Aug 18 (TM) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has requested the Govt to be transparent with regard to its plan in overcoming debt, since the Govt does not plan to apply for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Whether we (Sri Lanka) go to the IMF or not is the decision of the Govt. If the Govt has a plan on how to look at the debt, service the debt, and overcome it, we encourage the Govt to make it (the plan) transparent. more..

Aug 18 (FT) Softlogic Holdings Plc yesterday announced robust business performance in 1QFY22 achieving a consolidated topline of Rs. 24.5 billion, up 73% from a year earlier. Quarterly operating profit was Rs. 2.3 billion as against a loss of Rs. 593 million in 1Q of FY20. Quarterly PBT recorded an increase to Rs. 163 million as opposed to a loss of Rs. 2.9 billion in 1QFY20. Operational expenses rose 9% to Rs. 5.1 billion whilst Distribution and Administration expenses increased 41% more..

Aug 18 (FT) Supreme Court has suggested certain amendments to the proposed Finance Bill which seeks to grant tax amenities and indemnify persons who voluntarily disclose taxable supply, income, or assets, against liability from investigation, prosecution, and penalties. “The Supreme Court has examined all the provisions of the bill and has suggested amendments to the clauses 4(1), 5(1), 5(2), 5(3), 5(4), 5(5), 6(1), 7(1), 12(b), 13(1), 14 and 20,” more..

Aug 18 (TM) The recent price increase made by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to Laugfs domestic LP gas cylinders is illegal and has no reasonable basis in law, said Laugfs Gas PLC in a letter addressed to the CAA, adding that the price increase is in contempt of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Laugfs has reportedly sent this letter to the CAA, while already complying with the price set by the Authority. more..

Aug 18 (EN) SL’s tourist sector has linked up with Germany to improve eco-friendly and more sustainable tourism which is increasingly valued by international travellers, industry officials said. Germany was among the top three or four source markets for tourism in SL before Coronavirus pandemic. “Consumers are asking for more and more sustainable destinations and hotels to go towards,” C.B. Ramkumar, member of Global Sustainable Tourism Council, more..

Aug 18 (CT) Deputy Direct Jaffna Teaching hospital Dr. S. Sribavanandarajah said that they are running out of oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients and are currently sending lorries to Colombo to get about 100 additional oxygen cylinders per day. He also said there is only one crematorium for COVID-19 bodies in the Jaffna District and the demand for cremation is on the rise. Hindus use pyres for cremation, but that is not allowed, bodies have to be gassed, however, there is only one gas more..

Aug 18 (DS) The central bank of Bangladesh will lend $50 million to under-pressure Sri Lanka this week as part of Bangladesh's efforts to support the Island nation suffering from a foreign exchange crisis. The credit under the first-ever loan to any country from Bangladesh will be given under the currency swap agreement inked by the BB and the Central Bank of SL on Aug 3. As per the deal, the BB will provide a total of $250 million more..

Aug 18 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 285,288 persons on Monday, raising the number of persons to receive the first dose to 11,932,934 and the number of persons to receive the second dose to 4,848,471. 42.2% of the country’s population over the age of 30 has received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. First dose coverage has been achieved fully in the Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Matale, Galle, Kandy, Ratnapura, Polonnaruwa, and Hambantota Districts. more..

Aug 18 (Island) The govt should initiate a programme to provide masks, disinfectants and quarantine kits free of charge to those who cannot afford them Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman, National Movement for a Just Society said yesterday issuing a press release. Jayasuriya said that at present Sri Lanka was facing an existential crisis and the dire situation called on all Sri Lankans to unite as a nation to take appropriate action now and to also take proper health care measures. more..

Aug 18 (EN) A conference/webinar held last Friday (13) for magistrates on “matters relating to judicial proceedings in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic” has drawn criticism from an opposition lawmaker as well as the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). Raising the matter in parliament on Tuesday, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake claimed that magistrates were compelled to attend the conference/webinar, more..

Aug 18 (AD) Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says COVID-19 vaccination and strict adherence to health guidelines are the only ways to deal with the pandemic. Responding to questions raised by journalists, he defended the govt’s decision to not lock down the country entirely. Even the countries with a robust economy implemented nationwide lockdown measures in the outset of the novel coronavirus pandemic, however, they were confronted by pandemic again after more..

Aug 18 (DM) Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the development in Afghanistan in terms of immediate, mid and long term implications and to bring down a group of 65 Sri Lankans now in Kabul, a day after the Taliban seized power of Afghanistan after 20 years, a senior defence official said. “We are closely monitoring the developments in Afghanistan in terms of immediate, mid and long term implications that could bring about in the South Asian region, in particular Sri Lanka,” the official told said. more..

Aug 18 (EN) As SL confirmed a record 171 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday (17), a trade union threatened to a 10-day lockdown starting next Monday (23), while govt and opposition MPs traded charges on who was to blame for the country’s worst public health crisis in recent times. Declaring their intent to start a lockdown, Inter-Company Employees’ Union Chairman and former JVP MP Wasantha Samarasinghe said that, more..

