Jul 2 (DM) The Colombo Tea Auction saw the 25th sale of the year come to a close this week, where a total of 5.46 Mnkgs came under the hammer. In the backdrop of limited availability and continued decline in auction volumes, there was improved widespread demand, the auction report by Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. The Ex-Estate offerings declined to 0.6 MnKgs, from a 0.8 MnKgs in the previous week. There was a strong demand for teas in the Below Best and Plainer categories. more..

Jul 2 (DM) Vikram, Vikram is the Mantra being chanted by many a film fan these days. Tamil action thriller Vikram along with its dubbed versions in Hindi,Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada was released worldwide in over 5000 Screens on June 3. It has proved to be a box office blockbuster since then. Vikram is having a successful run in Sri Lankan theatres too. As of June 25, Vikram had globally grossed over 409 Crore or 4090 million Indian rupees in ticket sales alone. more..

Jul 2 (EN) SL’s ongoing power cuts could be extended from the current daily three hours due to continuous diesel shortage for thermal power plants amid water levels in reservoirs are declining, CEB said. The govt is running out of diesel for electricity generation as well as for transportation purposes as it does not have adequate USD to import fuel. “We are running out of diesel to operate thermal power plants” more..

Jul 2 (Island) We live in a scarcity economy and will do so well into 2024, past the next Presidential elections if it comes then; it may not. (The new minister may open bets.) All economies are scarcity economies; otherwise, there would be no prices. We also live in plentiful economies; look at the streets of Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Paris or San Francisco during day or night. Scarcity is a relative term, as most terms are. A scarcity economy is one where prices rise relentlessly, more..

Jul 2 (Island) What possessed the railway trade unions to launch a lightning strike yesterday causing hundreds of thousands of commuters to be stranded? Their leaders said they were protesting against the non-availability of fuel for their members to travel to work. Do they think fuel will be made available to railway workers simply because they resort to trade union action? What about other workers, especially those in the health sector, who are also experiencing the same problem? more..

Jul 2 (CT) Severe shortage of reagents, consumables, and test kits at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) may hinder its ability to provide blood to hospitals for surgeries. NBTS Director, Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe, lamented that the inability of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) to supply it with the required reagents, consumables, and tests kits had led to a crisis which would directly impact its ability to provide blood for all surgeries by next week. more..

Jul 2 (CT) Stage Two of the Commonwealth rugby training for both men’s and women’s national teams took place on 29 June in Kithulgala. This was made possible through sponsors Nippon Paint, Signature, Webxpay and True Digital, along with the backing of World Rugby and National Olympic Committee. The players were pushed beyond limits with challenging activities – river, streams, waterfalls and water rafting. At the initial stage there was a certain amount of fear which played on their minds, more..

Jul 2 (FT) Bar Association of SL (BASL) filed a motion in the Supreme Court, asking the latter to take up on Monday for interim relief the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition lodged on behalf of the citizens over the continuous violation of the fundamental rights due to the ongoing shortages. Petitioners including BASL President Saliya Peiris and three of its office bearers moved the court to consider the case as a matter of extreme more..

Jul 2 (DM) Fast-growing fashion retailer GFlock urges Sri Lankan communities to procure clothing from the local brands of the island nation, instead of big international names, so that they can contribute to the revival of the crisis-struck economy. GFlock Founder and CEO Ranil Willadarage expressed confidence in the fast fashion business, which the band has paved the way, for the brand to grow significantly since its establishment and can help bring in US dollar income to the country. more..

Jul 2 (Island) A year after Sashi Rajamahendran took over the reins of the Capital Maharaja Group (CMG), the conglomerate is going through some sweeping changes. The Group is broad basing its decision-making processes to give more opportunity for career growth at all levels of its management structure, the CMG said in a statement. The following is the text of the Group statement: “In line with that, two new positions have been layered in, with Group Directors Nedra Weerasinghe more..

Jul 2 (FT) A Fundamental Rights petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking redress for the violation of the rights by Police and Army personnel who broke up a peaceful protest at the Galle Fort during the Test match between SL and Australia, and forcibly removed the protest placards. FR application was filed by two lawyers Amara Liyanarachchi and Hewage Ajith Kumara. The respondents in the case are more..

