Aug 12 (DN) The incumbent Netball President Lakshmi Victoria and former Sports Ministry official Padma Baddewela will compet vie for the Presidency of the Netball Federation at the election which will be held on Aug 31 at the Sport s Ministry. The objections against the seven nominations were investigated by the election committee which rejected them and now elections will be held two days after the scheduled date on 29th Aug. The election committee has considered both more..

Aug 12 (FT) The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) has extended its congratulations to the newly-elected PM Mahinda Rajapaksa on his appointment. Chairman Chamath Kottage said COYLE and the Govt of SL share a unique partnership and essential alliance, based on a strong foundation of shared values and democratic principles. “We look forward to continuing our critical work together with the PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Govt to further strengthen our enduring more..

Aug 12 (CT) After years without any regular sponsorship, Sri Lanka Athletics finally got the funding they need to take athletics to the next level, with Lyca Mobiles Gnanam Foundation coming forward with a Rs 10 million sponsorship package. SL stunned the arena last year during the South Asian Games in Nepal by securing 15 Gold medals and beating India into second place for the first time since 1991, where the athletes’ efforts more..

Aug 12 (FT) Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) Group said it has achieved a remarkable 55% YoY growth in its Operating Profits to Rs. 6.9 billion in the first half of 2020 amidst the many challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Group revenue reached Rs. 44.1 billion during the first six months of 2020, demonstrating a moderate growth of 3.6% YoY, primarily due to the relief packages and free data offers to customers by SLT together with its mobile arm Mobitel, to assist the customers during more..

Aug 12 (CGTN) Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa have assumed the positions of PM and President of Sri Lanka, after securing a landslide victory in the 2020 elections with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) securing 145 seats out of a-225-legislature. The victory allows the Rajapaksa family to consolidate power for the next five years in Sri Lanka and is also good news for the majority Sinhalese which constitute over 70% of the island's population. more..

Aug 12 (Island) SLPP National List nominee Mohommed Muzammil said that JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and General Secretary Tilvin Silva, too, should quit in the wake of the latest electoral debacle. Pointing out UNP Chief Ranil Wickremesinghe, at last quit the party leadership having accepted responsibility for the worst ever defeat suffered under his leadership, he urged JVPers to follow Wickremesinghe’s example. more..

Aug 12 (CT) SL National Chess team failed to enter Level II when they lost their last Pool ‘B’ match to Botswana 1 -5 on Monday in the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020. There are a total of 163 countries participating. SL team played well and won against the Int'l Cripple Association team (ranked No.1) and the strong Tajikistan Team in earlier rounds. However, they could not overcome the strong Portugal and Scotland teams in round 2 and round 8, and drew against the UAE as well. more..

Aug 12 (EN) Main Opposition SJB remains deadlocked over finalizing its National List with Party Leaders planning to meet tomorrow to confirm the names. A day after the votes were counted the SJB released a list on Social Media naming seven politicians who campaigned across the country on the National List. They include Party Secretary-General Ranjit Madduma Bandara and National Organiser Tissa Attanayake. The sole woman in the list is actress and lawyer Diana Gamage who more..

Aug 12 (FT) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) expressed confidence in the strong mandate by the people on 5 August election for a pro-growth Govt. “CSE welcomes the decisive expression of support for the new Govt by the SL people and is confident of the establishment of a strong, pro-growth socio-economic policy framework by the new administration which will strengthen the investment climate in SL,” more..

Aug 12 (AD) Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene have been summoned to appear before the Police Unit of the PCoI next week to record statements regarding the Easter Sunday terrorist attack. Wickremesinghe has been summoned to appear before the PCoI on the 21st of August. Meanwhile, it is reported that former Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake has also been requested to appear before the PCoI on the same day more..

Aug 12 (Island) The finance manager of underworld leader and drug baron, Lasantha Perera alias Angoda Lokka, was arrested by Thalangama Police at Biyagama on Monday. Initial investigations have revealed that Rs. 180 million was transferred to the suspect’s account during the last few months. While he was in police custody, Rs. 1 million was transferred to his account. Proceeds from the sale of heroin by Lokka’s network are believed to have been deposited in the suspect’s account. more..

Aug 12 (DM) There is many a debate as to how the United National Party (UNP) and the Our Power of People’s Party (OPPP), which could not secure a single seat at the general election were each allocated a national list slot. The UNP obtained 249,435 while the OPPP obtained 67,758 votes with none elected from those parties. This is the second time in electoral history that a party without a single seat was allocated a national list seat. more..

Aug 12 (CT) Underworld kingpin Angoda Lokka’s main shooter who carried out contract killings, Asitha Hemathilaka, alias Solta was killed yesterday when he attempted to hurl a grenade at Police officers at Welivita, Mulleriyawa around 10 last night. Police have found that he was the one who killed the owner of a Beauty Salon in Athurugiriya in 2017. In addition, Police have uncovered that he had killed Roshan Premalal (Poli Roshan) in 2018 in Malabe. Investigations are continuing under more..

