Oct 30 (GV) With the identification of COVID-19 infected persons associated with the Brandix Factory in Munuwangoda as the second wave of COVID 19, the apparel industry has gained significant attention within the discussions on the pandemic. Various opinions could be heard on the role and conduct of various agents (state, factory owners, military led quarantine process) during the past week. In this context, minimal attention has been paid to the long existing unresolved more..

Oct 30 (CT) After the bloody 30-year conflict came to a close in 2009, Sri Lanka was ambitious to rebuild. Using this opportunity, property developers began to embark on building luxury apartments, hotels and condominiums. But the rapidly growing construction business also duped customers by presenting project plans with fake approvals obtained from officials. Constructing luxury apartments is a lucrative business more..

Oct 30 (CT) Five years ago, on Aug 2015, Colombo Telegraph published a short piece by this columnist titled, Muslims should reject SLMC & its Offshoots Wholesale. It was said then, that “The creation of SLMC as a political party based solely on religion was a historic blunder, which, if not rectified soon, will drag the Muslim community into political abyss”. What was meant by rectification was the total dissolution of SLMC & ACMC. Now, having witnessed how surreptitiously & treacherously more..

Oct 30 (CT) The Sri Lankan brain is smart and competent at all times. Mother Lanka has produced a higher percentage of outstanding scholars in a multiple of disciplines. During the first COVID-19 lock down, the country saw inventions introduced by talented school children, undergraduates and industrialists. The Intellectual acumen of the SL brain enabled many to excel globally as scientists, eminent lawyers, engineers, medical and brain surgeons, business tycoons including more..

Oct 30 (TM) SL-born Shyam Selvadurai’s first novel, the highly acclaimed Funny Boy, was first published in 1994. It won the WH Smith Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Lambda Literary Award in the US, and has since been translated into other languages and has been adapted into a feature film. Set in Sri Lanka in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the story is a coming-of-age story through the eyes of young protagonist Arjie more..

Oct 30 (DM) The word curfew is perhaps the best understood word by most Sri Lankans during this pandemic. This is because a good many of them give scant regard to maintaining safe social distancing and a wearing masks. So the whole of Western Province will be subject to a curfew by the time people read this column. Have we learned our lessons and have we become wiser after the first COVID-19 wave swept through the island nation several months ago? The answer sadly is no. more..

Oct 30 (Island) Smaller states located in strategic locations in the world are in the same predicament as poor damsels in rough neighbourhoods; they suffer abuse at the hands of big powers that masquerade as liberators. The US has come forward to liberate SL from what it calls a Chinese debt trap! US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has come and gone. He uttered some diplomatic sweet little nothings, as it were, in public, but the State Dept had delivered its message to Colombo more..

Oct 30 (DM) These are times when Lanka’s moment of glory in the int'l scene has much to do with her geostrategic beauty than her achievements, if there are any recently in terms of democracy or discoveries. Even the achievements we bragged about in pandemic control measures have now come to naught, yet little Lanka sits like a shining star in the international forum with big powers making overtures for marriage. She is like princess Jasmine in the Arabian Nights tale of Aladdin. more..

Oct 30 (DN) Vap was known as the period of sowing paddy seed in ancient Ceylon. It is the major season of the two, Yala and Maha. Maha begins with the arrival of inter-monsoonal rain in the middle of October. King Parakramabahu the great had offered over 70 Katinas before partaking in plough and sow ritual which began concurrently. Mahavagga Pali the third book of the Vinaya Pitaka traces the history of Katina, it says, the ritual originated with thirty forest-dwelling Bhikkhus, more..

Oct 30 (CT) A special meeting between SL Athletics officials and National Institute of Sports Medicine officials will take place at 7: 00 p.m. tonight to make a call on the National Athletics Championship 2020, which appears to be the only possible National level athletics championship this year. Some key areas that will be taken up for discussion during the meeting are dates, measures to ensure safety of athletes, providing more..

Oct 30 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa told US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo that SL will not compromise its sovereignty. Compromising a country’s sovereignty in this day and age means not just surrendering it militarily, but also subjugating it economically. Economic subjugation may take the form of neocolonialism or being caught in a debt trap. Encyclopaedia Britannica describes neocolonialism as being the control of less-developed countries by developed countries more..

Oct 30 (Island) I have been fascinated by politics all my life though not directly involved in it unlike some others in my family. I have devoted some of the free time COVID-19 pandemic has given me to pondering the merits and demerits of the executive presidency and whether it is less democratic than an executive premiership. For a long time, there has been a clamour for the abolition of the executive presidency, but since the election of Prez Gotabhaya Rajapaksa opinion seems to have reversed. more..

Oct 30 (FT) Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) has released a report which provides a comprehensive assessment of SL’s historical and current tobacco tax policies to assess whether they are in line with the WHO recommended best practices. New report Elasticity Estimates for Cigarettes in SL is authored by Dr. Nisha Arunathilake, Harini Weerasekera & Chamini Thilanka, and is part of a series of IPS research focusing on Health more..

