Oct 11 (ST) Only 34 out of 300 lawyers who had sent applications to the Prez Secretariat to be appointed President�s Counsel have the necessary qualifications, sources said. A Committee headed by a former Chief Justice was tasked with evaluating the qualifications of the applicants to determine if they met the criteria specified in the gazette notification on the appointment of President�s Counsel. The Committee will forward the list of 34 names who have the necessary qualifications more..

Oct 11 (TM) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said that it had taken possible measures to prevent trees and buildings being affected when locating pipelines in urban areas. NWSDB made these remarks in the wake of several related public institutions being blamed by many parties for not taking preventive measures to avoid buildings and trees being affected by their projects. Most recently, five passengers were killed and four were injured and admitted to the Hospital more..

Oct 11 (DM) Hi everyone, I am happy to inform you that my surgery to repair the defect in my hamstring muscle/tendon was a success, thanks to the brilliant work of Prof. Fares Haddad and the amazing hospital staff. I will be out of action for a while but I look forward to coming back stronger for my Country. I am grateful for the efforts of Thihan chandramohan our National Physio, SLC, the ever so efficient SL Medical Panel, my IPL Franchise RCB's Management, Shyam Impett and more..

Oct 11 (TM) Police Dept, which functioned without a Chief for more than two weeks until the former IGP Chandana Wickramaratne was granted the second service extension on 9 July 2023, and whose service extension duration has since lapsed, has again become headless as an IGP is yet to be appointed. Wickramaratne, whose initial service extension expired on 26 June 2023, was granted another three-month service extension by Prez on 9 July, and it expired on Monday (9). more..

Oct 11 (TM) The ruling SLPP and the main Parliamentary Opposition, SJB expect that the Supreme Court (SC) which upheld the SLMC decision to revoke the Party membership of the current Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, will set a precedent in the legal proceedings related to MPs who left their parties. The SC, in its ruling with regard to a petition filed by Ahamed, challenging the SLMC's decision to expel him from Party, more..

Oct 11 (DM) Health Ministry has determined that a sum of Rs. 67 billion is a pre-requisite to replace expired medical equipment, Daily Mirror learns. According to informed sources, the lifetime of the medical equipment has expired since 2019. The equipment, which include CT scans, MRI scans, linear accelerators, ventilators, and anaesthetic machines, have not been replaced since 2019 due to a lack of funds and the prioritization of certain medical equipment during the pandemic. more..

Oct 11 (DN) Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said if there is a need to evacuate Sri Lankans from Israel, steps will be taken to bring them home as soon as possible. He said that SL Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel is closely monitoring the Sri Lankans staying in Israel and the team headed by the SL Ambassador is working on this with their utmost dedication. It has been discovered that a large number of Sri Lankans are currently staying in Israel and steps will be taken to send them to detention centers, more..

Oct 11 (TM) Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) claimed that it is unfortunate that the groups representing the Parliamentary Opposition are following a silent policy regarding the proposed increase in electricity tariffs. ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said: �The proposal to raise the electricity tariffs has been forwarded to PUCSL. We know that the MPs or other parties representing the Govt will not oppose it. more..

Oct 11 (FT) IMF and World Bank statements highlight the international economic status of the world in the immediate term. Sri Lankans would be ostriches with their heads buried in the sand if they believe that this scenario does not affect them. Based on such a misplaced and misguided view, politicians in SL, especially, the Opposition parties continue to pander to this view and promote it, as it is a vote attracting, populist view. In reality, the following news item in the Daily FT more..

Oct 11 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s recent interview with German television network DW has ignited controversy and drawn sharp criticism from several moderates. The interview, which centred on SL�s stance regarding an international inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks, has generated significant debate on the international stage. In response to the President�s fiery exchange during the interview, people are now beginning to realise that English fluency can�t be compared with more..

Oct 11 (EN) SL�s govt is planning to take over 70% of debt owed by CEB to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the independent power producers, Fitch Ratings has said. By end August 2023 the CEB owed 212 billion rupees to the CPC and IPPs and non-conventional renewable power (NCRE) producers. CEB ran large losses in the past due to being allowed to raise prices especially the rupee collapsed from money printing to boost growth over the last decade, pushing up fuel & coal costs. more..

Oct 11 (DM) NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today filed a Special Determination petition before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill. Petitioner stated that the Bill has serious implications on the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression, including publication guaranteed by Article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution. She further said the proposed bill is seeking to restrict the freedom of speech and expression, including publication. more..

