Oct 27 (CT) Food inflation continued to be at the double-digit level for the third consecutive month last month (September), increasing by 10 per cent year-on-year (YoY), CSD data released yesterday (21) showed. High food inflation was led by an ordinary family’s rice bill increasing by Rs 436.87 YoY, coconut oil bill by Rs 243.42, vegetable bill by Rs 179.97, Mysore dhal bill by Rs 158.73, dried fish bill by Rs 110.87, fresh fish by Rs 101.64 and coconuts by Rs 84.06, respectively. more..

OOct 27 (CT) Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera warned that if the Prez and the Govt do not get their act together, he will personally take the lead in toppling it, before the end of the term of this regime. He said, currently, there was not a single responsible official within the Govt to highlight the burning issues of the masses other than the President. But, he noted the Prez alone cannot be forced to resolve all problems through his own initiative. more..

Oct 27 (CT) JJB Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake challenged Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to meet the JVP in Court. Aluthgamage alleged that private companies have bought the JVP and now the party is acting on instructions of those companies. Responding to this allegation, Dissanayake said the JVP will send a Letter of Demand to Aluthgamage over his claims. “Aluthgamage has to understand that no one can buy the JVP. more..

Oct 27 (TM) Prof. Nilwala Kottegoda and the team at SL Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) developed a new nano fertilizer product in 2010 and received 4 US patents at a time where nano fertilizer was entirely new to the scientific community. However, The Morning learns that as there were many challenges to be overcome before SL could commercialise this product, SLINTEC transferred the technology to one of the leading fertilizer manufacturers in India with non exclusive more..

Oct 27 (DM) NPP MP Vijitha Herath today said there had been a misappropriation in payment made to the Indian Company to purchase nano liquid fertilizer and urged the Govt to clarify on the matter. He told Parliament that People’s bank had transferred US$ 1.257 million to an account of the private company called United Farmers Trust Ltd at the People’s Bank branch in Town Hall, violating due procedures. more..

Oct 27 (PHC) Pakistan High Commission, Colombo along with the SL Pakistan Friendship Association celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi today on Oct 22 by organizing a special event at the High Commission. The occasion was celebrated with traditional fervor and reverence. Members of the Pakistani diaspora and friends of Pakistan participated in the event. The event started with recitation from the Holy Quran by Acting High Commissioner, Mr. Tanvir Ahmed, who spoke about significance of holy occasion. more..

Oct 27 (DM) The country is heading towards facing an acute shortage of fuel and therefore the country is in a bottleneck situation in the future, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation's (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha said. He said that it has been said that the ship that recently docked in the port had brought crude oil. But it was reported later that it only had brought petrol and not crude oil. Although the govt said a shipload of crude oil is expected soon, more..

OOct 27 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has instructed the health authorities to complete the vaccination of all eligible children within two weeks. Prez gave further instructions to expedite the vaccination process and complete the vaccination of all personnel who are eligible as soon as possible. Additional directives were issued to commence the administration of Pfizer vaccine as a booster third dose from Nov 1 to the frontline workers more..

Oct 27 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa has reportedly informed Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), Dr. Prasanna Gunasena to stay in the position another one month until a replacement is found. Dr Gunasena had earlier conveyed his intention about retirement in writing. Prez has agreed to his intention to step down from the post as SPC Chairman. However, Dr Gunasena has been asked to stay another one month until a suitable replacement is found to the post. more..

Oct 27 (TM) Intelligence operatives were present at a protest by farmers demanding fertilizer in Hiniduma, Galle, SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara claimed. He added that the intelligence operatives fled when farmers attempted to talk to them. A significant number of farmers in Galle are tea small holders, the MP said. A common complaint of the farmers is that the tea bushes are yellowing because they have no fertilizer. MP said that the Prez believed that running the country was more..

Oct 23 (CT) The present day United National Party (UNP) may lack many things, most importantly for a political party, a popular following; its abysmal failure was displayed so starkly at the last general elections, when the old warhorse failed to win a single seat in parliament. This was not the case in the past, even when it could not form the govt at the elections, the UNP generally commanded the confidence of a very large number of voters, sometimes even more than governing party. more..

Oct 23 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa last month said in New York that Tamil Diaspora would be invited for discussions. And his Foreign Minister now says that the govt has ruled out talks with banned Tamil Diaspora groups. The Prez made his statement during a meeting with none other than the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sept 19 while he was in New York to attend the 76th session of the UNGA. He stated that the internal issues of SL should be resolved through an internal more..

Oct 23 (DM) The TNA is now twenty years of age. The premier political configuration of the Tamil people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of SL came into being on Oct 22, 2001, a few weeks ahead of the 2001 Dec Parliamentary Election. Much water has flown down on either side of the Elephant Pass Isthmus since then. Nevertheless, the TNA has continued to remain the chief political representative of the SL Tamils by more..

