May 8 (EN) Sri Lanka’s free visas issued to several countries are being charged 21 US dollars by VFS Global, a private contractor hired without competitive tender, opposition legislator Nalin Bandara said. “Visa cost is zero. Then here is a service free of 18.50 for a free visa,” Bandara told parliament. “There is another charge for 3.11 dollars. “So they are taking 21.65 dollars for a gratis visa when a tourist comes to Sri Lanka. When we go to Singapore we get a free visa. more..

May 8 (MT) A man from Gżira was remanded in custody on Tuesday after being charged with the rape of his ex-girlfriend. Technician Mathihul Akmal Mohamed Jabir, 32, from Sri Lanka, was arraigned before magistrate Joseph Gatt by police inspectors John Spiteri and Sherona Buhagiar, assisted by prosecutor Cynthia Tomasuolo. The magistrate read out the charges and informed the defendant of his rights. Jabir is charged with the rape of a woman, understood to be his ex-girlfriend, more..

May 8 (Reuters) SL's security forces abducted men and women from the ethnic Tamil minority and tortured them in custody long after the end of a bloody civil war in the South Asian island nation, a human rights group said in a new report. The 26-year civil war between separatist Tamil insurgents and government forces ended in 2009. Rights groups accuse both sides of abuses during the conflict in which 80,000-100,000 people died, more..

May 8 (AD) The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has summoned the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for an inquiry tomorrow (9), says the Chairman of COPF MP Harsha de Silva. In a post on ‘X’, he said the COPF summoned the Secretary to Ministry of Public Security along with the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration tomorrow for a balanced inquiry into the ongoing visa fiasco. more..

May 8 (AD) Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana said that a Cabinet paper was submitted to the Cabinet to increase the retirement age of certain healthcare services including nursing staff to 61 years. The minister revealed this in response to a question raised by MP Gamini Waleboda in Parliament today (7). MP Waleboda further stated that even though a decision was taken to extend the retirement age of nursing and certain healthcare services to 63 years, it was not implemented. more..

May 8 (DM) In a bid to mitigate the pharmaceutical drugs abuse menace, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) will back police and excise officials to identify and crackdown the trends of misusing psychoactive medicines. In a move to make the law enforcement officials aware, the NMRA organized a special programme last week to educate the psychoactive substances, which are prescribed as more..

May 8 (DM) Venerable Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera cautioned parliamentarians against returning to their villages to seek votes if they support the same-sex marriage bill in parliament. He urged them to refrain from political engagement if they vote for the bill and emphasized that Sinhala Buddhist national organizations, including the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, will oppose its legalization. Thera told the MPs not to visit them to receive blessings for their election campaigns. more..

May 8 (TM) Police said that the body of the man from Kuliyapitiya who went missing on 22 April after visiting the home of his girlfriend, has been discovered in the Madampe area. The body of the man has been found torched and dumped in a forest area in Madampe last morning. It has been confirmed that the man had been murdered. Police had launched an investigation after the disappearance of Susitha Jayawansa, 31, a resident of the Kaballewa area in Kuliyapitiya, more..

May 8 (DM) The decision to annul the Surgery Long and Short Cases components of the ERPM Part B Examination, conducted at the Examinations Centre of the Eastern University in Batticaloa, has ignited a storm of controversy as the members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) have not been informed of the appeal sent by the group of affected students. In a letter addressed to the Registrar of the SLMC dated May 1, 2024, candidates expressed their grievances over annulment of exam more..

May 8 (TM) In the wake of the strike launched by uni non-academic staff trade unions, which continued for about a week, State Ministry of Higher Education urged the non-academic staff to return to work, considering the inconveniences caused to the students. The continuous strike started by the trade unions of university non-academic staff on 2 May, demands solutions for existing disparities in the salaries of university non-academic staff and the receipt of a monthly compensation allowance. more..

May 8 (TM) Ruling SLPP stated that a programme is currently being planned to involve former Local Govt (LG) representatives for ongoing development projects. SLPP’s General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that this issue was also discussed in the talks held between the SLPP's founder and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. “There is no preparation to hold the LG elections yet. more..

