Apr 28 (Island) Parliament Media Division yesterday announced that as per the request of many, the deadline for accepting Articles for the second volume of Parliamenthu Sara Sanhitha Academic Journal has been extended until the 21st of May. Articles can be forwarded under the themes; Constitution of SL and Amendments to the Constitution, Representative Democracy and the Committee System, Legislative functions of Parliament, The Parliament of SL and more..

Apr 28 (FT) SL’s apex Govt body in driving the tech-startup ecosystem, the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) is now calling applications for its national startup initiative Spiralation for the ninth year running. The Spiralation series has so far supported more than 90 successful startups across multiple industry verticals – including health, finance, agriculture, education and logistics-and has generated more than 500 job opportunities. more..

Apr 28 (EN) In an effort to help students adopt to digital transformation, Softlogic Information Technologies Pvt Ltd has joined forces with SL Technological Campus (SLTC), in a pioneering initiative to make laptop purchasing dreams of undergraduates a reality. This ground breaking partnership enables over 1000 students of the 2021 intake of SLTC to purchase a brand new laptop at a special discounted price to continue their higher education. Commenting on the tie up, more..

Apr 28 (AD) Mutations specific to UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7) have been detected in Sri Lanka, says Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of Allergy, Immunity and Cell Biology Unit of Sri J'pura Uni. He said the mutations were discovered in the samples obtained from Colombo, Boralesgamuwa and Kurunegala areas. This confirms that B.1.1.7 is the currently circulating strain in SL, responsible for the ongoing more..

Apr 28 (FT) Construction of private airstrips, heliports and helipads will be permitted and encouraged subject to satisfying the applicable requirements published by the CAASL, according to the newly-published National Civil Aviation Policy for SL. This will be in keeping with plans to develop domestic air services and to this end, private sector investment in domestic airlines, as well as aerodromes and other aviation facilities and services, will be encouraged, more..

Apr 28 (Island) Schoolchildren in Sri Lanka had disproved the claim that the present-day children neither wrote nor read by writing a staggering 43,000 books during the pandemic period so far, Power and Energy Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said. Alahapperuma, who was the Minister in Charge of Education during the Covid-19 first wave, took the initiative to encourage school children to write books, a concept that was backed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, teachers & principals. more..

Apr 28 (AD) Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe is currently holding bilateral discussions with PM Rajapaksa. During the meeting, PM Rajapaksa has appreciated China for donating 600,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to SL to help the fight against the pandemic situation. “We look forward to China’s continued support in dealing with this crisis” more..

Apr 28 (Island) Experts would commence a project tomorrow to curb algae growth in the Diyawanna Lake. Environment Ministry, Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said a discussion on the issue had been attended by several experts from the Ministry of Environment, Central Environmental Authority, Uni of Colombo, Environmental Police and several other institutions. Experts had pointed out that the reason for the unusual intensification of algae growth there was the increase in the concentration more..

Apr 28 (CI) After 28 consecutive result Tests in SL - a glorious run stretching back to 2014 and a world record (by a distance) for any Test-hosting country - the first Test between Bangladesh and SL was essentially trash from start to finish. The surface was slow from the outset, there was little movement to be had off the pitch or in the air, and as the deck had live grass on it, it didn't break apart for the spinners either. We can only really hope that the surface for the second Test will be different. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Prof. Dr. Lukman Thalib named in the PCoI into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks has appealed to the United Nations. Australian passport holder Thalib of SL origin said: “Recent discussions on Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka has brought my name from out of the blue. I have spent all my life as a Professor of Public Health and a scientific researcher working for the protection and preservation of life, more..

Apr 28 (FT) e-Land registration will soon be operating the land registration system to secure ownership. However, it can be a source of ownership insecurity, without consumer protection laws. The risk involved in the absence of consumer protection laws to protect owners was demonstrated in USA, when New York News Paper prepared a forged deed to transfer the Empire State Building. The forged document was registered in 90 minutes, Land Registry had no laws to protect owners, more..

Apr 28 (AD) Colombo High Court today concluded the hearing of the case filed against the Chairman of the Avant Garde Maritime Services Company Nissanka Senadhipathi and seven others for operating a floating armoury in the seas off Galle. The court is expected to announce its decision on the 21st of May, 2021. The case was heard before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Aditya Patabendige, Manjula Tilakaratne and Mahen Weeraman. more..

