Oct 9 (FT) Anusha Mohotti has been appointed as the Director General of the SL Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board (SLAASMB) with effect from 1 October. Mohotti, being the fourth Director General of SLAASMB, has been with SLAASMB for over 20 years and is well acquainted with its regulatory activities. Prior to the appointment, she was the Deputy Director General and has been performing the role of Acting Director General. Her experience of over 31 years more..

Oct 9 (TM) The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on Tuesday (6) confiscated a consignment of 150 metric tonnes (MT) of rice stocks that was transported to an animal feed production processing factory in Ekala, Ja-Ela. “Our team in the area was deployed following a tip-off we received over our hotline. Upon reaching the factory and following our team’s inspection of the 10 lorries that transported the rice stocks, it was revealed that the rice stocks had arrived from Polonnaruwa,” more..

Oct 9 (EN) Both pro-govt and opposition spokesmen are questioning the removal of the Director of the Medical Research Institute Dr Jayaruwan Bandara who was replaced by his erstwhile Deputy Dr Prabhath Amarasinghe yesterday. The influential Buddhist Monk, Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero deplored the removal of Bandara at a press briefing while those sentiments were echoed by Opposition MP Rajitha Senaratne. more..

Oct 9 (AD) Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Department of Examinations have jointly set up a National Examination Emergencies Operations Unit (NEEOps) to avoid possible interruptions during the G.C.E. A/L and Scholarship exams. The operations unit will be operational from 11th Oct to 9th of Nov. It is co-chaired by the Commissioner General of Examinations and the Director General Disaster Management Centre. In the event of an emergency, direct emergency response calls more..

Oct 9 (CT) SLPP MP, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said Police Department had been controlled by invisible forces both in the past and present, when dealing with issues concerning VVIPs and VIPs. He said the best example for this was how the Police Department had behaved both in the lead up to and in the aftermath of the 21 April 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Dr. Rajapakshe said this was also further evident in the case of how the Police Dept behaved both in the lead up to and after more..

Oct 9 (FT) Health Ministry directive on mandatory PCR tests for all workers in Board of Investments (BOI)-approved enterprises with immediate effect in four accredited private sector hospitals as part of fight against COVID-19 has stirred widespread concerns over exorbitant cost and practicality issues. BOI-approved firms said, that at current market prices carrying out mandatory PCR tests will be expensive more..

Oct 9 (DM) Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the Chinese delegation would not undergo a quarantine process, but they would be subjected to a PCR test upon their arrival. She made these comments in Parliament responding to a question raised by SJB MP Harsha De Silva if the delegation would be subjected to a quarantine process. The Minister said the delegation was expected to undergo a PCR test before their arrival in China and here in Sri Lanka upon their arrival. more..

Oct 9 (Island) Minister Professor G.L. Peiris told Parliament that he would inquire into the removal of Saumya Liyanage from the post of Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo. Prof Peiris said that he would take appropriate measures after a full inquiry. “If any injustice has taken place we will rectify it,” he said. Education Minister made these observations following an inquiry made by SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana. more..

Oct 9 (FT) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday dropped a bombshell in Parliament, alleging PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, in 2007 as President, wrote to his US counterpart George W. Bush urging the now vilified Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact for Sri Lanka. “When the then President, current PM, found out the MCC agreement was in technical difficulty, he wrote directly to US President George Bush. more..

Oct 9 (FT) The crisis Sri Lanka is now facing can be considered as the biggest and the most complex crisis the country has ever faced since independence. It is not confined only to the economy of the country, but has overwhelmed the entire socio-political system. Yet, Govt hardly talks about it. Even the Opposition is silent about it. What could be the consequences of this crisis Sri Lanka is facing? What could be the end of foreign debt crisis? How many people will lose their jobs? more..

Oct 9 (SHH) Ms. Manori Unambuwe, Ambassador for the Embassy of SL, Berlin, and Mr. Ahamed Razee, Counsellor/ Head of Chancery, visited the Department of Archaeology, to: a) discuss scientific and educational opportunities and exchanges, b) to review our past, collaborative archaeological field projects in Sri Lanka, c) to discuss our scientific laboratory work, and d) to obtain possession of human skeletal remains from Fa Hien cave to transport and return to a museum in SL. more..

Oct 9 (FT) It is a natural phenomenon when quantity is increased the maintenance of quality becomes harder and harder. However, I would not say, it is impossible. Quality is a broader concept and applied in many areas such as production, construction, manufacturing and many more management areas. When I learnt quality management, quality systems, quality analyses, ISO 9001 at post-graduate level, I thought quality control and quality assurance could be easily implemented at a workplace if more..

Oct 9 (TM) Dept of Immigration and Emigration announced that the Head Office and the Regional Offices of the department will remain closed next week as well. Dept had said on Tuesday that its Head Office and regional offices will be closed off for three days from the 7th to 9th of Oct, as a step to prevent the spread of Covid-19. However, dept now informs that the Head office and the Regional Offices will be closed for General Public on 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Oct as well. more..

