Nov 24 (Island) The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) wants the SL govt to hand over the Jaffna Cultural Centre, built by the Indian govt, to the Jaffna Municipality. Danton Thurairajah, Executive Director, CTC, in a letter dated Nov. 01, 2022, requested that the Jaffna Cultural Centre, the tallest building in the Jaffna town, situated next to the Jaffna Public Library, be brought under the Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC). It was the sixth out of the 10 requests made by Thurairajah. more..

Nov 24 (ST) Danushka Gunathilaka (DG) scandal in Australia brings to the surface in no uncertain terms the somewhat sordid state of affairs in Sri Lanka sports. No doubt the economic circumstances are one reason for this decadent trend, but it is also necessary to examine the cultural undercurrents that makes our behavior somewhat pathetic in the arena of international sports, where fair play, performance and meritocracy are perennial watchwords! The affable Minister of Sports was quick to submit more..

Nov 24 (FT) SriLankan Airlines said yesterday it expects an on-target performance this winter and beyond spurred by the positive feedback from its first-ever Global Sales Conference held in Sri Lanka last week drawing 170 travel industry representatives from over 40 countries. Via a 4-day engagement including a day conference, SriLankan Airlines along with local industry partners showcased country’s readiness for tourism. more..

Nov 24 (Island) Hardly a day passes without teachers’ trade unions kicking up a stink. Having ventured far afield on the political front and suffered several defeats at the hands of the Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe govt, they are badly in need of a victory to flaunt. They have chosen to embark on a mission that will benefit neither teachers nor students; they are demanding that the govt recognise female schoolteachers’ right to be in clothes other than saree during duty hours. more..

Nov 24 (TM) LPP Founder and National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa’s return to SL attracted attention due to several reasons, mainly due to speculation that he returned to cut deals with MPs to garner a two-thirds majority in the vote over Budget 2023, and to obtain greater support in the coming Local Govt elections. Regardless of the reasons for his return, his return alone drew public attention over the granting of Police protection, or at least a Police escort, to him upon his return. more..

Nov 24 (FT) SJB Chief Organiser for Weligama Rehan Jayawickreme alleged that Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abyewardena is biased and engaged in political activity unbecoming of his position. Jayawickreme, who is former Chairman Weligama UC and Working Committee Member Vice Chairman and SJB Youth Assistant Secretary, SJB National Reforms Secretariat, said Speaker is an extremely important facet of our Parliamentary system of Govt. more..

Nov 24 (FT) SANASA Development Bank (SDB) said it has appointed ex-NTB’s Priyantha Talwatte as CEO to transform it to a new age development bank. The appointment was announced following the approval of CB on 22 Nov. “His vast experience in dealing with Corporate, SME and Retail clients and involvement in all aspects of banking services, building, and developing highly engaged work teams will support the SDB bank’s transformation to a new age development bank” more..

Nov 24 (FT) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe stressed the importance of creating harmony between SL’s fiscal and monetary policies, ensuring that both are aligned perfectly to regain macroeconomic stability. Attending the SL Internet Day 2022 by Federation of Information Technology Industry SL (FITIS), the Governor said that one of the major imbalances of SL is not having proper complementary or coordination more..

Nov 24 (Island) Nestlé Lanka yesterday reaffirmed its commitment towards SL by investing over Rs. 2 billion in its state-of-the-art factory in Kurunegala by building a new Vacuum Band Dryer (VBD). Aimed at expanding the capacity of its manufacturing facility for malted food, this investment would further strengthen the company’s efforts of positively impacting SL and its people. The new VBD will increase the production capacity of two of its biggest brands – Nestlé Nestomalt and Milo, more..

Nov 24 (ST) All public officials will be required to obtain respective Ministerial and Finance Ministry approval to travel overseas on an official or private visit, in future. Applications would have to be sent at least ten days ahead of the proposed visit, a recent Treasury circular said. According to the circular if Ministerial approval was not provided they would not be able to travel overseas. A Treasury official said one of the objectives was to prevent officials travelling on official trips more..

Nov 24 (TM) Female teachers in several areas have continued to report to work in casual clothing instead of sarees and Kandyan sarees (osaris), while the Ministry of Public Admin, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Govt and Ministry of Education have expressed conflicting views on whether or not teachers will be allowed to report to work in such clothing. Following teachers in several areas reporting to work in casual more..

Nov 24 (FT) Brandix Apparel Ltd. successfully hosted its much-anticipated second Sustainability Summit for 2022 on Tuesday. The summit, which was a hybrid event with virtual participants and a physical event at Brandix Essentials Ltd., Ratmalana, brought together an audience of business leaders, govt representatives, NGOs, and others interested in this timely subject. The discussions encompassed varied aspects of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG), more..

