Dec 17 (DM) Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen attached to the Kurunegala Hospital has not been acquitted from all charges against him even though he was reinstated by the Health Ministry, MP Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today. Thera said that the case against Dr. Shihabdeen was ongoing and that the Magistrate’s Court had observed that there was sufficient evidence against him. The prelate said there was a wrong opinion among the people that Dr. Shihabdeen had been acquitted from more..

Dec 17 (TM) A man and a 19 year old girl jumped into the Mahaweli river yesterday (16). The man had managed to swim ashore, whereas the girl has still not been found. Police spokesperson SSP (Attorney-At-Law) Nihal Thalduwa said that the man has been admitted to a hospital for treatment. “The man had swum ashore, whereas the girl is still missing. We have not been able to ask details as to why the couple had taken the plunge, but we assume that they were in a romantic relationship. more..

Dec 17 (EN) One of four Omicron carriers identified in SL was a foreigner who had visited night clubs on two nights before leaving the country, PHI Union leader Upul Rohana said citing unofficial accounts. “We have not yet been informed about these Omicron patients by any of the health authorities,” Rohana said. Deputy Director of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said one of the four cases detected in SL was a close contact of more..

Dec 17 (EN) HSBC Electronic Data Processing Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, one of eight global service centres of the international bank will move to Mireka Tower in Havelock City from its existing location Rajagiriya. Mireka Tower is developed by Mireka Capital Land (Pvt) Ltd, a fully owned unit of publicly traded Overseas Realty (Ceylon) Plc. HSBC will occupy 8 floors in the 50-floor tower. Pravir Samarasinghe, CEO of Overseas Realty said HSBC move indicated that Mireka Tower had complied with more..

Dec 17 (DM) While slamming the Health authorities for relaxing restrictions amid a Omicron threat, the Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) today said they doubt whether restrictions were eased under the advise of health experts. PHIU made these remarks in reference to the updated guidelines issued by Director General of Health Services yesterday where certain restrictions were eased while keeping other restrictions unchanged. PHIU Head Upul Rohana said it was baffling that more..

Dec 17 (AD) The Attorney General today informed the Supreme Court that affidavits filed by three ministers with regard to the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions challenging the Yugadanavi Power Plant agreement are unconstitutional. The affidavits had been submitted by Ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila. The petitions were called before Supreme Court’s five-judge bench more..

Dec 17 (FT) “Big, ponderous, Govt enterprises are not responsive to our needs. And because they’re not responsive, you will go home today and you will have a blackout of one hour, because they’re load shedding during peak hours,” said Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, a veteran policy expert and an advisor of the Advocata Institute. He made these comments at Advocata’s press briefing, organised to highlight the urgency of carrying out reforms to State Owned Enterprises (SOE). more..

Dec 17 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala yesterday remanded, till 21 Dec, two persons who were charged with stealing a gold necklace, valued at Rs 700,000, from an Indian woman who had arrived in the country on a tour. Two suspects who were arrested and produced in Court by Cinnamon Gardens Police were identified as H. Mahesh Pushpakumara, a resident of Ehaliyagoda and K. Vinayagamurthi, a resident of Maradana. more..

Dec 17 (ANI) Mickey Arthur, the outgoing Head Coach of the Sri Lankan team under whom the SL team showed remarkable progress, credited the LPL for playing an impressive role in the growth of the country's cricket. Arthur guided the Island nation brilliantly in the recently-concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, wherein the entire team and especially the likes of Charith Asalanka, Lahiru Kumara & Wanindu Hasaranga impressed more..

Dec 17 (AD) Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena has agreed to provide necessary funds to clear the essential items stranded at the port, says the Essential Food Commodities Importers & Traders Association. Reportedly, the association members have told the minister that a number of containers carrying rice, dhal, sugar, potatoes, big onions and other essential food items are held up at the port and that they can be cleared if sufficient US dollars are released by the govt without delay. more..

Dec 17 (EN) Shares ended firmer on Friday in moderate trading volume after losing in the last two sessions as investors moved back into dollar earning companies due to depreciation, brokers said. Foreign investors sold shares on a net basis owing to possible rupee depreciation in the near future, brokers said. “Market wrapped up the week on a positive note with the key indices returning to green territory amid recording a relatively moderate turnover as investors remained subdued more..

Dec 17 (DM) The Court of Appeal today issued an Interim Order preventing Litro Gas and Laughs Gas Companies from releasing gas cylinders for domestic use without specific standards prescribed by SL Standards Institution (SLSI). The Court of Appeal further issued an interim order directing two gas companies to recall full and free/unused gas cylinders that went for domestic use that are either available in the market or more..