May 8 (AD) Union of University Executive Officers has signaled its intent to intensify ongoing trade union actions should no permanent solution is received for their issues during the discussions to be held today. Union of University Executive Officers launched a trade union action on May 03 protesting against the salary reductions. Commenting in this regard, Senior Secretary of Colombo Uni and Patron of the Union of University Executive Officers Sampath Udayanga said that during more..

May 8 (DM) In light of emerging reports detailing the involvement of Sri Lankan veterans in foreign mercenary forces, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva has issued a heartfelt plea to his fellow veterans, urging them to resist the allure of mercenary service. “These veterans, once the pride of our nation, have succumbed to the seductive promises of riches and adventure, forsaking the values that define us as warriors and patriots,” General Silva said in a statement. more..

May 8 (DM) The remark made by NPP strongman K. D. Lalkantha at the recent May Day rally that a future NPP govt will decentralize judicial powers to its cadres at village level, triggered a flare up in Parliament with both the ruling party and SJB launching a verbal attack on MP Harini Amarasuriya. The flare up occurred when State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said Lalkantha had pledged to vest judicial power with his party more..

May 8 (AD) The court order issued preventing the Executive Committee of the SLFP from removing party members Mahinda Amaraweera, Duminda Dissanayake, and Lasantha Alagiyawanna from their respective positions has been extended. Accordingly, the interim injunction will be in effect until 15 May on the orders of the Colombo District Court. The attorneys who appeared for the respondents before the court, requested for permission to file objections regarding the relevant plaint. more..

May 8 (AD) Supreme Court Judge S. Thurairaja has recused himself from the judge bench considering the appeals petitions filed by the directors of the local agent of the X-Press Pearl ship which caught fire in the seas off Colombo Harbour and resulted in the country’s worst maritime disaster. Relevant petitions have been filed seeking the suspending of hearing of a criminal case before the Colombo High Court in this regard. Seven petitions filed by the directors of the Sea Consortium Lanka more..

May 8 (AD) The Western Province (South) Crimes Division says that a foreign-manufactured hand grenade and a motorcycle were discovered following the preliminary interrogation of the underworld criminal gang leader Ramesh Priyajanaka, also known as Manna Ramesh, who was arrested in Dubai and brought to Sri Lanka yesterday. The grenade and the motorcycle were found hidden in the house allegedly belonging to the suspect located at Napawal, Yalagama, Avissawella. more..

May 8 (DM) The SJB will hold a discussion shortly to decide on who will fill the national list slot that has fallen vacant as a result of the Supreme Court decision that Diana Gamage cannot function as an MP as she is not a citizen of SL, party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today. “We will meet shortly to decide on the matter,” he said. “Mujibur Rahman lost his parliamentary seat because of the decision made by us to field him as the SJB mayoral candidate for the CMC more..

May 8 (EN) Tourists who were sold visas by VFS Global which has been given an e-visa monopoly by SL, are in a fix after the validity period was halved and the price doubled, according to posts on a global travel forum. SL was widely acknowledged on travel forums to have the best or one of the best e-visas in the world due to a user-friendly website which did not ask for unnecessary details, and charged only 50 dollars for double entry more..

May 8 (EN) Sri Lanka is in discussion with Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power for renewable energy project with an aim to attract foreign investment, Foreign Ministry Ali Sabry said. Sabry met Saudi Arabian Economy, Investment, and Foreign Ministers when he visited Riyadh last week to participate in the World Economic Forum. “Saudi Arabia has agreed to invest in SL. We expect a huge investment from Saudi Arabia. They are in the process of diversifying their oil-based economy. more..

May 8 (AFP) Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca said it was withdrawing Covid vaccine Vaxzevria, one of the first produced in the deadly pandemic, citing "commercial reasons" following a slump in demand. "As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied," an AstraZeneca spokesperson added more..

