June 20 (TM) Damayanthi Darsha has a special place among the great names of the golden era of SL athletics. She represented Sri Lanka among the best in the international stage for almost 16 years, with nine Asian-level medals, including three Asian Games gold medals and four Asian championship gold medals. We were fortunate to have a chat with the former champion this week. What’s going on these days? more..

June 20 (TM) The intricate nature of the economic crisis is becoming more and more apparent as its impacts keep spreading to every imaginable aspect of the public’s lives. Among other issues, the public’s concerns as consumers remain at the forefront of these impacts. Until now, their main concern was why fluctuating United States Dollar-SL Rupee rates affect retail prices only when the Rupee depreciates, which results in the increase of prices, and not when the Rupee appreciates, which more..

Jun 20 (Island) A senior doctor attached to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital has issued a timely warning to the public following an incident where a woman died after being allegedly forced to consume an excessive amount of king coconut water overnight as part of a shamanic healing ritual. Asking the people not to fall prey to the wiles of shamans, he has stressed that charmed coconut water, etc., has no miraculous healing power. One can only hope that the good doctor’s warning more..

June 20 (DM) How much more self-entitlement should politicians in this country have? Consider the tragicomedy at the International Yoga Day at the weekend. As paunchy and protruding SL ministers were screechingly bending and stretching to the music, a drizzle fell in—a trickle, still under the full sun. But soon, the ministers were sheltered by umbrellas held by their aides or sponsors as they continued to make yoga poses. Average folks, confined to congested rows behind the VIPs, more..

Jun 20 (Island) I caught myself the other day saying something to this effect in the classroom – now that you know what I expect, I’d like you all to think through why you’ve chosen the answers you have. At the time, I assumed that this was a very open invitation to students to revisit the whys and hows of their choices within the second language classroom. Upon further thought, however, I realise that even this exercise allows for freedom on the student’s part only if they agree that more..

Jun 20 (ST) Conflicting accounts related to the ownership of hundreds of acres of land near the Kurundi Viharaya in Mullaitivu continue to evoke strong feelings from those on both sides of the controversy. Even Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to appoint an expert committee on the matter has done little to calm the situation. Committee once appointed will investigate and submit a report on lands claimed for more..

Jun 20 (ST) As though our native land is not smothered enough with half-baked draft laws and even less baked govt arguments in defence of these blatant attempts which many see as moves to throttle democratic dissent, a hard-pressed population is now being prepared to carry a new cross. If one chooses a religious symbol to describe the ongoing activities of a govt that constricts the freedom of its people with new laws and more still to come, it is not to disparage religion. more..

Jun 20 (DN) South Africa ‘A’leg spinner Senuran Muthusamy once again bowled well to capture 5 for 101 as Sri Lanka 'A' were 257 for 7 wickets at close of the first day’s play of the second four day cricket game played at P.Sara Oval Stadium yesterday. It was a good bowling display by 29 year old leggie Senuran Muthusamy who had 26 over spell to grab five-wicket haul after first four day game match bag of 12 wickets at Pallekele. SL ‘A’ skipper Kamindu Mendis won the toss more..

Jun 20 (FT) Minister Kanchana Wijesekara defended the former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa saying the latter wasn’t responsible for last year’s electricity crisis but lack of new generating plants. Speaking at SLPP gathering in Nawalapitiya, Minister refuted allegations that the Govt was forced to implement power cuts last year due to the failures of former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “It was the failure to manage power generation since 2014 that led to the power cuts that lasted 12-13 hours last year. more..

Jun 20 (Island) Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and Education Ministry Secretary M.N Ranasinghe exchanged diplomatic notes on 19 June 2023 to fast-track the implementation of a project meant to establish modern computer labs and smart boards with customized curriculum software in 200 Schools in the Galle District, according to a statement issued by the Indian HC, Colombo Minister Ramesh Pathirana, was present on the occasion. Deputy HC, Vinod K. Jacob and more..

Jun 20 (CI) Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis led a quartet of half-centuries from SL as they dominated UAE and enjoyed a winning start to their World Cup Qualifier campaign in Zimbabwe. Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka also struck fifties as SL posted 355 for 6. Their attack was without Dushmantha Chameera, who was sidelined with a shoulder strain, but Wanindu Hasaranga more..

