Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s first cable car project, which has been stuck in a regulatory dilemma since 2021 is facing a stumbling block again in receiving regulatory approval from the Forest Department to break ground.
The proposed cable car line from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya has been halted as a certain Forest Department official was refusing to grant permission to release 150 perches on the Kikiliyamana Mountain without any reason, a government MP revealed.
Parliamentarian Madura Vithanage said that the project is unable saidSAID to be implemented due to this reason even though two Cabinet papers have been presented on the matter in 2018 and 2021.
The MP disclosed that the particular Forest Department official has continued to refuse permission to release the required plot of land citing that it is a highly sensitive zone.
“I have noticed that telephone towers have been set up in the mountain after clearing a vast area of the forest cover,” he said.
He said he studied the project report of the company and realised that the project had been prepared properly so as to protect the environment as well.
He said the project is an investment of USD 55 million and that halting such investments is a huge loss to the country
Sri Lanka’s first cable car project received the necessary approvals from the Forest Department to proceed, following the personal intervention of President Ranil Wickremasinghe in May 2023.
It has now been blocked again by a forest department official taking law on to his hands MP Madura Vithana complained.
The project, which is an initiative of Outdoor Engineering Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., was announced in December 2021 and facilitated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
This cable car project was allotted land in Nuwara Eliya on a 30-year leasehold basis and will involve a total capital investment of € 55 million to construct a 4 km-long cable car line connecting Nanu Oya and the Nuwara Eliya town.
According to the MoU signed between Outdoor Engineering Lanka and the SLTDA on 9 December 2021, the project will be implemented on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model basis and upon the expiration of the lease, it will be transferred to the Government.
According to Withanage, this project, which was supposed to be completed in 18 months, has been delayed due to the intervention of certain public officers based on their own political ideologies.
“This investor brought this cable car investment project to both Sri Lanka and Thailand at the same time back in 2019.
This cable car project is already operational in Thailand, but it is yet to break ground in Sri Lanka due to the meddlesome intervention of certain individual officers of Government departments such as the Forest Department.
“Sri Lanka has and will continue to struggle to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) because of this kind of careless behaviour of certain public officers who are motivated by certain political ideologies.
This cable car project was held up for so long because of the intervention of the same lady officer of the Forest Department who obstructed the highway project,” he charged.
Colombo (LNW): The government has reportedly resolved to firmly enforce the guidelines outlined in the gazette notification, declaring public transport, inlcuding the railway service, as a vital service.
This particular notification was released on September 12th by the President’s Secretary, Saman Ekanayake, and has a validity of one month.
As per the gazette’s terms, the government has made it clear that railway workers who abstain from duty, whether through strikes or other means, will be considered as having vacated their positions.
Colombo (LNW): The International Gem and Jewellery Exchange at the Colombo Fort City Centre is to be upgraded from its current poor performance with Chinese public- private sector assistance State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama disclosed.
State Minister Amunugama’s recent visit to China has resulted in the due attention of the major players in the Chinese business fraternity including the gem and jewellery sector.
The CZK Harui Economy and Trade Development (Beijing) Ltd., held initial discussions during the Minister’s visit to China and within a few weeks the representatives of the company visited Colombo to meet BOI officials.
During the meeting, the representative of the company came up with a proposal for the. International Gem and Jewellery Exchange at the Colombo Fort City Centre further improve its activities to earn much needed foreign exchange.
Minister Dilum Amunugama emphasised that this immediate response is not only business opportunities offered by Sri Lanka government but also the solidarity between the two countries maintained for so many years and shows sincere concern for the Chinese Government’s support of Sri Lanka.
The International Gem and Jewellery Centre not only serves the gem and jewellery sector but it will bring more business travellers to the country, and directly impact the tourism sector as well, the minister further added.
Sri Lanka is one of the meccas of gemology. Few sources, especially among active localities, can match its rich history as a gem producer and trade center.
As Sri Lanka takes its place in today’s gem and jewelry industry, the gemologist can observe a combination of traditional methods and modern technologies as well as new business strategies for a highly competitive market.
