Jul 28 (VE) Vietnamese living in SL are struggling to make ends meet and get food and fuel amid the raging economic crisis. For nearly three months Chau, who lives with her family in a suburb of the capital, Colombo, has had to depend on her own garden and hoard groceries to survive. She grows vegetables like tomato and okra and has stocked 25-30kg of rice, some beans, flour, and dried fish. "Only the rich can afford to buy fresh food. It is very stressful and depressing because more..

Jul 28 (AD) British High Commissioner to SL Sarah Hulton says she held a wide-ranging discussion today with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. High Commissioner said she raised respect for human rights and due process in line with UNHRC, during the talks held with the President. British HC also said that she is looking forward to strengthening UK-SL relationship within a peaceful, democratic and inclusive space. Meanwhile Prez Wickremesinghe had also met with US Ambassador to SL, more..

Jul 28 (CI) Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, admitted it was "disappointing" to see his side fold as swiftly as it had either side of lunch on the final day in Galle and miss out on an opportunity to win their second successive series in Sri Lanka. With eight wickets still in hand half an hour before lunch and rain and poor light looming, a draw seemed like it was all but secured. But three quick wickets before the interval gave SL an opening who, spearheaded by Prabath Jayasuriya, more..

Jul (CT) Several petitions have been filed against former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is currently in Singapore. Petitions were sent to the Govt of Singapore by NGOs, lawyers and foreign politicians. On 26 July, a petition was addressed to Director General Int'l Affairs Division of the Govt of Singapore, Daphne Hong Fan Sin, requesting an investigation against former Prez Rajapaksa who is in Singapore. Petition was filed by the People for Equality and Relief in SL, who requested the Singapore Government to investigate more..

Jul (TM) Int'l Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) this week submitted a document to Attorney General of Singapore seeking to invoke the principle of universal jurisdiction under customary international law to arrest former SL Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa for war crimes. The ITJP is an organisation that was established in 2013 and administered by the Foundation for Human Rights in South Africa. The project has specifically focused on allegations of war crimes and crimes against more..

Jul (AD) Social media activist Pathum Kerner has been arrested in connection with the unruly incidents reported at the entry road to the parliament near Polduwa Junction earlier this month. Kerner was taken into custody by the CCD. According to the police, he had been summoned by the CCD on the 18th of July, however, he had informed via his attorney that he is unable to appear before the CCD citing ill-health. Reporterly, Kerner had assembled people to the Polduwa Junction on the 13th of July and more..

Jul (NR) National Election Commission (EC) says the prevalent crisis in the country must be brought to end in order to conduct free and fair elections. Chairman of EC Nimal Punchihewa said he is prepared to conduct an election once the major issues faced by the general public due to the current crisis are solved. Speaking to media after members of the EC called on Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, Punchihewa said the Commission is obligated to conduct a free and fair election. more..

Jul (DM) SL's first home-grown fully electric car Moksha was launched today as the the most practical solution in the current technology transition phase towards a sustainable, carbon-neutral future. The unveiling ceremony was held at JAIC Hilton hotel Colombo by Ideal Motors while drawing inspiration from the iconic Austin Mini Moke that took the world by storm. Four-wheeled electric quadricycle with a weight of just 870 kg is fitted with a 22.46 kWh Lithium battery more..

Jul (IPS) The bad news on inflation keeps coming. As of June 2022, year-on-year (YOY) inflation nationally is estimated at an all-time high of 59%. Annual inflation is lagging significantly behind at around 21%, indicative of the speed at which price inflation has been spiralling in recent months. This is in sharp contrast to SL’s previous bout of high inflation in 2008 where the YOY increase was far more gradual. Then too, a similar combination of factors was at play. more..

Jul (DN) Five members of SL's 160-strong contingent for the XXII Commonwealth Games have tested positive for Covid-19 since their arrival in Birmingham on Monday. All participants staying in the Games Village had to undergo tests at the Welcome Centre. Four athletes and one coach from Sri Lanka were afflicted with the virus, according to a press release issued by the National Olympic Committee (NOC). Among them are two gymnasts and their coach, a basketball player, and a women's rugby player, more..

Jul 28 (TNN) The UAE has stepped in to replace SL as the location for the 2022 Asia Cup, starting next month, due to the ongoing political and economic crisis in the island nation, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said. SL will remain hosts for the nine-team tournament, which will be played between Aug 27 and Sept 11 and serve as preparation for the Asian sides in the lead-up to the Twenty20 World Cup later this year. The country of 22 million people has been crippled by an economic crisis, more..

