Jun 10 (CT) International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector lending arm of the World Bank Group is looking at an investment pipeline of about $ 875 million, including a focus on what it calls the islands of excellence, over the next five years, IFC Vice President for Asia and Pacific, Alfonso Garcia Mora said. He also believed that SL can realise its development aspirations by promoting a private sector-led growth model more..

Jun 10 (Island) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Colombo officer presented prepositioning relief supplies as a life-saving strategy for women and girls in SL. A UNFPA release said: As the third wave of COVID-19 sweeps across the nation, the monsoon rains and flooding have further exacerbated the risks for women and girls in particular. When an emergency strikes, UNFPA prioritises its work on reaching the most vulnerable, particularly pregnant and lactating women more..

Jun 10 (ST) BPPL Holdings PLC and its subsidiary Eco Spindles, Sri Lanka’s largest plastic recycler, has urged people to responsibly dispose plastic waste across the island this week and on World Environment Day which was marked yesterday (Saturday). This year’s theme, Ecosystem Restoration focused on implementing a solution to a depleting ecosystem, an urgent issue faced in Sri Lanka, and across the globe. Central Environmental Authority (CEA) noted that more..

Jun 10 (Island) A high-profile investigation into the circumstances that led to MV X-Press Pearl carrying a leaking container loaded with nitric acid being allowed to reach Colombo has taken a new turn with the revelation its local agent Sea Consortium Lanka of Setmil Group suppressed information about the acid leak. This was revealed before Colombo Additional Magistrate Shalani Perera on Monday (7) in the wake of more..

Jun 10 (FT) SJB yesterday called on the Govt to prioritise the wellbeing of the people instead of beautifying cities, with Leader Sajith Premadasa questioning as to why Cabinet approved Rs. 2 billion for beautification projects amidst a pandemic. SJB labelled the move to allocate funds for city beautification projects as insensitive and ignorant. Premadasa urged govt to reconsider the decision. “Education of youth is in disarray. The online education model is leaving many behind. more..

Jun 10 (DM) A considerable number of COVID deaths has been reported due to the delay in seeking immediate medical assistance, Health Promotion Bureau Director Consultant Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa said today. He said they had noticed this after analysing the recent deaths in the country. “About 80% of the COVID patients would not show severe health deterioration caused by the virus, but only a few patients would end up with severe complications,” he said. more..

Jun 10 (FT) With six identified key thrust sectors, coupled with growth ambitions and policy and investment orchestration to realise it, Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala said Sri Lanka can achieve a sustained GDP growth of 7% and export and services income earnings of over $ 30 billion by 2025. “Sri Lanka is the next growth haven. Take advantage,” he told the Sri Lanka Investment Forum (SLIF) on Tuesday. more..

Jun 10 (Island) The number of deaths due to the pandemic would have doubled if the current lockdown had not been imposed, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), Dr. Padma Gunaratne said. Dr. Gunaratne said: “We will start seeing the impact of the lockdown because most of those who tested positive during the last two weeks had most probably contracted the virus before the commencement of the lockdown.” The SLMA President said that they needed more data more..

Jun 10 (FT) Marriott International Inc. yesterday signed an agreement with Colombo City Centre, a member of the Abans International Group, which is one of Sri Lanka’s largest privately held conglomerates with diversified interests, to debut The Courtyard by Marriott brand in Sri Lanka. “We are delighted to strengthen our Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels in Sri Lanka with this signing,” said Marriott International President-Asia Pacific (excluding China) Rajeev Menon. more..

Jun 10 (CT) Govt is attempting to amend the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Act in a bid to sell the country’s resources to private companies and foreign countries, alleged JVP MP Vijitha Herath. Herath claimed the new amendment, which was produced by Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila on 21 April, will give the Minister the powers to issue licences to import, distribute, store, refine and sell oil to private companies. more..

Jun 10 (FT) An Effluent Tax is among new stricter measures planned by the Govt via a new Environmental Act, the preliminary work of which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers this week. Minister Udaya Gammanpila said there would be around 42 amendments to the existing Act enacted in 1980. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera this week got Cabinet approval to proceed with amending the Act. “The amendments propose far-reaching measures including an Effluent Tax to more..

Jun 10 (Island) Prez Rajapksa yesterday ordered action against some senior state officials who didn’t co-operate with the ministers in charge or delayed their scheduled and routine work without a valid reason. Prez told senior ministers yesterday that even if a ministry secretary happened to be the official the minister concerned was not happy, action had to be taken against him or her. The President had also said that it was true that he had appointed them but discipline had to be maintained. more..

Jun 10 (TM) The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has called the ongoing travel restrictions, or lockdown, which have been designed to have minimal economic impact, useless as it provides very little benefit in combatting the spread of Covid-19. “Staggered lockdowns are useless and have very little benefits,” AMS President Dr. LakKumar Fernando said, when asked for his views on the prevailing travel restrictions more..

