Aug 18 (CT) Perhaps one of most dire and the longest lasting effects of the debilitating pandemic and the crippling economic crisis that followed, was the impact it had on the primary schoolchildren in SL. In an alarming revelation, Ministry of Education, aided by UNICEF, has found that 85% of children in Grade 3 have not achieved the minimum literacy and numeracy levels, due to prolonged school closures and sporadic disruptions to their education over the past three years. more..

Aug 18 (CT) It could have been his final journey if not for the efforts of environmentalists and concerned citizens. Being taken away from home to a location hundreds of kilometres of distance apart is too overwhelming even for a human being. Nonetheless, Chandi had been removed from his home thrice. The once-giant elephant � now feeble, almost blind, and severely wounded � miraculously managed to more..

Aug 18 (TM) The Govt this week stated that it has identified a need to transform the existing preschool education system by upgrading it to meet international standards. While this is indeed a commendable decision, it is not one that is new. In the recent past, both the presidential manifestos of key candidates, and annual reports by the Ministry of Education have flagged this need. The lack of investment, quality control and regulations for the preschool education sector has been more..

Aug 18 (GV) Child abandonment, a distressing issue with far reaching consequences, has reached alarming proportions in SL. Within this year, ECPAT Sri Lanka�s media monitoring team has recorded 10 incidents of child abandonment where most children were newborns. In Ambalangoda, a six month old infant and a nine year old boy discovered abandoned by their mother were rescued by a compassionate trishaw driver. The driver recounted that a distressed woman had approached more..

Aug 18 (ST) Moves by the Israeli Govt to share agricultural expertise in Sri Lanka through a proposed centre for excellence in the transfer of agricultural technology have been welcomed by local experts. The use of micro-irrigation techniques, which have already been used in limited ways, is one of the key attractions that the experts believed could be used in agricultural lands in arid areas. With regular drought conditions experienced, an expansion of their technology more..

Aug 18 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s statement that the govt would not heed orders or advice from any other party except Parliament with regard to the debt optimisation measures or domestic debt restructuring (DDR) has been condemned by Opposition parties, civil society groups, and lawyers� groups as an attempt to undermine the judiciary. Lawyers for Democracy stated that �for one arm of govt, which has considerable power in the form of more..

Aug 18 (ST) The number of suicides has been fluctuating between 3,000 and 3,500 a year for the past 10 years, with an average of eight deaths or more every day. In the first quarter of 2023, there were 816 deaths by suicide. In 2021 and 2022, there were 3,279 and 3,074 suicides, respectively. �Suicide is a cause of both psychological and psychiatric factors often associated with undiagnosed mental more..

Aug 18 (ST) Former Ceylon cricketer Dayananda Sahabandu, well known as Daya Sahabandu passed away this week at the age of 83. His funeral took place last evening at the Jawatte cemetery. Born on March 28, 1940 in Colombo he went on to become a crafty left-arm spinner during the pre-Test era. He attended Royal College Colombo, where he played First XI cricket from 1957 to 1960 before earning his place in Ceylon team in the 1960s. In 18 First Class games he turned out for Ceylon between more..

Aug 18 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is going full tilt to grant more powers to the Provincial Councils (PCs) though the SLPP, which is propping him up, having elevated him to the presidency, has resisted his efforts to implement the 13th Amendment (13A) fully. Amidst the ongoing argy-bargy over 13A, Finance Commission of SL has revealed that the expenditure related to the PCs has increased, according to media reports. The PCs are currently without elected members, and more..

Aug 18 (FT) It has been just over a year since SL faced its most severe economic crisis. In its aftermath, the nation�s exporters are urgently exploring all avenues to improve its quantitative and qualitative benchmarks. In the face of significant challenges, the nation�s leading apparel companies believe that doubling down on ESG-focused innovation as a national USP is the only way forward. The rationale is simple: SL�s economies of scale limit its ability to compete purely on more..

Aug 18 (FT) A new era in agriculture irrigation dawned as Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd. inaugurated the Inotec polyethylene pipe manufacturing plant. Nestled within the Lindel Industrial Zone, Sapugaskanda, this landmark facility will revolutionise SL�s agricultural practices, offering advanced irrigation solutions. Distinguished guests, including the Chief Guest Ministry of Agriculture Secretary Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Hayleys CEO Mohan Pandithage, more..

Aug 18 (EN) 85% percent of grade 3 children in SL are not achieving minimum proficiency in literacy and numeracy, UNICEF said also noting that the country ranks the lowest in South Asia in education spending. Citing a ministry of education-led national assessment, UNICEF said in a statement that proficiency in literacy and numeracy is essential in grade 3 children�s transition to secondary school & beyond, both in life/work. more..