Aug 12 (FT) Malaka Silva, the son of former Minister Mervyn Silva, has been arrested by the Thalangama Police in Thalangama yesterday. Malaka was arrested in connection with a case of extorting a payment of Rs. 100,000 from a businessman in Wickramasinghapura, Battaramulla, the police said. The suspect was arrested following a complaint that he had made a death threat to businessman Sandun Malinda Thenuwa, demanding a ransom of Rs. 100,000 for his father’s election campaign. more..

Aug 12 (FT) The Election Commission (EC) will seek advice from the Attorney General (AG) to resolve the dispute that has arisen with two names being forwarded to the Commission to fill the single National List seat won by the Ape Janabala Pakshaya or Our People’s Party (OPP). OPP General Secretary Ven. Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thera had written to the EC, nominating himself to fill the seat, but the Party had more..

Aug 12 (TM) National People’s Power (NPP) is yet to finalise the Member of Parliament they will appoint from the single national seat that is allotted to them, The Morning reliably learnt. “So far, it is only Dr. Harini Amarasuriya that is nominated as a probable fit to enter Parliament through the National List, while several other names too have been proposed. We will take a decision today (12), after which we will inform the Election Commission (EC) on the definitive choice from us,” more..

Aug 12 (FT) Shortly after assuming office at Temple Trees yesterday, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa filled in the e-application prepared by Parliament and submitted his biographic details to the Parliament Secretariat. The Parliament Secretariat has introduced an online registration system to obtain details of elected members of the Ninth Parliament, which is scheduled to commence on 20 Aug. PM completed the e-application setting an example for the other MPs to send in their information online. more..

Aug 12 (DM) The agenda of the first Cabinet meeting of the new govt will give top priority to approve proposals for constitutional changes and the presenting of a new budget to Parliament. A top source of the govt, said the people had given a resounding mandate to change the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and therefore the new Cabinet will prioritise giving its nod to initiate the process. MPS elected for the first time, except one, more..

Aug 12 (FT) The SLPP won the Parliamentary Elections with a near two-third majority, showing public appreciation of the Prez saving the country from the coronavirus epidemic and his war against drug mafia and corruption. The verdict would allow the Prez a free hand to continue his development initiatives. But when coronavirus forced the country be locked down for months, the original plans of the President’s election manifesto were disturbed. SL proved to the world that coronavirus could be more..

Aug 12 (FT) Let’s accept it, the earliest that the world will have access to a vaccine against COVID-19 will be at least a six months from now, the logic being that the current shortlisted probable products that have shown some promise will have to pass the third stage trials on humans, which will take an incubation period of three to four months. Thereafter, for commercialisation which includes setting up of production facilities and the logistical chain means this time line of six to eight months more..

Aug 12 (DN) The killers of SF Lokka had come on a motorcycle without a number plate stolen from a young farmer of Mahiyanganaya, Anuradhapura, Police said. Police found the motorcycle abandoned on Aug 8 in Tibbatuwewa in the Nochchiyagama Police Division and later police found that it was stolen from a young farmer in Mahiyanganaya. He has kept the motorcycle in a locked room of his house since he could not pay the leasing installments for a few months. more..

Aug 12 (Xinhua) SL govt's decision to promote agricultural production helped the country's economy endure a three-month curfew imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the central bank governor said. "The govt opted for self-reliance during the curfew and we successfully maintained food security despite restrictions on imports throughout the curfew," Governor of the CB, W.D. Lakshman said. Govt imposed a curfew from March 20 to June 28 to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. more..

Aug 12 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers and State Ministers of the new Govt led by SLPP were sworn in before Prez Rajapaksa. The swearing in ceremony was held at the MagulMaduwa (Audience Hall) of the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic premises in Kandy this morning. President has repeatedly stressed the requirement of an efficient Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to build a prosperous nation in the future, more..

Aug 12 (SLN) Upon detection of a suspicious trawler in the sea area about 10 nautical miles (18km) off the Chilaw Point, the Navy apprehended 04 suspects aboard, along with gunny sacks stuffed with turmeric, on 11th Aug. Subsequently, the trawler and smuggled items held by the Navy were brought to the Dikkowita fisheries harbour for further investigation, as it was difficult to conduct a full-scale inspection at sea due to concerns of the pandemic. The load of smuggled consignment more..

Aug 12 (TM) Appeal Court has decided not to carry out arrest warrants on Kurunegala Mayor & others till 24 Aug Mayor of Kurunegala Thushara Witharana yesterday filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal requesting the suspension of the arrest warrant issued on him by the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court. T Kurunegala Magistrate on 6 Aug issued arrest warrants on the Kurunegala Mayor, the Municipal Commissioner, Engineer, and two others in the case filed over more..

Aug 12 (AD) Govt recently established through an Extraordinary Gazette notification the Ministerial structure consisting 28 Ministries and 39 State Ministries including the Ministries that come under the purview of the Prez and PM. The relevant gazette 2187/27 titled Duties and Function has been published by the Presidential Secretariat on Aug 9. The govt says national priorities, policy responsibilities and functions have been more..

