Aug 12 (GV) 200 years ago, the first groups of women and men were brought from southern India by the British colonial rulers to SL to work in the hill country plantations. They landed in Mannar and embarked on a dangerous trek on foot to Matale. Over the years, thousands of others were forced to make the journey. They endured serious diseases, hacked through jungles and confronted wild animals, with as many as 40% in some groups dying along the way and being buried on the trails. more..

Aug 12 (TM) The most prominent motive for crimes in the Kelaniya Police Division - which is one of the top five most violent cities in the country - was verbal fights or arguments that occur as a result of sudden provocation where even though the majority of the murder offenders were employed, most were uneducated and from low economic backgrounds. These findings were made in an article on the "Identification of reasons for culpable homicides and more..

Aug 12 (DM) On 10 Aug, ISUF attempted to hold a rally protesting govt’s move to grant recognition to KDU and SAITM as medical degree awarding universities. IUSF sees the recognition of these two bodies -as fee levying universities- as direct threat to the free education system. Among the other matters raised by the IUSF was the issue of the detention of student activists, inflation and weakening of labour laws. Anticipating legal orders banning the holding of the event at particular sites, more..

Aug 12 (ST) Veddagala’s hills may no longer harbour the Veddahs, but they stand in the eternal shadow of the Sinharaja adaviya. This is where Ruk Rakaganno, the Tree Society of Sri Lanka, is working to bring a new lease of life to the denizens of the forest and to compensate for human greed that has dwindled our island’s forest cover to just 34 percent (as of 2020). Ruk Rakaganno was begun by a group of like-minded nature loving personalities such as veteran actress Irangani Serasinghe more..

Aug 12 (ST) When Themiya de Mel first hit the rugby field, as an 11-year-old youngster at St. Peter’s College in 1975, he was asked to tackle a fellow player on the first day of practice by the then coach Archibald Perera. So did he oblige, only to approach his target from the wrong side, and thus suffering a concussion. The greatest advice Themiya received from the legendary coach Archibald was, rugby is not your game and his one day stint at St. Peter’s came to an abrupt end. more..

Aug 12 (FT) Seylan Bank has demonstrated exceptional resilience and growth in challenging market conditions, recording an impressive Profit before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 4.2 billion, a 104.65% increase for 1H 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. In addition, the Bank achieved a commendable Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2.6 billion, a 71.29% growth over the corresponding period in the previous year, according to a statement from Seylan. Bank’s strong financial performance is highlighted by more..

Aug 12 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism will unveil the first phase of the highly anticipated check-in promotion next week under the patronage of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. “Prez will inaugurate the short-term campaign Rejuvenating Sri Lanka coinciding with the inauguration of the Hilton Yala Resort on 19 August,” Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told journalists on Thursday. He affirmed that Sri Lanka Tourism is poised to embark on its comprehensive two-phased marketing blitz more..

Aug 12 (ST) Israel is trying to finalise an agreement with SL to have a center of excellence to transfer its agricultural technology to SL. The project aims to improve cooperation and strengthen relations with SL by transferring knowledge to SL farmers to increase their production by introducing micro-irrigation, drip irrigation, and cultivation techniques to conserve water and use a precise amount of liquid fertiliser to reduce costs and labour while enhancing productivity. more..

Aug 12 (FT) SLT-Mobitel received the prestigious honour of being recognised under the category of Best Innovation and Future Techco for the Catalyst Project: The Metaverse Experience: Re-inventing Telco Business – Phase II at the Digital Transformation World Asia 2023, TM Forum Catalyst Awards held in Bangkok, Thailand, recently. The Catalyst awards celebrate the most successful innovations of the telecommunications industry, proof-of-concepts for industry standards, more..

Aug 13 (FT) The session on Bilateral Trade & Investment between SL & South Africa organised by the National Chamber was successfully concluded recently at the National Chamber Auditorium with a large gathering of business community, and Govt officials. National Chamber President Deepal Nelson welcomed High Commissioner of South Africa in SL Sandile Schalk (Special Guest Speaker), Third Secretary Political Zanethemba Tshangela, SL High Commissioner in South Africa Prof. Gamini Gunawardane, more..

Aug 13 (Island) Clashes among rice growers have been reported from Embilipitiya, where paddy fields began to receive water from Samanalawewa via the Udawalawe tank belatedly. Farmers are desperate for water in that part of the country to save their withering rice plants, and it is only natural that clashes have erupted. Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera admitted, in Parliament, on Thursday, that an inordinate delay on the part of the govt to release the Samanalawewa water more..

Aug 13 (CT) There is growing concern over media propaganda and talk shows on TV channels, which appear to be stoking fear among the public about water scarcity in the catchment area, potentially leaving farmers without sufficient water. Adding to the worry is the ongoing dispute between the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Agriculture. The Agriculture Minister is advocating for the release of water for farmers of Udawalawe, but the Energy Minister opposes it, more..

