Dec 4 (AD) SL’s Youth Scrabble team has won the Best Team title for the second consecutive year at the WESPA Youth Cup 2023, also known as the World Youth Scrabble Championship 2023, which was held in Thailand, while bagging the prizes for first, second and third places among 142 players from 17 nations. 10-member SL Scrabble team also recorded an outstanding performance by securing the top three spots of the event, etching SL’s name in history as the first ever country to clinch more..

Dec 4 (FT) Consumer confidence fell again in October, continuing its slide from its peak in April 2023, according to the Institute for Health Policy (IHP) as per the latest update of its Consumer Confidence Indices, generated from its Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS). IHP said all indices remain at pessimistic levels with the biggest decline in the Index of Current Conditions, which tracks current conditions, and which fell 5 points to 13 points. more..

Dec 4 (FT) SL’s tourism industry has demonstrated a robust resurgence, surpassing over $ 1.75 billion in earnings during the first 11 months of the year, accompanied by the arrival of over 1.27 million visitors. “As per the provisional figures tourism earnings in the first 11 months are estimated at over $ 1.75 billion, reflecting a 55% increase from the corresponding period of last year, whilst November earnings stood around $ 160 million,” SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando said. more..

Dec 4 (Island) Senior Director of Customs Seevali Arukgoda strongly defended Customs Officers’ Management and Compensation Fund (COMCF) taking 70% of total penalty imposed on public or private sector wrongdoers. The fund is believed to be the largest of its kind in the country. Arukgoda, who also functions as the Customs spokesperson, insisted that 20% of their share was spent on foreign training for Customs officers more..

Dec 4 (PMD) In a significant development at the COP28 in Dubai, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a strategic meeting with Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Discussions revolved around collaborative efforts to address global challenges and enhance SL’s pivotal role in the world’s tropical belt. During the meeting, Mr. Gates expressed the commitment of the BMGF to support SL in building a robust and climate-resilient nation. more..

Dec 4 (DN) Govt of India will be implementing a Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems project on three islands off Jaffna, namely Nainativu, Analaitivu and Delft, said High Commissioner (HC) of India, Gopal Baglay during a part of a three-day visit to Northern Province. Govt of India has committed to support this project with grants to address the energy needs of the inhabitants of these islands, an Indian High Commission release said. Interacting with representatives of cooperatives at Pasaiyoor more..

Dec 4 (IANS) Sri Lankan’s spin-bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan said the team’s performance in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup was very disappointing, and something which he wasn’t expecting to unfold in the way it did. In the tournament, Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, won just two matches while lost seven games to end their campaign in India at ninth place, while also dealing with injuries to various personnel, including to skipper Dasun Shanaka. more..

Dec 4 (DM) The NPP will create a new political culture where politicians will travel in public transport such as in buses and trains, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. Speaking at the Kegalle District Convention of the Retired Tri-Forces Forum, he said the JVP MPs had never used police personnel for their private security. "You may have seen politicians in other countries travel in buses, trains, bicycles and public transport and work abreast with people. more..

Dec 4 (CT) Defence Service Command and Staff College (DSCSC) has spent a staggering Rs 1.1 million as entertainment expenses (food and refreshment) over just five days on five officers, Defence Ministry Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and three Commanders of the Army, Navy and the Air Force in 2022, a National Audit Report submitted in Parliament on 28 Nov revealed. The five officials had visited the DSCSC to more..

Dec 4 (AJ) On most days, Dolci Falasteen restaurant in Colombo is quiet. Located on a main road in a busy neighbourhood, the eatery is an escape from the busy mood of the city. Traditional Arabic lanterns cast a warm glow over its cosy dining area. But on a Sunday afternoon, seven weeks after Israel launched its ruthless assault on Gaza, the restaurant that specialises in Palestinian cuisine is bustling with young entrepreneurs. They have united for a common cause: to raise funds for Palestine. more..

Dec 4 (DM) The construction of the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo port which is currently in progress is to be completed by mid next year to commence operations. The Ministry said the jetty planned for this terminal will be 1,400 metres long upon completion, allowing three mega ships to berth simultaneously. While paying a special inspection visit to the construction site of the terminal, A total of US USD 585 million has been allocated for the development of the terminal more..

Dec 4 (TM) Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU) claimed that Non-performing loans (NPLs) of 10 individuals and companies backed by politicians have been the major cause for the losses experienced by major State-owned banks such as Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and People’s Bank. CBEU General Secretary Ranjan Senanayake charged that the politicians, who blame the administration and the workers in those banks for the losses more..

