Aug 22 (Island) Sri Lanka junior athletics team will have a busy schedule ahead as they are set to compete in Chennai less than two weeks after taking part in the World Junior Championship for which they received the green light at the eleventh hour. SL�s 12 member junior athletics team to Lima, Peru were uncertain about their journey until yesterday due to lack of funds. Sports Ministry had earlier informed Sri Lanka Athletics that their journey would not be funded by the govt. more..

Aug 22 (CT) Govt Medical Officers� Association (GMOA), said it would vehemently oppose any govt move, to go on a witch-hunt of trade union leaders, who reveal the truth about the issues of the State health system to the country. GMOA Secretary, Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa alleged that in a similar situation, the GMOA Branch Secretary of Teaching Hospital, Badulla, Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa was being allegedly penalised for disclosing information more..

Aug 22 (FT) State Minister Dilum Amunugama announced that Sri Lanka has secured an export income of $ 9 billion in the first six months of 2024, whilst noting that investment agreements totalling around $ 800 million were signed during the same period. He made these remarks at a press briefing yesterday. Amunugama said the Board of Investment currently facilitates 15 investment zones, with 1,575 companies operating within them, providing employment to over 500,000 people. more..

Aug 22 (FT) The SAB Campus of The Chartered Institute of Sri Lanka (CA SL) and the Association of Accounting Technicians Sri Lanka (AATSL) recently embarked on a new path in accounting by signing a MoU aimed at advancing and collaborating professional education. The MOU grants exemptions for members of AATSL by way of lateral entry to the BSc. in Applied Accounting (General) Degree Program. The primary objective of this collaboration is to enhance the qualification process more..

Aug 22 (FT) SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala announced her resignation from Parliament delivering a scathing critique of party�s Presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa before stepping down. During a special address in Parliament, Thalatha Athukorala, who entered Parliament in 2004 after the untimely passing of her brother, UNP stalwart Gamini Athukorala, questioned Sajith Premadasa�s leadership qualities and his suitability to lead more..

Aug 22 (EN) Opposition MP Thalatha Atukorala believes that, if the United National Party (UNP) and the breakaway Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) were to reunite, Sri Lanka�s voters would hand over the country to them on a platter. Whether she is correct in this presumption is anybody�s guess, but with just one month left to go to the presidential election, the chances of a reconciliation between the two parties, already in the decimal range, are fast approaching zero. more..

Aug 22 (FT) Indian business giant Reliance declared SL stands best to gain from the giant neighbour�s unprecedented high growth trajectory thereby becoming globally competitive. The future growth dynamics of India and how SL and its businesses can benefit was shared by India�s Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, CEO T. Krishnakumar at the National Visionary Summit on Strategic growth vision for rebuilding the nation organised by the National Council of Professionals (NCP) more..

Aug 22 (FT) In a move to further strengthen SL�s burgeoning tourism ties with Poland, SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) welcomed popular Polish celebrity couple Cezary Pazura and Edyta Pazura to the island nation. Cezery Pazura, a renowned Polish actor, after whom the asteroid (669588) Claw was named by the International Astronomical Union in 2014, and his wife Edyta Pazura arrived at the BIA on 19 Aug. They were greeted at the airport by officials from SLTPB. more..

Aug 22 (FT) SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman stated that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s defeat in the upcoming Prez election cannot be avoided by recruiting MPs from other parties. He also noted that numerous conspiracies are ongoing against SJB leader Sajith Premadasa to ensure his defeat at the elections. Commenting on SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala�s sudden decision to step down from her Parliamentary post, Marikkar noted that she mentioned in her resignation speech her more..

Aug 22 (TM) SL cricketer Niroshan Dickwella�s disciplinary hearing linked to him having tested positive for cocaine is scheduled to take place on Friday (23), with the hearing set to decide the suspended player�s immediate future in the sport. Dickwella, 31, who has been playing international cricket since 2014, had reportedly failed a doping test conducted by SLADA and held in line with World Anti-Doping guidelines, during this yr�s LPL. more..

Aug 22 (TM) Drivers have complained of an increase of the non-payment by passengers who hire three-wheelers, especially those using their services via online ride-sharing apps. �There is a huge increase in customers booking a hire and then not paying while there are others who just want to go for a joyride and hire a three-wheeler and then don�t pay,� All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers Association Prez Lalith Dharmasekara said. �On average, a three-wheeler driver will face this situation two or more..

Aug 22 (DN) Trinbago Knight Riders has signed Sri Lanka�s top order batter Harshitha Samarawickrama for the Women�s Caribbean Premier League 2024. The three-team competition (Barbados Royals, Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors) will be held from August 22 to 30 in Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. The 26-year-old Samarawickrama has been in top form and contributed heavily with the bat for SL Women�s Cricket Team�s success in last 12 months. more..

