Aug 29 (FT) Recognising the significance of the shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world is critical not only in responding to the global climate crisis, but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Youth Co: Lab National Youth Dialogue 2023 in SL was held in Colombo under the theme Growing Green Talents: Unlocking Youth Potential through Up skilling for Sustainable Development. At the event held in line with Int'l Youth Day commemorations more..

Aug 29 (ST) LTL Holdings, the engineering company in SL specialising in the power sector, is planning an initial public offering (IPO) to expand in the region with new ventures. �We have made an application to the Colombo Stock Exchange. The valuations are being done at the moment. We are likely to issue 20% of the shares of LTL Holdings where all the power projects come under,� LTL Holdings CEO, Nuhuman Marikkar said. The IPO comes on the back of LTL Holdings� subsidiary, Lakdhanavi, more..

Aug 29 (AD) The F�d�ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has decided to lift the suspension imposed on the SL Football Federation (FFSL) with immediate effect, FIFA announced. Accordingly, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will continue to monitor the situation until the FFSL elections are held on 29 Sept 2023, according to FIFA. In a circular to member associations, more..

Aug 29 (MFA) 5th Round of SL - Thailand Bilateral Political Consultations was held on 28 Aug at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. SL delegation was led by Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardane, and the Thai delegation was headed by Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan. During the discussion, a wide range of areas of mutual collaboration in the fields of trade & investment, defence, culture, fisheries & tourism more..

Aug 29 (AD) PM Dinesh Gunawardena instructed officials to solve the administrative problems of Samurdhi officials before the upcoming budget. He stated this during a meeting held at the Temple Trees to discuss the unresolved issues of Samurdhi officials. The trade unions stated that there is a delay in the implementation of the decisions taken during the discussions regarding these issues that arose with the absorption of the Samurdhi Authority into a department. more..

Aug 29 (TM) Claiming that several State Ministers including himself have been hindered from fulfilling their duties and responsibilities due to the actions of the respective Cabinet Ministers, State Minister Premalal Jayasekara said that they (affected State Ministers) would soon inform Prez of the matter. He said that even though it has been several months since he assumed office as State Minister of Ports and Aviation, he has not had opportunity more..

Aug 29 (CI) We never appreciate something until it is gone. With Asia Cup, it is the opposite. We appreciate it only while it's there. Not before. Not after. The trophy doesn't go on a tour, ESPNcricinfo runs no 50-day countdown for it, and hell, there isn't even a comment piece criticising scheduling delays and the unavailability of online tickets. And then we act surprised every time the Asia Cup actually starts. At times it seems an even better tournament than the World Cup. Here's why. more..

Aug 29 (CI) Sri Lanka's bowling stocks have been ravaged by injury, with Dilshan Madushanka now ruled out of the Asia Cup, and Lahiru Kumara also likely to be unavailable. This, after Dushmantha Chameera had earlier been ruled out of the tournament as well. Legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga is also recovering from a grade two strain in the thigh, and may not play a part in the Asia Cup, depending on the speed of his recovery as well as Sri Lanka's longevity in the tournament. more..

Aug 29 (Island) SL companies are currently facing the major challenge of finding and recruiting financial professionals. This has become a nightmare for certain entities because such qualified personnel are leaving the country, Aruna Perera, president, Chartered Financial Analysts Association of SL (CFA) said. �Today the cream of the financial professionals has already left the country due to the absence of law and order, the breakdown in the educational system for their children and more..

Aug 29 (FT) Anticipation is running high as SL Tourism gears up to surpass the 900,000 arrivals milestone by tomorrow, coinciding with the craze of cricket enthusiasts gathering for the 16th Edition of the Asia Cup. During the first 27 days of August, Sri Lanka welcomed 123,285 tourists, pushing the year-to-date (YTD) arrivals to 891,198. Surpassing of 900,000 arrivals signifies the largest influx of tourists to SL in 3 years. After experiencing robust growth with a daily average influx of over 5,000 more..

Aug 29 (EN) Successive govts in SL have left behind a country riddled with corruption and indebted to the world, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, despite allegations that his own party has contributed to the status quo. Dissanayake said SL voters elected different govts over the years with many unfulfilled expectations. �Govts were formed to end corruption, to punish those who engage in corruption, to escape debt trap, more..

Aug 29 (CT) Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, stated that Duminda Nagamuwa, of the Frontline Socialist Party, is untraceable, despite repeated requests from the CID for him to provide a statement regarding his claim about a joint investment done by Minister Alles and the JVP. Minister said, �Nagamuwa alleged that the JVP and I invested money together. In response to this allegation, I took the necessary steps. I filed a complaint with the CID and provided a statement. more..

