Aug 23 (CT) When two opposing litigants are given the court’s decision, Justice may or may not have been served in the decision. Justice is a value that cannot be physically touched, felt by hand, smelt through the nose, or tasted by the tongue. Thereby, Justice on the ground is felt differently than it may in the higher realms. Justice figures differentially in Criminal Law at ground level. Justice in Criminal Law calls for examination. Here, Justice in fact entails a value. more..

Aug 23 (ST) With the country being battered by COVID-19 and the daily death toll nearing 200, what was supposed to be four days of Parliament sittings was curtailed to just one day this week, mainly to pass through the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions) Bill, with amendments made in keeping with the opinion of the Supreme Court. The decision to restrict the sittings was taken on Monday at the Committee on Parliamentary Business in view of more MPs and more..

Aug 23 (TM) The figures publicised by the health authorities only show the number of new Covid-19 cases and related deaths. However, behind those statistics lies the larger tragedy of how the pandemic has affected people’s lives. The truth is that the pandemic is no longer just a matter of health; it is a matter of the country’s economy, people’s peace of mind, and the future of jobs and social security. more..

Aug 23 (TM) Amidst the mayhem and despair of SL’s most ferocious and devastating Covid-19 wave yet, a young female singer provided a welcome and comforting distraction over the past week with a song and music video that has now become the most viewed music video by a Sri Lankan artist ever on video streaming giant YouTube. Her female cover of an originally male song crossed 50 million views yesterday evening, with most of the views coming from outside Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 23 (TM) The people of Sri Lanka, like those in several other countries, are learning that their own past could cost them their lives and the lives of their loved ones and those of many others. Covid-19 seems to be mocking them. It seems to ask: “Can’t you find someone among yourself who is capable of stopping me?” The answer that is emerging, it appears, is that it is time to ignore all those who claim to have taken the responsibility to protect the people. more..

Aug 23 (Island) The costly lockdown is now on, and chances are that it will have to be extended, given the rapid spread of the pandemic and the increasing death rate. While loose-tongued politicians, cantankerous trade unionists and social media doomsday prophets are talking the hind legs off a donkey about the health crisis, without making any contribution to the country’s battle against the virus, there have been some good advice and a dire warning from a public health official and more..

Aug 23 (FT) The Govt of Japan, on 20 August, announced the names of the Sri Lankan recipients of the 'Foreign Minister's Commendations 2021. Since its establishment in 1961, in fulfilment of the last will of the late J.R. Jayewardene, the SL Eye Donation Society (SLEDS) has been donating over 8,000 corneas (more than 200 annually) to Japan alone, including J.R. Jayawardene’s own corneas, the left of which was donated to a Japanese woman and the right, to a fellow Sri Lankan citizen. more..

Aug 23 (EN) Around 50% of Sri Lanka’s apparel workforce had got a second Coronavirus vaccination dose and 11 care centres with 4,500 beds have been built for workers and more are under construction, an industry body said. Authorities have designated the exports as an essential service of critical importance to the national economy and multiple efforts have been taken to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus more..

Aug 23 (ST) An elephant lying near a tank with part of its head missing and its trunk chopped off – this was the gruesome scene Kataragama wildlife officers saw when they reached the forested area near Gothirigama at Kataragama last Sunday. Deputy Director in charge of the Uwa Wildlife Zone, W.A.D.U. Indrajith, said that, from the moment they saw the headless elephant at the Samurdhi Wewa tank near Yala Block Three, they suspected it had been a tusker, killed for ivory. more..

Aug 23 (Island) The govt has given the Left a chance to reorganise. I don’t mean the Left of the LSSP, the Communist Party, the JVP, the FSP, or even the Socialist Equality Party. I mean the Left of the Left, cutting across affiliations and antecedent: the Left there on the streets, the Left of students and their teachers, of unions and their leaders. Three years ago, Wasantha Samarasinghe threatening to get employees to withdraw from the public sector would have been met with anger. more..

Aug 23 (FT) Listed companies 2Q2021 earnings have expanded by 117% to Rs. 75.6 billion primarily driven by the lower base effect as the corresponding quarter of the previous year was impacted by the initial COVID-19 induced lockdowns. Capital Alliance said listed entities benefitted from multiple factors to enjoy such high growth. They included: 1) the boost in Y-o-Y consumption 2) import restrictions favouring more..

Aug 23 (ST) At 14, an ordinary teenager would have dreams and ambitions, mostly sugarcoated or illusory. But for Yevan David it’s all about commitment, dedication and action. The London-born and Singapore-based youngster to Sri Lanka parents, has dreams that are extraordinary — to become the first Formula 1 driver from the island nation. To achieve his goal, young David has gone miles beyond what a young kid of his age could not even imagine of. more..

Aug 23 (DN) CH and FC clinched the Commander’s Cup when they defeated Air Force SC 29-11 in the second leg rugby encounter at Ratmalana yesterday. CH collected their points from five tries and two conversions while the Airmen responded with a solitary try, one penalty and one drop goal after having led 24-11 at half time. CH produced a superb brand of running rugby combining effectively with their forwards along with the three quarters and gave a torrid time to their opponents, more..

