Sri Lanka News : InfoLanka News Room

Nov 28 (TM) The Govt is yet to decide on whether or not to go ahead with the labour law reform process which commenced during the previous Govt led by then-Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. During Wickremesinghe’s Govt, proposed labour law reforms focused on consolidating existing legislation into a unified labour code, and certain parties alleged that the implementation of such reforms would weaken worker rights. The Daily Morning inquired Deputy Minister of Labour more..

Moody's may raise Sri Lanka's credit rating

Nov 28 (Reuters) Moody's may raise Sri Lanka's 'Ca' long-term foreign currency rating, the credit ratings agency said on Wednesday, following the govt's bond-exchange offer aimed at completing the restructuring of international bonds. The bond swap, launched on Tuesday, is an important part of the island nation's ongoing $12.55 billion debt restructuring and efforts to stabilize the economy. Moody's provisionally rated the new U.S. dollar-denominated debt offerings 'Caa1', more..

Contraception use and HIV prevention: Sex edu. in schools to be expanded

Nov 28 (TM) The Health Ministry’s National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Control Programme is holding discussions with the Education Ministry to expand education on contraception use and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention in schools. “The programme and its clinics will be visiting schools to educate students to talk about HIV prevention,” more..

Political appointees in foreign service asked to return to Colombo

Nov 28 (DN) Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said that all foreign service officials serving in Sri Lankan missions abroad have been notified to return to the country by December 1. He also said that no one will be referred to diplomatic service based on family ties or political affiliations from now on. Minister Herath told the media during his visit to Kandy that letters have been issued to all those foreign service officials serving in SL missions abroad to return to the country. more..

First-ever floating solar photovoltaic power plants operational

Nov 28 (Island) South Korea has handed over SL’s first-ever floating solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants located at the Chandrika Wewa and Kiriibban Wewa reservoirs. Ambassador Miyon Lee attended the handing over ceremony of the $5 million project, funded by the Korean govt. South Korea launched the project at the height of political turmoil in 2022 and was developed in collaboration with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and implemented by Yooshin Engineering and more..

Heavy rains and floods pound most parts of the country

Nov 28 (DN) A total of 230,743 persons from 66,947 families in 141 DS Divisions across 18 districts have been severely affected due to the prevailing turbulent weather conditions in the country. Four deaths and nine injuries have been reported so far, while six persons are reported missing. A total of 15,586 persons have been shifted to 165 temporary shelters. So far, eight houses have been completely destroyed & 620 houses more..

Political sociology of JVP-NPP avalanche, establishment collapse & Oppo. free-fall

Nov 28 (FT) The most memorable visual image of SL’s new Parliamentary session, the first to be opened by newly-elected leftwing Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was also the moment that best symbolized the primarily progressive character or aspect of his presidency and the JVP-NPP victory. It is when he opened his car door unaided, stepped out of it in the same outfit he wore as an MP, and beamed. That, and dispensing with religio-cultural rituals that always precede or accompany more..

Price of inaction: Sexual harassment’s toll on Sri Lanka’s economy

Nov 28 (FT) In the landmark judgment of SriLankan Airlines v PRSE Corea (2024), the Supreme Court addressed a longstanding issue predominantly faced by women; sexual harassment in the workplace.1 This ruling emphasises that workplace harassment not only violates fundamental rights but also erodes productivity and morale, resonating deeply with the realities of SL’s economy. According to a 2022 IFC survey, workplace harassment costs SL companies a staggering $ 1.7 million annually more..

පුංචි ඡන්දය - අලුත් නාම යෝජනා?

Court recalls warrant against MP Archchuna Ramanathan

Nov 28 (NW) Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera has recalled the warrant issued for Jaffna MP Dr. Archchuna Ramanathan for failing to appear in court over a case related to a road accident. A case had been filed by the Grandpass Police against MP Archchuna Ramanathan over a road accident on Baseline Road in 2021. The Jaffna MP is accused of being involved in an accident and allegedly assaulting another motorist, seriously injuring him. more..

