Sep 8 (FT) Expansions to the pension scheme for self-employed persons and the social security benefits scheme have been proposed by Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment, Business Development, and Underutilised State Resources Development State Minister Shehan Semasinghe. According to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry, the proposals were made following observations of the activities of the SL Social Security Board, more..

Sep 8 (DM) With the detection of another deadly artificial toddy manufacturing plant in Dummalasuriya by a special police flying squad on Sunday, the social activists fighting against hazardous liquor products blamed the Excise Dept for not regulating the law properly. Police Walana – Panadura Central Anti-Vice Striking Unit sleuths on information raided a poultry feed manufacturing factory in Weerakodiyana area more..

Sep 8 (Island) SampathCards recently joined hands with General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), one of the country’s premier higher education institutions, to facilitate payments for course fees through Mastercard & Visa Credit & Debit Cards, helping students to pursue their dream careers without having to worry about finances. In addition, Sampath Mastercard and Visa Credit Cardholders will now be able to avail themselves to 12 months 0% interest instalment payment more..

Sep 8 (Island) A project that aims to help stray cats and dogs in Sri Lanka is asking for donations to boost its work and expand its operations, said a report published by the News and Star of the UK. Rachel Schofield, from Wigton (UK), founded Help Hikkaduwa Strays after a holiday to the area in September 2013. She was determined to help after seeing the number of strays suffering and her organisation now rehomes litter after litter of abandoned pups and kittens. more..

Sep 8 (Island) The JVP-led National People’s Power called the proposed 20th Amendment to the constitution a betrayal of mandate the people had given to the govt at the last general election. JVP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the govt, claiming to respect people’s sovereignty, had unveiled a draft amendment to concentrate more powers in the executive presidency at the expense of the rights of the people. more..

Sep 8 (AD) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the new govt has prioritized the ICT sector and establishing a knowledge and technology based society to make Sri Lanka a global innovation hub. In addition to implementing a comprehensive digitization policy for the country, the govt is also working on a number of other related programs, said PM. These include setting up a Citizen Centric Digital Govt, establishing a digitally-inclusive SL & promoting IT entrepreneurship, he added. more..

Sep 8 (MFA) The Govt of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has offered that any SL migrant worker, with valid or expired visit visas of all kinds, re-entry visa or final exit visa, who could not depart the Kingdom during the visa validity period due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be permitted to leave the Kingdom through the Immigration points of the airports upon their departure without being charged any fees or fines. This is a temporary measure taken by the Saudi Govt given the circumstances faced by more..

Sep 8 (CT) The SLMC had agreed to a few proposals in a policy statement put forward by National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ) Leader, Zaharan Hashim, to the representatives of five political parties that contested the 2015 Parliamentary Election. This was revealed when former Provincial Councillor affiliated to the SLMC, Shibly Farooq, testified before the PCoI probing the Easter Sunday bombing, yesterday. more..

Sep 8 (AD) Former member of the Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha, Gamunu Ekanayake, has been arrested with weapons and ammunition. The arrest has been made today (07) by the STF. Officials have recovered a T-56 firearm, a magazine, a locally-manufactured firearm, a hand grenade, various sharp weapons, and ammunition upon a search at his residence. In addition, 2 National Identity Cards (NICs) and an unregistered motorcycle have also been taken into custody. more..

Sep 8 (DN) Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris refuted the claims that Independent Commissions will be abolished by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. Speaking at a press conference, he said that this Amendment has ensured the smooth functioning of seven Commissions, namely, the Election Commission, Public Services Commission, Police Commission, Finance Commission, Delimitation Commission, Bribery Commission and the Human Rights Commission. more..

Sep 8 (Island) Dismissing criticism of the proposed 20th Amendment that it would pave the way for a dictatorship, Education Minister Prof. Peiris said that it would be presented to Parliament next October ahead of the presentation of Budget 2021. Prof. Peiris said that the govt wasn’t worried about the SJB moving the Supreme Court against the 20th Amendment as it was gazetted having secured the AG’s approval. more..

Sep 8 (FT) If we shift our focus away from the minutiae of the proposed 20th Amendment to the big picture, we can see that it is about concentrating power in the Prez and unelected and unaccountable advisors around him, and disempowering Parliament, independent Commissions, and those who would challenge legislation before the courts. After successfully propagating the narrative delegitimizing Parliament (225ma epa), SLPP seeks to consolidate the concentration of power more..

Sep 8 (FT) Globally over 1.2 billion children are out of school due to COVID-19, the pandemic has over the last six months dramatically changed the face of education worldwide. This change in the delivery of education is sine quo non to do things differently from now on. However, do we precisely know what educators and policy makers need to do to make remote schooling/online learning work? Are teachers equipped with the whole arsenal of technologies required to unleash students’ full potential? more..

Sep 8 (DM) Defence Secretary Major General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratne yesterday directed the Police Chief not to auction police sniffer dogs which had served the department before they retired, the military spokesman said. “The Defence Secretary had informed the acting IGP not to auction retired sniffer dogs, but to keep them and treat them under the care of the Police Department until their death” Military Spokesman Brigadier Chandana Wickremesinghe told the Daily Mirror. more..