Jun 20 (FT) Rotary SL on Sunday announced plans to tap tapping to its global network to woo investments and tourism. “We Rotarians of SL wish to explore the two high network Rotarians to market SL for investment and tourism opportunities,” said Rotary District Governor for SL and Maldives Engineer Pubudu De Zoysa. The new initiative was announced at a briefing at the Sales Gallery Port City in partnership with the CHEC Port City Ltd., where Rotary SL welcomed two Rotarians more..

Jun 20 (DN) The Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance is working with the Asian Development Bank to introduce a credit guarantee scheme and they plan to introduce it before the end of the year and the Industrial Development Board (IDB) Act also has a provision to establish an Industrial Development Fund and that too will be put in place to help budding industrialists, Dr. Saranga Alahapperuma, Chairman, Industrial Development Board told a press conference. more..

Jun 20 (FT) Sri Lanka Banks Association (SLBA) urged policymakers to engage with commercial banks via Central Bank to ensure a comprehensive and well-coordinated approach to alleviating the stress felt by the industrialists in loan default, following the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. The association, which represents all licensed banks in SL, said that the unusually high number of debt recovery more..

Jun 20 (TM) Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union requested the public to be cautious when purchasing chilli powder and sugar from unregistered markets and irregular salesmen. Union pointed out that this is because goods of inferior quality are being sold by vendors in order to make profits in the current economy. Treasurer of Union W.D. Roshan Kumara, said that at present, there are multiple reports where wheat flour, food colorings and certain other ingredients are added to chilli powder. more..

Jun 20 (ST) Residents around the Joranis Peiris cemetery in Pannipitiya have been horrified to find parts of human remains in their area. “Some people were able to video record workers from a leading funeral director in Maharagama throwing bodies used by the medical students of Sri J'pura University. Monitor lizards were seen digging up bodies at night and during the day, crows, and street dogs were seen scavenging on human body parts. There are so many open wells here,” more..

Jun 20 (FT) Representatives from the country’s Board Of Investment (BOI) and Export Development Board (EDB) joined Lankan Angel Network (LAN) board members, and other dignitaries, at the recently concluded WeScale Sri Lanka Industry Night. Chief Guest MP Dr. Harsha de Silva noted the need for collaborative efforts between govt institutions like the BOI and EDB, to ensure resources and goals are aligned and shared instead of efforts being unnecessarily duplicated. more..

Jun 20 (FT) Around 35% of the lubricant and grease products in the market had failed to meet quality stipulated specifications as per a sample survey carried out by the Public Utilities Commission of SL. The PUCSL’s revelation follows its lubricant market monitoring between January and April this year. PUCSL said stakeholders in the lubricant market are required to ensure compliance to the legal requirements including conformance of their products to the (minimum) SLS or higher, more..

Jun 20 (EN) There will be more clarity on SL’s debt restructuring efforts, particularly with regard to foreign debt, upon the return of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to the country after his ongoing visit to France, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said. He said once a final decision has been made on domestic debt optimisation, the govt will inform both parliament and the public. “This is an extremely sensitive matter that significantly influences more..

Jun 20 (Island) State Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Suren Raghavan says that the govt will soon regulate the conduct of private tuition classes in the country. He said that the private tuition enterprise was worth 65 billion rupees but the Ministry of Education did not have any mechanism to monitor its activities. State Minister acknowledged that the Ministry of Education had no knowledge of the teachers teaching in private tutories, that is their subject mastery, professional qualifications, more..

Jun 20 (DM) Sri Lankan tech start-up CreativeHub Global has introduced the country’s first ever virtual influencer named Chubs. With a significant following already on Instagram and Linkedin, Chubs has immersed herself in the expansive metaverse, captivating audiences with her imaginative adventures that transcend reality. Chubs represents the entirety of SL’s continuously evolving technological ecosystem and her first steps towards a future where technology takes centre stage. more..

Jun 20 (Island) Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena announced on Sunday that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved a proposal to operate electric buses in the city of Colombo. The decision aims to mitigate environmental damage caused by exhaust fumes and the impact of rising fuel prices. Minister Gunawardena emphasised the importance of operating all public transport vehicles including buses, three-wheelers, vans, and trains to be operated on electricity. more..

Jun 20 (AD) Police have apprehended three individuals while in possession of approximately 1,225 kg of cannabis today (19), SSP Nihal Thalduwa said. He further mentioned that this is believed to be the largest single haul of cannabis seized so far in SL. The haul of cannabis has been seized during a raid which was carried out by the officers of Embilipitiya Divisional Crimes Unit from a room at the top floor of a two storied building located in the New Town area of Embilipitiya, more..