Jun 10 (AD) The 2021 Invest Sri Lanka Forum, organized by the Board of Investment, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Colombo Stock Exchange, which commenced on Monday, 7th June concluded successfully on Wednesday, 9th June. Asia’s first ever virtual investment forum was held with foreign participation of 2,200 from 85 countries and 2,500 local participants. The conference consisted of 118 insightful sessions with 108 local and foreign dignitaries, leading entrepreneurs more..

Jun 10 (DM) X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship X-Press Pearl insisted that there were no confirmed reports of an oil spill from the ship as of last evening. Foreign news agencies published a satellite image of the area around the ship saying it indicated there was an oil spill. However, the ship operators said that the situation on scene remains under observation with no signs of debris and no confirmed reports of fuel oil pollution as of 1800 Sri Lanka local time yesterday.​ more..

Jun 10 (FT) Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 patient count rose to 213,396 with the detection of 2,735 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday. Daily COVID-19 detections have remained above 2,000, with PCR testing remaining below 25,000 a day since 21 May. Only 18,903 PCR tests were performed yesterday. Among the persons who tested positive yesterday were 2,716 patients linked to the New Year cluster. more..

Jun 10 (CT) The NBRO at 4.30 p.m. yesterday said Godakawela and Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) and surrounding areas in the Ratnapura District were added to the landslide risk areas, thereby increasing the number to cover 47 DSDs scattered over nine Districts, including Colombo. They include 21 ‘red’ alert DSDs and their surrounding areas encompassing the Kegalle, Derinayagala, Warakapola, Ruwanwella, Galigamuwa, Mawanella, Rambukkana, more..

Jun 10 (NR) 67 COVID-19 related fatalities have been confirmed in the country, raising the death toll to 1,910. This is the highest number of deaths confirmed in SL in a single day since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out last year. 19 deaths were reported between the 17th and 31st of May while 48 deaths were reported between the 1st and 8th of June alone. 43 males and 24 females were among those who succumbed to the virus. One individual among the deceased was identified as more..

Jun 10 (CT) SLPA said they were awaiting confirmation as to whether the bunker oil of the wrecked feeder ship X-Press Pearl that sank 9.5 nautical miles off Colombo Harbour on 2 June has burnt out during the distress period or whether it is intact in the deck of the ship. According to the SLPA spokesperson, nothing has been officially confirmed however, there is a major suspicion more..

Jun 10 (FT) Whatever the reset in the Rajapaksa ranks and whoever the front-runner in the candidacy-stakes, it’s irrelevant. Our most senior economist, Prof. Nimal Sanderatne, who specialises in agrarian economics, has warned that “The economic consequences of banning chemical fertilisers immediately are horrendous…[It] would reduce production of both food crops and export crops, impoverish farmers, decrease food availability, increase food prices and more..

Jun 10 (DM) Nine persons including two foreigners have been arrested for hosting a party at the Crescat Monarch luxury apartment complex in Kollupitiya last night violating quarantine laws. The party was hosted near the swiming pool in the roof top of the complex and three women were also among those arrested. The suspects will be produced before the Fort Magistrate's Court today. Police are conducting constant raids on parties and other events being conducted violating more..

Jun 10 (FT) About 70 or 80 years ago the convention in Sri Lanka was that a woman is literate enough if she could read a prescription (beheth seettuwa). But we have come a long way from that and now we pride ourselves saying that we are one of the most literate societies. According to published data by 2015 the youth literacy rate in SL is around 98.8% Youth (15-24) literacy rate (%). Total is the number of people aged 15 to 24 years who can both read and write with understanding a short more..

Jun 10 (AD) Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication says that state and private banks island-wide will be open on June 10 and 11 for the payment of pensions. In addition, post offices have also been instructed to remain open on June 10, 11, and 12. Persons who travel to obtain the pension allowances may use their Pension Identity card as a travel pass, the Task Force said. Meanwhile, the govt has arranged free transport services for pensioners who cannot arrange more..

Jun 10 (AD) Patients with an infection of the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 (Alpha) UK variant of the coronavirus have been reported from multiple areas of the island. As per the biological samples obtained from COVID-19 patients, the cases are reported from Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kuliyapitiya, Wariyapola, Habaraduwa, Tissamaharama, Karapitiya, and Ragama areas, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of Dept of Immunology more..

Jun 10 (TM) Chambers of Commerce of Ethiopia and SL will conduct studies to enable expansion of bilateral trade between the two nations, Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement. These discussions took place during Virtual Bilateral Consultations with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia yesterday, and in keeping with the current policy of the Govt, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena attached priority to further strengthening ties with countries in Africa more..

Jun 10 (Island) At high rates of transmission, an effective lockdown combined with high rates of testing and isolation could stop an outbreak completely within six to eight weeks, Executive Director of the Institute for Health Policy (IHP), Dr. Ravi Rannan-Eliya said. “Two good examples of this are Wuhan in February 2020 and Melbourne in mid-2020. Both effectively got to zero in about 6-8 weeks. However, since SL does not have high levels of testing and have in fact reduced testing more..

