Oct 28 (ST) The rhetoric of the Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) Presidency in calling on the public to fill the Parliament with members of his NPP party in the General Elections on 14th Nov 2024, has given rise to significant democratic discomfort. How can this not be so given that the Prez does not speak in a historical vacuum with our turbulent political past exhibiting exactly why this is such a disastrous eventuality? Slickly comforting reassurances from his Cabinet that more..

Oct 28 (Island) JVP-led NPP bagged 15 out of 17 wards in Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) local govt election, but could not secure a working majority. Opposition parties obtained 15 seats, including two wards won by the SJB, which obtained a total of 6 seats; SLPP won 3 seats, People’s Alliance 2 seats, Independent Group 2 seats, National People’s Party 1 seat, and People’s United Freedom Alliance 1 seat. NPP is flaunting the Elpitiya PS election outcome as a great victory for it. more..

Oct 28 (ST) Sri Lankan young motorsport sensation Yevan David created history last weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale de Monza in Italy, taking the distinct honour of playing the national anthem, not once, but twice. In a gripping and fiercely competed final race, 17-year-old David got the better of Fernando Barichelo by a mere 0.5 seconds to clinch his second race of the 2024 FormulaEuro World of Formula competition and to be crowned as the overall champion. more..

Oct 28 (FT) Global leader in enterprise cloud and industrial AI software IFS will be marking a $ 1 billion contribution to Sri Lanka by end of this year whilst promising further commitment to the country, according to its CEO Mark Moffat. “The $ 1 billion economic value added is happening this year. This is by way of successive investments, salaries etc., over the past 27 years and that is accelerating,” Moffat said during an interview on the sidelines of more..

Oct 28 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the following appointments according to a proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Compilation, Planning and Tourism. Appointment of H.C.D.L. Silva, the Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Accountant Service, who is serving as a Director General of the Department of Treasury Operations, to the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. Appointment of D.A.P. Abesekara, more..

Oct 28 (FT) In a strong commitment to upholding brand integrity and protecting consumers, Casio Computer Co. Ltd, headquartered in Japan, after its successful enforcement against counterfeit watches, recently conducted another significant enforcement action against counterfeit calculators including both desktop and scientific ranges, in SL. This initiative is part of the Casio Group’s IP Enforcement Policy, aimed at combating the rising issue of counterfeit Casio products in the SL market and more..

Oct 28 (Island) Forthcoming General Election allows us to revisit the state of the 29 individuals commonly known as the National List—apportion members under Article 99 of the Constitution—to join the 196 elected members in parliament as stipulated in Article 98(1). This List is akin to a shadow bicameral legislature with a moiety of members who have no accountability to the voting electors, the people, because they never had to promise anything to the voters and never received a vote more..

Oct 28 (DN) Afghanistan ‘A’ emerged as champions, recording a 7-wicket win with 11 balls to spare against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the Men’s T-20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup final played in Oman yesterday. This was the first time Afghanistan ‘A’ won this tournament, achieved through a superb team effort. Left-handed opener Sediqullah Atal made an impressive batting display, completing an unbeaten 55 runs off 55 balls with 3 fours and a six. He was named Player of the Series after more..

Oct 28 (CI) Suddenly, SL have serious batting options. It was only in July that they crashed out of the T20 World Cup after an exceptionally dire showing in their first two matches. They'd stunk up the ODI World Cup even worse in late 2023, failing to finish among the top eight, and as such, missing out on qualification for the Champions Trophy for the first time. While there were issues with the bowling too, consensus had been that SL's batting more..

Oct 28 (DN) The 105th Stubbs Shield, SL’s oldest and most prestigious school boxing tournament, will begin on Oct 31 at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo. The tournament will run until Nov 5, drawing 550 boxers from 126 schools nationwide, competing across three age groups—under 16, under 18, and under 20—in 36 weight classes. This year’s competition, part of Education Ministry’s National School Games, promises fierce battles as top young boxers vie for the coveted Stubbs more..

Oct 28 (EN) A ceremonial handing over of solar power systems under a 17 million dollar, 25 MegaWatt rooftop solar project financed by India took place at four separate sites, Indian High Commission (embassy) in Colombo said. The solar systems were given to Hokandara Temple, Sri Aanjaneyar Temple, St. Anthony’s Church and Mutwal Jumma Mosque in the Western Province. The events were attended by officials from the Indian HC in Sri Lanka, CEB, and SLSEA. more..