Oct 9 (FT) Shirani Bandaranayake was sworn in as SL’s 43rd Chief Justice in May 2011. In Hold Me in Contempt: A Memoir, she remembers that morning in near Arcadian terms, complete with cherry blossoms and pelicans. The day, however, would end on a grim tone, with a forewarning of the coming impeachment. Once the oath taking was over, Dr. Bandaranayake recalls, President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited her for a chat. more..

Oct 9 (Island) Communities worst affected by Covid-19 and its consequences were the most marginalised and most vulnerable sections in the society, JVP led NPP MP Dr Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament. Participating in a debate on the Nation Building Tax (Amendment) bill, Dr Amarasuriya said that 64 Lankan migrant workers had died abroad from Covid-19 and it was larger than the number of deaths in SL. “The country successfully dealt with the first wave of the virus. more..

Oct 9 (DM) Authorities yesterday insisted that employees of Brandix who returned from India in three charter flights in recent months had followed the required 14-day quarantine process under the supervision of the armed forces and PCR tests had been carried out on them upon landing at the Mattala Airport as well as after the conclusion of their two-week quarantine period. Army Chief, Lt. General Shavendra Silva said that allegations stating that these employees had broken more..

Oct 9 (AD) A Covid-19 infection has been detected from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo, on Thursday. Director of the Hospital Dr. G. Wijesuriya confirmed that a 10-month-old infant under treatment was tested positive for the virus. The infant from Minuwangoda had been admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital on Wednesday. Dr Wijesuriya said the medical staff of the institution, taking note of the symptoms more..

Oct 9 (AD) Police says that candidates sitting for the 2020 G.C.E. A/L exam and the Grade 5 Scholarship exam can use their admission cards as passes in the areas where curfew has been imposed. Candidates residing in curfew-imposed areas are expected to be directed to exam centres closest to their place of residence and transport facilities will be arranged for them to reach the exam centres without interruptions. The govt had decided to go ahead with the Grade 5 Scholarship exam, more..

Oct 9 (Island) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday promised to conduct an investigation to ascertain how a book titled Triloka Vijaya promoting the use of ganja had been distributed among the staff of Parliament and who was responsible. The speaker promised a probe after the matter had been brought to his notice by SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana at the time of commencement of the sittings. MP Pathirana: I spoke of a plan to propagate the use of ganja on Tuesday. more..

Oct 9 (SLA) SL Army on the eve of its Army Day (10) and the 71st Anniversary received an additional stimulant to the distinctive flavour of cricket in the Army upon enlistment of internationally-famed professional cricketers, Thisara Perera and Dinesh Chandimal to the rank of Major during a simple ceremony, held at the Commander's office this morning. Lt Gen Shavendra Silva, Commander of Army, pinned rank insignia more..

Oct 9 (TM) State Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Sisira Jayakody said that the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine has developed several drugs targeting those infected with the COVID-19 virus and those who are at risk of contracting the virus. Minister said that the Dept of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation have jointly introduced an immunizing drink and a powder for those infected with the COVID-19 virus. He said that all these medicines are manufactured using 100% local herbs more..

Oct 9 (AD) The teenager, who was arrested on suspicion for publishing false news regarding curfew on social media platforms, has been remanded until the 22nd of Oct. The order was delivered by Colombo Chief Magistrate Mohamed Mihar, when the 18-year-old was produced before courts by the CID earlier today. The CID informed the court that the teenager in question was taken into custody for posting a fabricated media release, carrying the letterhead of the Presidential Secretariat and more..

Oct 9 (AD) The high-level Chinese delegation led by former Chinese Foreign Minister and the current Communist Party Political Bureau Member Yang Jiechi, called on Prez Rajapaksa this evening. People’s Republic of China will continue to assist Sri Lanka in its efforts on development, Mr Jiechi assured during a cordial discussion with the Sri Lankan President. SL-China bilateral relations are at a satisfactory level, more..

Oct 9 (EN) The Bishop of Mannar was directed to self-quarantine today upon discovering that a confirmed COVID-19 carrier from Chilaw had visited the Mannar Bhiop’s House. The patient, a male construction worker, had travelled from Chilaw to Mannar for some repair work at the Bishop‘s House. The COVID-19 taskforce said in a statement this afternoon that all residents of the Bishop’s House will be directed to self-quarantine under the supervision of the health authorities. more..

Oct 9 (AD) Ward 5 and 9 of Horana Base Hospital have been closed off due to Covid-19 risks. The move came after it was revealed that two nurses of the hospital were tested positive for the novel coronavirus. According to reports, the husband of one of the two nurses, employed at the Brandix apparel factory in Minuwangoda, as well as another family member had contracted the virus. The virus-infected nurses and family members have been admitted to IDH & Neville Fernando more..

Oct 9 (EN) A Collective of Workers Organisations representing Garment Factory staff is warning that around 50,000 employees in factories in and around the Katunayake Free Trade area are in danger of contracting Covid 19 after the breakout in the Brandix apparel plant in Minuwangoda. In a public statement issued today, Oct 9, they said that the emergence of the disease in the Minuwangoda plant after a period where it appeared more..

