Aug 8 (EN) Ministry of Power & Energy has authorised the establishment of 50 new filling stations by Lanka IOC PLC, the local unit of the LIOC. LIOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta said that advertisements on the filling stations will appear in a week or so. “Sheds cannot be opened overnight. We will put out the advertisements and open them in the fifty locations. The ministry of power and energy has given approval. We will put out advertisements in a week or so,” more..

Aug 8 (AD) The Ministry of Wildlife says that a team headed by an Additional Secretary is on its way to Hatton to investigate into the killing of a leopard. Action will be taken if it is uncovered that wildlife officials were responsible for the animal’s death, the ministry said. A leopard which had been caught in a trap attached to a tree on Saturday night (06) had died from injuries despite the efforts by wildlife officers to chop down the tree and rescue the animal. more..

Aug 8 (Island) Former Chairman of the COPE Prof. Charitha Herath said that though the prorogation of the Parliament led to the dissolution of the watchdog committee it shouldn’t hinder a planned inquiry to identify those responsible for the current economic chaos. Prof. Herath said that the COPE was about to initiate the probe when the prorogation of the Parliament took place. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe prorogued the House more..

Aug 8 (CT) SL spinner Prabath Jayasuriya’s sensational start to international cricket has been capped off by winning the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2022. Jayasuriya beat England batter and June’s Player of the Month winner Jonny Bairstow, and French sensation Gustav McKeon for the coveted monthly award, after a brilliant start to international cricket in the longest format. The 30-year-old was thrilled to have won the monthly award. “I am delighted with this announcement, more..

Aug 8 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has claimed to be aware that some TNA MPs voted for him at July 20 parliamentary vote for Prez. TNA sources said Prez said so at his first meeting at his office with the party as a single group. A senior TNA MP said that with the voting secret, the truth may never be known, but the president claimed to know that at least some TNA MPs backed him. “He said: ’I know some of you voted for me’. It was his first meeting with Tamil MPs. more..

Aug 8 (CT) Peradeniya Uni’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, tested elephants participating in the Esala Perahera for Leptospirosis (rat fever) and other illnesses. A special elephant medical clinic was held yesterday at Sri Dalada Maligawa and Siv Maha Devala premises in Kandy. Prof. Ashoka Dangolla said the diseases, injuries, allergies, and chronic diseases of elephants were examined, and that diseases that may occur due to heavy rains will also be investigated. more..

Aug 8 (Island) The US Congresswoman, representing the western State of Nevada – using her influential role in the House Foreign Affairs Committee – has taken an active role in getting the Congress and the State Department to assist the economically-devastated SL, well reflected in her participation at a humanitarian assistance testimony in Capitol Hill last week. She questioned two officials attached to the USAID who were summoned to give details of the economic calamity in SL. more..

Aug 8 (DM) The prices of 12.5kg domestic LITRO gas cylinders will be reduced by Rs. 246 from midnight today, LITRO Lanka Chairman Muditha Peiris said. Accordingly, the new retail price of the 12.5kg gas cylinder will be Rs. 4,664. The 5 kg gas cylinder will be reduced by Rs.99 and the 2.3 kg cylinder will be reduced by Rs.45 from tonight. The price reduction is mainly due to the fluctuation in global gas prices, the chairman said. more..

Aug 8 (HT) SL has allowed permission to the Chinese built-Pakistani guided missile frigate PNS Taimur to make a port call at Colombo while on its way to join the Pakistan Navy in Karachi. Build by Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, the warship is on its maiden voyage to Pakistan while exercising en-route with Cambodian and Malaysian navies. The ship is expected to be at Colombo port from Aug 12-15, 2022. While SL gave permission to the Pakistani guided missile frigate to make more..

Aug 8 (AD) SL wrestler Nethmi Ahinsa who won a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg freestyle wrestling event at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham has returned to SL, early this morning. The officials representing the Ministry of Sports and the Wrestling Federation of SL were present at the Airport premises to receive her. 18-year-old successfully secured victory over Australia’s Irene Symeonidis by technical superiority in the bronze medal match in the women’s 57kg more..

Aug 8 (TM) Following concerns expressed by Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer/questioning (LGBTIQ) persons, Prez Ranil Wickremasinghe issued a gazette removing Sections 365 and 365 A of the Penal Code from the emergency regulations that were gazetted by him and passed in Parliament with a majority last month. Section 360 of the Penal Code terms voluntary carnal intercourse against more..

Aug 8 (AD) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says that National Fuel Pass QR code system is open for new registrations again. Dept of Motor Traffic has concluded their scheduled maintenance and that the system is now available for new registrations again. Registering new users to the National Fuel Pass was disabled for 48 hours from Friday due to planned maintenance work by the Dept of Motor Traffic. Meanwhile in a twitter message, Minister released the complete one week’s data more..

