Nov 24 (Island) The GMOA has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s intervention to prevent L.A. Kalukapuarachchi, Secretary, Health Sub Committee of Public Service Commission, from interfering in the appointments and transfers of medical officers. GMOA President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya has urged the President to ensure that appointment and transfer process proceeds smoothly. more..

Nov 24 (FT) Digital acceleration was one of the positive outcomes of the COVID 19 pandemic. The pharmaceutical industry in particular leveraged this opportunity to shed its image of being a laggard and launched multiple initiatives ranging from virtual channels of customer engagement, innovative apps to provide just in time information to healthcare professionals and leveraging social media for social listening and gathering insights. Healthcare professionals evolved their approach more..

Nov 24 (FT) I have written extensively advocating the necessity to consider amending our existing electoral system which in my view requires certain amendments towards effective representation. I am pleased to note Prez Rajapaksa in a recent forum reiterated the introduction of an electoral system and a new constitution as a matter of priority. Towards this endeavour the Parliamentary Select Committee is in the process of finalising its recommendation. At this stage it is opportune for me to highlight more..

Nov 24 (TM) SLMC, led by former minister Rauff Hakeem, has decided to suspend the party membership of the three parliamentarians who voted in favour of the Budget 2022. The SLMC said that MPs H.M.M. Harees, Faizal Cassim and Hafiz Nasir Ahmed have been suspended from their posts in the party with immediate effect. The decision has been taken due to them failing to comply with the resolution of the SLMC’s High Command with regard to the Budget vote in parliament. more..

Nov 24 (DM) Requests received regarding the postponement of the dates of the practical exams by students for GCE A/L exams will be directed to the attention of the Education Minister, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said. In response to a question raised by a journalist via zoom during the weekly cabinet meeting, he stated that the practical examinations for the A/L Atheistic subjects are scheduled to take place from Dec 1 to 15. more..

Nov 24 (AD) Permission will be granted to the private sector to import agrochemicals such as chemical fertilizers and weedicides with effect from today, says Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage. He made this remark addressing the special media briefing held this morning to announce Cabinet decisions. However, the govt’s policy to promote green agriculture in the country will not be rolled back, minister said. more..

Nov 24 (Island) BMICH, together with the SL Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition & Event Organizers (SLAPCEO) announced that they have implemented all safety guidelines recommended by the health authorities to ensure a safe environment for all stakeholders in restarting the regular expositions. “The procedures and processes that have been implemented with co-operation and guidance of the health authorities and with the total commitment of all stakeholders more..

Nov 24 (EN) Chairman of Kinniya UC who is a relative of SLMC MP Imran Maharoof should be removed from his post as he had illegally given permission to run a ferry across the Kinya lagoon, State Minister Nimal Lansa told Parliament. State Minister who made an announcement in the House said the Chairman of Kinniya UC is a relative of MP Maharoof while the businessman who has been allowed to run the ferry service is a member of SLMC and an associate of Mr. Maharoof. more..

Nov 24 (EN) SL will appoint a committee to amend existing laws applicable to journalists and media organisations and to formulate a national media policy that will cover, among other things, media ethics, according to the cabinet office, amid concern over govt overreach. The cabinet has approved a proposal by Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma to appoint the committee that will represent the fields of media, marketing, more..

Nov 24 (DM) The Police yesterday warned nearly 10,000 people for not wearing face masks properly to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during a special operation conducted in the Western Province. On the orders and instructions of the Senior DIG, Western Province, a special operation was carried out to control the spread of Covid-19 disease from 6 am to 6 pm yesterday covering the Western Province. Accordingly, more than 35,000 people travelling in buses, three-wheelers and more..

Nov 24 (TM) Refuting claims made by State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera who said that it was the Yahapalanaya Govt which neglected intelligence advice to arrest Zahran Hashim, and thus assisted in the Easter bombings, SJB MP Nalin Bandara said that it was former President Maithripala Sirisena and the SLPP who had made arrangements which led to the Easter attacks. He made this statement while speaking in Parliament today. “The document shared by Kanchana Wijesekera is correct. more..

Nov 24 (AD) The new state-of-the-art Kelani Bridge named Golden Gate Kalyani in Peliyagoda was declared open this evening (24) in a ceremony held under the patronage of Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa. The six-lane bridge, which aims to ease the traffic congestion in Colombo and suburban areas, is the first-ever to be constructed in Sri Lanka with hi-tech stay cables. After the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway more..

