Jun 15 (CT) A financial fraud allegedly occurred at Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), with USD 3.2 million reported missing from the company�s accounts, purportedly transferred to an unknown account in Indonesia. The Chinese management accused Sri Lankan HIPG staffers of involvement and subsequently dismissed Chief Operating Officer Tissa Wickremasinghe and several others. CEO of HIPG Johnson Liu more..

Jun 16 (SO) The IMF has said that Sri Lanka will finalise a plan by today (16) to end vehicle import controls, starting with commercial vehicles and ending with all vehicles in 2025. �SL authorities have developed an initial roadmap to relax restrictions on the importation of motor vehicles by 2025, starting with public passenger and special purpose vehicles in 2024 third quarter, followed by goods transport vehicles in the fourth quarter 2024 and the rest in 2025,� the IMF report stated. more..

Jun 16 (TM) With a palpable sense of election fever gripping the nation given its significance as probably the most anticipated election in the post-independent history of this nation, not only are the parties and candidates gearing up to capitalise on what will surely be a watershed event, but some among the lot appear to be having other plans, resorting to being party poopers: testing the waters to pave the way for an ultimate non-event. In this regard, all kinds of scenarios are being floated, more..

Jun 16 (TM) Ranil Wickremesinghe Govt was in a jubilant mood last week with what it believed to be great achievements that would secure Prez Wickremesinghe�s victory at the upcoming Prez Election. The first was the Prez�s visit to India to attend PM Narendra Modi�s swearing-in ceremony, where photographs of Wickremesinghe standing and seated right next to Modi were being widely shared in the media by the PMD in a bid to more..

Jun 16 (CT) There is no question � CEB has grown into a public sector behemoth. It has become the Leviathan of SL�s political economy. It sucks up govt cash and owes an unpayable debt of about LKR600 billion; it counts 21,988 employees on its payroll and is on the hook for their pensions and provident finds; and it charges its consumers at rates much higher than in any other South Asian country. A once exemplary union of Professional Engineers is now disrespected for collective incompetence more..

Jun 16 (SO) Sri Lanka�s humiliated cricketers may have lost face with their adoring followers but their keepers at the country�s comfort zone for corruption called Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) bat on with a kind of immunity unsurpassed anywhere in the world and the team scheduled to return on Wednesday knocked out from the on-going T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Not even a massive uproar in Parliament, a widespread public outburst and numerous investigative reports of more..

Jun 16 (ST) SL�s digital literacy definition, which is much simpler than that of UNESCO, has led to Sri Lankans being classified as �digitally literate,� even if they possess below-average skills. Accordingly, even 5-year-olds are identified as computer-literate if they can play video games. In an attempt to simplify the definition of a digitally literate person, Dept of Census and Statistics in 2023 identified �a person aged 5-69 if he or she more..

Jun 16 (ST) My dear Wanindu and team, I thought of writing to you at a time when you have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup with such certainty when there is still a game to be played. Once again questions are being asked about what is wrong with our cricket. Whose fault is it � you, as players, or is it all the fault of the administrators? We heard some cruel jokes about you. Some said there would have been more merit in spending the money spent on you to take a group of elderly people more..

Jun 16 (FT) Sovereignty can generally be defined as supreme authority. In any State, sovereignty is assigned to the person, body or institution that has the ultimate authority over other people to establish a law or change existing laws. In political theory, sovereignty is a substantive term designating supreme legitimate authority over some States. At the outset a nation�s sovereignty is vested on its citizens and they use it to elect their representatives to a national assembly to carry out the affairs more..

Jun 16 (ST) The duties of Sri Lanka�s inaugural Sports Ombudsman, Chulananda Perera, will be one that is tougher than it is on the field, with former Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Rizly Illyas making a fiery complain against his predecessors. In his official complaint, dated June 13, Illyas has brought several allegations against officials who held positions at SLR, including President, Vice President, Secretary and Executive Director, from the period of 2012 to 2020. more..

Jun 16 (ST) Next to water, tea it is said, is the most consumed beverage in the world. And at the UN headquarters in New York last week, the spokesman for the world body referred to SL in glowing terms (for paying its annual membership fees in full despite its financial crunch) and then said: �it�s a great place to have black, white and green tea.� In SL, however, there were Theatrics in the Thottam (tea garden) as the headline for our front page picture described a Cabinet Minister wearing his other hat more..

Jun 16 (ST) Dear Shammi, I hope addressing you as dear won�t offend you. For a moment, I forgot you�re no longer the Shammi Silva we knew before you rose to the helm of SLC. The power and authority you now wield are impressive, to the extent that you seem unaware of the chaos engulfing our beloved game under your leadership. It�s worth noting that, during your tenure, SL faced early exits in 5 ICC tournaments since 2019: more..

