Feb 9 (DM) The election of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) is around the corner and there are two contenders for the post of President. BASL is a professional body of lawyers tasked with the responsibility of regulating the legal profession. It is an organization established to promote professional competence, enforce standards of ethical conduct and encourage the spirit of public service among the members of the legal profession. Prior to the establishment of BASL in 1974, more..

Feb 9 (Roar) The arrival and rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the first COVID–19 vaccine procured by Sri Lanka, is a small but optimistic step towards protecting the local population against the disease, and minimising the spread of the virus. As priority groups begin receiving their first doses of the vaccine, however, members of the public have posed important questions regarding its safety, efficacy, side effects, and more. more..

Feb 9 (DM) In journalism, we are told that we should avoid the use of clichés because they are often quoted and thereby prostituted. But in this case we use the cliché the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world because it is appropriate and symbolic for the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This will be observed on February 11 but tragically it is observed more in the breach because in most institutions, professions and even govts the gender equality principle more..

Feb 9 (CT) It was one of the most irrational, illogical ideas I had heard or read in quite a while. I refer to the suggestion that SJB the main Opposition party, the newest party in SL politics, which is also the fastest-growing according to its election results, should unite for common cause on a common platform with the UNP while Ranil Wickremesinghe remains its leader. My objection is not to the idea of getting the UNP on a common platform. That would be just fine provided that Ruwan more..

Feb 9 (Roar) At the time of publication, SL has recorded 305 deaths as a result of COVID-19, which first emerged a little over a year ago in Wuhan, China. Today, the global COVID-19 case count has exceeded 100 million, with 2.16 million fatalities. At the end of a tumultuous year, SL had reported 210 deaths — most of which were reported in the latter part of 2020, following the outbreak of the country’s deadlier 2nd wave more..

Feb 9 (CT) Former SLFP/UPFA Minister and ex MP Faiszer Musthapha recently urged Muslims not to call for international sanctions on SL due to the compulsory cremation of COVID-19 victims. SLFP/UPFA is a coalition partner of the current SLPP Govt. Coinciding with this statement, the Indian HC in Colombo, in a statement issued the following day, i.e. on Wednesday (3), said that its Deputy High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob met SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem MP, more..

Feb 9 (ST) Some aspiring and perspiring entrants to diplomatic life have it so, so wrong. Those who have conjured up images of diplomacy as cocktails and canapés at sundown and cognac and cigars at night cannot be but dreamers of dreams. But there are more things in diplomacy than is dreamt of in their philosophy. It is a common mistake that the new initiatives whether planted at the top of the pyramid or at the bottom of the structure make, believing they have already learnt what they have to learn. more..

Feb 9 (Island) As an academic represented World University Service (WUS) before the UNHRC and Sub-Commission during 1984-1991, the present situation at the Human Rights Office in Geneva appears extremely sad to me, I have never seen an extremely biased political report such as the present during that time. On 27 Jan 2021, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report, on behalf of the Commissioner of course, titled Promotion [of] Reconciliation, more..

Feb 9 (ST) The trio had gathered in the garden. It was their once-or-twice-a-week meetings, their way of life in the fast lane to discuss political happenings and other gossip, unwinding before going back to their household chores. And the margosa tree was the popular meeting place. “Mokakdda me ennatha, apatath eka devida (What about this vaccine? Will we get it)?” asked Serapina, the youngest of the trio, adjusting herself to be more comfortable on the bench under the margosa tree which more..

Feb 9 (CT) Before coming to power, the present Govt had assured that it would be committed to protecting the environment and would strictly enforce the law against those who are engaged in activities such as deforestation. However, many incidents of destruction of forests that are rich in biodiversity have been reported ever since. Adding to the series of such incidents, there were reports of destruction of more than 400 acres of land more..

Feb 9 (Island) It was reported yesterday that TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran had been stripped of STF security. The reason for the withdrawal of his special security contingent, according to some media reports, was that he had taken part in a four-day protest march from Pottuvil in the East to Polikandy in the North. However, the police told this newspaper yesterday evening that the STF personnel detailed to protect Sumanthiran had been asked not to accompany him during the aforesaid march, more..

Feb 9 (CT) Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Ananda College, the reigning National Chess Champion, showed his class when he overcame Minul Sanjula Doluweera of Royal College in the final. After the first tie breaker, the Rapid Games commenced since the Classical Games ended in equal points with two draws. Minul started with white in the 1st round and opened with the queen’s Gambit to end the round with a tame draw. In the 2nd round Ranindu started with e4 and Minul’s answer was more..

Feb 9 (ST) Low local tourist numbers have put tourist hotels that opted to serve only local tourists in a dire state, with incomes barely sufficient to cover even maintenance costs, hoteliers said. These hotels, which did not opt to move into the category of Safe and Secure Certified Level 1 Hotels to welcome foreign tourists, can only entertain local guests, according to SL Tourist Development Authority guidelines. more..

