Dec 3 (GDI) The Marubeni Corporation of Japan Explores Possibilities of Investing US$ 375 million in the Wind Power Project, Textiles, and EV Industry in Sri Lanka. Marubeni Corporation’s Executive Management Team for Asia visited SL to negotiate an investment opportunity for the 200MW Mannar Wind Power Project. During this visit, the team met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Minister of Finance. The Marubeni Corporation with revenues of US$ 67 bil and a history spanning 160 yrs more..

Dec 3 (Island) Former Executive Director of the CAA Thushan Gunawardena says a thorough investigation has to be conducted into the state-owned Litro Gas and Litro Terminals. Gunawardena, who quit his post on 22 Sept. over a dispute with Minister Bandula Gunawardena and State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna following the exposure of the garlic scam at Lak Sathosa said that months before his resignation he brought to more..

Dec 3 (CT) Gampaha Magistrate Manjula Karunaratne on Wednesday ordered to proceed with the case filed against Former Director of the CID Shani Abeysekera and two others on charges, including fabricating of evidence. Magistrate further rejected the objections, raised by the lawyers for the suspects, that the case could not be proceeded with adding that the legal basis of such objection is unclear and baseless. Further the suspects were ordered to appear before the CCD on more..

Dec 3 (TM) A meeting between Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa and Indian PM Narendra Modi, which was scheduled to be held yesterday (2), has failed to materialise for what govt sources indicated were scheduling issues. Rajapaksa is set to return to Sri Lanka today, after a two-day official visit to India to seek support amidst an unprecedented economic crisis in Sri Lanka. It is as yet unclear if the meeting with Modi would take place today (3) before Rajapaksa’s departure from India. more..

Dec 3 (CT) China said the hybrid energy projects to be constructed on three islands in the Northern Province have been suspended. Chinese Embassy in SL tweeted that the suspension came after a third party’s security concerns. The Indian Govt raised concerns several times over awarding the projects to China as the three islands are in close proximity to India and that is a major issue to them. The hybrid project was won by Sino Soar Hybrid Tech more..

Dec 3 (FT) Kingsbury Colombo has become the first city hotel to hire a female Executive Chef, an Indonesian with over 25 years of culinary experience. Having worked on three continents, Nonky Tejapermana, as the new Executive Chef, will be responsible for all dining outlets at the hotel. Nonky commenced her voyage from the Shangri-La Jakarta, citing both her mother and grandmother as her main inspiration. Her culinary career spans some of finest hotels across the world, more..

Dec 3 (TM) SLFP Vice President and Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has warned that if the SLFP decides to leave the Govt at some point, between 50 to 60 MPs from the SLFP, several other political parties, and the SLPP would be ready to leave the Govt. “Those who ask the SLFP to leave the Govt didn’t criticise us initially. They first criticised people like Minister Udaya Gammanpila, Minister Wimal Weerawansa, and Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara. Then they started criticising the SLFP. more..

Dec 3 (FT) The country’s flagship investment promotion agency Board of Investment (BOI) is in turmoil following the resignation of three highly respected Board Directors, the Chairman and the Director General. The Board members are Dr. Harsha Cabral PC, Sanjaya Kulatunga and Harsha Subasinghe, all personally selected and appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The other appointed BOI Board member is ex-Goldman Sachs and more..

Dec 3 (FT) The Daily Mirror reports that TNA and GTF have jointly called for a more engaged role by the United States in promoting human rights, accountability, political resolution, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. The report went on to state, quote, “The particular focus of the current engagement was to call for a proactive USG role in promoting a holistic approach to reconciliation, which would include addressing the root cause of conflict and human rights violations, more..

Dec 3 (DM) The excavations at Puthukudiirippu in Mullaitivu to retrieve gold suspected to be buried by the LTTE during the war commenced yesterday as per a court order. However, the excavations had to be postponed until today due to inclement weather and technical faults, police said. The excavations commenced yesterday at a coconut estate in the Sudanthirapuram area with the assistance of the Police and the STF under the supervision of Mullaitivu Magistrate. more..

Dec 3 (AD) CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) has temporarily called off its work-to-rule campaign. CEBEU members launched a work-to-rule campaign on Nov 25 over several issues including the controversial Yugadanavi power plant deal. The association demanded that the govt not proceed with the deal with US-based energy company New Fortress Energy Inc., which includes a transfer of 40% of shares of West Coast Power Private Ltd (WCPL) - owner of Yugadanavi power plant more..

Dec 3 (FT) The Anidda newspaper of previous week had published an article titled People’s Constitution, the Myth and Truth, vehemently criticising the idea that SL needs a People’s Constitution. The article has been written by the editor of the newspaper who is an Attorney-at-Law and a lecturer in Law, instructing the students sitting for the Law College entrance exam. He can also be considered as one who appeared strongly for the defence of the reform program of the previous Yahapalana Govt. more..

