Nov 13 (DM) SJB does not practice tale carrying politics but will only voice the issues only internally, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa told Parliament. Mr. Premadasa said he along with the main opposition does not intend to internationalise SL’s internal issues. “There were times when those who were in the opposition in the past internationalised SL’s internal issues and engaged in tale carrying politics, but we don’t intend to engage in such a practice, “ he said. more..

Nov 13 (AD) Lt Gen Shavendra Silva reiterates that the govt’s Covid-19 mitigation efforts have not failed. He said the spread of the virus has been successfully curbed in the Western Province where a high population density is reported. The latest wave of Covid-19, which began from Minuwangoda and grew up to 3,106 cases in total, has been controlled completely, he stressed. However, infections from the Peliyagoda Fish more..

Nov 13 (FT) Despite the drastic economic downturn, Sampath Bank said it has recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs. 6.99 billion and a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 5.09 billion for the nine months ended 30 September 2020, reflecting a decline of 33.1% and 22% respectively from a year earlier. The Bank recorded PBT of Rs. 1.66 b and a PAT of Rs. 1.12 b during the third quarter from 1 July 2020 to 30 September 2020, a drop of 64.2% and 53.8% respectively compared to Q3 of 2019. more..

Nov 13 (EN) Prof Rohan Samarajiva is saying that process of making a new constitution to the country is not something that is owned by a party which won an election. Speaking at a special press conference held this morning by the National Movement for Just Society (NMJS), Samarajiva said that the party which won an election has the right to approve some laws and regulations but they don’t have the right to own a constitution. He said that the NMJS wrote to the committee which advertised through more..

Nov 13 (WION) India has told the UK that the ban of LTTE should continue. New Delhi has shared information as to why the ban should remain on the group that was responsible for the 30-year long insurgency in Sri Lanka but also the assassination of former Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi and SL President R. Premadasa. The development comes after Britain's Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC) in October more..

Nov 13 (FT) The Govt can manage the current debt with the resources that are at its disposal as well as implement other plans without the help of the IMF, State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal told Parliament yesterday. “The Opposition says we are in a debt trap. There are many trying to push us towards the IMF; so we are forced to sell our national resources, cut down the public service, depreciate the Rupee and take the Govt towards failure — but we will not allow that to happen,” Cabraal said more..

Nov 13 (CT) Chief Govt Whip and Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando said if the SJB-led Opposition were to submit a No-Confidence Motion against Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, the SLPP-led Govt will defeat it with a sizeable majority in Parliament. He said at a time when the present Government was striving hard to save lives and protect the people from falling victim to the scourge of COVID-19, the Opposition was doing its utmost to scupper those efforts. more..

Nov 13 (AD) Director-General of Health Services, Dr Asela Gunawardhane has issued a special notice to the residents under quarantine at the urban flats within the administrative limits of CMC. The notice reads that people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes high blood pressure, heart diseases, epilepsy, wheezing, high blood cholesterol, kidney ailments or cancers are at high risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus and more..

Nov 13 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, alleged in Parliament the Govt is attempting to hide statistics about the economic growth in 2020. Participating in the 2nd Reading of the Appropriation Bill, he said: “In normal practice, Govt presents the statistics about the economic growth after 75 days of each quarter. So, statistics for the second quarter of 2020 should have been presented by 15 Sept. But, what happened to those statistics? Govt failed to present them on time.” more..

Nov 13 (AD) A group of inmates at the Kalutara Prison have launched a protest on the roof of the prison building. Around 15 inmates have been engaged in the rooftop protest since this afternoon. The inmates had reportedly commenced the protest stating their court proceedings had been delayed due to delays in receiving the Govt Analyst’s reports. The protesting inmates demand that the relevant reports be released immediately and to expedite the process of granting them bail. more..

Nov 13 (CT) Another sub cluster centred on construction sites has emerged from within the City of Colombo, Chief Medical Officer of Health of Public Health Dept of CMC, Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said. He added, in addition to the Borella Police sub cluster, another sub cluster had emerged from among construction workers, among whom locals, Chinese and Indian nationals had contracted COVID-19. more..

Nov 13 (EN) Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella is urging the govt not to blame the public for the second wave of Covid 19 infections which has increased the death toll from the disease. He told Parliament yesterday that there is a saying about politicians which is “if we win, it’s us, if we lose you are to blame.” “During the first wave because there was some control, you took the credit, but now that the second wave is out of control you are blaming the public,” he said. more..

Nov 13 (TM) The Angsana Gym at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo had been closed after an employees attached to the gym tested positive for COIVID-19 yesterday, the management said. It said the gym has been temporarily closed until such time they are allowed to open under the direction and guidance of the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and the Health Ministry. “First and second contacts of the team member are being identified & PCR tests will be carried out. more..

Nov 13 (AD) The police intelligence officers have launched a special operation to apprehend those who leave the Western Province borders violating the quarantine regulations, says DIG Ajith Rohana. Police media spokesperson said legal action will be sought against any individual who has left the Western Province during the isolation period. NOCPCO on Wednesday (11) announced that leaving the Western Province borders more..

