Aug 19 (CT) Much is hoped for from the new govt which triumphed with an unprecedented 2/3 majority. The fate of the country at this critical juncture depends on the govt’s sagacity when the Covid virus continues its rampage throughout the world and the world economy is in decline. There was an expectation of new faces in the cabinet equal to this task and equipped with the professional orientation that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has brought to the fore. more..

Aug 19 (DM) Former COPE Chairman and former Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti contested the recently concluded General Elections from the JVP-led NPP from Matara District. Although the NPP finished third in Matara winning 37,136 votes Handunnetti failed to secure a Parliamentary seat. He feels that voters prefer corrupt politicians and therefore they don’t cast votes in favour of genuine politicians. more..

Aug 19 (CT) It is none other than the President of the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union Malaka Wickremesinghe who has stood up emphasising on an extensive investigation into the islandwide power failure on Monday (17). Eng. Malaka Wickremesinghe has even said Monday’s countrywide power failure could be an act of sabotage & insisted that an extensive investigation should be carried out with no stone unturned to find out what had really gone wrong. more..

Aug 19 (DM) UNP is on life support. Its plight is an aberration in the history of centre-right politics. Generally, it is the polar opposite of the UNP’s political ideology, Communists, Marxists and the hard Left that found themselves thrown into the dustbin of history at home and elsewhere. Even in comparison to the gradual decline of the LSSP, Communist Party and ideological bedfellows, the UNP’s fall from grace is all too spectacular. And to make matters worse, more..

Aug 19 (CT) First founded in the 1980s a Community Development Council (CDC) was a collective of community members with different skills that were brought together to assist the Govt; to make the best use of available resources for its housing development projects. Back then, CDCs worked with the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) and the Municipal Council to improve housing as well as the quality of life more..

Aug 19 (DM) At the Aug 5 general election, the people gave the president and his SLPP a landslide victory, which together with their political allies, gives the present regime a healthy 2/3rds majority. Prior to the general election, the prez and his party made changing the constitution, more particularly the 19th Amendment its main campaign slogan. They called on voters to give them a 2/3rds majority to be free to make the necessary changes without having to depend on minority parties. more..

Aug 19 (TM) The Govt, headed by Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa, has now commenced their work with the first in the list of duties already being earmarked – constitutional amendments. Now that the Cabinet and state ministerial portfolios have been assigned and the inaugural Cabinet meeting and parliamentary sessions scheduled for this week, it is crunch time for the Govt, which is engaged in an aggressive programme to develop the national economy. more..

Aug 19 (Island) Why SL’s efforts to eliminate the drug menace have not yielded the desired results, all these years, is clear. Some corrupt drug busters have been operating hand in glove with narcotic dealers and acted as suppliers of hell dust. Several Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) sleuths have been remanded for their alleged involvement in drug dealing. Prisons have become a gated underworld of sorts with wealthy drug czars running their drug operations from their cells via mobile phones. more..

Aug 19 (Island) It is too early to come to conclusions on what caused the first event towards the blackout on Tuesday afternoon, why that event propagated all over the grid causing a national blackout, and why it took so long to restore electricity supply. The blackout set in around 1235; it was about 2230 when the last customer was reconnected. There is no official statement on whether the problem has been resolved, whether there were equipment damages and whether any such damages have more..

Aug 19 (ST) Following former SL rugby captain Namal Rajapaksa’s appointment as Sports Minister, there is an air of expectation over what changes will take place in the short term. The 34-year-old Rajapaksa said he would restructure the business of sport to suit the times – a long overdue need, given its uninspired state in the country. He also pledged to get the support of all stakeholders. “If decisions are made, it will be after more..

Aug 19 (CT) The appointment of Ali Sabry (AS), as the only Muslim minister in a 26 member cabinet, by Prez Rajapaksa (GR), amidst stiff opposition from hardline Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist, who obviously wanted a Muslim-free cabinet, has provoked some controversy about the appointee’s future role in the govt, service to his community and contribution to the country. Already, a few have drawn a comparison between AS’s appointment as Justice Minister and Chandrika Kumaratunga’s (CBK) more..

Aug 19 (Island) A stunning SLPP victory, at the general election, dealt a debilitating blow to a high profile civil society project meant to challenge Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The project, undertaken by Freedom: People’s Collective, with the backing of some political elements, was aimed at thwarting a bid, by the SLPP, to secure a two-thirds majority at the poll. The success of the scheme, unveiled on July 8, 2020, at the New Town Hall, largely hinged on the UNP, its breakaway faction SJB, more..

Aug 19 (CT) It’s a crystal clear fact now. Colombo’s air quality index improved by leaps and bounds during the COVID lockdown phase. But this jubilance is short-lived as it’s predicted that the pollutants will again encroach the city when traffic returns to normal. Both public and private institutions including schools invite more than 1.9 million people and over 500,000 vehicles to this city daily. more..

