Mar 8 (TM) Accusing the Govt of not properly consulting the relevant stakeholders when new pieces of legislations are introduced, the Bar Association of SL (BASL) stated that they would continue to work towards a post-legislation enactment judicial review process so that any legislation could be challenged or amended even after they are passed in the Parliament. BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne said that the Govt should follow proper procedures and more..

Mar 8 (AD) During the meeting between Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the IMF team at the Finance Ministry today (07), the Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Peter Breuer emphasized that the IMF program is exhibiting promising signs of efficacy, translating into tangible outcomes. He commended the authorities for their unwavering commitment to the program�s implementation, noting that such dedication more..

Mar 8 (TM) World Kidney Day (WKD), is observed annually on the second Thursday in March, is a global health awareness campaign that emphasises the importance of kidneys and aims to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease worldwide. During this month of March, health professionals at the National Institute for Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation hope to educate the public by different ways and means on kidney diseases. At least 1 in 10 people worldwide is living with more..

Mar 8 (FT) The Request for Qualification (RfQ) for the sale of the segregated life and general insurance business of SL Insurance Corporation (SLIC) has attracted five bidders, four of which are local firms. For SL Insurance Corporation Life Ltd, those who responded to RfQ are LIC (Lanka) Ltd, Union Assurance PLC and Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC. For SL Insurance Corporation General Ltd, the respondents are Fairfirst Insurance Ltd, and Euro Exim Bank Ltd, a global financial institution more..

Mar 8 (PMD) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, announced that the revised Electricity Act has been sent to the Legal Draftsman�s Department for review. He anticipates presenting it to Parliament for approval in April following Cabinet endorsement. Additionally, minister expressed readiness to engage stakeholders to discuss reducing fuel prices further through a transparent pricing formula. These remarks were made during his participation in a press conference held today (07). more..

Mar 8 (FT) TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasama-nickam accused SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena of attempting to assault him in the Parliamentary complex yesterday. Raising a privilege issue in Parliament, MP Shanakiyan said that the incident occurred at the PM�s Office at the Parliamentary complex when he went to meet the PM concerning an issue in Batticaloa. �MP Rohitha Abeygunardena tried to assault me in the Parliament a short while ago. This happened in the PM�s office within more..

Mar 8 (Island) Sri Lanka had received six proposals for the construction of nuclear plants here. Prof. S.R.D. Rosa, Chairman � SL Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB) said during a recent seminar organised by the Institution of Engineers SL (IESL) on �Potential of nuclear energy and its challenges in Sri Lanka. Russia�s Rosatom, China�s China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), France�s �lectricit� de France (EDF), more..

Mar 8 (TM) The Ministry of Public Security stated that there have been no reports of incidents of threats to Police officers from drug dealers and organised criminals requiring special measures to be taken. Inspector of Police Duminda Jayathilaka, who was the Officer-In-Charge of the Organised Crime Division at the Colombo Crimes Division, had recently left the country due to alleged death threats from organised crime gangs targeting him and his family. more..

Mar 8 (DM) Overall offering at the Colombo Tea Auction were marginally higher this week and totalled 5.2 M/Kgs. According to Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers, there was improved demand and a general appreciation in prices, perhaps triggered primarily by lower volumes. Interestingly, most other auction centres too have recorded an appreciation in prices this week. Ex-Estate offerings were fairly similar to last and totalled 0.74 M/Kgs. There was improved quality from the Western slopes. more..

Mar 8 (TM) Ceylon Bank Employees Union (CBEU) said that it will endorse the recent salary increase of the employees at the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), claiming that banking sector employees are entitled to salary increments following the pressure exerted by the Govt�s new tax policy. CBEU President Channa Dissanayake noted that no one can blame the CBSL for its decision as they have reasonable grounds to make such decisions, more..

Mar 9 (DM) Despite the executive colliding head on sometimes with the Parliament and some other times with judiciary, the Constitutional Council and �independent Commissions in the recent past, the former has emerged victorious always, sometimes at the expense of the rules of the duel. For instance, in spite of the battle between the executive on behalf of the two ruling parties and the Election Commission backed by the Opposition parties over the LG elections having been dragging on for more..

Mar 9 (GV) A recent discussion about toxic masculinity has prompted a great deal of comment, particularly as the host and his guest appeared to comment favourably on the media personality Andrew Tate and the academic and speaker Jordan Peterson as positive role models for contemporary men. It has been pointed out on Twitter by Ambika Satkunanathan that Andrew Tate has been indicted on charges of violence against women and that such a person should not be being looked up more..

