Oct 14 (FT) For the first time in recent history, the newly appointed Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has announced a transparent selection process for SL Police officers applying for foreign training courses and workshops. In an official communique last week, Weerasooriya called for applications from police officers for foreign training programs to be held soon. Moving away from the traditional method where officers were handpicked by the IGP or nominated by senior officers, more..

Oct 14 (NW) China is closely following the recent reports that SL police arrested a number of foreign suspects of online fraud, including Chinese nationals. These cases not only pose a threat to the property of our two peoples, but also seriously damage China’s image and affect the traditional friendship between our two countries. Chinese Embassy provides full support to SL law enforcement agencies in resolutely more..

Oct 14 (ET) SL's new govt, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has signaled a potential shift in its stance on a major wind power project previously approved for India's Adani Group. On Monday, the Supreme Court was informed by the Attorney General’s office that the new administration would reconsider the approval granted by the former govt. This decision, made during a Cabinet meeting on Oct 7, introduces a new obstacle for Adani’s efforts to expand its international footprint. more..

Oct 14 (AA) Sri Lanka has formally decided to apply for BRICS membership, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced. He said the country will submit its membership request at the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, scheduled for Oct 23-24. SL's secretary of foreign affairs will represent the nation at the summit, where Colombo hopes to gain support from existing BRICS members. Herath confirmed that Sri Lanka has already reached out to BRICS countries, which include more..

Oct 15 (TM) Climate change is back in the spotlight these days, and science is painting a scary picture of what’s in store for the future. While Sri Lanka finds herself rearranging her order of polity and managing an economic crisis, one could hardly blame Sri Lankans for being focused on anything but nature at present. However, turning a blind eye to climate change and the resultant adverse weather events is not something we islanders can afford to do. This, while international organisation and more..

Oct 15 (DM) The new govt of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake seems to be under pressure to implement the promises given to the people by his party, NPP before the Sept 21 Presidential election. In fact, it is more than the ordinary people, the adversaries of the NPP who are pressurising the govt to implement what it promised to the people during the recent election campaign. Their pressure on the govt to keep all its pledges straightaway points to what they are up to. more..

Oct 15 (SO) JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva shared his views on the current political situation in the country and the way forward. He said it has shown the emergence of a new political culture at the recently concluded Prez Election and the people have put an end to the corrupt political culture where MPs cross over from one side to the other. He is confident that the NPP would more..

Oct 15 (CT) Sri Lanka is finally moving toward equality and justice for all its citizens, a right guaranteed in the Constitution but still unfulfilled for many. A pivotal moment in this journey could come with the potential appointment of Sugath Wasantha de Silva, a visually -impaired individual from the NPP National List. If selected, Sugath de Silva would be the first person with a disability to serve as a MP in SL—marking a historic milestone. more..

Oct 15 (DM) Targeting Dr. Harsha de Silva by senior SJB members began a couple of years ago when he started gaining recognition as a potential future leader. The brilliant economist faced criticism a few months ago after securing state funding for development work in Kotte. During a TV chat show explaining the process, Harsha made the remark, Mama Ambalangoda kollekk (I am a man from Ambalangoda), which some within the party used to undermine him. more..

Oct 15 (TM) The Treasury on 26 Sept was instructed to provide an allowance of Rs. 25,000 per hectare to paddy farmers during the main (Maha) cultivation season of 2024/’25 by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, starting 1 Oct. Prez also advised the Treasury to provide a fuel subsidy to fishermen from 1 Oct and for it to be credited to their bank accounts directly on a monthly basis. However, the Election Commission (EC) had initially more..

Oct 15 (CT) Since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1948, SL has experienced a tumultuous political landscape marked by ethnic tensions, economic challenges, and political instability. Amidst this backdrop, the JVP, emerged as a significant political force advocating for radical change and social justice. Founded by Rohana Wijeweera, the JVP has evolved from a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist movement to a key player in the country’s democratic process. more..

Oct 15 (ST) The long-drawn battle waged by Malcom Cardinal Ranjith to bring justice to his people killed or maimed in the Easter Sunday blast and led by President’s Counsel Shamil Perera in the Supreme Court finally ended on Monday when the last man left to pay his share for the consequences of his negligence paid up and walked out of Court, a free man. Last month, when the Attorney General informed Court that the Senior DIG of former Chief of State Intelligence, Nilantha Jayawardena, more..