Aug 23 (FT) SL’s exports have surpassed the $ 1 billion mark in July, second time in 2021 whilst first seven months performance reflected a robust 22% increase. SL last topped the $ 1 billion mark in exports in March 2021. EDB said exports of $ 1,099.41 million in July 2021 was the highest ever monthly achievement, which showed an increase of 1.33% over $ 1,085 m in July 2020 and an increase of 12.39% over $ 978.2 m in July 2019. more..

Aug 23 (CI) The Afghanistan contingent might have to take a circuitous route to Sri Lanka for their scheduled three-match ODI series against Pakistan, to be played in Hambantota, because of the political turmoil in their country. No commercial flights are taking off from Kabul following the Taliban takeover of the country and, ESPNcricinfo understands, a contingency plan has been worked out by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB): get Pakistani visas for all the players and support staff, more..

Aug 23 (FT) SL is pressing ahead with plans to complete the first draft of the National Tourism Policy blueprint, as part of its ongoing efforts to develop a more resilient sector. “Before the end of this year, we hope to complete the first draft of the National Tourism Policy, with the support and inputs of all stakeholders,” Tourism Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi said during a webinar recently. The national roadmap is being developed collaboratively by United Nations Development Program more..

Aug 23 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning an import credit facility for big ticket items like lentils (parippu) and fuel from supplier countries, CB Governor W D Lakshman said as liquidity injections pressured a currency peg and led to record balance of payments deficits. The central bank is no longer providing full convertibility for the rupees it is printing to repay domestic govt debt or finance expenses at official exchange rate of 200 more..

Aug 23 (FT) SLFP MPs have decided to donate their August salaries to the well-being of the COVID-19 patients. This decision — first of its kind by a political party — was made at the party’s Central Committee meeting headed by SLFP Chairman and former Prez Maithripala Sirisena last Friday via Zoom. During the meeting, all 14 MPs agreed to credit their August remunerations to the SLFP-created COVID-19 fund, whilst calling on 1,300 Local Govt representatives across the country to also follow suit. more..

Aug 23 (SLN) In response to a call of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, from the Chief of Naval Staff of India, Admiral Karambir Singh, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shakti was rushed to Sri Lanka with a batch of medical-grade oxygen, ordered from India. Accordingly, the ship which left the Visakhapatnam Port with freight of approx. 100 tons of oxygen on 19th Aug 2021, arrived at the port of Colombo this evening (22). In accordance with the directives given by Prez Rajapaksa, more..

Aug 23 (CT) A doctor, attached to the Magazine Prison in Borella, has lodged a complaint with the Police that he had been threatened with death by SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen. In his complaint the doctor has claimed that Bathiudeen had told him that it would not be impossible for him to get rid of the doctor. The doctor has stated that the person that had issued the death threat had warned that if he were to travel on the road in his vehicle, more..

Aug 23 (FT) Both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to 25% of the country’s total population and at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 55% of the total population, health officials said. Close to 100% of the country’s population over 30 has received one dose of a COIVD-19 vaccine and 48% has received both doses. Explaining the progress made by SL’s vaccination drive, Dr. Ginige said the country has received 19.5 million vaccine doses thus far. more..

Aug 23 (TM) A total of 45 artists attached to a dance troupe which took part in the Kandy Esala Perahera have tested positive for Covid-19, according to health authorities. They have tested positive with the virus following RATs conducted on 76 artistes in the dance troupe which had participated in Randoli Perahera. They have been removed from the Perahera and their close contacts have also been sent for quarantine. Final Randoli Perahera of Esala Perahera festival paraded streets yesterday. more..

Aug 23 (ST) Shumookh Investment and Services SAOC of Oman which recently expressed interest in two prime Colombo properties –the Chalmers Granary land and the Air Force Headquarters–is also keen on a management deal for the Colombo Hilton and Grand Oriental Hotel (GOH), official sources said. This week, Shumookh Investment submitted expressions of interest for the two plots of land in Colombo. more..

Aug 23 (DM) The quarantine curfew which has been declared for ten days, should be extended by at least ten more days to successfully curtail the spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths caused due to complications, former Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said. He told a news conference convened by the NPP that an extension of the travel restriction would help to curtail the infections, mortality, congestion in hospitals and health workers getting infected with the virus. more..

Aug 23 (TM) The mutations of the B.1.617.2 Indian Delta variant of Covid-19 identified in Sri Lanka do not affect the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines, according to Prof. Neelika Malavige of the Uni of Sri J'pura Faculty of Medical Sciences Dept of Immunology and Molecular Sciences. “As any virus spreads rapidly, certain genetic mutations can occur, including in the Delta variant. Many of the mutations in those viruses are not so important and we should not be preoccupied with them,” more..

