Jul 14 (TM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashley de Silva yesterday (13) refuted reports published by certain news agencies that Sri Lanka will be in line to replace India if the latter decide to withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which is due to start in Pakistan. He said that thus far there had been no official communiqué to the SLC from the game’s world controlling body and insisted that it would be best to leave matters as they were. more..

Jul 14 (ST) Charith Asalanka, former SL U-19 skipper, is set to take over as SL’s T20 captain on a permanent basis from the forthcoming series against world champions India. This appointment follows Wanindu Hasaranga’s resignation as T20 skipper, prompted by significant public criticism of his conduct and leadership during his short six-months in office. Currently serving as vice-captain, Asalanka is expected to be promoted to captain when the selectors announce the team for upcoming more..

Jul 14 (TM) While the developments related to SL’s debt restructuring negotiations & agreements reached thus far are being portrayed as subha aranchiyak or good news, the people are looking for a real subha aranchiya that improves their daily lives, asserted SJB MP Harsha de Silva. “The subha aranchiya has to be for the people. It has to be something to do with their lives – that they can afford to have three meals a day, for example. more..

Jul 14 (Island) In Jan 2019, former Minister of Sports Harin Fernando appointed Major General Daya Ratnayake as the Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC), along with 14 executive members, with the goal of uplifting sports in SL. At the time, Harin Fernando stated, “As the Minister of Sports, my main focus is to ensure that sports are played clean in the country. Win or lose, playing clean should be the main focus. I want to put a stop to talented youngsters from rural areas being more..

Jul 14 (Island) Despite the trumpeting from the housetops, no doubt with a weather eye on the plantation bloc vote, most estate workers are still not getting the Rs. 1,700 daily wage imposed on the plantation industry by govt fiat. Planters Association (PA) is adamant that the wage increase will drive the industry bankrupt. A number of plantation companies led by Agrapatana Plantations Ltd, both listed and unlisted, have obtained an interim injunction from a 3-judge bench of Supreme Court challenging more..

Jul 14 (ST) My dear Basil, I thought of writing to you after hearing you speak at a ceremony in Kalutara last week to Raththaran Rohitha’s 27 years in politics. The important people gathered there were an interesting bunch. What they said – especially what you and Uncle Ranil said – was even more interesting. Do you have any idea why Rohitha celebrated 27 years in politics? Is it because he is not sure whether he will last until his 28th year? Or, should we not be surprised because more..

Jul 14 (ST) The Elections Commission (EC) was in full flow this week explaining to the media how the new election laws pertaining to campaign financing work. On the eve of scheduled Presidential elections by October and an expected Parliamentary election to follow soon thereafter, this topic has always been brought up before an election and observed in the breach with gay abandon by all in the fray. There is a free-for-all in funding political parties and candidates. The corporate big boys’, more..

Jul 14 (ST) It is no wonder that when it comes to climate change, SL is among the more vulnerable nations in the region, despite its relatively low carbon footprint compared to big industrialised polluters in the West. A Reuters analysis report this week found that a programme meant to help developing nations fight climate change is funnelling billions of dollars back to rich countries. The report found that Japan, France, Germany, US, and more..

Jul 14 (TM) While the Supreme Court of this country continues to establish as to what constitutes fact amidst the sea of confusion that is being meticulously created over the interpretation of the Constitution in general and Articles 30(2), 62(2), and 83(b) in particular on the eve of a defining Prez Election, it appears that the powers that be have chosen to ignore those interpretations, possibly in the puerile hope that those established facts will cease to exist if they are ignored, more..

Jul 14 (CT) Sri Lanka is a country with rich natural resources. From graphite and freshwater reserves to mineral sands and even oil and gas resources, the country boasts a treasure trove of valuable resources many other nations yearn to possess. However, possessing such natural resources only gives the country bragging rights unless we utilise them in a sustainable and economically beneficial manner. Only a country with a strong economy and a stable political arena can afford to just more..

Jul 14 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Govt, while racing to conclude the country’s debt restructuring programme, are continuing to create confusion and chaos on the political stage. Govt has expressed hope of completing the country’s debt restructuring programme by the end of this month with the finalisation of the agreement with private creditors. However, Prez has made 2 contradicting more..

