Sep 20 (DM) MP Diana Gamage is often accused of making outrageous suggestions regarding ways and means through which Sri Lanka can raise foreign exchange earnings. She first suggested enhancing nightlife in the country. The suggestion led to some of our MPs suggesting that she was encouraging prostitution. Gamage rebutted the allegations saying her detractors had one-tracked minds. She also suggested the growing of cannabis be legalised rather than being prosecuted. more..

Sep 20 (DM) Although it is raining heavily in most parts of SL these days, there are still many districts that have not received any rain. Ampara district is one and the locals are awaiting the arrival of rain; hoping it would improve their lives. Due to the severe drought about 300 families in 68/5 Marangala Grama Niladhari Division, Padiyathalawa, in Ampara district, are struggling to survive because they have no choice, but to live each day more..

Sep 20 (DM) Last week, a wildcat trade union action by the locomotive drivers cost the lives of two commuters and inconvenienced hundreds of thousands of others. A young man who rode on the roof was killed when he hit a bridge, and another passenger fell to death while travelling on the footboard of an overcrowded coastal train. Despite the tragedy, the strike continued for another day, in a display of callous disregard for the public and also violating an essential services decree issued more..

Sep 20 (ST) How strange. Is there nothing called order and respect in this govt of many hues and even more wagging tongues? Shortly after the Channel 4 documentary on the Eastern Sunday massacre caught the govt completely unawares, and its parliamentary forces started shooting wildly like in the days of the American Wild West, Prez Wickremesinghe advocated a constrained response to the allegations. He said that only those implicated in the allegations should respond more..

Sep 20 (TM) Ragging in universities should not be looked at as a solitary issue. It is interconnected with various aspects of society that exist within universities, and is an intricate matter. Therefore, efforts aimed at finding solutions to ragging should be based on concerns that come from within universities rather than an external mechanism that does not recognise those concerns and tries to see ragging as more..

Sep 20 (TM) Sri Lanka has finally got around to establishing a formalised mechanism to counter the cruel practice of ragging, which have long taken root in the Sri Lankan higher education system. While it has taken a long time for such a body to be constituted, it is commendable that the Govt has moved, finally, to establish a National Anti-Ragging Committee. The committee is envisaged as a formalised body to address the long standing issue. However, one must ask, more..

Sep 20 (Island) Opposition politicians are making the most of Channel 4�s recent claim that the Easter Sunday attacks were part of a political conspiracy, and the Rajapaksa family and its loyalists in the state intelligence agencies were behind it. They are flogging the issue really hard in a bid to gain political mileage, which they are badly in need of, on the pretext of trying to have justice served for the victims of the carnage. The past few days have seen the Opposition top guns going ballistic in P'ment more..

Sep 20 (CT) In a significant step to foster a safer and more nurturing environment within SL�s universities, State Minister of Higher Education, Suren Raghavan, recently announced the establishment of a national anti-ragging committee. This move comes as a response to the alarming rise in ragging incidents that have marred the academic landscape, affecting both students� mental and physical well-being. During a press conference, Minister Raghavan underscored more..

Sep 20 (Island) The net result was the recalibration of capitalist rule in Sri Lanka, which was threatened with anarchism. The new class alignment was consummated with departure of the former president and the election of the new president by the parliament. As one could expect, bourgeois support for Aragalaya rapidly faded away in sync with the new class alignment. The fragmented and weakened Aragalaya found itself to be no match to the combined force of the capitalist class, more..

Sep 20 (ST) South Asia�s fastest Yupun Abeykoon, perhaps the only sprinter to clock Asia�s best timing in Men�s 100m in the recent years, has withdrawn from the upcoming 19th Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China from Sept 23 to Oct 8. However Abeykoon was part of the approved list by Ministry of Sports, upon the recommendation of National Selection Committee, which included a total of 106 more..

Sep 20 (CT) The way the economic system works is very peculiar but unique and hence predictable. A few months ago, the world never thought that China was about to experience an economic crisis or severe disturbance in the economy. But a weak ago, The IMF has warned that China�s debt has risen by 7% and is driving global debt back towards unsustainable levels. A few days ago, Bloomberg reported that China told some brokerage firms to reduce proprietary trading in more..

Sep 20 (Island) One of only 3 Sri Lankans to have cleared the 80 metres mark in the men�s javelin throw and probably the only SL thrower to have performed better than current Olympic and World Champion Niraj Chopra at regional level in the latter�s formative years, Waruna Dayaratne is set to deliver his swan song at the SL Army Volunteer Force Inter Regiment Athletics Championships at Diyagama today. The first Sri Lankan to break the 75 metres barrier in the men�s javelin throw, more..

