May 7 (IT) Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced Amul, one of India's iconic diary brands with a global footprint, as their sponsor for the T20 World Cup 2024, starting June 2 in the USA and the West Indies. SL, former champions of the T20 World Cup, will become the third team after South Africa and USA to be sponsored by Amul at the showpiece T20 tournament. "Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce the appointment of Amul, a leading Indian milk producer with international presence, more..

May 7 (FT) Politics and economics are concepts that are fundamentally intertwined. Yet the unprecedented economic crisis of 2022 highlighted the complex challenges of aligning short-term political goals with long-term economic strategies. While the sharp appreciation of the SL rupee in recent months has been roundly welcomed by most sectors of society as a positive signal, this optimism overlooks the nuanced factors influencing our currency’s strength and more..

May 7 (Island) SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella has said the Minister Tiran Alles, misled Parliament in Nov 2023 about increasing visa fees. Kiriella told The Island that he would make a special statement today on the issue. “I will make the statement after question time in Parliament. I hope Minister Tiran Alles will be there. Alles was not in Parliament when the Easter Sunday debate took place. I hope he will be there on Tuesday,” more..

May 7 (AD) The Court of Appeal today dismissed the petition filed by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe seeking to suspend the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the SLFP. Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the Acting Chairman of SLFP during an executive committee meeting held on April 21, by the party’s faction led by former Prez Maithripala Sirisena. more..

May 7 (Island) Health Secretary Dr. Maheepala Herath revealed that National Health Fund had Rs 1.5 bn. He said that the funds had been donated by various philanthropists. The disclosure was made at the Negombo hospital at an event held to mark the fifth anniversary of handing over of the two-storeyed building comprising 100 beds for children built at a cost of Rs 200 mn by Melwa Group of companies. The company entered into an agreement to maintain the facilities there for more..

May 7 (TM) The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) urged the Health Ministry not to accommodate students who are following courses in private institutions that are not related to health professions in Govt hospitals and institutions for training and internships. In a letter to the Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the CMLS noted that this practice would create a safe space for financial misconduct more..

May 7 (AD) Former Provincial Councillor Nauzer Fowzie has been arrested by Kollupitiya Police for allegedly assaulting a person following an accident involving his vehicle, police said. He is accused of assaulting an individual after hitting that same person with his vehicle on School Lane in Kollupitiya. Nauzer Fowzie, who is the son of former Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, has been released on police bail. Kollupitiya Police is conducting further investigations into the incident. more..

May 7 (FT) Given the contextual importance of the upcoming presidential polls which, barring the unanticipated, is scheduled to take place around end-September or early October this year, it is not surprising that the key talking points at public and private gatherings, in newspaper articles, television chat shows and social media blogs are Who among the candidates would serve SL and the Sri Lankan citizens best as the country’s Prez? and Who are you voting for? more..

May 7 (FT) The 13-hour power cuts two years ago should have educated us on the importance of reliable power supply. But we forget after two weeks, it is said. What is being done to ensure that will not happen again, including lessening dependence on imported fossil fuel, may not be perfect. But it is important to call out egregiously misguided criticisms. If such attacks succeed as they did 20 years ago, we will continue to suffer the consequences of a bad legal framework, more..

May 7 (DM) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) officials are to be summoned before Parliament for declaring itself as an independent institution, it was revealed in Parliament today. Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said the Speaker can summon CBSL officials either before the COPE or the COPF to seek an explanation. He said this in response to an issue raised by MP Charitha Herath who said the CBSL has identified itself as an independent entity in its annual report 2023. more..

May 7 (TM) Parliament unanimously approved the much-talked-about changes to the visa processes, which included the introduction of several new visa categories while the involvement of GBS Technology Services, IVS Global-FZCO and VF Worldwide Holdings Limited/VFS Global in managing online and on-arrival visas, was referred to the Cabinet of Ministers on two occasions. This was informed by Minister Tiran Alles, more..

May 7 (DM) Indo-Pacific Regional Director of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ben Mellor met NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP Head Offic. Humaira Hatia, Head of SL at UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Andrew Patrick, the British High Commissioner to SL, Tom Soper, the First Secretary, and MP Vijitha Herath attended the meeting. The current economic and political situation in SL, regional geopolitical challenges more..

May 7 (TM) A group of medical graduates who have received their degrees from foreign universities has raised concerns over the alleged abrupt cancellation of the ‘surgery long and short cases’ segments in the Examination to Register to Practise Medicine (ERPM) (Part B), which took place at the Eastern University examination centre earlier this year (2024). The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), through an electronic mail dated 29 April, had communicated to the students who sat for more..

May 7 (FT) Public Security Minister Tiran Alles yesterday stood firm in defence of the Govt’s move to transition to outsourcing of visa processing system and increase visa fees, amidst widespread criticism. He justified the changes, citing feedback from tourists and the need for an improved visa issuance system. Minister outlined the decision-making process behind the visa changes, highlighting thorough review conducted by more..

May 7 (FT) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday demanded the resignation of the Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasi-nghe and the Board of Governors yesterday over their decision to hike CBSL employee salaries despite recording a loss of Rs. 114 billion in 2023. At a press conference in Colombo, Gammanpila highlighted that the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) incurred a net loss of Rs. 114 billion in 2023, following a staggering net loss of Rs. 374 billion in 2022. more..

May 7 (TM) A section of the Mirigama-Kadawatha Central Expressway, which was under partial construction, collapsed on 5 May. According to the RDA, the collapse involved a 35-metre-long concrete beam, with the other two beams now deemed at risk. The collapsed beam was reportedly laid in 2021. However, the authorities have not announced the cause of the collapse. Media reports cited the authorities’ plans to test the quality of all beams along the 17-kilometre stretch of road. more..

