May 13 (TM) Uchchimunai Island, the second-largest of the 14 islands off the shore of Kalpitiya, Puttalam, North Western Province has been given on lease for 30 years to a Switzerland-based company, which plans to develop an environmentally friendly resort on the island. SLTDA Director General Dhammika Wijesinghe said that the project proposal for the said development was approved by SLTDA’s Board of Directors in 2020. more..

May 13 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa has informed Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that he could not change the decision to appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the PM at this time and invited him to inform without delay if the SJB was ready to accept Ministerial portfolios in the new Cabinet. Prez in his response to the Opposition Leader, said he decided to appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new PM as Mr. Premadasa had refused to accept any responsibility within an interim govt under more..

May 13 (TM) Completing a stunning comeback, UNP Leader and National List MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, who failed to secure his seat in Parliament in the Aug 2020 General Election, was sworn in as the new PM last evening. Wickremesinghe took oaths before Prez Rajapaksa at the Prez’s House, with Secretary to the Prez Gamini Senarath and Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe also present on the occasion. Wickremesinghe has served as PM of SL on more..

May 13 (FT) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country’s new PM before Prez Rajapaksa yesterday in one of the biggest reversals of political fortune in the country. The shock decision to appoint Wickremesinghe to the post vacated by Mahinda Rajapaksa was made on Wednesday night after the Prez met with the UNP leader and invited him to take over as premier. Prez Rajapaksa via Twitter wished more..

May 13 (FT) There are few words that fall more explosively into the wells of consciousness than speech after long silence. That the most recent televised misadventures came as something of an anticlimax is cause for much relief. The unkindest thing that could be said about the president’s thought process is that he is now a past-master at stirring up apathy if and when his excellency’ deigns to address the nation. At least it was aired on a private TV channel; was mercifully brief, more..

May 13 (FT) Who is Sara? Was she really a suicide bomber brainwashed through Islamic extremism or a mole planted by a spy agency to track the motives of Islamic extremists who led the Easter attacks which killed nearly 300 innocent people and wounded many more? Why is this mysterious lady continuing to dominate headlines while giving conspiracy theoreticians importance? Let us take a close look at the events surrounding her life during the Easter carnage in 2019. more..

May 13 (AD) Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon has appeared before the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL). The high-ranking police officer arrived at the commission’s premises at around 10 a.m. this morning based on a summons issued on him. The HRCSL had summoned Senior DIG for questioning in connection with the unrest and incidents of violence in Colombo on Monday (9). Meanwhile the Commissioner General of Prisons and more..

May 13 (EN) Central bank has begun to quote a daily guidance middle rate of 360 rupees for the spot US dollar under a process started on May 13, which is set substantially below the market rate. Banks could quote 2.60 rupees plus or minus under the new direction. CB stopped quoting day rates on Jan 23 when the rupee was floated with an interest rate correction after the soft peg collapsed, amid a war. In 2021 and the central bank also started enforcing a rate incompatible with the policy rate at more..

May 13 (AFP) Sri Lanka's new PM struggled Friday to forge a unity govt and forestall an imminent economic collapse as opposition lawmakers refused to join his cabinet and demanded fresh elections. Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in late Thursday to navigate his country through the worst downturn in its history as an independent nation, with months of shortages and blackouts inflaming public anger. more..

May 13 (EN) SL’s main stock index gained over 4% on Friday (12) to end at more than one-month high driven by positive sentiments of political stability hopes following the appointment of opposition legislator Ranil Wickramasinghe as the new PM, dealers said. “The market moved up purely on the positive sentiments. But it will all depend on the delivery of the PM and the cabinet the new govt is going to have,” a top market analyst said. Wickramasinghe was appointed as more..

May 13 (DM) Newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had pledged to repeal the shoot at sight order given to security forces after the recent violence. Mr. Wickremesinghe made this pledge when foreign journalists questioned him about this procedure. PM’s office said such orders will be given to security forces only if riots resume. It was also reported that the new govt will repeal the 20 amendment to the constitution and reduce President's powers. more..

May 13 (AD) Newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has officially assumed duties at the PM’s Office. Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as SL’s 26th Prime Minister on Thursday to stabilise the country’s debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil. The 73-year-old UNP leader took over as the prime minister as the country was without a govt since Monday when Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as PM after violence erupted following more..

