Aug 12 (FT) AIA Sri Lanka has achieved a historic feat at the prestigious Hashtag Asia Awards 2024. The company’s long-standing lifesaving project, the Poson Safety Program campaign, not only secured a coveted finalist spot in the highly competitive Best Integrated Social Media Campaign category, but also emerged victorious as the Silver winner in the Best Social Media Campaign: Facebook category. This remarkable accomplishment marks the first time a SL brand has reached more..

Aug 12 (AD) The vicinity of the Election Commission (EC) Office in Rajagiriya will be designated as a special security zone on August 15 as the nominations for the upcoming Prez Election will be accepted on that date. Chairman of the EC, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has therefore requested the public to avoid the area if possible for any official or personal purposes during this time period. The nominations will be accepted from 9 am to 11 am on Thursday, with the filing of objections permitted between more..

Aug 12 (AD) Three persons including an infant were killed while three others have been injured and hospitalised after the three-wheeler they were travelling in had crashed into a lorry parked on the roadside in the Wewaldeniya area. A three-wheeler traveling from Colombo to Kandy had veered off the road and collided with a lorry parked on the roadside at Wewaldeniya in the Danowita police division on the Colombo-Kandy main road. Accordingly, the driver of the three-wheeler (60), a woman more..

Aug 12 (TM) India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, announced today on the social media platform X that he had met with SL diplomats and officers currently undergoing the first Special Course at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service. During the meeting, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of cooperation among Global South nations, particularly in navigating the complexities and opportunities of the digital era. Discussions focused on more..

Aug 12 (TS) Nearly a year after its suspension, a passenger ferry service between India and SL is all set to resume on Friday (16) with ticket booking opening from Monday midnight. The service, operated by IndSri Ferry Services Ltd, from Nagapattinam connects the Kankesanthurai port in northern SL. Ahead of the scheduled resumption, the vessel Sivagangai has completed two trial runs – on Saturday and Sunday – successfully. more..

Aug 12 (NW) Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya says several proxy candidates are contesting the upcoming Prez Elections. He said it was obvious that several of the independent candidates were linked to one main candidate and were posing as proxies to secure votes in the elections. Mahinda Deshapriya further said that the system can only be changed with new regulations or criteria. He stressed that the quota provided for youths in the Local Council Elections more..

Aug 12 (AD) Five more candidates have placed their deposits today in order to contest the 2024 Prez Election. Accordingly, 32 candidates in total have placed their deposits with the Election Commission thus far. This includes 15 independent candidates who have been nominated by a voter, 16 candidates from recognized political parties and one candidate from other political parties. The independent candidates who have placed bonds today are former minister Roshan Ranasinghe more..

Aug 12 (TM) Immigration and Emigration officers at the BIA have urged the authorities to comply with SC's decision by reverting to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system from the VFS e-visa system without any further delay, in order to avoid long queues for visa applicants. The delay, they alleged, could result in serious economic losses as the country approaches the tourism season, which is expected to bring more..

Aug 12 (AD) In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, which falls today, Sri Lanka will officially adopt the finalized Sinhala and Tamil translations of the Geneva Conventions in order to ensure the promotion of broader understanding and awareness of international humanitarian law (IHL), reflecting the obligation on the State parties to the Geneva Conventions to ensure the dissemination of their content. more..

Aug 12 (EN) Sri Lanka’s Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has signed the certificate on the Economic Transformation, a statement from the Parliament said. The Bill which aimed to make provisions for a national policy on economic transformation, was presented to Parliament on May 22. It was debated in Parliament on July 25, and was passed with amendments and without a vote. The Bill will come into effect as the Economic Transformation Act No. 45 of 2024. more..

Aug 13 (DM) The run-up to any Prez or Parliamentary election in SL would see a plethora of crossovers which entail shameless statements by those politicians who jump from one party to another. They are amasingly brazen to venerate someone whom they ridiculed even days ago or to do the other way around. Social media these days expose the shamelessness of many politicians who have crossed over to other parties and idolise their new leaders, with video footage of them deriding more..

Aug 13 (TM) A video, making rounds on social media platforms yesterday showed an employee of the Departments of Railways, halting a passenger locomotive mid-crossing on a busy public road, where motor traffic is halted on either side, to dismount and casually walk up to a roadside vendor to buy food. The video attracted wide ranging condemnation from the public. However, some have pointed out that at that particular railway way crossing is next to a train station and more..

