Sep 1 (DM) Despite the law not permitting the Election Commission to hold the next Presidential election before October next year, the National People�s Power (NPP), the political movement led by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has announced its Presidential candidate. Member of Parliament and leader of the NPP as well as the JVP, Anura Kumara Dissanayake had said at a TV programme on Monday that he has been chosen as the candidate of NPP by its Executive Council. more..

Sep 1 (DM) The Netherlands has promised to return some six pieces of artefacts stolen from Sri Lanka during the Dutch colonial period. An agreement was signed between officials of the two countries in Colombo recently to facilitate the transfer of these precious items back to the island nation. The average Sri Lankan might not be aware of what was taken away from Sri Lanka during Dutch rule, and they may not be really interested in finding out details of those happenings. more..

Sep 1 (TM) Rice mill owners are warning of an impending shortage of paddy and the risk of a subsequent surge in rice prices in the coming months. They attribute this crisis to the unexpected accumulation of paddy by third-party consumers including farmers, primarily driven by sensationalist media coverage of the ongoing dry weather conditions. Small and Medium-Scale Rice Mill Owners� Association President B.K. Ranjith more..

Sep 1 (DM) SL govt�s tightrope walk is evident as it tries to navigate the latest diplomatic dilemma involving India and China over the proposed visit of the Chinese vessel Shi Yan 6. India�s objection is based on its claim that the Chinese vessel is capable of intelligence gathering and therefore poses a threat to its national security. Whether India�s claim is evidence-based or mere speculation, only India knows. China, however, insists that the vessel is on an ocean research mission more..

Sep 1 (DM) Millets had a prominent place in SL culinary traditions; particularly in rural areas in the past. While wheat products once overshadowed the cultivation of millet grains like Kurakkan, these ancient grains are now celebrated anew for their dietary benefits, particularly for individuals grappling with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes. In a time when culinary choices are often used as markers of social status, millet products were once stereotyped as the fare of rural communities. more..

Sep 1 (CT) Back in Oct 2018, individuals of Indian origin who had settled in SL�s plantations gathered at Galle Face to shed light on the dire circumstances of their wages. Unfortunately, their plea fell on deaf ears, failing to evoke a response 100%. Despite claims from various regional plantation companies about improved worker conditions, and paying wages without omission, consistent theme emerges. more..

Sep 1 (CT) Amidst SL�s man-made economic crisis, a concerning surge in the black economy has emerged. Driven by rising consumer price levels and questionable tax policies, this covert underground economic activity thrives. People turn to informal and illegal methods like producing homemade alcohol (Kasippu), trading contraband (ice), and participating in damaging pyramid schemes. These actions erode government revenue, destabilise the economy, and imperil public well-being. more..

Sep 1 (TM) In many contexts, the labels Very Important Persons (VIPs) and Very Very Important Persons (VVIPs) no longer have the same recognition that they had been assigned in the past. In the SL context, especially following last year�s (2022) aragalaya movement (public movement to overthrow the former Govt led by then Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa), such titles are being frowned upon, because in many cases, those labels are used by politicians or associates of politicians. more..

Sep 1 (Island) The Kurundimale temple dispute in Mullaitivu has not led to religious clashes thanks to timely police action, which made troublemakers act with some restraint. But tensions have not subsided, and they have the potential to reach a flashpoint anytime. There is a pressing need for the law enforcement agencies to remain Argus-eyed and for the political authority to take immediate action to eliminate the causes of the dispute lest zealots involved therein should succeed in achieving more..

Sep 1 (Island) It seems to be a fait accompli of the SLPP that eldest son of Mahinda Rajapaksa is tipped to be the candidate from that party to contest Prez election to be held next year. At meetings some younger Pohottu MPs have been making their loud announcement that Namal will contest the forthcoming prez elections. Looking within the party or what remains of it, there does not seem to be a contender fit to be poised against him; he seems to be the inevitable choice for candidate. more..

Sep 1 (CI) Fifties from Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama saw home a nervy chase in sluggish conditions, as Sri Lanka kicked off their Asia Cup campaign with an ultimately convincing five-wicket win over Bangladesh. The result means Sri Lanka have one foot in the Super 4 stage, while Bangladesh face a must-win tie against Afghanistan. Asalanka, who had come into this game in a lean stretch of form, more..

Sep 1 (CI) England slipped and slid to victory on a damp evening in Hove, with Alice Capsey's rapid half-century and a wicket on debut from Mahika Gaur underlining the sense of promise for a young, experimental side. Although the winning margin was eventually just 12 runs, after Duckworth-Lewis-Stern brought Sri Lanka's target down to 68 from six overs, there was rarely any doubt that England were the side in control. Capsey equalled her career-best T20I score with 51 from 27, more..

