President outlines NPP’s inclusive vision for transformative change
Nov 4 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined the NPP’s inclusive vision to bring about transformative changes aligned with public demand. “We aim to leave power only once we have successfully rebuilt this nation,” Dissanayake pledged, addressing a rally in Nuwara Eliya, reinforcing the NPP’s promise to steer the country towards a more unified and inclusive political landscape. He underscored the district’s importance in the upcoming General Election,
more..
60KG එළවළු බෑග් 2ක් හැම සිකුරාදම...
Repeal PTA: Lawyers’ Collective tells govt & all political parties
Nov 4 (CT) On 29th Oct 2024, Director-General (Legal) at the Presidential Secretariat, Attorney at Law J.M. Wijebandara, representing the Govt stated that the issue was not the PTA’s existence as our law, but rather its misuse to detain civil activists, journalists, and others. He stated that the Govt would not allow such misuse and that the PTA would only be applied based on credible intelligence information, and it will not be used for political revenge.
more..
Govt's rice price control: Farmers’ groups question practicality
Nov 4 (TM) Farmers’ groups expressed doubts and questioned the practicality of the authorities’ plans to purchase paddy in order to control rice prices. Recently, it was reported that the authorities have decided to maintain their own stocks of paddy to deal with rice price fluctuations and rice shortages for which large-scale rice mill owners are blamed. It was reported that the plan involves purchasing around 300,000 metric tonnes of paddy. Noting that even former govts have come up with
more..
Govt committed to renewable energy targets, but priority is to make tariffs affordable
Nov 4 (ST) Sri Lanka will honour its commitments under the Paris Agreement—to generate 70% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050—but will change the process by which this is fulfilled based on what is affordable to the public, Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala said. “Yes, we have to achieve the targets, but number one is social sustainability,”
more..
Video: Country will crash like the KDU bus if experienced persons not elected: Ranil
Nov 4 (DM) The country will crash like the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) bus which toppled along the Dunhinda-Badulla Road if you don’t elect experienced persons to Parliament, former Prez Ranil Wickremeisinghe said. Wickremesinghe, who was responding in lighter vein to a question during a forum held at the Arcade Independence Square, said the country will crash like the bus which toppled along the Dunhinda-Badulla Road if the people fail to elect
more..
So called experienced persons collapsed the country for 76 years: NPP responds to Ranil
Nov 4 (DM) Responding to former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe's claim that the country will crash like the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) bus, if experienced persons are not elected to Parliament, the NPP said people will no longer elect those so called experienced persons to power as they are the ones who bankrupted and collapsed the country for 76 years. NPP member Samantha Vidyaratne said the people will vote only for the NPP to form a people-friendly govt.
more..
පත්තරේ විස්තරේ
I refused organic vegetables grown in Nuwara Eliya specially for President: AKD
Nov 4 (DM) Former Presidents used to enjoy unlimited perks and privileges where they used to get organic vegetables that were grown in Nuwara Eliya every week for their consumption, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed. Prez said he instructed the officials at the Presidential Secretariat to use the vegetables received from Nuwara Eliya to prepare food for security officials. "I learnt that organic vegetables had been grown in the land belonging to Prez's House in Nuwara Eliya
more..
No removal of military, CDF personnel from places of worship
Nov 4 (DN) Reports circulating that the officers and soldiers of the Army and the Civil Defence Force, who were deployed for the security of places of worship have been removed from those activities are completely false, the Defence Ministry said. Colonel Nalin Herath said that it has been reported that such stories are circulating especially on social media. Major General Rasika Kumara said that currently 1,584 Army officers and soldiers have been deployed for security and construction work
more..
16 diplomats to be recalled
Nov 4 (ST) Presidential Secretariat has decided to terminate the appointments of 16 Consuls General and diplomatic officers with immediate effect. Accordingly, Presidential Secretary N.S. Kumanayake has sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a list of names of those to be recalled. He said the decision to recall them was taken on the instructions of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
more..
