Mar 5 (AD) The no-confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was handed over to the Deputy General Secretary of Parliament on Tuesday. It was signed by 44 MPs including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and MPs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Rohini Kumari Wijeratne, Hesha Vithanage, Mano Ganesan, Rishad Bathiudeen, M.A. Sumanthiran, S.M. Marikkar, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Thalatha Atukorale, Vijitha Herath more..

Mar 5 (DM) The salary hike for Central Bank officials cost an extra sum of Rs 232 million monthly, it was revealed at the party leaders meeting today. The party leaders have informed the Central Bank officials that it is unfair for them to increase their salaries at a time when ordinary citizens are undergoing various hardships. "Party leaders have also been of the opinion that Central Bank officials should have foregone a salary hike even if there was legal provisions for them to obtain it when more..

Mar 5 (Island) Younger brother of an underworld kingpin was killed and another injured when two unidentified persons shot at them at Niripola in Hanwella yesterday. The deceased was identified as Atukoralage Don Madhusanka, 31, younger brother of Atukoralage Don Roshan Indika also known as Manna Roshan, whose body was found along with one of his accomplices in a vacant land in Tunnana off Padukka on 25 Dec, 2023. The injured had been admitted to the Avissawella hospital, more..

Mar 5 (AD) Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa returned to the island from the United States this morning (5). A group of members of SLPP including Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, MP Sarath Weerasekara, were at the BIA in Katunayake to accord a warm welcome to the party�s founder. Speaking to the media following his arrival, the former minister said the SLPP has never attempted to mislead the general public. more..

Mar 5 (DM) The deadline for submission of bids for SriLankan Airlines has been extended by 45 days, says Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. A live auction was scheduled to take place today to choose an investor for the divestment of SriLankan Airlines, as per a comment made by the lawmaker last week. However the minister revealed that bids would be called for another 45 days before choosing an investor for the national carrier. more..

Mar 5 (EN) Sri Lanka will accept an invitation to join the US-led International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI). The CRI was launched in 2021 as a common platform with a number of other countries for international coordination to eliminate ransomware. �So far, [50] countries around the world and the European Union as well as the International Police have joined the initiative. Since SL has recently faced various problems due to Ransomware, it has been recognised that more..

Mar 5 (DM) The current Transport Minister is not efficient with his work and is only limited to his talks, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) president Gemunu Wijerathne claimed today. He said that even though the govt had not reduced the price of Super Diesel, the bus operators will continue with their services. "It had been two years since Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva assumed duties as Transport Minister, but nothing has been done for the private bus service. more..

Mar 5 (EN) SL leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake�s recent high-profile visit to India was on a routine invitation generally extended to eminent persons from other countries and not at all unusual, according to Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha. The HC said on the sidelines of an event in Colombo that the invitation was part of a visitation scheme by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, an autonomous organisation more..

Mar 5 (DM) Former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunge today refuted claims by Mihintale Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Ven. Walaha Hengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera that she was getting two pensions. A statement issued by her office said the allegations by the Thera are false and baseless. Statement said she was getting only the pension entitled to her as the former Prez. It also said that former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa during his tenure, increased pension of Prez upto Rs. 97,000 more..

Mar 5 (CT) NPP Leader, MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka is scheduled to visit the North in mid-March as part of the Party�s preparations for the upcoming Prez Election expected later this year, according to Party officials. Dissanayaka is set to visit Kilinochchi on 16 March, where he will meet the public at the Cooperative Society Hall. During this visit, he is expected to engage in extensive discussions regarding the current economic situation & Party�s commitment to its improvement. more..

Mar 5 (DM) Asela Sampath, the National Organizer of All Ceylon Restaurant Owners� Association, today tendered an apology and expressed regret to former Minister and MP Dr. Channa Jayasumana against two false statements he had made by on 21 June 2021 against Dr. Channan Jayasumana on social media regarding the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine proposed to be manufactured in SL with the approval of the WHO. Defendant had made a defamatory statement against Dr. Jayasumana more..

Mar 5 (AD) Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha and SL�s foreign minister Ali Sabry met on Monday in Jeddah to discuss cooperation and address shared concerns. Sabry highlighted SL�s initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of its Muslim community. He reiterated SL�s stance on the Palestinian cause, affirming support for the two-state solution. Taha discussed the OIC�s role in advancing the welfare of Muslim communities worldwide more..

