Oct 30 (TM) The Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU) has requested Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa to look into the finances of the Chinese fertiliser dealings. Rajapaksa was informed of the same through a letter sent by the CBEU, and details of the same were briefed via a media statement. The statement implies that an unpleasant and unhealthy situation may arise, as already informed by the Chinese fertiliser company, if debts are not paid on time. more..

Oct 30 (ST) SL has published its updated list of threatened plant species last month after a nine year gap. National Red List of the Conservation Status of the Flora was made known at a virtual ceremony by the Ministry of Environment and by experts involved in compiling it. This latest edition shows 48.4% of flowering plants and 59.1% of ferns as threatened, which is an increase of the threats of extinction compared with the 2012 list. more..

Oct 30 (EN) Profits at Seylan Bank Plc group grew 86.44% to 1.13 billion rupees in the Sept 2021 quarter helped by a fall in interest expenses and lower provisioning. The group reported earnings of 2.12 rupees for the quarter. In the six month to Sept the group reported earnings of 6.07 rupees on total profits of 3.3 billion rupees which grew 47.9%. Fee and commission income increased 6.64% to 1.1 billion rupees in the quarter. Trading gains increased by 139.3% to 35.1 million rupees more..

Oct 30 (PMD) Prez Rajapaksa left the country today to attend the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. The United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Glasgow from tomorrow to Nov 12 to discuss climate change and to talk over how countries implement their strategies to tackle the climate crisis. Nov 1 and 2 are set aside for the World Leaders’ Summit. The COP26 – the UN Climate Change Conference – is a critical moment more..

Oct 30 (CI) South Africa's chase veered, almost stalled, and threatened to careen off a cliff - particularly when Wanindu Hasaranga claimed a T20I hat-trick to go with the ODI one he took on debut. But, in the end, taking the game deep, trusting their finisher, and hoping SL's inexperience would show, ended up working for them. With 14 required off the last five balls, Lahiru Kumara missed his length twice, more..

Oct 30 (TM) The Vice President of China National Machinery Import and Export Corp, Wu Yi, called on the Ambassador of SL to China Dr. Palitha Kohona, 26 Oct, at the Embassy to explore the possibility of establishing a vehicle plant in SL. They plan to produce and promote the MG, Chery, and Proton brands in SL. Press release from the embassy notes that the China National Vehicles Import & Export Co. Ltd., (CVC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Machinery Import & Export Corp. more..

Oct 30 (AD) Sri Lanka is on alert about the SARS-CoV-2 variant A.30, which was found to be heavily mutated and escaping vaccine-induced antibodies, says State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana urged the public to adhere to health guidelines properly to prevent the spread of the virus. A group of German researchers, in a study published in the British weekly scientific journal Nature, the A.30 variant probably originated in Tanzania and was detected in individuals in Angola & Sweden. more..

Oct 30 (EN) Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), an independent organization of medical experts, has warned of a possible new wave of Covid 19 virus in the future with restrictions being relaxed. In a letter to Prez, SLMA said after considering the similar situation in countries such as the UK, Singapore and Israel, another wave can emerge with more public movement taking place with restrictions being relaxed. more..

Oct 30 (AD) 18 persons have been arrested in connection with an assault on two police officers in the Madangahawatta area in Moratuwa. There were 10 women among them. According to information received by the police last night, the two officers had gone to the Madangahawatta area to resolve a clash between the two parties. Police officers were assaulted by the group and one of the police officers who sustained serious head injuries is currently receiving treatment at the ICU of more..

Oct 30 (AD) Interprovincial public transport services are expected to resume with effect from Nov 1. The Special Committee on COVID-19 Control, which convened under the chairmanship of Prez Rajapaksa yesterday, decided to lift the ongoing interprovincial travel restrictions at 4.00 a.m. on Oct 31. Director General of the National Transport Commission, Nilan Miranda said special bus services will be operative for employees coming to Colombo from across the island. more..

Oct 31 (CT) Pardon me, reader I will not address this man as I do when addressing our normal temple monks who are on the path or trying to be on the path. The problem with Buddhists is that they are conditioned to bend and pay respects indiscriminately to any two-egged being in yellow robes. This had not been an obligation decreed by the Buddha himself who had several times disparaged those who are unworthy but in robes. The failure of folk level Buddhism more..

Oct 31 (ST) Gnanasara haamuduruwaney, I thought of writing to you this week to congratulate you on your appointment to chair a Presidential Task Force on having one country one law. You must be thrilled with this news, especially when you have been chosen over and above many others who have been professionally trained in law. The first question that came to mind on hearing of your appointment was why we need a ‘task force’ to ensure one country, one law? Is someone trying to tell us that more..

Oct 31 (SO) Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that a certain organised group that always launches its political campaign against the Govt is behind the teachers’ and farmers’ protests. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the people should realise the ulterior motive of those who organise the protests. Their sole purpose is to embarrass the country and topple the Govt. more..

Oct 31 (SO) The earliest humans were always on the move. Later, they learned that instead of hunting animals for food, they could grow certain foods and settle down nearby. This way, thousands of people could be sustained. This is how the earliest cities came into existence. A city can be defined as an area where thousands, even millions of people, come to live and work. Today, the biggest cities extend several kilometres in each direction and house millions of people – the biggest, more..