Aug 29 (FT) FPC member Prof. G.L. Peiris revealed that a broad political alliance to be formed will seek to remove the current Govt within the upcoming year. �The people are undergoing unprecedented suffering, necessitating the urgent replacement of the current Govt in the coming year. The formation of a comprehensive political alliance is crucial for achieving this goal. We have initiated a well-structured plan towards this objective and are currently engaged in discussions,� more..

Aug 29 (AD) One of 6 students of the Rajarata Uni who had allegedly trespassed into the university�s swimming pool complex, has drowned in the swimming pool. A group of first year students studying in the Faculty of Management at the Rajarata Uni had reportedly entered the swimming pool complex without permission to swim in the pool. VC of Rajarata Uni, Mrs. Sanjeewani Ginigaddara emphasized that the incident had taken place as a result of the students behaving in an unsafe more..

Aug 29 (FT) SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardhana criticised the Govt�s choice to proceed with an immediate lens purchase amidst allegations of fraud relating to the procurement process. �Patients have tragically paid with their lives due to the breakdown of the Ministry of Health, while taxpayers are bearing the brunt of fraud with their public funds being syphoned off in the guise of purchasing necessary medicines and equipment,� he said. �The best example is the deliberate manipulation more..

Aug 29 (DM) Sri Lanka will have a low profile approach to the upcoming session of the UNHRC scheduled to start next month. UNHRC adopted the resolution 51/1 on SL last year. The resolution calls for the Office of the High Commissioner to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the situation of human rights in SL, including on progress in reconciliation and accountability, and on the impact of the economic crisis and corruption on more..

Aug 29 (DM) A young female marketing executive from a private sector institution has died after attending a wedding reception in Gonapola, Horana. The deceased, Manjari Fernando (25), was an unmarried resident of Meegoda and worked as a marketing executive at a private company in Batuvita, Horana. Manjari had reportedly enjoyed well and danced with others during the wedding reception. However, she had fallen ill and was rushed to the Horana Base Hospital, more..

Aug 29 (DM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa responded to discussions surrounding the recent rocket launch by India, emphasizing that people often associate it with the rocket sent by his brother. He said he was asked this in parliament as well. "The rocket was sent by my brother as a private sector project. If there is govt investment in it, it should be brought before the COPE committee. "But we cannot question an investment made by a private businessman. more..

Aug 29 (TM) Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has raised concerns about the extent of the desire of the Catholic community, including the Catholic Church, to uncover the truth behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019. The media queried Alles regarding the Catholic Church's response to the Govt following the receipt of the complete report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that investigated terror attacks, more..

Aug 29 (FT) As pointed out in the previous two parts, Social Market Economy to be set up in Sri Lanka has been qualified by two attributes by its proponents. It is to be knowledge-based and it is competitive. Knowledge-based means that the economy will be dependent on �the quantity, quality and accessibility of information available instead of traditional means of production that are normally used for economic activities. Sri Lanka being a relatively resource-poor country more..

Aug 29 (FT) The resolution to implement the Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) Program proposed by the subject Ministry and approved by the Cabinet and the Parliamentary Committee of Public Finance, was passed in Parliament by a majority vote of 122/62 on 1 July 2023. Certain members of the Opposition, as well as civil society and professional groups including those of the legal profession, have been engaged in a discourse on whether the comments made by the Prez more..

Aug 29 (AD) The police officer arrested in connection with the custodial death of a housemaid named R. Rajakumari has been placed behind bars on remand until Sept 11, on the orders of Colombo Magistrate�s Court. Sub-Inspector attached to Welikada Police, who was arrested by the CID, was produced before the court earlier today. Rajakumari, 41, a resident of Badulla, was arrested on May 11 based on a complaint made by her employer, famed producer Sudharma Nethicumara,t more..

Aug 29 (EN) Cabinet of ministers had cleared an amendment to the value added tax law to abolish SVAT, a scheme given to exporters to avoid delays in VAT refunds. Attorney General had approved the amendment and the cabinet had cleared to bill to be published in the gazette. Exporters had protested the abolition of SVAT which allowed imports of inputs without VAT. Cash strapped SL had not refunded VAT on imported inputs (exports are zero rated) making SL�s exports uncompetitive. more..

Aug 29 (DM) SL has experienced a dramatic surge in HIV/AIDS cases during the second half of 2023, marking the highest number of cases reported in a single quarter since 2009. SL has recorded 181 new HIV cases, reflecting a nine percent increase compared to the previous quarter in 2023, which saw 165 cases. The second quarter ranges from April to June. This also represents a significant 39% increase compared to more..