Nov 24 (DM) The Bribery Commission has filed indictments before Colombo High Court against former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon and Shanthi Chandrasena, the spouse of Minister S.M. Chandrasena for allegedly causing an unlawful loss to the govt when obtaining fuel allowance between Sept 27, 2012, and Dec 31, 2014. S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon is a brother of Minister of Lands S.M. Chandrasena. The Director-General of the CIABOC filed indictments more..

Nov 24 (CT) Deputy Chief of Staff of the SL Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Andrew Wayne Ediriweera Wijesuriya retired today after completing more than 35 years of service. He made an official farewell call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at his office. Commander commended him for the dedicated and distinguished long years of service rendered to the nation and to the SL Air Force in particular. The Commander and the Air Vice Marshal exchanged mementos more..

Nov 24 (CI) Eleven wickets - seven of them belonging to the visitors - fell on the fourth day of the Galle Test between SL and the West Indies as the hosts inched closer towards victory. SL's spinners Ramesh Mendis and Lasith Embuldeniya ran through the West Indian batting line-up to leave them reeling at 52 for 6 at stumps. They need a further 296 runs to win with just four wickets in hand. Much like the first innings, it was the loopy more..

Nov 24 (SLN) To coincide with the series of religious events held in view of the 71st anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy, the Navy Christian Council organized a Christian Commemoration & Thanksgiving Service at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo on 23rd Nov. The Christian Commemoration & Thanksgiving Service conducted by Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Anton Ranjith and clergies was presided by Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne. more..

Nov 24 (DM) While saying that the demand for Pfizer vaccine has fairly gone down, the Health Ministry said the vulnerable people still forgo vaccines resulting in number of deaths going up at present. Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said that it is alarming that vulnerable and high-risk people were not interested in getting the vaccine. “We have not been able to bring the number of fatalities under control due to people in high-risk groups forgoing vaccine” more..

Nov 24 (TM) UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata, will undertake his first country visit to SL from 26 Nov to 3 Dec 2021. He will examine the labour conditions in various economic sectors, including in the garment industry, the tea plantations, tourism and domestic work. The Special Rapporteur also intends to assess the implementation of laws and policies and systemic barriers that hamper access to decent work, including for migrant workers more..

Nov 24 (EN) COVID task force should take full responsibility if the private bus service collapses, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) said. According to LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne, the country's private bus operations will be reduced by another 50% by January from its current service. The private bus service is currently operating incurring heavy losses, he said. "COVID task force has warned that using public transport will cause a COVID spread in the community. more..

Nov 24 (AFP) Sri Lanka will tap a state-run Chinese firm to build a deep-sea container port, the govt said on Wednesday, in a move likely to reignite fears over Beijing's rising regional maritime power. The island's capital Colombo is located in the Indian Ocean between the major hubs of Dubai and Singapore, meaning influence at its ports is highly sought after. SL's port authority signed a preliminary agreement to build more..

Nov 24 (EN) Cabinet of ministers has given the go-ahead to introduce a QR code payment system at tolling gates at expressways in a bid to reduce cash payments in the island. “The govt has joined hands with all licensed financial institutions in the endeavor of encouraging the LankaQR payment methodology with the objective of minimising the use of money physically within SL (sp),” a statement from the cabinet office said on Wednesday (24). “As one of its initiatives, it has been proposed to introduce more..

Nov 24 (TM) The Engineers’ Union of the CEB has issued a warning to the General Manager of the CEB by way of a letter which details that if their demands are not met, they will be forced to escalate their ongoing Trade Union action. The Union notes to their dismay that no positive response from the higher management in view of settling their demands has been seen so far. Accordingly, their demands are as follows: Not to proceed with improper & illegal New Fortress LNG deal. more..

Nov 24 (Island) The Court of Appeal yesterday took up a public interest litigation pertaining to the allegedly illegal gazette pertaining to 15 illegally captured elephants. The extraordinary gazette was issued on 19 Aug, 2021, effectively legalizing the commercial use of elephants, private ownership of elephants, low standards of welfare and, most importantly, permitted the registration of the illegally captured elephants. more..

Nov 24 (DM) Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday instructed the relevant authorities to restore the Pahala Kadugannawa area on the Colombo-Kandy main road and to rebuilt the shops immediately. The road was closed recently due to heavy showers and earth slips in that area. The landslide threat was detected near the 98th km post on the Colombo-Kandy main road. Later, one lane of the road was opened for vehicular traffic upon recommendation of the RDA and NBRO. more..

