Nov 16 (MFA) Sri Lanka was elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the term 2023-2027, during the 42nd General Conference of the inter-governmental organization, on 15 Nov in Paris. Sri Lanka obtained 144 votes out of 188 member states voting at the said election, co-securing the 3rd highest vote count from the region, with Bangladesh. more..

Nov 16 (TM) Court of Appeal (CA) has scheduled the consideration of the petition regarding the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) interim committee for monday (20). The case will be heard by a new panel of judges after three judges recused themselves from the motion filed by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe to revoke the stay order against the recently appointed SLC Interim Committee. Today, Justice Neel Iddawela stepped down from the two-judge bench, which included more..

Nov 16 (DD) The ninth edition of the joint military exercise between the armed forces of India and Sri Lanka commenced on Thursday in Aundh, Pune. Taking place from Nov 16 through 29, the exercise, named MITRA SHAKTI-2023, involves a contingent of 120 personnel from India, primarily representing the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. Representing SL, personnel from the 53rd Infantry Division will actively participate in the exercise. Additionally, 15 members from the Indian Air Force and more..

Nov 16 (SCAMP) The SL Supreme Court’s decision this week to hold key figures from the country’s ousted regime, including the former president and his brothers, responsible for the country’s financial crisis, marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s pursuit of justice and economic recovery, but legal experts and activists say further action, including criminal proceedings, are still needed for the country to move forward. more..

Nov 16 (CT) Over the last 24 hours, the Jaffna District encountered an overwhelming deluge, surpassing 100 millimetres of rainfall, according to T. Pratheepan, Officer-in-Charge at the Jaffna Regional Meteorological Dept. Simultaneously, Dept of Meteorology has issued a crucial advisory regarding strong winds and turbulent seas, effective until 3:00 p.m. today (16). The recorded rainfall between 8.30 a.m. on 14 Nov and yesterday (15) revealed staggering figures, with areas more..

Nov 16 (EN) SL’s Tess Agro, a food processing company, said it launched a tin can manufacture plant at its factory premises in Kelaniya. “We write inform you of the commencement of our tin can manufacturing project,” the company said in a stock exchange filing. “Tess Agro Plc launched Agro Tin Tech on the 13th of November 2023, the tin can manufacture plant at their factory premises in New Nuge Road, Kelaniya. The Company has the capacity to produce 80,000 cans per day. more..

Nov 16 (DM) While highlighting that COPE Chairman Professor Ranjith Bandara's son's presence at the last meeting of the committee was wrong, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena assured that the matter will be probed into. "It is wrong if the COPE Chairman's son Kanishka Bandara participated in the committee meeting on Tuesday. It has been informed that he has come in the capacity of Bandara's media officer. A probe will be conducted into the matter anyway," more..

Nov 16 (DM) By the end of this year, the work on the first phase of the solar power project for religious places of worship will be completed, Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said. The Minister said this following a discussion with Minister Kanchana Wijesekera. The project of installing solar power systems at religious places of worship will be implemented under the aid project received from the Indian Govt to promote Buddhist relations between Sri Lanka and India. more..

Nov 16 (AD) An investigation is due to be carried out into the participation of COPE chairman Prof. Ranjith Bandara’s son, Kanishka Bandara, during the recent COPE meeting held with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials. Accordingly, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena had stated in Parliament this morning, that an investigation will be carried out into the participation of the COPE Chairman’s son in the said meeting. more..

Nov 16 (AD) The case filed pertaining to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Committee is due to be taken up before the Court of Appeal on 20 Nov. Accordingly, the case will be taken up before a new panel of Appellate Court Judges on Monday. The relevant order was issued by an Appellate Court bench comprising of Judges D. N. Samarakoon and Neil Iddawela when the case was taken up this morning (16), during which the latter had recused himself from the hearing of the case. more..

Nov 16 (CT) In a commitment to catalyse Sri Lanka’s vibrant Startup Ecosystem, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) renewed its partnership with Brandix Apparel Limited for the second consecutive year. This strategic alliance aims to bolster startups by providing essential funding and fostering their swift expansion. The primary focus is to fuel technological entrepreneurship within Sri Lanka, propelling its future digital economy, ICTA said and more..

Nov 16 (TM) Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security is to take a decision on the existing sugar shortage in the retail market and regarding action that can be taken against those hiding stocks, following a meeting with sugar importers which is scheduled to take place today. Secretary to the Ministry A.M.P.M.B. Attapattu said that the Ministry and CAA are closely monitoring the situation and that the CAA has already conducted more..

