Sep 19 (DM) SL were absolutely embarrassed in front of a packed house at R. Premadasa Stadium by India, who clinched the Asia Cup without breaking a sweat yesterday. SL captain Dasun Shanaka, for some reason, opted to bat first under cloudy conditions in the big final, only to be blown away for just 50 runs by an Indian pace attack led by Mohamed Siraj, who picked up six wickets for 21 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne, who had been brought into SL squad to provide team a solid start, more..

Sep 19 (FT) Industrial Development Fund (IDF), administered by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) under the purview of the Ministry of Industry has joined forces with Regional Development Bank (RDB) to extend loans to 25 deserving individuals. These loans, capped at a maximum of Rs. 500,000 per recipient, are earmarked for the expansion and development of micro, small, and medium-scale industries. The initiative aims to invigorate Sri Lanka�s entrepreneurial landscape, more..

Sep 19 (FT) Police arrested six persons yesterday on suspicion of being involved in the assault on TNPF MP Selvarajah Kajendren in Sardhapura, Trincomalee on Sunday while he was taking part in a procession to commemorate the death anniversary of LTTE member Rasaiah Parthipan also known as Thileepan. China Bay Police arrested four males and two females after the Thambalagamuwa Police received a complaint from Kajendran. Suspects were presented before the courts, were remanded more..

Sep 19 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (18) participated in the United Nations 2023 SDG Summit, a high-level political forum on sustainable development, under the auspices of UN General Assembly (UNGA). SL leader is in the United States to attend the 78th session of the UNGA, themed �Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all�, more..

Sep 19 (HS) A woman who claims she was tricked into having sex without a condom with a SL cricketer has told a court there were moments during intercourse she feared for her life. Danushka Gunathilaka is facing a judge alone trial at the Downing Centre District Court after pleading not guilty to one charge of sexual assault without consent. The int'l cricket player walked into the court complex holding hands with a blonde woman, more..

Sep 19 (PMD) South Korean Prez Yoon Suk Yeol pledged his support for Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s economic recovery plan for SL. He praised Prez Wickremesinghe�s program aimed at alleviating the severe economic crisis in the country and commended his dedication. Additionally, Prez Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned the potential for expanding the scope for job opportunities in South Korea for SL youth in the future. The South Korean leader lauded Prez Wickremesinghe�s efforts more..

Sep 19 (EN) Higher Education Ministry is to introduce new regulations and a hotline for tips against bullying, or ragging, in universities, an official said. �Minister for Higher Education Suren Raghavan has introduced an advisory committee consisting of main institutions, the Ministry, Sri Lanka Police, Ministry of Defense, Presidential Secretariat and the Human Rights Commission,� Secretary to the Minister of Higher Education, Dilshan Jayakody told EconomyNext. more..

Sep 19 (TM) Puttalam District Coordination Committee Chairman and MP Chinthaka Amal Mayadunna has directed the relevant officials to initiate legal proceedings against MP Ali Sabri Raheem, who has allegedly encroached on more than 200 acres of State land in Puttalam, under the Offences Against Public Property Act, No. 12 of 1982. He said that Raheem had been using 214 acres of State land for more than 15 yrs. more..

Sep 19 (FT) Channel 4 documentary rocked the country on 5 Sept 2023. The Rajapaksas were pushed back to the corner, but the camp managed the affair, reading the local audience well. The Channel 4 team used Rupert Murdoch�s The Times of UK to build credibility to the story. A senior foreign correspondent, Catherine Philp, broke the news on 3 Sept 2023 at 00:01 UK time as a precursor to the Channel 4 release. The initial teaser was a minute clip with Moulana, the whistleblower. more..

Sep 19 (Island) It is customary to avoid speaking ill of the dead and instead focus on their positive qualities and accomplishments. That may be the reason why those who recently spoke or wrote about the late Prez J.R. Jayewardene (JRJ), on the occasion if his 117th birth anniversary, paid him glowing tributes and overlooked the dark side of his rule. Prominent among them were Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Speaker Karu Jaysuriya. Former reportedly went to more..

Sep 19 (AD) The body of a youth, whose limbs were tied, has been found in the area behind a crematorium in Kirimetiya, Rathgama. According to the police, the deceased is believed to be a 27-year-old from the same area. The body was recovered last evening (18), following a tip-off received by the officers of Rathgama Police. Reports revealed that the youth had met up with a group of friends and consumed alcohol at a restaurant in Katudampe in Peniwatta on Sept 17 (Sunday). more..

