Jun 19 (Island) Following Sri Lanka’s exit in the ICC T-20 World Cup without making it to the second round, the team’s Batting Coach Thilina Kandamby lamented the batters’ approach against South Africa and Bangladesh that cost the team a slot in the Super Eight stage of the 20 nation tournament. The team did get their act together in St. Lucia when they beat Netherlands comfortably after the match against Nepal was washed out, but it was too late by then. more..

Jun 19 (CT) The Constitutional Council (CC), yesterday, rejected Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recommendation to extend Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam’s term of office, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said. This decision was made during the CC meeting held in Parliament at 2 p.m. yesterday, chaired by the Speaker. The decision comes after the CC met twice previously to consider Prez’s recommendation regarding AG’s term but was unable to reach a final decision. more..

Jun 19 (TM) Protesting against the Govt's alleged practice of providing decentralised funding only to selected Opposition MPs, Opposition MPs including Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella urged the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to intervene to ensure that the relevant allocations are provided to every MP. Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara claimed that only selected Opposition MPs have been provided with decentralised more..

Jun 19 (DM) Amidst growing concerns over the spread of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), or commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria across Japan, SL health authorities have moved to reassure the public, emphasizing that there is no cause for panic. The outbreak, which has seen nearly 1,000 reported cases in Japan so far this year, has sparked alarm among health officials and the public alike. Dr. Samitha Ginige said while the disease can be severe, it is not a new or more..

Jun 19 (FT) The proposed wealth tax will be on over half-a-million houses at Rs. 200,000 per year if the Govt were to raise the targeted figure of Rs. 100 billion in 2026, according to analysts who based their forecast from President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Finance Ministry pronouncements. Prez in Parliament said 90% of the houses in the country will not be subject to the proposed Imputed Rental Income Tax (IRIT) effective from 1 April 2025. He said a person’s first house will not be taxed. more..

Jun 19 (TM) While the newly-proposed Imputed Rental Income Tax has sparked controversy, Ministry of Finance stated that the Ministry is to impose some exemptions with regards to the proposed tax, which are yet to be legally finalised thus far. Ministry's Tax Policy Advisor Thanuja Perera said that it is yet to decide the threshold of the said tax and that further developments of the particular tax policy more..

Jun 19 (FT) We know very well that for the last four years the construction industry has been suffering due to delayed/non-payments, stoppage of projects, high interest rates, etc. So, many of us perished. Banks and contractors became enemies, with banks making extreme decisions such as seizing assets, with no relief. Parate became a very attractive idea for us. However, the GoSL and CB directed banks to provide relief to industries like construction, leisure and agriculture and become flexible. more..

Jun 19 (FT) I write with reference to the article in Daily FT of 7 June 2024, titled Adani sets the record straight. Adani would have thought Sri Lanka has no energy economists or power system engineers, or would have wrongly assumed that all SL professionals were as mediocre as the politicians or the handful of administrators and engineers in the power sector and its two regulatory institutions they directly deal with. Insulting the wisdom of SL public and professionals, on 7 June 2024, more..

Jun 19 (AD) Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) says they have decided to engage in trade union action by reporting sick on June 26. The CTU General Secretary, Joseph Stalin, stated that if their demands are not met as promised, the teachers will also withdraw from the O/L exam paper marking activities. However, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha, stated that students today are fulfilling their academic needs despite the trade union actions of the teachers. more..

Jun 19 (DM) Claiming that the transgender issue is a lucrative business, MP Wimal Weerawansa said the Canadian High Commission has been talking to MPs in Parliament to promote transgender in SL. He said that the issues with regard to transgender people must be addressed separately without incorporating it into the Gender Equality Bill. The MP said promoting transgender is a lucrative business and that in Western countries, primary students are given the choice to change their gender more..

Jun 19 (TM) Sri Lanka’s proposed Temasek-type holding company for the State-owned Enterprises (SOE) governance under the new SOE law has risks if not structured and governed properly, IMF said. Accordingly, the success of the holding company model will depend upon the effectiveness of its governance and that there is a risk if the holding company is not well structured and governed. more..

Jun 19 (DM) Wanindu Hasaranga, captain of the SL cricket team alleged that certain cricketers are behind the critical posts circulating on social media about the current team. His remarks came in response to questions from reporters at the BIA upon the team's return from the T20 World Cup today. "We are aware of the individuals responsible for these posts," Hasaranga stated. "Some people create pages and share critical content solely to gain more attention on social media. more..