Million-Rupee watch pinched from doctor

Nov 28 (CT) A suspect was taken into custody for allegedly stealing a wristwatch worth Rs 1 million from an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist serving at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital. Hospital Police said yesterday (27) that the theft had taken place within the Hospital premises when the particular Obstetrician and Gynaecologist had removed her watch which was adorned with diamonds and placed it on top of a bed before leaving to complete a ward round. more..

Video: A/L exam postponed until Dec 3

Nov 28 (DM) Considering the candidates affected by the prevailing adverse weather conditions, Examinations Dept has decided to postpone the 2024 GCE A/L examinations till Dec 3, Examinations Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara announced. The exams will resume on Dec 4 (Wednesday). Accordingly, the examinations will not be held for six days starting from November 27. Initially, it was decided to suspend more..

Sri Lanka hardline elements ready to exploit racial hatred: Former minister

Nov 28 (EN) Families should be allowed to grieve and memorialize their loved ones, a former Minister of Justice has said, but Sri Lanka must be watchful of hardline elements in the South that are ready to exploit any opportunity to stoke racial hatred. “Families should be allowed to grieve and memorialize their loved ones, even those whose paths were misled by the ideologies of the past,” Ali Sabry said on social platform X. This is a human right and an essential step in healing wounds, more..

Sri Lanka reaffirms commitment to chemical weapons convention

Nov 28 (DM) Sri Lanka reiterated its long standing commitment to the full, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) at the 29th session of the Conference of State Parties (CSP-29) to the Chemical Weapons Convention yesterday in The Hague, the Netherlands. Ambassador of SL to the Netherlands, Rekha Gunasekera, who is also the Permanent Representative of SL to the Organization more..

Cyberattacks on top firms, state entities expose SL’s weak defences: Secualyze

Nov 28 (DM) Two of SL’s leading corporates and a key govt entity have fallen victim to sophisticated cyberattacks, highlighting the nation’s inadequate cybersecurity defences, according to a report by local cybersecurity firm Secualyze. The firm identified a phishing campaign orchestrated by SideWinder APT, a well-known nation-state threat actor, targeting prominent organisations, including Cargills and Coca-Cola. more..

Main suspect in Rs. 75 million cash robbery fled to Dubai?

Nov 28 (AD) Another suspect involved in the recent robbery in Minuwangoda of over Rs. 75 million in cash from a private company providing cash in transit services has reportedly fled to Dubai. This has been revealed during the investigation conducted by the officers of the Gampaha Division Crimes Bureau who are investigating the incident. On November 18, the driver of a private company providing cash in transit services had fled with over Rs. 70 million in cash more..

HIV cases on the rise among Sri Lankan youth: Health expert

Nov 28 (AD) The National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) of the Ministry of Health says that HIV infections among the country’s youth has increased owing to factors such as the use of mobile phones and modern technology to find partners, as well as the lack of proper sex education. The Director of NSACP and Specialist in Community Medicine, Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli, stated that 15% of the HIV cases reported last year were young people aged between 15 and 24 years. more..

හේෂාට එරෙහිව අපි ආණ්ඩුව සමගයි

Manusha sends LOD over E8 visa allegations

Nov 28 (NW) Former Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has sent a Letter of Demand (LOD) to the Chairman of SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Kosala Wickramasinghe regarding the latter’s accusations related to the Korean E8 visa system. In his letter, former Minister points out that during an interview with local media, Kosala Wickramasinghe had hinted at financial fraud linked to the former minister. Alleging that the SLBFE Chairman had caused significant damage more..

Parliament to convene from 3 to 6 Dec

Nov 28 (CT) It was decided to convene Parliament from 3 Dec to 6 Dec at the Party Leaders’ meeting chaired by Speaker Ashoka Ranwala. At the Party Leaders’ meeting held on 25 Nov, it was also decided to debate the Govt’s Policy Statement on 3 and 4 Dec. The Party Leaders also decided that the resolution on the Vote on Account be debated on 5 and 6 Dec. Accordingly, the motion on the statement of the Govt Policy presented in Parliament by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake more..