Oct 9 (CT) Consumers are continuing to complain that currently there is a shortage of samba rice and coconuts in the local market. They charged that with the decision taken to introduce a controlled price for coconut, unscrupulous traders had created an artificial shortage of the two essential items in the domestic market. Consumers alleged that due to this unfavourable situation, the price of coconuts had spiked to Rs150 per nut in certain cities and towns. They alleged that in certain areas coconuts more..

Oct 9 (NR) Commissioner General of Excise Ariyadasa Bodaragama has issued clarifications pertaining to the manner in which establishments that possess liquor licenses must operate, in line with directives issued by the Ministry of Health. Accordingly wine and liquor stores, hotels, rest houses and guest houses can function under several restrictions. However it has been mandated that all pubs, bars, casinos and night clubs remain closed until further notice. more..

Oct 9 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Mohammad Mihal ordered the CID to expedite the probe into the case filed against a sibling of MP Rishad Bathiudeen and another suspect and also to arrest and produce before Court any other suspects in connection with the same. Bathiudeen’s brother and another suspect have been charged with compiling illegal deeds for a land situated in Vettikarawu in Talaimannar more..

Oct 9 (EN) United National Development Program, Sri Lanka Tourism and Citi group has started a livelihood support scheme as initial information suggested women accounted for 67 percent of the jobs lost in the leisure sector due to Coronavirus. “Building resilient social protection systems that help informal sector workers to withstand shocks are a critical element of COVID-19 responses,” Robert Juhkam, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka said in a statement. more..

Oct 9 (BR) The Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Thursday launched the Publication on Pakistan - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA) to enhance bi-lateral trade and promoting free trade between the two countries. The objective of the study is to give the readers, stakeholder, business community and policy makers a detail analysis on the prospects on increasing the existing trade between the two SAARC nations under their PSFTA. more..

Oct 9 (EN) The Parliamentary Opposition is charging that the general public let down their guard against the Covid 19 pandemic because the govt officially stated that the virus has been eliminated in Sri Lanka as more reports of positive patients were announced. Several more factories were closed, and reports of Covid positive patients were reported from several locations as it appeared that the virus was gaining ground on the island. more..

Oct 9 (CT) The system had failed to detect children who are not receiving education, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Dr. Darshani Hettiarachchi pointed out. A deviation from the expected standards and recommendations in the management of child abuse and victims, was evidenced in an incident where a 14-year-old pregnant girl was referred to a child psychiatry clinic for psychological assessment and management. more..

Oct 9 (EN) Minister Chamal Rajapaksa is saying that he will not allow local cultivation of cannabis and manufacture of cannabis-related products for export purposes, an idea mooted by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena. Answering questions from the Opposition in Parliament today he said “perhaps you should direct that question to the Trade Minister, but I will not allow it.” SJB MP Hesha Withanage had asked whether the govt is trying to strengthen the economy through exporting cannabis more..

Oct 9 (CT) Former Army Commander, Gen. Mahesh Senanayake had not been informed of the foreign Intelligence information received by the State Intelligence Service (SIS) on 4 April 2019, regarding a possible terror attack which could be carried out by the National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ) Leader Zaharan Hashim and his associates. This was revealed when General Senanayake testified before the PCoI more..

Oct 9 (CT) The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) said the business of mixing palm oil with coconut oil is about to resume, to please a henchman of a Minister. “According to a decision of the Govt, palm oil is taxed higher than coconut oil when it is imported. Laws have also been enacted to prevent the mixing of coconut oil and palm oil. The large-scale racket of mixing palm oil with coconut oil has been active throughout the country over the past few decades, more..

Oct 9 (EN) SL’s hospitals designated to treat COVID-19 patients are close to full with only 419 available capacity out of 1,552 as of 1500hrs today. There are 1,133 patients currently in the hospitals, 1,017 of whom are from the Minuwangoda cluster while 118 are foreign returnees. The 12 hospitals are IDH, BH Welikanda, Colombo East BH, Iranawila Hospital, BH Minuwangoda, DGH Hambanthta, DH Rabukkana, Kaburugamuwa, BH Theldeniya, Neville F'ndo Hospital, Kaththankudi, Homagama. more..

Oct 9 (DM) The body of the SL migrant worker Bandu who died of coronavirus in Dubai, UAE -- far from home -- was kept inside the ambulance in front of the crematorium. A few of his work friends came by for a last goodbye. In silence, the body, wrapped in a white plastic bag, was reduced to ashes in a matter of minutes. More than one million Sri Lankans work in 14 labor destinations including Gulf nations, more..

Oct 10 (CT) In Oct 1990, some 75,000 Muslims in the Northern Province (about 5% of the province’s total) were forcibly expelled from their homeland by the LTTE. In some places the rebels gave only about a 48-hour for Muslims to leave the province. Beginning in Chavakachcheri on Oct 15th, Muslims were evicted in their entirety (mass) throughout Mannar, Mullaitheevu, Killinochchi, Jaffna, and certain parts of Vavuniya by October 30th. Families were allowed to take only 500 rupees and more..