Aug 22 (TM) In 2012, amid Greece's severe economic crisis, Sri Lanka's Central Bank made a controversial investment in Greek treasury bills, resulting in a loss of Rs. 1,843,267,595.00. This investment has since come under the scrutiny of the CIABOC. CIABOC�s investigation revealed potential mismanagement and corruption in the decision-making process. As a result, the commission has initiated legal proceedings against several high-profile individuals, including Nivard Ajith more..

Aug 22 (Island) Jana Aragala Sandhanaya (JAS) has questioned Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s contradictory positions on the Supreme Court order that an Acting IGP be appointed pending the conclusion of the fundamental rights applications filed against Deshabandu Tennakoon, and the subsequent unseating of MPs Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando. JAS spokesman Tharindu Uduwaragedara said though the SC order pertaining to Tennakoon, given on July 24, more..

Aug 22 (OHCHR) A UN Human Rights Office report issued today identified renewed threats to fundamental freedoms in SL, evidenced by new or proposed regressive laws, erosion of democratic checks and balances, ongoing threats and intimidation against civil society and journalists, and recurrence of serious human rights violations of the past. �As the country approaches prez and parliamentary elections, more..

Aug 22 (AD) The prez candidate of the Sarvajana Balaya alliance, entrepreneur Dilith Jayaweera has voiced his strong disapproval to the govt�s plan to sell shares of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), calling it a significant mistake. Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) leader made these remarks during a discussion held with representatives of the SLT trade unions on Wednesday. A group of representatives of the SLT Engineers� Association met with Mr. Jayaweera to express their concerns more..

Aug 22 (MC) Ather Energy, the electric two-wheeler manufacturer, is set to expand its international footprint by entering the Sri Lankan market in the upcoming quarter through a partnership with Evolution Auto. This move is part of Ather�s broader global expansion strategy, which also includes its recent foray into Nepal announced in Nov 2023. Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer at Ather Energy, expressed enthusiasm about this new market entry: more..

Aug 22 (EN) Public Security Ministry and officials in charge of immigration are violating the country�s Supreme Court order on a visa deal involving IVS-GBS and VFS Global, key opposition legislators said. Supreme Court on Aug 2 suspended the contract given to private consortium IVS-GBS and VFS Global to deal with visa issuance in an interim order after 8 Fundamental Rights (FR) cases were filed against giving the deal without more..

Aug 22 (NW) SJB Leader MP Sajith Premadasa says a govt that disregards the law is not just incompetent, it is dangerous. MP Premadasa pointed out that the Supreme Court�s decisions against the appointment of the IGP, the selection of VFS for the new visa system, and the violation of fundamental rights by not holding the local elections are glaring warnings. �A govt that cannot uphold the law cannot build a nation. It dismantles the very structures that ensure our stability. more..

Aug 22 (DM) UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena today hinted that incumbent PM Dinesh Gunawardena will continue to be the Premier if the incumbent Prez emerges victorious at the Prez election this year. �Late Ranasinghe Premadasa was the PM when late Prez J.R. Jayewardene won the Prez election in 1982, and Premadasa continued as the Premier. "The late Ratnasiri Wickramanayake was the PM when Chandrika Kumaratunga won the Presidential election in 1999. more..

Aug 23 (DM) Quo vadis domine? Where are you going, Lord?, Peter asks the risen Christ whom he meets along the Appian way. Romam eo iterum crucifigi, Christ replies. �I am going to Rome in order to be crucified again. While Christ sacrificed his life for the love of man, we live for the love of man. We live for the fulfillment of executing the simple rights and duties of the human family to which we belong. We are glad when life offers us the opportunity to care for parents, children, spouses, more..

Aug 23 (DM) There is much uncertainty in the air as to who�ll be the winner as SL gets ready for the 9th prez elections. There are voters with stability in their lives, the ones who are choking due to their own financial crises and the youth, who are first time voters at the elections, scheduled for Sept 21. The latter group cannot be fooled and will not settle for compromises with lawmakers; the present ones already in power and the ones who are aspiring to back a new leader who�ll form the next govt. more..

Aug 23 (CT) The SL Govt�s announcement of Elon Musk�s Starlink by SpaceX entering the local telecommunications market marks a significant milestone in the country�s telecom history. This development comes as the divestiture of Sri Lanka Telecom is underway and follows the recent passage of a new telecommunications Bill�the first amendment to the law in 28 years�which has paved the way for Starlink Lanka�s entry and more..