Video: Iconic tusker Deegadanthu 1 dies from electrocution

Nov 28 (DM) Deega Danthu 1, widely regarded as the most beautiful elephant in the Kalawewa National Park, was found dead today after becoming entangled in an illegal electric fence, the National Park Warden confirmed. The tragic incident occurred in the Inguruwa area of Andiyagala as the elephant was moving towards the Kahalla Pallekele Sanctuary, its usual habitat. The majestic tusker, estimated to be between 45 and 50 years old, more..

Sampath Bank spearheads coral replanting initiative in Trincomalee

Nov 28 (CT) Sampath Bank, in collaboration with Dept of Wildlife Conservation, Air Force, Navy, Police Life Saving Unit, Dept of Oceanography and Marine Geology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Services & Technology, Uni of Ruhuna, successfully hosted its fourth coral restoration project at Marble Beach, Trincomalee, recently under the A Breath to the Ocean CSR initiative. The two-day event commenced with the placing of 20 concrete reef balls on the seabed on the first day, more..

7 Iranians sentenced to life in prison on drug charges

Nov 28 (AD) The Colombo High Court has sentenced seven Iranian nationals to life in prison after they were convicted of transporting over 425 kilograms of heroin by boat in the sea area off Mattakkuliya in Colombo in 2019. This verdict was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge R. S. S. Sapuvida after the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. The case was taken up before the court today (28), and the seven Iranian nationals were subsequently sentenced to life in prison. more..

Suwa Seriya the saviour reaches out to two millionth patient

Nov 28 (DM) A green and white coloured ambulance service has scaled the heights in saving lives and winning hearts and minds of millions of Sri Lankans. This service is rated high and above anything else callers who are in need are attended to promptly. Only last month (20), 1990 Suwa Seriya or the National free hospital care emergency service, touched a milestone, treating their – two millionth patient! Dr. Harsha De Silva, more..

Two more state exams postponed

Nov 28 (NW) Dept of Examinations has announced the postponement of two state exams due to adverse weather conditions experienced in SL. The Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara announced that the 2024 SL Law College General Entrance Exam and the First Efficiency Bar Exam for Senior Statisticians / Statisticians of the Dept of Census and Statistics – 2016 (2024) have been postponed. Amith Jayasundara said the exams were more..

SLMC founder Cegu Isadean passes away

Nov 28 (NW) Founder of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Cegu Isadean has passed away at the age of 89. It is reported that he passed away in his hometown Akkaraipattu this morning. A lawyer by profession, Cegu Isadean was a former Member of Parliament and was last elected to parliament via the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). He has served as a deputy minister and Leader of the opposition in the merged North-East Provincial Council in 1989. more..

මැති ඇමති දීමනා, වරප්‍රසාද කප්පාදුව

Sri Lanka crash to record low Test total of 42 in South Africa

Nov 28 (BBC) Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42 by South Africa in Durban - the lowest Test total in the history of their men's team. Replying to South Africa's first innings 191, Sri Lanka were all out after 13.5 overs on day two of the first Test. Marco Jansen returned career-best Test figures of 7-13 from 6.5 overs, with Gerald Coetzee (2-18) and Kagiso Rabada (1-10) claiming the other wickets. SL's men's previous lowest Test innings was 71 against Pakistan in Kandy in 1994. more..

Finger millet, baby shrimp with fake labels seized in Kotahena

Nov 28 (DM) A large stock of Finger Millet (Kurakkan) and Baby Shrimp was seized by officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) from a warehouse in Kotahena. The stock was being prepared for release to the market with altered labels indicating false manufacturing and expiry dates. The raid uncovered 22 tons of finger millet and 975 kilograms of baby shrimp yesterday. According to officials, the Indian manufacturer had originally printed manufacturing year of 740 packets, more..

Govt must not grant CEB workers bonuses: Ex-Minister Wijesekera

Nov 28 (Island) Former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that the govt trade union at the CEB couldn’t under any circumstances demand a Christmas bonus. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the Finance Minister, should respond to the ultimatum issued by the General Secretary of the CEB Workers Union, National Trade Union Centre, Ranjan Jayalal Perera. Wijesekera said that the govt more..

