Jul 26 (DN) CID yesterday informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that the Bribery Commission (BC) will file indictments in Colombo High Court against Opposition MP Rajitha Senaratne into the importation of eight deep sea fishing vessels when he (Rajitha Senaratne) was the Fisheries Minister during the previous Yahapalanaya Govt. The CID had earlier informed the Court that an investigation had been launched into the purchasing of the eight vessels and the leasing of more..

Jul 26 (FT) Kotte Vihara registrar and Chief Sanghanayake for Japan and South East Asia Ven. Pelpola Vipassi Thera says that the current President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who has long political experience, should be given time to build the country. The prelate also pointed out that everyone should support the President’s plan to solve the people’s problems by freeing the country from the current economic crisis, away from the method of ousting rulers by holding protests. more..

Jul 26 (Island) Prez’s Counsel Manohara de Silva reminded the new govt that it couldn’t absolve itself of the responsibility for the protection of ex-Prez Rajapaksa now being hounded by interested parties over unsubstantiated war crimes allegations entirely based on hearsay evidence. The leading lawyer said so in response to query regarding South Africa-based Int'l Truth & Justice Project (ITJP) requesting more..

Jul 26 (DN) The possibility of introducing buffalo farming to SL as a source of milk with the technical assistance of Amul India was discussed when a delegation led by SL’s High Commissioner to New Delhi, Milinda Moragoda last week met with the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), popularly known as Amul. In India, buffalo milk accounts for 45% of the total milk production of the country, while 55% of Amul’s total milk production comes from buffaloes. more..

Jul 26 (TM) The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) and the All-Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association (ACPBOA) have stated that although the schools that were closed due to the prevailing fuel shortage reopened yesterday (25), students and teachers were greatly inconvenienced due to limited bus services. CTU President Priyantha Fernando said: “Schools were reopened today (25) after weeks, but students and teachers did not have adequate transportation facilities to get to schools. more..

Jul 26 (Island) Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse yesterday announced that the 22nd constitutional Amendment Bill, which was prepared to repeal the 20th Amendment and incorporating the positive clauses of the 19th Amendment, would be submitted to Parliament tomorrow. As per parliamentary standing orders, the Bill can be debated one week after the first reading, if it is not challenged before the Supreme Court. Cabinet has approved the 22nd constitutional Amendment Bill. more..

Jul 26 (EN) Stocks fell on Monday (25) for the second session as investors took a wait-and-see approach as mixed negative and positive signals delayed their decisions on investments in risky assets, brokers said. The main ASPI closed 1.07% or 82.36 points down at 7,639.42. “We see a downward trend in the market because the market is looking for the next signal as there is some political stability. But the ultimate goal of economic stability has not been achieved yet,” a broker said. more..

Jul 26 (TM) The CEBEU warned that the daily power outages will exceed 3 hours soon, as the CEB is not receiving adequate fuel stocks. “CEBEU wishes to inform the public that adequate fuel has not been provided to the CEB to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. The CEB is continuously requesting more fuel to be supplied in order to reduce power cuts, or to at least maintain the present three-hour power cuts,” more..

Jul 26 (TM) The incidence of using alternatives for fuel has increased, with some members of the public resorting to combining fuel with chemicals such as turpentine and paint thinner. An investigation by The Morning revealed people queuing up at hardware stores to purchase turpentine (primarily used as a specialised solvent) and paint thinner (a solvent used to thin oil-based paints) as alternatives for petrol. A customer said: “We cannot wait in queues for days & fuel price is too expensive for us. more..

Jul 26 (AD) There has been a minor increase in the number of Covid-19 patients detected within Western Province and other provinces, according to the Chief Coordinator for COVID-19, Dr. Anwar Hamdani. He said that the people should once again start following the health guidelines they used to follow before, emphasizing that it is mandatory to wear face masks, maintain social distancing, limit unnecessary movements and to minimize gatherings. more..

Jul 26 (FT) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday said the National Fuel Pass system will be implemented countrywide from today in multiple locations at CPC and LIOC filling stations. He said that the last digit of the vehicle’s license plate system will remain effective 1 Aug, as an alternative, to address the technical issues with the National Fuel Pass system. “From the 1 Aug only the QR system fuel quota will be in place, while more..

JUl 26 (FT) The moment I stepped out of the currency exchange counter at Jakarta Airport I had this bizarre sensation of being a millionaire. There were 3 million Indonesian Rupiahs in my pocket. I negotiated a taxi for a fare of IDR 500,000 to my modest hotel. The additional zeros on the bank notes have already started making me uncomfortable. They reminded me of Zimbabwe and Venezuela. I kept reassuring myself this wasn’t exactly hyperinflation, but the outcome of several phases of inflation since the 1950s more..