Jun 16 (CT) Due to a shortage of raw materials, only half of the intended Ayurvedic medicinal products, valued at Rs 75 million, could be produced for supply last month, Dr. Anura Athulathmudali, Chairman of SLADC, revealed. He said, inadequate supply of herbs and plant parts, coupled with subpar raw materials, have contributed to the decline in pharmaceutical production. Despite having approx. 200 registered suppliers, supply remains insufficient to enhance pharmaceutical output. more..

Jun 16 (CT) An investigation has been initiated to determine how two individuals who submitted fake certificates along with their applications for the Deputy General Manager positions responsible for control, operations and finance at the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, were appointed to these roles. The Provincial Chief Secretary has initiated this probe following the instructions of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA). During the recent COPA meeting, more..

Jun 16 (ST) The 21-year-old javelin thrower, Rumesh Tharanga made a significant mark when he set a new Asian Throwing Championships record and a SL national record at the 2nd Asian Throwing Championships in Mokpo, South Korea yesterday. Tharanga achieved a remarkable throw of 85.45 metres in the Men�s Javelin event. This distance not only secured him a prestigious title at the championships but also positioned him as a strong contender for a place in Paris Olympics more..

Jun 16 (Island) Egg on the face or the Emperor�s new clothes? Pick what you will. Both the prez and his govt has made a song and dance about a Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe announcing it on May Day at a CWC rally at Kotagala. Shortly thereafter Minister Manusha Nanayakkara gazetted the wage increase and the matter appeared all done and dusted. But voila! The country was last week treated to the revelation that the state-owned JEDB more..

Jun 16 (TM) SL Head Coach Chris Silverwood will no longer be in his post following the 2024 ICC Men�s T20 World Cup as it is likely that his contract will not be renewed after SL were ousted in the first round of the tournament. Meanwhile, skipper Wanindu Hasaranga is allegedly ready to resign after the tournament and current SL ODI Captain Kusal Mendis is likely to replace Hasaranga in the first int'l T20 assignment for SL after the WC more..

Jun 16 (ST) Sri Lanka bowlers, led by Sugandika Kumari and Kavisha Dilhari, orchestrated a comfortable 6-wicket victory in the opening match of the three-match Women�s ODI series against West Indies, played at Sooriyawewa yesterday. Chasing a modest total of 196, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start with Vishmi Gunaratne (40) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (38) sharing an 88-run opening partnership. Harshitha Samarawickrema (44 not out) and Hasini Perera (43) more..

Jun 16 (DM) Claiming that SJB leader Sajith Premadasa has evaded the scheduled debate with NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on June 6, NPP Executive Committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said Premadasa must stop talking various things in front of kids about the debate now. He told a news conference that there is no more discussions about a debate between NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa. "We agreed to a debate on June 6, more..

Jun 16 (TM) The fate of the billions of rupees in debt owed by the CEB remains undecided despite the recent passage of the Electricity Reforms Act in Parliament, aimed at restructuring the State-Owned Entity (SOE). According to Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS), a decision on how to handle the substantial financial liabilities is yet to be made. When contacted, PSRS Head Dr. Pradeep Perera stated: more..

Jun 16 (ST) Sri Lanka�s present foreign currency-denominated debt volume has increased as a result of rupee fluctuations despite the suspension of all external debt repayments, Finance Ministry sources spelled out. According to the ministry�s quarterly debt report 2024, Sri Lanka�s govt debt has increased by US$ 4 billion to $100 billion as at end March 2024 from end 2023. Of this total external debt, 57% is domestic debt, 37% external debt and 15% commercial loans. more..

Jun 16 (TM) Power and Energy Ministry has taken steps to significantly reduce solar tariffs, with a top Govt official familiar with the matter stating that a Cabinet paper has been submitted outlining plans for a major tariff revision. The official disclosed that the tariffs would undergo a notable reduction from the current rates. However, specifics regarding the percentage of the tariff cuts were withheld, citing pending Cabinet decisions on the proposed tariff adjustments. more..

Jun 16 (PMD) The draft constitution, prepared by the Judge Chitrasiri Committee for the SL Cricket Board, was presented to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe today (15). The draft was handed over to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Committee Chairman, retired SC Judge K.T. Chitrasiri, accompanied by other committee members. To address the challenges faced by SLC and provide appropriate recommendations, a Cabinet Sub-Committee was appointed on Nov 6, 2023. more..

