Nov 2 (ST) As part of its continuous commitment to inculcate long-lasting hygiene behaviours amongst communities, Unilever SL’s flagship hygiene soap brand, Lifebuoy, commemorated Global Handwashing Day in partnership with SL Scouts Association to reiterate the importance of handwashing amongst the children at the 13th National Cuboree 2022 held at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. The event involved educating over 12,000 children on risks of poor hand hygiene more..

Nov 2 (FT) SL presents a lot of strength and opportunity for transhipment of container cargo, but there is a lot of competition coming with many countries looking inward or for direct services. This is not an immediate threat for the country, but it is a development that SL must watch out for, remarked Gateway Media Editor-in-Chief Ravi Ramprasad, presenting a Container Market Report for the South Asia region. Ramprasad was speaking at the inauguration of the Colombo Int'l Maritime more..

Nov 2 (TM) Ministry of Education has planned to teach artificial intelligence (AI) as a subject for students studying in Grade 10 from the coming year onwards, under the programme of transforming the education system into one suitable for the modern era. Minister Susil Premajayantha said that it has been planned to teach AI to students in Grade 10 from 2023 onwards. Emphasising that there is a need to make a transformation in the education sector, he said that all teachers should be more..

Nov 2 (Nikkei) Standing on makeshift stages in a city park, groups of musicians banging electric guitars drove adoring crowds into a limb-shaking frenzy. They were also helping to make a revolution. From March, SL was rocked by largely peaceful protests against what people saw as the increasingly corrupt and authoritarian regime of former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his brother, former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, and more..

Nov 2 (DN) Netball Federation of SL (NFSL) will conduct Junior National Netball Championship at the Gallella Public playgrounds, Polonnaruwa on November 5-6. According to the President of the NFSL Victoria Lakshmi this is going to be a real test for the juniors before the next Asian Junior Netball Championship which is scheduled to be held in South Korea. “We have appointed Junior National coach Amalka Gunatilleka and already handed over the official appointment letter. more..

Nov 2 (FT) GroupM announced that Wavemaker CEO Namalie Herath Sri Lanka is taking over the role of Managing Partner of GroupM SL. An alumna of the Uni of Colombo, Namalie started her career at J. Walter Thompson SL, She was instrumental in launching MEC in SL, and then went on to head Wavemaker when the two entities, MEC and Maxus, were merged. She has been a board member of the IAA (International Advertising Association). She has been leading her team to win multiple awards more..

Nov 2 (FT) Russian tourists have boosted October arrivals sharply, enabling SL to bounce back by 41% to 42,026 from the lowest 29,802 in September and surpassing the 550,000 mark in the first 10 months. The boost in arrivals was largely influenced by the resumption of Russian flag carrier – Aeroflot as well as the successful series of roadshows conducted in select cities of India last month. Russia also emerged as 2nd biggest more..

Nov 2 (CT) Despite the challenges of a hard-hit operating environment, Union Bank stood resilient and recorded an enhanced core banking performance with an overall income of LKR 5,343 Million for the third quarter which is an increase of 109% over the comparative period, the Bank statement stated. For the 9 months ended 30 Sept 2022, Bank’s overall income increased by 55% to LKR 12,769 Million. Net Interest Income (NII) increased by 58% as a result of improved more..

Nov 2 (Island) Ranthushka Karunathilaka and Nadeesha Gayanthi clinched the men’s and women’s open singles titles at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Open Badminton Championships which concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo. The SL Badminton Association (SLBA) Level 1 ranking tournament, jointly organised by the MBA and SLBA for the first time, saw the podium winners bagging cash awards worth Rupees one million more..

Nov 2 (DN) Sri Lanka has already earned revenue in the excess of USD 1 billion from tourism receipts so far and will end the year 2022 with USD. 1.7 billion Minister of Tourism and lands Harin Fernando said. He said that Sri Lanka also has accounted for around 600,000 arrivals so far and hoped to woo 200,000 more arrivals in Nov and Dec this year. “However I must admit that this is definitely lower than the anticipated target of one million arrivals and USD 2 billion revenue we anticipated. more..

Nov 2 (TM) Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera stated that the IMF is not the answer to Sri Lanka’s present crisis, claiming that it has not succeeded in saving a single country over the past few years, and that it will therefore, not succeed in saving SL either. “From 2015 to date, the IMF has not been able to save a single country. The result of dealing with the IMF will be that any independent strategy that is available to SL to emerge from this crisis will be blocked.” more..

Nov 2 (TM) Due to the rising prices of commodities including food, sanitary items, and pharmaceutical drugs, alongside recent hikes in electricity and water tariffs, it is being reported that owners of elderly care service establishments located in the suburbs including in Colombo and other remote areas are facing difficulties in maintaining their operation. Meanwhile, a growing trend among children of elderly more..

