Sep 6 (TM) Suicide is a complex problem for which there is no single cause or single reason. It results from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, social, cultural and environmental factors. Suicide has no racial or class distinctions. However, suicides can be prevented and suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. On 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day, at 8 pm, let us stand alongside Sumithrayo - dedicated to serving the community for the past 49 years, more..

Sep 6 (FT) Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena warned it was essential that there is no holdback of reform of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the Govt is putting in place new legislation to lock in this critical step to ensure sustainable socio-economic growth in the country. “SOE reform measures already put in place and those in the pipeline will help minimise their losses while providing efficient services to the public. more..

Sep 6 (CI) Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott has confirmed that his team was unaware of the calculations that meant they were in with a chance of qualifying for the Asia Cup Super Four even after they had failed to reach their target of 292 in the stipulated 37.1 overs against SL. At the end of the 37th over, Afghanistan were 289 for 8, which meant they needed three runs off one ball to win while bettering Sri Lanka's net run rate (NRR). Going for a big hit off Dhananjaya de Silva, more..

Sep 6 (DN) Ovin Gamage and Desandhi Gamage, secured top positions in the Below 1700 Rating Category at UAE 2023 Asian Amateur Chess C'ships. Desandhi won the gold in Below 1700 Rating Category and was placed overall second. This tournament, organized by the UAE Chess Federation on behalf of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation, worked off in the Dubai, UAE, from Aug 27 to Sept 4, and saw the participation of numerous National Federations from across Asia. more..

Sep 6 (DN) The Kugumiya Munahiru Gymnastic Club made a triumphant return to the national gymnastics stage as Nadila Nethviru and Amaya Kalukottage secured their debut National Championships in the Men’s and Women’s categories, respectively. 28th National Gymnastic Championships concluded on Sunday at Torrington Gymnasium after a three-year hiatus. Nadila Nethviru, who had previously participated in the national championships in 2018 and 2019, more..

Sep 6 (FT) Despite shortcomings and challenges, the efficient use of Sri Lanka’s rich legal context, legislative reforms and educated professionals would place the country in an advantageous position in becoming an international arbitration hub, experts said recently. The seminar titled Arbitration in Sri Lanka: Becoming an Arbitration Hub was hosted by SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) in collaboration with Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of SL (FCCISL) and more..

Sep 6 (CI) Afghanistan won hearts and minds, but it was SL who won the contest, in a game for the ages in Lahore. The scorecard will say SL won by two runs - and in the process recorded their 12th straight ODI win - but that barely scratches the surface in a game that could've gone either way. After their heavy loss to Bangladesh, Afghanistan knew at the toss that any chase would have to be completed in around 37 overs more..

Sep 6 (DN) In a remarkable showcase of skill, determination, and exceptional teamwork, Uni of Colombo women’s hockey team emerged as unbeaten champions at the 14th SL University Games, held from Aug 25 to 28, 2023. Team’s remarkable journey through the tournament was a testament to their unwavering dedication, exceptional teamwork, and outstanding skill. From the outset of the tournament, Uni of Colombo team asserted their dominance with a resounding more..

Sep 6 (CT) In their recently released BRS Macro Economic Outlook, by the BRS Equity Research, the research arm of stockbroking firm Bartleet Religare Securities (BRS) predicts a 2.2% contraction in the Sri Lankan economy during the second quarter of 2023, with a further 2.3% contraction expected for the full year 2023. The report states, “We believe the gradual increase in output during the 2H 2023 will slow down the deceleration path, although estimating a 2.3% contraction for 2023E. more..

Sep 6 (TM) In the wake of the CEB having sought the approval of the PUCSL to increase electricity tariffs, considering the income-related situation that has arisen with the tariff revision made in July 2023, Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) has claimed that the CEB is preparing to increase electricity tariffs by 56%. In a letter dated Monday (4), addressed to the PUCSL, CEB General Manager, D.P. Seneviratne had said that more..

Sep 6 (ST) Board of Investment (BOI) is awaiting logistics approval to attract 100 new IT firms into the country. The target is to secure US$2 billion this year by attracting 100 new tech firms with 30,000 seats of Plug and Play, a senior BOI official told the Business Times on Thursday. He said approvals are sought for concessions such as vehicle permits for a company (one each) and visas for staff etc. “We are expecting these to be sorted out by the end of this month.” more..

Sep 6 (FT) Govt said it has decided to allocate Budget funds for the year 2024 in a strategic step aimed at leading the country towards its ambitious 2048 development goals and easing the existing economic crisis. “The focus will be on prioritising projects capable of contributing to both long-term development objectives and immediate economic stability till foreign funds can be fully accessed,” Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday. more..

