Nov 28 (FT) In a resolute commitment to catalysing SL�s vibrant start-up ecosystem, ICTA of SL proudly announces the renewal of its partnership with Brandix Apparel Limited for the second consecutive year. This strategic alliance aims to significantly bolster startups by providing essential funding and fostering their swift expansion. The primary focus is to fuel technological entrepreneurship within SL, propelling its future digital economy. Under the umbrella of the Spiralation start-up incubator, more..

Nov 28 (DN) Former SL fast bowler Dhammika Prasad started new role as a coach as he commenced a very worthy programme named Fast Bowling Talent Hunt at the De Mazenod College grounds Kandana. Prasad who retired from International cricket later became a coach while he did his service first to Nepal and later he came back home to do his service for the cricket development. Fast Bowling Talent Hunt is a new concept of mine while former SL fast bowlers get together to more..

Nov 28 (Island) Top Opposition spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris warned of a major govt offensive against the media to neutralise print and electronic media ahead of the presidential election scheduled for next year. He told a media briefing that the proposed creation of a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission for electronic media, Online Safety Bill and Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, more..

Nov 28 (Island) Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on Sunday called on people to join forces to reject oppressive leaders to cleanse the country�s politics to enable the emergence of a new leadership. Cardinal said so addressing this year�s SIGNIS Awards ceremony held at the BMICH. He said that the govt was determined to bring in new laws in the name of regulating social media to deprive people of their right to know the truth. It is the duty of all patriotic & independent media more..

Nov 28 (FT) Two renowned film conservators were in courts this week to pursue legal action to assert ownership rights for Sinhala films Thewatha (1970) and Aparadaya saha Danduwama (1973). Film conservator Tissa Nagodavithana had filed a petition before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court against Hemapriya Kandambi of Hemapriya Kandambi Cinema Museum and Archive in Kadawatha, under the Intellectual Property Act to assert ownership of the two films that were broadcast on more..

Nov 28 (CT) A four-member SL family, who were stranded in the Gaza, safely arrived in SL on 24 Nov. Consular Affairs Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitated the repatriation of the family. Upon their arrival in Colombo, officials from the Foreign Ministry received the returning SL family. The officials from the SL Embassy in Cairo, working in coordination with the Egyptian authorities, visited the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza and received the stranded Sri Lankans. more..

Nov 28 (FT) The CIABOC revealed on Friday a large-scale fraud of over Rs. 5 billion committed by suspects in connivance with officers of the Dept of Motor Traffic before the Colombo Chief Magistrate�s Court. Commission filed a �B� report, presenting a jeep before Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis, alleging that the Toyota jeep had been registered under a lorry chassis number to evade paying customs duty and taxes to the State. The bribery investigators informed the Magistrate that more..

Nov 28 (TM) Prez and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to become the presidential candidate of a coalition led by the UNP and the party is to work on an action plan drafted by its Working Committee ahead of the next Presidential Election, said UNP General Secretary Palitha Rangebandara. Speaking to The Daily Morning following a meeting held at the party�s hq with the Prez and several other UNP senior members, more..

Nov 28 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja yesterday (27) sentenced the sister-in-law of death row inmate and drug kingpin Wele Suda, to five years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI), after she pleaded guilty, to violating Provisions contained in Sections of the Offences against the Money Laundering Act. The accused had been unable to disclose to Court, as to how a sum of Rs. 10.6 million, had come to be deposited in her bank account & how she had received that amount. more..

Nov 28 (Island) Secretary to the Ministry of Education had sent 3,308 letters to principals of national schools asking them to admit students outside established protocols, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU), Joseph Stalin, said, adding that it had been revealed in a report by the National Audit Office. Those letters were sent between 01 January 2020 and 31 May 2022, according to the National Audit Office. �Out of this, 72 percent are nominees of politicians, more..

Nov 28 (DM) Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has decided to regulate private security firms and has requested the Defence Ministry prepare a system to this effect. Decision on regulating private security firms came up at the oversight committee meeting when members of the committee highlighted that the public is oppressed by those who get private security guards to go along with them when they travel. Senior police officers said that legally, police cannot intervene more..

Nov 28 (TM) Sri Lanka�s decision to charge value-added tax (VAT) from software companies might push local startups overseas, driving away foreign direct investments (FDIs) from the country, PickMe Founder and CEO Jiffry Zulfer said. He said that the IT sector � which was impacted by Covid-19 and the economic crisis � will be impacted again by the inclusion of VAT to most software companies. �We consider ourselves a software company because we provide software to our partners. more..

