Oct 1 (CT) SL stands at a crossroads, hopeful for a brighter future free from corruption and injustice. The people have placed their faith in the new Govt, believing that their voices, pains and struggles will finally be heard. This change, chosen by the public, carries with it the hope for a better life for all. The new ruling party, known as the people’s party, promises to be close to the common folk, understanding the heartbeat of the nation. However, the legacy left by previous govts has not been encouraging. more..

Oct 1 (TM) The revelation that the Presidential Secretariat former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had maintained, on public dime, with nearly 107 vehicles, many of them luxury cars and SUVs to provide transport for the Secretariat’s staff and the private staff of the Prez, has triggered an outpouring of public anger. 107 Vehicles are now lined up outside the Secretariat and are said to be made available for other state agencies which run essential services, who are in need of transport asserts for their more..

Oct 1 (SO) Senior Advisor to the Prez, Prof. Anil Jayantha said the Govt has proposed certain tax reforms and its tax policy is based on the basic principle of fairness, simplicity and convenience while promoting economic growth and development. He said, “We earnestly request the public not to panic. Your duty is to do something to stabilise the economy rather than being part and parcel of this chaotic situation. more..

Oct 1 (ST) Once the Hallelujah cries of the adoring faithful of the NPP party in bestowing the long detested executive crown on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) subside, it is time to take sober stock of what lies before SL. This is the country’s spin on the US’ legendary from a log cabin to the White House story of one of its most revered Presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Humble beginnings of the new Prez or AKD as he is known, from a wattle and daub hut to Marxist revolutionary more..

Oct 1 (DM) During their first media conference following the Prez election, the ITAK which has proven again that they are the largest Tamil political party in the North and the East had announced that they were considering to field their candidates in the districts of their traditional homeland to contest the Nov 14th Parliamentary election. If they conclusively decide so, it might be an important milestone in their political journey since that would compel them to formulate more..

Oct 1 (TM) Following a paradigm shift in SL’s polity, with the NPP securing the presidency of SL last week, all eyes are on the new Govt. While the victory of NPP prez candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a decisive moment in the island’s history, also making history is academic and activist Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, whom the NPP appointed as the PM for its Caretaker Govt. The Sunday Morning spoke to Premier more..

Oct 1 (CT) A routine Gazette published by the Prez of SL has garnered unnecessary attention due to various factions criticising it. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s decision to re-issue a Gazette Notification summoning Armed Forces to maintain public order last week is being criticised. This practice, which has been in place since the Easter Sunday attacks, during Prez Maithripala Sirisena’s tenure, has been continued by successive govts, was criticized by some human rights activists. more..

Oct 1 (CT) For decades, Tamil communities in SL have witnessed the same cycle: Sinhala leaders making promises only to later retract them. From SWRD Bandaranaike to Ranil Wickremesinghe, numerous leaders have pledged to address Tamil grievances through devolution of power, peace accords, or reconciliation efforts. Yet, time and again, these initiatives have been abandoned due to internal political opposition and resistance from Sinhalese nationalists. more..

Oct 1 (FT) The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in SL (AHK SL) successfully hosted the milestone 10th edition of Top German Brands in SL on 19 Sept at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. Underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, this year’s event celebrated the presence of 300 German brands operating in SL, who are recognised for their commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability, contributing significantly across more..

Oct 1 (FT) The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday took up a petition alleging Rs. 85 billion loss to the State following the decision by the previous Governmentled by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to grant licence to operate a Casino at the Lotus Tower. President’s Counsel Navin Marapana appearing to the Petitioner Ven. Malgalle Sujatha Thero informed the Court that this is a very serious matter where the previous Govt in July 2024 had issued a casino licence to operate a casino in Lotus Tower, more..

Oct 1 (ST) Despite the loss suffered by the SJB at the electoral level, some of the former MPs have vowed to make a comeback at the upcoming parliamentary elections, while explaining reasons for the setbacks. NPP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake emerged victorious with 105 electorates, while Sajith Premadasa secured success in 50 electorates. The outcome has sparked various reactions from the representatives more..

Oct 1 (Island) The NPP govt has stripped the members of the last Parliament of police protection, and asked the latter to return the firearms issued by the State. The ex-NPP MPs do not have to worry about their security; one of them has been elected Prez and the other two are Cabinet Ministers. The govt has also decided to consider scaling down security provided to former Presidents. It does not make any sense to assign police personnel to protect former MPs who are not facing more..

