Feb 5 (Island) Steps had been taken to implement the recommendations of PCoI on the Easter Sunday attacks, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, yesterday, addressing the nation on the Independence Day. Rajapaksa said that he would also take into consideration the recommendations of the previous Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, and action would be taken against all parties involved in the carnage. more..

Feb 5 (DN) With the number of COVID-19 patients around Mahiyanganaya and Rideemaliyadda rising to 173, the Dambana village, the home of the Veddah community (indigenous people) is also at risk, Veddah chief Uruwarige Wannila Aththo said. Veddah Chief was speaking at a media briefing in Dambana which he said had been convened to bring to the attention of the authorities the danger the virus poses to his indigenous community. He said it was unfortunate that the threat posed by more..

Feb 5 (FT) Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Bank has taken unprecedented monetary policy measures to ease credit access and to reduce borrowing costs with the intention of raising private investment so as to revive economic activity. But the private sector demand for bank loans does not seem to be picking up adequately due to the uncertain market conditions in the backdrop of economic fallout from the pandemic and the global economic setback. more..

Feb 5 (MFA) Under the guidance of the Foreign Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, to give impetus to the National Policy Framework of the Government, Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to the public, the Foreign Ministry will open a Regional Consular Office in Kandy on Saturday (6). The Regional Consular Office which is located at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Information Technology Center in Gatambe, Peradeniya, more..

Feb 5 (FT) On this occasion when Sri Lanka celebrates its 73rd anniversary of independence, the country is in an unprecedented state of unpleasant misery and confusion. By the time we gained independence from the British colonial rule in 1948, Sri Lanka was in a shining position among the Asian countries. Seven decades later, despairingly Sri Lanka finds itself at the bottom of a deep abyss. SL possessed a great civilisation during the reign of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms. more..

Feb 5 (MoD) Sri Lanka’s geographical significance in the Indian Ocean stands eminent in all affairs owing to the availability of a number of important Sea Lanes of Communication including Sea Lanes of Trade running just South of SL, said the Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) today. “Therefore, Sri Lanka has a significant role to play in protecting these vital Sea Lanes of Communication and Trade while more..

Feb 5 (FT) National tea sales average for the month of Jan 2021 of Rs. 645.02 ($3.40) has shown an increase of Rs. 56.17 vis-à-vis Rs. 588.85 ($3.28) of Jan 2020 Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. However, shows a marginal gain of Rs. 0.95 vis-à-vis Rs. 644.07 ($3.47) of Dec 2020, it added. High Growns, totalling Rs. 613.29 ($3.23), have shown a significant gain of Rs. 77.43 vis-à-vis Rs. 535.86 ($2.98) of Jan 2020. However, shows a decrease of Rs. 23.47 when compared to the Dec 2020 more..

Feb 5 (DN) Hemas Consumer, one of the leading manufacturers in SL’s Home and Personal Care sector sealed prominent awards at the recently concluded SLIM DIGIS 2.0. One of its highly successful campaigns, Freedom Run 2.0 organized for Dandex Pro Scalp clinched three awards including Silver award for Best Use of Technology in Marketing 2020, Bronze award in the category of Beauty/personal care/OTC and became finalist in the category of Best Digital Marketing more..

Feb 5 (AD) Prices of 27 essential goods have been reduced and will be maintained for a period of three months till the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April., says Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena. Accordingly, the price reduction will come into effect from Monday (February 08). The relevant items will be sold only through Lanka Sathosa, cooperatives and Q-shops, the minister said addressing a press conference held at Ministry of Trade today. more..

Feb 5 (AD) Waari Saubhagya – a national program to renovate 5,000 irrigation tanks in Sri Lanka – has been inaugurated by Prez Rajapaksa today. The event took place at Mahamigaswewa area in Palugaswewa, A'pura this morning. According to the Ministry of Irrigation, the project will be fully funded by local budget and will utilize 100% local resources. Wari Saubhagya program, launched as the final phase of Mahaweli Plan, expects to meet the water requirements of people in North-central, more..

Feb 5 (AD) India has requested a DNA sample to confirm the death of notorious Sri Lankan underworld figure Madduma Lasantha Chandana Perera alias Angoda Lokka who is believed to have died in Coimbatore, says DIG Ajith Rohana. National Investigation Agency of India has informed SL authorities to submit a DNA sample of one of the closest relatives of Angoda Lokka. Police spokesperson added that CID is taking necessary measures with regard to the matter. more..

Feb 5 (AD) Russia has offered to assist Sri Lanka with manufacturing Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines, says Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva, the Secretary to the State Ministry of Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID Prevention. In a statement, he said the Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Dr Prasanna Gunasena is making necessary arrangements to procure the Russian vaccine. more..

