Jun 10 (CT) As of today, the continuous strike by non-academic staff at Govt universities has entered its 39th day, driven by several demands. However, no progress has been made in addressing their concerns. Students claim that the strike has completely paralysed their studies. The non-academic staff initiated the strike after the Cabinet acknowledged salary disparities but indicated that there are not enough provisions to resolve more..

Jun 10 (TM) In SL’s quest to revive the collapsed economy, eradicating corruption and waste takes a special place. As a country that has suffered for decades due to various forms of irregularities concerning public funds, this need has been underscored by the IMF and a number of other parties as well. However, eradicating financial irregularities is not something that can be achieved with just laws. In addition to a strong will on the parts of the political authority, public authority, more..

Jun 10 (Island) Presidential candidates of SJB and NPP, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, respectively, have chosen to sprint even before the commencement of the next prez race, which is a marathon, wherein one has to pace oneself skilfully to prevent fatigue and maintain momentum. The two sides have been challenging each other to a debate on the economy, giving the impression that the upcoming prez contest will be a two-horse race, and therefore only the views more..

Jun 10 (CT) Prez Wickremesinghe, drew much enthusiastic applause by his magnanimous promise of an increase of the daily wages of tea (and rubber) workers, to Rs. 1700 from prevailing Rs.1000. Predictably, this has stirred a Hornet’s nest, in the form of protests from the Estate Management sector. It is not unusual for politicians to make rash promises from May Day platforms, which haven’t the faintest chance of implementation. Cheering crowds are the dream of most politicians. more..

Jun 10 (FT) SL’s tourism industry continues to chalk up a striking performance, raking in over $ 1.4 billion in revenue during the first five months of 2024, marking a staggering 87% surge compared to the same period last year. The boost in revenue generation during the first five months is particularly significant, as it took the country almost nine months to reach a similar milestone the previous year. The robust performance not only attributes to a strong recovery, but also highlights more..

Jun 10 (FT) Representing the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), SL United Business Alliance called on the Govt to develop a comprehensive plan to promote entrepreneurship and tackle the challenges facing businesses in the current economic climate. Small business leaders’ underscored the need for a cohesive strategy to encourage entrepreneurship, improve digital infrastructure and more..

Jun 10 (ST) Board of Investment has been stuck with billions of dollars worth of investments in the pipeline for years unable to forge ahead. This is about to change with the new Economic Transformation Bill tabled in Parliament this week. BOI is said to have no teeth to perform its task of becoming the much needed one stop shop for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) but on the contrary it has today become just another shop, analysts commented. more..

Jun 10 (TM) United Republic Front (URF) vehemently denied reports suggesting a strategic meeting between its Leader Opposition MP Champika Ranawaka and SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa. Amidst the reports which claimed that Ranawaka has allegedly sought the SLPP’s assistance to run for the Prez Election, the URF General Secretary, Bandula Chandrasekara, responding to a question yesterday (9), refuted the reports and asserted the party’s stance more..

Jun 10 (ST) Former SL cricket captain Anura Tennakoon and wife, Nelun celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Thursday (6) with a quiet religious service attended by family members depicting the classy batsman’s dignified demeanor on and off the field. Tennakoon, the former Thomian captain who went on to lead the national team in the immediate pre-Test era, led Sri Lanka at the World Cups in 1975 as well as in 1979. A stylish right hand batsman of the textbook cricketer mould, more..

Jun 10 (DN) I always played for the team and wanted to win the game more than my personal achievements said Sri Lanka’s most successful paceman so far in this T-20 World Cup Nuwan Thushara. I got more lessons from IPL tournament before this T-20 World Cup while the wickets here in T-20 World Cup and IPL are different said Sri Lankan paceman Nuwan Thushara who took 4 for 18 in his four spell against Bangladesh at Dallas. How to bowl under pressure and how to cope with pitches more..

Jun 10 (ST) Attorney General’s Dept has commenced studying the Supreme Court ruling quashing the presidential pardon granted to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha in order to advise the police on how to go about enforcing the punishment imposed on the accused. AG Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC has tasked a team led by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Nerin Pulle, PC with studying the SC’s 306-page ruling and compiling a report. more..

Jun 10 (CI) To the people in charge of SL cricket, We hope this email finds you in a well. We are writing this after observing another embarrassing start to a World Cup campaign. We regret to take this tone, but honestly, this has gone on long enough, and something needs to be said. Over the past week, we have stayed up late into the night, and woken up early in the morning, to watch the men's team play in the ongoing T20 World Cup. While we were excited about the state of the bowling resources more..

