Oct 1 (FT) A rousing accolade from a great friend blew a hole below the waterline of the case for scrapping the 19th Amendment and implanting the risky 20th Amendment. Shanghai-based YICAI Research Institute, part of the YICAI Media Group, China’s largest financial media conglomerate, listed SL the second-best performer in the World Survey on Pandemic Control, in a survey of 108 countries. China came in first, while SL out-performed South Korea (4th), NZ (8th), Vietnam (9th), more..

Oct 1 (DM) Over the last few months, Sri Lanka has been plagued with continuous reports of child abuse. Horrendous accounts of abuse, rape and murder have emerged following the period in which Sri Lanka grappled with a growing pandemic. In April, the UNICEF and the NCPA issued a statement citing grave concerns over the dramatic rise in the proportion of child cruelty cases reported to the 1929 child helpline since more..

Oct 1 (CT) SL enjoyed more-than-enough development intelligence, exerted by multitudinous expertise and contradicting politics. Yet, what succeeded by all of this represents no development independence. Subsequent to the capturing of political power by the UNP leadership in 1977 and the introduction of imported and competition-based free market economy, the well set-forth self-sufficiency orientation of SL was castrated and the world market began to flex its muscle on more..

Oct 1 (CT) Someone asked me three questions; A. The majority of this country are Sinhala Buddhists. What is wrong in calling this country Sinhala Buddhist? B. You welcomed certain aspects of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policies. Yet you oppose the 20th Amendment which clothes him with power to carry out his policies. Why? C. You are on record as a person wanting peace and reconciliation in this Country. Why have you started on the wrong foot? You have already been branded as more..

Oct 2 (Island) I wrote an article in The Island newspaper, under the aforesaid title, 12 years ago, on 9th June 2008. I have retained that title but content of this article is different. It’s worth looking at this hospital from a more current perspective particularly since the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) is celebrating its 125-year jubilee in Oct 2020. The LRH had very humble beginnings. At the outset, 125 years ago, it was constructed from public donations; rupees 46,000/- to be exact, more..

Oct 2 (DM) Forced child marriages are often spoken of in SL, but could there be a solution for this much cursed social issue? Still, so many female children in SL are given away in marriage or forced to marry in order to serve a purpose; often to satisfy the want of elders or to cater to a custom or tradition. Whatever the reason for such premature marriages, what eventually happens is such forced unions put an end to a child’s education. In this backdrop the Govt of SL is working on initiating legislative action more..

Oct 2 (FT) A super September it was indeed for the Colombo stock market as the gain of the benchmark index was the highest in eight years whilst since end May it had provided a 23% positive return. The capital market bid adieu to a stellar September on Wednesday despite the Moody’s downgrade of sovereign rating being a dampener in the last two sessions of the month. During Sept the ASPI gained by 12.30%, more..

Oct 2 (CT) The decision to re-introduce priority lane laws in Colombo and the city’s greater metropolitan area has been satisfactory despite minor glitches experienced in the past few weeks. Traffic Police had painstakingly oriented motorists coming back from the COVID-19 hiatus. After the disastrous experiment of cramming motorbikes and three-wheelers on the priority bus lanes, authorities quickly adjusted the rule to allow motorcyclists and tuk drivers to take the adjacent track and more..

Oct 2 (Island) The bane of this country is that most people are divided along party lines, follow their political leaders blindly and view all issues through the prisms of party politics. They think their political masters can do no wrong. One may recall that during United Front govt (1970-77) overenthusiastic SLFP backers, taking part in May Day parades, shouted that they were ready to consume gravy without chillies if Sirimavo asked them to— Sirimavo kiyanawanam miris nethuwa hodi kannam. more..

Oct 2 (NIA) Indian PM Narendra Modi’s call to Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to “address the aspirations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect, within a united Sri Lanka, including by carrying forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the 13 Amendment to the Constitution” is heartily welcomed by the Tamil people here, said M.A. Sumanthiran, spokesman of the TNA. more..

Oct 2 (DN) The country’s national game, volleyball boosts with Munchee, the brand of Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) for the 13th consecutive year sponsoring the National Volleyball Championship organized by SL Volleyball Federation (SLVF). The official sponsorship was announced during a press conference at Taj Samudra in the presence of senior management of CBL and representatives of SLVF. The championship will be held as Novices and Super League tournaments where more..

Oct 2 (EN) Sri Lanka’s Kelsey Homes says it is launching a 300 unit housing project in Ja Ela, after the first phase of 70 units was sold out within a month despite challenging economic conditions. The first phase of Central Park Ja-Ela was marketed from mid-May was sold out in a month. Sri Lanka has controlled the spread of Coronavirus and economic activity is recovering. “Despite the challenging economic climate, there was significant demand from customers” Kelsey Homes said. more..

