Nov 1 (FT) Whiz-kid in economics, Aseni, and her grandfather, Sarath Mahatthaya, have been probing into the new world of cryptocurrencies, how they are created, and the system under which they operate. They have found that the first cryptocurrency in the modern era was created by IMF in 1969 when it issued an artificial currency called Special Drawing Rights or SDR. Private individuals entered the cryptocurrency world in 2009 when a new crypto called bitcoin was created with more..

Nov 1 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has emphasized the imperative need for a new agricultural revolution that is not against nature and pointed out that people should coexist with nature rather than act against it. Prez made these remarks addressing a special conference organized by SL on the sidelines of UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland, under the theme “Rediscovering Nitrogen: Solutions and more..

Nov 1 (FT) Board of Investment (BOI) has recently entered into an agreement with Colombo Int'l Airport Hotels Ltd. (CIAH) to construct the country’s first-ever airport hotel within the Airport and Aviation Services premises at Katunayake. CIAH will invest $ 18.2 million for this project and the first phase of this hotel development is planned to be ready by 2022. The agreement was signed by BOI Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala and CIAH Chairman Ruwan Perera. more..

Nov 1 (AD) A Kenyan national has been arrested at the BIA, while attempting to smuggle around 50 capsules containing cocaine in his abdomen. The 39-year-old Kenyan man who arrived at the BIA around 10.30 am yesterday on an Emirates flight EK650 from Kenya was arrested on suspicion by the officers of Narcotic Control Unit of SL Customs. The arrested suspect was examined by the body scanning machine at the airport premises and it was observed that the suspect had hidden more..

Nov 1 (DM) The Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law was a golden opportunity to make the social issues discussed by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation a reality, Head of the Task Force Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said today. He told during a virtual press conference of the Presidential Media Centre that what was expected from the Presidential Task Force according to the gazette notification was more..

Nov 1 (Island) State Minister Shehan Semasinghe yesterday said that he was disappointed at some statements made by Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, at a media conference on Friday (29) against the LNG deal. The State Minister said that the Minister’s statement would mislead the public and cause a rift in the govt. The State Minister asked why Udaya Gammanpila remained in a govt which he considered corrupt. Asked to comment on State Minister Semasinghe’s statement, more..

Nov 1 (TM) Women of all ages are unable to step out of their homes without fear, even the elderly, and the police is not to be blamed, instead it is the fault of the society we live in that needs to be blamed for such fears, said Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekera. “Women are unable to step out of their homes due to fears of getting mugged. If a 10 year old goes missing, the final outcome is not very good. Forces are not to be blamed for this. Instead, it is the society we live in. more..

Nov 1 (EN) Despite a 6-month-long inter-provincial travel ban being lifted after a significant drop in daily cases of COVID-19, SLMA said that the situation is getting worse, not better. “With the new data SLMA has gathered, we would like to remind you that the COVID-19 situation in the country has not improved but has worsened, ” SLMA President Dr Padma Gunaratne said. “We too thought infections had subsided with fewer cases more..

Nov 1 (Island) It is unfair for trade unionists to take people hostage and cut off the power supply for two days to win their political demands, Chief Govt Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando says. Responding to journalists’ queries during an inspection tour to observe the finalizing of the work of New Kelani Bridge, which is to be opened, the Minister said that the trade unionists have mixed some of their professional grievances with political agendas of the parties they belong to. more..

Nov 1 (Island) A splinter group of the CEB Engineers Union said it would do its utmost to maintain an uninterrupted power supply. The newly formed Senior Engineers Association Spokesman, Nandika Pathirage, said that they would not take part in the trade union action. He said, “We believe that the CEB should be modernised to resolve the upcoming energy crisis. It is our responsibility to do so,” he said. “CEB should carry out short term, mid-term and long-term reforms to address more..

Nov 1 (AD) A suspected underworld gang member who had attempted to rob a house in the Mulleriyawa area has reportedly been beaten to death by residents in the area. Police said that the deceased is a close associate of the infamous underworld figure Dineth Melan Mabula alias Uru Juwa. The incident had occurred last night (31) when two unidentified men had arrived at a residence located on Chandrika Mawatha more..

Nov 1 (Island) Nearly 400 senior military officers from more than 90 countries will convene over a period of three weeks for a high-level workshop on the laws of war, also known as international humanitarian law (IHL), and their application in military operations. Hosted by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), 14th Annual Senior Workshop on Int'l Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) will focus on current issues: urban warfare, partnered military operations, more..

Nov 1 (CT) Teldeniya Police yesterday arrested, on suspicion, two individuals at Ambakote in Digana, who were in possession of 100 live 9 mm pistol bullets. One of the suspects had been a resident in America for 27 years and was a US citizen. During Police investigations it was revealed that this individual had migrated in 1994 and subsequent to being granted US citizenship he had joined the US Navy. Based on information received that behind this person’s house at Ambakote in Digana, more..