Mar 5 (EN) SL�s cabinet has asked the parliament to deal with the central bank�s steep salary hikes as it was considered a matter for that branch of the govt, spokesman Bandula Gunawardana said. Central Bank which has been given independence by a controversial new law which critics say has legalized money to be printed for growth, along with a high inflation target, steeply raised salaries after flawed operational more..

Mar 5 (AD) S.C. Muthukumarana of the SLPP was sworn in as a MP today (5). The new MP took oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena shortly after the parliamentary session kicked off this morning. Muthukumarana, who was next in line on the SLPP list for the Anuradhapura District, was appointed to fill the MP seat left vacant after the resignation of MP Uddika Premarathne. Premarathne had tendered his resignation to the Deputy General Secretary of Parliament more..

Mar 5 (DM) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has failed to provide a quality standard report for its Super Diesel stocks currently used by buses and other diesel vehicle owners, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) president Gemunu Wijeratne said. He said that his association has received many complaints regarding the quality standards of the super diesel stocks. Most complaints from vehicle users claimed that they are unable to get the maximum fuel efficiency and more..

Mar 5 (PMD) In addition to the officials and categories of individuals required to disclose their assets and liabilities as outlined in the amended Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 01 of 1975 by Act No. 74 of 1988, Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023 introduces provisions for further disclosure by various other officials and categories of individuals. Necessity for disclosing liabilities is more..

Mar 5 (DM) The Cabinet has approved an extension of the validity period for the scheme enabling Sri Lankans working abroad to import fully electric vehicles, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said. He said Cabinet approval was granted in August 2022 for the rollout of a scheme allowing Sri Lankans employed overseas to import fully electric vehicles. This scheme operates on the condition of formal bank transfers of foreign remittances through licenced banks in Sri Lanka. more..

Mar 5 (DM) The railway strike, which was scheduled to be launched tonight by several railway trade unions, has been called off following a favourable response by the Transport Ministry, Locomotive Engine Operators� Union (LEOU) secretary Indika Dodangoda said. He said the strike was scheduled to commence tonight over salary anomalies. Therefore, the union had called for a strike, but since the Cabinet office has informed that the relevant decision will be sent to Transport Ministry more..

Mar 6 (CT) In the wake of the harrowing ordeal faced by 56 SL nationals ensnared in a cybercrime racket on the Thailand-Myanmar border, it is crucial to delve deeper into the underlying factors that drive individuals to seek refuge in foreign lands, often falling prey to the snares of exploitation and trafficking. At the heart of this tragedy lies the stark reality of economic hardship and the allure of a better life abroad, a narrative that echoes the struggles of countless individuals more..

Mar 6 (DM) It has been observed that divisive politics is one of the inborn deficiencies in party politics although political parties are considered as vital components of Parliamentary Democracy. It is not possible to activate representative democracy or parliamentary democracy without political parties. Professor Von Beyme, Head of the Institute of Political Science at the Uni of Heidelberg, in his book titled Political parties in western democracies has pointed out that more..

Mar 6 (DM) British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, in an exclusive interview, shared his views on bilateral ties and the way forward to strengthen bonds. He spoke to Daily Mirror in the wake of the two countries celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. Q: In recent times, we saw the two countries engaging with each other in a number of ways. So what is the new direction on bilateral relations between the UK and SL? more..

Mar 6 (DM) As we celebrate International Women�s Day, it prompts us to wonder, what does it truly mean to be a woman? In a world marked by increasing competitiveness and relentless pace, women often find themselves questioning their place and value. Today, as we honour the spirit of womanhood, it is imperative to recognise the enduring legacy of women and address the scarcity of female role models to inspire the next generation. Being a woman is a profound journey, marked by more..

Mar 6 (DM) Hooray and congratulations! Our national cricket team won a full series of matches. It was against Afghanistan, but no matter, at last we have won a whole series. It was refreshing to see our team win. The huge crowd at the third T-20 match, vouched for the regeneration of interest among the fans of the game in the country. While we won all of the test matches, it was the absence of spectators which was prominent. Despite the fact entrance to the games were free, more..