Aug 23 (DM) SL decides. Nor really. Geopolitics also decides for SL. Elections are not entirely won and lost based on the people�s verdict. Yes, outsiders are interested in SL�s election and work to ensure the party or candidate they favour wins. Democracy is vulnerable to outside interventions. When democracy in the US, the world�s most powerful and oldest democracy, is under attack from hostile nations, what defence does SL�s democracy have against the manipulations of big powers? more..

Aug 23 (Island) As always, SL lives up to its descriptive slogan A land like no other in the run up to presidential polls. In this instance Cass implies its derogatory connotation. 39 hopefuls have paid their deposits to run the race and so a plethora of neutral looking symbols have been selected from material goods like a torch to a pen and animals from eagle and bat to a hippo � or is it a rhinoceros with one horn? We had the much admired and loved Green Elephant, now almost defunct; more..

Aug 23 (CT) They patrol the thick, dangerous jungles at night, not knowing what they will encounter. They work day and night when required, to save animals with gunshot wounds and those who are seriously injured when they fall into mud pits and wells. Poachers with guns and those engaged in illegal activities are just a few of the dangers they face while carrying out their duties as Wildlife Rangers, Game Guards, and more..

Aug 23 (TM) Supreme Court (SC) this week ruled that the people's fundamental rights (FRs) have been violated due to the non-holding of the LG Elections last year (in 2023). The SC explained that the Executive branch, i.e. the President, is liable for the infringement of the FRs guaranteed under Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution, which pertain to the right to equality and the equal protection of the law, and the freedoms of speech and expression including publication, more..

Aug 23 (ST) Rhetorically, many would say that Singapore is a service sector economy. In supporting that claim, we can quote the fact that Singapore is a US$500 billion economy out of which the service sector share of the GDP is 72%. The balance consists of almost entirely by the industrial sector value addition (in addition to taxes), while aggregate data shows that the agriculture sector share is zero. Based on a different set of statistics, I am sure someone else could say that Singapore is more..

Aug 23 (FT) One of SL�s largest paint manufacturers, Asian Paints Causeway, recently launched ColourNext-2024 at a grand event held in Colombo. ColourNext is a comprehensive, annual forecast of design directions in colours, materials, textures, and finishes, compiled by Asian Paints in collaboration with experts from various creative disciplines, including architecture, art, interiors, fashion, sociology, media, and FMCG. ColourNext is celebrated as South Asia�s premier more..

Aug 23 (FT) A thrilling new chapter in SL�s aviation story will unfold with the imminent launch of Air Ceilao, the nation�s newest international airline. With an ambition to revolutionise the local industry, Air Ceilao said yesterday it is ready to take off harnessing SL�s strategic position as a regional aviation hub and reshape how the world views air travel. This bold newcomer will not be just another airline; and aims to become a pioneering force that blends the elegance of full-service airlines more..

Aug 23 (CI) Asitha Fernando produced a compelling display of all-purpose seam and swing bowling, while Prabath Jayasuriya chipped in with two bewilderingly brilliant deliveries in an otherwise steady display of left-arm spin, as SL fought gamely to stay in touch on a gloomy second day of the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford. By the close, England were indebted to their rookie keeper, Jamie Smith, who justified his promotion to more..

Aug 23 (CT) In a true democracy, the selection of candidates and the election process should involve the entire population equally. Unfortunately, our current election rules allow only a select few to become candidates without requiring any public endorsement, such as a stepwise regional election process within the party. Our system favours existing politicians and makes it virtually impossible to register a political party to address specific issues. It is a significant obstacle to more..

Aug 23 (Island) Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that in 2023, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, and the then members of the Election Commission (EC) violated the fundamental rights of the people by postponing the Local Govt (LG) polls. The SC has ordered the EC to conduct the delayed polls as soon as possible. One can only hope that the sobering judicial knock, which has gladdened the hearts of all those who cherish democracy, will have the desired impact more..

Aug 23 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Wednesday approved awarding the contract for the rehabilitation and improvement of access roads to the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal Development project (KMTTDP) to Maga Engineering Ltd. �The KMTTDP is a key component of the greater Kandy City Development initiative known as Visal Mahanuwara is funded by the World Bank through a Rs. 30 billion loan,� Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena. more..

