Feb 17 (TM) Despite an over 10% and over 20% drop in global oil prices since early January, the Govt has opted to maintain the current fuel prices until and unless the world prices reduce further in the weeks ahead. Global oil prices have been on a declining trend amidst the coronavirus pandemic and the Singapore Platts price of a barrel of petrol and a barrel of diesel recorded a drop of over 10% and 20%, respectively as of more..

Feb 17 (DN) The much awaited Ceylon National Chamber of Industries CNCI Achiever Awards 2020 for Industrial Excellence was launched last week at Hotel Galadari and the main event will be held on Aug 6. In its 19th year the CNCI Achiever Awards identifies, recognizes and rewards the Sri Lankan Industrialists for their achievement excellence both in the manufacturing and service sectors. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited – ANCL (Lake House) has been the Print Media Sponsor for more..

Feb 17 (ST) Stock market investor and Chairman Arimak Nimal Perera has sold a part of his holding at Aitken Spence PLC during 3Q2020, data shows. He owned 1,457,397 shares (0.36%) as at last December – down from 4,200,110 shares as at September of that same year. He entered the company’s top 20 shareholders in 1Q19 with 2.1 million shares. However Mr. Perera has increased his stake in Spence subsidiary, Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC in 1Q20, according to data. more..

Feb 17 (AD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inspected the progress of Port City Colombo today (16). Attention was drawn to the plan of the Port City during the National Law Conference held under the patronage of Prez Rajapaksa recently. The China Communication Construction will spend USD 1.4 billion for reclamation activities and infrastructure facilities of the Port City which will change the landscape of Colombo. more..

Feb 17 (Island) Acting Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, denied all allegations of human rights violations made by the US to bar him and his family from entering that country. He said: "Everyone now knows the truth about these allegations. I will not personally respond to them. Foreign Ministry will take necessary action." Army Commander refused to comment on the impact other US decision would have on the ongoing military cooperation more..

Feb 17 (FT) Manufacturing and services sectors grew at a slower pace in January judging by the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released by the CB. It said manufacturing sector PMI expanded at a slower pace in January, recording an index value of 54 mainly due to the slower expansion in New Orders and Stock of Purchases. New Orders, Production and Stock of Purchases sub-indices expanded at a slower pace, particularly in the manufacturing of food and beverages sector more..

Feb 17 (TM) Following the recent arrest of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Wijenayake, after investigations revealed their alleged involvement in the corrupt deal with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, fresh details of the financial trail as well as the complex banking and corporate web that had been spun to avoid detection by law enforcement authorities have been discovered by more..

Feb 17 (AD) A meeting between Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and representatives of the Progressive Trade Union Federation was held at the President’s House in Fort yesterday (15). Several senior activists including those from National Center for Progressive Trade Union Federation, Nidahasa Sewaka Sangamaya and Progressive Public Service Trade Union Federation were also present at the meeting. Prez stated that he had paid his attention to find immediate solutions to the issues more..

Feb 17 (CT) At a special event held at Vellai Oya Estate, Hatton, yesterday, the foundation stone for an Indian housing project consisting of 50 houses was laid jointly by Acting Indian High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob, Minister Arumugam Thondaman, and Minister Ramesh Pathirana. These houses are part of the 14,000 houses committed by India, in the plantation areas, for estate workers. The foundation stone for construction of a new auditorium-cum-multi-purpose building at more..

Feb 17 (AD) US Ambassador to SL Alaina B Teplitz has affirmed that she will convey to Washington DC of Sri Lanka’s strong objections to the travel restriction imposed on Army Lt General Shavendra Silva. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (16) formally conveyed to the US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz SL’s strong objections on the imposition of travel restrictions by the Govt of US on Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, more..

Feb 17 (DM) On 14 February, two days ago, US Secretary of State Pompeo officiously announced that the US had designated Lt Gen Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the SL Army and Acting Chief of Defence Staff, and his immediate family members. The public designation makes them ineligible for entry into the US. Pompeo then went on to claim it was refusing the Army Chief entry into the US as it had credible evidence of human rights violations in the bloody finale to the civil war. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Caste is all present in Jaffna, but a silence prevails about caste oppression. Such silence and invisibility were not always the case, where vibrant struggles against caste oppression shook Jaffna some five decades ago. It is this history of caste oppression and ways to struggle against it that are the subject of A.G. Yoharaja’s book in Tamil, Elluvom! Nimirvom! Thiralvom! Samuha samathuvam: Aduththaa katta naharvu kuriththa mun varaivu (Let’s Rise! Let’s Stand Straight! more..

Feb 17 (DM) The political landscape of Sri Lanka seems gloomy and desolate. Most of the actors who strut about the political stage posing as visionaries and leaders are in actuality empty vessels devoid of substance. Proverbial wisdom tells us empty vessels make most sound. This is most apparent in the cacophony of voices currently prevalent in the polity. In the words of William ButlerYeats: The best lack all conviction, more..