Jul 28 (Aleteia) The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has announced a special aid package for priests and religious in SL who are suffering the effects of a very serious economic and social crisis. “The economic situation in the country is very serious”, says Bishop Valence Mendis, Bishop of Kandy and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chilaw, regarding the terrible situation currently affecting Sri Lanka. “Many people are suffering lack of medicine or food. more..

Jul 28 (EN) SL is still facing political risks in recovering from a currency crisis and default, tough a new govt has been formed under Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe with a large majority, Fitch, a rating agency said. “The new prez was confirmed by a large majority in parliament, and his govt has drawn in some opposition members,” Fitch said in a statement. “This gives some hope that it will have sufficient support to negotiate and carry out difficult reforms as part of efforts to more..

Jul 28 (TM) In the backdrop of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe relinquishing the post of Minister of Finance, SJB Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday (27) denied that he had held discussions with any governing party member to become the next Minister of Finance. Responding to media reports that claimed Dr. de Silva was tipped to be the next Finance Minister, he posted on Twitter that he has “not had any discussions with any member of the Govt on the speculated position”. more..

Jul 28 (AD) SLFP will meet Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe today to discuss the forming of an all-party govt, party’s chairman Maithripala Sirisena says. Calling a press briefing at the party HQ this morning, the former Prez stated that the parliamentary group of SLFP voted against the proclamation of the state of emergency. Explaining the reason for the party’s decision, he said that the direction of the new govt is still unclear, with fuel queues getting longer day by day and people continuing to be afflicted by more..

Jul 28 (NDTV) India said on Thursday it was aware of reports about the planned visit of a Chinese vessel to a SL port built with money from Beijing. Shipping data from Refinitiv Eikon showed research and survey vessel Yuan Wang 5 was en route to the southern SL port of Hambantota and was expected to arrive on Aug 11. "The govt carefully monitors any developments having a bearing on India's security and economic interests, and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them," more..

Jul 28 (TM) A sub-lineage of the Covid-19 Omicron variant is found among the community, according to the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) Union. PHIs Union Secretary S.I. Bopitiya said that Covid-19 related awareness programmes have also been commenced islandwide due to a minor increase in the number of Covid-19 patients who have been detected. “People who have not received the Covid-19 vaccines are advised to go to the nearest vaccine centre while if someone has a fever for more than two days, more..

Jul 28 (AD) The founding chairman of SLPP, Prof. G.L. Peris says that implementing the state of emergency within the country in view of the current situation, is against the principles of their party. Calling a special press conference in Colombo, he stated that the regulations promulgated under the emergency law have the power to nullify all the laws that are provided for the realization of human rights. “As the founding chairman of the SLPP and as a professor of law, more..

Jul 29 (DM) Since of late we’ve read many articles about the need to promote community kitchens. This is largely because as many as 6.26 million Sri Lankans don’t know where their next meal is coming from. On paper SL looks like it is a country which has the potential to grow or harvest what its citizens need. But the true story is a sad one. Even before the fuel crisis surfaced Sri Lanka was importing fish products of various kinds for a long time. The same was true about several kinds of more..

Jul 29 (CT) During the first two decades of this century, Sri Lanka faced two marked instances, junctures which challenged the thinking and its consequential movements that could have easily changed our societal development had our leaders chosen to adopt a different strategy both politically and economically. On both occasions, international powers, both in the West and in the East, were more than riveted to our engagement in the issues following these two unprecedented events; more..

Jul 29 (DM) SL exporters are bound to face tough rules when accessing the German market next year onwards because of the new law that will come into effect from Jan 1, 2023 in that country. Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains will provide for German importers to make sure that their suppliers adhere to human rights and sustainability standards. The push for the new law started after the collapse of a factory building more..

Jul 29 (DM) SL’s people-power movement is in tatters with the new govt of President Ranil Wickremesinghe launching a crackdown on the protest movement’s frontline activists in what was seen as a move to intimidate protesters or warn them that they will be severely dealt with if they violate the law. Usually, those who propel revolutions to victory are deemed heroes and not hauled before courts on charges of violating the laws. But SL’s Aragalaya is not a revolution. more..

Jul 29 (CT) The parliamentary vote on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s maiden Emergency proclamation has gone on expected lines. Rather, it has reiterated the confidence of the House in his leadership, on a specific issue that is as sensitive s it has been made controversial. If there is one thing good about the Constitution as it stands, it relates to Parliament’s decisive role in overseeing instantaneous decisions of Executive Presidency, as with the proclamation of Emergency. more..

Jul 29 (TM) Although Sri Lanka has several social welfare programmes in place, the current economic situation has increased the need for more and more effective social safety nets. However, it is necessary to limit these forms of assistance only to those who are genuinely in need of such assistance, and go beyond merely giving people temporary assistance which makes them dependent. more..

