Feb 11 (Island) Environmentalists lambasted a Wildlife Ministry move to hold an inquiry against an official who has stood for justice by preventing the destruction of a critically endangered Flora species. There was nothing wrong with holding an inquiry against a govt official, but targeting officers who stand up to politicians and their henchmen could not be tolerated, environmentalists said. “We will await the outcome of the disciplinary inquiry, and more..

Feb 11 (FT) Epidemiology Unit yesterday stated that 2,532 persons received the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine yesterday, with a total of 176,725 persons receiving the vaccine under the ongoing immunisation campaign. The campaign will target 250,000 frontline workers from health, military and police units, with the second dose to be administered after a one-month interval. Addressing reports on the prioritisation of the economically active population over the elderly population more..

Feb 11 (FT) COVID-19 death toll rose to 375 with health authorities confirming five more COVID-19 deaths, including two that occurred yesterday. A 75-year-old individual from Gampaha yesterday died of COVID pneumonia while receiving treatment at the Divulapitiya District Hospital. An individual from Wellampitiya also died of COVID pneumonia yesterday. The 61-year-old individual tested positive for COVID-19 at the National Hospital of SL (NHSL) and was transferred to Iranawila Treatment more..

Feb 11 (FT) A total of 955 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the country’s total patient count to 72,174. This is the second highest number of COVID-19 patients detected in a day, with the highest – 976 patients – detected on Tuesday. Of the 955 persons, 940 were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster and 15 were linked to the Prisons cluster. The triple cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya, more..

Feb 11 (FT) Justice Minister Ali Sabry said he has been in consultation with the Attorney General (AG) and the Chief Justice (CJ) in order to expedite cases against those who are being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). He said the meeting was held recently and the AG has been asked to look into each case individually. “On the instructions of the Prez and PM, the Minister of Public Security and I have held discussions with the AG and CJ on how to expedite these cases. more..

Feb 11 (DM) The substantial rise in COVID-19 patients within a day exceeding 900 cases is due to delays caused in laboratories for the last five days when issuing PCR tests results, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana said. “We are now clearing the backlog created in labs in issuing PCR tests results and several other issues, he underlined. “Accordingly, a total number of 900 plus COVID-19 cases can be reported in next couple of days as well if it is to clear the backlog” more..

Feb 11 (DM) Despite PM Mahinda Rajapaksa claiming in Parliament that burial of COVID-19 victims would be permitted, senior Health and govt officials were unaware till late last evening of any such decision which would change an existing gazette notification, which made cremation mandatory for all Coronavirus victims. PM Rajapaksa, in Parliament yesterday in a vague statement said burials would be permitted more..

Feb 11 (AD) It is possible to hold Provincial Council elections within two months after amending the constitution, according to Chairman of the Election Commission Nimal G. Punchihewa. He mentioned this speaking to the media after a visit to the Chief Prelates of Malwatu and Asgiriya Sectors. He added that it was the stand of the Elections Commission that the PC elections should be held. Thereby, the request of the Election Commission is to appoint public representatives for the PCs, more..

Feb 11 (Island) Vaccine war I referred to in my piece in The Island of 2nd Feb has taken an interesting turn. The headline in The Guardian, the most anti-Brexit of all the British newspapers, sums it all: “Ursula von der Leyen: UK is Covid vaccine speedboat compared with EU tanker.” The Guardian goes on to state: “Ursula von der Leyen has said a country on its own such as the UK can act more like a speedboat than the EU tanker but that the 27 govts are right to work together on more..

Feb 11 (AD) Court of Appeal today extended the order directing the Secretary-General of the Parliament not to take any action regarding the parliamentary seat of incarcerated MP Ranjan Ramanayake. Accordingly, the stay order will continue until the 16th of March. Appeals Court President Justice Arjuna Obeysekara and Justice Mayadunne Correa issued the order when the writ application filed by MP Ramanayake seeking an interim order preventing the suspension of more..

Feb 11 (Island) Minister of Public Security, Sarath Weerasekera said that he had removed the special STF guard given to TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran because he had taken part in a protest defying court and police orders. Addressing the media, Weerasekera said that Sumanthiran had taken part in a protest march in the East in recent weeks. STF security was given to the TNA MP because of alleged threats from the LTTE, Minister said. “He took part in a rally with a large crowd. more..

Feb 11 (AD) Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says he is ready to seek International Criminal Court (ICC) probe if law is not properly enforced against those who are responsible for the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019 which claimed the lives of more than 260 persons. He made this remark in response to questions raised during a media briefing in Colombo today. The Cardinal went on to say, more..

Feb 11 (TM) Sampath Bank PLC entered into a strategic alliance with TRI-ZEN, a premium smart living project being developed in Union Place, Colombo by John Keells Properties in partnership with Indra Traders that shares the bank’s penchant for innovation. Building on its relationship with the John Keells Group and Indra Traders, Sampath Bank seeks to partner with the project and offer prospective TRI-ZEN buyers tailormade home financing solutions. more..