Feb 5 (Island) A protest march from Pottuvil to Jaffna, with the participation of representatives of civil society organizations, regional politicians and religious leaders that commenced Wednesday in the Eastern province, ignoring a court order prohibiting protests is heading towards Jaffna. The protesters are marching against alleged large scale land grabs, state sponsored settlement programmes, failure to implement the Rs 1,000 wage increase for plantation workers, failure to follow a UN call to allow more..

Feb 5 (Island) The general public should be given access to the most suitable COVID19 vaccine instead of being made to take the Indian vaccine, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science, Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday. Kumudesh said that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had so far only registered Covidshield vaccine (Indian name for Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.) “Given that the Medical Research Institute (MRI) more..

Feb 5 (FT) The Finance Ministry will allocate Rs. 10 million for each MP from the decentralised Capital Budget for 2021. The funds are to be invested in economic, social, cultural and religious development projects in the districts which are not accommodated in programs coming under the Line Ministers, Provincial Councils, or other agencies, and are in keeping with Prez Rajapaksa’s policy statement Vistas of Prosperity & Splendour. more..

Feb 5 (Island) Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday (4) said that the show being enacted in Geneva against Sri Lanka showed the duplicity of Western nations. Addressing the media, Minister said that several Western nations had taken upon themselves the task of protecting human rights in Sri Lanka. “Those countries sponsored the drafting of some UN documents that stated the LTTE too had committed war crimes with the intention of giving those documents a look of balance. more..

Feb 5 (SLN) The Indonesian Naval Ship Kri Bung Tomo arrived at the port of Hambantota for a two day formal visit today. SL Navy welcomed the ship in keeping with the time honoured naval tradition. The ship which arrived in Hambantota today will remain in the island for two days. This Multi Role Light Frigate (MRLF) belongs to the Escort Squadron of Indonesian Navy 1st Fleet Command is a 95m long platform manned by a crew of 103. Visits by foreign war ships signify the bonds amongst more..

Feb 5 (NR) Leave of all employees of the SL Transport Board have been cancelled in lieu of the strike action due to be launched by private bus operators from Monday. Chairman of the SLTB Kingsley Ranawaka said all SLTB buses will be in operation to ensure the public is not inconvenienced. He said leave of all essential service providers of the SLTB has been cancelled until further notice adding that all buses in the fleets will be deployed for operations on the 8 of Feb. more..

Feb 5 (CT) Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said, trainee graduates recruited in 2019 will be absorbed into the permanent cadre of public service by the end of Feb 2021. Tennakoon said although the placements were to take place in January, there has been a delay as several divisions of the Ministry were closed owing to several Ministry officials testing positive for COVID-19. Instructions were thereby given by Tennakoon to expedite the placements following the recommencement of operations more..

Feb 5 (EN) Court of Appeal has given temporary relief to imprisoned Opposition MP Ranjan Ramanayake ordering the Secretary-General of Parliament to refrain from taking action to disqualify him from sitting in Parliament. In response to the filing of an appeal by Ramanayake, President of the CA Arjuna Obeyesekara and Judge Mayadunne Corea ordered that the SG should refrain from any action against the SJB MP until Feb 12. more..

Feb 5 (CT) Eight journalists who were scheduled to cover the 73rd Independence Day celebrations have tested COVID-19 positive. Director General of the Department of Govt Information, Nalaka Kaluwewa, said the infected journalists were detected during random PCR tests conducted on nearly 200 journalists, who were scheduled to cover the Independence Day celebrations during the past few weeks. Kaluwewa further stated in the initial round of PCR testing, 18 journalists were suspected more..

Feb 5 (FT) Miami Ad School Sri Lanka is now open in Colombo 4, bringing exciting possibilities and global potential for the creative minds in the island. For Miami Ad School Sri Lanka, the real world becomes the classroom with a collaboration of fresh perspectives and global ideologies that influence the future of design, digital marketing, strategic thinking and innovation. Miami Ad School cultivates unconventional minds and celebrates audacious creativity in all its forms: more..

Feb 5 (OHCHR) UN human rights experts* have urged the SL authorities to stop rolling back hard fought progress made in recent years on rebuilding democratic institutions, and to press for accountability for past crimes and deliver justice for victims and promote reconciliation between communities. The independent experts published today an assessment of the government’s follow up to some 400 recommendations more..

Feb 5 (TM) Archaeological Chakravarthy Ellawala Medhananda Thera today said that some Tamil politicians in other countries are spreading misinformation about the excavations at Kurundamale and that Sri Lankans should unite to protect the heritage of the country by eliminating religious and racial differences. Thera said 99% of the archeological sites that are currently being excavated in SL are associated with Buddhist temples. “I have researched and authored more..

