May 2 (FT) In a significant development aimed at revitalising maritime infrastructure, Cabinet of Ministers approved the signing of a MoU to obtain a proposed financial grant from India for the renovation of the Karainagar Boat Yard. The decision follows the clearance received from the Attorney General for the MoU, which will facilitate the receipt of the proposed financial grant from India. Additionally, approval from the Foreign Affairs Ministry has been secured, further advancing the process. more..

May 2 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved accepting of a financial grant from India to proceed with the renovation of the Kankesanthurai Port (KKS) in Jaffna. Originally slated for implementation under the Indian credit facility, the project faced setbacks due to higher-than-expected costs estimated by consulting service agencies. Consequently, discussions were initiated with the Government of India to explore alternative funding options. more..

May 2 (ST) Persuaded by local agents that they’ll get non-combat jobs with hefty salaries, citizenship and residency for their families, SL ex-military are flocking to Russia only to find themselves deployed to the front lines. “Even last week, a group of 40 arrived,” said one former Special Forces soldier hospitalised in Russia with injuries sustained in a Ukrainian drone attack. “A friend called me after landing. more..

May 2 (DM) As one who had the opportunity to serve as the Chairman and Director General of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission and later converted to the Board of Investment from 1991 to 1993 and prior to that as the Chairman of the People’s Bank during the period of Prez Premadasa, it will be appropriate for me to write about the importance to implement the economic policies of the Premadasa period to overcome the current economic crisis and achieve sustainable economic recovery on more..

May 2 (TM) SL’s school education system is gearing up to roll out reformed education methods that have been in the pipeline for three years. As the timeline nears for schoolchildren to experience the new methods of learning, there have been various suggestions to add subjects and redesign curricula in a manner best suited to shape the thinking of a citizen in the 21st century. Among the latest such topics or subjects that the Ministry of Education has been requested to include in the curriculum is Human Rights. more..

May 2 (ST) Inconclusive talks on debt restructuring between the SL Govt and its private creditors revolving around US$ 12 billion invested in sovereign bonds have cast a shadow over any final agreement on a scheduled calendar of payments. Into the quagmire also falls the forthcoming elections with a former Treasury Secretary last week expressing concern that if no agreement is reached by June, the hopefully continuing discussions would enter the pre-election phase and more..

May 2 (CT) Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe (Ex PM, Ex MP and now the Prez) is reported to have berated the present Govt Authorities, for going around begging for funds to purchase the Anti-Corona Virus Vaccines from India (Astro-Seneca (Oxford)) and from China (Sinovac). Yes. It is great shame that our nation has managed its finances very poorly and recklessly. Even before the Robber Barons, invited by RW’s uncle “Dickie” got here, the local models were well immersed in the technology more..

May 2 (TM) The much-debated Electricity Sector Reforms Bill has come under fire once again, with engineers attached to the State-run CEB reportedly having prepared draft petitions challenging its legality. Sources indicate that the bill, recently gazetted, has prompted concerns over its quality and technical accuracy. The origin of the current controversy traces back to the turbulent journey of the bill through the legislative process. more..

May 2 (CT) The lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the identity and operations of facilitators involved in importing fully electric vehicles for SL migrant workers is deeply disappointing and raises serious questions about the integrity of the scheme. The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment’s Gazette No. 2368/24, which introduced this scheme, has come under scrutiny due to the absence of clarity regarding the facilitators’ roles and operations. more..

May 2 (TM) Yesterday (1), on this year’s May Day, Govt responded to long-drawn-out salary related issues raised by the country’s plantation sector workers. Issued by the Commissioner General of Labour H.K.K.A. Jayasundara, a gazette notification dated Tuesday (30) said that the minimum daily wage for workers employed in the tea and rubber growing and manufacturing trade has been increased to Rs. 1,700. According to Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who spoke about this move yesterday, more..

May 2 (TM) The presence of beggars at traffic lights in populated areas including Colombo has been causing disruption for motorists and motorbike riders. This growing concern has prompted the Police, along with certain other agencies, to embark on a campaign aimed at curbing begging at traffic lights and discouraging motorists and riders from handing out spare change. Yet, the topic is fraught with sensitivity, as some voices insist that any approach must be grounded more..

