Oct 9 (CI) "Chamari, are we going to see some shots?" Alyssa Healy's wisecrack from behind the stumps during the Australia game has been playing on Chamari Athapaththu's mind over the past few days. It's because Sri Lanka, coming off a historic first-ever series win against England and a maiden Asia Cup triumph, are now on the brink of elimination following big losses to Pakistan and Australia. more..

Oct 9 (FT) The Chamber of Construction Industry of SL (CCI) has announced that the 20th edition of the premier Build SL Housing and Construction Expo 2025 will be held from 30, 31 May and 1 June at the BMICH. The announcement was made at a launch attended by the CCI President Jayantha Perera, members of the Board of Management and the Council members of the Chamber, longstanding exhibitors at the previous Build SL Expo�s, last year valued sponsors and industry leaders. more..

Oct 9 (JN) Irbid Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Mohammad Shoha, and SL Ambassador Priyangika Wijegunasekera Monday discussed prospects of enhancing trade and investment cooperation between Jordan and SL. During their meeting, Shoha emphasized the importance of boosting trade ties, particularly in agriculture and commerce, and called for exploring new investment opportunities that benefit both countries. He highlighted the private sector's involvement in advancing bilateral more..

Oct 9 (Island) The men�s and women�s 400 metres have been SL�s most productive medal winning discipline at regional track and field championships during the last few decades. Sri Lanka�s schools structure has been providing a steady supply of talented sprinters to national level to improve the profile of this discipline. This year, sprinters Shashintha Silva and Jithma Wijetunga have been the fastest in the junior boys� and girls� categories respectively and are showing great promise. more..

Oct 9 (DN) SL women�s cricket team led by Chamari Athapaththu wanted to come back with a good batting display when they take on India in their third T-20 world cup cricket fixture today at Dubai International cricket stadium commencing at 7.30 pm (SL time). Sri Lanka already lost to Pakistan by 31 runs and in their second game lost to Australia by six wickets and in both matches Sri Lanka batters were not up to expectations and this was the main issue for Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 9 (ST) With the nominations for Parliamentary elections due to close in five days and campaigning already in progress, political parties have stepped up their organisational activities, forming alliances while finalising their nomination lists. Some of those who contested in the presidential elections too, are gathering breakaway groups of main parties to form alliances, while others are fielding those such as businessmen, more..

Oct 9 (ST) On Friday (4), a dolphin carcass washed ashore on Panadura beach, along the West coast. Onlookers were shocked to find the dolphin�s tail missing, with a sharp cut indicating the involvement of human activity. According to Dr. Ranil Nanayakkara, a conservation biologist specialising in marine mammals, dolphins often follow large schools of fish and get entangled in fishing nets. Fishermen, trying to save their nets from damage caused by dolphin�s powerful tail movements, more..

Oct 9 (FT) On an application made by Tokyo Supermix, Commercial High Court of Colombo recently issued an order to wind up the defunct Walkers Piling, marking the conclusion of the piling giant in SL. The petitioner, a subsidiary of Tokyo Cement, had filed a winding up petition in 2019 before the Commercial HC in which the petitioner had alleged that Walkers Piling, a subsidiary of MTD Walkers, had not honoured a statutory demand on a debt presented by petitioner. more..

Oct 9 (Island) Commissioner General of Excise, J.M. Gunasiri was removed from his post yesterday with immediate effect. Gunasiri was appointed the Excice Chief in early Dec 2020. The then govt replaced R.A. Bodaragama with Gunasiri under controversial circumstances. Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday announced the decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers to remove the Commissioner General of Excise, J.M. Gunasiri, more..

Oct 9 (FT) Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath assured that Sri Lanka maintains balanced diplomatic relations with all countries, reaffirming its policy of friends of all and enemy of none. �There is no favouritism. We do not consider any country to be special. Whether it is big or small, SL maintains diplomatic relations with all countries � China, India, the US, Russia, Cuba, or Vietnam. We have no bias in our approach,� he said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday. more..

Oct 9 (Island) Hirusha Abeysinghe and Thashara Jayarathna were crowned champions at the SLB Novices Age Group Championship 2024 concluded at the New Saniro Sports Complex in Naiwala, Veyangoda on Wednesday. Hirusha overcame Gimhana Yagama in straight sets, while Tharasha took the better off Nishadi Thenushika in the boys� and girls� Under-19 Singles finals respectively to emerge winners of the five-day competition conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB). more..