Feb 9 (ST) It was like a slap in the face of fellow Cabinet Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has appointed Aravinda de Silva and Kumar Sangakkara in the new, high-profile four-member Cricket Technical Advisory Committee. Others in the committee are the respected Roshan Mahanama and legendary spinner Muttiah Muralidaran. They will also function as the Cricket Committee of SLC, a decision the Board took on the Minister’s insistence. more..

Feb 9 (Island) The emergence of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was inevitable, although the sudden outbreak in Minuwangoda took us by surprise. We now see that it is steadily spreading outside of Colombo. The districts of Nuwara-Eliya and, Trincomalee have been declared as areas not suitable for tourist activities, and pilgrimage to Sri Pada is discouraged. Kandy, where we live is the fourth district in terms of the total number of COVID-19 positive cases detected. more..

Feb 9 (TM) The Wages Board approval of Rs. 1,000 as a daily wage for plantation workers will be opposed by the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) within the next two weeks, The Morning learnt. “We intend to oppose the Wages Board decision of granting Rs. 1,000 as the daily wage within the next two weeks in writing to the Minister of Labour,” Planters’ Association (PA) Media Spokesperson Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said. more..

Feb 9 (DN) The Govt is taking measures to increase the capacity of renewable energy to meet the country’s requirements to reduce the Rs.400 billion expenditure on the fossil fuels, said Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma. He pointed out that the country spends nearly Rs. 400 billion per annum to import fossil fuel needed to generate electricity which is almost half the funds spent to pay the salaries of public sector employees during the year. Minister Alahapperuma was addressing more..

Feb 9 (Island) The top teams of the last league tournament are set to compete in an 18-team Tier ‘A’ tourney when SL Schools Cricket Association ends a year-long hiatus due to the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic with an Inter School Under-19 Limited Overs tournament next month. Trinity College, Kandy who topped the league points table, Group ‘A’ leaders and the second highest point scorers, St. Joseph’s, Darley Road, Group ‘B’ champions, St. Anthony’s, Katugastota & Group ‘C’ winners, more..

Feb 9 (CT) Veddha Chief, Uru Warige Wannila Aththo and the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), yesterday, filed a Writ Petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an Interim Order suspending the validity of approvals granted by Mahaweli Development Authority for the proposed Agriculture and Livestock Development Project and to halt the clearing of the lands at Pollebedda-Rambaken Oya. Director General of CEA, more..

Feb 9 (ST) Veteran sports administrator Rohini Fernando has called for more recognition for women’s cricket in the country and discipline from those playing the game at all levels. One of the pioneers of women’s cricket in SL, Rohini felt more should be done to lift the standard and status of women cricketers in the island. She said the women’s cricket committee of SLC should comprise past women cricketers. “Now we have people who don’t have knowledge of the game,” more..

Feb 9 (ST) Petrol and diesel are set to become costly as international oil prices continue to rise compelling the govt to mitigate with appropriate tax reduction or removing import duty surcharges — without burdening the public. The benchmark Brent crude oil price is seen increasing to US$ 60 -70 per barrel from the current average level of $49 per barrel this year, official data showed. In the wake of sharp rises in world fuel prices, Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila recently disclosed that more..

Feb 9 (FT) The Wages Board yesterday approved the Rs. 1,000 daily wage for the plantation sector, ending nearly two years of dragging discussions between Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and trade unions, clearing the way for the Labour Minister to gazette the salary increase within a week. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva speaking to reporters on Monday hailed the breakthrough, which came after more..

Feb 9 (DM) The mandatory offer to purchase the remaining shares of On’ally Holdings PLC by its new controlling shareholder, Lanka Realty Investments PLC, had drawn lackluster interest with the second largest shareholder of the company, Urban Development Authority (UDA), rejecting the offer set at Rs.30.32 per share, which is below current market prices. In a market announcement, Lanka Realty Investments revealed that it was only able to increase its stake by 0.207% in On’ally more..

Feb 9 (LBO) Plasticcycle, Social Entrepreneurship Project of the John Keells Group is pleased to onboard Hemas Consumer, in its bin placement initiative targeted towards encouraging responsible disposal of recyclable plastic waste, adding to the existing network of over 190 Plasticcycle bins in SL. The agreement between the two parties was signed on the on 5th Feb 2021 by the consumer brands arm of Hemas Holdings, with a commitment to sponsor 30 large Plasticcycle bins in Colombo District. more..

Feb 9 (DM) The Core Group on Sri Lanka has confirmed it will be submitting a Resolution on Sri Lanka at the upcoming session of the UNHRC in Geneva. The British Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UK in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, informed the UNHRC yesterday of the decision to submit the Resolution. The confirmation was made as the UNHRC met to discuss its plans for 46th session of UNHRC more..

