Jun 18 (CT) Under the stewardship of the NPP, the primacy accorded to Buddhism in Article 9 of the Constitution will remain intact, assured its Leader, during a public gathering in London. He emphasised that rumours that there are conflicts between the NPP and Buddhism are instigated by individuals who fail to adhere to the tenets of the religion. Article 9 of the Constitution states, “SL shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect more..

Jun 18 (AD) A discussion is scheduled to be held today between UGC and representatives of the Uni Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) to address the latter’s wage issues. UTUJC co-chairman Dhammika Priyantha emphasized that the strike action, now in its 48th day, will continue until proper solutions are provided by the authorities. Underscoring the urgency of finding an immediate solution, Priyantha stated that if the UGC also fails to offer adequate solutions, trade union action will persist. more..

Jun 18 (EN) SL will exempt one house from a proposed wealth tax outlined in an IMF program, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said. About 90% of the people’s houses are likely to be exempt from the proposed tax, he said. “[O]ne house will be exempt from this,” Prez Wickremesinghe told parliament Monday. “It is going to have a very high threshold and I do not think the vast majority of the people in this country should even be worried about their house. more..

Jun 18 (CT) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stressed the unfairness of arresting and fining pilgrims enroute to sacred sites such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar and Sri Pada. He instructed that if pilgrims are apprehended in the future, the President’s Office should be immediately notified. Wickremesinghe emphasised, “The roads leading to Madhu Church and Sri Pada serve pilgrims, and it is unjust to impose a fine of Rs 300,000 on those heading to the church.” more..

Jun 18 (DM) In response to the significant prevalence of HIV cases among young people between the ages 15-24, the health authorities have scaled up testing especially targeting the said group. Consultant Venereologist Dr. Vino Dharmakulasinghe highlighted a pronounced increase, particularly among males. The Western Province, notably Colombo and Gampaha, bears the brunt of this trend. In response, health officials are launching extensive intervention and awareness campaigns to halt more..

Jun 18 (FT) Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) has decided to take legal action against plantation company owners who are not adhering to the Govt-mandated daily wage increase of Rs. 1,700 for estate workers. CWC Vice Chairman Thirukesh Sellasamy expressed frustration that despite a Govt gazette notification requiring the Rs. 1,700 daily wage from last month; many plantation companies have failed to comply. “CWC leader Senthil Thondaman has decided to sue more..

Jun 18 (Island) A question SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana posed to the Justice Minister about Talduwe Somarama Thera, who was judicially executed for assassinating former PM S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike is listed to be taken up in Parliament, again, today. MP Pathirana has asked the Justice Minister why the death certificate of Somarama has not been released yet, according to today’s Order Paper of Parliament. The MP has asked whether the Minister is aware that the death of Somarama, on 06.07.1962, more..

Jun 18 (CT) The Coconut Development Authority has reported a 36 per cent drop in King coconut (Thambili) exports due to damage inflicted by white flies on King coconut cultivations in SL. According to the Authority, the spread of white flies in coconut plantations has significantly impacted King coconut plantations. The King coconut crops have suffered more extensive damage compared to regular coconut crops, as white flies are particularly attracted to yellow and orange colours. more..

Jun 19 (DM) There are a few classic examples of haphazard amendments brought to tax laws by the Parliament so often in violation of the principles of taxation. The attempt by the Govt to change the present tax appeal process is akin to a poisoned chalice It is an open secret that tax officials issue the assessments just under the wire at the eleventh hour; Some of the assessments are issued for ulterior motives in clear violation of the provisions of the tax statutes more..

Jun 19 (DM) During this past month, hardly a day has passed without a page one story of large numbers of our former soldiers and officer-ranked military personnel being duped into fighting in the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. Let’s face it, our soldiers and ex-military personnel are doing today, exactly what many other citizens have been forced to do since the economic crunch of April 2022. The country declared itself bankrupt and announced a temporary suspension of repayment more..

Jun 19 (TM) Based on the current data, it will take 134 years for the world to reach full gender parity, roughly five generations beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target. The lack of meaningful, widespread change effectively slows down the rate of progress to attain parity. This alarming situation was explained in the latest Global Gender Gap 2024 report, issued this month (June) by the World Economic Forum (WEF). more..

