Jul 16 (GV) There’s been quite a lot of damage done in Sri Lanka over the past few days; damage to both public and personal property, which has been splashed all over the world media and often misrepresented by media outlets who are familiar with the dynamics of sensationalism, and whose reporters cannot conceive of peaceful protests. Protestors inevitably have to, according to them, clash with police. Look at the verbs deployed in these reports and you will see the way events more..

Jul 16 (CT) On the second week of March 2022 the State Intelligence Service (SIS), in a detailed report to Prez Rajapaksa informed him that the ongoing public ire, against the Govt, was beyond control of any political party and may intensify within the next few weeks. Yet, not in his wildest dreams would Prez Rajapaksa or the all powerful Rajapaksa clan have imagined they would be compelled to go into hiding in fear of life amidst growing public anger. more..

Jul 16 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa officially resigned as President effective from Thursday, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said on Friday. Within a week, Parliament will elect a new President, he said. Until then, UNP leader and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe will be the acting Prez, Speaker added. Rajapaksa’s resignation is a first in the annals of SL’s 44-year history of the Exec Presidency which came into being in 1978. During this period, other than Rajapaksa and R Premadasa, all other more..

Jul 16 (TM) At the moment, the general discussion in SL is about the formation of a new Govt. Practically speaking, that is the most immediate and urgent task. As there are many views expressed on that issue, we will not comment on it, and we assume that this issue will be resolved soon. However, an issue that is not yet discussed is this – what will be the foremost priority of this new Govt once it is agreed upon? We suggest that in order to address the most vital issue at the moment, more..

Jul 16 (ST) Police have begun the search for the culprits who cut a tusk off a dying tusker, while it was fighting to survive. Police have also used the help of Police intelligence to find the culprits, a senior official of the Kebithigollewa Police said. He also said they have already gained some information on the culprits. After being notified about some people cutting a tusk off a mortally wounded elephant, the Police officers from Kebithigollewa Police station had visited the Thithagonawa area. more..

Jul 16 (CI) There was a time when it felt like Pakistan Test cricket subsisted largely on series against Sri Lanka. Between 2009 and 2015, there were no fewer than seven Test series between the two sides, with Pakistan visiting Sri Lanka four times in six years to play 11 Tests. Only one player from each side is still part of the squad that began that cycle in 2009. For Sri Lanka, it's the relatively ever-present Angelo Mathews, and for Pakistan, whatever the opposite of that is in Fawad Alam. more..

Jul 16 (TM) Addressing identified barriers to hospital-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) through policy and administrative support, and scaling up hospital-based HIV testing further while ensuring sustainability, are recommended. These recommendations were made in a paper on “HIV prevalence among medical in-ward patients in the National Hospital of SL (NHSL) in Colombo more..

Jul 16 (Island) The July 9th uprising is a revolutionary moment. The people have spoken, in their millions, in the midst of a grave economic collapse, demanding change and clamouring for greater democracy. They pointed out the dire failure of the political leadership at the top. Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled overseas, without resigning, holding the country to ransom; and Ranil Wickremesinghe, who promised to resign, was made Acting Prez and is using the arbitrary powers of the office of more..

Jul 16 (Island) The ordinary people must have thought they would benefit from the Galle Face Aragalaya and threw their weight behind the protesting youth. But the main beneficiary of the Aragalaya has been Ranil Wickremesinghe; first wave of protests enabled him to secure the premiership, and the second one made him the Acting Prez! The people continue to suffer, and Wickremesinghe is grinning from ear to ear while the Aragalaya activists are licking their wounds more..

Jul 16 (DN) We have the advantage of playing against Pakistan in the first Test at Galle Int'l Cricket Stadium today and want to produce a result in our favour after playing three consecutive Test matches (two Australian test matches and Pakistan first Test) said SL Test cricket skipper Dimuth Karunaratne at the the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday. The press briefing was conducted by SLC media on Galle grounds more..

Jul 16 (Island) After a hard fought win in the second Test against Australia this week, Sri Lanka could make further inroads in ICC World Test Championship in the Test series against Pakistan that gets underway today in Galle. Dimuth Karunaratne’s side is currently placed third in the points table of WTC behind Australia and South Africa and although a series win will not take them above any of the teams, they will be widening the gap between themselves & 4th placed India. more..

Jul 16 (Island) Expectations are not high when Nilani Ratnayake competes in the heats of the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase on day two of the World Athletics Championships in Oregon on Saturday but her coach Sajith Jayalal believes that the diehard distance runner has the opportunity to lay the foundation for future success at this discipline dominated by Kenyans. Ratnayake who improved her national record to 9:40.24 seconds in April had only herself to compete against during this yr more..

