Sep 26 (CT) The Election Commission has released information regarding cash deposits by independent groups and the number of candidates to be nominated by political parties and independent groups for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections. This announcement also includes details about the number of members to be elected from each constituency, the number of candidates to be nominated on the nomination papers, and the security deposit required from indpt groups. more..

Sep 26 (FT) In his first address to the nation since assuming office, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake last night outlined his administration�s vision for a stable economy, national unity, and comprehensive reforms aimed at transforming Sri Lanka. During the televised speech, Dissanayake emphasised the urgent need for economic stabilisation and trust-building, which he identified as the foundation for broader structural changes more..

Sep 26 (FT) Time will tell what kind of statesman he makes, but one must salute Anura Dissanayake�s evolution into a brilliant politician and political leader. In Aug 2020 he had 3 seats and 3% of the vote, and a mere four years later, was sworn in as Prez with 42% of the vote. The arithmetic clearly tells us that it was Ranil Wickremesinghe�s dog-in-the-manger spoiler candidacy that defeated Sajith Premadasa and ensured Anura�s victory, but when AKD set out on this project more..

Sep 26 (FT) Shortsighted and destructive racist politics aimed at gaining or retaining power, not realising the overall damage to the country since independence in 1948, brought Marxist National People Party (NPP) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to power in the Prez elections held on Saturday 21 September 2024. The message is very clear. Clean up politics, bring those who plundered the country to book and unite divided communities to move ahead for a better future for all. more..

Sep 26 (DM) Sri Lanka Customs today seized the largest-ever stock of recreational cannabis, known as Kush, worth over Rs. 43 million, smuggled by a 21-year-old British national. The suspect arrived at 9:35 a.m. on SriLankan Airlines flight UL-403 from Bangkok, Thailand. He was arrested at the green channel due to suspicious behaviour. After inspection, Customs officers discovered 43 kilograms and 648 grams of Kush concealed in two of his bags. more..

Sep 26 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves to meet consumption needs. He stressed the importance of maintaining these reserves to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability for the public and urged officials to efficiently plan for fuel procurement for the upcoming year. The President further assured his full support in facilitating these efforts. more..

Sep 26 (CI) A trademark and enterprising century from Dinesh Chandimal led SL's charge towards a big score after winning the toss, making New Zealand rue multiple lapses in the field on the opening day in Galle. Chandimal's 16th Test century saw him switch gears across the first two sessions to help the hosts finish on a commanding 306 for 3, helped by unbeaten half-centuries from Angelo Mathews & Kamindu Mendis. more..

Sep 26 (CT) SL�s spinner Prabath Jayasuriya has climbed up in the latest Test Bowling Rankings following his exceptional performance in the first Test in Galle against NZ. It was the Test action in Galle that brought about top 10 Bowling Rankings shifts, with SL�s Prabath Jayasuriya solidifying his reputation as one of the game�s best spinners, moving five spots into eighth after a 9-wicket haul against NZ. Jayasuriya (743) is the highest-ranked player representing SL across 3 disciplines, more..

Sep 26 (EN) Tilak Siyambalapitiya, one of SL�s top energy experts has been appointed as the chairman of state-owned CEB with immediate effect under the govt of newly elected Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Siyambalapitiya carries 40 years of experience in the energy sector of SL, in south and southeast Asia, the Middle East and east Africa, the state media said. Siyambalapitiya earned his PhD from the Uni of Cambridge and had worked in CEB for a decade in the past & in Saudi Arabia, more..

Sep 26 (EN) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed plans to establish a panel to speed up the approval process of foreign-funded projects in the energy sector. Dissanayake�s announcement came when he met top officials at the Ministry of Power and Energy. �Prez also highlighted the importance of expediting projects financed by the Asian Development Bank and other foreign loans,� the PMD said in a statement. more..

Sep 26 (CT) In a closely contested match of the ongoing U19 Women�s T20 Tri-Series 2024, Australia U-19 triumphed over SL U-19 Women by a narrow margin of 4 runs, showcasing a commendable all-round performance. This defeat marked SL�s second loss in succession after winning the first game against New Zealand. Batting first, Australian team posted a respectable total of 116 runs after their allotted 20 overs. Samara Dulvin was the standout performer for Australia, more..

