World Bank extends support for SL economic reforms
World Bank extends support for SL economic reformsNewsThe World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a US $200 million agreement today. This is marking as the second phase of a two-part series that began in 2022, a press release from the World Bank said. This second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO) is designed to support reforms aimed at improving economic governance, enhancing growth and competitiveness , and protecting the poor and vulnerable. The operation focuses on strengthening economic governance to create a stable macroeconomic environment and restore investor confidence through key reforms. Doing so is vital to boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring that everyone benefits from a stronger, more resilient economy."
Source:Sunday Times
October 07, 2024 11:02 UTC
Inside Details Of How Israel's Mossad Worked Out Pager Idea: 5 Points
And with no risk of being tracked by Israeli intelligence, Hezbollah saw the device as the ultimate communication tool for their needs. The pagers' most sinister feature was a two-step de-encryption procedure that ensured most users would be holding the pager with both hands when it detonated. Israel came up with the pager idea in 2022, and parts of the plan began falling into place more than a year before Hamas's October 7 attack, The Washington Post reported . Because Hezbollah leaders were alert to possible sabotage, the pagers could not originate in Israel, the US or any other Israeli ally. The Taiwanese company had no knowledge of the plan, officials said, according to The Washington Post article.
Source:The Nation
October 06, 2024 19:31 UTC
Opinion: You Got An iPhone, Now Think Of 'Envy Imperialism'
The news cycle around the sale of iPhone 16 across India is yet another reminder of how the industrially produced concoction of glamour, envy, and cultural imperialism continues to define most markets in the Global South. Owning an iPhone has been an envy-induced and inducing activity for many consumers ever since its launch in 2007. The sleek iPhone was the new Onida television, minus the devil hissing "neighbour's envy, owner's pride". Simulation Is SupremeThe iPhone is a curious gadget - it is both a product and a platform in the industrial production of glamour. iSlaveryThe cultural imperialism of the United States of America hinges on this digital ultimate slavery.
Source:The Nation
October 06, 2024 12:31 UTC
Political Brand Revitalisation and rebranding
Political Brand Revitalisation and rebranding View(s):A brand’s vitality, image, and market relevance are all intended to be increased through the strategic process of brand revitalisation. The NPP is a vibrant political movement made up of 21 different organisations, including trade unions, women’s groups, political parties, and civil society organisations. Whilst remaining true to its original brand purpose, the brand was able to amplify a better-bigger proposition for people to consider voting NPP. The campaigns done around the brand helped them to further establish the brand in the minds of the voters. However, the real win for the brand would be the parliamentary election win as it’s going to decide the performance of the brand.
Source:Sunday Times
October 06, 2024 09:05 UTC
Govt. to carry on with Ranil’s Urumaya
to carry on with Ranil’s Urumaya View(s):By Niranjala AriyawanshaThe previous government’s Urumaya programme, under which freehold title is given to people who use state land based on a permit or grant issued by the government, will continue, the Land Commissioners General’s Department said. He said so far 21,491 freehold deeds had been distributed under the Urumaya programme and another 110,000 people would be handed over deeds soon. There are about two million who have land licences and grants, but only about 200,000 have applied for freehold rights under Urumaya. But he said those who have the licence or grants without such problems should apply for Urumaya as soon as possible. Then they will make a freehold grant for that outright grant and will send it, along with the old licence, to the President for his approval.
Source:Sunday Times
October 06, 2024 06:51 UTC
Tamil literary writer set to launch new book in January
Tamil literary writer set to launch new book in JanuaryNewsBy Ishu BandaraJanuary 2025 will be a remarkable and unforgettable month for Tamil literary writer Pradeepan Deepachelvan, who lives in Kilinochchi, a quiet town in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Deepachelvan is in the final stages of writing his third book, ‘Cyanide’, which will be published by Discovery Book Palace in India, just like his previous book, 'Bhayagaravadi’ (The Terrorist). The book is scheduled to be released at the Madras Book Fair in India, January 2025 and will be available to Sri Lanka’s Tamil reading community shortly thereafter. A young Tamil writer Deepachelvan has already written and published two novels 'Nadugal’ (Translated into Sinhala by P.P. "I have a lot on my mind that I need to turn into words, I can’t wait to write," said the world-famous young Tamil literary writer Pradeepan Deepachelvan.
