Aug 30 (Island) Dutch State Secretary for Culture and Media Gunay Uslu said Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have a shared past and it will help to build together a common future with close cooperation in the fields of museums, collection management, research and exchange of knowledge and expertise. She said this when she called on PM Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple trees yesterday. The visiting Dutch Minister and Cultural Minister Vidura Wickremanayake signed more..

Aug 30 (Island) Catholic Bishops� Conference (CBCSL) in SL appealed to the govt to grant relief to the poor. CBCSL in a statement signed by its President Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera and Secretary Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Jayakody said that many people were on the brink of starvation while there seemed to be no clear vision to resolve the immediate basic needs of the people. CBCSL statement: The CBCSL gathered in Plenary Session in August wishes to express its deep concern more..

Aug 30 (Island) Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said the CID had launched a fresh probe into the violence that erupted on 09 May, 2022. The Court of Appeal allowed a group of politicians to withdraw a case filed against the then Commander of the Army, Gen. Shavendra Silva, IGP C.D. Wickremaratne and several others for their alleged failure to preempt countrywide violence. Petitioners on 23 May, 2023, withdrew more..

Aug 30 (DM) The full moon today is going to be an extraordinary combination of a supermoon and a blue moon, Professor Chandana Jayaratne said. �As a result of the full moon occurring when the moon is at its closest to the Earth in its orbit, the moon will be 14% bigger and 30% brighter than some of the other full moons that we have seen in the past,� he said. �When the moon is full while it is near its closest approach to Earth, it is called a Super Full Moon or a Supermoon. more..

Aug 30 (DN) Govt has decided to refund the 5% withholding tax levied on the interest and taxable income of senior citizens after Sept 10 if the interest income is less than Rs.100,000 per month. Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that this decision was taken with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe after considering the situation of senior citizens. The State Minister revealed these facts while participating as the chief guest at the tenth AGM of the Inland Revenue Assessors� Union (IRAU) more..

Aug 30 (TM) National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) said that all the data collected by the Chinese geophysical and seismic survey vessel Shi Yan 6 will be in the possession of the NARA and that those data will be considered as a property of SL Govt. Ministry has granted approval for Shi Yan 6 to carry out research on SL waters with the NARA. Sources said that the approval was granted more..

Aug 31 (DM) Sri Lanka is still struggling with a confusing political and economic crisis. Which way and where we will go is given different interpretations by political leaders and economic experts in such a crisis within a crisis, we are giving little attention to the preservation of the ozone layer�a vital factor that could affect the whole world. On September 16, the United Nations marks the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. more..

Aug 31 (DM) Large sums of money borrowed for large infrastructure projects is a key contributor to SL�s Mountain of foreign debt, which the country is struggling to pay back. Lack of transparency, coupled with poor governance frameworks within which decisions are made about such projects, makes them highly vulnerable to corruption. To reduce such vulnerabilities, it is vital to enhance transparency of the decision-making process. This is why section 9(1)a of Right to Information Act more..

Aug 31 (SO) Cabinet approved an amendment to the EPF Act in early August to ensure EPF members receive a minimum annual interest rate of nine percent from 2023 to 2026. The decision was based on the interest rates paid to EPF members in the past five years. Under the Domestic Debt Optimisation program (DDO), the maturity of Treasury Bonds held by superannuation funds has been extended from 2027 to 2038. more..

Aug 31 (ST) The issues plaguing the country�s most popular sport due to alleged corruption and mismanagement by those in charge of the game took center stage this week during Parliament�s adjournment debate on SLC. The crux of the adjournment motion, moved by SJB MP Hesha Withanage, was the special audit conducted by the National Audit Office into SLC�s expenditure for the T20 World Cup 2022 held in Australia. The audit was carried out on the request of Minister more..

Aug 31 (CT) There is no need for long explanations to state that this country, at present, is hurdling through the roughest patch it has confronted yet. Notwithstanding that the country achieved considerable progress in terms of debt restructuring and strengthening the rupee, people have not yet been rescued from the gruesome consequences of the economic recession. It is acutely sad that it is always the innocent and the poor that are at the receiving end of what the wealthy and more..

Aug 31 (CT) The island�s State-run health service is heading for more chaos as health workers fly the coop. Well-informed sources grudgingly pointed out that not only medical staff but those health service employees in other categories too were reaching foreign shores in search of greener pastures. Considering the expanse of the present issue, the focus in this case would be on the recent outcry from amongst the medical fraternity more..