Dec 17 (HRW) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa carries little credibility when he tells foreign diplomats he will reform the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). After all, earlier this year, he acted to make the law, which permits long-term detention without trial, more repressive, not less. Amid growing domestic and international pressure, his administration set up a committee to propose amendments to the PTA, chaired by Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne, more..

Dec 17 (DM) A suspect wanted by the police on a number of crimes including murders had been arrested by the Kataragama Police after about 8 years while hiding in the Yala Reserve. The suspect was arrested during an operation carried out by the Kataragama Police for several days. Police said that the suspect had committed murders and robberies while hiding in the Yala reserve. It was revealed that the arrested man was the main suspect in murder of a Hindu priest in Kataragama last July more..

Dec 18 (DM) Solidarity means unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest, mutual support within a group. St. Pope John Paul II has said solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual because we are all really more..

Dec 18 (DM) The SJB rally held recently was memorable. Police obstructions at roads leading to Colombo was a favour done to the opposition. The govt in desperation and confusion is kicking into its own goal. Obviously, this is a failed govt in spite of 6.9m people supporting it. It reversed practically every gazette it issued. Every deal the govt has put through, Kerawalapitiya, Nano nitrogen, Chinese fertilizer sugar, garlic, rice. are scams. They are not law makers; they are day light robbers. more..

Dec 18 (DM) Much concern is now being shown by political parties representing the minority (numerical) ethnicities of Sri Lanka over the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. As is well known it is the 13th Constitutional Amendment which ushered in a certain quantum of devolution to the country through the setting up of Provincial Councils. 13 A itself was due to the historic India-SL agreement signed by Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi and more..

Dec 18 (DM) During the Budget 2022 debate in parliament concluded a week ago, PM Rajapaksa responding to a query by the Opposition said the Constitution being drafted now, will be first discussed with all MPs before presenting in parliament. A few days before PM responded, Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris told parliament the draft Constitution would be presented in parliament around mid-January. Their announcements on behalf of 9 member Expert Draft Committee more..

Dec 18 (GV) The second budget of Prez Rajapaksa’s govt was presented on Nov 12 by his younger brother Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Cheer leaders and image builders claim the budget is extra ordinarily beneficial and presented by a minister who is exceptionally clever. But a budget that expects to grab Rs. 2,284 billion from us as revenue and spend Rs. 3,912 billion for us within 12 months leaving Rs. 1,628 billion as a debt for generations to pay cannot go unexamined. more..

Dec 18 (CT) There had been a hustle and bustle in town by Friday (10) over a possible move by Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to prorogue Parliament. But, many didn’t want to believe it as there was no proper rationale in sight for him to do so. Therefore, it appeared quite surprising when it was announced on 12 Dec that Parliament was prorogued until 18 Jan 2022. Parliament, which ended its sittings for this year on 10 Dec, more..

Dec 18 (ST) By March 2009, Sri Lanka was at the doorstep of a foreign exchange crisis. Official foreign exchange reserves had dropped to US$ 1.2 billion, while it was enough to finance just 5 weeks of imports. As investor confidence had also deteriorated, SL was not in a position to borrow either. It was the last days of the 30-year long separatist war. Externally, the country had faced rising oil and food prices in the world market, which was followed by the US financial crisis. more..

Dec 18 (CT) Someone asked me; We read in the press your response to a question recently. You seem to be making sweeping statements about the Sinhalese. As far as we know the Sinhalese were the original inhabitants of this Island and the Tamils came in the 10th Century AD after the Chola Conquest. What proof have you about what you say? My response was; Professor Wijeyanayake from London like many other Sinhala Scholars wrote in the Sunday Observer of 17th Nov 1996 more..

Dec 18 (Island) The pen is mightier than the sword is an old adage. However, it has gained new currency in today’s world where mass communication, in the form of press and other media, greatly influences public opinion. Consequently, this valuable tool can become lethal in the hands of some who lack professional competence to understand what they write about, are unable to comprehend the relevant issues or analyse relevant data of a complex technical problem. Such an issue has arisen more..

Dec 18 (Island) Unpopular regimes do not fear anything more than elections. The yahapalana government was so scared of elections that it amended the Provincial Council (PC) Elections Act in the most despicable manner in 2017 to put off PC polls, which it knew would threaten the uneasy truce between the UNP and the SLFP. But it could not postpone the Local Govt (LG) elections, and suffered a crushing defeat in April 2018, when the SLPP’s winning streak began. more..

