Aug 18 (Island) With the opening of the Southern Expressway extension to Hambantota, Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Centre (MRICC) has now become an attraction for conventions, exhibitions and events, which the government would like to pursue immediately. According to Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Sports & Youth, this property which was built in 2013, has become a significant piece of infrastructure especially with the extension of Southern more..

Aug 18 (Island) If your grandchildren ask how bad 2020 was tell them that even Ranil Wickremesinghe couldn’t survive as the leader of UNP! Ranil’s tenure as UNP’s leader has been noteworthy. He assumed duties as the party leader in 1994. SL cricket captain at that point was Arjuna Ranatunga. Since then, SL has had 11 different Test captains; England has won a World Cup; International Cricket Council’s founder members have lost their veto powers and India has taken over as world’s leaders of cricket. more..

Aug 18 (DM) Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that SL will follow a friendly policy towards all countries. He made these comments after assuming duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Sri Lanka will be a Kalyana Mithra. A friendship in difficulty and happiness is our foreign policy; a non-aligned, neutral and friendly foreign policy as declared by the President. We have no enemies. We have friends. more..

Aug 18 (AD) Five new cases of COVID-19 have been identified hiking the number of virus-positive cases in the country to 2,900. The new cases have been identified as recent arrivals the UAE. A total of 07 new cases have been detected in the country within the day. 213 active cases are currently under medical care at hospitals. In the meantime, the number of recoveries from the disease in Sri Lanka has moved up to 2,676 cases with 06 patients being discharged after recovery, today (17). more..

Aug 18 (FT) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday reviewed the 150,000 employment program, which will be in effect from 2 September onwards, and emphasised that graduates should be given posts in line with their qualifications and the low-income job quota should go to the most deserving. President advised the relevant authorities to appoint the eligible graduates in accordance with their field of study, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said yesterday. more..

Aug 18 (FT) US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz yesterday called on PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed priorities of the new Govt. “The US is interested in furthering cooperation with Sri Lanka on a number of sectors including economic, commercial, governance, security and development,” US envoy was quoted as saying to PM’s media. At the outset, Ambassador Teplitz congratulated the PM on what she described more..

Aug 18 (ST) The Tourism Ministry will shortly submit a cabinet paper seeking approval to increase the duty-free allowance for incoming passengers to buy goods and introduce more products for purchase in a bid to revive the duty-free business which has collapsed due to the interruption of airport services. Accordingly, the Ministry will propose an increase in the allowance and the liquor quota from 2.5 Lt to 3Lt, Tourism Ministry Secretary S. Hettiaarachchi said. The duty-free allowance would have to be more..

Aug 18 (Island) Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga instructed the officials of the Mattala International Airport (MIA) and Airport and Aviation Services to assess the damage caused by storing paddy at the former by the previous administration and provide a report within a week. Ranatunga instructed officials at a meeting at the ministry where the future of the MIA was discussed. Earlier unions had informed the Minister that the Airport and Aviation Services officials had not conducted more..

Aug 18 (Island) Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, said that four state institutions––the Police, Prisons, Govt Analyst’s Dept and the Registrars of Courts––were so corrupt that the country faced a daunting challenge to rectify the situation. Addressing a gathering immediately after assuming duties at the Justice Ministry, Sabry explained how those responsible violated the rule of law. Referring to recent explosive reportage of the PNB more..

Aug 18 (FT) General Election of 2020 has become historical for many reasons. The SL voters have overwhelmingly voted for the newly formed SLPP for the second time in just nine months, knowing well that they were approving the holding of the two most important public offices in SL; the posts of Prez and PM, to two of the Rajapaksa siblings. Not only have they given an unprecedented mandate to them, but they have also decisively voted to send the oldest active political party in SL – the UNP, more..

Aug 18 (FT) The 5 August election gave SLPP 145 seats out of 225 in parliament; only five seats short of 2/3rd majority required for a constitution amendment. SLPP seniors are confident of getting the required numbers, no surprise considering the nature of our politicians. The biggest issue facing the country is the critical finances, local also foreign; a longstanding issue. The situation worsened with the corona crisis with crashing of garment exports and no tourist arrivals, more..

Aug 18 (Island) Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda says that Tamil speaking people should be aware of the fact that he is the only Cabinet Minister who speaks their language. Having assumed duties at his ministry, Minister said some Tamil politicians had deceived the Tamil speaking people for a long time while pretending to be nationalists. He said they had thwarted development in the North & East. Minister Devananda requested the Tamils living overseas to invest in SL. more..

Aug 18 (Island) HNB Assurance (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 500 MN during 1H 2020, depicting a steady growth amid the outbreak of a global pandemic. Speaking on the financial performance of the Group, chairperson of HNBA and HNBGI, Ms. Rose Cooray stated, “it is indeed a great pleasure to announce that HNB Assurance Group has achieved a significant PAT growth compared to more..

