Nov 11 (FT) As the city’s tempo is buzzing back to life, Colombo’s Crescat Boulevard is nearing the completion of its transformation. The mall will reopen on 19 Nov with an exciting line-up of tenants and a fresh look inspired by the neighbourhood’s changing skyline. Managed by John Keells Properties, Crescat Boulevard’s refurbishment has transformed Colombo’s favourite neighbourhood mall into a space which retains the intimacy and comforts of the familiar with fresh design elements and more..

Nov 11 (Island) A report in The Washington Post of 3 Nov. states: “More than 100 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, which requires a 30% cut in methane emissions by 2030, one of the Biden administration’s priorities for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland. The pledge’s signatories now represent nearly half of human-caused methane emissions …. the Biden administration also unveiled a sweeping set of domestic policies to cut emissions of more..

Nov 11 (CT) Second Edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) - SLC's franchise based T20 League – took place on Tuesday night. However, selection of players for each of the five teams has bamboozled the cricketing fraternity and top National cricketers’ alike, as it seems comedic to some extent. Dubai based Innovative Public Group (IPG) holds the total rights of the LPL for four more years. At the outset, seven out of 23 players more..

Nov 11 (Island) University of Moratuwa and University of Colombo won the men’s and women’s titles of the Inaugural Inter University Online Chess Championships concluded on Sunday. Uni of Moratuwa scored full 12 points to win the Men’s Chess Championship convincingly. They beat Universities of Wayamba (6 – 0), University of SL (5 1/2 – 1/2), University of Peradeniya (4 – 2), Uni of Colombo (4 ½ – 1 ½), Sabaragamuwa Uni (3 ½ – 2 ½) and Uva Wellassa Uni (6-0) to accomplish more..

Nov 11 (Island) Politics usually has on the reputations of eminent scholars the same effect as a smidgen of cow dung on a pot of milk. Some learned men and women, in their wisdom, choose to go out of their way to work under semi-literate politicians and demean themselves, thereby, making students wonder why they should study hard when they can drop out of school, take to politics and boss the learned people around. One of our columnists says, in an article published in this newspaper more..

Nov 11 (VN) In an official Gazette notification on Oct 7 by the govt of SL, the Western Province’s UDA has decided to take over a part of the land of the Muthurajawela wetlands, situated some 30 km north of the capital Colombo, near the western coastal city of Negombo. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, filed a petition with the SC against the appropriation, saying the project would affect the livelihoods of the people more..

Nov 11 (FT) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s interview on the side-lines of his participation at COP26 in Glasgow has received good reviews. The interview was transmitted live from Glasgow on 6 November. The interview at the GLF Climate was done by World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) Centre for International Forest Research Chief Scientist and Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University Co-Convenor Dr. Fergus L. Sinclair. more..

Nov 11 (FT) Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) announced a 28% reduction in third quarter top and bottom line due to the COVID pandemic third wave-induced restrictions. Turnover in 3Q was Rs. 31.7 billion, down by 28% from Rs. 44.5 billion a year ago. Profit before income tax in 3Q was Rs. 6.2 billion, down by 27% from Rs. 8.5 billion a year ago. After tax profit was Rs. 3.8 billion as against Rs. 4.9 billion. However, in first 9 months, pre-tax profit remained almost unchanged at Rs.19.3b. more..

Nov 11 (Island) There’s no better sight in cricket than Marvan Atapattu in full flow. Technically sound, naturally gifted but mindset bit unsettled; five ducks in six innings and all that at the start but he went onto end with more Test runs than his mentor Arjuna Ranatunga. Marvan can be a nervous starter. Wasim Akram sent him down tumbling to the ground with a vicious bouncer at Asgiriya in 2000. Marvan shook off the setback and went onto compile a stunning double hundred against Wasim and Waqar. more..

Nov 11 (FT) SL’s COVID-19 detections rose to 547,346 with 693 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster. On Tuesday, 717 persons from the New Year cluster and one SL overseas returnee tested positive for COVID-19. 5,037 PCR tests and 2,952 rapid antigen tests were carried out on Tuesday. 442,553 patients from the New Year cluster, 82,785 patients from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,052 patients from more..

Nov 11 (FT) Vehicle importers are looking for a lifeline from the 2022 Budget to be presented tomorrow, having given credible and practical win-win proposals for consideration by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Proposals by the Vehicle Importers Association of SL (VIASL) stem from the fact that the industry has been at a near standstill with the ban on imports for the past two years. “The main objective of these proposals is to develop more..

Nov 11 (FT) Hemas Holdings PLC said it delivered a strong first half amidst a challenging operating environment with half of the second quarter being under lockdown. It said during 2Q an unprecedented level of input cost inflation and foreign exchange volatility resulted in the Group witnessing profitability pressure. Second quarter top line grew by 15% to Rs. 19.8 billion whilst operating profit declined by 24% to Rs. 1.5 billion. Profit from continuing operations declined 25% to Rs. 1.4 billion more..

