Mar 14 (AD) A person has been attacked with a sharp object and murdered by his own son over family dispute at Kochchikade in Katana West. The incident had occurred last evening and that the victim is a 44-year-old resident of Gamunu Mawatha in Katana West. It is reported that the father had returned home after consuming alcohol and he had assaulted his daughter following a quarrel with regard to the manner in which meals had been prepared. more..

Mar 14 (MNA) SL Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran G.M.V. Wishwanath Aponsu met and held talks with Abdolnaser Derakhshan Chairman of Iran-SL Parliamentary Friendship Group in Tehran on Sunday to discuss mutual ties and issues of mutual interests. During the meeting, Derakhshan pointed to the key role of parliaments in promotion of relations between countries and stated that lawmakers at parliaments have a very important role in expansion of relations between more..

Mar 14 (AD) The Commissioner General of Examinations says that those who wish to apply for the re-correction of 2021 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam answer scripts could do so before March 31, 2022. Results of the 2021 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam was released online last night and can be viewed by visiting the official website of the Examination Dept (www.doenets.lk) or the website www.results.exam.gov.lk more..

Mar 14 (MFA) The visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdulla Al Saud paid a courtesy calls on Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa followed by a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 March. While welcoming the Saudi Foreign Minister, Minister Peiris expressed SL’s keen interest to transform SL– Saudi Arabia bilateral relations into a results-oriented, multi-faceted partnership. more..

Mar 14 (CT) Container Transporters’ Association (CTA) has decided to raise transportation charges by 60% with effect from yesterday, following the fuel price increase by the CPC and Lanka IOC earlier and free float of LKR. President of the Association, Sanath Manjula said, that increasing transport charges is also influenced by a 20% increase in the prices of vehicle spare parts. “This decision was caused by an increase in diesel prices, fluctuating of the exchange rate of US dollar, more..

Mar 14 (CI) For 173 balls, Dimuth Karunaratne defied India. In constructing a fine 14th Test century, he showed his team-mates hitting your way out of trouble wasn't the only way to succeed on a tough Bengaluru track that offered sharp turn and variable bounce. Then he got a pearl from Jasprit Bumrah that breached his defences. Even someone as well set as he was couldn't quite judge the extent of late inward movement more..

Mar 14 (AD) Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has reportedly handed over his official vehicles and official residence to the Secretary to the Ministry today (14). When inquired regarding this, DLF leader stated that hereafter he will be using a personal vehicle belonging to a family relative. Mr. Nanayakkara further stated that this decision was taken as it is unethical to obtain vehicles and other facilities from the ministry due to his boycott of Cabinet meetings and his withdrawal from more..

Mar 14 (DM) All Island School Van Operators Association (AISVOA) requested their members to go for a school van fare hike after talking to the parents. He said the association cannot demand an exact fare for school vans. "With the recent fuel price increase, parents are also finding it very difficult get the day to day life going. Most parents live on a fixed monthly salary and their salaries have not been increased either," he said. Therefore, we cannot demand a school van fee hike, he said. more..

Mar 14 (Island) Rev Fr (Dr) Noel Dias, Senior Lecturer in Law (Retd) of the Uni of Colombo, Lecturer SL Law College, Chaplain, Catholic Lawyers’ Guild and the newly-inducted Chaplain for Army Christian Fellowship Thursday paid a courtesy call on General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army at the Army HQ. The incoming Chaplain was warmly received at the Commander’s office where a cordial exchange of views and pleasantries ensued. more..

Mar 14 (ST) In the aftermath of an unprecedented fuel price increase, the CEB has proposed to the Govt a revision in the electricity rates. The proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Power and the Public Utilities Commission of SL. Accordingly the PUCSL has begun working out the revised rates to be submitted to the Govt. The CEB has pointed out that already state institutions and consumers owe it more than Rs 40 billion and the CEB losses have now exceeded Rs 250 billion. more..

Mar 14 (EN) A German vlogger, going by the name of Ken Abroad that captured the hearts of thousands of youtube users in SL has said he may cut his visit short and leave the country as money printing created forex shortages and a power crisis. “When you are travelling abroad, you have many challenging situations,” Ken said in his latest youtube video. “But the challenges are getting worse so I am actually thinking about more..

Mar 14 (AD) Police have raided a party organized through Facebook at a hotel in Waikkal, Wennappuwa and arrested 39 suspects along with various narcotic drugs. The raid was carried out last evening based on information received by Wennappuwa Police. The arrested suspects are said to be youths between the ages 20-30 years, who are residents of Mattakkuliya, Ganemulla, Negombo, Anuradhapura, Wattala and Meerigama areas. Police officers have seized 02 grams and more..