Oct 1 (Island) Public support for the govt after the prez election is on the rise. The first actions of the govt have been appreciated by the general public. These include the exposure of former prez advisors and their vehicles, the investigation ordered into the visa and passport controversies not to mention the peaceful conduct of the post-election celebrations which did not include any taking of revenge against those who had been in power. This is indeed a break with the past when victors went on rampage more..

Oct 1 (Island) Few could have imagined the meteoric rise of SL cricket team over the past three months. A team once stranded in the shadows of the ICC rankings, mired in mediocrity for over a decade, has suddenly transformed into a force that even the giants of world cricket now fear. Last year’s humiliating defeats have been replaced by triumphs that have sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. A 27-year drought against India was washed away in August when Rohit Sharma’s men more..

Oct 1 (TM) The new Cabinet of Ministers was scheduled to meet yesterday (30) afternoon for the first time under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Cabinet was scheduled to take several important decisions at this meeting, while the media was to be briefed regarding these decisions following the meeting. New 3-member Cabinet was sworn-in before Prez Dissanayake at the Prez Secretariat in Colombo, last week. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was sworn-in as the new PM. more..

Oct 1 (ST) In a stunning blow to the integrity of SL cricket, wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella has become the first national cricketer to be slapped with a three-year ban from all forms of the game after failing a doping test. The 31-year-old tested positive for cocaine, a prohibited narcotic, during the LPL 2024. The test, conducted by the SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) on July 14, resulted in swift disciplinary action. more..

Oct 1 (Island) Vijitha Central Dikwella athlete Nethra Samadhi scaled new heights in the Under 18 girls’ high jump as she shattered a meet record to provide a strong start to the field events on day one of the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship at the Sygathadasa Stadium on Monday. Samadhi cleared 1.69 metres to break the record which had stood unshaken for 19 years. The 2005 meet record of 1.68 metres was jointy held by Devi Balika, Colombo athletes Lakruwani Perera and more..

Oct 1 (DN) After being awarded the Player of the Match honour, Kamindu Mendis expressed his joy over his scoring, particularly in Galle, his hometown. The left hander who started his cricket from Richmond College Galle played his debut test against Australia in 2022 at Galle International stadium. He had to wait two years to play his second test but he is in and out with National team during that period and got chance to play white ball format as well as Sri Lanka ‘A ‘team. more..

Oct 1 (Island) The 14-year-old prodigy Dilni Rajapaksha shattered one of the longest standing meet records of the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship to establish herself as a future prospect for Sri Lanka in the field of athletics at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Monday. The athlete trained by Damitha Dahanayake twice cleared the six metre mark to improve on the decades old record held by Anoma Sooriyarachchi. more..

Oct 1 (FT) Sri Lanka has attracted over 118,000 visitors in the first 29 days of September with the industry experts predicting the month will close with over 122,000 arrivals though it will fall short of the monthly target of 150,983. They claimed that the shortfall continues a trend, as monthly targets were missed throughout 2024 so far. Tourist arrivals in the first 29 days of September totalled 118,010, compared to 153,302 and 170,647 visitors in August and July respectively, more..

Oct 1 (DM) Only a single independent candidate of the Prez Poll 2024 has declared his campaign finances, whereas no major party had stated their election expenses by the end of September, having nine of 21 days of the grace period to declare expenses had lapsed by yesterday. Independent candidate Premasiri Manage, who contested under the symbol Spectacles had declared his campaign finances to Election Commission of SL (ECSL) by Sept 30th, yet adhering to the newly passed more..

Oct 1 (AD) The CPC has announced a revision of fuel prices effective from midnight today (30). Accordingly, the price of Petrol 92 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 21 to Rs. 311 per litre, while Auto Diesel has been reduced by Rs. 24 to Rs. 283 per litre. The price of Super Diesel has also been slashed by Rs. 33, bringing the new price to Rs. 319 per litre, and Kerosene has been reduced by Rs. 19 to Rs. 183 per litre. However, the price of Petrol 95 remains unchanged, according to Ceypetco. more..

Oct 1 (EN) Former ruling party SLPP will not appoint any of its recent dissenters to high positions in the party, nor will they receive nominations for the Nov 2024 parliamentary election. SLPP general secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that the party has decided to contest the election under its own lotus bud symbol in every district. “We have decided to contest in every district in Sri Lanka under the lotus symbol and to emerge strong and face this election with a strong team and win,” he said. more..

