Jun 21 (TM) The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered the CID to take measures to expedite the investigations into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter. Accordingly, Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya yesterday ordered the CID to obtain all relevant reports from the Govt Analyst (GA) pertaining to the samples sent for testing, highlighting that reports on blood samples and other materials sent in relation to the investigation are yet to be received. more..

Jun 21 (ST) The Sunday Times story of widespread sale of bread unfit for human consumption has prompted the Cabinet of Ministers to act. The decision came after revelations that the 160-year-old Bread Ordinance was still in place making it difficult for authorities to take action. Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority said there are issues in enforcing the laws in the Ordinance. Fines are out of date. The Cabinet approved on Monday more..

Jun 21 (FT) Daraz, Sri Lanka’s largest online marketplace, has joined forces with four renowned local retail brands to offer customers a wider range of authentic products, great value, and a superior shopping experience. These brands – Celcius Luxury Bedding, Marvel Marketing, Promate, and Swisstek aluminum Ltd. – have entered into Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with Daraz which will enable them to take full advantage of the market access and visibility Daraz offers. more..

Jun 21 (DN) Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), founded in 1919 and one of the longest standing automotive associations in South Asia, has recently raised concerns regarding the fairness of current import regulations, shedding light on the importation of extravagant items such as TVs and mobile phones, while essential necessities such as a motorcycle remains restricted. CMTA emphasizes the need for a more equitable import policy that considers the struggles faced by more..

Jun 21 (CT) The Engineering division of SriLankan Airlines continued its streak of firsts with the recent completion of a heavy maintenance check on a Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A330 (Trent 700), marking a foray into providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for wide-bodied aircraft from the Southeast Asian region. Cebu Pacific Air is the first Southeast Asian airline to sign up with SriLankan Engineering for heavy maintenance on wide-body aircraft, more..

Jun 21 (TM) Special training has been initiated for health staff in all districts regarding efficient ways to administer first aid to patients following an accident, claimed the Health Ministry’s Injury Prevention and Control Unit’s Injury Prevention Programme National Programme Manager consultant Dr. Samitha Sirithunga. He said that there are more than 1.3 million accident-related admissions to State hospitals annually and that between 10,000-12,000 die due to accidents every year, more..

Jun 21 (EN) Parliament has passed a bill to set up an independence budget office which will track and forecast budgets and also estimate the costs of election manifestos upon request. Bill for the Parliamentary Budget Office was passed without a vote with amendments. “An opposing party cannot request for a costing of another party’s manifestos but they can publicly call for the party to request a costing from the independent budget office,” more..

Jun 21 (AD) Former Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama has been remanded until June 22 over an alleged fraud. Kahandagama was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court earlier today, after being arrested by the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau. The police media division said the former municipal councillor, in 2022 had purportedly defrauded an individual of Rs. 7 million by promising to provide a house located in Kompanna Veediya. more..

Jun 21 (DN) Tristan Stubbs made a fine knock of 117 as South Africa 'A' were 287/6 in their first innings after second day's play of the second four day game against SL A played at P.Sara Oval Stadium yesterday. After SL 'A' were all out for 290 with addition to 33 runs to overnight total South Africa A were 287 for 6 wickets at close trailing three runs with four wickets in hand. Stubbs the right hand number three batter who played a solitary ODI against West Indies on last March more..

Jun 21 (CT) In a collaborative effort to enhance the capabilities of the SL Police Canine Division, Australian Federal Police (AFP) had provided training and support during a recent visit to Sri Lanka In Nov 2022, as part of a senior SLP delegation’s visit to Australia, representatives from the SLP Canine Division visited the AFP Canine facilities in Majura, Canberra, and engaged in fruitful discussions with AFP National Canine Operations, including Assistant Inspector Mark Holmes. more..

Jun 21 (AD) As the extension of tenure given to the incumbent IGP C.D. Wickramaratne is set to expire on June 26, speculations are rife as to who is next in line to take up the post of the police chief. IGP Wickramaratne was initially supposed to retire from the police service on March 26, 2023, however, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his tenure by three months by issuing a special gazette notification dated April 06. Although this special tenure extension comes to an end o more..

Jun 21 (TM) Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that not only the parties involved in various acts of corruption, but also the CIABOC is attempting to disrupt the passage of the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) to be debated in the Parliament today. ACB, if passed in the Parliament, is to replace the Bribery Act, No. 11 of 1954 (Chapter 26), CIABOC Act, No. 19 of 1994, and Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law, No. 1 of 1975. more..