Nov 13 (Island) Rishvin Ismeth, known as an ex-Muslim in Sri Lanka among the general public, has been threatened by an ally of the former leader of SL Jamaat Islami, Rasheed Hajjul Akbar on 26th October around 11.45 pm at the premises of PCoI investigating Easter Sunday Suicide Attacks, Council of Ex-Muslims of SL (CEMSL) said in a press release. CEMSL said that Rishvin Ismeth was the present spokesperson for the Council of Ex-Muslims of SL and and the only public face of the org more..

Nov 13 (CT) Environmental Lawyer Jagath Gunawardana claimed that there were several legal concerns with the circular issued by the Ministries of Wildlife and Forest Conservation whereby the direct control of land considered as State forests are taken away from the Forest Conservation Department and given to the District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats. The circular specifies such land as those that do not fall within the purview of any Govt Department, institution or Ministry. more..

Nov 13 (CT) Former SL Ambassador to the United States (US), Jaliya Wickramasuriya said FCID misled the Court, when obtaining a warrant against him for the misappropriation of public funds, during the tenure of the UNF-led Govt. Testifying from the US via Skype before the PCoI appointed to probe political victimisation of public officials during the tenure of the UNF-led Govt, Wickramasuriya said, more..

Nov 13 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne told Parliament yesterday that MPs have their primary responsibility not to the executive of the country but to the people. “We have been elected by them, and it is our duty to stand by the constitution and to protect the freedoms and the rights of the people,” he said. He said that it is a very unusual situation that an appropriation bill is being presented at the end of the year when the country had a new president after the election on 16 November. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Reporting of Covid-19 cases outside the Western Province remained at a lower rate, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today. He said although there was a decline in cases being reported out of the WP, a considerable number of cases were reported within the WP, especially from the Colombo municipality. “Out of the 396 positive cases reported on Thursday (12), majority cases of 296 were reported from the Western province among which 232 cases more..

Nov 13 (AD) As per the Customs statistics, earnings from merchandise exports recorded a negative growth of 14.9% in Oct 2020 to US$ 831.72 million as compared to the value of US$ 977.3 million recorded in Oct 2019. This poor performance is due to the adverse impact of 2nd wave of Covid-19 pandemic within the country and globally. EDB Chairman Prabhash Subasinghe said, “It is concerning to see a sharp reduction more..

Nov 13 (CT) A cement company in the Katunayake Investment Promotion Zone exported a consignment of electrical and electronic waste to Japan on 11 Nov. Ministry of Environment, CEA and Dept of Posts jointly implemented the collection of e-waste with the collaboration of 600 post offices. The consignment included three tonnes of printed circuit boards, eight tonnes of plastic and 13 tonnes of metal. The waste was accumulated from homes during the week of collecting e-waste. more..

Nov 13 (MFA) Foreign Ministry urges all prospective SL travellers both inbound and outbound to be cautious of individuals who demand payment / fee or any form of financial charges to facilitate entry permission to SL or any third country. Foreign Ministry hereby announces that no individual or entity is authorized by the SL Govt to facilitate entry to or exit from SL other than the Govt institutions concerned. The repatriation process which was temporarily suspended due to more..

Nov 13 (AD) Five more Covid-19 related deaths are reported in SL. One of the victims, identified as an 83-year-old female from Colombo 14 area, has succumbed to the virus while at home. She had been suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. Second victim, aged 68 years, is a man who was residing in Chilaw area. He was admitted to the Chilaw District Hospital upon being detected as a Covid-19 positive case and more..

Nov 14 (CT) In 1961, shortly after his election victory, Prez-elect John F Kennedy quoted one of the first colonists of the US, John Winthrop who, in the year 1630, said We must always consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes of all people are upon us. This was one of the first examples of the belief that America would be exceptional, and that it would become a country that would set standards for the world to follow. The significance of US throughout the world more..

Nov 14 (DM) According to media reports, as at 10 Nov 2020, 109 prisoners and two officers have tested positive for COVID-19 at Welikada, Bogambara and Matara prisons. To date, Govt of SL (goSL) has taken some positive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, such as releasing, reportedly, nearly 3000 prisoners in April 2020, the Attorney- General issuing instructions to the police regarding granting bail for particular offences, and more recently the AG, more..

Nov 14 (DM) An overwhelming feeling of relief has descended upon the world-not merely the US- after the Prez elections of the US ended. Joe Biden is the new US Prez-elect. Biden’s creditable, credible electoral triumph has ensured that decency, dignity and decorum will once again return to the Oval office of the White House. A double delight in the 46th US Prez to be’s victory is that of the shattering of glass ceilings by more..

Nov 14 (DM) The white House has virtually been turned into a white-washed sepulchre with the defeated President Donald Trump refusing to concede defeat as traditionally done in the United States which is considered by the free world as a model democracy with checks and balances. Worse still, the Republican Party-which boasts of the legendary President Abraham Lincoln—is adding its dead bones to the sepulchre with most of its members, including Senate leader more..

