Jun 2 (FT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe will address the National Law Conference 2023/24 on Saturday, 3 June at The Grand in Nuwara Eliya. Organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the three-day event will kick off today evening. President will deliver the opening remarks on Saturday during the morning session on the theme Ease of Doing Business within a Conducive Legal Framework. The keynote will be delivered by Supreme Court Judge Priyantha Jayawardena PC. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Sri Lanka is preparing to re-enter the US$ 15 billion Chinese seafood market following the signing of a MOU with China�s General Administration of Customs. The deal will immediately allow 38 Sri Lankan companies to more easily export 33 local products including 29 aquatic products to China before signing the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The General Administration Customs of China (GACC) recently approved the amended health certificate, more..

Jun 2 (Island) International Labour Organization (ILO), successfully conducted a two-day knowledge forum, based on its flagship Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation (LEED+) project. Implemented in several districts in the Northern Province, the LEED+ project is nearing its closure after two successful phases, the first of which was initiated in 2011. This Knowledge Forum is a culmination of the project�s 12-year journey of creating inclusive and more..

Jun 2 (TM) Refuting recent reports that a separate Police unit is to be established to investigate groups that act in a way that threatens the religious harmony of the country, Minister Tiran Alles said that there is no need for establishing such as the existing Police units are capable of investigating such matters. It was reported that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had instructed Alles to immediately establish a separate Police unit to take action more..

Jun 2 (SO) Today, Governors have been entrusted with the task of reviving the tourism industry in the South since there is no public representation in the Provincial Council (PC) at present. Governors and officials are working together to meet public needs despite many challenges. However, Southern Province (SP) Governor Dr. Willie Gamage believes that public representation is essential for PCs. He believes that if the PC system is to be continued, it should be not under Governors & officials but more..

Jun 2 (Island) Long lines of vehicles suddenly appeared near filling stations yesterday, evoking dreadful memories of a dark era and causing public panic. Pumps had run dry at most fuel depots, and people had to wait for hours to obtain petrol and diesel. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera hurriedly issued a media statement denying rumours of a fuel shortage. Minister tweeted that the country had adequate fuel stocks, but filling stations had not placed orders for petrol and diesel due to more..

Jun 2 (CT) Although four decades have lapsed since the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH) was established, the authorities have failed to determine the nature of its operating model. This was revealed by the Parliament watchdog, Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). COPE met recently to review the Progress of implementing the directives issued to the SJGH, at the committee meeting more..

Jun 2 (ST) Court of Appeal (CA) has dismissed three writ petitions filed by a group of film importers and distributors requesting an order preventing government authorities including the National Film Corporation (NFC) from interfering in the process of importation, distribution, and exhibition of films. A 2-judge bench comprising Justices Sampath Wijeratne and Wickum Kaluarachchi dismissed the petitions on the grounds that the circular in question issued under the title more..

Jun 2 (Island) Sri Lanka white ball captain Dasun Shanaka has welcomed the return of seniors Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne to the ODI team after they were sidelined with the selectors launching their youth policy two years ago. While Mathews returned to the fea in New Zealand, Karunaratne will feature in the three match ODI series against Afghanistan starting at Suriyawewa today (Friday). �It�s good to have Angelo and Dimuth back in the squad. Their experience is vital. more..

Jun 2 (TM) Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) noted that a number of SL children under the age of 5 years have issues regarding their body mass index (BMI), specifically their weight and height. �Investing in nutrition: the wiser way forward� was announced as the theme of this year�s national nutrition month (June) by the HPB. Health Ministry�s Nutrition Division Director Dr. Lakmini Magodarathna said that all children under the age of five years must have their weight and height measured more..

Jun 2 (DN) The first ODI between SL and Afghanistan which is scheduled to commence today at Mahinda Rajapaksa Int'l cricket stadium as a (day game from 10am) and two key spinners of both sides Wanindu Hasaranga and Rashid Khan are out from their teams due to injuries. Afghanistan team sources said Rashid Khan who came from IPL has been ruled out of the first two ODIs against SL with a lower-back injury. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed that he will remain under full more..

Jun 2 (Island) Work in most hospitals have been severely affected by the migration of over 375 specialist doctors and thousands of healthcare staff, and drug shortages, doctors claim. About 50% of doctors who are abroad to receive higher medical training to become specialists have informed that they have no intention of returning to the country. So far, the hospitals in Kilinochchi, A'pura, Tangalle, Hambantota, Mullaitivu and Dehiattakandiya more..