Nov 1 (FT) Monetary Board of the Central Bank has established an Advisory Committee to examine possible revival options for failed finance companies. It comprises four eminent experts from the business sector and is chaired by CBSL former Deputy Governor and Commercial Bank Chairman Dharma Dheerasinghe. The other members are PricewaterhouseCoopers Managing Partner Sujeewa Mudalige, Moore Stephens Consulting Ltd. Managing Director Tishan Subasinghe more..

Nov 1 (Island) A 15-member cultural delegation from SL has been invited by the government of Uttar Pradesh, India to participate in the grand Deepotsav celebration, which is being organized from Nov 1-5 at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The delegation is led by Gnanakumar Sithambaram and Gayathri Suveendran, members of the SL Chapter of the Global Encyclopedia of Ramayana project, and Kalasuri Shrimati Vasugy Jegatheeswaran, an eminent Bharatha Natyam Guru more..

Nov 1 (FT) Outgoing US Ambassador to SL Aliana B. Teplitz whose tenure has come to a close said it is the people-to-people ties that sustain the relationship between the two countries. In a video message, Ambassador Teplitz said the US has partnered closely with the Govt to promote Sri Lanka’s prosperity and sovereignty, and to strengthen the private sector and people-to-people ties people-to-people ties. more..

Nov 1 (TM) In light of cases that have now been filed in regards to police brutalities and other officials who have used force and taken advantage of powers vested in them, Executive Director at the Centre for Police Alternatives (CPA) Dr Paikiasothy Saranavamuttu said that many brutalities have happened in the name of law. “Sri Lanka has a National Police Commission, a national Human Rights commission, both of which are institutions of the state and not the Govt. more..

Nov 1 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the Govt has betrayed the public’s mandate and that only SJB can reverse the country’s disastrous journey. Premadasa said this while participating at a farmers’ protest held in Hiriyala, Ibbagamuwa, on Friday. “Govt doesn’t understand the reality of agriculture. SJB will create a massive anti-govt rally to show the Govt that the public is against its decisions though they were appointed by a majority which are now opposing their actions,” more..

Nov 1 (FT) Steel giant Lanwa is foraying into the cement market with a manufacturing plant at the Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone, while last week it struck two agreements with the Hambantota International Port towards operationalising the new venture. One of the agreements was connecting the Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation Ltd.’s 3 million-ton per annum plant at Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone more..

Nov 1 (TM) When it comes to police torture, if extended to the UNHRC, another recommendation will be passed against SL, says Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa. “The 2022 March UNHRC meeting is important to SL as torture is one of the main topics against SL, as well as another important feature is the torture committee and the torture sessions. When you talk about torture internally, we have seen different forces involved with different activities. more..

Nov 1 (FT) SriLankan Airlines has successfully commenced its flights to the French capital over the weekend after a lapse of six years. The national carrier will operate scheduled flights between Colombo’s BIA and France’s Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) non-stop flights to France every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday using a fleet of Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The inaugural flight from Colombo to Paris left Colombo on 30 October and arrived in Paris yesterday at 7:30 a.m. more..

Nov 1 (EN) SL has lifted an import duty for a state agency to import grain, under whose cover a so-called rice mafia has been raising prices to above global levels and has been charging excessive prices from consumers. Finance Ministry has slashed a 65 rupee a kilogram tax on Raw Rice, Nadu Rice and Samba rice to only 25 cents for SL State Trading General Corporation to import rice. The STC will be able to import rice with more..

Nov 1 (DM) There is a risk that the new variant named A.30, which can evade COVID-19 vaccines, will enter SL, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union said today. Union Head Upul Rohana said almost all COVID-19 variants detected earlier in other countries were found in Sri Lanka within a short period of time. “Likewise, this variant too can be found in the country at any point,” he said. “In a situation where COVID safety measures are going for a toss, if this new variant enters more..

Nov 1 (CT) A series of dialogues, organized by the JVP, under the theme, Let us begin life from the village – piloted by the JVP, with solutions to beautify life in your village’ will commence from today. Its first dialogue will begin this morning (1) at Maharagama at 10 a.m. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, General Secretary Tilvin Silva, Politburo members, K. D. Lalkantha, Sunil Handunneththi and Central Committee member Nalinda Jayatissa will participate in this event. more..

Nov 2 (DM) The debate between the leaders of the govt and farmers over the prevailing fertilizer shortage reminds us the Sinhala folk tale called Hathara Beeri Kathawa or the story of four deaf men. One man puts a question to another who gives an answer which has nothing to do with the question. And a third man joins the conversation with something hardly relevant to the occasion. Thus goes their chat. Here, farmers are demanding fertilizer – chemical or organic - more..

