Jun 11 (FT) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has issued a call for investors to submit conceptual proposals for the development of seven rest houses on a 30-year lease basis. Rest houses located in Baththuluoya, Ragala, Nalanda, Anamaduwa, Weeraketiya, Galgamuwa and Hiripitiya aim to boost the country’s hospitality infrastructure and accommodate the growing influx of tourists, ensuring a sustainable and profitable tourism sector for Sri Lanka. more..

Jun 11 (TM) Secretary to Ministry of Urban Development and Housing W.S. Sathyananda said that measures will be taken to immediately remove all unauthorised constructions that contribute to flooding in the City of Colombo and its suburbs. Sathyananda stated that the relevant circular will be issued to all Govt institutions within two weeks. He emphasised that conserving the existing wetlands in Colombo and more..

Jun 11 (FT) In a landmark collaboration, the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Sri Lanka have joined forces to introduce the Youth Accelerator Platform for Climate Mobility (YAP4C) – an initiative aiming to empower young individuals to play an active role in addressing climate change challenges, filling a crucial gap in current efforts within the context of climate change-related human mobilities. The primary objective of YAP4C is more..

Jun 11 (CT) The Gemmological Institute of Colombo (GIC) hosted a talk by Masaki Furuya, Adviser of GIC and Director of the Japan Germany Gemmological Laboratory, on the importance of scientific origin reports in the gem industry. The event, held at the Hilton Colombo, was graced by Sunil Amarasuriya, Chairman of B.P. De Silva Holdings. He was welcomed by GIC CEO, Vincent Wong. The audience consisted of major jewellery producers and gem dealers of Sri Lanka. more..

Jun 11 (ST) The Treasury this week paid up USD 1.4 million to the UN Secretariat as its membership fees in full for 2024. As of this week, only 113 of the 194 member-states had paid their 2024 fees. Fees are calculated based on the country’s Gross National Product (GNP). The UN’s two largest contributors, US and China had yet to pay their fees. India paid USD 32.8 million as its fees. UN Spokesman Stepahne Dujarric announced SL’s contribution at last Friday’s media conference in New York. more..

Jun 11 (DM) Despite assertions that the presidential election would be conducted as scheduled, political circles are abuzz with speculations that the govt will try to exploit the provisions in the Constitution to extend the term of the presidential term and the parliamentary period. Previously, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said that the presidential and parliamentary elections should be postponed by two years with approval of the people by referendum. more..

Jun 11 (TM) SL women’s team captain Chamari Athapaththu urged the country’s countless cricket followers not to lose hope with the Men’s team at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. She said she was confident that SL was yet capable of creating something special in the format’s showpiece. “Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties,” she told reporters ahead of the forthcoming home series against WI more..

Jun 11 (DM) A family that sought refuge at the residence of a leading gem businessman in Ratnapura after being affected by the floods have allegedly stolen gemstones valued Rs.25 million, according to the police. Flood-hit family- father, mother and son- was hosted by the businessman with meals for two days. The family was arrested by the Ratnapura Police Special Investigation Division. After the floodwaters subsided, the family had left with the promise to return to assist in cleaning more..

Jun 11 (DM) A total of 2,650 ransomware incidents have been detected and blocked by Kaspersky’s cybersecurity solutions for businesses in SL from Jan to Dec 2023, it was revealed. Experts from the global cybersecurity company insist on organisations, regardless of shape and size, to beef up their IT security posture as ransomware, especially the targeted type, continues to be a damaging menace for organisations in the region. “The era of widespread mass attacks by more..

Jun 11 (Island) Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has urged the govt to hold a round table conference to explore ways and means of resolving post-war issues. Referring to SJB leader Sajith Premadasa’s declaration in Kilinochchi regarding his decision to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution fully, former Speaker and ex-UNP Deputy Leader requested the govt and all political parties, especially Tamil groups to take advantage of the opportunity presented by Premadasa’s assurance. more..

Jun 11 (DM) A prominent economist stressed the need for SL to separate its foreign policies from the borrowing policies, so it does not repeat the same mistakes that have resulted in it having to grapple with high cost of debt. Citing the govt’s decision in 2019 to reject the favourable loans from US and Japan, to choose commercial loans from China, due to the country’s lenient stance over SL’s human rights issue, former World Bank Acting Chief Dr. Shanta Devarajan noted the move was more..

