Aug 24 (PMD) The issue regarding the pension for Piriven teachers is on the verge of resolution, according to State Minister of Piriven Education, Mr. Vijitha Beirugoda. He emphasized the necessity of amending the Pension Act and the Piriven Education Act. The recommendations provided by the Dept of Pension, Department of Attorney General, and the Department of Legal Draftsman are currently undergoing the approval process by the Cabinet Ministers. more..

Aug 24 (AD) The newly constructed Polpitiya-Hambantota 220kV transmission line has been connected to the national grid, upon completion of its preliminary work. Meanwhile, the new grid substation in Hambantota was also energized on Thursday (24). Project was funded by ADB to develop the Polpitiya-Hambantota 220kV transmission line and Hambantota new grid substation with an investment of US$ 55 mil. more..

Aug 24 (DM) The action of Eastern Province Governor Sendil Thondaman to prevent Chief Incumbent of the Boralukanda Rajamaha Vihara Venerable Ampitiye Sukitha Wansatissa Thera from entering the temple is unjustifiable, Minister Vidura Wickramanayake told Parliament. “TGovt will not accept the decision by the Eastern Province Governor to prevent the Thera from entering the temple,” Minister said in response to a question raised by Ven. Athureliye Rathana thera more..

Aug 24 (DM) With the spread of the contagious Meningococcal disease among inmates at the Galle prison, health officials have encountered a concerning phenomenon of inmates exhibiting false symptoms in an attempt to escape and secure drugs through hospital admission, informed sources said. There were 12 inmates suspected to have been infected with the bacteria, among whom two died while four have been discharged. Of the remaining inmates, four seemed to have shown more..

Aug 24 (AD) Sparking doubts of a powerful force, relevant health authorities have failed to produce a clear-cut statement on the controversial Consultant JMO Dr. Ruhul Haq who is embroiled in controversy after being found to have acted against the suspension imposed by SLMC. Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta said, “Health Ministry is yet to seek SLMC advice as to what actions can be taken pertaining more..

Aug 24 (EN) SL customs destroyed 62,900 pieces of counterfeit goods valued at 88 million rupees on Wednesday as it vowed to protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to boost business confidence. The goods included oil filters, data cables and phone chargers among other fake goods that were imported under reputed international brands. “What we see from our perspective is that we have a bound duty on the right holders to protect their rights,” Sudattha Silva, Senior Director of Customs, more..

Aug 24 (TM) Ministry of Transport and Highways said that all the guidelines and the procedure related to importing vehicles and lifting import restrictions were introduced by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policy, and that therefore, it (Transport Ministry) has no authority to intervene in such decisions. The Ministry said this in response to a statement made by the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CTMA) that a new policy has allowed the importing more..

One of the chief merits of this timely book, Feudalism to Capitalism: Historical Transformation of SL Society by Emeritus Professor of History W.I. Siriweera, is that it is concise yet comprehensive. It is slim in physical proportions yet substantive in content. Encompassed within the pages of this lucidly written book is all that the knowledge-seeker needs to ascertain about modern SL history in its most essential details. While colonial and post-colonial Sri Lanka is dwelt on in broad outline, more..

Aug 25 (CT) Was Zahran, the muttonhead, a mere pawn in a broad game of geo-regional-racial politics? A panel of cutting-edge researchers asked the question, “Did the Islamic State spring full-blown into spontaneous being as the fanatical scourge of the Middle East, or was it helped along by state sponsors?”. Branding in marketing parlance “is the process of creating a strong, positive perception of products in customer’s mind by a consistent theme throughout all marketing communications.” more..

Aug 25 (TM) Twenty-nine-year-old Gayani Dissanayake is one of the most experienced netball players in the national circuit. Having joined the national side at the young age of 15 years, Dissanayake has been a pillar of the team during their triumphs. The Daily Morning Sports was fortunate to have to chat with her after her return from the recently concluded World Cup. Q: How did you first get into netball? more..

Aug 25 (DM) SL values its next generation and that’s why parents will go to any extent to spend on their education. Much of this education will happen abroad and will be termed as higher education. There will be a large number of children who will have to remain here and see to their futures due to the lack of finances to immigrate. What would the attitude of the majority of these children be in terms of being part of the island’s work force? This writer read somewhere that the present generation more..

Aug 25 (TM) The deaths and hospitalisations reported at the Galle Prison have been revealed to be the result of a bacterial infection caused by the Meningococcus bacteria. As per the authorities, the two deceased inmates had died due to this infection, and subsequently, the disease, called meningococcal, had spread. It is appreciable that the authorities have taken immediate measures to deal with this situation for the time being. While those who are in need of medical attention more..