Nov 14 (CT) In the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, one of the active and innovative English theatre groups, Mind Adventures led by theatre director Tracy Holsinger and a brilliant actor Lihan Mendis invited me to talk about how live theatre could survive in the wake of a pandemic. A series of discussions with local and international theatre artistes and organizations have been conducted throughout this time and many ideas and experiences have been shared with more..

Nov 14 (CT) 18th-century Irish author and satirist Jonathan Swift quite eloquently penned these words: Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect. Centuries later, their meaning is even more resonant with the times that we live in – the age of fake news. Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, Honorary Professor at the KDU and Senior Advisor to more..

Nov 14 (CT) World Health Organisation (WHO) announced last week that it will provide COVID-19 vaccines to 20% of Sri Lanka’s population, finally bringing hope that a safe and effective vaccine is on the verge of being introduced to the world. The devastating coronavirus pandemic started spreading across the world at the beginning of the year. So, far it has affected more than 53 million people and killed over 1.3 million. In SL, as at Friday, the number of cases stood at nearly 16,000 with 48 deaths. more..

Nov 14 (GV) World Children’s Day falls on Nov 20. Sri Lanka commemorated Children’s Day on Oct 1 and Sept 2 marked 30 years since the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child came into force. Despite these celebrations and significant anniversaries to honour children, Sri Lanka has witnessed a steep increase in cases of child abuse. NCPA received 8,558 complaints through its 1929 hotline in 2019. Because of the stigma attached to child abuse, many cases go unreported. more..

Nov 14 (Island) Transition tussle in Washington has taken a turn for the worse; it has reached the Pentagon and is said to be fraught with the danger of adversely impacting the US national security. As if the tug-of-war between the Republicans and the Democrats at the White House were not enough, Prez-elect Joe Biden has reportedly been denied access to intelligence briefings. Classified material concerning national security is traditionally made accessible to US President-elect, but more..

Nov 14 (Island) On the way to Moratuwa from Piliyandala you cross the Bolgoda Bridge, where the path bifurcates between the road to Katubedda on your right and the road to Rawathawatta on your left. The road to Rawathawatta is smaller, and yet more crowded: you pass countless furniture shops, fruit and vegetable stalls, fishmongers, and grocery stores, as well as a church and a temple. After driving on for two kilometres, you wind into a suburb called Shramadhana Road, which forks into more..

Nov 14 (DN) Hindus in Sri Lanka and across the globe celebrate their vibrant Festival of Lights today, Nov 14. Diwali or Dipawali has been deeply woven into the Hindu faith for centuries. It is a time of resurgence in terms of spirituality guided by the light: in a physical and divine sense. Living in multi-ethnic Sri Lanka, we have been blessed to learn about other religions and their ardent traditions. more..

Nov 14 (TM) Saaraketha Organics is a home-grown enterprise founded by Prasanna Hettiarachchi together with his wife Charitha Hettiarachchi in 2011. The initiative, which was originally a fresh produce company, has since expanded to spices, grains, pulses, sweeteners, and other ingredients that constitute a healthy diet. They employ an ecommerce platform to provide access to their services and are both export and home delivery focused. more..

Nov 14 (TM) Happy Sunday everyone! We here at Happinez hope you and your family are safe and well. We understand that these are trying times, so let’s work together and stay safe so that we can combat this. Moving on to the star of today’s edition, you might know her as @khannabliss from Instagram and YouTube. And I am pretty sure you have come across her amazing content and hilarious videos! Her name is Harinie Weerasinghe. She is currently in a band called Wings, more..

Nov 14 (DM) As a means of contact tracing to curb the COVID-19 spread, govt recently launched its Stay Safe Sri Lanka project, effective from this week as per official announcement. But businesses, govt offices and other locations as well as the public are still getting used to the app. While some feel it’s an easy way to enter information without touching pens and books, others feel their personal info may not be secure anymore. more..

Nov 14 (Island) Hatton National Bank (HNB) reported Profit After Taxes (PAT) of Rs. 7.7Bn for the first nine months of 2020, while the Group recorded a PAT for Rs. 8.8Bn for the same period. Commenting on the performance, Dinesh Weerakkody, chairman of HNB stated that, “Sri Lanka managed the first wave of the pandemic commendably. However, as the situation continues to evolve globally, we as a nation are currently at a crucial juncture once again. more..

Nov 14 (Island) When it comes to gold medal winners at last year’s Asian Athletics C'ships, no name rings louder than that of the Bahrain sprinter Salwa Eid Naser for SL women’s 4x400metres relay quartet who established a new national record in Doha. Despite breaking the national record held by legendary athlete Damayanthi Dharsha and co, the team, inclusive of Nadeesha Ramanayake, Dilshi Kumarasinghe, Upamalika Ratnakumari and Nimali Liyanarachchi, had to settle for fourth place. more..