Aug 22 (TM) The JVP-led NPP of the Parliamentary Opposition remains committed to forming a Govt that represents all communities, despite facing what it describes as baseless accusations regarding its policies. Speaking to the media following a meeting with the All-Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) yesterday, NPP Leader and Prez candidate and Opposition MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised the importance of unity and coexistence among Sri Lanka's diverse communities. more..

Aug 22 (CT) Sri Lanka is better equipped to handle an mpox outbreak compared to a few years ago, Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said in Parliament yesterday (21). Originally named monkeypox when it was first identified in monkeys in 1958, the name of the disease was updated to mpox in 2022 to reduce stigma. In response to a question from MP Rauff Hakeem, the minister said all necessary measures have been implemented to prevent public suffering. more..

Aug 22 (FT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday extended the biggest boost for tourism by offering 30-day visas free-of-charge to nationals from 35 countries from 1 October. The move for six months was approved at the Cabinet of Ministers meeting yesterday based on a proposal by the President who also holds the tourism portfolio, following recommendations from an Expert Committee tasked with evaluating more..

Aug 22 (Island) The Postal Department on Tuesday (20) released the world�s longest stamp, measuring 205 mm. The stamp symbolizes the historic Sri Dalada Perahera in Kandy, and was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the PMD said. The Sri Dalada Perahera, which is Sri Lanka�s most popular Buddhist procession, concluded on Tuesday. This stamp is valued at 500 rupees (about US$ 1.6 U). The previous longest stamp was issued by Kyrgyzstan and was 184 millimeters wide. more..

Aug 22 (DM) The Brampton Municipal authorities in Canada have disregarded the SL govt�s protest over the construction of what is called Tamil genocide memorial as its Mayor Patrick Brown requested Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister M. Joly to take a hard line position against Sri Lanka, according to the letter which Daily Mirror is now in possession. Earlier, SL Consul General Thushara Rodrigo wrote to the Mayor expressing SL�s opposition to the construction of this memorial. more..

Aug 22 (TM) The Election Commission (EC), whilst emphasising that the maximum amount that a candidate can spend per voter in the forthcoming Prez Election � since gazetted as Rs. 109 following consultations with the Prez candidates � was decided following a proper formula, stated that anyone who does not agree with their decision is free to challenge it before courts. Gazette notification pertaining to more..

Aug 22 (DM) Postal Department announced Sept 8 (Sunday) as the special day for the distribution of official polling cards for the 2024 Prez election. Deputy Postmaster General Rajitha Ranasinghe said that even though September 8 is a govt holiday, the distribution of official ballot papers is expected to be carried out from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. "We believe that the people will stay in their homes on the announced date to receive the official polling cards," he added. Accordingly, Sept 14 has been announced as more..

Aug 22 (FT) The much anticipated Prez election next month has created seismic activity in and out of the political arena. While the candidates are focused on winning, those in the periphery, the cohorts and the plutocrats are in a dilemma. The biggest joke is that for most of the sitting MPs and other politicians it does not matter whether Ranil wins or Sajith wins. Among their selfish and opportunistic agendas, the formidable challenge is to make sure that Anura does not come to power. more..

Aug 22 (FT) At no time did the island�s Left do better electorally than at the first General Election in 1947 on the eve of Independence 1948. There was a slim possibility that a Left govt could have taken office, but that would have had to be a Left-led govt, which consisted of an alliance between the Left parties and the progressive independents (among whom was SWRD Bandaranaike). The story is well-known. A discussion was held at Yamuna the residence of Herbert Sri Nissanka. more..

Aug 22 (EN) Neon and Echelon Media recently hosted the Shine 50 Awards and Networking Evening at the Oak Room Ballroom, Cinnamon Grand, celebrating 50 young women making remarkable contributions across Sri Lanka. The event, attended by U.S. Ambassador to SL Julie J. Chung, honoured women aged 18 to 35 who are driving change in diverse fields such as entrepreneurship, environmental advocacy, the arts, science, and technology. more..

Aug 22 (DM) Supreme Court 5-judge-bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya today ordered Election Commission (EC) to make the necessary arrangements to hold the Local Govt elections at the earliest possible date. SC further held that the Fundamental Rights of the petitioners and the citizens of the country have been violated by the authorities including Minister of Finance, EC and AG by not holding the LG elections more..