Mar 9 (TM) The recent revelation made by the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations (NSNGO) that in 2023 the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) registered with the Secretariat had received as much as Rs. 33 billion in foreign funding for their projects in the country while suspecting that the actual amount received by all NGOs (registered and unregistered) could be nearly Rs. 100 billion has raised more..

Mar 9 (DM) This article has been prepared based on a discussion with K. B. Gunaratne, Former Director of Agriculture, who worked directly with three presidents of this country. The Executive Presidency was introduced to Sri Lanka by Junius Richard Jayewardene (JRJ) under the 1978 Constitution. JRJ became the Prime Minister for the first time in 1977 after obtaining a 5/6 th majority at the General Election held on July 21, 1977 and created a sustainable govt. Born on September 17, more..

Mar 9 (CT) The national question of SL, which simply means the ethnic issue, is the most sensitive and controversial topic in the current political climate. Yet, it has to be confronted and resolved if there is to be a radical or fundamental change in the way the country is being run since independence. The best chance for that to happen would be under a govt led by a new generation of men and women who had grasped the sentiments and yearnings of the aragalaya youth and the meaning of more..

Mar 9 (TM) The main goal of schooling children is to equip them with knowledge and direct them to paths leading towards a better life. In order to achieve education's core objectives, the methods of imparting education to the children should not be harmful to them in any way, be it physical or mental. However, considering the physical and psychological impact on the children of having to carry a heavy school bag to school more..

Mar 9 (CT) Another International Women�s Day has dawned. The first International Women�s Day (IWD) was held in March 1911. It does not belong to any specific country, group or organisation. It is a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging women�s equality. The campaign theme for IWD 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. If one counts from the first IWD, having a theme, where that appeals to inspire inclusion, after even 113 years, more..

Mar 9 (Island) US Prez Joe Biden has decided to build a temporary port in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian civilians trapped in that war-ravaged enclave, where hospitals and schools are being bombed incessantly. He was expected to unveil the planned port project, in his State of the Union speech. In fact, what is on the cards is the construction of a pier off the coast of Gaza, and there will be no US military personnel to handle the aid delivery, more..

Mar 9 (DM) Parents of university students are a worried lot at present. This is because there is speculation that their children in university may be featuring in a number of protests throughout March, according media reports. There are the pluses and minuses of such protests. Protests of this nature will certainly be of news value to the media. Protesting undergrads have often won their rights and also the hearts of the down-trodden masses. But from the perspective of the country�s economy and more..

Mar 9 (DM) Eighteen months back, when the people languished long hours in lengthy queues to buy that elusive gas cylinder and regular blackouts punctured the day and night amidst economic hardship, there was an unusual unity. Hundreds of thousands people who gathered at the Galle Face Green protest site and took part in many demonstrations across the country came from all walks of life. Petty ethnic politics that pitted people against each other was relegated. That was not just because more..

Mar 9 (ST) People are mostly dissatisfied with the conduct of state officers, as they either need to obtain support from influential officials or resort to bribery to get their work done, according to a Peradeniya University survey. Most people have described a visit to state offices as an unpleasant experience, as they are forced to stay in queues, wait for hours until an official�s response, and have to go several times to get their work done. more..

Mar 9 (CI) With the 2024 T20 World Cup to be played in the USA and the Caribbean in June, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe is trying to gather intel about the pitches there, especially in Dallas. They will also be playing in New York and Kingstown (in St Vincent, where they played a Test in 2014) in the first round. Part of Bangladesh's preparation has involved readying more batting-friendly surfaces in Sylhet during the ongoing T20I series against SL. more..

Mar 9 (DN) Royal skipper Sineth Jayawardena made a superb knock of 92 as Royal in their first innings fought back by scoring 234 for 7 wickets at close of second day�s play of the 145th Battle of the Blues against S. Thomas when the two umpires Chamara Zoysa and Chandrika Amarasinghe decided to call off play due to bad light with 9.3 overs remaining at 4.45 pm. S. Thomas scored 297 all out on the first day still 63 runs ahead of Royalists who have three wickets in hand will strive to collect more runs more..

Mar 9 (CT) Former women MPs were honoured during a special felicitation programme, organised by Women Parliamentarians� Caucus, in Parliament yesterday (7), to commemorate Int'l Women�s Day 2024. The event, presided over by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, saw the participation of several dignitaries including PM Dinesh Gunawardena, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and Chair of Women Parliamentarians� Caucus Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, along with more..

