Mar 14 (CT) Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva launched a scathing critique against the Dept of Excise yesterday, alleging that the recent discovery of counterfeit stickers on alcohol bottles stemmed from a rift between liquor manufacturers and certain officials within the Excise Department. Dr. de Silva alleged that this dispute arose due to the manufacturers’ refusal to
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US provides training to SLAF
Mar 14 (Island) United States Department of Defense (DOD), and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, is providing the SL Air Force training on carrying out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) flight demonstrations, with an emphasis placed on enhancing SL’s capabilities in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) missions. The programme commenced on 12 March, at the SLAF Base, Ratmalana, and ends today (14). The initiative aims to enhance SL’s maritime domain
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CEB calls for proposals for 50MW wind farm facility in Mannar
Mar 14 (AD) Proposals on International Competitive Bidding (ICB) for a 50 MW wind farm facility in Mannar have been called for by the Ministry of Power and Energy and the CEB. Accordingly, ICB calls for suitable developers with the financial and technical ability to develop a 50MW wind farm facility in Mannar on a Build, Own and Operate (BOO) basis, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. He further noted that deadline to submit the relevant proposal will be on 09 May, immediately after
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Sri Lanka’s sugar, milk powder consumption hurting people, economy: Minister
Mar 14 (EN) If Sri Lanka can cut down on its consumption of sugar and milk powder, both its people and the economy would benefit, its Minister of Health has said. “In the South Asia region, we are one of the countries with the highest diabetic population,” Minister Ramesh Pathirana told a gathering of medical professionals and reporters at the launch of a public health website. According the international medical journal The Lancet’s
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China donates special explosive disposal equipment to SL Army
Mar 14 (SLA) The SL Army this morning (13) gratefully accepted a stock of special Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment, which had been gifted to the Ministry of Defence under the Chinese Military Grant scheme during a simple formal ceremony, headed by Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China in SL and General Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence at the Army Headquarters. Lt General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army, Major General
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SC allows 9 FR petitions by Chief Inspectors to proceed
Mar 14 (CT) Supreme Court granted leave to proceed for nine fundamental rights applications filed by Chief Inspectors of Police who claimed their rights were violated by being denied ASP promotions in 2021. The petitioners asserted that they met all necessary qualifications for the promotions but were unjustly denied from ASP promotions. SC bench, comprising Justice Gamini Amarasekara, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice Mahinda Samayawardhana presided over the matter.
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IMF එකට පක්ශ කොටවන රනිල්
National People’s Power to meet IMF delegation today
Mar 14 (AD) The NPP is expected to meet the visiting team of the IMF on Thursday (14). According to Sunil Handunnetti, the discussion will focus on addressing the economic pressures and burden imposed on the people of the country by the govt. In a separate development, Human Rights Watch has urged the IMF to request the SL govt to withdraw the proposed Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) (Registration and Supervision) Bill and to ban of the Online Safety Act.
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Sri Lanka consumer confidence improves in February: survey
Mar 14 (EN) All indices of consumer confidence run by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP), an independent research institute in Sri Lanka, improved in February. The institute said in a statement its Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS), the broadest measure of the public’s view of their personal economic status and the national economy gained 6 points to 22 points. The Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE), which tracks future perceptions increased 7 points to 28 points.
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Parliament to debate no-confidence motion against Speaker next week
Mar 14 (AD) The motion of no confidence brought against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena will be debated in Parliament on the 19th and 20th of March, following which a vote will be taken. According to the General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the decision was taken at today’s meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, which was chaired by the Speaker.
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NPP will seek mandate to amend and continue IMF agreement: Vijitha
Mar 14 (DM) The NPP will seek a mandate to continue the IMF agreement after making amendments on conditions detrimental to the people, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today. He said that the NPP representatives met the IMF delegation this morning and briefed them on the NPP's stance on the agreement. He said the NPP will go before the people and seek a mandate to remove detrimental proposals in the agreement such as exorbitant taxes, price hikes in goods and
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SriLankan Airlines, Korean Air activate codeshare partnership
Mar 14 (AD) SriLankan Airlines and Korean Air have officially activated a new codeshare partnership, effective from 15 March, presenting enhanced travel options and connections for customers of both airlines travelling between Colombo and Seoul. The new partnership enables SriLankan Airlines to codeshare on flights operated between Singapore and Seoul Incheon by Korean Air, making it possible for passengers to travel on a single SriLankan Airlines ticket between Colombo and
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Gota’s flight cum resignation in 2022 and conspiracy book in 2024
Mar 14 (FT) The mountains have laboured and brought forth a mouse! Former SL President Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa has after many poya days reportedly authored a book. The political grapevine had been buzzing for several months that a book by the ex-president known popularly as Gota and Gotabaya was in progress. It was supposedly a bombshell book with explosive revelations.
