Aug 22 (ST) The Dept of Trade and Investment Policy under the Finance Ministry has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the suspension of the import of vehicles for public sector employees on concessionary terms is still effective and therefore would apply to the diplomatic service as well. Dept officials said they had sent out the communication following a Foreign Ministry circular issued in June on the grounds that it may create a misconception that vehicles could be imported by more..

Aug 22 (CT) Two inmates have reportedly died of a bacteria, which has spread in the Galle Prison and other inmates have been given necessary treatment by the Epidemiology Dept of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, to stop further spread of the bacteria. According to the sources, these deaths have been caused by a bacteria named Meningococcal. Prisons Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake said that one inmate died yesterday and another on the day before. more..

Aug 22 (DN) There is a critical shortage of lecturers in the university system and the shortage of teachers in universities is close to 50%, an expert said. �There should be 11,900 teachers in the universities in SL, but there are currently less than 6,000. Due to this, in order to maintain the smooth functioning of university education, the lecturers have to carry an enormous workload,� President of FUTA Prof. Barana Jayawardana said. more..

Aug 22 (EN) Foreign investors in SL rupee bond reduced their holdings to 164.0 billion rupees in the week to Aug 17 from 174 billion rupees a week earlier. Foreign investments in rupee bonds fell to 2.8 billion rupees in 2022 amid currency crises triggered by money printed to cut rates and started to climb from around Sept 22, as confidence in the currency started to emerge. SL has an unstable pegged arrangement supported by the IMF called a flexible exchange rate which more..

Aug 22 (DM) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake made an open challenge calling to jail him if he had defrauded a single cent of the people as alleged by some. He said certain people claimed that the JVP maintained offshore accounts and just afterward, govt MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi said Anura Kumara should be jailed at least for a day. "I or anyone of our party have never defrauded a single cent of the people. If we have done so, we won't be able to do politics in this manner. more..

Aug 22 (TM) Claiming the misuse of over Rs. 12 billion through the payment of capacity charges to ACE Power Plant in Embilipitiya over the past 15 years, which allegedly amounts to several times the power plant�s actual value, Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) has urged COPE and AG�s Dept to look into the matter. ECA Chairman Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed that the Govt had paid more than Rs. 12 billion to ACE Power Plant more..

Aug 22 (AD) A heat index advisory with an Amber warning has been issued by the Dept of Meteorology for Wednesday in several parts of the island. Accordingly, the public have been warned by the Dept that the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase upto a level of caution in some areas of the Northern, North-Central and Eastern Provinces, and Moneragala District. Further, the public have been warned that prolonged activity or exposure to the sun could lead to fatigue, more..

Aug 22 (FT) While viewing the televised media conference held by our Cricket Board to defend allegations of what in some quarters is being referred to as silly maids in night watchwomen role, my mind went to a scene from the famous Godfather trilogy, an iconic movie of our time. The movie is about an immigrant Italian family in early 20th Century America. Hailing from Sicily the breeding ground of the infamous Mafia culture, the Corleone family gradually establish an empire of vice; more..

Aug 22 (FT) 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 (DDO/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 an executive presidency, more..

Aug 22 (DM) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs.10 billion each as damages from SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi for allegedly making a defamatory statement regarding him during a public meeting held on Aug 19 in Colombo. SLPP MP Sagara Kariyawasam and MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi had allegedly made remarks regarding allegations against NPP over its alleged investments more..

Aug 22 (DM) The melody of the National Anthem, which was sung by popular singer Umara Sinhawansa, was not according to the melody described in the Constitution, the investigation team of the Public Administration and Local Govt Ministry said. The report was handed over to the Public Administration Ministry secretary last Friday. Singer Umara Sinhawansa mispronounced a key lyric while performing the National Anthem more..

Aug 22 (EN) Sri Lanka is looking at the possibility of giving a govt guarantee as letters of credit issued from the island to import commercial vehicles are still not internationally recognized, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has said. Sri Lanka this month lifted a ban on the import of buses and several types of truck, imposed during a currency crisis triggered by rate cuts enforced with printed money, which eventually ended in sovereign default. Suppliers who met the Minister this week more..

Aug 22 (SLN) SL Navy apprehended 08 persons for engaging in illegal fishing using unauthorized nets, during a search operation conducted off Kallarawa, Trincomalee on 21st Aug. The operation also led to the seizure of 02 dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear used for this illegal act. The Navy conducts regular operations in the sea and coastal areas belonging to the island, with a view to prevent wide ranging illegal fishing practices. In a similar operation, SLNS Walagamba more..

