Nov 24 (Island) Minister Prof. G.L Peiris strongly defended the govt decision to re-open schools in areas not affected by the rampaging coronavirus epidemic. Schools in the Western Province and some areas isolated due to the epidemic remained closed. He emphasised that all schools couldn’t be kept shut, pending total eradication of the epidemic. Such a strategy wouldn’t be realistic, Prof. Peiris said, more..

Nov 24 (FR) The mergers of SL finance and leasing company (FLC) subsidiaries with their parent banks will not have an immediate impact on the banks' ratings, says Fitch Ratings. The agency's assessment of our rated banks is based on their consolidated credit profiles and already factors in the risks of having subsidiary FLCs. However, the extent of the impact of absorbed FLCs on banks' business models and their consolidated risk and financial metrics, particularly asset quality, profitability, more..

Nov 24 (FT) Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has requested the CEB to extend the electricity bill concession granted to hotels and tourist accommodations registered with the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) for another six months. In June, the Cabinet approved a one-year grace period for the payment of accumulated water and electricity bills for a period of six months without any disconnection for tourist hotels and accommodations registered with the SLTDA. more..

Nov 24 (Island) Two current accounts, operated by former Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and others at the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branch at Kollupitiya, had received foreign funding close to Rs. 4 billion within 3 years, PCoI was informed. It was also revealed that the BoC had not informed the CB of those transactions although it was required to do so in respect of foreign transactions over one million rupees. more..

Nov 24 (DN) Tea stalls will be set up countrywide soon to make quality fresh tea easily available to Sri Lankan consumers at reasonable prices, State Minister Kanaka Herath said. Initially, tea outlets will be set up in selected cities across the country. Thereafter, the number of outlets will be increased, making it easier for consumers to buy high quality fresh tea. He said that the set up of tea stalls would commence soon and consumers could taste a cup of fresh quality tea very soon. more..

Nov 24 (CT) Parliamentary Council, yesterday, approved Prez Rajapaksa’s recommendation to appoint the Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne to the post of the IGP. Wickramaratne has been functioning as the Acting IGP after former IGP Pujith Jayasundara was sent on compulsory leave following Easter Sunday terror attacks. He will be the 35th IGP of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Council approved the names of 14 High Court Judges for promotion to the Court of Appeal. more..

Nov 24 (FT) The dual COVID-19 cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda expanded to 16,978 cases, with the detection of 337 patients yesterday. 335 of the cases identified were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. Total of 20,508 COVID-19 infected persons have been identified in the country to date. In addition to the dual cluster, the total count includes 1,505 SL returnees from abroad, more..

Nov 24 (HCI) Indian PM Narendra Modi congratulated the Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the first anniversary of assumption of Office, Indian High Commission said in a statement, with the Indian PM noting how bilateral relations had strengthened since last November. PM Modi noted that the India-SL relationship had expanded into new areas and was strengthened in the past year. PM Modi underlined that the strong collaboration between the two countries in the midst of challenges more..

Nov 24 (Island) The next environmental crisis in the country could be due to the dumping of face masks as more than six million face masks were released to the environment every day, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Amaraweera said he believed that social responsibility was of utmost importance at a time when the country was struggling to tackle a pandemic. “Everyone in our country is to wear a face mask. It is mandatory to wear rubber gloves in some institutions. more..

Nov 24 (EN) Media rights activists have expressed concern over a proposed Singapore-style regulatory framework for Sri Lankan websites purportedly to combat fake news and hate speech online. Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media last Saturday that the proposed mechanism will be introduced in two weeks. The committee has reportedly studied Singapore’s controversial more..

Nov 24 (FT) Seven months have passed since the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer, Hejaaz Hizbullah. When he was taken into custody on 14 April, his friends and family, and some within his fraternity, decried the obvious injustice. They were quickly told to quieten down and let the justice system do its work. They were told not to interfere with the investigation. They were told to be patient, as the truth would eventually emerge, and perhaps set Hejaaz free. more..

Nov 24 (FT) National Council for International Affairs of All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) organised the Int'l Buddhist Conference 2020 titled Buddhism’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic over two day on 7 and 8 November from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the participation of eminent Buddhist scholars from Sri Lanka and abroad. Being the Chairman of the National Council for International Affairs of ACBC, Prof. Lakshman Watawala, who is the Vice President of ACBC as well, spearheaded more..

Nov 24 (Island) SJB MP Nalina Bandara Jayamaha told Parliament that a new video containing controversial issues had been released on Sunday by Namal Kumara, who describes himself as the directors (operations) of an anti-corruption outfit. During the yahapalana govt, he alleged that there was a conspiracy to assassinate former Prez Sirisena. MP Bandara said, participating in the third reading debate on the budget: “This video contains a serious allegation that a Rs 150 mil more..