Dec 4 (FT) Not many soldiers have written about their experience about the 30-year-long disastrous war in SL. One exception was General Kamal Gunaratna who has penned a couple of books on the war giving his personal experience in not only how it was done but also how strategies were designed to reach a decisive conclusion. The excuse given by many soldiers is that it is traumatic to relive in those fearful experiences which are best to be left forgotten forever, especially after its risk is more..

Dec 4 (FT) Economic mismanagement by successive regimes made Sri Lanka bankrupt. Instead of proposing a collective self-reflection, analysing mistakes made and looking to the future than dwelling on the past, some politicians are throwing stones from glass houses and pretending they are fully clothed emperors. It is common knowledge that the Sri Lankan bankruptcy was the culmination of economic misjudgement and mismanagement by successive regimes. more..

Dec 4 (DM) Two traffic police officers on duty allegedly sought a bribe from the son of Minister Tiran Alles during a traffic stop in the Galagedara area in Kandy last Saturday. Reportedly, the minister's son, en route to Kandy, was pulled over by the traffic officers for violating traffic rules while overtaking a vehicle. Minister's son acknowledged the traffic violation and accepted the issued fine sheet. Minister's son had reportedly inquired about the nearest post office to pay the fine. more..

Dec 4 (CT) To enhance the electoral process for the visually impaired community, a special ‘tactile ballot paper’ will be provided in each polling station during the next national election, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said. He said this during a media briefing held at Waters Edge Hotel in Battaramulla on 1 December, to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, more..

Dec 4 (Island) TNA MP MA Sumanthiran told Parliament that an impeachment motion could be brought against Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for using the latter’s parliamentary time to violate the provisions of the Constitution. Participating in the debate on Budget 2024 under the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Justice, Sumanthiran said that the Prez had stated in Parliament on 24 Nov, that the CC more..

Dec 4 (DM) Dehiattakandiya Base Hospital is facing a crisis as its only surgeon has left the country, bringing all surgeries to a standstill and leaving patients in desperation. This concern has been informed to the relevant health authorities by the Hospital Director in the form of a letter, and the actions are yet to be taken. According to the letter, 50 surgeries have been suspended, including emergency surgeries. Despite patients being sent to the nearby hospitals, including more..

Dec 4 (AD) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) says it has formally lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in SL against former Sports Minister MP Roshan Ranasinghe. The complaint has been filed over the alleged misuse of funds provided by SLC to the National Sports Fund for the development of various other sports in Sri Lanka, the SLC said in a statement. The SLC said the decision to file this complaint stems from the concern that more..

Dec 4 (AD) Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports have decreased by 14.6 % to USD 898.0 million in Oct 2023 compared to October 2022. Also, it is a 13.13 % decrease when compared to the value recorded in Sept 2023, the EDB says. The decline in merchandise exports is due to decreased demand for export products, particularly in sectors such as Apparel and Textiles, Rubber & Rubber-based products, and Coconut and more..

Dec 4 (AD) Uni of Kelaniya, excluding the Faculty of Medicine, has been closed until further notice. Accordingly, all hostels of the uni excluding the Medical Faculty’s hostels, will remain closed while all students have been instructed to vacate their respective hostels before 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Decision has been reached at by the uni administration owing to an alleged incident of a security officer of the university being abducted and assaulted while he was sleeping in more..

Dec 4 (CT) Extensive environmental damage is being caused by the construction of an electric fence against wild elephants along Pambahinna Mawatha in Rajawaka Forest Reserve. This expansive fence, stretching over 57 km, has resulted in the marking of 8,338 trees within the Rajawaka Reserve, Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said. The CEJ alleged that the entire contentious project is being led by Secretary Ranjith Pushpakumara, operating under the authority of Minister more..

Dec 4 (AD) State Minister Ashoka Priyantha says that more than 1,300 individuals have been recruited to the management service based on the results of Limited Competitive Examination for Recruitment of Management Service Officers held in 2021. In response to a question raised by an MP, State Minister expressed that accordingly, 660 officers were recruited to the management service under the first phase while 276 officers under the second phase and 448 officers under more..

Dec 4 (EN) SL’s Haycarb Plc, an exporter of activated carbon said it had begun a campaign to expand coconut cultivation in the north of the island. This is being done in partnership with the Coconut Development Authority and Coconut Cultivation Board. “Haycarb aims to plant 100,000 coconut trees in the Northern regions of Sri Lanka, including Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna. This initiative is a vital part of a broader national endeavour to establish a second coconut triangle,” more..

