Jul 19 (SO) Mr. M.A. Sumanthiran, in a TV interview said that there are no job prospects for young people in the Northern province, and economic activity is zero. He concedes that they — meaning his party the TNA— could not address this issue of unemployment properly when they were in power in 5 yrs of Yahapalana rule. He said he is launching a drive to address the issue now. Sumanthiran seems nonchalant about launching a jobs drive for the northern youth after 5 years in power. more..

Jul 19 (Island) It was gratifying to see Dayan Jayatilaka lead off the birth centennial tributes to N. Sanmugathasan (Shan) in the Sunday Island two weeks ago. Last Sunday, Editor Manik de Silva added his reminiscences of Shan from his unique vantage point as the doyen of SL journalism in the English language. There have been other tributes - by V. Thanabalasingham and DBS Jeyaraj, and likely many more especially in Tamil which I have not seen. Ravi Vaithees has previously provided more..

Jul 19 (SO) SLPP Colombo District Candidate and former State Minister Gamini Lokuge said the Tamils and Muslims have realised that the SLPP is not a party that offers false promises to get political mileage. In an interview with the Sunday Observer, he said that the SLPP is committed to promoting the wellbeing of all communities. Tamil and Muslim voters would decide whether they would vote for those who give more..

Jul 19 (Island) The well-known Latin line Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (Who guards the guards?), from the Roman poet Juvenal (first and second century) comes readily to mind in the context of the recent detections of cops belonging to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) neck deep in the drug trade. Some of these detectives have even been rewarded with varous honours for what was believed to be extra smart work. Now it is emerging that these so-called drug busters more..

Jul 19 (SO) Society and social media are abuzz with speculation that Sri Lanka is on the cusp of a so-called Second Wave of the Coronavirus as seen in many of our neighbouring countries. This was after the detection of a cluster at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre for drug addicts. Unfortunately, a few employees and instructors of this centre have had contact with the outside world, which means that some of their close contacts were also infected with the disease. However, to their credit, more..

Jul 19 (SO) The country not only needs leaders with a vision but also those who can deliver, former MP and SJB candidate Dr. Harsha de Silva said in an interview with the Sunday Observer. Q: There are others who are claiming credit for the 1990 Suwa Seriya project. What are your views about that? A: Success has many fathers and failure is an orphan. A primary discussion was held with Indian PM Narendra Modi, Indian HC more..

Jul 19 (DM) People of this country are closely monitoring the priests who are contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Elections as much as the laymen who are making efforts to enter parliament. When a priest takes to politics the clergyman loses some of the clout he has in society. Priests who are election candidates are diluting some of their vows and noble thoughts when stepping into the material world. Politics is entangled in corruption and attracts enough distractions; all which can push more..

Jul 19 (Island) The elections system in this country has become one enormous mess that needs to be cleared by the very next parliament. Nobody wants the local govt elections ever held again under the 2018 system. Nobody wants the provincial council elections held under the elections system that was introduced in Sept 2017. That system was never implemented because the report on the delimitation of constituencies hit a snag and went into a limbo from which it was never retrieved. more..

Jul 19 (DM) With as many as 7452 candidates competing for 225 seats at the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, both candidates and voters have high hopes. However, the political culture has changed over the years giving space for newcomers to test the waters in SL politics. But voter behaviour shows that they have mainly opted to vote for the main two parties other than on rare occasions such as the previously elected coalition govt. In SL, politics has continued to be a family affair. more..

Jul 19 (ST) The wheels nearly came off the Govt’s concerted efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 with the leak of persons infected with the virus from the drug rehab centre at Kandakadu in the North Central Province. No doubt the Govt put in place measures, however harsh they were, with curfews and lockdowns that seemingly stemmed the spread of the virus into the community in the early months. It has also not been bereft of spokespersons and hurrah-boys extolling the virtues of their more..

Jul 19 (CT) The verbal feud between Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara ended last week. Though their verbal joust has ended, the SLFP decided to take further action against Prasanna in a bid to halt latter’s scathing criticism on SLFP Leader Maithripala Sirisena. It was officially revealed last Tuesday that the SLFP would take Prasanna to Court. This was mentioned during a Media conference more..

Jul 19 (SO) SL’s weight lifters who have brought glory and honour to the country having won medals in various international events, have already started training with the focus in competing at international events but they have also been left in the lurch since May without their entitled Allowance for nutrition intake. Four weight lifters who have performed well overseas were listed to receive this Allowance from the Sports Development Department of the Sports Ministry and have been forced to follow more..

Jul 19 (CT) 3-member Appeal Consultancy Committee has recommended the termination of the Western Province Rugby Football Association (WPRFU) and other Provinces that have not paid their subscription for 2019. Cessation of membership is in terms of sections 16, 17 and 18 of Constitution of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR). Only Central Province, Ruhunu, North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Wayamba are entitled to rights and privileges of SLR as these provinces have paid their dues more..