Nov 28 (ST) A high-level delegation led by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and consisting of as many as 80 delegates, including Ministers Ali Sabry, Kanchana Wijesekera, Keheliya Rambukwella, Climate Change Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene, Foreign Affairs Advisor Dinouk Colombage, and four MPs, will fly to Dubai for the UN Conference of Parties (COP28) summit next week. The technical delegation will consist more..

Nov 28 (PMD) Minister of Economy and Planning for Saudi Arabia, Faisal Alibrahim, met with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe this afternoon (27) at the Presidential Secretariat. During the discussions, Minister Faisal Alibrahim emphasized Saudi Arabia�s keen interest in strengthening economic ties with SL across various sectors, including garments and tourism. He elucidated that his govt was focused on expanding economic relations within the region and regarded SL with significant importance. more..

Nov 28 (TM) A multi-faceted investigation is being carried out into the much-discussed incident of covering the historic Avukana Buddha statue with a saffron robe, according to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs. Photographs of Avukana Buddha statue covered with a saffron robe are currently being circulated on social media platforms including Facebook, and the same has led to great controversy. Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka has called for a systematic more..

Nov 28 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe sacked the Sports and Irrigation Minister Roshan Ranasinghe after he continued a campaign of criticism against the Prez over the scandal involving SLC. Within hours, the portfolio of sports was transferred to the current Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando, who previously served as the Sports Minister in 2018 while Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, currently serving as the Minister of Wildlife and more..

Nov 28 (FT) In Part I, we examined the rationale and implications of the CBSL�s prohibition from purchasing Govt securities under the new CBA. We argued that this rationale is fundamentally flawed and likely to have detrimental effects on the SL economy, especially growth & employment. In Part II we delve into the rationale and implications of the CBA making the primary objective of the CBSL the control of inflation (and stability of the financial system) and increasing its independence in more..

Nov 28 (DM) Govt of SL is set to borrow USD 60 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Second Integrated Road Investment Programme � Tranche 4. Funds will be allocated to address crucial works on ongoing and incomplete road sections as part of the broader Integrated Road Investment Programme, aimed at enhancing road safety and minimizing public inconvenience. The loan, provided by ADB's Concessional Ordinary Capital Resources, forms a part of more..

Nov 28 (AD) World-famous Australian chef Gary Mehigan, popularly known for his role as a judge on MasterChef Australia, has arrived in SL. 56-year-old Mehigan had arrived at the BIA aboard a SriLankan Airlines flight (UL 172) last night, along with his wife and manager. The award-winning chef will be in SL for one week, during which he is expected to host several workshops, and cook two dinners alongside several SL chefs on 30 Nov and 2 Dec at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. more..

Nov 28 (FT) Sri Lanka�s Budget 2024 follows the IMF package signed in March 2023. While Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe calls it a welfare budget, it is in fact proposing severe austerity measures. This Budget is quintessentially a commercial budget serving multi-national businesses and local elite interests. It sets a neoliberal trajectory in line with int'l financial institutions, particularly the IMF and World Bank. It also reinforces the local guardians of free markets and frames it as more..

Nov 28 (DM) Dept of Immigration and Emigration has busted a major child smuggling racket that operated between SL, Malaysia and UK and has handed over findings of a lengthy probe to the CID after examining over 20,000 child departures from Colombo. A senior detective of the Dept said that from over the 20,000 departures generated from BIA in recent months involving children under the age 16, a probe was more..

Nov 28 (EN) Sri Lanka is developing a price formula for the state-run Water Board, with higher prices to be charged from commercial customers, Water Supply Minister Jeevan Thondaman has said. The draft price formula is expected to be finalized in December and religious, hospitals and schools are likely be given lower tariffs, Minister Thondaman was quoted as telling reporters at the President�s Media Centre. Higher tariffs are likely to be charged from commercial establishments. more..

Nov 28 (FT) A ten-year-old bowler from Colombo Hindu College Selvasakaran Rishiyudhan is making waves in the cricket world with his outstanding bowling performance in SL Schools Cricket Association Under 13 Division II tournament match against MDH Jayawardene MV Battaramulla. The match played at Ediriweera Sarathchandra grounds, Mulleriyawa saw Rishiyudhan returning the astonishing figures of 8 wickets in nine overs without conceding a single run. more..