Nov 16 (DM) COPE Chairman Professor Ranjith Bandara denied that he was engaged in conflict of interest by associating himself with SLC as a consultant for a project to construct a cricket campus in Kandy. The drama unfolded after a document was circulated over social media which said Professor Bandara had been a consultant of the Kandy Cricket campus project which had been carried out by SLC in 2018. Professor Bandara had sat for meetings with SLC CEO Ashley de Silva more..

Nov 16 (DM) A total of 16 gold gel capsules worth Rs. 110 million were seized by the customs officials attached to the BIA this morning. The detection was based on information received from the BIA Customs Unit. The 32-year-old suspect arrived at the airport at 1.40 in the morning from Dubai on a FZ-569 Fly Dubai flight. He is a resident of the Slave Island area in Colombo 2. According to the information, the Customs officers had boarded the aircraft and arrested him. more..

Nov 17 (DM) Sri Lanka and Pakistan have enjoyed close ties as two nations despite the duo being geographically positioned in a hotbed of activities centring around a vital sea route in the Indian Ocean. When other nations send representatives here to show military might and further business and geographical interests, Pakistan arranges for one of its representatives already in this country to remind the islanders that they can always rely on a true friend; also from the South Asian region. more..

Nov 17 (DM) Truth is the first casualty of war. Although a cliché, the statement remains an all-time, all-war maxim. It is evident in Israel’s genocidal Gaza war, which has taken a nasty turn, with hospitals becoming the target. Hospitals are protected under the Geneva Convention on Warfare. But Israel justifies the hospital attacks, claiming that Hamas militants maintain a tunnel network underneath, using hospitals as command centres and armouries. Doctors and aid workers deny Israel’s claim. more..

Nov 17 (TM) Embarking on a journey through the intricate world of jewellery, The Daily Morning delves into the rich heritage and contemporary allure woven by the Kandasamy family in SL. Our exclusive conversation unfolds with Lalitha Jewellers Co-Director and Allure Crafted Silver CEO Avinaesh Kandasamy, a key player in an industry deeply rooted in tradition and history. From Lalitha’s 73-year-old tradition, shaped by generations of craftsmanship, more..

Nov 17 (CT) The sudden spike in inflation rates which hit the country due to the recent economic crisis that occurred as a result of corruption, the pandemic, and political instability has taken its toll on the public. However, not everyone was impacted in the same way. It was the low-income groups, whose consumption was the least, that were most affected by the increased electricity and water tariffs. Ironically, the large companies, factories and luxury households were comparatively less affected more..

Nov 17 (CT) Every monsoon season, a number of areas across Sri Lanka become prone to natural disasters, including flooding and landslides, wreaking havoc among those living in such areas. And, following months of torrential rains, an extended period of drought causes much damage to crops due to lack of rainfall. Over the years, the scale of disaster and damaged caused as a result has grown larger, with the compensation paid for loss of life and property damage rising exponentially. more..

Nov 17 (CT) Hidden in the corners of SL women’s prisons, a quiet story emerges that reflects the struggles faced by women caught up in the complexities of the criminal justice system. Despite being overlooked in broader discussions, it’s important to closely examine the challenges these women face while waiting for trial or serving short-term sentences. Even with the well-intentioned declaration Prisoners are also human beings adorning the walls of Welikada Prison, more..

Nov 17 (TM) Isn’t it time to introduce full disclosure legislature for Sri Lankan policymakers and bureaucrats? Given what’s transpired over the last two weeks, with a Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) of ill-repute outed for being on the payroll of the now controversial Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), and to be this week reinforced with reports that the leader of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has been on the same payroll whilst trying to inquire into alleged misdeeds at SLC. more..

Nov 17 (ST) Those were some really rough and bouncy overs. Reminded one of the heady days of West Indian speedsters when even the world’s best batsmen were ready to duck for cover. That, of course, was in the era before helmets and most other protective gear were donned by batsmen stepping onto the field dressed like the legendary knights of King Arthur when the age of chivalry was still alive. But cricket today has advanced so much that only seasoned cricketers like Angelo Mathews worry about helmets more..

Nov 17 (Island) SL’s economic crisis has eclipsed most other crucial issues, especially relentless attacks on the people’s democratic rights and freedoms. A group of academics has, in a letter published on the opposite page, condemned one such incident. Human rights lawyer, Swasthika Arulingam, was recently turned away from a lecture she was scheduled to deliver at the University of Jaffna because some student groups forced the university authorities not to allow her to come; more..

Nov 17 (TM) This year, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day and poppy ceremony was held on Saturday, 11 November at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo. Since November is the Month of Remembrance universally, it is commemorated world over. This year commemorates the centenary of the Cenotaph (victory column) which was declared open on 27 October 1923 by the Governor, Brigadier Sir William Henry Manning, at 7.45 a.m. at Galle Face, as per Ceylon Daily News records. more..