Sep 6 (Island) Hemas Group, a diversified corporate with focused interest in Consumer Brands, Healthcare and Mobility, is partnering with Hatch to deliver a corporate innovation program as a part of their 75-year celebrations. This collaboration aligns to Hemas Group’s focus to explore Open Innovation as a part of their corporate journey. Group CEO of Hemas Holdings, Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson said, “Through this partnership, we see significant potential for Sri Lanka startups, more..

Sep 6 (AD) MP Asanka Navaratne, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya (SLMP), has refuted recent media reports claiming that the political party joined hands with the SJB. Navaratne explained that the representatives of the two parties met yesterday (4) at Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s office in Colombo to merely discuss the potential of forming a broader alliance. Addressing the media’s concerns in this regard, MP Navaratne stated that the political parties met more..

Sep 6 (CI) PCB has reluctantly agreed to have the last five matches of the ongoing Asia Cup played in Colombo, as scheduled. This is despite the Pakistan board having strongly objected to the games staying in Colombo and not moving to Hambantota, as well as the manner in which Asian Cricket Council (ACC) made that decision. PCB had been on board with plans to move the Colombo matches to Hambantota, on account of rains more..

Sep 6 (DM) The import restrictions on all vehicles except for private vehicles would be lifted by the end of 2023, the Ministry of Finance said. The officials representing the Ministry of Finance disclosed this at the Committee on Public Finance today when the Committee requested for a time frame as to how long such restrictions will be in place post advertently considering the duopolies such restrictions have caused, especially governing wheat flour and tile. more..

Sep 6 (TM) Many ruling SLPP Govt MPs are willing to support a possible no-confidence motion (NCM) against the Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, if he fails to curb the crime wave that has risen in the country, at least within a month, claimed Opposition MP Lalith Ellawala. Ellawala, who was earlier a SLPP MP, and is now an Opposition MP representing FPC led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma, recently warned of a NCM against Alles if the latter fails to take required measures to address more..

Sep 6 (DN) Reforms to improve SOE performance and reduce losses and liabilities are critical for SL’s recovery and the sustained growth and it’s heartening to see the government’s ongoing commitment to reform and to hear their ambitious plans going forward, Takafumi Kadono, Country Director SL Resident Mission ADB told the Serendipity Knowledge Program held yesterday in Colombo. He said there need to be real reforms to enable SOE to be much more commercial more..

Sep 6 (PMD) Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Food Security and Agriculture, MP D. Weerasinghe said that they have already proposed a national policy for agriculture to regulate the usage, quality and price of chemical fertilizers and seeds imported to the country based on experimental data carried out for several decades. He also mentioned that it has been confirmed that the highest rice yield per hectare can be obtained by using 70% chemical fertilizers and 30% organic fertilizers more..

Sep 6 (TM) While SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for an immediate international investigation into the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, the Govt has hinted at such an investigation into the same. UK’s Channel Four News yesterday aired a programme titled SL’s Easter Bombings – Dispatches which made shocking revelations including the alleged involvement & complicity of certain Govt more..

Sep 6 (Island) TMTK leader C.V. Wigneswaran, MP, has warned the govt not to create an environment that may lead to the re-deployment of the Indian Army here. MP issued the warning at a media briefing held in Jaffna. Declaring that the outcome of the ongoing efforts to settle the North-East problem on the basis of the 13th Amendment could be dangerous, the retired Supreme Court Judge warned that India could redeploy its forces here in case of fresh troubles in the region. more..

Sep 6 (TM) A gazette notification to legalise the cultivation of cannabis as a medicinal herb will be issued in the near future, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody said. He said that Prez has made a budget proposal to grant approval to cultivate cannabis as a medicinal herb. Minister said India has announced that they were planning to ban the export of Ayurvedic herbs as raw materials after 2027 and that this would be a threat to Indigenous & Ayurveda practices in SL. more..

Sep 6 (TM) On Easter Sunday 2019, six suicide bombings hit Catholic churches and luxury hotels in SL, killing 269 people. Quickly, the perpetrators were identified as domestic religious extremists the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama’ath), claimed by Islamic State as their own. The wider world, pausing to note that the perceived threat of Islamic fundamentalism helped the controversial Rajapaksa family regain the SL presidency more..