May 13 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) says that no power cuts will be imposed on Vesak Poya Day (15). PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayake also said five-hour power cuts will be imposed tomorrow (14). He said that 5-hour power cuts had been imposed yesterday and the day before and this will remain the same for tomorrow as well. He said they are hoping to provide an uninterrupted electricity supply to the people on Sunday, which is Vesak Day. more..

May 13 (AD) SLFP has decided not to accept any portfolios or be part of a govt under PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. This was announced by former Prez and SLFP Chairman Maithripala Sirisena. Representatives of the SLFP had convened a meeting today to decide whether to support newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe or not to form a govt. Accordingly, announcing its decision, the party’s chairman said the SLFP had decided not to accept any ministerial post and more..

May 13 (BBC) SL is at a crossroads as an economic crisis upends the lives of its 22 million people. Rajapaksa brothers, hailed by many as heroes for winning the civil war, are now reviled as leaders. How did this happen and what comes next? Since early April protesters had been demanding that Prez Rajapaksa and Mahinda, his PM, quit for leading the country to economic ruin - but this week saw a decisive turning point. First, Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after his supporters attacked more..

May 13 (NR) National Building Research Organization says the landslide warnings issued to six districts that are experiencing inclement weather will continue to be in place. The Deputy Director and Media Spokesman of the Disaster Management Center, Pradeep Kodippili said Landslide warnings have been issued to several areas in the Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura Districts. Kodippili said many districts reported inclement weather around country yesterday. more..

May 13 (AD) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed duties this morning at the PM’s Office. Addressing the staff, PM stated that his sole purpose as Premier was to ensure the recovery of the country’s economy. PM held preliminary talks with foreign envoys representing India (Gopal Bagley) Japan (Mizukoshi Hideaki), US (Julie J. Chung) and China (Qi Zhenhong). Discussions with Indian High Commissioner more..

May 13 (AD) The 10 political parties that quit the previous govt and became independent have decided to remain in the opposition and function as an independent group, says MP Wimal Weerawansa. He however stated that they have no intention of sabotaging any administration that is established under the new PM. “We do not intend to sabotage the administration that will be established, or refrain from supporting any good this it does, or to engage in hate politics,” more..

May 13 (DM) Whilst stating that no one in Samagi Jana Balwegaya would accept ministerial posts in the govt which is to be formed by new PM Ranil Wickremeisnghe, SJB today challenged the incumbent premier to show a majority in Parliament. “No one from the SJB will accept ministerial port folios in the new govt to be formed as the PM Wickremesinghe has no mandate to form a govt. We challenge him to show a majority of 113 seats in Parliament,” Mr. Madduma Bandara said. more..

May 13 (EN) Sri Lanka’s exports grew 14.7% from a year earlier to US$ 1,092 million in Feb 2022 while imports grew 22.9% US$ 1,888 million, data showed as tourism returned, and credit to state enterprises also picked up. Industrial exports soared 19.4% to US$ 882.7 million in February 2022 from a year earlier as the country experienced the worst currency crisis in the history of its intermediate regime central bank. more..

May 13 (FT) Commercial Bank Group said yesterday it has posted a balanced financial performance for the first quarter of 2022, highly influenced by the sharp devaluation of the rupee impacting key performance indicators both positively and negatively. The Group, comprising of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, its subsidiaries, and an associate, reported gross income of Rs. 54.573 billion, total operating income of Rs. 34.244 billion and net operating income of Rs. 28.284 b more..

May 13 (FT) Inter University Student Front (IUSF) charged that the appointment of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as PM is part of a plot hatched by Prez Rajapaksa to safeguard the family and the stolen money. IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige, speaking from the GotaGoGama protest site in Colombo said the UNP nor its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe could muster enough votes at the last election, and was completely rejected by the people. more..

May 13 (DM) Several long-distance trains have been scheduled to operate from tomorrow even within the curfew period, the Railways Department said. They said six trains have been scheduled for tomorrow. As such, train No. 4077 will leave Mt. Lavinia at 6.30 am to Kankesanthurai (KKS). Train No. 4078 will begin it's journey from KKS at 9.00 am and will reach its destination - Mt. Lavinia. The Podi Menike train (1005) will leave from Colombo Fort at 5.55 am and will reach Badulla. more..

May 13 (AD) High Commission of India in Colombo categorically denied that it or the Indian Consulates General or the Assistant High Commission of India in SL have stopped issuing visas. Issuing a statement in response to reports claiming the above, the mission said that in the past few days, there were operational difficulties due to the inability of their Visa Wing staff, most of whom are SL nationals, to attend office. “We are striving to return our functioning to the normal levels soon,” more..

