Sep 25 (FT) Tea Exporters Association (TEA), the apex private sector body of tea exporters of SL, has extended its best wishes to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the new Prez. The membership of TEA accounts for 80% of the volume and value of the annual tea exports of the country. Tea exports industry brings an annual export income of $ 1.3 billion to the country and is a vital cog in the economic wheel of the country. Approximately 2 million people directly and more..

Sep 25 (EN) New chairmen were appointed to Sri Lanka’s state broadcasting bodies by Minister of Mass Media Vijitha Herath. Uditha Gayeshan was appointed chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, which operates radio channels. Film director Senesh Dissanaike Bandara was appointed chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Sri Lanka is heading for a general election in November. more..

Sep 25 (DW) Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as SL's new president this week, providing a fresh start for the beleaguered island nation as it emerges from the worst economic crisis in its independent history. Dissanayake, popularly known as AKD, leads the Marxist-leaning NPP, which includes his party, the JVP. During his election campaign, the 55-year-old promised to restore economic order, address poverty more..

Sep 25 (Island) The election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President of SL is an enjoyable moment for people who began politics in the late 1980s like him, MP Gamini Waleboda of Sarvajana Balaya said yaddressing a press conference. “I may be in a different party but I too started my politics in the late 1980s as an AL student. Now the current leader of that movement is the President of SL. I think this is an enjoyable and memorable moment for many people like me,” he said. more..

Sep 25 (DM) Sri Lanka announced their playing XI for the crucial second Test match against New Zealand that gets underway at Galle Int'l Stadium. Off-spinner Nishan Peiris, who was brought into the Test Squad as an injury replacement for Vishwa Fernando (who was ruled out with a hamstring injury), is now set to make his debut against the likes of Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Ravin Rachindra and co. Ramesh Mendis though picked up six wickets in first Test which SL won by 63 wts, more..

Sep 26 (TM) With the results of the Prez Election held last week, SL has done well to ensure a smooth transition to a president and a new caretaker govt. It is a tribute to SL’s democratic traditions and public desire to see change that the transition was carried out without any protest, violence and upheaval. However, SL must now move quickly to signal to the world where it is heading in terms of policy. Fitch ratings issued a statement pointing to the uncertainty of the policy direction of the new govt more..

Sep 26 (DM) Sri Lanka now has her third female PM after a hiatus of 24 years. Twenty years is a long period of time from a political perspective. That was sufficient time to usher in change, to witness more women in the political sphere in decision-making positions and for them to take a lead to make a difference. But women’s representation in politics has been a long struggle. A struggle met with many patriarchal and professional challenges. But now, the tide has changed and more..

Sep 26 (TM) The controversy surrounding the 2024 Grade Five Scholarship Exam has left both students and parents across the country in a state of anxiety. Concerns have mounted following the alleged leakage of several questions, eventually causing delays in the entire process including the paper marking activities. While the Education Ministry has announced plans to delay the evaluation of the papers until more..

Sep 26 (CT) 2024 prez election in SL passed without violence – a fact that should make us all breathe a collective sigh of relief. An election unmarred by the usual brawls and broken windows is something to celebrate, of course. But before we pat ourselves too much on the back, let’s take a moment to consider two rather alarming trends that lurked beneath this otherwise peaceful democratic exercise: over 3.5 million eligible voters chose not to vote, and more than 300,000 votes were outright rejected. more..

Sep 26 (DM) Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) had a spring in his walk even before he won the Presidential Elections. He dressed extremely well when stepping in front of the public and exhibited an air of confidence which said 2024 is my year to be the Prez of SL. But in reality, there was much suspense and doubt in the political scene here in the island as to who would win the Prez Elections till the final results were announced. For the record, a fact that gives us goosebumps is that as much as more..

Sep 26 (TM) Social media has become a powerful force in shaping elections with its ability to rapidly spread information that is both accurate and misleading. In SL, during the pre-Prez Election period, political parties and candidates increasingly relied on digital platforms to promote their campaigns. Content ranging from election advertisements to endorsements flooded social media, influencing voters on a massive scale. more..

Sep 26 (ST) When this column appears this morning, it is quite unlikely we would know who the country’s president, elected by the people instead of a dubious collective of representatives with an even more questionable mandate, would be. Not that it really matters. A few more hours spent in speculation would hardly make a difference. But if the counting takes much longer, it provides a fitting and legitimate moment for the more thirsty and dehydrated sections of our population with more..