Mar 14 (FT) Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has assured the tourism industry that the incumbent Act will not be changed without consultation of the private sector and his Advisory Council. This assurance was given to the tourism industry when several of its leaders met him to voice the grave concerns of the industry due to the arbitrary change of the Act. The private sector delegation included Minister’s Tourism Advisory Committee Chairman Hiran Cooray, Hotels Association of SL more..

Mar 14 (FT) Destination Sri Lanka stood out last week, on the 3, 4 and 5 March at Expo 2020 Dubai, with four planned events earning high global media coverage. Sri Lanka Tourism is proud to announce, the total earned media exposure from this global event, which will conclude at the end of March after running for a period for six months, to be in the range of over $ 2 million, exceeding all expectations. A high level delegation led by more..

Mar 14 (CT) The State Printing Corporation (SPC) has incurred a loss of Rs 2 billion as a result of its inability to accept orders owing to the paper shortage, Acting General Manager of the SPC, Ranjith Tennakoon said. Accordingly, the Corporation has not accepted more than 12 million orders to print school textbooks, question papers and answer sheets for State schools, lottery tickets, annual report books, CPC exercise books, CR books, note books, half sheets and bills. more..

Mar 14 (AD) The National Transport Commission (NTC) has revised the bus fares with effect from midnight today (14). Accordingly, the relevant documents had been presented to the Cabinet of Ministers today. Accordingly, the minimum bus fare has been increased from Rs. 17 to Rs. 20. The weekly Cabinet meeting was held today (14) under the patronage of President Rajapaksa while a final decision regarding the revision of bus fares was expected to be taken at today’s meeting. more..

Mar 14 (EN) Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 270/280 to the US dollar Monday as the rupee was allowed to fall in as bid to get the currency to float up from Friday’s close of 255/265. In late afternoon trade the rupee was quoted at 270/280 to the US dollar. Though there was an increase in remittances initially after rupee was allowed to fall according to monetary policy in a bid to establish a float. In the kerb market the US dollar was quoted at 282/290 rupees. more..

Mar 14 (TM) Several officers from the STF have allegedly attempted to smuggle bottles of arrack into the Boossa Prison recently. Chairman of the Committee to Protect the Rights of Prisoners, Attorney at Law Senaka Perera confirmed that an altercation had taken place within the prison complex between the prison police guards and the STF officers. “A couple of STF officers had arrived at the prison complex with several bottles of arrack. The purpose as to why they brought it into more..

Mar 14 (CT) Claiming that the SLFP had no involvement in the decisions taken by the Govt in the last two years, former Prez Maithripala Sirisena said the public has no choice but to take to the streets due to many severe issues they have to go through at present. He said the country was in the throes of numerous crises, including food scarcity and that with the rise in petrol prices, the public were rejecting politicians and more..

Mar 14 (EN) Power cuts of 2 hours for some areas in Sri Lanka and 3 hours 45 minutes for other areas in two blocks on March 15, as a forex crisis creates power shortages in the dry season has been the Public Utilities Commission said. It will be same schedule as the day before. Areas PQRSTUVW will have power cuts in 2 hour blocks from 900am to 500pm. Areas ABCDEFGHIJKL will have a 2 hour power cut from 0800am to 0600pm and another 1 hour and 15 minutes from 0800 to 1100pm. more..

Mar 14 (DM) NFF MP Nimal Piyathissa who functioned as the Chairman of the Kotmale Divisional Coordinating Committee resigned from that post today. The MP said he had decided to resign from the post of Coordinating Committee Chairman since he was not prepared to hold a post under a govt that failed to fulfil the aspirations of 6.9 million people. He said his resignation was a mark of protest against the govt’s arbitrary activities and marginalizing all forces in the govt. more..

Mar 14 (Reuters) SL's finance minister held talks with a top IMF official on Monday, two sources said, as the island nation seeks help to deal with its plunging reserves, a sliding currency and surging inflation. IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Changyong Rhee met Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Treasury Secretary S.R. Atygalle, two finance ministry officials said. SL is expected to start formal negotiations with more..

Mar 14 (EN) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will meet a delegation from the opposition Tamil National Alliance on Tuesday (15) for the first time since he assumed office, TNA MP Shanakyan Rasamanickam confirmed. The meeting, long sought by the Tamil party coalition, will take place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo and, according to the MP, will focus on outstanding issues such as a political solution the ethnic issue, devolution of power & alleged land grabbing in the North. more..

