Jun 21 (AD) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development has disclosed that 23 projects initiated by the UDA by spending govt funds are currently stopped and that amongst such projects, 11 have been halted due to issues between the institutions. Committee emphasized that in addition to the projects that have stopped due to lack of funds, the main reason for these projects more..

Jun 21 (PMD) Labour and Foreign Employment Minister, Manusha Nanayakkara, announced plans to digitize the entire foreign service centre in order to liberate the foreign employment centre from the clutches of traffickers. Furthermore, Minister emphasized that this initiative would empower the Foreign Employment Bureau to thwart unnecessary interference and combat illegal activities effectively. He further revealed that, under the guidance of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

Jun 21 (DM) New Zealand national Women's Team will arrive in SL tomorrow to take part in an T20I and ODI series to be played against the SL National Women's team. The team, upon arrival, will directly head to Galle, where the ODI series, a part of the ICC Women�s Championship, will be played starting June 27, 2023. 2nd and 3rd ODIs will be played, respectively, on June 30 and July 3. Following the series, both teams will arrive back in Colombo for the 3-match T20I series. more..

Jun 21 (AD) The Core Group on SL at the UNHRC)has urged Sri Lankan authorities to protect freedoms of expression and association. Led by the UK, the Core Group comprises Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the US. In a joint statement issued by UK�s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French, said the Core Group remains concerned by the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). more..

Jun 21 (Reuters) Twice a day carers in SL lead Sak Surin, an elephant donated by Thailand more than 20 years ago, into a custom-made crate, where he stands patiently, training for a special six-hour flight to carry him home and recover his health. 29-year-old weighs 4,000 kg (8,800 lbs) and stands nine feet (2.7 m) tall, but he suffers from abscesses and a stiff foreleg that makes it tough to walk and stand. "This is possibly the first time in history we are attempting to fly an elephant this large to a new more..

Jun 21 (CB) The junior chess championships of various age categories serve a very important purpose. The talented medal winners get the limelight they need � with the adequate amount of support, these kids go on to do great things in the chess world! One such example is 2014-born Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda, gold medallist in the Under-9 World Schools Championships 2023. Starting off as the 21st seed among 61 players, Thehas went on to score a dominating 7�5/9 more..

Jun 23 (DM) With Sri Lanka still struggling to overcome the socio-economic crisis, there appears to be little or no time to contemplate on issues like desertification and drought. Prez Wickremesinghe and the SLPP Govt are making progress in the struggle to pull SL out of the debt crisis and bring about economic stability to encourage foreign investments and pursue other development strategies. But the Govt also needs to give more attention to the climate change crisis more..

Jun 23 (GV) There is a roaring Hajj business in Sri Lanka. As a friend of mine commented, no business is as good as the religious business. The Hajj committee, whose members are appointed on recommendations of Muslim politicians, in collusion with Hajj agents, operate like a mafia that has converted a religious obligation into a money making enterprise with blessings of the so-called religious dignitaries. Thousands of poor devotees who set aside a portion of their hard earned income more..

Jun 23 (CT) In SL, elephants are considered sacred and legally protected, yet over 400 of them perish annually due to human-elephant conflicts in close proximity to wildlife reserves. These jumbos now invade villages in search of food due to the loss of their habitat, and many of them suffer after rummaging in garbage dumps full of plastic debris. The recent incident which was recorded in Ampara District more..

Jun 23 (DM) Higher costs and time resulting from opaque, complex, time consuming, manual export and and import procedures discourage businesses from engaging in international trade and undermine their international competitiveness. Such costs and time can be significantly reduced by simplifying, streamlining, and automating import and export procedures and making them more transparent. Doing so is referred to in trade jargon as trade facilitation. more..

Jun 23 (DM) In a country full of religious maniacs, halfwits and bigots, I�m determined to avoid the prickly subject of religion, but what happened to standup comic Natasha Edirisooriya needs a comment. She says (my translation) That Suddhodana�s kid, (Ara Suddhonadanage podi eka) he managed to walk on the day he was born, and That Suddhodana�s kid, he even managed to recite a poem the day he was born; but just look at these� If we think of this as blasphemy, more..

Jun 23 (TM) The process of alleviating religious tensions in the country and creating a climate where people of diverse religious beliefs could co-exist has two main components. While the necessary legal, regulatory, and policy decisions are being taken in a manner that suits SL�s social, economic, and religious contexts, it is equally crucial to strive for attitudinal changes, including improving compassion/tolerance and raising awareness. more..