Sep 26 (CT) Since March 2024, I have written 24 articles about the change SL and its people have wanted since 1948, and the Anura Kumara Dissanayake/NPP has committed accordingly. The change that the people and the country want to witness is massive in terms of economic, social, political, cultural, and many more. A peaceful or nonviolent prez election marked the beginning of the realization of change, while the opposition advocated violent polls because of their more..

Sep 26 (TM) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya officially assumed duties on Tuesday as the Women, Children, Youth Affairs, and Sports Minister at the Ministry premises. The event was attended by Ministry Secretary K. Mahesan, Director General of Sports Professor Shemal Fernando, along with other senior officials from the Ministry. Having arrived at the Sports Ministry premises the newly sworn Premier engaged in discussions with its officials and stressed that the new caretaker Govt more..

Sep 26 (Island) There has been a drop in egg prices, and an attempt is being made on social media to attribute it to the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Prez. If so, the question is why the prices of other commodities have not decreased. Egg prices showed a downward trend even before the prez election, but if the NPP’s electoral success has led to a further egg price reduction, so much the better. It is the fervent wish of everyone that the new dispensation will be able to bring cost of living more..

Sep 26 (BBC) Left-leaning politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected as SL’s next president after he won the debt-ridden country’s first election since its economy collapsed in 2022. The 55-year-old beat off his nearest rival, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, to emerge as the clear winner after a historic second round of counting, which included second-preference votes. Outgoing prez Ranil Wikremesinghe trailed in third. more..

Sep 26 (DM) As predicted by political analysts, Sept 21 prez poll concluded up with many firsts. First and foremost, it ushered Anura Kumara Dissanayake alias AKD in to presidency; a politician from outside the traditional, political mainstream. Also for the first time since 1982, when a prez election was conducted first, Election Commission had to opt for a second count of preferences to decide on the winner since no candidate managed to get the nod of 50% plus one of the total votes polled. more..

Sep 26 (FT) The Organisation of Professional Associations of SL (OPA) has extended its congratulations to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for being elected as the 9th Executive President of SL. “Your victory represents a strong mandate from the people for a Government committed to integrity, good governance and the advancement of all citizens,” said the congratulatory message signed by President Sarath Gamage, President-elect Sujeewa Dahanayake and more..

Sep 26 (FT) The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) yesterday via a statement congratulated the NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the 9th Executive President of SL and called for renewed collaboration to secure sustainable growth and livelihood empowerment within the plantation sector. The Association called on Prez Dissanayake to initiate a transformative era for the plantation industry by prioritising stakeholder engagement in policymaking, more..

Sep 26 (CI) You win the toss, you bat. When it comes to playing a Test in Galle, that is not so much as received wisdom as it as an etched in stone eleventh commandment. While this might on the face of it seem a ploy to get the best of the batting conditions, in actuality, it's more down to not wanting to get the worst of it. In the first Test, Sri Lanka won the toss and obviously batted, but while the notable turn on day one signified a raging turner from the outset, SL still managed to run up 305 more..

Sep 26 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday rose to new heights as investors stepped up their bullish sentiment under the new regime of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. ASPI shot up 326 points, highest day gain in 14 months or 2.87% to a two-month high. Over the past seven market days, the ASPI has gained by over 1,000 points. The active S&P SL20 by 4% or 132 points. Turnover was Rs. 4 billion more..

Sep 26 (FT) The publisher of the leading business magazine LMD, Media Services, yesterday announced its top 20 line-up in the forthcoming LMD 100 special annual edition. Hayleys takes the top spot in the 31st edition of SL’s pioneering listed company rankings for the financial year 2023/24. With a consolidated revenue in excess of Rs. 436 billion, the conglomerate secures the top spot in Sri Lanka’s version of the Fortune 500 this year – it helmed the rankings back in 2020/21. more..

Sep 26 (DN) SL’s junior badminton team, consisting of 8 girls and 7 boys (a 15-member team), will leave for China to represent the country at the upcoming Yonex BWF World Junior Championships 2024, which will be held at the Nanchang International Sports Centre in Jiangxi, China, from Sept 30 to Oct 13. The shuttlers will participate in two tournaments: the Yonex BWF World Junior Team Championship for the Suhandinata Cup and the Yonex BWF World Junior Championship for the Eye Level Cup. more..