Oct 2 (Island) SJB lawmaker Rajitha Senaratne early this week revealed that a civil society outfit had prepared the 19th Amendment enacted in 2015. He said that the govt had accepted the document handed over by the civil society, former minister said. The then govt readily endorsed the proposals as it didn’t find any fault with them, Dr. Senaratne said. Revelation was made at a special meeting called by the NMSJ. more..

Oct 2 (DM) As Sri Lanka is not out of the woods of Covid-19, the risk of dengue is set to rise in the coming months with the escalation of the prevailing showery condition, National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) Director Anura Jayasekera said. “Although the situation on dengue spreading is not alarming, the risk of dengue is to surge in the coming months with the showery conditions intensifying," Dr. Jayasekera said. “Therefore, people are advised to clean their surrounding environment and more..

Oct 2 (FT) The COPE will commence its proceedings next week, with Lanka Coal Company, the first to be summoned. COPE’s new Chairman MP Charitha Herath said the committee would sit for 5 days between 6 and 23 Oct. Lanka Coal Company Ltd. is scheduled to be summoned before the COPE Committee based on the special audit report submitted by the Auditor General on the procurement of coal for Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Station from 2009. more..

Oct 2 (FT) A panel of eminent economists on Wednesday urged that the Govt take credible and decisive action to prevent a painful debt crisis in SL. Key insights were shared at the Deep Dive, organised by the Advocata Institute that aims to bring focus on SL's biggest policy challenges. Daily FT was the official newspaper for the event. Although immediate debt payments can be met, to build credibility, medium-term plan is required. more..

Oct 2 (ST) The Sri Lanka Equestrian Association (SLEA), under its ongoing development activity, has donated two horses to St. Thomas’ College in Guruthalawa, with intentions of spreading the popularity of equestrian sports among schools. The SLEA, the local governing body for equestrian sports in Sri Lanka, has been in existence since 2003 but this is the first occasion that it has taken a step further, to introduce the sport among schoolchildren. SLEA considers this as a unique step more..

Oct 2 (FT) The 31,000 strong team at Hayleys Group can now enjoy a working vacation from any Hayleys property around the country in a first time Work from Hotel initiative offered by any SL company. With World Tourism Week placing the spotlight on buoying domestic tourism, Hayleys is encouraging its team to take advantage of work-vacations at The Kingsbury or any Amaya Resort, adding numerous work facilities into the properties including Zoom rooms to facilitate more..

Oct 2 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa today (1) joined the World Children’s Day celebrations, donating libraries to schools in five districts. President stated that the provision of a library and access to sports will help children to maintain the balance between physical and mental well-being. Prez added that he was convinced of this fact during his recent visits across the country. Following requests by children, construction of a large number of more..

Oct 2 (EN) Post offices around the country will collect E-waste starting from Oct 5 to Oct 11 to prevent harmful materials being released to the environment by recycling the discarded electronic devices. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the programme will be launched under the theme “A country that breaths, Sri Lanka without E-waste,” to coincide with Postal Day. E-waste will be collected from all 653 main post offices around the country from Oct 5 to Oct 11 from 8 am to 5 pm. more..

Oct 2 (USE) I’m pleased to be here and have a chance to see people in person as opposed to virtually which was our fashion for so long. I want to thank Presantha and the rest of the board, and of course Vrai and the team at the American Chamber for inviting me and for the close collaboration throughout the year. We’re appreciative of that. I knew that a new board is going to be officially selected momentarily, but I’ll offer early congratulations to those that will be taking more..

Oct 2 (AD) The further consideration of petitions filed challenging the draft bill of 20th Amendment is scheduled for today (2). When the petitions were taken up for the second consecutive day on Friday, the attorneys representing 32 petitions have concluded presenting their submissions. Faisz Musthapha, PC, who appeared on behalf of BASL, pointed out that certain provisions of the draft bill adversely affect more..

Oct 2 (FT) Watawala Plantations PLC, has reached the next milestone in its development of sustainable oil palm plantations, achieving the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification for palm oil mill and concessions in Galle District. The momentous recognition makes WATA the first plantations company in South Asia and SL to be certified with this coveted accreditation. The palm oil plantations of WATA—a joint venture between the diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings more..

Oct 2 (DM) Vehicle Importers Association of SL (VIASL) said there are less than 3,000 motor vehicles in the market and those vehicles are not even sufficient to cater to the demands for at least two and half months, VIASL Secretary Arosha Rodrigo said. He said they made this assumption following a survey regarding the current vehicle stock situation. He said this situation cannot be controlled for the survival of the trade until the Govt decided to lift the import ban immediately. more..

Oct 2 (AD) Sri Lanka reiterates that apart from operating routine security networks in the interest of national security, particularly after the devastating Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, local security forces and intelligence agencies are not engaged in monitoring specific group of people in the country. Acting Permanent Representative of SL to the UN in Geneva, Dayani Gamage made this remark during the Interactive Dialogue with more..