Oct 28 (EN) Singapore emerged victorious over Sri Lanka in a closely contested final at the 13 th Asian Netball Championship, winning by a narrow margin of 67-64 played at Bangalaru, India yesterday. This final saw the most thrilling one after both teams equalled the points 52 all after four quarters while in extra 14 minutes once again two teams made closely contested game and after the first half of the extra time (7 minutes) more..

Oct 28 (EN) Central Bank has injected around 100 billion rupees against domestic assets through multiple liquidity tools by Oct 25, driving up excess money in the banking system to over 190 billion rupees. CB injected 36.16 billion rupees through an overnight auction and 70 billion rupees for 7 days through a term auction of printed money. By October 25, excess liquidity deposited in the CB’s standing facility was 193.4 billion rupees, up from 138 billion rupees a month earlier. more..

Oct 28 (FT) Former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara raised concerns about the potential loss of thousands of South Korean E8 visa category jobs for SL workers. He attributed this threat to inefficiencies within the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) and the current Govt, which he claims are jeopardising hard-won employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in South Korea. During a meeting, Nanayakkara described the extensive effort that went into securing E8 visa jobs for SL citizens. more..

Oct 28 (TM) Former MP Udaya Gammanpila said that they are planning to commence a public petition by gathering signatures to urge Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to remove current Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Senevirathne and Criminal Intelligence Analysis and Prevention Division Director Shani Abeysekara from the respective positions. Senevirathne, former SDIG of CID, and Abeysekera, its former Director, have been implicated in the report (which was released more..

Oct 28 (DM) The govt could potentially cut off two-thirds of its public sector workforce expenses by strategically implementing the correct technology to streamline public services, according to former ICTA chairman. Admin and public sector institutions in Sri Lanka are still overly reliant on investing in outdated on-premises systems that only end up increasing overhead costs even when more cost-effective digital solutions are readily available for better service efficiency, more..

Oct 28 (ST) A tax equivalent of 3 percent of the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value of a newly imported vehicle will be levied from the vehicle importers under new regulations on lifting import restrictions if they fail to register the vehicle within 90 days of importation. A senior Treasury official said the tax was aimed at preventing dealers from importing vehicles in bulk and stocking them in sales outlets, as more..

Oct 28 (DM) Residents of the area and those engaging in tourism in Arugam Bay tourist zone point out that there is no unusual decline in foreign tourist arrivals in the area but there is a decline since this is off season. They said that despite a few Israeli tourists having left the area following the travel advisory a heavy influx of local tourists was being experienced at present, despite it being the off season. The recent information gathering momentum on a possible terrorist attack in more..

Oct 28 (FT) People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA), led by the Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP), last week voiced strong concerns regarding the recent US Embassy announcement cautioning its citizens visiting Sri Lanka about potential terror threats in Sri Lanka, specifically in the tourist hub of Arugam Bay. PSA Colombo district candidate Tharindu Uduwaragedara questioned both the timing of the Embassy’s statement and the Sri Lankan Government’s lack of an official response. more..

Oct 28 (TM) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) sees scope to loosen monetary policy but any decision will depend on the economic outlook when policymakers meet late next month, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Speaking to Bloomberg in Washington, he said that while it’s too soon to commit to any decision ahead of the 26 Nov policy rate meeting, indicators pointed to conditions for potential interest rate cuts. “It appears there is some space for us to relax further, more..

Oct 28 (CT) Dept of Railways has announced that train services from Colombo Fort to Kankesanturai will resume today, as the renovated Mahawa-A'pura section of the Northern Railway Line reopens. Deputy Director of Traffic M.J. Indipolage stated that this resumption follows months of suspension due to maintenance and modernisation work. He also mentioned that the train running time from Colombo Fort to KKS will change after the railway line between Mahawa & A'pura is modernised. more..

Oct 28 (FT) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe voiced strong criticisms at an election rally in Negombo, highlighting the current Govt’s struggle with limited support. Wickremesinghe questioned Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s lack of a majority, comparing it to his position when he was in office. “I am the former Prez without a majority. He is the current Prez without a majority,” he said, addressing the rally more..

Oct 28 (FT) Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane represented SL at BRICS Plus Outreach Dialogue held in Kazan on 24 Oct. Outreach Dialogue followed the conclusion of the BRICS Summit held from 22-24 Oct. 16th BRICS Summit and Outreach was chaired by Russian Prez Vladimir Putin and was attended by 35 leaders (or their representatives), as well as UN Secretary-General. BRICS member States are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran & UAE. more..

