Jun 17 (DM) The IMF after much fanfare released its third tranche from its Extended Fund Facility program for SL amounting to US$ 336 million. These tranches that are released every six months after excruciating reviews and much trepidation in the media are peanuts! For example last year the remittances from SL migrant workers on average was about US$ 500 million per month, compared to the IMF’s US$ 336 million every six months. Furthermore, SL’s foreign earnings, whether more..

Jun 17 (ST) The proposal by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to grant a six months service extension to SL’s Attorney General has put the hapless holder of that office in the centre of a vicious political whirlwind that further damages the already badly battered public reputation of the chief law officer of the land. This must be said clearly and categorically. Absent that extension, the incumbent Attorney General will retire later this month. This controversial proposal has been placed more..

Jun 17 (CT) The historic amalgam of People’s uprising through the Peaceful new generation Aragalaya-2022 and the Country’s declared Bankruptcy has provided overwhelming and glaring evidence that cannot be matched by any measure of research, regarding the weaknesses in our Electoral system which has over the last several decades allowed Powerhungry, mediocre and nepotic politicians to rule the roost in our Parliament. more..

Jun 17 (CT) The advent and the subsequent popularity of social media has put a lot of strain on mainstream media, something to which we print media are no strangers. However, the ease the social media offers for anyone with a smartphone to report and record with relative ease and the lack of legal repercussions the social media relatively lacks – despite there being codes of conduct and the social media companies trying their best to filter the content and to introduce rigorous and more..

Jun 17 (TM) Sri Lankans have long had a recorded low opinion of the law enforcement services they receive, and given everything that has transpired in the last few years, the trust deficit in governance has grown. One confidence builder has been a number of unprecedented rulings and orders by the Judiciary. However, a recent move by the President, to grant a six months service extension to the chief enforcer of law, the Attorney General (AG), has now once again brought the chief prosecutors more..

Jun 17 (Island) The new National Education Policy Framework (NEPF), currently being implemented by the govt, has begun to be noticed by the public. However, there is a noticeable absence of an in-depth discussion on the implications of the policies it proposes. So far critics have quite convincingly pointed out the neoliberal motives behind the proposals and the threat that it poses to the longstanding tradition of free education in Sri Lanka. These criticisms hold merit, more..

Jun 17 (GV) Although Sri Lanka is a world away from Palestine local activists, motivated by the slaughter and suffering that the Palestinian people are undergoing in their own land each day, are carrying out a concerted campaign to bring their plight to the notice of politicians and people here. While by no means an influential actor on the world stage the country, which has a long history of support for Palestine, can do much more than it is to back the Palestinian cause. more..

Jun 17 (TM) The outcome of the IMF Executive Board’s second review of the EFF with SL is a positive development which provides another $ 336 million to help SL to implement policies to continue to stabilise the crisis-hit economy and the IMF’s seal of good housekeeping also gives confidence to citizens, local business, investors, trading partners and creditors that SL has been serious about implementing the EFF, more..

Jun 17 (Island) SLPP-UNP govt is crowing about the release of the third tranche of the IMF loan, and has undertaken to fulfil some more bailout conditions such as the introduction of an imputed rental income tax. It has said the new tax will affect only the high-net-worth individuals, but the proof of the pudding is said to be in the eating. We will see what the new tax is really like only when it is implemented. The SJB and the JVP/NPP have vowed to renegotiate the IMF agreement in case of winning more..

Jun 17 (FT) JAT Holdings, recently celebrated a key milestone with the ceremonial opening of its state-of-the-art binder plant in Horana. Company said the historic achievement marks the culmination of months of dedicated planning and construction, symbolising JAT’s unwavering commitment to innovation and operational excellence. JAT Binder Plant represents a significant leap forward for JAT Holdings, enabling it to manufacture its own binders, foundational component of wood coatings more..

Jun 17 (FT) All temporary employees of local Govt institutions have been made permanent on Friday, revealed PM Dinesh Gunawardena. Though not indicating the exact number, Premier made this announcement during remarks made at a ceremony on Saturday to distribute egg incubators under Chinese support at Kurunegala District Secretariat office. Having recalled the multiple challenges the country, the economy and the people at large faced, PM said: “In the midst of all these difficulties, more..

Jun 17 (FT) Sri Lanka has seen an influx of tourists, with over 43,000 visitors arriving in the first 13 days of June, pushing the cumulative number of arrivals this year to over 940,000. According to the latest data released by the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), a total of 43,227 visitors arrived between 1 to 13 June, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) total to 940,006 travellers. The top tourist-generating markets for June so far include India, UK, and China. more..

