Jun 14 (ST) A long-standing dispute between two factions of students of a leading school in Kandy had been the reason behind the inhuman assault on a student within the school premises during the G.C.E. O/L examination this week, police investigations have revealed. The student who was sitting the exam at St Anthony’s College Katugastota was assaulted by a group of eight students on June 6 during a break between the Mathematics first paper and second paper. more..

Jun 14 (DN) Sri Lanka suffered their first defeat of the tournament when they lost to Singapore 29-51 after a tough game in the Asian Junior Netball Championship played in South Korea yesterday It was very close up to second quarters but in the third and fourth quarters Singapore juniors domineted the game with a clear lead. Singapore had close battle with SL in the first quarter which ended with Singapore leading11/8 while after second quarter Singapore led 21/13 and more..

Jun 14 (ST) CEB electricity tariff revision proposed for the July to December period of this year has suggested reductions for hotels, and the three lower consumption blocks of the domestic sector and religious institutions. The proposed tariff revision is currently under review. Revisions were suggested in anticipation of surplus revenue. The new tariff proposal has been prepared to provide relief to low-income and vulnerable groups and the entities of economically important businesses, more..

Jun 14 (FT) The SJB MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday slammed the Govt for its failure to implement any new revenue-making programs. “The IMF is not a panacea for the current crisis. It is only a form of assistance. The panacea is to create new revenue-making ventures. However, excessive taxes, hiked tariffs or fuel prices, selling off state assets or obtaining more loans are not revenue-making ventures,” he noted. Marikkar opined that the Govt must act as a regulator. more..

Jun 14 (TM) Ruling SLPP Leader and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa and a number of SLPP District Leaders have boycotted a discussion called by the SLPP backed Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday on the grounds that the latter does not have the power to call SLPP members for such meetings. The Prez had called the Cabinet of Ministers, Rajapaksa, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam & other SLPP district leaders more..

Jun 14 (BP) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will decide on June 28 if the ailing male Thai elephant in Sri Lanka is ready to take a six-hour flight to Chiang Mai. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said that a Thai caretaker team comprising veterinarians and two mahouts have been preparing the elephant to bring it back home since they arrived in SL on June 9. The elephant was one of three that Thailand sent as goodwill ambassadors to the South Asian nation in 2001. more..

Jun 14 (FT) NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said while the country’s people have suffered economically, failed UNP politicians have however prospered under the current Ranil Wickremesinghe Govt. Addressing a party rally in Tangalle demanding the Govt to hold elections, Dissanayake said failed and defeated UNP politicians such as Navin Dissanayake, Rosy Senanayake, Ashu Marasinghe and Saman Rathnapriya have gained positions and prospered. more..

Jun 14 (DM) A group of Army doctors has removed a large size kidney stone from a man, which is said to be the world’s largest and heaviest kidney stone (calculus) removed following a major operation, Army said. The stone was removed on Thursday (1) at the Colombo Army Hospital, entering the Guinness World Records, it said. Consultant Urologist, Lt Colonel (Dr) K. Sutharshan, Head of Genito Urinary Unit at the Colombo Army Hospital took the lead in the surgery together with more..

Jun 14 (TM) NCPA claimed that there is an increased risk of children being used as labourers in the face of the rising economic and social crisis situation in the country. An official of the authority claimed that there is a possibility of an increase in the number of school dropouts and instances of children not being sent to school. The authority added that there is a tendency to employ children unwillingly to earn money in the face of economic pressures without educating them at school. more..

Jun 14 (Island) Dissident SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga said Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Wickeremesinhe-Rajapaksa govt owed an explanation regarding the resignation of Director General of the Dept of Archeology Prof. Anura Manatunga under controversial circumstances. SLPP MP insisted that the government had pressured Prof. Manatunga to quit as his stand on matters pertaining to more..

Jun 14 (DM) The Supreme Court recently gave a historical judgment with regard to the ownership of the copyright of a work of renowned Chef Publis Silva, which is relevant to authors, publishers and all other connected parties in the respective field. Defendant Appelant in the case Sarasavi Publishers (Pvt) Ltd made an appeal to the supreme court against a judgment delivered by the Commercial High Court in 2013, with regard to the owner of the copyright of the Sinhala book titled more..

Jun 14 (TM) Temporary Value Added Tax (VAT) Certificate Holders in Sri Lanka have more than doubled to 31% since 2016 as a means to escape the tax net while reputed companies use them to import undervalued products, Sri Lanka Customs pointed out. Attending the Sectoral Committee on Economic and Physical Plans last week, Sri Lanka Customs officials said that temporary VAT holders in Sri Lanka have increased from 14% in 2016 to 31% by 2023. more..