Jun 16 (AD) The ASP of Anuradhapura Sanjeewa Mahanama, who allegedly aided in the orchestrated shooting at the vehicle of former Anuradhapura District MP Uddika Premaratne, has reportedly fled the country. Investigations have uncovered that the suspected police officer has handed over his official firearm to another person at the airport and left the country. Meanwhile, Ministry of Public Security states that action will be taken to arrest the relevant suspect as per court orders. more..

Jun 16 (TM) Amidst political tensions, Election Commission (EC) Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake bluntly dismissed claims by Minister Harin Fernando regarding a 5 Oct election date, asserting that the EC, not the Cabinet or Govt, held the authority to set the election schedule. �From 17 July onwards, EC members will convene independently to determine the election date,� Rathnayake declared. more..

Jun 16 (DM) The Provincial Council system will continue in its current form under the NPP govt until a new system is identified to create harmony among the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Addressing a gathering in London, he said the NPP never accepts Provincial Council system as a solution to the national issue. Dissanayake said the Tamil and Muslim communities believe that the Provincial Council is a right that they had won more..

Jun 16 (ST) SL�s film production, distribution and screening at cinema halls will be given an official recognition as an industry by overhauling and modernising the outdated national film corporation, Finance Ministry sources divulged. It has been revealed that cabinet approval is essential, and will be sought, to abolish the entertainment levy imposed in accordance with archaic entertainment tax ordinance. A cabinet memorandum will also be presented soon giving prominence to more..

Jun 16 (EN) Sri Lanka has exceeded key quantitative targets set in an IMF program for March 2024, based on preliminary data the Washington based agency said in a report. The March data are not performance criteria on which reviews are conducted but are indicative targets which shows the progress of the program and are a stepping stone for a September review based on June data. An indicative target for the primary balance (roughly overall deficit minus interest costs), more..

Jun 16 (ST) Govt intends to soon pass laws to establish an authority with the power to acquire, without a court order, movable and immovable property purchased through illegally earned money, including drug trafficking. Cabinet approval will be sought next week to present the wide-ranging Proceeds of Crime Bill to Parliament, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. The proposed authority will have powers to acquire the property without court proceedings after establishing more..

Jun 16 (DM) IMF, in its latest report has proposed an imputed rental income tax from owner-occupied and vacant residential property to be introduced by April 1, 2025, with an exemption threshold and a graduated tax rate schedule. The report says the introduction of such a tax is critical to sustain revenue mobilization efforts as a substitute for the property tax which was initially planned for 2025 but faced institutional impediments. more..

Jun 16 (TM) Hoteliers warn that they will take legal action if the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) does not revoke its much-publicised recent decision demanding that hotels stop all happy hour promotions. The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar stated that happy hour promotions were not unique to Sri Lanka and were arrangements relied on by hoteliers around the globe to bring customers into their establishments. more..

Jun 16 (Island) SL�s World Cup campaign ended in bitter disappointment even before they departed to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia on Thursday. Their game on Sunday against the Netherlands is a dead rubber, but pride is at stake against the Dutch. It�s been a campaign filled with hurt and disappointment for a team that had done reasonably well in white ball cricket this year. SL simply failed to get going in the World Cup the moment Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and opted to bat against SA. more..

Jun 16 (ST) Perhaps never in a pre-election period has social media been as active as it is today. Among the many reasons is the proliferation of their outlets, the result of the rapid growth of mobile communications technology. So much So, Prez Wickremesinghe last Monday named a high-level committee of four to deal with social media, besides the mainstream media. It will be the apex body for all matters relating to prez election. more..

Jun 17 (CT) RW�s Economic Transformation Bill (ETB) passed in parliament aims to reach an economic growth target of 5% by 2027 and 8% thereafter for 15 years. ETB has been hailed as an ambitious yet achievable agenda for promoting sustainable development, enhancing productivity, social progress, and creating equal opportunities for all citizens. These objectives are expected to be achieved through a series of institutions such as the Economic Commission of Sri Lanka, more..

Jun 17 (DM) We are entering the second half of this election-charged year. All major presidential candidates are now presently directing their political campaigns Northwards. The three main candidates are pledging various promises to the people of this once war-ravaged province. Prez Wickremesinghe from around a month-and-a-half earlier has been visiting the North and the East, holding meetings with diverse political groupings and political parties. He has promised to find a permanent solution more..

Jun 17 (DM) Today, Muslims all around the world celebrate the Hajj Festival at a time when the world is torn into various power blocs and has been divided into camps of conflicting ideologies where mutual fear and hatred are dominant. In an era like this, there is a strong desire in the hearts of men to go on pilgrimages to places of worship held holy by them. To visit such places of veneration and be inspired by them becomes the insistent more..