Sep 27 (TM) SL’s proposed Online Safety Bill, which aims to regulate online content and enhance user safety, has ignited a debate over its potential impact on freedom of expression and the risk of Govt censorship. While the bill is currently in draft form, several experts and stakeholders have voiced their concerns regarding its implications. Key provisions of the Online Safety Bill: The bill establishes an Online Safety Commission more..

Sep 27 (ST) Two most obnoxious legal bills were published in the govt gazette this week. One, newly called Anti-Terrorism bill could potentially make terrorists out of us all if we express dissenting views in public on govt policy. The other, euphemistically titled Online Safety bill could toll the death knell for the free and vibrant social media, extant today in SL, along with a host of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or rebranded X accounts which millions of Lankans daily use to air their pleasurable moments more..

Sep 27 (DM) World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day. It is the day in 1959 when the UNGA adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UNGA adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In our country-SL - Children’s Day is marked on 1 October every year. Since independence, we have many laws protecting children including laws preventing the exploitation of children from being more..

Sep 27 (TM) The past few months saw a renewed and a rather controversial national-level discourse on allergies and the quality of medicines available in SL, as allegedly, the medicine-related allergic reactions, especially instances that happened in public hospitals, were blamed for several deaths that occurred in questionable conditions. Probes, including those led by health authorities and experts, were also launched, more..

Sep 27 (DM) Last week, Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), which is in stiff competition with the TULF for the Northern Tamil votes, launched a commemoration campaign of Thileepan, a self-styled Lt. Colonel of the LTTE, who died in 1987 while engaging in a hunger strike. A vehicle procession carrying a life-size idol of Thileepan kicked off from Pottuvil on September 16th when Thileepan started his hunger strike ostensibly against the atrocities of the IPKF. more..

Sep 27 (CT) The country to which Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe returned after his international successes in the Americas remains in dire straits. In both Cuba and New York, prez made his mark at the podium holding his own with giants on the world stage. Addressing heads of state at the G77 Summit in Cuba, the prez spoke of the significance of science, technology and innovation in shaping the future of developing nations. He referred to the new technological divide emerging in 21st century, more..

Sep 26 (Forbes) In an era where wellness and cultural representation are at the forefront of our consciousness, Sajani Amarasiri, the founder of Kola Goodies, is on a mission to blend the two seamlessly. With a focus on creating delicious tea and superfood lattes inspired by her South Asian heritage, Kola Goodies aims to increase cultural representation and equity, from seed to shelf, in the wellness industry. Kola Goodies isn't just about crafting beverages; more..

Sep 26 (AD) A new law is set to be introduced to transform the Colombo Port City into a Financial Zone, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed. Speaking at the 2023 Commercial Mediation Symposium held at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo this afternoon, the Head of State revealed that the new legislation would transform Port City into the Colombo Financial Zone, granting it jurisdiction over offshore activities. The relevant new law is expected to be enacted by the end of 2023, more..

Sep 26 (IBT) Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has spoken out in support of India amid the latter's ongoing diplomatic row with Canada, and called the North American country a safe haven for terrorists. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has a way of coming out with outrageous allegations, Sabry said in light of Trudeau's recent statements about India having a hand in Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil. more..

Sep 26 (DM) A future NPP govt will never hesitate to work with the IMF and other institutions, former NPP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today. He told reporters that NPP will deal with the IMF while respecting the people’s mandate and will be committed to implementing the proposals agreed to by the mandate. He alleged that the present govt is only trying to postpone the economic crisis by hiding behind the IMF proposals rather than genuinely intervening to resolve the true crisis. more..

Sep 26 (EN) SL is struggling to meet its tax revenue target committed to the IMF this year due to inefficiency and corruption among the state officials at Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Customs, and Excise Department, ruling party MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said. Aluthgamage, the chair of the Parliament Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans, said the govt’s tax collection is far behind the target due to the lethargic attitude of the three main more..

