May 1 (DM) The doctors in our country seem to be girding up their loin cloths for a possible fight with the govt in the aftermath of a govt decision to set up a medical faculty at the National School of Business Management (NSBM) and at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). A study by The National Library of Medicine shows currently around 1,450 doctors enter the health system annually and the national doctor-to-patient ratio is 1:671 to 1,000 patients. more..

May 1 (TM) Today, 1 May, Colombo like many capitals of the world, and key cities around our island nation will be dressed in red, blue and shades of green with processions of people marching to the beat of drums and chants which champion labour rights and justice for the working class. However, the reality is that the Labour Day, better known in Sri Lanka as May day, is no longer about the so-called working class, nor is it about labour rights. Today, May day is, more..

May 1 (SO) Workers around the world celebrate May Day, also known as Labour Day and International Workers’ Day, on May 1 (Wednesday). It is a national holiday in more than 80 countries including Sri Lanka and the event is celebrated in some of the most staunchly capitalist countries such as the UK too. However, Labour Day is now celebrated in September in the USA, the country that May Day originated from. more..

May 1 (ST) The SLFP’s ongoing leadership controversy took a dramatic turn last Sunday when the ousted Maithripala faction appointed an acting chairman to the party. Following Maithripala stripping Govt Ministers Amaraweera and Alagiyawanna, together with Duminda Dissanayake of all positions in the SLFP for joining the Govt and holding ministerial posts in it, Chairman Maithripala declared: “If they wish to join the SLFP they must leave their privileged posts and come.” more..

May 1 (CT) We are at a crossroads, deciding which path Sri Lanka will take. This decision lies in the hands of the people of this country. Are we moving forward? Are we stagnating? Or do we wish to regress? These remarks were made by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe at a recent event where he emphasised the govt’s aim to create a highly competitive, export-oriented economy based on a market economy. He expressed full faith in the business community of the country. more..

May 1 (TM) Prison-based industries and work programmes have become a staple in correctional and rehabilitation facilities in the country, providing male inmates with opportunities to build skills and earn some income. However, female inmates often encounter a very different situation. Despite a substantial female prison population, the employment programmes and vocational training accessible to them are far fewer, more..

May 1 (DM) Rarely any other time, save the campaign rallies, would the politicians speak so passionately about labour rights as they would today, the International Workers’ Day. But, in this quirky interest reeking of opportunism, there is a sense of irrelevance of what May Day was supposed to be. Consider today, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and a horde of Ministers who would ride their Pajeros to the podium while the party members who are bused from four corners of more..

May 1 (FT) Though world military expenditure has been increasing continuously during the last nine years, no member country had stopped to ask, How can this be? We have endorsed and ratified the UN founding Charter of 1945, with the firm pledge, “We the Peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind…” and the most important of all purposes of the UN mentioned as more..

Apr 30 (DM) AstraZeneca has admitted in court for the first time that its COVID jab can cause a deadly blood clotting side effect. The exceedingly rare reaction is at the heart of a multi million-pound class action by dozens of families who allege they, or their loved ones, were maimed or killed by the pharmaceutical titan's defective vaccine. Lawyers representing the claimants believe some of the cases could be worth up to £20m in compensation. Cambridge-based AstraZeneca, more..

Apr 30 (TM) President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Shammi Silva, accompanied by Acting Secretary Chryshantha Kapuwatte, enhanced SLC’s existing ties with the Japan Cricket Association during a visit to Japan. During the visit, which took place following an invitation made by Japan Cricket Association, both the President and Acting. Secretary met with the key stakeholders and support groups in Japan’s cricket fraternity. Duo held discussions with the CEO of the Japan Cricket Association, more..

Apr 30 (TM) SL banking sector cheque returns value has surpassed Rs. 250 billion in 2023 with over 1 million cheques bouncing back, CB data said. 1.02 million cheques have returned in 2023, 20% increase year on year, with a total value of Rs. 262.4 billion compared to Rs. 212 billion in crisis year 2022. About 48% of the cheques were returned without proper funds to pay for the cheque in the drawer account while more..