Sep 26 (TM) Election Commission (EC) confirmed that Parliamentary Election of this year will require a budget of Rs. 10 billion. “The budget for the Parliamentary Election will be Rs. 10 billion,” EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said. “We will have to manage with this amount and I believe that we can.” Budget for the Prez Election was also Rs. 10 billion and included costs for printing ballot papers and for the provision of security. more..

Sep 26 (DN) Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, is aiming to win the second Test against New Zealand after a close contest in the first match at the Galle International Stadium. The second Test starts today at the same venue. After a thrilling 63-run win in the first Test, Sri Lanka is looking to seal another home series. With a 1-0 lead, Sri Lanka is in a strong position. New Zealand, led by Tim Southee, needs a win to avoid a whitewash and improve their World Test Championship standing. more..

Sep 26 (Island) Newly appointed Director General of the Prez’s Media Division Dr. Najith Indika said that many of the vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat had been returned by those who used them before the recently concluded prez election. Due to insufficient parking space at the Presidential Secretariat, those vehicles had been parked along the road near Galle Face Green, Dr. Indika said in response to our query why a large number of state vehicles had been parked near Galle Face more..

Sep 26 (DM) While condemning the statement made by NPP member Wasantha Samarasinghe about vehicles abandoned at the Galle Face, former MP Dilum Amunugama clarified that these vehicles were used by coordinating committee chairmen. He emphasized that MPs and Ministers had not misused govt vehicles. He said that MPs and Ministers had already handed over their official vehicles, which are now parked at Galle Face. Making jokes before coming into power more..

Sep 26 (DM) The timely communication of results by the Election Commission (EC) prior to the second count of preferential votes could have averted a state of confusion amongst the public, as opined by the international election observer ANFREL. Commending the EC and its polling staff for conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible prez poll the international polls observer said that they are hoping to analyse this scenario further in their final report to be submitted to the ECSL. more..

Sep 26 (FT) UPF leader Champika Ranawaka and SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem yesterday vowed to continue the fight against what they termed as the e-visa fraud, following the Supreme Court’s decision to remand the Controller General of Immigration for contempt of Court. The move comes after the official failed to implement a Court order that suspended newly outsourced e-visa system, reverting to the old process. more..

Sep 26 (FT) The Chamber of Construction Industry of SL, statutorily established as the apex representative body of all stakeholders of the construction industry, yesterday extended its sincere congratulations to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his great victory as the ninth Executive President of SL. The construction industry comprises many stakeholders including engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, valuers, land surveyors, town planners, contractors, consultants, more..

Sep 26 (FT) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed optimism about the leadership capabilities of newly elected Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stating that he believes the new leader is capable of running the country effectively. “I think the chap has the ability to run the country successfully,” he said responding to a question raised by journalists about Dissanayake’s potential to lead the country. When asked about whether the SLPP would support Prez Dissanayake more..

Sep 26 (FT) SL Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) in a statement extended its heartfelt congratulations to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the Prez of SL. “Having handed over our strategic policy document Igniting Knowledge, Inspiring Growth to him prior to the elections, we are eager to continue working closely with his administration to ensure consistent and forward-looking policies for the growth of SL’s Knowledge and Innovation more..

Sep 26 (CT) The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has stressed the importance of uniting groups that offer constructive criticism aimed at improving the health service, rather than allowing the Health Ministry to be run in the interests of a few trade unions. MCPA President, Chamal Sanjeewa, speaking yesterday, highlighted recent Audit Reports and Court evidence on low-quality medicinal drugs and fraud as major indications of what he described as more..

Sep 26 (DM) Hundreds of vehicles used by former secretaries of various ministries were found abandoned at Galle Face in Colombo soon after the dissolution of parliament last night. NPP member Wasantha Samarasinghe yesterday visited the area and said if Anura Kumara Dissanayaka had not been elected as Prez, the vehicles parked at Galle Face would still be running on tax payers money. On Tuesday former ministry secretaries had more..

Sep 26 (AD) Election Commission of SL has issued a statement mentioning the number of MPs to be elected from each electoral district and the number of candidates in a nomination paper in the 2024 General Election. The highest number of MPs will be elected from the Gampaha District with a total of 19 members to be elected. In a statement issued, Election Commission has also announced information regarding the deposits required to be placed by independent groups more..