ROTARY CLUB OF COLOMBO CENTENNIAL VENTURS TO BOOST EDUCATION

On August 16th, the Rotary Club of Colombo Centennial took a significant step in supporting education by distributing educational workbooks to students of Diyatalawa Maha Vidyalaya, covering grades up to year five.

Australia’s United Petroleum eyes US$ 30mn food venture in SL

Australia’s United Petroleum plans setup a food manufacturing venture in Sri Lanka with an investment of US$ 20-30 million to produce pies and other convenience food items under Australia’s iconic pie brand ‘Pie Face’.

Sri Lanka tour of England: Brook and Smith edge England ahead of Sri Lanka

England nudged ahead of a spirited Sri Lanka on a truncated second day of the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford.

Geopolitical intervention in Sri Lanka’s presidential election

Sri Lanka decides. Nor really. Geopolitics also decides for Sri Lanka. Elections are not entirely won and lost based on the people’s verdict. Yes, outsiders are interested in Sri Lanka’s election and work to ensure the party or candidate they favour wins.

Seven Summit Challenge Previewing peaks which Johann will conquer

Last week, Daily Mirror interviewed Johann Peries, the mountaineer who’s on a quest to become Sri Lanka’s first to achieve the ‘Seven Summits’ challenge–considered the world’s most coveted mountaineering achievement.

‘Silence of civil society, religious bodies over Gaza massacres is distressing’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe should forthwith recall all those sent to Israel against the heightened threat of a wider Middle East war prompted by the killing of Palestinian Hamas leader and peace negotiator Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran followed by the massacre of a over hundred displaced Palestinians in a Gaza school and mosque on August 10.

Freeing the Balance Sheets of Banks: Sri Lanka needs an AMC

Sri Lanka needs rapid economic growth to overcome the current crisis. At the Public Finance Lounge hosted by Verité Research on July 5, 2024, I highlighted that such growth is difficult to envision given the limited balance sheet capacity in the banking system.

Sri Lanka urged to enhance digital focus in hospitality sector

As Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector gradually gains global attention, two regional industry stakeholders highlighted the urgent need for Sri Lanka to step up its focus in facilitating its tourism industry in the digital landscape.

Rs 860 million spent on global tea promotion campaign wasted!

In 2011, the Sri Lanka Tea Board made plans to launch a media campaign to establish a global promotion and marketing programme for the Ceylon Tea brand. Strategies were formulated for the promotion of Ceylon Tea, in line with Cabinet Procurement Process /11/2080/531/021 dated 01.12.2011. Approval for the necessary proposals to implement these strategies was also granted as per the Cabinet’s decisions.

Why medical practitioners support abortion in Sri Lanka

A leading medical expert attached to the JMO Karapitiya Teaching Hospital Dr. Rohan P. Ruwanpura has pointed out the need of permitting abortion in case of justifiable humanitarian, social and medical scientific requirements.

Political crossovers galore!

With the 2024 Presidential Election on the horizon, Sri Lankan political landscape is once again seeing a wave of crossovers as politicians jump ship in a desperate bid to stay afloat.

SL urged to reassess debt plan and strengthen governance

Sri Lanka’s political and bureaucratic leaders should reassess the current debt sustainability plan with a fresh Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) to establish a realistic path out of the debt crisis, a top economist said, whilst also urging governance reforms to tackle corruption vulnerabilities.

40,000 Gaza deaths: Crying shame on humanity

Critics often deride the UN as a talk shop. The description is not far from the truth.

Presidential Elections and negotiating what isn’t authentic

Sri Lanka feels the need for a Presidential Election much stronger than ever before.

Impact Of Economic Transformation Act On Boi And Fdi

In terms of the Economic Transformation (ET) Act, the overall transformation methodology of the economy consists of following steps viz. to repeal the Board of Investments (BOI) Law No. 04 of 1978, to establish Investment Zones Sri Lanka

App to reduce deaths by elephants launched in India

The state of Assam in India has launched a mobile phone app aimed at reducing deaths caused by wild elephants.

Large apparel firms urged to lead country’s sustainability drive

As sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity for the textile and apparel industry, a top public official stressed that large industry players have an inherent responsibility and a larger role to play in guiding and supporting the whole industry on the path to sustainability.

The shocking and disturbing rape of a teenager

On August 12 the ‘Daily Mirror’ reported on page one the shocking story of a schoolgirl gang-raped by twenty-two fellow students! Worse the principal of the school attempted to cover up the story.

Mass protests in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh: striking similarities and stark differences

Mass agitations, originally initiated by students and later joined by the opposition parties, deposed former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-who fled the country- reminisce scenes that unfolded in Sri Lanka in July, 2022 when then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted from power through mounting public protests. There are striking similarities between the two countries in this regard though the circumstances that fueled unrest and en

Economic recovery to boost SL’s insurance industry: CB Governor

Sri Lanka’s insurance industry is poised to benefit from the ongoing recovery in economic activity, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said, as improved business conditions, low inflation and low interest rates in conventional financial products are likely to boost demand for insurance services on an overall basis.

Violin-Piano Duo Recital for a worthy cause Sulara-Johann join to perform rare classical recitals

Interestingly the two young musicians have planned the programme with less-performed yet musically enthralling works of Western classical music including sonatas by Mendelssohn, Paganini and Hindemith as well as shorter works by Kreisler, Bloch, Debussy and de Falla.

Empowering Health Equity SLCPI pledges to support quality and affordable choice of medicine

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries (SLCPI) held its 63rd Annual General Meeting recently, with the participation of its membership including leading pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers of the country.

Is the underpass for wild elephants a white elephant?

The trampled elephant fence opposite the newly laid railway tracks in Kasikote, Galgamuwa, a remote village in Kurunegala District indicated that the herd of elephants roaming the area had gone for their morning walk.

Apparel buyers may shift to SL until B’desh stabilises: JAAF

As Bangladesh, a major player in the global apparel market, grapples with a severe crisis, Sri Lanka is poised to benefit from some apparel orders in the short term, according to the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).

An Island leopard keeping our natural landscapes intact

The leopard is a charismatic, wide-ranging and adaptable carnivore, and in Sri Lanka, the endemic sub-species Panthera pardus kotiya, plays the role of apex predator which increases its ecological importance.

Protests in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh: The bloody contrast in uncanny similarity

The scenes in the streets of Dhaka on Monday were eerily similar to those in Colombo two years ago. As the demonstrators stormed her official residence,

Growing demand for SL travel accommodations: Google specialist

Sri Lanka is becoming a favoured destination among the international travellers, with a notable increase in Google searches for accommodation, according to a US-based Google specialist.

Little Lungs, Big Concerns Wheezing whispers Influenza’s arrival

Medical experts have noticed a surge in pediatric cases exhibiting wheezing symptoms following a seasonal flu leading to an influenza-like illness. “The number of children presenting with influence-like symptoms is rising. Influenza is a virus that spreads in two types. Epidemics are present,” said Consultant Pediatric Chest Physician, Dr. Anuradha Kodippili.

Myanmar’s cyber slave camps : How job seekers are lured into a crime corridor

When *Dilshani’s husband *Priyankara, an executive officer with over eight years of experience in the IT sector, was looking for overseas employment, he was convinced to take up a job opportunity as a data entry operator in Thailand.

College of General Practitioners marks 50 years

A western medical doctor who has undergone further training to deliver medical care at primary care level based on concepts and principles of Family Medicine/General Practice is a General Practitioner/Family Physician. Family Medicine/General practice is the medical specialty which provides continuing and comprehensive care for the individual and the family.