Sep 8 (AD) A Sub-Inspector attached to the Horana Police arrested for soliciting a sexual bribe from a female has been further remanded, as per the Colombo Chief Magistrate. Accused Sub-Inspector Sunil Perera, arrested by the CIABOC, was produced before the court today. The Bribery Commission stated that further investigations are being carried out with regard to the suspect. Accordingly, Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered the suspect to be more..

Sep 8 (AD) SL Navy has brought 20 crew members of the crude oil tanker MT New Diamond to the Hambantota Port. SL Navy, SL Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and other stakeholders engaged in disaster management operation have managed to control the fire raging in the crude oil tanker MT New Diamond again, which was caused by the effects of the adverse weather. A research team from the NARA, MEPA and more..

Sep 8 (DM) The admission to university medical faculties has been increased by 350, Education Minister G.L. Pieris said at a discussion held at the ministry. He said the decision was taken according to President's National Policy Framework, Vision for Prosperity. At the meeting the minister had directed the UGC to take necessary steps to increase the number of students being enrolled in universities. The ministry said the decision was taken after several rounds of talks with the UGC, more..

Sep 8 (CT) A group attempted to attack journalists Nuwan Hettiarachchi and Ruwantha Nithulgaspitiya from our sister paper Mawbima, who attended a Media briefing in Colombo yesterday. It was organised by the National Campaign for Consumer Rights Protection. One of them had lost a mobile phone in the melee. Two journalists lodged a complaint with the Borella Police regarding the incident. Media briefing had been organised to reveal details on the preparation to permit more..

Sep 8 (DM) At least 1.2 million youths and adults from the country’s population is still illiterate, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris said. He said the projects that were implemented to increase the literacy should be expanded. “School-level access committees to provide sustainable solutions through the national education system should also be increased to achieve the 100% literacy,” Minister said. He said the countries like more..

Sep 8 (FT) Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP (DTTILLP) has released its South Asia Anti Money Laundering Preparedness Survey report 2020. The survey conducted with leading banks and financial institutions in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh earlier this year, highlights siloed risk management approaches across banking operations, customer due diligence, sanctions screening, and trade-based transactions as the root cause for systemic inefficiencies leading to fraud. more..

Sep 8 (DM) Ratnapura District MP Premalal Jayasekara said he was convicted on false charges levelled against him by the yahapalaana govt to take political revenge from him. In his maiden speech in Parliament he said he was sent to jail for a crime he did not commit. “My conscience knows that I am innocent. I have been engaged in clean politics. I have not been engaged in any fraud or corruption during my political career,” he said. The MP said it was the yahapalana govt and more..

Sep 8 (DM) PM Rajapaksa told the ruling party’s parliamentary group the govt would legislate against cattle slaughter soon. He said it was a proposal mooted a long time ago, but could not be made into law. Minister Bandula Gunawardane said PM made this proposal which was not objected to by any of those present. However, he said there would be no ban on beef imports as a redress to meat-eaters. “This is a proposal that exists since more..

Sep 8 (AD) Five individuals have been arrested at a restaurant in the Waskaduwa area over the possession of narcotic drugs. The arrest has been made based on a tip-off received by Kalutara South Police. Police have recovered 14 g 200 mg of Ice (Methamphetamine), 22 g of Kerala Cannabis, and 2 devices used to consume drugs on the suspects. In addition, a three-wheeler and cash worth Rs 64,000 have also been seized during the arrest. The arrested suspects have been identified to more..

Sep 8 (EN) Parliament descended into a raucous shouting pit this afternoon after the Opposition wore House Black shawls and challenged the Speaker’s swearing-in of a convicted murderer as a MP. Premalal Jayasekara, who is under a death sentence for a murder committed in 2015 of a UNP supporter, was sworn in as an MP in the Ninth Parliament after he won an interim order from the Court of Appeal to enter the House. This is the first time in SL’s Parliamentary history that more..

Sep 8 (FT) TNA leader R. Sampanthan has written to Prez Rajapaksa alleging that a Buddhist monk, who is a member of the Presidential Task Force for Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province, had threatened a group of farmers in the Thiriyai area in the Kuchchaveli DS in the Trincomalee District. Sampanthan said that the reverend monk, residing in the Arisimalai Buddhist temple, more..

Sep 8 (DM) Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC said it has adequate vehicle stocks to continue to serve the market and also to meet any sudden uptick in demand in the near term, as the govt keeps a lid on vehicle imports to preserve foreign exchange and also to buy space to develop a robust public transport system in the country. The assembler and importer of Ashok Leyland buses, trucks, truck chassis, spare parts, power generators and accessories, had an inventory worth more..

Sep 8 (AD) STF has arrested that underworld crime gang member Welipe Suraj at Minuwangoda area, last night. Welipe Suraj is considered to be a main accomplice of another underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, who is currently in prison. Police said that 4 grams of heroin, 03 swords, and an air rifle were recovered from the possession of the suspect. The vehicle used by the arrestee has also been seized by the Police. In addition, a 21-year-old Army deserter who was also in the vehicle more..

