Mar 2 (DM) In the seven decades that ensued, SL Air Force has come under the leadership of 17 commanders. Today, its leadership is in the able hands of its 18th Commander, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. The SL Air Force has come a long way since its first flight in a humble Chipmunk and de Havilland DC 1, passing through Mig 27s, Kfir C7s, and F-7s today. Many other aircraft have seen the largely ceremonial air force of the 70s emerge as a successful and battle-hardened more..

Mar 2 (TD) Sri Lanka�s debt default � announced in April of last year amid foreign currency shortages that had triggered rolling blackouts, fuel queues, and street protests � has been subject to endless debate by local and international observers. The root causes of the country�s debt problem have been attributed to various factors, including corruption and nepotism, alleged predatory lending from China (the so-called Chinese debt trap), and a structural balance of payments deficit. more..

Mar 2 (LBO) Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA SL), which prides itself on being a world-class professional body, continued to expand its global presence by launching its seventh overseas chapter in Canada. CA SL Canada Chapter was formally launched at the Burnaby Executive Hotel in Vancouver in the presence of Sanjaya Bandara, President of CA SL. The new chapter is boosted with a membership of over 100 members of CA SL who are currently employed in Canada, more..

Mar 2 (BN) SL allowed its currency to trade in a wider band, stepping up efforts to secure a $2.9 billion IMF bailout. The rupee advanced. The currency was allowed to trade at a maximum of 5 rupees from the middle rate effective Monday, central bank said on its website. Trading band, which was introduced in May, had been set at 2.6 rupees since October. The currency climbed 1.3% to 359.52 per dollar on Tuesday. SL joins some of the world�s most indebted nations in loosening more..

Mar 2 (AD) The data survey to identify those eligible for welfare benefits is scheduled to end on 31 March as per the Welfare Benefits Board. Accordingly, failing to provide data before the deadline may result in the loss of benefits, the Welfare Benefits Board cautioned. They urge all applicants to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of their data by promptly providing it to the field officers conducting the Information Survey for more..

Mar 2 (FT) In an attempt to woo a fraction of the $ 10 billion travel market of India, Dentsu Grant Group together with SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Hotels Association of SL (THASL) yesterday launched an integrated campaign � And you thought you knew Sri Lanka. The campaign is a pro bono work from Dentsu Group SL and Dentsu India to support the revival of the triple-hit tourism industry, which was executed after comprehensive research to lure more..

Mar 2 (CT) If the doctors are not happy about the newly introduced income tax scheme, they should rename it as Padeniya Tax, because former President of the Govt Medical Officers� Association (GMOA), Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya along with Viyath Maga are responsible for pushing the country into dire economic straits, having collaborated with former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Govt Medical Officers� Forum (GMOF), Dr. Rukshan Bellana stressed. more..

Mar 2 (AD) A SriLankan Airlines flight from Guangzhou, China has brought 115 Chinese tourists to SL last night for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic. Ministers Harin Fernando, Tharaka Balasooriya and the Chinese Ambassador to SL Qi Zhenhong and others were present to welcome the group of tourists. Commenting at the event, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando mentioned that SriLankan Airlines and China Eastern more..

Mar 2 (DM) "In a democratic country, politicians getting involved in the affairs of independent commissions such as the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) and influencing them, directly and indirectly, is an unfortunate situation," PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayaka said. He said the independence of the PUCSL, which had been functioning for 15 years, has been challenged now. "Everyone is knowledgeable of the independence of the PUCSL. more..

Mar 2 (SC) Half of families in SL are forced to reduce the amount they feed their children, according to a survey by Save the Children, as the country�s economic downturn spirals further into a full-blown hunger crisis nearly a year after the govt defaulted on its debt. Govt and int'l community must act now to prevent the country�s children from becoming a lost generation, the child rights organisation said. Since the SL govt defaulted on its debt nearly a year ago, soaring inflation and more..

Mar 3 (TM) As has been noted by The Daily Morning before, prevailing crisis in the health sector, which was triggered by the lack of financial resources amid the economic crisis, is not merely a challenge of the present. Its impacts have serious potential to affect the health of generations to come and the future of the existing generations, and therefore, it is a challenge of the future too. This is why the famous saying prevention is better than cure should be a motto followed by all Sri Lankans. more..

Mar 3 (GV) The govt of Sri Lanka is negotiating a large conditional loan from the IMF. A formal agreement is likely to be signed within weeks once all the main creditors provide the IMF with adequate assurances that they will write off some of the govt�s outstanding debt and will not seek to exploit any future economic uplift to demand priority repayment of their own loans. But Sri Lanka�s politicians are very divided over the idea of signing any agreement with the IMF. more..

