Mar 26 (CT) Medical & Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has lodged a complaint with the Right to Information Commission (RTI) urging it to implement the law against the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) for failing to supply information regarding accurate quantity of medicinal drug stocks and the stocks which are being maintained by it. “There was grave suspicion that incumbent health administrators more..

Mar 26 (DM) National Front of Civil Organizations (NFCO) today demanded that the Ministry of Power and Energy repay the fees collected as electricity reconnection charges. NFCO president Priyantha Thilakarathna said that Rs. 3,000 is charged from electricity consumers for reconnections at present, but it was not reduced as announced by the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL). He said that the PUCSL had announced the revised charges for electricity consumers for reconnections, more..

Mar 26 (EN) Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide training to workers going to South Korea, cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said. “A grant of US$ 1.5 million was provided by the Korean export import bank to improve courses designed for workers going to Korea,” he said. SL-Korea National Vocational Training Institute in Orugodawatta, which was built with financial assistance of 2,900 million rupees by the Korea Export Import Bank, will offer the study programs. more..

Mar 26 (TM) The URF Leader and Opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the ruling SLPP Founder and National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa is using various tactics to establish the Rajapaksas’ political existence. The politicians of the Rajapaksa family include former Prez and incumbent Govt MP Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Govt MPs Chamal Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa, and more..

Mar 26 (AD) A 5-member Supreme Court bench has been appointed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya to consider the fundamental rights (FR) petitions filed challenging the passing of the Online Safety Act in the parliament. The petitions were called before the judge bench chaired by SC Justice S. Thurairajah, on Monday (25). Filed by Transparency International and several other parties, the petitions seek a Supreme Court order determining that the passage of the Bill more..

Mar 26 (AD) Dept of Meteorology has issued a heat index advisory effective tomorrow for Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western, North-Central and Southern provinces and Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Monaragala districts. Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to Caution level at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western, North-Central and Southern provinces and Mannar, Vavuniya, Trinco & Monaragala districts, more..

Mar 27 (DM) Commissioner of Elections made it clear to all Lankans that the prez elections would be held in a timely manner in keeping with Constitutional requirements. To him we owe a vote of thanks. Many a citizen had begun to doubt whether elections -prez or general elections- would be held at any time in the near future, given the number of elections postponed via sleight of hand over the years. Even as we pen these lines, our country is going through one of the hottest periods more..

Mar 27 (CT) The frustration within the Tamil polity at the failure of the govt to treat them fairly and address their grievances is taking a new turn in parliament. Unable to reason with those who hold the majority of votes, Tamil MPs are taking to non-violent action over words. Those political parties that represent ethnic and religious minorities rarely if ever have sought to physically disrupt the proceedings in parliament, one reason being their paucity of numbers. more..

Mar 27 (DM) A group of 55 Sri Lankans, comprising former soldiers as well as civilians, had been trafficked to war-torn Ukraine with the promise of securing jobs in Georgia, Poland and Ukraine. Two suspects operating a foreign employment agency in Kadawatha were arrested this month on charges of trafficking a group of 55 Sri Lankans to conflict zones in Ukraine. Many ask the question whether it’s worth risking their lives more..

Mar 27 (ST) It’s the worst massacre that Canada has ever known. The worst tragedy that ever befell a Lankan migrant family abroad: A family of five and their resident friend wiped out in an instant, not by a natural disaster or a pandemic but by a fellow 19-year-old Lankan, suddenly seized with a demonic rage to brutally murder them one by one. At the end of that chilling orgy of multiple deaths, only the father of the family survived, physically wounded and mentally broken and indelibly traumatised. more..

Mar 27 (TM) Cabinet of Ministers had on Monday given approval to a proposal to increase the monthly minimum wage by Rs. 5,000, i.e. from the current Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 17,500. With this decision, the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act, No. 03 of 2016 will also be amended. While this decision seems like a worker friendly, timely one, especially given the state of the common man’s economy, how effective this decision will be in alleviating the burden of the economic situation is questionable. more..

Mar 27 (CT) Transportation is an integral part of the economic development of any nation. While the modes of transportation may differ from one country to the other, in SL, transportation via buses is arguably the most popular, widely spread, and most used mode of transport. As such, SL Transport Board (SLTB) provides an invaluable service by being the transport link between the urban and rural areas and by maintaining more..