Jul 14 (CT) After waiting, Supreme Court determination concluded the 5-year term of the prez, and it became a closed chapter. However, there is another petition by a lawyer seeking to postpone the presidential election until a referendum is held. People suspect that the govt is behind gimmicks. Prez RW wants to buy time to widen his voter base before he wants to declare his candidacy for the prez election. Given the above background, the Minister of Justice stated that attempts by more..

Jul 14 (SO) Elections are apparently around the corner. In just a few days, National Elections Commission (EC) will be empowered to call nominations and polling dates for the Prez Election (PE), which has to be held on any date from Sept 16 to Oct 17, though usually all elections are now held on Saturdays. This is to minimise the inconvenience caused to schools and temples which are used as polling stations. Sri Lankans have enjoyed the universal franchise since 1931, long before more..

Jul 13 (DM) As many as 45 SL criminals –red noticed by Interpol are stationed overseas - mostly in the UAE - and carry organised criminal activities in SL, a top police source said. The govt has initiated action to trap and bring them here for prosecution in terms of the Extradition Treaties signed with these countries. The source the UAE, as a country, is extending cooperation in tracking them. In recent investigations into the shooting more..

Jul 13 (DM) Excise Dept had failed to collect the total tax amount of Rs. 1.8 billion in arrears up to June 15, 2024, from last year from the relevant liquor manufacturers despite recommendations from the Committee on Ways and Means, Committee Chairman MP Champika Ranawaka said. Committee on Ways and Means has expressed its strong displeasure over the failure to act on the recommendations given by the committee. Excise Dept stated that Finance Ministry is yet more..

Jul 13 (Island) Railway services will only return to normal today (13), although the strike by station masters and railway controllers ended on Thursday night, the Railway Department said on Friday. The strike ended after a discussion held between representatives of the unions and Minister Bandula Gunawardena at the residence of former speaker Karu Jayasuriya. However, 14 morning trains were not operational yesterday because some vital staffers had not turned up to work, more..

Jul 13 (FT) The controversial non-transparent and non-competitive visa outsourcing deal has been literally crucified by the COPF which has called on Auditor General to launch an immediate probe, which could even mean abrogation of the agreement. In a statement, COPF, chaired by MP Harsha de Silva, said it has released a critical report revealing major discrepancies in the procurement process and agreement with more..

Jul 13 (FT) Oddamavadi, directed by Aman Ashraff, had a grand premiere on Wednesday at PVR, attended by eminent invitees that included the First Lady, Prof. Maithree Wickremasinghe, State Representatives, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, corporate leaders, and other distinguished representatives of society. The documentary film takes the audience on a poignant journey through an untold story of the SL Muslim community’s struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic, more..

Jul 13 (FT) The National Police Commission (NPC) has instructed IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to initiate an inquiry into the dissemination of footage showing Dulan Sanjula, a suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Sunhill Group of Companies Chairperson Surendra Wasantha Perera also known as Club Wasantha, being interrogated by a group of police officers. In the video that went viral on social media and other platforms this week, a group of police officers, more..

Jul 13 (FT) Sadaharitha Plantations Ltd, said it has successfully entered into an agreement with agarwood growers in Malaysia to share and sell its proprietary SP Tech for the inoculation of agarwood trees. This technology, developed through years of rigorous research and development, is designed to boost resin production in agarwood trees using natural ingredients. Initially, this agreement will witness the inoculation of one million agarwood trees annually, while three new agarwood more..

Jul 13 (ST) Visitors to the Dehiwala zoo are far from happy by the management of the zoo and the treatment of its animals. They said that the zoo, which was celebrating its 88th anniversary, was not maintained properly, and visitor interest had declined. They feel the animals are neglected and have little freedom of movement. Visitors are unsatisfied as they feel the entry fee has not benefited the animals, as the animals appear malnourished & live in unhygienic conditions. more..

Jul 13 (Island) Top spokesperson for Jana Aragala Sandhanaya, Pubudu Jagoda said that India was brazenly exploiting the continuing political and economic crisis here to secure rights to explore a cobalt-rich underwater mountain in the Indian Ocean, situated in an area staked by SL in terms of Article 76 of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Jagoda said so when The Island sought further clarification more..