Aug 18 (DM) The importation of fabric, garment and apparel will be stopped and the segments of textile, batik and hand loom will be made major industries in the country through value addition and introduction of modern technology, Batik, Handloom and Domestic Apparel Production State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said. Minister said he was satisfied with the portfolio granted to him by Prez Rajapaksa and he would do his best to more..

Aug 18 (DM) COVID-19 situation in India was getting worse day by day and that there was the risk of the virus spreading to along SL's coastal belt because of the contact with Indian fishing community, Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIs) said. Union President Upul Rohana said though no COVID-19 cases had been reported from the fishing community, the worsening situation in India posed an increasing danger to SL. “Sri Lankans maintain links with Indians when it comes to illegal more..

Aug 18 (EN) Political scientist Prof Jayadeva Uyangoda likens Sri Lanka’s powerful ruling party to a house with a very wide roof and no walls to speak of. The SLPP, he says, is like a house with only old-style short walls, atop which anyone can sit and enjoy the breeze. An apt metaphor for a party that opened its doors to virtually everyone from Karuna Amman to Wimal Weerawansa, from Vasudeva Nanayakkara to Ajith Nivard Cabraal, on its way to a historic two-thirds majority in 2020. more..

Aug 18 (DM) Only 20% of local fuel consumption was refined in the country and therefore five oil refineries would be opened up apart from the plans to refurbishing Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, New Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said assuming duties at the Ministry this morning. He also pledged to create energy conservation and stability in the country. “I will take up the challenge to create energy conservation more..

Aug 18 (Island) The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) of the UAE has announced the extension of the grace period granted to residency violators for another three months, along with fine exemptions. The report filed from Abu Dhabi said: Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Director General of Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICA, said the grace period extension runs from August 18 to November 17 and includes all violators with visas expired before March 1. more..

Aug 18 (AD) The 13 officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) who were arrested for their alleged links with drug dealers have been further remanded. They were ordered to be remanded until August 31, when the case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today. However, the suspects were not produced before the court today. The court was informed that the suspects are currently held at the Agunukolapelessa prison and will not be produced before the court due to more..

Aug 18 (NR) A one-hour power cut will be in effect from today for a period of four days. Chairman of CEB Vijitha Herath said the power cut will be implemented during four time slots, 6pm to 7pm, 7pm to 8pm, 8pm to 9pm and 9pm to 10pm. Due to the malfunction of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant around 810MW of power is not added to the national power grid, adding that it is a shortage of 300MW. more..

Aug 18 (CT) Kandy Police are seeking to arrest the Monk calling himself the General Secretary (GS) of the Ape Janabala Party (AJP), Ven. Wedenigama Wimalatissa Thera, on charges of damaging a temple building of historical importance belonging to the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect. Chief Incumbent of the Wellawa Temple, Ven. Kalankuttiye Rahula Thera had lodged a complaint with the Kandy Police charging, this Monk from the AJP had damaged part of his Temple building which more..

Aug 18 (FT) While CEOs and leaders focus on the future, we’re asking them to pause, reflect on the past, and share the single-most important lesson they have learned. Our lives and careers are works-in-progress, and we will always learn more in the future than we know now, but what insights could our younger selves – and other aspiring leaders – embrace and act on right now to live a more positive, productive, and empowered life? Today, Michel Nugawela asks Krishan Balendra, more..

Aug 18 (EN) Kurunegala Municipal Council passed a resolution to cover the legal expenses incurred in the case against Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa for allegedly demolishing an archaeological site in Kurunegala, amounting to Rs 2.18 million. The proposal was presented by Deputy Mayor Sumith Udawasala in the absence of the mayor. Out of the 16 members in the council, three members opposed the proposal as taxpayers’ money more..

Aug 18 (AD) A woman who had smuggled drugs into the Mahara Prison has been arrested this morning (18). According to prison officers, the suspect had concealed 02 packets containing narcotics inside the hem of a trouser, which she intended on passing on to an inmate. She has been identified as a 26-year-old mother of one residing in the Ja-Ela area. Reportedly, the arrestee is the wife of a 20-year-old inmate who was remanded by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court over possession of heroin more..

Aug 18 (EN) The implementation of mandatory trilingual packaging for 76 products has been stopped, for now, a senior official said. The Director of Consumer Affairs and Information, W.W.A.K Bandara said that practical difficulties in accommodating all three languages on a small package are an issue. “Further, the standard printers that print packaging material cannot print more than 3-4 lines,” he said. He added that the gazette might be abolished in light of current revelations. more..

Aug 18 (EN) A Monk associated with the Our People’s Power Party (OPPP) has complained at the Swiss Embassy in Colombo saying he was kidnapped and assaulted by rival Monks over the dispute over who should claim the sole National List seat the party won at the recently concluded elections. Arambepola Ratanasara Thero, a member of the OPPP says he was kidnapped and held illegally by Sinhala Supremacist Monk more..

Aug 18 (AD) CEB has released the daily power cut schedule and the regions it will affect. Accordingly, the country has been divided into four groups – A, B, C, and D – where each group will experience a one-hour long power every evening between 06 pm to 10 pm. As per the released schedule, day-time time slots, too, have been assigned to each group. However, they will only come to effect depending on the demand and available generation capacity at a particular time, more..

