Oct 19 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the SLPP govt are taking practical steps to reduce the debt burden and strengthen the country�s economy, but the cost of living is soaring sky-high and millions of poor or middle-class people finding it difficult to obtain proper meal and provide for their healthcare, education and travel needs. Till the economy is strengthened, the govt is planning to introduce bills to replace the widely criticized PTA and introduce the Online Safety Bill, more..

Oct 19 (DM) Sri Lankan should carry out the concept of which there is bipartisan agreement, where SL stays out of and opposes any attempt to bifurcate Asia, and we go along to ensure peace and stability in our region. These are the words of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe that resonated at the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the BMICH on May 10, 2023. There could not have been a more fitting place than the BMICH for anyone to recall SL�s striking involvement with Non-aligned Movement more..

Oct 19 (CT) Last week�s Supreme Court verdict, which upheld the SLMC�s decision to expel its former MP and former Minister of Environment Naseer Ahamed, for his support of the present govt�s Budget, is a significant development. This verdict reinforces the political party�s stance against MPs crossing over for political and personal gains. Following this landmark Supreme Court decision, Ahamed has lost his MP seat, more..

Oct 19 (DM) Online Safety Bill gazetted on September 18 and tabled in Parliament by Minister Tiran Alles has come under much scrutiny by media groups, rights activists and civil society organizations. Some of the concerns raised regarding the Bill include vague definitions and the fact that a gamut of offences, which already exist in the Penal Code, have been included in this new Bill with higher penalties. Many policy analysts observe that this Bill has been drafted to more..

Oct 19 (ST) Sri Lanka�s parliamentary opposition often seeks special debates in Parliament to discuss issues of importance. Some of the recent debates were the economic crisis, a no confidence motion against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella (which was defeated) and fresh revelations on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. However, these discussions end up in shouting matches, wild accusations and rhetoric rather that bringing substance to the table. more..

Oct 19 (TM) The civic space in SL remains in an extremely concerning state, as citizens� fundamental rights (FR) are being violated, civil society groups and activists are being targeted by the authorities, and State backed acts amounting to oppression are prevalent. To make matters worse, impunity remains an influential factor in many of these cases. The state of the civic space in SL, including the factors that adversely impact it, more..

Oct 19 (TM) Sri Lanka has been trying to review and relaunch a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to vet foreign warships, aircraft, and Marine Scientific Research (MSR) ships, which remains unannounced and delayed in putting into practice, nearly four months after it got Cabinet approval in June. The silence from the State regarding why there is a delay and when the SOP will be launched indicates that the key stakeholders are awaiting a nod from the Prez, to move ahead. more..

Oct 19 (Island) Constitutional Council (CC), which has earned notoriety for being a mere rubber stamp for the President, plucked up the courage to act independently, for once, on Tuesday; it refused to approve a third service extension for IGP C.D. Wickramaratne. But he remains the Police Chief despite the CC�s decision, and he cannot do so without the blessings of the powers that be. It is being claimed in some quarters that the CC should not have caused the incumbent IGP�s term more..

Oct 19 (CT) There is a popular saying which goes on the lines before judging people, remember that everyone is fighting their own silent battles, and it carries a very valid argument, especially in the present context. Indirectly proportional to the rapid development in almost all sectors-from information technology to health-in the world, the mental health of today�s population has rapidly declined, putting many lives at risk. This has given vent to a horrendous wave of suicides more..

Oct 19 (CT) I am amazed that a reported Govt-to-Govt Dairy venture between India and SL has singled out one company � Cargills (Ceylon) PLC with its Kotmale and Cargills Magic brands to effectively sound the death knell for other private sector brands which include Elephant House, Ambewela, Rich Life and Pelwatte not to mention the state owned Highland brand. As it is even now Cargills with over 500 Food City outlets has the capacity to undermine competing brands. more..

Oct 19 (TM) Since Prez and Defence Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to act regardless of the decision of the Constitutional Council (CC) not to approve the three-week service extension granted to IGP Chandana Wickramaratne, if anyone opposes it, they can challenge it (President's move) before the Supreme Court (SC), claimed a CC member. Wickramaratne, whose first and second three-month service extensions more..

Oct 19 (SO) Indian High Commissioner to SL Gopal Baglay and Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Somaratne Vidanapathirana inaugurated Chitralekha � the first art exhibition of Sri Lankan artists studied in India at JDA Perera Art Gallery, Colombo on Tuesday. The exhibition features seven legendary master artists of SL: Ananda Samarakoon, Somabandu Vidyapathi, Ven. L.T.P. Manjusri Thera, George Keyt, Harry Pieris, more..