Aug 22 (DM) A heavy influx of foreign and local tourists is being experienced at the historic Nine Arch bridge in Demodara on the upcountry railway line. Residents of the area attributed this to the increasing tourist arrivals in the country and the school holidays. Nine Arch bridge is a main tourist attraction in the up-county. Nine Arch bridge built in 1921 during British rule in SL is 300 ft long and 80 ft high. It is a cynosure of the tourists for its exceptional architectural design more..

Aug 22 (DN) SL swimmer Akalanka Peiris, based in Australia, continues to shine on the international arena. At the UNCLOUD Victorian Open Short Course Championships held at MSAC in Victoria, Australia, the 24-year-old set two new national records in the men�s 50m and 100m backstroke events, further establishing his reputation as one of SL�s top swimmers. In the 100m backstroke, Peiris delivered an impressive performance, clocking a time of 53.63 seconds to win the silver medal. more..

Aug 22 (GV) Sri Lankans overwhelmingly cite the economy and inflation as their biggest concerns going into the prez election in the latest IHP SL Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) polling during April to July 2024. However, concerns about unemployment have been rising since the start of the year while the numbers citing corruption and drugs as top national problems have been declining. more..

Aug 22 (AD) Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 03 other suspects, implicated in the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials, have been further remanded until Aug 29. The order was issued after the defendants were produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate�s Court today. CID arrested Rambukwella on 02 February over his alleged complicity in the procurement of substandard IVIG vials. Accordingly, former Minister is currently in remand custody more..

Aug 22 (DM) The govt today approved a project to implement Artificial Intelligence-related Students' Societies as a pilot project in 100 schools, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. He said that the project will be started with the participation of students from Grades 6 to 9. Accordingly, it has been decided to expand this programme among other schools in the coming years based on the results of this project. This proposal was presented as a joint proposal by the Prez in his capacity as more..

Aug 22 (AD) Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has been awarded a prestigious �A� grade in Global Finance�s 2024 Central Banker Report Cards. This top-tier recognition places Dr. Weerasinghe among the elite central bank governors worldwide, acknowledging his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen in steering SL�s economy through turbulent times. �The �A� grade is a testament to Dr. Weerasinghe�s outstanding performance in critical areas more..

Aug 22 (AD) The Presidential Candidate of SLPP Namal Rajapaksa asserts that police and land powers will not be devolved to the Provincial Councils under his governance. Addressing his maiden rally in Anuradhapura, Rajapaksa stated that he believes their govt was toppled by a conspiracy and that however, they did not let the state collapse. �We handed over the govt to President Ranil Wickremesinghe because it was necessary to protect the state�, Rajapaksa said. more..

Aug 22 (EN) Cabinet approved a public sector salary hike in line with an expert panel recommendation for all public servants from Jan 2025, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s office said. The move, however, comes a month ahead of the prez poll in which Prez Wickremesinghe is contesting under an independent coalition. Wickremsinghe, after a series of protests by public sector employees demanding wage hike early this year, more..

Aug 22 (DM) No SLPP Parliamentarian represting the Anuradhapura District participated in organising the SLPP's maiden rally held in Anuradhapura yesterday, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today. He said that people did not make it an issue and had attended the rally in large numbers. The MP said people in Anuradhapura requested party leader Mahinda Rajapaksa not to take back those who betrayed national requirements and had crossed over. more..

Aug 22 (DM) USS Stockdale of the US Navy arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit today. SL Navy warmly welcomed the ship upon its arrival. USS Stockdale, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer stretching 155.3 metres in length, is operated by a crew of 332 personnel. Ship is under the command of Commander Lauren Johnson. Following the completion of replenishments, she is scheduled to depart the island on 23 Aug. This is the 3rd US Navy ship that arrived in Colombo more..

Aug 22 (DM) As many as one million new voters will exercise their right to vote at the upcoming Presidential Elections. According to the Election Commission, 76,000 fresh voters have been registered to cast their vote from January to June this year. But even though there is a need to engage youth in politics, they are often discouraged by the seniors. With no retirement age for politicians, they continue to be evergreen figures in the more..

Aug 22 (BN) SL�s dollar bonds are drifting lower on investor concern that the completion of a debt restructuring agreement with creditors could be pushed back by next month�s prez election. The country�s dollar bonds due in 2030 traded below 55 cents on the dollar on Wednesday, down from 59 cents in mid June. This month, SL has the worst performing emerging-market debt following Lebanon. SL struck a preliminary deal with private investors in July to restructure $12.6b of more..

Aug 22 (DM) Election Commission (EC) and election monitors have flagged concerns over the rising polls-related complaints which have now surpassed the 700 mark. A top source from the EC said that the commission is contemplating holding discussions with pertinent stakeholders to avert violence as the election is getting nearer. A total of 771 complaints related to the upcoming Prez election have been received by Election Commission as of Monday�s evening. more..