Aug 8 (TM) Kuliyapitiya Police stated that they have been receiving information pertaining to students who have behaved inappropriately in a business building called the Gama shopping complex situated in the heart of the Kuliyapitiya town, and also said there are complaints related to sexual harassment taking place in said location that have now resulted in court proceedings. Complaints have been received on a daily basis about this place, which has been turned into a hotspot for gang violence. more..

Aug 8 (DM) The SLFP will support anyone who is committed to resolve the crisis which SL is facing today, its Chairman Former President Maithripala Sirisena said. Speaking during a ceremony organized by Member of CMC M.N. Manzil, Sirisena said his party will support anyone or any government which is committed to resolve issues faced by the people of Sri Lanka today without accepting ministries. “People of this country are affected by high prices of essential goods and services. more..

Aug 8 (NR) Director General of Trade Unions to the President Saman Rathnapriya says while he has been a part of protests he has not violated Court orders. Rathnapriya said many questions have been raised over the arrest of trade union leader Joseph Stalin and not him and other union leaders. Rathnapriya said while he does not agree with Stalin’s arrest, false claims and opinions must not be circulated. He added that charges are being levelled that Stalin and him were part of the same more..

Aug 8 (DM) SL’s self-developed poultry and dairy industries are on the verge of collapse amid rising input costs and shortages of animal & veterinary medicines along with fuel shortage and rupee liquidity issues in the banking sector, raising concerns of food security and malnutrition. “Not only the shortage and high prices of raw materials for poultry feed, but also power and fuel have been a bottleneck for our operations. more..

Aug 8 (DM) JVP will participate at a discussion with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe tomorrow to discuss forming an all-party govt, JVP politburo member Sunil Handunnetti said. He said that they would take part at the discussion following an invitation from the Prez. Hadunnetti said they would clarify to Prez the stance of the JVP on forming an all-party govt and added that they would, however, not join the all-party govt. "We have already disclosed our stance to the country on an all-party govt. more..

Aug 8 (EN) SL’s bond markets were frozen Monday with a few maturities being offered at higher yields but no firms bids, dealers said in the wake of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s comments Friday over possible rupee bond restructuring. A bond maturing on 01.06.2025 was offered around 28% Monday with no firm bids up from 27.55/65% on Friday. Bond maturing on 15.01.2028 offered at 25% with no firm bids, up from 24/25.5% Friday morning. There were no quotes or trading in other securities. more..

Aug 8 (DM) Attorney General gave an undertaking before Court of Appeal not to construct new roads and repair existing roads within Sinharaja Forest Reserve. AG gave this undertaking when a writ petition filed challenging construction of reservoirs and roads in Sinharaja forest was taken up before Court of Appeal. State Counsel Navodi de Zoysa appearing for the AG informed court that the authorities would not construct new roads more..

Aug 8 (EN) Teachers’ unions in Sri Lanka organised a demonstration in Colombo against the arrest of union leader Joseph Stalin, who was released on bail hours before the protest began prompting them to then demand an end to what they called a govt crackdown. The protestors on Monday August 08 demanded that the authorities stop arresting peaceful protesters. “Stop arresting and abducting peaceful protesters,” one placard said. “Repeal the emergency,” said another. more..

Aug 8 (DM) Plans have been drawn to dispense fuel for vehicles engaged in public transportation and taxi services as per QR code, Transport Ministry said. They said the decision was taken following a discussion held at the Ministry this morning with the participation of the Transport Minister, several officials and representatives of 15 major professional three-wheeler associations and representatives of taxi associations. Under this plan, it is to identify the volume of fuel required separately for SLTB more..

Aug 8 (TM) Kayleigh Fraser, Scottish national whose passport was seized by authorities last week, is scheduled to appear for investigation today (8) at the Dept of Immigration and Emigration. The officials from the Dept of Immigration and Emigration said that the visa for her visit had been issued for medical reasons, and that further information in this regard would be revealed in the course of the next few days. “She is scheduled to appear for investigation tomorrow, after which more information more..

Aug 8 (DM) SJB said they are only prepared for an all-party national programme and not for an all-party govt. SJB National Organizer Tissa Attanayake and MP S.M. Marikar said that their party had informed Prez Ranil Wickremeisnghe that they are not going to participate in an all-party govt but will only support a programme compiled by all political parties. “We don’t intend to take up ministries but are only prepared to participate in a national programme compiled by all political parties,” more..