Jun 21 (DM) All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association (ACBOA) has decided to reduce the price of a 450g loaf of bread and other bakery items by Rs. 10 with effect from midnight today. Association said the decision was made after agreeing to provide eggs at Rs. 35 each for bakery production. But the retail prices of butter, margarine, yeast and wheat flour have not been reduced, they said. At least 90% of the bakeries in the country used to sell a 450-gram loaf of bread for Rs. 150 and Rs. 160. more..

Jun 21 (DM) Due to the continuous delay of SriLankan Airlines flights, sending workers for Korean jobs has become a serious problem, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said. A group of workers to Korea could not be sent today due to the delay of flight UL 470 for about 12 hours. As the 800th group to leave for Korean jobs, SLFEB had prepared all the necessary arrangements to send this group to South Korea. Fifty-two workers were supposed to leave for work in the fishing industry in Korea. more..

Jun 21 (CT) With questions being raised over an anaesthetic drug, which allegedly resulted in the death of two children, who were admitted to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya recently, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said the Health Ministry should immediately launch an inquiry into the deaths and also probe whether there were more deaths caused by this particular drug. Dr. Sanjeewa said that these two deaths more..

Jun 21 (FT) Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOC) have begun to probe numerous ministry activities and the recent report by the SOC on national security has turned a thorn in the President’s economic policy. They were established in Dec 2015 on a Resolution moved by the Yahapalana Govt during their first year and after the 19A was adopted in April the same year. SOCs were strongly appealed for by Wickremesinghe then as PM to strengthen parliamentary centred more..

Jun 21 (EN) Shares closed higher on Wednesday after debt optimization and restructuring concerns had been addressed, an analyst said. “The market is moving on green, because fears of debt restructuring and optimization had been addressed by the State Minister of Finance and Cabinet Spokesperson,” an analyst said. The main All Share Price Index was up 1.48% or 112.89 points to 9,272.42, while the most liquid index S&P SL20 was up 1.68% or 55.93 points to 2,662.08. more..

Jun 21 (AD) SL inflation, based on National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), for May 2023 was recorded at 22.1%, as measured by the year-on-year change, Dept of Census and Statistics (DCS) revealed in its latest report. This marks a slight drop in comparison to the headline inflation of 33.6% recorded in April 2023. In comparison to 2022, the reported inflation for the month of May 2023 was mainly due to the higher price levels that prevailed in both food and non-food groups. more..

Jun 21 (FT) SL is an island nation situated in a strategically important location in the Indian Ocean region at the centre of maritime trade routes in between East and West, as well as in the middle of Africa, the Arab, and Eastern worlds and is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. SL’s location enables the country to provide quick and efficient global and regional connectivity to move cargo to and from Asia to the rest of the world. More than 60,000 ships ply this route more..

Jun 21 (TM) Drug-related issues are the common link in the majority of shootings that have taken place in Sri Lanka, says SSP Nihal Thalduwa. Thalduwa said that the Police had identified the drug circles involved in these shootings. "Police has done its part in locating and arresting the shooters. The common link is that majority of them come from drug dealers and drug circles that take revenge on persons more..

Jun 21 (SLN) A search operation conducted by the SL Navy on 20th June off Urimunai of the Delft Island, Jaffna led to the interception of an Indian poaching trawler with nine Indian fishermen. The special search operation was mounted by SLNS Wasaba in the Northern Naval Command, in Urimunai sea area south of Delft Island, by deploying naval craft. During this operation, the Navy intercepted an Indian poaching trawler continued to remain in the sea area, more..

Jun 21 (AD) Stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya, who sparked controversy after making certain remarks which were deemed insulting to religions, has been ordered to be further remanded until July 5. Meanwhile, Bruno Divakara – the owner of the YouTube channel SL VLOG where Nathasha’s viral video was posted – was released on bail conditions. The duo was produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. CID arrested the SL VLOG owner on May 31, more..

Jun 21 (EN) Sri Lanka has received a donation of medicine worth US$ 39.6 million from Helpline Sri Lanka, a non-profit organization based in the US. The donation consists of essential medicines, including 32 types of medicines for infectious conditions, cholesterol, anesthetics, arthritis, diabetes and painkillers. The stock of medicine was handed over to the Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on June 20, by Julie Chung, more..

