Feb 17 (FT) The Govt said it will not backtrack on a decision to give three renewable power projects to Chinese companies, despite disapproval expressed by India. Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that Power Minister Dullas Allahaperuma had not presented an alternative proposal requesting a change. “Therefore, the previous decision of the Cabinet stands. There has been no change,” he said. The Cabinet on 18 January approved three renewable power plants on more..

Feb 17 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has reiterated that SL must keep pace with transformative changes taking place globally. His remarks came during the final session of 31st General Convocation of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University held at the BMICH today (16). “We cannot afford to lag behind. Our higher education system must adapt swiftly. It has to offer our students an education that will remain relevant despite fast changing more..

Feb 17 (Island) Acting on a tip-off, police Organised Crime Unit yesterday raided a guesthouse at Gam Sabha junction, Nugegoda and seized a consignment of ICE and heroin weighing five kilos each. Police arrested the manager of the guesthouse. Under interrogation, the suspect revealed that the parcels containing drugs had been handed over to him by an unknown party. However, the police said they were looking for two persons who managed guesthouse as a partnership. more..

Feb 17 (FT) Health authorities yesterday confirmed six COVID-19 deaths, which pushed the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 409. An individual from Ambalangoda died of blood poisoning, COVID pneumonia, and acute kidney infection while receiving treatment at the Hambantota District General Hospital. He was 65-years-old. On 13 Feb, a 62-year-old individual from Nainamadama died of COVID pneumonia, acute diabetes, and high blood pressure while receiving treatment at more..

Feb 17 (TM) Govt of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Core Group of Countries for Sri Lanka are likely to go on divergent paths at the UNHRC Session in Geneva, with all signs pointing to a home-grown resolution by SL. Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that indications are that a home-grown resolution from the Govt would be submitted at the session to be held next week onwards in Switzerland. more..

Feb 17 (Island) A businessman had imported a large consignment of floor tiles in violation of the import ban in effect, Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa said. Minister has directed the Customs to take the consignment into custody. The Minister said that the tiles had been imported on the pretext of bringing in raw material. However, initial inquiries revealed that Industries Ministry officials had facilitated the operation, contrary to specific instructions in place as regards imports. more..

Feb 17 (DN) SL Cricket poolists for the upcoming West Indies tour Kusal Mendis, Dhanushka Gunathilaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa successfully completed the Two kilometer mandatory fitness test yesterday, which they had failed last week. All the pool players were asked to run the Two kilometre distance within a time frame of eight minutes and 35 seconds last week. Newly wed Kusal Mendis who couldn’t participate in last week’s test due to his wedding also did his fitness test yesterday. more..

Feb 17 (FT) SL’s economic situation, including high debt repayments, made lockdowns impractical and unfeasible, Cabinet Co-Spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said, backing doubling down on social distancing guidelines to help tackle the new variant. Gammanpila responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet press briefing, pointed out that Melbourne was locked down for the fourth time after 13 COVID-19 patients were found more..

Feb 17 (CT) A Cabinet subcommittee led by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has been appointed to rescue Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) from its bankrupt state, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Udaya Gammanpila revealed. Gammanpila said CPC is in a bankrupt state since 2008. Minister of Industry, Minister of Power, Minister of Fisheries, and Minister of Energy will be the other members of the subcommittee. Owing to the bankruptcy the CPC has to pay Rs 600 billion of debt, more..

Feb 17 (DM) If Vijaya Kumaranatunga was alive to see how the country is being governed today, he would jump into the sea, former Prez Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunga said. She told the media after attending the 33rd Death Anniversary of actor-turned politician Vijaya Kumaranatunga today that the country needed young, educated and honest politicians. When asked if the country has reached the position where the late Vijaya Kumaratunga had anticipated, she said more..

Feb 17 (TM) With the detection of the UK variant of the coronavirus in SL on 12 Feb, contact tracing of the patients found from Colombo, Avissawella and quarantine centres is still ongoing. Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said that their contacts are still being traced, but that the total number of contacts traced could not be provided. “We are still tracing the contacts of all patients. Many of these UK variant cases were reported more..

Feb 17 (FT) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena owes an apology to Muslims for the killings and atrocities unleashed and damages to Muslim-owned properties besides poisoning Sinhalese minds against Muslims in the wake of Easter Sunday massacre on 21 April 2019. The PCoI which inquired into the Easter Sunday killings did not accuse the Muslim community but recommended criminal charges against Maithripala, Ranil and top officials. It is common knowledge that a few belonging more..

Feb 17 (FT) Rural development and self-employment are the most critical issues faced by developing countries. In SL, over 80% of the population is considered to be rural and significantly, the majority of this population consists of youth. The lives of rural Sri Lankans have not improved or evolved substantially and opportunities for economic advancement are few and far between. SL can never attain sustainable development until it improves key indicators amongst its rural more..