Oct 1 (TM) Catholic Church is expecting to hand over a plan prepared by them on uncovering the truth behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 to the Govt, and have discussions on the same in the near future. Media Spokesperson for the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said that the NPP Govt led by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will have to restart more..

Oct 1 (Island) Rosy Senanayake, an advisor to former prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, was given a Porsche Cayenne by the Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe administration, according to PMD. Mercedes Benz 300 each was allocated for Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Prez, and MP Seetha Arambepola; Toyota Land Cruiser V8s were given to Sagala Rathnayake – Chief of staff to the Prez, Sarath Kumara – Snr. Add. Secretary, Dhanushka Ramanayake, MPs S.M. Chandrasena, more..

Oct 1 (TM) The Presidential Secretariat has announced plans to deploy the vehicles currently parked near the Presidential Secretariat for essential services. This decision comes as part of the ongoing efforts to streamline resources and ensure that they are used effectively during the current administration. In its announcement, the office clarified: “that the vehicles returned by former Govt officials are not part of the fleet assigned to the permanent staff of the Prez Secretariat. more..

Oct 1 (ANI) Fishermen from Tamil Nadu took to the streets on Sunday, staging a protest against the SL Navy's detention of 17 Indian fishermen and seizure of two boats off Rameswaram's coast. In the visuals, protesters, comprising men and women, were sitting on the streets, raising their voices and chanting slogans. Notably, the apprehended fishermen have been identified as Markmillan (37), Milton (49), Ronald (48), Sesuraja (45), Jeevan Frisher (22), Suresh (45), Arul Dhinakaran (24), Durai (39), more..

Oct 1 (FT) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association President Dr. Chamara Sanjeewa, has filed a complaint with the CID regarding yet another stock of alleged low-quality human immunoglobulin vials imported from India. The complaint was lodged yesterday, following revelations that the stock, deemed unfit for use, was ordered to be removed from use by the Health Ministry in September. Dr. Sanjeewa presented a document signed by the Health Ministry Director of Supplies indicating more..

Oct 1 (Island) The SL Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry has called on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM-cum-Minister of Health Dr. Harini Amarasuriya for the implementation of a fair, transparent pricing mechanism that is sensitive to foreign exchange fluctuations and the streamlining of the state health sector institutions. Such a mechanism would bring enormous benefits to the entire populace more..

Oct 1 (FT) Victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) at the 21 Sept Prez election has given the turbo boost for the Colombo bourse to end the month with the highest ever gain so far this year. The record performance was despite CSE slumping to negative Year to Date return prior to the poll. ASPI was up 0.27 and S&P SL20 was negative 3%. 13% jump by the active S&P SL20 since the victory of AKD boosted the YTD return of both indices to double digit back again after many months. more..

Oct 1 (CT) A group of parents gathered once again in front of the Ministry of Education yesterday, demanding a proper resolution to the issues surrounding the leak of the Grade Five Scholarship Exam question paper, part one. The group assembled at Isurupaya from morning, engaging in protest & chanting slogans. Protesters expressed their determination to seek legal recourse if the Govt fails to protect their children’s rights. They stated that, rather than simply awarding marks more..

Oct 1 (TM) The Central Bank has produced 0.1% deflation over the past 12-months based on the widely watched Colombo Consumer Price Index, running broadly deflationary policy with currency stability, official data show. The Colombo Consumer Price Index fell almost continuously from March 2024, except June when the currency also came under pressure from excess liquidity from dollar purchases. more..

Oct 1 (FT) Last Wednesday night, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressed the nation for the first time as the new Prez sworn in. He concluded his prepared address to the nation in exactly 10 minutes. His address to the nation in essence confirmed they, the new JVP/NPP regime would not be haggling with the IMF for changes, though promised on election platforms. AKD now implies his economic approach is no different to Prez candidate Wickremesinghe’s though without more..

Oct 1 (FT) In the run-up to the Prez election of 2024, the then emerging aspirant for executive office Anura Kumara Dissanayake once waxed eloquent about the power of the cross (kathiraya). He intimated that it was not simply, deceptively, one person’s expressed preference for a particular individual; but rather, a powerful exercise of the franchise which could reap a wide-ranging harvest of repercussions. Rest assured that those ramifications are being felt in nation, state, more..