Apr 10 (CT) Central Environment Authority (CEA) has refused to issue licence for Scheduled Waste Management to State-owned Polipto Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, owing to disparities in the agreements between the CEA and the Ministry of Energy. The company had been established to use waste plastics to create alternative liquid furnace oil. A letter dated 12 February 2021, originated from the Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, K.D.R. Olga, has requested the Secretary to the Environment Ministry more..

Apr 10 (TM) On the instructions of the President to reorganize the CID, SSP Rohan Premaratne has been appointed as the new Director in charge of the CID. Former Director SSP Nishantha Zoysa has been transferred to the Crimes Division. Premaratne is the fourth Director to be appointed to the post after the new govt was appointed. In his role as the Mount Lavinia SSP, Premaratne is well known as an accomplished detective who has cracked down on the Mt. Lavinia underworld. more..

Apr 10 (NR) Chairman of the GMOA, Specialist Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya says the proposal by Prez Rajapaksa in his Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour policy statement to move towards a non-toxic food culture has not been made a reality. Dr. Padeniya expressed his disappointment at the ignorance of authorities adding that some govt officials worked to sabotage the programme presented by the GMOA to provide a glass of porridge made of local rice to school children. more..

Apr 10 (CT) Four suspects were taken into custody for conducting classes which spread extremist ideologies among post GCE O/L students. Two suspects residing in Oluvil area were taken into custody by the Terrorism Organisation Division (TID) on 7 April for conducting classes for students in the area. Police investigations reveal the suspects had used various footages used by international terrorist organisations for lectures and forced the students to participate in physical fitness training. more..

Apr 10 (DM) Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (SLCP) requested the Health Minister to revoke her decision to terminate the services of Dr. LakKumar Fernando and take immediate steps to reappoint him to the Board of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). SLCP President Prof. Vasantha Devasiri said terminating the Dr. Fernando's service with the NMRA, eventually led to losing their representation. more..

Apr 10 (ST) While managers of hotels, tourist attractions and public transport are set for an influx of April holiday travellers, health officials and police are gearing up equally to ensure the crowds cause no risk of COVID infection. “As most people in the Western Province were kept indoors last year by lockdowns and travel restrictions there will be a lot of movement this year,” the Provincial Director of Health Services, Dr. Dhammika Jayalath said. “This freedom should not be abused. more..

Apr 10 (DM) Mrs. Sri Lanka, Pushpika De Silva, who recently gained wide publicity following her ad hoc uncrowning by reigning Mrs. World Caroline Jurie last Sunday evening at the Mrs. World pageant has said she has submitted all the proof of her marriage to Mrs. World International and claimed that it was sheer jealousy that led Jurie and former model Chula Padmendra to behave in the manner they did. Pushpika said that allegations over her divorce had been false as matter had now been resolved more..

Apr 10 (DM) Random PCR and antigen tests will be conducted islandwide during the weekend from today and the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year week, in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Army Chief General Shavendra Silva said. Silva said that unlike last time where random checks were conducted on the borders of the Western Province, this time checks would be conducted islandwide and more..

Apr 10 (ST) The lorry driver who was beaten up brutally in public by a police constable for knocking down his superior on a main road said that it was fatigue that caused the accident. Praveen Kalaimagan (24) who works for a vegetable market in Dehiwala confessed that he had dozed off while waiting at the colour lights. He said that the side mirror of his vehicle had only grazed the shoulder of OIC Maharagama who was standing in the median strip dividing oncoming & outgoing vehicles. more..

Apr 10 (TOI) India has formed an air bubble with SL, opening yet another overseas tourist destination for those itching to travel after a year of being at home. Till now only a few places were open for overseas tourists -- including Indians -- namely Maldives, UAE, Seychelles and Russia. “India has finalised an air bubble agreement with SL, making it the sixth such arrangement in SAARC region and 28th in total. All eligible passengers will be able to travel between the two countries in the near future,” more..

Apr 10 (ST) The JVP will mark the 50th anniversary of its 1971 insurrection tomorrow (Apr 5). The party has never been shy of celebrating its first armed uprising, unlike the more troubled second insurrection of 1987-89. The 50th anniversary of the 1971 insurrection will be commemorated at different events in Hambantota, Gampaha, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala. “Many of our members who took part in insurrection more..

Apr 10 (AD) The samples of coconut oil gathered from the consumer market confirmed that none of them contain Aflotoxin, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. CAA had initiated a special inquiry into the selling and marketing of imported coconut oil after Aflatoxin properties found in them. More than 100 samples have been taken covering all 25 districts and the sent to the Coconut Research Institute for testing. He said it has been confirmed that samples do not contain Aflotoxin. more..

