Feb 26 (Island) China’s battle against coronavirus has come to be viewed through various prisms. A Wall Street Journal columnist, in a recent article, titled, China is the real sick man of Asia, commenting on the economic fallout of the spread of coronavirus, warned that it should be borne in mind that China’s power, impressive as it was remained brittle; a deadlier virus or a financial-market contagion could transform China’s economic and political outlook at any time. more..

Feb 26 (Island) The late Mano Tittawella, in his capacity as the Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms (SCRM), instructed Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative (PR) in Geneva, A.L.A. Azeez, to accept resolution 40/1 on behalf of the Govt of Sri Lanka (GoSL). Tittawella recently passed away in Melbourne, Australia. His ashes were flown to Colombo from Australia, early this week and it was kept at the Respect funeral parlour at Borella. more..

Feb 26 (Roar) Growing up amid war and ethnic divisions, filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage’s newest venture is a critique of social constructs — particularly that of the Kandyan kingdom in 1814. His new film, Gaadi (Children of the Sun) tells the story of an oppressed group, a conflicted society, and one fearless woman. Rodiya caste was considered one of the lowest in SL’s social hierarchy at the time, more..

Feb 26 (Island) The bi-annual sessions of the UNHRC in Geneva, is due to begin this week and will run through the month of March. Leading SL’s delegation to the high-level segment would be Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena accompanied by Minsters Mahinda Samarasinghe and Nimal Siripala de Silva. Reportedly the Govt is seeking to pull out of UN Resolution 30/1 and the underlying factors, relevant to this important issue deserve to be examined carefully. more..

Feb 26 (IPS) The tourism industry is a key service export of SL. It is currently the third-largest export earner after foreign worker remittances and textiles and apparel, and brought in USD 4.4 billion in 2018 alone, equivalent to 4.9% of the country’s GDP. The industry recorded unprecedented growth since the end of the armed conflict in 2009, with tourist arrivals growing by around 2.8 times during the past decade; the highest annual number of tourist arrivals of 2,333,796 was recorded in 2018. more..

Feb 26 (FT) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alliance led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will be launched on 2 March. All parties and groups who will rally under the SJB banner to run for the upcoming General Elections will gather on 2 March for the launch, SJB General Secretary and UNP MP Rajith Madduma Bandara said. He said a venue for the launch was not yet finalised. more..

Feb 26 (DN) The green Isipathanians under the leadership of Leshan Amarasinghe are hoping to break the 21-year hoodoo this year in their annual cricket encounter Battle of Brothers against traditional rivals Thurstan College which is scheduled to be played on February 28 and 29 at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds for the 57th occasion. After 56 traditional encounters the series tally stands at four wins to Isipathana and six wins to Thurstan College. more..

Feb 26 (Island) After the strategic acquisition of Etisalat Lanka in 2018, Hutchison Telecom Lanka yesterday announced the successful completion of the merger between the two networks and the smooth migration of customers from multiple systems to one unified system. "The completion of the islandwide 4G network coverage has propelled HUTCH to the forefront of the industry and now we can serve all segments of the SL market bringing benefits of the latest mobile technology more..

Feb 26 (FT) Proposals to start international flights at Ratmalana Int'l Airport (RIA) and an international pilot training institute at Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) will go before Cabinet consideration today. Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the Daily FT that the airport authorities have had several discussions in recent years regarding the commencement of int'l flights at Ratmalana, which has been revamped as an int'l airport. more..

Feb 26 (FT) Hatton National Bank (HNB) Plc weathered external headwinds in 2019 to post Rs. 15 b in Group Profit After Taxes (PAT) and Rs. 14 b in Bank PAT, remaining the best capitalised bank in the sector. HNB Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody stated that “the year that preceded us has been extremely challenging, with global trade friction contributing to a sombre global economic outlook and the unexpected Easter Sunday attacks in SL precipitating a macroeconomic slowdown more..

Feb 26 (TM) As a kid, one of the most enjoyable science experiments we were exposed to was rubbing a balloon on our hair and then making it stick to the wall or pieces of paper. This simple trick is still used in classrooms around the world to show the common effects of static electricity, and has been known to us since the Sixth Century BC. Since then, we have managed to explain this effect, also known as the triboelectric effect, as an occurrence that happens due to static electricity buildup more..

Feb 26 (Island) The Peliyagoda Crimes Division arrested six suspects including two persons who made controversial statements regarding white vans at a press conference organised by former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne. They were arrested for robbing an Ayurveda centre in Gampaha and making off with Rs. 4.6 million. The police also recovered firearms used by the suspects in the robbery. more..