Jun 23 (TM) Widespread corruption was allowed to take its toll on the country for decades by many successive Govts and private and public institutions to the extent where SL is now being identified by the international community as one of the most corrupt nations. Even after corruption played a key role in the making of the prevailing economic crisis, the fact that it has finally attracted enough attention to lead to stringent, updated law reforms is appreciable. Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) remains more..

Jun 22 (Island) Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe govt is in overdrive, trying to regulate the electronic media purportedly to safeguard the interests of the public. It is going hell for leather to set up a broadcasting regulatory authority as if the very survival of the country hinged on its ability to control the media! This, it is doing while bypassing a vital authority, which has been established to ensure the quality of medicinal drugs used in this country and thereby protect the people�s lives. more..

Jun 23 (CT) Thank you, honourable presiding member, I�m glad to speak just after the acting Minister of Finance who recognized some good that may have come about as a result of the economic crisis, he did say it, it�s not a good thing to have the economic crisis, but there are some lessons that we are learning from that as well. I agree with him, but before I get on to the Anti � corruption bill I want to just deal with the civil procedure code amendment. Honourable Minister for justice it�s more..

Jun 23 (CT) In a shocking display of negligence, during a media briefing held on 19 June, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and other responsible authorities demonstrated a callous disregard for the lives of the people they are meant to protect. This media briefing was held amidst growing concern of the unfortunate deaths of two women, allegedly due to a particular anaesthetic drug imported under emergency purchases. However, the response from NMRA more..

Jun 22 (CT) With 4,000 consultant specialists being required by 2025 and only around 2,050 specialist doctors in place by 2023, the country would face a more serious situation in the near future, due to the retirement of a total 250 specialist doctors by 31 Dec 2023, in accordance with a Govt Gazette, warned the health services. Countering a news report, in which GMOF accused over 200 consultants of remaining in service beyond more..

Jun 22 (Island) UNDP Resident Representative in Colombo, Azusa Kubota, accompanied international expert on parliamentary development, Kevin Deveaux, to meet Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at the Parliament on 14th June. They were joined by Policy Expert & Head of Governance, UNDP Colombo, Chandrika Karunaratne. Japanese national Kubota took over the UNDP mission in Colombo in January this year in the wake of the forced removal of Gotabaya Rajapaksa more..

Jun 22 (TM) It was reported that Nilani Ratnayake, a long-distance runner from Sri Lanka, has been summoned by the Anti-Doping Agency for a special investigation on 5 July. The agency intends to conduct an investigation regarding a report that Nilani's medical sample contained prohibited stimulants during a random medical sample test conducted recently. According to reliable sources, it has also been reported that it contains an �anabolic steroid� component. more..

Jun 22 (FT) The $ 500 million + ITC development, comprising the Sapphire Residences and super luxury hotel ITC Ratnadipa, occupies pride of place at the centre of Colombo�s most prestigious ocean front location. Overlooking the Galle Face and the Indian Ocean on one side and the Beira Lake on the other, this landmark is already redefining the city�s skyline. This development by WelcomHotels Lanka, a wholly owned subsidiary of leading Indian conglomerate ITC has successfully navigated more..

Jun 22 (Island) SL Schools Athletics Association conducted All Island Schools Relay Championships, Sir John Tarbat Senior and Junior Athletics Championships which will be held under the Ritzbury banner and will attract a staggering number of 20,000 athletes, organisers announced at an event held on Tuesday. Ritzbury will serve as the sole sponsor of the prestigious Sir John Tarbat Athletic Championship for the 11th consecutive year. Championship is one of the longest-running more..

Jun 22 (TM) SL State Engineering Corporation (SLSEC) denied media reports which claimed that it is going to sell a 17-acre land in Peliyagoda merely to pay the salaries of the employees at the SLSEC, stating that such would also cover many other financial issues within the Corporation. SLSEC Chairman Rathnasiri Kalupahana said that the said proposal was made not solely to cover the arrears of salaries and EPF contributions for employees more..

Jun 22 (DN) Off spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe made his second 5 wickets haul (5 for 48) while Minod Bhanuka (79) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (73) scored two unbeaten knocks as SL 'A 'were in a commanding position over South Africa after third day's play in the second 4-day game played at P.Sara Oval grounds yesterday. It was a superb bowling by 23-year-old former Nalanda skipper Lakshitha Manasinghe who took second five wicket haul against SA A (last game he took 5 for 19 more..