JUl 26 (FT) Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history. Inflation is more than 50% and food inflation is running at 80%. The economy contracted by 1.6% in Q1 2022 and is estimated to contract by 7% in 2022, pushing the economy back several years. Despite strict policy measures to reduce imports, the trade deficit only marginally narrowed to $ 3.5 billion during the first five months of 2022 and workers’ remittances continue to fall. more..

Jul 26 (AN) SL’s new PM, Dinesh Gunawardena, has been tasked with coordinating consultations with political parties to form a govt of national unity with the possibility of expanding the cabinet. For this reason, he will negotiate with the parties in parliament a common programme in which they could play a significant role in the govt, with the objective of providing a solution to the current political and economic crises. Govt sources said that the two main parties in parliament, more..

Jul 26 (AD) A 34-year-old was hacked to death in the area of Orugodawatta in Wellampitiya last night. The victim was pronounced dead while being rushed to the Colombo National Hospital with critical injuries. The deceased was identified as the brother of social activist Dan Priyasad. He was reportedly residing in the area of Kuruniyawatta, Wellampitiya. Preliminary police investigations uncovered that two men who arrived on a motorcycle had attacked the victim. They fled the scene afterwards. more..

Jul 26 (EN) Trade Minister Bandula Gunewardene said he had sought cabinet approval to save state railway employees who refused to collect revised tariffs under the trade union action, earning the wrath of his colleagues. Cabinet had approved a tariff hike and a gazette notice had also been issued but some Station Masters had refused to charge the new fares. Gunawardena said, after realizing the reality of the situation, in order to continue the railway services more..

Jul 26 (DM) Whilst SJB parliamentary group has unanimously decided to vote against the Emergency Bill tomorrow, there seemed to be different opinions about an all party govt as some MPs representing the party opine that the party should play a role in an all party govt without accepting ministerial portfolios. SJB Gampaha District MP Harshana Rajakauna who spoke to media after the party’s working committee said his party would support a multi-party govt without accepting ministerial portfolios. more..

Jul 26 (DM) Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the former OIC of Thelikada police station in Galle district for allegedly unreasonably transferring him to the Tangalle police Division for normal duties at the behest of the racketeers involved in illegal activities in Gin Ganga and forests in Thelikada. SC two-judge-bench comprising Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Shiran Goonaratne granted leave to proceed under article 12 (1) for equal protection of law. more..

Jul 26 (FT) Lack of proper implementation of fuel distribution yesterday led to tense situations at countrywide filling stations, whilst a large number of motorists were seen waiting in anticipation. An individual was murdered after stealing petrol from a motorcycle at a fuel queue in Castle Street, Borella, while the three-wheel mafia took over the management of a State-run CEYPETCO filling station in Marine Drive, Bambalapitiya yesterday. more..

Jul 26 (ANI) Indian PM Narendra Modi has congratulated the newly elected SL President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his election and assured full support to the people of Sri Lanka. "I extend my congratulations to you on your election as the 8th President of Sri Lanka. You have assumed the high office at a critical time for Sri Lanka. I hope your tenure will nurture economic stabilization as well as fulfil the aspirations of all citizens of SL," he wrote in a letter to Wickremesinghe. more..

Jul 26 (AD) A parliamentary debate on the proclamation of the state of emergency declared by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Acting Prez under the Public Security Ordinance is scheduled for tomorrow. The parliament will meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The debate on the proclamation of the state of emergency will continue until 4.30 p.m. This proclamation was made by the then-Acting President through Special Gazette No. 2288/30 dated July 17, 2022. According to the legal provisions, if the approval of the Parliament more..

Jul 26 (CT) SL Coast Guard (SLCG) commissioned its Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) SLCGs Jayasagara at the Trincomelee Port on 23 July. The Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Jayasagara received its commission at a ceremony graced by Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne as the Chief Guest. Director General of the SL Coastguard Rear Admiral Anura Ekanayake received the Chief Guest Gen. Gunaratne upon his arrival at the venue and a Guard of Honour setup by the Coastguard personnel was accorded thereafter. more..

Jul 26 (ANI) Indian High Commissioner in SL Gopal Baglay paid a courtesy call to newly-elected PM Dinesh Gunawardena on Tuesday to strengthen the longstanding ties between both nations. "High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on PM @DCRgunawardena. Conveyed greetings from the leadership, Govt and people of #India," tweeted the Indian Embassy in SL. High Commissioner also thanked the PM for his guidance in various capacities to strengthen the close ties between India and SL in all areas of engagement. more..

Jul 26 (CI) Pakistan removed SL's top five in a little over a session, but had given up so much ground in the first innings that they remain in a desperate situation. They are 323 runs back at the end of day three, with five SL wickets still remaining. On a day curtailed by bad light, the hosts took the visitors' last four wickets for 40 runs, obtaining a 147-run first innings lead thanks to Ramesh Mendis' five-wicket haul. Pakistan's bowlers then did their best to keep SL more..

