Apr 5 (TM) A total of 450 State owned enterprises (SOEs) have incurred a loss of Rs. 2,894 billion between the years of 2012 and 2022, with the highest being recorded in 2020. State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya presented figures related to the loss incurred by 450 SOEs between 2012 and 2022. According to him, the relevant SOEs have incurred a loss of Rs. 183 b in 2012, Rs. 186 b each in 2013 and 2014, Rs. 271 b in 2015, Rs. 180 b in 2016, Rs. 260 b in 2017, Rs. 265 b in 2018, more..

Apr 5 (Island) The three foreign companies selected to enter the fuel retail market would commence operations within the next two months, Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera told journalists in Colombo yesterday. Wijesekera said that agreements would be signed with these companies within the next two to three weeks. The minister said that the three companies were keen to commence operations in Sri Lanka and had requested the govt to fast-track the process. more..

Apr 5 (FT) Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) annual flagship economic publication - Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2023, released yesterday forecasts SL’s economy to contract further in 2023 before it begins a gradual recovery in 2024, as the country navigates an unprecedented economic crisis. Noting that the economy contracted by 7.8% in 2022, ADO forecast SL to contract by 3% in 2023 but more..

Apr 6 (DM) This is not a sports page, but an editorial comment on the Int'l Day of Sport for Development & Peace on the theme scoring for People and the Planet. The day is marked by the United Nations today and the theme reminds us of the famous verse by the early 20th-century American sportswriter Grantland Rice known for his elegant prose. It goes like this, “For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game!” more..

Apr 6 (DM) A few weeks ago, the CEB posted a wanted advertisement for a Financial Consultant to provide guidance on investment decisions, cash management and day-to-day organizational expenses. On the face of it, this is a good move. In fact, all state-owned enterprises, statutory bodies, state institutions including ministries ought to be regularly monitored and evaluated, inefficiency and incompetence determined and action taken against those responsible if that be the case. more..

Apr 6 (DM) President’s Counsel, Saliya Peiris, immediate outgoing President of Bar Association of SL (BASL), powerful professional body representing the legal practitioners including judges completed his two-year full tenure proving what an important role could be played by the legal fraternity to uphold democracy, law and order in SL. Playing a vital role specially during the troubled period of the Aragalaya where people specially youth more..

Apr 6 (GV) The recent war was officially over by the time I came to Sri Lanka a few years ago but it was a country still recovering from protracted violence. Lasantha Wickrematunge was made known to me via the yearly commemorations that took place by his graveside, in keeping with the Sri Lankan cultural tradition of honoring the memory of a family’s departed loved ones, by remembering them annually on the date of their death anniversary as well as their birthdays. more..

Apr 6 (CT) Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) expresses its deep concern about the latest attempt by the govt to introduce a new Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) instead of repealing the controversial PTA introduced in 1979. The govt frames ATA as a result of their response to the internal and international pressure against the PTA for over 40 years, justifying the Act as a set of proposals that meet the standards introduced by some other developed countries. more..

Apr 6 (TM) In its pursuit to create a robust and resilient national security architecture to meet future threats and challenges, SL must act quickly to develop a culture of strategic thinking based on research and move to build policy consensus among stakeholders, to be successful. The need for such an evolution in policymaking comes as SL has embarked on a milestone review of its national security and defence establishment through more..

Apr 6 (Island) Catholic Church has challenged the veracity of a claim by the police that Pulasthini Mahendran alias Sara Jasmine, wife of Muhammadu Hasthun, who carried out a suicide bomb attack on St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, on 21 April 2019, is dead. The police say a third DNA test has revealed that she was among those who died inside a National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) safehouse in Sainthamaruthu on 26 April 2019. Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal more..

Apr 6 (ST) Last year’s economic hardship of the foreign exchange crisis appears to dissipate now in 2023. Fuel lines have disappeared, and power cuts have vanished. Domestic supply shortages are subduing and price increases calming down. The rupee value is getting strengthened against the US dollar and other int'l currencies. Perhaps, some do not understand or do not choose to understand that there has been some degree of policy corrections underlying the economic turnaround. more..

Apr 6 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s stock is rising high in the higher echelons of society where there is virtual unanimity that the president’s handling of the economic crisis has been masterful. The Prez’s achievement is seen in his restoration of order out of the chaos of the Aragalaya period and by getting the IMF to grant its biggest ever loan to the country. The message is going out that the Prez is the best man for the job and that there is no alternative to him. more..

Apr 6 (FT) SL’s Printcare Plc was the most awarded company at the print industry’s most prestigious Global Packaging Excellence Awards 2023 held in Mumbai on 29 March. Printcare carried away 17 awards. The pièce de résistance was the award to Printcare for the Global Digital Printer of the year. Digital printing has developed significantly over the past few decades, and it continues to evolve with new innovations, and advancements in technology. The event styled as the best of the best more..