Jul 16 (FT) The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), issuing a statement on the resignation of Prez Rajapaksa, paid tribute to the service rendered by the SL leader during his short tenure as the eighth Executive President of SL. SLPP said that the most seen in the political world are attempts to take political power, and relinquishing power and positions is very rare. “In the history of the country, no Executive President has left office before the end of his term. It is indeed a difficult decision.” more..

Jul 16 (DM) Introduced in 2011, the FastTrack summer internship programme of John Keells Group, returns this year partnering with London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and Unilever Sri Lanka, to provide undergraduates with a unique opportunity to participate in a four-week internship. The partnership agreement was signed recently by John Keells Group Chief People Officer and Head of Sustainability, Enterprise Risk Management and Group Initiatives Isuru Gunasekera, more..

Jul 16 (CT) Compared to rubber and rice, cinnamon cultivation in Sri Lanka does not suffer from a monopoly, and it is a profitable business, with 90% of cinnamon cultivation spread across the country. SL made over USD 1 billion revenue from rubber exports last year, but the country also produces value-added goods, which means profits aren’t merely USD 1 billion. Around 350,000 families in SL depend on more..

Jul 16 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Acting President before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya yesterday shortly after the official announcement of the resignation of incumbent Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The six-times Premier Wickremesinghe will function in his interim post till 20 July when MPs will vote to elect a successor to Rajapaksa to serve remainder of the latter’s term. Parliament will meet today when the Secretary General of Parliament more..

Jul 16 (CT) Pakistan skipper Babar Azam Friday expressed confidence in Sri Lankan security amid countrywide protests against the President and Prime Minister seeking their resignations. Speaking to the media ahead of the first of the two-match series, the Pakistani captain said that they have been looked after well by the local authorities. “We didn’t feel unsafe here in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Cricket has looked after us really well and the security provided to us is great,” he said, more..

Jul 16 (Nature) SL is in a state of crisis. With the country in vast amounts of debt and inflation sky-high, the govt doesn’t have enough money to import fuel, exacerbating food shortages. Last weekend, protesters marched into the official residence of Prez Rajapaksa, demanding his immediate resignation. He has since fled the country. More than six million Sri Lankans — three in every ten households — don’t know more..

Jul 16 (DM) Acceptance of postal shipments for the USA, Netherlands, Israel and Russian countries has been temporarily suspended due to the suspension and restriction of flights to Sri Lanka due to fuel crisis. Postmaster Ranjith Ariyaratne said negotiations are underway with foreign airlines to resume mail transportation to the above destinations. He said that due to the difficulty in providing sufficient fuel, there has been a delay in the mail transport activities within the country. more..

Jul 16 (Island) eChannelling, the channelling arm of SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT, Telecom and Mobile Services Provider launched its novel product Eco Channelling Delivery a doorstep distribution system for medication, personalising healthcare further and creating a more environmentally friendly distribution mechanism. Importantly, SLT-MOBITEL is the first telco brand to launch this novel, sustainable and valuable service. Medication once ordered is delivered to customers within more..

Jul 16 (FT) Embassy of Japan in SL in a statement expressed its cordial gratitude to all the valued friends of SL for showing deep sympathy on the demise of former PM of Japan ABE Shinzo. “The amount of warm messages we received speak loud and clear of the great legacy that former PM left behind for us, upon which, we renew our determination to continue to build our great friendship in the years to come,” the Japanese Embassy said. Despite the current difficulties, more..

Jul 16 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says he will contest in the parliament to elect the next Prez of SL. In a tweet, he said: “I am contesting to be the President. Electorate is confined to 225 MPs with the GR coalition dominating the numbers. Even though it is an uphill struggle I am convinced that truth will prevail.” The post of the Head of State was left vacant after former Prez Rajapaksa stepped down, bowing to months-long public protests demanding his resignation. more..

Jul 16 (CT) Although protesters are celebrating Prez Rajapaksa fleeing the country, the dramatic and hasty exit of SL’s Head of State, without handing over his official resignation letter to the Speaker, shocked the international community, who called for a smooth transition of power, with several British MPs seeking his arrest on an international arrest warrant. When the country is in chaos, it is natural for Speaker to take control of govt, more..

Jul 16 (ANI) When SL's ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives in the wake of public protest in the island nation, it resulted in widely shared fake news on social media. With millions of people using social media in SL, fake news is no less than a potential disaster. #GotaGoHome has been the call by the citizens of Sri Lanka. Their voices finally being heard, with Gotabaya announcing that he will resign from his position. What felt almost like a victory for the public, more..

