Jun 20 (FT) SL-born world-renowned economist, formerly a Don at the Australian National Uni, in a webinar hosted by Advocata Institute has outlined his wisdom or chinthana on import substitution. Aseni, the whiz kid on economics had watched it but could not understand many of the high-flown economic stuff presented there. She sought the assistance of her grandpa, Sarath Mahatthaya, a former employee of Ministry of Finance, to help her understand it. more..

Jun 20 (FT) We are in the middle of a socio-economic turbulence that demands right leadership to ensure proper management of all fronts. It is sad to observe the dire need and the dearth of it in the critical positions. We see a mix of empathic leaders as well as psychopathic laggards in existence. The former may bring clarity to the scene whilst the latter may create chaos. The nature and features of them is worth exploring in the context of the current crisis. Today’s column is an attempt to do so. more..

Jun 20 (DM) A special mechanism has been introduced for health staffers to obtain fuel during the present crisis situation where the health workers could obtain fuel at designated filling stations across the country on Fridays, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. He said in a twitter post that the mechanism was introduced following a discussion with Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara to ensure continuous supply of fuel for health staff. Minister has instructed more..

Jun 20 (EN) Australia said it will provide US$ 50 million in official aid for SL which is reeling from the worst currency crisis in its 72-year-old history of intermediate regime central bank. “We will contribute an immediate $22 million to the WFP for emergency food assistance to help three million people in SL meet their daily nutritional needs,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said in a statement. “Australia will also provide $23 million in development assistance to SL in 2022-23.” more..

Jun 20 (AD) A total of 21 protesters including a Buddhist monk have been arrested by the police for obstructing two entrances of the Finance Ministry in Colombo. Police said that the arrested protesters includes a Buddhist monk, four females and another 16 males. They had been engaged in a protest this morning blocking the entrance to Ministry of Finance while protesters had also erected tents near the entryway. more..

Jun 20 (FT) The crisis faced by NVOCC Lines operating to and from the Port of Colombo, was featured in the Daily FT 11 Feb 2022, under the heading Fresh Shipping Setback for imports, exports from feeder operators, due to the International Feeder Shipping Line Operators imposing new conditions for the carriage of NVOCC Line containers to and from the Port of Colombo. NVOCC Lines, are regional container/box Operators providing an important service more..

Jun 20 (Island) The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) has entered into an MOU with the Australian Govt funded Skills for Inclusive Growth Programme (S4IG), managed by Palladium International Group to increase collaboration to strengthen skills development in tourism.S4IG is a skills development programme of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) implemented in Sri Lanka in accordance with the terms of a Subsidiary Agreement signed more..

Jun 20 (EN) An IMF mission who has arrived in SL has met PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as part of a discussions to fashion policy corrections that will restore monetary stability and allow the country to repay debt. “PM Wickremesinghe commenced discussions with the IMF team a short while ago at the PM’s Office,” his office said. The IMF in person team will be in SL till May 30. The team will “continue discussions more..

Jun 20 (AD) SLPP Pradeshiya Sabha member Jagath Samantha has been arrested on charges of assaulting persons and obstructing the duties of police officers at a filling station in Arachchikattuwa. Samantha, who is the brother of MP Sanath Nishantha, had recently been accused of assaulting certain individuals near filling station while a video of the incident had been widely circulated on social media. He had assaulted persons at a fuel station in Arachchikattuwa waiting for fuel on June 17 more..

Jun 20 (AD) Businessman Dhammika Perera has undertaken not to take oath as a MP or Minister until the Supreme Court decides whether or not to grant leave to proceed with the petitions filed before courts against his appointment as an MP. The fundamental rights petitions filed against the appointment of Dhammika Perera as a MP were taken up by a 3-judge bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Yasantha Kodagoda and Arjuna Obeysekera today. more..

Jun 20 (FT) Seven leading French Travel agents arrived in SL on Saturday for an eight-night, nine-day tour to experience all that SL has to offer. During their stay they will be visiting tourism hotspots such Kandy, Passikudah, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa while also exploring lesser-known destinations such as Mandaramnuwara, Galoya and Inginiyagala. The familiarisation tour is organised by leading destination management company Connaissance De Ceylan and Theme Resorts and Spas, more..

Jun 20 (EN) China-backed Hambantota International Port said it had taken delivery of two ship to shore (STS) cranes which will be used for bulk cargo operations. “The new cranes will hugely increase vessel turnaround times which will have a highly desirable impact on our productivity,” Chief Operating Officer of Hambantota Int'l Port Group (HIPG) Tissa Wickramasinghe said in a statement. he Port began handling bulk cargo in 2018, after the HIPG took over. more..