The representative of the CZK Harui Economy and Trade Development (Beijing) Company Ltd., seeks further investment opportunities in sectors such as new renewable energy projects in solar power generation and storage with the idea of introducing a new brand solar taxi system to Sri Lanka.
It will provide technology transfer for training and developing the Sri Lankan youth in solar power project implementation and maintenance
The company also agreed to provide further communication opportunities to develop a strategic partnership, instituted under the Ministry of Investment Promotion by providing necessary inputs.
Sri Lanka e-commerce Matrix Pavilion will be provided with a captured company database for branding Sri Lanka as a new emerging business destination to the Chinese investors amidst expected new investment laws and business ecosystem.
With reference to: firstly, the interview given by Prof. Emeritus M. Subramaniam, former Indian Naval Marine Commando to a media in Colombo on 13 Sep 2015; secondly, my article on 24 February 2023 titled ‘Pirabaharan is alive – claims and the South’s memory loss’; and thirdly, a response by former President Maithiripala Sirisena during his visit to Jaffna, I am compelled to put forward a challenge to those concerning the matter given below.
Last July, when the former president Maithripala Sirisena visited Jaffna, a journalist questioned him about the death of Pirabaharan and whether a genetic test DNA, – had been conducted. In fact, Maithripala Sirisena had been the Acting Defence Minister for the last two weeks of the war in May 2009.
Sirisena responded to the question saying that he had not been informed, that no matter had been reported to him regarding the death of Pirabaharan, and that he was not aware of a genetic test – DNA had ever been carried out.
It comes to mind that when Sirisena was threatened by Rajapaksa’s family during his Presidency, he said on several occasions that he “will disclose secrets about some opposition politicians”. Now we can understand what these were.
During the end of the war in Mullivaghzal in May 2009, so-called war heroes claimed that the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – LTTE was killed and that they had found the body. The truth was that Pirabaharan’s youngest son Balanchandran (12) was detained, shot and killed by soldiers.
However, right from the beginning there was information that Pirabaharan and some of his family members were alive. I was astonished that members of Rajapaksa’s family – especially Mahinda, Gotabhaya along with Sarath Fonseka, Kamal Gunaratne and the military spokesperson claimed that no-one in Pirabaharan’s family had survived and that it was ridiculous for anyone to think that members of this family were still living. To the best of my knowledge, this was a purely political statement, far from the truth.
Sri Lanka won the war
It cannot be denied that Sri Lanka won the war against the LTTE with strong support from countries like – China, India, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, USA and a few others. On 17 May 2009, at the end of the war, the LTTE’s press release said that they had “decided to silence our guns”. Since then, until today no press releases have been issued by the actual LTTE hierarchy, except that the LTTE letterhead was misused by some stooges and we knew who motivated them.
Being a human rights activist and defender for more than three decades, I cannot allow utter lies and deception to spread to the public, claiming that no-one in Pirabaharan’s family is alive. Human rights education doesn’t teach anyone to claim living individuals / people as dead. When the party concerned is living safe and sound, how can I say that they are dead and gone?
Regarding this matter, I have been interviewed by a few popular Tamil media with over one hundred thousand spectators. In those interviews I have said that Pirabaharan’s family is alive. Also, I said that I am in touch with them.
Working with UN Human Rights forums and other forums for more than three decades, I have never heard of any human rights organisation or activists submitting a case to mandate holders of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights – OHCHR concerning Pirabaharan or members of his family. Of course – the case of his youngest son Balachandran who was extrajudicially killed by Sri Lankan soldiers was well reported and human rights institutions and organisations consider this act a war crime.
One of the subjects taught in human rights is that in a democratic society, even so-called terrorists or those suspected of terrorism have the right to human rights protection. If we take for granted that Pirabaharan is a terrorist, he and members of his group have a right to human rights protection enjoyed by others in Sri Lanka.