Nov 2 (TM) A total of 14 suspects are under arrest in connection with the fatal assault of a police officer in Kebithigollewa on Monday night. Several police officers, responding to a report on the death of a woman caused by a wild elephant attack, had shown up in the Rambakapuwewa area in Kebithigollewa. When the officers arrived at the location, at least 100 people including a Buddhist monk had blocked the road, staging a protest against the authorities’ inaction to resolve human-elephant conflict. more..

Nov 2 (ST) CEB can procure electricity from renewable energy producers without calling for tenders, but the unit price should be determined by a committee, Attorney General has advised the utility, interpreting the recent amendments to the SL Electricity Act. In answer to a query, AG told CEB General Manager that resorting to a tender to buy energy from renewable energy developers was inconsistent with the new amendment. CEB had asked AG whether it faced any restrictions more..

Nov 2 (DM) In a bid to cover losses, Kotelawala Defence Uni (UHKDU) Hospital has recently started charging Rs. 350 per day from family and friends who stay beside the patients. Confirming the claim, the UHKDU Director – Medical Supplies Dr. Saman Thilakarathne said the hospital management recently decided to introduce the new payment system to cover maintenance costs due to the facility’s present financial difficulties. This news comes at a time when talks about more..

Nov 2 (TM) People’s Parliament, consisting of many parties including aragalaya activists, professionals, trade union representatives, and civil organisations, has planned to appoint a model Cabinet consisting of expert committees, to request Parliament to appoint the chairpersons of those committees as members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committees. People’s Parliament representative and CMLS President Ravi Kumudesh said that People’s Parliament was officially launched on 29 Oct, more..

Nov 2 (TM) Organisers of the multi-party protest to be held today in Colombo against Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Govt have reiterated their intention to attract a massive crowd, despite representatives of the Govt and leading business chambers yesterday calling for the protest to be called off. Protest is expected to be held with the participation of more than 20 political parties, including SJB, SLFP & FSP, and nearly 150 more..

Nov 2 (EN) SL govt has permitted milk powder importers to use open account to bring in the essential commodity with an aim to reduce public anger against shortages of milk powder. But the move comes despite the CB’s concerns over open accounts. SL, banned open accounts in May in an attempt to reduce Unidyal style net settlements being made for what officials called non-essential imports. However the ban on open account trade also hit food imports, which are usually more..

Nov 2 (DM) The protest campaign staged by the combined opposition today against the govt will be a rehearsal to a more virulent and forceful island wide public uprising to oust the corrupt and incompetent Ranil – Rajapakse regime, General Secretary of the SLFP, Dayasiri Jayasekara said. If the govt attempts to postpone Local Govt (LG) polls, a major public revolt would be unstoppable and would end up with unprecedented violence, he added. Today’s protest is to display the contempt, anger & rejection more..

Nov 2 (DM) As the 21st amendment was passed in Parliament recently, the question which has now hit the House by storm is which MP is a dual citizen? While silent whispers and internal talks continue among the MPs, no name has still come to light with almost all departments remaining tight lipped over it. Dept of Immigration and Emigration launched a special investigation last week following a request made under the RTI act, more..

Nov 2 (CI) Firsts are often memorable occasions and Netherlands ensured that they would only have fond memories of their maiden T20I at the Adelaide Oval. Their batting mainstay Max O'Dowd exuded calmness to help them through a small run-chase against Zimbabwe with a steady 52-run knock to all but end their hopes of making the semi-finals. This was after a fine seam-bowling performance from Netherlands - led by Paul van Meekeren's three-for - helped skittle Zimbabwe for 117. more..

Nov 2 (FT) Magistrate in Tissamaharama has ordered an investigation following the incursion into Yala National Park last week by a group in a convoy of luxury vehicles. The investigation which will be conducted by Dept of Wildlife Conservation will include an assessment of the damage to the ecosystem in the area, expert analysis of digital evidence such as videos and photographs of the incident which have appeared on public platforms and tracing registered owners of vehicles. more..

Nov 2 (AD) Police have informed that the mass protest and the rally, organized by political parties, trade unions, civil organizations and a group of activists of the Gall Face Aragalaya movement, would not be allowed to be staged in front of Fort Railway Station or in its vicinity today. Reportedly, this was conveyed in a letter signed by the ASP in charge of Colombo Central Division 2, K.E.N. Dilruk, and referred to relevant parties who are organizing the protest. more..

Nov 2 (DM) The responsible authorities of the railway department have not submitted reports yet for the recent train derailments near Maradana station, SL Railway Station Masters' Union (SLRSMU) President Sumedha Somaratne said. He said that there were three derailments near the Maradana station, one on yesterday and the other two trains were derailed on Tuesday, he said. "Maradana-Panadura, Kandy-Matara trains were derailed at Maradana yesterday, more..