Nov 2 (DM) According to IMDb “The Movie [Methagu] shows the true events that happened in Tamileelam to suppress Tamil ethnicity and it is talking about how and why Tamil leader Prabhakaran emerged in the Tamil freedom struggle in the Indian Ocean Island nation Sri Lanka.” Not all events are true as I explain. According to Wikipedia, Methagu (transl. His Excellency) is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language political thriller film based on the life of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. more..

Nov 2 (DM) Speculation is rife whether the questionable ship Hippo Spirit, carrying the consignment of Chinese organic fertiliser, has already reached SL waters despite repeated rejections by SL authorities after the fertiliser tested was infected with harmful bacteria. Even after two tests that detected harmful pathogens in its samples, the Chinese authorities weren’t ready to re-accept cargo, but in turn requested for a 3rd test more..

Nov 2 (DM) Two weeks back, I wrote that the Sri Lankan reality under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa govt is both more ludicrous and grimmer than a dark comedy. Given the history of key protagonists in the play, I must add, it is also a sinister one. The appointment of a firebrand monk Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera as the head of a presidential task force on One Country -One Law has all these attributes. The two objectives of the presidential task force are: “to make a study of more..

Nov 2 (ST) Poor Gamini Lakshman Peiris, GL for short. While his alma mater- the school-by-the-sea-was in the throes of playing the 142nd cricket encounter with a state school that almost did not come off but saved by our usual grit, the foreign minister was in London batting for Sri Lanka. Not that GL is known/for his cricketing prowess, for he has hardly wielded a bat, even a pol-pithi one as far as I know from the old days when I was bowling the chinaman–no, not Xi Jinping. more..

Nov 2 (CT) Leaders of the Govt’s constituent parties on Friday, while claiming there are influential forces within the Govt that act in an arbitrary manner to derail the Govt from its original mandate, vowed to resort to stricter action to defeat faulty decisions even if that cost all the perks they are enjoying at the moment. Minister Wimal Weerawansa, criticising the Cabinet decision on the transfer of shares of Yugadanavi Power Plant more..

Nov 2 (TM) SL yesterday (1) rolled out the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and this brings hope to those who need more than two doses to strengthen their immunity system to fight Covid-19. The situation is now different from the situation that existed earlier this year, when the Govt commenced the vaccination drive for the public. Even though a certain level of carelessness can be observed among the people, especially among the vaccinated, with regard to adherence to the Covid-19 more..

Nov 2 (CT) Yesterday this newspaper carried an article under the heading Booster vaccines from today with a strap line: Frontline workers prioritised. To quote excerpts, it said, ‘Sri Lanka is ready to begin administering the third or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines to its citizens starting from today (1), with frontline health professionals being the first to receive such. The PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be provided as a booster dose. Director General of Health Services more..

Nov 2 (CT) The survival of the seventy years old Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) passed in 1951, which provided legal protection to certain cultural idiosyncrasies pertaining to Muslim conjugal life and are claimed by Islamic orthodoxy as part of the shariah, is fated to come to an end soon, all in the name of a secular political mantra, One Country One Law (OCOL). In other words, MMDA has become the lamb waiting to be slaughtered in Prez Rajapaksa’s Task Force abattoir headed by more..

Nov 2 (Island) Electoral shocks are the political version of electroconvulsive therapy; they help knock some sense into politicians who get intoxicated with power and take leave of their senses. The UNP leaders have shown signs of recovery. The SLPP politicians, who responded well to treatment, in 2015, have suffered a relapse; they seem to be in need of shock therapy again if their arrogance is anything to go by. UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena is reported to have said more..

Nov 2 (FT) Damro has reached a milestone in India with the opening of the 100th showroom in Kolkata. The company said Damro launched its most recent showroom in Kolkata as the seventh showroom in the city to provide enhanced services to one of the most populous cities in India. In consideration of developing export volume in SL at a much-needed time, Damro has expedited the showroom network expansion process more..

Nov 2 (CT) Months after lands were cleared for maize cultivation in the Pollebedda-Rambakan Oya area, there is a fear now that the water is unsafe for consumption due to the use of chemical fertilisers. Veddha Chief Uru Warige Wannila Aththo filed a writ application together with Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) in February, following continuous concerns regarding the proposed agriculture and livestock development project to be implemented by clearing the water catchment area more..

Nov 2 (Island) After a year and a half of being cooped up in homes, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children are set to go back to school, if they are not already. While some kids will be excited about meeting their peers and teachers, others, particularly the younger children, may feel overwhelmed in a new social environment. In some, forced out of their comfort zone, this may create separation anxiety. The anxiety about being separated from families, after being together more..