Dec 4 (Island) Sri Lanka has done extremely well on the economic front during the last 18 months, says former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. Dr. Coomaraswamy revealed his assessment of the country’s economic recovery process while addressing a Centre of Poverty Analysis (CEPA) symposium recently held under the theme, Retrospect & Prospects on Poverty more..

Dec 4 (AD) Minister of Sports Harin Fernando has appointed a 15-member National Sports Council, replacing its former chairman Arjuna Ranatunga with Dr. Maiya Gunasekara. The members of the new National Sports Council are as follows: 1. Dr. Maiya Gunasekara – Chairman; 2. Mr. I.U. Wickramasuriya – Secretary; 3. Mrs. Sriyani Kulawansa; 4. Major General (Rtd) Rajitha Ampemohotti; 5. Prof. Arjuna de Silva; 6. Mr. Panduka Keerthinada; 7. Mr. Ana G. G. Punchihewa; 8. Mr. Malik Kader more..

Dec 4 (PHC) Pakistan High Commission, Colombo in collaboration with Higher Education Commission, Pakistan held Allama Iqbal Scholarship Award distribution, in a graceful ceremony for the session 2023, amongst the deserving SL students. The scholarship is named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal, one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He envisioned the freedom movement and separate land for the people of Pakistan, which contributed towards establishment of Pakistan in 1947. more..

Dec 4 (DM) Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando, last week instructed the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) to look into the possibility of holding the 14th South Asian Games (SAG) 2024 in SL. In a special discussion held with the Ministry of Sports officials of NOCSL and top athletic, rugby, and football officials called by the Minister, NOCSL authorities were given the instructions, Director General, Dept of Sports Development, more..

Dec 4 (DM) SL will see women heading the Army, Navy and Air Force before long, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon said. “A woman can only earn the rank of Major, especially in the army. However, the govt is looking towards changing military laws so that women could head the three forces,” Minister said speaking during the committee stage debate. “SL is yet to give equal status to women in many aspects. It was Bikkuni Sangamitta who brought the sacred more..

Dec 4 (DM) In a significant move to enhance the availability and accessibility of Coca-Cola products across SL, Coca-Cola Beverages SL (CCBSL) and Lanka Sathosa Ltd have announced the renewal of their strategic partnership, effective Oct 30, 2023. The partnership ensures the availability of a diverse range of Coca-Cola products across Sathosa’s extensive network of 430+ nationwide outlets. The signing ceremony was graced by key representatives from both CCBSL and more..

Dec 4 (EN) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has vowed to take legal action against people that robbed the country. He said govt MPs who harassed him in parliament will not be able to undo his resolve to bring to book those that brought SL to financial ruin. “As you must have seen, when the court verdict on these people who violated human rights of this country was being discussed in parliament, those inside parliament that supported the family rule and also raised their hand more..

Dec 4 (AD) Sports Minister Harin Fernando says that a decision has been taken to appoint a new Selection Committee for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Minister said that the new Cricket Selection Committee will be chaired by former SL cricketer Upul Tharanga. However, Fernando did not elaborate on the other members of the committee and when the new selection committee will exactly be appointed. Ex-cricketer Pramodya Wickramasinghe serves as chairman of more..

Dec 4 (EN) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has raised a question in parliament about profits said to have been earned by the CEB from increased hydro power generation and why that benefit cannot be passed on to the consumer. He sais that half a million electricity consumers have been disconnected from their power supply. “A few million have received a red notice warning of disconnection. more..

Dec 4 (DM) Addressing the salary anomalies of teachers as a top priority during the current economic crisis may pose significant challenges in meeting the identified priorities for children, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said. He said the govt's primary focus is on distributing textbooks and uniforms, providing meals, and supplying shoes to schoolchildren. However, despite these requests, certain parties have advocated for rectifying of salary anomalies for teachers. more..

Dec 4 (EN) Citrus Leisure Plc has said it will open its revolving restaurant at the Lotus Tower in a week or so. “We wish to inform you that Banquet Hall on the 26th floor and Revolving Restaurant on the 27th floor of the Lotus Tower Colombo, are expected to be opened on or around Dec 9,” Citrus Leisure said. “Get ready for a culinary revolution! Blue Orbit by Citrus, SL’s first revolving restaurant and the tallest in South Asia, is set to elevate your dining experience to new heights!” more..