Jun 10 (AD) OrionStellar, SL’s first carrier-neutral,, high-density data center, achieved another historic milestone after becoming the first facility of its kind in the island to be listed as a TIA-942 Rated 3 Data Centre facility. Data center design conforms to delivering highest level of availability and resiliency in terms of uninterrupted power and cooling to the enterprises hosting their IT infrastructure at Orionstellar. The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) standard is more..

Jun 10 (FT) The PM has been as frank as he could be about the crisis in SL. Neither he, as a previous PM, nor any other PM or a Prez, including the current Prez, provided the unvarnished truth about the crisis to the people of the country till now. Prior to his assuming the Prime Ministership, other govt leaders have given a false impression of normalcy and talking and behaving as if things were normal. The general thrust has been to direct blame for the political instability towards protestors, more..

Jun 10 (AD) Election Commission has decided to gazette the name of business tycoon Dhammika Perera as a MP from SLPP. Earlier today, SLPP’s General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said Dhammika Perera’s name was sent to the Election Commission to fill the vacant National List parliamentary seat. Dhammika Perera meanwhile obtained the membership of SLPP from the party’s general secretary after officially submitting more..

Jun 10 (TM) The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) have expressed concern over the decision taken by the Ministry of Health to not make face masks mandatory. “Strangely this announcement has not specified whether it is necessary to wear face masks in hospital settings for both healthcare workers as well as for general public. It is no secret that at this moment SL is having a severe shortage of medicines and other health care related materials due to unprecedented economic crisis. more..

Jun 10 (AD) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says the killing of SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala by a mob on the 9th of May during the nationwide unrest is a blow to the SL Parliament. During the Vote of Condolence on late MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale, the prime minister stressed that impartial investigations are needed into the attacks on MPs. Accordingly, PM Wickremesinghe has written to Secretary-General of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Stephen Twigg, more..

Jun 10 (EN) Despite a full-order book at the moment, Sri Lanka’s apparel exporters feel their customers shifting their orders to de-risk from Sri Lanka’s ongoing crisis. The five billion dollars industry, a top dollar earner of the country, so far has a full order book. But for the second season (the industry runs on a six-months cycle) that is to begin in July, exporters are saying they are seeing signs of customers pulling out to be on the safer side. more..

Jun 10 (DM) The prevailing Acts in Parliament should be utilised to compensate MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and others who were murdered during the violent incidents reported in the country on May 9 and afterwards in addition to the commission appointed in that regard, Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena said today. Speaking during the votes of condolence on late Amarakeerthi Athukorala, he told Parliament that compensation should also be paid to those more..

Jun 10 (ANI) SL were fined 40% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the second T20I in Colombo. Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Dasun Shanaka's side was ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, more..

Jun 10 (DR) TUI has cancelled more holidays to Sri Lanka amid political and economic instability in the country. The airline had originally cancelled all flights and holidays up to June 12 - but this has now been extended to June 30. Bosses are in the process of contacting affected customers to discuss their options. News of further cancellations come as the Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to SL. The UK Govt body referenced several violent incidents that more..

Jun 10 (DM) There is a risk of dengue fever spreading again in the country and the number of patients reported from the Western Province is increasing. 26,622 patients were reported during this year, but only 2,416 patients were reported during the past eight days across the country. However, there is an increase in reports of dengue infected people from the WP. Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, Ratnapura and Kegalle districts have been identified as the high-risk more..

Jun 10 (TM) The Bourse closed in green yesterday on the back of significant gains observed in the Vallibel One Group and Hayleys Group counters, as a result of circulating talks relating to Dhammika Perera possibly entering Parliament. Since Wednesday (8) evening, after the announcement of the imminent resignation of Basil Rajapaksa from his SLPP National List seat, talks have circulated widely linking Dhammika more..

Jun 10 (FT) Out-going MP Basil Rajapaksa yesterday staged an apparent broadside attack on PM Wickremesinghe saying the latter’s appointment wasn’t right. Speaking to media after resigning as SLPP National List MP, Basil said that transferring the power of a Prez who secured 6.9 million votes to a PM who obtained less than 253,000 votes, was not right. “The current PM is not someone who was appointed by the Parliament. Wickremesinghe was a mere appointment by the Prez,” more..

Jun 10 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa has emphasized the need to maintain more efficient and quality public transport services to attract passengers. The people have been severely inconvenienced due to the increase in oil prices and at the same time, there is a high demand for public transportation. Prez pointed out that providing facility would give relief to the people. Prez made this statement at a discussion on the progress review of the Ministry of Transport and Highways held at more..