Aug 19 (Island) LAUGFS Holdings Limited, one of SL’s largest diversified business conglomerates, celebrates 25 years in business. Its inception was Gas Auto Lanka, a revolutionary business that introduced LPG as an alternate fuel for motor vehicles. Propelled by this entrepreneurial spirit LAUGFS went on to become trailblazers in many industries in SL. Currently the Group is present in 20 industries and have expanded beyond SL borders. Its annual revenue exceeds USD 300 million more..

Aug 19 (DN) Sharmal Dissanayake and Anika Seneviratne will be the cynosure of all eyes when the SL Tennis Association (SLTA) Clay Court Nationals gets underway at the SLTA Courts in Green Path on Friday. The top seed Dissanayake and Seneviratne who is ranked number two, will be determined to retain the title for another year as they look to underline their supremacy in the local tennis arena. Dissanayake of course has received a bye into the second round of Men’s Singles but more..

Aug 19 (FT) The newly appointed Solar, Wind, Grid Power Generation Projects Development State Minister Duminda Dissanayake yesterday called on the private sector to enter into renewable power generation, and increase investments in the sector. Dissanayake expressed these views after assuming duties at the Ministry. He noted that the Govt would promptly take necessary measures to approve and more..

Aug 19 (CT) Former Cycling Federation officials will get a last chance to come up with audited financial accounts today during the inquiry set up by the Sports Ministry, and failure to do so will lead the Ministry to take legal action as per the Sports Law, a Sports Ministry letter has revealed. The letter signed by Assistant Director Sports, R.B. Wickramasinghe to former Cycling Federation President N. Karunarathne, former Secretary Nihal Kulasekara and former Treasurer Senaka Ranasinghe more..

Aug 19 (FT) Recently-established Acorn Group has emerged as the new aviation and travel conglomerate in Sri Lanka following the acquisition of Hemas Holdings’ outbound travel, destination management and aviation services businesses via management buyout. Acorn Group encompasses multiple businesses and leading international brands in the travel and aviation industry. The group is headed by an experienced team of professionals focused on providing unparalleled more..

Aug 19 (CT) A comprehensive system change is essential to revamp post COVID-19 tourism said SL Tourism Chairperson Kirmali Fernando. She urged the authorities to accelerate industry reform. She was speaking at the stakeholders meeting in Colombo yesterday. Sri Lanka Tourism is to propose to the Govet to bring an act to amalgamate three tourism organisations of the four that comes under SL Tourist Board to more..

Aug 19 (Island) Consolidating its stance as a Sri Lankan family business expert, Capital Alliance Partners Limited (CAL) advised Sunshine Holdings PLC on the acquisition of Daintee Limited. The transaction was structured by CAL to enable the Sunshine Group to expand its operations in the FMCG space with the use of Daintee’s well established brands, thereby maximizing the growth prospects of both entities. Functioning as the Buy-side Advisors to the Sunshine Group, more..

Aug 19 (GV) There’s an image of Hejaaz Hizbullah I return to over and over again. It’s an image of him holding a placard at a protest vigil against the October 2018 constitutional coup. The placard reads, Asilachaara parliamenthuwak wenuwata seelachara parliamenthuwak (“A cultured parliament in place of an uncultured parliament”). The reason why it resonates with me is that, even in the ecstatic way he holds it, he is quite unlike the Hejaaz Hizbullah I once knew. more..

Aug 19 (ST) City hotels in Colombo are feeling the pinch of a dearth of tourists as hotels in desperation to generate cash flow are selling rooms at rock bottom prices and dependant on their food and beverage sales. In a desperate bid to generate cash flow, hotels are selling rooms as low as Rs.5000 -6000 (per night) with about 95% of the rooms shut down in all hotels in the city as there are no tourists visiting the country, more..

Aug 19 (LBO) Hatton National Bank (HNB) and People’s Bank together with the Sanken Group signed an agreement, on 12th August 2020, to ensure balance funding, for the completion of Capitol TwinPeaks – the 50-storey twin-tower mixed development project located at Staple Street, Col 2. The recently signed partnership stands as a testament with a vote of confidence by the banks in the Sanken Group’s capacity to deliver on its real estate promise for its investors & residents, more..

Aug 19 (EN) Colombo Dockyard Plc said it is getting ready to build six 5,000 dead weight tonne bulk hybrid carriers for Norway based Misje Eco Bulk AS, who had also given an option for four other vessels. The contracts were signed on March 14, 2020, but is “scheduled to come in to effect only in the month of Sept 2020 with Owners final board approval,” Dockyard said. The first vessel should b delivered by Colombo Dockyard in 18 months and subsequent vessels at 4 month intervals. more..

Aug 19 (Island) Legal certainty was a fundamental principle for foreign investment across the world, important even for potential German investors, Andreas Hergenröther, Chief Delegate of German Industry and Commerce (AHK SL) said. “The reliability of the legal framework in SL is essential for foreign investors. We have seen many changes since the beginning of 2020; so many gazette notifications & operating instructions more..