May 2 (DM) SL's current State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) reforms coincide with an unprecedented economic crisis and the 2024 election year. The economic crisis heightens the need for reforms, but the election timing dictates that privatization should be off the table for now. Instead, reforms should focus now on fixing management, transparency, competition, and regulation. This will substantially improve the value of these SOEs to investors as well as society before privatization. more..

May 2 (DM) Historically and traditionally, democracy’s four pillars have been the Executive, legislature, judiciary and the press or media. In recent years, social media has also come to the scene largely with dramatic reports, some of which are alternative facts, twisted reports or outright lies, as we see. The United States’ Republican Party Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, is seeking re-election in November while he faces more than a hundred criminal charges relating to malpractice, more..

May 1 (CT) Forty public rallies and processions have been organised for today to commemorate International Labour Day. The Police announced special traffic plans in anticipation of the public rallies and processions to be held in Colombo, Gampaha, A'pura, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy. Approximately 2,100 Police officers will be deployed for security and 1,300 for traffic duties in Colombo during the May Day celebrations. more..

May 1 (TM) The 52 key State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) which recorded losses in 2022 have recorded a collective profit of Rs. 340 billion in 2023 after they underwent the reform agenda, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe. He said that the key identified strategically important SOEs which recorded a loss of Rs. 740 billion in 2022 has recorded an approximate profit of Rs. 340 billion in 2023. SOEs will have to be vigilant and operate far better than the private sector more..

May 1 (EN) Illegal prostitution in the guise of spa or wellness centers should be regulated to prevent AIDS and other health issues among SL youth, State Tourism Minister Diana Gamage said. At least 695 new HIV positive people were identified in the country in 2023 and it has seen a 14% rise over 2022. Sri Lanka has witnessed mushrooming spas or wellness centers throughout the island nation in the last three years amid an unprecedented economic crisis, tourism officials say. more..

May 1 (GN) Pressure is mounting from members of the public and elected officials for the chief of one of Canada’s biggest police forces to apologize for meeting the notorious head of SL police. Tamil Canadians, including Toronto city councillor Parthi Kandavel, are calling the visit deeply upsetting to all Canadians. Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah serves Mississauga, Brampton and Pearson airport more..

May 1 (TM) The police force’s recent initiatives aimed at preventing inmates from engaging in illegal activities that take place outside the prison focus on monitoring the outsiders that interact with inmates as visitors. This was revealed by DIG Nihal Thalduwa, who explained that attention has been paid to inmates that engage in criminal activities through those who visit them as visitors. He added that law enforcement groups that have been deployed for this purpose will monitor who visits inmates, more..

May 1 (DM) CPC has reduced its fuel prices with effect from tonight. Accordingly, a litre of Lanka Petrol 92 Octane Euro 4 (Rs. 371) has been reduce by Rs. 3, and its new retail price will be Rs. 368. A litre of Lanka Petrol 95 Octane Euro 4 (Rs. 440) has been reduce by Rs. 20, and its new retail price will be Rs. 420. A litre of Lanka Auto Diesel (Rs.363) has been reduce by Rs.30, and its new retail price will be Rs.333. A litre of Lanka Super Diesel 4 Star Euro 4 (Rs. 386) has been reduced by Rs. 9, more..

May 1 (DM) It has been revealed that out of the 5,308 Headquarters Police Inspectors (HQIs), Station Officer In-charges (OICs), and sectional OICs (Crimes, Administration, etc.), a total of 1,106 officers permanently reside within the police division where they are stationed, accounting for 7.2% of the total. This was revealed in a latest study conducted by the Senior DIG of the North Central Province Priyantha Weerasuriya on the instruction of the IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. more..

May 1 (FT) Recognising the economic and ecological importance, the Govt aims to transform Mirissa into a Blue Flag Coastal Zone and a Marine Wildlife Sanctuary aligning with int'l standards. On 22 May 2023, Cabinet of Ministers discussed a proposal to designate the Mirissa Marine Zone as a wildlife sanctuary, aiming to protect its rich biodiversity. Subsequently, a ministerial sub-committee, led by the Prime Minister, was formed to study proposal’s implications & benefits. more..

