Category: Featured

India Curbed social fallout by acting fast, ties entered new…

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India curbed social fallout by acting fast, ties entered new .. (Times of India 27-01-2023) NEW DELHI: Lauding India’s financing assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), backing Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, Lankan high commissioner Milinda Moragoda said the social fallout of the economic crisis in the strategically located island nation would have been worse if India had not acted swiftly and that India’s support will minimise any trust deficit between the two countries. Speaking to TOI, Moragoda said no other country would have helped Sri Lanka the way India…

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Shameless coalitions ahead of LG polls

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Shameless coalitions ahead of LG polls The economic crisis and the resultant political upheaval that brought down the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime have created ridiculous political alignments.  In fact, the major part of the “credit” for the creation of those alignments should go to Gotabaya’s younger brother and his Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The alignments have now grown into political alliances with the approach of the local government elections that have now been scheduled to be held on March 9. Of these coalitions, the one between President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s party, the United…

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An EC Member’s resignation will not affect LG election, say former and current EC Chairs

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An EC Member’s resignation will not affect LG election, say former and current EC Chairs Punchihewa says election preparation will continue EC yet to receive P.S.M. Charles’s resignation  Ex-Chairman Deshapriya points to Constitution The resignation of an Election Commission (EC) member will not affect the Local Government (LG) Poll, Chairman of the EC, Attorney Nimal Punchihewa noted yesterday (26). When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether the resignation of an EC member – in the backdrop of media reports that EC member P.S.M. Charles has resigned – would affect the…

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Time to overcome ethnic divide is now

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By Jehan Perera (The Island 24th Jan 2023) Time to overcome ethnic divide is now After much procrastination, the Election Commission has finally decided that local government elections will be held on March 9. The elections to these bodies had already been postponed by a year, as permitted by law. Postponing elections, beyond a year, would take the country into the murky realms of extralegal governance, which would pose a threat to democracy, by eroding the rule of law. The country is being propelled in the direction of elections. It…

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9 March to be a historical day in SL’s history: S.M. Marikkar

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9 March to be a historical day in SL’s history: S.M. Marikkar Says ninth has been significant for Sri Lankans since 9 April last year  Blames the Rajapaksa led Govt. of 2019 for country’s rapid deterioration  Claims only group of capable and talented persons such as SJB can revive country Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Deputy National Organiser S.M. Marikkar says 9 March will be a historical day in Sri Lanka’s history.  Noting that the election has now been set for 9 March despite the Government’s repeated attempts to delay it,…

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Sri Lanka targeting European travellers hit by gas prices, tourism minister tells Quest

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Sri Lanka targeting European travellers hit by gas prices, tourism minister tells Quest ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is looking to attract European tourists affected by rising gas prices in that region in the coming winter season, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told CNN’s Richard Quest in an interview. Speaking on CNN’s Quest Means Business programme Tuesday November 08 evening, Fernando said Sri Lanka has short and long term plans to revive the island nation’s crisis-hit tourism sector. “The short term is jumping into India and getting all the Indians to come…

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CWIT construction project in Colombo Port kicked off today

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CWIT construction project in Colombo Port kicked off today The construction work of the newly built Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) within the Colombo Port was initiated today. The project was flagged off by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagle was also among the participants at this event as a special guest. The entire project will cost US$789 million. 51% of this total investment belongs to India’s Adani Group, 34% to John Keells Holdings PLC, and 15% to…

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Delimitation Committee to meet today

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Delimitation Committee to meet today Technical committees to be appointed this week BY Mirudhula Thambiah (The Morning) The five-member National Delimitation Committee on the Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities appointed by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and chaired by former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, which is to submit its final report by 28 February 2023, is to meet and appoint technical committees during the course of this week. Speaking to The Morning on Sunday (6), Deshapriya said that a final report on the matter will be submitted to Premier Gunawardena by…

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Roundtable discussion on development of the Northern Province

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Roundtable discussion on development of the Northern Province A roundtable discussion on the development of the Northern Province was held last week hosted by Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah. Several Ambassadors and High Commissioners and representatives of international organisations attended the discussion which focussed on challenges and opportunities in Northern Province, some of the on-going initiatives and those planned to enhance socio-economic development. Northern Province Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah, Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi and Centre for Policy Alternative Executive Director Dr. Paikiyasothy Saravanamuttu addressed the forum. Korean Ambassador Santhush Jeong Woonjin, Thailand Ambassador…

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Sri Lanka opposition SJB demands elections, warns of protests against delay tactics

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Sri Lanka opposition SJB demands elections, warns of protests against delay tactics (Monday October 31, 2022)  ECONOMYNEXT – A proposal by Sri Lanka’s minister of justice for a special committee in parliament on election reforms is being challenged by the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) which claims that the proposal is an attempt to delay elections. SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at an event said on Monday October 31 claimed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had given an assurance to ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) legislators that…

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