Dec 3 (AD) Sri Lanka has confirmed its first case of Omicron COVID-19 variant. The virus strain was detected in a SL national who recently returned from Nigeria, according to Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige. Reportedly, the individual in question is currently under quarantine. Dr. Hemantha Herath said the Omicron case was detected as a result of the surveillance activities conducted by the health authorities. more..

Dec 3 (ET) A SL national was tortured to death in Sialkot and his body was set on fire after a hundreds-strong mob attacked the foreign national over blasphemy allegations. Initial reports suggest that the incident took place on Wazirabad Road, Sialkot, where the workers of private factories lynched the SL national, Priyantha Kumara. SL citizen was employed as the export manager of a local factory. Meanwhile, the police have been dispatched to the area to keep the situation more..

Dec 3 (AD) The recent disruptions to the electricity supply are suspected to be acts of sabotage, says the General Manager of CEB. Eng. M.R. Ranatunge alleged that CEB engineers are deliberately dragging the restoration activities. Meanwhile, State Minister of National Security & Disaster Management Chamal Rajapaksa stressed that necessary actions would be sought against the CEB engineers if it is revealed that deliberate acts of sabotage have caused the power outages. more..

Dec 3 (CI) Ramesh Mendis struck early in the day to remove Kraigg Brathwaite, claimed three wickets in a single over during the middle session, then completed his second five wicket haul of the match, while Lasith Embuldeniya also took five at the other end. Between the two finger-spinners, they dismissed WI for 132 inside 56 overs. SL's winning margin was 164. Having now whitewashed this opposition, they take 100% more..

Dec 3 (Island) China would like to work with SL and other countries to build democratic and political systems based on their own national conditions Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to SL said yesterday issuing a statement. He said that SL is the oldest democracy in Asia and that while democracy is universal, it is also specific. He added that democratic practices have developed under specific conditions. To examine the rich and diverse democratic institutions and practices more..

Dec 3 (DM) The Supreme Court was today informed that former Gampaha district MP Ranjan Ramanayake is currently reading a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree while behind bars. President's Counsel Anura Meddegoda appearing for Ramanayake who is currently serving four years rigorous imprisonment, sought an order directing the prison authorities that adequate facilities be arranged him to access with online studies for the first year's second semester of BA degree program. more..

Dec 3 (TM) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to depart for Abu Dhabi, UAE today to attend the 5th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC). Themed Ecology, Economy, Epidemic, the conference will discuss and deliberate on the economic and health challenges and the dangers posed by climate change. According to reports, former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is a member of the organizing committee and its former chair, is also slated to attend the conference. more..

Dec 3 (FT) Monisha Abraham has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) effective 1 Dec. Prior to joining CTC, Monisha served as the Managing Director of Ibecor, an operating company fully owned by Heineken International. Monisha takes over from Nedal Salem who served as CTC’s MD and CEO since May 2019. During a career spanning over 16 years with Heineken, she has held various senior management roles across five countries. more..

Dec 3 (EN) SL migrant worker Sampath* is now determined to send his salary from Dubai to his family via hawala, a traditional net settlement system based that had facilitated trade for centuries. “Last week I found out that my friends get 10 rupees extra for each dirham and I have been losing nearly 15,000 rupees monthly because I have been using the banks,” Sampath, who is now working at a restaurant in Dubai, said. more..

Dec 3 (CT) Sri Lanka has a robust legal framework to tackle contemporary forms of slavery and been making progress in other areas, such as increasing minimum age of employment from 14 to 16 and the establishment of a child-labour free zone. However, SL must become more inclusive and embrace all sectors of society if it is to overcome major issues such as caste-based discrimination and labour exploitation which in some cases may amount to forced labour and servitude, UN expert said. more..

Dec 3 (FT) Leading food manufacturing conglomerate CBL Group is foraying into the local spice market with a Rs. 1 billion investment roughly, whilst introducing Sri Lanka’s first ever Low Temperature Grinding Technology. The new venture, Sera Spices, is manufactured and distributed by Convenience Foods Lanka PLC, a subsidiary of the CBL Group under its popular culinary brand Sera. “SL has been known for centuries for its variety of quality, flavourful and aromatic spices. more..

Dec 3 (CI) Ramesh Mendis kept Sri Lanka in the hunt with first-innings returns of 6 for 70. Dhananjaya de Silva turned the game emphatically in Sri Lanka with his second innings 155 not out. These were the gleanings of Mickey Arthur, after he coached SL for the last time, in Galle. His was the type of happy farewell that few SL coaches get. The team won the match by 164 runs, and the series 2-0 (though they did also win both tosses). more..