Feb 11 (FT) The hardening of SL’s self-image has shrunk its soft power. The narrowing of the mentality of its leadership has narrowed the narrative of the state, reducing its international appeal, constricting the country’s external space and constraining the practice of its diplomacy. Geneva 2021 is the regime’s first global test; the first competitive contact of the regime’s world-outlook of Sinhala supremacism with the world. It is perfectly in order to identify oneself as a Sinhala Buddhist or more..

Feb 11 (EN) SL’s import controls which has left the economy mired in a plethora of regulations does not solve underlying economic problems in the country, opposition MP Eran Wickremaratne said. Interest rates were being held down artificially and it was hurting savers and pensioners who had savings. Wickremeratne, a former state minister for finance said foreign reserves were falling and it was being boosted with swap contracts. more..

Feb 11 (EN) Stocks closed down 1.7% Thursday, recovering from a steep intra-day fall that pushed the benchmark index down 6.4% triggering two trading halts, and recouped some losses as buying interest returned to some stocks. SL’s benchmark All Share Price Index fell 134.6 points to close at 7,653.55 on the back of 2.9% a day earlier. The S&P SL20 index of more liquid stocks fell 0.82% or 25.42 points to close at 3,062.28 after gaining some of the losses after market reopened at 12.48 hours. more..

Feb 11 (Island) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday announced that TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran’s complaint that he had been wrongly accused of evading sessions of the PCoI into political victimisation could be referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The Speaker said that a motion could be permitted to refer to the privilege matter raised by MP Sumanthiran on Nov 28, 2020. On Nov 28, 2020, MP Sumanthiran raised a privilege issue more..

Feb 11 (PTI) India has strongly protested to Sri Lanka over the death of four Indian fishermen following a collision between their vessel and a Lankan naval craft last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. Replying to questions in the Rajya Sabha, the minister also said no Indian fishermen were in Sri Lanka's custody presently. On January 18 this year, four fishermen lost their lives following a collision more..

Feb 11 (FT) As a revolutionary modern trade retailer in the market, Softlogic Glomark expands its presence even further in the Sri Lankan Modern trade sphere with another one of a kind global supermarket in Malabe. Glomark Malabe provides an int'l shopping experience with its access to a wide selection of products sourced from local and international markets coupled with excellent customer service. Bakes Kitchen an exclusive dining area and restaurant further adds to more..

Feb 11 (NR) Wife of Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Shashi Weerawansa, has filed a complaint before the CID against reports circulating on social media recently pertaining to her private life. Shashi Weerawansa said reports of her travelling overseas with another individual were baseless. The attorney representing Shashi Weerawansa, Naomi Abeywickrama said the complaint lodged called for the CID to investigate persons circulating such false claims. more..

Feb 11 (Island) Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, who is also Chairman of the ruling SLPP, has questioned the rationale in UN human rights Chief Michelle Bachelet’s latest report that dealt with Sri Lanka accountability issues during the war and post-conflict period in the run-up to the 46th session of the Geneva-based UNHRC. Bachelet served as the Chilean President for nine years beginning 2006. more..

Feb 11 (CT) Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry is responsible for analysing COVID-19 related data and collaborating with other units of the Ministry to develop strategies to prevent and control a surge in cases, GMOA Spokesman, Dr. Samantha Ananda said. The WHO too considers the Epidemiology Unit to be the responsible party in controlling the pandemic. Therefore, the Unit has the responsibility of collaborating with the remaining units in the Health Ministry which work with estate sector more..

Feb 15 (AFP) An import ban in cash-strapped Sri Lanka is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of its curry lovers, depriving them of vital turmeric supplies and encouraging budding smugglers to take their chances with the spice. With no foreign cash coming in as Covid-19 cripples the tourism industry, the govt in March imposed a ban on many imports to stop money leaving the country, so that it can pay $4.5 billion this year to service its international debt. more..

Feb 11 (CB) Bangladesh's High Performance Unit's head coach Toby Radford will not be available for the upcoming home series against Ireland Wolves. Tobby, who replaced Simon Helmut, arrived in October for the High Performance camp and was credited by many for having played an important role in the young batsmen shining at the Bangabandhu T20 tournament. High Performance manager Jamal Babu revealed that Champaka Ramanayake will replace Radford as the head coach for more..

Feb 11 (CT) If someone like Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who played a major role in forming the SLPP-led Govt, could not comment on its shortcomings, who else is eligible to do so, Ven. Muruthettuwe Ananda Thera queried. He also said, he would like to remind people like SLPP General Secretary, MP Sagara Kariyawasam that it was programmes like Mahinda Sulanga and Pavidi Handa that gave him the ability to make more..

Feb 11 (MFA) The second round of Sri Lanka - Japan Policy Dialogue at the Senior Official Level of the two Foreign Ministries was held virtually today, 10 February 2021. Reminiscing the solid foundation of recorded political and cultural interactions between Sri Lanka and Japan, the two sides discussed an array of policy priorities in the national, regional and international levels, and resolved to work together in pursuing the common goals of interest. more..