Aug 23 (CI) If you were to design your ideal fast bowler, it probably would not share many physical traits with Asitha Fernando. For starters, they would be taller than five-foot-eight. Their front leg would be braced, and their deliveries would push the speed gun well beyond 83mph. And they'd almost certainly not be Sri Lankan or blessed with the SL uncle's paunch. But when it comes to craft and nous, you could do worse than take a handful of what Asitha is working with to season your dream hybrid more..

Aug 23 (Island) Teenage pregnancies in SL have increased from 14 to 1,000 pregnancies to 21 out of a 1,000 in the last decade, Dr Vindya Kumarapeli, Director � Policy Analysis & Development at the Ministry of Health says. While the overall fertility of SL women has dropped, there are geographical areas where total fertility rate (TFR) is higher than the average and there was a significant number of teenage pregnancies. more..

Aug 23 (DN) SL Paralympic team led by Samitha Dulan is expected to leave tomorrow (24) France for the 17 th Paralympic Games which is scheduled to be held from Aug 28 to Sept 8 in Paris. This time eight member SL para athletes from three sports athletics, swimming and wheelchair Tennis will compete this mega event which consist of 549 events from 22 sports while 184 Nations to be take part. Paralympic Games very similar to Olympic Games and same value, same medals more..

Aug 23 (EN) United Petroleum of Australia was launched in SL on Thursday (22), Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. �They will commence retail fuel operations in September with 150 dealer owned and operated fuel stations,� Wijesekera said. United Petroleum becomes the fourth retail operator to enter the SL market after LIOC, Sinopec, RM Parks-Shell. The company signed an agreement with the Ministry of Power and Energy earlier this year to enter petroleum retail operations in the island. more..

Aug 23 (FT) In a major move to address salary disparities and enhance the livelihoods of public service employees, the Expert Committee on Public Service Salary Disparities, Chaired by Udaya R. Seneviratne yesterday announced that the basic salary of public servants will see a substantial increase. He said the hike will be a minimum of 24% for primary-level service categories, with overall salary increments ranging from 24%-50% more..

Aug 23 (CT) Election Commission said that the Supreme Court ruling regarding the postponement of the Local Govt Elections will not affect the holding of the upcoming Prez Election, which will proceed as planned. Commission accepts the SC�s ruling and will take the necessary action to comply with the Court�s instructions, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said. Meanwhile, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake, addressing the media, more..

Aug 23 (DM) Claiming that a minority govt will not help make the expected change, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he was hoping for a strong mandate to make a revolutionary change. He said people were yearning for a change over a long period of time and that the right time for a change will dawn on Sept 21. "There has been a wide discussion for a change in the country over the years. There is no point in talking about or dreaming of a change. For the first time in Sri Lanka, more..

Aug 23 (TM) Sri Lanka should enact reforms to grow the economy annually at 4-6% in order to reduce the debt burden and avoid another debt restructuring in the coming years, World Bank Lead Economist Gregory Smith said. Writing for the latest report on SL by ODI, which is an independent, global affairs think tank, Smith said that economic growth is a necessity not only for prosperity in SL but also to further reduce the debt burden as without sufficient growth, need for another debt restructuring more..

Aug 23 (FT) Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) says estate workers have been brought in to support political rallies of some candidates offering free alcohol, and this is a clear violation of election laws. CMEV Convenor Manjula Gajanayake, says low-quality bottled toddy has been distributed amongst some estate workers as encouragement and compensation for their support at rallies. He said this is against the law and urged police and health officials to investigate. more..

Aug 23 (DM) The Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera has raised concerns regarding the security aspect of the proposed link road between Sri Lanka and India was when constructed. The Thera raised this concern during a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha at the Malwatta temple. Ven. Sumangala Thera pointed out that SL did not have any produce to be more..

Aug 23 (FT) Australian Border Force marks another momentous occasion by generously gifting SL Coast Guard (SLCG) three All-terrain Vehicles (ATVs) at a special ceremony in Colombo. The small, motorised, off-highway vehicles are generally used on rough ground and will complement SLCG�s existing land coastal patrol activities. Test driving the ATVs during his official visit to the Australian Border Force headquarters earlier this year, SLCG Director General Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana said more..

Aug 23 (Island) In a significant move towards sustainable development, Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, former Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, emphasized the urgent need for Sri Lanka to transition from fossil fuels to Green energy. Prof. Munasinghe�s remarks were made during the launch of the NPP Energy Policy Framework titled Energizing the National Renaissance, held recently more..