Jun 2 (FT) Central Bank revealed that it had absorbed $ 1.7 billion in foreign exchange year to date of which a high $ 662 million in May thereby stabilising the Rupee. It said this move ensured a steady increase in gross official reserves (GOR) to $ 3.1 billion of which, the usable amount is $ 1.6 billion. The Rupee has appreciated by 24% against the US Dollar year to date. CBSL said reflecting the improved balance of payments (BOP) conditions, the Central Bank relaxed the cash margin more..

Jun 2 (DM) Sri Lanka will introduce a new system called Lab methodology to promote investments ensuring effective implementation of business proposals, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said in his televised address to the nation yesterday. �Under the Lab approach, we will bring together Govt Ministers, govt officials, subject matter experts, and key representatives from the private sector to collaboratively engage in detailed discussions over a period of six weeks,� he said. more..

Jun 2 (DM) Samagi Sewaka Sangamaya, a trade union attached to SJB political party, has filed a Fundamental Rights petition seeking Supreme Court�s intervention in regularising the proposed privatisation of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT). Trade union, comprising employees and shareholders of SLT, has filed this petition in the SC, citing concerns over the violation of their constitutional rights and the rights of the citizenry at large under and in terms of Article 12(1) of the Constitution. more..

Jun 2 (FT) Former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga took to Twitter to question why no action was ever taken against Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera and others who insulted other religions practised in the country. Kumaratunga said their words spreading hate against Muslim and Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka were far more vicious than those uttered by Standup Comedian Nathasha Edirisuriya who was arrested recently for making comments deemed insulting to the Lord Buddha. more..

Jun 2 (TM) NPP and SJB of the Parliamentary Opposition is to take every possible effort to stop the proposed Electronic Broadcasting Authority Bill as it constitutes a threat to fundamental human rights such as the freedom of expression. JVP member, Attorney Sunil Watagala claimed that this proposed new Bill is a replica of the Anti-Terrorism Bill (ATB) which has now been temporarily withdrawn by the Govt. more..

Jun 2 (DM) India�s Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) which is part of the Ministry of Commerce has asked Gujarat-based pharma company-- Indiana Ophthalmics to recall Methylprednisolone linked to causing eye infections in more than 30 people after SL Ministry of Health raised a complaint to the Indian govt. The Daily Mirror reported two weeks before that SL had sought compensation from the relevant Indian Company following several victims demanding more..

Jun 2 (DM) Tourist arrivals to SL fell below the 100,000 mark for the first time this year due to the drop in momentum in the month of May, Provisional data showed that in May, the island nation welcomed total of 83, 309 international visitors. When compared with the corresponding month in 2022, the arrivals increased by 175.5% year-on-year (YoY). The staggering increase is due to the island nation having grappled with the massive political and economic crisis that started April 2022, more..

Jun 2 (DM) Despite initial reports that Ven. Ajahn Brahm was held back at the BIA due to the presence of PM Dinesh Gunawardane at the airport, sources clarified that it was not due to the PM that caused the delay but it was instead because of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. Sources said the PM was at the VVIP lounge and was to fly to Thailand while Minster Nimal Siripala de Silva and Ven. Thera was at the VIP lounge and was ready to fly more..

Jun 2 (FT) I am humbled to have been asked by the family of the late Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala to speak a few words on this solemn occasion, as we prepare to lay him to rest. I wish to express the condolences of my colleagues in the SL Foreign Service, as well as my own, whose professional lives Ambassador Dhanapala has enriched both directly and indirectly over his long years of public service. He was undoubtedly SL�s most accomplished diplomat, but his life also impacted many more..

Jun 2 (FT) Several incidents that happened this year indicate a resurgence of identity politics in the national political discourse. There was relative silence in the Sinhala and English mainstream media on issues concerning identity politics, due to the immediacy of the economic crisis. Aragalaya also ran a counter-narrative downplaying ethnic divisions. Rajapaksa regime, which had successfully cultivated the loyalty of a large Sinhala-Buddhist electorate in the post-war context, more..

Jun 2 (AD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to grant special state pardon to a number of prison inmates, in view of the Poson Full Moon Poya on Saturday (3). Prisons Dept explained that this special pardon, which is subjected to several terms and conditions, is granted pursuant to the powers vested in the Head of State by the Constitution. Accordingly, a 14-day pardon will be offered to the inmates who have spent one year or less in prison as of June 3. more..