Nov 17 (FT) In a compelling address to Parliament, main Opposition SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva delivered a comprehensive critique of Budget 2024, shedding light on critical issues that demand urgent attention. De Silva, who is also the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman, meticulously outlined the shortcomings and concerns surrounding the economic policies proposed in the budget, providing a stark contrast to the optimistic claims made by the Govt. more..

Nov 17 (ST) Dept of Census and Statistics plans to go ahead with its schedule to conduct the population and housing census, despite Grama Niladharis claiming they would not support the process. An official said that as the govt has requested a report on the initial phase of the census process by the end of this year, they will be going ahead with their work. He said they have trained members to collect the data. “We started on Nov 1. Currently, we are facing difficulties due to the adverse weather more..

Nov 17 (CI) Except, this wasn't Steve Waugh's mentality monsters or Ricky Ponting's Invincibles. These men were fallible. They almost didn't make it. South Africa refused to let them. Eerily enough, the target to win was also the score both of these immensely watchable sides had put up in what was for a very long time the greatest ODI ever played. 213. This classic, like the one in 1999, owed much to the spinners. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi weren't turning the ball so much as more..

Nov 17 (FT) First, my fundamental point was that the tax provisions of the Port City Act is an example of extensive tax exemptions based on vague criteria that violate the principles of good governance in taxation. As the Commission acknowledges, according to the Extraordinary Gazette of Aug 4, 2023, Primary Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSI) are offered exemptions and concessions lasting 35 years while Secondary BSI are offered exemptions of 25 years from 13 different tax acts, more..

Nov 17 (DN) After lifting the ban on Nov 10, World Rugby has provided guidance to the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), setting a timeline leading up to the next AGM in February 2024. According to the instructions, a Special General Meeting will be held before the end of Jan 2024, followed by the Annual General Meeting conducted under the new constitution in Feb 2024. This timeline has been specified by World Rugby. The SLR committee will deliberate and reach a conclusion regarding the new constitution. more..

Nov 17 (FT) Supreme Court, in its recent judgment regarding two fundamental rights petitions filed over economic crisis, while holding the guilty persons liable and naming them, including one member of the Monetary Board, decided not to make any adverse decisions or orders against two Monetary Board members, Dr. Sanjeeva Jayawardena and Dr. Ranee Jayamaha. Instead, the Court, by its majority decision held that former CB Governors Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, more..

Nov 17 (TM) As a result of a joint request made by the employees of LTL Transformers (Pvt) Ltd and the Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA), the Auditor General’s (AG) Department has agreed to conduct an audit on the said company, of which the Govt owns 63% of the shares. ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that 63% of the shares of this company, which maintains all the transformers installed throughout the island, belong to the Govt, with the remaining 37% to its employees. more..

Nov 17 (FT) The SLT Group announced yesterday it posted moderate growth in the third quarter ended on 30 Sept 2023. SLT PLC reported a revenue of Rs. 17,490 million with a growth of 3.7%, while Mobitel recorded 2.7% de-growth during Q3’23 compared to Q3’22. The Group’s consolidated revenue for the quarter increased by 3.9% to LKR 27.7 billion, compared to LKR 26.7 billion in Q3 2022. SLT PLC revenue growth was driven mainly by growth in broadband, PEOTV and enterprise revenue streams. more..

Nov 17 (FT) Deloitte SL, part of the int'l auditing, consulting, and financial advisory giant, Deloitte Global, held a special Budget Night panel discussion on SL’s Govt Budget 2024, on 13 Nov 2023, soon after the Budget was presented to Parliament by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance. The panel comprised co-founder of LYNEAR, Dr. Gunawardane, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank SL since Jan 2019, Bingumal Thewarathanthri, more..

Nov 17 (DM) Two cars driven by a millionaire businessman in Beruwala area and his son deliberately collided head-on each other in the early hours of yesterday in Beruwala town, causing damage to the two vehicles, police said. Police said that the father (53) is a boat-owning businessman and that he was living separately over a family dispute with his children and wife. Police said that the incident took place at around 1.30 am when the father was coming from Payagala to Beruwala town in his car more..

Nov 17 (Island) Premier SL hospitality chain, Aitken Spence Hotels reiterated their commitment to unparalleled service excellence in the hospitality industry with a stunning succession of accolades in the last month. The Company’s properties in SL, India and Oman and the Maldives have been recognised for their distinctive experiences and steadfast dedication to quality at various esteemed platforms, further cementing their reputation as leaders in travel and sustainable tourism. more..