Deep Depression : Weather forecast for the next 36 hours

Nov 28 (NW) The Met Dept says the influence of the Deep Depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal on SL’s weather will gradually reduce after tomorrow (29). According to the department’s latest update, the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located 110 km northeast of Trincomalee today and is likely to move slowly north-northwestwards closer to the east coast of SL with a possibility to intensify further. As such, the weather forecast for the next 36 hours predicts more..

Karaitivu flood tragedy: bodies of Four children found, tractor assistant arrested

Nov 28 (AM) The bodies of four school students, the tractor driver, and another individual have been recovered following a tragic accident in the Karaitivu on 26 Nov. The incident occurred when a tractor carrying students was swept away by floodwaters while travelling from Ninthavur to Sammanthurai. The DMC confirmed that two students, aged between 12 and 16, are still missing. The victims were returning home from a Madrasa school in Ninthavur when the vehicle was swept away more..

When National Sports Fund is dry: Sports Ministry incurs Rs. 2 billion as costs

Nov 28 (TM) Ministry of Sports has listed a sum of Rs. 2 billion as its expenses during a span of 11 months for 2024. A source from the ministry said that this aforementioned amount, had been incurred as maintenance costs linked to sports complexes coming under its purview. However, what is noticeable is this particular amount has been mentioned as the ministry’s maintenance costs when the coffers of the National Sports Fund more..

Prez holds discussion with the World Bank Group President

Nov 28 (PMD) A virtual meeting was held yesterday between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the President of the World Bank Group (WBG) Mr. Ajay Banga at the Presidential Secretariat, to discuss SL’s future development priorities. President of the World Bank Group highlighted his commitment to promoting job creation and addressing critical development challenges. These priorities include providing SL with financial and technical assistance to implement innovative solutions in sectors more..

Leopard seeks shelter from floods in Mullaitivu home

Nov 28 (DM) A leopard that entered a house at Ilangowapuram in Mullaitivu to escape floods was captured by the Wildlife Conservation officers and released to a safer location. The jungle areas and the villages had gone underwater due to the overflowing of several tanks and reservoirs including Mutthiyakattu reservoir. The occupants of the house were frightened when they noticed the guest had locked the doors and kept away from the house. On their information, a team of Wildlife Officers more..

Professor Gomika Udugamasooriya

The need to relocate and the might of floods

Nov 29 (DM) The heavy rains and strong winds lashing Sri Lanka over the past few days have left us thinking deep and forced us to make our own analysis about adverse weather and how people respond to such calamities. The stories about severe floods and the numbers displaced make us more depressed than the wet weather. In this depressed state of mind, we fail to see the politicians at work; who attend to their rounds with the aim of garnering support for political campaigns. more..

Power play in our backyard

Nov 29 (TM) Yesterday, the Indian Navy test fired a K-4 ballistic missile from the newly inducted nuclear submarine INS Arighaat. The nuclear submarine, one the latest in the Indian fleet, was commissioned last August at Visakhapatnam, not too far from Sri Lanka’s Northern coast. With the successful test of the missile, which reportedly flew 3,500 km, India has signaled that its nuclear deterrence capacity has improved, and its second strike capability is now tested. more..

'Ours isn’t a leftist Govt, but one of leftist, democratic and progressive forces'

Nov 29 (DM) Tilvin Silva, the General Secretary of JVP, the core base of NPP, shares his views on the govt’s way forward and responds to social media criticism on his participation at ABBA Tribute Concert during an interview with the Daily Mirror. Q: At the press conference conducted in the immediate aftermath of the general election, you talked about the seriousness of the mammoth mandate your party received. more..

Key priorities for the New Parliament to Safeguard Democracy

Nov 29 (GV) At the inauguration of the first session of the 10th parliament, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake articulated the govt’s vision for driving economic and social transformation in SL. In his address, he emphasized that the essence of democracy lies in the coexistence of diverse political ideologies and groups. It thrives on the presence of political factions with varying economic and political perspectives. His remarks came after two consecutive national elections that resulted in more..