Jun 2 (DM) National Organizer of SJB youth, Chamith Wijesundera today lodged a complaint with the CID against MP Wimal Weerawansa over his alleged comments made on the SL Army and their connection to the US Ambassador in his recently launched book titled Nine: The Hidden Story. SJB member charged that the MP had made some serious allegations against the SL Army pertaining to its stance during the Aragalaya where Weerawansa had said that the Army was not adhering more..

Jun 2 (DM) Govt is set to ease import restrictions on about 300 to 400 items, effective from next week, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. This move comes as a result of the improved supply of US dollars, leading to a decision to relax the constraints imposed earlier. Minister highlighted that the import restrictions were initially put in place due to the shortage of foreign exchange in April of the previous year. more..

Jun 2 (AD) NBRO today issued landslide early warnings to five districts � Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle, Matara and Ratnapura � effective until 1 a.m. tomorrow (3). Accordingly, people living in the following areas, where a Level 2 (Amber) warning is effective, are advised to be ready to evacuate to a safe location if the need arises: Galle district � Neluwa Divisional Secretariat division; Matara district � Pitabeddara DS division (especially Kalubowitiyana area) more..

Jun 2 (FT) High Court of Civil Appeal (Colombo) with Sanjeewa Moraes and Frank Gunawardena presiding, on Tuesday dismissed a leave to appeal application filed by the Ceylon Bank Employees Trade Union against the People�s Bank. Trade Union, which comprises employees of state banks, filed action in the District Court of Colombo in Jan 2023 seeking a permanent injunction to prevent the People�s Bank from deducting Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) from salary payments more..

Jun 2 (AD) SL authorities are showing strong commitment to implementing economic reforms, however, the reform momentum must continue amid the challenging economic recovery process, IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura said after concluding his visit to the island nation. �Sri Lanka�s economy is showing tentative signs of improvement, in part due to the implementation of critical policy actions. more..

June 2 (EN) Shares closed higher in trade on Friday, over positive macro-sentiments encouraging investors to redeem their interest towards buying, an analyst said. ASPI was up 0.72% or 62.19 points to 8,753.80, while the most liquid index S&P SL20 was up 0.68% or 16.87 points to 2,487.29. SL�s inflation in the 12-months to May 2023 has eased to 25.2 percent from 35.3% a month earlier according to a revised Colombo Consumer Price Index calculated by the state statistics office. more..

June 2 (DM) CID and the Intelligence Unit will be paying close attention to those who publish fake posts on social media platforms about children and school students being abducted. Police urged the public that fake posts are circulating on social media claiming that children are being abducted and that they should not fall prey to those posts. SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that SL Police have not so far issued any photographs or information on suspects of any organized gang wanted over more..

Jun 2 (EN) State-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will be operating on the weekend to complete all fuel deliveries to end vehicle queues forming outside fuel stations after the price revision earlier in the week, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. �Instructions have been given to CPC and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals to continue fuel deliveries on Saturday and Sunday this week to supply sufficient stocks to all fuel stations,� Minister Wijesekera said more..

Jun 2 (TM) Irrigation Dept has issued Amber flood warning for the upper catchment areas of Kuda Ganga sub-basin of Kalu River today. The warning was issued after a considerable amount of rainfall was experienced in the area as at 11 a.m. this morning. Upon analyzing the current rainfall situation and river water levels of the hydrological stations in Kuda Ganga, Hydrology and Disaster Management Division said there is a possibility of a minor flood situation more..

Jun 2 (CI) Afghanistan's seamers struck with the new ball, and shut SL's innings down at the death, before their top order cruised to a target of 269, losing only 4 wickets in the process. On the batting front, the highlight was the 98 produced by opener Ibrahim Zadran, whose record in SL is outstanding. He forged a 146-run second wicket stand with Rahmat Shah, which kept the chase on track, and exposed the lack of more..

Jun 2 (PMD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently leading efforts to establish the Climate Change University, scheduled to be launched next year. Additionally, the University Grants Commission has recently identified approximately 130 scientists who have gained international recognition for their research on climate change. These scientists are expected to be brought together, along with their respective international affiliations, as part of this initiative. more..

Jun 2 (AD) A schoolboy has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 23-year-old in Panadura area, on suspicion of aiding and abetting the main suspect. The victim was hacked to death in a brutal sword attack near an apparel factory in Wekada, Panadura on Wednesday night. The police investigations uncovered that the schoolboy in question had been inside the three-wheeler in which the main suspect arrived to execute the crime. The victim, who was first attacked with a sword more..