Feb 17 (ST) With the heat exceeding 30C in many parts of the country drought conditions are worsening and causing fires lit carelessly in forests to quickly take hold. In the past two weeks alone, four man-made fires were reported by the Kegalle DS. Divisional Secretary K.G.S. Nishantha said with the dry conditions the fires easily spread faster, damaging large areas. “Most of these fires are man-made: people going hunting light more..

Feb 17 (DM) Dandu Monara, an ‘aircraft’ that resembled a peacock was used by Ravana, the mythical multi-headed demon-King of Lanka in Valmiki’s Ramayana. In this Sanskrit epic poem of India written in the 5th century BCE, Ravana kidnaps Seetha, the wife of Indian Prince Rama and flew through the skies to Lanka in his imaginary flying machine Dandu Monara. Merriam Webster defines, Flight as an act or instance of more..

Feb 17 (CT) A leading polls watchdog called on the authorities to set up an advance voting system for internal migrant workers at their respective workplaces, ahead of the forthcoming General Elections slated for March or April, since it is a legitimate right for every individual to cast his/her vote at a national election. "There could be something like 300,000 or even more workers who have been disenfranchised at previous more..

Feb 17 (TM) Private banks have been far less supportive than state banks in the provision of the Govt’s new credit support scheme announced last month, The Sunday Morning Business learns. Two leading business chambers which have a large number of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) members revealed to us that this has interfered with the fulfilment of the original objectives of the scheme. more..

Feb 17 (TM) Serious questions have been raised over the misuse of privileges enjoyed by MPs, ministers, deputy ministers, state ministers, and officials of successive govts. The wastage of billions of rupees on the purchase of vehicles for govt officials and public representatives is now in the limelight with the recent revelation of astonishing expenditures made by the previous Government to purchase new vehicles for ministries. more..

Feb 17 (TM) there is a growing trend among the youths in the use of synthetic drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine (ice), amphetamine, LSD (acid), and pharmaceuticals. The Sunday Morning contacted the SL Police to determine the prevalence of synthetic drug use in Sri Lanka and was informed that friends networks built through social media platforms are influencing the youths to try out these substances. more..

Feb 17 (EN) Computer literacy in Sri Lanka grew to 30.1% in the first half of 2019, rebounding from a fall to 27.5% a year earlier. The highest computer literacy was reported from the Western Province at 43.6%, while in the Eastern Province, a low of 16% was recorded. Nearly 70% of English speakers in SL are computer literate. Similar levels were reported among those who have attained educational qualifications of GCE A/L or above. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Expressing her displeasure over the postponement of the UNP working committee meeting from today (17) to tomorrow (18), UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra yesterday said the party should stop dilly dallying in making decisions like the way it did during the Presidential election. Ms. Premachandra said that the UNP should get its act together and give up its habit of getting bogged down during electoral defeats. more..

Feb 17 (Island) The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has thrown its weight behind the mega Port City Colombo Development Project with its President Kalinga Indatissa, PC, offering the association’s whole hearted support to the initiative launched in Sept 2014. The pledge was made at the inauguration of the three-day National Law Conference 2020 at Jetwing Blue, Negombo, on Friday, Feb 14. more..

Feb 17 (CT) A recent document released by Minister Johnston Fernando has made to think how far the word motherland remains meaningful in the backdrop of crimes and harassments committed against women in the Sri Lankan society. The document which has been released by Minister Johnston Fernando from the islandwide statistics collected by Police on the crimes and violence committed against women of all ages shows to what extent the dignity and the safety of women more..

Feb 17 (Island) The Narcotic Division of the Excise Department, on Friday night, took into custody 10 suspects including a woman peddling drugs at a Valentine’s Day bash at a night club in Colombo. According to the Excise officers, around 100 to 125 couples between the ages of 17 and 25 were using narcotics. A spokesman for the Excise Department said a team of officers had kept the place under surveillance for a few days before the raid. They said cocaine with a street value of Rs.50,000 had more..

Feb 17 (FT) Asani, the bright A/L student and Sarath Mahatthaya, her grandfather, have been having frequent interactive conversations on issues that have risen to the boiling point in SL’s society. They started a fruitful discussion on one such issue, namely, the forensic audit reports prepared by two audit firms of international repute – BDO India and KPMG India – at the instance of the Monetary Board, the corporate body that owns the institution known as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. more..

Feb 17 (AD) Former SL Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga has been further remanded until the 26th of February over the controversial MiG aircraft deal. Fort Magistrate’s Court issued the order when Weeratunga was produced before the court today. On Feb 14, former SL Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga was remanded by the Fort Magistrate after being arrested at the BIA by the CID. Weeratunga was wanted for the alleged embezzlement of public funds to the tune of more..