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Industrialized nations should acknowledge contributions to climate change
Mar 14 (DM) URF leader Champika Ranawaka, addressing an international summit in India, said it is imperative for industrialized nations to acknowledge their historical contributions to climate change and take responsibility for mitigating its effects, including compensating affected countries for their losses. In his adderess, he said efforts to address climate change have a long history, marked by milestones such as the Club of Rome declaration in 1968 and the Rio Convention in 1992,
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Lahiru Thirimanne injured in road accident in A’pura
Mar 14 (AD) Former SL cricketer Lahiru Thirimanna has been hospitalized following a road accident in Thrippane, Anuradapura, the Police said. Accordingly, he has been admitted to Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital with minor injuries sustained in the accident, according to police. Police mentioned that the car in which Thirimanne was travelling had collided with a lorry arriving from the opposite direction at around 07.45 a.m. this morning (14). Three other individuals travelling in the car,
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කථානායකගේ විශ්වාසභංගයට...
SL leaders should get best political economy practices from top economies in the world
Mar 14 (FT) This year (2024) is the ultimate election year because over 60 countries will hold elections, a record. SL could be more exceptional as we will go to the presidential election, having postponed many other subnational-level elections. By early 2022, Sri Lanka had spiralled into an unprecedented economic crisis since independence. In a very short period, the crisis has generated far-reaching consequences beyond the economic sphere into the political and social sphere.
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The Conspiracy: Gotabaya’s Mein Kampf could incite ethnic, religious conflict
Mar 14 (FT) Dr. Colvin R. de Silva’s position on the executive presidency was slightly more nuanced than the flat denunciation by Dr. N.M. Perera. While criticising the 1978 Constitution, he took pains in a contribution to the Lanka Guardian magazine to emphasise that the Jayewardene presidential system, though deriving from the Gaullist model of France, has significant accretions and distortions which brought it more into line with those of Francophone Africa.
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SJB tells Govt to engage Opposition parties in EDR
Mar 14 (FT) Main Opposition, SJB, reminded that any agreement the Prez or the Govt enters with external creditors must be honoured by any new Govt and Prez. Addressing a media briefing, the SJB said it is imperative for the Prez to engage Opposition parties with respect to the Govt’s plans with creditors. SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva, said, “Whatever Govt that comes into power is obliged to pay the loan as agreed to by Prez
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Young journalists file FR against IGP appointment
Mar 14 (FT) Young Journalists Association of SL (YJASL) filed a fundamental rights petition yesterday seeking an order to quash the appointment of Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon as the IGP. The petitioners are arguing that the appointment is illegal, arbitrary, irrational, and contrary to and in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. The association also said that Tennakoon is unfit for the post of IGP and despite these disqualifications, he has been appointed to
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Immunoglobulin scandal: Medical Supplies Division’s Deputy Director arrested at BIA
Mar 14 (AD) CID has arrested Dr. Thusitha Sudarshana, the Deputy Director of the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division on arrival in SL at the BIA. The arrest was carried out in connection with the import of substandard Human Immunoglobulin vials. Eight individuals including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and Additional Secretary of the Health Ministry Dr. Saman Ratnayake currently
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Kanchana leads discussions on 49 renewable energy projects
Mar 14 (FT) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday spearheaded a meeting where 49 shortlisted developers of renewable energy projects convened with the CEB and SL Sustainable Energy Authority. Taking to ‘X’ the Minister noted that the discussion focused on key aspects such as the approval process, implementation timelines, necessary clearances from various agencies, technical specifications
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New CEO at Civil Aviation Authority
Mar 14 (FT) Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) has announced the appointment of Air Vice Marshal (Retd) H.M.S.K.B. Kotakadeniya as the new Director-General and Chief Executive. He succeeds P.A. Jayakantha who retired recently. The appointment letter was presented by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday, after receiving the Cabinet approval. A ceremony commemorating the occasion was held in the presence of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry Secretary
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15% jump in pipe-borne water use: NWSDB
Mar 14 (Island) Water consumption in Sri Lanka had increased by 15% in recent weeks due to the prevailing dry and unusually warm weather, coupled with high humidity, a senior official of the NWSDB said. As a result, pipe-borne water consumers living in higher grounds and those living in outermost areas of water projects would experience low water pressure, the official said. NWSDB said it had not resorted to water cuts in any area but requested people to use water sparingly due to
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හිරු ටීවී පත්තරේ විස්තරේ
Hydropower generation not hit by dry weather
Mar 14 (TM) The CEB stated that the dry weather prevailing in many parts of the country has not had a serious impact on hydropower generation. Several parts of the country are currently experiencing extreme dry weather. Daily Morning queried CEB Chairperson Nalinda Ilangakoon as to whether the prevailing dry weather has had a serious impact on hydropower generation, to which he said that there has not been such a serious impact as of yet, and that power generation activities are being
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Govt to facilitate swift repatriation of fishermen aboard Lorenzo Putha-4
Mar 14 (AD) State Minister of Fisheries, Piyal Nishantha de Silva, announced plans to launch a new multi-day fishing trawler equipped with modern technology and advanced operational techniques to enhance the fishing industry. State Minister further stated that Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via the Attorney General, to facilitate the swift repatriation of the fishermen aboard the Lorenzo Putha-4 fishing vessel back to Sri Lanka.
