Nov 29 (CT) The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 Nov to 10 Dec stands as a poignant reminder of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence (GBV) worldwide. This year, SL places a critical focus on promoting safe public spaces, an essential step in addressing a form of violence that constrains the lives of women, girls, and marginalised genders. Public spaces, which ought to embody freedom and community, often reflect society’s power imbalances, more..

Nov 29 (CT) Loyalty programmes are one of the biggest data mines in Sri Lanka. They harvest extremely personal and private data from people and use it for profit. But how secure is the data they collect, and what guarantee do we have that it isn’t used for more than what’s advertised? A lot of the information requested by loyalty programmes, including those from popular fashion chains, supermarkets, and cafes, more..

Nov 29 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Inauguration of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament delivering a speech, said that the NPP govt must go with the IMF framework and the previous administration’s debt restructuring agreements as they have been endorsed by the IMF. It is true. Renegotiating for a new Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) is now dead. That is good, because we must end this process as early as possible to enter a new beginning. more..

Nov 29 (DM) The Adani Group once hailed as a symbol of rapid corporate growth in India, now faces a storm of controversy that has impacted its global operations, including significant projects in SL. The group, owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, is grappling with bribery charges in the US and a subsequent market backlash. These legal and financial troubles raise important questions about the future of its operations in SL and the implications for the country’s infrastructure ambitions. more..

Nov 29 (Island) It is a supreme irony that some unredeemable characters who, intoxicated with power, sought to summon even Supreme Court judges to Parliament, during the Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe regime, are now visiting the CID headquarters meekly. They no longer bark at journalists or bellow rhetoric. One hopes that the present-day rulers will learn from their predecessors’ predicament, and act responsibly. The CID continues to question those who served as ministers more..

Nov 29 (TM) In 1979, chess was a relatively unknown game in SL, popular only amongst the wealthy living in cities like Colombo and Kandy. When a then-17-year-old Suneetha Wijesuriya, an A/Level student at Kotikawatta Rajasinghe Maha Vidyalaya, was introduced to the game by her English teacher, she fell in love right away. “I was drawn into the game because I found the chess pieces interesting, and once I started playing, I found the objective of safeguarding our king more..

Nov 29 (CI) When SL's men were about to begin their first innings in Durban, there was a sense that something unusual was happening. It was happening in many little ways. It was happening in some difficult big ones. On the smaller end of the scale, SL had sent the Test specialists to Durban two weeks early. Someone in the coaching staff, or perhaps at the High Performance Centre, had noticed this golden chance to get more..

Nov 29 (FT) People’s Bank, yesterday announced its financial results for the nine months period ended 30 Sept 2024. The bank reported total consolidated operating income of Rs. 75.4 billion and post-tax profit of Rs. 6.4 billion. Excluding the impact of exceptional adjustments in view of greater prudence, considering the yet to be finalised debt restructuring initiatives, these figures on a normalised basis were otherwise Rs. 101.5 billion and Rs. 20.2 billion, respectively, a growth of 50% and 194%. more..

Nov 29 (Island) In contemporary world politics, there is a noticeable trend of working-class voters shifting their allegiances, leading to significant political realignments that influence the formation of govts. This phenomenon in world politics reflects a growing dissatisfaction among working-class communities with traditional party structures and their perceived inability to address issues like economic inequality, job security, and improving living conditions. In many countries, this shift more..

Nov 29 (FT) Marking its return for the seventh consecutive year, the ultra-endurance int'l bicycle race – Race the Pearl – will be conducted in SL on 7 Dec 2024 to the delight of racing enthusiasts and spectators island-wide. The race spans 600 km from Point Pedro to Dondra, connecting 100 cities. This eagerly-anticipated event is an official qualifier for Race Across America (RAAM). Over the years seven nationalities have joined the race and this year over 60 cyclists will join in the adventurous race more..

Nov 29 (AFP) Saudi Arabia hosts this year’s Indian Premier League player auction in a partnership between a money-spinning cricket tournament expanding its global reach and a kingdom using sports to improve its image. De facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has backed extravagant sports inves­t­m­ents — set to culminate in Saudi Arabia hosting the football World Cup in 2034 — to diversify its oil-rich economy. Critics point to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and more..

Nov 29 (CI) South Africa are in control at Kingsmead after a fast-forward second day in which 19 wickets fell, and records tumbled. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 42, their lowest Test total, which was also the lowest Test score against SA, and the second-shortest in terms of number of balls faced: 83. Marco Jansen's 7 for 13 headlined SA's pace pack. He bowled 41 balls in the innings - the joint-fewest in history to take seven wickets more..

