Mar 9 (DN) Nalanda College failed in their bid to break the 67-year-old hoodoo of beating traditional rivals Ananda College as their attempt was foiled by little known Hansaja Jayasinghe who scored a defiant 89 not out to force a draw in the 91st Battle of the Maroons cricket encounter concluded at the SSC grounds yesterday. Jayasinghe’s 133-ball knock consisted of 11 fours and a six as Ananda forced to follow-on after being dismissed for 150 in 1st innings closed on 225-7 in 2nd innings. more..

Mar 9 (CI) "We haven't played our best game of cricket yet and that's still out there somewhere and hopefully it happens tomorrow," Meg Lanning said on Saturday. Her team delivered in magnificent fashion, riding on the coattails of an audacious innings from Alyssa Healy, to claim a fifth T20 World Cup title with a crushing 85-run win in front of an MCG crowd of 86,174, just marginally short of a new world record for a women's sports event. There were so many bigger-picture narratives about more..

Mar 9 (ST) Recent sweeping tax relief granted by the govt has triggered confusion as some tax reduction and removals are currently implemented administratively without the required parliamentary approval, eminent experts in taxation said. The new administration has not presented tax amendment bills in parliament and it has not been enacted up to now, but the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is enforcing some of these new amended taxes more..

Mar 9 (DN) Many important events in the annals of the Buddhist history were recorded on this Medin Poya Day.It was on this significant Poya Day that the Buddha re-entered the city of Kimbulwath, his birthplace, from Rajagaha, Weluwanaramaya Temple with a retinue of 20,000 monks to deliver a Dhamma talk to his beloved father, King Suddhodana. The Blessed One’s father was anxious to invite his noble son to the city. The noble king sent thousands of emissaries conveying more..

Mar 9 (Island) Thevindu Dickwella clobbered a swashbuckling century (101) in just 59 balls after Savindu Uthsara picked up four wickets to trouble Thurstan as Isipatana registered four wickets victory in their Limited Overs Big Match at the P. Sara Oval on Sunday. Chasing 203 runs to win Dickwella reached his half century in just 18 balls. He scored 10 fours and eight sixes in his hurricane knock. Batting first Thurstan were rocked by Savindu Uthsara who took 4 wickets in the 21st over more..

Mar 9 (TM) The engineers behind the construction of the Southern Expressway’s Matara-Hambantota stretch have stated that the controversial exit to Weeraketiya was added to the plan in 2014, and was removed by the previous Govt only to be added again by the new Govt. This observation was made by the engineers of RDA involved in the Southern Expressway Project in response to our article last week headlined more..

Mar 9 (EN) UberEats in SL is working on arranging credit facilities for women drivers in their platform to get their own vehicles while safety upgrades are being rolled out to make work safer to increase female partners to a thousand in 2020. “Something we have identified is a lot of females tends to be locked out because they do not have access to a vehicle,” Bhavna Dadlani, UberEats head in SL said. “To get around that we are currently identifying credit solutions through partnerships. more..

Mar 9 (GT) Entry to Qatar has been temporarily suspended for people from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand. The Govt Communications Office (GCO) said Sunday that in addition to Qatar Airways' announcement regarding flights to and from Italy, entry to Qatar is temporarily suspended for all those intending to travel from certain countries, as of Monday. more..

Mar 9 (BBC) Three SL bakers who moved to a quiet town in Romania to work in a bread factory have unexpectedly found themselves at the centre of an anti-immigration storm. The workers had gone to Ditrau, a town of 5,000 people in a predominantly ethnic Hungarian area of the north, to earn higher wages. Shortly after they arrived, about 350 residents protested outside the town hall. The row escalated when the local Roman Catholic more..

Mar 9 (EN) SL’s forex reserves had grown to US$ 7,948 million in January 2020, from US$ 7512 million ahead of a rate cut and central bank profits transfers to the Treasury. Sri Lanka gross official reserves are made up of central bank reserves and balances of the Treasury, kept for debt repayment. In January private credit was zero, data showed, while there was a surge in credit to govt. The central bank was a net buyer in forex markets in January purchasing 149 million US dollars to stop more..

Mar 9 (PMD) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa inspected the progress of the Kalutara North Calido beach Development Project, today (8). After attending a ceremony held in Kalutara President Rajapaksa visited the beach. The 2017 floods caused erosion of sand bars close to the estuary. This has resulted in the erosion of a vast area of beach in Kalutara North due to encroaching waves. As a remedy, coastal conservation was begun dredging sand from deep sea. The project is in 3 stages. more..

Mar 9 (AD) CID has not been able to arrest the former Minister Ravi Karunanayake despite more than 48 hours has passed since an arrest warrant was issued on him. Officers of the CID arrived at the residence of Karunanayake in Rajamal Mawatha, Battaramulla this morning (8) as well. However, they remained at the residence for nearly 20 minutes before leaving. On 6 March, Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court issued warrants for more..

