Jul 12 (TM) Those employed in professions supplementary to medicine (PSMs) claimed that the Ministry of Health does not yet have a proper plan for the submission of the relevant Cabinet Memorandums which the Health Minister promised them during their trade union action recently. Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi agreed to provide the same relief to those employed in the PSMs which was earlier provided for nurses. more..

Jul 12 (TM) Department of Commerce along with other related officials are currently working on the 18 amendments that were identified as controversial between the SL-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA). Department of Commerce Acting Director General Ananda Dharmapriya said that the officials involved are currently studying the amendments and formulating a version suitable for SL. “Right now, we are formulating our own amendments that will be submitted. more..

Jul 12 (FT) Institute of Information and Communication Technology (ICTA) and Ministry of Health have taken steps to introduce an internationally recognised digital Coronavirus Vaccination Certificate (Smart Vaccination Certificate) Card for SL citizens going abroad after receiving both doses of the COVID vaccines in SL. The symbolic introduction of the digital vaccination card took place at the Ministry of Health. This new technology will help to show the world more..

Jul 12 (ST) Central Bank’s move to discourage non-essential imports has raised concerns among public and businesses about which items will face a ban. “There are certain things at discussion level. CB usually submits recommendations but not all are accepted. With regard to import restrictions, items considered absolutely non-essential [of which] we have stocks for several months, there is no problem in imposing restrictions for several months. more..

Jul 12 (CT) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera says local health authorities must strive to take all possible measures to prevent the emergence of the Zika virus in SL. The Zika virus has begun to spread rapidly in the State of Kerala in India. He remarked the said virus has shown symptoms that are similar to the dengue and noted that it has begun to reach pandemic proportions in India. Dr. Perera mentioned that to date doctors have failed to find a surefire cure for Zika more..

Jul 12 (CT) Two million doses of the Sinopharm COVID19 vaccine arrived at the BIA yesterday morning. Gen. Shavendra Silva said that another 2 million doses of the same vaccine were scheduled to arrive in the country this month. He said another consignment of Sputnik V from Russia was also scheduled to reach SL this month. The country had received 6.57 million coronavirus vaccines to date. According to Prez Rajapaksa’s comprehensive plan to vaccinate the public against COVID-19, more..

Jul 12 (TM) Nearly 15 Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Unions have decided to withdraw from all online teaching activities from today (12) until further notice, in protest of the arrest and subsequent forced quarantine of a group of trade unions and student activists, including Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin, during a recent protest in Colombo. CTU President Priyantha Fernando said that in addition to online more..

Jul 12 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa recently launched a programme to increase the annual coconut crop to 3,600 million nuts per year from the current level of 2,800 million nuts. Sri Lanka’s name has long been at the forefront of the international market for its traditional exports - tea, rubber, and coconut. The National Policy Framework, Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, emphasised the promotion of coconut cultivation and related products to maintain that position in the future. more..

Jul 12 (DM) While claiming that silence itself was a voice, Minister Wimal Weerawansa said there was no change in their stance in allowing dual citizens to enter Parliament. He said that they expressed their objections to the matter concerning dual citizenship in the 20th Amendment and that their stance remained unchanged. He said they did not protest against Basil Rajapaksa or any other entering Parliament. He said it was important if Basil Rajapaksa could win economic challenges. more..

Jul 12 (Island) Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says he has recently sought legal advice pertaining to what he calls the conduct of Sirasa TV. Denying Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s accusations that the govt was conspiring to suppress Sirasa, Rambukwella, who is also the co-cabinet spokesperson, told The Island, the SJB couldn’t challenge his right to take action according to the law. more..

Jul 12 (FT) The new Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, known in political circles by his first name Basil, is reported to have made an especially important confession on assuming duties last week. He is said to have pronounced: “Our priority is to serve the people. We have identified all the key priorities and requirements of the general public. However, at times we will have to take certain unpopular decisions, just like how a father would for the betterment of his more..

Jul 12 (FT) Chairman of Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE), Prof. Charitha Herath, made an interesting remark at the meeting with SriLankan Airlines on 6 July – raising the question … whether a country like SL, under the COVID situation, can afford to have a national carrier. This is a question that has been asked many times over the recent years. SriLankan Airlines has not made a profit since 2008 – when it last recorded a profit, while under the part-ownership & management of Emirates more..

Jul 12 (Island) Scientists of the Peradeniya University have produced a herbal immunity enhancer capable of combating bacteria and any kind of virus, including the COVID-19. Introducing the product, named as Prana, to the media, at the Dept of Veterinary Pathobiology of the University of Peradeniya, on Saturday, Senior Professor Jayantha Rajapaksa said that the immunity raiser had been produced from local herbs and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, more..

