Mar 16 (EN) A survey has found that 1 in 10 Sri Lankans show a preference for authoritarianism, a phenomenon last observed to be high in 2018, a survey on democracy and reconciliation conducted by the CPA has found. �Though more than three-quarter of Sri Lankans show preference for democratic governance over other types of governance, the recent survey findings are that one 1 of every 10 Sri Lankans agree that �In certain situations, a dictatorial govt can be preferable more..

Mar 16 (AD) The High Commission of SL in Singapore has revealed that over 400 SL nurses currently work in Singapore. A group of 100 nurses arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore on Friday (15), under an ongoing collaboration with Singapore�s Ministry of Health Holdings, making this the largest group of nurses to be deployed to Singapore simultaneously. Under the ongoing collaboration, nurses from SL get the opportunity to serve within Singapore healthcare system more..

Mar 16 (DM) The state Wesak festival this year is to be held in Matale District in a grand way. A meeting to make preliminary arrangement for the festival was held at the District Secretariat under the chairmanship of Minister Vidura Wickramanayake. He said the celebrations would take place in Matale town and eleven divisions in the district from May 21 to 27. State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said the Ministry of Defence would take steps to detail the police and more..

Mar 16 (FT) In a remarkable feat for SL�s tourism sector, arrivals surpassed the half-a-million sparking optimism about meeting the ambitious target of 2.3 million visitors by the end of the year. �SL could achieve the set target for 2024 or more, whilst earning over $ 4 billion by year-end,� Minister Harin Fernando said, recalling that in 2023 the country surpassed the 500,000 mark only in May and in 2022 in September. However, to reach the ambitious target of 2.3 m arrivals by the end of 2024, more..

Mar 16 (Island) SJB is not at all satisfied with the furtive manner in which the govt is conducting discussions with SL�s commercial creditors to restructure 12 billion dollars of debt, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said. The SJB MP added that the country�s international commercial creditors account for a large portion of its domestic debt and they have formed a group, i.e. The Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders that has procured the services more..

Mar 16 (Island) Association of Public Service Engineers (APSE) revealed that govt departments, ministries, and local govt bodies currently have only 1,000 engineers in their employ. This number represents only 66 percent of the approved cadre, according to L.S. Sooriyabandara. Sooriyabandara, a representative of the Association of Public Service Engineers (APSE), noted that the organization comprises engineers affiliated to various departments, ministries & local govt bodies. more..

Mar 16 (DM) Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Thera said it would rain in the due season bringing a bumper harvest and making the people happier, fuller and pleasanter provided the country had just rulers at the helm. Addressing the Special Conference of the Mahasangha of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Thera pointed out the march forward of the country could be ensured by establishing a fair and just rule in the country and not through politically motivated more..

Mar 16 (EN) SL�s IMF program could slow down in the second half of 2024 after the current review is completed, as elections make it more difficult to maintain the pace of reforms, govt sources said. An IMF mission is in SL for the second review of a bailout that has pushed up taxes, and stabilized the external sector which was shattered by 2020 rate cuts. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s popularity has declined amid electricity price hikes more..

Mar 17 (SO) Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) has taken a giant leap forward by fully digitalising its seat reservation system. Earlier, only around 40% of its seats could be reserved online or through the Telecom companies. In fact, some carriages were marked for this purpose, such as SCR (Second Class Reserved). But this also led to a drop in revenue, as people gave up their journeys when this 40% threshold was exceeded on certain busy days such as long weekends when more..

Mar 17 (CT) The 250MW Adani Wind Power Project in Mannar is creating headlines, raising eyebrows and causing much controversy. While environmental experts list out the potential short and long-term dangers the project can cause to the unique ecosystems in Mannar Island, the renewable energy experts aren�t convinced enough of the gravity of these dangers, claiming that a high level of exaggeration is involved. The involvement of the private sector Indian business giant more..

Mar 17 (SO) In a candid interview, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran shared his perspectives on a wide range of critical political issues facing Sri Lanka. Covering topics such as internal party dynamics, electoral strategies, constitutional reforms, reconciliation efforts, and land issues in the North, Sumanthiran�s remarks provide nuanced perspectives into the current state of affairs and the challenges ahead for the nation. more..

Mar 17 (TM) Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) last week published a book titled The Conspiracy to oust me from the Presidency in English and Sinhala. Instead of holding a book launch event with great fanfare and inviting religious leaders, politicians, and foreign diplomats, as is customary for political leaders, GR sent copies of the 179-page book directly to main booksellers across the country. He issued only a media release announcing the publication of the book. more..

