Mar 21 (AHRC) The debate on who should be the next IGP is part of the public debate these days. Focus of this debate is more on who should be the person rather than what is the expectation from the new IGP in terms of the challenges faced on the one hand concerning the rule of law system in SL, and on the other, in terms of the challenges faced by Police Dept. Perhaps, also a relevant factor is how can the Police Dept meet the challenges of playing an effective role in administration of justice more..

Mar 21 (TM) Last week, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe made an explosive statement that certain Police stations are violating laws pertaining to the possession of narcotics, citing forensic reports by the Govt Analyst's (GA) Dept, which, according to him, indicate that certain drug-related cases are being falsely reported to courts by certain Police stations. This statement attracted critical, yet mixed responses from the public that discussed the matter, especially on social media. more..

Mar 21 (DM) Yesterday was a momentous day! With the IMF’s executive board poised to approve the US$ 2.9 billion extended funding facility last night, Sri Lanka’s long march for economic recovery could only now begin. But, also expect the usual culprits, who wish the country’s doom so they could achieve their petty political ends, to double down on demonizing the bailout or pooh-pooh it, or for the seasoned conspiracy theorists to call it an international conspiracy. more..

Mar 21 (FT) Great importance was given to the African continent in the Presidential announcement on the 75th anniversary of independence where President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the envoys from the African region. The meeting was organised by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on 3rd Feb 2023 at the Prez Secretariat. To coincide with the momentous occasion International Consultants Chairman Ranjiv Goonawardena is sponsoring a major export-orientated webinar conference more..

Mar 21 (AFP) Cash-strapped SL is seeking a 10-year moratorium on its foreign debt, Prez Wickremesinghe’s office said on the eve of a desperately needed US $ 2.9 billion IMF bailout. Prez said the widely expected IMF rescue will only give us a breathing space where they will say we are no longer bankrupt. “All the money we have to repay this year, I hope we will be given at least 10 more years to repay it,” more..

Mar 21 (ST) Marking a significant milestone in its history, SLTC Research University has established a unique partnership with a rich tradition; and the world’s second oldest uninterrupted schoolboy cricket match; by becoming the official Higher Education Partner of the 144th Royal-Thomian Cricket Encounter played between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College for the prestigious D.S. Senanayake Memorial Shield. The much-anticipated cricket encounter, one of the highlights more..

Mar 21 (Island) SL finds itself in a distressingly unprecedented and unenviable situation. All three tiers of govt—Parliament, Provincial Councils and the local govt institutions—are now under the Executive President indefinitely thanks to the postponement of PC and LG elections. Prez Wickremesinghe is the head of govt and therefore has Parliament under his direct control. Provincial Governors appointed by the Prez exercise control over the Provincial Councils as well as more..

Mar 21 (FT) Setting a new benchmark in the construction and aluminium industries, SL’s leading manufacturer of high-quality architectural aluminium joinery systems, glazing and façade products, Hayleys Unisyst, contributed to the completion of yet another construction marvel ‒ the 447 Luna Tower, a luxurious apartment complex situated at the heart of Colombo. Hayleys Unisyst, the sub-contractor of the project, was entrusted to provide the entirety of the aluminium solutions requirement of more..

Mar 21 (FT) State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe said Prez will address the nation today on the major breakthrough of securing $ 3 billion support from the IMF yesterday. An elated Semasinghe said the background required to obtain IMF approval was prepared in patience and trust of the people of the country, as well as the unpopular but necessary reforms in the country that were carried out by Prez Ranil Wickramasinghe. “At the end of a huge process of eight months, more..

Mar 21 (Island) Ratnayake Central, Walala prodigy Tharushi Karunaratne blazed the track with the country’s second fastest time ever in the women’s 800 metres to provide a sensational start to the 2023 season proper as the Junior and Senior track and field trials commenced at Diyagama on Monday. Tharushi clocked 2:01.39 seconds to beat reigning national champion and national record holder Gayanthika Abeyratne. more..

Mar 21 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday saw year to date net foreign inflow cross the Rs. 4 billion mark whilst locals remained positive with activity levels improving ahead of the IMF Executive Board meeting on support for SL. ASPI gained by over 29 points or 0.3% and the active S&P SL20 inched by over 11 points or 0.4%. Turnover was Rs. 1.8 billion involving 98.7 million shares. Foreigners recorded a net inflow of Rs. 162.2 million thereby boosting the YTD figure to over Rs. 4 billion more..

