murder tragedy, has died while undergoing treatment at the Jaffna Hospital yesterday evening. Police launched a probe after two men and three women residing in a house near the Delft jetty were lynched with sharp weapons and brutally murdered in the same house on April 22. Police said the 100-year-old woman, a resident of Jaffna who was seriously injured in the attack had died five days after the attack. more..

Apr 28 (PMD) During a recent meeting at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the govt is committed to carrying out its agricultural modernization plan. However, he also highlighted certain issues that need to be addressed in the sector. One of the main challenges mentioned by the Prez was related to the Mahaweli Authority and its lands, which are now being resolved. Another issue that was discussed extensively was more..

Apr 28 (FT) Central Bank yesterday described 2022 as the most onerous year in the post-independence history and listed priorities for the country to avoid a repeat of multiple crises. The assessment of the past year and recommendations for the future have been incorporated in the CB�s Annual Report for 2022 which was presented to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday. It said the Govt, the CB, and all other stakeholders need to more..

Apr 28 (PMD) SL Navy Marine Corps presented three special Combat All-Terrain Vehicles (CATVs) to Prez Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. CATVs were produced locally by Ideal Motor Company and are a part of the new concept of SL Navy Marine Corps to combat illegal activities, terrorist activities, and various smuggling activities along the coast of SL. CATVs will be used to combat various illegal activities and drug trafficking in Colombo and Mannar areas in the future. more..

Apr 28 (AD) The duty-free allowance given to expatriate workers at the airport will be increased from May 1, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says. A circular in this regard has already been issued. Earlier, a memorandum presented by Nanayakkara to the cabinet seeking their approval to increase the duty-free allowance given to expatriate workers at the airport had been green-lighted. Accordingly, Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment took measures to issue the relevant circular. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhary is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on 01 May 2023 for an official visit on an invitation from Sri Lanka Air Force Chief, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhary, who joined the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in 1982, has an extensive experience of over 3,800 flying hours on various fighter jets, including MiG-21, MiG-23MF, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI. more..

Apr 28 (TM) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa alleges that, although the loss-making state institutions need to be reformed, the Government is planning to sell off the profit-making state institutions as well. Making a special statement regarding the IMF�s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Opposition Leader claimed that the Govt failed to secure the best IMF agreement for the country and its people, by reaching out for the global lender at the last moment. more..

Apr 28 (AD) Welisara Magistrate Thusitha Uduwawidana has deemed the deaths of the 11 inmates at the Mahara Prison, who were shot dead during a riot that erupted in 2020, a crime. The magistrate mentioned this on Thursday, delivering the verdict of the magisterial inquest on the incident. He, thereby, ordered the CID to immediately arrest the prison officers who were involved in the shooting and to produce them to court without delay. more..

Apr 28 (TM) COPA of the Parliament Chaired by Lasantha Alagiyawanna instructed the Dept of Police to dispose of the expired tear gas existing in all Police stations across the country. Senior Police officers had informed the COPA that the process of the disposal of expired tear gas has started and that they will never be used. This was when the Police was summoned before the COPA on Tuesday to examine the AG's report and the performance for the 2019-2021 period. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Opposition was not in a position to back the IMF/EFF facility at the vote scheduled to be taken on Friday as the govt had not submitted the entire agreement with the IMF, Chief Opposition Whip SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday. Participating in the three-day debate on the IMF/EFF facility, Kiriella said: �How could one expect us to vote for an agreement, part of which has been hidden from us. The agreement is yet to be tabled in this House. more..

Apr 28 (EN) SL�s central bank is projecting higher economic growth for the next five years with output recovering to 5% by 2027 compared to 3.1% by the IMF. SL�s economy is projected to contract 2% in 2023 and expand 3.3% in 2024, in projections released in the CB�s annual report. Growth will recover to -4% by 2025, 4.4% by 2026 and 5% by 2027. IMF is projecting -3% contraction in 2023, a recovery to 1.3% by 2024. more..

Apr 28 (CI) Ireland may have lost by an innings, but they batted for more than two days, scored almost 700 runs, and took the game deep into the fifth day. All in all, given the circumstances, this was an encouraging result, said captain Andy Balbirnie, after the second Test in Galle. Having been blown away in three days in the first Test, Ireland competed for large parts of the second. Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher hit maiden centuries, after Balbirnie had set the tone with his own 95. more..

Apr 28 (FT) Many analysts point out SLʼs extremely high military spending as one cause of the country�s financial crisis. It is believed that the right sizing of the armed forces within the next 5-10 years is of critical importance to economic recovery. As a percentage of GDP, SL spends nearly 2% on military expenses, considered extraordinarily high for a country that does not face a serious national security threat. Since the end of the war in 2009, military expenditure has consistently been on more..