Source:Sunday Times
August 08, 2024 19:32 UTC
SLC announces squad for England Test series
SLC announces squad for England Test seriesSportSri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee approved the following 18-member squad to play the three-match test series vs. England. The test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship. The Squad1) Dhananjaya De Silva – Captain2) Dimuth Karunaratne3) Nishan Madushka4) Pathum Nissanka5) Kusal Mendis – Vice Captain6) Angelo Mathews7) Dinesh Chandimal8) Kamindu Mendis9) Sadeera Samarawickrama10) Asitha Fernando11) Vishwa Fernando12) Kasun Rajitha13) Lahiru Kumara14) Nisala Tharaka15) Prabath Jayasuriya16)Ramesh Mendis17)Jeffrey Vandersay18) Milan RathnayakeYou can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
August 07, 2024 13:21 UTC
Record paddy harvest in 2024 Yala season promises sufficient rice supply
Record paddy harvest in 2024 Yala season promises sufficient rice supplyNewsThe 2024 Yala season has yielded a record paddy harvest of 2 million metric tons, with an increased yield of 4.64 metric tons per hectare, says the Department of Agriculture. The department, following instructions from the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, has confirmed that 88 percent of the 540,000 hectares targeted for paddy cultivation have been successfully planted. This year’s harvest includes 77 percent regular paddy, 11 percent samba, and 12 percent keeri samba, which marks a notable increase in keeri samba cultivation to 61,000 hectares. With the current harvest and leftover stock from last season, the country’s annual rice requirement of 2.4 million metric tons will be fully met domestically, eliminating the need for imports, the department assured. This season’s paddy yield, particularly from the Eastern and North Central provinces, has surpassed previous records, ensuring an abundant rice supply for the nation.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2024 10:35 UTC
Days of Devastation Expected From Deadly Tropical Storm Debby
Joe Raedle/GettyAt least five people were killed after Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, with forecasters warning that several more days of devastation are to come. After hundreds of people were rescued from flooded homes in Florida, meteorologists said Tuesday morning that other states will face a similar deluge. “Debby is expected to produce potentially historic rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches, with maximum amounts of 25 inches, bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across portions of southeast Georgia, the eastern half of South Carolina, and southeast North Carolina through Friday,” the National Hurricane Center said. ET, Debby was inland over southeastern Georgia moving northeast. The center of the storm is “expected to move offshore the coast of Georgia later today, drift offshore through early Thursday, and then move inland over South Carolina on Thursday,” according to the hurricane center.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2024 00:01 UTC
59th annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival features cultural events for the entire family
Published at 2:41 pm, August 6, 2024 | Updated at 2:42 pm, August 6, 2024The following is a news release and photo from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. FORT HALL — The 59th Annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival kicks off Thursday, Aug. 8, and concludes on Sunday, Aug. 11. This year’s theme is “Our Language is our Identity.” The Tribes invites everyone to enjoy one of the largest outdoor cultural celebrations in the state of Idaho. More information can also be found visiting the Festival’s website at www.shobanfestival.com and the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shobanindianfestival. Each year, the Festival hosts the Miss Shoshone-Bannock Queen Pageant and a new queen is crowned Friday night at approximately 7 p.m.
Source:The Nation
August 06, 2024 21:02 UTC
Dhammika Perera says not contesting election due to ’personal reasons’
Dhammika Perera says not contesting election due to ’personal reasons’NewsBusinessman Dhammika Perera set to contest the Presidential election from the SLPP, has cited 'personal reasons' for his decision not to contest the election. Mr Perera in a letter addressed to the party Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has communicated his decision today. He has expressed his gratitude to the party for considering his name as a candidate. Meanwhile, the SLPP is likely to nominate Namal Rajapaksa as the candidate tomorrow morning at an auspicious time. Mr Kariyawasam said that the name of the candidate will be known before 8.00 am tomorrow.
Source:The Nation
August 06, 2024 16:33 UTC
Presidential polls: TPA extends support to Sajith
Presidential polls: TPA extends support to SajithNewsThe Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by MP Mano Ganesan has decided to extend support to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Presidential Election today. MP Ganesan told the media today that his party entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mr Premadasa based on policies focused on wellbeing of Malayaha community. pix by Akila JayawardaneYou can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
August 06, 2024 09:24 UTC
MEP extends support to President
MEP extends support to PresidentNewsThe Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today decided to extend support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential Election, Vice President of the MP Sisira Jayakody said. Mr Jayakodi said that the decision was taken by the party central committee. “The Prime Minister is extending support to the president along with 91 parliament members” he said. He said an agreement would be signed and an alliance would be formed to support President Wickremesinghe in future. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
August 02, 2024 08:30 UTC
Wijeyadasa kicks off election campaign
Wijeyadasa kicks off election campaignNewsJustice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who made a cash deposit at the Election Commission today to contest the presidential election said that his objective in contesting elections was to replace the corrupt, dictatorial democracy with a people friendly, humane, law abiding and morally correct democratic system. He made the comments while launching the party symbol under which he would be contesting. Accordingly he would contest as a presidential candidate under National Democratic Front with the symbol of the carMr Rajapakshe said by contesting the presidential election he would thereafter pave the way for more youth to enter parliament via general elections. He added that along with the youth he would also allow the learned, knowledgeable professionals as well as educationalists and Entrepreneurs to enter parliament. He said that he also aims to create a self-sufficient economy in the country and transform the country into a free and developed nation.
Source:Sunday Times
August 02, 2024 08:30 UTC
Jana Aragalya Sandanaya launches election manifesto
Jana Aragalya Sandanaya launches election manifestoNewsThe Jana Aragala Sandanaya, backed by ‘Aragalaya’ activist have launched their manifesto to contest the upcoming Presidential election. The Alliance, among other proposal calls the for setting up a new constitution. The group which fielding Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage as the candidate for the Presidential elections launched their manifesto on July 31 in Colombo. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
August 01, 2024 20:34 UTC