Oct 23 (CT) SL’s legal circles are abuzz regarding shockingly routine withdrawals of indictments by the current Attorney General, several of which were filed by the current Chief Justice while functioning as AG at the time. Two of the most controversial indictments, one against Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda for collusion in hiding the truth behind the ghastly kidnapppings for ransom and murders of eleven Tamil and Muslim youth and the other against a key member of the Rajapaksa family, more..

Oct 23 (DM) Until Monday when the northern farmers joined their southern counterparts in protesting against the govt’s untimely decision to ban chemical fertilizer, the northern people were more concerned about the protests by fishermen in the region against the plundering of their wealth by the Indian fishermen. They have been agitating for the past several weeks to persuade the govt, especially Minister Douglas Devananda who is also a northerner to stop the Indian fishermen more..

Oct 23 (CT) Prez Gotabhaya Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament on Thursday (21), morning and was welcomed by Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, State Ministers Kanaka Herath, Nalaka Godahewa, Kanchana Wijesekera, Arundika Fernando and MP Isuru Dodangoda upon his arrival. The President entered the Chamber accompanied by the MPs of the Govt and Opposition Leader Sajith more..

Oct 23 (CT) Election Manifesto of then presidential candidate in the 2019 Prez Election, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was based on the premise of rule of law and one law for the entire nation. It said, “The legal system in a country is the foundation of a civilised society and it should operate to ensure the well-being of its people. The aim of the concept of rule of law is to build a civilised society. As such, a democratic Govt should never interfere with the rule of law. Our Govt shall always be dedicated more..

Oct 23 (TM) Comrade Koshila Hansamali is a relentless fighter and Frontline Socialist Party activist who has been in detention for the past 60 days without bail for protesting against the Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill. She continues to be detained in prison in spite of severe health risks as she suffers from a respiratory disease and has already contracted Covid-19 inside the prison. Dear comrade Koshila, We know our prisons too well to ask you how you are. more..

Oct 23 (Island) Sri Lanka is like a mental hospital under an air raid, with doctors and patients running helter-skelter. Those who came to power, flaunting their medals, epaulettes, brass buttons and accoutrements, and promising to bring order out of chaos are all at sea. They seem to have brought chaos out of order. They signal left and turn right, and make numerous U-turns. Sports Minister goes overseas to attend events of religious significance; the Trade Minister rushes to the airport more..

Oct 23 (Island) A report in The Sunday Times of 17 Oct, states: “US $243 million (around Rs. 48,600 million) has been earmarked for a 27-km tunnel, considered the longest in the country under the Upper Elahera Canal Project of the Mahaweli …. Under the overall project, a 98-km network of canals and tunnels are to take water from Moragahakanda to Mahakandarawa wewa….” The report however, does not indicate what quantities of water are to be delivered. However, the report confirms that more..

Oct 23 (TM) Yesterday (21) was a miraculous day for SL; for the first time ever, a mother gave birth to sextuplets at the Ninewells Hospital in Colombo. The 33-year-old mother Dilini Dayananda delivered three girls and three boys who were all just two minutes apart, and according to all medical professionals in the field, this is an unheard of and miraculous birth. At the moment, Dilini is in the ICU for monitoring purposes, more..

Oct 23 (Island) Military simulation training software developer SimCentric Technologies Ltd strengthened the Company’s information security with the ISO 27001:2013 certification for information security management. This achievement coincides with the Company’s 12th anniversary this year. Over the years, SimCentric Technologies have successfully offered reliable and effective training software to a global clientele. The ISO 27001:2013 certification confirms SimCentric more..

Oct 23 (FT) Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has welcomed the release of Rishad Bathiudeen on bail following his arrest on the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The IPU in a Tweet on 18 Oct said: “The IPU is pleased that MP Rishad Bathiudeen was finally released on bail following his arrest on the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The IPU will closely monitor his trial.” Bathiudeen, a MP and Leader of the ACMC, was arrested by the CID on 24 April under the PTA Act No. 48 of 1979. more..

Oct 23 (DM) For over a century Sri Lanka and India has been struggling to find a permanent solution to its maritime dispute. What began as claiming ownership over Katchatheevu, an uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait has extended to a bigger issue concerning the rights of fishermen and depletion of marine resources in SL’s waters. Even though bilateral agreements have clearly mentioned that Indian fishermen more..

Oct 23 (CI) 44 - Netherlands' total against Sri Lanka was the second-lowest in the men's T20 World Cup. The lowest is 39 all out, also by the Netherlands, against Sri Lanka in the 2014 edition. The 44 all out was also the lowest T20 total by any team in the UAE, beating Kenya's 56 all out in a T20I against Afghanistan in 2013. 10 - Overs batted by Netherlands, the shortest all-out innings at the men's T20 World Cup. Netherlands lasted just 10.3 overs against Sri Lanka in 2014, more..

