Aug 29 (Island) Maha Sangha on Friday took a stand against the possibe destruction of the bund of the historic Parakrama Samudra, endangered by the construction of a new walking path. Bhikkus from multiple temples across the Polonnaruwa District made their way to the construction site on Friday morning to witness for themselves the danger to an ancient water conservation system. Monks representing all 3 chapters in District attended the protest demanding the govt to suspend more..

Aug 29 (TM) With controversy surrounding a recent webinar for judicial officers including magistrates, Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC informed The Sunday Morning that the particular webinar in question was not motivated by politics and that it was normal procedure when training judges. Minister Sabry emphasised that no one was getting involved in the work handled by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and more..

Aug 29 (AD) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says it is conducting raids to find dealers selling substandard oximeters. Southern Provincial Food and Drug Inspector of CAA, K.S.H. Jayaratne said that the raids were launched from the Galle district. Reportedly, nearly 250 substandard oximeters had been seized during the raids carried out yesterday. Jayaratne said, “There are a lot of complaints from the public that substandard oximeters are being sold all over Sri Lanka, especially more..

Aug 29 (TM) A total of 17,921 suspected cases of dengue have been reported across the island over the course of this year, and approximately 39.1% of dengue cases have been reported from the Western Province. National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) Community Physician Dr. Himali Herath said that even though there has been a slight reduction in the number of dengue patients being reported, the public should not take their foot off the pedal in terms of taking precautionary measures. more..

Aug 29 (TM) With the increase in detections of mutations of the virulent Covid-19 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant in the country, the latest sequencing data has noted a rapid spread of the variant in Colombo, while experts are now concerned that its latest mutation may even hamper diagnostic assessments of PCR tests. So far, the SA 222V, SA 701S, SA 1078S, and R-24C mutations of the Delta variant have been observed in Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 29 (TM) The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) 24/7 hotline had received more than 10,000 calls from Covid-19 patients in home-based quarantine within the past 8-10 days while the SLMA has launched a programme to distribute pulse oximeters for these patients, The Sunday Morning learnt. SLMA Vice President Dr. Manilka Sumanatilleke said that the SLMA had launched a programme called SLMA Covid Sahana and requested to donate pulse oximeters. more..

Aug 29 (ST) A rationing system is being mooted by the Govt for essential food stuffs to arrest the skyrocketing prices. Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena is to propose to the Cabinet a rationing system for sugar and essential items sold via Lanka Sathosa outlets to provide items at lower than the market prices that have risen sharply in recent months. The private sector will continue in its present form. The proposal, once approved by the Cabinet will be implemented while more..

Aug 29 (ST) The SLFP, a more prominent partner of the SLPP led alliance, is in the throes of a new crisis. With 14 seats in Parliament, it appears to be confronted by an identity crisis. This is in the backdrop of other constituent parties with lesser representation, becoming movers and shakers. Some of their actions, like the events that led to the continuation of a ten-day curfew without interruption, have irritated sections. more..

Aug 30 (ST) Through the hurly-burly of SL’s dirty politics, Mangala Samaraweera’s innocence blazed forth to ensure he remained possessed of the soul of an artist, whose sensitive nature rebelled against injustice in whatever breed and degree, wherever found. Not only did this inherent pervasive sensitivity of soul make him repel the mire of racism which remained for him untrodden virgin lair but it also led him with passion to rebel against the mutated beliefs of his times and see Lankans freed of its more..

Aug 30 (DM) Date—July 29, 1983 [Black July’s koti awa day]; Place—Fort: exactly opposite Regal cinema. Murderous hooligans roused up by a few chauvinist govt ministers, continued their racial rampage on to the fourth successive day against the Tamils, with murder and arson. A gold coloured limousine with a lady and a driver was stopped by them. They were shouting, warella meyke inne demellu…. [Hey come, It’s Tamils in this car] for the rest, who carried crow bars, iron rods and more..

Aug 30 (DM) US Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz talks about the development of business environment in Sri Lanka for the attraction of investments. She also responds to questions about the situation in Afghanistan and Quad. Q: When you met with the journalists in your latest interaction you mentioned something about this Port City law. You said there are some openings for money laundering in it. Actually what are the specific areas of more..

Aug 30 (ST) As much this millennium’s devastating global pandemic has brought deaths, destruction of livelihoods and mindless misery to millions across borders, there is a harsh mirror that it holds up to us. Political braggadocio and military might does not stop this virus; sensible public health leadership does. It is as simple as that. But SL’s politicians are yet to learn that lesson, it seems. The result is catastrophically high human cost of not only the covid stricken and desperately vulnerable more..

Aug 30 (DM) The Covid-19 is rampaging through the country with 4,596 new cases and 212 deaths reported up until last night (28 August). A total number of persons affected by the virus have risen to 417,000 and 8,157 fatalities, to which the govt has decided to extend the quarantine lockdown until Sept 6. The latest August 20 lockdown was imposed in an effort to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, as infections and death rates overwhelmed the country’s hospitals, morgues and crematoria. more..

