Jun 8 (DM) The CEBEU has decided to go for an island wide strike over the govt’s move to amend the Electricity Act, which would clear the path for Adani’s Group’s proposal for the 500MW Wind Power Project in Mannar and Poonarin to materialise without following the due process. CEBEU claimed that the proposed Electricity Act amendment which is scheduled to be taken up on 9th of this month, would put more..

Jun 8 (EN) SL’s fire safety equipment supplier Alpha Fire Services Limited started trading on the CSE on Tuesday after being listed on the Empower Board. The occasion of the first debut trading in 2022 was marked with a special bell ringing Ceremony with the participation of officials from both Alpha Fire Services & CES. “CSE established a dedicated board for SME companies with the view of providing an opportunity on one hand for SME companies to reach out for market-based funding more..

Jun 8 (CT) On a request from SL Ambassador in Paris, Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama, a project was initiated for STEM (Science Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Education for rural schools in SL. Under the direction of Director General Audrey Azoulay and ADG Natural Science, Dr Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, equipment and training for STEM Education were received for SL. It is important to have analytical skills and a knowledge of Science especially for youth as it will give them more..

Jun 8 (EN) A Sri Lankan body which has interest in transport and logistics has proposed a 20 step action plan to reduce the island nation’s fuel import bill and save up to 1 billion US dollars that can allocate for other essential imports easing the burden on the general public. Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis in the history and is facing long term shortages of essential medicine, fuel and gas with a looming food shortage in the near future. more..

Jun 8 (FT) Despite several media articles in the recent weeks regarding practical issues faced by the shipping industry as a result of the currency crisis, shipping lines continue their regular services to the Port of Colombo, industry body CASA confirmed. In a statement, CASA said in May the Port of Colombo served 236 vessels and a similar number is expected in June. “Despite few omitted sailings due to seasonal volume drop, schedule delays as a result of congestion in other ports and more..

Jun 8 (FT) Minister Manusha Nanayakkara yesterday called on all Sri Lankans living abroad to send foreign currency only via the banking system, assuring that the Govt will take accountability and responsibility for proper use of each dollar. “To overcome the economic crisis, the earnings from exports alone are insufficient. We also need the foreign migrant workers’ remittances to flow into the economy through more..

Jun 8 (TM) As a solution to the food crisis that may arise in the future, unused lands in the Western Province (WP) will be cultivated, for which a 3-month-long joint programme will be launched. Under this, it was decided at a special meeting chaired by Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, to implement a programme to cultivate 34,000 home gardens in the Western Province, and to use all unused lands and fallow paddy lands. The meeting was held on the instructions of Prez and PM. more..

Jun 8 (Island) The Committee on Public Finance yesterday approved a Supplementary Estimate for Rs.695 billion under the Budget Assistance Services and Emergency Responsibilities. This proposal was submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies Minister. PM Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as Finance Minister, is scheduled to present the supplementary estimate to Parliament today (08). more..

Jun 8 (CT) In the backdrop of the Russian Foreign Ministry expressing its resolute protest over the detention of an Aeroflot aircraft, it is speculated that 2,000 Russians presently in SL will have to travel to the Maldives to catch their flight to Russia, as Aeroflot has suspended flights to Colombo. Many of the Russian travellers in SL will also take connecting flights to Russia from BIA, but the process has to be handled by the Russian more..

Jun 8 (CT) Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said, all Cabinet Ministers agreed to serve without a salary for one year. He said, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe presented the proposal to Cabinet, and all ministers concurred. Gunawardena said yesterday, at the weekly Cabinet Media briefing that a Cabinet Paper was presented to work without a salary for a year. “Normally, a minister receives a salary of Rs 65,000 plus allowances. In addition, the fuel allowance is the highest amount. more..

Jun 8 (TM) It has been a week since the Attorney General’s (AG) Dept informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that Govt MP Johnston Fernando would be named a suspect in the 9 May attack on peaceful protestors, but so far, the two CID teams assigned to arrest him have been unable to do so. SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that Fernando had not been arrested as of yesterday afternoon. He noted that the inability to locate him could be the reason for the CID to not have arrested him. more..

Jun 8 (TM) Noting the dire state of the country at the moment, PM and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that Sri Lanka’s system needs to be reset, for which the first step is to present an interim Budget. “Our country is not working like a well-oiled machine. We are not sure as to what we should do first. This system needs to be overhauled. more..