New batch of 50,000 passports here
Nov 4 (DN) Immigration and Emigration Dept said 50,000 passports under category ‘P’ have been received by the Dept so far in accordance with the agreement made with the company that was awarded the tender for the purchase of passports. In addition to this, another quantity of 100,000 passports is expected in end November and another 150,000 passports in December. At the same time, the procurement process for another batch of passports has also begun.
more..
Nearly 2,000 lives lost in road accidents
Nov 4 (CT) Nearly 2,000 Sri Lankans have lost their lives in road accidents from 1 Jan to 25 Oct, according to DIG Nihal Thalduwa. He said 1,818 fatal accidents occurred during this period, resulting in 1,898 deaths across the country, of which, 676 were pedestrians. In 2023, SL recorded 2,557 fatalities in 2,200 fatal traffic accidents. Police have launched an investigation to determine whether a recent fatal bus accident on Dunhinda Road in Badulla was caused by
more..
ITAK denies secret pact with NPP
Nov 4 (Island) ITAK dismissed Sarvajana Balaya claim that it had reached a post-general election understanding with the NPP govt on the setting up of a federal structure in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and the inclusion of ITAK frontliner M. A. Sumanthiran, in Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s cabinet as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. A senior party spokesperson said so when The Island sought the ITAK response to
more..
Ninth Ayurveda Day celebrated in Colombo
Nov 4 (CT) The cultural arm of the High Commission of India in Colombo, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre celebrated the 9th Ayurveda Day in Colombo on 1 Nov 2024. High Commissioner of India, Santosh Jha, inaugurated the 9th Ayurveda Day with the Vice Chancellor of the Uni of Colombo Prof. H.D Karunaratne at the New Arts Theatre of the Uni. The event was organised by the Centre along with the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine of the Uni of Colombo for the second time in collaboration
more..
Sri Lanka’s toxic dependence on tourism
Nov 4 (FT) On 23 Oct, the US embassy in SL issued a travel advisory warning of a potential attack targeting tourist sites in Arugam Bay, a popular surfing destination in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The embassies of the UK and Russia soon followed suit. Given the mysterious circumstances of the 2019 Easter attacks that occurred following a warning by Indian intelligence services, this has understandably stirred much anxiety and speculation among Sri Lankans.
more..
දවස් 53න් ඡන්ද වෙනස් වෙයිද?
How to obtain a passport quickly for urgent needs
Nov 4 (AD) The individuals with urgent needs for a passport can apply directly with supporting documents. Acting Controller General of Immigration Nilusha Balasuriya said that in response to the high demand for expedited travel permits, an independent committee within the Immigration Department has been established to evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis. Balasuriya explained that those requiring immediate passports must still schedule an appointment through the usual process.
more..
Kumudesh urges NPP to clarify stance on TUs
Nov 4 (CT) United Democratic Voice party Media Spokesman Ravi Kumudesh, called on the NPP and JVP to clarify whether dissolving trade unions is their official stance. This follows a statement from an NPP candidate claiming that an NPP Govt would dissolve its trade unions after the General Election, a proposal Kumudesh strongly criticised. He argued that the NPP should make its position clear before the election, as dissolving trade unions could pose a threat to the Fundamental Rights of workers.
more..
Spouse can claim damages from adulterer without filing for divorce: Supreme Court
Nov 4 (DM) In its recent judgement, Supreme Court held that a party in a divorce case can pursue a claim against a co-defendant (the adulterer—a third party outside the marriage) for damages, without simultaneously seeking dissolution of the marriage in the same action. With Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Achala Wengappuli agreeing, Justice Priyantha Fernando observed that there is no misjoinder of causes of action by
more..
Sri Lankan foreign employment agencies participate in the Saudi Manpower Expo
Nov 4 (NW) 25 SL foreign employment agencies participated in the Saudi Human Resources and Manpower Expo, for the first time. According to the SL Embassy in Riyadh, the Expo was held from 27 – 30 Oct 2024 in Riyadh with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad inaugurating the Sri Lanka pavilion. The SL Embassy in Riyadh in collaboration with the SL Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) facilitated the participation of the Sri Lankan foreign employment agencies.
more..