Jun 19 (FT) KPMG in India is scheduled to host its 31st All India Partners Meet in Colombo, from 20-22, June. Annual meeting of the India Firm is one of the largest meets to be hosted in Colombo, with over 600 India Partners and their families attending it, to celebrate achievements for the year gone past and discuss future plans. Several Partners from other member firms of the KPMG Global network will also join this meet. Conference will be addressed by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

Jun 19 (EN) Sri Lanka Railways has asked people living on land own by the Department to register online before July 15, in a move to legitimize them. “All unauthorized occupants who do not register by that date will be removed from railway premises.” Users of land owned by the Dept and new applicants should register online at http://pms.railway.gov.lk. Squatters will be leased the land after an assessment, more..

Jun 19 (AD) Executive Committee of the SLFP today unanimously elected Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva as the party’s Chairman and Duminda Dissanayake as the SLFP General Secretary. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had been appointed as the SLFP Acting Chairman by the party’s faction supporting him. This decision had been taken during the SLFP politburo meeting led by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, which was held on April 08 at the SL Foundation Institute. more..

Jun 19 (DM) The suspension of the GCE A/L results of seventy girls of Zahira College in Trincomalee will not affect their results, Minister Susil Premajayantha said. He told Parliament that results of the students whose results were suspended will be released soon. Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadsa, Minister said A/L results of seventy girls of Zahira College in Trincomalee have been delayed due to an issue where the girls who had been wearing fardha more..

Jun 19 (AD) The report of the committee appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to review the salary increase of officials of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) has been handed over to the Committee on Public Finance (COPF). Chairman of Committee on Public Finance, Dr. Harsha de Silva, informed the Parliament today that he has received the relevant report. Accordingly, he stated that the report has pointed out that the salary increase of CBSL officials should not have been implemented. more..

Jun 19 (TM) The Supreme Court today (19) ordered for the fundamental rights (FR) petitions filed against the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the IGP to be taken up for consideration on 8 July 2024. A three-member bench has issued this order after consideration of the eight petitions put forward by several parties including the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Prof. Savitri Gunasekara, former MP Hirunika Premachandra and several others. more..

Jun 19 (Island) Declaring that the economy had further deteriorated under Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s watch since July 2022, dissident SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris said that the govt was working overtime to depict a much improved situation. The former External Affairs Minister having compared the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national debt as at April 2022 when SL declared bankruptcy and current figures pointed out more..

Jun 19 (DM) Maligakanda Magistrate granted permission to the CID to obtain the records of 19 accounts belonging to model Piumi Hansamali, following allegations that Hansamali has acquired substantial properties through organized crime. These accounts are held across eight leading banks in the country. Investigation focuses on allegations that Hansamali has acquired significant assets, including a Range Rover valued at Rs. 80 million and a residential property worth Rs. 148 m more..

Jun 19 (DM) A proposal has been made to increase the price of an ordinary postage stamp to Rs. 100 by July, Mass Media Ministry Secretary Anusha Palpita said. He said that the Postal Department is currently incurring an annual loss of Rs. 7,000 million. "Last year, the loss was reduced to Rs. 3,200 million. However, with a salary increase for postal employees costing Rs. 2,800 million this year, the Postal Department's loss will rise again to Rs. 7,000 million." he said. more..

Jun 19 (AD) Stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya and the owner of the SL VLOG YouTube channel Bruno Divakara have been released by the Fort Magistrate’s Court from the case filed against them for allegedly making controversial statements on Buddhism. Edirisooriya was arrested on 28 May, 2023 after she found herself in hot water over certain remarks she had made, allegedly insulting Buddhism, Christianity & Islam more..

Jun 19 (IT) MK Stalin expressed his concern over the repeated incidents of fishermen’s arrest. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to the Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, seeking urgent intervention for the release of fishermen arrested by the SL Navy. Jaishankar will travel to Sri Lanka on Thursday in his first bilateral visit abroad in his second consecutive term in office. The four fishermen were arrested and their trawler seized early on Tuesday.zar-old Goal Shoot has been recognised as one of the most successful shooters of all time and is often regarded as the tallest netball player ever and is the most capped international netball player to represent SL. She has been a regular member of the SL national team more..

Jun 19 (IT) MK Stalin expressed his concern over the repeated incidents of fishermen’s arrest. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to the Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, seeking urgent intervention for the release of fishermen arrested by the SL Navy. Jaishankar will travel to Sri Lanka on Thursday in his first bilateral visit abroad in his second consecutive term in office. The four fishermen were arrested and their trawler seized early on Tuesday. more..

