Apr 10 (Island) Founded by Swedish duo Anna Kalm and Patrik Alm, fueled by a passion to help Swedish businesses find the IT competence they need through the dynamic talent pool in SL, the Swe-Lankan software development company Ascentic celebrates five years of astounding growth and success. Ascentic believes that SL is undoubtedly among the top destinations to find a diverse pool of talent in IT. Since its humble beginnings the company has scaled up to a crew of almost more..

Apr 10 (SO) Industry representatives addressing the media on the dire straits of the economy and the ensuing plight of industries called on the President and the PM to resolve the political impasse and restore stability in the country to continue business. “We need to urgently restore stability and discussions with the IMF should take off the ground with financial and legal experts to negotiate with the global lender,” said CEO shippers’ Academy of Colombo & Director General SL Association more..

Apr 10 (ST) Pyramid Wilmar (Pvt) Ltd–the private company accused of profiteering from the Govt’s massive sugar tax cut–imported 1,222 percent more sugar than usual between October 2020 and February 2021, but did not pass the advantage to consumers, the National Audit Office (NAO) states. The NAO calls on the Govt to recover its lost revenue by correctly identifying the companies that had benefited from more..

Apr 10 (SO) The SJB will take up the No Confidence Motion which has been mooted by the Opposition against the Govt, for discussion at the SJB Parliamentary Group Meeting today. SJB MP Tissa Attanayake said that a date to hand over the NCM to the Speaker will be discussed at the upcoming meeting which will be presided over by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa. Attanayake said that the SJB Leader had not signed the NCM so far but denied rumours that he had refused to support it. more..

Apr 10 (BBC) Pakistan's PM Imran Khan has been ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership. The vote was held past midnight after opposition parties brought a motion against him, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. Mr Khan had said he would not recognise an opposition govt, claiming - without evidence - that there was a US-led conspiracy to remove him. The assembly will now appoint a new PM. Pakistan's parliament will meet to vote for the country's new leader more..

Apr 10 (EN) International Monetary Fund (IMF) is very concerned about Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and has started technical level talks with central bank and finance ministry teams, the lenders mission chief for the island Masahiro Nozaki said. “We at the IMF are very concerned about the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka and hardships suffered by the people, especially the poor and vulnerable,” Nozaki said. more..

Apr 10 (TM) Catholic and Muslim leaders joined thousands of protestors who gathered in Negombo last afternoon, calling for justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings and for the Govt to resign due to the ongoing economic crisis. The protest was led by Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith of the Catholic Church. The Chief Moulavi of the Negombo Mosque said that no force could divide the united people of Negombo. “I came here today because our children deserve a better future. more..

Apr 10 (DM) Ajith Nivard Cabraal, former CB Governor who resigned from his post earlier this week, said he will not leave SL and will instead answer all allegations leveled at him by various parties. Following rumors that Cabraal had left the country soon after he resigned as the CBSL Governor, Cabraal said that, unlike certain other Governors, he will not leave. "Further as everyone in this country knows, I have always dealt with malicious and hateful allegations in a calm, more..

Apr 10 (ST) This week is paradoxical in more than one way for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 31-month-old controversial presidency. To keep himself in power he used some unconventional methods whilst ignoring public protests calling upon him to quit. In a nuanced speech in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister Johnston Fernando said the Prez would not give up and hinted that the govt would fight back. more..

Apr 11 (DM) Something all adult Sri Lankans and even little children know is that they are hungry. When little children ask for food, many parents will be unable to provide them with this luxury. Yes, food today has become a luxury, following years of corruption by legislators and wasteful borrowing - with no thought of how loans could be repaid. According to Bloomberg the country has run up an external debt of around US$8.6 billion. Yet, as of March this year, country has only $1.94 bil more..

Apr 11 (DM) As a country, we need to be prepared for continued pain in the short term as we begin negotiations. It will only get worse before it gets better. To navigate the reforms necessary, the govt needs credibility in the eyes of the people and the int'l markets. We are dangerously low on foreign reserves and are on the verge of a default on our upcoming ISB. We are unable to raise sovereign bonds to refinance the upcoming maturities since we lost access to markets following more..

Apr 11 (DM) However, the revolutionary right that existed 160 years ago is no longer valid. It should be the constitutional right; exactly what the young independent [FB?] groups agitate carrying placards- Gota Go - Down with 225 +1. Abraham Lincoln, the lawyer and statesman was the 16th American Prez [1861-65] who led the nation through the Civil War until his assassination in 1965. Simplest form of definition of Democracy, more..