Jun 14 (Island) SL Customs has warned the Finance Ministry that it will fall short of its revenue targets for 2023 by at least Rs. 443 bn unless the govt abolishes the ban on vehicle imports as well as restrictions on other imports immediately. Top Customs management recently told the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Economic and Physical Plans that the Finance Ministry had been appraised of their inability to meet more..

Jun 14 (FT) Jaffna district MP Gajendrakumar Gangaser Ponnambalam (G.G. Ponnambalam) has lately been very much in the news. 49-year-old lawyer was arrested by the Police at his Colombo residence, produced before the Kilinochchi magistrate and released on Rs. 500,000 surety bail. Earlier he had been involved in an altercation with Police officers at Maruthankerny in the Jaffna peninsula. MP’s controversial arrest was allegedly due to charges filed by the Police more..

Jun 14 (FT) Currently we are experiencing unbearable heat and regular climate changes. The largest impact of climate change is that it could wipe up to 18% of GDP off the worldwide economy by 2050 if global temperatures rise by 3.2°C: (Swiss Re Institute 2023); Climate risk has become a financial risk and investment risk. The world still depends heavily on coal, oil and natural gas to meet its energy needs. Climate change is a systemic risk that must be addressed now itself. more..

Jun 14 (DM) The arrest of Jaffna MP and leader of TNPF Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam is another incident that feeds into the sense of unequal treatment of individuals and communities in the country, National Peace Council (NPC) said. "MP was accused of obstructing police officers from performing their duties. Incident arose when MP Ponnambalam challenged two persons in civvies who came in unannounced at a meeting he was having with his constituents in a public park more..

Jun 14 (AD) French Prez, Emmanuel Macron has extended an invitation to his SL counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe to address a high-level panel discussion in Paris at the Global Leaders’ Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. The event is scheduled to take place at the Palais Brongniart in Paris on June 22 and 23. Summit for a New Global Financing Pact is expected to shape a new financing toolbox that will be rolled out through six high-level round-tables and 40 parallel events. more..

Jun 14 (HM) In 2022, in response to shortages, escalating inflation and a catastrophic economic crisis, a series of protests in Sri Lanka shifted the political fortunes of Rajapaksa-led alliance, which had secured power with a parliamentary super-majority only two years earlier. Protests led to the resignations of Basil, Mahinda & Gotabaya Rajapaksa – respectively, Finance minister, PM and President. more..

Jun 14 (AD) Notorious criminal figure Ravindu de Silva alias Booru Muna who was arrested after a fiasco at the airport earlier this year has been remanded until June 19. The suspect was produced before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court today. Booru Muna, who is accused of shooting a restaurant owner dead in Hanwella on 18 Dec 2022, is also believed to have been the gunman in a number of other killings. On Feb 24, Booru Muna fled police custody at the BIA more..

Jun 14 (TM) Former Presidential candidate and Opposition MP Sarath Fonseka has hinted at the possibility of running for the Presidential Election. Speaking to Media today (14), Fonseka expressed his belief that he possesses the qualities to provide leadership to the country, as he sees a capable person when he looks in the mirror. He went on to criticise President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that he does not consider Wickremesinghe to be a competent leader. more..

Jun 14 (TM) Claiming that the Govt has not provided any form of subsidy including solar panels to religious places as a solution to the recent increase in electricity tariffs, Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera claimed that the CEB has instead disconnected the electricity supply to many temples where the payment of electricity bills has been delayed. He claimed: "Just because the Govt increased electricity tariffs, has the income more..

Jun 14 (EN) Shares gained to close at a near two-month high on Wednesday, pushed up by the diversified financial sector as investor sentiment improves after the CB’s policy rate cuts, an analyst said. ASPI was up 1.59% or 144.52 points to 9,216.49, the highest since April 21, while the most liquid index S&P SL20 was up 2.75% or 70.69 points to 2,640.43. The market gained due to lowered policy rates and low inflation stimulating buying interest and driving the sentiment up. more..

Jun 14 (CT) The body of a doctor who worked at Thambuttegama Base Hospital, who passed away under suspicious circumstances, was found in his quarters yesterday. Police said the 35-year-old doctor, a resident of Chilaw, could have died several days earlier. Thambuttegama Police are conducting investigations. The doctor, Amila Sandakelum Dissanayake, saw patients at his private medical clinic on Saturday. However, as he did not report for duty on Monday (12) and yesterday, more..