Aug 13 (DM) The trampled elephant fence opposite the newly laid railway tracks in Kasikote, Galgamuwa, a remote village in Kurunegala District indicated that the herd of elephants roaming the area had gone for their morning walk. This herd of 250-300 elephants made headlines over the recent past as they were perceived as a threat for villagers and passersby. As a result, in early March, several authorities including Ministry of Transport, more..

Aug 13 (CT) Sri Lanka is set to hold a Prez Election in September this year, followed closely by a General Election. However, the country continues to grapple with widespread allegations of malfunction, corruption, fraud, nepotism, and the pervasive influence of party politics across nearly every facet of society. Over the last 70 years since independence, our governing political parties and coalitions have introduced policies under the guise of Capitalism, Socialism, and Liberalism. more..

Aug 13 (Island) With little over a month before presidential elections are due, the speculations about elections not being held have come to a halt which is a testament to the democratic spirit in the country. The election commission has invited Commonwealth and EU election monitors to observe the elections. Political parties and MPs alike are publicly committing themselves to one candidate or to the other. Assertions such as the importance of implementing the IMF agreement rather than more..

Aug 13 (TM) As of last Thursday (8), more than 24 candidates had placed deposits at the Election Commission (EC) for the Prez Election, which is scheduled to be held on 21 Sept. However, unlike past elections, this election will see a pivotal three-way contest as three alliances are on the run for the ninth Executive Presidency. Opposition parties have clearly stated that there will be adjustments to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) by the IMF. more..

Aug 13 (CT) The Court of Appeal recently issued an interim injunction prohibiting the dumping of faecal sludge and wastewater by gully bowsers into the Dadugam Oya, near Muthurajawela Sanctuary. The injunction followed petitions filed by residents Chaminda Perera and Chandana Jayasiri, along with the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ). The respondents in the case include the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Ja-Ela Divisional Secretary, Chairman of the Ja-Ela PS, more..

Aug 13 (TM) Holding an election does not mean that a country is democratic. Countries with monarchies, autocrats, and dictators also hold elections. There are good examples in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Prez Election in Sri Lanka will be held on 21 Sept of this year. I recall what I wrote about the 2010 Prez Election in SL. In brief: “Many sources still maintain that incumbent SJB Opposition MP and independent Prez candidate, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka won the Election. more..

Aug 13 (ST) Poor Dhammika Perera, who was touted as the SLPP’s presidential hope. For months on end, he had been kept tied in reserve as the party’s biblical scapegoat to be ritualistically piled with the sins of the tribe and then released into the electoral wilderness to propitiate the people’s wrath with the innocent blood of an unwary goat. But as fates would have it, the best laid plans of the Rajapaksa’s went terribly awry at the eleventh hour, when Dhammika wised up to SLPP game more..

Aug 13 (FT) SL Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) raised growing concern that the imposition of high taxes, including the VAT is driving businesses in the gem and jewellery industry to be relocated to other countries, which have more conducive environments for such business. The imposition of 18% VAT on the import of rough and finished gemstones – although they are primarily intended for re-export or to be value added and sold locally to visiting foreign visitors for foreign currency more..

Aug 13 (ST) Election Commission (EC) has long advocated the implementation of an advanced voting law to ensure every voter casts his or her vote, but despite its efforts, the Cabinet has yet to approve the EC’s proposal. Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Rathnayake said many voters, such as doctors on duty, fishermen at sea, and prisoners would not be able to cast their votes in this election, as in previous elections. more..

Aug 13 (Island) Grama Niladhari officers (GNs) have launched a countrywide protest campaign, claiming that the govt did not take the views of their trade unions on board when it prepared their Service Minute. They are also seeking redress to some other grievances including pecuniary issues. They held a protest near the Public Administration Ministry, Colombo, yesterday to ratchet up pressure on the govt to heed their voice. Instead of trying to douse the flame of their anger, govt, in its wisdom, more..

Aug 13 (FT) The leading blue-chip conglomerate, Aitken Spence PLC has reported an impressive EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest cost, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization) of Rs. 4.3 billion for the first quarter of 2024/25, a triple digit growth of 111% over that of the first quarter of the previous year. The Group achieved a steady Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 575.8 million in the first quarter of 2024/25, which was a significant turnaround from the loss recorded in the previous year. more..

Aug 13 (ST) Pedestrians’ right of way is being hindered by allowing seating along the Queen’s Hotel corridor to view the perahera. In 2019, when permission was sought from the Kandy Municipal Council by members, the Mayor at the time Kesara Senanayake turned down the request to allow Queen’s Hotel corridor to be given for seating accommodation. In 1963, this corridor and its upper portion had been handed over to the Council as a thoroughfare for the use of the public. more..