May 7 (DM) While SL’s petroleum industry awaits the establishment of a new regulator, concerns are being raised about the potential for unauthorised players to enter the market, particularly in the lubricant sector. The previous regulatory body, the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL), ceased its activities in market monitoring, consumer and trade education, import inspection and action against unauthorised operators and product adulterators. As per the Energy Ministry directive, more..

May 7 (FT) Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa took to X yesterday to pose seven key questions concerning SL’s recent contentious decision to entrust its on-arrival visa process to VFS Global, a private entity which has now sparked extensive public outcry and controversy. The issue came to the limelight following the viral dissemination of a video on social media this week, where a passenger at the BIA was seen challenging the handling of the visa process by VFS Global. more..

May 7 (DM) A massive racism scandal has come to light after pilots and crew members of Sri Lankan Airlines lodged a strong complaint against an Air Belgium pilot and crew who were operating a UL Flight on April 30, after they were body-shamed and racially discriminated against. Sri Lankan Airlines which is facing heavy losses, leased two aircraft from Air Belgium in December, to boost its fleet which is now being used to run more..

May 7 (DN) SL women’s team led by Chamari Athapaththu expected to finish with an unbeaten record when they will play ICC women’s T-20 cricket qualifying tournament final against Scotland today at Abu Dhabi, commencing from 9 pm SL time. Chamari Athapaththu’s team is high in confidence after having won all league matches and semi final with winning mentality while their team spirit always very high before the final. Both Scottish and SL lasses are already qualified to play more..

May 7 (CT) Maligakanda Chief Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrama ordered the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs to appear in Court on 20 May to record a statement, after he failed to comply with the Court’s order to provide information on whether 45 drugs related to the case of substandard human immunoglobulin stocks have been imported to Sri Lanka. The magistrate also ordered those reports related to the Court’s order be prepared and submitted before 10 May. more..

May 7 (FT) NPP party Executive Council member K.D. Lalkantha’s declaration to devolve legislative and judicial authority to local levels, has stirred significant debate within political circles. The statement by Lalkantha, which has sparked widespread controversy, was made during the party’s May Day rally held in Anuradhapura. In his address, Lalkantha declared that under a future NPP Govt, villages would be empowered with the ability to create and enforce their own laws. more..

May 7 (CT) Sajeev de Silva, highest ranked SL archer at present, has surpassed the required performance score for participation in the 2024 Olympic Games at the 7th Kartini Int'l Archery Championship held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 24 to 28 April. More than 120 athletes representing Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, UAE, and other countries participated in this tournament. Sajeev de Silva secured second place in the qualifying competition of the 70m open singles more..

May 7 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers reverted to the previous single entry 30-day visa arrangement signalling moral victory for Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and the industry. The Prez’s Media Division confirmed that it was decided at the Cabinet meeting yesterday to maintain the existing $ 50 fee for single entry 30-day visa for foreigners visiting Sri Lanka. The $ 50 visa fee is all inclusive with $ 40 visa fee and $ 10 as service fee. more..

May 7 (AD) Underworld criminal gang leader Ramesh Priyajanaka, also known as Manna Ramesh, who was arrested in Dubai has been brought back to SL this morning by a team of CID officers. DIG Nihal Thalduwa said the special team of CID officers accompanying the wanted underworld figure had reached the BIA in Katunayake this morning. On March 06, it was reported that SL security forces had been informed that notorious underworld figure Manna Ramesh, more..

May 7 (DN) SL ‘A’ team already won the series 3-1 but they want to finish with a 4-1 lead while Afghanistan ‘A’ team led by Ikram Alikhil won their last game (4th ODI) on Sunday recording a thrilling four wicket win with 2 balls to spare. Riaz Hassan was the match winner getting his second ton of the series while top order batters were in good form to put up a challenge against Sri Lanka bowlers. In fact Qais Ahmed the experienced spinner was the most successful Afghan spinner more..

May 7 (ST) Since last month, SL’s tourism industry has been fighting a three-pronged battle with the govt: the outsourcing of visas to private companies that has resulted in visa fees soaring; the scrapping of an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system that had worked just fine; and the mysterious disappearance of the 30-day—most convenient and cheapest—visa category for tourists. This week, all three issues were thrust to the surface more..

May 7 (DM) Colombo will be among the first set of destinations to be served by Emirates’ A350 aircraft entering service in Sept 2024, the airline announced. Emirates’ fourth daily service to Colombo, EK654/655, will be served by A350 from Jan 1, 2025. With 10 new A350s expected to join the Emirates fleet by March 31, 2025, the airline plans to deploy its latest aircraft type to nine destinations in the coming months, offering the customers its latest signature cabin experiences. more..

May 7 (ST) The Order of the Rising Sun was conferred by the Govt of Japan on two Sri Lankans in recognition of their contributions to enhancing the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship. One of them is Kosala Rohana Wickramanayake, former President of the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society and former President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of SL, who contributed to promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding and economic exchange more..

May 7 (FT) Concluding a two-day visit, IFC Vice President for Asia Pacific Riccardo Puliti signalled IFC’s commitment to supporting SL’s ongoing reforms and growth agenda, while emphasising the importance of private sector-led development for inclusive economic growth. The visit served as an opportunity for Puliti to engage with key stakeholders, including meeting Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, more..

May 7 (ST) The chess arena witnessed moments of brilliance and strategic prowess as International Master Ranindu Liyanage and Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana emerged victorious in the SL National Chess Championships 2024. The annual prestigious event, organised by the Chess Federation of SL, reached its culmination last week, at the elegant Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, marking a significant milestone in the SL National Cycle. A total prize purse of Rs. One Million more..