Apr 11 (DM) Claiming that NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake first invited SJB leader Sajith Premadasa for a debate, the NPP said some members of the SJB were now attempting to divert the attention from the original debate. In a statement, NPP National Executive Member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the first conversation about a debate between the two sides was created with the statement made by Anura Kumara more..

Apr 11 (DM) SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardene today lodged a complaint with the CID that former President Maithripala Sirisena's departure to Thailand was suspicious.a "We feel that former President Sirisena has fled the country for some reason, just like the way he did prior to the Easter Sunday attacks," he said. "I have therefore requested the CID to expatriate him immidately and hold an investigation," he added. He noted that Sirisena had created a controversial more..

Apr 11 (DM) The Department of Excise is planning to launch a special operation in Colombo during the two festive dry days targeting illegal booze sellers and to implement law strictly during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. A senior Excise official overseeing the Colombo City told the Daily Mirror yesterday that a joint operation has been organised in collaboration with four main Excise stations in Kesbewa, Padukka, Battaramulla and Colombo City. As a result over 50 officials more..

Apr 11 (ST) The usual hustle and bustle of markets, busy streets, and crowded supermarkets associated with the National New Year were absent, despite Avurudu being just a few days away, coinciding with the Ramadan festival. Traders said the moderate crowd seen at the markets was more interested in buying clothing for the festivals than food items and household goods. They said they believed the high prices of Avurudu-related goods and household items were keeping shoppers away. more..

Apr 11 (FT) Signifying a fresh start for Israeli jobs in the construction sector, 125 individuals chosen as the inaugural group for construction jobs in Israel received their air tickets yesterday from Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara. Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment General Manager Priyantha Senanayake and Additional General Manager Mangala Randeniya were present at the ceremony. These appointees are set to embark on their journey on 13 April. more..

Apr 11 (Island) There will be no private buses on the 13 April, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijeratne said. He said that about 25% of private buses would operate on 14 April. Wijeratne said there would be fewer private buses on Friday as well. The LPBOA President said that they will be charging 150 percent of the bus fare for the special buses they have deployed for the festive season. The SLTB said 700 additional buses had been deployed from more..

Apr 11 (Island) Five million undecided voters are waiting to hear the economic policies of the presidential candidates who will be running for President in October 2024, Member of Parliament Dr. Charitha Herath of Nidahas Janatha Sabawa (Freedom People’s Congress) told the media yesterday. Prez elections are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka sometime between September and October 2024 according to the Constitution of SL where voters will elect a President for a term of five years. more..

Apr 11 (FT) SriLankan Airlines, the exclusive ground operator at BIA, has initiated a phased upgrade of airport ground support equipment to accommodate the rising influx of flights and travellers transiting through the airport. Recently, the airline acquired three state-of-the-art passenger apron coaches, ensuring optimal comfort for passengers during transfers between the terminal and remote stands. With airport traffic steadily increasing and nearing pre-pandemic levels, acquiring more..

Apr 11 (TM) TMTK Leader and Opposition MP C.V. Wigneswaran called on the majority community-based Prez candidates to clearly outline their solutions to the Tamil community's issues in the presence of foreign diplomats, if they (candidates) seek the Tamil community's support. He said that the majority community-based Prez candidates should be able to come forward and explain what they would do to resolve the Tamil people's issues, if they seek the Tamil community's support. more..

Apr 11 (Island) No Tamil candidate will contest in the forthcoming Prez election, representing their community, under any circumstance, former Chairman of the NPC C.V.K. Sivagnanam said on Tuesday. Sivagnanam said that there was a clamour by various political outfits in the North and the East that there should be a Tamil candidate contesting in the upcoming Prez elections. Some parties have even proposed names and published pedigrees of persons who could be the prez candidate, as per their opinions. more..

Apr 11 (Island) The SJB yesterday said the JVP-led NPP’s call for the participation of Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in the proposed debate on the economy was a diversionary tactic. The SJB has challenged the NPP’s economic council members to a debate on how to resolve the economic crisis. The NPP has challenged SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa to a debate with its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the economy. National Executive Committee Member and MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on Monday, more..