Aug 12 (SLN) The Navy managed to seize a haul of drug strain known to be Kerala cannabis, during a special operation carried out in the sea area about 22 nautical miles off Point Pedro on 11th Aug. SL Navy remains vigilant around the clock to curb smuggling of contraband and human smuggling activities by regularly inspecting suspicious vessels in island’s waters. In this backdrop, the Northern Naval Command under the supervision of Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander more..

Aug 12 (Island) The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) representing the export fraternity of the country, in a statement congratulated the newly concluded election and the great victory achieved, in the formation of a new Govt. Ramya Weerakoon, President of the Chamber stated that the Chamber welcomed the new government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa with a strong decree on developing and promoting exports of the country. more..

Aug 12 (DM) Even though the Viyathmaga, group of professionals were given prominence during the campaign trail since the presidential election, no members have been given appointments in the Cabinet of Ministers. The group rose to prominence, with pledges to take the country forward. However, the members of the professional group have not been given due distinction as expected. more..

Aug 12 (AD) Malaka Silva, the son of former minister Mervyn Silva, who was arrested by police yesterday, has been released on bail by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court. Malaka Silva was arrested by Thalangama Police yesterday on charges of alleged extortion and issuing death threats against a businessman. Police said he was arrested based on a complaint filed by a businessman based in Thalangama, who claims that Malaka Silva issued death threats against him and attempted to more..

Aug 12 (CT) UNHRC at its 130th sessions due to be held at the UN office in Geneva, Switzerland, from 12 Oct to 6 Nov is expected to review Sri Lanka and 11 other countries, the Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) said on 10 Aug. Matters to be reviewed include the State party’s report, the Common Core Document (the Govt has to provide information that relates directly to the implementation of all human rights treaties it has ratified), the list of issues, more..

Aug 12 (DM) TPA which claimed to be the second-largest Party in SJB said it has decided not to request for a national list slot as they wanted, in view to prevent the breakup of the alliance. “TPA played a pivotal role in forming the SJB. The telephone is a common symbol and does not belong to one party. We have become the second-largest party in SJB. Therefore, we did not want to break this alliance by demanding national list slots” more..

Aug 12 (AD) Former Governor of Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal was sworn in as the new state minister for Finance, Capital Market, and State Enterprise Reforms. The swearing-in ceremony of new Cabinet of Ministers and State Ministers commenced a short while ago, under the patronage of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The new ministerial structure consisting 28 Ministries and 40 State Ministries was announced by Prez Rajapaksa through an extraordinary gazette notification. more..

Aug 12 (CI) Bangladesh's first three-Test series in six years has been confirmed, with the BCB saying that its Test squad, as well as the high-performance side, are going to leave for Colombo on Sept 23 or 24. The board has also said that it will bear the expenses of the two travelling squads for the first three weeks of the tour, leading in to the first Test starting Oct 24. The pre-Test stint in SL is likely to serve as a quarantine period, with SL govt insisting on a 14-day quarantine for all new arrivals. more..

Aug 12 (CI) SL and UAE are among the back-up venues for the 2021 men's T20 World Cup, should the Covid-19 pandemic make India an untenable host. The ICC confirmed last week that India will host next year's tournament as scheduled in the original Future Tours Programme while this year's postponed edition in Australia goes ahead in 2022. Identifying potential back-up venues is standard practice for every ICC event, more..

Aug 12 (AD) Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has been nominated to the National List seat of Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB). The Election Commission has been informed of the relevant decision reached by the politburo of the JJB, the party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. Dr. Amarasuriya is a Senior Lecturer of the Department of Sociology of Open University of Sri Lanka. She is also a member of the education policy making committee of the National Intellectuals Organization (NIO). more..

Aug 12 (CT) At least 28.8% of dengue cases that were recorded from January until the beginning of second week of August this year, were from Western Province. The total number of dengue cases recorded from January to the beginning of second week of August amounted to 24,285. The Western Province Department of Health showed that the Province had a total of 6,994 cases of dengue while in the Colombo District alone there were 3,478 (49.8 %). Of this latter number, 2,565 were from more..

Aug 12 (PTI) SL’s new Cabinet, including four members of the powerful Rajapaksa family, took oath on Wednesday with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa retaining the key defence ministry while the finance portfolio went to newly-elected PM Mahinda Rajapaksa after their party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections last week. President Gotabaya administered the oath of office to the 28-member Cabinet more..

Aug 12 (CT) Answering an inquiry posed by a journalist, newly elected Minister of Sports and Youth, Namal Rajapaksa stated that he has been appointed as the Sports Minister not Cricket Minister. The subject Minister pointed out that cricket in Sri Lanka is governed by the Sri Lanka Cricket Executive Committee; however, steps will be taken to restructure and reform cricket in Sri Lanka after conducting discussions with veteran and senior national cricket players. more..