May 7 (ST) Mohan*, a Jaffna shop owner, never thought he would be forced to leave the country one day with his family to neighbouring India for survival–a decision he did not consider even during the height of the war. These days, he is planning his trip to India via fishing boat and has been busy with the arrangements secretly. He has been told by middlemen to be ready for the trip early next month as they are waiting for more people to join the trip of twenty people in a fishing vessel, more..

May 7 (ST) Essential goods have shot up in prices by 200-500% compared to the period when the present govt took over in 2019, statistics reveal. Rice, dhal and sprats are no longer affordable essential items. Dhal, which was sold at a price of around Rs. 145 a kilo in 2019 is now sold for about Rs. 515 in the retail market, a 353% increase. As for the staple food of rice, almost all varieties have shot up to more than Rs. 200 a kilo. Red raw rice is now sold for about Rs. 210 a kilo, while more..

May 7 (CT) It is difficult to find a reliable investor and the number of employees at SL Petroleum Development Authority (SLPDA) is not sufficient for natural gas exploration in the Mannar Basin, officials at the Ministry of Energy told Committee on Public Accounts (COPA). This was discussed at the COPA meeting held on Thursday. The meeting headed by MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna, examined the AG's more..

May 7 (NR) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has challenged the government to table the decision to declare a public emergency, in Parliament and pass the motion with 113 votes. Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo today, MP Mujibur Rahuman said the President will have to revoke the order. MP Rahuman urged the public to continue their struggle without any fear of the emergency declaration. He said the opposition will also continue their struggle within Parliament and on the streets. more..

May 7 (CT) Similar to Samurdhi beneficiaries, upcountry people should also be given Rs 7,500 as an incentive on a monthly basis, Leader of Up-Country People’s Front and SJB MP V. Radhakrishnan said. He said crises have severely affected the people and the Govt should take measures to resolve them. “Upcountry people suffer a lot more than those who live in urban areas. A new system should be introduced so they can buy goods at Lanka Sathosa,” he said. more..

May 7 (AD) Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has commenced random checks on fuel quality in all fuel stations island-wide. He state that there have been complaints regarding the fuel quality and fuel stations mixing petroleum products with water, kerosene and other liquids. In a twitter message, the minister said that the license of fuel stations found to more..

May 7 (CT) Health Minister, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, urged doctors to write their prescriptions using generic names rather than drug brands owing to the existing medicines shortage. Briefing the media, on Friday, Minister Prof. Jayasumana said that at present there was a shortage of well-known syrup brands which are prescribed for children. Should the brand name that is unavailable be written, the patient or the relatives of the patient assume that the drug itself more..

May 7 (TM) Energy Ministry is to present a joint fuel price formula for Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) to Cabinet next week, aiming to reduce the losses to some extent and fund future fuel shipments, said Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekara. He said that even after the fuel price hike on 18 April, CPC is still running at a daily loss due to the continuous depreciation of the SL rupee and subsidies provided by the Govt to the people. more..

May 7 (TW) In the grips of an unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lanka has, for several weeks now, been witnessing widespread protests from its citizens demanding the resignation of the ruling Rajapaksa family – both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. To find out how political and economic normalcy can be restored in the island nation, The Wire’s Karan Thapar speaks to Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, founding executive director of SL’s CPA. more..

May 7 (NR) The JVP charges that the country’s leaders have brought ruin upon the economy through all possible means. Leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing a rally today questioned as to what is left of the economy. MP Dissanayake said four to five hours of power cuts are imposed, fuel lines are 2-3km long, milk power is unavailable, and stoves cannot be lit due to the lack of gas, while the prices of essentials have risen exponentially. more..

May 7 (ST) The construction consortium accused by a Chinese competitor of submitting an inflated bid for the Central Expressway Project’s third section (CEP 3) hit back this week, alleging that the claimed bid of Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) is at least 65% higher over the project’s lifecycle than its own offer. Lanka Infrastructure Development Consortium (LIDC) was tipped to sail away with the contract until more..

May 7 (ST) An unprecedented rise in the prices of essentials including rice and milk powder, and the lack of medicine are putting the lives of hundreds of Sri Lankan children, seniors, the less-abled and the sick in charity homes at risk. Operating costs have risen sharply at orphanages and homes that are looking after the elderly and the destitute. Fr Christopher Prasanna who runs the Macsiri Homes for the elders in Kalutara said it is a challenge to find money for food and other items. more..