Aug 30 (TM) As the Covid-19 pandemic worsened with the beginning of a third wave, the Govt was forced to impose a lockdown – officially termed a quarantine curfew – to contain the pandemic. One of the main concerns of the Govt and many others with the imposition of a lockdown was its impact on Sri Lanka’s economy, which is now precariously placed after being battered by the seemingly never ending pandemic as well as more..

Aug 30 (TM) Last week, all SJB MPs, on the directive of SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, decided to donate their salaries towards the purchase of medical equipment required to treat Covid-19 patients. This was followed by an announcement from the Govt that the entire Cabinet of Ministers would donate their salaries for the month of August to the Prez’s Itukama Covid-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund, and SLFP MPs also announced that they would donate more..

Aug 30 (Island) State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal has tweeted, drawing everyone’s attention to the adverse consequences of lockdowns. He has highlighted the plight of more than four million people dependent on small and medium-sized enterprises for a living. They have been reduced to penury, Minister has said, stressing the need to allow these businesses to function. He is sure to draw heavy fire from the proponents of lockdowns, but the concerns of those who run more..

Aug 30 (GV) In early 2021, a survey conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute, found that farmers faced food insecurity as a result of the measures that had been put into place to curb the spread of Covid-19. Of the farmers surveyed in the published findings, usual crop cultivation and farming was affected to the extent where 42% of the respondents were hampered by stay at home orders, 33% in being unable to purchase inputs and 56% citing a lack in market demand. more..

Aug 30 (Island) A technical paper on the Gampaha Jogging Track, published in 2012 in an Annual Session hold by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka had won the first prize in a competition on water-related interventions of its members. This is an Interview held by Udula Oushdahami, a Former Chairman of ICTAD, with the author Engr. Mahinda Panapitiya, about the background behind the paper. Q: Jogging Track Projects in Gampaha District is becoming very popular. more..

Aug 30 (FT) Last week heralded perhaps the best of times for the Colombo bourse which had set a new record for annual turnover within just eight months. The year to date turnover as of Friday was Rs. 634.54 billion, highest for a year even though there are four more months for 2021 to finish. The previous highest was Rs. 570.3 billion in 2010. Latest figure was boosted by Rs. 55 billion turnover last week, more..

Aug 30 (Island) Nine-year-old Oshini Gunawardena, a student of Ferguson High School, Ratnapura reached the finals of the FIDE Online Youth Chess World Cup after a nail biting finish at her tie breaking Armageddon game. Oshini played very strong chess in her first game of the semi-finals with Russian Diana and won the game convincingly by sacrificing her queen to get the check-mate. Starting the game with two knights defense she sacrificed a pawn at the opening for center play but white more..

Aug 30 (FT) LOLC Holdings, with its robust Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises-based (MSMEs) business model, said it is expanding the global footprint with 3 parallel investments in Tajikistan in Central Asia as well as Malawi and Tanzania in East Africa. LOLC said it has entered Central Asia with its maiden investment in the region through the acquisition of a 75% stake in a company known as Karat, (LLC LTMKh and LLCTMKhL) with a license authorising them to conduct a microlending more..

Aug 30 (CT) Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera have been cleared by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to turn out for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the second chunk of IPL 2021, but as things stand, the permission is only till 9 Oct, meaning they won›t be available for the franchise should they reach the playoffs unless an extension is arranged. The two will be able to link up with the team after 15 Sep, which is a day after more..

Aug 30 (Island) When he was at Buluwala MV a school from Kurunegala, Saman Subasinghe never took athletics seriously. He would take part in sports meets but there was no persevering in track and field sports. He cannot remember taking part in Divisional and Zonal meets when he was at school. Even after joining Sri Lanka Navy he hardly had any idea of taking athletics seriously. He joined Navy in 2008 and was injured the following year in a hand grenade explosion. more..

Aug 30 (Island) Pioneering private healthcare provider Nawaloka Hospitals recently announced that it has been reinstated as the PCR testing partner of the Embassy of China in SL, from the 2nd August, 2021. As one of the leading PCR testing facilities in the private healthcare sector, Nawaloka Hospitals is now recommended as the First Choice for PCR and IgM antibody testing for Chinese passengers. Nawaloka Hospitals operates a 24-hour sample collection center at its primary more..

Aug 30 (DN) Rio, 2016 Bronze Medallist Dinesh Herath will look for a podium finish when he competes in the Men’s javelin throw F-46 final of the 16th Tokyo Paralympics in Japan today commencing at 7.30 a.m. (SL time). “I got the chance to train during the last few days with my coach and got acclimatised well to the conditions and my target is to win a medal,” Herath said. Total of 9 competitors will vie for honours in this event with Herath having the third best performance of 61.84m. more..