Oct 19 (CI) After causing a major stir in the 2023 World Cup by beating defending champions England on Sunday, Afghanistan briefly harboured hopes of upsetting the 2019 runners-up too. But the NZ brand of professionalism and experience came to the fore once more as they managed to keep their unbeaten record intact to make it four out of four in the competition. Sent in to bat, NZ slipped from a comfortable 109 for 1 in the 21st over to a not-so-comfortable 110 for 4 in the space of 9 balls. more..

Oct 19 (DM) In an exciting development for the Sri Lankan real estate market, RE/MAX Sri Lanka is set to embark on a journey of innovation and excellence under new leadership. Accordingly, a special RE/MAX Sri Lanka 2.0 event was held at the prestigious Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, where RE/MAX SL was Re-Energized with Renewed Vision, promising to be the largest launch of its kind in the country. First introduced in 2013, RE/MAX SL has already made a significant impact more..

Oct 19 (FT) Colombo stock market suffered a Rs. 254 billion worth loss of value so far in October due to negative investor sentiment over lack of credible progress in resolving some of the major macroeconomic issues. The market capitali sation of the CSE was Rs. 4.537 trillion as at end September and by yesterday it had dipped to Rs. 4.283 trillion reflecting a drop of quarter billion rupees. The benchmark ASPI has lost 7% in the first 13 market days of October so far whilst more..

Oct 19 (FT) An Advisory Committee has distanced itself from the publicly available version of the controversial Online Safety Bill. BASL Deputy President Nalinda Indatissa PC about the Committee which drafted the Online Safety Bill, stated that the current Bill is from the Ministry of Public Security and not from the Ministry of Justice. He recalled that the Ministry of Justice appointed an Advisory Committee which Indatissa chaired in early 2021 to formulate more..

Oct 19 (DN) The SL team engaged in a training session yesterday at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow after a day of rest following their game against Australia game at the same venue. The team, along with the supporting staff conducted their training on the side wickets of the stadium while National Cricket Selection Committee Chairman Pramodya Wickramasinghe and team Manager Mahinda Halangoda were present with the team. Team Manager Mahinda Halangoda more..

Oct 19 (ST) The slaying of a Police Inspector in the southern province was a contract of an underworld gang, investigations have revealed. Inspector Dadimuni Balendrasinghe was shot dead in Rathgama earlier this week as he was returning home after a court case. STF during an operation shot dead one of the suspects believed to be a member of the Jayalath Suddha�s gang in Meetiyagoda following a shootout a day after the Police officer was killed. more..

Oct 19 (TM) The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has stated that former Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah � who stepped down over alleged death threats and mental stress � had never informed either the JSC or his colleagues about such allegations, and therefore the JSC is yet to accept his resignation. Presenting the report of the investigation carried out by the JSC into the resignation of Saravanarajah, more..

Oct 19 (DN) Shevon Daniel of St. Joseph�s College Colombo and Vishmi Gunarahne of Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha were awarded School Boy Cricketer and School Girls� Cricketer in 2023 on Tuesday. SL Schools Cricket Association conducted Under-19 Schools Cricket Awards 2023 on Oct 17 at the BMICH in Colombo. Cricket legend Muttiah Muraltheran was the chief guest. Total of over 100 awards were presented on the day, with over 1500 school cricketers taking part with officials. more..

Oct 19 (FT) Attorney General�s Dept informed the Supreme Court that the Govt has decided to introduce several amendments to the proposed Online Safety Bill. The Additional Solicitor General, appearing on behalf of the AG, told Courts the amendments would be included in the parliamentary committee stage. These amendments will encompass alterations to the appointment procedure for members of the Online Safety Commission, as proposed under the law among others. more..

Oct 19 (FT) Maligakanda Magistrate�s Court was this week informed by the FCID that the investigations into the case filed against Delma money exchange centre Abu Dhabi former operations manager Ponweera Arachchi Iresha Wickramasinghe, for allegedly fraudulently remitting Rs. 243,193,250.08 (AED 5,813,766.00) from the monthly remittances of Sri Lankan workers working in the Middle East to their families to five bank accounts of his wife and relatives, had concluded. more..

Oct 19 (DM) The United National Party (UNP) will effect major changes to its constitution at its special convention scheduled for Oct 21 similar to the reforms introduced way back in 1978, party�s chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena said. He said that the Special Convention will be conducted at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, at 2p.m. He said it is needed to initiate significant changes in the Party Constitution, to accommodate necessary political change. more..