Dec 18 (DM) Medical experts and health professionals have questioned the govt as to why it had stopped on-arrival PCR tests, further increasing the risk of transmission of the new Omicron variant. With three more cases detected later this week and with new data on the variant being revealed by researchers, medical experts have reiterated the importance of recommencing on-arrival PCR tests and increase the daily testing capacity. more..

Dec 18 (CT) Kandy and Hambantota are famous for brass production and their foundry industry dates way back to the second century BC. In addition the Gampaha district has developed the traditional art of brass processing and its brass industry is one such vivid example. Hekitha, Kiribathgoda, Dalupitiya, Mahara and Kadawatha produce domestic brass products as souvenirs and home ware. Employees of the brass industry said that it’s a centuries old business and now because of Covid-19, more..

Dec 18 (DN) Unduvap, the last Full moon for the year, in the month where Jesus Christ was born, is obviously the time to reflect upon giving up hatred speech and destructive judgment on other faiths that are contrary to Buddhist, Christian and other teachings. Proper practice of religious principles would definitely help in commencing the diluting of the differences between our approach and those of others; while compassion being cultivated for every living being. more..

Dec 18 (FT) In a year when the country saw its worst contraction in the economy, the effect of the pandemic was most severe in the Western and Northern Provinces whilst others improved, though marginally. As per Provincial GDP (PGDP) data for 2020 released by the Central Bank this week, amidst outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Province continued to be the nerve centre of the economy whilst more..

Dec 18 (FT) The new Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki called on Justice Minister Ali Sabry yesterday. During the meeting, discussion took place about strengthening the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the Minister updated the Japanese Ambassador on the judicial reforms and developments. In terms of the role of the Justice Ministry, Sabry expressed the existing challenges in the judicial sector categorising and dividing them into three segments. more..

Dec 18 (FT) Towards its ongoing commitment to transformative Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) interventions, ChildFund Sri Lanka has successfully concluded a two-year project ensuring water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities in the Vavunativu Divisional Secretariat in the Batticaloa District. For communities in the area, the scarcity of water for drinking and washing was a significant issue. Having been affected by the war, these communities experienced further more..

Dec 18 (FT) The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) issue has gotten worse amidst its daily accidents to another level, where 80% of canteens and hotels, as well as 50% of bakeries, are coming to a close from today due to the shortage. The situation amplified as the two main LPG companies — Litro Gas Ltd. and Laugfs Gas PLC are faced with multiple legal consequences for changing the composition of their products more..

Dec 18 (FT) The new Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki called on Justice Minister Ali Sabry yesterday. During the meeting, discussion took place about strengthening the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the Minister updated the Japanese Ambassador on the judicial reforms and developments. In terms of the role of the Justice Ministry, Sabry expressed the existing challenges in the judicial sector categorising and dividing them into three segments. more..

Dec 18 (Island) Jaffna Kings have been the most organized franchise in the LPL and they have been brilliant in the group stage. The defending champions won six of their eight games while losing two and on both those occasions it was Galle Gladiators who found a chink in Jaffna Kings’ armour. Friday’s first game saw Jaffna stumbling chasing a modest target of 130 with spin proving to be their Achilles’ heel. Left-arm duo of Samit Patel and Noor Ahmad had Jaffna Kings in a spin more..

Dec 18 (DN) Renown created a major upset by defeating Red Star 3 goals to 1 in the inter-club soccer fixture played for the Super League championship at Race Course grounds yesterday. Renown who are placed seventh in the points table at the end of the sixth week, put up a belligerent performance to overcome their fourth-placed rivals, and also halt their unbeaten run. Tournament is now wide open and will be more interesting in the coming weeks. After a 4-all draw against New Young more..

Dec 18 (CT) College of Medical Laboratory Science SL (CMLSSL) reiterated concerns regarding the possibility of the new viral variants being able to enter the country unhindered due to the relaxation of overseas travel regulations. CMLSSL President Ravi Kumudesh urged Prez Rajapaksa and the Govt to rethink its decision to waive on-arrival PCR tests following the most recent detection of three more COVID-19 cases of the omicron variant. “Observe the entire situation and formally reinitiate more..

Dec 18 (CT) NWSDB must be paid approximately Rs 10 million in overdue water bills from official residences of 42 Ministries. However, the water supply has not been disconnected to any of these residences, despite the colossal amount of overdue payments. NWSDB Vice Chairman Nimal R. Ranawaka said this sum is the result of years of outstanding bills accumulated during each successive Minister›s tenure, more..