Mar 6 (CT) Supreme Court on 29 Feb revoked the decision, taken by the Cabinet of Ministers, to allow ex-Prez Maithripala Sirisena to use his Paget Road residence after leaving office. Cabinet took this decision on 15 Oct 2019. Announcing the SC ruling, Justice Priyantha Jayawardene determined that the decision taken by the former Cabinet, to grant the residence for the use of the former Leader, as the head more..

Mar 6 (TM) This week, after a consolidated diplomatic effort, SL managed to get the Myanmar junta to rescue eight Sri Lankans who were held hostage and forced to work in cybercrime sweatshops under the penalty of torture. As the situation in Myanmar continues to spiral out of control, more Sri Lankans remain trapped in such illegal operations, near the Myanmar- Thailand border. It is reported that the eight Sri Lankans who were rescued were part of a group of 56 more..

Mar 6 (Island) The pitiable sight of schoolchildren staggering under heavy backpacks saddens one beyond measure. Doctors often caution against overloaded school bags, which place children�s delicate spines at risk of injury, but sadly their warnings go unheeded. The detrimental effects of heavy backpacks on students� spine health are making headlines, once again. The public debate on the ill-effects of excessively heavy schoolbags has been going on for decades, more..

Mar 6 (Island) Following a request made by World Bank officials, Department of Agriculture, Director General Ms. Malathi Parasuraman has submitted a work order, prepared by the Department of Agriculture, to double the paddy yield in the country within six growing seasons. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the World Bank has given the green light to assist in achieving President Ranil Wickremesinghe�s goal of doubling the paddy yield countrywide. more..

Mar 6 (Island) President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a conference of over 300 members from inter-religious committees from across the country summed up his plan for national reconciliation in less than 20 minutes. The president was clear in his articulation. He spoke with no notes. There were no superfluities in his speech. He noted how racism and bigotry have become convenient tools for politicians to wield power and for religious leaders to maintain their authority. more..

Mar 6 (ST) Organised crime gangs are recruiting ex-military men and even triforce service personnel as hitmen, as they can handle weapons and are combat-trained. The police said that gangs use many tactics to entice those who have a history of serving in the armed forces. Police spokesman, DIG Nihal Thalduwa, who is also in charge of the Crime Range, said gangs have always used people from the armed forces as well as deserters. more..

Mar 6 (FT) GRI, a leading producer of specialty tires for agriculture, material handling and construction machines, unveiled its next generation of environmentally friendly specialty tires with very high sustainable material content. GRI�s sustainable agriculture tire range, the Green XLR Earth series, now comes with 87.3% sustainable material whilst the Ultimate Green XT the sustainable material handling tire boasts an impressive 93.5% sustainable material. more..

Mar 6 (FT) Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) President and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) Co-Chair Sarah Ghosh is in SL on an official visit until 8 March. During her visit, Sarah will attend a number of high-profile events with CIMA members, CGMA candidates, corporate partners, and government officials, including: Attending a meeting with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Governor of the CB, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe; more..

Mar 6 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of the Land Management Trust to address various challenges and inconsistencies surrounding the utilisation of Govt lands across the country. At present, the Govt owns around 82% of the total land area in the country, managed by various agencies tasked with protecting and controlling these lands. However, the absence of a unified approach has led to numerous issues in releasing Govt land for investment purposes. more..

Mar 6 (FT) In a significant move aimed at reinvigorating the agricultural sector, the Govt unveiled plans to modernise and transform the industry earmarking a budget of Rs. 650 million. The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday cleared to implement the program, which aims to revolutionise the agricultural sector by introducing modern techniques and technologies, drawing inspiration from successful models adopted by other countries. more..

Mar 6 (Island) All of us lovers of SL cricket agree that the national cricket team�s fielding standards have improved leaps and bounds in the last two months. After a horrible World Cup where the team dropped 16 catches in nine games, there was much criticism on poor fielding. However, fielding at the moment has been a breath of fresh air and the main man for that is none other than Fielding Coach Upul Chandana. more..

Mar 6 (DN) S.Thomas College Mt Lavinia led by Mahith Perera with an impressive record this season will compete in their 145 th Battle of the Blues against traditional rivals Royal at the SSC grounds from March 7 to 9 and this three day encounter most probably will bring about a decision. Not like two days big matches three day encounters can produce decisions and the two teams Royal and S. Thomas battle it out to win the game and most of the time positive approach brings about a result. more..