Oct 16 (FT) Three million tourists are set to visit our shores next year. We will issue nearly as many online visas � millions too many. ETAs are a tourist�s bane: rather than dreamy sun, sea and sand, the weary salaryman�s getaway begins with the tedium of forms. The tourist�s ayubowan to SL begins with ferreting for flight details and credit cards. Warm-up complete, the ordeal begins in earnest: 20 clicks to navigate through the ETA form and countless key strokes to fill out the 27 form fields. more..

Oct 16 (FT) In a pioneering move to bolster the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector, the apex body of the ICT industry, FITIS, has unveiled the DigiGo Digital Playbook for SMEs. Organised by the FITIS Digital Services Chapter, in collaboration with LKDomain Registry and under the patronage of the Ministry of Industries and Plantation Industries, as well as the Ministry of Technology, DigiGo aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for SMEs seeking affordable local digital more..

Oct 16 (DM) Group Chief Financial Officer and Head of ESG of the Hayleys Group, Milinda Hewagama was recently appointed to the Board of the United Nations Global Compact Network SL. Hewagama brings over 17 years of diverse experience in Financial Management, Reporting, Budgeting and Financial Planning & Analysis. Beginning his career at Hayleys in 2010, Hewagama enjoyed a rapid ascent within the Group, rising from Executive to Group CFO within 13 years. more..

Oct 16 (DM) Colombo Magistrate Rajidra Jayasooriya allowed the kith and kin of the late leading businessman Dinesh Shafter to bury his remains in their family burial grounds at Jawatte, Colombo 5. At the onset of the magisterial inquiry before Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya, Counsel Anuja Premaratna PC, Counsel Mohan Balendran appearing with Attorney-at-Law Vinoj Ratnayake for the aggrieved family of Shafter filed affidavits more..

Oct 16 (AD) Attorney General today stated before the Court of Appeal that it is not possible to provide special consideration before the law to Pastor Jerome Fernando, who has been accused of allegedly insulting other religions through a controversial statement made by him. Appearing on behalf of the AG, Senior State Counsel Shaminda Wickrama informed this to the court, when a writ petition filed by Pastor Jerome requesting to issue an order preventing his arrest by the CID, more..

Oct 16 (DM) Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith today filed a Special Determination petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stated that arbitrary and unreasonable wide-ranging powers have been granted to Prez when appointing members to the Online Safety Commission. He stated that these wide-ranging powers are retained by the Prez concerning the powers to remove the members of the Online Safety Commission more..

Oct 16 (CI) After returning to the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games recently, T20 cricket will feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics too. Recommended by the LA Local Organising Committee (LALOG), the proposal to include cricket at the LA28 Games was rubber stamped by the Int'l Olympic Committee's members, who voted on Monday in Mumbai. Five new sports - cricket (men's and women's T20s), more..

Oct 16 (EN) Board of Investment (BOI) is analyzing the financial capabilities of applicants who have requested for mining licenses after the awarding criteria were changed, State Investment Minister Dilum Amunugama said. The Cabinet in August approved several proposals by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe aimed at promoting foreign and local investment in the country�s mineral resources sector to boost revenues in a sector which has been long dragged by corruption. more..

Oct 16 (SLN) A special search operation mounted by the SL Navy in the beach area of Urumalei, Talaimannar today led to the recovery of over 04kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (ICE), about 01kg of heroin and over 05kg of hashish concealed in a dinghy. To curb unlawful activities such as drug trafficking within SL's maritime and coastal zones, the Navy is conducting vigilant and constant operations. In a similar effort, SLNS Thammanna in the North Central Naval Command conducted more..

Oct 16 (EN) SL�s power regulator has requested a new tariff proposal from the CEB questioning key assumptions on its recent submission to hike electricity prices. The CEB had requested about a 22% hike in tariffs. Public Utilities Commission of SL said the CEB forecast for a recovery in demand was lower than forecasted both for September and October. Hydro storage build up was higher than forecasted with recent rains and coal prices in rupees was also lower than forecasted. more..

Oct 16 (FT) Marking the 4th anniversary of DP Education, its Founder and Chairman Dhammika Perera last week highlighted that the development of the country would be possible only with the digitalisation of education and industry. The event celebrating the milestones, initiatives and the positive impact of the DP Education online platform took place at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre on Wednesday {11). DP Education, under the Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation, more..