Mar 21 (AD) Secretary to the Treasury has informed the Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and Lanka Hospitals PLC that the Cabinet has granted approval in principle for the divestment of the stakes held by the Treasury Secretary in the two companies. Accordingly, Secretary to the Treasury has informed the Board of Directors of SLT and Lanka Hospitals that Cabinet has granted its approval in principle for the divestment of the stake held by Treasury Secretary in respective more..

Mar 21 (Island) FPA said that the contentious move to summon judges of the Supreme Court before the House Ethics and Privileges Committee, this week, over an interim order could have disastrous consequences. Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaka heads the Ethics and Privileges Committee. The ex-External Affairs Minister pointed out that govt had not only ignored the interim ruling issued by the SC, more..

Mar 21 (Island) Just a day after finishing their Big Match duties Royal College batsman Sineth Jayawardena and Richmond College spinner Malsha Tharupathi featured prominently in SL Under 19s five-wicket victory over their Bangladesh counterparts in UAE on Monday. Chasing a target of 230 runs to win Sineth Jayawardena top-scored with 101 runs to secure a five-wicket victory with 33 balls to spare. Jayawardena put on a first-wicket stand of 95 runs with St. Joseph’s batsman more..

Mar 21 (Island) Five persons suffered injuries, and 62 families were displaced due to landslides at Haldamulla, in the Badulla District, yesterday, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippilli said. Three houses were fully damaged and more than 20 houses were partially damaged, he added. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday warned that there was a risk of landslides in three districts due to the prevailing heavy rains. more..

Mar 21 (AD) Three Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed requesting the annulment of former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to pardon former MP Duminda Silva, who was convicted and sentenced to death over the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, have been taken up for hearing once again today (20) before the Supreme Court. There, the judge bench has ordered the hearing of the petitions to be adjourned until March 30. The relevant petitions were filed by more..

Mar 21 (AD) The participants of the adventure trail Raid Amazones 2023 arrived at BIA this morning (20). SriLankan Airlines is the Presenting Partner of Raid Amazones and extended a warm welcome with a traditional flare to the arriving group. The group boarded the Udarata Menike train from the Gampaha Railway Station shortly thereafter for a scenic journey to Kandy, where the trail will unfold from 22 – 28 March. Raid Amazones is the world's only itinerant women’s adventure race. more..

Mar 21 (TM) Despite it having been more than two months since the Supreme Court (SC) ordered former Prez and Defence Minister and incumbent Opposition MP, Maithripala Sirisena and several others to pay compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks and their families, none of the respondents have credited the relevant sums to the particular Fund. Office for Reparations had, as ordered by SC, established the Fund more..

Mar 21 (DM) Finland has been voted the happiest place in the world for the sixth consecutive year while SL was ranked 112th, according to the World Happiness Report 2023. SL's position has improved from the 2022 index where it was ranked 127th. In order to uncover the happiest spots around the globe, researchers analysed six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption. Despite several overlapping crises, study found that global life satisfaction more..

Mar 21 (FT) SL has welcomed over 70,000 tourists during the first 19 days of the month, driving the growth momentum of the year. A total of 76,247 tourists have already arrived in the country during the first 19 days of the month, pushing the year-to-date figure to 286,431 so far. The arrival figures are largely influenced by the growing traveller confidence, aggressive tourism promotions, continued service from more int'l airlines, & French women’s adventure trail Raid Amazones. more..

Mar 21 (IMF) “SL has been facing tremendous economic and social challenges with a severe recession amid high inflation, depleted reserves, an unsustainable public debt, and heightened financial sector vulnerabilities. Institutions and governance frameworks require deep reforms. For Sri Lanka to overcome the crisis, swift and timely implementation of the EFF-supported program with strong ownership for the reforms is critical. “Ambitious revenue-based fiscal consolidation more..

Mar 21 (CT) JJB executive committee member, MP Vijitha Herath said Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has no powers to hold a Presidential Election this year. MP Herath said in terms of the Constitution, a succeeding Prez has no powers to hold a Presidential Election before the expiry of the full term of five years. While referring to the rumours that the President hopes to hold a Prez Election, he said Prez Wickremesinghe is empowered to conduct a Prez Election only after Nov 2024. more..

Mar 21 (TM) Although IGP Chandana Wickramaratne is to retire on 23 March, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, who is also the Chairman of the Constitutional Council (CC), is yet to receive nominations of senior Police officers to be recommended for appointment as the IGP. Wickramaratne, who was appointed as the Acting IGP following the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019, and confirmed in the position more..