Jun 22 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday welcomed the inaugural flight Air Seychelles from Seychelles to Colombo carrying 110 passengers. This flight, HM262 operated by an Airbus A320 Neo aircraft touched ground at 3:50 a.m. and was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at BIA followed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance and an inaugural ceremony to welcome the guests. SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) said passengers of inaugural flight more..

Jun 22 (CT) Civil organisations called for the removal of Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta, accusing the duo of having weakened the entire health system in nearly a year. Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) accused the Minister and the Secretary of posing a threat to the lives of SL citizens. Dissatisfied civil activists and more..

Jun 22 (FT) CPF Thailand is world�s largest producer of feed and shrimp and among world�s top three producers of poultry Norfolk Foods Ltd, a pioneer in the manufacture of specialised frozen foods in SL has taken a bold stride in strengthening its global presence. Establishing CPNI (CP Norfolk India) as a joint venture with Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) Thailand, the globally renowned agro-industrial and food conglomerate, the two entities cemented their commitment to work together, more..

Jun 22 (FT) The highly anticipated CEO Forum Titled Building a Global SL - Networking the Way Forward, featuring the renowned Dr. Ivan Misner, celebrated as the visionary behind Business Network International (BNI) and globally respected as the Father of Modern Networking took place on 13 June at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, with over 150 business owners and leaders in attendance. The highlight of the Forum was undoubtedly the keynote address delivered by Dr. Ivan Misner, more..

Jun 22 (ST) Computer crimes have increased significantly compared with two years ago, costing many people their livelihoods and hard earned money. According to CCID of SL Police, nearly 5,000 computer crime cases were reported in 2021 and there were 3,168 cases in 2022. Until June, there have been 1,187 cases. Computer-based crimes started and peaked in 2021 when the country was in lockdown for several months due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. more..

Jun 22 (FT) Govt on Tuesday resumed work on the second passenger terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. Work was temporarily halted following the economic crisis and sovereign default mid-last year and the resultant suspension of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan facility. To avoid further delays, Govt has decided to proceed with the construction work using funds from Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd (AASL). more..

Jun 22 (TM) Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is planning to redevelop the Trincomalee fuel storage tanks with an investment of about $183 million while the agreement will be signed in the next three months. IOC is in talks with the SL authorities to redevelop the Trincomalee tanks with an investment of Indian Rupee 15,000 million ($183 mil) while Lanka IOC obtains a 49% stake. Two people who were aware of the development, have told more..

Jun 22 (FT) Through generous funding from the govt of New Zealand, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN is currently implementing a comprehensive program aimed at addressing malnutrition among children under five in selected MOH divisions in Monaragala and Nuwara Eliya. The initiative targets moderate to severe malnutrition among children from 2,250 families and focuses on increasing access to nutritious produce and providing capacity-building opportunities for more..

Jun 22 (DM) Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday said that laws pertaining to divorce will be amended to meet the needs of modern society. The Minister divulged this information when the subject of demanding sexual bribes in the state sector was raised during the debate on the Anti-Corruption Bill in Parliament. �The new Anti-Corruption Bill comprises provisions to deal with demanding and providing sexual bribes in the state sector. more..

Jun 22 (TM) National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) Chairperson, Attorney Sagala Abeywickrama yesterday (21) said that the NITF is to introduce a series of programmes to expedite the delay in paying Agrahara insurance scheme payments to its beneficiaries. She also said that the NITF has taken steps to name Monday as a public day and that Agrahara beneficiaries can submit their issues with regard to the Agrahara insurance scheme to the Chairperson of the NITF personally. more..

Jun 22 (DM) Wushu Federation of SL have been left fuming after SL Navy has opted to deny two of their athletes world-class training scholarships of three months in Iran ahead of the Asian Games in Hangzhou in China later this year. Pathum Balawardana of SL Navy narrowly missed out on bagging SL a medal in Asian Games back in 2018, but with the support of Wushu Federation has now become one of the hottest prospects in SL to finally secure a medal in Asian Games after more..

Jun 22 (FT) Govt has selected transaction advisors for the sale of four State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). For the sale of SL Insurance Corporation (SLIC) selected advisor is Capital Alliance (CAL). Deloitte India has been selected to advise on the divestiture of both Canwill Holdings Ltd (Grand Hyatt Hotel), and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd including Litro Gas Terminals Ltd (LPG retailing). Platinum Advisors has been picked for the sale of Hilton Hotel more..