Jun 8 (FT) So, Sri Lanka continues to dominate the world press, a canary in the mine foretelling economic meltdown in less developed and poorer countries after disastrous global COVID over-reaction and monetary printing press mania leading to inevitable inflationary pressures worldwide. This has been exacerbated by the Ukrainian conflict, and the most atrocious confection of sadistic and masochistic economic national self-delusion on record. Professor Mick Moore, more..

Jun 8 (FT) The English writer D.H. Lawrence once wrote: “If only we could live two lives: the first, in which to make one’s mistakes; and the second, in which to profit by them...” Wishful thinking – for many, if not most, of us? Not that a certain someone amongst us doesn’t want to profit by his mistakes! Let this pass, he urges, until I too can pass. Pass? But there is no guarantee that seeing his term in office through will redeem the president’s present reputation or result in any encomiums to more..

Jun 8 (SLN) SL Navy managed to apprehend 91 individuals, suspected to be on illegal migration attempts to a foreign country via sea, during separate operations carried out in Marawila and western seas on 07th June 2022. In a coordinated operation mounted in Marawila in the wee hours of 07th June, a group of suspects remaining in a lodge in the area were nabbed by a team of naval personnel attached to the Western Naval Command with Marawila Police. more..

Jun 8 (Island) The Central Bank Retired Executive Officers’ Association (CBREOA) has written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, expressive grave concern over media reports that attempts are being made to remove Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. They have urged the President to re-appoint Dr. Weerasinghe to the Governor post of the CBSL for the coming six-year period commencing from 01 July 2022 in recognition of his competence and outstanding service. more..

Jun 8 (DM) SJB MP Champika Ranawaka says he will serve as an independent member in the Opposition starting from today. Delivering a special statement in the parliament this morning, the lawmaker said he has conveyed his decision to Opposition Leader and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa in writing. MP Ranawaka stressed that he did not become independent in the parliament to seek a ministerial portfolio. more..

Jun 8 (AD) Former Minister Johnston Fernando has filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal, seeking an order preventing him from being arrested. On the directives of the Attorney General, the MP was named as a suspect in the case filed over the incidents of violence on May 09 in Galle Face and Kollupitiya. The probes into the attacks on protesters at GotaGoGama at Galle Face Green and MainaGoGama near Temple Trees by a group of SLPP supporters are being handled by CID. more..

Jun 8 (AD) SJB MP Dilip Wedaarachchi’s son & daughter-in-law, who were arrested and remanded on charges of obstructing the police officers on duty on the Southern Expressway and criminal coercion, have been granted bail. The couple was produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today. Former Chairman of Tangalle Urban Council, Ravindu Wedaarachchi and his wife Nethmi Silva were arrested yesterday after surrendering to the Weeraketiya Police, over the recent incident more..

Jun 8 (GT) China vows to play an active role in helping Sri Lanka cope with the economic difficulties and ease the burden of debts, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday in response to SL Prez Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s remarks that China has not yet responded to SL’s $1 billion loan request. SL could not tap a $1.5 billion credit line from China and it has yet to hear back on its request to China more..

Jun 8 (EN) Sri Lanka stocks gained 1.86 percent on Wednesday, recouping some losses made in previous sessions on bargain hunting after slumping 10 sessions out of 11, brokers said. All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 141.56 points firmer at 7,772.69, gaining from its lowest close from May 9. “After the continuous decline, we saw bargain hunting entering the market today. Following the PM’s speech, investors have also taken a wait and watch approach,” a top market analyst said. more..

Jun 8 (TM) Standing independently in Parliament has become a new fashion in parliament and parliamentary law is not being followed anymore, says TNA MP M A Sumanthiran. “This has become the new trend and fashion. The reason why there is an aisle between the two sides in Parliament is for the Govt and Opposition to be seated on either side. We must acknowledge the fact that there is no parliamentary law anymore and we should be ashamed. more..

Jun 8 (CT) The price of a tea bun could increase to Rs100 if the VAT is not removed from bakery products. This was revealed by the Chairman of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association, N.K. Jayawardana. He said, VAT was applied to only 1% of the bakery owners who earned more than Rs 300,000. But now according to the new VAT increment, 75% of bakery owners have been included in the category as they earn more than Rs 100,000 per month. more..

Jun 8 (EN) State-run CEB owes renewable power producers 26 billion rupees for power provided since Aug 2021, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said and a subsidy from taxpayers is also expected, he said. “We have started working on the finances from last month,” Minister told parliament. “At the moment we are paying 100 million rupees daily to renewable power suppliers.” CEB has not paid since Aug 2021. The Public Utilities Commission of SL has not given a price increase to CEB for around 7 yrs. more..