Sep 26 (Island) Opposition MP Harshana Rajakaruna said those who had defeated the no-confidence motion (NCM) against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella should peruse the latest State audit report on the Health Ministry. SJB MP said COPA at a recent meeting chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna had strongly criticised the Health Ministry over the continuing waste, corruption, irregularities and more..

Sep 26 (CT) Rajeev Amarasuriya has been appointed as the SL Country Representative of the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA). Founded in 1971, CLEA is a Commonwealth-wide body with regional Chapters and Committees in South Asia, Southern Africa, West Africa, Caribbean and UK, and fosters and promotes high standards of Legal Education in the Commonwealth. The goal of the Commonwealth Legal Education Association is to make more..

Sep 26 (EN) Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) is to receive 5.7 million rupees a year, for 5 years, from Singapore-based marine waste solutions provider, Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), to maintain 8 beach cleaner machines. The donation is meant to support MEPA clean coastal areas across SL, using BeachTech Hydro Sweepy beach cleaner machines, previously donated by the organisation. The oil industry-founded NGO donated the 8 beach cleaners more..

Sep 26 (DM) SL cricket team will play three Test matches in England in 2024, according to the sources in the ECB and was also confirmed by one of the top SLC officials. "Yes, we are committed to honour the schedule given by the ECB and accordingly will play three Test matches under the banner of ICC's World Test Championship", the official said. The ECB is scheduled to host the 3 Test matches respectively at Old Trafford, Lord's and Oval on Aug21-25, Aug29-Sept.2, Sept6-10. more..

Sep 26 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta, yesterday eased the bail conditions imposed on first accused MP Champika Ranawaka and third accused, former OIC of the Welikada Police ASP Sudath Asmadala, in the hit-and-run case, filed against them, where Ranawaka has been charged with causing grievous injury to youth Sandeep Sampath, at Rajagiriya seven years ago. Accordingly, the Judge lifted the bail conditions imposed on them, where they were ordered more..

Sep 26 (FT) FPS member Prof. G.L. Peiris claimed that the recently gazetted Online Safety Bill is the most dangerous piece of legislation proposed in recent times. Peiris was addressing a press conference. “Above all else, the Govt fears the people today,” he said. According to Peiris, this is evidenced by the fact that the Govt took steps to continuously delay polls. “They knew they would face a humiliating defeat,” the MP opined. more..

Sep 26 (AD) NWSDB states that issuing electronic water bills instead of printed bills will commence from Oct 1. Deputy General Manager of the NWSDB Piyal Pathmanatha emphasized that the new programme will be launched in 04 selected regulatory areas as the first step. Commenting further regarding the matter, Pathmanatha said that the procedure would be initiated in association with the Colombo-South, Kandy-South, Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa regional offices on a trial basis. more..

Sep 26 (AD) The issuance of vehicle revenue licenses in the Southern Province will also be temporarily suspended following the suspension in the Western Province, owing to an upgrading of the computer system. Issuing a statement, Chief Secretary of the Southern Province Sumith Alahakoon has announced that the revenue licenses will be suspended from tomorrow until Oct 2. Accordingly, issuing the vehicle revenue licenses in the Southern Province will re-commence more..

Sep 26 (DM) Concerns are rising among medical specialists following an incident in which the Ministry of Health instructed a neurologist to repay the salary earned during his postgraduate training period in SL. In addition to the salary earned during the postgraduate training, the specialist has also been informed to pay the fees for Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) exam and course, both of which were paid out of the specialist's more..

Sep 26 (EN) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made four new additions from diverse backgrounds to its leadership. These appointments are expected to increase the effectiveness of the SEC secretariat in the respective operating areas, the SEC said. Manuri Weerasinghe, with over 20 years of experience in accounting, financial management, financial reporting and auditing, was appointed Director, Corporate Affairs. She is a Fellow Member of CA SL, member of CIMA more..

Sep 26 (FT) Nirmal Saverimuttu has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Voyages in Sept 2023. Having joined the Company in Jan 2015, previously, Nirmal served as Prez and CEO, responsible for all passenger, crew and commercial operations at Virgin Voyages. In this role Nirmal shaped the company’s award winning experience on its fleet of 3 cruise vessels. Virgin Voyages is the Virgin branded cruise line operating under the Virgin umbrella of businesses. more..