Sep 20 (FT) Having revolutionised the real estate industry in SL, John Keells Properties, has unveiled its latest residential project, Viman, set to transform contemporary living in the heart of Ja-Ela. John Keells Properties, the property arm of the renowned John Keells Holdings, has earned a prestigious reputation in the real estate market for making a significant impact with innovative approaches to creating dream living spaces and exceptional experiences. more..

Sep 20 (FT) Softlogic Holdings said its subsidiary, Softlogic Retail Holdings Ltd has been granted the manufacturing license and distribution rights and the exclusive retail franchise rights for Bata and Bata products in SL. Softlogic Retail Holdings has also acquired a 100% stake in Footwear Retailer Ltd, formerly known as Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Ltd., for Rs. 293 million. Bata is a well-established international brand for high quality, scientifically and uniquely designed more..

Sep 20 (ST) The Cabinet has approved a Rs. 566 million tender to supply tyres to the SLTB despite a technical evaluation committee (TEC) finding that the product sold by the winning bidder had deviated from a multitude of fixed, predetermined specifications. The order, equivalent to the SLTB�s four-month requirement for tyres, has been granted to M/s Ferentino Tyre Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, according to official documents more..

Sep 20 (FT) The Sri Lanka Retailers� Association (SLRA) is set to host the retail industry�s premier knowledge event, the SL Retail Forum 2023, commencing at 9 a.m. on 19 October, at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo. Conducted this year under the theme Sparking success: Reigniting the flame of retail growth, the forum will explore emerging trends in retail both locally and globally, and explore innovative strategies to enhance retail operations and consumer reach. more..

Sep 20 (DN) Swimmer Ramudi Samarakoon has made history by becoming the first SL swimmer to receive a FINA scholarship, announced the SL Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU). At the age of 21, Samarakoon has been recognized with the scholarship for her exceptional performance, earning the highest FINA points. The scholarship will enable her to train in Budapest, Hungary, and pursue a 3-year education program at Corvinus Uni of Budapest, all while focusing on her more..

Sep 20 (AAP) A Sydney woman has been asked how Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka could have stealthed her by removing his condom without her knowing during a sexual encounter. The alleged victim claims she was sexually abused on Nov 2, 2022 at her eastern suburbs home after matching with the international batter on Tinder and meeting him at the Opera Bar for a date. more..

Sep 20 (CT) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) presented Rs. 5 million to Percy Abeysekera, SL�s legendary cheerleader on the cricket field. This donation was made to Abeysekera to support his wellbeing and maintenance of good health. The decision was taken by the Executive Committee of SLC headed by its President Shammi Silva. �Percy�s contribution to the game of cricket in SL as a cheerleader is immeasurable, and he has been a tower of strength for the players and to the game as a whole, more..

Sep 20 (FT) Activists and politicians expressed strong criticism of the Online Safety Bill published through a Gazette announcement yesterday. According to the Gazette, Bill aims to establish an Online Safety Commission and includes provisions to prohibit the online communication of certain statements of fact in SL. Former President of the Bar Association Saliya Peiris PC said that the contents of the Gazetted Bill do not primarily address internet or online safety but rather more..

Sep 20 (TM) SJB demanded the disclosure of the facts included in the second volume of the report prepared by the Prez Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Easter Sunday attacks. Speaking in Parliament yesterday � on the eve of an adjournment debate on the Channel 4 documentary revelations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, scheduled for tomorrow (21) and 22 Sept � SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said that his Parliamentary privileges had been violated more..

Sep 20 (DN) Minister Susil Premajayantha told Parliament that Examinations Commissioner General has been authorised to take a decision on whether to hold the A/L Exam to be held on Nov 27 on the same day or to postpone it. Minister said this while replying to the proposal presented by SJB MP Rohini Wijeratne. Claiming to update the examination schedule, it is unfair to take away the rights of children and that some schools in the remote provinces including the N&E more..

Sep 20 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) will not consider the recent request made by the CEB to approve an increase in electricity tariffs until a request prepared in the accepted format is received. In a letter dated 4 Sept 2023, the CEB had informed the PUCSL of financial difficulties that it had to face due to the electricity tariff reduction in July 2023, and requested that appropriate action, impliedly a tariff hike, more..