May 7 (ST) As the country went into a deeper economic crunch with no signs of immediate hope, state hospitals braced themselves to face a medicine shortage looming closer and closer. Mixed views were expressed by a cross-section of doctors when contacted numerous hospitals. “Denata manage karanna puluwan (for the moment, we can manage), but we may be in serious trouble in a few weeks,” was the lament of many state hospital sources across the country who declined to more..

May 7 (AD) SJB says it has decided to extend support to the proposals brought forward by the Bar Association of SL to restore political and economic stability in SL, which includes the abolishment of the Executive Presidency. The party said in a statement that it would support a national program based on a series of proposals put forward by the Bar Association of SL to resolve the serious national crisis in the country. more..

May 7 (ANI) The Indian embassy in Sri Lanka on Saturday rubbished the reports suggesting that the SL govt used the Line of Credit (LoC) extended by India during the ongoing crisis to import a water cannon vehicle. Issuing a statement on Twitter, the Indian embassy made it clear that the reports suggesting such use of India's assistance as factually incorrect. "We have seen reports that a water canon vehicle was imported by Govt of SL under a credit line extended by Govt of India. more..

May 7 (ST) Govt’s much-publicised initiative to distribute free herbal packs to fight COVID-19 last year fizzled out when the Ayurveda Dept ran out of medicinal herbs and could not replenish stocks owing to the dollar crisis. The Treasury allocated Rs 250mn for the project, of which around Rs 141mn was spent. The balance was returned to the national coffers, said Ayurveda Commissioner M.D.J. Abeygunawardane. The project did not go beyond parts of Gampaha, Kalutara & Colombo more..

May 8 (Island) Yesterday’s hartal crippled the country, which needs work stoppages like a hole in the head amidst the worst-ever economic crisis it is facing, for they only put paid to the efforts being made to resuscitate the economy. But the blame for this unfortunate situation should be apportioned to the govt, which is playing tricks on the people. What we witnessed yesterday may be considered a foretaste of the worst-case scenario, which is expected to play out, if the govt remains more..

May 8 (SO) As protests by students, youth and other groups continue at Galle Face, Parliament, Temple Trees and other cities in the island, one fact is becoming clear. The solution to the present political crisis, if not the economic one, has to emerge from the existing Constitution itself. A new Constitution cannot be drafted and implemented overnight and even then, it needs Parliamentary approval and a referendum too could be needed. All this will take time. But there is no doubt whatsoever more..

May 8 (SO) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe last week highlighted that political issues must not be allowed to overshadow the most crucial economic recovery process of the country. “The world will face an alarming rate of local inflation triggered by the war in Ukraine soon, doubling our woes, but if we start our recovery process immediately, we might be better off by 2023,” the UNP leader said. more..

May 8 (CT) The struggle for proper democracy in SL and a country free of corruption has just begun, with its epicentre at the so called #GotaGoGama at the Galle Face Green, which appears to be largely driven by educated, middleclass youth without any obvious leader/s. It’s overwhelmingly a peaceful protest, not surprising given the nature of the people involved – the educated youth, middle class workers & elderly, most of whom may never have previously involved in any demonstration activity. more..

May 8 (CT) It is not defeat that is a disgrace, it is surrender, roared Vasudeva Nanayakkara at the now forgotten Nugegoda rally on 18 February 2015. That was the Mahinda Sulanga rally that purportedly led to the return of the Rajapaksas in November 2019, but with a major difference – Gotabaya Rajapaksa elevated to come in for the family as Sri Lanka’s President, and Mahinda Rajapaksa relegating himself to play second fiddle as his brother’s Prime Minister. more..

May 8 (SO) Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Plantation Industries and Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that forming an Interim Govt with the support of all the political parties is of paramount importance at this particular moment as the country is facing an unforeseen financial crisis. Minister said whatever the solutions that we need to find in relation to the current economic crisis should come through the Parliament. more..

May 8 (Island) For better or worse, the protesters calling for Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation have been engaging with other issues and concerns. These include minority rights, the abduction and assassination of journalists, and the need for a clearer foreign policy. While weeks ago such concerns may have been belittled, even sidelined, now they have been incorporated into the protests. Such a development should be welcomed, even if, in the long run, it can dilute the demonstrations more..

May 8 (ST) Calling out the Armed Forces has seemingly been Prez Rajapaksa’s last throw of the dice – declaring a State of Emergency on Friday night following the hartal earlier in the day, members of Parliament besieged by radicalised students and trade unions threatening to extend strike action on a daily basis from next week until the Prez and his Govt resign. A botched attempt by the Opposition to defeat his tottering Govt in Parliament over the election of the Deputy Speaker was expected more..

