Apr 11 (FT) A delegation from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), headed by Assistant CEO (Operations), Dr. Abdul Jalil Karder, along with two other officers from the Joint Operation Division of the SFA visited SL from 25 to 28 March. The purpose of the visit was to conduct pre-inspections of slaughterhouses in SL that have applied for licenses from the SFA in Singapore, with the objective of assessing the potential of SL companies to be approved as sources of poultry products more..

Apr 11 (PTI) As many as 19 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lanka Navy were on Wednesday repatriated to India after being released by authorities here, the Indian HC said. "Returning home! 19 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Sri Lanka and are now on their way from Colombo to Chennai," Indian High Commission here said. The Navy has so far held 23 Indian trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in the island nation's waters thus far in 2024, more..

Apr 11 (TM) Visa, the global leader in digital payments, announced that Visa debit card spends saw a significant increase of over 35% in the past year, indicating healthy growth of digital payments in SL. This increase is buoyed by a 30%+ increase in face-to-face spends and over 40% increase in ecommerce spends. As the Tamil and Sinhala New Year celebrations commence in the country, retail transactions are picking up more..

Apr 11 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised that the Govt�s prudent decisions over the past two years have bolstered the nation�s economy, providing a favourable environment for political activities on the streets. However, he cautioned that the economy still faces challenges, urging citizens to weigh the choice of either continuing with the Govt�s initiatives for prosperity or risking regression. Highlighting a remarkable increase of over 50% in govt income more..

Apr 11 (EN) Central Bank has bought US$ 715 million from forex markets in March 2024, up from a net US$ 239.5 million in February, taking the total so far this year to US$ 1,199 million. Gross official reserves went up by US$ 431 million in March as debt was repaid from domestic savings. A central bank is able to collect reserves when domestic credit is moderated by an appropriate interest rate (reducing domestic investments), and the rupees created by dollar purchases more..

Apr 11 (ST) With only a few days remaining for the Sinhala Tamil New Year, there is still confusion about auspicious times, following a dispute among astrologers. While the two factions�the state committee and a rival group of astrologers�presented different auspicious times and then refused to compromise, Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said that the people could follow auspicious times that were convenient more..

Apr 11 (AD) Ambassador of South Korea, Miyon Lee has called on PM Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo on Wednesday to discuss the follow-up actions on the decisions taken during the SL Premier�s visit last week. While in South Korea, Gunawardena held discussions with his counterpart Han Duck-soo, Speaker of National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo, Governor of Gyengsangbuk-do Province Lee Cheol-woo and former Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon. more..

Apr 11 (TM) SLC has announced the 15-member national women�s squad that will participate in the ICC Women�s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2024. According to the SLC, the tournament will take place from 25 April to 7 May, 2024, in Abu Dhabi. The SL team will reach Abu Dhabi directly from South Africa, where the team is currently engaged in a whiteball tour. Meanwhile, 15-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani is set to make her international debut for the SL Women�s team more..

Apr 12 (TM) In ancient times, Sri Lanka employed sophisticated air purification techniques that integrated humanity with nature. By uncovering the ancient methods that our ancestors used, we can learn and be reminded of these practices' timeless relevance. As we live in a time where Sri Lanka is facing major air contamination related issues and navigating modern day environmental challenges, revisiting Sri Lanka's heritage provides valuable lessons for sustainable living. more..

Apr 12 (GV) Hakka patas (a cynical Sinhala term which translates as jaw breaker) are small improvised explosive devices, also known as a Homemade Explosive Device (HED), which consist of gun powder, stones, lead and iron shaped into a ball. They are made amIndividuals (reference to burial rites), and most importantly your commitment to rectify mistakes of the past, more..

Apr 12 (GV) Hakka patas (a cynical Sinhala term which translates as jaw breaker) are small improvised explosive devices, also known as a Homemade Explosive Device (HED), which consist of gun powder, stones, lead and iron shaped into a ball. They are made among the rural agrarian villages in the Northern and North Eastern part of SL for the purpose of keeping wild animals, including elephants, away from the crops. more..

Apr 12 (TM) Sri Lankans approach this Sinhala and Tamil New Year with renewed hopes for a better country. A nation, our youth would be proud to call home. The road ahead is not an easy one, it never has been. Despite the limited festive cheer, the limited purchasing power of the average Joe, many Sri Lankans will enter this festive period with a stiff upper lip and an earnest view of what it will take to forge a path ahead. Looking forward, there is much to be done. more..