Sep 19 (FT) Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said encouraging economic growth figures for 2023 signal a positive shift compared to the second quarter of the previous year. He expressed confidence that this upward trend is expected to continue through the third and fourth quarters of the year. Siyambalapitiya highlighted a notable improvement in economic performance, indicating a shift from the negative growth of 11.5% recorded in the second quarter of 2022 to more..

Sep 19 (TM) While the extension of the retirement age of medical professionals, including medical specialists until 63 years of age, is to be implemented only until 31 Dec 2024, Ministry of Health is to assess the issues that may arise in the health sector following that period and take necessary steps to address such. A circular was issued on 14 Sept 2022 specifying that the retirement age of all public servants will be 60 more..

Sep 19 (FT) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera convened a discussion with representatives from 35 trade unions concerning the proposed reforms of the CEB and the broader energy sector. During the discussion held last Thursday, the Minister provided a detailed update on the progress of the reforms within the electricity sector. As per the Minister, the discussions surrounded critical aspects such as the structure of the new proposed Electricity Act, projected transition timelines, more..

Sep 19 (DN) Ven. Vanavasi Rahula Thera said that a person who cannot go anywhere on time, no matter what his duties are, cannot govern a country, let alone a house. He said this when Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa did not arrive on time for the ceremony organised by the national organiser of SJB Tissa Attanayaka, on the occasion of the 1,500th programme of meeting Buddhist leaders to build religious harmony, which was held at the historic Vattarama Arahantha Maliyadeva more..

Sep 19 (DN) The head of SL�s premier criminal investigative unit at the time of the Easter Sunday attacks has publicly revealed the suspicious behaviour of intelligence services before, during and after the worst single terror attack in the country. Senior DIG CID Ravi Seneviratne who retired in Dec 2019 had given evidence before three commissions of inquiry into the April 21, 2019 attacks, but his interview with TNL TV, more..

Sep 19 (EN) Shares were marginally down at close of trading on Tuesday, mainly due to profit taking and selling pressure. The ASPI was down 1.01% or 115.14 points to 11,248.50, the lowest the market has been since Aug 31. The S&P SL20, meanwhile, was down 1.05% or 33.73 points to 3,179.69 �The market remained sluggish, on a wait-and-see approach, due to uncertainties among investors around the IMF review. Most opted to sell now and wait with cash,� an analyst said. more..

Sep 19 (AD) Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate has ordered Anuradhapura Police to immediately arrest all the suspects in connection with the recent shooting incident that targeted MP Uddika Premaratne and produce them before courts. Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate has ordered the investigators to seek assistance of the police intelligence units and informants in order to identify the shooters. Furthermore, the court has called for a report on the progress of the investigations. more..

Sep 19 (EN) Labor minister, Manusha Nanayakkara, met with members of the transgender community on Tuesday to discuss their workplace rights. �Pleased to share that we�re considering a dedicated trade union and aligning our labor laws with global standards like ILO�s C190 and C180,� Nanayakkara said. SL�s efforts to recognize the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community has been progressed by the private member bill more..

Sep 19 (EN) Sri Lanka hopes to resume suspended road infrastructure projects soon and complete them faster with the expectation that foreign funding and grants will start after finalizing external debt restructuring and ongoing first review of the IMF programme, State Highway Minister Siripala Gamlath said. The unprecedented economic crisis has forced the Sri Lanka govt to suspend most of its infrastructure projects due to lack of funding. All bilateral lenders stopped their funding more..

Sep 19 (Island) The year 2023 commenced against the backdrop of multiple crises facing our nation. Long queues for oil and gas became a common sight, while daily power cuts lasting five to six hours plunged the country into an energy abyss. The non-availability of 24-hour electricity delivery proved a severe blow to the nation�s economy. However, today, the nation is making a remarkable recovery. At the outset of the year, prospect of uninterrupted 24-hour more..

Sep 19 (DM) SJB MP Nalin Bandara said a minister who was attired in an improper dress in the Parliament Chamber recently had removed his coat inside the Chamber and hence urged the Speaker to take action against him, claiming that it was an indecent act. The MP said a minister, who was thus in the Chamber during the vote on the no-confidence motion on Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, had removed the coat he had been wearing in the Chamber. "No one can remove dresses inside the Chamber. more..

Sep 19 (FT) Jewellery Design Competition 2023 conducted by the SL Gem & Jewellery Association under the theme Celebrate Sri Lanka, received an overwhelming number of entrants, with many professional and aspiring jewellery designers submitting a range of creative and attractive designs. Intending to bring together talented jewellery designers from around the Island, the competition encouraged entrants to celebrate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of SL through design. more..

