Jun 2 (SO) Cricket, the quintessential English sport, was once more popular than baseball in the United States, a fact that is hard to believe or comprehend now. Today, cricket is the second most watched sport in the world, next only to soccer. While only around 10 countries play the sport at the highest level (Test matches), almost 100 countries play at associate or other leagues within the ICC structure. Baseball, though very similar to cricket since it is also a bat and ball sport, more..

Jun 2 (Island) A report in The Island (May 20, 2024) states that the UN human rights office has criticised the SL govt�s failure to acknowledge and hold accountable the perpetrators of tens of thousands of enforced disappearances � Authors of the report also accuse the LTTE of engaging in abductions which were described as tantamount to enforced disappearances� (May 20, 2024). Continuing, the report adds that the UN. The High Commissioner for Human Rights had stated: more..

Jun 2 (TM) The dawn of the month of June has put the Ranil Wickremesinghe Govt on a strict timeline on several fronts, key among them being the fast-approaching deadline to finalise SL�s debt restructuring programme prior to the IMF decision this month on releasing the next tranche under the nearly $ 3 billion EFF with SL. It is learnt that the Wickremesinghe Govt is confident of finalising the debt restructuring programme more..

Jun 2 (ST) The UNP General Secretary caused some excitement for a few hours earlier in the week with a proposal that went viral. His proposal to postpone elections by two years through a Parliamentary vote followed by a Referendum would normally have been dismissed as a somewhat deranged suggestion, except for the position he holds. Straightaway, one would be excused for suspecting it was the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

Jun 2 (ST) Apey Mahanayake hamuduruwaney, I thought of writing to you after seeing that you had written to Uncle Ranil requesting that Gnanasara hamuduruwo be offered a pardon. Reading that letter, hamuduruwaney, I am convinced that you must have been misinformed by someone because the reality is quite different from what your letter states. One of the main reasons cited in that letter is that Gnanasara hamuduruwo worked for national unity. I am not sure how you came to more..

Jun 2 (TM) When ruling SLPP Founder cum chief strategist Basil Rajapaksa recently called for a General Election ahead of the scheduled Prez Election later this year and subsequently met President cum UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on at least two subsequent occasions behind closed doors, those in the know knew something was brewing. And, it seems that these days Sri Lanka is being treated to the scripted drama behind those closed doors, one episode at a time. more..

Jun 2 (FT) Four Sri Lankans were arrested on Monday (20), at the Ahmadabad Airport in India for smuggling of gold and drugs. SL�s state intelligence has asked for further information from India�s state intelligence to verify the background of these alleged suspects, as well as to probe if they are actually linked to ISIS network. Thus so far there was no report of their involvement in any organisation promoting violence. One should not forget govt in power in India is extremely hostile to more..

Jun 2 (ST) Excise Commissioner General M.J. Gunasiri is to discuss the possibility of permitting happy hour, the time when alcoholic drinks are served at discounted rates, at establishments with liquor licences. This is after a recent directive by National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA) warned that a fine would be imposed on happy hours and similar alcohol promotions. �Tourism is important to the country. more..

Jun 2 (SO) Just when it kicked off to raise its head again, rugby in SL has come under threat of being pulled apart by three protagonists, the Sports Minister, the current set of elected custodians and an outside faction waiting to sneak in. World Rugby and its regional partner Asia Rugby are both watching from the touchlines as the outside party braces for a barge-in while Sports Minister Harin Fernando using his powers grabbed custody of the sport�s incumbent Sri Lanka Rugby membership more..

Jun 2 (ST) Sri Lanka has not been this confident ahead of a major international tournament for at least a decade. As they prepare to take on South Africa in their first Group �D� clash of the ICC Men�s T20 World Cup in New York, they will look to transform this confidence into a strong performance to kick off their campaign in style. After spending two weeks in the USA to acclimatise, Sri Lanka enters the tournament with a point to prove, having faltered in recent editions despite more..

Jun 2 (TM) Govt received an initial application from Starlink in March to commence operations in SL and it is in the process of formulating the requisite regulations to allow the operation of the satellite internet service provider, the State Minister of Technology reveals. State Minister Kanaka Herath revealed that SL had received an initial formal application from billionaire businessman Elon Musk�s Starlink � the satellite unit of SpaceX � in March and that they were presently more..

Jun 2 (AD) SL Police on Friday arrested the alleged handler of four Sri Lankan suspected ISIS terrorists, who were taken into custody in Gujarat�s Ahmedabad Airport. The 46-year-old suspect, Osman Pushparaja Gerard, was arrested following a joint operation by the CID and the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) in Colombo. After the arrests of four suspects by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for having links with terrorist outfit ISIS, Sri Lanka launched a high-level investigation more..