Nov 24 (AD) The appointment of 08 Secretaries to Ministries has been approved by the Committee on High Posts, the Communications Dept of Parliament said in a statement. General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defense was among the Secretaries to the Ministries who received approval of the Committee on High Posts chaired by Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, yesterday (23). In addition, Mr. W.H. Karunaratna as the Secretary to more..

Nov 24 (DM) Schools are finally open again after almost 20 months of online learning. The Director-General of Health Services has detailed how and when schools would re-open and examinations are held. Children of Grades 6, 7, 8 and 9, who were not permitted to attend school, will be doing so this week. The struggles to adapt to a new system of learning have been many. But now that on-site classes are being held again, more..

Nov 24 (AD) Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 23 coronavirus related deaths for Nov 2, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 14,205. The deaths include 11 males and 12 females while one of the victims is below the age of 30 years. Four patients are between the ages 30-59 years while the remaining 18 are in the age group of 60 years and above. Meanwhile the Health Ministry has reported that another 518 persons have tested positive more..

Nov 24 (EN) SL will set up a natural gas company as a subsidiary of the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation which is expected to develop natural gas reserves, construct pipelines, and transport and distribute the fuel, a govt statement said. The move comes shortly after Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said 300 odd state entities are not giving adequate returns and are eating tax money for current operations. Cabinet approval has been given to set it up as a public private partnership more..

Nov 25 (DM) After a year of unprecedented protests by thousands of farmers camping on the borders of Delhi since last November and after more than a dozen deaths from the heat, cold and COVID, PM Narendra Modi in a surprising announcement said on Friday he would repeal the three controversial farm laws introduced in September last year. A Reuters report said, the combative leader’s decision was a significant climb-down and came amid looming state elections in politically important more..

Nov 25 (CT) Tuesday’s ferry accident near the Kurinchankerny Bridge, Kinniya, Trincomalee killed six, according to the Defence Ministry. It’s unclear whether the responsibility for this tragedy is with the Central Government or the local council in question. Responsibility of the Eastern Provincial Council for this tragedy is ruled out as Provincial Councils (PCs) in the country stand dissolved with PCs functioning under the respective provincial Governors who in turn are appointed by the President. more..

Nov 25 (DM) State Minister Susil Premajayantha responded to questions on education reforms and governance issues. In somewhat hard-hitting remarks he was critical of the way the Govt is administered at present. Premajayantha is a senior politician who recently completed his doctorate in public administration. Q: Recently, there was a workshop on the education system of Finland. more..

Nov 25 (DM) One country, one law. Now there’s something that has to prompt wild cheers from so-called liberals (including ardent UNPers, SJBers, not-so-red JVPers, funded-voices, rent-a-protest agitators and other Colombians). They are not cheering. Why not? Let’s get that question out of the way first. Several answers. The more legitimate would be the composition of the Task Force on the subject appointed by the President, in particular its Chairperson, Ven. Gnanasara Thera. more..

Nov 25 (DM) The iconic Colombo Municipal Council building was illuminated in orange with messaging on the national women’s helpline and Mithuru Piyasa hotline today to place a spotlight on intimate partner violence and encourage more women to seek help. The illumination organised by UNFPA in collaboration with the CMC and the High Commission of Canada, launched the 16 days of global activism against gender-based violence in SL with a focus on intimate partner violence. more..

Nov 25 (TM) Bringing to an end months-long disputes, uncertainty and protests, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday announced that the Govt has decided to renege on its plan to establish a 100% organic farming culture, and make chemical fertiliser available as before. He also said that the gazette notification issued in this regard in April will be revoked. However, Aluthgamage stressed that despite this decision reversal, more..

Nov 25 (TM) SL’s Parliament is an interesting, yet highly serious place, and what those who were sent to Parliament by the public say and do is what gives the Parliament such qualities. Sometimes, they make decisions that steer the country forward, and at other times, their actions border on comedic – or tragic, depending on whom one asks. Such is the nature of the country’s main law making institution. There is an ongoing discussion in Parliament about Parliamentarians’ conduct. more..

Nov 25 (GV) Boys are often under represented or even ignored in the fight against child sexual exploitation due to the stereotyping of gender traits with males being considered strong and invulnerable and less likely to be victimised or in need of support while females are considered vulnerable and more often abused and in need of support. “Such beliefs often hamper equitable and necessary discourse on the sexual exploitation of children of all genders, but especially for boys where the development of more..