Oct 2 (Island) Sri Lanka Press Institute and two election monitoring groups are among nine Sri Lanka and Maldives based organizations provided with funds from Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). Canadian HC in Colombo maintained that following a highly competitive process, the following recipients were chosen: Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, Maldives, People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Environment Foundation Limited (EFL), more..

Oct 2 (Island) Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon told Derana Aluth Parlimenthuwa programme, that police had been ordered to open fire if those in their custody made sudden threatening moves. Tennakoon said that the lives of law enforcement officers could not be jeopardised under any circumstances. The SDIG strongly defended a spate of killings while in police custody. Responding to a Derana query, Tennnakoon said that the police had identified 27 underworld hit men. more..

Oct 2 (DN) Prez Rajapaksa yesterday ordered the completion of construction on BIA Second Terminal before the end of 2023. The construction of the second terminal of the airport, commenced in 2014 and was scheduled to be completed by 2017. Experts in the field have opined that many features in the plan do not fit in to the current requirement as the construction of the project was not carried out as scheduled. more..

Oct 2 (DM) Iran has sought the introduction of barter system for trading with Sri Lanka bypassing problems triggered by the U.S. Sanctions, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said. He said that Iranian Ambassador Hashem Ashjazadeh proposed the barter system at a meeting with him on Wednesday. The Minister said he welcomed the proposal. “I will now talk to the Central Bank, SL Tea Board and the Foreign Relations Ministry to see whether this can be made a reality,” he said. more..

Oct 2 (Island) Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, calling on the Mahanayaka Theras of Malwatta and Asgiriya, said recently, that he appreciated the manner the government acted to eradicate the drug menace and the underworld, but did not agree with it on the 20th Amendment. Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called on the prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala and Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana respectively with a group of more..

Oct 2 (Island) Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) yesterday authorised the owners of the crude oil tanker, MT New Diamond; to tow the vessel out of SL waters, although Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) opposed the move. At the time instructions were issued, the vessel was 66 nautical mile east of Batticaloa. MEPA Chairman Dharshani Lahandapura has informed the MRCC stating that more..

Oct 2 (FT) The country has got caught in a whirlwind of anarchy. Although there are dictatorial aspirations and tendencies looming in the air, they are not likely to materialise and secure a firm foothold against the whirlwind of anarchy. The anarchy that sweeps the country will shatter both the limited democracy that prevails as well as the dictatorial aspirations. Yet still all the eyes are fixed on the 20th Amendment. In regard to the subject of the Constitution particularly the knowledge of philosophical, more..

Oct 2 (FT) I translated the book From Dictatorship to Democracy – A conceptual framework for liberation written by Professor Gene Sharp from English to Sinhala sometime back. With the introduction of 20A the country may moving towards dictatorship from democracy. There was a debate on who the author of the 20A to the Constitution was. It is not a complicated document to be authored as such. The legal draftsman was instructed to undo the changes of 19A except for the limitation of the terms more..

Oct 2 (FT) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA Sri Lanka) announced the official launch of its 41st National Conference at its premises on Tuesday. In line with the previous CA conferences, this year’s business summit will include a combination of physical and virtual sessions led by an influential and inspirational group of speakers who have gained credibility in their respective fields. CA SL President Manil Jayesinghe said the National Conference was one of its flagship events more..

Oct 2 (AD) Four suspects have been arrested over the cash robbery at the residence of a businessman from Katana. Police have recovered Rs. 7.2 million in cash during the arrest. Meanwhile, a car was also taken into custody. On Sept 30, it was reported that a residence of a businessman in the area of Akkarapanaha in Katana was robbed by a gang wielding weapons. The robbers had looted nearly Rs 30 million from the residence at gunpoint. The armed gang members had arrived at the scene more..

Oct 2 (NAR) SL's political pendulum is swinging toward a strong, centralized state in the grip of an executive president with sweeping authoritarian powers, fulfilling a goal of the Rajapaksas, the South Asian nation's most influential political clan. The govt of the ruling Rajapaksa siblings -- President Gotabya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa -- has now set the stage for an imperial presidency. more..

Oct 2 (DN) Regional Plantation Companies (RPC’s) have to find solutions to mitigate the impact on the volatile commodity prices and the decline in production due to extended extreme dry or wet weather conditions following global warming. These sentiments were expressed by the new Chairman of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon Bhathiya Bulumulla. “The migration of youth from the plantations to urban areas has caused acute shortage of workers which is another serious more..

Oct 2 (FT) Lanka Sportreizen Ltd. Chairman Thilak Weerasinghe was elected as the new President of the SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) at its 40th AGM held on Tuesday, 29 Sep at the Ramada Colombo. The Chief Guest of the ceremony was PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Guest of Honour was Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga whilst the Minister Namal Rajapaksa, State Minister of Aviation D.V. Chanaka and State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal participated more..