Jul 9 (Island) The deadline for presidential elections is fast approaching and the Election Commissioner will be empowered to declare the date of the election on July 17, just over a week from now. The election rallies are becoming larger and feistier. The two main opposition parties are showing their growing strength in the numbers attending their political rallies. The govt too is unifying to meet the challenge. The most recent public meeting brought together the leading members of the ruling SLPP more..

Jul 9 (FT) Govt announced that Sri Lanka has now gained the capacity to produce fortified rice kernels. The kernels are enriched with folic acid and iron through an extrusion process creating nutrient-rich grains that will be blended with regular rice to produce fortified rice. This initiative was highlighted as an urgent priority of the Govt following the economic crisis, which severely increased food insecurity and malnutrition, and the Presidential Secretariat�s commitment to the cause more..

Jul 9 (DN) Dambulla Sixes led by Mohammad Nabi is expected to put up a good fight against Galle Marvels in their LPL cricket fixture which will be played at Dambulla Int'l Cricket Stadium today at 7.30 pm. After recording their first win against Colombo Strikers the team has more confidence to continue the winning mentality said Dambulla Sixes opener Kusal Janith Perera the inform batter having scored century and 80 in previous matches. We have a strong side especially batting strength more..

Jul 9 (ST) Whether purchasing gunny sacks or constructing buildings, public entities are required to follow strict procedures to ensure taxpayer money is not wasted. But recklessness and mismanagement have resulted in a loss of almost Rs. 200 million, according to a recently-released audit report for 2021. State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company purchased unusable medical raw material, Uni of Peradeniya made mathematical errors in the contract for elevator installation, more..

Jul 9 (Island) The national selection panel will meet this week to chat about a host of things and among them will be whether they should persevere with Wanindu Hasaranga as the team�s T-20 captain, cricket sources told The Island. The 26-year-old was appointed as T-20 captain early this year and has won three bilateral series in that period although he was a flop during the World Cup. Hasaranga was the overwhelming choice for more..

Jul 9 (FT) The IT and BPM sector yesterday urged the Govt to reconsider tax measures affecting export services. Given the serious implications, key leading industry groups SL Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM), the Fed-eration of Information Technology Industry SL (FITIS), the BCS Sri Lanka Section (BCS), and the Computer Society of SL (CSSL) have come together and express concern via a joint statement. Following is the full text. Our members include more..

Jul 9 (FT) Aiming to advance gender inclusivity and promote women�s economic empowerment, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with MDF Training & Consultancy successfully concluded a Training of Trainers program designed to enhance the capabilities of women business development coaches in SL. Titled Building the Capacity of Women Business Development Coaches in SL, the program was conducted in two intensive sessions, with 30 coaches participating. more..

Jul 9 (EN) Sri Lanka is in the process of amending its TRC Act to accommodate Starlink satellite system found by billionaire head of SpaceX and Tesla. SL has already granted preliminary approval for Starlink to provide satellite-based internet services in the country, following a formal public consultation process. The move came after Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe met Musk in the sideline the 10th World Water Forum more..

Jul 9 (DN) Methika Jayasinghe of St. Joseph�s College, Colombo, will captain Sri Lanka at the four-nation FIBA Under 18 Asia Cup 2024 � SABA Qualifiers. Organised by the SABA Regional Office � Asia and the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, the tournament will start tomorrow, July 10, and run until July 13 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka will host India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives in this three-day qualifier. The winner of the SABA U18 will be crowned champion and more..

Jul 9 (DN) Nestl� MILO stays true to its purpose of building champions through the values of sport by providing a platform for children around the country to showcase their talent and skills. The brand reaches a new milestone in this journey, marking 30 years of developing swimming champions in collaboration with govt authorities. The brand sponsors the long awaited 49th SL Schools Aquatic Sports Championship once again, with the vision of championing inclusivity in sports by more..

Jul 9 (TM) With the recent changes in the laws concerning cosmetic products, the existing laws are insufficient to deal with issues related to cosmetic products, and therefore, introducing and enforcing the relevant laws is a matter that the authorities should consider as urgent. Noting this, GMOA General Committee Member Dr. Prasad Colombage explained that introducing stronger laws is only the first step, and that establishing a proper mechanism to enforce those laws is also necessary more..

Jul 9 (FT) Ceylon Teachers� Union (CTU) questioned the Govt�s assertion that raising the current Value Added Tax (VAT) is necessary to meet the salary increase demands of public servants. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin pointedly asked from where MPs receive their salaries, benefits and daily allowances for Parliamentary sessions if the VAT hike is truly indispensable. He accused Parliamentarians of using taxpayers� money for actions that he deemed destructive. more..

