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Colombo municipality workers dump a political poster into a garbage truck at Colombo’s Galle Face Green after the promenade was cleared this week of tents and anti government agitators. This is the final chapter of the Aragalaya, the unprecedented popular uprising that began in April and became world news. It saw the exit of a [...]
Moves to pay millions to officials victimised by Yahapalana Govt.
SLPP higher-ups pushing PM to get Cabinet approval for compensation amounting to over Rs. 117mn Attempts are underway by a section of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarians to push for a Cabinet paper through the Prime Minister’s office recommending millions of rupees in compensation for state officials who had been subjected to alleged “political [...]
Govt. issues tough guidelines to curtail public-sector expenditure
Public sector officials have been advised to strictly adhere to a Treasury circular on limting government expenses, and warned that those failing to follow the directive would be personally held liable. On the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the directive has gone out from Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake to ministry secretaries, department heads, provincial chief [...]
Chinese ship docks on Tuesday; India gives surveillance plane
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Strategic Support Force tracking vessel Yuang Wang 5 is heading towards Hambantota International Port after the Sri Lanka Government yesterday gave permission for it to dock from Tuesday, August 16, to 22. The warship with 2,000 sailors on board used for tracking and support of satellite and intercontinental missiles was [...]
Humanitarian needs: UN raises US$ 10.7mn for Sri Lanka
A United Nations humanitarian appeal launched in June for US$ 47.2mn (Rs 17bn) of aid for Sri Lanka has raised US$ 10.7mn (Rs 3.8bn) up to this week, according to the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka. Separately, an appeal by the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF has generated US$ 5.9mn (Rs 2.1bn) [...]
Don’t try to interfere with judiciary, top Govt. officials told
Ministry secretaries and department heads are to be instructed to refrain from having direct communication with judges and the Judicial Service Commission regarding matters related to the state or government officials who are part of a judicial process. A circular is due to be issued next week to ministry secretaries, chief secretaries in provinces, district [...]
Navy team back after RIMPAC war games
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Marine contingent returned to the country after participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2022, hosted by the US Pacific Fleet in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Held biennially RIMPAC is considered the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. Pictures show the Sri Lankan Navy [...]
Blood is thicker than justice, diplomacy
The Sunday Times exposé reveals the extent to which the Rajapaksa government went to protect then Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasooriya from criminal proceedings in the US By Namini Wijedasa The case file of former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Washington, DC, Jaliya Chithran Wickramasooriya—sentenced in the United States last month for fraud—offers insight into just how far [...]
Fishing vessel operators bemoan unbearable costs
By Wasantha Ramanayke The price of fresh fish has doubled compared with the year before as a result of high operating costs that multi-day vessel owners have to bear, operators in the fishing sector say. According to the Department of Census and Statistics, the price of commonly consumed species such as skipjack and yellowfish tuna [...]
Robbers play ‘cops’, while motorbike gunmen strike, again
By Senuka Jayakody A Kotahena businessman’s home was robbed last Monday by two men who had claimed to be from the police. The terrified family had come home to St. Benedict’s Road, Kotahena after a pilgrimage to Thalawila. The robbers had fled with gold and money estimated to be worth Rs. 13.76 million. The police [...]
India’s Dornier gift enhances SLAF’s maritime patrol strength
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has acquired a Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft from India to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities. The Dornier will be inducted to the SLAF fleet on August 15 in a ceremony to be attended by President Ranil Wickramasinghe and India’s High Commissioner Gopal Baglay. During the Defence Dialogue between [...]
Treasure hunters raided in Rakwana
Three suspects involved in digging antiquities were arrested in the Rakwana area on Friday by the Special Task Force. On information received by the STF, a team consisting of Police Inspector K. G. N. Leelaratne and other officers conducted a raid at No 8, Wilabada, Pinnakanda, Godakawela. The suspects were handed over to the Rakwana [...]
JICA projects stalled amid debt default
All projects of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been suspended after the Sri Lanka Government’s debt default in April. Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament this week 12 projects of Japan’s official overseas development arm were halted until the IMF established a roadmap on Sri Lanka’s debt and [...]
LAWASIA stands with BASL to safeguard and promote the rule of law
While expressing its continued support to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) acknowledged its role in safeguarding and promoting the rule of law in Sri Lanka. In a recent statement, LAWSIA reiterated its concern relating to reports of intimidation against protesters and incidents where there [...]
Kandy Esala Perahera ends
The official function announcing the conclusion of this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera was held on Friday at the President’s House in Kandy. At the event, President Ranil Wickremesinghe presented awards to those who performed in the pageant with seven receiving lifetime awards. Addressing the crowd, President Wickremesinghe said he was confident the country will overcome [...]
Snares in plantations, land seizures put leopards in peril
By Kasun Warakapitiya and Senuka Jayakody People in the hill country plantations should be prevented from encroaching on forest land, setting up snares to trap wildlife, and from continuing to raise farm animals, so that tragedies involving leopards can be avoided, environmentalists say. A video clip of a botched rescue attempt in Vanaraja Estate in [...]
Wheels within wheels in three-wheeler operations
By Yoshitha Perera Following the Cabinet decisions to regulate three-wheelers, school vans and office transportation services as public transportation under the National Transport Commission (NTC), NTC Director General Nilan Miranda said the National Transport Act amendments have been forwarded to the Legal Draftsman. The decision to create a Three-Wheel Regulative Authority from funds obtained from [...]
Johnson & Johnson to shelve talcum baby powder suspected in cancer
By Kapila Bandara Baby talcum powder made by Johnson & Johnson, suspected to cause cancer and which had led to multi-billion-dollar lawsuits in the United States, will no longer be available worldwide from next year. Mothers in Sri Lanka who are drawn to the scent, still use the talc-based powder in the belief it prevents [...]
Importance of being mindful in troubled times
Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists holds 19th Annual Academic Sessions President Dr. Gihan Abeywardena highlights achievements of the college amidst numerous challenges Chief Guest BASL President Saliya Peiris stresses need to reform laws relating to mental diseases The focus was on the mind when the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists brainstormed this week about the mental [...]
Kotte MC faces financial crisis; unable to pay employees’ November salary
The Kotte Municipal Council will face a difficulty to function in November as it is unable to pay the wages of employees. This is due to an income reduction. This matter was revealed during the council meeting held on August 10, when Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) council member Cornel Samitha Imaduwa said the expenditure [...]
Homes and businesses brace for electricity shock
By Nadia Fazlulhaq Higher electricity costs will burn a hole in the budgets of households already struggling with unprecedented costs of living. From this week, users will have to pay 75% more on average a month, the regulator announced. For Kalyani, a mother of two young children, who has been maintaining a monthly electricity bill [...]
Chicken and egg: A question of survival for poultry farmers
By Chrishanthi Christopher A drop in chicken meat and egg sales due to unaffordable prices has seen poultry farmers issuing SOS calls for immediate Government intervention to bring down the cost of production. They are urging the authorities to take swift action to stem the tide of rising chicken-feed and transport costs before the industry [...]