Feb 17 (Island) Writ of Mandamus application filed by Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah, at present in CID custody, will be next called in the Court of Appeal on February 24. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle told the Court that the Attorney General and the Police Department needed time to file documents referring to charges, if any, they had tended to make in respect of the case. Hizbullah was arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks. On Easter Sunday of April 21, 2019, more..

Feb 17 (FT) The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) recently conducted a forum for the Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of several private companies with the view of encouraging them to list on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The SEC has had a continuous dialog with all stakeholders of the capital market and has emphasised on the need to take aggressive measures to develop the market in order to ensure that it is the preferred place to raise capital. more..

Feb 17 (AD) Minister Udaya Gammanpila says that the discussion held with the Indian High Commissioner to SL Gopal Baglay regarding the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm concluded successfully. He stated that the discussion concluded with the decision to re-acquire the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm and manage it under a company, of which Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will be the majority shareholder. more..

Feb 17 (EN) Police have nabbed a group repackaging expired packets of jumbo peanuts into packets with a new expiry date printed on them at a food packaging plant in Peliyagoda yesterday, DIG Ajith Rohana said. The haul was worth LKR30 million and 118,000 expired packets of peanuts were found in the raid. The factory has been sealed off by the police and officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) is set to arrive today to conduct further investigations in the factory. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Despite PM said that burial would be allowed for those who succumb to COVID-19, the Health Ministry said they are still following the cremation rule. Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said that cremating of COVID victims had become a law in the country through a gazette notification. “If this is to be amended, there should be a particular procedure,” he said. “Therefore, cremation is what in effect at present until relevant laws are amended accordingly” more..

Feb 17 (AFP) SL authorities Wednesday agreed to save the world's only known wild specimen of a species of tree that was due to be chopped to clear the way for a four-lane expressway. The SL Legume (Crudia zeylanica) -- a flowering tree from the legume family whose pods are not known to be eaten by humans -- was first classified in 1868 and last found in 1911. In 2012 it was declared extinct until the surprise discovery in more..

Feb 17 (Island) Press Complaints Commission of SL (PCCSL) handled 312 complaints during the year 2020. The newspaper Editors’ reciprocated by publishing 207 complaints directly while the PCCSL handled 76 complaints sent by complainants and 29 were violations of the Editors’ Code monitored by the PCCSL, the PCCSL said. The PCCSL set up under the Arbitration Act No. 11 of 1995 promotes self-regulation through a Code of Professional Practice structured by The Editors’ Guild of SL more..

Feb 17 (AD) Nearly 400 Sri Lankans who had been stranded abroad after leaving for employment in the Middle East have returned to the island. They have arrived on two flights at the BIA this morning. Their return has been coordinated through a program that repatriates migrant workers who face issues abroad. Accordingly, 389 Sri Lankans had arrived from UAE after facing various hardships there. The first batch of 238 returnees arrived on an Etihad Airways flight early this morning. more..

Feb 17 (Hindu) In what appears to be a last-minute decision ahead of Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s coming visit to Sri Lanka, Colombo has cancelled his Parliament address scheduled next week, sparking speculation in political and diplomatic circles in the capital. Senior govt officials have cited COVID-19 constraints for the decision, even as the itinerary issued by the Department of Govt Information — dated Feb 16, 2021 – more..

Feb 17 (DN) Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday assured that the Govt has not taken any decision to relax any COVID-19 health regulations for tourists visiting SL. Minister said only the Health Director General had the authority to take any decision with regard to COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Health Ministry and even the Cabinet had no authority to take decisions to relax any guidelines gazetted by him. He was responding to a question by a journalist regarding the request made by Ukrainians to more..

Feb 17 (CT) If the Govt is unable to intervene and arrest those guilty of causing damages to the historic temple premises, it would be lost for future generations, the chief incumbent of Dewanagala Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Medirigiriye Punnasara Thera stated. He said part of the historic Raja Maha Vihara has already been bulldozed while some of its demarcation posts had also been removed by people with vested interests in the area. He alleged, the illegal takeover of land belonging to more..

Feb 17 (AD) Nearly 57,000 persons are to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic today, says Acting Minister of Health Prof. Channa Jayasumana. The persons vaccinated will include those who interact closely with the public in the Western Province. The vaccination will be carried out under the instructions of Prez Rajapaksa, he said. Prof. 27,018 vaccinations will be carried out in the Colombo District, more..

Feb 17 (FT) As SL’s first and pioneering medicine donation platform, MyMed Sathkara is created for those battling against serious illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular, neuro and kidney diseases whilst facing financial difficulties in obtaining the medicines required. The grave necessity of such service is especially essential in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic which left many daily wage earners unemployed. This leaves many families financially paralysed and helpless in getting the needed more..

