Jun 28 (TM) Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) held a meeting at the Labour Department with Minister for Labour Manusha Nanayakkara, Commissioner General of Labour Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Advisor-cum-Private Secretary to the Minister Shan Yahampath, and other ministry officials to address the need for important labour reforms. The primary focus of the meeting was to advocate for progressive labour regulations that will help to ensure more..

Jun 28 (MFA) SL’s candidate Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam was elected to the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families at the election held on 27 June 2023 at the United Nations in New York. Ambassador Kariyawasam is a retired career diplomat and has previously served in the Committee three times, during which he was also the Chairperson during the Committee’s initial formative stages. more..

Jun 28 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers have approved the domestic debt restructuring programme. Accordingly, the proposed restructuring of the country’s local debts was approved at the special Cabinet meeting which concluded a short while ago. All Govt MPs were notified a short while ago at the Presidential Secretariat, PMD reported, adding that the proposal will now be submitted at the next Parliament session for discussion. Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament issued a Gazette Extraordinary more..

Jun 28 (FT) A team of senior officials of the Govt of SL concluded a successful Fact Finding Mission to Jakarta, Indonesia to explore avenues for early entry into Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) from 12 to 14 June 2023. SL’s strong interest to enter into RCEP was well received by the ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh, Senior Officials of the ASEAN Secretariat, Indonesian Govt officials and more..

Jun 28 (AD) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that instructions have been issued to collect the taxes due from certain liquor manufactures in the country, within a period of 14 days. State Minister points out that the Govt is due around Rs. 6.16 billion in total, as a collective of taxes and overdue payments from distilleries. The relevant tax payments are due to be collected from 10 liquor manufacturing companies, more..

Jun 28 (GN) Cabinet has approved the arrival of the new watchdog, with the Gambling Regulatory Authority, now in charge of the industry, revenue collection, and the overall course of gambling development in the country. The ministers voted on a bill that was submitted by Prez Wickremesinghe, earlier this week, with the bill focusing on not just the creation of a new regulator, but also establishing the rules that would govern the gambling industry in the country moving forward. more..

Jun 28 (DM) Referring to his recent statement made in Parliament that he would resign from his ministerial role if the necessary funds for purchasing medicines are not received, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said he would not quit as relevant funds have been allocated. He said,” We had a meeting with the officials of the Treasury on the day itself I made this statement in Parliament where the funds to procure drugs and other critical medical equipment were guaranteed.” more..

Jun 28 (AD) The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) in Parliament today summoned officials of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), Ministry of Finance and Auditor General for the first session of discussions on proposed domestic debt restructuring process. In a tweet, COPF chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva said that the commercial banks, EPF and other relevant institutions have been summoned for the second session tomorrow. more..

Jun 28 (DM) State Minister Shehan Semasinghe asked people not to fall prey to certain political parties and groups on Aswesuma since discrepancies will be corrected after the appeal process. He said that a certain group is trying to provoke the people and create an issue on the matter. “Even some of the unions of Samurdhi officers have said they would have done a better research to determine recipients but the issue is they did not cooperate with us to do the research,” more..

Jun 28 (TM) Ministry of Health has decided to extend the compulsory retirement age of specialist doctors in the public service to 63 years, the Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal on Tuesday. This was conveyed when a writ application filed by 176 specialist doctors, challenging a Cabinet decision to revise the retirement age of govt doctors, was taken up in court. On Oct 17, 2022, Cabinet gave the approval to revise the retirement age of specialist doctors as 60 years. more..

Jun 29 (DM) In this era where the Govt is taking bold moves to stabilise SL’s economy after the worst ever crisis since independence in 1948, a vital move would be the revival and modernization of the co-operatives and societies in SL. According to the Co-operative Development Dept, the co-operative societies system started in 1906 to fulfil the economic needs of rural farming community by granting loans. Since the number of co-operative societies was increased, more..

Jun 29 (DM) Not too long ago, I tried to remember all the states of the United States of America. I missed Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. A well-informed and well-read friend of mine, a citizen of the US was impressed. He said that most Americans (of the US) wouldn’t be able to name all 50. In addition to these 50, USA has five permanently inhabited territories: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. None of them have voting rights. more..