Jun 14 (DM) In a bid to curb the growing influence of franchise cricket leagues, ICC is set to introduce two changes, including placing a limit on the number of overseas players franchises can sign. UK’s Telegraph reported that in addition to restricting the number of overseas players, leagues would be required to pay the national boards for each player they sign. ICC intends to impose a limit of four overseas players in a starting XI, which will not impact most of the existing leagues, more..

Jun 14 (CT) A group of Sathosa (CWE) employees yesterday sought divine intervention, to protect the jobs of the workforce, following reports that there is a possibility the establishment would be privatised. They visited the Maha Kali Amman Kovil in Modara where they dashed coconuts pleading of the Goddess to protect the establishment from privatisation and ensure their jobs would be secure. More than fifty representatives from the Sathosa, including Chandana Pushpakumara, more..

Jun 14 (EN) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe publicly recognising Tamil Buddhism is a positive step, opposition MP Mano Ganesan said. MP tweeted Tuesday June 13 morning that recognising Tamil Buddhism as historical fact is the key to many deadlocks. Ganesan was commenting on remarks made by Prez Ranil Wickermesinghe recently in what appeared to be an exchange of words with Director General of the Dept of more..

Jun 14 (TM) State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe is to bring a proposal to Parliament with regard to implementing a free blood test for couples or newly married couples to determine whether they have thalassaemia, specifically before having children. Thalassaemia is a genetic condition caused by a deficiency in the production of haemoglobin in red blood cells. Kumarasinghe said that there are about 5,000 children and parents who were diagnosed with thalassaemia between 2022-2023 so far. more..

Jun 14 (Island) High Commission of India in Colombo, its cultural arm Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Colombo, Consulate General of India in Jaffna, Consulate General of India in Hambantota and the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy will organize a series of events across different parts of SL to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) from 17th to 21st June. A mega public event, under the theme Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, would be held more..

Jun 14 (TM) A national policy is to be formulated with the consensus of all stakeholders of Sri Lanka's gems and jewellery industry. During the recently held meeting by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, instructed the authorities to take the next steps to prepare a national policy with the consensus of all stakeholders of Sri Lanka's gems and jewellery. more..

Jun 14 (EN) Lanka Special Steels said it had opened a new factory with a capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes a year, which can cater to domestic and international markets. The factory is coming on stream as the country’s construction sector is facing a downturn after the central bank printed money mistarget rates for monetary stimulus and triggered the worst currency crisis in its history. “This plant has a capacity of 30,000 metric tons which will cater to all the needs of SL’s galvanized wire more..

Jun 14 (CT) 56-kilometre stretch of forest road, leading to Kataragama from Ampara, was ceremonially opened, for the devotees who attend the annual Esala Maha Perahera of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, by Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman on Monday. Nearly, 45,000 devotees are expected to travel on foot to Kataragama to participate in the rituals and the Perahera. Ukanthaimalai Murugan Kovil chief priest K.G. Seetharam performed the rituals more..

Jun 14 (AD) Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Turkey, has decided to launch direct flights between Istanbul and Colombo starting from Oct 2023. That being so, the airline will cease operating flights between Turkey and SL via Malé, the Maldivian capital, as it has been doing for the past 10 years. The launch of direct flights between Istanbul and Colombo will allow passengers from the island nation to easily travel to 129 countries from the Turkish capital via short-haul flights and more..

Jun 14 (DM) A Parliamentary Committee has revealed that the congestion in prisons has increased up to 259%, where 26,791 inmates are occupying the prisons at present whereas all the prisons in the country could accommodate only 11,762 inmates. It was revealed at the COPA recently that in some prisons, the congestion has gone up to 300 to 400%. 26,791 inmates were occupying the prisons even though all the prisons can accommodate only 11,762 inmates. more..

Jun 14 (AD) Bar Association of SL (BASL) has raised deep concerns about the recent surge observed in custodial deaths and, criminal activity in many parts of the country. The association urged the govt, together with other stakeholders, to impose stricter laws and punishments on errant police officers who misuse their power and fail to fulfill their duties. The BASL went on to demand draft enforceable guidelines, to prevent more..

Jun 14 (DM) New appointments will be given on June 16 to 7,500 teachers from Colleges of Education and 5,500 graduate teachers in all three mediums of language, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said. He said graduate teachers who are below 35 years old will be appointed for subjects such as science, mathematics, technology, language, geography and commerce. However, the minister said education cannot be developed only by completing physical resources but needs more..