Removal of Crudia zeylanica tree

No minister or Cabinet has authority to override law: CEJ

12 Jul 2023

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While condemning the statement made by Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena, the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) today said no minister or Cabinet has the authority to override the law.

Mrs. India Inc. 2023 Beauty Pagent

12 Jul 2023

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A media briefing was held today to introduce the Mrs. India Inc. 2023 Beauty Pageant. This pageant will be held in Sri Lanka for the first time on an international stage. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Wage disparities to be eliminated in education sector within next two months: Minister

12 Jul 2023

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A decision was taken to eliminate wage disparities in all services in the education sector within the next two months, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Jayantha Ketagoda’s Private Member Bill challenged in Supreme Court

12 Jul 2023

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Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi today filed a Special Determination petition in Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the private member’s bills presented to Parliament by SLPP MP Jayantha Ketagoda to re-convene the dissolved Local Government Authorities without holding elections.

DMT allows tuk-tuks to modify at a cost

12 Jul 2023

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The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) today granted permission allowing three-wheelers to have certain appliances fitted to trishaws, such as decorations, etc., DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anurudda Weerasinghe said.

Wondering if we’re really alone...

12 Jul 2023

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To take a UFO case seriously, scientists want multi-sensory data: eyewitnesses, radar, heat data from thermal imaging, video, photos and more recorded from multiple angles on different kinds of hardware. (Daily Mail)

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President condemns burning of Quran in Sweden; slams HRC silence

12 Jul 2023

15

While condemning the recent burning of a Quran in Sweden, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it is a violation of the Freedom of Worship and questioned why the Human Rights Council in Geneva has remained silent on this issue.

SLPP MPs adamant on Cabinet posts, reject alternatives attached with perks

12 Jul 2023

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In a bid to appease some senior MPs of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) who insist on Cabinet portfolios, the government has proposed to set up a separate body called ‘high post committee’ comprising them and assign responsibilities to them along with perks such as vehicles and allowances, Daily Mirror learns.

President’s visit to New Delhi

A point of positive transformation in the relationship: Indian Foreign Secy

12 Jul 2023

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Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said yesterday his discussions with the Sri Lankan leadership and the Foreign Ministry were essentially focused on trying to ensure that the upcoming visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe is actually a point of positive transformation in the relationship.

Govt must pay special attention to trilingual skills when appointing government officers

11 Jul 2023

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The government should pay special attention to trilingual skills when assigning and appointing government servants to the public sector, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Additional Secretary (National Language) Anuradha Wijekoon said.

2023 A/L exam to be held between November to December

11 Jul 2023

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It has been proposed to hold the 2023 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations during a period between November 27 to December 21, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

New university to produce only teachers: Minister

11 Jul 2023

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Teachers will not be recruited for a three-year teaching diploma course at National Colleges of Education (NIE) in the future, but they will be assigned to a university established to produce teachers for a four-year degree, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Growing trend of MPs exploiting Parliamentary privileges: BASL

11 Jul 2023

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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) announced that there is a growing trend of members of parliament exploiting parliamentary privileges by making statements in parliament, for matters which are sub judice (being considered by a court).

Against debt restructuring process...

11 Jul 2023

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A protest organised by the United Trade Union Alliance was held in front of the Labour Ministry at Narahenpita against the government’s decision to involve the EPF in the debt restructuring process. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

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Two local businessmen nabbed with gold jewellery worth Rs.28 Mn

11 Jul 2023

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Two businessmen were arrested this morning by the officers of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) while attempting to smuggle a stock of jewellery worth Rs. 28 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Rare ‘Legume’ tree removed secretly

11 Jul 2023

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A group of people had used backhoes to remove an ancient tree called ‘Sri Lanka Legume’ tree, which was protected amid protests of environmentalists when it was planned to be cut down during the construction of the Colombo - Kandy Expressway.

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Gazette issued to conduct census of population, housing for 2023, 2024

11 Jul 2023

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An Extraordinary Gazette notification (2340/03) was issued announcing the collection of the census of population and housing in Sri Lanka for the years 2023 and 2024.

Gota, Vajira having leisure walk at airport on anniversary night of Aragalaya

11 Jul 2023

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Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, along with his wife Ioma Rajapaksa, was seen with UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on the night of July 9, ironically the day which marked the first anniversary of his fleeing office following the Aragalaya, a source from the airport said.

Lack of advanced lab leads to influx of low-quality drugs: Experts

11 Jul 2023

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The absence of an advanced laboratory to test the quality of pharmaceuticals has resulted in an influx of drugs of inferior quality in the market, leading to fatalities of patients at times, medical experts alleged.

Adoption of UNHRC’s UPR Report on Sri Lanka

Withdraw charges against civil activists and discharge court cases under PTA /ICCPR

11 Jul 2023

5

A local journalist yesterday called on the Government of Sri Lanka to withdraw charges against civil activists charged under the PTA and discharge court cases on protest activists charged under the ICCPR at the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nation’s 59th Session.