Aug 31 (CT) One of the highlights of President Ranil Wickremesinghe�s India visit last month was the agreement to establish land connectivity between SL and India. Land connectivity between India and SL means building a bridge from the Ramanathapuram region to Mannar, a modern Ramsethu. The parties are also discussing a tunnel. The two countries agreed to undertake a feasibility study for land connectivity at an early date. This is not the only agreement reached between the two countries more..

Aug 31 (TM) SL is a name that almost always comes up in the overall discussion on the geopolitics between India and China. While SL has declared both countries partners of SL�s progress, especially economically, the two countries have also recognised SL as a friendly nation. However, neither India nor China likes to see SL getting closer to either of the countries, and in a context where many of SL�s affairs depend considerably on the support provided by and through partnerships more..

Aug 31 (Island) The role of a school is to enable the development of our youngsters into right-minded and competent members of the society giving opportunities for intellectual, moral, social, physical and aesthetic growth all of which contribute towards the nurturing to be responsible citizens. In accomplishing this task, it is important to remember those who have done great and noble deeds. The past allows those living in the present time to learn without having to endure, more..

Aug 31 (ST) As many people are leaving SL due to the current economic crisis and looking for greener pastures, young students who are aspiring to become future leaders of the country are very concerned about the talent migration and future prospects to remain in the country. While seeking advice from an expert in economics, advanced level economics students from popular schools in Colombo attended a lecture organised by the Royal Thai Embassy titled more..

Aug 31 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism is set to embark on its most comprehensive global campaign in over a decade, with an ambitious two-phased strategy aimed at transforming the perception of the country and positioning it as a premier travel destination. With an investment of Rs. 1.6 billion, the global campaign will have a short-term three-month campaign commencing tomorrow, while the thematic long-term promotion is more..

Aug 31 (Island) Neither the govt nor the Opposition seems keen to knuckle down and help rebuild the economy. Both of them are wallowing in divisive politics and devising ways and means of shoring up their stock. This, they are doing while feigning willingness to cooperate for the sake of the public. They have already embarked on their presidential election campaigns for all practical purposes. Not all countries are blessed with statespersons. Politicians, across the globe, more..

Aug 31 (Island) A bowling attack that had gradually built-up momentum with pace, accuracy and variety along with a spin department spearheaded by crafty Wanindu Hasaranga had given SL hopes leading up to the Asia Cup, but everything is back to square one after all bowlers who would have featured in the starting line up were sidelined with injury. Literally, SL have been forced to scratch the barrel and if Binura Fernando, who is extremely vulnerable to injuries goes down, SL might as well more..

Aug 31 (ST) Lakshmi Dias Bandaranaike, widow of the late lawyer and politician Felix R. Dias Bandaranaike passed away peacefully at home yesterday. A past pupil of Ladies� College, Colombo, she met her future husband Felix Dias Bandaranaike at the Law Faculty at Peradeniya. They married in 1953. Both husband and wife later passed out as Barristers in the UK before returning to Sri Lanka where her late husband became a powerful politician holding many portfolios more..

Aug 31 (DN) Jordan Johnson hit a sparkling knock of 105 in 79 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes as the West Indies Under 19 team recorded a superb 195-run win over the SL Under 19 in their second ODI played at the Rangiri Dambulla Int'l Cricket stadium yesterday. West Indies Youth team produced a dominant batting display to set a challenging total of 320 for 8 wickets in 50 overs while SL Under 19 were bowled out for 125 in 30.5 overs in an unexpected barring display at Dambulla. more..

Aug 31 (CI) Bangladesh-Sri Lanka fixtures might have had a little more tension over the last few years, than they used to. And perhaps this match will add to the emotions. Speaking ahead of their group match, SL's captain Dasun Shanaka let slip that he thought Bangladesh's players might be hasty in their decision-making. The question had been about Shakib Al Hasan, his Galle Titans team-mate in the recent Lanka Premier League (LPL). more..

Aug 31 (DN) Netball Federation of SL (NFSL) has planned to make new suggestions for the forthcoming National Cup Netball Tournament which will be played from Oct 22-28 in Singapore. According to the President of NFSL Victoria Lakshmi after discussing with National Sports Council members regarding recently concluded World Cup we have decided to make a few changes of the National team as well as get a new National coach for the National Cup Netball tournament more..

Aug 31 (FT) People�s Bank yesterday announced the results for its six months ended 30 June, 2023 reporting total consolidated operating income and pre-tax profit amounting to Rs. 48.2 billion and Rs. 9.4 billion, respectively (1H -2022: Rs. 80.7 billion and Rs. 15.2 billion). Due to higher interest costs; stemming from the high interest rate environment which prevailed during much of 2022 which led to higher of cost of term deposit funding, consolidated net interest income slipped to more..