Apr 10 (AD) Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa says a national program to provide sanitary products to women free of charge is expected to be launched through Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya. The awarding ceremony of an art competition organized by Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya in view of the Women’s Day was held at the Office of the Opposition Leader. Premadasa noted that there is little to no discussion on period poverty in the society and that a robust practical solution for this must be sought. more..

Apr 11 (SO) Around 12 months ago, the entire country – and the world – was in lockdown. One of the biggest casualties of this strict lockdown was the biggest national festival of SL – the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. It was strange, almost eerie, to herald Avurudu in without the traditional firecrackers, Raban sounds and festivities. Avurudu this time last year was a strictly family affair, sans relatives and friends. Yes, the entire nation did celebrate Avurudu, but at household level, not as a national more..

Apr 11 (TM) Not taking proper steps to rectify damage is tantamount to allowing that damage to keep causing more and more damage, and by now, two years after the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, SL should have understood that concluding the investigations into the attacks is not the priority or the solution. The top priority should be identifying the culprits behind the scenes, i.e. those who aided and abetted the suicide bombers to carry out the bombings, and those who spread extremism more..

Apr 11 (TM) The city of Colombo and its surrounding suburbs have gone through extensive changes since the end of the civil war in 2009. Instrumental in these changes have been former Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Secretary and current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, under which the Urban Development Authority (UDA) carried out its functions. Former UDA Chairman Nimal Perera is now serving more..

Apr 11 (CT) The arrest of Mayor Viswalingam Manivannan gives food for thought. Few days ago a B Report is said to have been filed in the Chief Magistrate’s Court against me. I still do not know what the contents of the B report are. An arrest is possible. Then there were the questioning of Tamil Journalists. In Parliament whenever Tamil perceptions are aired by Tamil Representatives immediately there are vicious and loud protests from Govt ranks and sometimes from more..

Apr 11 (CT) Myanmar and SL are having a relationship running into centuries. When Emperor Ashoka sent Venerable Mahinda to SL in third century BC, he has sent two Bhikkus to Suvannabhumi which is believed to be the parts of current Myanmar. During the reign of the King Anawrahta (1014-1078 AD) SL Bhikkus helped the revival or reintroduction of Buddhism in Myanmar. Thereafter the two countries had strong relationship not only on Buddhism but also on trade more..

Apr 11 (SO) Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the Opposition similar to the strategy they followed in 2015 to defeat then Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa now attempts to spread falsehoods and misconceptions to tarnish the image of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. At present, they have launched a disinformation campaign to mislead the people that an environmental destruction is taking place in the country. more..

Apr 11 (Island) Don’t turn away, this is not going to be a boring treatise in abstract Marxism. I will quickly get to my topic, which is that the political circumstances we are living through are evolving rapidly and we should be alert and adjust to changing situations. First however allow me a few paragraphs about Lenin’s most dynamic years, from Feb 1917 till he fell seriously ill in late 1921. He died in Jan 1924 due to complications from bullets lodged in him in Fanny Kaplan’s Aug 1918 more..

Apr 11 (Island) SL heads into the Sinhala and Tamil New Year at a time of difficulty and hardship unprecedented in our contemporary history. Covid 19 has cost us much, as it has cost nearly all countries in the planet. There have been claims that the worst is over and we continue to hope that this is correct. But that is not something that can be said with certainty. However a semblance of normalcy has returned although sections of the community, such as those dependent on tourism, more..

Apr 11 (Island) The UK, it is reported, has rejected SL’s request for the disclosure of wartime dispatches from its High Commission in Colombo. SL had made the request during the 46th Session of the UNHRC in Geneva a few weeks ago. The dispatches from the then British Defence Advisor, Lt Col Anthony Gash were never referred to in any of the many studies on SL’s bloody struggle against terrorism. Indeed no one would have known of them or what they contained if not for Lord Naseby more..

Apr 11 (Island) Parliamentary watchdog COPE – Committee on Public Enterprises has made a scathing attack on some of the corrupt practices at Sri Lanka Cricket. COPE Chief, Professor Charith Herath has gone onto claim that by fighting out certain legal battles and writing off money that companies and member club owed SLC, insiders may have been receiving kickbacks. This is a very serious allegation by the legislature. Herath wants legal action taken against SLC officials. more..

Apr 11 (CT) The people here as well as those who were the aggrieved party following the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks had been wondering since the blasts took place as to who would be the mastermind or masterminds behinds this carnage. Even the report compiled by the PCol which probed the said carnage has only revealed only the top Govt and security officials that had failed to prevent the terror attacks. more..

Apr 11 (ST) Colombo, the capital is going to be split up into an old city and a new city. That’s according to the Urban Development Authority’s plans published last week by this newspaper, with the Port City being the new city. That Beijing applied further pressure recently to fast forward the completion of the project when the Colombo Govt had to ask for loans and swaps to tide over its debt issues, is much talked of in official circles. The project has now come under the Prez Secretariat and more..