Apr 11 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday rose to a two year high as investors sustained the recent bull run. On a shortened trading day due to upcoming holidays, ASPI gained by 0.6% or 70.6 points to close at 12,033 points. It was the first time ASPI crossed the 12,000-points level with the previous occasion being 21 Feb 2022. The active S&P SL20 gained by 0.7%. The sustained bull run ensured the ASPI closed the week up 2% and the S&P SL20 by 2.6%. Average daily turnover was Rs. 2.91 billion. more..

Apr 11 (FT) The Japanese Govt has extended a grant worth $ 8.4 million to supply state-of-the-art scanners to strengthen the capacity of the BIA in Katunayake and Colombo Port towards health resilient pro-mobility borders. With the country anticipates a surge in tourist numbers, with over 1.5 million foreign visitors recorded at BIA last year, alongside arrivals via sea ports the project aims to strengthen capacity at monitoring health issues among foreign arrivals. more..

Apr 11 (FT) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe reaffirmed his dedication to empowering the people and strengthening the economy by ensuring access to education, land, housing and business opportunities. “Historically, land rights and housing rights were not granted without cost. However, we aim to change this narrative by empowering our citizens with the rights to education, land, housing, and business. This strategic approach will enable individuals to directly contribute more..

Apr 11 (FT) SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane yesterday confirmed that the party’s presidential candidate will be determined by its leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa shortly. The MP said the decision was reached during the party’s politburo meeting held yesterday. Addressing the media following the meeting, Abeygunawardane clarified that the party’s politburo had determined that the party’s candidate and the declaration of candidacy would solely be made by party leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Apr 11 (DN) Richmond College led by Malsha Tharupathi emerged champions of the inter school under 19 division one Tier A cricket tournament when they beat Trinity on first innings yesterday at the SSC grounds. Richmond took major honours at the three day game while Trinity scored 203 all out in their first innings and Richmond made bold reply to score 304 all out with a hundred runs lead. Trinity played much better in the second innings scoring 254 for 8 wickets declared and Richmond had to get impossible target more..

Apr 11 (TM) CEB Workers’ Union (CEBWU) blamed the Ministry of Power and Energy for allegedly not having extensive discussions with the stakeholders including the experts in the subject, regarding the revised Electricity Sector Reforms Bill, which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers recently. Recently, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced that the Cabinet approved the said Bill during its meeting on Monday (8). The Cabinet approval directs the Ministry to Gazette more..

Apr 11 (ST) Cabinet approval has been granted for the establishment of a cyclotron radio-pharmaceutical facility to produce radio-pharmaceuticals critical for cancer treatment and diagnosis. Radio-pharmaceuticals are widely used in PET-CT scanning for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. Imported radio-pharmaceuticals cannot be stored for a long period due to the nature of the molecules. The cabinet has decided to award the contract to Access Int'l Pvt. Ltd. and Access Engineering PLC. more..

Apr 11 (Island) SLC’s excellent development structures has been a godsend for many up and coming players. It enables cricket coaches at the High Performance Center to identify new talents. District and Provincial Coaches along with Talent Scouts ensure that players with rare skills are fast tracked and their development is constantly monitored. Eventually, they go on to become stars of the great game. This wouldn’t have been possible if not for those people who identify these talents at grass root levels. more..

Apr 11 (Island) Astrologers were clashing over the traditional New Year auspicious times or nekath, at the time of writing. Some of them are of the view that the nekath prepared by what is described as the State Astrologers’ Committee of the Department of Cultural Affairs will have malefic effects on the country. However, Minister Vudura Wickremanayake has ceremonially handed over the nekath seettuwa or the table of auspicious time to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. more..

Apr 11 (Island) The cabinet has approved a significant 40% increase in the minimum wage, aimed at assisting workers struggling with the high cost of living amidst an ongoing economic recovery from a severe financial crisis that began in early 2022. This crisis, triggered by a sharp decline in foreign exchange reserves, resulted in notable inflation, currency devaluation, and a default on foreign debt. The minimum wage will escalate from 12,500 rupees ($42) to 17,500 rupees, more..