Jun 18 (DM) According to reports by Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, during the past five years the number of births in the country has decreased by more than 100,000 and the annual death rate has increased by 35,000. Based on reports, there were 325,000 births in 2017, but this number dropped to 247,000 in 2023. Meanwhile, annual deaths increased from 146,000 in 2017 to 181,000 in 2023. Gynaecologist Prof. Sanath Lanerolle said the main reason for the decline in births is that more..

Jun 19 (TM) The governance of SL’s maritime affairs, and maritime security posture is one which is addressed by many stakeholders. While multiple agencies have over the decades had varying jurisdiction over maritime affairs, ocean environmental issues, maritime emergencies and maritime security, SL has not developed an umbrella body with oversight to manage the roles and responsibilities of the myriad of agencies. European Union has developed the EMSA, more..

Jun 19 (TM) As much as SL can be proud of its natural resources, the country is also facing a crisis in terms of managing its wildlife resources in a manner that is beneficial to the wildlife and humans. On the one hand, various manmade and natural issues are affecting these resources, while on the other hand, the lack of resources has made wildlife officers’ job of dealing with those issues more difficult. more..

Jun 19 (GV) Tides of work in SL are shifting and Gen-Z is at the forefront of this change. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyzing factor to throw young adults into this new form of work: the gig economy. This flexible, platform-based work arrangement has recently surged, offering opportunities and challenges for Gen-Z. The article discusses how the gig economy shaped the life trajectories of Gen-Z Sri Lankans after the COVID-19 pandemic, the various opportunities more..

Jun 19 (DM) Those who follow the worldwide pro-Palestine protests against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza in response to the slaughter of Israeli civilians by terror group Hamas might not have missed its moment of magic realism: Queers for Palestine. Vocal members of the LGBTQ community are taking over the streets across the world in a show of their solidarity with Palestinians and display of their righteous anger at the Israeli killings of Palestinians. more..

Jun 19 (CT) In an era where versatility is celebrated as a hallmark of strength, individuals and companies that tap into different industries and venture into new avenues are often lauded. They are placed on a pedestal and heralded as epitomes of innovation and progress. However, sometimes, it is ideal to just stick to the status quo; certain structures, framework and techniques are best kept old school, especially when they concern the lives of not one, not two, but an entire nation. more..

Jun 19 (Island) SL’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Himalee Arunatilaka, in her statement to the HR Council stated that SL has consistently rejected Resolutions 46/1 and 51/1, because SL is in fundamental disagreement with its unacceptable content in particular the so-called evidence gathering mechanism, the establishment of which is unprecedented. Furthermore, SL added that it goes beyond the Mandate conferred by the General Assembly on Human Rights Council more..

Jun 19 (FT) Prez Wickremesinghe making a special statement in Parliament set the record straight on the new, yet controversial, wealth tax which will come into effect from 1 April next year. He said that the proposed Imputed Rental Income Tax will exempt a person’s first property. He emphasised that this tax is aimed at high net-income earners, not ordinary income earners, assuring that it will not affect those earning normal income. more..

Jun 19 (FT) MendisOne has announced the receipt of its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Certification by SGS Lanka, accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Services, underscoring its commitment to excellence and quality in its portfolio. This certification reflects the company’s dedication to maintaining robust quality management systems in line with international standards and instils confidence in its customers for delivery of swift solutions to their diverse needs. more..

Jun 19 (FT) The Coconut Development Authority (CDA) announced yesterday that there is no justifiable reason for the recent spike in coconut oil prices in the market. CDA Chairman Prof. Roshan Perera citing an analysis of current market conditions, stated that there have been no recent tax increases on imported coconut oil. He revealed that as of May this year, 42,000 tons of coconut oil have been imported into Sri Lanka, marking a twofold increase compared to the previous year. more..

Jun 19 (ST) Borella Police, together with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), has issued warnings to owners of a restaurant that hosts musical events at night to take measures to soundproof the premises. The directive follows complaints to the police and the CEA by residents that the events hosted there were causing a disturbance to them at night, particularly during weekends. An officer at the Environmental Unit at the Borella Police said the particular restaurant is both registered more..

Jun 19 (DN) Kavisha Dilhari the off spinner took her career best figures of 4 for 20 and opener Vishmi Gunaratne hit a maiden ODI fifty as Sri Lanka women’s recorded a five wicket win over West Indies in their second ODI cricket fixture yesterday. With this victory Sri Lanka lasses won the series 2-0 with one game to spare. This series win is a significant milestone of SL Women’s Cricket team as they beat West Indies Women’s Cricket team in a bilateral ODI series after 16 years. more..