Oct 19 (OHCHR) SL�s new proposed counter-terrorism legislation does not go far enough to remedy the defects of the country�s draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), UN experts said, urging the Govt to ensure the new law meets international human rights standards. �For many years, UN experts and multilateral organisations have consistently said that the current Prevention of Terrorism legislation in SL is in violation of more..

Oct 19 (FT) Committee on Public Accounts of SL is one of the oldest Parliamentary financial oversight committees where the Westminster model of Parliamentary System has been practicing. This is the oldest and the most significant financial oversight Committee in Parliament of SL. As an Oversight Committee, the Committee on Public Accounts plays a pivotal role in assisting the respective Parliaments to ensure the accountability to the public finance as people�s representatives. more..

Oct 19 (DM) The meeting called by PM Dinesh Gunawardene ended without a final decision as opposition parties rejected the proposed amendment of the parliamentary electoral reforms though allies of the ruling party had reached a consensus. SJB allies, TPA, and ACMC led by Rishard Bathiudeen participated, though the Opposition Leader had mentioned that his party would boycott the meeting. Dullas group and MP Gajendrakumara Ponnambalam also participated more..

Oct 19 (EN) SL needs to carefully navigate the fisheries industry in the Northern sea between India and China, the State Fisheries Minister said, as Beijing�s sea cucumber business is growing with more revenue amid increasing security concerns by Delhi and poaching of Indian fishermen. Hundreds of fishermen in SL�s former northern war zone have switched to sea cucumber farming, a booming trade, in the coastal belt of Jaffna and Kilinochchi where a Chinese firm started a hatchery 7 years ago. more..

Oct 19 (DM) The Court of Appeal today postponed for October 31 the delivering of its judgement over the writ petition filed seeking an order declaring State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage as not qualified to be a MP since she is a British citizen. The judgment on this petition was to be delivered today (18) by the 3-judge-bench of the Court of Appeal. However, this petition was listed as a matter to be mentioned instead of delivery of judgment. Court of Appeal Justice (President) more..

Oct 19 (FT) The latest update from IMF Tracker of Verit� Research, an online platform which tracks the 100 identified commitments in SL�s 17th program with the IMF, shows that SL verifiably met only 40 of the 71 trackable commitments that were due for completion by end-Sept 2023. It also shows that SL had, at the same time, reached its lowest point in terms of both performance and transparency since the program commenced in March. more..

Oct 19 (EN) Sri Lanka is confident of reaching a staff level agreement with the IMF soon, State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe said. The IMF wants SL�s revenues to be raised, though it is difficult to reach revenue targets until the economy recovers and starts to grow. Minister Semasinghe has returned from the IMF and WB meetings. �Engaged with partners to discuss opportunities to enhance the progress made towards economic recovery & sustainability,� he said in a twitter message more..

Oct 19 (DM) One baby among the sextuplet birth at the Women's Hospital in Castle Street, Colombo has died, LRH director Dr. G. Wijesuriya said. The baby died due to bleeding in his lungs. The child was brought to the LRH on Sunday and was admitted to the hospital. The child weighed 620 grams on admission. "The child was considered as a very underweight, extremely premature child, and the complications that such a child may face are very high & breathing complications are the first" more..

Oct 19 (DM) The Constitutional Council (CC) has firmed up its position against granting any more service extensions to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne. The CC discussed the matter at its meeting presided over by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane on Tuesday. The CC consists of ten members, including PM Dinesh Gunawardane and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Three members representing civil society more..

Oct 19 (FT) The total blockade of Gaza by Israel and the resultant misery of its inhabitants shows what a cruel fate it is for a people to be hostage to another country/state for its supplies of energy, i.e., electricity, fuel, gas, etc. The Palestinians got there because they were subject to 75 years of invasion, dispossession, annexation and occupation. SL will get there because of Ranil Wickremesinghe. We shall be dependent on India and especially to neighbouring Tamil Nadu for electricity more..

Oct 19 (FT) As Sri Lankans, we are in a time in which precise decision-making is of utmost importance. This is the same for marketers as well. A few years back it was only common internal and external environmental factors we considered and adjusted our marketing strategies accordingly. But in year 2019 with the Easter attack, the equation has changed. This was triggered by COVID-19 in the year 2020. This situation has not changed even in the years 2021 and 2022. more..