Sep 1 (ST) State vehicles will need to be registered in a Finance Ministry web-based platform before December 31, according to a Treasury directive. The move follows revelations that the govt does not have a proper recording system for such vehicles. In a circular issued this week, Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana directed that vehicles in possession of the state as of September 1 should be registered with the Comptroller General�s office. This is to maintain a centralised, more..

Sep 1 (DN) Nipun Dilanka and Sabir Mimshad will represent Sri Lanka in the FIM Asia Cup road Championship, which is the world�s oldest motorcycle racing series. The tournament, which will be held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, will be held in three rounds. The second round will be held in Taiwan and the third round will be held in the Philippines. The opening round of the race will be divided into two parts with the first round starting today and the second round on Sept 3. more..

Sep 1 (FT) 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the SL - Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC), The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday, 17 August, at Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo. The High Commissioner of Maldives to SL Ali Faiz graced the event as the chief guest, with Ceylon Tours Managing Director Suren Ediriweera attending as a guest speaker for the evening. Kevin Edwards, who served as the outgoing President of the SLMLBC for 2022-2023 opened more..

Sep 1 (TM) The FUTA claimed that the proposed increase of the bond fee which is to be paid by university academics when they travel overseas for studies and research has led many academics to permanently resign from their posts. Recently, it has been proposed to introduce a procedure under which university dons will have to pay a bond fee when going overseas for studies and research in order to prevent them from more..

Sep 1 (SO) On August 10, the Joseph Fraser Memorial Private Hospital in Thimbirigasyaya celebrated its centenary. Patricia Molly Fraser, a descendant of Fraser, along with a group of Fraser family members residing in Scotland, visited Sri Lanka to mark the occasion. She is the daughter of Joseph Frederick, who was the son of Frederick Henry, himself a son of Joseph Fraser. �Approximately twenty years ago was my last visit to Sri Lanka. During that trip, more..

Sep 1 (AD) Sri Lanka saw a notable increase in workers� remittances and a boost in tourist arrivals in July 2023, Central Bank of SL (CBSL) says. In its latest report on the external sector performance, the CBSL said the workers� remittances recorded in July 2023 climbed to USD 541 million from USD 279 million in the corresponding month in 2022. Meanwhile, tourist arrivals amounted to 143,039 as opposed to the figure recorded in June 2023, which stood at 100,388. more..

Sep 1 (FT) Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist Dr. Malik Samarasinghe giving evidence before Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasooriya confirmed that all scans and tests conducted by Consultant Radiologist Dr. Jerard Fernando had confirmed that both kidneys of 3-year-old Hamdi Fazlim who passed away on 27 July were positioned in a correct manner & right kidney functioned as normal. more..

Sep 1 (EN) Netherlands will help SL unlock the full potential of the country�s female workforce with feminist foreign policy, Deputy Dutch Ambassador Iwan Rutjens said. �SL is sitting on a huge economic female potential,� Rutjens told a forum hosted by the Women�s Policy Action Network (a policy action group supported by Netherlands) and Advocata Institute, a Colombo-based think tank on Aug 30. �This is awaiting to be unlocked. We, the Netherlands, our experts, our companies, more..

Sep 1 (FT) SJB Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahman said a crucial moment has emerged for all MPs to make a choice whether to protect Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, who is confronting numerous accusations, or prioritise the well-being of innocent patients across the nation. Rahman emphasised that the public has borne the consequences of misguided choices made by the Minister and officials within the Ministry of Health. He alleged that individuals seeking medical more..

Sep 1 (DN) In a momentous occasion that underscores the unifying power of sports, SL High Commissioner in Kenya, Kana Kananathan was invited by the Uganda Cricket Association Chairman Michael Nuwagaba to be a distinguished guest at the launch of the ICC Trophy Tour for the much-anticipated 2023 World Cup. ICC Men�s Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour stands as a global conduit to the highly esteemed silverware, paving the way for the momentous tournament more..

Sep 1 (DN) The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced another initiative under its Green lending portfolio to support customers who share the Bank�s commitment towards the environment. Green Home Loans of up to Rs. 50 million are now available for the purchase of homes that have been granted Green Building Certificates by the Green Building Council of SL (GBCSL), or for the construction of houses that will be so certified. Loans of up to Rs 5 million are available for the purchase more..

Sep 1 (CT) Due to the use of Prednisolone eye drops in surgeries at Nuwara Eliya District Hospital in April, two patients have gone completely blind, while 17 others developed complications post-surgery. Eye specialist Dr. Kanishka said that despite various information circulating on social media, this disclosure is being made to the public due to the reluctance of many individuals to reveal the true situation. more..