Oct 16 (AD) The Neurosurgery Unit of A'pura Teaching Hospital has successfully carried out an awake brain surgery, for the resection of a brain tumor, while the patient was not only awake and fully conscious, but had also drawn a picture during the operation. The awake brain surgery, also known as awake craniotomy is a type of procedure performed on the brain while the patient is awake, and able to talk to the operative team more..

Oct 16 (TNN) Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin has written to external affairs minister S Jaishankar urging him to take diplomatic measures for the release of 27 fishermen and their five boats detained by the SL navy on Saturday. Meanwhile, the fishermen in Rameswaram declared an indefinite strike and a series of protests till the arrested fishermen and all their boats were released from Sri Lankan custody. In his letter to the external affairs minister, the CM stated that more..

Oct 16 (DM) Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara is doing a good job ensuring the safety of locals in the Gaza Strip in the wake of the conflict, but there is much more to be done to minimize the effects from which Sri Lanka could suffer, a SJB MP said today. �We have seen that the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel is doing a good job. He had even made an effort to travel to conflict areas in the Gaza Strip to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans living there. more..

Oct 16 (Island) Western powers backing Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe would allow him to postpone both presidential and parliamentary polls, NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa has said. That would be in line with their overall strategy, Colombo District lawmaker declared at the launch of the English and Russian translations of his Namaya: Sangawuna Kathawa on Friday. The former Minister issued the warning at more..

Oct 16 (FT) Moose Clothing Company, has taken decisive legal actions against counterfeit sellers and manufacturers who have been flooding the market with fake Moose products. This aggressive stance comes in response to the growing threat of imitation products that not only harm their brand reputation but also undermine the trust of their loyal customers. The company partnered with law enforcement agents to identify, seize, and appropriately dispose of the counterfeit products more..

Oct 16 (Island) Progressive forces in Sri Lanka need to unite to create a campaign to counterbalance anti-China propaganda by imperialist forces, Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) leader Prof. Tissa Vitharana said during a recent discussion on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Speaking at the event organised by the Asia Progress Forum, a think-tank affiliated with the Communist Party of SL (CPSL), Prof. Vithanara said China had become a superpower without resorting to imperialism. more..

Oct 16 (PMD) UNP MP Wajira Abeywardena, emphasized that present got is dedicated to elevating SL�s global standing by ensuring the public�s access to accurate information, drawing inspiration from the significance of the Media Development Authority Act of Singapore in their developmental journey. MP further highlighted that while everyone enjoys the freedom of social media, regulations will be introduced to deter its misuse for personal attacks or vengeful actions. more..

Oct 16 (TM) In a move towards potential commercial transformation, UDA has initiated a bid process to lease the prestigious President�s House in Jaffna, according to credible sources. Sources reveal that two prospective investors have already presented their proposals to the UDA. The authority is presently awaiting estimated valuations from the Chief Govt Valuer to progress towards finalising the lease. The property might be leased to SL Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), more..

Oct 16 (CT) Education Minister Susil Premajayantha highlighted the need for a comprehensive educational approach, that goes beyond focusing solely on the development of skills in three main subjects, while preparing children for the Grade five Scholarship examinations. He said ignoring other important subjects can hinder the overall development of children as a result, SL must move away from the traditional school more..

Oct 16 (EN) The sour banana cultivation project and the TEJC mango project started in Jaffna under the agriculture ministry�s Agriculture Sector Innovation Project have become very successful the subject minister said. Sour banana is grown on 200 acres, and TEJC mango is planted on 500 acres in Jaffna at present. Along with the Rajangana sour banana project, about 10,000 kg of sour bananas are exported to the Dubai market once a week. �Both these projects are very successful. more..

Oct 16 (FT) National People Party (NPP) led by leftist JVP yesterday launched an eight-fold policy framework titled the Hatton Declaration to improve the lives of the estate-based Malaiyaha Tamil community in Sri Lanka. The event was held at the DKW Cultural Centre in Hatton and presided over by NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The declaration was launched to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the community�s arrival in Sri Lanka from India. more..

Oct 16 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne highlighted the need for SL to formulate a new foreign policy based on law and international conventions. �SL, despite its size, is susceptible to the impact of int'l events on its economy, security, and way of life. Therefore it is important for the Govt to adopt a multilateral foreign policy to address these concerns,� he stressed. He also emphasised that the Govt should avoid pursuing any foreign policy more..

