Aug 12 (ANI) With fuel shortages raging across the country and prices skyrocketing as the currency rapidly depreciates and foreign reserves deplete, SL citizens are facing, among other issues, difficulty accessing food. However, domestic production of pulses such as black matpe and green mung bean has returned and yields for this year are looking promising as farmers even prepare to enter the export market, which is showing good prices, said global pulses body Global Pulse more..

Aug 12 (ANI) India has rejected insinuations by China that it had exerted pressure on Colombo to defer the visit of a high-tech Chinese research vessel to Hambantota port and said SL is a sovereign country and makes its own independent decisions. "We reject the insinuations in the statement about India. SL is a sovereign country and makes its own independent decisions," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam more..

Aug 12 (CT) Minister Douglas Devananda said, he is closely monitoring the operation of fishery harbours and is taking the necessary steps to address deficiencies while developing them with sophisticated modern facilities. Minister Devananda went on to say that he was committed to resolving the country’s foreign reserve shortage by resolving the grievances of fishermen who bring in foreign income. “It is planned to extend the Kalpitiya Fishery Harbour’s breakwater by 75 metres. more..

Aug 12 (SLC) Sri Lanka Cricket handed over Training Kits for 51 District and Provincial Coaches, who plays an important role in preparing the young cricketing talent from across the country for the future. The training kits, which was handed over recently at the RPICS, Colombo, consisted of Fielding Bats, Senior and Junior Balls, Side Arm, Plastic Stumps, Spring Wickets, Stop Watches, Stretch Bands, and cooler box, among many other important training tools. more..

Aug 12 (F2F) CEB will raise tariffs by 264 per cent for people consuming the least, it recently announced, while a smaller hike will be faced by users consuming more. The decision is expected to have some detrimental impact on the country’s garment industry as most units would fall under the more use category. CEB has been permitted to increase rates by 264% to consumers who use below 30 units up to a maximum of 198 rupees and by 211% for consumers whose between more..

Aug 12 (CT) Petroleum dealers complain that the Ministry of Power and Energy has not provided the National Fuel Pass QR code system to the country’s essential services and that has caused a slew of problems when distributing fuel. Petroleum Dealers’ Association (PDA) Co-Secretary Kapila Naotunna said it is difficult to provide an explanation to the Ministry if fuel was not released in accordance with the QR code. He elaborated that if an ambulance needs to refill its tank quickly, they too must more..

Aug 12 (ICC) ICC Hall of Famer Mahela Jayawardena was impressed by Prabath Jayasuriya's exceptional start in Test cricket and discussed the promise he holds for SL's future. Jayasuriya made an impressive start to his Test career, taking three or more wickets in each innings of his Test career so far, and walked away with the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for July 2022. Jayasuriya, who debuted in the Galle Test against Australia more..

Aug 12 (CT) Cheap and clean renewable energy (RE) led by CEB Hydro provided over 50% of SL’s electricity demand for 11 consecutive days to Wednesday (10), CEB data from yesterday showed. The last time this phenomenon took place was 63 days ago, where, for 30 consecutive days to 8 June 2022, over 50% of the island’s electricity needs were met by RE led by CEB Hydro. In the interim 63 days to Wednesday, over 50 per cent of the island’s electricity needs were met for 32 days, more..

Aug 12 (AD) The officers of the STF have managed to rescue a girl who had been abducted in the Lunugala area. The 14-year-old girl was reportedly kidnapped on Aug 03, and investigations were initiated by the officers of Lunugala and Passara Police STF camps to trace the missing girl, after being notified by Lunugala Police. Accordingly, the abducted girl and the two suspects who were involved in the abduction have been taken into custody at Lunugala Udakiruwa forest more..

Aug 12 (Hindu) Hundreds of Tamil mothers on Friday took out a rally in Kilinochchi district to mark 2,000 days of their relentless struggle, seeking truth and justice for their loved ones who forcibly disappeared during and after the civil war. Women wearing black sarees and headbands marched in Kilinochchi carrying photographs of their missing relatives. “Where are children who surrendered to the army?”, more..

Aug 12 (NR) MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena says Parliament should support Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to solve the current issues face by the country. Speaking in Parliament on President’s Policy Statement delivered last week, MP said the President has taken the responsibility to address the pressing issues of the country at a time when several so-called leaders backed away. He said protesters few months ago demanded the resignation of former Prez Rajapaksa with more..

Aug 12 (PTI) Former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa is staying at a hotel in Bangkok in the heart of Thailand's capital, where police have advised the ousted SL president to remain indoors for security reasons. Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand with three other people on a chartered flight from Singapore at Wing 6 of the military airport adjacent to Don Mueang Int'l Airport around 8 pm local time on Thursday. The group had planned to land in Phuket but concerns about a possible information more..

