Aug 14 (SO) Former DIG Vas Gunawardena, along with five others, has had their death sentences affirmed for the murder of millionaire businessman Siyam. The tense relationship between Vas Gunawardena and Anura Senanayake, who was not very pleased with Gunawardena’s appointment as the head of the Colombo Crimes Division, escalated into a cold war. Gunawardena’s close ties with powerful more..

Aug 14 (DM) A week of historic events, both local and international, saw unprecedented street violence in neighboring Bangladesh, causing over 400 deaths and, overshadowing our heroic boys’ unexpected cricket revival, triumphing over the number one team in the world. A protest [Aragala?] erupted against a job quota system that reserved 30% of govt jobs for descendants of war heroes from Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. Students demanded a merit-based shortlisting of results more..

Aug 14 (DM) Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in last week as the interim leader of Bangladesh, succeeding PM Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country and sought refuge in India. Prof Yunus’s appointment was a concession granted to student protestors who rejected a military-led govt earlier. A pioneer in microfinance, which has since been emulated across the globe, and for which he also won the Nobel Prize for Economics, Prof Yunus is the closest Bangladesh could get to more..

Aug 14 (TM) Amidst the announcement of the upcoming Prez Election and a push from the IMF to curb expenditure, Govt last week announced an additional interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 for State pensioners, to be distributed effective from September. This announcement was made despite the instructions of the Election Commission (EC) to suspend allowances until the conclusion of the upcoming poll. more..

Aug 14 (TM) One of the core issues which has contributed to the economic downfall of Sri Lanka, is failures of successive governments to reform the state revenue raising mechanisms and to make them efficient. Long have many questioned why every government has failed to make the Customs Department, the Excise Department and the Inland Revenue Department, efficient and improve collection of revenue, which has for decades been, lacklustre, to put it politely. more..

Aug 14 (Island) There have been instances where queues brought about tectonic shifts in SL politics. Ubiquitous queues for essentials, inter alia, caused the collapse of the SLFP-led United Front govt in 1977, and it took the SLFP 17 years to make a comeback. It was also long queues for fuel, milk food, etc., that made Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa head for the hills before resigning, about two years ago, and catapulted Ranil Wickremesinghe, the solo UNP MP, to the presidency. more..

Aug 14 (Island) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, MP, in a face saving exercise said that party seniors have to be cautious of what they say in public. Dissanayake, who is contesting the prez election on the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) ticket said so responding to a media query whether virtual public confession by Lal Kantha last week harmed their presidential polls campaign. One-time Minister in the People’s Alliance (PA) parivasa govt during Chandrika Kumaratunga’s second term, more..

Aug 14 (ST) While the current parliament completed four years of its five-year term this week, there was more focus on what was happening outside parliament than inside as developments relating to the upcoming presidential election overshadowed legislative matters. Attendance in parliament remained low, with sittings being adjourned early on Thursday due to a lack of speakers when two Medical (Amendment) Bills were taken up for debate. more..

Aug 14 (FT) Estate Infrastructure Minister Jeevan Thondaman expressed gratitude to the Planters’ Association and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) for their constructive engagement in the recent wage negotiations, which culminated in an agreement to raise the minimum wage for estate sector workers to Rs. 1,700. Minister explained that their willingness to come to the table & discuss the matter openly was instrumental more..

Aug 14 (ST) Samaposha Provincial School Sports Games 2024 will commence from Aug 21 with five provinces — North Central, North Western, East, Uva and South – joining forces. The Samaposha Provincial school sports event is organised in collaboration with the Provincial Education Offices and will be held concurrently from August to Sept 13 with the participation of athletes in these five provinces. More than 18,000 athletes representing over 2000 schools will participate, more..

Aug 14 (FT) Cabinet on Monday approved the awarding of the IR and IS contract packages for the Central Highway Project to Maga Engineering Ltd. The decision was made based on the recommendations of the Standing Procurement Committees appointed by the Cabinet, recognising Maga Engineering Ltd. as the substantially responsive lowest bidder. The Central Highway Project, which is crucial for improving the country’s transport infrastructure, has been divided into more..

Aug 14 (FT) Recognising the critical role of business analytics in today’s economy, the Uni of Moratuwa’s Society of Business Analytics (SOBA) will hold the Colombo Business Analytics Forum 2024 today at the BMICH Jasmin Hall from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This landmark event is the first large-scale business analytics forum in Sri Lanka, designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by bringing together technology service providers and technology seekers on a single platform. more..