Nov 24 (Island) Activities on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) were sluggish yesterday, but an unusual share price increase was witnessed in Chemanex, one of the leading producers and importers of industrial chemicals and intermediates in SL. Its share price increased by 25% or Rs. 18.60 without any proper reasons and became one of the main retail market contributors to the turnover, stock market analysts said. Its share price started trading at Rs. 74.60 per share and more..

Nov 24 (FT) Inflation in October reached 5.5%, down slightly from 6.4% in the previous month, Census & Statistics Dept said, putting it largely down to changes in food prices. Contributions to the inflation rate for October from food groups and non-food groups are 4.6% and 0.8% respectively, whilst contributions of food and non-food groups to inflation in Oct 2019 were 3.2% and 2.4% respectively, resulting in a headline inflation of 5.6%. more..

Nov 24 (DM) Ministry of Agriculture has agreed to provide 5,000 acres of State land to Avant Agro (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Avant Garde Maritime Services headed by Major (Retd) Nissanka Senadhipathi, to cultivate maize. “A proposal was submitted by Avant Garde Maritime Services to the PM to rehabilitate drug addicts and prisoners by allowing them to develop skills for better social integration and employability, and accordingly an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Agriculture and Avant Agro (Pvt) Ltd,” more..

Nov 24 (AD) Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) leader and parliamentarian Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan has been granted bail by the Batticaloa High Court. The Batticaloa District MP was ordered released on bail by Batticaloa High Court Judge T. Wigneshwaran, when the case filed over the murder of former TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham was taken up today. Four other defendants in the case who were in remand custody were also granted bail by the court, more..

Nov 24 (CT) Jathika Jana Balawegaya Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday, questioned the Govt as to why the monies in the COVID-19 relief fund are not utilised properly, to provide relief to those who are affected by the pandemic. Participating in the Committee Stage debate on the 2021 Appropriation Bill, Dissanayake queried: “When a COVID-19 patient dies, the body is not handed over to the family for final rites. more..

Nov 24 (CT) Minister Piyal Nishantha de Silva, yesterday said, the reason for the low attendance of children at the beginning of the new school term was the statements made by various parties. He was speaking during a visit to the Benthara Gamini National School yesterday. De Silva emphasised the Govt has taken steps to re-open schools in the least dangerous areas in terms of COVID-19, with proper arrangements, according to instructions of the health authorities. more..

Nov 24 (DN) The Independent Commissions set up by the previous Good Governance Govt were never independent, said SLPP MP Mahinda Samarasinghe in Parliament yesterday. He said he made this statement as a representative of the then Constitutional Council and the same fact was obvious as it consisted of Civil Society activists. He added that even the appointment of the then Inspector General Police (IGP) provides clear evidence to that effect. more..

Nov 24 (TM) SL’s dairy imports continued its annual trend of year-on-year (YoY) increase, as expenditure on dairy imports in 2020 have so far increased by 12.5% from the corresponding figure for 2019, despite the current import restrictions. Dairy imports in the first nine months of the year, from Jan to Sept, increased to $ 253 m, compared to the import of dairy products between Jan and Sept in 2019 which was worth $ 225 m. more..

Nov 24 (CT) The GMOA alleged the failure of Director of the Epidemiology Unit had resulted in a suboptimal delayed surveillance process, which had ultimately led to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Asela Gunawardena, GMOA Secretary, Dr. Senal Fernando, said that his organisation had continuously emphasised on the need for surveillance in controlling COVID-19 since March this year. more..

Nov 24 (DM) Ranil Wickremesinghe should continue as the leader of UNP as he has the capability of reviving the fallen party once again, former Minister Vajira Abeywardene said today. He told a press conference that only a revived political party should be handed over to a leader of the next generation. “It is for Mr. Wickremesinghe to decide whether he is going to hand over a fallen party to the leader of the next generation or whether he would hand over a revived party,” Mr. Abeywardene said. more..

Nov 24 (AD) SL’s Foremost Economic Summit will be inaugurated by the Chief Guest Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on the 1st of Dec 2020. The Summit is themed Roadmap for Take-off: Driving a People Centric Economic Revival. His Excellency will also deliver the inaugural address. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, will launch the second phase of the summit on the 2nd Dec 2020 and participate in the VVIP session focused on Empowering take-off: Efficient govt & progressive state enterprises. more..

Nov 24 (AD) Cyclonic Storm Nivar over southwest Bay of Bengal was located near (10.0N, 83.E) at 8.30 am today, 325km to the east of Kankesanturai coast. It is very likely to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm and expected to move north-westwards and cross Tamil-Nadu coast, India during next 36 hours. Under the influence of the aforementioned system, the possibility for intermittent showers or thundershowers and sudden roughness, associated with a sudden more..