Nov 29 (Island) Marathoners Thala Warige Rathnapala and Wathsala Herath have been refused on arrival visas in Macau jeopardizing their chances of taking part in the Galaxy Entertainment Macau Int'l Marathon. The athletes and their coach Sajith Jayalal were scheduled to return from Macau in the evening yesterday after numerous attempts by the National Olympic Committee and SL Athletics to obtain visas on arrival for them to take part in the international marathon found futile. more..

Nov 29 (ST) A three-day joint operation of the army intelligence officers and the STF officials have rounded up a six-acre cannabis cultivation within the Yala National Park. A team of eight army intelligence officials based in the Kawanthissapura camp had joined 10 police STF officials attached to the same area to carry out the raid on Monday (18), following a tip off. After spending nearly three days in Yala national park, on Wednesday (20) the team had arrested three individuals more..

Nov 29 (FT) The Govt yesterday informed Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) that the ongoing freeze on parate action will be extended further from the original expiry slated for 15 Dec. The assurance was given during a meeting chaired by Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma with representatives of MSMEs. Govt will present a Parliamentary Act to extend this suspension more..

Nov 29 (DN) “Sports victories are needed, but we must produce quality players who are not only good at winning but also good at losing. It is our responsibility and duty to impart these qualities to players from their school days,” said Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sunil Gamage. Minister delivered this message while participating in an inspection of the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex yesterday. Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne and Deputy Minister more..

Nov 29 (FT) Nearly 30 fund managers from Germany are in Sri Lanka on a first of its kind fact finding and familiarisation visit on an invitation from Amebon Capital PLC (ACP). The delegation on a four-day tour is assessing prospects for list and private equity investments as well as Greenfield Foreign Direct Investments. With Euro 27 billion of Assets Under Management, NFS Netfonds has brought down some of its top performers to SL. Yesterday the delegation had a close meeting more..

Nov 29 (DN) “We have a well-balanced under-19 team to compete in the Asia Cup, and they are ready to take on challenges,” said Sri Lankan under-19 coach Dilruwan Perera before the team’s departure from SLC headquarters. The Sri Lankan team will play their first game against Nepal today at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Coach Dilruwan Perera, who is also a member of the national selection committee, further stated that this is his first under-19 tournament in his new role as coach, more..

Nov 29 (TM) The Police Marine and Tourist Range stated that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safety of tourists in view of the adverse weather conditions. Sri Lanka has faced intense adverse weather over the past few days, driven by a low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. This system has developed into a depression, causing heavy rainfall exceeding 150 millimetres in many areas such as the Eastern and Uva Provinces. When queried regarding the current security more..

Nov 29 (TM) A total of 80 official residences will be allocated to Govt MPs, while Opposition MP’s will receive 28 official residences, it is learnt. There is an ongoing discussion about the privileges granted to MPs, such as official residences, vehicles, and allowances, as the incumbent NPP Govt has pledged to review and reduce them. When contacted to query about the allocation of official residences for more..

Nov 29 (Island) Erik Solheim, the former Norwegian politician, peace negotiator, advisor to green businesses and international guest speaker on environment and development, has criticised the indictment by U.S. authorities on Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, for his conglomerate’s alleged role in a $265 million bribery scheme. This news sent shockwaves across the world last week while the Adani Group denied the allegations. Erik Solheim, who had been the Executive Director of more..

Nov 29 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning to call bids to develop two 500 Megawatt wind plants offshore of Mannar and Puttalam after feasibility studies are concluded in 2027, CEB Chairman Tilak Siyambalapitiya said. The CEB has to make detailed environmental studies, sea floor, and logistics before calling for bids, Siyambalapitiya told a forum organized by Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board. The Mannar site is substantially superior in energy yield compared to Puttalam he said. more..

Nov 29 (DN) In a remarkable achievement that reflects both operational excellence and dedication, NW Logistics and Management (Pvt) Ltd fuel station, managed by Ninewells Hospital, has reached a significant milestone in fuel distribution. This station has attained the highest fuel sales within the Colombo district and the second-highest fuel sales across the entire island for Oct 2024. This success is even more noteworthy as the station is fully operated by a team of skilled and dedicated women, more..