Sep 26 (AD) The Colombo District Court today suspended the interim injunction preventing the implementation of a letter issued by the chairman of the SLFP, former Prez Maithripala Sirisena to Dayasiri Jayasekara, who was recently ousted as the party’s General Secretary. Colombo District Judge Sandun Vithana had issued this interim injunction order on Thursday (21), to be in effect until Oct 5, 2023, after considering a complaint filed by Dayasiri Jayasekara. more..

Sep 26 (AD) The excise officers have been suspended over their involvement in the abduction and assault of a Beedi manufacturer in Walasmulla area and their attempt to solicit a bribe. The Commissioner General of Excise has taken necessary measures to suspend the suspected officers, on the directives of Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Siyambalapitiya has given further instructions to take legal action against these officers regardless of their ranks. more..

Sep 26 (CI) It's official - Sri Lanka will be without Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga at the ODI World Cup. Dasun Shanaka, whose role as captain had been under much speculation over the past few weeks, will lead the side in India through October and November. The rest of the 15-member squad has formed up as expected, with the only changes from the side that reached final of the Asia Cup more..

Sep 26 (AD) Appropriation Bill for fiscal year 2024 will be submitted to Parliament in the second week of October and the second reading of the budget will be presented by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on Nov 13, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. He said the debate on the second reading of the budget will be held from Nov 14 to 21 and the voting on the second reading is scheduled to be held in the afternoon of the 21st. Vote on the Third Reading is scheduled to be held on Dec 13. more..

Sep 26 (DM) An instance where glue is suspected to have been applied to cover up a crack on an egg was reported from Kegalle today. This was revealed by a SJB organizer for Deraniyagala, Ranjith Polgampola during a media briefing together with SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana at the Opposition Leader’s office. “A rough line which is about three millimetres wide was seen on the surface of the egg. This line was rough while the rest of the surface was smooth as usual. more..

Sep 26 (AD) Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that Colombo has not given permission to a Chinese vessel to dock, adding that Indian security concerns are important for SL. Asked about reports regarding a Chinese research vessel named Shi Yan 6 scheduled to be docked in Sri Lanka in October and India’s concerns regarding it, he said that they have a standard operating procedure (SOP) and they have consulted many friends, more..

Sep 26 (CT) An audit report, released on the Ministry of Health, by the National Audit Office, has stated that presently a shortage of 1,331 medical officers, 77 dentists, 1,759 nurses and 2,268 medical assistants was prevalent within the country’s health sphere, thus dealing a crippling blow to its maintenance. The audit report has noted that based on details that were furnished to the NAO by 31 Dec last year, despite the presence of an additional 146 specialist doctors in 23 hospitals, more..

Sep 26 (AD) A fundamental rights (FR) petition has been filed before the Supreme Court, challenging the govt’s Domestic Debt Optimization (DDO) program. The petition was put forward by MP Prof. G.L. Peiris and SJB’s general secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara today. Central Bank of SL (CBSL), its governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and its Monetary Board, as well as the Finance Ministry’s Secretary, Attorney General and several others have been named as respondents of this petition. more..

Sep 26 (FT) SL reported year-on-year (y-o-y) inflation of 4% in August 2023. During 2022, the country was among the top 10 countries with high inflation. Steve H. Hanke, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who tracks hyperinflationary countries around the world, was constantly showing SL featuring amongst hyperinflationary countries during the majority of 2022. Inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), has reached a single digit level in last 2 months. more..

Sep 26 (FT) There have been substantial and widespread criticisms of the recently instituted Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) scheme carried out by Central Bank of SL (CBSL), to reduce the SL Govt’s requirements for funding. In this article I argue that the scheme, as structured and carried out by CBSL, is appropriate, given the ground realities in the country, and that the critics have ignored a number of factors which forced CBSL to design the scheme as it did. more..