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Home » NewsLanka’s free Indian Ocean policy draws more ships
With the controversial visit of a Chinese research vessel coming here on a compromise reached by Beijing and Colombo, Sri Lanka also hosted two more vessels, one from Japan and the other from South Korea, to emphasise its non-aligned policy in Indian Ocean issues. Left: The Chinese vessel Shi Yan 6 at the Colombo Port, [...]
New body will hold MPs accountable for misconduct
Provision to expel any member found guilty; registry to record conflict of interest By Sandun Jayawardana A proposed Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) will have powers to expel MPs found guilty of serious acts of misconduct, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told the Sunday Times yesterday. The body will be set up under a new Parliamentary [...]
Lycamobile’s French company bosses fined and jailed for money laundering
Lycamobile’s French companies were on Thursday fined 10mn euros by a Paris court for money laundering and value-added tax (VAT) fraud. The group’s former chief executive officer Christopher Tooley also received a prison sentence and a heavy fine for complicity in the VAT fraud, agency reports said. Lycamobile, owned by Subaskaran Allirajah, has said it [...]
Port City duty-free business: Minimum investment laid down
Investors wishing to start duty-free retail business operations and duty-free shopping mall operations at Colombo Port City will be required to bring in a minimum investment of USD 5 million and USD 7 million, respectively. This is in terms of new regulations gazetted by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC). In addition to an [...]
Lanka votes for UN resolution on Gaza truce; India takes pro-Israel stance
By Our Diplomatic Editor Sri Lanka voted for a Jordanian draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly, co-sponsored by 40 others, mostly Arab states, calling for a truce to the ongoing armed conflict in the Palestinian Gaza and voted against a Canadian amendment naming and condemning Hamas for the terrorist attack in Israel on [...]
Lanka reaches compromise with China on controversial visit of research vessel
Sri Lanka permitted the Chinese vessel Shi Yan 6, now docked at the Colombo port, to engage in a two-day “joint research” with local partners limited to two specific days starting from tomorrow onwards with the Navy as observers. As the local partner, National Aquatic Research Agency’s (NARA) marine scientists will be on board throughout [...]
A/L exams: SC calls for preliminary objections to FR petition filed by students
The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered respondents to file preliminary objections over a fundamental rights petition filed by a group of GCE Advanced Level students asking the court to issue an order further postponing the Advanced Level Examination scheduled to begin on January 4, next year. When the petition was taken up before a three-judge [...]
President calls for collective effort to forge a new future at Royal College event
President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (28) urged politicians and citizens alike to set their sights on a new vision for the nation, emphasising the need to build a new country, a fresh economy and a reinvigorated political system, united for the common good. He made the appeal while addressing a ceremony at his alma mater [...]
Donation or drug dumping: New scandal rocks health sector
Unsolicited and not-used-in-Sri Lanka medicines enter the system; NMRA issues waivers and tax-relief requests; WHO guidelines ignored Questions over whether big pharmaceutical companies are sending short-expiry drugs for incineration here By Namini Wijedasa Fresh off the health sector medicines procurement scandal–which culminated in the administration of counterfeit human immunoglobulin to patients–questions are being raised about the [...]
Former army commander’s final rites held with full military honours
The funeral of former Army Commander, General Lionel Balagalle took place yesterday at the Borella General Cemetery with full military honours. General Balagalle passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 from a brief illness while being treated at the Army Hospital, Narahenpita. He became the 16th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army in [...]
Top financier Ravi Abeysuriya’s funeral held
Top finance sector professional Ravi Abeysuriya’s funeral was held yesterday. Mr Abeysuriya had a proven track record of establishing and managing several financial sector institutions in credit rating, investment research outsourcing, investment banking, stock broking and asset management. He possessed over 20 years of hands-on practical experience, and broad knowledge of financial market operations in [...]
Much needs to be done to address lead poisoning in Sri Lanka: CEJ
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Lead is a heavy metal known for its toxicity, states the World Health Organisation (WHO), adding that lead exposure leads to 21.7 million years lost to disability and death worldwide. About one million people die from lead poisoning worldwide, with countless others, including children, suffering from various lead-related health issues. According to [...]
As Rafah Crossing remains shut, 17 Lankans trapped in Gaza have no way out
Ramallah mission says they appear to be safe; some living in a refugee camp, some in a church Lankan migrants come in for high praise from Israeli officials, Tel Aviv renews visas of legal visitors By Sandun Jayawardana As Israel intensifies its airstrikes in Gaza in preparation for what is expected to be a full-scale [...]
Multibillion heroin haul seized from local trawlers
By S. Rubatheesan Two Sri Lankan vessels – Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s Samudraraksha and the Navy’s SLNS Vijayabahu were engaged in patrolling in deep southern waters near the International Maritime Boundary Line last Thursday following intelligence from the State Intelligence Service of movements of narcotics. The two vessels on Thursday and Friday seized 431 kilos [...]