Apr 11 (ST) In a country where access to timely medical care was once a luxury, Suwa Seriya emerges as a beacon of hope, delivering swift and free ambulance services to those in need. Praised by the World Bank for its remarkable efficiency, Suwa Seriya stands as a testament to the power of digital innovation in revolutionising healthcare and emergency services. The ambulance service, initially funded by the Indian Govt, has played a pivotal role more..

Apr 11 (ST) The govt is venturing into public private partnership with suitable foreign investors for the manufacture of phosphate fertiliser making use of the Eppawala rock phosphate deposit in the North Central Province, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Arrangements are being made to establish a chemical fertiliser company jointly with the Lanka Phosphate Limited (LPL) operating under the Ministry of Agriculture. Sufficient safeguards will be made against environmental damage more..

Apr 11 (ST) With over 270 entries already confirmed for the 28th edition of Fox Hill Supercross, the organisers, Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS), Sri Lanka Military Academy and Sri Lanka Army Motorsport Club are optimistic of an eventful day on April 21 at the Fox Hill Circuit in Diyatalawa. Returning after a five-year sabbatical, the joint organisers are hopeful that their comeback event would be one that of memorable with standards being set higher than before. more..

Apr 11 (GV) During 30 protests between March 2022 and June 2023, SL’s law enforcement personnel did not adhere to international law and standards, using excessive force against peaceful protesters in at least 17 protests by using water cannon, tear gas and batons, according to a new investigative report by Amnesty International titled Ready to Suppress Any Protest SL: Unlawful Use of Weapons During Protests. AI conducted 39 interviews and examined 95 videos from social media more..

Apr 11 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent announcement appears to have put an end to the confusion over the sequence of national elections. He has said that no election will be held until the external debt restructuring process being carried out under the IMF assistance programme is completed and that this process will be over before the Prez Election, which is due later this year. Since the Prez has mentioned July as a deadline, he has given a clear message to those who have been demanding more..

Apr 11 (TM) With Indian PM Narendra Modi last week claiming that the Katchatheevu island on SL’s side of the maritime border had been callously given away by India’s Congress Party, foreign policy experts in SL are calling it an election gimmick, while it is learnt that SL has not received any form of official correspondence regarding the matter from India. On 31 March, PM Modi posted a Times of India article on X about a RTI reply documenting more..

Apr 11 (ST) As though our nation does not have enough problems with conspiracies that remain vague and undisclosed and conspirators who remain unnamed, even the stars seem to be conspiring against us. For the first time in our memory, the galaxy of state-backed star-gazing astrologers are at each other’s throats, as it were, or tearing apart the charts that have tracked the movement of the stars, over the auspices times for our New Year celebrations next week. more..

Apr 11 (CT) In a nation rich with cultural heritage and traditions, SL stands at the forefront of reshaping its societal norms to embrace inclusivity. The recent announcement by State Minister Anupa Pasqual, renaming certain traditional New Year games underscores a crucial step towards fostering a more respectful and inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities. However, while this initiative is a commendable leap forward, it serves as a poignant reminder of the myriad challenges more..

Apr 11 (CT) Ayubowan, Namaskaar, Good Morning, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Second Seminar on India-SL Defence Cooperation that we are organizing in Colombo. I thank you all for attending. My deep appreciation to the Hon. State Minister Mr. Tennekoon for his presence here today. I must also thank the Chief of Defence Staff of SL and the Commanders of the Air Force and Navy for their gracious presence.We value the support extended by the Ministry of Defence of SL. more..

Apr 11 (CT) We can hear these days the discussions of women’s rights and empowering women. These discussions are carried on a male centric point of view. The male point of view about women, marriage and sexuality in the medieval times and thereafter was backward. These attitudes were bred and promoted under the guidance of the Roman Catholic Church. Significant traits prescribed by men for women included chastity, silence, modesty, reticence, sobriety, and obedience. more..

Apr 11 (TM) It is Avurudu season and Sri Lankans are heading ‘home’ or back to their villages in droves. Despite the political turmoil and the economic crisis, Avurudu is a period of the year, everyone gathers together to celebrate what we have to be thankful for; family, community and shared aspirations for a better journey ahead. Given the cost of living, and the multiple crises we face each day, it is prudent to enjoy the festive period with an eye for caution. We should all work towards avoiding accidents and injuries. more..