Apr 6 (SO) On March 21, a student of Kurunegala Maliyadeva Girls’ School Vihangana Ariyasinghe bid adieu to her earthly life after giving a new lease of life to seven others fighting to stay alive. The daughter of Upul Ariyasinghe (58) and Wasanthi Kumari (53), 19-year-old Vihangana was also the youngest in the family of five. On the fateful day, Vihangana was declared brain dead due to a sudden illness but was able to save the lives more..

Apr 6 (CT) Even with the lapse of almost two years since the MV X-Press Pearl ship fire, SL is yet to file legal action to obtain compensation for the damage caused, despite there being adequate laws. It is rather intriguing as to why such an important cause of action has been delayed, as seeking compensation for the irreparable damage caused to the environment is something that should be on the top of the list of priorities. The MV X-Press Pearl ship entered SL waters on 19 May 2019 more..

Apr 6 (Island) Sri Lanka Cricket distributed Senior Cricket Bags for schools playing in the U17 and U19 cricket tournaments organized by the SL Schools Cricket Association. Cricket Bag consists of two bats, four pairs of batting gloves, three pairs of batting pads, three thigh guards, two helmets, a pair of pads, a pair of wicket-keeping gloves, and a team material bag. The bags were distributed to island-wide schools in collaboration with District Cricket Associations, which are affiliated with SLC. more..

Apr 6 (TM) Sri Lanka has a long and questionable history of the authorities failing to uphold or refraining from upholding the public’s fundamental rights, which continues to blunt the trust that the public has kept in the governing and public administrative systems. Although Sri Lanka is a democracy where the public’s interests should be the foremost priority, it appears that the interests of the public have been subdued by those of the political and public authorities. more..

Apr 6 (CT) Gujarat Titans have brought in SL all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for Kane Williamson, who was ruled out of IPL 2023 after injuring his knee in the opening game of the season against Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad. Shanaka, SL’s T20I captain, is a batting all-rounder who has played 181 T20s, scoring 3702 runs at a strike rate of 141.94 and taking 59 wickets with an economy rate of 8.8. He had scored 124 runs at a strike rate of 187.87 during SL’s 3 T20Is more..

Apr 6 (CI) Adam Milne took five wickets as New Zealand's seamers derailed Sri Lanka's innings, before a scintillating Tim Seifert sent New Zealand racing to a modest target of 142, hitting 79 not out off 43 balls. After the Super Over thriller in Auckland, New Zealand levelled the series in a game that was exceedingly one-sided for the most part. SL had competed in the early stages, getting to 89 for 2 off 11 overs after being put into bat. more..

Apr 6 (FT) Asian Development Bank (ADB) Deputy Country Director Utsav Kumar this week outlined five areas Sri Lanka must focus on to succeed in the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) extended by the IMF, adding the country has a long road to recovery. “Sri Lanka encountered an unprecedented economic crisis following back-to-back contraction and is likely to be followed by a tepid recovery,” he said at ADB’s Serendipity Knowledge Program on Tuesday which focused on SL’s economic crisis. more..

Apr 6 (DN) Dambulla team led by Minod Bhanuka will meet Jaffna team at the National Super League limited over final game scheduled to played at R. Premadasa cricket Stadium today (6) commencing under light at 2.30pm. This tournament is organised by the SLC as the first day night affair of the tourney, said SLC tournament Director Samantha Dodanwala. Earlier all League round matches were played as day matches. Dambulla coached by Upul Chandana, WC 1996 champion team more..

Apr 6 (TM) State Minister Diana Gamage had been asked to leave a session of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to make suitable recommendations for the expansion of higher education opportunities in SL, on Tuesday, as she had allegedly behaved in a way that interrupted the proceedings of the Committee. Committee had met in Parliament on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. more..

Apr 6 (FT) Govt must effectively communicate the reforms intended to address via the IMF Extended Fund Facility for the broader population without limiting it to the English-speaking elite crowd in Colombo, former IMF Dept Director Sharmini Coorey said. Joining a panel discussion focused on SL’s economic crisis via video conference technology, she noted that if the Government require public support to implement the IMF reforms without hindrance, effective communication is a must. more..

Apr 6 (FT) The John Keells Group on Tuesday signed an agreement contributing Rs. 100 million toward the Suwa Seriya Foundation for use in the operations of the Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service. The contribution aims to support the ambulance service, which has been facing financial constraints, and will allow the service to continue providing lifesaving emergency medical assistance in Sri Lanka. John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra said: more..