Feb 17 (CT) It was decided at the Cabinet Meeting, on 15 Feb, that the SL Govt need not make any payment to the OCG – JV company of Japan for the cancelled project, since it is the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which declared that the Light Railway Transmit (LRT) system was far too costly and not a suitable project, a senior Cabinet Minister told Ceylon Today. Although there were reports published that due to this agreement being cancelled, the relevant Japanese Company more..

Feb 17 (AD) The number of COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) of hospitals has gone up to 28, said Dr. Hemantha Herath, Deputy Director-General of Public Health. At present, the number of treatment centers has been increased to 80, he said, adding that there are 11,766 beds in those centers. However, 6,747 of those beds are currently occupied he added. Dr. Herath further said, more..

Feb 17 (TOO) The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the SL Embassy in Muscat, held a ceremony on Wednesday marking the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Sultanate and Sri Lanka. The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs and OL Ameer Ajwad,, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate. During the ceremony, the two sides launched more..

Feb 17 (Island) India had no authority to dictate terms to a sovereign nation like Sri Lanka, said Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday. Speaking to journalists, Amaraweera expressed concern regarding a statement made by an Indian Minister that a government would be formed in Sri Lanka under the leadership of the Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP). “Sri Lanka is a free and independent country. Therefore, no one can interfere when it comes to our country’s matters,” he stressed. more..

Feb 17 (Island) SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris questioned the rationale in NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa taking up internal issues publicly in spite of the coalition having a specific mechanism to address any contentious matter. He explained how SLPP constituents over a period of two weeks discussed Sri Lanka’s response to accountability accusations at the Geneva-based UNHRC. more..

Feb 17 (EN) SL is forecasting a 3.08 million tonne rough rice (paddy) harvest from the main Maha cultivation season in 2021, in line with last year’s output, with the cultivated extent ahead of the previous year December. Harvesting for the Maha season had already begun. By the end of Dec 2020, 783,000 hectares of rice had been cultivated out of a target of 846,000 hectares, higher than last year’s 752,000 hectares. The sown extend in 2020 is 5% higher than in 2018, 3% higher than in 2019, more..

Feb 17 (TP) It is rather unusual for trade union leaders to speak geopolitics. “Geopolitics should not be a determinant factor for us to lease our own East Container Terminal (ECT) to India,” said Sanjaya Weligama, president of the Progressive Workers Association for Commercial Industry and Services (PWACIS) in an interview, along with Secretary of the Trade Union Association, Shamal Sumanarathna. Further praising the shadow behind their strength — PM Mahinda Rajapaksa — more..

Feb 17 (Island) Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the SJB would move the Supreme Court against the recommendations of the PCoI on political victimisation. Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo, MP Kiriella said that the party had consulted its legal advisors to explore the possibility of filing a case against the PCoI on political victimization for exceeding its mandate. more..

Feb 17 (Island) Residents in and around Thalangama wetland area have sought legal assistance from the Centre for Environmental Justice against the proposed construction of an Elevated Highway over Thalangama Environmental Protected Area. When contacted, CEJ Executive Director Hemantha Withanage said they would file legal action against the proposed construction. Withanage said that they had already written to the Central Environmental Authority more..

Feb 17 (DM) Former SL captain Kumar Sangakkara’s centuries at Lords, will be part of the Lord’s Father Time Wall that will celebrate the 100 greatest milestones at the grounds. "In terms of Sri Lankan achievements, Kumar Sangakkara scoring Test and ODI centuries at Lord's within a fortnight (2014) is included", Adam Matthews, the Media and Communications Officer at the MCC informs in an email. "In the coming months we have plans to develop the content behind the milestones. more..

Feb 17 (EN) Sri Lanka has all but become a colony of China and trade unionists and others who vehemently opposed a recent deal with India haven’t said a word in protest, Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga said. Speaking yesterday at a ceremony marking the death anniversary of her late husband Vijaya Kumaratunga, the former president said the parties that opposed the Indian deal are keeping mum about more..

Feb 17 (AD) Attorney General has directed the IGP to report facts and produce Attorney at Law Hejaaz Hizbullah before the court under several charges. The Attorney at Law is to be produced before a relevant Magistrate’s Court on charges under Section 2(1)(h) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Section 3(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. As per the investigations of the CID, Hizbullah has been found a suspect of misconduct or other means of more..

Feb 17 (EN) SL has lifted a restriction for travellers originating from the UK subject to 14 day quarantine, Foreign Ministry said. “The temporary travel restriction introduced by the Govt on travels originating from the UK to SL on account of the new Covid -19 Variant in the UK has been lifted with immediate effect,” “At a meeting presided by the Prez, it was decided to relax the restrictions on travels from UK subject to 14 days of quarantine and PCR tests determined by Health Authorities. more..