Feb 11 (Island) E-W Information Systems (EWIS) and its group companies emerged victorious with three titles being bestowed at the recently concluded awards presented by Great Place to Work Institute, SL for the year 2020. EWIS together with EWIS Peripherals was recognized among the top 40 Best Workplaces for the fifth year. EWIS Colombo ltd, SL’s first and only fully-fledged Original Device Manufacturing (ODM) plant was ranked among the 10 Best Workplaces for Women 2020 for the more..

Feb 11 (EN) The leaders of a number of smaller parties allied to the ruling SLPP are meeting at Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansha’s residence today as tensions between the Minister and some members of the government continue to rise. The organizers of today’s meet-up claim that 12 smaller parties allied to the SLPP that form the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandhanaya (SLNPS) are at the meeting. more..

Feb 11 (AD) A suspect has been arrested in connection with the gunfire attack on Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officials in 2017. He was taken into custody in India over a narcotics-related offence, the Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said. The suspect, identified as Mohamed Maheer Mohamed Nawaz, is currently detained in the area of Madhur by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau. Reportedly, he had collected information about police officers by passing himself as a spy. more..

Feb 11 (TM) Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon said that over 20,000 driving licences have been piled up in several courts in Colombo as the drivers have not come to claim them after paying fines for traffic offences. The Senior DIG said the drivers tend to get a fake driving licence created instead of collecting the real one from a court after paying the fine. He said it was unfortunate that there was no tool or system to differentiate forged driving driving licences. more..

Feb 11 (Island) The fate of Sri Lanka’s tour of West Indies depends on the PCR tests taken yesterday, the results of which will be out today. Some 70 individuals including 35 players, support staff and those associated with the national cricket team underwent PCR tests yesterday. Sri Lanka Cricket had initially said that they would postpone the tour of West Indies comprising two Tests, three ODIs and three T-20 Internationals. more..

Feb 11 (Island) The SJB yesterday (10) called on the govt to table the reports of the Presidential Commissions of Inquiry on Easter Sunday carnage and on Political Victimisation within this sitting week. Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that his party had requested at the last party leaders’ meeting that the government table the reports of the two presidential commissions of inquiry and a parliamentary debate held thereon. more..

Feb 11 (NR) GMOA says coronavirus deaths and caseload has doubled in comparison to the past two weeks. Editor of the GMOA Dr. Haritha Aluthge said cases which was at 2,882 individuals per million of the population, increased to 3,221 per million within a span of two weeks. He said the death rate also increased from nine persons per million individuals, to 17 per million. He noted the death rate increased steeply in comparison to the rate of individuals testing positive. more..

Feb 11 (Island) Everything possible must be done to prevent the highly virulent COVID-19 strains from South Africa and UK from arriving in SL, Prof. Neelika Malavige, from the Dept of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Uni of Sri J'pura told the media yesterday. Prof. Malavige said that the strain found in Sri Lanka was much less virulent than the above-mentioned strains. “We just have to do our best to stop these strains from coming in,” more..

Feb 11 (EN) Work on the second phase of the New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya Elevated Highway Project will be put on hold until a firm plan that will ensure the Thalangama Wetlands and its surrounding habitat is not disturbed, is put in place the Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority, Siripala Amarasinghe said. He said the decision follows a meeting the CEA and other stakeholders had with Prez Rajapaksa recently, to update him on the environmental damage the construction more..

Feb 11 (TM) In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, the Free Media Movement of Sri Lanka said the acquittal and release of creative writer Shakthika Sathkumara is a precedence to prevent arbitrary arrests made by the police. FMM’s Convener Seetha Ranjanee and Secretary Lasantha De Silva expressed their appreciation to the judiciary for the acquittal and release of Sathkumara, who arrested under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act. more..

Feb 11 (EN) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s assurance yesterday that Sri Lanka will at long last permit COVID-19 burials will be referred to an expert committee, according to State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle. State Minister told parliament today that a decision on the matter will be taken by the committee. “We don’t take decisions at the Health Ministry in our individual capacities but through an expert committee. more..

Feb 12 (DM) The rift between Minister Wimal Weerawansa and the main constituent party in the ruling coalition, the SLPP is described by a section of the Opposition as a ploy to divert the attention of the people from the spiraling cost of living. Undoubtedly it happens, but the insults thrown from one side the other suggests that there is something serious beneath. The row is also explained as the manifestation of a rift between Weerawansa and the founder of the SLPP, Basil Rajapaksa. more..

Feb 12 (DM) These are days when much of school education is happening online via zoom technology. Teachers are seen from a distance. But they continue to serve the community by discharging their duties. The teachers who love being in this profession will vouch that they rate the responsibility that comes with their job above the money they make. These are days where we think of our teachers because we don’t see them much; largely due to the pandemic situation in the country. more..