Nov 24 (CI) You're not dreaming. This is not a fantasy. After years of announcements and cancellations, years in which SLC officials lumbered into organisational walls and stumbled into logistical potholes, SL fans will finally get to watch a homegrown franchise T20 league. The build-up has been chaotic. Players have pulled out late, others have contracted Covid-19, replacements have been hastily found, payments have been more..

Nov 24 (Island) State Minister Nalaka Godahewa told the parliament the govt launched a pragmatic programme to lift millions of people from poverty. He said that when one member of a family under extreme poverty received a permanent employment opportunity, the entire family achieved some degree of economic stability. The 100,000 jobs programme aimed to achieve that objective. Rs. 4,000 grant for vocational trainees also aimed to give opportunities for the youth of poor families, minister said. more..

Nov 24 (CT) Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, yesterday (23), stressed in Parliament that although SLPP MPs alleged that the former UNF-led Govt conducted a witch-hunt targeting Buddhist monks, when the SLPP came to power, a Buddhist monk was reportedly threatened because of a voice cut he had given. Participating in the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2021, Kiriella queried as to whether the Govt is going to stop international trade completely. more..

Nov 24 (CT) Justice Minister Ali Sabry and SJB MP Hesha Withanage locked horns, yesterday, during the Committee Stage debate on Appropriation Bill 2021. Withanage, during his speech, alleged that Ali Sabry’s relative in Ratmalana, who died due to COVID-19, was buried despite current regulations. Withanage: “This relative of the Minister, who was a female, died on 15 Nov. The PCR test conducted on the body revealed that more..

Nov 24 (CT) Minister Wimal Weerawansa said in Parliament that the Govt is prepared to take stern action against those responsible for the 21April 2019, Easter Sunday terror attacks, based on the recommendations of the PCoI probing the bombings once the Commission concludes its sittings. Participating in the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2021, Weerawansa said that action would be taken against not only the culprits but against root cause of this issue as well. more..

Nov 24 (CT) TMTK MP C.V. Wigneswaran said that Govt should grant self-govt to the Northern and Eastern Provinces in order to develop the two Provinces economically. Participating in the second reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2021, He said: “Even though 11 years have passed since the war ended, the war-affected Provinces still lag behind the rest of the country economically. So it is time you granted self-govt to N&E and allow us & our Diaspora to help you & us economically. more..

Nov 24 (DM) The total number of COVID-19 patients reported from the prisons increased to 717 by today with the identification of 35 new cases today, Prisons Commissioner Thushara Upuldeniya said. He said, cases were reported only in the Colombo prisons at the moment and added that spread of the virus in other prisons had been brought under control. “No new cases are reported from prisons outside Colombo now. more..

Nov 24 (DM) While claiming that it takes five days to release most of the results of PCR tests, Govt Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) today said the results should be released at least within 24-hours. Addressing the media briefing, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr Naveen de Zoysa said all area mappings relating to COVID positive patients are done based on the updated results of the PCR tests. “Receiving results after five days will delay the further actions that need to be taken," more..

Nov 24 (AD) The committee of experts looking into the minor tremor reported from Kandy recently says that the incident cannot be ruled as a result of limestone quarrying. The tremor took place on the 18th of November and its effects were felt in Kandy, Aluthwatte, Ambakote, Digana, Mayilapitiya, Anurawatte and Haragama areas. A six-member committee was subsequently appointed by the Chairman of Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) Mr Anura Walpola, more..

Nov 24 (Island) Today it had become an era of development with a march towards prosperity here, though it was not so especially during this period of the year in the past. Once upon a time, November was a misfortunate month, Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said on Sunday at the inauguration of the construction of the Kapuduwa Interchange on the Southern Expressway. He said that the nation should pay tribute to MP Rajapaksa, more..

Nov 25 (CT) The budget debate taking place at this time is when the country has suffered a setback in its efforts to keep the Covid pandemic at bay. There is increasing criticism being voiced especially in the social media and civil society at the govt’s utilization of the military at the expense of civilian leadership in meeting this health challenge. The increase in the military budget and the diminished health budget in the context of the enormous increase in the budget deficit is indicative of the govt’s priorities. more..

Nov 25 (GV) You take a step back as the ball bounces at breakneck speed and play defence. It is too early to lose your wicket, so one better learn the defence. This is what President Gotabaya Rajapaksa tried to do in his address to the nation. It was the President himself who informed us via his Twitter feed that his address to the nation would be telecast and broadcast on all TV and radio channels. Heads of State address their nations at important times on important matters. more..

Nov 25 (DM) The laws of nature emerged victorious last week. This was following a landmark judgment issued regarding the mass scale deforestation activities that took place at the Northern Sanctuary of Wilpattu National Park. Therefore, Reserve Forests including Maraichchukaddi/ Karaddikuli Reserve Forests standing westward of Wilpattu blocks II and IV and forest areas in Madu, Periyamadu and more..