Sep 26 (DM) Business leader Hanif Yusuf, recently appointed as the Governor of the Western Province, stated that he is determined to implement changes as pledged by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He made these remarks while addressing the media after assuming duties as the new Governor. "The President has appointed me with a clear objective to bring about meaningful change to the system, uplift the poor and strengthen the public sector," Yusuf said. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The World Bank Group has expressed its commitment to supporting SL's economic recovery and development. In an official letter, Martin Raiser, Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, and Riccardo Puliti, Vice President for the Asia and Pacific Region of the Int'l Finance Corporation, extended warm congratulations to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the 9th Executive Prez of SL. The letter, while recognising that the country�s economic reset more..

Sep 26 (CT) The hearing of evidence in the indictment against former Minister Rajitha Senaratne and former Chairman of the SPC Mohommed Rumi, for allegedly falsely accusing former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, concluded yesterday before High Court Judge Sujeewa Nissanka. Under the guidance of Senior State Counsel Padmala de Silva, ASP Mihindu Abeysinghe of the CID presented the evidence. He informed the Court that the prosecution�s evidence had been concluded more..

Sep 26 (EN) The IMF has told the central bank target the middle of a policy corridor, among other inflationary operations, in a new technical assistance report urging the agency to go for a single policy rate. A slew of inflationary operations has been suggested for the central bank, which has already caused untold suffering to the people through the currency depreciation coming from its policy rate. more..

Sep 26 (DM) Former Parliamentarian and Minister Dilum Amunugama has joined the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP). Party leader Dilith Jayaweera said in a message posted on X that Amunugama has been appointed as the National Organiser of the Mawbima Janatha Party. "I warmly welcome former Minister and Parliamentarian Dilum Amunugama as the National Organiser of the Mawbima Janatha Party. We are preparing for our next battle at the general election," Dilith Jayaweera added. more..

Sep 26 (AD) Airport Police have arrested an airport employee who had allegedly opened the luggage of passengers arriving at BIA and stole items from them. The suspect, an employee in the baggage handling section, had reportedly secretly entered the storage area where the passenger luggage of a flight that arrived at the airport from Malaysia on Sept 23. CCTV cameras had reportedly captured him opening luggage belonging to passengers and stealing items from inside of them. more..

Sep 26 (AD) In a remarkable achievement, Kamindu Mendis has become the first-ever player to slam fifty-plus scores in eight consecutive Test matches. The stylish southpaw attained the phenomenal batting feat during Sri Lanka�s ongoing Test match against New Zealand at Galle Int'l Stadium. Coming at number five, Kamindu Mendis showcased exemplary skills to notch up his fourth half-century in Test cricket. more..

Sep 26 (AD) Saliya Wickramasuriya has resigned from his position as the Chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. (CPSTL). He has tendered his resignation to the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy. In his resignation letter, Mr Wickramasuriya stated that he offers his resignation from the positions in order to give the new minister the freedom to appoint a board of his choice. more..

Sep 26 (EN) A closer cooperation between SL and China will improve SL�s capability in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, development and dignity, Beijing�s Ambassador to Colombo Qi Zhenhong said. His statement at an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People�s Republic of China comes amid increasing geopolitical cold war between Beijing and India in the island nation. China has been vying for key investments and infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, more..

Sep 26 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Treasury to provide an allowance of Rs. 25,000 per hectare to paddy farmers for the Maha season of 2024/25. According to this initiative, the fertilizer subsidy, which was previously set at Rs. 15,000 per hectare, will be increased to Rs. 25,000. This enhanced subsidy will take effect starting Oct 1. To ensure efficient delivery of the subsidy to farmers, the funds will be directly transferred to their bank accounts. more..

Sep 26 (DM) A Fundamental Rights application seeking an order to stay the appointment of Janaprith Fernando as Chief Commissioner of the Ceylon Scout Council was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. A three-judge bench of the SC, comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Shiran Gooneratne and Justice Priyantha Fernando, decided to dismiss the application after considering the preliminary objections raised by the respondents more..

Sep 26 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed relevant officials to allocate the luxury vehicles used by previous govts exclusively for essential services, according to the President�s Private Secretary, Ananda Wijepala. Mr. Wijepala expressed regret over the misuse of public funds and emphasized that a full review will be conducted, with the public being informed of future actions. more..

Sep 26 (EN) The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment is calling for its citizens to register for construction jobs in Israel, even as the bellicose state continues bombing Lebanon and the occupied Palestine territory of Gaza. An announcement on the govt department of information website posted on Thursday (26) called for skilled wire benders, tile masons, shuttering carpenters, plaster masons, aged between 25-44 years, with valid passports to apply immediately. more..