Apr 11 (DM) There is utter despair, desperation, frustration and anger hovering over our dear motherland at the moment. There are evident signs of people’s restlessness which is a sheer warning probably of oncoming waves of a national uprising in the face of the tragic socio-economic and political instability that has overtaken the country. The last two months saw long queues lining up for gas, petrol, diesel and even kerosene. It as a pitiful scene the like of which has never been seen before more..

Apr 11 (FT) While Jesus was on the cross a vile drama was taking place at his feet. Roman soldiers sat dividing his garments. Each took a portion and then they drew lots for one without a seam. The soldiers displayed discipline. There was even a semblance of democratic justice. This is Empire; oozing with order and smooth logic that conceal its ruthless oppression. As it crushes all in its path, its under-class accomplices get some of the spoils. They have to. After all they do the dirty work more..

Apr 11 (TM) Even though the ongoing protests are often viewed as being against the prevailing economic and social crises and the incumbent Govt, they can prioritise the greater purposes of changing the overall governing system, including the political culture that contributed greatly to put the country in the said crises, and establishing sustainable long-term economic and social reforms. To achieve this, people should be aware more..

Apr 11 (TM) The dual elective aspects of the social contract – namely, the election of the Head of the Executive branch of governance, the Prez, and the Legislative branch of governance, the Parliament, including the Govt – have been, if the masses on the streets at present are any indication to go by, unilaterally declared, null and void. The tenant, Prez Rajapaksa, who is the temporary custodian of the State and is at the midpoint of his five-year term, it seems, has overstayed his welcome; more..

Apr 11 (CT) Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) warned that the current shortage of medicines and related ancillaries threaten to cause fatalities in excess of the combined death toll of Covid-19, the tsunami and the war on terrorism. In a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last week, they expressed their urgent concern regarding the acute shortage of essential medicines, equipment, reagents and consumables in State hospitals and the private health sector. more..

Apr 11 (ST) Minister of Foreign Affairs GL Peiris’s badly argued brief to Colombo based diplomats this week, describing peoples’ protests in Sri Lanka targeting the Rajapaksa Govt as mass based protests against the country’s entire political establishment, is a not-so-subtle masterpiece in deception, to put it mildly. Peddled as a convenient but disingenuous explanation by the Govt’s spin masters for the explosions of public rage that continue to erupt across the length and more..

Apr 11 (ST) People Power reclaimed the sovereignty they had constitutionally delegated to the President and Parliament as mass protests throughout the country brought the Govt to the brink of collapsing like a house of cards. Last Thursday evening’s peaceful siege at the President’s private Mirihana residence until an extremist mob infiltrated the scene and turned it violent, had added new impetus to the spontaneous people movement and given spiritual momentum to mass dissent. more..

Apr 11 (Island) Long distance veteran Gayanthika Abeyratne, steeplechaser Nilani Ratnayake and long jumper Sarangi Silva produced remarkable feats which put them in contention for international medals as they excelled at the centenary National Athletics Championship at Diyagama. The event was hampered by rain on all three days forcing Sri Lanka Athletics to postpone a number of events scheduled for Sunday to (23). more..

Apr 11 (Island) Anti-govt activists were braving torrential rains for a second day at the Galle Face Green yesterday in a bid to pressure Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to go home. But the Prez has dug his heels in. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa is equally determined to stay put in the face of calls for his resignation. The current stand-off is not likely to be resolved anytime soon. The parliamentary Opposition is trying to oust the govt, on its own. It is collecting signatures for a no-faith motion. more..

Apr 11 (Island) When it comes to the current crisis in SL we have heard all the superlatives – it is unprecedented, it is the worst since independence, the country is at the brink of collapse, a crisis of epic proportions, on and on. Given the nature of what has happened and is happening, these characterisations seem justified. But what is absent in the current political discourse is a faintest sign of an endgame. How is this going to end? When and where would the country come to an equilibrium point more..

Apr 11 (ST) The crisis-ridden govt is about to face another humanitarian issue in finding a redress for distressed borrowers and managing their grievances while safeguarding the banks and financial institutions following the March 31 expiry of moratoriums given to repay loans. It has to take an urgent decision on this issue involving a large number of people suffering from high cost of living as they have already lost their incomes more..

Apr 11 (ST) Renowned badminton coach, Darshana Fernando, who is based in Canada for decades, is currently on a coaching tour in the Asia Pacific region conducting training and coaching programmes in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Fernando made a brief stop in Colombo on his way to training project in the three countries, which has become an annual pilgrimage to the former alumni of St. Thomas’ College, Guruthalawa. “This is a great honour for me, especially being more..