Jun 29 (TM) Nalin Maligaspe is a dancer and choreographer as well as the founder of the Creative Dance and Drama Academy. He recently took SL talent and traditional dance with yoga to India, participating in the International Yoga Festival held at the Mahabodhi Int'l Meditation Centre (MIMC) in Ladhak, India. The festival took place from 21-27 June, and Maligaspe said they performed several times and more..

Jun 29 (CT) Governor of CBSL Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, in view of forthcoming Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) process and speculations surrounding it, had taken advantage of the five days extended bank holiday period to reassure the country’s financial community that there would be no reduction in either the deposits placed by customers in the financial institutions or interest rates paid on them and that the stability of the financial system would be ensured through what he called more..

Jun 29 (GV) The act of resistance gave rise to Pride. However, repression continues to be a reality wherever Pride is held. Even in places where legal equality has been accomplished and visibility is celebrated, heterosexuality is still regarded as the norm, and constrictive gender binaries still exist. Pride serves as a reminder to the general public and the LGBTQ+ communities themselves that queer people exist and will not be silenced. Historically, Pride events have their roots more..

Jun 29 (CT) Those engaged in the dairy industry in Kantale region face untold hardship, particularly when it comes to curd production. They claim this is due to technological advancement in every other industry including food production. Dairy farmers and curd producers also alleged stepmotherly treatment by the Govt. Equipping this industry with modern technologies is the need of the hour. It must be transformed into an industry more..

Jun 29 (TM) The recently surfaced claim stating that around 1,800 vehicles listed in the Health Ministry fleet are actually not under the Ministry’s control, sparked controversy earlier this week, imploring for questions on the magnitude of waste or the misuse of public funds that is occurring despite successive Govts’ vows to curtail the same. This matter became a topic of discussion following COPA Chairman, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna’s claim that the Auditor General's report more..

Jun 29 (CT) The recent revelations by the COPA regarding the mismanagement and wasteful expenditure of public funds allocated for the distribution of tab computers among schoolchildren and teachers is nothing short of a colossal disappointment. The magnitude of this issue cannot be understated, as it involves the squandering of a staggering sum of Rs 3.4 billion, leaving us questioning not only the competence of those responsible but also the accountability more..

Jun 29 (Island) There is no general consensus as such on the term, politics, which is variously defined. One wonders whether, in this country, it could be thought to mean the art of thriving on human misery, for SL politicians are adept at weaponising people’s suffering and the resultant resentment to further self-interest. No one, we believe, can match the SLPP grandees’ adeptness at wearing their hearts on their sleeves. They can dissolve into tears at will and pull the wool over the eyes of the public; more..

Jun 29 (FT) The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) organised an Informative on-line Webinar for the SL exporters in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Israel, Israel – SL Chamber of Commerce, and Israel – Asia Chamber of Commerce on 19 June 2023. The session aimed to raise awareness among the Sri Lankan business community and provide a platform for exploring new business opportunities in the Israeli market as a short-term export promotion strategy. more..

Jun 29 (Island) Thousands of school athletes in the Western Province have been waiting in vain for months not knowing exactly when their respective Divisional and Zonal Competitions would be held. While lack of funds has forced a vast majority of education offices to cancel their Divisional Championships for the second consecutive year, all Zonal Education offices in the Western Province are yet to determine more..

Jun 29 (Island) Three years after Sri Lanka formally withdrew from an accountability resolution moved against our own country, instigated by the West and the US in particular, the UN body has reiterated that SL’s political and military leaderships are under investigation in third states, therefore subjected to extraterritorial jurisdiction. A treacherous Yahapalana govt co-sponosred the US-led resolution at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). more..

Jun 29 (SO) After years of negotiations, UN has reached an agreement on a Global Ocean Treaty aimed at ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity which covers over two-thirds of the world’s high seas. “You have pumped new life and hope to give the ocean a fighting chance”, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, following the adoption of the treaty on June 19. Singling out the treaty as a demonstration of the strength of multilateralism, he said: more..

Jun 29 (DN) We had confidence to chase a total like 150-170 and both my self and Vishmi Gunaratne wanted to make good start, said SL women’s team skipper Chamari Atapattu after historic win over NZ on Tuesday. “We wanted to restrict them below 150 but wicket was good for batters and wind factor also affected and finally our bowlers were able to restrict them to 170 which was not a difficult target at Galle wicket,” said Chamari who struck an unbeaten 108 to win Player of the Match award. more..