Jun 2 (TM) With only three months remaining before the next coal unloading season begins, the closing date for the long-term tender to procure 50% of the coal requirements for the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has been extended for the second time to 24 June. The tender, covering the periods 2024/25 and 2025/26, aims to secure a total volume of 2.25 million MT of coal. It is reliably learned that the SCAPC more..

Jun 2 (DM) Claiming that he never meant to call billionaire businessman Elon Musk an economic hit-man, NPP Economic Council member Sunil Hadunnetti said today he expresses his regrets to Elon Musk. Hadunnetti said his reference to economic hit-men was to James Packer and George Soros who were brought into the country during the previous Ranil Wickremesinghe govt. "I was misquoted on what I said about Elon Musk. I didn't mean to call Elon Misk an economic hit-man. more..

Jun 2 (Island) UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara last week set the cat among the pigeons by saying that both the prez and parliamentary elections should be postponed for two years by way of a referendum. This outrageous suggestion drew the predicable flak from all directions with nobody publicly expressing support for the proposal. Quite the contrary. In fact with not only political parties and groupings but also legal professionals, commentators and even the EC more..

Jun 2 (ST) The much criticised and unprecedented 70% salary hike proposed for Central Bank employees has been rejected and reversed to previous levels on the recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Committee appointed by the Prez. The increase in monthly gross salary bill during the previous salary hike period of 2021-2023 was 27.5%. The committee has handed over the report to Prez more..

Jun 2 (EN) Sri Lanka�s current dollar earnings from merchandise exports, remittances, tourism and other services exceeded imports by US$ 579 million in April 2024. Sri Lanka�s hard goods exports were US$ 877.6 million in April, up from US$ 848.6 million a year ago, in a holiday month which usually has a 20% downturn. Remittances were US$ 543.8 million, up from US$ 454 million last year. Net services income was US$ 367.7 million up from US$ 290 million last year. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Attorney General�s Dept has directed CID to delve into the allegations of financial misconduct involving the country�s National Olympic Committee (NOC) in relation to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. This development came to light after Mohammad Huzam Usuph, the complainant, filed a RTI request with the Special Investigation Unit of the Ministry of Sports, seeking an update on the status of his 2021 submission regarding the suspected misuse of funds by high-ranking officials of the NOC. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson is given the cold shoulder by Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause, who ahead of the 1998 NBA season says no matter how strong the team finishes, this will be Jackson�s last season. The Coach names his final season The Last Dance. It�s beautifully captured in the Netflix series. SL cricket team�s Head Coach Chris Silverwood is on his last series as well and you wonder what would the Yorkshireman call his last hurrah. more..

Jun 2 (DM) Renowned Sri Lankan author Ramya Jirasinghe's Father Cabraal's recipe for love cake bagged the coveted Gratiean Prize at the 31st Gratiaen Awards ceremony held at The Stables at the Mews. Addressing the gathering after receiving her award Jirasinghe said that she never expected to win the award. "This year had one of the strongest shortlists of authors for the Gratiaen Prize. There were two previous winners and accomplished writers amongst the shortlist of authors. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Tourism industry insiders say that the move to outsource e-visa processing continues to damage the country�s tourism prospects and are urging the govt to follow Thailand�s example and extend visa-free entry to more countries. The govt�s tripartite agreement to outsource online and on-arrival visa processing involves GBS Technology Services, IVS Global-FZCO, and VFS VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd. Following a Cabinet decision more..

Jun 2 (DM) A shortage of 5,000 private buses is making it difficult to provide adequate passenger transport services, LPBOA chairman Gemunu Wijerathne claimed. He said that 70% of buses with valid route permits are running in the country, while the remaining buses are not operating properly. He noted that buses with valid route permits cannot provide proper services because some are undergoing major repairs or are engaged in other services. more..

Jun 2 (AD) State Minister of Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan says that the govt intends to engage in discussions with the university non-academic staff trade unions currently on strike over various demands. �Discussions with the union leaders currently on strike are scheduled for next Monday. We hope to reach a mutually agreeable solution,� he said. Raghavan emphasized that the govt, including Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, is committed to finding best possible resolution. more..

Jun 2 (Island) The Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has spent Rs. 50 million to purchase an unnecessary test apparatus when the same equipment is available in several specialized branches of the CEB, a senior Electrical Engineer said. He said that the equipment known as the primary injection test set (or primary current injection kit) is used for testing different components in electricity supply systems, including circuit breakers, more..