Nov 2 (DM) The Church of Ceylon said that, despite a change in the person occupying the position of the Executive President, little had changed in the politics of the country despite the widespread support for many of the demands of the Aragalaya. The full statement issued by the Church of Ceylon on current political situation is as follows: a) The extraordinary powers vested in the office of the Executive President remain despite calls more..

Nov 2 (Island) The SJB would ensure reserve 25% of candidates were youth, MP Mayantha Dissanayaka said. “The SJB working committee has agreed to this. We believe that young people need more access to politics and young leaders must come up the ranks,” he said. Dissanayaka said that the opposition political parties were demanding elections as the current administration was not capable of solving the economic crisis. “Some govt MPs say that elections are costly. more..

Nov 2 (NR) Police Sergeant who died after being assaulted by villagers during a protest in Kebithigollewa on Monday, has been posthumously promoted to the rank of Sub Inspector. Sergeant was posthumously promoted by the IGP since the officer passed away while discharging his duties. The Police Sergeant died after being assaulted by a group of protesters in Kebithigollewa. 54-year-old officer, attached to the Kebithigollewa Police, was assaulted by villagers who were protesting more..

Nov 2 (EN) Cabinet had asked a newly set up state owned enterprise re-structuring unit to come up with recommendation on how to re-structure state-run Sri Lankan Airlines and its subsidiaries. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had earlier suggested that Sri Lankan Catering and its ground handling units – the most profitable units – be sold separately to investors. De Silva said at the time that cabinet approval would be sought more..

Nov 2 (FT) Fifteen years ago on 2 Nov 2007, the former political wing chief of the LTTE, Thamilselvan was killed along with some other tiger operatives in an airstrike conducted by the SL Air Force (SLAF). The incident grabbed worldwide attention when it happened because Thamilselvan was to a very great extent the public and political face of the LTTE in those days. Four-year-old Thamilselvan was killed along with five other tiger cadres in the early hours of the morning on Friday 2 Nov 2007. more..

Nov 2 (AD) Maradana junction has been blocked for traffic due to a protest march organized by political parties, trade unions, civil organizations and a group of activists of the Gall Face Aragalaya movement this evening. The protest march and rally which has been organized in protest of the repressive agenda allegedly carried out by the government commenced at around 3 p.m. today near Elphinstone Theater in Maradana. Protesters are marching towards the Colombo Fort railway station. more..

Nov 2 (EN) SL’s govt in particular should not be in business due to severe policy uncertainty that hit state enterprises, Minister Ali Sabry said. Govt should not be running businesses but an enabler and facilitator he said addressing SL’s Colombo Int'l Maritime and Logistics Conference 2022. In SL in particular policy uncertainty was extreme he said. “In some countries it may be possible,” Minister said. “In SL policies don’t just change when govts change, but also when the minister changes and more..

Nov 2 (Island) Nimakshi Ranatunga (Nishi) of SL origin has been crowned Mrs. Woman of the Universe New Zealand 2022. In a post published on Facebook, Nishi Ranatunga said she was officially crowned by Mrs. Universe NZ organization National Directness Anna Marie Parrant with the approval of Chairman and panel of celebrity judges of Mrs. Universe NZ. Following her victory, Nishi Ranatunga will represent NZ at the int'l platform Woman of the Universe 2023 as Mrs. Woman of Universe more..

Nov 2 (TM) SL has settled dollar-denominated SL Development Bonds (SLDBs) worth $ 96 million (principal and interest) in SL rupees (LKR) under the Interim Debt Policy between 12 April and 30 June, while $ 58 million has been refinanced, the Ministry of Finance revealed. At the investor presentation held by the Govt in Sept, it had said that shortly after the implementation of the Interim Debt Policy In April, it settled $ 96m more..

Nov 2 (CI) That Litton Das run out. How many people will be talking about it tomorrow? In Dhaka, in Chattogram, and in Sylhet. India had made a commanding total of 184 for 6, thanks mainly to a superlative return to the runs for KL Rahul (50 off 32), and another chapter in Virat Kohli's spectacular form, as he made 66 not out off 44. Suryakumar Yadav's 30 off 16 helped too. But when Litton blasted 7 fours and 3 sixes inside the first 7 overs, Bangladesh had an excellent foundation. more..

Nov 2 (AD) The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) reiterates that the provisions included in the Police Ordinance must not be used to violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Sri Lanka. The HRCSL made this remark in a statement issued with regard to a complaint made by trade unions and mass organizations alleging that the police had unlawfully informed them to obtain permission for the peaceful protest which is scheduled to be held today. more..