Sep 8 (FT) Dissatisfied by the recent reduction of Rs. 2 in egg prices, All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) requested approval to import eggs as a temporary solution. ACBOA Chairman N.K. Jayawardena said they were not satisfied with the price reduction announced on Sunday, given that current wholesale prices are Rs. 22 when they used to be as low as Rs. 10. “The wholesale price of eggs has increased to more..

Sep 8 (DM) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene named 18 members for the Committee on High Posts in Parliament today. They included: Chamal Rajapaksa, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Dinesh Gunawardena, Johnston Fernando, Douglas Devananda, Bandula Gunawardene, Keheliya Rambukwella, Udaya Gammanpila, Ramesh Pathirana, Sudhashni Fernandopulle, Vidura Wickramanayake, John Seneviratne, Anura Priyadharashna Yapa, Vijitha Herath, more..

Sep 8 (AD) Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today (08) ordered the CID to submit a report on the progress of the probes into the alleged abduction of Swiss Embassy staffer named Garnia Bannister Francis. The relevant report is to be handed over to the Chief Magistrate on the 5th of November. When the case was taken up this morning, the main suspect Garnia Bannister, who was released on bail several months ago, presented herself before courts. more..

Sep 8 (AD) Premalal Jayasekara, who was sentenced to death and is imprisoned, has taken oaths as a MP this afternoon amidst strong objection from the Opposition. Parliament chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena convened at 1.00pm today. Jayasekara, escorted by prison officials, arrived at the Parliament complex at around 11.30am to attend today’s parliamentary sitting. On July 31, Premalal Jayasekara alias more..

Sep 8 (PTI) India’s IT major HCL Technologies has set up its first development centre in Sri Lanka with PM Mahinda Rajapaksa terming the company’s presence in the island nation as an asset to generate significant employment opportunities for the youths. Rajapaksa, who attended the inauguration ceremony, spoke about SL’s efforts to accord priority to the IT sector and develop the country as a global technology hub. He observed that the presence of HCL, a global IT leader, more..

Sep 8 (EN) Leader of the NPP Anura Kumara Dissanayake is asking the govt to provide a separate report about the losses suffered by the EPF for the period 2008-2015. Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the Central Bank Report for 2019, he said that the Forensic Audit Report issued for the period 2008-2012 about the activities of the CBSL shows how the EPF was misused during that period. He said that the CBSL reports do not include the damage that more..

Sep 8 (CT) Patients suffering from heart disease and admitted to the National Hospital of SL (NHSL) had been compelled to purchase vital drugs from outside for months due to a severe shortage of drugs and equipment at the country’s apex hospital, informed sources said. Meanwhile, many patients have been forced to bide their time on the waiting list to carry out heart surgeries and the situation has become further complicated for more..

Sep 8 (EN) The UNP may not appoint a successor to Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe this year, but put it off for next year, party officials say. The Party’s Legal Secretary Nissanka Nanayakkara is proposing that the party first fill the vacant Deputy Leader position and have that person step into the Leader’s position on Jan 1, 2021. Nanayakkara was quoted in Media as saying that the party will likely take a decision about the Deputy on Monday at a Working Committee meeting. more..

Sep 8 (NR) Three persons have tested positive for the coronavirus raising infections to 3,126. The Ministry of Health said, 179 COVID-19 patients, including 12 foreign nationals, are receiving medical treatment at present. Nine persons recovered from COVID-19 and were discharged increasing recoveries to 2,935. Eight persons were discharged from the Welikanda Base Hospital while one person was released from the Colombo East Base hospital during the past 24 hours. more..

Sep 8 (CT) CEB Chairman Vijitha Herath noted that they will purchase power during the beginning of 2021 while denying reports that the CEB was attempting to purchase power at an exorbitant price of Rs 21 bn. He also said they will sign a power purchase at the beginning of next year but only if there is a Cabinet directive to that effect. Herath stated there were plans to purchase power at the beginning of this month but did not more..

Sep 9 (ST) This is by no means a fishy tale but built around a conversation between Kussi Amma Sera, Mabel Rasthiyadu and Serapina on Wednesday morning. At the gate when Karthelis, the fish vendor, came on his motor-bike, the trio pounced on him, saying that the fish prices were too high. “Aney, aei ape ratata athewenna maalu neththe, ratawateta muhuda thiyena kota (Why, aney, don’t we have adequate fish stocks for the country, when we are surrounded by the sea),” asked Serapina. more..

Sep 9 (CT) Trees have been chopped down on a massive scale with over 100 acres of land belonging to the Forest Conservation Dept in the Mangalapura Grama Niladhari Division in Eluwankulama, Wanathawilluwa being cleared recently adding to the growing list of environmental degradations in the country. Land in question was leased to the Ceylon Cement Corporation by the Forest Conservation Dept and then sub-leased to pte company. Reports say that more than a thousand large trees more..