Aug 18 (PMD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged officials to accelerate efforts towards the goal of attracting 5 million tourists annually to Sri Lanka. These directives were issued during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (16), where he engaged with a committee responsible for assessing the progress of Sri Lanka�s tourism industry enhancement program and proposing measures to establish the country as a prominent tourist destination. During the discussion, more..

Aug 18 (Island) The aura surrounding Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League has slipped and the team with the new winning formula is Dambulla Aura, who did so well during the league stage of the tournament to top the group. They continued their impressive run in the first Qualifier knocking off Galle Titians yesterday at RPS to book a berth in the finals. Dambulla Aura have got both the fire power in top of the order and batters who could consolidate and a run chase of 147 proved more..

Aug 18 (TM) Electricity Consumers� Association (ECA) claimed that numerous irregularities are likely to occur in the proposed emergency power purchase process and that they intend to inform the relevant parties, including the PUCSL and the Opposition political parties, regarding such. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that of the four private plants available for emergency power purchasing in SL, Cabinet had accepted more..

Aug 18 (FT) WindForce PLC, in collaboration with Lakdhanavi Ltd., and The Blue Circle Ltd., is set to undertake Sri Lanka�s largest private-sector renewable energy project. This is a 100 MW solar power plant with a transmission facility to be set up in Siyambaladuwa, Monaragala District. With a total investment of $ 152 million, this landmark venture represents a significant milestone in the country�s transition towards clean energy. Scheduled for completion before the end of 2025, more..

Aug 18 (DM) PM Dinesh Gunawardena who is currently in Kunming, China, has called for joint efforts by SL and China to promote tourism between the two countries. �Chinese tourist arrivals have been one of the key strengths of the SL tourism industry. Mainly thanks to an announcement made in February this year by Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, placing SL among the Top 20 countries for tourism. I take this opportunity to call for a joint effort between our countries to enhance more..

Aug 18 (AD) A fire broke out in a chemical storage facility in the Homagama Industrial Zone at around 8.30 pm today (17). Seven fire trucks from Kotte and Horana fire departments have been dispatched to the scene to douse the flames at the chemical factory. In addition, a special team of Army personnel has also been dispatched to assist in the fire extinguishing efforts. Meanwhile, DMC has advised the residents of Homagama to wear face masks to avoid smoke inhalation. more..

Aug 18 (MFA) Minister Ali Sabry held a briefing on current developments in SL for the Colombo-based diplomatic corps on Wednesday (16). Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane was also associated with the briefing. At the outset, Foreign Minister said that the meeting was a continuation of regular briefings organized by the Ministry to share information on current developments in the country. Minister outlined key developments including recent financial stabilization measures, more..

Aug 18 (EN) National People�s Power (NPP) has rejected calls for an alliance with other opposition parties. JVP frontliner K D Lal Kantha said speaking at an event on Wednesday August 16 that his party does not want to form alliances with what he called rotting parties. �We�re getting suggestions these days, asking we can team up with the SJB or with Dullas or with this one or that one to kick Ranil out. No, we can�t,� he said. more..

Aug 18 (AD) The COPF has instructed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to declare the selling price of wheat flour per kilogram as Rs.198 in order to prevent two major companies from making excessive profits and to protect the consumers. This was discussed when the committee met on August 15, chaired by Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was appointed as the pro tem chairperson in the absence of Dr. Harsha de Silva, the Parliamentary Communications Department said. more..

Aug 18 (AD) PUCSL has granted approval for CEB to procure 100MW of Electricity Generation Capacity for 06 months on short term basis. The approval of PUCSL has been granted to the transmission licensee under section 43(4)(c)(ii) of L Electricity Act No.20 of 2009 (as amended) to proceed with the procurement process for adding a generation capacity of 100MW in the southern area on short term basis for period of 6 months from 18th August 2023 subjected to the following conditions. more..

Aug 18 (PMD) In a bid to fortify SL�s fiscal stability and streamline revenue collection by enhancing the state tax mechanism, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Planning, revealed that necessary measures have been initiated to promptly amend the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Acknowledging certain officials� underperformance within Inland Revenue Dept, Aluthgamage emphasized that the new Inland Revenue more..

Aug 18 (FT) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Deputy General Manager Anoja Kaluarachchi addressing a press conference urged the public to use water sparingly amidst the dry weather conditions faced by the country. �The water levels of reservoirs across the country has reduced by 50% but the overall daily purified drinking water supply capacity of the NWSDB has decreased only by 9%. We are continuously supplying water to households,� she noted. more..