Jun 19 (ST) With the local govt election now indefinitely on hold, the upcoming Prez poll will be the first vital test for the newly introduced campaign finance laws designed to regulate campaign spending. Election observers though, express concern that candidates will try to use deficiencies and loopholes in the Act to obtain an unfair advantage. Regulation of Election Expenditure Act No. 3 of 2023 will apply to Prez, Parliamentary, PC and LG elections. more..

Jun 19 (FT) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of SL has entered into a MoU with the CIABOC to exchange information relating to investigations and prosecutions of money laundering, bribery or corruption, and other related offences. The new Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023 has empowered the CIABOC to share information relevant to any investigation with any local law enforcement authority or any other Govet authority. In terms of Financial Transactions Reporting Act, more..

Jun 19 (Island) President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking in Parliament yesterday, took exception to a Supreme Court (SC) determination on the Gender Equality Bill. He alleged that the SC had engaged in what he called judicial cannibalism. He claimed that some previous SC judgements and an amendment to the Penal Code had been ignored. He went on to propose that a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) be appointed to look into the SC determination in question. more..

Jun 19 (TM) CEB Engineers' Union (CEBEU) has raised concerns regarding the upcoming electricity tariff revision, stating that a significant reduction in domestic electricity bills could be detrimental to CEB. CEBEU Prez Dhanushka Parakramasinghe said that the next tariff revision is likely scheduled for 1 July and highlighted that social media reports suggest that a substantial decrease in domestic electricity bills is anticipated. more..

Jun 19 (TM) Now SL T20 Captain Wanindu Hasaranga speaks after their disgraceful World Cup debacle. Earrings on, tattoos prominent, hair dyed... this odd looking SL National Captain blames, in his explanations, a conspicuous social media campaign against SL players. Answering a question regarding recent memes and posts insulting the SL cricket team, Hasaranga says those campaigns are artificially orchestrated and they do not reflect the feelings and responses of the common more..

Jun 19 (FT) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa urged the Govt to initiate an inquiry into those responsible for targeting the Muslim community through racist policies in SL following the 2019 Prez election. Premadasa condemned the forcible cremations carried out by the Govt during the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the most reprehensible acts by a Govt, targeting a particular religious and ethnic community. He also accused the Gotabaya Rajapaksa led Govt at the time, more..

Jun 19 (FT) FPC member, MP Prof. Charitha Herath yesterday voiced strong opposition to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s use of Parliamentary privilege to make statements in the House. Herath specifically criticised the Prez’s remarks in Parliament regarding the Supreme Court’s determination on the Gender Equality Bill. Herath emphasised that while the Prez becomes a member of the House through a unique process, he is not part of the Legislature but rather the Executive. more..

Jun 19 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe making a special statement in Parliament yesterday expressed regret over the Govt’s decision to enforce cremations for those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prez Wickremesinghe acknowledged that at the time a committee appointed by the Govt had recommended enforcing cremations during the pandemic. “Unfortunately the committee recommended that we don’t allow burials while the WHO took a different view,” more..

Jun 19 (DM) Chemical and physical parameters of recent water samples collected from the sea close to the MV X-Press Pearl disaster site have changed, triggering concerns whether it is a direct result of the incident, a top official said. Despite the enormity of the damage and the lapse of three years, SL is yet to make headway in its litigation process against shipping company responsible for the accident that caused extensive damage more..

Jun 19 (TM) Opposition MP Champika Ranawaka alleged that several individuals including former and current ministers and State ministers, and businessmen friendly to politicians have defaulted on loan payments of more than Rs. 650 billion to two State-owned banks. He said that ordinary people have had to face various difficulties in dealing with banks due to such defaults. “When an ordinary person goes to a bank today, they can't obtain a loan. more..

Jun 19 (DN) Minister Tiran Alles announced in Parliament that 58,304 have been granted dual citizenship in Sri Lanka between 2015 and 2020. Minister also said that 63,917 have submitted applications for dual citizenship in Sri Lanka between 2015 and 2020. Minister Alles said:”We have asked about the number of applications for dual citizenship in Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2020.In 2015, 17,126 applications in 2015 and 14,802 applications received in 2016. more..