Apr 6 (FT) The Daily FT-Interbrand Int'l Women’s Day 2023 gala will be held tomorrow Friday 7 April at 7 p.m. at the host hotel Cinnamon Grand with a night of insights from senior and young women leaders and an exciting lineup of top names in the entertainment industry. Billed as an event with a difference to amplify the combined themes of 2023 Women’s Day - DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality and EmbraceEquity, the gala is already sold out hence sought after. more..

Apr 6 (FT) Finance Ministry signed Statements of Corporate Intent involving several state owned enterprises (SOEs) as part of the undertaking with the IMF four year EFF worth $ 2.9 billion. State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said out of the 52 strategically important SOEs, 39 are making profits and 13 are making losses. “Thirteen SOEs have made Rs. 1 trillion loss. Only 39 SOEs made a profit of Rs. 218 billion. Annual loss of Govt institutions is over Rs. 811 billion. more..

Apr 6 (TM) Following the reduction of domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder prices by both Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Laugfs Gas, ACCOA has decided to reduce the prices of canteen food by 20%, with effect from yesterday midnight. ACCOA President, Asela Sampath said that the prices of all canteen food including rice and curry lunch packets, fried rice and kottu will be reduced by 20% with effect from yesterday. more..

Apr 6 (EN) Sri Lanka has collected 11.93 billion rupees in advance personal income tax in March 2023, up from 3.1 billion rupees in January, Commissioner General of Inland Revenue D R S Hapuarachchi has said. SL hiked personal income tax rates, including payroll taxes in 2023 and lowered slabs. In the first quarter 24,577 billion rupees were collected from APIT. A comparison with last year was not given. “There is a steady growth in tax revenues,” Hapurachchi said. more..

Apr 6 (FT) Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene on Tuesday insisted that every citizen must strive diligently to rebuild and put the economy on a stable trajectory beyond the IMF program. Speaking at Asian Development Bank organised Serendipity Knowledge Program which focused on SL’s economic crisis, he said that SL should strive to ensure that this is the last opportunity the country will ever seek IMF support. Noting that SL has progressed substantially from last year, more..

Apr 6 (AD) More job opportunities will be provided to SL youths in South Korea, the Seoul-based company Hyundai says. A delegation of high-level representatives of the firm conveyed this when they called on Deputy Speaker, Ajith Rajapakse on Tuesday (4). It was led by the CEO of Hyundai Marine Company, Kim Byong Boo, who is in SL to look into the interview process and training related to the selection of SL youth for South Korean jobs, Communications Dept of Parliament said. more..

Apr 6 (DM) There has been no violation of the powers and the privileges of Parliament, by the interim order issued by Supreme Court on LG Election, Bar Association of SL (BASL) announced today. In a statement, the BASL stated that the SC being an independent institution should not be called upon to explain judicial orders to any other person or institution. BASL stated that it was aware that an order made by the SC has been referred to Parliamentary Committee on Ethics. more..

Apr 6 (TM) CEB stated that it would discuss with the relevant parties and come to a decision regarding the request made by PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake for the former to propose a reduction in electricity tariffs by May in view of the recent developments that drive down the electricity utility. Senior official of CEB said that a decision with regard to such a request cannot be made without having discussions with relevant parties. more..

Apr 6 (DM) Danushka Gunathilaka can use Facebook and Instagram again after having his bail altered. Gunathilaka, 31, applied to vary his bail at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. He is facing four counts of sexual intercourse without consent and has not yet entered a plea. Gunathilaka was initially banned from using Tinder and other social media platforms when he was granted bail in November 2022. His bail conditions were altered in February so he could return to WhatsApp, more..

Apr 6 (SLN) During a special search operation carried out in the sea area of Sand Dunes, Talaimannar today (5), Navy intercepted a foreign dhow carrying approx. 92kg of hashish. The operation also led to the apprehension of 03 foreign suspects in connection to the illegal act. Navy remains constantly vigilant and conducts regular operations to prevent the influx of drugs into the country. As an extension of these efforts, the special operation was carried out by SL Navy more..

Apr 6 (Island) Bar Association of SL (BASL) has, in a strongly worded statement, condemned a move by the Parliament to summon Supreme Court judges before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges over the issuance of an interim order to Secretary to the Treasury Mahinda Siriwardena and Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, preventing them from depriving Election Commission (EC) of funds allocated through 2023 Budget. more..

Apr 6 (FT) This 31 March protest at Mirihana to celebrate protests one year ago at Mirihana as the first opening for Aragalaya against Rajapaksa rule, completely ignored the first stone by Hirunika Premachandra and her small group of women who sat before Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s (GR) private residence in Mirihana on 5 March 2022. Hirunika’s sit-in no doubt proved GR’s façade can be penetrated with little effort and led to later protests including the 31 March protests more..