Nov 28 (AD) Court of Appeal has decided to take up further consideration of the case filed against the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) interim committee on Tuesday. Accordingly, the court has informed newly-appointed Minister of Sports Harin Fernando to present his status regarding the matter on that day. On 6 Nov, a 7-member Interim Committee was appointed by then Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, chaired by more..

Nov 28 (AD) Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has drawn attention to the fact that some people were getting the services of private security guards for their own protection, Parliamentary Communications Dept said. In a statement, it mentioned that the matter was discussed when the said committee met in Parliament on 22 Nov under the chairmanship of MP Sarath Weerasekera. The members of the committee pointed out that the public is facing more..

Nov 28 (AD) SLPP MP Wimal Weerawansa has warned that the downfall of the current govt has commenced. Weerawansa alleged that the Prez�s decision to remove Roshan Ranasinghe from his ministerial portfolios was a testament to Ranil Wickremesinghe�s true character, and further accused the Head of State of siding with thieves. �The current Prez had the crown [Presidency] fall on to his head thanks to the Aragalaya, but yesterday, he showed his true character very clearly. more..

Nov 28 (CT) SL High Commission in Singapore celebrated Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, at Sri Senpaga Vinayagar temple in Singapore on 18 Nov, hosting over 120 participants. The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps in Singapore, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, representatives of Singapore�s Inter-Religious-Council, representatives of SL associations, including Singapore Ceylon Tamils Association & Sri Senpaga Vinayagar temple more..

Nov 28 (CC) Chamari Athapaththu had a point to prove when she arrived in Australia in early October. That is no longer the case, with the SL superstar crowned the Weber WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament. The Sydney Thunder import won a tight race by a single vote over Adelaide Strikers opener Katie Mack for the award, voted on a 3-2-1 basis by the standing umpires in each match. Athapaththu finished the regular season second on the runs table with 511 runs at 42.58, striking at 129.69 more..

Nov 28 (EN) SL leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has crossed a seemingly elusive 50% hurdle in a voting intent poll conducted among 567 interviewees for October, though his net favourability rating remained negative at minus 9 indicating continued unpopularity. A SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP) showed that Dissanayake, who leads the NPP gained support to half of more..

Nov 28 (EN) SL should make efforts to catch the individual(s) who had apparently stolen a big bundle of notes from the central bank�s currency issue office, opposition legislator Niroshan Perera told parliament. Opposition MP Perera of the SJB had asked for an update on the currency note theft from the finance minister. �You mentioned that there are two investigations ongoing into the theft of a Rs 50 lakh bundle of money from the central bank. So you haven�t caught the thief yet; more..

Nov 28 (DM) Govt is prepared to hold the delayed Provincial Council elections if the Opposition agrees on the electoral system, PM Dinesh Gunawardene told Parliament. �Opposition MPs are making a different proposal on the system under which the PC elections are to be held. We can hold the elections if they agree on the system under which the PC elections are to be held,� PM said. �Some Opposition members say the PC elections should be held under the old system & others under new system. more..

Nov 28 (DM) Minister Bandula Gunawardane accused the state media of not providing enough publicity to the various development projects implemented by the govt. Minister who is also the Chairman of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media said that public media should broadcast the inconveniences of the public who are affected by various dilapidated buildings, roads, bridges etc. as well as inform more..

Nov 28 (AD) The production of alcohol at two of the country�s main distilleries, which was temporarily halted earlier today due to the non-payment of taxes, has resumed, Excise Department sources said. Accordingly, alcohol production at W. M. Mendis & Co Ltd and enigala Distilleries Lanka Ltd resumed a short while ago, after their due taxes were paid. According to Excise Department sources, a collective tax payment of Rs. 116 million was made from both distilleries. more..

Nov 28 (AD) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Open and Accountable Government has directed the heads of local govt bodies to provide the necessary services with equal consideration to the public who come to obtain services. The matter was discussed when the said committee met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of MP Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi. The officials of the Urban Councils, Municipal Councils and Divisional Secretariats of the Western Province were summoned before more..

Nov 28 (AD) SJB MP Vadivel Suresh has reportedly been removed from his position as the SJB�s Passara Organiser. The decision has reportedly been taken in the wake of the MP voting in favour during the vote on the second reading of the 2024 Budget. Commenting in this regard, MP Vadivel Suresh stated that the youth of Passara area will receive a great hope in politics in the near future. Meanwhile, Letchuman Sanjay has been appointed to the vacant position of SJB organiser for more..