Oct 10 (Island) This year marks a milestone for the SL Army as it celebrates its diamond anniversary—75 years of unwavering dedication to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. Since its inception on 10 Oct 1949, SL Army has stood at the forefront of national security, defending the motherland and its people against visible or invisible challenges. At the moment where the institution celebrates more..

Oct 10 (TM) The debate surrounding the privileges granted to former Presidents has gained public attention in recent years, especially in light of the people's struggle (aragalaya) which demanded the resignation of former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and subsequent political shifts. Established by Legislation over three decades ago, these entitlements include pensions, allowances, official residences, and security-related provisions. While some argue that a fair portion of privileges more..

Oct 10 (Island) SLPP National Organiser and unsuccessful prez candidate, Namal Rajapaksa, seems to believe that attack is the best form of defence. He has chosen to go on the offensive; he keeps daring the NPP to carry out its election pledge to bring back billions of dollars which, it said, the Rajapaksa family had stashed away in Uganda. He has offered to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities fully if an investigation gets underway! NPP’s response to his challenge has been more..

Oct 10 (CT) Renegotiating parts of IMF’s economic recovery program underlined the campaign platforms of Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his NPP teammates right from the beginning. While RW was bragging about his record of stabilizing the economy and restarting growth AKD was questioning the benefits of that growth to the citizenry. RW’s answer was that they may have to wait until 2048 to enjoy the splendour of his high-tech export miracle. In other words, more..

Oct 10 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to St. Sebastian Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo was an acknowledgement of the hope that all Sri Lankans harbour, especially those who suffered the most during the 2019 Easter Bombings, that the injustices of the past will be recognised and addressed. Although some means of reparations have been made through the Supreme Court, the delays in having a transparent and objective investigation into the attack have denied more..

Oct 10 (SO) The Govt faces an uphill battle in reforming state departments long controlled by a class of officials who operate like machines indifferent to public needs. This is particularly true in the SL’s Foreign Service where high-level appointments have for years been handed out based on political connections rather than on merit. Govt, under Prez Dissanayake is taking steps to address the rampant nepotism regarding these appointments. more..

Oct 10 (DM) The new govt is a new phenomenon in a novel social, economic context. The economic crisis that the country grappled with in 2022 conditioned the mindsets of people to look for a departure from traditional politics. NPP, a political force outside the mainstream, became the choice of the majority of voters, albeit the total votes polled by it at the Sept 21 prez election fell less than 50%. NPP is nothing but a political alliance led by the JVP which is a party with a Marxist, leftist origin. more..

Oct 10 (DM) With the Anura Kumara Dissanayake administration entering its third week of service to the people, the focus is much on the General Elections to be held on November 14. The JVP backed NPP is hoping to get a working majority in Parliament where it earlier had only three seats. President Dissanayake and other party leaders are confident that the people will give them the mandate to go ahead with their mission and vision to build a just and fair society. more..

Oct 10 (SO) Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, a key member of the NPP's economic council offers his perspectives on critical national issues, ranging from state-owned enterprise reforms to ongoing discussions with the IMF. Dr. Suriyapperuma elaborates on the NPP’s approach to tackle corruption and Govt’s socio-economic plans, He also addresses pressing concerns about transparency, the need for more..

Oct 10 (DM) There is hope in the horizon after the 2024 Prez Elections that the new regime would do all it could to ensure that people could, again, afford nutritional food in their diets. There was a time (2022) when at least 50% of the households were forced to cut the children’s food intake due to the country’s crumbling economy. Sri Lanka has recovered somewhat from that shaky past, but there are concerns still; concerns fuelled by the thought that SL is now in the hands of a new govt more..

Oct 10 (TM) In SL’s quest to bring about the system change that the people have been demanding for many years, especially following the 2022 aragalaya movement, holding elections take center stage. As the country has dealt with the much-demanded Prez Election, attention has been paid to holding the Parliamentary Election and also the LG Elections. Elections play an extremely crucial role in the democratic process, and in SL’s case, where the LG Elections have been significantly delayed, more..