Jul 13 (FT) Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Singapore Senarath Dissanayake met Singapore Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo on 1 July and exchanged views on shared common interests on the digital front, including AI. The High Commissioner briefed the Minister on the recent Fintech delegation visit to Sri Lanka to explore possible collaborative opportunities in digital public infrastructure and the proposed visit by the Press Club of Singapore. more..

Jul 13 (FT) PM Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday attended the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting held at the Jaffna Divisional Secretariat Office. He also participated in the distribution of rice and egg incubators for the low income families. In his address, PM said farmers are not Govt workers, and their service and contribution are immeasurable. “Govt is dedicated to improving the living conditions of the Jaffna Peninsula. In order to increase the living conditions, more..

Jul 13 (FT) Colombo stock market witnessed a dismal week despite indices gaining on Friday. During the week the benchmark ASPI declined by 0.9% and the active S&P SL20 by 1.5%. Average daily turnover was Rs. 627 million. Asia Securities said on Friday the indices closed the week in green with the ASPI gaining 42 points (+0.4%) and the S&P SL20 index increasing 19 points (+0.6%), supported by price increases in LOFC (+3.4%), DIPD (+2.5%), COMBN (+2.2%), more..

Jul 13 (Island) There were 1,103 road accidents in SL during the first six months of 2024, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. There had been 1,154 fatalities. He said his Ministry has implemented various programmes to reduce the number of road accidents. National Council for Road Safety has allocated 50 million rupees to SL Police for the purchase of speed control equipment, he said, adding that the Ministry of Transport will also issue a gazette with new road speed limits within more..

Jul 13 (CT) Some 44 years ago on 11 July 1980, United Trade Union Working Committee met and demanded that a Rs 300 monthly wage increase be given immediately to public and private sector employees and they be also given an allowance of five rupees for every rising cost-of-living index and that the interdicted workers (12) be reinstated unconditionally. They also warned of launching a country-wide general strike if there was no more..

Jul 13 (EN) Sri Lanka is in the process of starting spatial mapping on all tree species in the island nation before going for carbon credit trading in the global market, Senior Prez Advisor on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene said. SL has been in the process of carbon credit for more than a decade. Carbon credit is a way of compensating for emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. If SL reduces its Carbon Dioxide emissions through efforts like reforestation and more..

Jul 13 (DN) Dinali Karunadasa of Visakha Vidyalaya captured the spotlight on the fourth day of the 49th MILO-sponsored All Island Schools Aquatic Championship at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool Complex yesterday, where seven new meet records were shattered. Karunadasa broke the Under-20 Girls 800m Freestyle meet record, clocking 10:15.93 and surpassing the previous record of 10:19.05 set by South Asian Games medalist Sandu Savindi more..

Jul 13 (ST) SL loses Rs 350 million worth of its rich fisheries resources on a daily basis in the northern territorial waters due to the entry of at least 500 illegal mechanised bottom trawlers operated by Indian fishermen, according to a Cabinet note prepared by Fisheries Ministry. Note pointed out that in recent years, the fisheries sector has faced a huge issue, especially in the northern waters, due to illegal entry by Indian trawlers. more..

Jul 13 (Island) The spotlight will fall on the Under 20 age category when the Junior National Athletics C'ship commences at Diyagama today as the four-day championship will be the final opportunity to qualify for the World Junior Championships. Six athletes have already reached entry standards for the world event to be held in Lima, Peru in August. SL Athletics has spelt out the plan to form a team for the costly tour also leaving a space for those athletes who excel in U-18 age category. more..

Jul 13 (ST) SL’s apparel trade has spent more than US$1 billion in foreign exchange to bring in intermediate goods up to May this year, compared with earnings of US$ 1.96 billion from exports. The net earnings from these exports amount to less than US$1 billion. Data from the Central Bank show that forex spending on imports of textiles and textile articles from January to May has increased by 9.4% from the year before to US$ 1.09 billion (US$ 999.9 million in Jan to May 2023). more..