Aug 29 (FT) Food and beverage experts on Friday issued a clarion call for SL to revitalise its crop cultivation efforts to seize greater market access, boost earnings, and emerge as a formidable player in the global arena. The urgency for this transformation was emphasised during the National Food and Beverage Conference 2023 held last Friday, which brought together industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to chart a course towards maximising the int'l market potential more..

Aug 29 (FT) FitsAir, Sri Lanka�s first and only privately-owned low-cost airline and subsidiary of Aberdeen Holdings has been adjudged as Asia�s most punctual airline in July 2023. Outflying its peers, FitsAir proudly earned the prestigious accolade for maintaining an impressive 100% on-time performance across its network of international flights. Reaffirming its unwavering dedication to consistently deliver on-time flights and hassle-free journeys for its passengers, more..

Aug 29 (HT) SL asked China to revise arrival of the ship and the permission to dock may be given after Prez Wickremesinghe visits China in October. Confusion prevails in SL over granting permission to Chinese Research vessel Shi Yan 6 to conduct ocean survey off the island nation in October after New Delhi raised its serious concerns with the Ranil Wickremesinghe govt. Ship is as of now slated to arrive on October 25 and said to conduct more..

Aug 29 (DM) Influential US Senator Chris Van Hollen arrived in SL as a part of a 3-nation (SL, Nepal and Maldives) tour and will focus on ways the US can further assist efforts to overcome SL�s economic crisis and discuss the way forward on human rights and reconciliation. Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations is to hold key govt officials, civil society organizations, industry leaders etc. more..

Aug 29 (TM) The proposed amendment of the Parliamentary Standing Orders (SOs) to expel Parliamentarians who commit various offences and tarnish the image of the Parliament will take a considerable period of time, says Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ajith Rajapakse. Minister Susil Premajayantha had said that Govt aims to discuss the issue with Opposition groups and consider the amendment of the relevant Standing Orders that will enable the expulsion of MPs accused of more..

Aug 29 (AD) The Cabinet has given the approval to import 92.1 million eggs from India during the next 3 months, Minister Bandula Gunawardena says. A resolution in this regard, furnished by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies, was green-lighted at the Cabinet meeting on Monday. Accordingly, the SL govt has called quotations from 3 Indian companies recommended by the Dept of Animal Production & Health. more..

Aug 29 (CT) A Police sergeant, who was on duty at the official residence of the District Judge on Beach Road in Matara, was found dead, with gunshot injuries, yesterday morning. Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had phoned his home yesterday (28) morning and asked whether his child had gone to school. He had also requested to prepare two lunch packets for him and his fellow officer, who had been deployed at the District Judge�s residence. more..

Aug 29 (EN) SL has adequate water for hydropower generation for 80 to 90 days and the state-run CEB can continue to supply power without interruption even without rain, CEB Senior Engineers� Union said. Media spokesman for the union Nandika Pathirage said that, in light of the PUCSL approving the purchase of up to 100 megawatts of emergency power for six months, and with more rain forecast for the weeks ahead, more..

Aug 29 (CT) The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has taken the grievances, assailing the State Health Service, to the UNHRC in Geneva calling for its intervention to arrest the current crisis affecting the State health service. President MCPA, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa lamented that a considerable sum of money has been wasted during the last two years due to the poor health administration and management. more..

Aug 29 (EN) SL exports fell 11.9% in July 2023 from a year ago to US$ 1,027.2 million with double digit falls to key export destinations. In the 7 months to July 2023, exports were down 10.2% to US$ 6,898 million. Exports to the US, the top buyer of SL products fell 15.6% to US$ 253.7 million from a year ago. Exports to the UK were US$ 73.42 million, down 22.8%, to Germany US$ 50.46 million US down 24.2%, to Italy US$ 59.02 mil down 7.61% and to Netherlands US$ 27.55 mil down 10.7%. more..

Aug 29 (DM) Charcoal production in a country could be a major source of energy, but it also stirs controversy as its association with deforestation and adverse environmental impacts. The charcoal from wood is produced by heating it at a high temperature in a closed space without oxygen; the process known as Anaerobic Heating. In this process, the wood becomes bone dry at 100�C, and a further rise in temperature to 300�C more..

Aug 29 (TM) Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has sent around 10-15 turtle carcasses that had washed ashore along the stretch of beach from Negombo to Kalutara last week to Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), requesting a detailed report with autopsy findings about the incident. MEPA Chairman Asela Rekawa said that he was informed by MEPA officers that the carcasses had been sent to the DWC for autopsies and that the MEPA is yet to be informed about more..