Aug 14 (CI) Gaby Lewis' smashing second T20I century backed up by Orla Prendergast's all-round show helped Ireland record a close seven-run win in the second T20I against SL to level the two-match series 1-1. Batting first in Dublin, Ireland lost Amy Hunter inside the powerplay, but Lewis kept the hosts going. She found an ally in Prendergast with the duo adding 119 runs for the second wicket off 80 balls. Lewis did the bulk of the scoring in the partnership with 78 off 49 balls while more..

Aug 14 (ST) CEB has taken steps to lower the rooftop solar tariff paid to consumers with effect from July 1, in accordance with a decision made by the Govt and a circular to this effect having gone out this week. Accordingly, the previously paid rooftop solar tariff has been reduced from 37 to 27 rupees for domestic consumers and from 34 to 23 rupees for large scale bulk suppliers respectively. However, CEB is scheduled to sign agreements with more..

Aug 14 (Island) A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka could significantly enhance bilateral trade, although uncertainties remain, a Bangladeshi economic analyst said. Economist Jamal Uddin said that both nations have substantial opportunities for economic collaboration, particularly in regional trade. Bangladesh currently imports more from SL, but there is optimism among businessmen that the situation may improve under the new govt more..

Aug 14 (FT) Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) has announced the establishment of its Sri Lanka centre, which marks a key milestone in the Commonwealth’s efforts to promote trade and investment in the country. This strategic effort, launched in collaboration with the SL Govt, intends to increase trade and investment opportunities while enhancing ties among Commonwealth member countries The hub will serve as a gateway for SL enterprises to more..

Aug 14 (DN) Sri Lanka has jumped to sixth rank in the ICC’s Men’s ODI rankings, following their spectacular performance in the recent series against India which SL won 2-0. After this victory SL move to Test cricket and they are ready to play a three Test match series against England which will commence from Aug 21st at Manchester. After England Test series NZ team expected to arrive in SL for a two Test match series which will more..

Aug 14 (Island) Cricket tours to England are something that you looked forward to for other than the Test matches, you play half a dozen warm-up games as well. Big Test venues are fine, but the practice matches that take place in tiny county grounds have their own charm. In 2002 when SL toured England for example, they played five warm-up games before the first Test and two more games against English counties in between Tests. Before the first Test began, SL were well seasoned more..

Aug 14 (FT) Bank of Ceylon (BOC), SL’s premier financial institution, announces its inclusion in The Banker magazine’s prestigious list of the Top 1000 World Banks for 2024. The bank has been recognised as the only SL bank on this list once again in the year 2024. This recognition comes amidst the bank’s 85th anniversary celebrations. The bank has been a key driver of the country’s economic development, playing a vital role in supporting SL’s economy & public welfare. more..

Aug 14 (DN) The 109th Sri Lanka National Tennis Tournament, organized by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA), will begin on August 16 and run until September 1 at the SLTA Headquarters courts and four other venues. Over 1,400 players from across Sri Lanka will compete over the fortnight-long tournament. Matches will take place on 17 clay courts, including those at SLTA Courts, SLTA Playing Section, Sinhalese Sports Club, Police Tennis Court, and the Government Servant Tennis Club. more..

Aug 14 (DM) A total of 51 drugs have failed quality tests so far in 2024 recording the highest number of quality failures of drugs in a year, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry. Of the drugs that have failed quality tests, about 27 were manufactured in India, while 07 drugs were locally produced and the others had originated from countries like China, Kenya, Pakistan, Japan and Bangladesh etc. Among the drugs identified as having failed the quality tests, more..

Aug 14 (CT) Any future expansion of medical education in the country must be accompanied by a thorough feasibility study, incorporating scientific input, and adhering to well-established national standards, Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said, pledging intervention if authorities fail to prevent the adverse consequences on the island’s medical education and health services. more..

Aug 14 (Island) Some SLPP MPs had pledged support to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe because they thought the party would not field a candidate, State Minister Premalal Jayasekera said after pledging support to party candidate Namal Rajapaksa. Jayasekera had earlier pledged support to Wickremesinghe at a meeting in Ratnapura. Jayasekera said he had attended an SLPP group meeting in Ratnapura, convened by MP Janaka Wakkumbura, and was given the impression more..