Aug 13 (FT) Leveraging improvements across several macroeconomic indicators, DFCC Bank said yesterday it has adapted to the improved operating environment, which has helped stabilise and support operational flexibility within the bank and the wider industry. The bank has also utilised these positive trends in the macroeconomic environment to support strong financial performance by harnessing opportunities available in the market. In the first half of 2024, DFCC Bank has continued to record more..

Aug 13 (GV) The latest SLOTS polling for July 2024 shows that 72% of Sri Lankans continue to say that the country is heading in the wrong direction while only 8% believe it is on the right track. Public views towards the country’s direction have worsened since July 2023, driven by a steady decline in uncommitted respondents. The number who think the country is moving in the right direction has remained below 5%. more..

Aug 13 (TM) Amidst a recorded inflow of 1,224,948 tourists from January to 4 August, a cluster of airlines has shown their interest to expand flight operations, while a number of charter flights have shown interest to resume operations to the island. Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) Air Services and Traffic Rights Manager Ishara Gunawardana said: “A number of charter operators will begin their operations at both MRIA and BIA airports for winter.” more..

Aug 13 (TM) The State Minister and SLPP MP Kanaka Herath said that there is no preparation at the moment for the SLPP members who are backing President and independent Prez candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe in the forthcoming Presidential Election to form a separate political entity. It was recently reported that the group of SLPP MPs, who are supporting Wickremesinghe, are planning to launch a new political entity. Herath, who is among the said group of SLPP MPs, said more..

Aug 13 (FT) Treasury issued the 2025 Budget Call with guidelines for the preparation of Annual estimates as well as 2025-2027 medium term fiscal framework. All Secretaries to Ministries, Chief Secretaries of PCs, Heads of Depts, Chairpersons of State Corporations, UGC and Statutory Commission have been notified of the Budget Call via a circular. The purpose of this Circular is to provide necessary guidelines to spending agencies more..

Aug 13 (DN) Stars of sport, screen and music came together at the Paris 2024 closing ceremony to bring the 33rd Olympic Games to an end. Actor Tom Cruise descended from the roof of Stade de France to collect the Olympic flag as part of the handover to the American city of Los Angeles, which will host the next Games in 2028, before departing on a motorcycle. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre then performed on Venice Beach as part of a star-studded music more..

Aug 13 (Island) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has completed two decades as LMD’s Most Respected Bank in SL, with the announcement of the magazine’s Most Respected Entities in SL rankings for 2024. SL’s largest private sector bank, Commercial Bank was also ranked the third Most Respected corporate entity in the country overall in the rankings, moving up one place from last year. Notably, Commercial Bank was ranked No 1 across sectors of business for Financial more..

Aug 13 (TM) Former Prez and incumbent SLFP Patron Chandrika Kumaratunga has decided not to support any candidate in the upcoming Presidential Election. Speaking to a group of SLFP members, she said that certain SLFP members are requesting her to support SJB and Opposition Leader, Prez candidate Sajith Premadasa. However, she said that she has decided not to support any Presidential candidate. "I am one of the oldest members and the current patron of the SLFP. more..

Aug 13 (Island) Statistically, Dimuth Karunaratne is SL’s most successful opening batter although successive generations have been charmed by the elegance and charm of Marvan Atapattu and Sidath Wettimuny. Both stylists have something that Dimuth doesn’t have – big Test hundreds at Lord’s, home of cricket. Sidath stunned Lord’s in SL’s maiden appearance in 1984 stroking a magnificent 190 while Marvan charmed us with an entertaining 185 enabling SL to enforce the follow-on in 2002. more..

Aug 13 (TM) Tamil common Prez candidate P. Ariyanethiran will push for the right to self-determination in the North and the East in accordance with Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which gives people the right to freely determine their political status, it is learnt. “We are not a minority like the upcountry Tamils,” Opposition MP and political party leader C.V Vigneswaran, who was part of the collective more..

Aug 13 (Island) PM Dinesh Gunawardena’s Media Division has found fault with election watchdog PAFFREL for accusing the PM of violating election rules in conducting a religious event on July 30. PM’s Media Division said that PAFFREL wrote to the Election Commission urging it to take action against the summoning of District and Divisional Secretaries to a ceremony to be held to invoke blessings on the PM at the Kataragama Kiri Vehera because that directive was unlawful and unethical. more..