No future recovery of expenses from people for illegally built filling stations
Nov 4 (DM) In the future, no opportunity will be provided to recover expenses from people for illegally built filling stations, CPSTL Chairman D.J.A.S De S. Rajakaruna said. He said that some filling stations are unable to sell even one bowser (6,600 MT) of fuel due to the excessive number of stations permitted to be built. "Permitting to These filling stations were not built in a scientific manner. They were constructed illegally, with large sums of money involved,"
more..
CEB opts for reforms without privatization under new govt
Nov 4 (EN) State-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) under the new govt led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has opted for reforms without privatizing the utility service provider in line with the mandate received by the current President, the CEB said. The proposed CEB reforms were strongly opposed by Dissanayake’s Marxists JVP trade unions in the past citing the past govt was trying the sell the state asset to the private sector.
more..
Video: NPP never made allegations of hidden money in Uganda: Tilvin
Nov 4 (DM) NPP member Tilvin Silva refuted making any allegations of hidden money in Uganda, while saying that such claims were made by the SJBers. He said that it was the NPP which said the so-called containers of US Dollars were printed here and taken to Uganda. "We did not say any Uganda story. It was the SJBers who said that. We said those days that there could be hidden money in Uganda and other countries. We said the alleged containers full of dollars were printed here and taken to
more..
Lohan admitted to NH due to sudden illness: Prisons Spokesman
Nov 4 (Island) Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who was receiving treatment in the Prison, had been transferred to the National Hospital (NH), Colombo, the Prisons Department said yesterday. Ratwatte had been transferred to the NH due to a sudden illness on Saturday night. Ratwatte, who was arrested and remanded on charges of using a vehicle illegally assembled here, was admitted to the Prison Hospital on Saturday under the permission granted by the Nugegoda Acting Magistrate.
more..
පාස්පෝට් ගැනීම සඳහා Online ක්රමවේදය
China donates Rs. 2.5 Mn to Keppitipola Maha Vidyalaya for scholarships
Nov 4 (NW) The Chinese Embassy in SL has donated Rs. 2,500,000 for scholarships to students of the Keppitipola Maha Vidyalaya. Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong made the donation while attending the Award Ceremony of the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship held at the school yesterday. Accordingly, the donated fund is to be distributed by the school to 100 students. The full statement of Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong at the event; I am very pleased and honoured
more..
Lending according to Manoj Akmeemana: A textbook for all
Nov 4 (FT) Veteran banker, Manoj Akmeemana, has chosen to share his decades long experience in banking and lending with bankers, students of banking and the public in the form of a comprehensive text under the title Lending: Concepts, Theory, and Practice. The book has been produced by using modern technology of producing such texts – two colours, graphs, flowcharts, and tables to make it user friendly. Insight capsules – box articles in other cases – have been added
more..
Israeli tourists leave SL amid security advisories, arrivals from other markets...
Nov 4 (FT) In the wake of the travel advisory from Israel’s National Security Council urging its citizens to exit Sri Lanka over a possible attack, the number of Israeli tourists in the country has sharply dropped from 514 to just 125 at present. “These remaining Israeli visitors are reported to be staying in popular tourist destinations like Ella and various locations along the Southern coast,” sources from the SL Tourist Police Unit said.
more..
SJB will form strong Opposition if not elected to power: Hirunika
Nov 4 (FT) SJB Colombo district candidate Hirunika Premachandra has pledged that, should the party and its alliance, the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya (SJS), fail to secure Govt power at the upcoming General Election, they will create a robust and effective Opposition instead. Premachandra emphasised that a strong Opposition is vital for a functioning democracy, citing how the Opposition played a crucial role in supporting the public during the economic collapse and ensuing protests
more..