Apr 30 (TM) Around 18,000 executive-level officers of the public sector will launch a strike from 2-3 May to express opposition to long drawn-out salary and allowance related issues. The Joint Committee of Govt Executive Officers’ President, H.A.L. Udayasiri, said that on 2 May and 3 May, around 18,000 executive officers representing around 18 trade unions will withdraw from work. The relevant officials have already been informed of this decision, according to him, who explained that more..

Apr 30 (DM) SLPP MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage was today acquitted and released from the money laundering case by the Colombo High Court. The Attorney General had filed this case against Aluthgamage for allegedly purchasing a house worth Rs. 27 million at Kynsey Road, Colombo 7 over a complaint that he had allegedly purchased properties through illegally acquired money for committing a predicate offence coming under the Bribery Act. Colombo High Court Judge more..

Apr 30 (DM) The govt today approved the amendment to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code for the banning of all corporal or physical punishments in all sectors. A recent study conducted in relation to the Sri Lankan context by the UN Committee on Child Rights revealed that a large number of children are prone to physical punishments, abuses and violence due to lack of legal provisions prevailing at home, more..

Apr 30 (DM) A serving UK Metropolitan Police officer who assaulted an innocent Sri Lankan after mistaking him for a criminal has been spared jail. PC Jonathan Marsh, 34, had been called out to Atlanta Boulevard in Romford, east London, on 13 November 2022 after a medical worker reported someone was damaging a sign outside and making threats to kill. Marsh mistook Rasike Attanayake, who had called 999, for the suspect and bundled him to the ground before punching him more..

Apr 30 (CT) The Colombo High Court issued a notice, yesterday, directing SJB MP A.H.M. Fowzie to appear in Court on 22 May regarding the indictment filed against him on corruption charges. CIABOC filed the case against A.H.M. Fowzie for allegedly causing a Rs 1.07 million unlawful loss to the Government by misusing a vehicle belonging to the Disaster Management Centre between 2010 and 2015. CIABOC alleged that MP Fowzie unlawfully utilised a Land Cruiser Jeep more..

Apr 30 (DM) SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara hit out at the party's Organizer Gamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa who has been critical of the party leadership lately. Former MP Soysa was reported to have complained that he has been sidelined by the SJB leadership. “Soysa was given the Katana organider’s post but he has proven to be a failure. He has been a failure in Moneragala as well,” he added. Meanwhile, Bandara expressed his uncertainty on the participation of more..

Apr 30 (TM) The Collective of Pensioners' Unions (CPU) urged the Govt to pay the gratuity payment for pensioners who have not received it yet even after two or three years of retirement. CPU Co-Convenor G.W. Gamini said that some of the pensioners who retired in 2021-2022 have not received their gratuity yet, and that the Union is receiving so many grievances from many parties regarding the issue. Stating that the Treasury is reportedly making plans to pay the gratuity more..

Apr 30 (DM) Supreme Court today issued an interim order preventing the President from nominating judges to the Supreme Court, other than the Chief Justice. This order will be effective till Oct 4. SC made this order consequent to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer. The petitioner Sarith Pathirathne, an Attorney-at-Law by profession, filed this petition seeking an order directing the Constitutional Council to approve more..

Apr 30 (EN) SL gears up for May Day celebrations with 40 rallies and marches planned islandwide for May 01 by all mainstream political parties. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s UNP will hold its May Day rally at the P D Sirisena grounds in Colombo, UNP MP Vajira Abeywardena said. Party supporters will be transported from the south of the country by bus and train for the rally, he said. “This is becoming an event to show gratitude to Prez Wickremesinghe, national leader who salvaged the country,” more..

Apr 30 (AD) The overall rate of inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on year-on-year (y-o-y) basis increased to 1.5% in April 2024, DCS says. Last month, the CCPI-based inflation was calculated at 0.9%, according to the latest figures published by the DCS. On a year-on-year basis, the inflation of food group dropped to 2.9% in April 2024 from 3.8% in March 2024 while the inflation of the non-food group climbed to 0.9% in April from -0.5% in March 2024. more..