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Video: Govt to gradually allow essential vehicle imports starting next year: President
Mar 14 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored the consequences of political promises made without a comprehensive understanding of the country’s economy, highlighting the resulting hardships faced by the people. In a departure from such approaches, Prez emphasized the importance of facing reality and working collectively towards a positive future for the nation. Prez made these remarks during
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MSMEs commends President on suspension of parate executions but urge for more
Mar 14 (FT) The country’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) yesterday commended Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for temporarily suspending the Parate executions till 15 Dec but insisted their plight persists hence need continuous support. SL United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA) Vice Chairman Susantha Liyanaarachchi yesterday conveyed the industry’s appreciation to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe for the measures taken to suspend the enforcement of parate executions
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Richmond confident of facing Mahinda Challenge
Mar 14 (DN) Two leading Southern schools Richmond and Mahinda will play their 119th Battle of the Lovers big match on March 15 -16 at Galle International Cricket Stadium. With the 119 big match the two schools wanted to build up their brotherhood. Two schools joint organising committee already planned to make the event a success while they wanted to maintain very good discipline during this two day game. Richmond Principal P.S Pushpakumara in his second consecutive
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ආයේ රට බංකොලොත් වෙන හැටි
Sri Lankan economy seen as showing consolidation over past several months
Mar 14 (Island) SL economy has shown some consolidation in the last several months and its financial sector should be smart when making decisions to harness its potential in order to become a financial hub in the region, a top financial services professional said. “SL has made great progress in the financial sector but it needs to promote electronic transactions and be more digitalized in order to ensure efficient and effective services to the people through financial sector entities,
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Applications challenging indictments against 8 accused in X-Press Pearl case dismissed
Mar 14 (DM) The Court of Appeal dismissed the revision applications filed by eight accused including the Captain of the fire-ravaged container ship MV X-Press Pearl who were indicted before the Colombo High Court for causing damages to the country's oceanic environment. The eight accused had filed revision applications challenging the Colombo High Court's decision to reject their preliminary objections against the charges filed against them. The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising
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Chilli crab: New laws to protect world famous delicacy
Mar 14 (ST) The main ingredient in Singapore’s signature chilli crab is the SL mud crab—a delicacy exported and valued worldwide. Now, the Fisheries Ministry has stepped in with regulations to curb the over-harvesting of these crustaceans from the wild. Titled Mud Crab Fishery Management Regulations, 2024, the regulations apply to the fishing of wild mud crabs in SL’s waters. They lay down the minimum size for
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Significant hike in electricity use
Mar 14 (TM) CEB Engineers Association (CEBEA) urged the public to use electricity carefully since the daily electricity consumption has increased significantly due to the existing dry weather conditions. Media Spokesperson of the CEBEA Nandika Pathirage said that there will be no power cuts these days despite these issues, but that the people must not waste electricity and must instead be cautious when using electric appliances. He further noted that SL is still covering
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Construction Expo 2024 kicks off tomorrow
Mar 14 (FT) Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) organised Construction Expo 2024, the most inclusive exhibition will be held from 15 to 17 March at the BMICH. As a proven platform for the promotion of the Construction Industry in Sri Lanka, Construction Expo 2024 by CIOB will showcase the latest technology and development added to the building and construction sector with renowned industry experts, stakeholders and decision makers in attendance.
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