Feb 17 (HRW) Sri Lankan security forces and intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance and threats against families of victims of enforced disappearance and activists supporting them since Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president in November 2019, Human Rights Watch said today. SL govt should fulfill its commitments to the UNHRC to strengthen efforts to locate the disappeared and bring those responsible to justice. more..

Feb 17 (DM) The mortality rate of China’s COVID19 epidemic is of or below 2 per cent from those who contracted the virus, which is low compared to the SARS epidemic which had a reported mortality rate of 10%, Director General of Health Dr Anil Jasinghe said. He said the cases were reported from 25 countries were patients who left the Wuhan Province before it was locked down. “We started taking measures pretty early. However, we must give credit to China that they contained the virus within more..

Feb 17 (AD) An arrest warrant has been issued on UPFA MP Jayantha Samaraweera. Colombo Chief Magistrate has issued the arrest warrant on the MP for failure to appear before the courts. Cinnamon Garden Police filed a case against 7 individuals including the NFF MP Jayantha Samaraweera for obstructing traffic and causing inconvenience to the public during a protest campaign in 2016 against the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, outside the UN Office. more..

Feb 17 (AD) SLPP and SLFP will contest the upcoming general election under the alliance - Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam stated that the alliance will contest the election under the symbol of the flower bud (Pohottuwa). PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has been named as the Leader of the alliance while former Prez Sirisena will serve as its Chairman. more..

Feb 17 (ER) Sri Lanka is presently at a juncture of transition after near three decades of brutal separatist terrorism, to an era of reconciliation and sustaining the hard won peace. Sri Lanka’s engagement today is in keeping with the Govt’s vision, for a country that embodies the universal values of human rights, justice, rule of law and good governance while ensuring economic dividends to its people. The post-conflict milieu of each country is unique. more..

Feb 17 (AD) The two Sri Lankans on board Diamond Princess the cruise ship on quarantine due to risk of Coronavirus infection are currently in good health condition, stated the SL Embassy in Japan. Two Sri Lankans, serving as crew members, are currently aboard the quarantined ship anchored at the Yokohoma Harbor in Japan. Further, only passengers aboard the ship are allowed to be repatriated through their relevant countries, he further said. more..

Feb 17 (EN) The ban imposed by the United States on Army Commander Lt General Shavendra Silva for alleged war crimes committed during the last days of the separatist conflict has got Sri Lankans talking and is showing how divided we are on fundamental issues of the conflict. Needless to say, the govt and the governing party has condemned the ban, and Minister Dinesh Gunewardena summoned US Ambassador more..

Feb 17 (AD) The Japanese Govt will ensure that Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s scheduled visit to Japan will be successful and productive, assured Japanese Ambassador Akira Sugiyama. He met with Prez Rajapaksa this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat. Prez would be participating at the global conference The future of Asia, which is to be held in Tokyo on May 28-29. This two-day event where govt leaders, business executives, and academics from the Asia Pacific share their visions for more..

Feb 17 (EN) UNF MP S.M. Marikkar said that he will personally refrain from applying for an American visa until the US lifts the ban on Army Commander Shavendra Silva and his family from entering that country. MP also called on the so-called patriots in the SLPP to join the boycott. On Friday SL’s army chief Silva was banned from entering the the USA, over alleged human rights violations committed in the last stages of the island’s civil war which ended in 2009, US Secy of State Mike Pompeo said. more..

Feb 17 (NR) A meeting between the United States delegation led by Rep. Ami Bera Member of Congress and Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Non-Proliferation and the Leader of the TNA Hon R Sampanthan held today in Colombo. Mr. Sampanthan briefed the delegation on the current political situation. He further pointed out the work that has been carried out by previous govt more..

Feb 17 (AD) Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Rifkhan Bathiudeen, who was arrested and remanded for allegedly forging documents to alienate a land of 40 acres, has been granted bail by the Colombo MC. When the case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne through a motion this morning, a report submitted by the CID was considered by the court. The magistrate then ordered that the defendant be released on a cash bail of Rs 25,000 and two personal bails more..

Feb 17 (NR) The Govt Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has directed a letter to Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi citing five proposals to address concerns over fake doctors. The first proposal includes compiling a database of registered western, Ayurvedic and homeopathy doctors that is updated frequently. The GMOA cited its second proposal, to opening a 24 hour centre within the Ministry of Health to accept information of fraudulent doctors and related information. more..

Feb 17 (MFA) Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met today the visiting US Congressional delegation, comprising Mr. Ami Bera, MD, Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, Pacific, and Non-Proliferation and Representative Mr. George Holding, Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Budget Committee and Ethics Committee and two members of more..