Sep 19 (AD) The names of several senior members of the SLFP are widely tipped for the position of party�s General Secretary which currently remains vacant, political sources revealed. However, MP Duminda Dissanayake is in the lead among the party members who are eyeing the post, according to sources. It is also said that former Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, who is a Senior Deputy Secretary of SLFP, is also keen on this more..

Sep 19 (CT) Govt should not think it could conceal issues, especially those in the State health service, by bringing in laws to suppress the increasing tension amongst the trade unions, the Academy of Health Professionals (AHP) said. An Extraordinary Gazette has been released, by the Acting Secretary to the President, officially designating electricity, petroleum, and health services as essential services. As per the Gazette Notification, all activities related to the provision of electricity, more..

Sep 19 (CT) Three Police officers, allegedly linked to the killing of Rajakumari, a domestic aid, who was in custody at the Welikada Police, were identified by the witnesses yesterday (18). Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala presided over the proceedings and issued an order for the continued remand of the four Police officers implicated in the case, including the three officers who were identified. They are to remain in custody until 2 October. more..

Sep 19 (AD) The Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court and the Maligakanda Magistrate�s Courts today (19) issued an order prohibiting the commemoration of Thileepan, a member of a proscribed organisation, in several areas within Colombo, on account of the inconvenience likely to be caused to the public. Accordingly, the Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court issued the order prohibiting commemorations in the Kollupitiya, Colombo Fort and Slave Island areas, while the Maligakanda Magistrate�s Court more..

Sep 19 (DM) The govt has no plans whatsoever to increase the prices of eggs and chicken in the future, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. He said that the import of eggs was a temporary measure to address shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He further stated that there are no plans to continue the imports in the future. The govt's focus is to boost local egg and chicken production instead. By supporting and increasing local production, the govt aims to ensure a steady and more..

Sep 19 (EN) Sri Lanka�s plans to bring a law to arbitrate on the truth or otherwise of statements made online to hurt religious sentiments is drawing concern given the potential of any such law to undermine free speech. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa questioned whether it was an attempt to suppress democratic dissent, since online action has been a key method used by citizens to organise themselves in the recent past. more..

Sep 19 (EN) Dept of Agriculture has found that two varieties of pomegranates can be successfully grown in the island to give a high yield, which will be released to farmers within two months. The two varieties had been successfully grown by researchers in the areas of Norochcholai and Weerawila. After eight months, a tree will give a yield of 10 to 15 kilograms. A tree has a lifespan of about 35 years. The findings were released by agronomists to Minister of Agriculture more..

Sep 19 (FT) LOLC Group's Divi Saviya has successfully reached out to 2000 schools to date, transforming the educational journey of countless children. Launched in Feb 2023, Divi Saviya has been a beacon of hope for the most deserving children across SL thereby reaffirming its commitment to corporate social responsibility. To commemorate this momentous occasion, a special event was organised at the Punkudathivu Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School on 15Sept2023 more..

Sep 19 (CT) National carrier SriLankan Airlines is in the process of recruiting approximately 30 foreign pilots to manage airline operations and has currently recruited five foreign pilots, while the Govt actively seeks investors to take over the ground handling and catering services of the airline. CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Richard Nuttal said. �We received permission to hire foreign pilots a couple of months ago. more..

Sep 19 (AD) Six persons have been arrested in connection with the recent finding of a body inside a travelling bag which had been left on the banks of the Dandugam Oya in Seeduwa. Accordingly, the suspects, identified as residents of Katana, were arrested by the Seeduwa Police. A father and his two sons are also believed to be amongst the arrestees, police said. On 15 Sept, the body of a man was discovered inside a travelling bag left on the banks of the Dandugam Oya in Seeduwa. more..

Sep 19 (Wisden) Mathews was dropped from SL�s ODI squad for the World Cup Qualifier in June. SL went on to win the competition and secure their place in the main tournament which gets underway in less than four weeks. Despite his good ODI record, Mathews will also not be part of SL�s squad for the highly anticipated competition. Mathews has played 221 ODIs for SL and averages over 40 with the bat. He�s scored 3 hundreds in the format and registered 40 half-centuries with a best more..

Sep 20 (SO) The prestigious State Literary Awards ceremony for 2023 witnessed the recognition of literary excellence across diverse categories, celebrating the outstanding contributions of authors and creators in the realm of Sinhala, Tamil, and English literature. The celebration held at the Elphinstone Theatre on Thursday (14) recognised veterans and emerging talents who have enriched the literary landscape of SL. Among the recipients of these coveted awards were more..