Apr 28 (FT) Govt will hold a crucial discussion today with industry stakeholders to resolve the palm oil crisis which has threatened the continuity of income and jobs of thousands as well as pushing costs up due to scarcity. Given the urgency and wide impact, representatives from the confectionery, bakery as well as top officials of trade and related institutions will attend today’s meeting which will be the 2nd engagement more..

Apr 28 (AD) Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait says it continues to facilitate the repatriation of SL migrant workers and other Sri Lankans who were severely affected by Covid-19 pandemic, under the guidance of Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage. Embassy said it has repatriated over 6,000 Sri Lankans out of 9,000 persons registered with the Embassy. This repatriation process is facilitated by the Embassy in coordination more..

Apr 28 (FT) GRI is on a continuous journey to strengthen its natural rubber farmer base as well as support the growth of farmer communities through its Green X Circle initiative. Monaragala District is one of the prime rubber-producing areas in the country. Thus, to enhance collaboration and connection while focusing on sustainability principles, GRI opened its latest rubber collection centre in Buttala in the Monaragala District on 23 April. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Due to Canada and Saudi Arabia refusing to accept retired Air Marshal Sumangala Dias and Ahmed A. Jawad, respectively, as heads of SL missions, the govt has been forced to change plans. SL has named Dias as the new Ambassador to Italy after Canada tuned down SL’s move on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes accusations. Having served the country since 1984, Air Marshal Dias retired on Nov 2, 2020 more..

Apr 28 (FT) A parallel runway which is well spaced from the existing runway at BIA will be constructed at an appropriate location, paving the way for independent and simultaneous operations of both runways, aiming at enhancing handling capacity, efficiency and productivity of aircraft movements of the international airport, according to the National Policy on Aviation. This will be among several measures that will be taken for the development of airport infrastructure and to develop and more..

Apr 28 (CT) A total of 1,000 bridges are to be completed this year and 5,000 bridges will be constructed over the next four years on the instructions of the Prez, said, State Minister of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza yesterday. The bridge project was initiated to facilitate the daily activities of rural people who were facing many difficulties due to the lack or dilapidation state of the village bridges and strength their economic strategies including agriculture. more..

Apr 28 (FT) SL market for tyres, Passenger Car Radials or PCR in particular, has witnessed a shortage over the last two years due to heavy dependence on imports. With the import restrictions imposed in 2020, this segment has suffered heavily, as it faces an annual demand of approximately one million which local production cannot entirely meet. For example, the country’s largest player CEAT manufactures approx 500,000 units per year, more..

Apr 28 (CT) Insisting that the Govt's decision to close schools in the Western and North Western Provinces was not sufficient, due to the prevailing situation; General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin said, immediate action should be taken to close schools islandwide. He said it was surprising that the Govt had only taken steps to close schools in the Western and North Western Provinces until 30 April at a time when COVID-19 was spreading in all parts of the country. more..

Apr 28 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) censured a national cricketer for his recent behaviour at an event at a hotel in the South of the island, with a three-member inquiry panel finding his conduct unprofessional and lacking integrity. He has been directed to attend mandatory counselling sessions for a year. SLC in a media release said, “…based on the findings and recommendations made by the panel, the Management Committee of SLC warned the player not to engage in any conduct more..

Apr 28 (FT) Cabinet yesterday approved a new loan guarantee scheme, especially targeted at small businesses, which will be administered by the Finance Ministry and aims to support pandemic recovery. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the weekly Cabinet briefing that the new credit guarantee scheme would cover all financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank. “No matter what is discussed at policy level, at the end of the day when a business owner goes to bank more..

Apr 28 (CT) SJB MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena claimed that a group of businessmen and an official of the Civil Aviation Authority were preparing to bring Indian nationals into the country and provide them with quarantine facilities, endangering the lives of Sri Lankans. He also alleged that certain businessmen who have close connections with the Govt have turned the COVID-19 pandemic into a business at a time when other countries are tirelessly trying to curb the virus. more..

Apr 28 (CI) Former SL fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa has been banned for six years from all cricket for breaching three offences in the ICC anti-corruption code. In November last year, Zoysa was found guilty of offences related to: Article 2.1.1 "for being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspect(s) of a match." Article 2.1.4, which involves more..

Apr 28 (TM) As the need for medical oxygen in hospitals treating Covid-19 patients increases, the country’s largest oxygen supplier Ceylon Oxygen Ltd. (COL) has yesterday called for the Govt to facilitate piped oxygen supplies connected to tanks instead of using oxygen cylinders. Writing to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena, the supplier of 60% of the local medical oxygen demand has proposed to the Govt to establish dedicated Covid-19 hospitals more..