Sep 26 (TM) The National Consumer Front (NCF) urged the new administration led by the JVP-led NPP to enhance the consumer care system by strengthening the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). NCF Leader Asela Sampath highlighted the urgent need for the effective regulation of market irregularities. �It is the responsibility of the new administration to ensure that consumers are protected and that the CAA is equipped to address their concerns effectively�, he stated. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The govt has taken action to resume the issuing of visas under the previous system, beginning from 12.00 midnight today. Minister Vijitha Herath said all foreigners will now be able to apply for visas under the previous system. "The visa facility provided by VFS Global has caused significant difficulties for many. Specially, foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka experienced considerable challenges in obtaining their visas. more..

Sep 26 (DM) ACMC leader Rishad Bathiudeen has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to cancel the permit for a liquor bar which was newly established on Main Road, Mannar. In a letter to the President, he said the liquor bar has been established on the Mannar Main Road, a location that is in close proximity to schools, garment factories and residential areas while causing considerable distress among the local community, even leading to a protest last month. more..

Sep 26 (TM) The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), a prominent Tamil diaspora organization, congratulated Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as Sri Lanka's 9th President and Harini Amarasuriya as the new PM, the country's third female PM. GTF praised the peaceful transition of power and the absence of ethnic and religious rhetoric during the campaign, calling it a hopeful precedent. Acknowledging the country's economic crisis and the need for systemic change, more..

Sep 27 (TM) Sri Lanka has decided on whom it wants to lead the troubled island nation for the next five years. On the horizon, nearly a month and a half away is the General Election which will elect the next batch of SL lawmakers. There has been globally, a wave against the incumbent political order. This is a global phenomenon and Sri Lanka is no exception. Sri Lanka too has been seeking a system change since 2022. SL democracy has stood the test of time and survived and evolved. more..

Sep 27 (ST) By midday today (Sunday) it would all be over bar the shouting. I mean � the result of the presidential election. Another issue � apart from the polls � that has drawn the attention of Sri Lankans is the visa crisis which each week shows a level of uncertainty. For this reason, I am compelled to revisit the visa crisis for the second successive week and consider lessons on how not to do business in tourism. My friend Ruwanputha, a young economist, when he called four days ago (Thursday), more..

Sep 27 (TM) As Sri Lanka seeks to boost its gaming industry, the recent increase in casino licensing fees from Rs. 5 billion to Rs. 10 billion for a 20-year operation has left several investment proposals in limbo. Currently, around eight proposals are pending approval, with no updates from investors since the fee hike, raising concerns about the future of casino investments in the country. Ministry of Finance Dept of Fiscal Policy more..

Sep 27 (SO) There is a saying, When wild boars fight, it�s a royal feast for the jungle fowl. This saying becomes clearer when considering the election bets in Ratnapura alongside the excitement of the Prez election. While Presidential candidates fought their final battle, those involved in election betting in Ratnapura took their game to another level. Betting during election time is not something new. In the past, election bets involved either cutting one�s hair, jumping into a pond, more..

Sep 27 (CT) In the realm of political campaigns, branding plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and influencing voter behavior. Anura Kumara�s ascension to the presidency of SL offers a compelling case study in political branding, particularly in how he effectively navigated the complexities of voter sentiment and market positioning. 1 � One of Dissanayake�s most significant brand attributes was his unblemished record. In a political landscape often more..

Sep 27 (CT) Asbestos, a mineral once hailed for its durability and heat resistance, has now been identified as one of the ten most hazardous chemicals by the WHO. Research has conclusively shown that asbestos is a potent carcinogen, responsible for causing a range of deadly diseases, including lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer. more..

Sep 27 (CT) At the end of a Prez Election where not a single woman candidate was present despite the majority of the country�s population and registered voters being women, SL got Dr. Harini Nireka Amarasuriya as the 16th PM and the third woman Premier. With this appointment, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP took a giant leap towards ensuring another victory at the forthcoming General Election. The X factor she brought into the JVP-led NPP was undoubtedly the key turning point more..

Sep 27 (GV) Sri Lanka�s 2024 presidential election has marked a historic shift in the political landscape with Anura Kumara Dissanayake securing a decisive victory. The election is seen as a resounding rejection of the established political elites who have long dominated SL politics and a clear demand for reform, transparency and an end to corruption. This victory not only signals hope for the poor and middle class but also reaffirms the maturity of Sri Lanka�s democracy. more..