Jul 12 (DM) Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who also spearheads the presidential task force for economic revival and poverty eradication, is reported to have stressed the need to reopen the country fully after an early conclusion of the inoculation drive to revive the economy. He presided over a meeting with the ministers involved in this task force recently. He emphasized the need to revitalize the manufacturing base of the country as otherwise the govt would fall short of money more..

Jul 12 (EN) A clause in controversial Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) bill could be used to crush any views among students that is seemed a threat to national security, an opposition MP said. SJB MP Rohini Wijeratne said that the proposed bill – the target of a series of recent protests – could remove the KNDU from the purview of the ministry of education and the UGC and be brought entirely under more..

Jul 12 (EN) health ministry has launched a website for western province residents to register for COVID-19 vaccination. Residents may register at: https://vaccine.covid19.gov.lk./sign-in A mobile number must be entered to register and only residents of Grama Niladari divisions in the western province (Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts) can register. “If you are not a resident of this Grama Niladari area or if you are not a registered citizen in this Grama Niladari area, more..

Jul 12 (AD) The govt has taken a decision to commence limited inter-provincial transport facilities from Wednesday (14). However, these services will only be available for those who are engaged in essential services, State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama. State Minister said that railway services too would commence in parallel to this program. He said, “Limited transport services will commence from Wednesday. For example, the morning office trains & evening office trains. more..

Jul 12 (EN) A govt MP has objected to the way protestors were sent off to a quarantine facility last Friday. SLPP MP Nimal Lanza said that while it was wrong of the protestors to engage in a protest in violation of quarantine regulations, the way they were packed off to quarantine was also objectionable. “In a democracy, you cannot be just [forcibly] taken away (kudalaagena yanna) like that. They need to be provided the clothes more..

Jul 12 (DM) Few weeks ago, Daily Mirror Online published a news video on their Digital and Social Media platforms highlighting the plight of people from certain rural areas of the Kandy district. These individuals were direly affected by the lack of essential food items owing to imposed travel restrictions. In response, the State Minister of Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure and the General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers Congress, Jeevan Thondaman made arrangements more..

Jul 12 (DN) The SLFP, which formed a coalition govt with the UNP, was able to win the General Election as they supported SLPP; if not by contesting alone, they won’t be able to secure at least two seats, State Minister Dilum Amunugama said. He said that while appreciating their support at the Prez Election, they would also give them the necessary respect and sincerely acknowledge that they were able to win a few more seats due to the support of SLPP. After the distribution of coconut saplings in Nugawela, more..

Jul 12 (NR) Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila says no party has submitted any proposals to reduce fuel prices in the country thus far. Speaking at media briefing today, Minister Gammanpila further said persons have only criticised the move and have failed to come up with a practical solution to reduce fuel prices. The Minister claimed according to his level of understanding of economics, more..

Jul 12 (EN) Education ministry will take the first steps towards reopening schools that are still closed for COVID-19 in August this year, Minister Prof G L Peiris said. Though online education is needed at the moment given the realities of the pandemic, said Peiris, it is not a viable alternative to traditional learning. “I don’t think for a moment that distance or online learning is a satisfactory substitute for classroom activity. It has its shortcomings. We cannot keep schools closed indefinitely,” more..

Jul 12 (Island) No govt had taken steps to address the concerns of families of the victims of enforced disappearances, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said addressing the media in Jaffna. A number of committees and commissions had been appointed to investigate enforced disappearances and other concerns of those affected by the war, but they had only wasted public funds, and time of those affected by the war, who had to travel long distances to testify and journalists who covered those more..

Jul 12 (TM) Measures are currently underway to legalise the cultivation and export of medicinal marijuana in SL, which SJB MP Diana Gamage deems as an absolute necessity for the country. Gamage stated that an act is currently being prepared to this effect and the subject is in continuous discussion with the nation’s top Ayurvedic doctors. She also highlighted that the global cannabis industry is one that is worth more..

Jul 12 (Island) Govt’s decision to increase the supply of electricity from renewable energy to the National Grid by 70% in 2030 was not practical and that would in turn lead to blackouts by 2024, due to the non-implementation of projects, CEB Engineers Union said. CEBEU President Saumya Kumarawadu said that 70% renewable intake was not practical and they would bring it to the notice of Prez Rajapaksa, again. He said that former Prez Sirisena’s decision to halt the 500MW in more..

Jul 12 (TM) Aboriginal leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo says that the President and the Prime Minister should intervene and find a solution to the problem that has arisen in the education of children as soon as possible. He told the media that not all children in the country receive the same education. Wannila Aththo further commented, ”In this country, this is a time when all school children have missed out on their education. I have seen with my own eyes that a lot of children are tired of more..