Terrorism and Terrorist
After the 17th century, the terminology ‘terrorism’ and “terrorist” came into use only in the late 1970s. During the same period ‘state terrorism’ also came into use. The revolt by the Janatha Vimuki Peramunai – JVP, was a class struggle to capture the whole country in 1971. This was termed an insurgency, whereas Tamil militancy which took up arms for their ethnic identity in exercise of their right to self-determination, accepted under the UN covenants and conventions, was branded as terrorism. In warfare, there are not many differences between terrorism and insurgency.
The question is: During the so-called ‘Gota war’, did they respect International Humanitarian Law – IHL? The two main components of war: Jus ad bellum which refers to the conditions under which States may resort to war or to the use of armed force in general, and Jus in bello – the justness of how the war is fought, regulating the conduct of parties engaged in an armed conflict, are set out in the UN Charter of 1945.
Considering these factors, what happened to the fake body shown to the public as Pirabaharan? Is the authority answerable to this question? Once again, here I would like to insist that even terrorists have the right to human rights protection. I pose the same question with regard to the other LTTE cadres in the conflict, who were raped, killed and their bodies dumped everywhere in Vanni.
The general obligations imposed by international humanitarian law, as a result of both custom and treaty, have been summarized by the International Committee of the Red Cross. They include the following:
* Parties to the conflict must endeavour to facilitate the return of the remains of the deceased upon request of the party to which they belong or upon the request of their next of kin. They must return their personal effects to them.
* The dead must be disposed of in a respectful manner and their graves respected and properly maintained.
* With a view to the identification of the dead, each party to the conflict must record all available information prior to disposal and mark the location of the graves.
Did Sri Lanka respect these fundamental obligations during Mullivaigzhal in May 2009? Now, even ordinary citizens can see how the Rajapaksas behaved in Mullivagzhal. When all these international norms and standards were ignored, the acts are considered as war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
I have met some top LTTE cadres whose photographs were displayed as dead by Sri Lanka in May 2009. None of those names were reported to mandate holders of Disappearances or Arbitrary Killings, of the OHCHR. This shows how the Rajapaksas gained votes, by showing fake photos. This truth is well known to many members in the military and other forces.
To be frank, here I am not talking about the many thousands of civilians who were killed and disappeared during the war or the end of the war in Mullivaghzal. Those are different cases which are dealt with by UN mandate holders, human rights organisations, activists and by the UN Human Rights Council.
Challenge under international observers
This situation makes me challenge the Rajapaksa family – Mahinda, Gotabhaya along with Sarath Fonseka, Kamal Gunaratne and military spokesperson – that I can prove physically that Pirabaharan and some members in his family are alive – also, some LTTE commanders whom Sri Lanka claimed as dead.
I can take this challenge on four conditions. One, only those whom I have named here can come forward for the challenge. Secondly, this will be done in front of international observers – members of international human rights and humanitarian institutions, and in the presence of some of ‘The Elders’. Thirdly, once it is proved that they are living, those who took up the challenge should be able to support the cause of those involved, whom they considered dead. Finally, whoever loses the challenge should bear the financial cost of this milestone. I am ready for the challenge at the earliest. The logistics can be discussed via international observers when one of the named above, or all can agree to these four conditions. I am anxiously waiting for their reply.
As far as terrorism is concerned, we have seen so-called terrorists eventually become heads of state and receive the Nobel Prize as well. Two good examples are – Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Yasser Arafat of Palestinian State.
In Sri Lanka it is a joke that everything is terrorism. One cannot deny that since the end of the war until today, regarding politics not a single bullet has been fired in the North and East other than by the security forces. But the extremists, who target the vote bank in the South, beat the drum of terrorism – day and night.
The Tamil leaders and members of the Tamil Congress and Federal party who fought non-violently for the right to self-determination or equal rights from 1948 until early 70s were lucky that they were not branded as terrorists. One reason was that during those periods’ extremists like Sarath Weerasekara, Vimal Wirawansa, Uthaya Gampila and a few others were not in politics. Otherwise, S.J.V. Chelvanayagam and G.G.Ponnambalam would also have been branded as terrorists.