Oct 23 (FT) High Post Committee (HPC) of Parliament has approved Jagath Wellawatta as SL’s new Ambassador to Italy. Wellawatta, a Uni of Colombo Senior Lecturer and SL Insurance Corporation former Chairman, was to go as High Commissioner to Australia and his name was cleared by the Committee in August but he did not take up the post. No decision has been taken as to who will go as High Commissioner to Australia now. Janaka Bandara, current High Commissioner more..

Oct 23 (Island) A total of half a million rupees will be on offer for the winners of the Li – Ning Western Province Badminton Association (WPBA) Open Badminton Championship, which will take place at St. Joseph’s College Indoor Stadium from Nov 11-14, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) announced. The high profile tournament, organized jointly by WPBA and SLB, will see events conducted under 31 categories, including open men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles more..

Oct 23 (DM) Access Engineering PLC (AEL), the foremost civil engineering company in Sri Lanka, expanded its asphalt manufacturing plant operations by establishing a new asphalt plant at Daniston Estate in Horawala, Matugama recently, in addition to the asphalt plant being operated at the same premises. The new plant holds a production capacity of over 160 metric tonnes of asphalt concrete per hour, making it the largest asphalt manufacturing plant in the island. more..

Oct 23 (CI) This was the first dead rubber of the World Cup, and aptly enough, SL were ruthless with their execution. Seven years after they had skittled Netherlands out for 39, the lowest T20 World Cup total, SL condemned the same opposition to the second-lowest total too, running through them for 44 in ten overs. The chase was more batting practice than anything else, and the top order, which had misfired until now in the tournament, more..

Oct 23 (FT) Colombo stock market sustained its bullish sentiment with the benchmark All Share Price Index touching the magical 10,000-point level though closing lower amidst improved turnover. The All Share Price crossed the 10,000 point mark in early trading but when the market closed, it finished at 9.915 points, up by nearly 34 points from Thursday. The S&PSL20 gained 33 points or 0.9%. Turnover amounted to Rs. 4.46 billion involving 149.5 million shares. more..

Oct 23 (FT) SL’s COVID-19 detections rose to 534,975 with the detection of 552 COVID-19 patients yesterday and the addition of 563 delayed cases to the total. The COVID-19 patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster. 563 COVID-19 cases reported between 8 Oct and 14 Oct were added to the total after verification. The country’s total COVID-19 detections include 430,349 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, more..

Oct 23 (CT) There is now a new hope to smell the paint and touch the metal tables after hours of screen time for a day that lasted more than a year. Students who were studying in front of a screen can return to their former lives by attending school. Every child looks forward to going back to school and being cared for by their second mother, the teacher. Govt’s decision to resume academic activities in the school after a 6-month hiatus more..

Oct 23 (FT) SL and Vietnam this week discussed new ways to boost bilateral cooperation given the high potential. The growing ties and future scope came under the spotlight when Vietnam Ambassador Ho Thi Thanh Truc called on PM Rajapaksa. Ambassador foresees many opportunities for SL and Vietnam to enhance bilateral relations in the coming years. She said there is much potential to attract investments from Vietnam to SL. In 2019, the trade volume between the two countries stood more..

Oct 23 (Island) The SJB MPs staged a protest in Parliament yesterday, demanding that the govt immediately intervene to solve the fertiliser issue faced by farmers. They held placards condemning the govt’s failure to redress farmers’ grievances, amidst booing from the govt benches. The SJB MPs rose after the commencement of public business following a statement by MP Lakshman Kiriella. “The govt pledged to implement a 10-year programme to implement its organic fertiliser policy, more..

Oct 23 (FT) The Consulate of SL in Guangzhou has for the first time participated in the China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition, which was held from 15-17 Oct 2021 in Guilin, Guangxi Province, China, with a culture and tourism booth manned by the consulate staff. The booth was decorated with pictures of tourist and cultural attractions embossed on its walls, with some handicrafts and a television playing videos of diverse tourist and cultural sites of Sri Lanka which enticed the public, more..

Oct 23 (Island) Former NP Chief Minister and TMTK leader C.V. Wigneswaran said that issues faced by the Tamil people would not end until the SL Constitution recognised the Tamil homeland and allowed self-rule for the Tamils in the North and East. “This is the only way to secure their rights and give them the freedom they deserve,” he said. Speaking to Jaffna-based journalists, he said that Sinhala Buddhist leaders of the country needed to know that Tamils’s rights had to be safeguarded. more..