Mar 9 (PTI) Dilshan held his nerve as they defeated Australia Legends by seven runs in the second game of the Road Safety World Series here on Sunday. Electing to bat, SL Legends managed to score 161/8 and then bowled out Australia to 154. SL bowlers had reduced Aussies to 59/7, but then Nathan Reardon (96) gave them a real scare as he brought Aussies close to victory, but could not romp his side home. Dilshan, who grabbed three wickets, was the pick of the bowlers. more..

Mar 9 (DM) Despite the official notification made by UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam on Saturday that UNP would contest the General Election under elephant symbol, former MP Ruwan Wijewardene said today that talks were continuing with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to end differences and face the polls together. He said that former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was playing a leading role in bringing the two factions together. "We have already informed the EC that more..

Mar 9 (CT) Both the members of the previous govt and the present govt haven't taken necessary actions regarding the Easter Sunday attack, Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said, adding that the former leaders of the country and all those connected with it should be summoned to the CID and questioned. Cardinal emphasised, "We won't consider whether elections are held or not. more..

Mar 9 (SO) My Govt is committed to creating a platform where SL women can contribute to the betterment of our society as an equal player said Prez Rajapaksa to mark Int'l Women’s Day. “I am sending this message with a deep sense of gratitude over the role played by womenfolk, on the occasion of the Int'l Women’s Day, that honours the contribution made by women who make up half of humanity and act as a decisive force in the existence and progress of the social more..

Mar 9 (DN) A first-year student of the Sri J'pura University is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital’s ICU after a ragging incident by a group of senior students on March 5. The victim, Pasindu Hirushan (20) is suffering from brain injuries and internal bleeding, hospital sources confirmed. Senior students had dropped a huge tyre towards a group of first-year students from upstairs during a welcome party that had been organized for the newcomers on that day. more..

Mar 9 (ST) CID officials remained silent when Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake asked them to explain why they delayed action against those who obtained huge bribes in a transaction that involved public finance. The magistrate’s query came while he ordered the release of SriLankan Airlines’ former CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Wijenayake on a cash bail of Rs. 2 million and two sureties of Rs. 20 million each. more..

Mar 9 (AD) Six individuals have been reported dead in a road accident in the Lunugamwehehara area, stated the Police. A van traveling to Kataragama had veered off the road and hit a tree causing the accident. The accident had occurred near the 22K kilometer post at around 2 am this morning (09). Reportedly, 3 other persons have sustained injuries in the incident. The injured have been admitted to Hambantota and Debarawewa hospitals for treatment. more..

Mar 9 (Island) The JVP, yesterday, accused the govt of hiding former UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake while the police were looking for him. Former JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake said Karunanayake was hiding in a house belonging to a very powerful politician of the govt. He however refused to name the politician. "We are certain that this govt will not allow some of the suspects to be arrested. Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe should be arrested, but not even his name is mentioned in the list of suspects. more..

Mar 9 (AD) Both Ranil and Sajith factions have agreed to contest under the swan symbol at the upcoming parliamentary polls, revealed former MP Ravindra Samaraweera. The agreement had been arrived at following a discussion held yesterday (07). A discussion on contesting the general election under a common symbol had been held between the two factions of the UNP, at the Malalasekara Road residence of former Speaker Jayasuriya. more..

Mar 10 (ST) Over in Colombo, the Attorney General has changed gear and what some call direction and is hunting for his Gang of Twelve. Those are the people he believes have been involved in the so-called Bond Scam. That includes former minister Ravi Karunanayake who not too long ago fell from his then residential penthouse to the doghouse, so to say. Baroness Scotland posing for a picture with Lord Patel as controversy raged over an award of a contract to her bosom friend Other legal more..

Mar 10 (CT) SL’s unilateral withdrawal from Resolution 30/1 is a clear rejection of human rights and accountability and displays total disregard for UN, UNHRC, UNHRC Core Group, UN Member States and the International Community. UN High Commissioner said: “I move to our update on Sri Lanka, HRC/43/19, assessing the progress made in implementing UNHRC resolution 30/1. I regret that the new Govt has announced a very different approach to the commitments previously more..

Mar 10 (Roar) From conflict zones, police divisions, and religious institutions, to schools, and the home, rape is a prevalent, and often unpunished, occurrence in Sri Lanka. In the first fifteen days of this year, over a hundred incidents of rape, serious sexual abuse and child abuse were reported. But because the act of rape is defined to different degrees and with different legitimate actors in the laws of different countries, more..

Mar 10 (CT) In this series of articles, this writer seeks to shed light upon certain salient aspects of managing SL foreign policy in the 21st century’s third decade. This series is penned from a perspective of foreign policy analysis and management, with a strong focus on realpolitik and the challenges that we face, right here and now. Veteran diplomat and External Affairs Minister of the second Modi ministry, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar once noted that good foreign policy requires more..

Mar 10 (SO) The unique achievements recorded in the brief American journey in the New World surpass all other historical journeys of mankind in the ancient, feudal and modern periods of this blue planet. America has defined and changed the course of global history for others to follow. It has been at the cutting edge of knowledge leading mankind into new frontiers which were unattainable when our ancestors were plodding their way through primitive and grinding passages of time. more..