These extremists cannot be blamed! They have no knowledge of civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. They are only worried about elections and the vote bank like some Tamil politicians.
I look forward to meeting the challenge spelt out in this invitation.
Hope the Southern politician will consider all these factors and allow citizens to live with peace and dignity rather than in continuous turmoil.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardane met her counterpart State Secretary Thomas Bagger of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin on 27 September 2023. Also present at the meeting were Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany Varuni Muthukumarana and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place during an important point in Sri Lanka-German bForeign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane meets State Secretary Thomas Bagger of the Federal Foreign Office of Germanyilateral relations where the two countries are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties.
At the outset, State Secretary Bagger welcomed the meeting with Foreign Secretary Wijewardane and stressed that this meeting would pave the way for new avenues for future cooperation.
Referring to the excellent relations that exist between Sri Lanka and Germany, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane appreciated the German assistance in enabling Sri Lankan businesses, particularly SMEs to gain better access to international markets. She stressed that Sri Lanka is looking for more prospects in the German market for healthcare workers and export of ICT services on a sustainable basis. The two sides also discussed furthering of vocational training education in Sri Lanka.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane expressed appreciation for Germany’s longstanding development cooperation partnership with Sri Lanka, and requested continuation of direct development aid, taking note of the present economic situation in the country. She also appreciated the assistance extended to Sri Lanka in diverse fields by German Foundations, including Frederick Naumann Foundation.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane apprised State Secretary Bagger of Sri Lanka’s recent progress in stabilizing the economy and reconciliation, and emphasized the ongoing efforts to achieve reconciliation through domestic mechanisms. She appreciated the significant role played by the Paris Club, including Germany, in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process.
The two sides also discussed the significance of the Indo-Pacific region, and future collaboration, specifically under the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which will be chaired by Sri Lanka for two years from October 2023.
Noting Germany’s increased pledges to international climate financing, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane encouraged German assistance for Sri Lanka’s initiatives on the Climate Prosperity Plan, International Climate Change University, and the strategy for green growth centered on renewable energy generation.
Both sides agreed on the importance of convening the bilateral political consultations at the Foreign Secretary level in a regular manner and to identify priority areas for future cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane was a member of the official delegation accompanying President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his working visit to Germany from 27-30 September 2023. During his visit, President Wickremesinghe held discussions with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and addressed the inaugural Berlin Global Dialogue.
In a scathing indictment of Sri Lanka’s governance landscape, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has handed down a damning verdict. MP Harsha de Silva, speaking in today’s parliament session, highlighted the gravity of the situation as he discussed the contents of the IMF’s Governance Diagnostic Assessment report. The verdict is clear: corruption has permeated every level of Government institutions, from top to bottom.
Harsha de Silva minced no words as he shared the IMF’s concerns, which include a multitude of pressing issues. One of the primary reasons for the delay in disbursing the second tranche of funds is the shortfall in government revenue, as well as the sluggish progress in foreign debt restructuring. However, perhaps the most significant roadblock to financial recovery lies in the Government’s persistent failure to address its deep-rooted corruption problem.
In a rare moment of candid self-reflection, MP Harsha de Silva urged the Sri Lankan Government to swallow the bitter medicine it so desperately needs. With a history of approaching the IMF for assistance a staggering 16 times without lasting success, he argued that now is the time for comprehensive reform. The Government must seize this opportunity to cleanse its system of corruption and pave the way for meaningful change.
The IMF has laid out a rigorous 16-point plan, a blueprint for Sri Lanka’s revival. These directives, while formidable in scope, are essential steps towards transparency and accountability. They include:
Establishing an Advisory Committee by November 2023 to nominate commissioners for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
(Harsha de Silva: “This committee will ensure that the nominations for key anticorruption positions are not influenced by political interests, which is a critical step in tackling corruption.”)
Publishing asset declarations for senior officials by July 2024, an act that brings much-needed transparency, with only 12 out of 225 MPs having disclosed their assets.