Sep 20 (DM) An attempt to smuggle in a stock of foreign cigarettes worth over Rs.4.5 million by a couple returning from Dubai was thwarted by SL Customs officials at the BIA yesterday. Customs officials on suspicion checked the baggage of a middle-aged couple to find illegal cigarettes in them. The suspects had arrived in the country on Gulf Airline flight GF 144 from Dubai. The male suspect was reportedly a resident of Kalmunai, whilst the female was from Ganemulla. more..

Sep 20 (FT) Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar hailed the finality of the Minimum Room Rate (MRR) from 1 Oct and assured there will be no drop in business as claimed by some parties with vested interests. �We thank Prez Wickremesinghe, Minister Harin Fernando and the Govt for introducing the minimum rates effective 1 Oct 2023 for hotels in the City of Colombo. There will be no drop in business as claimed by some parties with vested interests, more..

Sep 20 (AD) SJB has vowed to go to court over the new Anti-Terrorism Bill. SJB member Ashok Abeysinghe stressed that no matter how the relevant Bill is amended, the main opposition would still oppose it. He further added that although a gazette notification has been issued pertaining to the Bill, it is yet to be presented before the parliament following its most recent amendments. �Once it is presented before parliament, there is a period of 14 days for us to go before the SC more..

Sep 20 (FT) Emirates and SriLankan Airlines yesterday announced they have signed a reciprocal interline agreement to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. The partnership will enable access to new points on each other�s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers. Tickets are now on sale for travel effective immediately as the interline partnership unlocks 15 regional destinations operated by more..

Sep 20 (TM) Reliable sources state that it has been decided to remove Dasun Shanaka from the leadership of the SL cricket team. It is reported that the relevant cricket authorities have discussed this in depth yesterday, and it is said that the decision will be communicated to Dasun today. Accordingly, it is also reported that the new leadership of the team will be assigned to Kusal Mendis. With the massive defeat of SL more..

Sep 20 (Island) If SL cannot arrive at an agreement with the foreign bond holders to restructure the foreign currency debt owed to them by Sep 27, even World Bank aid given to SL to import fertilizer and medicine will cease, MP Champika Ranawaka said. �This month is crucial. We have to come to an agreement with our foreign creditors. If we can�t come to an agreement, we won�t receive the approval from the IMF to have access to funds from its Extended Fund Facility Programme. more..

Sep 20 (FT) SLPP MP Uddika Premarathna speaking in Parliament for the first time after an attempt was made on his life by a shooter on Sunday, blamed the incident on the current political system in SL. �Instead of speculating about the potential culprits, my opinion is that I was targeted by the prevailing political system in the country,� he said. An unidentified gunman had opened fire on Premarathna�s vehicle at around 10.30 p.m. on Sunday opposite his residence more..

Sep 20 (FT) SL delegation led by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in New York on Monday engaged in high-level discussions with World Bank President Ajay Banga and officials. The discussion, on the sidelines of the Prez�s attendance at the UNGA, centred on a range of critical topics, including economic reforms, agriculture, tourism, and digitisation. Prez expressed gratitude for the vital financial support provided by WB more..

Sep 20 (FT) Last week data was released that the Sri Lankan economy has contracted by -3.1% in Quarter 2-2023, stacking up to the -11.5% decline in Quarter 1,2023 which means chances are that we will be at a -4.3% contraction as per that latest update of the World Bank. There have been reported job losses touching over half a million, and increasing poverty levels to an all-time high of 7 million people as per the study done by LirneAsia. Another study by Nielsen IQ revealed that more..

Sep 20 (FT) Despite sitting on the periphery of the global supply chain nexus, Sri Lanka was not spared by the disruptions caused by COVID-19 restrictions and the Russian war in Ukraine. Ongoing rivalry between the US and China are going to change the phase of globalisation with the formation of new alignments. Despite being an advocate of fair practices in production and trading, industrial policies of the US are changing in favour of domestic producers and domestic production. more..

Sep 20 (DM) Lasith Malinga has backed Dasun Shanaka to continue as ODI skipper even as deliberations are ongoing if the all-rounder should retain the captaincy for the Cricket World Cup. "Dasun Shanaka took on the responsibility of captaining the SL cricket team during a difficult period for the players and fans, managing to bring stability and respectability to the national side with his calm and collected approach," Malinga shared through his social media channels. more..

Sep 20 (AD) Dasun Shanaka will remain as the Captain of the SL ODI squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, sources confirmed to Ada Derana. Accordingly, it has been confirmed that despite recent claims made on social media platforms, no changes will be made to the captaincy before the tournament. There had been widespread speculation, especially on social media, about the skipper stepping down from the captaincy in the aftermath of SL�s humiliating 10-wicket defeat more..