Aug 13 (FT) In a significant development, SL Tourism Development Auth-ority (SLTDA) announced that the much-anticipated National Tourism Policy has received approval from the Cabinet of Ministers. SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando revealed on Thursday that the policy is set to be officially launched in the near future, marking a crucial step in the country’s efforts to enhance its tourism sector. He further elaborated that the National Tourism Policy serves as the blueprint for more..

Aug 13 (DM) T Embassy of SL in Moscow has initiated direct employment opportunities for SL skilled migrant workers in the Russian Federation, in collaboration with the SL Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA), a fully-owned state organisation in SL. Embassy of SL in Moscow said in an announcement that the effort is the first of its kind. Under this initiative, the first group consisting of 58 seamstresses arrived in the Russian Federation on Aug 2, 2023, to be employed at two renowned more..

Aug 13 (ST) A month after lottery ticket prices were increased, sellers are feeling the impact of lower sales. Prices were doubled after Treasury approval was obtained for a decision made by both the National Lotteries Board (NLB) and the Development Lotteries Board (DLB) to increase ticket prices from Rs. 20 to Rs. 40. Sunil Indrasiri, a sales representative of Colombo West and Colombo Central, said: “It’s been more than 30 to 40 years since I started this job. more..

Aug 13 (FT) BMICH Board of Management has recently requested its Director and CEO Sunil Dissanayake to step down from his post in light of several irregularities. However in a personal message to the BMICH staff, Dissanayake says he has retired after 50 years in the hospitality industry. His message also lists several unprecedented achievements during his tenure as Director/CEO since May 2015. Allegations have been directed at both Dissanayake and another female staffer more..

Aug 13 (FT) SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana made a somewhat startling proposal in parliament yesterday by calling for an in-depth research to be conducted on the mythological King Ravana. MP noted that despite the absence of archaeological evidence confirming the existence of King Ravana, who holds a revered status as a deity among certain Sri Lankans, such research could contribute to enhancing public perceptions about the King. He also noted that any insights gained from this research, more..

Aug 12 (DN) Vavuniya High Court Judge Manikkavasagar Ilancheliyan sentenced Chief Inspector Sugath Roshan Sanjeewa, who served as the Cheddikulam Police OIC at the time, to six months imprisonment and suspended it for seven years after being accused of concealing evidence in a car accident caused by former MP and journalist Sri Ranga on August 9. The judge ordered that Rs.500,000 be paid as compensation to the wife of the Police Sergeant who was killed by creating a false vehicle accident. more..

Aug 12 (ST) An open air Theatre for Meda Dumbara (Teldeniya) which was estimated at Rs 7.5 million was constructed on a shramadana basis by Public Servants for the benefit of the public over the weekend. The cost calculated for manpower by the Public Servants was around Rs 3.5 million. The open air theatre was declared open by Governor of the Central Province Lalith U Gamage. Governor said the effort demonstrated that there are still public officers who love their fellow citizens and more..

Aug 12 (DN) More than 18,000 athletes representing more than 650 schools will participate in more than 70 events at the fifth Samaposa Provincial School Sport meet which will commence from August 15. This time this Samaposa Provincial School sport meet will be held in five provinces and Southern Province is the latest addition to this event which is sponsored by CBL Food cluster the makers of Samaposa joining hands with the Education Ministry. more..

Aug 12 (ST) Prisoner rights activists say a focus on punitive rather than preventative measures is mainly to blame for the overcrowding of prisons. The Prisons Department said this week that the country’s prison population had grown rapidly since the start of 2023. While there is room for only 13,241 inmates within the prison system, there are about 19,000 suspects who are in remand custody in addition to about 10,000 prisoners. The total prison population stands at about 29,000. more..

Aug 12 (DN) One of the best left arm bowlers produced by Sri Lanka Daya Sahabandu passed away yesterday and his funeral will take place today (12) at Jawatte Cemetery, at 6 pm. Daya Sahabandu the 83 year old former medium paceman and left-arm leg spinner played for Royal College , Colombo first X1 from 1957 to 1960 he was the best leg spinner on that era who also bowled a little faster and opened the bowling .He started playing senior club cricket in Ceylon in the early 1960’s and more..

Aug 12 (DN) Sampath Bank has been honoured with the Best Bank in SL award by Euromoney for the year 2023. This recognition acknowledges the bank’s remarkable achievements, reaffirming its commitment to excellence in the banking industry. The accolade was presented to Sampath Bank’s Managing Director, Ayodhya Iddawela Perera during the award ceremony held in Hong Kong recently. Euromoney Awards for Excellence are renowned for recognizing top-performing banks globally, more..