Jun 2 (SO) Secretary to Ministry of Industries Shantha Weerasinghe said that the seven percent concessionary interest rate loans will be given from this week to those who are unable to maintain their industries and businesses due to various reasons including the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that this loan scheme, which will be launched by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industries, is called Re-Energise. Secretary said that any small and medium-scale industry or business more..

Jun 2 (CT) Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Asela Gunawardena announced the decision to resume the production of Thriposha. Thriposha, a nutritional supplement vital for children aged 6 months to 3 years, had been temporarily halted. He made this announcement during a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus for Children, chaired by MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne. Dr. Gunawardena explained that permission has been granted for a limited period, more..

Jun 2 (TM) Hospitals across Sri Lanka are struggling with a shortage of peracetic acid (PAA), which is used to disinfect metal surgical and other medical equipment. All Ceylon Nurses� Union (ACNU) President S.B. Mediwatta stated that this chemical disinfectant was not available in any Govt hospitals. �It is a common item in all hospitals. A large quantity of PAA is needed to disinfect scissors, endoscopes, proctoscopes, and other equipment,� Mediwatta said. He emphasised more..

Jun 2 (ST) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed Finance Ministry officials to be prepared for a vote-on-account to be presented immediately after the prez election. Prez has also directed that the vote-on-account should be in line with the policies and targets of the IMF. State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that at a meeting with Finance Ministry officials, the Prez explained that since a parliamentary election was to follow the prez election, there would not be provisions to more..

Jun 2 (ST) Palitha Range Bandara, the General Secretary of the UNP, one of the oldest in the country at 77 years, believed he was bequeathing his biggest gift to his leader and Prez, Ranil Wickremesinghe. He called a news conference at Sri Kotha, the party�s headquarters, on May 28 to tell Sri Lankans and the world about it. He declared that Prez Wickremesinghe should be allowed a further term of two years in office. more..

Jun 3 (DM) All political parties are in election mode. Prez elections are scheduled to be held between September and October this year. However, reaching the magical 50%+1 seems like a distant dream for the candidates in the running. In the first prez election in Oct 1982, Prez Jayewardene�s main rival Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was banned from contesting. Jayewardene was able to collect only 52.91% of the votes. The 1988 election saw several election violence-related actions. more..

Jun 3 (DM) Even as SL prepares for elections, laws are being rushed through a parliament without legitimacy. Among those many draft laws� the President in his Budget Speech in Nov 2023 said he wants to create or amend sixty new laws�one of the most notorious so far is the Economic Transformation Bill. If the citizenry is being devastated by the severe austerity measures imposed by the IMF, this new bill seeks to legislate the very conditionalities & targets set by IMF. more..

Jun 3 (TM) Although there is a lot of big talk about the economy, only little things are happening, charged Opposition MP Charitha Herath. �We are not paying our debt, so the foreign account is at a manageable level. There is a lacuna in the debt restructuring process and we do not know what the next step is. Govt is also not telling the country what it is trying to do. Foreign investments are not coming in. There is a lot of big talk, but more..

Jun 3 (CT) Every year, in May, when the Southwest Monsoon begins to activate, DMC releases situation reports, warnings and evacuation notices for the people living in the disaster-prone areas. While it is uncontested that doing so is of the utmost importance to the safety and well-being of the public, what is up for debate is labelling the annual hazardous situations brought on by inclement weather as disasters. For Sri Lankans, calling a landslide, river water levels rising, more..

Jun 3 (TM) When it comes to economic revival, Sri Lanka has pinned its hopes on the tourism sector in the short to medium term. On the one hand, a considerable segment of the workforce is employed in the tourism sector, and on the other hand, the tourism sector is one of the leading sources of foreign revenue. As such, sustaining the growth of tourism is paramount for SL to stage an effective recovery. SL talks about how important the tourism sector is, how the country should develop it, more..

Jun 3 (CT) PM Dinesh Gunawardena, a stalwart in SL politics, shared insights regarding the country�s political history and current state. He emphasised that despite perceptions of a severe financial crisis, SL has successfully regained confidence on the global stage. During his recent trip to China, PM inked agreements facilitating the provision of 1,000 smart classrooms, fishing nets and housing for fishermen. more..

Jun 3 (ST) As South Africa readies itself for an election result poised to dislodge the ruling African National Congress (ANC) from a comfortable majority perch in an unprecedented turn of events and India�s general elections winds down with results to be announced in the coming days, both these nations and their peoples can afford to boast, despite whatever drawbacks, of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. In abrupt contrast, SL�s pre-election games reached more..