Jul 29 (TM) In a context where SL has become somewhat dependent on loans during the past couple of decades, India recently pointed out the importance of SL being offered investments after helping SL with assistance amounting to around $ 4 billion since Jan 2022. High Commissioner of India to SL Gopal Baglay was quoted as saying that India is planning to invest heavily in newer sectors through both private and public firms. Meanwhile, IMF has asked SL to commence talks with more..

Jul 29 (CT) Opposition and SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, addressing Parliament, said they will support the Aragalaya on 9 Aug. The Aragalaya, beginning with 9 May, was responsible for booting out SLPP leader, former Prez and then PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet. And, two months later, starting on 9 July and, consequently a few days later, Rajapaksa’s younger brother and immediately preceding President Gotabaya, two years before the completion of his Presidential tenure. more..

Jul 29 (Island) Newspapers, TV programmes and video presentations have been dealing with the terrible incident that occurred in the premises of the Presidential Secretariat and on the steps leading to it, at predawn on Friday 23 July. Cassandra feels compelled to present her opinion though it is one week from that day. Experts have dissected it and presented their opinions in the print and electronic media. Cass’ opinion admittedly is emotional and thus subjective, but she includes opinions more..

Jul 29 (Island) Humans are born dreamers, and dreams keep them going. But for their propensity for dreaming, they would never have invented the wheel, much less flown. It may be said that life is a process of chasing dreams, with or without success. Grave crises like the one SL is experiencing are no doubt the flip side of dreams; they are nightmares, but they do avail some people who are clever or cunning enough to see opportunities therein and make use of them to achieve their dreams. more..

Jul 29 (CT) Coral reefs play a vital role as a barrier from high tides and erosion in this Island nation have been heavily degraded over the years due to natural and man-made disasters and the overall impact of such disasters have become more noticeable now than ever before. Experts are of the view that if the reefs are not properly managed and monitored these valuable natural reefs will be lost forever. more..

Jul 29 (Island) Having bowled Sri Lanka to a memorable victory over Pakistan in the 2nd Test, Prabath Jayasuriya told the press that life had been hard for him having come to Colombo from far off Matale. Things were not going to plan for him and he had to wait patiently. But eventually perseverance has paid off for the 30-year-old. “It’s been a tough journey for me. Coming to Colombo from Matale was a tough ask. I had to do everything on my own and didn’t have much help. more..

Jul 29 (ST) SLTB Depot of North Western Province has been hit by a shortage of tyres; as a result, half of its buses are out of service, a senior official of the Depot said. Officials of North Western Province SLTB Depot said that 12 depots in the region have had to remove 150 buses due to the shortage of tyres. Accordingly, buses deployed in Puttalam, Chilaw, Wennappuwa, Kuliyapitiya, Nikaweratiya, Galgamuwa, Mahawa, Wariyapola, Kurunegala North and South, Giriulla, Narammala more..

Jul 29 (EN) SL’s National Fuel Pass registration process has been changed to facilitate businesses with multiple vehicles to register all their vehicles with under their business registration number. The portal had been upgraded after a raft of complaints received during the trial period and thus the system has now changed to cater for the owners with multiple vehicles using their business registration number. more..

Jul 29 (CI) 246: The margin of Sri Lanka's victory in the second Test, their biggest in terms of runs against Pakistan in Test cricket. Their previous best was a 209-run victory in 2012, also in Galle, while defending a target of 510. 29: Number of wickets for Prabath Jayasuriya in his three Tests so far. Only India's Narendra Hirwani, with 31 scalps, had more wickets to his name than Jayasuriya in his first three Tests, while Australia's Charlie Turner 29 wickets after three Tests. more..

Jul 29 (TM) SJB MP and Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara alleged on Monday (25) that a staff-level agreement between SL and the IMF, which was set to be reached during the first week of August (next week), has been delayed due to the ongoing anti-Prez/Govt protests and the chaotic situation in the country. The Morning reached out to Minister Nanayakkara on Tuesday (26) to obtain more clarity regarding the specifics of his statement. more..

Jul 29 (CT) Ayush Ghalan, Kritish Chhunju and Managya Nakarmi were all on target as Nepal defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 to register their second consecutive victory at the SAFF U-20 Championship at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India on Wednesday. Captain Ghalan gave Nepal the lead in the 59th minute and Chhunju doubled the lead six minutes later before Nakarmi put the result beyond doubt in a sensational second half that strengthened Nepal’s bid to qualify for the finals. more..