Apr 12 (ST) After about 25 years of operations since 1998, on March 24, McDonald�s closed down its business in Sri Lanka. The shocking news was reported widely in both local and int'l media. The closure of the business was a result of a legal battle in the Commercial Court of Colombo regarding the poor hygienic status of the McDonald�s food served in the country by its local franchisee. McDonald�s is known to be a cheap fast-food restaurant all around the world which is also popular more..

Apr 12 (CT) The popular Arabic term Eid al-Fitr refers to the Ramadan Festival of the followers of the faith of Islam that falls at the end of the one-month-long Fasting, which is obligatory for Muslims who live in every nook and corner of the world. As a matter of fact, when the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar Ramadan, culminates, the first crescent of Shawwal, the tenth Islamic month merrily emerges, carrying the joyous Eid Festival or more..

Apr 12 (CT) The Indian Ocean is home to numerous islands, both inhabited and uninhabited, which have recently garnered attention due to their geopolitical significance amid escalating power dynamics involving nations like India, China and their allies. Indian Ocean has historically been a vital trade route, with islands acting as strategic points for control and influence. These islands provided access to resources and wealth for those who controlled them, justifying the effort to overcome more..

Apr 12 (FT) Having watched recent TV performances by JVP leaders and NPP�s Dr. Harini Amarasuriya�s charming admission that though she reads Marx she is not a Marxist-Leninist nor is the leftist NPP, the SJB�s shadow finance minister Dr. Harsha de Silva experienced a gotcha moment. He exclaimed that this revealed a hugely problematic gap, and referring to the JVP�s admissions, challenged: �who can say they love Marx and go to the IMF? No one does that! Tell me more..

Apr 12 (ST) SL is well-known for its rich tea plantations and thick forest reserves across the central highlands while establishing a world renowned brand for producing the best Ceylon Tea globally. A cuppa generally narrates the story of the tea plantations, the smell of freshly plucked tea leaves and the lifestyle of the tea pluckers and their daily earnings. The Pekoe Trail that has recently sparked interest and recognised as one of the top 20 travel experiences in the world for 2024 more..

Apr 12 (ST) It will take the Highways Ministry at least six months to devise a strategy under which SL�s expressways can be transferred from the RDA to the State-owned company named Sahasya Investments Ltd (SIL), although Cabinet approved the relevant management agreement to take effect on April 1 this year. SIL still has just two employees � one from the Ministry and from the RDA � and will only now start informing donor agencies who financed the expressways and obtaining their approval. more..

Apr 12 (ST) Fireflies are interesting insects as they produce a greenish light. While continuing their ongoing research on fireflies in Rammale Forest, a team of researchers from the University of Ruhuna noticed a few flying firefly species that looked different. In addition to fireflies, there were wingless alien-looking glow worms (known in Sinhala as re badulla) that emit light on their abdomen, in the leaf litter on the ground. more..

Apr 12 (ST) Agrarian authorities have introduced a biological control agent to curb white fly infestations in coconut trees, which have been made worse by the prevailing heat that creates a conducive environment for the infestation. The biological control agent, Encarsia guadeloupe, one of the parasitoid species, was applied in both forms (live and eggs) to small scale coconut farms as a pilot project in several regions of the Northern Province. Thevarajah Vaigunthan, Regional Head of more..

Apr 12 (DM) Three businessmen who attempted to smuggle a stock of goods worth more than Rs. 200 million into the country were arrested this evening by a group of investigation officers attached to the SL Customs at the BIA. The Customs investigations revealed that the goods were imported into the country illegally without paying Customs duty. Among the goods were foreign-made whiskey, cigarettes, apple varieties, smart mobile phones, wristwatches, Apple Mac books, Apple iPads more..

Apr 12 (DM) Locally produced rice, vegetables, eggs, chicken and fruits needed for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations have been supplied to the market without any shortages, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. He said the vegetable prices, which increased rapidly about a month ago and the shortage of vegetables have been completely ended by now. Under the government's programme to increase production in the country, more than the required amount of poultry meat, eggs, more..

Apr 12 (TM) Despite global market volatility that is prevalent for the longest time, affecting Sri Lanka�s revenue generation amidst its economic crisis, apparel exports has also faced the wrath of policies such as para tariffs hindering its competitiveness. Consultant for Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) SL Yohan Lawrence said: �These (paratariff for apparel material imports) are hindrances for trade making Sri Lanka more expensive than it should be.� He added that more..