Jun 17 (DM) Cash rewards to traffic police officers have been increased through a special circular issued by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. The decision has been taken after considering the tedious work of the traffic police officers, like having to endure long hours on the roads in order to ensure the safety of the public and motorists. Police chief has issued a special circular to increase the cash rewards which were paid to traffic police more..

Jun 17 (TM) The most veteran campaigner in the current SL T20 side, Angelo Mathews, speaking to media recently argued that We disappointed a nation. Apologies for that. Our batters failed while bowlers did their part. (Then let's go further this same way). Then who answers the alleged disciplinary breach within the national team in the US, who answers whether there was any foreign intervention in the controversial team selection, who answers why so early preparation if more..

Jun 17 (DN) A six-member boxing team from Sri Lanka departed yesterday for the Constitution Day Boxing Tournament in Seychelles, set to take place on June 21-22. Leading the senior team are HWGP Rathnasiri from SL Police, KG Pathmasiri from SL Army, DG Udayakumara from SL Air Force, and PSSP Fernando from SL Army. The junior team includes JMT Deshan from St. Sylvester’s College and Malith Bandara from Royal College Colombo. Team officials MU Kumaratunga will manage more..

Jun 17 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne announced that a future SJB Govt will revive the currently dormant Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the Office for Reparations, as requested by politicians and residents of the North. Wickramaratne emphasised the significance of ideas and opinions from the people of the North in building a unified SL. “The opinions of the people in the North are crucial for fostering a unified SL. more..

Jun 17 (FT) The highly anticipated Kite Surfing Festival in Kalpitiya sponsored by the SL Tourism has been cancelled due to a severe fly infestation in the area. “Following the monsoon rains and subsequent flooding in Kalpitiya, there is a significant fly infestation. As a result, we will have to cancel the kite surfing festival,” SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu said at the Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in SL’s Tourism more..

Jun 17 (FT) The eagerly anticipated 11th annual CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 18 June 2024, at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. The CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards has been a flagship event in the CFA Society Sri Lanka calendar since its inception in 2012 and is among the most sought-after accolades recognising and rewarding excellence in the local capital markets. This year’s event will be held under more..

Jun 17 (PMD) To achieve spiritual and worldly success, individuals must abandon selfishness and embrace a life of sacrifice and harmony. Muslims celebrate the Hajj festival each year with this noble aim in mind. On this occasion, Muslims from around the globe gather at a single place of worship, united in purpose, to pray for communal values that embody hope of humanity. Hajj celebration fosters feelings of equality and brotherhood among all people, delivering a profound message more..

Jun 17 (FT) SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne has expressed his support for Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said that the group he represents and Wickremesinghe share the same stance and will support efforts to rebuild the country, emphasising that he does not want to be remembered as a traitor. According to Senaratne, efforts are currently underway to form a coalition of around 100 MPs to support the cause. He emphasised that there will be no crossovers; more..

Jun 17 (TM) JVP-led NPP, will uphold the existing Provincial Council system, but does not view them as a definite solution for the ethnic issue in SL, NPP Executive Committee Member Sunil Handunnetti said. This, days after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake asserted that the Provincial Council (PC) system will remain unchanged under a govt led by them in the future. Last week, speaking at an event in London, more..

Jun 17 (EN) Sri Lanka will go for the island nation’s 8th presidential poll to elect a new leader for the next five years later this year between Sept 17 and October 16. The election comes two years after Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the 8th leader of the country through the parliament in an unprecedented manner after his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country fearing for his life in July 2022 amid mass protests across the country following an economic crisis. more..

Jun 17 (EN) State-run Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd is swimming in cash after a sovereign default halted debt repayments allowing it to post a profit of 29.7 billion rupees with 10.4 billion rupees in interest income. In April 2022 Sri Lanka declared a sovereign default after printing large volumes of money over more than two years to enforce rate cuts and blowing the biggest hole in the balance of payments in the history of the island’s money printing central bank. more..

Jun 17 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday met with Most Rev. Dr. Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando, the Bishop of Mannar, Diocese of Mannar at the Mannar Bishops House. Bishop of Mannar commended Prez for his economic reform efforts aimed at rescuing the country from its financial crisis. During their meeting, they also discussed future development plans for the Mannar district. Key topics included the development of Point Pedro and Mullaitivu as renewable energy hubs. more..