Aug 8 (TM) Protestors of the aragalaya (struggle) have declared 9 August as a national day of protest (Jathika Virodatha Dinaya) in their respective cities and regions. People will gather in their own towns to protest against State repression, especially demanding that the Govt abolish the state of emergency, emergency law, and PTA, as well as that it release all protestors who have been arrested and that it cease hunting down of protestors. more..

Aug 8 (CT) EPDP General Secretary, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has taken steps to provide Land Deeds to families that were settled by the EPDP between 1993 and 1997 in ten areas of the Trincomalee District. He said the EPDP’s goal was to help rebuild the lives of people who migrated to India during the war and were now living with friends and relatives following their return. Some were still in welfare centres. These people do not have a single plot of land to call their own. more..

Aug 8 (PTI) Riled by SL's request to defer the planned docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the strategic Hambantota Port, China on Monday took a dig at India, saying it was senseless to pressure Colombo by citing the issue of security concerns. SL has asked Beijing to defer the arrival of the Chinese space and satellite tracking research vessel Yuan Wang 5 which was scheduled to dock at the Hambantota Port from August 11 to 17 due to security concerns expressed by India. more..

Aug 9 (DM) Has the political crisis that had engulfed the country some two weeks ago been resolved? Despite some groups questioning the legitimacy of the Prez and the govt, Prez was constitutionally elected by the Parliament on July 20 and Cabinet was also sworn in by him on July 22 according to the law. Protests against the govt seem to be gradually withering away. The question of legitimacy of the Prez and the govt is being raised on the grounds that the Prez was voted in by the majority more..

Aug 9 (GV) Families in SL are fast adopting negative coping strategies to deal with the economic crisis. A recently concluded Rapid Needs Assessment by Save the Children revealed that families are resorting to negative coping strategies such as borrowing money, selling assets and cutting down meals just to meet their basic needs. During the past few months, the crisis has been fast affecting vulnerable children and families the most. The consequences of the economic collapse more..

Aug 9 (DM) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka recently said in Parliament that he and his party would join a final battle to remove corrupt rulers from power on Aug 9. However SJB disassociated itself from Fonseka’s stance. Having played a pivotal role in defeating the LTTE 13 years ago, Fonseka entered active politics by contesting the 2010 Prez Election, in which he lost to former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. Later he join the UNP but more..

Aug 9 (DM) My father instilled in me in childhood, to always have the courage to stand up for what I believe in, irrespective of public opinion, or whoever disagrees with me. This inspired me to never lose hope in Ranil Wickremesinghe, stand up for him, and pray daily for his protection. I have never changed my political stance, have always supported the UNP, never asked for or received any favours for doing so. My political mentor was the late Prez JR Jayewardene in my schooldays. more..

Aug 9 (CT) The country has barely escaped from the burden of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour. It is now facing the threat of newer vistas – the vistas of Social Market Economy, courtesy of the new Prez, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Gota-Ranil transition may have been all smooth and seamless at the summit, but down in the troughs it is all the same turmoil and travails. After securing his election as Prez with 134 votes on July 20, Ranil Wickremesinghe more..

Aug 9 (TM) Short-sighted decisions coupled with Sri Lanka’s structural problems pushed the country into a deep crisis, said Economist Rehana Thowfeek. “Despite the dangers posed to the economy, the Govt, its officials, and advisors decided not to seek an IMF intervention until well past the 11th hour. These short-sighted decisions, coupled with our structural problems, have sent us into deep crisis – more..

Aug 9 (TM) What the Galle Face protest, which is the face of the aragalaya (struggle), has achieved four months after it began is the subject of fierce debate. It overthrew a Prez, a PM, and a Govt, who it claimed were responsible for the prevailing economic crisis; however, there is a lot more it seeks to achieve, and those who are part of the aragalaya are determined to continue the momentum. As part of this endeavour, protestors of the aragalaya have declared today (9) a national day of protest more..

Aug 9 (CT) The Japanese Embassy said, its Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi called on Prez Wickremesinghe on the previous day, Friday. At the meeting, Ambassador delivered the letter of congratulation from Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, it said. Mizukoshi had expressed appreciation for highlighting the friendship between SL and Japan during Wickremesinghe’s speech delivered in Parliament on 3 Aug and also for the respect paid on demise of former PM Shinzo Abe, more..

Aug 9 (Island) SL is no doubt a land like no other. Nowhere else in the world are intellectually-challenged, self-important characters are allowed to go places as leaders, causing irreparable damage to vital sectors, especially the economy. Sri Lankans have earned notoriety for not only suffering fools gladly but also electing and deifying them. Mahadenamutta, self-proclaimed pundit who always comes out with stupid solutions which turn out to be worse than problems he undertakes to more..