Oct 9 (AD) The breakdown of human relationships and the increased isolation of individuals in modern society are significant contributors to rising suicide rates, says Prof. Mohamed Mahees of the Dept of Sociology at the Uni of Colombo. He highlighted the growing detachment of people from one another as a pressing concern. Prof. Mahees pointed out that modern humans often prioritize their interactions with technology over meaningful relationships with others, which he believes is a root cause more..

Oct 9 (OI) The question arises: how did Indian mythology merge to turn an actual Sinhala hero-king into a villain? You don’t have to go far to find the answer. It was the Tamil Nadu settlers who projected Raavan as a treacherous villain, but have suddenly changed their tune to now claim that he was Tamil in order to use that as a ploy to substantiate a separate Eelam homeland quest. If the Ramayana is a myth, an epic created in India revolving around Sita, Ram and Raavan the king of Lanka, more..

Oct 9 (NG) At dawn, the necklace of coves that comprise Ahangama fishing village appear untouched by the centuries. Neat waves ease themselves onto empty, golden beaches; clusters of coconut palms stretch into a pearlescent sky; and, in the bay below, traditional stilt fisherman perch patiently on wooden poles planted in the warm shallows. Guests slowly pad out of our white-washed surf lodge and join me, all of us barefoot, more..

Oct 9 (AD) The Court of Appeal has ordered that a petition filed seeking an order be issued to the National Police Commission to take disciplinary actions against the former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Nilantha Jayawardena, to be taken up on November 13. This petition has been filed against the former SIS chief over his failure to take action to prevent the Easter Sunday terror attack despite receiving intelligence in advance. The petition filed by more..

Oct 9 (PMD) Dr. (Ms.) Siri Walt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to SL, met with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. During the meeting, Ambassador Walt extended her congratulations to President Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying best wishes on behalf of the Govt and people of Switzerland. Ambassador Walt reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka, more..

Oct 9 (AD) The draft resolution A/HRC/57/L.1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka has been adopted without a vote during the ongoing 57th Regular Session of the UNHRC in Geneva. The draft resolution is sponsored by countries including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the US. more..

Oct 9 (PMD) Felix Neumann, German Ambassador to SL, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today. During the meeting, Ambassador Neumann congratulated Prez Dissanayake on his recent election victory and conveyed Germany’s commitment to standing by SL as a steadfast partner. Ambassador also passed on the warm greetings and best wishes of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Ambassador Neumann more..

Oct 9 (DM) A 3-month grace period has been granted from Oct 8 for Sri Lankans living in Lebanon who have not registered themselves with the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) or have not updated their registrations. Gamini Senarath Yapa, the SLBFE's Additional General Manager of International Affairs, said that approval for registration and updates was given on Oct 4. He also said that many Sri Lankans in Lebanon have yet to register or update their information more..

Oct 9 (PMD) Miyon LEE, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to SL, paid a courtesy call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. During the meeting, Ambassador Lee congratulated Prez Dissanayake on his recent election victory and conveyed the best wishes of the Govt of Korea. Ambassador Lee reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with SL, highlighting the long-standing ties more..

Oct 9 (Island) In the run-up to the parliamentary polls, scheduled for Nov. 14th, Barath Arullsamy, Vice President of the Ceylon Workers Congress, who had been representing the Kandy District, tendered his resignation via an official letter sent to the party’s General Secretary, party sources said. Arulsamy has joined former Minister Mano Ganeshan. Arullsamy had contested the 2020 general election and obtained 24,000 preferential votes for the first time as a young candidate more..

Oct 9 (AD) Panadura Magistrate today ordered to remand the 20 Chinese nationals, who were arrested while staying at a hotel in the Gorakana area of Panadura for overstaying their visas, until Oct 23. The arrest was made following a tip-off received by officers of the Western Province Intelligence Division. Police Media Division indicated that investigations are underway to determine whether there is a connection between more..