Jun 20 (DM) In recent years, SL's foreign service has made questionable and disappointing appointments especially to some of the key countries, resulting in an entire collapse of the foreign service system. Infact, more and more political appointments are now dominating SL's foreign service while career diplomats and real talent are ignored while individuals with no knowledge on foreign service are appointed as Amb more..

Jun 20 (DM) Cricketing minnows Oman, coached by former SL captain Duleep Mendis, pulled off a massive upset by beating Ireland by five wickets in their opening World Cup qualifier in Bulawayo on Monday, the Gulf sultanate's first-ever victory over a Test nation in an ODI. The other Group B match saw Sri Lanka crush the UAE by 175 runs. George Dockrell hit 91 not out and Harry Tector 52 as Ireland reached a respectful 281 for seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs. more..

Jun 20 (TM) SJB is to vote against the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill if the Govt is not prepared to make the amendments they proposed. SJB MP Tissa Attanayake said that a committee comprised of Opposition MPs headed by MP Chandima Weerakkody will submit its proposals to the Govt in this regard. He further said that SJB and other Opposition parties working together have identified multiple loopholes in the proposed legislation and that no one representing the joint Opposition more..

Jun 20 (AD) The UN human rights chief called on SL to implement the recommendations of the mandate-holders of UNHRC, which include special rapporteurs, independent experts and working groups. 53rd session of UNHRC convened on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland. Under the agenda Item 2 of the Council the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk presented the Human Rights Global Update. more..

Jun 20 (FT) In the last budget, SL Govt proposed a new income tax schedule – increasing tax rate and reducing the tax-free income threshold. The proposed changes sparked debate, with many criticising the new rates as excessively burdensome. These taxes were also seen as conditions imposed by the IMF as part of their loan agreement with SL. However, the Govt maintained that increased tax revenue was essential for improving the country’s financial situation & addressing debt crisis. more..

Jun 20 (FT) The int'l financial architecture inherited from the post-war era is no longer sufficiently adapted to deal with the growing inequalities, climate change, biodiversity erosion and public health challenges prevalent in the 21st century. The int'l community’s responses are currently fragmented, partial and insufficient. On the one hand, concessional resources provided by development institutions are not delivering their full potential in terms of impact, co-finance and alignment more..

Jun 20 (DM) The time restrictions imposed to end musical shows at 10 p.m. has been revised, Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando said. Accordingly, the time restrictions to end musical shows on Fridays and Saturdays has been extended to 1.00 a.m. On Sundays, musical and other entertainment shows can be conducted until 12.30 a.m. Taking to Twitter, Minister said the decision had been taken as per the Supreme Court FR case order. He also mentioned in his tweet that a reasonable distance more..

Jun 20 (AD) Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) has submitted proposals to amend the Anti-Corruption Bill, which is scheduled to be debated and passed in Parliament tomorrow. Addressing a letter to the Speaker on behalf of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender, chairperson of the Caucus, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, stated that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus is very happy more..

Jun 20 (TM) Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect said that it is the responsibility of the Govt to take measures to protect all Buddhist archaeological sites in the N&E provinces following an impartial investigation into the recent controversy associated with the Kurundi Rajamaha Viharaya in Mullaitivu and the Girihandu Seya in Thiriyai, Trincomalee. Speaking to Daily Morning in the wake of Tamil MPs demanding the release of more..

Jun 20 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland during his official visit to the UK. Focus of the discussion fell on the digitization programs, measures to broaden the Commonwealth’s partnerships, as well as Commonwealth programs such as Commonwealth for Climate and Blue Charter to enhance support to member countries. Sharing his strategies for addressing climate change, Prez also explored more..

Jun 20 (AD) National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has requested students of schools in the Western Province to wear light-coloured clothing in addition to their uniforms, in a bid to protect themselves from contracting dengue virus. Director of the NDCU Dr. Nalin Ariyarathne explained that the request was made in view of the recent spike in the number of dengue cases reported amongst schoolchildren in the province. “We have submitted a proposal requesting for students in Western Province more..

Jun 20 (EN) Sri Lanka must inform the IMF that both the govt and opposition are against restructuring domestic debt, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said. All 225 members of parliament must say to the IMF in one voice that the govt and opposition are united in their opposition to domestic debt restructuring (DDR), Premadasa said speaking at an executive committee meeting of an opposition collective in parliament on Monday. more..