Oct 28 (Island) President of the SL Association of Inbound and Outbound Travel Agents (SLAITO) Nalin Jayasundera says that there has been no drop in tourist arrivals despite the travel advisories issued by some countries, including the US and the UK. Jayasundera said that tour operators were however concerned about the possibility of future booking cancellations. He said that SLAITO was maintaining regular communication with foreign embassies to provide updates on the security situation and more..

Oct 28 (DM) The govt will study the X Press Pearl disaster which occurred in 2021 and will launch an investigation over it in the near future, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said. Govt is going to take steps in this regard in a context where the previous authorities have not yet submitted claims for the civil liability cost of the disaster. SL is now poised to receive US $ 810,696.57 as cost involved in beach cleaning & debris removal more..

Oct 28 (FT) Aseni, the whiz kid of economics has come across a report by the Nobel Laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz and former Argentinian Economy Minister Martin Guzmán critiquing IMF’s Debt Sustainability Analysis, known as DSA1. This report has been prepared by them for the faith, development, and advocacy group Jubilee-USA Network and USA branch of German foundation, Friedrich Stiftung, for submission to IMF to enable it to consider how its standard DSA should be revised. more..

Oct 28 (EN) Sri Lanka’s local television channel MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited will host the 2026 Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly in Sri Lanka, the channel said in a statement. The ABU is the largest broadcasting Union in the world, with its 250 members in 70 countries across five continents, reaching 3 billion people across the Asia-Pacific region. “It will, no doubt, establish Sri Lanka as an important crossroad of international relations and global media. more..

Oct 28 (DM) While refuting reports, former Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksha said he has handed over his official residence to the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry. He said he has submitted all the reports to the Ministry on Oct 1 after paying all the electricity and water tariffs due for the period that he had occupied the residence. The former Deputy Speaker said he had also paid the rent due for the residence till Oct, 2024. He said he strongly refutes the reports carried out by some media more..

Oct 28 (FT) “… I will say to any terrorist who kills an American, and threatens the American People, or threatens our troops, or our interests… know this… we will always bring you to justice”. Kamala Harris, Vice President of USA and Democratic prez candidate at the 5 Nov US prez election, addressing the media at the White House on 18 Oct, expressing Biden regime’s stand on Israel and its future after Israel announced the previous day, it killed Yahya Sinwar the Hamas leader in Gaza. more..

Oct 28 (AD) U.S. Ambassador to SL, Julie Chung has clarified that the US has not issued a travel ban on SL and that the security alert issued recently was only for Americans to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice. Chung said she is proud of the U.S. Embassy’s ongoing collaboration with the govt of SL to respond to a security threat that resulted in its recent security alert, and pledged to continue working together to support more..

Oct 28 (CT) Farmers are struggling financially as the prices of fruits and vegetables continue to fall, SJB Matale District Group Leader Rohini Kavirathna said, while highlighting the financial difficulties faced by farmers in the North Central and Central Provinces due to falling fruit and vegetable prices. Kavirathna pointed out that due to farmers not being able to get fair prices for their harvest, their income has dropped significantly. However, the consumers also do not get the benefit of these reduced prices, more..

Oct 28 (CT) A meeting between incumbent Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and EPDP General Secretary Douglas Devananda, who is contesting the 2024 Parliamentary Election from the Jaffna District, took place in Colombo recently, where multiple issues, including Tamil people’s political issues, were discussed at length. Over 38 issues in the local fishery industry and among Tamils warranting attention were brought to the attention of President Dissanayake by Devananda, more..

Oct 28 (AD) Director of the Western Province Animal Production and Health Dept K.K. Sarath said that African swine fever, which was initially reported for the first time in the Western Province, has now also been detected in Uva, Northern & North Western provinces. He emphasized that the disease has a very high mortality rate in infected animals, and noted that there is currently no available treatment. more..

Oct 28 (DM) Trial against NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, facing charges for causing disturbance to the public and normal traffic movements during a protest held in 2016, was today postponed as he failed to appear in court due to illness. According to his legal team, former MP Weerawansa is suffering from a viral flu, rendering him unable to attend the scheduled hearing. Taking the facts into consideration, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage rescheduled more..

Oct 28 (AD) The equal distribution of seats between the NPP and opposition parties will have no effect on maintaining the activities of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, according to former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya. The NPP had secured 15 seats while the remaining 15 seats were divided among the various opposition groups. Nishantha Perera, who contested as the NPP Group Leader, is tipped to be appointed as the new Chairman of the Elpitiya PS. more..