Jun 11 (FT) Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has expressed strong criticism over the weekend against a recent statement made by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe suggesting a link between the extension of the AG’s tenure and the Catholic Church of SL. Archbishop expressed his dismay over Prez Wickremesinghe’s comment that the Attorney General Sanjya Rajaratnam’s tenure was being extended to facilitate more..

Jun 11 (DN) State Minister of Finance Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that he has submitted a summary report to Parliament on the steps to be taken to recover tax arrears that exceeds Rs. 1,000 billion. Addressing the media, the State Minister said that despite accusations that the responsible officials have failed to collect revenue due to the state, institutions such as the Inland Revenue Department, Customs, etc. have exceeded the revenue target so far this year. more..

Jun 11 (TM) Plantation sector trade unions expressed disapproval of the plantation companies’ claim that the latter would be unable to continue various welfare programmes for plantation sector communities, including workers, if they had to increase the sector’s workers’ daily wage. “We don’t want welfare programmes. What we want is a proper salary. We prefer if the Rs. 700 salary hike was provided without welfare programmes because there are no effective welfare programmes,” more..

Jun 11 (Island) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila condemned SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa for declaring his intention to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. He alleged that the declaration was made by prez candidate Premadasa with his eye on Northern Province Tamil vote. PHU leader was referring to SJB’s Leader’s assurance given at an event held in Kilinochchi over the weekend. more..

Jun 11 (FT) Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same – said President Roland Regan long ago. The recently proposed Economic Transformation Act seems to have grave implications for the economy, and this includes the maritime economy as well. Are we in a whirlpool of economic legal reforms where we will lose our control with our economy? more..

Jun 11 (FT) I am replying to Cathrine Weerakkody’s (hereafter referred to as Weerakkody) article titled, President Ranil’s handling of the crisis and what’s next for SL, dated 7 June 2024, in the Daily FT. This reply aims to present a more nuanced perspective, encouraging readers to critically evaluate the narratives put forth and consider the multifaceted challenges facing Sri Lanka. Cathrine Weerakkody’s article, Prez Ranil’s handling of the crisis and what’s next for Sri Lanka,” more..

Jun 11 (AD) The Colombo District Court has extended the restraining order issued against Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, preventing him from functioning as the Chairman and a member of the SLFP. The injunction order has been extended until June 25, 2024. Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the Acting Chairman of SLFP during an executive committee meeting held on April 21, by the party’s faction led by former President Maithripala Sirisena. more..

Jun 11 (EN) SriLankan Airlines has dropped pepper and salt packs from its food dishes served for economy class passengers since late last year and made it on demand, witnesses and officials say. However, the airline has been continuing the supply of the both products to the business class, they say. Known as the king of spices, the island nation’s black pepper has higher piperine content which gives it a superior quality and pungency, compared to the spice produced in other countries. more..

Jun 11 (FT) FPC MP Prof G.L. Peiris yesterday raised significant concerns regarding the proposed extension of Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam’s tenure by six months. Speaking at a press conference Peiris highlighted that such an extension has not been witnessed in Sri Lanka’s history. The MP stressed that allowing this extension amidst ongoing election campaigns could potentially disrupt the integrity of the electoral process. more..

Jun 11 (AD) The Constitutional Council has postponed the granting approval for the President’s recommendation to extend the tenure of Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam by six months. The decision was made during a council meeting held yesterday (10), where it was agreed to defer the discussion for further deliberation. Rajaratnam’s current term is set to expire at the end of this month, and the President had proposed an extension for an additional six months. more..

Jun 11 (DM) The political groups led by MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Dayasiri Jayasekara and Roshan Ranasinghe are in negotiations with the SJB to work out an electoral alliance. According to the source, the modalities of the new electoral formation have not yet been worked out. Ahead of the elections pending, new political formations are realistic. All these three MPs were elected to Parliament on the ticket of SLPP. Later, they defected from it and joined hands with the opposition. more..

Jun 11 (FT) Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) issued a statement strongly condemning the recent illegal and unacceptable behaviour exhibited by Minister Jeevan Thondaman at Pedro Estate, Nuwara Eliya. “His blatant and reckless disregard for the law, along with the use of intimidation tactics, has caused widespread concern and alarm within the plantation community. Such actions not only undermine principles of more..