Aug 22 (SLN) Claiming that salaries of MPs have not been increased for 20 years, State Minister Shantha Bandara raised concerns that the media had falsely reported that all 225 MPs have requested the import of duty-free vehicles. He told Parliament that the media had reported that MPs had requested to import duty-free vehicles and refuted the reports saying that it was false and said those responsible for spreading such reports more..

Aug 22 (CT) Registrar General�s Dept has officially announced the discontinuation of the practice of invalidating certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates after a period of six months from their issuance. As part of this update, the department has revoked the prior regulation that mandated the expiration of these documents after six months. To clarify, individuals possessing certified copies of certificates from the Registrar General�s Dept are no longer required more..

Aug 22 (EN) Shares closed down on Tuesday, on profit taking and selling interest in the banking sector after favorable performance indications combined with anticipations on lowered rates and better economic outlooks on investment, an analyst said. ASPI was down 0.52% or 59.47 points to 11,279.03, this is the lowest the market has been since Aug 15, while S&P SL20 was down 1.05% or 34.14 points to 3,204.26. A team from the IMF will be in Sri Lanka from Sept 14 to 27 more..

Aug 22 (AD) Minister Mahinda Amaraweera points out that the prices of rice are likely to increase in the near future as the govt does not have buffer stocks of rice and paddy, and that the private sector owns the largest buffer stock of rice and paddy. Accordingly, steps will be taken to brief the Cabinet of Ministers on how the increase in rice prices would affect the consumers, the minister added. Meanwhile, a total extent of 46,904 acres of paddy cultivation was destroyed by more..

Aug 22 (DM) The price of alcoholic drinks should be reduced to enable an increase in sales and state revenue, State Minister Diana Gamage told Parliament today. �Govt could increase its revenue if prices of alcoholic drinks are increased. More people will purchase alcoholic drinks if prices are reduced. Tax revenue could be increased when more people purchase alcoholic drinks. If not we will have to ban alcohol in Sri Lanka and close the Excise Department,� State Minister said. more..

Aug 22 (AD) Road Development Authority (RDA) has informed the Kimbulawala street food vendors to remove their stalls within a period of 14 days. A senior officer of the RDA mentioned that two-storey stalls have now been built without permission, in a way that obstructs the vehicular movement. RDA further emphasized that this decision was arrived at in consideration of the increased number of complaints received by more..

Aug 22 (TM) The Joint Council for Professionals of Supplementary Medicine (JCPSM) has informed the Ministry of Health that it has decided to go on strike on 24 August in protest against the conditions obstructing the updating of the paramedic service. JCPSM President Ravi Kumudesh said that they have been seeking, very reasonably and patiently, for a long time, to get the authorities to make timely changes that must be made to the paramedic service. more..

Aug 22 (Island) Local intelligence services have issued orders to their operatives to collect and process information pertaining to all parties and individuals involved in creating disturbances and unrest over the Kurundimale temple in Mullaitivu. They have responded to the leak of Indian intelligence reports warning of imminent communal riots that could be created by the disputes and controversies over the temple. Senior local intelligence officers said that the orders more..

Aug 22 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in discussions with Singapore�s PM Lee Hsien Loong earlier today. Focal point of these discussions was the reinforcement of collaborative efforts between the two nations. Leaders emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation and explored avenues for increased economic involvement. In the aftermath of this significant meeting, a pivotal step more..

Aug 22 (CT) A private shrimp farm, operated by a Seafood Company, has discharged toxic effluents in large quantities into the waterway which passes through the Vidathalthivu sanctuary, environmentalists alleged. According to the environmentalists,toxic effluents are released into a highly environmentally sensitive Vidathalthivu lagoon leading to the contamination of the nearby sea waters. The shrimp farm operates 10 metres away from the other side of the A 32, on the road more..

Aug 22 (DM) An airborne drone camera over the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises was shot down by the SL Air Force when the first Kumbal procession was parading last night, and a Chinese tourist was arrested on suspicion. The 43-year-old Chinese suspect had focused the drone camera on the route of the procession, only to be shot down by the SLAF providing protection to the procession. Later, the drone camera lying about a kilometre away from Sri Dalada Maligawa was recovered by officers. more..

Aug 22 (AD) Colombo Lotus Tower Ltd. has taken measures to establish educational viewing points at the tower�s observation deck, as a proactive measure to also prevent incidents of vandalism. The educational content displayed at the viewing points shows information including the location, directions and distance to some of Colombo�s iconic locales, which are visible from the top of the tower. Furthermore, this assists the visitors to be self-educated on which points more..