May 13 (TM) The owners of the private buses that were destroyed by the public for transporting SLPP Govt supporters on Monday (9) had only been told that the buses would be used to transport people to a meeting at Temple Trees, and not that the people so transported would attack peaceful protests, claimed theLPBOA. “This is a crucial time for the bus owners, as they are running at a loss. After the Covid-19 pandemic, more..

May 13 (AD) Commissioner General of Essential Services says that despite the curfew being re-imposed, all pharmacies, treatment centres and nursing homes are permitted to remain open until 7 p.m. Issuing a release, the Commissioner General K.D.S. Ruwanchandra said the decision was made to make it easier for patients to receive emergency treatment and medication. Meanwhile is a separate statement the Commissioner General of Essential Services says that his office is ready to more..

May 13 (TM) President’s Counsel (PC) Maithri Gunaratne, who appeared on behalf of the three suspects who were arrested over the physical attack on Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) in charge of the Western Province (WP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, has claimed that the Police is postponing the identification parade pertaining to the incident in order to extend the suspects’ time in remand custody. Although the identification parade was scheduled to be held yesterday, more..

May 13 (Island) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (12) said that he would soon ask the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of MP Amarakeerthi Atukorake on Monday (09) during countrywide public protests against unprovoked attacks on those who had been demanding the resignation of the govt. Speaker Abeywardena said so when The Island sought an explanation regarding the inordinate delay more..

May 13 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee to overcome the shortages of essential items. The Premier has appointed Vajira Abeywardene to converse with the relevant officials and to see that essential food is available, while UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene has been appointed to look into shortage of medicines. UNP Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has been appointed to look into the fertilizer issue, while UNP National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake more..

May 13 (TM) People’s Tribunal on the Murder of Journalists is convening in The Hague, the Netherlands, to hear oral arguments and witness testimony in the cases of the murder of two journalists – former Editor and Attorney Lasantha Wickrematunge and a Syrian journalist – whose cases have become emblematic in terms of impunity for crimes against the press. The hearing on Sri Lanka was scheduled to be held yesterday and today. Two case hearings feature testimony more..

May 14 (DM) UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe—is the youngest member elected to Parliament in 1977 and has been a MP for 45 years—was on Thursday recalled to play a historic role at a time when SL is facing its worst ever political and economic crisis since independence. He was recalled from a virtually powerless position to become the PM who will draw up the plans and hopefully implement them effectively for SL to be a vibrant democracy with the sovereignty of the people not limited to more..

May 14 (DM) Lee Kuan Yew’s views about Sri Lanka have been published in three books, the first is From Third World to First, the second is Lee Kuan Yew -The man and his ideas and the third is Giants of Asia - Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew. The first is his memoir while the other two are a compilation of his speeches and interviews. For the sake of authenticity references will be provided From Third World To First as [1], Lee Kuan Yew – Man and his ideas as [2] and more..

May 14 (CT) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, less than a year after being sworn in as a National List MP, was appointed as PM by President Rajapaksa on Thursday evening and assumed duties in crises-hit country on Friday the 13th. The 73-year-old six-time PM of Sri Lanka, was sworn in before the Prez after the main Opposition party SJB refused to take the post without the President's resignation. more..

May 14 (CT) Despite all the hee-haws of the Opposition, SJB who are hell bent on sending Prez Rajapaksa home, the fact remains that a new SLPP Govt, under UNP Leader and Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, has to establish a stable Govt, commanding the required minimum number of 113 votes needed in the 225 Seat Parliament, if the country were to get out of this economic doom anytime soon. Having said that, SLPP Govt under Wickremesinghe’s immediate predecessor, more..

May 14 (GV) Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his first interview as the new PM, said he would protect GotaGoGama site while Army Commander Shavendra Silva said that if the protesters were not violent they could stay. Rajapaksa govt had tried its level best to dismantle GotaGoGama. They used various strategies; their last one backfired to the extent that they had to go into hiding to a place where many of their opponents and Tamil youth were allegedly tortured & made to disappear. more..

May 14 (CT) SL Govt is rushing to refix the economy and the lost hopes of the status quo with the arrival of new PM Ranil Wickremesinghe who has previously held the position six times. During Wickremesinghe’s 2015-2019 premiership, the international community were happy with his balanced approach until former PM Rajapaksa upset the apple cart by cancelling a key strategic port terminal development project; more..