Jul 9 (TM) The Election Commission (EC) announced that they have not received any notification from Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding the upcoming Presidential Election, and that no such notification is required for them to proceed with their duties. Last week, Wickremesinghe had informed the Chief Prelate of the Ramanna Sect, Ven. Makulewe Wimala Thera that he had informed the EC of the need to hold the Prez Election more..

Jul 9 (TM) The latest meeting between the Grama Niladhari (GN) officers and the authorities which was held yesterday has failed to provide solutions to the demands of GN officers, prompting GN unions to consider intensifying the ongoing trade union action. According to the GN Trade Union Alliance�s Convenor, Jagath Chandralal, at the meeting with Public Adm and Home Affairs Ministry officials, the decisions that have been taken with regard to the GN officials� demands had been announced, more..

Jul 9 (FT) Foreign Affairs Ministry said SL�s continental shelf submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) in New York as well as to matters related to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) in Jamaica on exploration of the cobalt-rich crust in the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount are both under process before the two respective global bodies. Following several media reports relating to SL�s continental shelf submission to the UNCLCS in New York more..

Jul 9 (DN) In a heroic act, a 15-year-old boy risked his life to save a young child from a well in the village of Kivula, Mahakumbukkadawala, Puttalam. The incident occurred when a four-year-old boy from Kivula No. 4 fell into a well, struggling between life and death. The young hero, identified as Sasidu Nimsara, a Grade 10 student at Kivula Pirivena, noticed the child in distress and sprang into action. According to villagers, Sasidu saw the child struggling in the water and more..

Jul 9 (CT) Over 200 public sector trade unions, including, postal employees, development officers, Grama Niladharis and surveyors, participated in a sicknote campaign yesterday. They will continue the strike today as well, the State and Provincial Public Service Unions� Collective announced. N.M. Wijeratne, President of the trade union collective said, these trade unions are protesting for several demands, including the provision of a Rs 25,000 allowance regardless of service grade. more..

Jul 9 (Island) The two-day sick note campaign launched by over 200 unions in govt and provincial public service sectors was a success and it will continue today, as well, State and Provincial Public Service Unions Collective has said. Co-convener of the Collective Chandana Sooriyarachchi said that around 300 trade unions in the public sector, representing Grama Niladharis and surveyors among others, had commenced sick-note more..

Jul 9 (DM) The Election Commission will declare the Prez Elections only at the end of this month, enabling polling to be taken on a day between Sept 17 and Oct 17, an official said. In terms of the Constitution, the Prez Election is required to be concluded on a date, not less than one month and not more than two months, before ending the term of office of the Prez. The current presidential term is set to expire by Nov 18. The election should be completed before Oct 18 for the election more..

Jul 9 (FT) Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, has warned that any attempt to change the election dates may lead to turmoil in the country. Thera expressed these concerns during a conversation with FPC member and MP Prof. G.L. Peiris, who visited the Asgiriya Vihara. He also emphasised that there is no need to postpone the elections. Peiris also pointed out to the Thera that according to the Constitution, Prez�s term of office is unequivocally 5 years, more..

Jul 9 (DM) Several police teams are investigating the broad daylight shooting at Oruwala Junction in Athurugiriya, where two persons, including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha, were killed and four others, including popular singer K. Sujeewa, were injured. Police suspect the shooting may have been orchestrated by notorious criminal Kanjipani Imran, who reportedly operates from overseas. more..

Jul 9 (FT) Recently a group of environmentalists and a religious leader approached the Supreme Court against a renewable energy project to come up in the country�s north. Environmentalists rallying against a renewable energy project is odd. As they should be against fossil fuel-based projects and push for a quicker energy transition for SL to achieve its goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. They say it is in the path of migratory birds. However, project EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) more..

Jul 9 (FT) As our tenures end as Country Director and Country Manager for the World Bank and Country Manager for the International Finance Corporation, we reflect on our time here in Sri Lanka with a sense of pride and gratitude. Our collective efforts at fostering inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth in the country, have both been challenging and rewarding, and it has been an honour to lead our talented teams in these endeavours. Two of us joined our posts in 2020, more..