Aug 18 (AD) Interdicted Superintendent (SP) of the Negombo Prison Anuruddha Sampayo and three other prison officers have been further remanded until the 31st of August. The order was delivered when the defendants were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today (18). On July 22, following directions of the Attorney General, the CID obtained arrest warrants on Anuruddha Sampayo and 03 other officials of the Negombo Prison from the Negombo Magistrate. more..

Aug 18 (FT) CEAT Kelani Holdings yesterday announced that in response to the Government’s policies to develop domestic industry, it has stepped up capacity utilisation across all its manufacturing plants to supply the full domestic requirement of truck and bus tyres, thereby helping to conserve much-needed foreign currency for the country. Rising to the challenge of the temporary import restrictions in place, more..

Aug 18 (AD) Attorney General has concluded 12,968 cases of child abuse over the last 18 months, stated Coordinating Officer of the AG. The relevant cases have been filed between January 2019 and July 2020, said AGs Coordinating Officer, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne. Of these, 6,149 cases have been filed in the High Court against the relevant suspects. Further, 4,372 suspects have been released so far and the police have been instructed to file 2,447 cases at Magistrate’s Courts. more..

Aug 18 (DM) The price of eggs that plunged to their lowest level of ten rupees during the lock-down, has shot up sharply during the past few days. All Ceylon Egg Producers' Association (ACEPA) President Sarath Attanayake told Daily Mirror the poultry farmers in the Northern Western Province were finding extremely difficult to supply eggs to the market because of the excessive price of forage including that of maize. “A kilo of maize which was sold at Rs.55 has now risen to Rs.85. more..

Aug 18 (CT) The newly-established Lawyers Forum for the People (LFP) organisation whilst calling on the rulers to further strengthen the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, informed they would intervene to take all measures to oppose any move to repeal it. These sentiments were expressed by the LFP’s Convening Board Members and Attorneys-at-Law Senaka Perera, Namal Rajapaksha, Achala Seneviratne and Upali Ratnayake more..

Aug 18 (CT) The birth, death and marriage registrars, who function under the Registrar General’s Dept, say they have not received their payments for the past six months. Secretary of Birth, Death and Marriage Registrars' Association, Hemasiri Ranasinghe said the relevant authorities must come forward to pay them, considering the difficulties the registrars were undergoing. Ranasinghe added, 2,000 registrars are serving across the country, including 200 who more..

Aug 18 (CT) Lawyers for Democracy (LfD) organisation expressed concern over the move to amend or repeal the 19th Amendment without the proposal being presented to the people with adequate time for them to express their views. In a statement issued in this regard, they noted that though the SLPP indicated their desire to bring amendments to the 19th Amendment, the people were not made aware of the anticipated changes. Therefore, voters are in the dark regarding more..

Aug 18 (CT) Former Director of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), ex-DIG Nalaka de Silva, said his arrest on charges of plotting to assassinate an elite in 2018, caused the TID not being able to arrest National Thowheed Jama’ath leader, Zaharan Hashim before the bombings on Easter Sunday. He also said the officers of the TID who were investigating Zaharan did not have proper leadership following his arrest. more..

Aug 18 (Island) Palestinian Ambassador to SL, Dr.Zuhair Zaid referring to the UAE’s decision to normalise relations with Israel, said ”We haven’t given anyone a mandate to negotiate or to speak or to take any responsibility on our behalf. We are mature enough to handle our affairs. As usual, our brothers – Arabs and Muslims can help and support us, but not to handle our future, because no one knows the Israeli’s brutal occupation better than us. We are suffering due to Israelis crimes on more..

Aug 18 (EN) Sri Lanka is ramping up random testing for Covid 19 with 37,000 random PCR tests planned in August countrywide. Chief Epidemiologist Sudath Samaraweera said, the Health Service has started doing more PCR covering all the districts in the country. “We have started testing in all the districts. Earlier we did it only in areas we saw a cluster. But now we have started doing them island-wide.” he said. Authorities had up to now targeted the places & districts where risk of Covid-19 was high. more..

Aug 18 (PMD) Prez Rajapaksa stated that the structures of the State Ministries were formulated with the intention of building a people centric national economy, in which the people of Sri Lanka would be stakeholders. Prez made this comment commencing the elucidation of the scopes of the State Ministries at the Prez Secretariat. He explained the reasons for the formation of a State Ministry assigned with more..

Aug 19 (Island) The margin of the SLPP victory, at the general election, stunned the ruling coalition. The best possible result the SLPP expected was around 130 seats, including National List slots. SLPP Chairman and its top National List nominee, Prof. G.L. Peiris, about aproximately 30 minutes after polling commenced, countrywide, told the writer they expected around 130 seats. About two weeks earlier, the leader of the PHU Udaya Gammanpila, too, privately acknowledged they could more..