Aug 21 (DM) Due to the prevailing dry weather conditions, only a total of 8,30,000 acre-feet of water capacity is available for use out of the water capacity in 73 major reservoirs, said Irrigation Det Engineer Sudarshi Widanapathirana. She said that 27.8% of the water is possible for use. "Among the total reservoirs, 62 have a capacity of less than 50% of water, and 14 reservoirs in Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Mannar districts have a capacity of less than 10%," she said. more..

Aug 21 (DM) A Safe Migration Promotion Unit (SMU) to prevent illegal emigration on forged visas through the BIA has been established at the departure terminal of the airport by Minister Manush Nanayakkara. The minister said several individuals had left for Oman, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates on forged visas and it has created serious issues. He said the Safe Migration Unit was established on the recommendations of the Ministry of Defense and the National Task Force more..

Aug 21 (EN) An opinion poll for July for presidential election voting intent showed that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has seen a steady rise in support though he is still behind opposition figures Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa. A SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) polling by IHP for July 2023 showed a rise in support for Wickremsinghe to 19% of likely voters, but he remains well behind NPP leader Anura more..

Aug 21 (DM) Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Rizly Illyas has confirmed stepping down from the post after what proved to be a highly controversial tenure which saw him in the battles all the time for all the wrong reasons. "I am very disheartened by what transpired in Court today.I trust that my stepping down from the post of President would clear the way for the effective functioning of SLR free from interference. Hence, in deference to the decision of Asia Rugby, I formally step down as more..

Aug 21 (CT) TNA Leader R. Sampanthan raised concerns over the escalating incidents of ethnic and religious extremism in the country, especially in N&E Provinces. Sampanthan also said that a lasting solution to the burning political issues of the Tamil people is in the hands of Prez Wickremesinghe and he is wholeheartedly willing to end the ethnic crisis that has been going on for decades. Sampanthan, responding to questions raised by journalists on the current political situation, more..

Aug 21 (CT) One of the most feared underworld leaders, Sanjeeva Kumara Samararatne, alias Ganemulle Sanjeeva, for whom a red notice had been issued by the Interpol, has been arrested, along with another underworld gang member, Amila Nuvan alias Gotha Asanka, by foreign security forces at the Indo-Nepal border. According to unofficial reports, Ganemulle Sanjeeva, an accused in numerous contracted murders more..

Aug 21 (AD) The heat index � the temperature felt on the human body � is expected to increase up to the �Caution� level at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and Hambantota District, the Meteorology Department said in a heat index advisory. The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on the body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. more..

Aug 21 (TM) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) is working on a pricing formula which would see water tariffs being adjusted on a biannual basis. NWSDB General Manager Dr. Wasantha Illangasinghe said that the pricing formula was currently under development. According to the NWSDB, the tariff adjustments may come online from December. �The pricing formula is under preparation. There is also an ADB policy package and they are supporting us to develop it, more..

Aug 22 (DM) While revealing that 50,000 acres of paddy lands have been destroyed by the prevailing drought leaving thousands of farmer families destitute, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said on Sunday that the extension of paddy fields affected might rise up to 100,000 acres in a few weeks. The current drought as usual has taken a heavy toll not only on agriculture but also on the wildlife resulting in animals dangerously set to roam in villages adjacent to the forests and more..

Aug 22 (DM) The recent statements made by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and those attributed to the leaders of SJB and SLPP make it clear that the 13th Amendment (13A) that devolves some powers to the Provinces has the tacit support of the SL political parties notwithstanding overt opposition to it. In his Address to Parliament on Aug 10, Prez stated the reasons for thinking that the 13A is necessary even as he said that the working of the Provincial Councils (PCs) set up under the 13A more..

Aug 22 (Roar) Right now, the urgency of clean water and organic food has garnered our attention. But, what about the air we breathe? Humans can survive for 30 days without eating, three days without drinking, yet only three minutes without breathing. In fact, 70% of what we consume is air, which amounts to just over 2,000 gallons per day. It�s no secret that outdoor air pollution worldwide is only getting worse, more..

Aug 22 (DM) The rallying cry in political circles nowadays is a call for snap elections as if that would produce a magic wand to solve the economic crisis. This coterie of newly minted champions of electoral rights comes in all hues, many of whom do not see eye to eye on many issues. By extension of their argument, the current govt does not have a political mandate to fix the country�s broken economy, implement the IMF program or pursue debt restructuring. more..