Jul 2 (ANI) Following his side's crushing ten-wicket defeat to Australia, Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne termed the loss as disappointing. Travis Head (4/10) and Nathan Lyon (4/31) shined for Australia with the ball, helping the side comprehensively defeat Sri Lanka by ten wickets in the first Test of two-match series at Galle International Stadium in Galle on Friday. All-rounder Cameron Green also played a crucial knock of 77, helping the Aussies gain a 109-run lead. more..

Jul 2 (CT) The country is heading towards another environmental catastrophe due to the efforts to hand over forests land for cultivation in a bid to overcome the food crisis, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) observed. Executive Director of CEJ, Dilena Pathragoda noted that officials are attempting to justify the use of forest land for cultivation, whereas this could be a threat to such land while noting that there are abundant lands which are not forest lands that could be used for cultivation. more..

Jul 2 (EN) Stocks gained over 1% Friday (01), recouping some losses made in the previous session on renewed interest in energy sector firm Lanka IOC, brokers said. However, concerns over economic political instability remained as the govt is yet to address the key issues including reforms. The ASPI closed 1.57% or 115.15 points higher at 7,457.48. “We see a renewed interest in energy sector shares as investors are trying to restructure,” a market analyst said. more..

Jul 2 (AD) Laugfs Gas PLC, one of the two largest liquefied petroleum gas suppliers in SL, says it is taking necessary measures to expand the product distribution operations to expeditiously provide gas cylinders to its customers. The company said it recently faced massive challenges in importing LP gas for commercial, industrial and domestic purposes due to the forex shortage in the country. Laugfs Gas also said making the supply meet the demand was also challenging to them as more..

Jul 2 (CT) Energy experts question why Litro is trying to buy gas from Oman Trading that sells at USD 129 per MT for shipping and premium. This is following the statement from PM Wickremesinghe and Chairman of Litro gas that a grant of USD 70 million from the World Bank and USD 20 million from the Govt had been reserved to import 100,000 MT of LP gas instead of buying from Siam Gas which sells at USD 96 per MT. more..

Jul 2 (DN) National Transport Commission Director General said that one private bus association which earlier said that bus fares must be increased before June 28 in line with the fuel price hike is now saying that the bus fare hike should have been postponed. This bus association earlier warned that bus operations would have been halted, if the bus fare increase did not come into effect before June 28. But we did not agree with their proposal & bus fare revision was implemented on July 1 more..

Jul 2 (NR) Trade Union Coordinating Centre says SriLankan Airlines could become a profit-making entity if it is governed through a proper plan. Convener Wasantha Samarasinghe said curtailing expenditure will ensure that the national carrier will generate profits in future. He said the Airline is not a loss-making entity, and is forced to make losses due to the intervention by politicians and high-ranking officials. Samarasinghe questioned why catering, airline operations & ground handling units more..

Jul 2 (DM) A 32-year old woman and her 5 year-old son died when she jumped into the Chandrika Wewa in Embilipitiya with her two sons, police said. The police lifeguards attached to the Ambilipitiya Police Station intervened immediately and rescued the drowning mother and the two children and admitted them to the Ambilipitiya Hospital. However, the 5-year old child died on admission to the hospital while the woman died while undergoing treatment at the ICU. 11-year-old boy is currently receiving more..

Jul 2 (Island) Direction Sri Lanka, consisting of SL professionals, has declared that the resignation of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is a prerequisite for the resolution of the current political-economic-social crisis. The grouping has made the following proposals: a) The President should resign forthwith in response to the demands of the People; b) A successor President should be elected; c) PM should resign forthwith after the election of the successor President; more..

Jul 2 (Island) SJB trade unionist Ananda Palitha alleged that members of Parliament, Chairmen of various govt institutions, and other politically connected persons, continued to obtain unlimited petrol and diesel from CPC facility at Kolonnawa. Former CPC employee declared that the powers that be had transformed the Kolonnawa depot into a special facility to cater to the needs of the politically influential. more..

Jul 2 (FT) Foreign Affairs Secretary Aruni Wijewardane on Tuesday met a senior delegation representing the US Dept of the Treasury and the Department of State led by the Treasury for Asia Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Ambassador Kelly Keiderling. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane welcomed the strong and multifaceted bilateral partnership between the two countries which is mutually beneficial more..