Oct 15 (ST) SL’s Gayani Weralavithana became the new Female Sports Model Pro at the Pan Pacific Ragnarok Pro Am 2024, an annual fitness, wellness and bodybuilding competition conducted by WFF New Zealand. The event, which had different categories, was held previous week in Auckland. With the crowing Weralavithana earned the professional division licence presented by World Fitness Federation (WFF), also becoming the first female fitness athlete from SL to receive such an honour. more..

Oct 15 (Island) South Asian Junior Championship medallist Tharushi Abisheka is among top notch athletes to watch when the All-Island Schools Games Athletics Championship commences at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Friday. The Wickramabahu Central, Gampola athlete will be aiming for triple titles in the Under 18 category where she has the potential to break meet records in all three individual events.A medal prospect at next year’s Asian Youth Athletics Championship, more..

Oct 15 (FT) With the clock ticking on the temporary suspension of the Parate execution law, the Ceylon Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) issued a strong appeal yesterday, calling on the newly elected Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to deliver urgent attention and solutions to restructure existing debts amounting to Rs. 250 billion. Ceylon Federation of MSMEs President Mahendra Perera outlined more..

Oct 15 (Island) The new govt’s approach to major national issues appears to be one of caution and of continuing in the direction set by its predecessor. This is most clearly visible in its adherence to the IMF agreement and its strict conditions. The govt has also retained key officials dealing with the economy despite having subjected them to criticism in the run-up to the prez election. The govt has also adopted the same cautious approach with regard to the most immediate int'l challenge more..

Oct 15 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the NPP candidates contesting the upcoming general election some home truths, at a meeting, over the weekend. Reminding them of the fate that had befallen the Rajapaksa regimes in 2015 and 2022, he said both Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa had mustered two-thirds majorities in Parliament after winning general elections in 2010 & 2020, respectively, but they had become hugely unpopular soon afterwards more..

Oct 15 (DN) After a very successful powerplay by Windies openers Sri Lanka bowlers fought back to prolong the match until the last over but ended up on the losing side. West Indies already lead 1-0 in the series and SL have planned to come back strongly in next game on Tuesday. However inclement weather is the main issue but Dambulla ground staff is doing a tremendous job to make the ground ready as soon as possible. We conceded more runs during powerplay which cost us victory and more..

Oct 15 (Island) Sri Lanka is set to make history with its largest-ever representation at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships, as a 13-member squad – including four women pugilists – prepare to compete in Amman, Jordan, from Nov 28 to Dec 12. The squad, selected from a national pool of 43 based on performances at the recent Layton Cup, will also participate in an international training camp from November 7 to 27 to refine their skills ahead of the competition. more..

Oct 15 (DN) Sajith Premadasa, Leader of SJB, asserted that his party is the only force capable of reviving the economy sufficiently to commence loan repayments by 2028. Premadasa emphasised the urgent need for strategic economic reforms to address the current financial crisis. Despite the IMF suggesting that SL should start loan repayments in 2033, Premadasa highlighted that the previous govt had rejected this timeline and more..

Oct 15 (FT) Young corporate leader Mangala Wijesinghe has been appointed the new Chairman and CEO of the Export Development Board (EDB) of Sri Lanka. Wijesinghe replaces well known marketer and management specialist Dr. Kingsley Bernard who served as Chairman and CEO of the apex State organisation responsible for the development and promotion of exports since April 2023. Prior to the new appointment, Wijesinghe served as the Chief Operating Officer of Brown and Company. more..

Oct 15 (FT) BOI has established an online portal to streamline the clearance procedure for removing samples from zone firms with Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) and SL Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA), with Biyagama Export Processing Zone (EPZ) officially implementing the new system. The move aims to improve efficiency and transparency for enterprises operating inside the zone. The inaugural ceremony emphasised the necessity of digitisng administrative more..

Oct 15 (TM) The investigations that the Ministry of Public Security recently directed the Police to expedite do not include the murders of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, or the disappearance of journalist/cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda, which have been widely discussed in the past. The Public Security Ministry had instructed the Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya to expedite more..

Oct 15 (DN) Sri Lanka Women’s Football Team, led by captain Tushani Madushika, is ready to compete in the seven-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship, beginning tomorrow, October 17, at Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal. The tournament will run until October 30. The 23-member squad consists of players from Sri Lanka’s Tri-Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with athletes from Renown Sports Club, Colombo Football Club more..