Aug 22 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has repeatedly declared that SL�s foreign policy is neutral. However, he and his govt, meaning the Foreign Ministry in particular, has not elaborated on how a policy of neutrality works in practice. Notwithstanding this lacuna, the policy of neutrality as the foreign policy was first adopted by former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his acceptance speech, perhaps, influenced by the six foreign policy options presented in an article titled more..

Aug 22 (SO) Undeniably, they experience a world without sound, yet this stands as their singular challenge. Nationally, we found ourselves trailing in discussions of equitable treatment for all within a backdrop of global shifts in technology, humanity, and social perspectives. Constituting a 2% of our populace, those grappling with hearing impairments underscore the pressing need for a comprehensive initiative to more..

Aug 22 (TM) Although many seem to think that what they endured last year in the form of power cuts, the shortages of goods and disrupted services was the worst part of the economic crisis, the people are gradually coming to terms with the reality that it was merely the tip of the iceberg. The food crisis and malnutrition, unbearable but mostly necessary tax hikes, restrictions pertaining to financial transactions, import restrictions and brain drain are the most noticeable elements of the long term impacts more..

Aug 22 (Island) No sooner had the Indian govt announced its decision to impose a 40% tax on onion exports to overcome a shortfall in the domestic supply than SL traders jacked up onion prices exponentially. They would not have reacted so swiftly to a drop in onion prices in the international market. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera is reported to have called for a report on the local onion production. He is worried that many farmers have stopped growing onions. more..

Aug 22 (CT) As of late, Agbo the wild elephant has been making headlines after the news of his injured leg, due to wounds from a trap gun, made the rounds. The elephant�s deteriorating condition is being monitored and taken good care of, the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation assures. This news came against the backdrop of the demise of Thekka Raja, another wild elephant, who suffered from gunshot wounds for nearly two months prior to his body being discovered more..

Aug 22 (ST) On Aug 9, a former chairman of the now-defunct Kankesanthurai Cement Factory (KKS) Gamini Ekanayaka made a complaint against State Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake. In his complaint to the CID, he alleged that Chamara Sampath was behind the theft of 22 million iron ore worth hundreds of millions at the factory premises. The following day State Minister Chamara Sampath told Parliament that if the charges can be proved, he�ll willingly surrender to the CID, more..

Aug 22 (ST) More than 50,000 acres of paddy and agricultural land have been destroyed due to the drought, according to estimates so far, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. The dip in paddy production is likely to have an impact on rice prices in the future, he warned. At least 13 districts have been adversely affected by the drought, causing crop damage, a scarcity of drinking water, the withering of vegetation, the deaths of more..

Aug 22 (ST) Royal College table tennis once again emerged champions in Under-20 and Under-16 titles and became Under-18 runners-up at the Western Province National School Games Table Tennis Tournament held at the Indoor Stadium in Bandaragama. Royal beat Ananda College 3-0 in the Under-20 final, and 3-0 in the Under-16 final. Ananda claimed the Under-18 title beating Royal 3-2 after a hard fought game, in the tournament where over 25 schools and 150s boys took part. more..

Aug 22 (DN) All arrangements have been finalized to conduct the 47th National Sports Festival on 24th, 25th and 26th August at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs together with the Dept of Sports Development is conducting the mega event under the leadership and guidance of the Minister of Sports, Roshan Ranasinghe. This is the great Sport event while it�s like our Olympics and all sports are included for this event which is conducted by Sports Ministry more..

Aug 22 (FT) The Capital Maharaja Group (CMG) has appointed Shameer Rasooldeen to its Main Board as a Group Director. At 37 years of age, he is the youngest sitting member of CMG�s Main Board. Prior to his appointment to the Board, Shameer was Director/CEO at A.F. Jones Exporters Ltd, the export arm of the Group. A well-known media personality, Shameer is a CNN Fellow, a Dag Hammarsjkold Fellow and a Chevening Fellow. He was among the Top 20 Young Leaders in Asia awarded by more..

Aug 22 (FT) The oldest university in the world Harvard Uni founded in 1636 is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning and research and believes in developing leaders who make a difference in the world. Harvard Alumni Entrepreneur (HAE) which is dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship, promotion of innovation and ideals of leadership and learning has appointed SL business leader Dr. Rohantha Athukorala to the Harvard Entrepreneur Alumni Indian Chapter more..