Jul 12 (HRW) The SL got, factory owners, and the international clothes brands sourcing from SL should protect the safety and employment rights of garment workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, Human Rights Watch said today. The SL govt has used a strict lockdown, first imposed on May 21, 2021, and other measures, including travel bans and bans on public gatherings, to contain a fresh wave of Covid-19 cases. more..

Jul 12 (Island) A study conducted in Sri Lanka had revealed the Sinopharm vaccine significantly improved immunity against the Indian or the Delta variant of COVID-19, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said yesterday. Prof. Jayasumana that the relevant study would be released in a few days. “We are happy that those who received the Sinopharm vaccine have significant immunity against the Delta variant. We received two million jabs yesterday also. more..

Jul 12 (AD) A discussion was held this morning, chaired by Justice Minister Ali Sabry, with regard to seeking compensation for the damage caused by the fire onboard the X-Press Pearl containership. The meeting was also attended by Minister Rohitha Abeygunwardena, State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and other officials. The discussion focused on SL seeking compensation from the operator of the ill-fated feeder for the environmental damages more..

Jul 12 (ST) Data usage in Sri Lanka has exploded by a 100% between March 2020 and the beginning of July this year. And, as COVID-19 shifted work and school home, and drove people seeking entertainment to the internet, frustrations about deteriorating data quality skyrocketed among consumers. A consumer experiences survey by the Sunday Times drew 305 responses. We asked them to rate quality of services more..

Jul 12 (TM) Court of Appeal has fixed dates for consideration of petitions filed by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and the Center for Environmental Justice seeking a writ of restraining order against illegal constructions, sand mining and allotment of lands in the Muthurajawela Reserve Sanctuary. The petitions were taken up before a panel of Appeal Judges comprising Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola today. Bench directed that the petitions be called for consideration on the 26th. more..

Jul 12 (AD) Chairman of the Chilaw Urban Council has been arrested by police over an incident of assault in Chilaw Town. The Chairman and another person had assaulted another two individuals at the Sedawatta area in Chilaw Town last night (11). Senior DIG Ajith Rohana said that the incident had occurred at around 8.45 pm yesterday. The injured persons in the incident are currently receiving treatment at the Chilaw Hospital. Subsequent investigations by the Chilaw Police more..

Jul 12 (TM) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has turned down a collective request made by milk powder importers in Sri Lanka to increase the prices of imported milk powder, as the Govt intends to maintain the prices in the near-term. Co-operative Services, Marketing Development & Consumer Protection State Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra confirmed that the application request submitted to CAA had been rejected. more..

Jul 12 (EN) The top UN official in Colombo has said Sri Lanka should not use quarantine rules to suppress peaceful protest which part of right of assembly and freedom of expression. “Right of assembly includes the right to hold peaceful demonstrations,” UN’s resident co-ordinator in Colombo Hanaa Singer-Hamdy said in a twitter.com message. “It helps exercise other rights; freedom of expression & influence public policies. “Vital that restrictions imposed as measures against more..

Jul 12 (DM) Dr. Sulochana Segera, Chairperson, Women in Management (WIM), initiated the Free Breakfast Kitchen in March 2021 to provide a wholesome breakfast for people from low-income groups in Colombo. The objective is to provide free breakfast to underprivileged people to improve their immunity and physical strength to do their daily work. When the country went into lockdown in June, many daily wage earners lost their earnings. Moreover, many on the street were left more..

Jul 12 (CT) Professionals National Front (PNF) filed a formal complaint against S.R. Attygalle, Secretary to the Finance Ministry and Treasury, with the CIABOC. The lawsuit is about the Treasury Secretary's actions regarding the state-owned company Sahasya Investments Limited, which was formed to own and run expressways and other ancillary assets like quarries. Despite the fact that a Cabinet directive stated that more..

Jul 12 (EN) SL delegates to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg have discussed loan facilities for green projects with the European Investment Bank (EIB), the foreign ministry said. Embassy of SL in Brussels had organised a virtual meeting between EIB officials and the SL delegates last Wednesday (07). “EIB officials while explaining the funding modalities under the Green Concept programme of the Bank, and indicated their readiness to consider project proposals more..

Jul 12 (DM) Following a programme launched to collect disposable carbon pens and toothbrushes, as they would take about 400 years to perish, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. The ministry recently launched a directive to collect carbon (ball point) pens from schools and from govt institutions also toothbrushes from houses. On the instructions of the Ministry, special collection bins have been introduced for the purpose under the theme Discipline, not Law. more..