Jun 10 (Island) There have been many surprises this World Cup. SL are facing elimination without progressing to the second round, but far worse is the situation of some of the pre-tournament favourites such as Pakistan, who lost to USA and NZ, who were embarrassed by Afghanistan. SL fans on Friday were stunned to silence as the batters committed hara-kiri. From 100 for three with six overs remaining, even if they had scored run a ball, they would have got to the 140 mark more..

Jun 10 (TM) While an investigation launched following reported threats levelled against Chairperson of COPF, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, ended abruptly yesterday, SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, stressed that there are broader implications from the intimidation faced by SJB MP. Attanayake called for the safety of Dr. de Silva, urging Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to take decisive action regarding the matter. more..

Jun 10 (FT) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on Thursday urged top Indian companies to invest in SL, promising stability and growth if he wins the upcoming Prez election. Premadasa’s pitch assured potential investors that his administration would create a favourable business environment. “Although it may seem like there is a lot of darkness, we aim to create a silver lining in a few more months,” Premadasa stated. Premadasa highlighted his plans to actively engage with the top 500,000 more..

Jun 10 (FT) Lawyers’ Collective, a civil society group comprising legal professionals, has voiced its opposition to the recent recommendation by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to extend the term of Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60. In a letter addressed to the members of the Constitutional Council, the Prime Minister, and other key figures, the letter outlined several serious concerns regarding the proposal. more..

Jun 10 (AD) CID has informed the Speaker of Parliament that SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has said there is no threats to his life and hence an investigation in that aspect is not necessary. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles on Friday instructed IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to direct the CID to investigate into the alleged threats the opposition MP has received. This was after the Chair of the COPF, speaking in parliament on the same day, had claimed that he is faced with threats over more..

Jun 10 (EN) SL’s gross forex reserves fell marginally to US$ 5,421 million in May 2024, from US$ 5,471 million, though the central bank was a net buyer of foreign exchange in the market in the month. Central bank bought US$ 224.5 million and sold 32 million through an ad hoc pegging mechanism (it is not possible to build reserves in a floating exchange rate regime) from commercial banks in the month. SL’s gross official reserves are made up of the central bank’s monetary reserves more..

Jun 10 (Island) JVP-led NPP lawyers’ group said Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam’s term shouldn’t be extended under any circumstances. Upul Kariyawasam, PC, on behalf of the JJB lawyers’ group, said that they were totally against Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s move to grant Rajaratnam an extension in service. Kariyawasam warned that in case an extension was granted with the intention of elevating the incumbent AG more..

Jun 10 (FT) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that a Vote on Account will be presented for the fiscal year 2025, rather than a full Budget. “A new Budget will likely not be presented for the fiscal year 2025; instead, a Vote on Account will be submitted to cover expenses for the first few months of next year,” Siyambalapitiya explained. He said the decision aligns with the Govt’s intention to implement the new leader’s manifesto following the Prez election scheduled to more..

Jun 10 (AD) At least thirteen persons including school children were injured and hospitalised after a bus transporting a group of students and parents toppled into a canal in the Warakapola town this morning (9). The incident had occurred at around 4.30 a.m. today while the bus was transporting a group of students from Sri Rahula Balika Maha Vidyalaya in Malabe and their parents. Around 26 girl guides from the school and 07 parents were en route to a girl guides camp in Rantambe. more..

Jun 10 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe reached India today to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Indian PM Narendra Modi who will begin his third term later this evening. Prez Wickremesinghe was welcomed by Indian Foreign Ministry Secretary P. Kumaran, Indian Ocean Affairs Secretary Punin Agrawal, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Santhosh Jha and Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Kshenuka Seneviratne at the Indira Ghandi Int'l Airport in New Delhi. more..

Jun 10 (Island) The New Alliance, a newly-formed political outfit, consisting of a group of dissident SLPP MPs, over the weekend, reached an understanding with the SLFP to pursue a common agenda, widely believed to be beneficial to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. The formation of the New Alliance-SLFP was announced at their inaugural public meeting held at Ambalantota on Saturday, just two days after members of both groups – all elected from the SLPP at the last General Election more..