Mar 21 (EN) SL’s airport is considering giving designate parking slots for app based taxi service Pick Me after other three wheeler drivers were seen harassing tourists using the system. “We are still discussing the matter and this is done to prevent any similar incidents and to ensure no discrepancies – what is discrepancies occur —-to tourists during traveling,” an airport official said. “It is alleged that the three wheel gangs round the airport creates discomfort when passengers come through more..

Mar 21 (DN) SL white ball cricket team players left for NZ on Sunday night to take part at the NZ ODI and T-20 cricket series which will commence on 25th March in Auckland. The champion leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will take part in this tournament after his wedding last week. Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, the inform opener Pathum Nissanka, bowling all rounder Dunith Wellalage, paceman Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Promod Madushan, more..

Mar 21 (FT) The IMF’s Executive Board yesterday approved a lifeline for bankrupt Sri Lanka saying its $ 3 billion four year EFF arrangement will deliver stability and stimulate much needed growth. It said the program supports (395% of quota) SL’s economic policies and reforms with the objectives of the EFF-supported program being to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, safeguarding financial stability, more..

Mar 21 (FT) Countries never learn from others’ mistakes, they only learn from their own. SL is an exception: we don’t even learn from our folly. Apparently neither does the IMF. SL’s 17th IMF program is set to be approved on 20 March. Is it welcome? Yes. Will it break SL’s reform-regress-run to the IMF crisis cycle? Probably not. All reforms undertaken over the past half-year to win IMF board approval are reversible. None of them constitute entrenched changes in economic policy more..

Mar 21 (FT) Ministry of Finance gazetted the new Central Bank of SL Bill last month which is to be tabled in Parliament shortly repealing the Monetary Law Act (MLA) of 1949. The new legislation is expected to bolster the CB’s independence and transparency based on an inflation-targeting monetary policy framework aimed at price stability. Independent central banking is not something new to SL. MLA provided a sufficient degree of independence to the CB to conduct more..

Mar 21 (DM) Former World Cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga lauded the decision made by SL Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne to stand down from the role, stating that it was a decision that no previous captain had made. Karunaratne on Monday said that he had asked the national cricket selectors to relinquish him from the captaincy, so that a new captain can take over from the start of the next World Test Championship cycle. more..

Mar 21 (AD) A school student in Panadura has passed away this afternoon after suddenly collapsing at school due to an illness, police said. The 16-year-old boy has been identified as a resident of the Kalutara-North area. The student had collapsed and fallen due to a sudden illness, while playing with friends in the school, and was hospitalized immediately. He had passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital. Investigations have revealed that the deceased student more..

Mar 21 (EN) Sri Lanka will lift ongoing import restrictions in stages starting with essential goods, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said after the IMF approved a long-awaited EFF. In a video statement issued on Monday, hours after the IMF’s executive board approved the 2.9 billion dollar EFF, Wickremesinghe said the island nation’s deal with the global lender will be tabled in parliament on Wednesday. more..

Mar 21 (MFA) The Third Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association’s (IORA) Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (WGMSS) chaired by SL was held in Colombo on 20 March with the participation of the 23 IORA Member States. The Secretary General of IORA Secretariat Salman Al Farisi and representatives of the Secretariat participated in virtual mode from the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius. Inaugurating the meeting, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane more..

Mar 21 (DM) A national program that currently provides one mid-day meal for schoolchildren will be increased to 2 million at the start of the next school term, Minister Susil Premajayantha said. He said the ministry is currently providing a midday meal for 1.2 million schoolchildren. The program kicked off in January with the support of USAID, the World Food Program (WFP), and the govt. With this program, the parents will get some relief, to some extent, from the economic issues. more..

~Mar 21 (TM) Sri Lanka, with the help of its legal and financial advisors, must present a debt restructuring strategy before the end of April 2023 in order to reach the IMF’s targets to achieve debt sustainability, Peter Breuer, the IMF Asia & Pacific Department’s Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka said today. Addressing a special virtual press briefing this morning, Breuer pointed out that for the IMF to lend to a country, it usually more..

Mar 21 (TM) General Secretary of the SJB MP Ranith Madduma Bandara has filed a petition before the Supreme Court against the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. Bandara filed a petition against Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, charging him with contempt of court, for failure to comply with the order issued by the Supreme Court preventing him from withholding funds for the 2023 Local Govt (LG) election, allocated through the 2023 Budget passed in December last year. more..