Nov 11 (ST) Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd established as a fully state-owned company 29 years ago has still not been able to generate sufficient foreign exchange to the country from what-should-be lucrative mining, processing and sales of mineral sand known as black gold. The aim of converting the company with the processing plant set up near the Pulmoddai coastal belt in 1958 to a state-owned company in 1992 was to harness maximum benefit from mineral sand containing Ilmenite and more..

Nov 11 (TM) SL is going through one of its toughest times in recent memory, and the ongoing pandemic has worsened the economic hardships that the country was dealing with before the pandemic. While the people are clearly sacrificing their comfort to face this difficult time, Govt is also seeking new ways to save and make money. According to Govt, agreement entered into by the Govt of SL, and the US-based more..

Nov 11 (MFA) Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris bid farewell to the outgoing Ambassador of Japan, Akira Sugiyama today at the Foreign Ministry. Foreign Minister, while recalling the strong and multifaceted relations between the two countries which built upon solid historical legacy, expressed his appreciation to the outgoing envoy for his unwavering support and cooperation exerted in enhancing the relations between SL and Japan. Minister Peiris further informed that Japan has been a true friend more..

Nov 11 (FT) Taprobane Seafoods, Sri Lanka’s largest and most integrated seafood company is excited to announce its partnership with the Atman Group. The Atman Group is a multi-family office based in SL and Asia focusing on emerging investment opportunities across Asia and building strategic partnerships. The company’s business interests include investments in hospitality, leisure, agriculture, real estate & renewable energy. Taprobane Seafoods is led by more..

Nov 11 (SLN) Navy relief teams engaging in rescue and relief operations in the face of adverse weather rescued 288 persons in the past 48 hours (from 08th to 10th Nov) in several parts of the island. Upon rescue of those individuals, the Navy has relocated them in safe locations and provided relief measures. SL Navy has deployed 14 relief teams in Paragoda of Kalutara, New Town of Rathnapura, Udamalaththa in Galle, Palaviya Wanathawilluwa, Eluwankulama, Mannar Road, Kalpitiya, Udubaddawa, more..

Nov 11 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 21,739 persons on Tuesday and 93% of the country’s population over the age of 20 had received both vaccine doses as of 8 Nov. First dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 15,825,242 persons while 13,596,509 persons have received the second dose as well. Third dose has been administered to 78,677 persons and it is the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that is being administered as a booster. more..

Nov 11 (TM) Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has agreed to grant the salary increase recommended by the Cabinet Sub-Committee (SC) appointed to look into the teacher-principal salary anomaly issue in one go, through the budget proposal for the financial year 2022, according to the Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance (TPTUA). Representatives of TPTUA met PM Rajapaksa and Minister Rajapaksa yesterday more..

Nov 11 (PMD) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa was briefed on the progress of the investigation launched by the CIABOC into the Pandora Papers. The Prez informed the Commission to conduct an immediate inquiry into the Sri Lankans and the transactions revealed in the Pandora Papers and submit a report within a month. This was conveyed to the Director General of the Commission on Oct 6 by the Director General of Legal Affairs of the Presidential Secretariat, Harigupta Rohanadeera. more..

Nov 11 (TM) Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday lodged a complaint with the CID seeking an inquiry into recent allegations made by SJB MP Champika Ranawaka regarding alleged irregularities that have taken place during the process of importing nano nitrogen liquid fertiliser from India. Ranawaka recently alleged that a serious and massive financial fraud has taken place in the process of importing the said fertiliser from India. Accordingly, after lodging the complaint with more..

Nov 11 (PMD) Prez Rajapaksa has stated that he did not expect the Opposition to oppose everything but to support what’s right for the future of the country. The country has been opened up and all activities have commenced under the new normalization. But there is a risk of the COVID-19 spreading again due to various activities including protests and demonstrations. This situation could lead to the country being shut down again. more..

Nov 11 (Island) SL Air Force (SLAF) has included a female officer for the first time in its next overseas deployment in the Central African Republic, under UN command. SLAF says it is the seventh UN helicopter deployment contingent. Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, took the salute of the parade, commanded by Wing Commander Sampath Liyanarachchi, the Contingent Commander. This Heli-deployment comprises 20 Officers and 90 Airmen and is scheduled more..

Nov 11 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa, today at an event questioned the public as to why they elect politicians who they had once chased away and urged them to look for new people without electing the same set of people. He said after governing for 5 years, the opposition had failed in their performance which is why he was elected, but now after two years, the opposition behaved like they had never governed the country. "Even if myself or the ministers in my govt don’t meet your expectations, more..