It’s a crime! Sri Lanka lacks proper laws to fight increasing online violence against children
By Namini Wijedasa Sri Lanka is experiencing a serious spike in online violence against children and the threats will continue to rise unless laws are implemented urgently, a high-level Committee appointed by the President to study and make recommendations for the protection of children, has warned. At present, these crimes are barely addressed. And the [...]
Importance of maintaining excellence in challenging times, strong words from senior doctor
Prof. Janaka De Silva speaks as Chief Guest at the Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists The searchlight was turned inward recently when a respected medical academic took a critical look at the role of doctors. “Doctors are expected to make the care of their patients their first concern. They should be competent [...]
Alert over festive period road death risks from speeding and booze
By Nadia Fazlulhaq If the government fails to strictly implement laws against road traffic violations, the coming festive period will see many lives lost, experts warn. According to the police, 1,790 people have died in 17,965 road traffic accidents this year (up to October 15). Over 4,000 people have suffered severe injuries leading to disabilities, [...]
Power tariffs anger directed at Rs 42.7m overdue bills from politicos
By Kasun Warakapitiya Angry people, trade unions, industrialists, and political parties continue their protests countrywide against the increased electricity tariffs. They complain that the new tariffs imposed last Friday were a measure taken to cover up the losses of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). They point out that one of the factors that contributed to [...]
EOI ad next week; plans to wrap up SriLankan Airlines restructuring deal in two months
By Damith Wickremasekara Expressions of interest to restructure SriLankan Airlines will be invited next week, with its catering service, ground handling, and destinations on offer. Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry Secretary Ruwan Chandra said they hoped to advertise in the international media calling for EOI with the hope of completing the process within two months. [...]
Many milestones as Orthopaedic Association holds annual meeting
The 15th Annual Meeting of the Sri Lanka Orthopaedic Association (SLOA) will be held on Thursday, November 2, in Colombo, on the theme ‘Stability and Growth in Uncertain Times’. Fifteen Teaching Hospitals, 17 District General Hospitals, 4 Base Hospitals and 1 Provincial General Hospital around the country have orthopaedic units which provide a range of [...]
Marooned in their homes by flood waters, Matara residents point fingers at the salinity barrier
By Dilushi Wijesinghe Stranded in one’s home for over a month, submerged in nearly 2 ½ feet of water– this has been the fate of many people residing in Matara. Wattage Chandana, a resident of Kamburupitiya owns a rice mill and is the father of two. He and his family have been stranded in their [...]
Seetha’s tale: Team of veterinarians conclude investigative report
Prof. Pushpakumar, Dean at the University of Peradeniya’s Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Faculty, has sent the report on Seetha the elephant to the Mahiyangana Magistrate. The findings of the report were put together by a team of veterinarians, headed by Dr K. Nisantha. They said Seetha is being held at Ranawana, after she was [...]
Dead fish in Mundalama tank
Dead fish have been found floating in the Mundalama tank in Udappuwa near Chilaw. It was suspected that wastewater from adjacent factories was causing an environmental hazard. A fisheries department official said the matter would be investigated.
Rat fever danger increases in flooded provinces
Make sure to wear gloves and slippers or boots when gardening, farming, and during cultivation, health officials advise, as they warn of an increase in leptospirosis (rat fever) cases. Floods, mudslides, soggy marshy areas, paddy lands, muddy gardens, and vegetable and green leaf cultivations are breeding grounds for this bacterial infection, which enters waterways through [...]
CAA raids outlets selling rice above gazetted price
As certain samba rice varieties are hard to come by in the market, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has intensified raids on wholesale and retail shops to crack down on hoarding and take legal action against traders creating an artificial scarcity. A CAA spokesman said the move follows complaints that several retail shops were selling [...]
USAB rules senior Jaffna University lecturer’s dismissal unlawful
The University Services Appeals Board (USAB) has ruled that the dismissal of a senior university lecturer from the University of Jaffna (UoJ) over examination malpractices was contrary to law. While Prof. Sarvananthan has been deemed guilty of improper conduct in relation to official duties, the USAB has recommended the payment of back wages and allowances [...]
Teachers and principals dig in their heels on overdue pay
Teachers and principals have voiced their discontent over a delay in paying their arrears stemming from salary anomalies. The teachers and principals who came out to protest over the issue were tear-gassed, and now they have been holding protests at the provincial level against the police action. Indications are that protests will continue. In 2021, [...]
More Lankan women are becoming dependent in old age, a survey finds
I go begging and get around 1,500 rupees a day; with that, I buy things and cook, and once the money finishes, I beg again. No one invites us for anything, as we are old and poor. We must buy medicine, too, but we don’t buy it all at once as we don’t have the [...]
New mushroom species found in home gardens and university
By Malaka Rodrigo The rain has become a hassle for most Sri Lankans these days, but keep an eye on your garden as these damp conditions could wake up sleeping mushroom beauties. “Sri Lanka has very good mushroom diversity, but as these are largely understudied, perhaps the mushroom in your garden too can be a [...]