Jun 10 (TM) Several retired Police officers including CID former SDIG Ravi Seneviratne and former CID Director, SSP Shani Abeysekera participated in a conference organised by the Retired Police Officers' Collective affiliated to the NPP, held at the National Youth Services Council Auditorium in Maharagama yesterday. Conference was attended by a large crowd including NPP MPs and Executive Committee Members, retired Police and more..

Jun 10 (DN) The colloquial Customs laws will soon be removed and new amendments that match to the demands of today would be introduced within this year said Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva at the AGM of SL Association of NVOCC Agents SL Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association. Minister said that during a visit to the Customs he found some items that were not cleared for 20 years and the reason given was that it was pending legal action that was initiated by Customs. more..

Jun 10 (TM) Legislation seeking to block holdout bond investors from using New York courts to sue defaulted countries such as Sri Lanka (which was sued for the Hamilton case), was stalled by the state assembly. About half of all hard-currency debt from developing nations — around $ 800 billion outstanding — is governed by New York law, making the state the most important jurisdiction for those bond issuers. New York lawmakers ended the legislative session early Saturday more..

Jun 10 (TM) This week (12 June), IMF board will sign off on SL’s third disbursement under the current programme. But Sri Lanka is still failing on the governance improvements that are foundational for its economic recovery. According to the latest update of the IMF Tracker by Verité Research, Sri Lanka verifiably failed to meet 25% of the commitments due by the end of May 2024 under the programme renewed in Dec 2023. more..

Jun 10 (FT) Lok Sabha elections in India were just concluded with disappointment to both leading contenders, twice PM Narendra Modi and Nehru family’s heir to power Rahul Gandhi. Incumbent PM Narendra Modi canvassed for a grand victory with over 400 seats out of a total of 543, clearly a two third majority in Parliament. His position was that he needed this superior power to drive India towards prosperity which has been time-lined to 2047 when India would celebrate the centenary of more..

Jun 10 (FT) My dear Sinna, I must apologise for the lengthy delay. After eight and a half years of five days a week of mainly live TV programs I simply had to take a break and here I am writing to you – powers that be, may give me a slot on TV again but that’s an entirely different trajectory. For now, dear Sinna, let me share with you what I heard from my rather dear friend Raj Uncle who never left the North when Prabha started to be a pain in the side of JR and PrayMay and Chandrika Missy more..

Jun 10 (DM) The Railways Department has said that the losses incurred as a result of the non-operation of trains during the trade union strike initiated by the Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union have not yet been calculated. Sri Lanka Railways General Manager N.J. Indipolage said that the losses would be assessed by the end of this month. He suggested that approximately five per cent of the revenue might have been lost due to the disruption in railway services. more..

Jun 10 (EN) Sri Lanka will send around 6,000 workers to Japan over the course of the year, a Ministry of Labor official has said. “We are sending caregivers, construction workers, and workers in the agriculture sector to Japan,” Minister Manusha Nanayakkara’s spokesman, Sanjaya Nallaperuma said. “So far we have sent 3,223 workers to Japan, in 2023 we sent 5,647 workers, and in 2022 we sent 4,518 workers,” Nallaperuma said. “We will send around 6,000 workers this year.” more..

Jun 10 (AD) Sri Lanka Railway Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union has decided to call off their strike action. Trade union has reached this decision after a successful discussion with Minister Bandula Gunawardena. Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union of SL Railways launched a strike from midnight on Thursday, over delays in second-class promotions of locomotive drivers and several other issues. more..

Jun 10 (EN) Half of those now supporting opposition leader Sajith Premadasa will become part of a future alliance to be led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe no sooner the presidential election is announced, a UNP senior said. Former minister P Harrison claimed that several parties in both the government and the opposition have pledged their support for Wickremesinghe. “A group from the SLPP are saying they’re ready to support Prez Wickremesinghe. more..

Jun 10 (AD) Supreme Court has ordered for a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed against Pastor Jerome Fernando to be taken up for consideration before a judge bench chaired by the Chief Justice. This order was issued when the relevant petition was taken up before a 3-member SC judge bench consisting of Justices Murdhu Fernando, Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Janak De Silva today. Several religious leaders had filed this petition seeking an order to prosecute more..

Jun 10 (DM) Having lost their first two games of the ongoing T20 World Cup in US & WI, Sri Lanka are on the brink of another humiliating exit from the most high-profile event of the year. Following a dreadful batting display against South Africa on the opening game, SL looked to be in control against Bangladesh batting first when opener Pathum Nissanka was smashing the bowlers all over the park, but unfortunately after his dismissal SL more..