Mar 10 (CT) Minister Bandula Gunawardana, says the prices of vegetables are not decided by the Govt, and are decided by market forces. Q: How is the new coalition? How long do you expect it to exist? A: Majority of patriotic elements must unite in a democratic camp, despite the conflicts we have among us. That is happening here. It is a union of patriotic, non-Westerner, non-extremist, nationalist & democratic forces. more..

Mar 10 (SO) Forests and trees make important contributions to every living organism in the planet, strengthening livelihoods, providing clean air and water, preserving biodiversity and preventing climate change. Forests act as a source of food, medicine and fuel for the people. Therefore, it is important to protect the fast deteriorating forest cover in the country. Forests in Sri Lanka not only provide livelihood to many in the rural areas contributing to the country’s socio economic development more..

Mar 10 (Island) World powers have been trying to safeguard their national security interests with the help of dangerous weapons and preparing themselves for nuclear wars, on the sly, all these years. But a microorganism has rendered them as defenceless as other nations, sans such military capabilities. COVID-19 has not only caused an unprecedented global health emergency but also shown its potential to send the world economy into a tailspin, early signs of which are already more..

Mar 10 (ST) In spite of a significant decrease in the trade deficit by US$ 2.3 billion last year, the balance of payments (BOP) surplus was only US$ 377 million. The much reduced trade deficit last year did not improve the balance of payments by much owing to lower earnings from tourism, a dip in workers’ remittances and large capital outflows. A much higher BOP surplus of US$ 2 billion or more is needed to strengthen the country’s foreign reserves and reduce the nation’s foreign debt more..

Mar 10 (Island) There has been a lot of argy-bargy in the media in the recent past pertaining to LNG power plants and its low health and environmental impact in comparison to Coal power plants. Whilst appreciating the fact a balanced approach is required in terms of cost for power generation, the cost is not always calculated on the face value of power generation though most importantly incalculable health and environment impact of our people is required to be taken into account. more..

Mar 10 (DM) The Department of Meteorology issued hot weather advisories to 11 districts including the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western and Southern Provinces and the Moneragala District warning people to be extremely cautious. It asked people to take plenty of fluids, take breaks and remain in the shade as often as possible and advised those caring for the elderly and the sick who are indoors to take extra more..

Mar 10 (CI) Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope hit fifties as England scored fluently on the third day of their warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Katunayake before the game petered out into a draw. England resumed on 39 for 1 after bowling the hosts out on Sunday, and Crawley soon got into his groove in partnerships with Joe Denly and Ben Stokes, rocketing towards his ton as he found the boundary with regularity before lunch. But having reached the interval unbeaten on 91 more..

Mar 10 (DN) Taking her tournament-best bowling figures to seal Sri Lanka’s first victory in almost 18 months - whoever writes Shashikala Siriwardena’s scripts got the finale spot on. Match-winning figures of four for 16 in her final international appearance was the most fitting of farewells for Siriwardena, perhaps the most dedicated sportswoman Sri Lanka has known. From captaining her country to leading the MRF Tyres T20I All-Rounder Rankings in 2014, Siriwardena has been there and done it all. more..

Mar 10 (CI) SL have left Lahiru Thirimanne out of their Test squad to play England, and Kusal Perera has been included in his place despite a finger injury leaving him doubtful for the first game of the two-match series. Wanindu Hasaranga was named as the 16th member of the squad, but with an addendum that his left hamstring injury would not allow him to take part in the series. A replacement is expected to be picked more..

Mar 10 (FT) LMD-Nielsen Business Confidence Index (BCI) declined for the second consecutive month, recording a substantial drop of 21 basis points to 153 in February. Despite this however, LMD points out that the index registered 115 a year ago while its average for the last 12 months stands at 108. According to Nielsen’s Director – Consumer Insights Therica Miyanadeniya, “businesspeople and citizens are now settling down, and facing the realities of their everyday existence” more..

Mar 10 (ST) Dear Malinga, You are a champion. There isn’t an iota of a doubt about that. Your lethal yorkers were a curse to batsmen the world around, but a treat to watch. You left them bewildered. They knew you’d try to york every ball but still struggled to read them early enough. Your 107 wickets, highest by any int'l cricketer, are testimony to your contribution. We saw you fight your way back from a chronic knee injury. Anyone else would have given up. You defied the odds to be a champion. more..

Mar 10 (TM) Govt has removed Japan as the fund provider of Section III of the Central Expressway Project (CEP) following a series of delays and disagreements stretching back to 2016. Sources indicated that the RDA would now call for fresh Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the construction of the long delayed Section III with hopes of establishing a smoother partnership with another nation. RDA Dir. General confirmed more..

Mar 10 (EN) Foreign investors have sold another eight billion rupees worth Sri Lanka rupee bonds in the week to March 4, 2020, official data shows, taking the total sold since a rate cut on January 30 to 24.9 billion rupees (about US$ 137 million). Foreign investors also sold about 7 billion rupees in the week before the rate cut, where they held 114 billion rupees of bonds. The latest sales bring down foreign held rupee bonds to about 83 billion rupees, or about US$ 450 million. more..