Jun 20 (Island) Federation of University Teachers Union (FUTA) has opposed the decision of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to close the universities temporarily. It has written to the UGC, taking exception to the latter’s decision to allow Vice Chancellors to decide when to reopen universities. Full text of the FUTA letter to the UGC Chairman: The FUTA is writing this in response to the UGC decision to allow the VCs of more..

Jun 20 (AI) A joint statement by ILGA Asia, Amnesty International, Equal Ground, and Int'l Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on the landmark decision, of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which found that the criminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual activity between women under Section 365A of SL’s Penal Code 1883 violates their right to non-discrimination under Article 2 (a) and (d)–(g) of the UN Convention on the Elimination of more..

Jun 20 (ANI) Indian women's cricket team on Sunday arrived in Dambulla for the upcoming white-ball series against SL. The Sri Lanka tour will be the first series for the India women's team in the post-Mithali Raj era, as the country's long-time captain recently announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket. "India Women's Team led by Harmanpreet Kaur arrives in SL. India and SL will play three T20Is in Dambulla on June 23, 25 and 27 followed by as many ODIs on July 1, 4 & 7," more..

Jun 20 (AD) The 21st Amendment to the Constitution has received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers today, according to Minister Harin Fernando. In a twitter message, he said that draft constitutional amendment was tabled and passed by the Cabinet and that it will be tabled in parliament soon. Minister also expressed his gratitude to PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe for pushing it through. more..

Jun 20 (ANI) Amid the unprecedented fuel crisis in the country, former SL cricketer Roshan Mahanama was spotted serving tea and buns to people waiting in lines outside the stores to buy fuel and cooking gas. "We served tea and buns with the team from Community Meal Share this evening for the people at the petrol queues around Ward Place and Wijerama mawatha. The queues are getting longer by the day and there will be many health risks to people staying in queues," h2 tweeted. more..

Jun 20 (CI) Other than the opening T20I which was a very one-sided affair, Sri Lanka have heaped the pressure on Australia during this tour. They nearly stole a low-scoring clash in the second T20I, thrillingly won the third game off the bat of captain Dasun Shanaka, were only beaten by a Glenn Maxwell special at the start of the one-dayers and have now taken back-to-back ODIs against Australia for the first time in 20 years to stand on the cusp of a series victory. more..

Jun 20 (CI) Kusal Mendis is available for the fourth ODI against Australia on Tuesday, but Danushka Gunathilaka appears unlikely to play, while Wanindu Hasaranga may only be risked if SL feel they need him. Mendis retired hurt on 87 off 85 balls in SL's win on Sunday, having put on a match-defining 170-run stand with centurion Pathum Nissanka. But he left the field because of neuromuscular cramps, SLC's chief medical officer Dr Daminda Attanayake said, and as such, will be fit for Tuesday. more..

Jun 20 (AI) Responding to media reports that the govt is currently in conversations with a range of lenders regarding its debt obligations and announcement of austerity measures amidst a serious economic crisis, Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Researcher said, “AI is particularly concerned that govt’s response to the crisis may result in a further erosion of economic and social rights. We would like to use this opportunity to remind the govt more..

Jun 20 (Hindu) Sri Lanka will resume flights from the northern Jaffna peninsula to India next month, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has said, asserting that the move would support the country’s tourism industry and help in easing the SL economic crisis. SLTDA plans to attract 800,000 tourists during the rest of the year. “The northern Jaffna peninsula’s Palaly airport is to resume flights to India from next month,” Aviation Minister said on Saturday. more..

Jun 20 (DM) Kusal Mendis has become a father for the first time. This was revealed by his father, Dinesh Mendis. "Kusal's wife Nishelle gave birth to a baby girl between 7 and 8 a.m. on Monday. Both the newly born baby and her mother are absolutely fine,” he said. The 27-year-old right-handed batter, who scored 87 runs in the third ODI against Australia on Sunday night, saw his daughter on Monday morning. "Kusal came to the hospital on Sunday night immediately after the match. more..

Jun 20 (PMD) It has been decided to increase the number of flights between China and SL. Accordingly, China will operate three flights to SL from this week. SriLankan Airlines too offers frequent flights to China. This was revealed by the Chinese Ambassador to SL Qi Zhenhong when he paid a courtesy call on Prez Rajapaksa at the Prez’s House in Colombo. Ambassador briefed the Prez on the economic and humanitarian assistance provided and expected to be provided by Chinese govt more..

Jun 20 (Hindu) Addressing SL’s Tamil national question is imperative for the island nation’s recovery from the crushing economic crisis it is facing, veteran Tamil leader R Sampanthan said, contending the unresolved issue had proved a major impediment for the country’s economic progress since Independence. The 89-year-old MP recounted the many historic opportunities that SL leadership missed, allowing the ethnic conflict to fester, more..

