Mar 2 (Island) Former table tennis national champion Lalith Priyantha says he was never the best player that the country produced. But he keeps winning at every veterans’ tournament he enters. Just recently he won a triple crown at the Veterans’ Table Tennis Championships, held for the year 2022. He played with lightning speed when he was young and continues to play the same fast game even today at the age of 57. He still gets the wow response from the crowd and destroys more..

Mar 2 (PTI) The Indian Supreme Court has directed the Tamil Nadu govt to reconsider the issue of premature release of a Sri Lankan convict, who has undergone nearly 35 years of incarceration. The apex court, while noting that the petitioner intends to go back to Sri Lanka, as and when he is released, directed that he shall be shifted to an appropriate transit camp, as may be decided by the state. A bench of Justices A S Oka and Rajesh Bindal noted, it has been stated before the Court, more..

Mar 2 (TM) The report of the advisory committee to propose amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) was released yesterday and recommends key reforms including the abolition of polygamy and the raising of the minimum age of marriage to 18 years for both sexes. Accordingly, the report states that in accordance with a decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers, it has been proposed that more..

Mar 2 (FT) The main Opposition, SJB, called on the Govt to provide relief to the public and to increase the PAYE Tax threshold to Rs. 200,000. SJB MP, Eran Wickremaratne, said over 500,000 jobs were lost last year and more people are suffering from malnutrition as many families are forced to adjust their nutrition habits. Food insecurity and healthcare have emerged as serious issues, Wickremaratne said, adding this could impact children and their development. more..

Mar 2 (TM) It is reported that four members of the Executive Council of the Football Federation of SL (FFSL) have resigned from their posts. Accordingly, FFSL Secretary Indika Thenuwara submitted his resignation letter to the federation’s President J. Sri Ranga, while FFSL Vice Presidents C. Deepika Kumari and Saman Nagahawatta, as well as FFSL Treasurer T. Sudhakar, have also subsequently turned in their letters of resignation. Due to the resignation of a majority of Executive Council more..

Mar 2 (Island) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has declared that he didn’t have the authority to summon Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana over accusation that the official denied funds required by Election Commission (EC) to conduct the LG polls. Speaker Abeywardena has said that he cannot summon Parliament over the issue. Speaker had indicated he had no intention of taking up the issue at hand when a group of more..

Mar 2 (FT) The cream of the country’s private sector banks on Wednesday got a front seat view of the discussions between the World Bank’s visiting South Asian Region Vice President Martin Raiser and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. They discussed current economic and forex challenges and issues revolving around credit, interest rates, debt moratoriums and debt restructuring. Raiser assured continuous support to SL's development reform program. The World Bank delegation stated that more..

Mar 2 (CT) Host Lyceum International School secured 175 medals to win the overall championship of the International Schools Athletic Championship (ISAC) 2023 held on 25 and 26 February at Sugathadasa Stadium. The event saw Lyceum Wattala conquering ISAC, taking home a total of 99 medals (44 Gold, 35 Silver and 20 Bronze). Lyceum Nugegoda won 35 medals (6 Gold, 16 Silver and 13 Bronze), while Lyceum Panadura won 27 medals (9 Gold, 10 Silver and 8 Bronze). more..

Mar 2 (DN) Galle and Dambulla teams will meet National Super League (NSL) four-day cricket final today at the Galle Int'l Cricket Stadium. Galle team led by Sangeeth Cooray is a well-balanced side and their batsmen have a strong focus on their capabilities. The Dambulla team is led by wicketkeeper Minod Bhanuka and have a strong bowling attack to clash with Galle's batsmen as key National leg spinner Wanindu Hasarsnga is in the team. Galle has a good advantage as more..

Mar 2 (EN) Stocks gained on Wednesday on positive sentiments as the final decision on the long delayed IMF extended loan facility is expected in March, brokers said. “The market is running on a rumors based on securing of an IIMF loan by the end of March as promised” an analyst said. All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 0.37%, or 34.2 points, to reach 9,222.68. The loan from the IMF was originally expected in December of last year, but it is now expected in the second quarter. more..

Mar 2 (DM) As the economic collapse and political instability have devastated the lives and livelihood of the people of SL, the island nation is in dire need of a new development model, the World Bank (WB) said. However, the road to recovery is challenging and the necessary fiscal adjustment measures can be painful. “Debt relief from SL’s creditors and fresh financing from int'l financial institutions are thus urgent to ensure people more..