Aug 18 (TM) Although the Police is to initiate action recommended by the one-member committee that investigated the incident of then-State Minister of Prison Management and incumbent State Minister Lohan Ratwatte allegedly forcibly entering the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons and intimidating several inmates in 2021 once the directions of the Cabinet of Ministers are received, the relevant report is yet to reach the Cabinet. more..

Aug 18 (TM) Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies is to establish the Casinos and Gambling Regulatory Authority before the end of this year (2023), and following the same, many laws related to casinos and gambling are to be revised in the future. Sources within the Legal Affairs Division in the Ministry said that the Ministry has reviewed all the existing laws related to the subject and that new laws will strengthen the revenue generating capacity of the country more..

Aug 18 (DM) A group of SJB MPs together with MPs from other parties have initiated new moves to bring Members of Parliament of all parties to form a joint group to ensure economic justice, the Daily Mirror reliably learned. These MPs have decided to call the group the MPs Guild for Economic Justice. The SJB MPs who are to form this group said even ruling party MPs are expected to join the group. The MPs are expected to make an announcement on the move next week. more..

Aug 18 (CT) Minister Jeevan Thondaman yesterday predicted that the available water reserves would be enough for only the next two months. He said the distribution of pure pipe-borne drinking water to consumers has been impacted and only 10% of what was available prior to the sparking of the El Nino situation in the country, is available now. Minister said this amidst NWSDB urging the public to use water sparingly, more..

Aug 19 (CT) It is a tragedy that SL has seen fit to follow the line expounded by the carbon emitters and polluters of the environment. The official line seems to be that our forests like the Sinharajah can absorb the carbon dioxide emitted by burning fossil fuels. This demonstrates both a lack of science and sensitivity to our history. Science tells us that forests that are mature, like the Sinharajah, do not absorb or sequester very much carbon as their potential for absorbing carbon is already filled up. more..

Aug 19 (DM) A reminder of the question Which came first: the chicken or the egg. The public uprising that shook the country last year was not an event organised by any political party or organization. It was largely a spontaneous response by the people to the unprecedented effects of an unprecedented economic crisis on their day-to-day life. Gota Go Home, the main slogan of that uprising commonly called Aragalaya (The struggle) was also impulsively chosen by the protesting crowds, more..

Aug 19 (CT) It was not the first time that Ranil Wickremesinghe had attended the annual feast of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar. He had previously taken part in the hallowed feast while serving as the PM and as the Opposition Leader during his eventful political career. It is said that the connection between Wickremesinghe and the Sacred Church had come about due to the intervention of Late UNP MP more..

Aug 19 (DM) Sri Lanka is going through a prolonged period of dry weather this year. However, this is not the first time such variations in the climate have adversely affected this country. We underwent similar dry spells during the Presidencies of Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa. The failure of the monsoon causes prolonged periods of dry weather leading to power cuts and crop failures. But there was little anyone could do to stop the damage to agricultural production more..

Aug 19 (DM) The conduct and pronouncements of some prominent Sinhala Buddhist monks have in recent times contributed greatly towards the deterioration of inter-ethnic amity and inter-faith relations in this country. It is indeed a matter of grave concern that the antics of these patriotic Buddhist monks have created a very negative image of the Buddhist clergy among the Island�s non -Buddhists in general and North-eastern Tamils in particular. The disproportionate coverage provided by more..

Aug 19 (CT) The US State Department�s Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption, Richard Nephew, visited Colombo on 9 Aug for a series of engagements. During his visit, he met the acting Justice Minister, representatives from the media, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders. In a candid discussion, Nephew emphasised the detrimental impact of corruption on economies and its potential to undermine effective more..

Aug 19 (Island) Former Minister Mervyn Silva, who became a law unto himself during the Mahinda Rajapaksa govt, which unashamedly shielded him, has embarked on a much-advertised mission to save Buddhism. He has been looking for a cause to champion in a bid to make a comeback, and he is now trying to protect Buddhism, which in fact has to be saved from the likes of him. Speaking at a hurriedly-summoned press conference, Silva declared, the other day, that he would not more..

Aug 19 (ST) A collector and trader of scrap items has been arrested for dumping scrap items into the sea, a Beruwala fisheries inspection officer said. He said they had found the man sorting out scrap items which could be sold to make profit and dumping the unwanted scrap items in to the sea during day and the night. They saw the man dumping scrap items from an area near a light house situated close to the Beruwala Maradana fisheries harbour. They said the man caused severe harm to environment more..