Jun 20 (Island) Parliament will take up for debate this week the Industrial Disputes (Special Provisions) Bill to give more powers to the Presidents of the labour tribunals as Additional Magistrates “to hear, try, determine and dispose of all suits or prosecutions under the provisions of specified enactments and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.” The decision to take up the Bill for debate was made at the last Ministerial Consultative Committee on more..

Jun 20 (ANI) The Chamari Athapaththu-led squad will compete against India in a three-match T20I and a three-match ODI series, as SLC announced a 19-member squad on Monday. Athapaththu will again lead both the squads, which include important players like Hasini Perera, Nilakshi de Silva, Oshadi Ranasinghe and Inoka Ranaweera. SLC also gave a maiden call-up to Vishmi Gunaratne in both the squads. She is yet to make her ODI debut for SL. The tour consists of 3T20Is and 3 ODIs more..

Jun 20 (FT) Joint Association of Leasing and Debt Instalment Payers has unanimously decided to default for 3 months starting 9 June until the authorities give solutions based on five key demands. Five demands are 1) revise 11.5% additional interest levied on the capital outstanding unjustly, 2) stop seizure of vehicles and property arbitrarily till 31 Dec, 3) provide a concessionary period to repay lease and debt instalments till more..

Jun 20 (CT) Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera said, he will be submitting a Cabinet Paper seeking approval to allow other fuel distribution companies, based in other countries, to open their own filling centres, similar to what Lanka IOC is doing. He said, the CPC cannot on its own handle the fuel distribution across the country, because it is a difficult task. He highlighted that because they have discovered that distributing and importing fuel is difficult, more..

Jun 20 (DM) Gotabaya Rajapaksa – Ranil Wickremesinghe regime must stop forthwith further aggravating the misery of millions of families in Sri Lanka and step down immediately making way for Parliament to elect a new President, a PM and a cabinet under an all-party interim govt, SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said today. Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime has hoodwinked the global financial agency, the IMF. Therefore no other international financial agency like the World Bank and the ADB or more..

Jun 20 (PMD) Minister for Home Affairs of Australia Clare O’Neill has said that the Australian govt will assist SL in overcoming the present economic crisis in compliance with the IMF framework. Mrs. Claire O’Neill, who is on an official visit to SL, made these remarks when she called on Prez Rajapaksa at the Prez’s House in Colombo, today. The Zero Chance campaign for illegal migration & human trafficking was the policy more..

Jun 20 (DM) Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has extended his wishes to his borther President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the latter’s birthday saying that “I have every assurance that he will martial this country out of this crisis.” “A very happy birthday to President and all the very best as he steps into another year of his life. His presence has always been a source of strength and I have every assurance that he will martial this country out of this crisis,” former PM Rajapaksa tweeted. more..

Jun 20 (DM) Claiming that a group of individuals surrounded the Finance Ministry and attempted to prevent the Finance Secretary from attending the IMF talks, UNP Working Committee member Dinouk Colombage said such groups cannot be allowed to disrupt the economic recovery efforts of the country. He said in a statement that the protesters are not part of the groups who have been calling for a genuine change in the country, but rather those who have ulterior political motives. more..

Jun 21 (DM) Those who have followed this column might know that I have regularly expressed strong reservations about Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his previous stint as the secretary of defence and later his reincarnation as the president. Those concerns would be vindicated when the Sri Lankan judiciary is unshackled from routine political meddling and inherent bias toward the powers that be. Nonetheless, after the other Rajapaksas resigned and their dynastic project crumbled, I, more..

Jun 21 (DM) Clashes at filling stations and at cooking gas distributing centres are increasing with the heightening uncertainty over the fuel and gas supply in the near future. Number of reports of police and the army using firearms to control the angry mobs at fuel stations and gas distributing centres are also increasing. This seems to be a bad omen of an impending disaster, as the fuel and gas scarcity is likely to exacerbate in the coming weeks which might intensify angry reaction by the people. more..

Jun 21 (DM) The SLPP MP and former Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa shared his views on the current economic, political and social upheaval in the country with the Daily Mirror. Q: Prez Rajapaksa has appointed a cabinet of 21 ministers but many of them including the President and PM have lost credibility among the public with their dubious past and questionable performance. Do you think Prez Rajapaksa more..

Jun 21 (DM) The proposed 21 st. Constitutional Amendment (21A), which is meant to reduce the powers of the Executive Prez and enhance those of parliament, will be of no use if parliament continues to be lackadaisical in making use of the powers that it already has, or if the parliamentary committees have built-in weaknesses. One of the significant ideas mooted by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is the need to strengthen parliament vis-à-vis Executive Presidency in matters of public finance more..