Proposed tariff reduction insufficient; PUCSL calls for revised proposal from CEB
Nov 4 (AD) The Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has asked the CEB to submit a revised proposal for electricity tariff reductions, stating that the initially proposed tariff reduction is inadequate. PUCSL Communications Director Jayanath Herath said the CEB has been directed to provide an updated proposal by Nov 8. This follows an initial proposal submission by the CEB on Oct 24, in which the board proposed a reduction of electricity tariffs ranging from 4% to 11%.
more..
Rupee tops emerging market currencies in 2024
Nov 4 (TM) Sri Lanka rupee ranks as the top performer among emerging market currencies in the first 10 months of 2024, with a spot return of over 10%, according to data. Accordingly, emerging-market currencies were mostly down against the dollar in the first ten months of 2024, with SL, Malaysia, and South Africa ranking top in the chart. As of the end of October, SL had a spot return of 10.56%, while Malaysia and South Africa
more..
EDB and Michelin hold talks on strengthening partnership
Nov 4 (NW) A high-profile delegation from the global tyre manufacturing giant Michelin and the newly appointed EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe engaged in discussions recently (Nov 1) to explore avenues to improve SL’s rubber manufacturing sector. The delegation was represented by the Corporate Vice President of Public Affairs of Michelin HQ based in France Eric Le Corre, Consultant, Public Affairs Koenraad Pringiers and Head of Legal Affairs from Michelin’s local facility Nilanthi
more..
Dr. Mothilal de Silva appointed new chairman of SLT
Nov 4 (AD) Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has resolved to appoint Dr. Mothilal de Silva, as an Independent, non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of SLT with effect from 4 Nov. With a career spanning over many decades, Dr Mothilal de Silva is a result oriented multidisciplinary C-level executive in the telecommunication industry having experience in SL and multiple countries in Asia and Pacific regions. He is a turnaround specialist and a strategist.
more..
Tilvin Silva
Trial date set for Diana Gamage’s forged documents case
Nov 4 (DM) The case filed against former State Minister Diana Gamage for allegedly obtaining a national identity card by submitting forged documents despite being aware that she is not a SL citizen, was fixed for trial today by the Colombo High Court. High Court Judge Manjula Tilakaratne fixed the trial for Jan 9, with three prosecution witnesses summoned to appear before the court on that date. The Attorney General filed the indictment against Diana Gamage on three counts,
more..
New regulations for MPs: Family members cannot be appointed as staff
Nov 4 (TM) PM Harini Amarasuriya announced at a NPP Women’s wing rally in Gampaha that under the new Govt, MPs will not be allowed to appoint family members as personal staff. She emphasised that facilities provided to MPs, including official residences, will be limited to curb corruption and promote accountability. Govt will prioritise development projects for the country's future, adhering to a national policy focused on progress rather than the interests of ministers & MPs.
more..
Petition against 2024 General Election date dismissed
Nov 4 (AD) The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed challenging the decision to hold the General Election on Nov 14. The 3-member Supreme Court judge bench consisting of Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Shiran Gunaratne and Priyantha Fernando ordered the relevant petition to be dismissed without taking up for hearing following an extended consideration of facts presented.
more..
Lohan Ratwatte’s wife remanded
Nov 4 (AD) Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, the wife of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, has been arrested after appearing before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court as per a court order, over the incident an unregistered car found at her house in the Mirihana area of Nugegoda. Subsequently, the Nugegoda Magistrate has ordered her to be remanded in custody until 7 Nov. Former state Minister Lohan Ratwatte was arrested by Mirihana Police on October 31 in Katugastota, Kandy
more..
Nimalka attacks Harini over RW criticism
Nov 4 (CT) NDF National List nominee Nimalka Fernando stated that PM Harini Amarasuriya’s recent comments about former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe were defamatory and damaging to the dignity of a senior politician who had held the Prime Ministerial office multiple times. She also expressed concern over senior trade unionist and CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin’s silence on issues like salary anomalies and other matters affecting public servants and teachers,
more..