Aug 31 (TM) SL Police has identified that certain persons, who were provided with security based on threat assessments conducted by the department, are misusing the security and police personnel to portray themselves as very important persons (VIPs). SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that such conduct could be harmful to the particular person who has a threat as well as to police officers who are deployed for his/her security. more..

Aug 31 (DN) SL Tourism Promotion Bureau, in collaboration with the SL Consul General Office in Melbourne, Ministry of Sports and Agoal Rugby, organized a Rugby tournament in order to promote SL as a Sports Tourism destination and give an opportunity to young Sri Lankan Rugby players to showcase their talent both locally and internationally. Sri Lanka Tourism has always been a keen supporter of Sports tourism and this will highlight SL as an ideal destination to hold sports events more..

Aug 31 (PMD) The Most Venerable Anunayaka of the Asgiri Chapter Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thera said that at a time when the country is facing daunting challenges, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s significant contributions deserve collective endorsement for the progress of the nation. The Most Venerable Dhammadassi Thera conveyed that it is lamentable that certain individuals fail to comprehend the Prez�s endeavours to rejuvenate SL in the aftermath of adverse circumstances. more..

Aug 31 (Island) A meeting between the Permanent Resident Representative of the United Nations in Colombo Marc-Andre Franch, and the NPP leader Comrade Anura Kumara Dissanayake, took place Tuesday at the JVP head office. Edward Rees, Development Adviser and Resident Coordinator of the UN SL Office, and Comrade Bimal Ratnayake, National Executive Member for the NPP, were also present. The discussion centred around the current economic crisis and political situation in SL. more..

Aug 31 (TM) Committee on Parliamentary Business has given dates to take up the debate on the no-confidence motion (NCM) against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella which was tabled by the main Parliamentary Opposition party, SJB with the support of other Opposition MPs. SJB MP Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, who led the SJB committee to look into issues in the health sector, said that a three-day debate will be held on 6, 7, and 8 September on the no-confidence motion. more..

Aug 31 (TM) Opposition MP and former banker Eran Wickramaratne said: �The Rajapaksa�Ranil rule makes the poor, poorer and the rich, richer. On the other hand, cronies are given rebate, concessions, and tax exemption. The SJB disagrees with the proposed govt policy of imposing 30% tax on EPF/ETF.� This Govt is now amending tax laws to impose a 30% income tax on EPF/ETF. This tax will apply to all EPF/ETF income without any tax relief. more..

Aug 31 (AD) The nominations of five individuals including the president of Anuradhapura District Football Association Dacshitha Sumathipala have been rejected by Football Federation of SL (FFSL) electoral committee. In late July, a 3-member committee was appointed by Minister Roshan Ranasinghe to call for and hold the FFSL elections. The electoral committee has accepted the nominations of 08 remaining candidates from Sumathipala�s camp while accepting all more..

Aug 31 (EN) SL has ended a wheat import duopoly by ending import licenses from Aug 29, allowed flour imports again at a slightly reduced tax, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. The controversial import licenses recreated a duopoly in wheat imports by giving a protected market to two wheat milling companies, opposition legislators charged. COPF also raised the matter, saying milling grain in SL led to large tax losses, high profits for millers and high prices for consumers. more..

Aug 31 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the Forum on Sri Lanka Sustainable Development Trajectories & Pathways, expressed unwavering confidence in SL�s potential to develop independently and alleviate the burden on external assistance. �I think we in Sri Lanka should no longer think of asking others for help. But let�s make it on our own as many countries have done,� Prez Wickremesinghe asserted, underlining the nation�s determination to forge its path. more..

Aug 31 (AD) A woman�s attempt to smuggle out gemstones worth over Rs. 290 million to India has been foiled by the security officers of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). She has been handed over to Sri Lanka Customs officers at the BIA for onward investigations. According to a Customs spokesperson, the apprehended woman is a businesswoman from Ourgodawatta in Colombo. She was taken into custody early this morning (30) with gemstones weighing over 2kg and 311g. more..

Aug 31 (AD) During his visit to Kandy, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasized the govt�s resolute dedication to protecting religious shrines and historical sites. Prez has announced the establishment of committees, headed by religious leaders from their respective provinces, aimed at addressing religious matters in the N&E. On Tuesday, Prez visited Kandy and called on the chief prelates of Malwatta & Asgiriya chapters. more..