Aug 12 (DM) While the Galle Titans continue to freefall, Dambulla Aura pressed on for a third consecutive victory in the LPL to take over top spot in the points table, for the time being at least, with a seven-wicket win over Galle on Friday. In tricky batting conditions, the 134-run target was hardly an easy chase, but a measured innings from Avishka Fernando ensured Dambulla got over the line, remaining unbeaten on 70 off 49 balls. Fernando underlined his reputation as the all-time leading run scorer more..

Aug 12 (DM) Following improved activity from the shippers to Iran following the Tea for Oil agreement, this week’s Colombo Tea Auction saw increased demand for the better teas in the High and Mid Grown sector and Low Grown Small Leaf/Tippy teas. However, the total auction offerings were marginally lower and totalled 5.9 million kilogrammes. The Ex-Estate offerings totalled 0.84 million kilogrammes. There was improved demand, particularly for the better teas. more..

Aug 12 (DN) A preliminary discussion was with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo on August 10 regarding a Cycle Expedition on Buddhist circuit. The Proposed Cycle Expedition will be held from Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, through the sacred places of Buddhist worship in India to Colombo with the participation of the three Armed Forces of Sri Lanka, India and Nepal and youths of the three countries. The bike ride will pass through more..

Aug 12 (AD) A foreign travel ban was imposed on five top officials of the much-disputed trading platform MTFE Sri Lanka Group, on the orders of Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (11). The order was issued after the Financial and Commercial Crimes Investigation Division presented facts to the court this morning. However, it is reported that one of the five MTFE officials had already left the country for Dubai, UAE in the early hours of the day. Earlier, the Central Bank had formally informed more..

Aug 12 (DM) Linking state economic policies in debt restructuring with human rights is important in easing the burden of repayment of the Sri Lankan working class, particularly its women as an urgent solution to the debt crisis was the opinion of a former UN Independent Expert on Debt and Human Rights. Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, who addressed the media following a two-day session to uplift economic justice for women in debt restructuring Sri Lanka said yesterday, more..

Aug 14 (ST) Prez made a renewed call to Parliament this week to implement the controversial 13th Amendment to the Constitution (13A) in the name of reconciliation and national unity. Critics were quick to ask if he’s only reopened an old can of worms and needlessly dug into wounds that were ostensibly healing, as they are wont to do with the passage of time. Only interested parties want to keep these old wounds festering. In his address to the House, Prez acknowledged that more..

Aug 14 (ST) My dear Namal baby, I thought of writing to you this week after hearing these stories about an unpaid electricity bill, with you being portrayed as someone who doesn’t even pay his bills. You will agree that this is probably not the best publicity you can get, but your replies to this have left us even more confused. To be honest, Namal baby, we have been quite confused even before all this fuss about your electricity bill because of some statements you made recently. more..

Aug 14 (ST) Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued instructions to all Heads of Mission/Posts instructing them to refrain from accommodating engagements with representatives of the Taliban administration in their host country/countries of accreditation. In case any inevitable necessity arises for such engagements, Heads of Mission/Posts have been asked to obtain mandatory Ministry concurrence. The instructions from the Foreign Ministry note that more..

Aug 14 (TM) Orders have been issued to stop the operations of Sri Lanka Transport Board’s (SLTB) flying squad forthwith and to replace it with a new team within the week. These orders, issued by Minister Bandula Gunawardena to SLTB Chairman S.M.D.L.K. De Alwis, are a response to alleged corruption and fraud on the part of some officers attached to the existing SLTB flying squads. Although allegations of corruption against the SLTB flying squad are not new, this is the first time, more..

Aug 14 (DM) Our health system is in a mess. Today there is a serious shortage of drugs at the premier cancer hospital on the island. According to the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, Paediatric Oncologist Dr Sanjeewa Gunasekera, the hospital was managed with donations from philanthropists. According to Gunasekera around 900 children are identified with symptoms of cancer annually. He added while around 250 of them die of cancer every year, most of them could be saved with early detection. more..

Aug 14 (TM) Ranil Wickremesinghe Govt that is grappling to fully resolve the economic crisis has now been hit with a double whammy due to the drought conditions that are once again creating a risk of a power crisis, water shortage, and food insecurity. Govt’s handling of the drought conditions that have adversely impacted farmers in the deep south of the country, especially in the decision on whether or not to release water from Samanalawewa that is used for hydropower generation, more..

Aug 14 (TM) A recent survey on the post Aragalaya (struggle) mood of the people had shown that 60% of the public is of the view that the wishes and aspirations of the movement have not been achieved even one year down the line. The research survey, carried out by Verité Research, an independent Colombo-based think tank, confirms the fears of the millions who congregated in Colombo last year demanding reform, that nothing much has changed or will change, after all. more..

Aug 14 (Island) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe a few days ago suggested that countries like ours, losing skilled professionals to the developed world, explore the possibility of those countries employing our people compensating us for the loss of human capital educated at home at taxpayer expense. We are not the only Third World country paying the price of losing skilled professionals like doctors, engineers, academics and others due to the so-called brain drain. more..