Aug 25 (Yahoo) Tucked away in the foliaged recesses of Borella, a middle-class neighborhood in Colombo, Sri Kantha Bakery doesn’t exactly have a compelling calling card. A faded signboard on a pole by the roadside is the only clue that leads to the bakery, which is covered in a fine layer of soot from the wood used to power its ovens. Yet thanks to a traveling choon paan van, a modified tuk-tuk bearing the bakery’s name and more..

Aug 25 (CT) A series of distressing incidents have recently unfolded, underscoring the urgent need to safeguard SL’s precious forests. A substantial fire ignited within the protected forest plantation adjacent to the Moragahakanda Reservoir viewing centre and the surrounding mountains this week. The fire, which erupted on Sunday night, had already consumed a significant portion of the forest by the following Monday afternoon. The current dry weather conditions have resulted in more..

Aug 25 (ST) A comedy movie of Charlie Chaplin, an English comic film maker and an actor, called The Kid was released in 1921. According to the movie, Charlie Chaplin acts as a tramp, who happens to raise an abandoned child. While they both must find money for their living, the tramp and the kid device a strategy and work collaboratively every day. After choosing a street to work each day, the kid goes first. He picks up a few stones and breaks the glass windows of the houses along the street by more..

Aug 25 (Island) Sri Lankans, who have faced numerous economic problems over the years, do not need the help of economists to understand how the current crisis came about and what should be done to sort it out; it has basically stemmed from politically-motivated tax cuts, the resultant sharp drop in state revenue, which necessitated excessive money printing, the rapid decline in foreign currency reserves, and failure on the govt’s failure to adopt remedial measures at first sign of trouble. more..

Aug 25 (Island) Nature ravaged other parts of the world, sadly but inevitably, as nature had been ravaged for long by Man’s greed for money, luxury, development, expansion et al. And the disasters: whether wildfires, floods or earthquakes, were described as the worst in so many years or the very worst. This same Nature in her manifestation as weather, kindly passed by SL, probably considering that this verdant dot in the Indian Ocean, a shed tear drop at bottom of India, was beggar enough; more..

Aug 25 (ST) The Consumer Affairs Authority has warned the public to be vigilant after detecting a high number of cases where traders have sold adulterated spices and outdated food in new packaging. CAA Chairman Shantha Niriella said the CAA had set up a new unit to crack down on traders who resorted to unscrupulous methods to make profits at the expense of the people’s health. more..

Aug 25 (Island) Senior politician Mahindananda Aluthgamage has told parliament how good our cricket was at the time he was the Sports Minister. Aluthgamage was Sports Minister ten years ago and let us go back in years to find out whether it was a rosy period as he mentions. The MP says that Sri Lanka during his tenure as Sports Minister were ranked number one in T-20s, number two in ODIs and third in Tests. His crooked policies and his buddies running cricket at that time were more..

Aug 25 (DN) To build a healthy Nation through sports is very vital said PM Dinesh Gunawardena who was the chief guest at the 47th National Sports Games opening ceremony held yesterday at the Sugathadasa Stadium. We are very proud about these athletes who are going to take part in the National Sports Games as they have brought honour to the country by winning medals at National and International level. Training for the sports through this type of meets always makes a healthy more..

Aug 25 (ST) Zoo authorities are planning to exhibit the two pairs of newly obtained capybaras—the largest species of rodent—at Pinnawala Zoo and Dehiwala Zoological Garden after a month in quarantine, Zoo Director-General Thilak Premakantha said. He said that as capybaras are considered one of the friendliest animals, they plan to keep one pair at the petting zoo area at the Pinnawala Zoo. “Since the two pairs of animals we received are under an animal exchange more..

Aug 25 (ST) Forex-starved Sri Lanka is embarking on an integrated strategic communication programme to promote Sri Lanka’s national and international image spending millions of dollars with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers this week. The aim of this international propaganda campaign mooted jointly by foreign and media ministries is to boost the country’s image globally and specially in South Asia and also attract foreign investors, Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. more..

Aug 25 (AD) Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has assured that the country has ample stocks of rice that can sustain the upcoming Maha cultivation season. Hence, there is no need for rice imports, the lawmaker told a gathering of experts organized by the Prez’s Trade Union Relations Division at the Prez Secretariat. The focus of the meeting was on the subject of Modernization of the Agro-Industrial Sector and its Challenges, more..