May 1 (DM) In a surprising move, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, in a meeting with a delegation of Communist Party of China (CPC), has offered to play a mediatory role between two Asian giants implying India and China. A source familiar with the meeting said that Premadasa made such an offer during the discussion between his party and the CPC delegation that visited SL recently. However, the CPC is reported to have said that more..

May 1 (CT) Although nearly 2,000 SLTB buses were requested for people’s participation in May Day celebrations across the island today (1), payment has been received for only 200 buses. A senior official at the SLTB, said, as in previous years, most of the major political parties and organisations in the country have requested SLTB buses for the May Day events, but have not paid for the services properly. He expressed concern that the board may incur significant losses as a result of providing more..

May 1 (DN) Due to the Red Sea crisis, the newly added infrastructure development in the last 8 months and steps taken to increase productivity, Colombo Port will record its best ever performance this year, said SLPA Chairman Keith D. Bernard. “This will be in terms of both container movements (TUI’s) as well as in revenue.” He said that at the end of the first quarter of the year (Jan to March end) TUE’s volumes have gone up from 441,032 TEUs to 652, 766 TEUs by 48% more..

May 1 (FT) The second round of Indonesia - Sri Lanka Preferential Trade Agreement (ISLPTA) is scheduled to be held from 19 and 20 June in Colombo. “The move aligns with the Government’s vision of strengthening economic ties with major and emerging economies, whilst giving a particular focus on ASEAN countries,” Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. The first meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee was held online from 3 - 4 April 2024. more..

May 1 (DN) SL’s rugby team showed its strength in a dominant 45-10 win over neighboring rival India, securing their spot in the final against Kazakhstan at the Asian Division I Rugby Tournament. The match, held at Colombo’s Racecourse Stadium, saw SL take a commanding lead of 21-3 by halftime. Despite a drenched field and slippery ball, SL managed to score five goals and two tries, while India only secured one goal and one penalty kick, totaling 10 points. The match started an hour late due to more..

May 1 (TM) Following certain ministers and Govt MPs criticising Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith – during the recently held three-day Parliamentary debate on the Easter Sunday attacks of 21 April 2019 – claiming that he is encouraging the public to vote for a particular political party at the upcoming Prez Election, Colombo Archdiocese denied the allegations levelled by those politicians. more..

May 1 (ST) The trial began this week over the 2017 attempted murder of Jaffna High Court Judge Manicavasagar Elancheleyan and the murder of his police bodyguard. In this case, Selvarasa Jeyanthan has been accused of fatally shooting Police Sergeant Sarath Hemachandra and the attempted murder of Judge Elancheleyan and police officer Waththegedara Rathna Wimalasiri on July 22, 2017. Both the deceased Sergeant Hemachandra and Constable Wimalasiri, who was injured, more..

May 1 (Island) In a remarkable display of knowledge of and enthusiasm for the environment, 14-year-old student Akira Alagiyawanna from Wycherley Int'l School, Colombo, delivered a captivating video address on climate phenomena at the Uni of California in Los Angeles – UCLA, during an Earth Day event on April 20. The event, hosted by the America-SL Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles, provided a platform for Akira to share his insights with viewers, even from a distance. more..

May 1 (Island) Sri Lanka will not be able to field their formidable men’s 4×400 metres relay quartet inclusive of the two fastest men in Asia in the 400 metres this season at the upcoming World Relays in Bahamas due to visa issues. The team inclusive of Aruna Dharshana, who has clocked the fastest time in Asia (45.30 secs) so far this year and Kalinga Kumarage (45.35 secs, second fastest time in Asia) are currently ranked 16th in the world more..

May 1 (DN) SL Para athletic team comprised seven players won seven medals including two gold and three silvers at the Marrakech World Para Athletic Grand Prix in Morocco. The Lankan team will return home today (1) and welcome ceremony will be organised by the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) today morning at the Karunanayake Airport. President of the NPC Colonel Deepal Herath said seven athletes took part this Grand Prix which was the main Paralympic qualification event. more..

May 1 (DN) The chess team representing Colombo City from SL gave an excellent display in an international tournament, securing the second runner-up position in the Asian Cities Chess Team Championship. This event, organized by the Chess Federation of Russia and overseen by the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, took place in Khanty Maniysk, Russia from April 21 to 29. Led by non-playing captain Sanjeewa Anuradha, the Colombo City team included skilled players more..