Aug 19 (DN) Proper communication and monitoring should be carried out with all government entities to carry out the development activities of the country based on a master plan, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitization, Nalaka Godahewa said assuming duties. The main problem that lies within the ministries is that despite the availability of master plans necessary support is not received internally as well as externally to carry out them. more..

Aug 19 (Island) STF Commandos arrested three suspects along with a stock of 128 bundles of forged currency notes of Rs. 5,000 denomination on Monday. STF, acting on a tip-off, stopped a vehicle at Galwana, Mulleriyawa and found the forged notes. Police said that only one side of the Rs 5000 was printed on one set of notes while the other side was printed on the other set of notes. The notes had been placed in the 128 bundles so that the two notes with either side printed faced outwards. more..

Aug 19 (DN) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) had received 79,259 complaints on child abuses during the previous eight years, but more than half of those complaints stood unresolved. A recent Audit Report by the National Audit Office said that 42,073 complaints (53%) had not been resolved. Child abuse cases include physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse and negligence. more..

Aug 19 (DM) SL’s apparel industry, which faced a major setback due to the global health crisis, is finally beginning to witness progresses, with buyer interest showing signs of improvement. SL Apparel Exporters Association President Rehan Lakhany shared with Mirror Business that the sector has started to receive orders, mostly from the EU. However, an increase in orders is also seen from the USA. Although the order levels are beginning to move towards a positive trajectory, more..

Aug 19 (ST) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry may be dormant at present but is gearing for better times with plans for the construction of two properties in Colombo and Matara by a leisure sector investor. Bernard Hotel Management company’s Managing Director Denesh Silva told the Business Times on Thursday that they will be investing US$6.5 million in a 40 room boutique hotel in Talalla, Matara and $3 million in a city hotel on Chatham Street, Fort with 30 rooms. more..

Aug 19 (FT) Two newly-elected MPs, one convicted of murder and another accused in a high-profile murder case, will be allowed to attend the first day of Parliament sittings, to enable them to take their oaths. SLPP MP Premalal Jayasekara, who was sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court in July, was granted permission to attend the inaugural sitting on Thursday, after he filed an appeal challenging his conviction. more..

Aug 19 (AD) External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S Jaishankar called his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena, on Tuesday (18), to congratulate him on his reappointment as Minister of Foreign Relations of Sri Lanka. In a statement the Embassy of India in Colombo said Dr. S Jaishankar has conveyed that he looks forward to working closely with Minister Gunawardena to take India-Sri Lanka partnership to greater heights as part of India’s neighbourhood first policy. more..

Aug 19 (AD) Election Commission has decided to reach a decision on the National List seat secured by Our Power of People Party (OPPP) today (19). The OPPP representatives revealed this speaking to media following a discussion held with the election body. A conflictual situation emerged as the OPPP’s General Secretary Venerable Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thero submitted a letter to the Election Commission claiming that he has been nominated to enter parliament as party’s National List MP. more..

Aug 19 (Island) The yahapalana Cabinet approved the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) USD 480 mn Compact in the run-up to 2019 prez election amidst strong objections by then Prez Maithrilpala Sirisena, according to highly placed sources. Cabinet decision followed the Board of Directors of the MCC endorsing the compact with the govt of SL on April 25, 2019. Sources said that there had been five cabinet papers more..

Aug 19 (FT) The Finance Houses Association of SL (FHA), as the apex body of 39 Regulated Finance Companies registered with Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), plays an important role in the finance and banking sector of Sri Lanka. The association acts as the mediator to the Non-Banking Financial Institutes (NBFI) sector and is driven by its passion to facilitate financial inclusion in Sri Lanka which is vital for any country to achieve a sustainable economic development. more..

Aug 19 (FT) COVID-19 has made an adverse impact in our economy where many businesses fall in to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises category (MSME) and as well as some in the Small and Medium Enterprise category (SME). A majority of Sri Lanka’s businesses fall into both MSME and the SME category. During curfew and the lockdown the smaller businesses who had small reserves or no reserves at all had no choice but to use their very limited working capital for survival. more..

Aug 19 (AD) The Attorney General has returned more incomplete investigation files to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) on suspects arrested over 2019 Easter attacks. Accordingly, Attorney General Dappula de Livera 18 files have been returned the Acting IGP C. D. Wickramaratne, stated Coordinating Officer of the Attorney General State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne. Accordingly, a total of 100 files have been returned on the matter so far, Jayaratne said. more..

Aug 19 (Island) DIG of Police Kandy and Matale Division D.R.L. Ranaweera has been promoted to the rank of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) from today August 19. DIG Ranaweera has been in charge of the Kandy and Matale division from June 2018 after serving at the Police Headquarters since he was promoted as a DIG in July 2016. Ranaweera joined the SL Police as a Sub Inspector on 15.08.1985 and rose through the ranks gradually gaining recognition for more..