Jun 10 (CI) Several familiar faces, as well as a couple of new ones - most notably the highly-rated SL Under-19 captain Dunith Wellalage - have been included in SL's 21-man squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Dasun Shanaka will lead the side. Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella and Wanindu Hasaranga all return, while there are also recalls for allrounder more..

Jun 10 (CB) The third edition of the Lanka Premier League will begin on July 31, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on Friday (June 10). The five-team tournament, scheduled to be held in Colombo and Hambantota, will conclude on August 21, 2022. The development squashes any doubts over this year's edition given the political unrest in Sri Lanka in recent weeks. But with Australia's tour commencing this week, SLC have laid out plans for the T20 tournament. more..

Jun 10 (Island) SL engineer turned naturalist Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, who recently became the first Sri Lankan to be awarded the Linnean Medal for his outstanding contribution to science and the second Asian to be a recipient of the Medal, says he now wants to help address some of the problems caused by the present economic crisis. SL is looking at a decade or two of extreme stress and poverty he said: “My main concern is U-12 generation, who are at serious risk of being malnourished. more..

Jun 10 (CI) The tour has moved to the hill country of Kandy for the final T20I and opening games of the ODI series. Australia wrapped up their first trophy of the trip in barely 24 hours with back-to-back wins in Colombo, although the second one came in an untidy chase that was a reminder of previous collapses against spin on the subcontinent. But their bowling, led by Josh Hazlewood, has been very impressive and Jhye Richardson's return seamlessly covered the absence of Mitchell Starc who more..

Jun 10 (FT) Ultra Aluminium Ltd. recently unveiled its latest BOI approved factory in Arayampathy, Batticaloa which manufactures an import substitute known as aluminium extrusion profiles thereby saving a significant dollar flow going out of the country. This also sets the tone to create jobs and generate income for the people in the Eastern Province and the country as a whole. Commenting on the project, BOI Chairman Raja Edirisuriya said: “The BOI always welcomes more..

Jun 10 (Island) Sri Lankans were a disappointed lot each time Parliament was convened, TNA MP, MA Sumanthiran said in Parliament. Sri Lankans had never been so desperate and they were looking to the parliament today for answers to an unprecedented economic crisis, Sumanthiran said. “Each time this parliament meets, people expect there will be some change, some forward movement to resolve this crisis. more..

Jun 10 (NR) A circular has been issued declaring Monday the 13th of June a special holiday for govt offices. The circular was issued by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration. The circular said the decision was reached having taken into consideration the issues in the transport system and the difficulties in maintaining office function during power cuts and Tuesday the 14th of June already being a holiday. The circular also stated that the matter should not be an obstacle for more..

Jun 10 (CT) Chairman of LITRO Gas Lanka, Vijitha Herath, tendered his resignation from the post a short while ago. While the reasons for Herath’s resignation remain unknown, he announced that his resignation will be effective from today. Herath was appointed as the Chairman of LITRO Gas Lanka on 21 April, following the resignation of Theshara Jayasinghe. Jayasinghe resigned from the post on 14 April, citing reasons that ministers and govt officials under whom LITRO operates did not more..

Jun 10 (Island) Excise Commissioner (Law Enforcement) Kapila Kumarasinghe said that a countrywide investigation was underway to ensure arrack producers maintained required standards and action would be taken against those who had violated the license issued to them. The Excise Commissioner said so when The Island sought his response to accusations that Isopropanol aka Isopropyl used for more..

Jun 10 (CT) Govt of SL today signed an agreement to obtain a Dollar Credit Line from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India. Accordingly, Sri Lanka will be offered a credit line of USD 55 million for the procurement of urea fertilizer for the upcoming Yala season from India. The agreement was signed by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, M.Siriwardena, in the presence of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera and High Commissioner of India, Gopal Baglay. more..

Jun 10 (CT) Govt of SL, by Gazette No. 2283/28 dated 8 June, has increased the excise duties (EDs) on ethyl alcohol (EA) by Rs 100 each, per litre, with effect from yesterday. Further, imported EA used in the production of medicinal and industrial products of which the final products are not subjected to ED has been increased from the previous nought (0) to Rs 300 per litre up to 500 litres. Other ED increases are, EA used by GoSL-approved research and educational institutions, hospitals and more..

Jun 10 (TM) Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that former Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle told him not to go to the IMF, and that he had written a letter to the IMF last July seeking assistance. He said that there were opposing views about seeking IMF assistance among the two groups who take decisions related to the economy in the Treasury and the CB. “Some had said that we should immediately take a loan under an IMF programme, some had said we shouldn’t,” more..