Mar 2 (ST) Sri Lanka joined China, India, and 29 other countries to abstain from Thursday’s voting when the UNGA voted overwhelmingly for a resolution calling for Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine as the war entered its second year on Friday. In all, 141 countries supported the resolution. Seven opposed it — Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, Mali, Eritrea and Nicaragua. Those who abstained also include South Africa, Pakistan, and others from Africa & Central Asia. more..

Mar 2 (FT) Ministry of Trade Commerce and Food Security and the Department of Commerce met with SL Seafood Exporter’s Association (SEAL) recently. The engagement was as part of a series of meetings that will be held to obtain views, ideas and propositions in identifying the most efficacious courses of action that can be taken to promote fisheries exports of SL to the world. Seafood Exporter’s Association President and Lihini Sea Food CEO Dilan Fernando, more..

Mar 2 (TM) High Commissioner of India to Sri Lank Gopal Baglay appreciated the Govt of Sri Lanka for deciding to recommence ferry services between Sri Lanka and India in order to boost tourist arrivals between both countries. He made this remark yesterday during the launch of a marketing campaign targeting the Indian market, “And You Thought You Knew Sri Lanka”, at Ramada Hotel. “I am appreciative of the decision of the Govt of SL to resume ferry services between India & SL. more..

Mar 2 (FT) NDB Securities forecasts rupee is likely to further appreciate in the near term following the recent spike. In a research note it said yesterday that USD/LKR has appreciated by 0.9% since 23 February 2023. Analysing reasons for this development, NDB Securities (NDBS) said the average daily volume in the interbank FX market is now at $ 42 million vs. $ 8-10 million in the initial days of the crisis (May/June 2022). In Feb 2018, this used to be around $ 50 million, more..

Mar 2 (TM) The trade unions belonging to the ports, petroleum, electricity, health, water supply and education sectors that implemented a number of trade union actions including strikes and work to rule campaigns yesterday, seeking to force the Govt to revoke the recently introduced tax policies, claimed that their trade union actions were successful, and warned of stricter trade union actions including continuous strikes within more..

Mar 2 (FT) SJB insisted political stability is essential to achieve economic stability and lamented that despite a new Prez assuming office several months back, the expected assistance from the IMF is yet to materialise. Govt has been making promises on the IMF package since Sept 2022, and at this rate it would probably only come in 2024, the party said. SJB MP, Dr. Harsha de Silva, said the world is watching SL, which has stifled democracy and is currently under a dictatorship. more..

Mar 2 (BN) Premier Li Keqiang told the head of the IMF that China is open to participating in multilateral efforts to help heavily indebted nations in a constructive manner, China Central Television reported. “China is willing to take part in resolving relevant countries’ debt issues,” Li said in a phone call Wednesday with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, according to CCTV. “China maintains that all sides should take joint action and share equitable burden,” he said. more..

Mar 2 (TM) While urging not to further delay the LG poll, US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations yesterday called on the Govt of SL to hold a “free and fair” election. Taking to Twitter on the matter, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bob Menendez noted that any effort to take away the voice of the people of Sri Lanka is undeniably undemocratic and a direct violation of the Sri Lankans’ rights. more..

Mar 2 (DM) Former Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya today confirmed that he has submitted an application to serve as a member of the Elections Commission. Deshapriya, the current Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities, has also submitted an application to serve on the Delimitation Commission as well. “I have applied for both commissions,” Deshapriya said. The Constitutional Council has called more..

Mar 2 (FT) The existential crossroads the country has arrived at was best captured by Sunil Watagala, the JVP-JJB’s indefatigable, usually unruffled lawyer on Derana’s Vaada Pitiya after the death of Nimal Amarasiri, when he asked repeatedly, poignantly and plaintively: “Please tell us, if elections are cancelled, and peaceful demonstrations are also violently dispersed with fatal results, what and where is the alternative?” So far, political leaders have attacked each other to win an election. more..

Mar 2 (SLA) The 14th contingent of the SL Force Protection Company (SLFPC) in the UN Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) before their departure to take over peackeeping roles on Wednesday (28) presented a ceremonial salute to Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army at the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) Regimental Headquarters parade ground at Panagoda. After a warm welcome to the day’s Chief Guest, Lt General Vikum Liyanage by Major General W.A.S.S Wanasinghe more..

Mar 2 (FT) This is a writing of one of the Rest getting fed up with the performance of the worst while suffering from the departure of the Best! As the worst always have control due to the ineptness of the Rest the suffering is continuous and the results have been perilous pushing living in paradise to witness paradice! Singapore’s Lee was termed as a conviction politician due to his crystal clear views and expressions – unambiguous, purpose-driven, & yet he was not one to mince words either. more..