Aug 18 (DM) SL’s health experts have launched a probe to identify the implications of the three new mutations of the Delta variant found mainly from Colombo and if it is more contagious than the original Delta variant which itself is fast spreading in the country. Yesterday State Minister Channa Jayasumana revealed in Parliament that three new mutations of the Delta variant had been identified in SL, causing much concern among the general public who have already been warned against more..

Aug 18 (CT) GMOA has warned that by the end of this year the country will probably face a dangerous and uncontrollable situation with regard to the spread of COVID-19, as a strain of the virus, which is capable of overcoming the various vaccines being administered to prevent people from falling victim to the disease, has begun to emerge. GMOA General Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando stated the time has come for the Govt to make a public announcement that the country has reached the level 4 stage more..

Aug 18 (TM) Investigations are being conducted into the three new mutations of the B.1.617.2 Indian Delta variant of Covid-19 identified in Sri Lanka, as it is only a preliminary finding, according to University of Sri J'pura Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit Director Dr. Chandima Jeewandara. State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana revealed in Parliament yesterday that the SA 222V, SA 701S, and SA 1078S mutations of the Delta variant more..

Aug 18 (FT) Lies, damned lies and statistics is a well-known old saying. A lawyer said, “When I was a young man, I lost many cases I should have won, but as I grew older, I won many cases I should have lost; so on average, justice was done.” Statistics is a powerful tool. Statistical misinformation is possible even in a scientifically honest investigation. The worse is manipulating statistics to convey personal biases in a persuasive manner. This is how, unfortunately, statistics came to be more..

Aug 18 (FT) Review of Rajiva Wijesinha’s Representing SL – Geneva, Rights and Sovereignty. Rajiva Wijesinha’s new book Representing Sri Lanka (S. Godage & Brothers) spans seven significant years of SL’s engagement with the international community, from 2007 to 2014. It is as much a travel diary as a record of his time as the Head of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) and as Secretary to Ministry of Human Rights under Minister Mahinda more..

Aug 18 (Island) Sakura Energy (pvt) Limited has sent a letter of demand threatening a Strategic Litigations Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suit against the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and its Board of Directors, stating that CEJ actions taken against converting Athwelthota water fall to a mini hydro power project has led to the company suffering loses. The company demands rupees one billion seventy-eight million and two hundred and seventy two thousand within 14 days. more..

Aug 18 (Island) A fresh controversy has erupted with the Colombo Municipal Councillor Sharmila Gonawela (SLPP) alleging what she called an unauthorised and arbitrary handing over of the Kollupitiya market belonging to the CMC to a Chinese investor. The building stands on a 109- perch land. In a statement issued yesterday Mrs. Gonawela alleged that the agreement in that regard had been signed under the leadership of State Minister Dr. Nakala Godahewa and more..

Aug 18 (EN) SL’s rupee had weakened to around 227.00/228.50 in the kerb up from 226.00 levels at the beginning of the week, with import dollar rate also falling to around 211 to 218 to the US dollar, market participants said. The kerb market rate for notes was around 223.50 at the beginning of the month, but has been creeping up over the past few days, market participants said. Banks are also giving notes for travellers at more..

Aug 18 (Island) Minister Johnston Fernando called on Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to stop playing with the lives of the people for political gain. Addressing the media at the parliamentary complex after attending the Monday’s party leaders’ meeting, the Minister said that the govt had been asking the Opposition not to encourage public protests. “I myself have been telling them that this is not the time to stage protests. more..

Aug 18 (DM) While stressing that Epidemiology Unit is accused of the credibility of the morbidity and mortality data on COVID -19, GMOA in a missive to the President said that the Epidemiology Unit has failed in all the six tasks they are accountable for. The GMOA said they had repeatedly pointed out that the credible real time data is the most vital factor for implementing a public health strategy towards controlling the pandemic. However, the Epidemiology Unit has failed in all 6 tasks more..

Aug 18 (EN) SL’s banks have not been asked to devalue the rupee the CB said in response to some messages that started to circulate on Aug 17. SL’s rupee has come under pressure as money printed to target interest rates came up for redemption in forex markets. The rupee has been sold at various rates to importers and being bought from exporters without a functioning interbank spot market to ensure price transparency. more..

Aug 18 (DM) Despite the govt's assurance that the vaccination drive in the country will be expedited to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19, the number of persons vaccinated yesterday stood up to 137,221 only. However, a total of 285,288 persons were vaccinated against the COVID-19 on Monday. According to the Health Ministry, a total of 103,846 persons received the second dose of Sinopharm vaccines while 21,685 persons administered its first doses. In addition, 7712 persons received more..

Aug 18 (DM) Social Media reports claiming that former MP Mangala Samaraweera has passed away after battling COVID19 are false, his colleagues confirmed to Daily Mirror a short while ago. When contacted, SJB party member, Rehaan Jayawickreme said Mangala was responding well to treatment and was not on a ventilator. Rehaan dismissed all social media reports claiming Mangala was seriously ill and had succumbed to the virus, as false and urged people not to spread more..