Feb 5 (DM) The Colombo High Court today served indictments against former Minister Ravi Karunanayaka and PTL owner Arjun Aloysius over a Bribery case. The case filed by the Bribery Commission was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige today. The two accused were released on a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 and two sureties of Rs. 5 million each after serving the indictments. The Bribery Commission had filed indictments on six counts against more..

Feb 5 (CT) CWC General Secretary, State Minister Jeevan Thondaman, Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union (LJEWU) General Secretary Vadivel Suresh, and Leader of the Upcountry People's Front, V. Radhakrishnan, have called for plantation workers to demand a Rs 1,000 wage hike and strike today, to pressure the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs), as the Wages Board would take a final decision on 8 Feb 2021. more..

Feb 5 (FT) Govt is planning to roll out a special program to woo tourism-related investments, bundled with attractive incentives to encourage foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the post-COVID era. The tourism industry has been identified as an export industry in recent years and is also recognised as a thrust sector to develop the economy, which attracts much-needed foreign exchange. “The key objective is to attract more tourism-related investments to spur growth more..

Feb 5 (AD) The regulation pertaining to increase the minimum age for contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) from 14 to 16 years was considered in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labor held in Parliament this week. An Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued in this regard and it was agreed to submit the regulation regarding the amendment to Parliament for approval in the coming days. The Ministerial Consultative Committee on more..

Feb 6 (DM) SL has seen a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths since October last year. The number of deaths which stood at just 13 in Oct 2020 has now passed the 330 mark. The number of people contracting the disease which stood at 3,382 on 1 Oct, 2020 rose to 24,532 by 1 Dec, 2020 and to 66,409 by 3 Feb, 2021. In the past two months alone, Worldometer - a Covid monitoring site - on 30 January 2021 revealed, that between 1 Dec 2020 and 31 Jan 2021, 39,625 of our people more..

Feb 6 (DM) The controversy over the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port seems to be far from over, despite the agitation by port-worker-trade unions having subsided. Trade unions resumed work, ending their work to rule campaign on Monday after the Cabinet heeded to their demands that the govt’s decision to hand over 49 per cent of the ECT management rights to an Indian company be scrapped. According to Monday’s Cabinet decision the ECT would be managed totally by SLPA. more..

Feb 6 (DM) There has been a lot of political excitement in the Tamil speaking areas of the Eastern Province for the past two days (Feb 3 and 4) due to the launching of a protest demonstration named Pottuvil to Poligandy or P2P. This was to be a long march on foot and in vehicles from the Eastern town of Pottuvil in the Ampara District to the Northern town of Poligandy in Jaffna district. The four - day journey was more..

Feb 6 (CT) An article by a member of the Christian clergy has been unceremoniously censored online by the Daily Mirror newspaper because the author inadvertently referred to how SL Govt officers working at embassies overseas are directing Sri Lankan citizens trying to return home to a travel and services agency run by Prez Rajapaksa’s close associate and indicted criminal Nissanka Senadhipathi of Avant Garde Maritime Services fame. Senadhipathi and his powerful political more..

Feb 6 (CT) In recent weeks, global media and news channels like Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN and India’s NDTV have been marketing vaccines to the world with images of Prime Ministers, Vice President elects, and a Crown Prince in the Middle East taking a jab live on television– seemingly to encourage Covid-19 vaccine skeptics. Highly advertised vaccines are being produced and rolled out at ‘warped speed’ by powerful pharmaceutical and bio-technology companies headquartered in more..

Feb 6 (DM) Even though Prez Rajapaksa’s Vistas for Prosperity promised to increase SL’s forest cover in the next four years, environmentalists have raised concerns over several decisions that have been taken as of late. During his visits to meet people in villages, Prez Rajapaksa has instructed the Dept of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation Dept officers to resolve legal cases filed against people who have more..

Feb 6 (CT) Bringing to justice those absconding from the law and ensuring the rule of law, reviving the economy, combating COVID-19, zero tolerance on cronyism and nepotism and strengthening national security were the key points in Prez Rajapaksa’s Independence Day speech. Reflecting on these five points, namely justice, economy, COVID-19, cronyism and nepotism and national security, while it’s important to bring to book those who are absconding the law, more..

Feb 6 (CT) Recently, Shukra Munawwar, from Sudharma Vidyalaya in a little village in Katugoda, Galle made history when she won the Two million rupee prize on Sirasa TV’s Lakshapathi programme, Shukra said she had taken part in the programme to secure a laptop computer for her online studies. Viewers were surprised when she demonstrated her depth of knowledge of SL culture, tradition, heritage & Buddhism, and praise was heaped on her in social Media. When she recited Guttila Kavya, more..