Sep 1 (FT) National Movement of Social Justice (NMSJ) led by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has called on the National Police Commission of Sri Lanka to clean up the police service following the release of SSP Shani Abeysekara from all charges levelled against him. The NMSJ issuing a statement this week said it was grateful to the judiciary for acquitting four police officers including former CID Director Shani Abeysekara, who suffered severe injustice in a fully politicised regime. more..

Sep 1 (TM) More than 50,000 farmers whose crops have been damaged due to the drought are to receive the relevant compensation sums before the commencement of the Maha cultivating season, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. A total of 59,073 acres of paddy and other crop cultivations belonging to 54,152 farmers islandwide have been destroyed due to the drought. The highest extent of crop damage, 26,195 acres belonging to 31,427 farmers, is from the Kurunegala District, while more..

Sep 1 (EN) State-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has hiked the Petrol 92 price by 13 rupees to 361 rupees a litre and Auto Diesel by 35 rupees to 417 rupees from midnight August 31. Price of Octane 95 Petrol/Euro 04 was raised by 42 rupees to 417 rupees. Super diesel/Euro 4 was rised by 1 rupee to 359 rupees. Kerosene was riased by 5 rupees to 231 rupees. The steep subsidy on kerosene has incentivised diesel bus owners to use the fuel in the past. more..

Sep 1 (CT) Court of Appeal yesterday, noticed Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, R.P.A. Wimalaweera, to surrender to the Horana Chief Magistrate�s Court, after the latter had issued a warrant for his arrest. As per the Notice issued by Appellate Court, Secretary to the said Ministry should surrender himself to the Magistrate�s Court within 10 days. Secretary Wimalaweera, has filed a petition before the Court of Appeal, praying for order invalidating a warrant more..

Sep 1 (TM) The SJB claimed that the conduct of the Director of the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) in the Ministry of Health and his frequent foreign trips in the midst of an acute shortage of medicine, are very questionable. Former SJB MP Mujibur Rahman alleged that no one in the MSD and the Ministry knows about the purpose behind these mysterious foreign trips of the MSD Director when the whole country is suffering more..

Sep 1 (DM) Two MPs filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to set up an Independent Probe Committee to carry out investigations against health authorities including the Health Minister and National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), for repeatedly permitting the importation of medicines and medical devices that are substandard or unauthorized. SJB MPs Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena and Harshana Rajakaruna filed this petition naming Health Minister more..

Sep 1 (FT) SriLankan Airlines, as a prime promoter of the country�s tourism, has launched its latest campaign The Colours of Jaffna. Considering the potential of the country�s vibrant Northern Province, rich with striking architecture, vibrant cultural characteristics, and the quintessential flavours of its unique culinary features, the national carrier, in its campaign, has aptly captured the beauty of each of these aspects, thereby inviting the traveller to embark on an immersive experience. more..

Sep 1 (Island) Rebel SLPP group has demanded to know whether Adani Green Energy Ltd, represents the govt of India. It has raised this question in the wake of Sri Lanka declaring its intention to consider the proposed construction of two wind and solar power parks in Mannar (286 Mw) and Pooneryn (234 Mw) in terms of Govt to Govt basis as required by Section 43(4)(c) (1) of the Electricity Act No 20 of 2009. more..

Sep 1 (FT) When Covid-19 entered and paralysed SL in 2021, it only hastened the bankruptcy, which was bound to occur in any case, after decades of reckless mismanagement by a system built on a sectarian political paradigm. No political leader ever questioned the dangers inherent in that system, but accepted it as given and as the country�s destiny, fighting their political battles on the basis of mostly complementary but at times contradictory socio-economic models. more..

Sep 1 (EN) Sri Lanka has repaid another 100 million dollars in the second installment of the 200 million-dollar loan given by Bangladesh in a currency swap, the Dhaka Tribune reported citing a Bangladesh Bank spokesperson. Colombo paid 50 million dollars in August in the first installment of the loan repayment. Bangladesh lent 200 million from its foreign exchange reserves to SL during its economic crisis. The remaining 50 million is due to be repaid within the current year, more..

Sep 1 (FT) Sri Lanka defaulted on its external debt obligations amid a deep economic crisis last year. Across the country, the majority of families are still suffering. Even among those who were previously secure, many have fallen into deep poverty and the crisis has left almost no one untouched. The greatest challenges are felt by households that include children. If countries do not invest in their children, they put their future well-being and prosperity at risk. more..