Jul 16 (Island) NFF has appealed to all stakeholders including those who toppled the govt not to hinder the process of electing a new Prez. NFF has also appealed to the military to take tangible measures to curb those who engage in violence as part of the overall strategy meant to pave the way for foreign military intervention. NFF parliamentary group consists of six MPs. NFF’s politburo emphasized the need for a conducive environment for the conducting of the vote as scheduled on Wednesday (20). more..

Jul 16 (CNN) For years it had been one of SL's grandest and most heavily guarded buildings, serving as the official residence and state office of the Prez. But all that changed on July 9, when protesters stormed in and took control, demanding the resignation of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa before turning the palace upside down. "That was the home of the most powerful man in the country," said SL author & analyst Asanga Abeyagoonasekera. more..

Jul 16 (NR) SLPP has decided to endorse Acting Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for Presidency. Although Acting Prez Wickremesinghe has not announced his candidacy thus far, political experts are of the view he will be in the race to become the next Prez of the country. The Parliamentary vote to elect the next Prez will take place on Wednesday. SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam said, Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned from his post to facilitate the appointment of an all-party govt. more..

Jul 16 (CT) Even if it is difficult, a new Govt should be appointed for a short period and the people should be given a chance to use their vote, as soon as possible, to elect a govt of their choice, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said if not, there is a possibility of contradictions between the actual will of the people and Parliament. Addressing the media, at the JVP headquarters, he said that people’s aspirations cannot be fulfilled by the current Parliament. more..

Jul 16 (Island) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (15) said that a new President would be elected on Wednesday (20) as previously scheduled.The process would begin today (16) with the convening of Parliament at 10 am, the Speaker said, requesting all members of Parliament to attend today’s proceedings. Nominations will be accepted on Tuesday. Speaker’s Office has issued following statement more..

Jul 16 (FT) When I wrote my first postcard from Sri Lanka for the UK web newsletter, The Daily Sceptic in 2020, I was at pains to point out the gross over-reaction to COVID that was on display. This last week, with the toppling of a President here, and a South Asian equivalent of the storming of the Bastille, so much of it still flows from that period when so much of the world lost both our wits and our way. I was asked to send on an “updated postcard” to the UK. And so, thinking readers here more..

Jul 16 (FT) Recently we heard that a meeting is planned between the leaders of political parties, the Parliament and the Aragalaya, and invitations have been sent to 20 persons from the Aragalaya. Mercifully, the meeting was cancelled within a few hours. How did the speaker come up with the 20 names and how fair was the selection? These were the questions on everybody’s mind. Given the amorphous nature of the Aragalaya, the move would have resulted in much unhappiness, discord. more..

Jul 16 (EN) Sri Lanka will impose power cuts of up to 3 hours in the coming weekend on July 16 and 17, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said. All areas (ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW) will have power cuts of 1 hours and 40 minutes between 10.20 am and 06.00 pm and 1 hour 20 minutes power cuts from 06.00pm to 10.00 pm. For power cut details, please click here. The CEB said the supply interruption time and restoration time will be varied within 30 minutes as indicated above. more..

Jul 16 (DM) NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake will contest for presidency as the candidate of the NPP, MP Vijitha Herath said today. He said that they, as NPP, discussed with all the parties to come to a consensus to appoint the Speaker as the interim Prez and then form an all-party govt until an election was held. He said however, they could not come to a consensus on the matter and added that Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and Dullas Alahapperuma have announced more..

Jul 16 (AD) The vacancy in the office of President of SL was announced in the House this morning, by Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake. The parliament met at 10 a.m. today under the provisions of the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 02 of 1981, after former Prez Rajapaksa vacated the office effective from the 14th of July. The letter of resignation submitted by Rajapaksa to more..

Jul 16 (Island) SLPP MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has said that some of those MPs, with expertise in financial matter, recently reached, what he called, an initial consensus on an economic recovery plan. He declared that a range of proposals, made by interested parties, outside the Parliament, too, had been taken into consideration. Dr. Godahewa, who served the Cabinet as the Media Minister for a brief period, following the resignation of PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, on May 09, said so addressing more..

Jul 16 (AD) A shipment of diesel arrived in Colombo this morning (July 16) and sample checking is currently underway, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said in a tweet. Another vessel carrying a diesel consignment is expected to reach Colombo later today. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also expecting a petrol shipment either on the 18th or 19th of July. According to Minister Wijesekara, the payments for all three fuel shipments have already been settled. more..