Mar 27 (TM) Pasindu Kodikara at 25 years of age is an outstanding sportsman in the field of Sri Lankan athletics. Having represented Sri Lanka in 16 international tournaments, he also represented the Sri Lankan team in the 400m relay that won the bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games. He was also a member of the team that won the 400m relay gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championship last year and also represented SL in the World Championship held in Hungary. more..

Mar 27 (GV) In a landmark development in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Mahara Prison riots, Attorney General (AG), on behalf of the CID, informed the Court of Appeal that he was going to file indictments against the prison officers who were involved with the killings inside the Mahara Prison within three months starting from Jan 22, 2024. The next court date is April 22, 2024. The AG’s decision sends a clear message that impunity will not be tolerated any longer and more..

Mar 27 (FT) The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) convened a highly constructive meeting with Urban Development, Housing, and Construction Secretary W.S. Sathyananda, along with key officials, Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) Chairman and his officials. The primary objective of the meeting was to address the critical challenges encountered by construction contractors and consultants amidst the impact of pandemic and subsequent economic crisis. more..

Mar 27 (FT) SL-Korea Business Council (SLKBC) of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a networking evening for members of the Council, diplomats, Govt officials and industry representatives to foster collaboration and bilateral cooperation. Chief Guest Ambassador of Korea to SL Miyon Lee was accompanied by the Deputy Ambassador, Consul, and Third Secretary of the Embassy. Additionally, Govt officials from Board of Investment (BOI), Export Development Board (EDB), more..

Mar 27 (FT) The Central Bank yesterday announced a 50 basis points cut in policy rates to further stimulate private sector credit and the revival of the economy whilst it didn’t rule out additional measures if needed. The decision by the Monetary Policy Board of the CBSL at its meeting on Monday was the third downward revision since October last year which saw a reduction of 100 basis points followed by a similar move in Nov. more..

Mar 27 (ST) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is set to address an apparent erosion of player discipline following Wanindu Hasaranga’s suspension for showing dissent towards an umpire during the third and final ODI against Bangladesh last week, marking his second offence within three weeks. Hasaranga displayed frustration by snatching his cap from the umpire in the 37th over of the match, while ODI skipper Kusal Mendis was fined more..

Mar 27 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal to instruct the Legal Draftsmen to draft a bill aimed at suspending the Special Commodity Act No. 48 of 2007. The decision is in response to various challenges encountered during the implementation of the Act, leading to its suspension. Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena highlighted the necessity of suspending the Act, citing various issues such as recent sugar more..

Mar 27 (FT) SL’s spice sector will come under fresh spotlight this year as it gears up to host the International Pepper Community’s Annual International Conference 2024. In addition to showcasing the island nation’s array of spices, the hosting of the event will allow Sri Lanka to witness an increased influx of int'l visitors, which in turn will help generate high revenue from tourism and support tourism industry stakeholders. On Monday, Cabinet approval was given to the proposal more..

Mar 27 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers has given its green light to call for expressions of interest (EoI) and proposals from both domestic and foreign institutions to boost the registration of merchant vessels under the SL flag. The proposal put forth by Ports Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, seeks to tap into the potential of commercial ship registration as a lucrative avenue for earning foreign exchange and creating employment opportunities for Sri Lankan seafarers. more..

Mar 27 (ST) Dept of Wildlife Conservation is advising people to stay calm if reptiles and amphibians come into their homes or gardens due to the soaring heat. Plants have withered due to prevailing arid conditions that have dried up the humid and cool natural areas where reptiles and amphibians spend the hottest part of the day. The ectothermic (animals whose regulation of body temperature depends on external sources) reptiles and amphibians more..

Mar 27 (FT) The Govt of Sri Lanka has officially submitted a letter of intent to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade bloc. This strategic step is set to pave the way for broader access to markets, increased trade, and robust economic growth for Sri Lanka amidst the dynamic landscape of global commerce. To delve deeper into the myriad of opportunities and challenges this accession presents, a webinar titled more..

Mar 27 (Island) The mere sight of a notorious pickpocket usually prompts people to check for the safety of their wallets or purses even if he is not looking for prey. SLPP-UNP govt has the same reputation as a cutpurse, and therefore the public tends to view everything it does with a jaundiced eye. Its recent undertaking to introduce electoral reforms has therefore triggered howls of protests from those who cherish franchise. Opposition has accused the govt of trying to put off more..