Aug 14 (TM) The TNA announced that they do not intend to decide on which Prez candidate to support in the upcoming Prez Election until the candidates' manifestos are out. With Prez Election scheduled for 21 Sept, several parties are closely watching to see which Prez candidate will secure the TNA's support, as the votes of the Tamil community play a significant role in the outcome. ITAK MP and TNA member Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said that TNA is yet to make a final decision on the matter, more..

Aug 14 (DM) As sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity for the textile and apparel industry, a top public official stressed that large industry players have an inherent responsibility and a larger role to play in guiding and supporting the whole industry on the path to sustainability. Presidential Secretariat, Climate Change Office SL, CEO Dr. Anil Jasinghe highlighted the significant environmental impact of textile production, including water and energy consumption, waste generation, carbon more..

Aug 14 (DN) The Govt is about to bring about a series of new laws and policy changes that will make SL’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) more accountable and responsible to the public, said Director General of the SOE Restructuring Unit, Suresh Shah at an Advocata hosted event. He said that under these new laws it will firstly shut the door for political appointments which has caused tremendous damages to the SOE’s in most instances. more..

Aug 14 (TM) State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe, has called on Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana to take strict disciplinary action, and facilitate legal action against all those involved, including the school principal and JMO of Hambantota's District General Hospital, for allegedly covering up the gang rapes of a teenage girl by over 20 male students more..

Aug 14 (FT) SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne signed a MoU with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo yesterday, committing his support to Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Prez Election. Speaking at the event, Senaratne described Wickremesinghe as a man of our time who altered Sri Lanka’s trajectory by rescuing it from a dire situation. Senaratne said this moved him to support the President in his candidacy. He said if Wickremesinghe is defeated, more..

Aug 14 (DM) Compared to July 2023, the number of Sri Lankans seeking foreign employment in July 2024 has increased by 15%. 25,025 workers went abroad for employment in July last year and that number has increased to 28,758 in 2024. A total of 187,796 Sri Lankans left the country for foreign employment during the last seven months up to August 13. Among them are 110,939 persons who went abroad on their own and 76,857 people who went abroad through employment agencies. more..

Aug 14 (TM) Women Parliamentarians Caucus explained the complete and conspicuous absence of female Presidential candidates in a candidate list of over 30 candidates, all males, as being multi-factorial but primarily due to the lack of support from political parties. “There are around 5% of women Parliamentary political representatives,” Women MPs’ Caucus Chairperson Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said. more..

Aug 14 (FT) Recently, I have been fortunate to attend a Q & A session of one of the Sydney Uni Business Schools where I was an alumnus. The theme was the economic revival in the event of future Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and comparison to year 2008 GFC. The panel consisted of eminent professionals of state public sector and academics. This article was aimed to discuss current SL economy and the revival process that Govt had taken in the context of information gathered at the aforementioned Q & A. more..

Aug 14 (FT) The recent harrowing incident from Thanamalwila, where 21 students have been implicated in the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl, has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through every parent in SL, due to the sheer improbability of such an event. It is hard to bear that such incidents occur in SL. This incident exposes several critical issues that SL society must confront, revealing deep-rooted cultural problems. Firstly, the pervasive silence and complicity that allowed such a horrific event more..

Aug 14 (AD) A group of officials including the Secretary of the United Lanka Podujana Party (Eksath Lanka Podujana Pakshaya) have been arrested while soliciting a bribe from the party’s presidential candidate, former PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayake. They have reportedly been arrested today by officers of the Bribery Commission while accepting the bribe of Rs. 30 million from Mr. Ratnayake, the party’s presidential candidate. Suspects have been arrested based on a complaint more..

Aug 14 (DM) While condemning the gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl in Thanamalwila, Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus alleged that all responsible authorities of SL have failed in their duties. Caucus called on the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women and the National Child Protection Authority to oversee all involved parties and ensure that the child is treated with dignity, free from further harassment, and that her recovery and redress processes are managed with the utmost care. more..

Aug 14 (AD) The deadline for the placing of deposits for the candidates contesting the 2024 Prez Election has concluded at 12 noon today (14). Four candidates have placed deposits within today, the final day for the placing of bonds, including MP Namal Rajapaksa from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Janaka Ratnayake from the United Lanka Podujana Party, Lalith De Silva of the United National Freedom Party and independent candidate Sarath Gunarathne. more..