Aug 30 (EN) SL’s state salaries and pensions had outpaced the gain in tax during the first four months of 2021, as public sector workers asked to lift a Coronavirus lockdown fearing salary cuts as productive sectors reduced tax generating output. In the four months to April 2021, tax revenues rose by 18.7 billion rupees from a year ago to 427.26 billion rupees, data shows. But the salary and pension bill rose by 27.7 billion rupees to 361.3 billion rupees easily outpacing increase in tax collections. more..

Aug 30 (TM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday announced that its membership had unanimously ratified a new domestic tournament structure, which had been designed by the SLC Tournament Committee headed by Samantha Dodanwela, in consultation with its Technical Advisory Committee, under Aravinda de Silva. The decision had been taken at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of its membership on Saturday. more..

Aug 30 (ST) SL’s two state fertiliser companies on Thursday signed an agreement with the Chinese fertiliser supplier for the import of inputs used to manufacture organic fertiliser scheduled for distribution among farmers from October. The agreement to import organic inputs was signed by both state companies, Lakpohora and the Ceylon Fertiliser Company with the supplier Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co, Ltd, Additional Secretary of State Ministry of Fertiliser said. more..

Aug 30 (FT) Recording its highest-ever profit for a period of six months with a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 13.9 billion and a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 11 billion, National Savings Bank (NSB) shows strength and financial resilience in performance amidst the heightened uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has triggered a wide range of shocks on the banking sector and the economy as a whole. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 impact on the economic activities, more..

Aug 30 (DM) About 34 children have been infected with the post-covid syndrome called Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children so far in SL and five such children were receiving treatment at the ICU of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital at present. Consultant in charge of the ICU of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital Pediatrician Dr. Nalin Kithulwatta said 21 out of the 34 children who were infected with syndrome have been reported more..

Aug 30 (ST) Following a decision to invite tourists from India from next Wednesday, Govt has decided to fly down tourists from Israel where the number of COVID 19 cases is on the rise despite vaccinating a majority of its citizens. Along with Israel, SL will be inviting tourists from Russia and European countries. Plans are underway to fly in tourists from France in November. Israel is currently recording the world’s highest daily infection rates — an average of nearly 7,500 confirmed cases a day, more..

Aug 30 (CT) Staff of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) allege that a senior official of the CMC is attempting to sabotage the programme of distributing dry rations to low-income families. Municipal Councillor Ramzi Tony said that a senior official is saying that there are no people lying in hunger on the roads and is trying to hinder this programme. He said a resolution was passed at the Financial Committee meeting held recently to provide dry rations to about 110,000 families more..

Aug 30 (TM) Over seven million people in SL have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccination as of Saturday, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella announced. “Yesterday #lka crossed the 7 million mark for completed second doses of the #COVID19SL #VaccineRollOut. We are on track to vaccinate 60% of the population by mid-October this year as we strive to #reopensl,” he said. Total of 7,042,418 people have been fully vaccinated more..

Aug 30 (TM) A claim that a local eatery in SL was serving plastic eggs has been shared widely on social media, with the posts also including the customer’s alleged experience of the substandard eggs, and advising readers to exercise caution before consuming such products. In one post, the consumer explains that he had purchased a number of short-eats from a longstanding reputed eatery franchise. Upon eating one of the products, they had realised that the white of the egg appeared more..

Aug 30 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 188,052 persons on Saturday, with 60% of the country’s population over the age of 30 having received both doses of a vaccine. 98.8% second dose coverage has been achieved in the eligible population in Matale District while 80% of the over 30 population in Western Province has received the second dose as well. In total, the first dose of a vaccine has been administered to 12,309,254 persons and 2nd dose to 7,042,418 persons. more..

Aug 30 (TM) In retort to a post by Minister Namal Rajapaksa commending Tamil Nadu’s move to improve the living conditions of Sri Lankan refugees, TPA Leader Mano Ganesan pointed out the plight of Sri Lankans that have been living in camps for IDP. Ganesan had stated: “Before accepting the SL refugees living in Tamil Nadu, resettle the Tamils who have been living in IDP camps in Jaffna for decades. more..

Aug 30 (FT) SL’s COVID-19 death rose to 8,775 with 192 COVID-19 deaths confirmed on Saturday. Deaths of 156 persons over the age of 60 and 36 persons aged between 30 and 59 were confirmed on Saturday. The age distribution of COVID-19 fatalities is 75.81% over the age of 60, 23.17% between ages 30 and 59, and 1.01% below the age of 30. The DGI states that 109 fatalities confirmed on Saturday were male and 83 were female. Of the total fatalities, 5,012 are male & 3,763 are female. more..

Aug 30 (CT) Professor Neelika Malavige and Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, said the Delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire in Colombo and that there is great risk of it reaching other parts of the country. They pointed out that the Delta variant has gone beyond the Alpha variant and is spreading rapidly, while the variant that is newly spreading in the country could be a super Delta variant. Five persons infected with the Delta variant were found for the first time in July from Aarama Place more..