Aug 18 (FT) In a critical evaluation of Sri Lanka's trade to the European Union (EU), a top diplomat last week said. Exports to the region were in an unfavourable position and warned that Sri Lanka would not only lose its GSP+ facility, but also the market, as a result of their non-compliance of international conventions. Senior career diplomat Grace Asirwatham, who is the SL Ambassador to the EU, pulled no punches while delivering more..

Aug 18 (Island) All necessary guidelines have been issued regarding the disposal of used masks, and clinical waste, but many people disregard them and cause environmental pollution by discarding those materials haphazardly, says Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. “Guidelines issued by the CEA should be followed, especially when masks are disposed of. It is best to cut off at least two of the ear straps. Otherwise, even animals, including birds, will be killed by getting entangled in them. more..

Aug 18 (AD) The govt targets to complete vaccination of all Sri Lankans above the age of 18 years by the end of September. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved purchasing 23 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for this purpose. Accordingly, 09 million doses of the China-manufactured Sinopharm vaccine and 14 million doses of the US-origin Pfizer vaccine will be purchased by the govt. The govt had reportedly planned to implement the vaccination program for a population of 14 m. more..

Aug 18 (FT) Delivering a wake-up call to the Govt, the European Union (EU) Mission in SL last week stressed on the need to align trade policies before the situation worsens. Although import restrictions imposed by the Govt are understood in the context of the Balance of Payment (BOP) crisis, EU Ambassador Denis Chaibi said: “Conventions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) should be respected." more..

Aug 18 (AD) The information revealed by former Attorney General Dappula de Livera on the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings must be divulged to the public immediately, says Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando. Fr Fernando says that no justice has been done so far regarding these terror attacks. He added that this would force them to seek international assistance. Fr Fernando said, “We still do not see the truth about this being revealed. So we are being forced to seek int'l assistance. more..

Aug 18 (AD) SL Police has arrested 284 more people within the last 24 hours for failing to follow health protocols including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing while in public. Reportedly, a total of 55,173 arrests with regard to the aforementioned offences have been made since Oct 30, last year. After the interprovincial travel restrictions were tightened last week, the police have beefed up monitoring at the 12 road blocks set up at entry/exit points of Western Province. more..

Aug 18 (Island) The Management of the BMICH yesterday said in a statement that there was a sinister smear media campaign accusing it of poisoning and killing the stray dogs found on its grounds. The statement signed by CEO of the BMICH, Sunil Dissanayake said: The Management of the BMICH refutes the false claims presently circulating on social media that we are eradicating stray dogs roaming on our premises, more..

Aug 18 (DM) Momentous events are taking place the world over. In Afghanistan, a fellow-member of the SAARC, the Taliban movement has just sent the mighty US running out of that country in scenes quite akin to its chaotic withdrawal from Vietnam. In its last hurrah so-to-say, the US Prez Joe Biden has sent in the marines to secure Kabul airport to help keep the airport open. The brave US troops have opened fire on terrified Afghan civillians on the runway who were attempting to flee the more..

Aug 18 (AD) MP Rishad Bathiudeen has been further remanded as per an order by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. The Former Minister was ordered to be remanded until Sept 01, when the case was taken up this morning. Considering a request by the legal counsel appearing for the defendant, the court decided to hear the case on Aug 26, for the defense counsel to make submissions to the court. The parliamentarian and his brother were arrested on April 24 for more..

Aug 18 (DM) Govt of SL (GoSL) recently announced that carrying the vaccination card will be made mandatory for people above 30 when visiting public places from Sept 15 on wards. This decision has taken many people by surprise as citizens thought that getting vaccinated is firstly a choice. On the other hand people may not be able to get a COVID vaccine due to medical reasons. Besides, legal and medical experts claim more..

Aug 18 (CT) Bodies were piling up at the District Base Hospital Wathupitiwala, as the hospital only has a small morgue with just four coolers and several bodies had been left outside the morgue due to the unavailability of space, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. M.I. Siraj said. When contacted for comment regarding images going viral on social media where several bodies were seen haphazardly placed outside the morgue on trollies at the hospital, Dr. Siraj said more..

Aug 18 (DM) As I write this article, the President made a reshuffling of the Cabinet, with the notable replacement of Pavithra Wanniarachchi by Keheliya Rambukwella as the Minister of Health. While Keheliya Rambukwella has no qualification or experience in the health sector to the best of our knowledge, he is a sly fox and a past master of manipulating information, an art in which he has performed so well in his capacity as the Minister of Mass Media. If the govt’s intention of placing more..

Aug 18 (EN) After repeated failure to maintain lower rice prices, Sri Lanka is now looking to import 6,000 metric tons of rice from Pakistan to overcome shortage in the short term and establish five modern rice mills in five major rice producing districts in the near future. All efforts of Prez Rajapaksa’s administration to fix maximum retail price in the market below 100 rupees have failed amid heavy demand for the staple food more..