Oct 15 (DN) A boiler explosion at a carbon production factory in Badalgama yesterday morning has left one person dead and 18 others with burn injuries. Initial investigations revealed that the factory, which belongs to a large-scale industrial network, operates both day and night shifts. The explosion occurred at the end of the night shift. 18 injured individuals were admitted to the Negombo District General Hospital, where one of the critically injured succumbed to his injuries. more..

Oct 15 (TM) Ministry of Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala stated that steps have been taken to expand the network of State pharmacies across the country as part of the Government's plan to provide the public with high-quality medicines at affordable prices. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) branch in Pottuvil, Eastern Province, yesterday, Dr. Mahipala noted that this branch is the 62nd in the SPC's growing network of pharmacies. more..

Oct 15 (ST) The govt has plans to issue development bonds to attract foreign direct investment from the Diaspora. NPP Politburo Member Sunil Handunnetti said that these bonds will be similar to Sri Lanka Development Bonds but in smaller denominations and shorter tenures such as three months. He further explained that it will be a type of savings bond and will be used for development activities in the country. The plans are at a very initial stage. more..

Oct 15 (Island) Leader of the PHU, Udaya Gammanpila called on the govt to release two unpublished committee reports on the Easter Sunday attacks within a week. He warned that should the govt fail to release the reports, he would publish them online. “None of these reports are incomplete, and none have gone missing,” he stated. Gammanpila explained that part of the report by the PCOI into the Easter Carnage had not been presented more..

Oct 15 (FT) Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA SL) commenced their 45th Annual Conference in Colombo last night, discussing how Marching Beyond Margins could drive economic growth. Chief Guest at the occasion, Indian High Commissioner to SL Santosh Jha, said the two countries must grow together and it’s legitimate for Sri Lanka to want to share in the Indian growth story. He noted it is important to shed past aspersions or hesitations and forge a new path ahead. more..

Oct 15 (TM) All Ceylon Essential Food Wholesale and Retail Trade Association warned that its members may be forced to cease selling rice if the authorities fail to create a favourable environment for traders to operate under the proposed control price of Rs. 220 per kg. President of the Association W.M. Najeem expressed concern over the current market conditions. According to Najeem, traders are unable to obtain rice at a price that allows them to sell it at the Govt imposed control price. more..

Oct 15 (DN) David Pieris Motor Company (DPMC) achieved a significant milestone in SL’s automobile industry by producing motorcycles with local value addition (LVA) under Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) introduced by the Govt and Ministry of Industry. This was a move which marked a new era for the country’s vehicle manufacturing and assembly sector, with DPMC being the first to produce motorcycles locally under this programme. In 2022, DPMC unveiled its first motorcycle more..

Oct 15 (DN) Activities for the disbursement of the increased organic and chemical fertiliser subsidy for the farmers for the 2024/25 Maha season paddy cultivation commenced yesterday (14). Minister Vijitha Herath, while speaking to the media, said that accordingly, Rs. 15,000 per hectare will be released during the first phase which commenced yesterday and an additional amount of Rs. 10,000 per hectare will be released during the second phase. According to a directive by Prez Anura Kumara more..

Oct 15 (CT) More than 6,500 soldiers have been placed on standby, with an additional 10 Army rescue teams and eight Navy relief teams deployed in the Gampaha, Colombo, and Puttalam Districts to manage the havoc caused by torrential rains over the past few days. Army has deployed 10 rescue teams, each comprising over 100 soldiers, to carry out relief services for those affected by the floods in more..

Oct 15 (DN) Amid declining market interest rates and the gradual uptick in domestic demand, credit growth of the Banking sector witnessed a resurgence particularly in terms of the private sector while the dependence of State Owned Enterprises declined mainly due to the Central Government absorbing certain credit facilities of a major State Owned Enterprise. Profitability of the Banking sector also improved, significantly supported by the increase in net interest income, more..

Oct 15 (TM) Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Madhawa Tennakoon informed the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday that he would represent only the Attorney General (AG) who has been named as the 12th respondent in the fundamental rights (FR) petition filed in connection with an incident of pouring a liquid mixed with chillie on the genitalia of a suspect arrested by the Teldeniya Police. He informed the matter to the SC when the FR petition filed by the victim, Ruwan Priyadarshana more..