Apr 12 (DN) After a lapse of five years, SL Athletics witnessed the emergence of promising talents in the men�s and women�s 4x100m relay squads during the Relay Trials organized for the upcoming inaugural Asian Relay C'ship. on April 10 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, these trials showed off the exceptional performances of new faces, setting the stage for SL�s participation in the C'ship scheduled for May 20-21 in Thailand. more..

Apr 12 (DN) St. Peter�s College won the men�s title at the 39th Intermediate Age Group Swimming Championship. They won for the second time in a row. Championship at Air Force Swimming Pool Complex in Ratmalana. Swimmers from St. Peter�s College were led by their head coach Shehan Dias and captain Ean Gake. They did really well, winning 13 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and six bronze medals. This helped them beat 51 other schools and take home the title. more..

Apr 12 (DN) Lankan motor racing ace Dilantha Malagamuwa won the second place at the European GT-4 Car Racing Championship held at the Paul Ricard track in France recently. This competition was held on April 05, 06 and 07 with the participation of a large number of motor racing champions from 40 countries of the world and Dilantha Malagamuwa had participated in that competition representing not only Sri Lanka but the whole of Asia. Malagamuwa had arrived at Katunayake Airport on April 10 more..

Apr 12 (ST) Authorities are in the process of identifying buildings in a dilapidated state in the city of Colombo following complaints to examine the stability and safety of buildings received by CMC, NBRO, UDA and the police. CMC Municipal Commissioner Bhadranie Jayawardhana, Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Curative Dept Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni, and Director of City Planning Anuja Mendis explained the various levels more..

Apr 12 (DM) Chief Prelate of the Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Siyam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Maha Thera said incumbent Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe can implement reforms successfully if he receives a mandate of his own at a future presidential election. Thera made this remark when UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene met him today. "One cannot bring about reforms through votes received by others," more..

Apr 12 (TM) Following several media reports being circulated that many contractors have demanded compensation from the Govt due to the loss that they incurred after the suspending of State run large-scale development projects, the Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies Ministry stated that all the suspended projects are scheduled to be recommenced once the debt restructuring programme is concluded. Contractors have reportedly demanded a compensation more..

Apr 12 (Forbes) With its daily sunshine, miles of wide golden sand beaches, lush green forests, brightly colored buildings, buses, tuk tuks and smiling people, the island of Sri Lanka richly deserves its title as Pearl of the Indian Ocean. And it also seems fitting that Time magazine described the country�s first luxury wellness retreat, Santani, high in the Dumbara mountains above the town of Kandy, as one of the world�s 100 best places. Following its launch in 2018, more..

Apr 12 (KINA) The second round of Kazakh-SL political consultations was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev and Foreign Secretary of SL Aruni Wijewardane. During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the development of bilateral cooperation, as well as exchanged views on topical issues on int'l and regional agenda. more..

Apr 12 (ADB) Asian Development Bank�s (ADB) annual flagship economic publication, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, forecasts SL�s economy to record moderate growth of 1.9% in 2024 and 2.5% in 2025 following 2 consecutive years of contractions. SL is showing signs of recovery, with green shoots emerging in the second half of 2023. Inflation has decelerated to single digits, foreign exchange reserves continue more..

Apr 12 (TM) Although estate sector workers remain generally unaware about the proposals put forward by plantation companies with regard to wage hikes, when it comes to the matter of wage hikes, they also remain considerably sceptical, according to estate sector workers� associations. Speaking of the said proposals�which, as per media reports, suggest to provide workers with a 33% wage hike under the productivity based wage model or a 22% wage hike under the attendance-based more..

Apr 12 (ICC) The 15-year-old left-arm wrist spinner was named in SL�s senior women's squad for the upcoming ICC Women�s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2024. SLC announced a 15-member squad for the fast-approaching Women�s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, with the team set to be led by their regular captain and experienced batter, Chamari Athapaththu. One name that made headlines after the squad was announced, was of a 15-year-old teenage spin sensation Shashini Gimhani. more..

Apr 12 (AN) A small uninhabited island located between India and SL is unexpectedly at the centre of a dispute between the two countries. In India, PM Narendra Modi criticised the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) in a statement dated 31 March for ceding Katchatheevu Island, in the Palk Strait, to SL, saying the party did nothing to safeguard the state�s interests. The issue has gained visibility as India's elections approach. The first round of voting is set to begin on 19 April more..