Jun 8 (EN) CEB Engineers Union, has said its members will walk out after 1200 midnight on June 08, over plans by the govt to change the Electricity Act and end competitive bidding for private power plants. It will be the first time the CEBEU has engaged in a strike since 1996 plunging the country into darkness for several days and bringing water and other services to a standstill. Power minister gazetted an amendment to more..

Jun 8 (DM) A 13-year old schoolgirl in Ethimale police area in Monaragala who complained of a stomach ache was examined by a doctor to find her conceived. Ethimale police conducted investigations upon an alert by the hospital authorities said that she had been continually raped by her grandfather, her uncle (mother’s brother) and her elder brother. She was referred to JMO Monaragala general hospital for medical examination. Police arrested the girl's brother and investigations are underway more..

Jun 8 (DM) The cabinet has decided to differ or fully stop funding of a number of mega development projects proposed by former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa in his budget 2022 owing to the current financial crisis, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday. He said that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed and got the approval from the cabinet to divert capital funds allocated to development projects for recurrent expenditure and welfare programmes of the govt in 2022 and 2023. more..

Jun 8 (DM) Ministry of Health today gave an undertaking before the Court of Appeal that the salary and allowances payable to Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen will be paid before July 10 this year. Ministry of Health gave this undertaking pursuant to a writ petition filed by Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the alleged sterilisation of female patients. Director General of Establishment at the Ministry of more..

Jun 8 (CI) Cameron Green's century was the centerpiece of Australia A's successful run chase in the first one-day match against Sri Lanka A in Colombo. Green finished on 119 and added 121 in 117 balls for the third wicket with the fluent Matt Renshaw to break the back of a testing target of 298. He brought up his century, his second in List A cricket, off 92 balls with a blistering cover drive. Renshaw contributed 68 just under a run-a-ball, using his long reach to drive strongly over more..

Jun 8 (CT) Considering the acute food shortage expected in the near future, as a result of the economic crisis, SLAF has taken collective action to meet the critical requirement and also to ensure the theme of this year’s World Environment Day: Living sustainably in harmony with nature under the guidance of Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. SLAF men and women implemented the Waga Sangramaya at SLAF establishments affiliated to the SLAF more..

Jun 8 (CT) Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has directed Ministry Secretary Indu Ratnayake and other officials to take steps to acquire vacant lands surrounding the Peliyagoda Fish Market Complex for use in its operations. This follows Minister Devananda’s recent visit to the Peliyagoda Fish Market to inspect operations and inquire about shortcomings. Devananda told officials that issues faced by stall holders should be resolved as soon as possible. more..

Jun 8 (EN) Train ticket prices must be revised to minimise SL Railways’ losses, Minister Bandula Gunawardena told parliament proposing a national policy on railway fares. The govt is also discussing ways to utilise assets of the SL Railway Dept to make the railway service more productive and efficient, Gunawardena said. The loss-making SL Railways offers its services at concessionary rates, and despite fuel price hikes and sharply rising cost of living, train tickets remain cheap. more..

Jun 8 (MB) Sri Lanka has submitted its 6th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, offering the most comprehensive view yet of the country’s wealth of plant and animal life and the threats they face. More than 100 experts collaborated on the report, which SL is required to submit as a signatory to the CBD. The report updates the catalog of species diversity from the 5th National Report, covering those not included more..

Jun 8 (Island) Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, has flayed the Election Commission Chairperson Nimal Punchihewa over the latter’s criticism of the govt pushing for the 21 Amendment amidst an economic meltdown. An irate Justice Minister questioned the suitability of Attorney-at-Law Punchihewa to serve as Chairman of the 5-member EC. The minister was responding to Punchihewa’s declaration that the 21-A didn’t meet the public aspirations. more..

Jun 8 (NHK) Police in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, are investigating the death of a 45-year-old Sri Lankan man as a possible case of homicide. Police say they rushed to a trading company in Bando City on Sunday, after a caller said workers there were fighting. They found a Sri Lankan man, Upul Rohana Darmadasa, bleeding from his left shoulder. He was taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Police say he lived in Bando. Police found a blood-smeared knife at the scene. more..

Jun 8 (EN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe held a discussion with the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva late on Tuesday regarding the current economic situation in the country, his office said. The latest discussion comes as Sri Lanka has decided to seek IMF assistance to face the ongoing economic crisis. Already the island nation has started steps to restructure its foreign debts after more..