Jul 2 (FT) The Fundamental Rights petition filed in the Supreme Court by Transparency International SL (TISL) and three individuals calling for action against persons responsible for the current economic crisis which was initially set to be taken up for support for leave to proceed on 28 June was taken up in court yesterday. Only three respondents were represented in court and they were Counsels representing the 1st Respondent AG’s Dept (appearing on behalf of Prez Rajapaksa), more..

Jul 2 (FT) Govt approval rating in June has dropped to 3% from 10% in January according to Verité Research’s Gallup style Mood of the Nation poll. Poll assessed the approval, satisfaction, and confidence of the nation in relation to the govt, the country, and the economy. It was conducted as a part of the syndicated survey instrument by Verité Research. This instrument also provides other organisations the opportunity to survey more..

Jul 2 (FT) So much hinges here in SL on the tourism industry and it has for some time. As an industry that attracts foreign exchange and has the highest value added quotient in its offerings compared to other industries, the return on energy, ROE, is substantial. In fact, the never-ending Covidian hysteria and delirium (scrupulously inflating risks while downplaying overwhelmingly high recovery rates and age stratification) continued to undermine this critical national asset and resource. more..

Jul 2 (DM) Vatican is closely following the current situation in Sri Lanka and on the developments pertaining to investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks, it is learnt. Under Secretary for the Holy See Mgr Miroslaw Wachowski in a letter addressed to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana has stated that the Vatican including Pope Francis with the means, and in the matter proper to it, has followed and studied the situation in Sri Lanka with attention and interest. more..

Jul 2 (AD) Two army and two air force personnel have been arrested in connection with the death of an inmate at the Kandakadu Treatment & Rehabilitation Centre in Welikanda, the police say. Late into the night of June 28, a group of inmates had resorted to unruly behaviour following the death of an inmate detained at the centre. The tense situation that ensued within the premises continued until the next morning. At around 8 a.m. on June 29, more than 600 inmates breached more..

Jul 2 (FT) Given the events that have unfolded in the last few months, it is understandable that the citizens cry for Gota Go Home and some ask for all 225 to go home. However, would asking one, two, or even all 225 of our political leaders to go home solve our problems? As will be explained below, the struggle should primarily seek some type of Citizens’ Initiated Referenda (CIR) as a requirement by law to be incorporated as a crucial provision when amendments to Constitution being made. more..

Jul 2 (EN) Provisions in the proposed 22nd amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution that were supposed to restore the essence of the more progressive 19th amendment are missing from the now-gazetted 22nd amendment bill, experts said. Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi told reporters on Saturday that the amendment bill sees a continuation of the concentration of power around one individual. more..

Jul 2 (EN) Meteorology Dept has issued red alerts for strong winds and rough seas off the coast from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambanthota, with fishing and naval communities advised not to venture out to sea. Met Dept said on Saturday that, due to active south-west monsoon conditions, wind speeds can increase up to 60-70 kilometres per hour in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. more..

Jul 2 (NR) Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says he will take necessary steps to direct the attention of authorities towards expediting employment opportunities in Qatar for Quantity Surveyors which have been delayed for the last 16 years. Talks between the Quantity Surveyors Association and representatives of the Qatar govt have uncovered that employment opportunities for SL Quantity Surveyors within the construction sector in Qatar have slowed down since 2016. more..

Jul 2 (ST) City school closures, commencing online education and conducting physical school in outstations did not mitigate the struggle teachers, parents and students faced this week as a result of the fuel crisis, power cuts and financial difficulties. In villages, limited public transport and unavailability of fuel for bikes and three-wheelers affected teachers who travel several kilometres to their respective schools. more..

Jul 2 (EN) Two consignments of both petrol and diesel are expected to arrive in SL by mid and end of July, with another consignment scheduled to arrive in August, LIOC officials said. LIOC Chairman Manoj Gupta said that all three shipments will consist of both diesel and petrol with each vessel carrying 30,000 metric tons of fuel. Two consignments are expected to arrive on July 13 or 14 and on July 28-30 and another consignment is scheduled to arrive between August 10 and 15. more..

Jul 2 (DM) A large stock of foreign spirits worth of Rs.60 million accompanied with cosmetics, turmeric and cigarettes sent in several large UPBS (Unaccompanied Passenger Baggage) from Dubai seized by Customs were exposed to the media yesterday. The large consignment in five UPBS had arrived in the country few days back addressed to a list of individuals residing countrywide. The items had been detained at the Customs Central Cargo Examination Directorate at the Rank more..