Oct 30 (IPS) Urbanisation has intensified many of the most pressing global challenges over the last few decades. Today, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has become top priority for the vast majority of towns and cities across the world, which account for over 95 per cent of total reported COVID-19 cases according to the UN-Habitat COVID-19 Response Plan. Research also shows that densely populated areas and underserved settlements without access to basic more..

Oct 30 (FT) The Govt of Japan has provided a total sum of $ 636,363 (approx. Rs. 115 million) to the HALO Trust for humanitarian demining activities in northern SL. The grant contract was signed on 29 Oct between Japanese Ambassador Sugiyama Akira and HALO Trust Program Manager Belinda Vause. Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the contract was signed remotely. The project will contribute to the efforts of the Govt of SL in ensuring that mine-contaminated areas are safe, more..

Oct 30 (FT) Western Province Health Services Office yesterday introduced a new application designed for the benefit of those who are in the medical sector and combatting COVID-19 operations. The new app was introduced to Prez Rajapaksa yesterday. It will be instrumental in providing a wealth of vital data, including information on COVID infected, their close associates, quarantine, PCR testing services, more..

Oct 30 (AD) A circular has been issued for govt employees, especially in the Western Province and other main cities to work from home similar to the system followed in April this year. Issuing a press release, it said that state institutions in the Western Province and the other main cities have been directed to re-implement the work from home method in order to control the spread of Covid-19. It said that the heads of state institutions have been informed to prepare alternate plans to provide more..

Oct 30 (Island) Sri Lanka China Friendship Association (SLCFA) yesterday praised the govt for having told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Sri Lanka will remain true to its non-aligned foreign policy principles and that it would never take any action that undermines Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. The SLCFA also thanks all patriotic and progressive forces that convinced the government if there was any doubt, that most Sri Lankans were opposed to American imperialism and bullying tactics. more..

Oct 30 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa handed over the letter of appointment to Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, who will be the 18th Commander of the SL Air Force. He will take office on 2 Nov. Born on 30 Dec 1965, Air Vice Marshal Pathirana is currently the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force and is a proud product of Dharmaraja College, Kandy. He joined SL Air Force on 2 July 1985 and was one of the 3 pilots more..

Oct 30 (DN) Today marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – the founder of Islam. The commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad is known as Milad-Un-Nabi in Arabic which falls on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal – the third month in the Arabic lunar calendar. Approximately 1.6 billion Muslims all over the world celebrate this remarkable day to honour this noble character who showered peace and mercy upon all creatures who lived on the face of this earth. more..

Oct 30 (Island) TNA leader R. Sampathan has alleged that unnecessary US and Chinese interventions in SL’s internal affairs undermined Indo-Lanka relations. Sampanthan, who represents the ITAK, a constituent of the TNA, expressed serious concern over foreign interventions to the media after having received Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay at his Vavuniya Office. Sampanthan said that lengthy discussions had covered post-war development in the N&E more..

Oct 30 (FT) A technician from China is expected to arrive this morning to repair a high capacity PCR machine that broke down a few days ago. As a result of the breakdown, a delay of two to three days in PCR test results is currently occurring in the country and Silva explained that the stagnation in reports was preventing authorities from making real-time decisions that are required to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country. more..

Oct 30 (Island) Brandix Apparel Limited yesterday (29) said that the company would fully cooperate with relevant authorities in the investigation ordered by the Attorney General (AG). A spokesperson for the company said so when The Island sought a clarification with regard to AG Dappula de Livera, PC, directing the police to launch a criminal investigation into the alleged lapses on the part of the company as well as those officials leading to the devastating COVID-19 outbreak. more..

Oct 30 (Island) A large number of garment workers who were undergoing self-quarantine in Minuwangoda did not receive any assistance, Chamila Thushari of the Dabindu Collective, a labour organisation that works with garment workers, said. She said that those who were under self-quarantine did not have money to purchase food and even those who were willing to help could not reach them. “Some of them have received food parcels from their work places but that is not adequate. more..

Oct 30 (DM) With the emergence of more COVID-19 positive cases Sri Lankan health services have decided to introduce Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) to supplement the existing system of PCR testing. Although there are mixed views about this move, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is of the view that RAT is less expensive when compared to PCR tests. In addition to that, results could be delivered in 15 minutes and the process doesn’t require more..

Oct 30 (TM) On Monday (26), one of Colombo’s most notable building structures – the Lotus Tower – was illuminated in the colour pink as part of the month-long campaign courtesy of the Indira Cancer Trust in raising awareness on breast cancer. Lotus Tower’s pink lighting is part of the Global Landmark Illumination Campaign initiated in 2000, which sees monuments in over 140 countries illuminated in pink light, to promote global awareness of breast cancer, specifically to remind everyone of more..