Sep 6 (EN) Shares edged down at close on selling pressure in the banking front. ASPI was down 1.06% or 121.30 points to 11,353.65, while S&P SL20 was down 1.52% or 49.83 points to 3,218.84. “There is strong investor sentiment, in the local front particularly in the large blue chip counters, which is causing a surge in the index,” an analyst said. Over the past sessions, favorable performance indications combined with anticipations on lowered rates and better economic outlooks on investment more..

Sep 6 (TM) After more than 200 years, Dutch Govt has returned six Kandyan artefacts to SL. These include, a recent report confirms, a golden and a silver kasthăné or sabre, a golden knife, two maha thuwakku or wall guns, and Lewke Disave’s cannon. Their return follows an international provenance research which folded up last December. Perhaps the most valid and pertinent comment at the event came from Department of National Museums Director General Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi. more..

Sep 6 (FT) Mahatma Gandhi said, “All education in a country has got to be demonstrably in promotion of the progress of the country in which it is given.” I wish to add my own connotation here – “If what is sought is a country’s true progress, the betterment of its educational system must be at the forefront of all calls for action.” One cannot expect the progress of a nation, be it economical, technological, cultural, environmental, etc., without a meaningful change in the educational system to more..

Sep 6 (AD) The Court of Appeal has ordered a petition filed by the notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata to be taken up for consideration on Friday (8). The petition which had been filed requesting the issuing of a writ order invalidating the detention order issued to detain him in the custody of the CID, was taken up today before the Appeals Court judge bench comprising of Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Chamath Morais. more..

Sep 6 (CI) Former SL offspinner Sachithra Senanayake has been arrested by SL Police on Wednesday, on charges related to match-fixing. According to the police, he is due to be produced in court in the next 24 hours. Senanayake, 38, is alleged to have attempted to convince players to fix in the 2020 LPL. Although he was not himself a player in this tournament, and is understood to have been overseas at the time, more..

Sep 6 (DM) In the wake of the video released by Channel 4 on the revelations about the Easter Sunday attacks where it speaks about the involvement of the Rajapaksas, former Minister Mervyn Silva said he was the first to reveal this fact. "The Rajapaksas, Maithripala Sirisena and several politicians of that time should be taken as the first accused for the Easter Sunday attacks," he said. "While not having a strong backbone, Maithripala Sirisena went to Singapore. more..

Sep 6 (AD) A request made to court regarding the gold, gems and other properties seized from the residence of Ibrahim Ilham Ahamed, identified as a suicide bomber in the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was rejected by the Fort Magistrate’s court today. The relevant request was made by Ijas Ahamed, brother of the deceased, who is claiming ownership of the possessions recovered from the residence of Ilham Ahamed, and thereby requested that they be handed over to him, more..

Sep 6 (DM) There will be surprises in the 2024 budget, including a proposal to tax primary bond dealers, Prez Ranil Wickremesighe told Parliament. Prez made this remark in response to an allegation by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who alleged that the govt is to put EPF holders in jeopardy by charging a 30% tax if it does not opt to participate in the debt optimization process. “We will tax the primary bond dealers through more..

Sep 6 (EN) All financial transactions by state institutions will be made digitally by March 31 next year, and necessary legal processes are to implement the new policy under DigiEcon 2030 concept, a top official said. Since Covid-19 pandemic, an increasing number of Sri Lankans have switched to digital transactions. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s govt has started the National Digital Economy Acceleration Initiative to fast track the digitalisation of the economy. more..

Sep 6 (DM) The NPP today urged the govt to immediately remove Director of the State Intelligence Service, Suresh Salley and conduct an impartial inquiry against him and S Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan over the allegations over the Easter Sunday attacks. NPP MP Vijitha Herath told a news conference that it was absurd to conduct an inquiry while Suresh Salley who had allegations against him is still in his position as the Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS). more..

Sep 6 (GN) A Sri Lankan expat, who works as a valet supervisor in Dubai, won Dh20 million grand prize in the latest draw of Abu Dhabi Big Ticket. At the Series 255 Big Ticket Live draw, Thurailingam Prabagar was named the winner. Thurailingam moved to the UAE 16 years ago and is currently the supervisor of a valet service company. He purchased his winning ticket online by taking advantage of the Summer Promotion buy-two-get-two-free during the last week of August. more..

Sep 6 (DM) Prez's senior advisor on climate change, Ruwan Wijewardene, accompanied by the High Commissioner of SL in Kenya Kana Kananathan, held a highly productive meeting today with Secretary General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland KC. The meeting took place this morning in Nairobi, on the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit. Wijewardene who is representing the Prez in the climate summit conveyed the warm greetings and well wishes of Prez Wickremasinghe more..