Jul 19 (ST) For the now emaciated SLFP, the Aug 5 parliamentary elections campaign is not the only task. It has opened up several other fronts at the same time. The political commentary in our issue today reveals how a ding-dong battle between the SLFP and its stronger partner the SLPP stalwarts is now playing out on election platforms. According to the SLFP’s Deputy Leader Rohana Luxman Piyadasa, party has written to more..

Jul 19 (DN) Chutti, wiry, an unkempt drawn face with large furtive eyes, known as a Kudu Karaya (Drug Addict) in the neighbourhood, is also an odd-job man, handy when regular labour is difficult to find. Although he readily confesses to taking arrack regularly, to relieve his aching muscles in the evening, I have not seen him with drugs, a habit more likely to be indulged in private. My garden needs regular attention and Chutti is a willing worker; trimming the overgrown branches, more..

Jul 19 (ST) Former Havelocks captain and coach Thusitha Peiris wants to make Havelocks the number one family rugby club after being elected as the new president at their annual general meeting yesterday. The first old boy of D.S. Senanayake College to rise to the helm of the Park Club, Peiris defeated a two-time former Havelocks president Tyronne Coonghe by an overwhelming majority receiving 148 votes to 96. Former Thomian Nirupan Wijeratne was elected general secretary, more..

Jul 19 (AD) A special program will be launched to mitigate disastrous consequences of landslides that frequently occur in the district, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has assured the people in Kegalle. He made this pledge while attending several public gatherings organized in Kegalle district today (18). Prez visited Kegalle in support of the candidates of SLPP contesting the upcoming parliamentary election. more..

Jul 19 (ST) FIDE, World Chess Federation, has decided to hold an online Chess Olympiad for the year 2020 on July 24 and 25. They are expecting at least 180 countries to participate in the event. A new format is also introduced for the event as two males, two females, one Junior (Under-20) boy and a girl to complete the team. A country may include the same number of reserves as well. The event will be held in five stages and SL will be part of the third stage of the event which begins on Aug 4. more..

Jul 19 (ST) My dear Mahinda maama, I thought I should write to you even though I know you must be busy with your election campaign and your attempt to win a two-thirds majority on the fifth of August, when I heard some comments made by another Mahinda, Mahinda Amarey, who is also from your neck of the woods, Hambantota. Just when we thought that the Blue party was dead and that its last rites would be performed after the big election in a few weeks, Mahinda Amarey tells us that more..

Jul 19 (ST) Hotels are experiencing some cancellations from locals following the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases lately. Sri Lankans had started to move out and enjoy a bit of the break and take up on some of the slashed hotel rates recently but the recent rise of the number of cases in COVID-19 resulted in cancellations of weekend holidays, an official at the Jetwing group said. Jetwing has a number of hotels around SL. more..

Jul 19 (WB) Coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the need for safe drinking water, the benefits of sanitation and the importance of good hygiene behaviors at all times. Even in countries that have already made great strides in these areas, providing treated piped water and extending safely managed sanitation to every household is more vital now than ever. That’s why SL’s Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project (WaSSIP) works to extend access to safe drinking water and sanitation, more..

Jul 19 (ST) Debt-ridden SriLankan Airlines (SLA) will receive a US$75 million loan from Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and People’s Bank (PB) based on a Treasury guarantee which will also provide another sovereign guarantee to an international bank worth $5 million for the airline to seek further funding. This is part of govt efforts to sustain the airline and ensure future operations, official sources said. Even though the SLA’s operational performance was disturbed due to COVID-19, more..

Jul 19 (ST) The TNA is, once again, calling for a fresh mandate from Tamil people to work for a North-East merged federal solution in an undivided country for the decades-long-ethnic question. This was highlighted in its manifesto for the August 5 parliamentary elections. Releasing the manifesto at the Jaffna office of the ITAK, the main constituent party of the TNA, the party vowed that it would continue to press for demilitarisation more..

Jul 19 (NR) The number of coronavirus infections confirmed in the country rose to 2,704 after the detection of seven COVID-19 patients, yesterday. Five close contacts of COVID-19 patients from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre tested positive for the coronavirus. An inmate of the Senapura Rehabilitation Centre also tested positive for COVID-19 while a resident of Lankapura and four persons of Homagama were also confirmed to be among the new cases. more..

Jul 19 (TM) Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) is to request the Govt to allow it a certain quota of vehicle imports per annum as a compromise, with the aim of not driving importers out of business while also not completely draining the Govt’s coffers of valuable foreign exchange. The need for such a request has been prompted by the total ban on vehicle imports which are in place to avert a possible foreign exchange crisis which has left importers with virtually no revenue more..

Jul 19 (ST) A delegation from the Power and Energy Ministry conducted an inspection tour to the Trincomalee oil tanks this week, amidst ongoing negotiations with India to secure around 20 of the tanks for Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to run by itself. India and Sri Lankan have a MoU to operate the complex as a joint venture. “We have made a request for 20 tanks but we hope we can at least start with 15,” more..