Aug 13 (DM) The ruling SLPP and some of the political parties which were closely connected to it until recently such as the NFF are hell-bent in vilifying and demonizing the people’s uprising, commonly known as the Aragalaya that overthrew the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Presidency and proved how unpopular the govt dominated by the SLPP is. They attempt to portray the uprising as terrorism using the despicable criminal incidents committed by some of those among the protestors, despite more..

Aug 13 (DM) While SL is still embroiled in its worst ever socio-economic and political crisis, we face a more important battle against climate change. The US and Europe are going through their hottest summer with temperatures in some areas rising to as much as 150°F. This week the state of Kentucky suffered its worst ever flooding with tens of thousands of people losing their residences and properties. Pope Francis and other religious leaders are regularly telling us that we need to get more..

Aug 13 (DM) Leon Trotsky famously observed, Politics is more like algebra than like elementary arithmetic, and still more like higher rather than elementary mathematics. The recent election of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe by MPs appears to be an illustrative example of Trotsky’s statement about Politics being more like Algebra than Arithmetic. Prior to actual voting by the 225 MP’s, it was SLPP dissident MP, more..

Aug 13 (CT) The last remaining tents and other temporary constructions set up at Galle Face, otherwise known as GotaGoGama, were removed by the STF and UDA on Friday, marking an end to months-long occupation of the iconic land area by the Aragalaya protesters. SL has a long history of protests. Although divided along political party lines, the country’s vibrant trade union culture stems from SL’s hesitant flirtation with Socialism and stands as the only allusion to part of country’s name, more..

Aug 13 (GV) The situation of Asian elephants, SL elephants in particular, is critical due to the increase in human-elephant conflicts. Even before the current economic crisis, Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) victims were in a vicious circle of poverty as recurrent HEC consequences destroyed their farmlands and livelihoods for which they have not received compensation. Resolving this issue was not integrated with protecting the rights of the victims, who have not been consulted in more..

Aug 13 (CT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Kandy on Thursday to witness the final Randoli Esala Perahera of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Traditionally, the Head of State, who is the Prez, is informed that the Perahera has been successfully concluded flowing the final Randoli Perahera and Diya Kapima cermony the following morning. Prez Wickremesinghe was provided with an SLAF chopper for journey. more..

Aug 13 (CT) There is a centralized focus these days on the Dollar Crisis. In the course of addressing ways and means of resolving the issue, the attention remains much concentrated as the trusted last expedient, on possible aid and assistance from Int'l Financial Organizations such as World Bank and the IMF. These Organizations have already laid down as prerequisites of any assistance programs, the immediate need for the Govt to address and effect meaningful reforms in public sector more..

Aug 13 (CT) Divided from the Indian subcontinent, yet also deeply connected to it, SL has never had an opportunity of forging and shaping a foreign policy of its own. The high point of its foreign relations, under the three Bandaranaike administrations over a period of 20 years, did signal an effort, and a sincere one, towards this end. Yet with the election of a staunchly pro-Western govt in 1977, the emphasis on nonalignment that had been a hallmark of the island’s foreign policy ruptured, never to be more..

Aug 13 (Island) Govt’s high-octane performance is really amazing although Opposition has accused it of doing nothing by way of problem solving. It has already solved many problems since the appointment of the new Prez and the new Cabinet, and is in the process of tackling many others. UNP has overcome many problems, thanks to current dispensation. It has come in from the cold, at last. It was in penury following its disastrous electoral loss in 2020, but is showing signs of recovery. more..

Aug 13 (TM) For more than 25 years, I have had the privilege and pleasure of enjoying a close friendship with Prof. Colvin Goonaratna, a great medical teacher, skilled and inventive researcher, practical and efficient manager, and SL’s unrivalled medical editor and writer. I count our friendship, which commenced from my interest in clinical research and writing, as one of the blessings of my life. We rejoice that he is still bristling with ideas for research and writing even as he is about to celebrate more..

Aug 13 (GV) Over the past 4 months, the young people of SL have proved to be more courageous and innovative than preceding generations. In the past, the youth have expressed their frustrations and anger with the established status quo through violent insurrections that resulted in the tragic loss of lives of the brightest and the best, both young and old. But 2022 saw the birth of unprecedented peaceful and nonviolent protests led by young people more..

Aug 13 (FT) Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit After Tax of Rs. 1,504 million for the six months ended 30 June against Rs. 2,105 million reported in the corresponding period of 2021. The bank said this has been seen by financial analysts as commendable given the extremely challenging and adverse conditions the bank operated in, with SL facing its worst economic crisis since Independence, especially in Q2 this year. Net Interest income increased from Rs. 10,971m to Rs. 16,851m, more..