Aug 22 (Island) Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa thrower Mayon Rajasinghe, Mahanama College, Colombo sprinter Sithula Dulsara, Ananda Sastralaya, Mathugama sprinter B. Adithya and Tharani Nirmina of Holy Cross College, Gampaha were among the top athletes to make their presence felt with impressive performances as the three-day Western Province events of the Sir John Tarbat Junior Championships concluded more..

Aug 22 (DM) The foreboding specter of Circular Spot Leaf Disease (CSLD) looms ominously over our cherished rubber industry, casting a shadow of uncertainty. Identified by the vigilant eyes of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRISL), the lack of prompt action and viable solutions threatens to plunge our rubber cultivation into the abyss. CSLD, an international tormentor of rubber crops, has unleashed havoc and turmoil among growers across the globe. more..

Aug 22 (FT) The Inland Revenue Department has written to apartment management companies seeking information regarding owners and residents of the condominium properties to identify individuals who might be evading taxes and avoiding due process to collect such data. The move to request information from apartment management companies about condominium property owners and residents in Colombo has sparked controversy and raised ethical concerns. According to sources, more..

Aug 22 (FT) With the challenging business climate persisting in Sri Lanka, the $ 275 million-worth confectionery exporters have shifted to overseas production facilities to ensure their continued success on the global stage. �In the wake of a challenging business environment exacerbated by multiple crises, around five top confectionery export companies took the bold step of relocating their production facilities to more more..

Aug 22 (TM) The introduction of a minimum room rate (MRR) for Colombo city hotel rooms is to protect hoteliers from unfair treatment from destination management companies (DMCs) and influence the prices of hotel rooms in the rest of the country, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando has said. He said that DMCs have not passed on the benefit of tourism packages to direct service providers such as hoteliers as DMCs pre-book Colombo hotel rooms for an entire year at a set price. more..

Aug 22 (Island) The speed at which young Chartered Accountants leave for other countries has increased during the last 18 months due to the prevailing economic crisis in SL, president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA SL) Sanjaya Bandara said. �At present, out of 9000 members more than 40% has already left the country. But during the last 18 months, the number of young qualified Chartered Accountants going overseas has increased in a considerable manner, more..

Aug 22 (DN) Sri Lanka Tourism will launch a mega international destination marketing campaign on Dec 27 2023 with a budget of Rs. 1.4 billion. Chairman SL Tourism Promotion Bureau, (SLTPB) Chalaka Gajabahu said this would be a full scale fast tracked international promotional campaign and is being done in this magnitude after several years. �The promotion will focus on 14 countries including, China, India, Russia, UK, Germany which we have identified as key markets for SL.� more..

Aug 22 (DN) For the first time in South Asia an internationally accredited fire fighting training school will be opened in Galle targeting to attract local and foreign students to Sri Lanka. The two companies involved in this initiative, Association of Firefighters South Korea and Troja international management and consulting services Biyagama are targeting to attract students from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives to follow this six months course. Though there is huge demand in the world for more..

Aug 22 (Island) Having elected UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prez, in July last year, the SLPP couldn�t keep silent as the UNP leader took decisions that would have far reaching implications, Prof. G.L. Peiris warned. He asked the ruling SLPP parliamentary group to explain its stand regarding the Prez�s decision to sell SL Insurance Corporation and SLT. He emphasised that the SLPP couldn�t absolve itself of the responsibility more..

Aug 22 (FT) Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera assured that that the country will not face a rice shortage, as the current stocks of paddy and rice will be sufficient till the next harvest in the Maha season. He noted that 503,000 hectares were cultivated in the Yala season and due to the high yield in several districts the country will have adequate stocks. Despite the loss of crops in around 100,000 acres of paddy fields in the Yala season due to the ongoing drought, more..

Aug 22 (DN) The Nuwara Eliya Police said that one young man was killed and six others were injured and admitted to the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital when wasps attacked a group of people who went to cut firewood in the Nuwara Eliya Bambarakele Reserve. Sivakumaran Dilshan (17), a resident of Bambarakele Estate, Nuwara Eliya, died as a result of the wasp bites. Last Sunday (20), the deceased youth went to Bambarakele Reserve with another group to cut firewood. more..