Feb 26 (EN) UNP MP S.M. Marikkar wants voters not to send dealmakers, drug lords and corrupt politicians to parliament through the upcoming General Elections. “Be mindful when you vote,” he said. MP said not all 225 members in the current parliament are corrupt as there are some groups who actively and honestly work for the people. He added that if the voters send suitable people to the parliament then there would be no need to use the phrase all the 225 are thieves in the future. more..

Feb 26 (DN) Last Saturday at the SSC grounds what an exciting ODI contest it turned out to be with Sri Lanka sneaking through to win by one wicket with five balls to spare against the West Indies who were made to pay dearly for bowling 14 wides which meant they gave the home team the luxury of extra runs and extra deliveries in chasing down the target of 290, which was the highest at this venue. Seldom does the SSC hold an ODI because of its low capacity (around 10,000) and more..

Feb 26 (BBC) It took years for Sandya Ekneligoda to get a real investigation into the disappearance of her husband, a political cartoonist in SL. But when a new president was elected by a large majority last November and a key officer investigating the case transferred, she realised things would change. BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan reports from the other side of a political watershed. About an hour into our conversation more..

Feb 26 (AD) A sixteen-year-old youth has committed suicide by jumping off the rooftop of the Central Bank building in Colombo, stated the Police. The incident had occurred at around 3.15 pm this afternoon (25). Following the Magistrate’s Inquest, the body will be transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for the post mortem. According to the police, the victim, was identified as a son of a Central Bank employee. Fort Police are carrying out investigations into the matter. more..

Feb 26 (Island) Australian High Commissioner to SL David Holly, and Counsellor (Education and Research), Australian High Commission in New Delhi Brett Galt-Smith visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) on 20.02.2020 with a view to promoting academic cooperation and research collaboration between Australian institutions and SL universities and R & D institutions. Chairman of NSF Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, while appreciating the immense contribution made by Australia more..

Feb 26 (EN) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the dissension within the UNP-led alliance will not manifest itself inside the SL Nidahas Podujana Alliance (SLNPA) led by him. “We will not allow that type of issue to enter our political formation,” he told a meeting of the SLNPA Executive Committee Tuesday. The alliance meeting was attended by Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prez Sirisena and the General Secretary of the formation and more..

Feb 26 (FT) During the call on PM Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday, High Commissioner of Pakistan to SL Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak informed the PM that Pakistan is offering 1,000 fully-funded scholarships to SL students under the Allama Iqbal Scholarships program. The final deadline for submitting applications is Saturday (29). The scholarships, being offered under the Pak-SL Higher Education Cooperation Program, allow students to pursue undergraduate, more..

Feb 26 (FT) Business Today recognised the top 30 best-performing corporates in Sri Lanka for 2018-2019, a year in which resilience, innovation and the search for new markets played a vastly important role. The 22nd year of the awards, which has asserted confidence in the SL economy, was held under the patronage of Chief Guest PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. Basil Rajapaksa was also present at the occasion. SLPP Chairman and veteran politician Prof. G.L. Peiris delivered keynote address. more..

Feb 26 (DN) Govt has moved to respond to campaigning by teacher unions with measures to ensure that public sector teachers are placed on better salary scales by annulling previous govt circulars that effectively reduced their salary structure, a union leader disclosed. Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma is expected to submit a memorandum at today’s Cabinet meeting to provide for a better salary structure for more..

Feb 26 (DM) Belluna Co. Japan and Asia Capital PLC, the developers of 447 Luna Tower recently met PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo for a discussion focused on the current SL market and economy. The participants engaged in a very positive discussion with PM and the Japanese delegation informed the PM of Japan’s optimistic approach to further invest in the country. Belluna Co. Japan and Asia Capital PLC also went on to inform and update the PM of all their current investments more..

Feb 26 (NR) The Ministry of Education has decided against conducting the 1 term examination at government schools from 2021. Issuing a statement, the Ministry said school Principals have been advised to conduct the 1 term examinations for this year as scheduled. The decision was reached owing to sport-meets and other extracurricular activities planned during the 1 school term. Accordingly, only the 2 and 3 term examinations will be conducted at government schools from 2021. more..

Feb 26 (DM) Some govt members are to request Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resume legal proceedings on the CB bond scam despite the absence of main suspect, CB's former governor Arjuna Mahendran, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said. He said that former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe could not get away from this scandal and must also be made an accused in the case. more..

Feb 26 (DM) The CID, last week, launched an inquiry into the purchase of a large consignment of communication equipment worth Rs.1,300 million in 2016 and 2017 without following proper procedures, an informed source said. He said some of the equipment were not working while most of the packages containing the equipment had not been opened as yet. The equipment had been imported in three consignments and bought from a company in a Middle Eastern country. more..

Feb 26 (AD) The first meeting of the executive council of Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandhanaya, chaired by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, was held at the Temple Trees this afternoon (25). The meeting was attended by Prez Rajapaksa, former Prez Sirisena and the architect of SLPP Basil Rajapaksa. SLPP, SLFP, MEP, SL People’s Party, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, CP, NFF, DLF and Desha Vimukthi Janatha Pakshaya had taken part in this meeting as political parties representing the alliance. more..