Dec 3 (EN) SL is now testing all LP Gas shipments before unloading and gas distributors have been asked to increase the amount of an odourising agent which gives off a warning smell amid a spate of fires which are being probed, a minister said. “We have started taking samples from shipments before unloading,” Minister Lasantha Alagiywanna said. “We have asked LP Gas companies to halt distribution and they have to keep the Ethyl Mercaptan content at 14 before releasing.” more..

Dec 3 (CT) The Attorney General is of the view that Provincial Council Elections cannot be held under existing laws, Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said at the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) to Identify Appropriate Reforms of the Election Laws and the Electoral System and to Recommend Necessary Amendments. When the PSC met yesterday, Gunawardena said necessary legal provisions should be brought for elections to be held. He also stated that the general opinion more..

Dec 3 (EN) With over 60% of the population vaccinated, going for a lockdown and closing down of airports and tourism industry is not planned for the Christmas season, but the public should exercise caution and go about their work, senior health officials said. With income sources getting blocked for majority in the country, it is not practical to go for a lock down again, therefore there is no decision to go for a lockdown in more..

Dec 3 (CT) The investigating team constituted by the CIABOC to look into the infamous Pandora Papers leak, which listed people with ill-gotten wealth, has yet to decide whether to summon former Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa. Commission Secretary Apsara Caldera said she cannot confirm whether or not Rajapaksa will be summoned because the decision should be made by the investigating team who are still conducting probes. The Bribery Commission submitted more..

Dec 3 (EN) CEB Engineers Union has suspended a work-to-rule campaign initiated against an unsolicited deal to give LNG procurement to a US based company, an official said. “We suspended the work-to-rule campaign at the request of the President and positive response to our demands,” CEBEU President Saumya Kumarawadu said. CEBEU escalated its industrial action this week after a senior official who was suddenly sent on compulsory leave. more..

Dec 3 (Island) Sri Lanka is no longer a functioning state because of the shortcomings in the administration and the continuous changes in policy decisions, former Speaker and the President of the NMJS, Karu Jayasuriya said. He said that the only thing that the country had got right in the last year was the vaccination drive that has put SL in a better position than other countries in Asia to tackle COVID-19. more..

Dec 3 (TM) It is difficult to move forward with the present Govt under the current circumstances says Senior Vice President of the SLFP Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa. He made this statement during a media brief held yesterday by the Sri Lanka Independent Professionals Organisation. “We accept that under the current circumstances it is difficult for our party to remain within the present Govt. The Govt is continuing to ignore the implementation of our agreement. more..

Dec 3 (DM) The excavations at Puthukudiirippu in Mullaitivu to retrieve gold suspected to be buried by the LTTE during the war commenced yesterday as per a court order. However, the excavations had to be postponed until today due to inclement weather and technical faults, police said. The excavations commenced yesterday at a coconut estate in the Sudanthirapuram area with the assistance of the Police and the STF under the supervision of Mullaitivu Magistrate. more..

Dec 3 (Reuters) The SL govt on Friday suspended distribution of all gas cylinders following an alarming rise in unexplained cooking gas explosions and fires that have injured many people across the island nation in recent weeks. Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna told media the decision was taken after about 60 explosions were recorded on Thursday. There were no plans to order a total cylinder recall at this time, he added. more..

Dec 3 (ANI) Ministry of External Affairs in Rajya Sabha stated that India, at the 46th Session of UNHRC, stressed its abiding commitment to the aspirations of Tamils of SL. "India believes that delivering on the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community is in the best interests of Sri Lanka," Ministry said. In March, the UNHRC had adopted a resolution brought by Britain on behalf of a group of countries, boosting UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet's staff and powers, with a view to more..

Dec 3 (CT) Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda yesterday said that 2,968 acres of land in the Kilinochchi District will be released for agriculture and cattle grazing. He said 2,118 acres could be used for agriculture while the remaining 850 acres could be used to graze cattle. He said Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed officials to instruct farmers in the District to undertake agriculture activities in suitable lands in the Kilinochchi District. Devananda said that following his initiatives, more..

Dec 4 (DM) What is truth and who is a true person? Spiritually and philosophically a true person is someone who is sincere, selfless and sacrificial while serving others and giving freely without expecting anything in return. Shakespeare gave a famous description when he said “To thine own self be true and it must follow, as the night the day and you cannot be false to anyone”. In most if not all countries today the leadership and especially the political leadership often if not always falls more..

Dec 4 (DM) There is a thick carapace of insensibility and a sense of hopelessness that has grown over the collective psyche of the nation due to poor decision making and poor management at the highest level of governance. To induce necessary catharsis to this situation is the prime responsibility of any socially relevant individual or a democratic political group that is made of such individuals. Unless it is so done these frustrations might gush out & erupt in socially harmful ways. more..