Apr 11 (ST) My dear Caroline and Pushpika, I thought of writing to both of you because of the singular status you have brough to our little island, popularising its name even in faraway lands. In just a few seconds of interacting with each other, you have achieved a feat that would have otherwise cost millions of inflated rupees to our Tourist Board. You must also be recognised for having brought a huge sense of relief to the citizens of Paradise. Here we were, worrying about bond scams, sugar more..

Apr 11 (ST) A controversial figure in SL politics and one-time Minister S.B. Dissanayake, was literally roasted by his parliamentary colleagues at their meeting last Tuesday. In what seemed an orchestrated onslaught, MPs accused him of violating party discipline and practices, by criticising a minister in an outside forum. Mr Dissanayake once brokered a deal between then Prez Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa paving the way for more..

Apr 11 (FT) Referring to his role in the 2015 UNHRC Resolution 30/1, Mangala Samaraweera as the Foreign Minister of the former Govt made a startling revelation that contradicts the common understanding in Sri Lanka as to who sponsored and who co-sponsored UNHRC Resolution 30/1. He is reported to have stated: “To say that SL sponsored a resolution alone is an utter misleading lie… Although there had been 29 countries supporting SL at the UNHRC in 2009 right after the war, more..

Apr 11 (Island) Dilshi Kumarasinghe’s record breaking feat at the First Selection Trial concluded on Friday will augur well for her Olympic aspirations as she is set to climb up Asian Rankings sooner rather than later. On Friday Kumarasinghe clocked 2:02.52 seconds to erase the women’s 800 metres National Record held by Gayanthika Abeyratne. The former Ratnayake Central, Walala athlete was ranked sixth in Asia following her outstanding performance last December. more..

Apr 11 (ST) SLC may end up paying millions as legal fees, may be even closer to what the total amount they had to pay for Chandika Hathurusingha for terminating his contract early, the parliamentary watchdog committee – COPE opined on Wednesday. They made the observation while meeting the cricket officials for the second time in two months. SLC said they had to pay Rs 100 million as compensation for terminating more..

Apr 11 (ST) In writing about Ushan Thiwenka Perera, my purpose is twofold; one is to confirm that Ushan has the potential to qualify as the fourth high jumper from SL to compete in the Olympic Games. He is, as of April 2021, ranked fourth in the world. Many of the outdoor track meets are yet to come. Ushan will be competing in the Oregon Uni Invitational on April 21. It is open only for University athletic teams this year. Ushan has the potential to win a gold medal in high jump at the 2022 more..

Apr 11 (ST) Top-order batsman Pathum Nissanka may miss SL’s home series against Bangladesh starting April 21 due to injury. Nissanka had suffered a thigh strain during his half century (51) in the first inning of the second Test which concluded on April 2 in Antigua. His injury is understood to be not as serious as that of Lasith Embuldeniya, who injured his thigh while fielding during the fourth day of the second Test match. Nissanka became the fourth Sri Lankan to hit a century on debut more..

Apr 11 (ST) The takeover by the Treasury of some of the functions of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) along with the introduction of an online managed single Special Goods and Service Tax (GST) in place of the various goods and service taxes and levies, has sparked protests from IRD staff. Joint Secretary of the Inland Revenue Service Executive officers’ Association H.A.L. Udayasiri said that this move is against established system more..

Apr 11 (SLAF) Leading Aircraftman Roshan Abeysundara, a promising swimming start from the SLAF will be attempting to create a world record starting early tomorrow morning (10). In line with his special effort, Leading Aircraftman Abeysundara called on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana today (9) before departing for Mannar to embark on his record-breaking mission. Commander gave the brave and daring Airman words of encouragement and more..

Apr 11 (Island) SL’s most awarded and trusted Alternate Financial services brand, LOLC Al-Falaah recently unveiled their ground-breaking new product – the Wadi’ah Gold Loan Facility. This is the 1st time a Finance company in SL is offering this facility. Al-Falaah Wadi’ah is a unique gold storage option offered to Al-Falaah’s valued customer base. All gold articles are tested for quality and authenticity using state-of-the art equipment by company’s experienced staff without causing more..

Apr 11 (TL) A significant depreciation on the SL rupee was observed after entering into a currency swap agreement with China as it cannot be used for the strengthening of foreign reserves. In the wake of depleting foreign exchange reserves, SL rupee is putting pressure on the balance of payments, an eminent economic expert said. Demand for dollars remains high in the open market; there is less demand for Yuan more..

Apr 11 (ST) Several trade unions, organisations and individuals are planning to challenge the recently presented-to-Parliament Colombo Port City Commission Bill in the Supreme Court. “6 to 7 unions have expressed interest in challenging the bill particularly since it exempts the operation of the Termination of Employment of Workmen Act, No. 45 of 1971 for companies operating within this special zone. That would mean workers don’t have any rights, among other issues,” more..