Apr 11 (FT) Although SL’s Muslims form nearly 10% of the population of SL, a comprehensive work detailing their main places of worship and recording their history, evolution and architecture has been a long-felt need. This lacuna is now filled with a well-illustrated coffee table book Iconic Masjids of Ceylon authored by Asiff Hussein and published by the Ceylon Baithulmal Fund. This monumental, painstakingly crafted work is the most noteworthy contribution to recording the rich heritage more..

Apr 11 (FT) A high-powered five-person team has come together to promote the growth of raw industrial hemp (medicinal marijuana) in Sri Lanka. They are Lead Marion Marithasan from Denver, USA, former Ambassador Buddhi Athauda from Washington DC, USA, Senior Advisor Entrepreneur Dr. Arosha Fernando from Colombo, SL, Operations and Programme Management Head Nish Hettigama from Sydney, Australia, and Local Research and Development Head Lahiru Dileepa Fonseka more..

Apr 11 (FT) In a mission to provide emergency relief to the worst impacted families and communities in the country due to the ongoing economic crisis, Dialog Axiata, MAS Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, and PwC SL joined forces to launch the Manudam Mehewara relief initiative. Driven by its shared values and vision of providing immediate assistance to marginalised and vulnerable communities, the Manudam Mehewara corporate coalition more..

Apr 11 (FT) New Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on Friday faulted the way the exchange rate was managed by his predecessor saying the fixed rate was too long whilst on the other hand free float was not credible in terms of timing and sequencing. He said that the rupee was artificially protected for too long with a fixed maximum rate thereby incentivising the black market. more..

Apr 11 (FT) University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne on Saturday highlighted the urgent need to preserve historic buildings that often go unnoticed in this modern world. She made the suggestion at the launch of the coffee table book on College House – the administrative hub of the University of Colombo in the Senate Hall of the College House on Thurstan Road. The occasion also marked the declaration of this magnificent mansion which was once a family home of more..

Apr 11 (FT) Weekend COVID-19 detections totalled 87, with daily detections remaining below 60 on Saturday and Sunday. 33 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. This is the lowest number of COVID-19 cases detected in a day since 8 Oct 2020, when 29 COVID-19 patients were detected. The previous day, 54 COVID-19 cases were detected. 1,753 PCR tests and 1,369 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Saturday. A total of 662,592 Covid patients have been detected to date. more..

Apr 11 (Island) SL is trying to have USS 500m Indian Credit Line for fuel increased to US$1b. Janaka Ratnayaka, Chairman of PUCSL said that SL was seeking to have the Indian credit line doubled in line with overall efforts to tackle the worsening crises. Emphasising the importance of doubling the Indian credit line, Ratnayake revealed that another combination of 200 MT of fuel would be delivered within a short period, more..

Apr 11 (FT) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday called for the resignation of the remaining appointed members of the Monetary Board to ensure proper accountability. He was responding to the CBSL new Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe’s statement backing the credentials and conduct of the remaining appointed members Sanjeeva Jayawardena, PC, and Dr. Ranee Jayamaha. The other appointed member Samantha Kumarasinghe resigned early last week following the exit more..

Apr 11 (CT) An all-round performance helped Kandy outplay Jaffna (On First Innings Points) and clinch the National Super League 4-Day Tournament after the fourth and final day was hampered by heavy rain at the Galle Int'l Stadium. Earlier, Kandy posted 444 all out in their first innings batting first, while Jaffna were bowled out for 227. Oshada Fernando (109) and Kamindu Mendis (87) were the heroes with the bat for Kandy, as the duo contributed a match winning 188 run partnership to virtually seal more..

Apr 11 (ST) People from all walks of life flocked to Galle Face Green yesterday for the largest gathering yet, against govt. Artists, students, professionals, were among those who joined the protest from morning with the crowd increasing towards evening. Crowd consisted of people from different parts of SL, with some carrying boards with the location they were from. Injured war veterans, people with visual and auditory impairments also joined the crowd as they chanted Go Gota Go, more..

Apr 11 (ANI) Former PM of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday accused the incumbent govt of plunging the country into a deep economic and political crisis with its incompetence in dealing with the financial challenges while also stating that the utter failure has led to a situation where the people are standing in long queues. “It (economic crisis) never happened in our time…when our govt was here there were no queues of the people to buy the basic necessities. more..

Apr 11 (ST) Treasury has directed Ministry Secretaries to take over vehicles, houses furniture and office equipment of all ministers who have tendered their resignations. Circular was issued after the resignation of 26 ministers by the Treasury. It was signed by the then Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle before he stepped down from office. Circular was titled Proper recording and reporting of all non-financial assets of the Govt to more..