Jun 10 (CT) Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has directed the Ministry Secretary and other officials to install solar power panels at 22 fishery harbours in the country as well as the Peliyagoda Fish Market Complex. Dodanduwa, Suduwella, Hikkaduwa, Modara, Nilwella, Hambantota, Negombo, Chilaw, Tangalle, Ambalangoda, Mirissa, Weligama, Panadura, Dikkowita, Beruwela fishery harbours and the Cod-bay fishery harbour in Trincomalee are also among them, more..

Jun 10 (TM) SL Govt will have to enter into long-term contracts with Russian oil companies outside the tender process to get fuel, said Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday (9), adding that the Ministry has already written to four Russian oil companies, informing them of the country’s requirement. Minister refuted claims that SL would be able to obtain Russian oil at a 35% discount, as no such proposal more..

Jun 10 (DM) Loan rejections are expected to hit an extremely high level in the ongoing quarter as banks have tightened credit conditions as they grow extremely skittish over the ability of applicants to service their facilities amid the economic crisis that has eroded people’s income. According to the most recent credit survey carried out by the Central Bank, there had already been a visible increase in the number of rejected loan applications by banks in the first three months of the year, more..

Jun 10 (CT) The JJB is planning to launch concept community farms islandwide to help people burdened by the economic crisis, said JJB Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He presented three proposals to actively intervene to alleviate some of the food crisis. “Our food production is declining. Our country is in a very dangerous situation. As a political movement we do not think that this is a crisis that can be solved 100% by a political movement or a community organisation,” more..

Jun 10 (DM) Central Bank (CB) this week issued fresh direction to banks, completely rescinding all previous instructions hitherto been in effect since December last year, imposing caps on foreign currency deposits and swap transactions, as they have become futile in the current environment, amid the domestic interest rates going through a massive correction since April 8. Earlier in March, CB issued a fresh order to banks more..

Jun 11 (DM) Tomorrow the UN marks the World Day against Child Labour with this year’s theme being Universal Child Protection to End Child Labour. UN calls for increased investment in social protection systems and schemes to establish solid social protection floors and protect children from child labour. According to the UN, while significant progress has been made in reducing child labour for the past two decades, progress has slowed over time and it has even stalled during more..

Jun 11 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has been alarming the people, especially the low-income communities of a famine-like situation in the upcoming months due to the current foreign exchange crisis. Also some others fear of food riots in the near future based on the rumours of thefts and snatching of food items from the shoppers, despite the veracity of those stories being yet to be confirmed. During two recent events, the PM made special statements about an impending more..

Jun 11 (CT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, making a special statement on the economic situation of the country last Tuesday (7), requested the public to use fuel and gas as carefully as possible and warned that the next three weeks will be a tough time for the country when it comes to fuel supply. “The country spends D500 million per month on fuel. Some estimate that global oil prices will rise by as much as 40% more..

Jun 11 (CT) In a trilogy of lectures delivered by the Indian PM Narendra Modi in 2020, he described India as a civilizational state. And in a recent interview given to the You Tube channel Swarajya, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai mentioned that Modi called Sri Lanka one of, and obviously junior, the civilizational twins. Continuing that theme BJP chief pointed out that in Modi’s thinking, India’s largesse to Sri Lanka during the current economic crisis, is a civilizational duty. more..

Jun 11 (FT) A panel discussion on Investigative journalism, Striving for Democracy Through Investigative Journalism was held on 28 May, in Colombo. Lanka Development Journalist Forum (LDJF) invited three renowned journalists as panellists for the event: Centre for Investigative Reporting Sri Lanka Executive Director Dilrukshi Handunetti, Centre for Investigative Reporting SL Investigative/ Data Journalism trainer Shihar Aneez, and Vidyal.lk Founder/Chief editor Rifthi Ali. more..

Jun 11 (CT) Despite severe accusations that Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is not focusing on the important topic of removing the powers of the executive presidency, he has taken firm focus on introducing the 21th Amendment and extracting good clauses from 19A and 20A. However, seasoned lawyer argues that it is impossible to revoke the powers of the Prez since Constitution is built on Executive Presidency more..

Jun 11 (Island) BBC announced in its Monday morning news that a confidence vote on British PM was planned, by many of his co-Conservatives and announced on 06 June morning. The reason for the vote and exposing Boris Johnson to this terminal judgement was his attending parties in the premises of 10 Downing Street London during the lockdown due to Covid in 2020. Alcohol was served and Scotland Yard investigated and even levied a fine on him and some others. more..