Jun 11 (DM) As floodwaters recede, the proliferation of flies has raised alarms among health authorities due to the increased risk of diarrhoea outbreaks and the spread of contagious viral fevers. The abundance of organic matter in flooded areas accelerates the maturation of fly eggs, leading to a rapid increase in fly populations as floodwaters subside. These newly hatched flies, seeking food sources, often gravitate towards faeces, garbage, and contaminated surfaces, further more..

Jun 11 (AD) The former Chairman of the Weligama PS, Pushpakumara Battage has been remanded until June 20 by the Matara Magistrate’s Court. He has been arrested and produced before court for allegedly obstructing the official duties of the OIC and other police officers at Kotawila Police. Battage is accused of obstructing the duties of police officers in order to release two suspects who were arrested for transporting valuable timber without a license in a small lorry on May 25. more..

Jun 11 (DM) The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) reports that computer literacy in Sri Lanka has increased to 39% in 2023. In its latest release on computer and digital literacy, the DCS reported that the country's Computer Literacy Rate stands at 39.0% and the Digital Literacy Rate at 63.5%. Additionally, 20.2% of households own either a desktop or laptop computer, with the urban sector demonstrating higher literacy in both computer and digital skills. more..

Jun 11 (Island) Political sources say Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, MP, and his son, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, State Minister for Defence, were not invited to an SLPP meeting held at Rattota over the weekend. The meeting, chaired by SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa, was addressed by party General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, MPs Johnston Fernando, Tissa Kuttiarachchi and several others. The chief organizer of the meeting, State Minister Rohana Dissanayake hasn’t invited more..

Jun 11 (Island) SJB said that the govt had published a gazette allowing the incumbent Sri Lanka Cricket President and Secretary to remain in their positions, purportedly in exchange for providing funds for govt members to contest future elections. SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the Sports Minister Harin Fernando issued the gazette in spite of a parliamentary resolution calling for the dissolution of Cricket Board administration. more..

Jun 11 (DM) Ceylon Electiricity Board (CEB) last Friday submitted its proposal to the Pupblic Utility Commission of SL (PUCSL) for the tariff revision from July 2024, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said. He said on X that the PUCSL will determine the final tariffs after evaluation of the proposal and a public consultation. The proposal for energy charges for the Domestic sector, Religious sector, General Purpose and Government Buildings sectors are as follows: more..

Jun 11 (AD) A 31-year-old woman has been found attacked with sharp weapons and murdered inside a house in the Thalahena area of Thalangama this morning. The woman’s the husband and his friend have attacked the woman with a sharp weapon and murdered her due to an argument between the deceased and her husband on June 06, and that they have then left the house after locking the door. However, both suspects have later reported the incident to police & surrendered themselves. more..

Jun 11 (TB) As a young girl living on the outskirts of Colombo, the capital of SL, Fareeda Emran sometimes prayed for the torrential rains that brought heavy floods to the city during the island country’s monsoon seasons. Floods usually meant no school and more time to play with her friends, said Emran, now 78. She even remembers finding the trunks of fallen papaya and banana trees and refashioning the bark into a raft, more..

Jun 11 (EN) SL’s Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has said Indian Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar will visit the island ahead of a visit by PM Narendra Modi. Wickremesinghe who was in India to attend Modi’s swearing in ceremony met with Jaishankar and congratulated him on his appointments. “He expressed plans to visit SL soon to oversee progress and coordinate PM Modi’s visit,” Wickremesinghe said. “We discussed resuming development projects with Indian investments, India’s more..

Jun 11 (AD) Minister Bandula Gunawardana has said that the govt is currently unable to allocate additional financial resources to resolve wage disparities in the public sector through the 2024 Budget. Minister Gunawardana noted that a committee has been established, comprising the President’s Secretary and the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, to address issues related to salaries, including discrepancies within govt departments, state corporations, and more..

Jun 11 (EN) Sri Lanka-based apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings has signed a three-year agreement with Los Angeles-based materials company Ambercycle to buy its recycled material. Ambercycle’s polyester material, cycora®, is made from post-consumer and post-industrial textile waste. Made through molecular regeneration technology, cycora yields the same quality as virgin-grade materials, but with lesser greenhouse gas emissions, companies said in a statement. more..

Jun 11 (DM) An islandwide trade union action is scheduled to be launched after school, targeting all Zonal Education Centres over several demands, including the provision of the promised remaining salary, the CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said. He said that all paper marking at all marking centres will stop at 1 p.m. tomorrow, as they join the trade union action demanding the provision of the remaining two-thirds of the salary increment promised to school principals and teachers. more..