May 8 (ER) Prez Rajapaksa on Friday declared a State of Emergency in the island following an attempt to block entry into and exit from parliament and the continued blockade of the Prez’s Office and the PM’s official residence by the Gota Go Home agitators. The Gota God Home agitation, which had morphed into a Rajapaksas Go Home agitation, was peaceful for the most part, but was recently infiltrated by unidentified elements which instilled a potential for violent action threatening to bring more..

May 8 (Island) Clearly the old ruling coalition, the SLPP and SLFP, has a majority in Parliament. That is similar to a man who has a huge mountain of money in his house, but all the money belongs to a category devalued by the Central Bank. The majority that the SLPP-SLFP mustered in parliament stands clearly devalued in the eyes of the citizenry and by them. The 148 votes should give the President and the Rajapaksa clan little cause for comfort. That is because there is a huge gap between more..

May 8 (ST) As India extended its credit lines to assist Sri Lanka during the ongoing economic crisis, it has also actively pursuing development projects to secure geopolitical and bilateral interests in its backyard. In recent weeks, the neighbouring country has also been careful to assert that the extension of it credit lines should not be perceived by the people as supporting the SL govt which is under tremendous pressure to vacate office. more..

May 8 (Island) Some of SL’s best cricketing moments while touring England have come in Leeds, the capital city of Yorkshire. During the 2006 tour, England had posted 321 and looked good to avoid a 5-0 whitewash. Sri Lankans threw caution to the wind reaching the target with more than 12 overs to spare and eight wickets in hand. England fans’ mood wasn’t great that day and a few minutes after Sri Lanka completing a 5-0 routing came more misery with news that Yorkshire legend more..

May 8 (SO) Maxwell de Silva the General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) was stabbed and injured when a couple of unidentified assailants attacked him with a knife in the early hours of Friday and made their getaway in his car. Two attackers had entered the premises of De Silva in the early hours of the morning and when his wife opened the front door alerted by the barking of their two dogs, the duo pushed her down and entered the house. Confronting De Silva inside the house more..

May 8 (TM) The prevailing economic crisis that is devaluing the SL Rupee with each passing day, making goods and services more and more unaffordable for the public, is expected to push a considerable percentage of people below the country’s poverty line this year. Economists are of the view that this increase in the number of people living below the poverty line may double or triple compared to numbers recorded a year ago. more..

May 8 (ANI) SL on Saturday cancelled the leave of security forces with immediate effect after the declaration of a state of emergency in the island nation. Ministry of Defence divulged the information about the cancellation of the leaves. The crisis-hit SL on Friday declared a state of emergency after the crippling strike and protest over the external debt for the second time in five weeks. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence said that some protesters have begun to disregard law and order, more..

May 8 (GV) People’s protests today occupy the public space as the people clamour to create and occupy democratic space. This receives public attention and worries the oppressor. Today’s protests demand change. The sovereignty of the people has been brazenly ursurped by callous and arrogant legislators. They must go if the people are to breathe as lawful citizens once again. Something breathtaking is happening at Galle Face; a popular, breezy green has been turned into a vibrant, more..

May 8 (TM) A quick solution to the severe Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortage around the country remains out of sight, as local LPG importers struggle to find suppliers from India to utilise the funds allocated through Indian Line of Credit (LOC). It is learnt that funds totalling $ 160 million have already been allocated through the Indian LOC, but the funds cannot be utilised until an Indian supplier can be finalised for both more..

May 8 (ST) My dear Dishonourable Deputy Speaker Ranjith, I feel sad and ashamed that I have to write to you in this manner. However, I also feel that I must, after watching the totally unnecessary drama that was played out in Parliament on Thursday. So, instead of saying congratulations to you, I would say commiserations to the people of this country. What is so disappointing about everything that happened on Thursday was that it involved you, DisHon Ranjith, one of the few people among more..

May 8 (SO) The inter-school Under-19 First X1 cricket season is reaching an interesting stage with the big matches about to start. Although the big match season is customarily held in March every year, the age old customs went for a six with the Covid-19 pandemic. Soon after the Battle of the Blues big match between Royal and S. Thomas’ in mid-March in 2020, not only all sports but all day to day activities of the entire world were curtailed. Most big matches last year were not played though more..