Oct 11 (AD) Ali Zahir Moulana Seiyad of SLMC has been appointed as a Member of Parliament for the Batticaloa electoral district, by way of an Extraordinary Gazette notification. The Election Commission of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (11) issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification, announcing Moulana�s appointment to the post, following the disqualification of former minister Ahamed Zainulabdeen Nazeer�s parliamentary seat. more..

Oct 11 (CT) Computerised tomography (CT) scan service at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) has collapsed, causing severe inconvenience to young patients. President of the Govt Radiological Technologists� Association (GRTA), Chanaka Dharmawickrema said the said CT scanner had stopped functioning on Monday and lamented that this was the only CT scanner available at the hospital. Repairing the machine has become a serious problem as the annual service more..

Oct 11 (DM) WBBL side Sydney Thunder recently came forward to announce the signing of SL women�s skipper Chamari Athapaththu ahead of the WBBL 2023�24 season. Notably, Athapaththu was recently snubbed from the overseas draft of the same tournament. However, her inclusion comes as she was named as an overseas replacement player for Thunder. 33-year-old has quite the experience when it comes to competing in the WBBL. SL skipper has competed for Perth Scorchers more..

Oct 11 (EN) The IMF has not yet been informed of any deal with the Exim Bank of China with Sri Lanka, an official said after a Chinese statement on a preliminary agreement on restructuring. The IMF will also have look at all credit agreements to decide on their adequacy to reach targets. �We know discussions between Sri Lanka and all its creditors have been ongoing,� IMF�s Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer said more..

Oct 11 (EN) There is more to SL�s parliament than what�s seen by the public, with much work being done in committee rooms and the like, Prez Ranil Wicrkremesinghe said, suggesting that MPs have a tendency to �perform� in the lobby for the cameras. Prez told a group of school students at a meeting that some parliament members go beyond the limit when it comes to acting, as he called it. �Parliament is being given a separate budget office. On top of that, there is a constitutional council. more..

Oct 11 (AD) STF has arrested three individuals for their complicity in a brazen daylight shooting in Maligakanda last month. The arrest was made in Obeysekarapura, Welikada last evening (10). STF officers also impounded a car with a fake registration plate, used by the suspects to transport firearms and to flee. Police said the arrestees, aged 36, 61 and 62 years, were residents of Rajagiriya and Irakkamam areas. On Sept 17, a 36-year-old, who was travelling in a three-wheeler with his wife and daughter, more..

Oct 11 (DN) SL will sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia when Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe visits the country in February, said visiting Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zambry Abd Kadir at a special CEO Forum hosted by Malaysia SL Business Council (SLMBC) on Monday. He said that the discussion in this regard had been going on for the past 5 years and it got delayed due to the COVID pandemic and other reasons. �This time both countries are keen more..

Oct 11 (DM) SL athletics team that won four medals at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, returned home during the early hours of this morning. A large number of well-wishers, including family members, past and present students and staff members of A. Ratnayake Central College, Walalla, officers of the SL Army etc. were among those present to welcome the team that won a gold, a silver and two bronze medals at the Games. Tharushi Karunaratne won SL's only gold more..

Oct 11 (Island) Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 would arrive in SL in late November, Foreign Ministe Ali Sabry said. Foreign Ministry had granted approval for the arrival of the ship, he added. �The ship is expected to arrive in SL on 25 Nov. Initially, they wanted to come in October. We asked them to come in November. They again asked if they could come in late October. We have maintained our position that they must come in late November. more..

Oct 11 (Island) Prof. C. A. Saliya, a professional banker, chartered accountant and university don, writes about something different yet very interesting and timely in his column published on this page, today. He discusses, among other things, the state of religion in the modern world, vicissitudes that religious beliefs have undergone, the disillusionment of people with religion globally, and, above all, our duty to help build a tolerant world. A discussion of this nature is more..

Oct 11 (MB) Philippines Prez Marcos has vowed to work on enhancing the economies of both the Philippines and SL as he aims to continue developing the bilateral ties between the two Asian countries. Marcos said this during the presentation of the SL Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa's credentials in Malaca�ang on Tuesday, Oct. 10. During their meeting, the two leaders vowed to strengthen the warm and friendly 62-year Philippine-SL relations and more..