(Harsha de Silva: “This move will shed light on potential conflicts of interest among top government officials, promoting accountability and integrity.”)
Enacting Proceeds of Crime legislation by April 2024 to align with international standards, combating money laundering and illicit financial activities.
Amending the National Audit Act to hold officials accountable for the use of public resources.
Finalizing and implementing regulations for beneficial ownership information and creating a public registry by April 2024.
Enacting a Public Procurement Law by December 2024, addressing the alarming procurement and corruption issues.
(Harsha de Silva: “It is quite evident the failure in procurement and corruption with the mess that’s going on in the Ministry of Health with emergency procurement but yet no action was taken.”)
Publishing reports on increasing competitive tendered procurement contracts, targeting agencies with low levels of competition.
Requiring the publication of all public procurement contracts above LK 1 billion and other critical financial information on a designated website.
Implementing the State-Owned Enterprise Reform Policy to ensure ethical management.
Abolishing or suspending the Strategic Development Projects Office Act until a transparent process for evaluating proposals is established.
(Harsha de Silva: “If one may recall what happened at COPF not too long ago, when a tax holiday was given to one company for 17 years, I asked only one question, what is the benefit or revenue generated to the government? But they were unable to answer that; they took me away as Chair of COPF. Now it is being made necessary by the IMF to display the cost of such tax holidays.”)
Amending tax legislation to prevent unilateral tax changes without parliamentary approval.
(Harsha de Silva: “We can recall the sugar scam, where midnight gazettes were used by the Minister to benefit certain people, and the government encountered a loss of 16 billion but nothing was done yet again.”)
Implementing short-term anti-corruption measures within revenue departments to enhance oversight and sanctions.
(Harsha de Silva: “These incidents are taking place under political influence with no accountability.”)
Exploring options for new management arrangements for the Employee Provident Fund to avoid conflicts of interest.
(Harsha de Silva: “It is vital that we take the EPF management out of the central bank to avoid conflict of interests in the future, similar to what we witnessed with the Domestic-Debt Optimization.”)
Revising legislation, regulations, and processes for stronger oversight in the banking sector.
(Harsha de Silva: “State banks are subjected to heavy politicization, as we have seen the substantial amounts of non-performing loans held by the banks”)
Establishing an online digital land registry and ensuring progress in registering/titling-state land.
(Harsha de Silva: “Investors will not come if the current way continues, as land deeds are at one place while the survey plan is elsewhere and you need to bribe officals to get something done; thus, the IMF has urged this.”)
Expanding the resources and skills available to the Judicial Services Commission to strengthen justice.
It is evident that these directives are not an imposition but rather a lifeline for Sri Lanka. They promise to bolster transparency, root out corruption, and ensure that the government is held accountable for its actions. The IMF’s involvement guarantees that these measures will be implemented rigorously, leaving no room for evasion or negligence.
The gravity of the situation is starkly clear. Sri Lankan citizens are struggling to make ends meet while corruption remains unchecked. Professionals are fleeing the country, and the public’s trust in the government is eroding. The IMF’s intervention is not a burden but a beacon of hope.
The ball is now in the court of Ranil Wickramasinghe and his SLPP government. Opposition to these measures is not an option, as they represent the only viable path forward. The IMF’s directives are a lifeline, an opportunity for Sri Lanka to cleanse its system, regain trust, and pave the way for a brighter future.
As Harsha de Silva aptly stated, the bitter pill of reform is the only way forward. Under a future government, discussions with the IMF will aim to revise certain aspects of program, while implementing all 16 directives, charting a course towards a prosperous and corruption-free Sri Lanka.
Colombo (LNW): The G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be held from January 04, 2024 to January 31, 2024, announced the Commissioner General of Exams yesterday (04).
The revised timetable for the holding of the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be released soon, a statement said.
Candidates who were expecting to apply for the examination but were unable to are able to do so online from October 06, 2023 to October 10, 2023 before 11.59 pm.
Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (05).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern and Uva provinces, and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu districts during the evening or night, the statement added.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil may be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Tamil Guardian: Ahead of the UK general election, the leader of the Tamil National People Front leader, Gajen Ponnambalam MP attended the British Tamil Conservatives annual reception at the British Conservative Party conference.
The conference was held on Monday at the Midland Hotel in Manchester and was attended by over 200 participants.
Ponnambalam spoke on the genocide committed against Eelam Tamils.
A number of cabinet members, ministers, members of parliament, and councilors attended the event and declared their support for accountability and justice and thanked the British Tamil Conservatives and the Tamil community for their contributions.
The event was hosted by the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils, Elliot Colburn MP.
Chair of the Conservative Convention, Peter Smallwood, delivered the first of many speeches.
Former Leader of the Conservative Party and MP for Chingford Rt. Hon. Ian Duncan Smith declared “Crime of all crimes is Genocide. What has happened in Sri Lanka is, without question, another Genocide. We need to hold that up, there is no running away from it”.
Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers expressed her disappointment with lack of accountability stating “It is quite frankly a real scandal that nobody has been brought to justice for the terrible crimes committed during the civil war.”
Paul Scully, Minister for London and Digital Technology praised the Tamil community for their contributions and added: “You do so much to make sure our economy, our society, our community thrive”.
Greg Hands, Chairman of the Conservative party expressed similar sentiments and thanked the BTC for raising Tamil issues and supporting the party.
Elliot Colburn Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils in his speech declared his support for those who are fighting for justice, peace and accountability.
Commenting on the reception event, a BTC Secretary Gajan Raj stated that “the event was a huge success and continued to create awareness of the challenges Tamils face in Sri Lanka and reiterated the need for the Conservative Party to continue supporting the Tamils in their quest for justice”
Litro Gas increases prices of domestic LP Gas with immediate effect: 12.5kg cylinder increased by Rs.343 to Rs.3,470, 5kg cylinder by Rs.137 to Rs.1,393, & 2.3kg cylinder by Rs.63 to Rs.650.
SJB files Petition before the Supreme Court, against the Online Safety Draft Bill, which was submitted to the Parliament.
Supreme Court gives leave to proceed on Petition filed by the Center for Policy Alternatives & Sandhya Ekneligoda against the pardon given by President Maithripala Sirisena to Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera who was convicted for contempt of court.
Minister of Power & Energy Kanchana Wijesekara says the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (who is also the brother of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry), Mohomed Uwais Mohomed has tendered his resignation from the post, due to “personal and professional commitments”.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage dismisses private plaint filed by Ven. Thiniyawela Palitha Thera against former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga: the Thera’s complaint that public funds were paid to a US national without proper authority was dismissed for non furnishing of sufficient evidence and suppression of facts.
Director General of the State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit & former Lion Brewery Director Suresh Shah says ‘Requests for Expressions of Interest” for Hilton, Hyatt and Lanka Hospitals will be out shortly: also says REOIs for 7 State Owned Enterprises which are also being divested, will also be out within the next 5-weeks.
Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera raises concerns of a potential food shortage owing to the sudden & extreme weather conditions: says nearly 70,000 acres of paddy and hundreds of acres of cultivated land which were ready for harvest, have been destroyed due to the recent torrential rains.
SL Men’s & Women’s Relay teams win Bronze medals at the Asian Games 2023 in China; Men’s 4x400m with a timing of 3:02.55 minutes (a new Sri Lanka record), and Women’s 4x400m with a timing of 3:30:88 minutes (also a new Sri Lanka record).
Tharushi Karunarathna wins the Gold medal with a timing of 2.03.20 minutes at the Asian Games 2023 – Women’s 800meters event: the first Gold medal that SL has won in Athletics since 2002.
SL crashes out of medal contention in Cricket at the Asian Games 2023: lose Quarter Final match against Afghanistan by 8 runs: AFG – 116 (18.3 overs), SL – 108 (19.1 overs).