Jul 26 (SLN) SL Navy seized about 470 g of gold and a conch shell (Valampuri) attempted to be smuggled from the country, during a special operation carried out in seas off Kurusapadu in Pesalai, Mannar in the dark hours of 25th July. The operation also led to the apprehension of 03 suspects in connection to the racket. The Navy remains ever alert to prevent wide-ranging illegal activities taking place via sea routes, by conducting regular search operations and patrols in coastal areas of the island. more..

Jul 26 (CT) Director of Operations and Clinical Services at Cell Biology Unit, Uni of Sri J'pura Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said there were all possibilities of the monkeypox entering the country as it was a viral infection. Dr. Jeewandara when contacted after a 31-year-old from New Delhi was diagnosed with the viral infection on Sunday said that there were all possibilities of the disease entering the country as it is a viral infection. “It is why WHO labelled it as a public health emergency of int'l concern,” more..

Jul 26 (ANI) Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not in hiding and is expected to return to the country from Singapore, Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said on Tuesday. Gunawardena said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa went to Singapore through formal channels and it was not accurate to say that he was hiding. Rajapaksa left Sri Lanka for the Maldives on July 13 and arrived in Singapore from the Maldives a day later. more..

Jul 26 (ANI) A Chinese scientific research vessel has set sail for Hambantota port for a week-long stay. During this significant visit to the key SL port, it could conduct satellite research in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean region, prompting security concerns for India. Hambantota port, located around 250 km from Colombo was built with high-interest Chinese loans. SL govt struggled to repay the debt they had taken from China following which the port was handed over to the Chinese on a 99-year lease. more..

Jul 26 (FT) The popular beer brand Lion has managed to garner more sips globally as its exports have more than doubled in the past two years to cross the Rs. 2 billion mark. Carson Cumberbatch Group subsidiary Ceylon Beverage Holdings announced that FY22 was a successful year for exports with a 45% volume growth, higher than the 15% increase achieved in FY21 over FY20. Now exports account for little over 10% of our volume. Ceylon Beverage Holdings exports revenue in FY22 amounted to Rs. 2.13 billion, more..

Jul 26 (EN) SL will impose power cuts of up to 3 hours on July 27, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said. All areas (ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW) will have power cuts of 1 hours and 40 minutes between 01 pm and 06 pm and 1 hour 20 minutes power cuts from 06 pm to 10 pm. Areas in Colombo City Commercial zones coming under group CC will experience 2 hours and 30 minute power cuts from 6 am to 8.30 am. BOI Industrial zones coming under groups MNOXYZ will have 3 hour power cuts from 5.30 am to 8.30 am. more..

Jul 26 (ANI) Dhaniz Ali, a Sri Lankan protestor who entered the premises of SL's national television network, Rupavahini Corporation, disrupting scheduled programming, was arrested while attempting to leave the island nation. On July 13, the protestors including Daniz Ali had stormed SL's national TV, terminated the programs and had broadcasted their own message. The Gota Go Gama activist was arrested at the BIA while attempting to leave the country. more..

Jul 26 (TW) A group of over 150 international academics recently issued a statement condemning the crackdown on protesters in SL on July 22, a day after new President Ranil Wickremesinghe took office. SL security forces raided the protest camp, set up in April on govt grounds by angry citizens in response to the country’s unprecedented economic crisis which saw widespread shortages of food, fuel and other essentials, and cleared out a section of it early on July 22. more..

Jul 26 (DM) Tusker Bharana, was one of the few remaining giant tuskers in the island and had attracted more tourists in Kalawewa International Park, was found dead mysteriously. The carcass of the tusker was found in the National Namal Uyana forest reserve in Galkiriagama by the Galkiriyagama wildlife officers, a short while ago. The wildlife officials suspected that the tusker might have died this morning, but the cause of the death was not revealed. Preliminary investigations were conducted by more..

Jul 26 (AD) Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says the fuel prices will be revised the 1st and 15th of every month in accordance with the pricing formula. He stated that a reduction in fuel prices is possible at the next price revision, in view of the current situation. He also mentioned that the police have informed all three-wheeler owners to register their vehicles with the police stations of their respective areas over the next few days and to nominate one of the nearest filling stations before 31st of July. more..

Jul 26 (DM) Counsel Suren Fernando appearing for President Ranil Wickremasinghe today moved Supreme Court that his client should be discharged from the Fundamental Rights petitions filed over Easter Sunday attacks, owing to the presidential immunity. Suren Ferndando, Counsel for the former PM and incumbent Prez Ranil Wickremasinghe submitted to Supreme Court that in terms of the Constitutional provisions, even the Attorney General cannot be named to represent his client. more..