Nov 29 (DM) A wild elephant calf, which was separated from its herd due to the overflow of the Mahaweli River and the Divulana Willuwa Dam in Polonnaruwa, arrived at a cowshed in the Divulana village with a herd of buffaloes on Thursday. An official of the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Office stated that the wild elephant calf, which arrived at a cowshed in the Divulana village with a herd of buffaloes, is a 4-5 year-old calf, about 5 feet tall, usually roams in the Somawathiya Reserve. more..

Nov 29 (FT) Moody’s Ratings (Moody’s) has placed the Govt of SL’s Ca long-term foreign currency issuer rating on review for upgrade. Previously, the outlook was stable. Concurrently, it has assigned (P) Caa1 foreign currency senior unsecured ratings to SL’s new USD-denominated issuances in its exchange offer, specifically the macro-linked bonds (MLBs), the governance-linked bond (GLB), as well as the stepup and more..

Nov 29 (FT) Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne yesterday assured farmers that the Govt will extend relief assistance to those affected by severe weather, as authorities continue to assess the extent of crop and other damages. He revealed that over 8,000 acres of paddy fields have been impacted by the heavy rains and flooding. Of these, 4,800 acres are reported to be fully destroyed, while over 3,900 acres have sustained partial damage. more..

Nov 29 (AD) Dept of Meteorology says the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move slowly, north-northwestwards closer to the east coast of SL and there is a possibility for it to further intensify. The deep depressions was located around 130 km northeast of Trincomalee and 150km east of Mullaittivu at around 11.30 a.m. of 28 Nov. It can be expected that the influence of this system on the island’s weather will gradually reduce from today (29), department said issuing an advisory. more..

Nov 29 (DN) Twelve people have died and two persons are missing with 17 injured due to the bad weather that has affected the country. The adverse weather condition has affected 227 DS divisions in all 24 districts. Currently, 401,707 people belonging to 120,534 families are affected by the disaster. 345 safe centres have been built across the island, and 36,330 people belonging to 11,663 families are temporarily staying in them. more..

Nov 29 (FT) The NPP, which has become a major political force in the most recent Parliamentary election in SL, has presented a vision for system change that many people find appealing. Systems change could be defined as building an environment where social fairness, economic stability, environmental sustainability, and general well-being may flourish. A nation must radically reimagine how its many components interact with one another. In order to achieve the goal of more..

Nov 29 (FT) Despite the political transformations that have reshaped Sri Lanka in recent months, the country’s 17th IMF program remains ongoing. The new Govt, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was elected on a platform that promised to renegotiate aspects of the IMF deal deemed unfavourable to the people and the nation’s sovereignty. Given the Marxist label on the administration—ideologically contrasting with the neoliberal recommendations of the IMF more..

Nov 29 (PMD) Nine newly appointed ambassadors and one high commissioner to SL officially presented their credentials to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (28) at the Presidential Secretariat. The new ambassadors represent Burkina Faso, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia, Spain, Congo and Guinea. Additionally, a new high commissioner has been appointed to represent Kenya. Below is the list of the new ambassadors and the high commissioner more..

Nov 29 (AD) Ten sluice gates of the Rajanganaya Reservoir have been opened following heavy rainfall. Anuradhapura District has been severely affected by the adverse weather conditions. It is reported that approximately 11,800 cubic meters of water per second is being released into the Kala Oya from the opened sluice gates. Meanwhile, arrangements have also been made to close the sluice gates of the Angamuwa Reservoir. The Wimalasurendra Reservoir in Nortonbridge more..

Nov 29 (FT) November 13 is a date of great significance as far as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) – known as the Makkal Viduthalai Munnani in Tamil and People’s Liberation Front in English – is concerned. It was on 13 Nov 1989 that the JVP’s charismatic founder-leader Rohana Wijeweera was killed. Since 1994 the JVP has been annually conducting an event to commemorate Wijeweera and the lives of thousands of more..

Nov 29 (AD) The Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera stated that there will be no changes to the privileges granted to the Members of the Parliament. She revealed that 35 MPs have already submitted requests to obtain official residences from the Madiwela Housing Complex. The Secretary-General of Parliament explained that 25-30 houses previously returned by the former MPs are currently being renovated to provide official residences to new MPs. more..

Nov 29 (TM) A General Surgeon attached to the Teaching Hospital in Batticaloa has allegedly been arbitrarily relieved of his duties and left idling for about five months by the said Hospital's administration. Sources claimed that the suspended General Surgeon has been vocal about malpractices of certain anaesthetists attached to the Hospital. His suspension had, according to the sources, presumably been done as demanded by a union within health sector, in order to silence him more..