Aug 13 (CT) Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Nicholas Pooran are the latest big names from the Caribbean to sign up for the UAE’s Int'l League T20 (ILT20), along with SL’s Dasun Shanaka, England’s Ollie Pope and Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi. The league also said that its six franchises – owned by Reliance Industries, Kolkata Knight Riders, Capri Global, GMR, Lancer Capital, and Adani Sportsline – have finalised contracting players through the directly acquire players option, more..

Aug 13 (FT) The rally at the Colombo stock market persisted with greater vigour yesterday with turnover hitting over a six-month high and ending the week on a high. For the week, the the benchmark ASPI gained 694 points (8.3%) and the active S&P SL20 by 344 points +12.6%). In the previous week ASPI and the S&P SL20 gained 8% and 11% respectively. Daily turnover averaged Rs. 4.9 billion improving significantly from Rs. 2.9 billion in the previous week. more..

Aug 13 (DN) SL’s para-athletes continue to be treated poorly despite the world record-breaking effort of Dinesh Priyantha Herath to clinch a historic gold medal in the mens F42 javelin throw at the Tokyo Paralympics last year. Coming close on the heels of Sri Lankas 9-member team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics failing to make any lasting impression, a country reeling from the global pandemic embraced the deeds of a war hero which was arguably akin to Olympic medals more..

Aug 13 (CT) SL’s unemployment rate has reduced to 4.3% during the first quarter of this year, from 5.1% a year ago as well as during the same quarter of 2020. According to the statistics office 373,272 individuals were unemployed in the country during the first quarter of this year, which is 4.3% of the economically active population. As per the statistic’s 3% of the economically active males and 6.5% of females were without jobs. more..

Aug 13 (DN) The long-awaited SL Schools Novices Swimming and Diving Meet will commence this weekend at the Sugathadasa Indoor Swimming Pool, offering aspiring swimmers an opportunity to showcase their talents on a national platform after almost two years. The event organized by the SL Schools Aquatic Sports Association while it will be sponsored by Nestle MILO in line with its ambition of supporting grass-root sports in the country. Drawing applications from over 5,000 swimmers more..

Aug 13 (ST) As the battle for the World Test Championship heats up among the nine Test playing nations, the home series against Pakistan was crucial for the hosts. The drawn series against Australia provided them an outside chance of qualifying for the World Test Championship final at Lords next year. Dimuth Karunaratne and his team was buoyant about their prospects of toppling Pakistan in familiar conditions. On their previous tour to the island in 2015, Pakistan were able to more..

Aug 13 (CT) The 20-year-old crude oil tanker MT New Diamond, flying the Panamanian flag, caught fire on 3 Sept 2020, 38 nautical miles east of Sangaman Kanda Point in Sri Lanka. On 3 Sept 2022, two years will elapse since the disaster occurred. Strangely, no civil cases regarding compensation recovery have been filed under the Marine Pollution Prevention Act. There are concerns that if a lawsuit is not brought within 2 years, more..

Aug 13 (ST) Imagine a physically weak person with chronic illnesses, getting caught up in stormy weather and getting wet in heavy rain! If this feeble person’s illnesses become serious and fatal, different people may diagnose the cause of his death differently. Some people may identify the rain under which he got wet as the cause of his death. “He was caught up in the rain, fell ill and died, unfortunately”, one would say. But others may recognise his historically weak health status more..

Aug 13 (FT) PM Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday urged the United Nations Development Program to increase assistance to development of small and medium enterprises of rural community based organisations. He also urged support for community enterprises of the urban poor. Gunawardena made this request when UNDP Deputy Regional Director for Asia & Pacific Christophe Bahuet called on him at PM’s Office. “We assure continuous support to SL, country we consider as an important partner” more..

Aug 13 (FT) Sampath Bank said yesterday it continued to maintain a solid capital base and stable liquidity profile in the first half of 2022 notwithstanding multiple economic challenges. The bank said it remains vigilant in identifying the current economic issues and has continued to implement in a proactive manner the required countermeasures, clearly demonstrating its strength and stability. In line with that objective and in order to improve the foreign currency liquidity position, more..

Aug 13 (DM) The first ever Dornier aircraft obtained from India will be inducted to SL Air Force (SLAF) Fleet to enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of SL. SLAF said during the Defence Dialog between India and SL on 0th January 2018 in New Delhi, Govt of SL (GOSL) sought the possibility of obtaining two (02) Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India. As a sequel to the request of SL govt, Indian govt has agreed to provide one dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft more..