Mar 27 (CT) Several pressing issues have arisen as there is an estimated 30,000 street children, who engage in begging, in various locations across the country, senior professor Wasantha Athukorala revealed. He said that this figure is substantiated by research and studies conducted in different areas. Professor Athukorala emphasised the gravity of the situation, describing it as a pressing concern that profoundly impacts the future. more..

Mar 27 (DM) The prolonged breakdown of one of the linear accelerators at the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama, which predominantly treats the pediatric patients has placed hundreds of lives at risk. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the linear accelerator, crucial for administering radiotherapy — a vital cancer treatment, has been non-operational since February. Despite the severity of the situation, the Health Ministry has turned a blind eye by not taking remedial measures to more..

Mar 27 (DN) A group of 34 Uni students representing the Cardiff Metropolitan Uni of UK recently arrived in SL on a cricket and destination promotional familiarization tour, in order to explore SL’s uniqueness as a world renowned tourist destination with its culture, people, lifestyle and also sharing the spirit of the game of cricket with the SL community. Students represent the two cricketing teams of both men and women of the Uni of Cardiff, who are also the current British Uni Champions. more..

Mar 27 (Island) Most of you, followers of SL cricket, would agree that the toughest opponent in the sport is Australia. Very friendly people off the field, the Aussies suffer from something called the white line fever, meaning the moment they cross that white line or rope, they come hard at you. Romesh Kaluwitharana on debut had to save a hat-trick at SSC. He was facing Shane Warne of all people and Kalu remembers that it was quite an ordeal. But he survived going on to make a hundred more..

Mar 27 (DN) Sri Lanka have made a significant move up the latest ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 standings following their resounding victory against Bangladesh. In their first-ever Test assignment at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, the Lankan Lions defeated the Bangladesh Tigers by a massive 328-run margin. Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva wanted to make positive approach to go on the Test championship journey and Sri Lanka team did it great style. more..

Mar 27 (FT) Chinese PM Li Qiang yesterday assured his Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena that his country would assist SL’s debt restructuring process continuously and develop its economy. SL has $4.2 billion bilateral debt and $ 2.9 billion in commercial debt outstanding to China. During the high-level bilateral talks in Beijing, the Chinese PM praised SL’s economic progress after a period of economic downside. more..

Mar 27 (DM) An appeal filed by Minister Prasanna Ranatunga challenging the Colombo High Court’s decision to impose a suspended imprisonment in connection with the Meethotamulla extortion case was today fixed for inquiry by the Court of Appeal. Court of Appeal divisional bench headed by Justice D.N. Samarakoon fixed the matter for inquiry on April 30. Minister Ranatunga was convicted for the thirteenth count out of fifteen by High Court Judge Manjula Tillekaratne over an indictment filed more..

Mar 27 (CT) Minister Bandula Gunawardena, criticised the Opposition Leader for making donations to schools and delivering political speeches, despite a Cabinet decision prohibiting the use of schools for political purposes. Minister said that the Cabinet decision allows donations to schools but prohibits political gatherings on school premises. He raised this issue while responding to a journalist’s inquiry about the nature of speeches made by Opp. Leader Sajith Premadasa more..

Mar 27 (ICC) South Africa will host SL in a three-match T20I series, followed by as many ODIs, that will also form a part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 cycle. As the preparations begin for the bilateral series, Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt has insisted that the series is very crucial for the hosts in the build up towards the ICC Women's T20 World Cup later this year in Bangladesh. “We don't have much cricket left as a group before the World Cup, so more..

Mar 27 (TM) Govt vehicles which are running at a cost of Rs. 300 per kilometre (km) can be run at a cost of Rs. 100, per data contained in a research paper prepared by the Department of Manpower and Employment on public resource management which was presented at the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport. The above was revealed when the said Committee met in the Parliament on 20 March under the Chairpersonship of Nalaka Kottegoda. more..

Mar 27 (TM) The investigation into the statement recorded by the former Prez and incumbent Opposition MP Maithripala Sirisena with the CID on Monday (25) regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 has already started, according to the Police. Sirisena, who recently claimed that he was aware of the real perpetrators behind the said terror attacks, made an approximately five-hour-long statement more..