Apr 28 (TM) Regardless of disruptions caused by the prevailing pandemic, foreign investors had come forward to invest in 54 new tourism projects in SL in 2020 worth about $ 879.4 million. Out of this, 29 projects worth $ 188.4 million have been reportedly finalised so far and the remaining investments will be approved soon. “During the last 10 years, a total of 854 projects have been implemented in the tourism sector of the country, generating $ 7,026 mil in revenue” Minister Prasanna Ranatunga more..

Apr 28 (AD) Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe, today called on SL President Rajapaksa for a bilateral discussion at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this morning. The Chinese Defence Minister was received by the Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera and Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Prof. Jayanath Colombage, upon arriving at the Presidential Secretariat. more..

Apr 29 (DM) COVID-19 is showing no signs of going anywhere soon other than to further entrench itself in the country in a more virulent mutation than during its previous incarnations. Sri Lankans are known to be people with a high rate of literacy but why are such literate people refusing to heed the repeated advice given by health authorities on how best to remain safe from contracting the disease. They are now paying the price for their carelessness, complacency and lackadaisical attitude more..

Apr 29 (DM) Subramanyam Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, being a politician has made a political statement. He would know, as any Indian politician would, the temper of the Indian voter. Moreover, since he’s a senior minister of the current Govt, he is probably conscious of the different aspirations of different constituencies. In addition, since this is his subject, he is required to answer all queries related to foreign relations. India has relations with Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 29 (DM) Dr. Punchinilame Meegaswatte, Secretary General of SL National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU), spoke about the alleged damage being done to the Sinharaja forest which is a natural world heritage site in SL. He also spearheaded the Viyath Maga movement, the front of professionals and academics who backed Prez Rajapaksa. He answered questions regarding its activities. more..

Apr 29 (DM) Tremors are hardly news to Sri Lankans. Even if this statement may sound dubious there is nothing to wonder about earth tremors. Sri Lankans have little or no knowledge about earth tremors. We came across Senior Geologist Wilbert Kehelpannala who has been studying and providing scientifical explanations regarding tremors since the 80s. Currently, he is serving as a Senior Professor in the Dept of Geology in Botswana Uni in South Africa. He has visited many countries to more..

Apr 29 (CT) One lead news titled Recently Discovered Proportion of SARS-Cov-2: High Risk Developing Pneumonia of this newspaper, Head of National Centre for Primary Care & Allergy Research at the Uni of Sri J'pura Dr. Chandima Jeewandara is reported to have said: “Everyone should wear facemasks frequently and avoid gatherings which are not important. If the public adhere to the guidelines & behave responsibly, we would be able to control this newly erupted situation soon.” more..

Apr 29 (DM) The Eastern coast of SL has become the destination of choice for several local and foreign mineral exploration and extraction companies. While the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) was tasked with issuing licences, the Coast Conservation Dept, Central Environmental Authority too were included in giving the go-ahead for the projects. However, the GSMB in an earlier instance said that there’s no environmental more..

Apr 29 (ST) Somewhere around the early part of 2000, a SL company set the tone for what is driving the corporate culture today in these pandemic times – working from home. The company into management consulting and undertaking other assignments operated an office in a Colombo hotel where its fully-hired staff met just once a week to discuss work and projects and thereafter worked from home. Business Times ran a story at that time to highlight this ground-breaking initiative more..

Apr 29 (TM) School is where a lot of things of a person’s life begins, and Sri Lanka is a country that views schools not only as educational institutions but also as places that promote and teach good values. And the best way to promote any good value is by action, not words. It was reported recently that the Battle of the blues, or the Royal-Thomian annual cricket match or the big match, was postponed after several players tested positive for Covid-19. The Royal-Thomian cricket match, more..

Apr 29 (CT) CID has made a polite request from the Executive Director of the Center for Society and Religion (CSR) in Maradana, Colombo for the confidential report handed over to Catholic clergy by the main opposition delegation that met them earlier this week. SJB MPs met with a group of Catholic clergy on Monday (26) to hand over a confidential report on the Apr 21, 2019 bombings to catholic priests and brief them on the contents. Catholic clergy were also provided with transcripts of more..

Apr 29 (Island) The US has at last decided to send emergency supplies of vaccine raw materials, ventilators, personal protective equipment, etc., to India, which is struggling to contain the pandemic. Curiously, when some Indian vaccine producers, unable to meet their production targets to keep the virus at bay, desperately appealed to the US to lift its export ban on raw materials needed for vaccines, Washington did not accede to their request, citing domestic needs. more..