Jun 19 (DM) Last month, the CEB, as the national distribution licensee submitted a proposal to the PUSCL recommending a reduction to the electricity tariffs following the boards improved financial performance for the first quarter of this year. Tariff proposal is currently being reviewed and the related consultation documents can be accessed through the PUCSL website, the commission said through a notice. Accordingly, the utility regulator invited the inputs of the general public more..

Jun 19 (TM) Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, whose appointment as the SLFP Chairperson has been temporarily suspended by a Court order, claimed that he will be the Prez candidate representing the SLFP led alliance. Dr. Rajapakshe claimed that he will be the Prez candidate representing the SLFP. In response to a question raised by a journalist in this regard, Rajapakshe claimed: “Not as a Party; we have formed an alliance. They have decided to appoint me, more..

Jun 19 (PTI) SL's Supreme Court has given PM Dinesh Gunawardena, the Cabinet and the Adani Group three weeks to file preliminary objections to a petition filed by an environmental group against the wind power project undertaken by the Indian conglomerate in the country. SL’s Adani Group renewable project entails two wind energy projects; a 250 MW in the northeastern district of Mannar and a 234 MW project at Pooneryn more..

Jun 19 (EN) SL is mulling a new development bank to give low interest loans, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, with the country having suffering high volatility in interest rates as inflationary rate cuts de-stabilize the external sector. Prez said the govt was committed to helping industries build competitive capabilities. “We are currently exploring the establishment of a development bank to facilitate the required funding for this initiative. This new bank aims to maintain low interest rates,” more..

Jun 19 (AD) Leader of the Tamil United Freedom Front (TUFF), former MP Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, says that both he and his party will support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Prez Election. The former LTTE commander turned politician revealed this while speaking to reporters while attending the opening of UNP office in Panadura today (19). “We have to appreciate our Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, because he only rebuilt the country.” more..

Jun 19 (DM) While issuing a media release on Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe's statement on the Supreme Court's determination on the Gender Equality Bill, the Bar Association of SL (BASL) reiterated that the Prez's statement is a threat to the SC and the entire judicial system in discharging the judicial functions conferred by the Constitution. BASL maintained that establishing a parliamentary select committee more..

Jun 19 (EN) About 20% of SL’s micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are run by women but they face a 17 billion dollar equivalent financing gap, ADB’s Country Director Takafumi Kadono said. The 20% of businesses were providing a range of products and services across the country. “And while they represent such a significant portion, financing and policies have tended not to take into account the specific needs and different challenges they face in starting and growing their businesses," more..

Jun 19 (DM) In a collaborated effort to combat the distribution of counterfeit spare parts, Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and the Honda Motor Company initiated multiple criminal raids in different areas of the country. Accordingly, several dealers who were involved in the sale of counterfeit spare parts of the Honda Brand were arrested in police operations conducted in Kurunegala, Rathnapura, Homagama and Panchikawatte districts. Moreover, some dealers were also found to be more..

Jun 20 (DM) Election time is around the corner. A galore of promises, political grandstanding and conspiracy theories are only natural in the times ahead. The trend is already visible. The political literacy of the people who are supposed to decide, ultimately, matters more than ever during this time, to sift truth out of the mess for informed decisions to be made when casting ballots. Once again, promises for constitutional amendments or the creation of a new constitution are being more..

Jun 20 (CT) For the last 46 years, we have been watching the SL society slowly and steadily going from bad to worse. We saw with tears in our eyes the dream of NM Perera; the dream of making this country advance in local manufacturing and industrializing and becoming a global player (maybe small) producing for the world market; going up in smoke. Our people did not understand that every country which is now developed and rich began with small workshops & initiatives with hard work more..

Jun 20 (TM) Who would have thought that love cake will make a mark in English literature? Well now, it has. Gratiaen Prize for last year (2023) which was awarded this year was won by Ramya Jirasinghe for her work – Father Cabraal’s Recipe for Love Cake. A poet, fiction and non-fiction writer, Jirasinghe won the SL State Literary Joint Award in 2011 for her collection of poetry, There’s an Island in the Bone. She was also longlisted for more..

Jun 20 (DM) Sri Lanka is one of the countries worst affected by the refugee crisis largely due to the civil war that lasted about 25 years. The root causes for this included political, educational and economic issues with the UNP govts working according to the globalised market economy system. This was aggravated by the Executive Presidential system which was introduced by J.R. Jayewardene govt on Feb 4, 1978. Since then, Executive Prez system has come under widespread criticism more..