Mar 17 (ST) In July last year, a joint statement issued by Prez Wickremesinghe and Indian PM Modi laid heavy emphasis on connectivity as the vision and hallmark of future bilateral relations. The document categorised the areas in which such connectivity would be forged: maritime, air, power and energy, trade, economic and financial, and people-to-people. Among other things, two govts signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in renewable energy (RE). more..

Mar 17 (TM) It is evident that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Govt have their work cut out with a Prez Election looming on the horizon, while the country is currently enjoying some temporary relief from the economic turmoil of 2022-2023. Whether Wickremesinghe will be able to steer the country to an economically safe ground and set the policies to prevent SL from falling down the abyss once servicing begins of all foreign loans more..

Mar 17 (ST) My dear Gota maama, I thought of writing to you after you took us by surprise by launching a book last week. This project of yours appears to have been a well-kept secret because even your family members didn�t know about it. If that was a tactic to sell the book, it seems to have worked because I heard it had sold out! You shouldn�t be na�ve enough to think it will be a �good� book because the first print run sold out so soon. Many bought it out of sheer curiosity. more..

Mar 17 (TM) Judging by what transpires in the political sphere these days, it appears that the same old bankrupt politicking that ultimately bankrupted this country is yet continuing, with the same actors playing the leading roles. Some of these actors, now in born again mode, portraying themselves as the victims rather than the villains, are busy peddling their respective narratives hoping there will be enough takers so as to prevent obliteration at the next poll. more..

Mar 17 (SO) Two alleged cricket match-fixers are on the prowl in the mountains of Kandy where they have infiltrated a showbiz tournament and into the space of some players contesting what has come to be called a Legends T20 championship that commenced on March 8 at the Pallekele Stadium. Seven franchise or teams owned by overseas businessmen are in the fray and the event is said to feature former SL players who have teamed up with retired cricketers from England, Australia, more..

Mar 17 (SO) Richmond skipper Malsha Tharupathi hit an explosive knock of 111 in 74 balls with nine fours and four sixes while opener Chehan Subasinghe made a hundred with five fours to create a record of batsmen scoring two centuries in one innings as their 119th Battle of the Lovers ended in a draw at the Galle yesterday. After Mahinda scored 169 all out on the first day Richmond scored 270 for 6 wickets declared and Mahinda were 206 for 3 wickets at close in their second innings more..

Mar 17 (ST) Amid SL�s denials of China�s plans to set up a military base on its soil, following such a claim in the 2024 threat assessment report by the US Intelligence Community, a recent issue of the Indo-Pacific Defense Forum, a US military magazine, has identified SL as a partner in the Indo-Pacific defence umbrella. The magazine in a special pullout titled USINDOPACOM Force Locations, Exercises and Engagements, has published more..

Mar 17 (SO) Trinity College and St. Anthony�s College ended their annual 105th Battle of the Blues cricket encounter in a drab draw batting just once each at the Asigiriya Stadium yesterday. Even with no positive result in sight, the match dragged on with the sun almost setting past 6 pm. The Antonians batted first on the previous day and virtually slept at the crease consuming as many as 89 overs in making 249 and the Trinitians in reply were even worse in their approach and more..

Mar 17 (SO) S. Thomas� College scored a strategic victory to claim the Mustangs Trophy ending a five-year wait as they defeated Royal College by 30 runs in their 47th one-day match held at the SSC ground in Colombo yesterday. The Thomians showed their strength in bowling dismissing Royal for 226 in 48.1 overs while chasing a target of 257. This victory marks their first Mustangs Trophy win since 2018. Sadev Soyza, the top scorer of the match with 65 runs, earned two prestigious awards more..

Mar 17 (TM) The Special Investigation Unit for Preventing Sports Related Offences of the SL Police affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports has reportedly launched a probe into complaints of match-fixing at the ongoing Legends T20 Tournament, informed sources reveal. According to sources, former SL skipper and current Chairman of the Selection Committee Upul Tharanga and former NZ player Neil Broom had allegedly received offers to throw certain games of the tournament. more..

Mar 17 (ST) Galle recorded a crushing 10-wicket win over Kandy with a day and a half to spare in the 4-day National Super League tournament encounter concluded at the Sooriyawewa Stadium yesterday. Entering the field on to the third day with a commanding lead from the first innings, Galle aimed for their third outright win, a feat they accomplished effortlessly. Despite Kandy�s efforts to revive their second innings, with only the overnight pair of Kamil Mishara and Ahan Wickramasinghe more..