Oct 16 (DM) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Palestine Embassy in Colombo today to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine. During discussions with the Palestinian Ambassador, Rajapaksa said there was no room for terrorism anywhere in the world and war was not the solution. Rajapaksa also stressed the importance of resolving these issues through peaceful discussions. Drawing from SL's own experiences with war, more..

Oct 16 (AD) A suspect wanted over several shooting incidents in the Kandana area has been shot dead during a crossfire with the police at Sapugaskanda last night, police said. The suspect was reportedly killed in the shootout as police officers were about to arrest him. A team of police officers attached to Kandana Police had arrived at the location in order to arrest the suspect based on a tip-off received that he is staying in a rented house in the Sapugaskanda area, the police said. more..

Oct 17 (TM) Earlier this month, CID arrested three, over their alleged complicity in the custodial death of a female housekeeper, who died while in police custody and is suspected to have been abused during interrogation. The victim was alleged to have robbed a residence of an affluent and influential family, which some believe is the reason that the several Police officers have given her a tough treatment to force a confession. It is alleged that the Police offered Rs. 10,000 to the husband more..

Oct 17 (CT) At the height of last year�s multi-faceted crisis, more than half of SL�s population plunged into poverty. Many families were grappling with what was being labelled the worst economic downfall since gaining independence in 1948, by skipping meals or consuming just one meal a day. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), at the time, 6.3 million people or over 30 per cent of the country�s population, were food insecure and were in dire need of humanitarian assistance. more..

Oct 17 (DM) 36 years ago in Oct 1987, I was arrested by the SL Police and detained at the CID Office on the fourth floor of the Police Secretariat in Fort, Colombo. I was then working as a journalist for The Island in Colombo. I was also the SL Correspondent of the Indian English daily The Hindu and newsmagazine Frontline. The UNP Govt headed by Prez Junius Richard (JR) Jayewardene was in power then. more..

Oct 17 (ST) After 12 months of piling taxes on the public with impunity on the supposed ground that IMF conditions required financial discipline be introduced to the economy, the Govt awoke last week to find the IMF had placed the shoe on its own foot, and put the clamp on its footloose and fancy-free revelling style of governance. For months on end, the Govt, repeating the economy, economy, economy mantra ad nauseam, heaped taxes after taxes on a down-and-out despairing people more..

Oct 17 (TM) The Online Safety Bill was published in the Gazette on 15 Sept, and placed on the order paper of Parliament and tabled on 3 Oct. Bill provides for, inter alia, to make provisions: to prohibit certain online communications, for the prevention of the use of online accounts and inauthentic accounts for prohibited purposes, to identify and declare online locations for prohibited purposes, and for the suppression of financing and other support for false statements and matters connected therewith. more..

Oct 17 (SO) Much has been said and written about Jackson Anthony. Such accolades are well-deserved. He has left an indelible mark on the SL cultural scene, a legacy that continues to resonate. His contributions have significantly enriched the artistic landscape. It continues to be a source of inspiration to many. Professor Ariyaratne Athugala offers a profound and insightful perspective on this cultural icon. In Athugala�s words, more..

Oct 17 (DM) Comedy serves various functions in politics. In addition to offering relief during tough times, it can emphasize a politician�s authenticity and impact the public�s perception of them. Politicians and public figures often express stress, frustration, or strong emotions in a hostile, or annoyed manner when speaking publicly. This behaviour can result from the high-pressure environment, constant scrutiny, and adversarial situations they face. more..

Oct 17 (TS) The importance of people's right to information (RTI) for good governance and sustainable development is often loudly proclaimed but quietly ignored by people and governments alike. It is heartening, therefore, that a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report prescribed a greater role for the RTI law to prevent a recurrence of the kind of financial and political crisis faced by Sri Lanka early last year � and to assure the country's steady recovery. more..

Oct 17 (Island) The interest in the electoral process has suddenly been sparked off by news that the govt is contemplating holding a referendum on abolishing the executive presidency. Reported concern is that no candidate at prez elections to be held next year will achieve the 50% mark to win the presidency at the first round of elections itself. This occurred in neighboring Maldives last month, where no candidate at the presidential election reached the 50% mark at the first round of elections. more..

Oct 17 (Island) Adversity made the SLPP and the UNP strange bedfellows, last year, but their political marriage is now on the rocks to all intents and purposes, with their big guns being all out to undermine each other. Their relationship has turned sour because the SLPP leaders, lulled into complacency by the prevailing semblance of order and their Panglossian worldview, are trying to consolidate their grip on power, again, at the expense of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. more..