Aug 23 (FT) Over 8,000 persons tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend and the country’s total COVID-19 detections has risen to 390,000. Health officials confirmed 4,304 COVID-19 detections yesterday, with 4,282 persons from the New Year cluster and 22 overseas arrivals testing positive for the virus. The previous day, 3,884 persons tested positive for COVID-19. Of this, 3,882 were from the New Year cluster and more..

Aug 23 (TM) The SJB said it is unsatisfied with the current lockdown measures imposed by the Govt, according to SJB MP Tissa Attanayake. He said that while a lockdown is one way to prevent the virus from spreading, it needs to be implemented in a result-oriented manner, which he claims is not being done at the moment. “We don’t accept the method of allowing a few sectors to run as essential services. It’s a huge risk, especially for the people in the textile industry.” more..

Aug 23 (Island) Due to the current pandemic situation of the country many people are making various suggestions. However in facing this situation, we as a govt must make decisions with utmost responsibility and understanding. Low income families and the self-employed will be the most vulnerable in any closure of the country, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkare said. Special attention should be given to self-employed and small traders who earn their keep on a daily basis. more..

Aug 23 (Island) Former Governor of Uva, Southern and Central Provinces Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon says the arrest of UNP trade union leader Ananda Palitha over his disputed claim that the country would soon run out of both diesel and petrol unless fresh orders were placed immediately highlighted the economic crisis. SLPP govt couldn’t solve the impending fuel shortage or suppress the truth by taking Ananda Palitha into custody, more..

Aug 23 (FT) The Director General of Health Services on Saturday confirmed 183 COVID-19 deaths, raising the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 7,366. The deaths confirmed on Saturday consist of 136 persons over the age of 60, 45 persons between ages 30 and 59, and two persons below the age of 30. 75.78% of the total fatalities is above the age of 60, 23.18% is between ages 30 and 59, and 1.04% is below age 30. Of the fatalities confirmed on Saturday, 107 were male & 76 were female. more..

Aug 23 (DM) Another cargo containing 76,000 doses of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine vials has been flown into the country from the United States of America and freighted by Qatar Cargo Airways, the airport duty manager said. He said the consignment weighing 476kg and packed in 14 boxes touched down at the BIA around 2.15 am. The consignment was originally flown from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Doha, Qatar and from there the consignment was brought to Colombo more..

Aug 23 (TM) Ministry of Health stated that the vaccination of those between the ages of 18 and 30 years against Covid-19 will commence around mid-September, as the health authorities hope to fully vaccinate almost 100% of those above the age of 30 years by the first week of September. Acting Chief of Epidemiology Unit Dr. Samitha Ginige stated that the population between ages of 18 & 30 yrs amounts to about 3.2 m people. more..

Aug 23 (FT) After living in denial of an acute macroeconomic crisis for 19 months, the Central Bank has woken up from its slumber and done the correct thing last week. Its Monetary Board has decided to reverse the loose monetary policy stance it had been following previously by tightening the policy by increasing its policy interest rates by half a percent and the statutory reserve ratio, known as SRR, by 2 percentage points. Though this move is welcome, it is too short and too late. more..

Aug 23 (FT) It took Mangala Samaraweera to stare death in the face, for many to realise what the nation was about to lose. Mangala has quit parliamentary politics for good, and nothing and no one can make him change his mind. Hence there is no necessity for any politician, be they in Government, Opposition or any other political party to feel threatened by him. When I last spoke to Mangala, shortly before he came down with the Delta variant of COVID-19, despite receiving both Pfizer vaccines, more..

Aug 23 (AD) The Dept of Prisons has decided to launch an inquiry into the incident where a prison hospital doctor had allegedly been threatened by MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who is currently under remand custody. The inquiry will be carried out under the supervision of an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons. A doctor at the Magazine Prison had lodged the complaint with the CCD accusing Bathiudeen of leveling threats against his life, which subsequently prompted investigations. more..

Aug 23 (Island) SL scientists have discovered a new species of Nelu, Strobilanthes medahinnensis (Acanthaceae) based on morphological and molecular data, from the Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve. The species named Strobilanthus medahinnensis Nilanthi. The research team includes Nilanthi Rajapaksa, Nuwan Jayawardena of the Dept of Wildlife Conservation, Prof. Cyril Wijesundera of the IFS, Kandy, Prof. Pradeepa Bandaranaike of more..

Aug 23 (EN) The SLPP has accused 10 constituent parties of the SLPP-led ruling coalition who sought a COVID-19 lockdown last Thursday of conspiring against the govt, with one cabinet minister going as far as to allege a foreign-backed regime-change plot. SLPP general secretary and MP Sagara Kariyawasam urged Prez Rajapaksa to look into a letter signed by the 10 party leaders which included such govt heavyweights as more..

Aug 23 (FT) Bank of Ceylon (BOC), state-owned premier SL bank continued to hold on tightly to its top position among other banks in the country according to the rating by the prestigious banker’s magazine of United Kingdom. A recent World Bank report highlighted that China’s banks underpin Asia-Pacific’s growth while the North America and Western Europe banks share decline. BOC was able to brave the economical drawbacks global as well as domestic and retain themselves among more..