Mar 3 (DM) With the emergence of armed rebellion in the 70s to carve out a separate state in the North and East for ethnic Tamils, the Police in the course of their duties had to face armed attacks carried out by the armed groups. These attacks resulted in the killing of police personnel, damaging Police Stations, and assassinating of key individuals who ran the govt functions in the North and the East. Moreover, the incidents that happened during more..

Mar 3 (CT) Interim Budget outlined a two-step approach that aims first, to achieve macro-economic stability with the assistance of IMF and other international agencies (clause 4.2); and second, it offered a glimpse of a framework for a longer term National Economic Policy (not a Plan) for the next quarter of a century, to launch the country�s recovery and reach the status of a developed economy by 2048 (clause 34.3). Successive govts sought IMF�s assistance, 16 times by one estimate over more..

Mar 3 (DM) The number of people applying for passports and those leaving the country are of great concern these days. A pastor attached to a popular Christian Life Centre situated in WP was heard asking the question who is going to pull this country out of the woods when everyone wants to seek greener pastures oversees. This is the question people who decide to remain here for whatever reasons have to ask themselves in order to remind themselves that they are true patriots. more..

Mar 3 (TM) �SL has been run for the benefit of a thousand people. The whole system has to change to a more inclusive political institutional environment, which will then lead to more inclusive economic institutions,� asserted Advocata Institute Chair Murtaza Jafferjee. However, Jafferjee said that he did not see the necessary reforms being enacted, noting that he did not believe the people in power had any interest in changing the status quo. more..

Mar 3 (ST) I was impressed by an old newspaper advertisement that I received a few days ago. The advertisement had been published in order to announce a 10% reduction in sales prices of motorbikes in SL, which was then called, Ceylon. Whatever the exact date of the newspaper issue, the advertisement says that it is a Special Vesak Offer valid until June 5 1955. The offer is for Jawa-CZ motorbikes imported from Czechoslovakia. Jawa-CZ was one of the oldest motorbike more..

Mar 3 (CT) Sri Pada pilgrimage season started on Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day on 7 Dec last year and will end on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. Sri Pada mountain peak, the 7,360-foot rocky summit, is certainly remarkable because of the religious and cultural beliefs tied to the location. Though the depression in the rocky summit resembles a huge footprint, which has been venerated as a sacred site from remote antiquity, identified by Buddhists as the Buddha�s footprint, by Hindus as that of more..

Mar 3 (Island) Having received its baptism of fire, within months of formation, in early 1983, the police para-military arm, the elite Special Task Force (STF), is now ready to serve under the UN command, in the near future. The UN deployment is a much desired achievement in the wake of it celebrating 40 years of dedicated service to the nation having sacrificed much by its heroic members. Well over a decade after the successful conclusion of the war, the STF is now engaged in peacetime duties. more..

Mar 3 (ST) Companies have stepped up their security systems after phishing, an attempt by hackers to steal money or identity by getting owners to reveal personal information to steal user data including login credentials and credit card numbers, is happening in SL at a large scale over the past few months. Some large entities which were subject to phishing attacks in the recent past were Sri Lankan Airlines and Commercial Bank. The message being circulated on digital media channels, more..

Mar 3 (TM) Against the backdrop of several trade unions (TUs) of the health sector and the CEB having already decided to launch a continuous strike from next week demanding the withdrawal of the Govt's new tax policies, several other trade unions are to make a final decision regarding their course of action against the same at a discussion to be held today (3). CEB Joint Trade Union Alliance Convenor, Ranjan Jayalal more..

Mar 3 (Island) The govt parliamentary group is reported to have said the time is not right for an election. Ideally, no country should not go to the polls during a crippling economic crisis, but it is the Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe govt that has created a situation where it is left with no alternative but to hold an election to defuse a massive build-up of public anger, which has the potential to trigger a tsunami of political upheavals. If an interim all-party govt had been formed towards latter stages more..

Mar 3 (Island) Nalanda will have a slight edge over their archrivals Ananda when the two teams meet in the 93rd Battle of the Maroons at the SSC ground over the weekend (March 4-5). Nalanda do not have the two SL U-19 team members who played key roles during the last season and helped record a historic Big Match victory. But under Chanul Athukorala�s captaincy Nalanda�s balance outfit have done well and can challenge any formidable team. One could only get misled if they judge more..