Mar 14 (EN) State health workers in Sri Lanka are once again engaged in trade union action, this time resorting to a strike on Monday (14) in the Western and Eastern provinces claiming that authorities have failed to honour consensus reached in previous meetings. A continuous strike launched by state health workers in early February over seven key demands was stopped by an order issued by the Colombo Magistrate Court. The unions then initiated a 48-hour token strike on March 02 and 03, more..

Mar 15 (DM) An idea of a national govt has been floated and it is being debated among the leaders of various political parties, against the backdrop of the economic crisis the country is currently faced with. Since the necessity of a national govt arises at a time when the country is faced with a national crisis one might argue that this is an opportune time for a national govt. However, in a highly degenerated political culture this idea seems to be more challenging instead of leading to a solution. more..

Mar 15 (DM) In recent memory, corrupt and dynastic regimes have fallen not because their citizenry became conscious of democracy overnight, or developed a special alluring for civic rights. But because, the people became poorer, hungrier and angrier. Economic shocks were the primary catalyst. Rising food prices, soaring fuel cost, currency depreciation and unemployment created a potent cocktail of pent up public anger. As the economy squeezed on the average folks, more..

Mar 15 (DM) The Wé Ganga Muththetuwatta Mankada in Nivitigala, located 20km away from the Ratnapura town, transforms into a hive of activity at the break of dawn. Both sand and gem miners utilise this lucky spot along the Wé Ganga - a tributary of the Kalu Ganga that flows through Ratnapura and Kalutara Districts- with hopes of laying their hands on a fortune before the day concludes. more..

Mar 15 (ST) In a chaotic week where the country’s already weakened economy took an absolute hammering, angry Opposition lawmakers repeatedly attacked Minister Basil Rajapaksa over his failure to brief Parliament on the situation. Under the Constitution, it is Parliament that has powers over public finances. With the country undergoing its gravest economic crisis in decades, MPs naturally would look to the Finance Minister to brief them on the situation and how the Govt intends to more..

Mar 15 (ST) If it is not one thing it is another. For quite some time now the current Govt and its Viyath magarians have found a reason which some might call an over dramatised excuse, to blame the Covid pandemic for the country’s speedy descent to economic chaos. One was made to think that before President Xi exported his Wuhan virus this Resplendent Isle was indeed resplendent, that SL was flowing with milk and money (plenty of it ill-gotten, lot creamed off top from govt deals more..

Mar 15 (DM) Sri Lanka is gradually losing its ability to serve tourists as a hospitable nation. A new gazette now restricts the import of several items considered non-essential but these include cheese, pasta and other items that make a menu more interesting. Cuisine for instance is a major feature that attracts tourists to the country. However, despite mega advertising and promotion campaigns, SL is yet to witness more..

Mar 15 (CT) UK Govt, in their latest travel advisory on Sri Lanka, issued last Monday, has added two salient new clauses. They revolve round the economy and terrorism. On the economy the UK said, “The economic situation is deteriorating in SL with shortages of basic necessities including medicines, fuel and food because of a shortage of hard currency to pay for imports. There may be long queues at grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies. more..

Mar 15 (TM) Breaking months of silence, Prez Rajapaksa is expected to meet members of the TNA today. This long awaited meeting between the two parties, which was indefinitely postponed in June last year, is rather special not only due to the time it took to finally become a reality, but also due to the demands that the TNA – or representatives of the North and East based Tamil community as they claim – are raising. The TNA is expecting a political solution to the Tamil community’s concerns, more..

Mar 15 (Island) Matilda may have told dreadful lies that made one gasp and stretch one’s eyes, but her lies, or what has been said of them, to be exact, pale into childish prattle in comparison to what Sri Lankan politicians tell the public, especially when they seek votes and face trouble after being ensconced in power. It is only natural that Sri Lankans tend to believe the very obverse of what ruling party politicians and their propaganda lackeys tell them. The Prez’s Media Division announced, more..

Mar 15 (Island) My first jungle trips were made with the family. The very first, as far as my memory goes, was in the mid 1970s, when we travelled in an Austin A 60 car to Lahugala, Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruva and Sigiriya. I was probably five years old at the time. Since then there were a number of such long trips we made as a family, until 1984 when we joined Mr. Meryl Fernando and his traveling companions on a trip to Rakwana. It was on this trip that I made my first memorable jungle hike, more..

Mar 15 (FT) The Central Bank yesterday raised $ 152.54 million via the issuance of six-month SL Development Bonds (SLDBs). The SLDB auction was for $ 50 million at fixed rate with a possible upsizing by an additional three times based on favourable market response. The six month tenor of SLDBs received bids worth $ 162.54 million of which CBSL accepted $ 152.54 million at the Weighted Average Fixed Rate of 9.48%. more..