Jun 10 (AD) Burnt debris from the wreck of the containership X-Press Pearl is now affecting more than 150 km of SL coastline. That’s according to International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) experts who are onsite. The Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) is working with SL Navy to coordinate the pollution clean-up. ITOPF said more than 1,000 people are involved most days in the operation. more..

Jun 10 (TM) Following the questioning of UNP Member Professor Chandima Wijegunawardana by the CID over recent statements made by her regarding the MV X-Press Pearl calamity, she revealed to The Morning that there are many things about the X-Press Pearl scenario that the public will never find out about. According to the Professor, she was questioned by the CID as they believed that she knew more information about the incident than what is available in the public domain. more..

Jun 10 (AD) General Secretary of Sinhala Ravaya Ven. Magalkande Sudaththa Thero has tested positive for coronavirus infection. Previously, it had been identified that the chauffeur of the Thero had contracted the virus. A subsequent PCR test has confirmed that Sudaththa Thero too had been infected with the COVID-19 virus. It has been revealed that Sudaththa Thero had recently attended the funeral of the mother of Ven. Iththekande Sadhdhatissa Thero. more..

Jun 10 (FT) To kick-start economic activity in rural areas, the Govt yesterday announced a fresh plan to support launch of new industries with investments of Rs. 100 million at Divisional Secretariat division levels. Under this initiative the Govt plans to promote at least one project at each Divisional Secretariat division and thereby generate small and medium scale enterprises, increase employment/entrepreneurialism at rural level. more..

Jun 10 (CT) Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said the COVID-19 vaccination programme should be extended to Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mannar Districts in the Northern Province. Devananda added that he raised this matter during the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee Meeting chaired by Prez Rajapaksa, recently. He said 50,000 individuals in the Jaffna District have been vaccinated with COVID-19 jabs on priority basis and more..

Jun 10 (NR) Vehicle Importers’ Association of SL says vehicle prices will increase in future. President of the Association Indika Sampath Merenchige said, there is a probability of the price of 15 models increasing daily. He requested the public to refrain from purchasing vehicles that are priced at an unnecessary cost. He noted certain individuals prefer to invest in vehicles, instead of banks, over fears their funds would depreciate. Merenchige added most individuals opt to selling vehicles more..

Jun 10 (Island) Minister Johnston Fernando instructed his Ministry Secretary R.W.R. Pemasiri to investigate immediately whether there was any truth in claims that some areas in Gampaha were inundated owing to the construction work on the first phase of the Central Expressway from Kadawatha to Meerigama. Minister had also directed the Secretary to study the construction master plan and make adjustments thereto more..

Jun 10 (CT) The first-ever Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Alumni in Sri Lanka was established on 29 May 2021 by the doctorate holders of the DBA programme conducted by the University of Kelaniya since 2016. Due to the prevailing situation in the country, the inaugural meeting was held online with the participation of uni staff including the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Senior Professor Ariyarathna Jayamaha, the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce more..

Jun 10 (AD) Sri Lanka Police on Wednesday (9) arrested 1,057 people who violated the quarantine regulations, says DIG Ajith Rohana. A total of 27,977 arrests have been made in connection with the same offences since the 30th of October 2020. Meanwhile, 4,412 individuals were inspected by the police at 14 entry and exit points of the Western Province and 66 of them have been admonished and sent back for attempting to cross the provincial border in violation of more..

JJun 10 (EN) Reports of a rift within SJB are mere speculation, SJB MP Champika Ranawaka said, declining to confirm his support for a future presidential bid by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Ranawaka said his goal is to end dynastic politics in Sri Lanka. Ranawaka has long been speculated to harbour presidential ambitions. Asked by a reporter if he had dreams of his own, the MP said: “Yes, I have a dream. more..

Jun 10 (MFA) State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya invited Indian Investors to join in Sri Lanka to achieve shared prosperity for both nations by taking the opportunity to Invest in SL. He made these remarks at the India Country session of the Invest SL Forum broadcasted digitally from the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. The State Minister highlighted 6 key areas of interest for potential investors during his keynote address with a focus on the rubber, textile and Information Technology industries. more..

Jun 10 (DM) The Sri Lankan who is reportedly the cause for the Melbourne COVID-19 cluster in Australia, has not entered the country but had travelled via Sri Lanka, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara from Sri J'pura University said. He said the Sri Lankan was only a transit passenger, who had arrived from a foreign country and then departed from the country. “It has been confirmed to us that the said Sri Lankan did not enter the country but travelled as a transit passenger,” he affirmed. more..

Jun 10 (EN) With a spike in daily infections, a 28-percent increase in SL’s COVID-19 deaths can be seen compared to the previous week, State Minister Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle said on June 10. SL recorded 67 COVID-19 deaths including an eight-day-old baby from Gampola from May 17 to June 08, the highest confirmed death count the health ministry has confirmed in a single day, bringing total deaths to 1,910. more..