Nov 30 (DM) Uganda will become only the fifth African nation to feature in a ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. With five wins from their six games, Uganda have ensured a top-two finish in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier and booked their tickets for the T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and USA. This will be their first-ever appearance in an ICC World Cup event. In the qualifier, Uganda overcame Tanzania in their opening game by a comfortable margin of eight wickets. more..

Nov 30 (AD) Programme to establish condom vending machines making it easy for members of the public to have access to condoms as a measure to prevent HIV/AIDS. Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana explained that this measure is being taken in a bid to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Programme of establishing Smart Condom Vending Machines at public places was launched in the year 2017, however, more..

Nov 30 (AD) The Minister of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Alibrahim, has announced that the country’s national carrier Saudia, formally known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, would recommence flights to SL very soon. Announcing the matter, Saudi Minister Faisal bin Alibrahim also took into note that the resumption of flights to Sri Lanka will contribute to capturing a sizable market of affluent Saudi travelers to SL, SL Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. more..

Nov 30 (DM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon as the acting IGP after months of speculation as to who would get the seat. The appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising Thennakoon's experience and expertise saying it will be valuable in leading the police force and implementing strategies to curb crime, while others have expressed concerns about more..

Nov 30 (AD) The petition brought forth against former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe over alleged contempt of court has been fixed for hearing on Jan 3, 2024. During today’s proceedings, Appeals Court instructed Ranasinghe to file his objections, if any, on or before Dec 15. Petition had been filed by Attorney-at-Law Dimitri Pietrangeli, alleging that a statement made by the former minister in during a recent parliamentary session was prejudicial to the President of the Appeals Court, more..

Nov 30 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has left the island to attend the COP28 World Leaders Summit to be held in Dubai, UAE. The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP28) will be held from November 30 until December 12 with the aim of tackling pressing climate change issues and addressing critical decisions. SL leader, accompanied by 3 ministers, 2 opposition MPs and 20 young participants passionate about environmental concerns, will take part in more..

Nov 30 (UCAN) Catholic Church officials along with rights activists have criticized the appointment of an officer accused of negligence during the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings as SL’s new IGP. Deshabandu Tennakoon was promoted to the post of Acting IGP by Prez on Nov. 29 after the retirement of C.D. Wickramaratne from the post. “We strongly reject the appointment as the biggest insult to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks,” more..

Nov 30 (DM) Claiming that the Opposition Leader had used more than 200 minutes in addition to the allocated time in Parliament for a period of two weeks, Chief Govt Whip Prasanna Ranatunga urged the Speaker to take steps to manage the time. He told Parliament that some 552 minutes had been used by the ruling and Opposition MPs in Parliament in addition to the allocated time for the business of the day, while Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had used 204 minutes out of that more..

Nov 30 (Island) Dept of Motor Traffic was unable to print about 900,000 driving licences due for want of blank plastic cards, Commissioner General of the Dept of Motor Traffic Nishantha Weerasinghe told The Island. He said his Dept was doing its best to solve the problem, which could be sorted out in six months or so. A senior official on condition of anonymity said the Department now printed about 200 driving licences for those who were going abroad or engaged in essential services. more..

Nov 30 (DM) More than half the SL population – 53% – believes local political forces were involved in the Easter Sunday attacks carried out in 2019, according to a survey commissioned in October. According to Verité Research, those surveyed were given the following three views prevalent in the country about who was behind the attacks and asked to select the one they most agreed with. 1) It was carried out by SL extremists who were working with dangerous foreign forces. more..

Nov 30 (DM) The contempt of court case filed against MP Roshan Ranasinghe is wrong as no one can file legal action against an MP for the remarks he makes in Parliament, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said. Speaker made this remark in response to a query by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in Parliament. “It is clear that no one can sue an MP for comments he makes in the House,” Speaker said. “Let the judiciary handle the contempt of court case and give a verdict, more..

Nov 30 (EN) Nov 29 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, a UN-organized observance. MPs Rauff Hakim and Dilan Perera, among others, expressed their support for Palestine on Wednesday at an event organized by the Palestinian Embassy in SL. “The league of nations mandate over Palestine was ending for Britain and France,” Perera said. “To retain control, they created new nations. more..

Nov 30 (CT) 35 SL migrant workers who had remained in Kuwait illegally were deported to Sri Lanka and arrived at the BIA, Katunayake last morning (29). Meanwhile, a spokesman from the SL High Commission in Kuwait stated that to date 3,450 migrant workers who are currently stranded without valid visas have been registered with them to head back to Colombo. The official added that presently discussions were being held with the Kuwaiti govt, SL Foreign Affairs Ministry more..

Nov 30 (CT) Villagers and residents of Gamagewatta, in Ihala Bope, Padukka have complained of an unbearable stench spreading in the surrounding areas due to harmful waste liquid being released to the environment, by an alcohol distillery and a garment factory. They also allege that due to the waste and garbage being disposed haphazardly, by these two factories, the contents seep into their wells as well, preventing them from utilising the water for their daily needs. more..

Nov 30 (AD) Minister of Sports Harin Fernando states that he hopes to bring amendments to the prevailing Sports Act in the near future. Speaking at an event organized by Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency, Minister expressed that sports associations are the biggest problem for the Sports Ministry, mentioning that there is no time to focus on the issues of the players due to the issues of the relevant associations. more..

Nov 30 (DM) In the wake of reports about Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and deposed Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe having talks with Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on the SL cricket crisis, an authoritative source said it is the legitimate duty of the Indian envoy to respond to calls for meetings with political leaders. Asserting that Mr. Baglay, as an Indian diplomat heading the mission, keeps contact with the political leaders, the source said he would respond positively more..

Nov 30 (CBS) Mali, known as the world's saddest elephant, has died at the Manila Zoo, the city's mayor Honey Lacuna announced during a news conference on Wednesday. The Asian elephant earned the moniker because she was the only captive elephant in the Philippines and lived alone at the zoo for decades, according to animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has advocated for Mali. Mali lived at the zoo for about 45 years and caught the attention of more..