Oct 9 (PMD) In a significant gesture of diplomatic goodwill, U.S. Prez Joe Biden extended his congratulations to SL�s newly elected Prez, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The message, delivered on behalf of the American people, recognized the importance of the peaceful and democratic nature of the election, which reaffirmed the strength of SL�s democratic institutions. �This election reflects the strength of SL�s democratic institutions and the commitment of its citizens to shaping their more..

Oct 9 (Island) On World Tourism Day, representatives from leading hotel businesses, tourism associations, NGOs, & govt depts convened in Colombo to officially launch the Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business in Tourism. This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in SL, brings together key actors from the tourism supply chain to enhance the well-being of children and families connected to the sector through long-term, continuous actions. more..

Oct 9 (DM) Following a 15-year-old girl jumping to death from the Lotus Tower, the Education Ministry has decided to seek a clarification from Colombo International School (CIS) where she studied, an official said. Education Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundare said that she, immediately after the incident was reported on Monday evening, assigned three additional secretaries and two directors to visit CIS and seek a clarification more..

Oct 9 (NW) The Railways Department announced that upcountry trains from Colombo and Kandy will terminate at Ella or Bandarawela from today until October 15th due to a joint Indo-Sri Lanka film being shot on the iconic Nine Arches Bridge. Trains will not proceed to Badulla between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily. Similarly, trains heading in the opposite direction will start from Ella or Bandarawela instead of Badulla during this period. Passengers are advised to plan accordingly. more..

Oct 9 (DM) Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has launched a special initiative to recover Rs. 570 billion in outstanding taxes from certain taxpayers under the self-assessment payment system, with a deadline of November 30. According to IRD Deputy Commissioner General N.M.N.S.B. Dissanayake, IRD has collected Rs. 1,455 billion in taxes so far this year, meeting 71 percent of its annual revenue target. He noted that under the self-assessment payment system, there are instances where more..

Oct 9 (DM) Almost every major political party will face elimination and pass into history if they do not field ideal candidates in their lists to contest the upcoming General Election, as the public is determined to vote against the corrupt political culture, the Civil Collective said. Civil Collective comprising over 40 civil society organisations endorsed and introduced a 10-point criterion for the public to assess �a profile for an Ideal Political Candidate� during the General Elections, more..

Oct 9 (DM) Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who was imprisoned for contempt of court and granted pardon is likely shift sides and contest for the General Election from a new party if his civic rights are restored. Mr. Ramanayake said that he will contemplate contesting the General Election from a new party. �I have met some experts and had asked for civic rights. I will contest the General Election if I am given civic rights. A poll card was delivered to me before the Presidential election but more..

Oct 9 (TM) Sri Lanka may need to reconsider its strict adherence to the IMF�s fiscal targets as it currently goes through a fragile recovery from the 2022 economic crisis, according to IPS Executive Director Dushni Weerakoon. Speaking at the release of the State of the Economy report on Monday, Weerakoon outlined the difficult choices facing policy makers as they balance the need for economic relief with risks of deviating from more..

Oct 9 (TM) Students throughout the island perform poorly in English and Mathematics due to inconsistent education policies and the lack of funding, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) claimed. �Even though children are going to school, they are not learning,� IPS Research Fellow Dr. Nisha Arunatilake claimed, speaking at a conference held yesterday (8). �The average child�s score for English in this country is 34% while the average score for Maths is 24%.� more..

Oct 9 (DN) The Central Bank has issued necessary recommendations to the Finance Ministry on the import of vehicles in such a way that there is no obstruction to SL�s foreign reserves, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. In 2022, Sri Lanka faced the worst economic crisis in history. At that time, the then govt imposed import restrictions on more than two thousand goods including vehicles. But the restrictions were gradually relaxed, allowing several goods to be imported. more..

Oct 9 (FT) Minister Vijitha Herath reiterated Govt�s commitment to resume the investigations into the infamous CB bond scam with a focus in prosecuting prime suspects of the scandal. He dismissed recent claims by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe�s spokesman, who stated that the Wickremesinghe never sought Prez immunity in connection with legal proceeding related to the manipulating of bond auctions in 2015, 2016 more..

Oct 9 (FT) Inflation in Aug 2024 was 0.5%, the lowest since 2000. There are no shortages. No bank collapsed. Reserves are up. Agreement is close on the commercial debt, the last piece of the restructuring. Yet, the people of SL have voted in an inexperienced Prez with a weak mandate. Parliamentary elections to be held in November are likely to send into retirement many incumbents who in normal times would have remained under the proportional representation system, more..