Oct 11 (CT) State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe said that 3 important Bills concerning gender-based violence will be introduced soon. These Bills include the Gender Equality Bill, National Commission for Women Bill and Women�s Empowerment Bill, all of which are crucial steps in advancing gender equality and safety in the country, she added. Kumarasinghe said to bolster the social security of women, plans are underway to more..

Oct 11 (TM) While the source of a batch of the human blood-based drug, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which was recently withheld from use, is still unknown, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) emphasised that the relevant authorities should expeditiously reveal the truth behind the importation of the said drug. IVIG is a pooled antibody, and a biological agent used to manage various immunodeficiency states and a plethora of other conditions, including more..

Oct 11 (Island) Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane yesterday reiterated SL�s commitment to continue to work closely with all Member States of IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) and other partners including the Dialogue Partners for achieving the objectives of IORA. Wijewardane noted that the theme, Strengthening Regional Architecture: Reinforcing Indian Ocean Identity chosen by Sri Lanka for its chairmanship reflects the country�s deep understanding of the pivotal role more..

Oct 11 (CT) Excise Dept has managed to increase its revenue by one billion rupees in a month, as a result of raids to seize bottles of liquor with the fake security sticker and the imposition of fines, it was revealed. Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means yesterday ordered the Dept to commence seizing bottles of liquor bearing counterfeit stickers and it was stated yesterday that this course of action would serve as a shining example on how best the State could more..

Oct 11 (DM) Catholic Church in SL, in a fresh letter addressed to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a local probe to clear certain shortcomings that are visible in the previous probes into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Letter signed by several Bishops including Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who are members of the National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims appointed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference has said previous investigations have neglected more..

Oct 11 (CT) The hearing of testimony for the prosecution, in the case filed against 25 accused, including Naufer Moulavi, who have been charged with the explosion of bombs targeting Catholic Churches and star class hotels, on Easter Sunday and conspiracy to set off bombs, commenced before the Trial-at- Bar of the Colombo High Court, yesterday. High Court Bench comprised Judges Damith Thotawatta, Amal Ranaraja and more..

Oct 11 (CT) All reports compiled by various international agencies and secret services of countries like India, China, Australia and Pakistan on 2019 Easter Sunday attacks are classified thus, cannot be made public, terrorism expert Dr. Rohan Gunaratna observed. He was clarifying matters related to a call by the Catholic Bishops� Conference to disclose reports compiled by various international agencies on Easter Sunday bomb blasts. Dr. Gunaratna, author of the book more..

Oct 11 (MFA) SL assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers which concluded in Colombo on 11 Oct 2023. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry chaired the meeting. SL is a founding member of IORA which was established in 1997, and previously served as its Chair from 2003 to 2004. 23rd IORA Council of Ministers was inaugurated with a colourful opening ceremony that brought the Indian Ocean into the conference room via virtual reality. more..

Oct 11 (Island) The Opposition is agreeable for the abolition of the executive presidency if parliamentary election could be held instead, top Opposition spokesperson Prof. G.L. Pieris said. He mentioned this when asked whether the rebel SLPP group, styled as Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa, would seek a consensus with Opposition parties in that regard. Prez election is scheduled to be conducted by October next year and more..

Oct 11 (EN) SL should speed up the divestment of state enterprises to reduce the burden on the people, before the momentum for reform out, Advocata Institute, a Colombo-based think tank said. Key reforms have to be done in the first year of govt, Rohan Samarajiva, an Advisor to Advocata Institute said. �2024 by all estimates will be an election year,� Samarajiva, who had been involved in govt reforms earlier said. �I would generally argue that is not the opportune time for this kind of reforms.� more..

Oct 11 (AD) The rapid spread of an eye infection called Conjunctivitis has been reported from several parts of the country, according to health officials. Ministry of Health, which informs the general public not to have undue fears of the matter, however, has outlined some necessary safety measures in a bid to minimize the infection. It was further confirmed however, that the eye infection poses no health threat and is most likely to improve within a span of 3 to 4 days. more..

Oct 12 (CT) Women and children are indispensable groups in any social context in the world. Indeed, they play a major role in advancing societies and cultures. Nevertheless, the very same population -women and children- are heavily vulnerable social groups as well, especially in terms of gender-based violence and abuse. The number of women and children who become victims of violence � domestic or social -, abuse and discrimination particularly in SL, has been on a very high scale during more..