Mar 9 (EN) SL�s gross official reserves inched up to 4,517 million US dollars in Feb 2024 from US$ 4,496 million in January. Gross official reserves include fiscal balances which are usually borrowed � unless they are privatization proceeds � and monetary reserves, which are a central bank asset. A reserve collecting central bank is expected to buy them against the note issue (which is a perpetual interest free liability) or by purchasing them by selling down domestic assets outright. more..

Mar 9 (ST) Girls in SL count among the world�s most underweight, a form of malnutrition, a life-endangering condition that has remained unchanged in the country for more than three decades. Findings published in the British medical journal, Lancet, covering 33 years from 1990-2022, reveal that SL, ranks second below India globally, for the highest prevalence of girls (5 to 19 years) who are dangerously underweight. more..

Mar 9 (CT) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has, on 6 March 2024, written to the Director General of the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations requesting a Copy of Draft Non-Governmental Organisations (Registration and Supervision) Bill and is awaiting a response. The HRCSL said they understand that the said Bill aims to provide for the registration and supervision of NGOs and repeal the Voluntary Social Services Organisations Act, No. 31 of 1980. more..

Mar 9 (AFP) SL takes on Bangladesh in the third and last game of the three-match T20I series at the Sylhet Int'l Cricket Stadium in Sylhet tomorrow. The series is locked at 1-1 at this moment. SL edged Bangladesh past by 3 wickets following a thrilling contest in the first match while the hosts took sweet revenge in the second game, thrashing the visitors by eights in comprehensive fashion. Overall Bangladesh won five and lost 10 in the 15 matches between the two sides in this format. more..

Mar 9 (ST) Dept of Motor Traffic is gearing up to resume the much-awaited eMotoring project, Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha said. It involves developing, implementing and installing an ICT solution to improve services provided by the DMT and the provincial department of motor traffic. This project aims to update and replace the existing motor vehicle registration system, more..

Mar 9 (AD) Presidential Scholarship program proposed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe holds immense potential to provide crucial assistance to economically disadvantaged students, says State Minister Aravindh Kumar. This initiative is geared towards supporting 100,000 students during the 2024/2025 academic year, he added. The state minister expressed confidence that this program would play a pivotal role in facilitating the successful completion of education for these students. more..

Mar 9 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has convened a pivotal meeting with leaders of accepted political parties to discuss the proposals put forth by the IMF with its high-level delegation. In a proactive move, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, leader of NPP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and TNA leader S. Sridharan have been invited to participate in these deliberations. The meeting is slated to be held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (11), with an open invitation extended to more..

Mar 9 (TOI) V Sriharan alias Murugan, key convict in former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case who was freed in 2022, has moved Madras high court for permission to attend visa interview for travel to the UK, and also to visit SL consulate in Chennai to process his travel documents. A division bench of justice M S Ramesh and Justice Sunder Mohan, before which the petition filed by S Nalini on behalf of her husband Sriharan came up for hearing on Thursday, however, more..

Mar 9 (DM) The entire Board of Directors of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), including its Chairman, has tendered their resignations. According to Trade Minister Nalin Fernando, 15-member Board, led by Chairman Shantha Niriella has stepped down in response to a directive issued by the ministry. The resignations come following a notification from the ministry, compelling the Board to vacate their positions. The specific reasons behind the directive remain undisclosed. more..

Mar 9 (ST) Climate change is making heatwaves harsher and more unpredictable, with warnings that extreme heat can have adverse effects on both our physical and emotional health. Annual athletic events and school cricket matches, could be expose vulnerable groups, including children, to the adverse effects of the severe heat. Due to the high water content of the human body, dehydration can happen when the body tries to cool itself by more..

Mar 9 (ST) The mother, father and two sons are over the moon, even though they have had only a few pieces of boiled manioc for breakfast and will have only kos (jak) for lunch, this too thanks to the generosity of friends. This little family�s economic situation has been in the doldrums � but the younger son, Chathura Chamoth (8) has been pulled back from the brink of death and major disability by the marvellous work of the Neurosurgical Team of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) for Children, more..

Mar 9 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was responsible for his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s exit since he could�ve contained the Aragalaya protests and resolved the crisis while remaining PM if he wanted to, opposition MP Ashok Abeysinghe said. He said Rajapaksa�s recent tell-all book about an alleged conspiracy to oust him should�ve made references to what the main opposition SJB claimed was Wickermesinghe�s decisive role in the former president�s more..