Mar 2 (GV) SL’s poorest of the poor, their lives devastated by economic collapse, may face a killer blow soon: a crippling of the public health system. That GMOA is planning to paralyse the entire hospital system in protest against a govt decision to institute a wage cut. Needless to say, the hospital system they are planning to paralyse is the public one, used by those Sri Lankans who constitute the bottom most layers of the income totem pole. more..

Mar 2 (DM) A student of Naula Monty Gopallawa Maha Vidyalaya, who sustained injuries in an assault, allegedly by the Principal of the school for not taking two gas cylinders in the school building to the Principal’s residence, was admitted to Ambana Divisional Hospital, the Police said. The student was later transferred to Dambulla base hospital. The victim, Nileka Sithum (15) was a Grade 10 student of the school. His parents complained in this regard. The student stated that more..

Mar 2 (MFA) As part of Ministry’s Economic Diplomacy initiative, a Business Forum to expand and intensify SL’s presence in the African continent was held at the Foreign Ministry this afternoon under the patronage of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. Meeting brought together over 50 business leaders representing the sectors of apparel, pharmaceuticals, construction, finance, manufacturing, renewable energy, vessel manufacturing, logistics, FMCG, more..

Mar 2 (BN) Borrowing costs hovering at two-decade highs to quell Asia’s fastest inflation rates will be in focus in Pakistan and SL, as the crisis-gripped economies review monetary policy settings in decisions seen as key to winning multilateral bailout funds. The two monetary authorities are likely to take different tracks as price pressures have somewhat eased in SL after peaking at nearly 70%, while still on the boil more..

Mar 2 (MFA) The first session of Joint Committee for Consular Affairs (JCCA) between SL and UAE was held in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 22 Feb with the participation of official delegations, representing SL and UAE. The meeting was conducted, as per the provisions of the MoU signed between Sri Lanka and the UAE in Nov 2017. The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Consular Affairs and Political Affairs for more..

Mar 2 (TM) A heated exchange was reportedly observed in court this morning between the opposing counsels in the case pertaining to State Minister Diana Gamage’s alleged violation of the Immigration and Emigration Act. Situation arose when the case was called in court today, following which Gamage’s lawyer Prez’s Counsel Shaveendra Fernando and the opposing counsel, including Prez’s Counsel Gunaratne Wanninayake, had a heated exchange between the two parties. more..

Mar 2 (AD) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has attributed the recent appreciation of SL Rupee against US Dollar to certain key decisions that were made by the govt, pertaining to the economy. Speaking on the recent significant appreciation of the Rupee against the USD, Siyambalapitiya said that the strengthening of the country’s currency, amidst one of it most unprecedented crises, was due to several key decisions made by the govt, albeit severely unpopular. more..

Mar 2 (DM) Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alleged that the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) had entered into an agreement with the government to postpone the local govt elections by a year. The allegation was made by SJB MP Nalin Bandara. "We heard JJB Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake saying that his party would give a period of one year for the govt to hold LG election. One wonders whether this would mean that JJB has entered into an agreement with the govt to postpone the local polls," more..

Mar 2 (EN) The death penalty is a complex issue that no political party should have a position on and lawmakers must be allowed a free vote of conscience on its implementation should it ever arise, MP Eran Wickramaratne said after his party leader swore to bring back capital punishment. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa speaking at a public rally said that a govt led by SJB, party he leads, would impose death penalty more..

Mar 2 (AD) Sri Lanka Police have taken measures to launch a special programme in order to prevent road accidents and to minimize traffic congestion in the Western Province. In a statement, the Police Media Division notifies the drivers and the pedestrians that this programme will be implemented covering all police divisions in the Western Province from March 01 to March 31, and that the following offences will be given priority during the programme. 01. Driving without a valid driving license. more..

Mar 2 (wsws) Eight months after a mass uprising chased SL’s hated Prez Gotabhaya Rajapakse from power, the working class is coming into headlong confrontation with his successor, the notorious IMF-enforcer and pro-US imperialist stooge, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Today half a million workers, including petroleum, electricity, water supply and health care workers, will join a one-day general strike to protest the Wickremesinghe govt’s savage austerity program and sweeping attacks more..

Mar 2 (TM) Although Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was released due to Prez immunity from the respondent status in a total of 108 cases filed by the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, and their families, seeking compensation for the prejudice caused by the said attacks, Colombo District Court yesterday stated that the prosecution has the right to rename him (Wickremesinghe) as a respondent and more..