Jun 17 (TM) The process of voter registration for 2024, which commenced on 1 January, is expected to be concluded by late next month (July), the Elections Commission (EC) stated yesterday. Voter registration pertaining to this year was initially planned to be commenced from 1 February, but the EC announced that the related work would begin from 1 January, in view of the upcoming Presidential Election. When asked about the current status of the related work, EC Chairperson more..

Jun 17 (EN) SL’s car import relaxation will be linked to ending the practice of giving permits to special interest groups like civil servants, according to an IMF program. SL has provided an initial plan to remove vehicle imports by May 21 and has pledged to give a detailed one by June 15. “This finalized plan is tied to removing tax exemptions on imports of motor vehicles granted to specific groups including civil servants to curb any revenue leakages more..

Jun 17 (FT) Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday said Ranil Wickremesinghe is in a dilemma with his decision to run for the upcoming Prez poll. “People are waiting to see if Ranil Wickremesinghe will contest the Prez election or not. If he decides to come forward, I believe he will garner widespread support,” he told journalists in Minuwangoda. Ranatunga however expressed strong support for Wickremesinghe’s potential candidacy in the upcoming Prez election, more..

Jun 17 (ST) When Indian Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visits Colombo next week, the government is to take up the issue of Indian fishermen entering SL’s northern territorial waters three days a week and engaging in illegal bottom trawling, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said. The Indian fishermen are expected to be back in SL waters after a two-month-long annual breeding ban was lifted on Friday. When President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited more..

Jun 17 (FT) The Govt justified the new controversial property tax saying it was warranted to reach revenue goals and assured only the wealthy will be targeted. The new tax has been indicated in publication of the IMF supported EFF program related documents released last week. Those make reference to a proposed property tax to be implemented as an imputed rental income tax. Finance, Economic Stabilisation and more..

Jun 18 (DM) After the recent floods in some areas in Colombo and downstream of Kelani Ganga authorities were heard speaking about plans to mitigate the effects of future floods. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe after an inspection tour in those areas such as Kolonnawa, Kelaniya, and Ambatale instructed officials to relocate the Mulleriyawa and IDH Hospitals to alternative locations. He had posted it in his X account as well on June 3. Senior Presidential Advisor on National Security more..

Jun 18 (TM) One of the biggest tragedies Sri Lanka has to face is the lack of national leaders, statesmen and women in meaningful numbers across the political spectrum. While Sri Lanka is not alone in this predicament, it is disproportionately affected by the issue, due the island’s current realities of economic crisis. Sri Lanka’s recovery plans, married to a $ 2.9 billion IMF bailout, need bipartisan support to progress. Bipartisan support is also needed for the governance of the island, more..

Jun 18 (TM) With over 60 global elections taking place throughout 2024, the impact of social media on electoral processes has become a focal point of concern around the world. Among these elections, SL’s Prez Election is particularly critical, showcasing both local & global challenges associated with the digital age. For Sri Lankans, social media has transformed electoral landscape in ways unimaginable just a decade ago. more..

Jun 18 (DM) We do not want to become fortress Europa, European Commission Prez Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech referring to the endless waves of African and Middle Eastern refugees arriving in Western Europe. She made no reference to the origins of this term, as if Germany and the rest of Europe has cut itself off fully from this inglorious past. But the mere mention of a fortress Europa is ominous. In German, Festung Europa originally meant Nazi occupied Europe after more..

Jun 18 (CT) Someone asked me; What have you to say about the adverse comments of some Sinhala politicians in the South about Sajith Premadasa promising the Tamils in the North the full implementation of the 13th Amendment? My response was; I am amused! The 13th Amendment has been in the statute book from 1987. In 1992 the father of Hon’ Sajith Premadasa by Act No.58 of 1992 took away an important aspect of the 13th Amendment by usurping to the Centre more..

Jun 18 (CT) Sumithrayo, as its name implies, has been Good Friends for half a century in our emerald isle of Sri Lanka, to countless people seeking an ear to air their deepest fears and a shoulder to lean on in their moments of despair. It all began when Joan Hamilton, an inimitable and altruistic lady, set off from London in 1971 to marry Most Reverend Lakdasa de Mel, the first Bishop of the Church of Ceylon Diocese of Kurunegala. more..

Jun 18 (GV) June is the #Pride month where we commemorate, celebrate and recognize Two-Spirit (North American specific term to recognize two-spirit Indigenous folks), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Asexual and additional sexual orientations and gender identities (2SLGBTIQQA+) activism, culture and their impact on history locally, nationally and internationally. As cis women having born and raised in SL and now living in Canada, more..