May 8 (DM) The Supreme Court in another landmark judgment today held that State Minister Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a MP and is thus not entitled to hold office as a MP, as she was not a citizen of Sri Lanka. With this Supreme Court judgment, Diana Gamage’s disqualification will lead to the loss of her parliamentary seat. The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprised Justices Gamini Amarasekara, more..

May 8 (FT) Sri Lanka, like many countries, is experiencing a digital revolution that is fundamentally changing the nature of employment. With 51% of Sri Lankans having internet access in 2020, according to data from the Commonwealth and SL Export Development Board (EDB), the digital divide is gradually narrowing. However, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring equitable access to technology and digital literacy for all segments of society. more..

May 8 (AD) The Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) has issued an open verdict regarding the autopsy of the two prison inmates who had allegedly died after consuming a rice parcel containing pork curry. Subsequantly, their body parts are expected to be taken to the Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka (MRI) for further tests. Two individuals, residents of Borella and Dehiwala areas, had been arrested for trafficking Ice drugs (crystal methamphetamine) and were detained at the Magazine Prison. more..

May 8 (PMD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that the enhancement of the rural economy pivots on agricultural advancement. He highlighted the pivotal role of dedicated govt officials at the grassroots level in ensuring the success of various govt initiatives aimed at rural development, notably the agricultural modernization program. Prez made these remarks during his address at the ceremony held at the Temple Tress today, where 2100 new GN officers were awarded appointment letters. more..

May 8 (FT) Everything needs to have a reason, framed in its purpose. Without reason and purpose, life and everything that is part of living decays into meaninglessness. Mark Twain brilliantly explained, “The two most important days in life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” That truth applies as much to life as to business. There was a time – when it was thought private enterprise – businesses pursuing their own interests – would contribute to a better outcome for society more..

May 8 (FT) The visa controversy raged into the Parliament yesterday with Opposition MPs describing it similar to the infamous bond scam as well as a daylight robbery. SJB MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday accused the Govt of continuing large-scale fraudulent activities as evidenced by the recent on-arrival tourist visa fiasco. The MP said the SJB will continue to fight against it and reveal relevant facts to the general public. more..

May 8 (CT) Convener of the Health Trade Union Alliance (HTUA), Ravi Kumudesh, announced that they would launch an indefinite island-wide strike, due to the govt’s failure to fulfil its promises of increasing the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance, which is provided to them, on par with doctors. Kumudesh also stated that although the govt had accepted the technical report, which was compiled following the trade union action earlier this year, it had yet to meet more..

May 8 (DM) Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa raised objections to the questioning of the youth, Sandaru Kumarasinghe, who spoke out against the Visa issue at the airport but avoided debate on the visa fiasco involving a foreign consortium with VFS as technology partner. He told Parliament that the govt must consider the matter closed without dragging it. "Sandaru Kumarasinghe only expressed his opinion. In terms of the Constitution, he has a right to freedom of expression," he said. more..

May 8 (DM) In the wake of perplexities surrounding the issuance of the on-arrival visa issuance at the BIA, the Govt is mulling to overhaul the visa issuance process. To fulfill this requirement, a cabinet paper is to be submitted at the next cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, govt sources confirmed that VFS Global has temporarily ceased operations at the BIA counter. Nevertheless, there has been a request from the govt of SL to take over more..

May 8 (DN) SL tourism will achieve a historic double in terms of revenue and number of arrivals for 2024 and the year will go down in history as the best year for tourism, said Director General, SLTDA, B.H.R. Sariffodeen. He said they were targeting around two million arrivals and with the July and end of the year (winter season) numbers showing high growth they will pass the 2.3 million mark. “As anticipated the month of April, May and June is the low season along with the forthcoming October. more..

May 8 (FT) Transparency International SL (TISL) has filed a Fundamental Rights Petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the appointment of W. Kanishka D. Wijeratne as the Director General (DG) of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Wijeratne, who had previously served as the DG of CIABOC since January 2020, was reappointed to the same position on 2 April 2024, following the enactment of the new Anti-Corruption Act. more..