Jun 21 (DM) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered to lift the travel ban imposed against Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa in connection with the Krrish Company case. Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage made this order taking into consideration a request by the defence counsel. Meanwhile, the Court sent a reminder to the Attorney General to expedite his legal advice regarding the alleged misappropriation of Rs.70 million connected with Krrish Company. more..

Jun 21 (FT) GRI’s recently launched Green XLR Earth Series tires have achieved noteworthy performance during the last six months of field tests in Germany. Designed to revolutionise the industry, these tires incorporate an impressive 78.6% sustainable material, including pure natural rubber sustainably sourced from Sri Lankan rubber farmers. The Earth Series from GRI significantly reduces the carbon footprint while delivering unparalleled performance and durability. more..

Jun 21 (AD) MP Wimal Weerawansa appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning, two days after an arrest warrant was issued on him for failing to do so. On June 19, Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna de Alwis issued a warrant for the arrest of Weerawansa for failing to make an appearance when the case filed against his 2016 protest in front of the UN office in Colombo was taken up that day. The case had been filed on the charges of causing more..

Jun 21 (AD) The membership of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has unanimously approved the Audited Financial Statements for the financial year 2022, which recorded a net surplus of Rs. 6.3 billion and a total income of Rs. 17.5 billion, which is 120% over the 2021 revenue. This was approved during an EGM held on June 17, 2023, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo. The net surplus of Rs. 6.3 billion achieved during the referenced financial year was the highest annual net surplus recorded more..

Jun 21 (AD) The writ application filed before the court seeking an order to prevent the arrest of Pastor Jerome Fernando has been withdrawn. Accordingly, the lawyers of the self-styled prophet today withdrew the writ application filed requesting the court to issue an order preventing Fernando’s arrest by CID. On 26 May, Fernando filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court, more..

Jun 21 (SLN) French Naval Ship Dupuy de Lôme arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning. The visiting ship was welcomed by the SL Navy in accordance with naval tradition. Dupuy de Lôme is a 102.40m – long Electromagnetic Research Vessel, with a crew of 107. The ship is commanded by Commander Augustin Blanchet. During their stay in the country, crew of Dupuy de Lôme will visit some of the tourist attractions in the country. Meanwhile, the ship is scheduled to more..

Jun 21 (CT) Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said the exam Centric education system in the country will be changed gradually. Premajayantha said there is a timely need to establish a more practical and professional education system in the country. “As a result of this outdated education system, we cannot get benefits of our own innovations. It is foreign countries that obtain the benefits from our innovations. This situation must be changed. more..

Jun 21 (TM) SL’s domestic debt will not be subjected to a haircut under Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) as the Govt ensures that bank depositors will not face any issue related to their savings, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. He said that domestic debt would only be subjected either to a maturity extension, an interest rate reduction or an extension of the grace period. “In any kind of situation, we do not expect to more..

Jun 21 (DM) Clarifying matters on the proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill, State Minister of Media Shantha Bandara said that only a concept paper has been brought out under which the power vested with the Minister in charge of media to cancel the license issued to media institutions at any given time will be abolished. “Media Minister has the power to cancel the licenses issued to media institutions at any time under the existing law. However, the proposed law will take away this power. more..

Jun 21 (Island) Navy has been providing assistance to devotees who are taking part in Pada Yathra, the age-old annual pilgrimage on foot from Jaffna to Katragama. Navy has been taking care of the needs of the pilgrims walking from the entrance of Kumana National Park to Kumbukkan Oya. On a directive of the Commander of the Navy, and under the supervision of the Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Navy will continue to help pilgrims until the end of Pada Yathra on 27 June. more..

Jun 21 (AD) South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air is expected to resume direct flights to SL, says Minister Manusha Nanayakkara. He alleges that employment opportunities of SL workers who are supposed to leave for foreign employment are at risk due to repeated delays of SriLankan Airlines flights. Nanayakkara said South Korean Human Resource Institute only accepts migrant workers who arrive in the country within the given time period, adding that it does not accept anyone who is behind more..

Jun 21 (EN) State-run SriLankan Airlines said a flight to Korea was delayed after a cockpit crew member fell sick and a rested replacement conforming to aviation safety regulation could not be found until the next morning. SriLankan flight UK 470 which was to depart on June 20, 2023 at 2020 hours with a batch of applicants seeking jobs in Korea. “…[D]ue to the various regulations for fatigue and safety that govern operating crew, there was no available replacement until the morning of 21 June 2023,” more..