Jul 9 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court has ordered to investigate into the loss of investments made by the depositors of OnmaxDT, which is believed to have been operating a pyramid scheme, and for a detailed report to be submitted to the court on Aug 7. This order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage when the case was taken up today. During the court proceedings, the directors of OnmaxDT submitted the details of the depositors who invested money in pvt firm to the court. more..

Jul 9 (DM) The group-stage round of LPL 2024 is halfway-through. Jaffna Kings led by Charith Asalanka are top of the table with 6 points in 4 games, while Wanindu Hasaranga-led Kandy Falcons are last with just 2 points in four matches. On July 9, the table toppers took on the last placed team as Jaffna Kings locked horns against Kandy Falcons at the Dambulla Stadium. It was a Pathum Nissanka show, as the 26-year-old, opening the innings for Jaffna Kings, scored more..

Jul 9 (DM) Athurugiriya Police recorded statements from six persons regarding yesterday's shooting incident, which resulted in the deaths of two persons, including Club Wasantha. Among those who provided statements was the owner of the tattoo shop where the shooting occurred near the Clock Tower in Athurugiriya. During the investigations, police found that an amount of Rs. 1 million had been credited more..

Jul 9 (DM) Govt will grant a special pay increment to non-executive govt officials who reported for duty on July 8 and 9, despite an ongoing trade union action. They will also be issued a commendation certificate for future promotions, the president�s media division said. �Non-executive govt employees, who reported for duty on July 8 and 9, 2024, will be granted a special salary increment as a token of appreciation for their dedication during a challenging economic period.� more..

Jul 9 (FT) SriLankan Airlines and Mastercard today announced their collaboration to enhance the operational efficiency and strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the country�s national carrier. The airline will be leveraging Mastercard�s Tourism Insights, a suite of data-driven tourism solutions that helps organisations understand consumer spending patterns, behaviours, and sentiments. Combining anonymised spending data with data from credible third parties, more..

Jul 9 (DM) The 15-member Paris-bound SL Olympic contingent was officially recognised by National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) during a ceremony held at the NOCSL Auditorium. Opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will take place on July 26. The flag-bearers of SL national flag at the opening ceremony will be Dilhani Lekamge and Viren Nettasinghe. SL contingent comprising of 3 athletes, 3 swimmers, 8 officials more..

Jul 9 (Island) Plant Quarantine Service at Colombo Sea Port is undergoing significant expansion with the introduction of new technology, made possible by an investment of USD 1.3 million, thanks to the Korean govt, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said at an event held recently at the Colombo Sea Port. Amaraweera said that under the 2019 to 2024 framework, the Korean government has allocated a total of USD 7.5 million to modernize the plant quarantine services at Colombo Sea Port. more..

Jul 9 (EN) Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has been appointed as the chair of SL�s Former Parliamentarians� Caucus. Parliament said in a statement that Jayasuriya�s appointment was made unanimously at the first meeting of the caucus which was held at the parliament complex recently. The meeting had been chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. Jayasuriya�s name was proposed by the former Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala & former MP Sumedha more..

Jul 9 (DM) SL�s tourism industry requires a major shift towards long-term thinking and a collective approach to protect and promote the country�s natural resources, a prominent marine scientist said. Citing the self-driven and selfish processes that dominate the country�s tourism sector, Oceanswell Founder and marine biologist Dr. Asha De Vos stressed the need to instill a change in attitude that facilitates awareness, courage, and self-confidence among those involved. more..

Jul 9 (Island) Five leading SL maritime service providers recently showcased the nation�s maritime capabilities at Posidonia 2024, the world�s largest shipping exhibition, which was held in Athens, Greece, in June 2024. This biennial event attracts global industry leaders, and this year, Sri Lanka made a presence with its comprehensive display of maritime services, reinforcing its status as the maritime hub of South Asia. SL delegation, featuring Lanka Marine Services, more..

Jul 9 (EN) Sri Lanka plans to tax 14 new previously untaxed sectors including large-scale private tuition classes and private medical services in a bid to increase direct taxation, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. He said that private schools and private engineering and surveyor services will also be taxed. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has studied the income of persons engaged in the 14 sectors, more..

Jul 9 (EN) Turkish Naval Force ship TCG Kinaliada called at the Colombo port on a formal visit on Monday morning (9). TCG Kinaliada will engage in a passage exercise (PASSEX) with a Sri Lanka Navy ship in Colombo seas before departure on July 11, the Navy said. The PASSEX will test cooperation, communication and interoperability between the two navies, including ship maneuvering and procedures. The 99.5m long ship is manned by 152 crew members and commanded by Serkan Dogan. more..