Nov 11 (DM) Schutter Global Inspection and Survey Company, third party testing organization selected by the Chinese company that is embroiled in a conflict with SL agricultural authorities, has cleared its samples of any harmful bacteria on the contrary to findings by SL Plant Quarantine service, company says. Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Company has shared the analysis report with the SL media. Schutter’s test report says that no harmful more..

Nv 11 (FT) As the second anniversary of his assumption of Presidential office nears (19 Nov), Prez Rajapaksa has done the citizenry the favour of transparency about what he thinks. He did so in several key speeches starting with his first address in Glasgow and moving up to the Weeraketiya speech on the occasion of the completion of the 1,500 Roads program. In his first speech in Glasgow, President GR denounced the (Sinhala) peasantry before an international audience; more..

Nv 11 (FT) Hobbling about our COVID-19 devastated landscape are many a breadwinner, having lost their employment, now desperate to feed their families. Even among those lucky enough to retain their jobs, many are on reduced pay, the prices of daily essentials meanwhile have reached stratospheric heights. We now learn that there is another reality. There are a handful of our countrymen busy hiding their wealth, away from the country, the public eye and the tax man. more..

Nov 11 (Island) UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said that the country was likely to face a famine owing to the govt’s bungling on the economic and agricultural fronts. Speaking at a meeting of UNP professionals at Sirikotha, Kotte, Wijewardene said many people had been left without money to buy food, even those who had money could not buy essentials, which were in short supply. “We have never experienced a situation similar to this in the past few decades. more..

Nov 11 (Island) Science was a major casualty in two key agricultural policy decisions made by the previous Yahapalana and the current govts, which on both occasions brought disastrous consequences to the agriculture sector, says Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, Managing Director of the Plantation Sector of Hayleys PLC which comprise Kelani Valley Plantations, Talawakelle Tea Estates and Horana Plantations recently. He slammed the previous Yahapalana govt’s suspension of glyphosate more..

Nov 11 (AD) MP Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a court order to cancel the decision of the Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya to expel him from the party and remove him as a MP. The respondents named in the petition include the Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya (Our Power of People Party), the party’s Secretary Nishantha Ratnayake, Chairman Saman Perera, the Secretary of more..

Nov 11 (Island) Co-Prince of Andorra Joan-Enric Vives I Sicilia has told Ambassador Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama that Andorra and SL shared greater affinities as small nations where tourism plays a significant role in the economic development. Prince has also expressed fondness for SL, its world renowned tea and affirmed support for greater cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of tourism, trade, finance further consolidating bilateral relations with Andorra. more..

Nov 11 (AD) Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 19 coronavirus related deaths for Nov 10, pushing the death toll in SL due to the virus to 13,927. The deaths confirmed today include 11 males and 08 females while four of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years. The remaining 15 are in the age group of 60 years and above. Meanwhile the Health Ministry reported that another 527 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far today (11). more..

Nov 11 (EN) Central Bank has called for a price formula for petroleum which are now under price controls administered by the Finance Ministry amid as the US Federal Reserve prints money firing a commodity bubble while domestic money printing weakens the rupee. Finance Ministry gave the go ahead for state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to raise prices on June 12. “However, the recent rising trend of global prices of crude oil and forecasts that this trend is likely to continue during more..

Nov 11 (DM) Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is being held at the Angunakolapelessa Prison, has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. Prisons Spokesman said that Mr. Ramanayake was admitted to the Karapitiya General Hospital on Wednesday due to a knee injury. The doctors at the hospital directed Mr. Ramanayake to be admitted to the Orthopedic Clinic of the Colombo National Hospital (CNH). Therefore, he was transferred to Welikada Prison Hospital on Wednesday more..

Nov 11 (DM) Zahran, who led the Easter Sunday attacks, had never met anyone from the intelligence units as per the available evidence, Minister Sarath Weerasekera told Parliament today. Making a special statement in the House, the Minister said Zahran’s wife was questioned both before and after the Easter Sunday attacks and she had never mentioned that her husband had met intelligence officers. more..

Nov 11 (AD) Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa will present the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2022 in Parliament tomorrow. The budget speech will commence at 2 pm. This is the 76th budget of an independent Sri Lanka. It is the second budget of the incumbent govt and the first presented by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The 2022 Appropriation Bill was introduced in P'ment more..

Nov 11 (DM) Audio clips of Zahran Hashim’s wife Sadiya admitting that her husband had met intelligence officers are available, SJB MP Harin Fernando told Parliament adding more suspense to the Easter Sunday attack episode. MP Fernando said even those in Vatican and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had listened to the clips as of today. “The Clips where Sadiya, the wife of Zahran admitting that her husband had met intelligence officers prior to the Easter Sunday attacks are available more..