Aug 25 (DN) Four SL bodybuilders have set off for Beirut, Lebanon, to participate in the prestigious Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship scheduled to unfold from August 25 to 27. The quartet, comprising Minula Silva (Junior Category), Subhash Dhanushka (Senior Category), Range Silva (Physique Category), and Chamara Dias (Masters Category), embarked on their journey from the island nation on Wednesday night. The forthcoming three-day championship is poised to attract more..

Aug 25 (CT) In a display of exceptional skill and determination, SL badminton players showcased their prowess at the Badminton Asia (South Asia) Regional Championships 2023 (Individual Event) held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The championship, organised by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Asia Confederation, saw SL’s shuttlers dominate the competition across various categories. The championship, which unfolded against breathtaking backdrop of Kathmandu, more..

Aug 25 (Island) Undergrad Shashini Upeksha reached her personal best to join the 13 metres club in the women’s triple jump as she turned the tables on the favourite to win the title of the National Sports Festival at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Thursday. Wayamba Uni undergraduate cleared a distance of 13.05 metres in her final attempt to beat the Asian Championship participant Randi Himasha Cooray to second place. more..

Aug 25 (FT) Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe revealed plans to release a new circular today to bridge gaps in market lending rates whilst boosting policy measures. Speaking to journalists at a post-monetary policy review meeting yesterday he emphasised the importance of reducing the interest rate gap by at least 3% within a stipulated timeline. Dr. Weerasinghe highlighted the significant disparity between policy rates and current market interest rates. more..

Aug 25 (DN) Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Nalin Fernando, who was in China, chaired the SL side of the bilateral meeting with the Department of Commerce of Yunnan province and expressed the close collaboration to establish SL particularly with Yunnan province. Officials of the Dept of Commerce of SL, the Officials of the Department Commerce of the Yunnan province and the Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of SL in Beijing represented at the bi-lateral talks. more..

Aug 25 (DN) Sajeev de Silva, Sri Lanka’s sole archer representing the Archery World Cup, concluded his journey in the Hyundai World Archery Cup held in Berlin, Germany over the weekend. De Silva’s performance placed him at the 65th position out of 168 archers worldwide in the Recurve Men event. In a closely contested match, Sajeev de Silva faced off against China’s Li Zhongyuan, ultimately conceding the victory with a score of 7-3 in favour of Zhongyuan. more..

Aug 25 (DM) With the prevailing dry weather conditions, authorities have noticed an increase in forest fires. This is evident with the number of forest fire incidents reported recently, amounting to 123. This was revealed during a discussion held at the office of the State Minister of Defence on the increase in forest fires and preventive measures to control the issue. State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said, that due to the prevailing dry weather, a large number of fires more..

Aug 25 (TM) Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect stated that it would be best if Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe would discuss the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution with religious leaders including the Chief Prelates (Mahanayakas) of the main Buddhist sects. Wickremesinghe, who came to power following the resignation of former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July last year, pledged that he would fully more..

Aug 25 (DM) Adding another to the list of recent arrests, the Dept of Immigration and Emigration stopped a man who tried to leave the country with a forged Canadian visa on his SL passport at the BIA on Wednesday. The 42-year-old male had tried to check-in to a SriLankan Airlines flight UL225 around 17.00 hours on Wednesday, when the airline staff had felt suspicious about his Canadian visa. He was then referred to the Immigration Dept special branch at the BIA Border Surveillance Unit (BSO) more..

Aug 25 (DM) Several acres of forest area closer to the buffer zone of the Udawalawe Forest Reserve were deforested following an illegal charcoal production factory. This illegal charcoal production factory was built in Arambekema village in Grama Niladhari Division of Thanamalvila. 20 ovens are already established for charcoal production. However, an additional 19 units are planned to be built in the same area to further increase production. Each oven consumes 4.5 tons of timber more..

Aug 25 (TM) Central Bank says its Monetary Board has decided to impose caps on interest rates on pawning facilities, pre-arranged temporary overdrafts and credit cards for all licensed banks. Accordingly, maximum interest rate for pawning facilities is set at 18% per annum, 23% per annum for pre-arranged temporary overdrafts, and 28% per annum for credit cards. Further, Monetary Board is of the view that penal interest rates need to be capped at 2 percentage points over regular interest rates more..

Aug 25 (FT) A Dutch cultural delegation led by State Secretary for Culture and Media in the Netherlands Gunay Uslu will be visiting Sri Lanka from 27 to 31 August. The State Secretary is making a special visit to SL to sign the legal document transferring the ownership of the cultural artefacts that will be returned to SL later this year. The objects include the famous Lewke’s canon, two gold kastanes (ceremonial sword), Sinhalese knives, silver kastane, and two guns. more..