Nov 24 (DM) SL’s apparel exporters are forecasting a 30 percent drop in export orders with the main export markets, gripped by inflationary pressures, plunging into a recession. SLAEA newly-elected Chairman Indika Liyanahewage noted that the apparel exporters are forecasting around 30% decline in orders during the Nov-Dec period. SL’s main apparel exporting markets, US and EU, are currently facing economic recissions coupled with inflationary pressures stemming from more..

Nov 24 (FT) Despite the slow start, Minister Harin Fernando confirmed that SL has been chosen as a preferred destination by FIFA World Cup fans, with inquiries and reservations steadily picking up from Russia, Qatar, Maldives & India. “FIFA Zone is not a fritter. The industry stakeholders are promoting it along with the multiple partners,” he said. On 2 Nov, SL Tourism officially unveiled its out-of-the-box travel packages to woo a fraction of the FIFA World Cup 2022 fan base to FIFA Zone in Negombo. more..

Nov 24 (TM) Anton, a manufacturer in the Sri Lankan PVC industry, water tanks and roofing amongst industrial and consumer sectors, recently made history by introducing its vast product range to the Maldives. Anton Chief Operating Officer Lahiru Jayasinghe shared his thoughts on the latest endeavour, stating: “We are extremely delighted to be able to offer our range of products and services to the Maldives. While we have been firmly established in SL for many generations, more..

Nov 24 (TM) A heated argument occurred in the Parliament between SJB MP Mano Ganesan and Minister Tiran Alles over the collecting of personal details of Colombo residents, with Ganesan levelling allegations that the Police is collecting the personal details of Colombo South residents, targeting Tamils in particular, and Alles flatly denying this, claiming that such data is not only being recorded from Tamil residents, more..

Nov 24 (Island) The William Angliss Institute @ SLIIT, a joint venture between William Angliss Institute, Melbourne and the SLIIT campus, Malabe, recently expanded their footprint in Sri Lanka by declaring open a new building extension with the participation of six Australian Board Members of the William Angliss Institute. Chairman and board members of the SL franchise and other distinguished invitees too were present at the event. Judith Slevison – Board Secretary, William Angliss more..

Nov 24 (FT) Several factions of the UPFA have opposed the appointment of Thilanga Sumathipala as its General Secretary. On Monday the Working Committee of the SLFP announced the appointment of Sumathipala as the General Secretary of UPFA replacing Mahinda Amaraweera. The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, Eelam People’s Democratic Party, National Congress, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party and the Desha Vimukthi Janatha Party said they will not accept the new appointment. more..

Nov 24 (HRW) The dramatic fuel shortages that accompanied mass protests in SL earlier this year may have eased, but for millions of Sri Lankans the economic crisis is worse than ever. This month, UN renewed a humanitarian appeal, stating that 28% of the population faces food insecurity and that the poverty rate this year has doubled. Food price inflation was over 85% in October, and acute shortages of foreign currency mean that many imports, including essential medicines, more..

Nov 24 (CT) Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Roshan Ranasinghe instructed officials of the Ministry to call for a report from the selection committee as to why Chamika Karunaratne was not selected to the National Cricket team. He noted that as there were allegations that only those who were a part of a certain cult were selected to the National team, and that there is speculation that Karunaratne was not selected to the team as he was not a member of that cult. more..

Nov 24 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe invited Opposition parties to an all-party discussion to discuss the resolution of ethnic issues, including the devolution of power, after 8 Dec yesterday, while the SJB, and JVP-led NPP raised doubts about the sincerity of Wickremesinghe and ruling SLPP concerning the devolution of power. Speaking in Parliament, Prez said that ethnic issues in the country could be solved easily if more..

Nov 24 (DM) An amount of US$ 800 has been paid per day to each person with all the facilities who have participated in the recent T20 World Cup held in Australia as officials with the sponsorship of SLC. This was revealed during the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Sports and Youth Affairs that met in Parliament under chairmanship of Minister Roshan Ranasinghe. It was also revealed that non-officials who have participated in the tour had also been given the same facilities given to officials. more..

Nov 24 (CT) Nomura has warned that seven countries – Egypt, Romania, SL, Turkey, Czech Republic, Pakistan and Hungary – are now at a high risk of currency crises. The Japanese bank said, 22 of the 32 countries covered by its in-house Damocles warning system have seen their risk rise since its last update since May, with the largest increases in the Czech Republic and Brazil. It meant the sum of the scores generated on all 32 by the model had increased sharply to 2,234 more..