Jun 29 (TM) Chairman of the Organising Committee Masheesh Hamid, Prefect of Games A. Ananthan, Tournament Director Dilroy Fernando, Headmaster Rev. Nihal Fernando, Master-in-Charge T. Ramesh and Rugby Coordinator Romesh Tissanayagam at the head table Youth Rugby League 2023, aligning with the celebrations commemorating the 85th year since S Thomas’ Preparatory College, is set to kick off on the 1 July at the CR&FC Grounds. The event will see 11 other schools along with the hosts. more..

Jun 29 (FT) SJB says Govt members that bankrupted the nation are protesting the abolishment of the controversial Samurdhi program, and at the same time is crying out against their own Aswesuma programme as it doesn’t benefit their support base. Rajapaksa cronies are making an attempt to place the blame on the opposition, when it is their own doing, said SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne. more..

Jun 29 (ST) Textile exports from the island nation rose by 5.9 per cent year-on-year to US$88.9 million during the first quarter of 2023 amidst economic crisis and other internal challenges. The exports of other made-up textile articles stood at $26.1 million during the same period, down 19.6%. Textiles, garment, and other made-up textile articles’ exports together accounted for 53.62% of all industrial exports from Sri Lanka during the period under review. more..

Jun 29 (FT) In a significant move towards promoting investment and boosting the sugar industry, the Cabinet of Ministers approved allocating a vast tract of land in the Vavuniya district to Thailand’s Sutech Sugar Industries Ltd. Valued at $ 400 million, this landmark project aims to address a substantial portion of SL’s sugar requirements by producing 20% or 120,000 metric tons of sugar. The land, spanning 200 hectares and covered by a scrub jungle, will serve as more..

Jun 29 (EN) Washington-based World Bank said it had approved US$ 700 million in loans from its concessionary Int'l Development Association window SL as the island tries to recover from a currency crisis and sovereign default. SL’s economists tried stimulus involving rate cuts and tax cuts to boost growth (close a perceived output gap) triggering serial currency crises and bankruptcy in 2022 in the worst crisis in the history of more..

Jun 29 (TM) Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security said that it is holding discussions with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies to determine whether the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) should be closed due to making losses for several years. In response to media reports that there are preparations to close the CWE and that its properties and assets are to be taken over by the Lanka Sathosa Ltd., more..

Jun 29 (DM) CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe emphasised the need for a coordinated effort between importers and exporters to generate more foreign exchange for the country and maintain a positive trade balance. Highlighting the existing gap between imports and exports, with imports currently at over US $ 1.5 billion and exports at US $ 1 billion, he acknowledged the necessity of addressing this disparity and further explained that it was the reason for imposing restrictions on imports. more..

Jun 29 (TM) While there are vacancies for two Commissioners of the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL), the Constitutional Council (CC) is yet to make appointments in their place. Following the resignation of Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara and the passing away of Dr. Nimal Karunasiri, there are two vacancies for Commissioners of the HRCSL. The Daily Morning queried Speaker of the Parliament and CC Chairman Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana as to whether there is any preparation to more..

Jun 29 (PMD) In these challenging times, as we strive for a future filled with renewed hope, the advent of the Hajj festival this year is of extreme significance. The sacred festival of Hajj, embodies values and fulfilment derived from engaging in humanitarian endeavours, seeking solutions for the impoverished, without the expectation of respite from one’s own difficulties. It is a testament of the spirit of selflessness and compassion. Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ishmael, more..

Jun 29 (TM) Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) claimed that the process of disconnecting the electricity supply of consumers who do not pay their electricity bills on time has now become a mafia. ECA Chairman, Sanjeewa Dhammika said that the work related to the disconnection of the electricity supply of relevant customers has been given to outsiders by CEB on a contract basis. more..

Jun 29 (ST) Ginger prices are peaking as a consequence of farmers lacking knowledge on how to meet demand as well as the rhizome now being off-season. The high prices are due to high demand but low production, said Additional Director General (Research) of the Department of Export Agriculture Dr. H. Subasinghe. This is also considered off-season in ginger cultivation. Harvesting is usually from November to April and it takes nine months to grow. more..