Apr 30 (EN) SL’s main opposition the SJB has overtaken the leftist NPP in a voting intent poll for a future parliamentary election while SJB leader Sajith Premadasa has closed a gap with NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake for this year’s prez election. The Institute for Health Policy (IHP) which carried out the two surveys for March 2024 found that its revised SLOTS MRP model, confirm an increasing trend in support for the SJB more..

Apr 30 (EN) SL will have to reconsider a minimum room rate for hotel rooms after a number of complaints, but there was also a demand for price floors from the section of the industry, State Minister Diana Gamage said. Tour operators have opposed the price controls, saying it amounts to illegal price-fixing in other markets. “…[B]ecause of the issues that are happening at the moment, the complaints we are getting from the hotel industry and things we will have to reconsider,” more..

Apr 30 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to participate in two May-Day rallies tomorrow (1) in lieu of International Labour Day. The May Day Rally organized by the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) to commemorate Labour Day will commence at 10 am at Kotagala Public Grounds. Prez will participate in this event, responding to the invitation extended by the CWC. The rally and parade are expected to draw a significant number of upcountry plantation workers. more..

Apr 30 (Island) Ever since 2020, there has been a significant drop in the annual birth rate in SL while annual deaths have increased. Senior Deputy Registrar General, Lakshika Ganepola said annual births were around 325,000 before 2020, but they have now decreased to around 280,000 in 2023. Ganepola added that annual deaths have increased to around 180,000, while the number was around 140,000 before 2020. The official said this trend will adversely affect country’s population growth. more..

Apr 30 (EN) Welfare Benefits Board, which is responsible to disburse Aswesuma social welfare and poverty alleviation programme has started probe into recipients who had got the benefits through providing false information, Finance Ministry said. The World Bank-funded ambitious project is expected to reach 2.4 million households under four categories including people under extreme poverty. The govt has started the disbursement after initial due diligence of applicants. more..

Apr 30 (Island) SLPP National List MP Gevindu Cumaratunga has asked whether moving of the Supreme Court to seek equal treatment to all members of the EPF influenced the govt’s decision to increase the interest paid to members from 9% to 13% for 2023. MP Cumaratunga said that though he felt the govt could have granted even a better interest rate, the decision was genuinely appreciated. The MP noted that more..

Apr 30 (CT) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) urged the President to appoint a powerful Presidential Commission to look into health corruption before the Prez Election. MCPA President, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, lashing out, said it was high time that those like the former CEO of the National Drug Regulatory Authority (NDRA), and the Board of Directors were brought before the law. Dr. Sanjeewa alleged that the public had lost trust in the Health Ministry more..

Apr 30 (CT) Animal welfare activists have welcomed a move taken by Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to stop an elephant race in Maradana recently. “We learnt from elephant lovers that a New Year festival, where Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is to be Chief Guest, was planning an elephant race with 12 captive elephants. We confirmed it with billboards fixed in Maradana and our team lodged a complaint against this at the Maradana Police Station,” Director, RARE, Panchali Panapitiya explained. more..

Apr 30 (Island) Dissident SLPP MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa says in spite of several investigations, in some instances supported by foreign experts, govt hasn’t been able to convince the Catholic Church, as well as some other concerned parties, as to the origins of National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) terror plot. Therefore, the urgent need to address the concerns and grievances of those who had been affected by the Easter Sunday more..

Apr 30 (EN) A majority of the SLFP will join President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a broad alliance in support of his development agenda, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said. Speaking to reporters, Balasuriya said members of the SLFP including Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva come on board the president’s ongoing development agenda. “This is not a programme built on fairy tales. It president is following an agenda that is sustainable in the long term. more..

Apr 30 (AD) Gampaha High Court the Trial-at-Bar has deferred delivering the verdict in the case against a Brigadier and three soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army over the shooting to death of three persons and injuring several others during a protest by villagers demanding clean drinking water at Rathupaswala, Gampaha. The court was scheduled to deliver its verdict today, however when the case was taken up the Trial-at-Bar announced that the verdict will be delivered on May 17, 2024. more..