Nov 24 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said any unlawful protest movements will not be allowed, warning to deploy military and use emergency powers if necessary. “If there are plans to initiate another Aragalaya to change the Govt, I won’t give space for that. I will get the military and the forces and I will impose the State of Emergency,” he told the House yesterday. Prez Wickremesinghe added that any attempts to more..

Nov 24 (AD) The foreign travel ban imposed n former CB governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been extended until Dec 15. A private plaint filed by former Governor of the Southern Province, Ranjith Keerthi Tennakoon was called before Colombo Magistrate’s Court this morning. The plaintiff alleges that during his tenure as the CB governor from 2006 to 2015, Cabraal had paid a sum of USD 6.5 million to Pakistani-American political donor Imaad Zuberi without the approval of Cabinet Ministers more..

Nov 24 (TM) In response to past and present members of the Govt of SL as well as the SL State being accused, both locally and in the international arena, of perpetrating and committing economic crimes, the Ministry of Justice has put forward its working draft of the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill. This article will set out aspects pertaining to the establishment of the new CIABOC, including the appointment of its Director General (DG) and staff, the finances of the commission, and more..

Nov 24 (FT) UK Labour leader Keir Starmer promises to abolish the House of Lords which consists of unelected, appointed members. He pledges to replace it with a popularly elected chamber if he wins the British general election. This, he says, would restore trust in politics. What if the UK were led by a PM who had not been elected to Parliament? That, after all, is the surreal situation we Sri Lankans are in. The good news is that despite the pronouncement by Minister Ali Sabry more..

Nov 24 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesighe should seek a fresh mandate if he wants to make fresh policy decisions with regard to security or any other matter, MP Channa Jayasumana told Parliament. Speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget, MP said it is not clear whether a person who is elected by the House to serve the remaining period after a Prez resigns can go for an election after four and a half years. “The opinion has to be sought from the Judiciary to get this cleared,” he said. more..

Nov 24 (AD) The Supreme Court has issued notice on former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to make submissions on December 16 over the presidential pardon granted to former MP Duminda Silva. The order has been issued when the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions seeking the dismissal of the decision to release the former MP under presidential pardon were taken up before a two-member SC bench consisting of more..

Nov 24 (DM) The govt has relaxed the restrictions imposed on several items through a Gazette Extraordinary. Prez Wickramasinghe as the Minister of Finance, Economic, Stabilization and National Policies has issued the Gazette Extraordinary dated on 23rd Nov 2022. Accordingly, the import restriction on several items including apparel, clothing accessories, tiles, air conditioning machines, refrigerators, freezers, household or laundry-type washing machines, electric instantaneous, more..

Nov 24 (EN) Shares closed weaker on Thursday, bucking two session gaining streak, after the central bank kept the key monetary rates steady while investors and market expected some easing in the tight monetary policy stance as inflation has started to decelerate, brokers said. ASPI closed 1.78 percent or 145.72 points lower at 8,028.14 from its highest since Nov 15 hit in the previous session. “Investors were disappointed with the central bank keeping rates unchanged. more..

Nov 24 (AD) SLC have named a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, just a day before the first encounter is scheduled to kick off in Kandy. All-rounder Bhanuka Rajapaksa, however, has withdrawn his name from the team following the approval of his request to take a break from ODIs. SLC stated in their media release that all-rounder Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been granted permission to withdraw from more..

Nov 24 (Island) Police Mounted Division awaits a post mortem report on the back-to-back mystery deaths of two horses last week. Both horses had been imported from the Netherlands. Two horses were found dead and their deaths had raised concerns. Horses appeared to be in the best of health. They had many years to serve, sources said, adding that a report by a vet had been called on their deaths. Post mortem had not been conducted at the time this edition went to press. more..

Nov 24 (Hindu) Five people belonging to a family from Killinochi district, SL, reached the Indian waters at Dhanuskodi first islet at around 5 a.m. on Thursday. With this, the total number of refugees camping at the Special Camp in Mandapam stands at 214. Apart from them, an aged woman, from SL had died in a hospital at Madurai due to age related ailment. The Marine Police at Mandapam, on receipt of a call from local fishermen, brought the five refugees to the shore at around 8 a.m. more..

Nov 24 (AD) Laggala Police have arrested an individual, said to be a representative of a popular actress, for allegedly impersonating a high-ranking police officer and attempting to cheat and take away a gemstone. The suspect, identified as Gunaratne Bandara, a resident of the Wariyapola area, has reportedly acted in the role of a police officer in a few teledramas. Police have also taken custody of the gemstone and a vehicle from the possession of the suspect, following the arrest. more..