Oct 30 (CT) Three talented youngsters from Jaffna – Theivendram Dinoshan (18), Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (19) and Kanagarathnam Kapilraj (21) – have been included in the Jaffna Stallions squad that will participate in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) Twenty20 Cricket Tournament next month. Theivendram Dinoshan is from St. John’s College and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is from Jaffna Central College. Both schoolboys will represent their schools in the next school cricket season. more..

Oct 30 (FT) European Union (EU) yesterday assured that the GSP+ would be available for SL for a foreseeable, future but underscored the importance of enhancing competitiveness and best practices post-COVID-19 pandemic. “The EU GSP+ scheme will be available for a period ahead until there is a reclassification,” EU First Councillor, Head of Political, Trade and Communications Section Thorsten Bargfrede said yesterday, more..

Oct 30 (Island) Sri Lankan health sector would plunge into a crisis if a cluster larger than the one found at the Peliyagoda Fish Market emerged, Editor of the GMOA Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. Currently, SL was dealing with several active COVID-19 clusters, Aluthge said. “The first was the Minuwangoda cluster, followed by the Peliyagoda Fish Market cluster. Clusters emerged from Agalawatte, Kuliyapitiya and now Kahathuduwa. All these clusters are still active. more..

Oct 30 (AD) The Western Province Health Services Office has introduced a new application designed for the benefit of those who are in the medical sector and combatting COVID–19. The new app will be instrumental in providing a wealth of vital data, including information on COVID infected, their close associates, quarantine, PCR testing services, observations, decision making and areas closest to the infected. The app was introduced by a team led by Western Province Health Services Director more..

Oct 30 (CT) Due to the lack of testing capacity in laboratories, results of around 10,000 PCR samples collected from suspected COVID-19 cases could not be released in four hospitals including the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, and this has complicated the efforts by authorities to control the spread of the virus. As a result of this unfortunate situation, some 2,145 PCR samples have piled up at the Karapitiya Hospital, more..

Oct 30 (Economist) Never say Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves things to chance. After decisively winning the prez election last Nov, putting family in charge of important govt departments, suspending Parliament and finally winning postponed elections in early Aug in a landslide for his SLPP and supporting parties, still the president insisted that “obstacles” to his authority remained. Changes to the constitution were the only solution. Parliament has granted his wish, creating a near-absolute presidency more..

Oct 30 (PMD) SL Muslims today celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad in solidarity with the Muslim brethren around the world. It is my view that living by the ideal of sacrifice that the Prophet made for the sake of humanity lays the foundation for a better and more developed society. We must eliminate hatred and suspicion among each other and live with the qualities that Prophet Muhammad preached. Today the entire humankind is faced with an enormous challenge in the wake of more..

Oct 30 (CT) Second wave of COVID-19 topped 6,000 cases yesterday, when 414 more patients were identified. 62 of them were from quarantine centres, while the remaining 352 were contacts of COVID-19 patients. By 7 p.m. yesterday, total number of cases recorded was 6,145. With the beginning of the second wave, the Ratnapura District had 34 COVID-19 cases, while the Kegalle District had 48 COVID-19 cases. more..

Oct 30 (AD) A group of three unidentified persons, who were impersonating Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), has carried out fake PCR tests at a house in Kettapahuwa, Maho and robbed nearly 3 ½ pounds of gold jewellery. DIG Ajith Rohana said the incident has taken place at around 3.30 pm yesterday. The suspects have given some pills to the residents, who, upon consumption, lost consciousness only to wake up this morning. Maho Police has launched an investigation into the incident. more..

Oct 30 (FT) History repeats itself. The phenomenon we have experienced soon after the 2010 election was repeated at the passing of the 20A in the Parliament. Prez Election of 2010 was fought on the lines of war victory. The question was who the war hero was, whether it was Commander-in-Chief Mahinda Rajapaksa or Commander of Army Sarath Fonseka. The majority of the Sinhalese decided that the Commander-in-Chief was the war hero. Ironically Tamil nationals who were at the receiving end more..

Oct 30 (DN) The narrow-minded factions cannot destroy the sincere attempt being made by Prez Rajapaksa to improve the lives of the people amid various challenges and hurdles, State Minister Siripala Gamlath said. The State Minister was participating in an event held on the sidelines of presenting letters of appointment to low-income group families in the Polonnaruwa District under the National Programme to provide 100,000 jobs to members of the low-income group families. more..

Oct 30 (FT) Sri Lanka is in a miserable state, after having had its journey to the abyss being completed; it has now fallen into the abyss and got stuck at the bottom of it. This can be considered as an inevitable end of a gradual historical journey that commenced since independence. It is important to note that the society that we inherited with independence had not reached the appropriate level of maturity required for self-govt. Unlike in India, we did not have mature political leaders. more..