Oct 9 (DM) The Govt has no intentions of curtailing the entitlements accorded to tri forces personnel, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Sampath Thuyacontha said. “I've learned that false rumours are circulating in the media about a govt intention to curtail entitlements accorded to tri forces personnel. However, I duly proclaim that the current govt has no intention of ever curtailing entitlements accorded to Tri Forces personnel at any time,” he said. He made this remark while addressing the Air Force more..

Oct 9 (AD) A SL photographer has managed to win the prize in the Behaviour: Mammals category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards 2024 held in London’s Natural History Museum. After photographing birds and leopards, Prasantha Vinod captured a young toque macaque peacefully sleeping in an adult’s arms to highlight the challenges these monkeys face amid habitat loss and farmer conflicts. His photograph - A Tranquil Moment, has secured him the prize in more..

Oct 9 (ST) Serious questions have been raised about Cabinet approval granted on Aug 5, 2024, to buy 1,000 smart boards from China’s Huawei Technologies at high prices–estimated to be at least Rs. 940,000 per board–when the average price of boards bought for the education sector over the last five years was around Rs. 340,000 each. Cabinet sanctioned the purchase just six working days after Elections Commission announced Prez poll. more..

Oct 9 (USE) US Embassy in SL is pleased to announce that Admiral Steve Koehler, a 4-star US Navy Admiral and Commander of US Pacific Fleet, will visit SL on Oct 10, marking the highest-level US military visit to the country since 2021. During the visit, Admiral Koehler will reaffirm the strong partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka for an enduring, resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. Admiral Koehler will engage with senior SL officials to discuss rising security challenges more..

Oct 9 (PMD) Ambassador of Thailand, Paitoon Mahapannaporn, paid a courtesy call on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Prez Secretariat today. During the meeting, Thai Ambassador extended congratulations on the Prez’s recent election victory and conveyed the best wishes of the Govt of Thailand. Mahapannaporn also delivered a special message from the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, congratulating Prez and expressing goodwill towards his administration. more..

Oct 9 (PMD) His Excellency, Most Reverend Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Ambassador to SL, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. During the meeting, the Vatican Ambassador congratulated Prez Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying heartfelt greetings from His Holiness Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. Ambassador Udaigwe also extended best wishes for the continued success more..

Oct 9 (AD) Veteran SL actor Kamal Addararachchi has announced his decision to contest in the upcoming General Election. He is expected to contest the election representing the Devana Parapura party (Second Generation) led by Uvindu Wijeweera, the son of former leader of JVP Rohana Wijeweera. Addararachchi said: “It is the responsibility of the people to form a good Parliament. Let’s break the culture of bringing unsuccessful people to the Parliament more..

Oct 9 (FR) SL authorities’ confirmation that they endorse the targets set under the country’s IMF programme, and intend to implement debt restructuring based on the terms agreed with int'l sovereign bondholders in September, reduces risks to the debt treatment process associated with the outcome of the prez election, says Fitch Ratings. Election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, of the opposition JVP, as president in September more..

Oct 9 (AD) Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake has formed a new political party named the United Democratic Voice (Eksath Prajathanthravadi Handa). The microphone was unveiled as the symbol of the United Democratic Voice. Former SL cricketer Thilakarathne Dilshan, also known as TM Dilshan, has been appointed as the national organizer of the new party led by actor-turned-politician Ranjan Ramanayake. Meanwhile, former SJB MP Vadivel Suresh was also present at the occasion of more..

Oct 9 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath has revealed that the 130-year-old iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office building, along with its premises, will be used exclusively for postal dept operations. Additionally, all previously decisions regarding the property will be suspended, he said, explaining the new govt’s stance on the matter. Under the former govt, it had been proposed to hand over the colonial-era building to the private sector for a hotel project which had drawn a string of protests from people, more..