Mar 3 (DN) Sri Lanka paralympians performed well at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai when they bagged two golds, one silver, and one bronze bringing honour to SL. Saman Subhasingheand and Anil Prasanna landed two gold medals in the 400m (T47) and 100m dash (T42), respectively, while their teammates, Indika Gamage in the 100m dash (T44) and Pradeep Somasiri running the 1500m (T46) increased SL�s medal tally securing Silver & Bronze Medal respectively. more..

Mar 3 (FT) Central Bank has announced new concessionary measures on the debt of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and individuals including fixed income earners and pensioners affected by the present macroeconomic conditions. Noting that the continuation of these adversities would pose a severe threat on banks recoverability of outstanding loans and advances, CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe requested all banks to restructure and reschedule credit facilities more..

Mar 3 (AD) World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser has reaffirmed the World Bank�s continued support to help navigate Sri Lanka�s navigate economic challenges, implement critical reforms, and chart a path towards a resilient and inclusive recovery. During his four-day visit to the island nation, which concluded on 28 Feb, Raiser met with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, Secretary of Treasury, Governor of CB, more..

Mar 3 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar claimed that the IMF has not yet extended its support to Sri Lanka due to the conduct of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Marikkar noted that it has been nine months since Wickremesinghe�s appointment, and he recalled how the latter initially claimed he would obtain aid from the IMF immediately. �They (Govt) first said can obtain support in a month or three months. But it has now been nine months. No creditor has extended us any support. more..

Mar 3 (EN) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has opened an electric vehicle plant in Minneriya, in the agricultural heartland of the country which will assemble tractors, three and two wheelers. Volta Auto Tec Engineering Private Limited has a partnership with an Indian company, a statement said. �The govt is looking into ways of supporting this initiative,� Prez Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying at the opening of the assembly plant with founder Jagath Makavita. more..

Mar 3 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis yesterday instructed the CID to submit copies of all statements and documents connected to the case filed against State Minister Diana Gamage, over her citizenship issue, as well as statements recorded from the latter by 23 March. State Minister Gamage has been charged with flouting immigration and emigration laws, while applying for a passport. more..

Mar 3 (FT) Verit� Research SL Economic Policy Group says the universal tax registration is not advisable for SL and stresses the need for a pragmatic alternative. This view is contained in the fourth research note published by the Verit� Research SL Economic Policy Group. It presents an analysis by Int'l Centre for Tax & Development Professor Mick Moore and Verit� Research Dr. Nishan De Mel explaining why universal tax registration is not advisable for SL. more..

Mar 3 (ST) The appointment of an Independent Panel of Governance Experts by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasingha this week to draft a new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been labeled as direct political interference in the governance of the country�s richest sports body. These appointments come pursuant to a writ application in the Court of Appeal that sought to amend or draft a new constitution for SLC. The case came up for arguments on Friday and more..

Mar 3 (FT) Aitken Spence Travels (AST) yesterday welcomed a charter flight from Bulgaria to MRIA with 200 holiday makers. The visitors from Bulgaria will be discovering Sri Lanka with excursions to explore the vivid culture of the country including Kandy city, the cultural triangle, Pinnawela, the misty mountains of the hill country as well as the classic beaches during their nine days stay in SL. Their accommodation choices vary between 4- and 5- star properties along with boutique properties. more..

Mar 3 (EN) Stocks gained to close at a two months high on Thursday on strong positive sentiments as the deal of the extended loan facility from the IMF reaching is expected to be finalized by the end of the month, brokers said. �There are strong expectations on the IMF and Monetary Policy,� an analyst said. �The market is running on speculation and the sentiment is getting stronger showing more buying interest and a smooth gradual uptrend.� Analysts said significant interest in banking, more..

Mar 3 (FT) IMF declared that it recognises the hardship of people but insisted tax hikes are critical for SL. �We understand the hardship people of SL are experiencing at this time. Increases in the cost of living, loss of employment and livelihood, and falling real incomes have hit large parts of the population, and particularly the poor and vulnerable who have no buffers to withstand these hardships,� said IMF�s Senior Mission Chief for SL more..

Mar 3 (Island) SJB MP Harsha de Silva has dismissed claims made by Prez that govt can�t afford to hold elections in view of IMF recommendations. SJB MP said that not only the President but also senior govt ministers insisted that the money for elections could not be allocated because they could no longer print money or borrow. �This is just absurd. Nowhere in the world has a govt said it can�t hold elections because it is following IMF recommendations. We have a right to vote. more..