Feb 26 (FT) All eyes will be on Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as he addresses the UNHRC today, in a statement expected to announce Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from Resolution 30/1 and others presented after 2015, as well as outline the path ahead on engagement with the UN and other agencies to promote reconciliation and address accountability concerns. more..

Feb 26 (DM) With the March regular session of the UNHRC approaching, some news detrimental to the SL govt were heard from abroad. It was mostly so when the Rajapaksas in power in SL. Before the regime change in 2015, it was the Britain’s Channel 4 that had been producing such stories almost regularly on the eve of the UNHRC regular sessions. Taking into account the timing of the decision by the US govt to ban Army Commander Lt. Gen Shavendra Silva and his family from entering more..

Feb 26 (DM) A tourist with East Asian features was moving about freely at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and even mingled with local tourists. He introduced himself as a Chinese national and requested for some flowers, soon finding many who obliged his request. The most important thing about this Chinese was that he never allowed the smile on his face to vanish. He gave the impression that if he started a shop here, that smile of his would guarantee business with customers. more..

Feb 26 (DM) Former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake says allegations of the military committing war crimes during the final stages of the civil conflict against the LTTE are baseless and false and blames the previous govt of failing to clear up the military’s image in the international arena. He said the military felt betrayed by allegations levelled against it by foreign agencies and commended the present govt for withdrawing from Resolution more..

Feb 26 (DM) The Land Valuations Indicator (LVI) for the Colombo District grew 10.4% in the second half of 2019 from a year earlier, the Central Bank said. The indicator had grown to 138.9 points from 125 points a year earlier. The per perch bare land prices across residential, commercial and industrial properties had grown, CB said. Residential LVI grew 10.7%, while both the commercial and industrial LVIs had grown 10.3%. more..

Feb 26 (DM) With no practical strategies for garbage disposal in SL, the issue has grown into a national crisis. While experts claim properly-managed garbage could be turned into a public resource, this article highlights how some officials have turned it into private resource that endangers both the public and the environment at large. Sri Lanka’s daily turnover of solid waste is some 9,800 metric tonnes and more..

Feb 26 (AD) MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested and remanded over charges of interfering with the judiciary, has been granted bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court. He was reportedly ordered released on two personal bail of Rs 500,000 each in addition to strict bail conditions. Ramanayake was also barred from leaving the country by the court, which ordered the parliamentarian to handover his passport. more..

Feb 26 (DM) The Meteorology Department today issued heat weather advisory in Extreme Caution level to be expected in most part of North-Western & Western Provinces and Mannar, Galle and Matara Districts. Department said the Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. “This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. more..

Feb 26 (ST) A study by scientists attached to the University of Colombo has pointed the way towards possible medications that could be used in the battle against the new coronavirus. “Our study will go online today after which it will be picked up by a scientific journal,” Dr. Sameera Samarakoon of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IBMBB) of University of Colombo said. more..

Feb 26 (DM) People’s Movement against Medicinal Mafia (PMAMM) alleged that the current Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had imported trial medicines through a private company, in which he was a director. Convener of PMAMM Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thero said they have received substantial amount of evidence against the incumbent Chairman of NMRA Prof. Asitha de Silva. more..

Feb 26 (Island) Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (retd) Kamal Gunaratne says the challenge of defeating separatist ideology remains as some Tamil politicians are attempting to propagate it, though the military defeated LTTE terrorism 10 years agao. He said aspirations of the majority of the Tamil people were different from the ideology of those politicians. "Ordinary Tamil people who suffered under LTTE terrorism do not want a separate more..

Feb 26 (EN) Chairman of the Elections Commission (EC) Mahinda Deshapriya is saying that the cash needed to run the upcoming parliamentary elections money has not yet been allocated. He said that a problem has arisen since the payments to some govt officials who worked for the previous presidential election have been delayed. “We have a problem because even at present some govt teachers haven’t been more..

Feb 26 (EN) Promising homegrown solutions to contemporary challenges, Govt of SL formerly declared its decision today to withdraw from cosponsorship of the UNHRC resolution 40/1 and the preceding resolutions 30/1 and 34/1. Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who addressed the high-level segment of the 43rd UNHRC session in Geneva a short while ago said that SL will work toward more..

Feb 26 (FT) Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is expected to unlock a casket full of suspicions and deal with a matter filled with confusion during his attendance at the UNHRC sessions this week. Undoing is difficult when the doing has been wrong! But he has to face the music in demonstrating our interest as a country determined to project ourselves proactively in making representatives understand our concerns, in the interplay between national interest, int'l agreements and int'l law and more..