Oct 9 (AD) The Society of Radiological Technologists Association Sri Lanka (SRTSL) says that they have requested Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to appoint a committee to investigate corruption and irregularities that have allegedly taken place within the Ministry of Health in the recent past. The association�s chairman Chanaka Dharmawickrama, stated that the association is prepared to provide information related to these issues to the said committee. more..

Oct 9 (FT) This piece was prompted by the scaling back of ministries at the centre post the recent elections. The focus has been on cutting back on waste at the centre. Governance is carried out by layered structures; i.e. national, provincial and local. There are nine second-tier provinces and 341 third-level local govt: 24 municipal councils, 41 urban councils and 276 Pradeshiya sabhas (village councils). All staffed by Govt employees. We have not in the recent past analysed more..

Oct 9 (EN) The Ceylon Workers Congress will contest the upcoming General Elections under the UNP-led alliance of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, its General Secretary said. �In Nuwara Eliya, the Ceylon Workers Congress will contest under the United National Party led alliance of former President @RW_SRILANKA. Our symbol will be the Elephant,� Jeevan Thondaman said. Thondaman signed the nomination papers to contest from the Nuwara Eliya District. more..

Oct 9 (AD) Several of the major political parties contesting in the upcoming general election have signed their nomination papers today (09). A total of 33 independent groups and political parties have already submitted nominations to contest the 2024 General Election. The NPP alliance�s candidates signed their nomination papers at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, while the Samagi Jana Sandanaya signed their nominations more..

Oct 9 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath has revealed that the 130-year-old iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office building, along with its premises, will be used exclusively for postal dept operations. Additionally, all previously decisions regarding the property will be suspended, he said, explaining the new govt�s stance on the matter. Under the former govt, it had been proposed to hand over the colonial-era building to the private sector for a hotel project which had drawn a string of protests from people, more..

Oct 9 (AD) Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake has formed a new political party named the United Democratic Voice (Eksath Prajathanthravadi Handa). The microphone was unveiled as the symbol of the United Democratic Voice. Former SL cricketer Thilakarathne Dilshan, also known as TM Dilshan, has been appointed as the national organizer of the new party led by actor-turned-politician Ranjan Ramanayake. Meanwhile, former SJB MP Vadivel Suresh was also present at the occasion of more..

Oct 9 (FR) SL authorities� confirmation that they endorse the targets set under the country�s IMF programme, and intend to implement debt restructuring based on the terms agreed with int'l sovereign bondholders in September, reduces risks to the debt treatment process associated with the outcome of the prez election, says Fitch Ratings. Election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, of the opposition JVP, as president in September more..

Oct 9 (AD) Veteran SL actor Kamal Addararachchi has announced his decision to contest in the upcoming General Election. He is expected to contest the election representing the Devana Parapura party (Second Generation) led by Uvindu Wijeweera, the son of former leader of JVP Rohana Wijeweera. Addararachchi said: �It is the responsibility of the people to form a good Parliament. Let�s break the culture of bringing unsuccessful people to the Parliament more..

Oct 9 (PMD) His Excellency, Most Reverend Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Ambassador to SL, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. During the meeting, the Vatican Ambassador congratulated Prez Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying heartfelt greetings from His Holiness Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. Ambassador Udaigwe also extended best wishes for the continued success more..

Oct 9 (PMD) Ambassador of Thailand, Paitoon Mahapannaporn, paid a courtesy call on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Prez Secretariat today. During the meeting, Thai Ambassador extended congratulations on the Prez�s recent election victory and conveyed the best wishes of the Govt of Thailand. Mahapannaporn also delivered a special message from the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, congratulating Prez and expressing goodwill towards his administration. more..

Oct 9 (USE) US Embassy in SL is pleased to announce that Admiral Steve Koehler, a 4-star US Navy Admiral and Commander of US Pacific Fleet, will visit SL on Oct 10, marking the highest-level US military visit to the country since 2021. During the visit, Admiral Koehler will reaffirm the strong partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka for an enduring, resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. Admiral Koehler will engage with senior SL officials to discuss rising security challenges more..

Oct 9 (ST) Serious questions have been raised about Cabinet approval granted on Aug 5, 2024, to buy 1,000 smart boards from China�s Huawei Technologies at high prices�estimated to be at least Rs. 940,000 per board�when the average price of boards bought for the education sector over the last five years was around Rs. 340,000 each. Cabinet sanctioned the purchase just six working days after Elections Commission announced Prez poll. more..