Jul 19 (PMD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa toured Ampara district today (17) in support of the candidates of SLPP contesting the forthcoming General Election. In Padiyathalawa, upon a request by the residents, the President instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Roads Development to expand the existing road runs through Padiyathalawa town into a 4-lane road. In response to the directive issued by the President, Secretary to the Ministry of Water Supplies more..

Jul 19 (SO) National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) in partnership with Certified Management Accountants Forum, has embarked on a program to attract Japanese investors to SL capitalising on the shift by global investors from China to other destinations in the region. Over 17 local companies have registered through the chamber to facilitate the move, said NCE CEO Shiham Marikar. He said many local export oriented companies have shown interest in supporting the move. more..

Jul 19 (TM) The new working hours proposed to the private sector from 9.45 a.m. to 6.45 p.m., which was set to come into effect from August, will not be implemented by the Govt. Our sources indicated that the Govt has abandoned the plan in the face of opposition from the business community, especially with regard to the female labour force. However, when contacted for confirmation, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said more..

Jul 19 (TN) A recently discovered Buddha statue was smashed into pieces by local construction workers and a cleric on Saturday in Mardan. The relic was discovered while digging the foundation for a house. A video of the act, which has since gone viral on social media, showed the construction workers, along with a cleric, smashing the Buddha statue using a sledgehammer. According to international reports, the statue was destroyed allegedly on the order of a local cleric. more..

Jul 19 (TM) The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) has written to plantation companies as well as the Nuwara Eliya District Election Deputy Commissioner on getting plantation workers to participate at political rallies during their shift times. Election monitoring body said that their on-ground observers reported instances where political parties would organise spot meetings hindering their shift work and forcing them to sit through two-hour meetings. more..

Jul 19 (TM) Unsecured loans running into billions of rupees have been given between 2015 and 2019 to individuals and businesses with close links to the Yahapalana Govt. List of borrowers includes the late father of one prominent minister in the Yahapalana Govt as well as companies owned by another senior minister. “The father of a former minister was given a loan of Rs. 1 billion without collateral. Another minister involved in more..

Jul 19 (ST) SL’s gold prices reached a new high lowering the demand of gold jewellery in the backdrop of a decline in the country’s gold reserves, underpinned by unease over mounting Coronavirus cases globally, official sources said. Upon a thorough analysis on the international best practices and the nature of gold as a reserve asset, the Central Bank (CB) has decided to reduce the gold holding to 3 to 5 per cent of the foreign reserves until gold prices rise to appropriate levels more..

Jul 19 (NR) GMOA says the Ministry of Health must take additional steps in order to continue health services without any interruptions, after the Public Health Inspectors Union decided to withdraw from services. GMOA in a letter to Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi detailed a three-point action plan to minimise the inconveniences caused to the public in the wake of the union action. The GMOA has called for affective and efficient services from Medical Officers of Health, more..

Jul 19 (ST) The sudden spike in Covid-19 cases last week jolted the govt and plunged Lankans into a state of confusion. The oncerns reflected at the weekly ministerial meeting on Wednesday. There, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa acknowledged that people were frightened by the developments. If the opposition parties were somewhat mute because of the efficient way the anti-Covid-19 campaign was handled more..

Jul 20 (CT) Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been winner on four counts out of five in the public relations domain. He has come off champ in the fight against Corona, he is applauded for cracking drug trafficking and clobbering cartels, people approve of his intervention to clean up rotten prisons and he is addicted to monk veneration. (New virus outbreaks and involvement of cops and the STF in the drug trade may tarnish his reputation; let’s see). Where he has slipped is in dealing with the CB but more..

Jul 20 (CT) In recent newspaper articles both Leelananda de Silva and Prabath de Silva have presented useful insights on the progressive outcomes flowing from the Donoughmore Commission’s reforms and those flowing from programmes of the State Council in the 1930s and 1940s. Invariably, such reviews are implicitly influenced by the political debates of the immediate post-1948 era. One overarching aspect of those debates was the assessment of more..

Jul 20 (CT) PHU Leader Udaya Gammanpila says the people of the Colombo District deserve an unwavering, educated and intelligent mini-Gotabaya in Parliament to represent them. Q: Why should people of Colombo vote for you? A: People are quite happy about Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Therefore, the public are looking for a mini Gotabaya to be elected to Parliament. President Rajapaksa is an educated and more..

Jul 20 (ST) If Stalinist Russia, Nazi Germany and the unfolding multiple crises in the United States teach us anything, it is that a country is lost not by a spectacular turn of the coin in a single event but by a series of challenges to the moral resistance of a people, each one a little deadlier than the last. Silence as the response to the first transgression of an autocrat, an authoritarian is papered over by the reassurance offered to oneself that this is only a small evil. more..