Feb 9 (CT) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is currently re-evaluating SL’s economic condition to disburse the approved US$ 180 million worth COVID-19 Emergency and Crisis response facility, SL embassy sources said. However, they said that the AIIB agreed to provide US$ 500 million worth budgetary support, referring to high-ranking Chinese politician and diplomat Yang Jiechi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka and the SL Prez’s telephone conversation with Chinese Prez Xi Jinping. more..

Feb 9 (PRN) Five researchers have been named winners of the 2021 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in chemistry, mathematics and physics. The winning scholars from Ghana, Guatemala, Mongolia, Palestine and Sri Lanka are being recognized for their accomplishments in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The prize also acknowledges the scientists' commitment to leading and more..

Feb 9 (CT) A heated situation arose at the Party Leaders’ meeting, held yesterday, under the patronage of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, regarding the report of the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation. PCoI appointed by Prez Rajapaksa, to look into alleged incidents of political victimisation that took place during the previous Govt of Good Governance, handed over its report to the President recently. more..

Feb 9 (CT) The domestic cricket schedule, which was halted due to the second wave of the COVID-19 virus, will resume this month starting from the semi-finals of the Under-23 tournament. Following a meeting at SLC, it has been decided to conduct the semi-finals of the said tournament on 26 February followed by the final on the 28th. The inter club T20 tournament 2020/21 will commence first week of March, while the inter club limited over tournament is set to start in mid-March. more..

Feb 9 (AD) Director General of Health Services has confirmed nine more Covid-19 related deaths, increasing the death toll due to the virus in Sri Lanka to 365. The victims reported today includes three females and six males: 01. The deceased is a 95-year-old male from Colombo 15. He died on 05.02.2021 at his residence and the Cause of death is mentioned as Covid pneumonia. 02. The deceased is a 61-year-old female from Anuradhapura. more..

Feb 9 (DM) Following Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris’s announcement that all school teachers would be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the first week of March, teachers trade unions have requested that teachers on duty at the forthcoming GCE O/L exam, along with primary school teachers, be given priority in this process. Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) requested that teachers on GCE O/L exam duty be vaccinated by the last week of February as more..

Feb 9 (TM) SJB MP Harin Fernando said that discussions between the party and the UNP are already underway in order to create a broad alliance to work towards common goals, and the UNP hierarchy is enthusiastic about this alliance. “This is similar to what we are doing with the Grand Opposition Alliance, where all Opposition parties will unite towards common goals. I have already talked with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe & UNP Dy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene on this matter, more..

Feb 9 (DM) Sri Lanka has sought more details on the Chinese and Russian vaccines before it can be approved for use. Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Senior Consultant Physician at the IDH said adding that National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has received applications to approve the use of the Sinopharm vaccine from China and Sputnik V from Russia. Wijewickrama said that Sinopharm had submitted information to Sri Lanka last week with regards to the vaccine. more..

Feb 9 (CNN) A year ago, Dinesh Perera and his friends owned and operated the only two LGBTQ-friendly accommodations in Colombo: Mahasen by Foozoo and Mahasen Terrace by Foozoo. Both hotels sat opposite each other on Mahasen Mawatha, a quiet road in a residential neighborhood in Colombo. Foreign and domestic visitors flocked to them, drawn to their cooking sessions and rooftop drinks, more..

Feb 9 (FT) Magical thinking is one of the most pernicious thought viruses and decision making viruses to afflict humans, it is wreaking havoc as we seek to move past the pandemic, it has riddled us with disaster for decades. Definition first: The belief that if there is a recurring problem: a) ignore it and it will go away or b) postpone dealing with it until truly unavoidable and then scramble around in panic or c) while everything collapses around you pretend there is no problem and more..

Feb 9 (FT) It appears that labelling oneself as a Sinhala Buddhist and the country as a Sinhala Buddhist nation is the national ethos while saying or implying that all others in the country are accommodated in the island because of the generosity of this national ethos. The purpose in writing this article is with the hope that it will generate some amount of contemplation and discussion as to who a Sinhalese is and who a Buddhist is, and perhaps who they should be. more..

Feb 9 (Island) The Ceylon Teachers Service Union (CTSU) yesterday urged the govt to hold the practical test for aesthetic subjects for students sitting the GCE O/L examination, in March. On 5 Feb 2021, the Commissioner of Examinations informed school principals through a letter (RD/16/02/5BA/OL/2020) not to hold the practical test because of the pandemic and instead to take average test scores of previous exams held in schools. more..

Feb 9 (Hindu) Pakistani PM Imran Khan will address the Sri Lankan Parliament during his visit later this month, political sources in Colombo said. Confirming, opposition parliamentarian and Leader of the TPA Mano Ganesan told The Hindu: “The Speaker [Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena] informed us today, at the party leaders’ meeting that PM Khan will be addressing the Parliament.” Mr. Khan is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on February 22 on a two-day official visit. more..