Aug 22 (DM) SL spinner Prabath Jayasuriya who had a successful stint in the Test match series against Pakistan was adjudged the CEAT Test bowler at the CEAT Cricket Awards ceremony held in Mumbai while Kane Williamson of NZ was named the best Test batsman of the year. India�s Shubman Gill stole the limelight as he grabbed three awards including the Men�s Int'l Cricketer of the year. Former Test players Madan Lal and Karsan Ghavri were bestowed with Lifetime Achievement Awards. more..

Aug 22 (EN) State-run Rupavahini Corporation has made large losses and the Treasury has given 3,052 million rupees in taxpayer money over 9 years to keep the enterprise afloat. In 2014 the Treasury had given Rupavahini 182 million rupees; in 2015, 374 million rupees; in 2016, 273 million; in 2017, 196 million; 2018, 295 million; in 2019, 468 million; in 2020, 273 million; in 2021, 229 million; in 2022, 541 million and so far in 2023, 253 million rupees. more..

Aug 22 (TM) Following Public Security Minister Tiran Alles instructing the relevant authorities to initiate action against inefficient senior Police officers and OIC of Police stations who allegedly fail to curb various acts of crime in their respective areas, several such officers have been transferred to other areas. IGP Chandana Wickramaratne had recently informed Alles that the increase in murders and crimes in certain Provinces had been caused by the inefficiency of certain senior Police officers more..

Aug 22 (DM) Sri Lanka was kicked out of Asia Games Rugby 7s as the official tournament draw was announced today with Nepal taking the Tuskers spot despite a failed attempt from National Olympic Committee (NOC) at the eleventh hour. Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Executive Director Hasan Sinhawansa last month stated how they are working closely with the Ministry of Sports and NOC in order to bring rugby back to its glory days. In fact they even announced a 38-member provisional squad more..

Aug 22 (TM) In the wake of the parents of Pastor Jerome Fernando, the latter who allegedly made a statement insulting Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, requesting to coordinate a meeting with the Chief Prelates (Mahanayakas) of the main Buddhist Sects, to apologise for the controversial statements made by their son, Chief Prelate of Ramanna Sect � Southern Province, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said that more..

Aug 22 (CT) A heated verbal exchange between General Secretary of the CWC and Cabinet Minister Jeevan Thondaman, and the management of the Ratwatte Estate, on the Elkaduwa Plantation, in the Matale District, escalated into a tense situation yesterday over the demolishing of a plantation worker�s tin house, citing it was an illegal dwelling place. The confrontation stemmed from the actions of an assistant manager of the estate who, accompanied by a team of workers, more..

Aug 22 (TM) Sri Lanka has failed to achieve the tax revenue target of Rs. 1,300 billion set out for the first half (H1) of 2023 by the IMF under the EFF as Govt has managed to achieve 92% of the target, Central Bank data revealed. According to the recent weekly report published by the CB, Sri Lanka has recorded a total revenue of Rs. 1,317.05 billion for the first six months of 2023, recording a 43% increase year on year (Y-o-Y), out of which Rs 1,198.85 billion are tax revenue. more..

Aug 23 (DM) Since the financial meltdown in 2022, and following the US$ 2.9 billion IMF reform programme that commenced in late March 2023, our economy has begun to show signs of recovery from its worst economic crisis since independence. Our foreign exchange reserves have improved thanks largely to rising tourist arrivals. The tourist industry has showcased an impressive rebound in the first half of 2023, with earnings reaching nearly $ 1 billion, along with steady growth in arrivals. more..

Aug 23 (TM) One positive aspect of the economic crisis that broke out last year (2022) is that it drew the people�s attention to a number of questionable matters that had created a breeding ground for the economic crisis to grow but had remained unchecked for decades. While inadequacies and irregularities in the country�s political culture and financial discipline are at the top of that list, more related issues are now being discussed and addressed. more..

Aug 23 (DM) Traditional medicine practitioners have alleged that the govt is attempting to hastily amend the Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 with the expectation of gaining US$ 28 million. Traditional medicine practitioners Dr. Kamal Weerapperuma and Dr. Washington Galhenage Nanayakkara have filed a case before the Supreme Court seeking legal assistance against the proposed amendments which they claim are not in more..

Aug 23 (DM) The replacement of Sarath Liyanage, Chairman of SPC, with Dr. Mendis has been likened to changing pillows. However, we emphasize that the real solution lies in adopting the Prof. Bibile Formula with necessary adjustments to address current needs. Prescription drugs, administered by doctors, rank as the third leading cause of death, following heart disease and cancer. In �Deadly Medicines and Organised Crime: How Big Pharma Has Corrupted Healthcare,� Peter Gotzsche more..