Mar 17 (Island) Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has said the govt did not make available the testimonies of those who appeared before the Prez Commission on the Easter Sunday attacks. Those testimonies are on six CDs and run into 1,500 pages, the prelate said so while addressing the First Meeting of the Archdiocesan Presbyterian at the Archbishops House on 11 March. more..

Mar 17 (CI) Former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed has been appointed SL's fast-bowling coach. He is set to assume the role with immediate effect until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the WI and USA in June. Javed is set to leave for SL next week. "SLC wishes to announce the appointment of former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed as the national team's fast-bowling coach," an SLC statement said. "He will work with the national team until the completion of ICC Men's T20 WC." more..

Mar 17 (SO) Morison (formerly known as J.L. Morison Son & Jones (Ceylon) PLC) will in two years time begin to reverse the mega drain of foreign exchange to purchase pharmaceutical drugs, by exporting around five Made in Sri Lanka drugs to the world. Managing Director, J.L. Morison Son & Jones, now re-branded as Morison, Dinesh Attapattu said that to export any pharmaceutical product it�s a global requirement to use the drug in the country of manufacture for three years. more..

Mar 17 (ST) Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for Preventing Sports Offences is currently investigating claims made by two retired cricketers that they were pressured into engaging in corrupt practices during the ongoing Legend Cricket League�a seven-team cricket tournament in Kandy featuring retired int'l cricketers. Tournament began at the Pallekele on March 8 with the participation of a large number of retired int'l stars but it had failed to more..

Mar 17 (CI) Bangladesh have shown glimpses of improved lower-order batting in the past week against SL. First, it was big-hitting from Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed in the third T20I in Sylhet on March 9. Then Taskin repeated his batting contribution in the second ODI in Chattogram on Friday, helping Towhid Hridoy to get to a career-best unbeaten 96 to help Bangladesh past a middle-order slowdown. Hridoy added 50 runs in the last 3.5 overs with Taskin, who struck two fours more..

Mar 17 (DM) A future NPP govt must include ministers representing the North, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. Speaking at the Vavuniya District convention, he said they were already having discussions with the moderate Tamil leaders who are not extremist or racist. "There must be ministers representing the north in a future NPP govt. We are already having discussions with the moderate Tamil leaders who are not extremist or racist. They must be part of NPP govt," he said. more..

Mar 17 (TM) Four aircraft belonging to SriLankan Airlines are currently out of service. SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage said that four aircraft were out of service as they were facing engine issues. �We are waiting for the engines,� he said. The 2022/�23 audit report on the National Carrier noted that from its 24-aircraft fleet, eight were non-operational and lease rentals totalling Rs. 5,646.76 million had been paid for them from 2021 to 20 April 2023. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Agriculture and Plantation Industry Minister Mahinda Amaraweera advised officials not to allow land to be filled for any reasons, even though some individuals and groups try to fill paddy lands in the island and use it for various purposes. He said this while addressing the Agriculture Development Committee meeting held at the Padukka DS, where measures to be taken to get the highest productivity from paddy lands, especially in urban areas, were discussed. more..

Mar 17 (DM) The Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has directed Royal College, Colombo 7 to rectify the alleged wrong appointments made to the Prefects Council for 2024. HRCSL made this direction following seven complaints filed by students of Royal College who claimed their rights were violated by the appointments of prefects for the year 2024. They cited the Principal of Royal College and more..

Mar 17 (ST) In line with new laws becoming effective this year in the European Union (EU), SL�s apparel industry is already working on ensuring their products can be traced to its origins including the entire supply chain process. �If you scan the code on the tag fixed to the clothes you can check traceability � it�s a step in the right direction of coming out with the upcoming legislation,� Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) spokesman Yohan Lawrence said. Traceability standards adopted is GS1, more..

Mar 17 (AD) Supreme Court on Friday (15) fixed a fundamental rights (FR) petition filed against the appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to be taken up for consideration on April 2. The petition had been filed by Prof. Savitri Gunasekara earlier this month. When the petition was called before a 3-member SC judge bench led by Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, petitioning party was ordered to send notices to the respondents. Subsequently, the petition was fixed for consideration on April 2. more..

Mar 17 (ST) Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has set up a dedicated office called the High Wealth Individuals Unit (HWIU) to ensure tax compliance of highly wealthy individuals as part of efforts to restore fairness and confidence in the country�s tax administration. The ten-member unit, which is located at the Large Taxpayer Office of the department, will be contacting a select number of wealthy individuals and will work with them and their advisors to ensure that more..