Oct 31 (Roar) In 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, prospects for startups around the world started looking bleak. Its impacts rippled through society, affecting various spheres, presenting numerous social and economic challenges. As SL began to embrace the New Normal, digitalisation became part and parcel of the business landscape, driving mass changes in day-to-day operations and both short- and long-term strategies. In fact, as of August 2020, more..

Oct 31 (SO) To achieve a higher income level, SL’s monetary and fiscal policies implemented by the Central Bank should be handled by a centralised development and investment fund management system. This system should be regulated by a strong development bank as in many developing and developed countries, said Ariyarathna Herath, Professor in Economics and Head of the Dept of Economics and Statistics more..

Oct 31 (ST) Quinton de Kock’s decision to skip his T20 World Cup game against West Indies was greeted with mixed feelings with some showing strong disapproval while others, like the former England skipper, Michael Vaughan, who called on the South African Board to respect a player’s personal wishes. De Kock was under fire when he refused to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. He would’ve played no further part in the tournament– more..

Oct 31 (Island) Unsurprisingly, the appointment of politician-monk, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara, as chairman of yet another Presidential Task Force (PTF), this one studying the implementation of the One country, One law proposal, has raised hornets’ nests in many quarters; and wide ranging protests have been emerging from a variety of interests. Nobody from the govt side has yet defended the monk’s appointment, possibly for the reason that they are the prerogative of the president more..

Oct 31 (GV) Prez Rajapaksa’s appointment of Presidential Task Force mandated to implement the One Country, One Law concept, headed by radical monk Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, is a clear indication that another period of violence is on its way in SL. Since practically the whole nation is engaged in the most widespread protests in recent history, the govt needs the mobilisation of those who wish to take to the streets under the pretext of defending the One Country, One Law slogan. more..

Oct 31 (ST) The world’s leaders gather in the salubrious climes of Scotland this weekend to hammer out a strategy to cool the planet before earthlings self-destruct their habitat by the end of the century, if not sooner. A UN Intergovernmental Report prepared for the summit, named the UN’s COP-26 (the 26th Conference of the Parties), has given a ‘Code Red for humanity’ alert for the world at large. The report demands the stoppage of the use of coal; arresting deforestation and more..

Oct 31 (ST) With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many restrictions have been placed on the sale, consumption and serving of alcohol. The restrictions have been extended to the national airline as well and weddings by now. Recently, a passenger on the national airline who was travelling from London to Colombo requested the third shot of whisky during the flight only to be told politely but firmly that due to COVID-19 more..

Oct 31 (ST) Country’s longest-running big match and the world’s second oldest inter-school cricket encounter, turned into a rather swift affair, dominated by wet weather, wet outfield and bad light, which all together spent more time in the field than the players, forcing a dead, dull, draw in the 142nd Battle of the Blues, concluded yesterday at the SSC grounds in Colombo. Thomians batting for the second time within the same day, more..

Oct 31 (SO) Being an island nation and blessed with many beautiful waterways, traditional rowing in Sri Lanka has been in existence for centuries with oarsmen navigating outrigger boats for fishing and transportation with ease. Rowing as a sport has a history of more than 150 years in the country but Sri Lanka’s rowers have largely been playing catch-up in the international arena. One of the main reasons is because rowing is an expensive sport and has been mainly confined to Colombo. more..

Oct 31 (TM) One of the most prominent slogans the current Govt, and particularly, Prez Rajapaksa, used during election campaigns was one country, one law. At first glance, the sentiments behind this slogan are perfectly acceptable. After all, what not to like about a promise to implement the law equally for all in the country? As we all know, the law does not apply equally in most instances – privilege triumphs justice each time, & any effort to make the law equitable in its implementation is certainly most laudatory. more..

Oct 31 (TM) MPs are likely to receive the opportunity of getting duty-free vehicles following a statement made to the effect by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa at last Sunday’s governing party parliamentary group meeting. The PM had said that parliamentarians will be given duty-free vehicle permits once again. Premier’s statement was made after MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi had said that he, along with backbench MPs, found it difficult to carry out work in their constituencies due to the lack of a vehicle. more..

Oct 31 (CT) Pakistan ‘A’ had scored 70 runs for one wicket against SL ‘A’ at close on day two in the first 4 Day Cricket encounter at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy yesterday. Continuing from their overnight 61/6 in 22 overs, SL ‘A’ were bowled out for 141 runs in 46 overs. The tail enders added a face saving 80 runs on day two. Vishwa Fernando (30), Lasith Embuldeniya (22) and Suminda Lakshan (17) helped build the innings. Right arm paceman Naseem Shah claimed 5 wickets for 53 runs. more..

Oct 31 (TM) The development and maintenance of two leisure parks located in the suburbs of Colombo have commenced under the purview of the UDA. Diyatha Uyana located in Battaramulla and the Urban Wetland Park located in Nawala are set to be renovated and regularly maintained, according to the UDA. Speaking to us, UDA Media Spokesperson Prasad Manju stated that the authority received instructions from PM more..

Oct 31 (ST) SL’s tour operators were all fired up when they knew time was running out on a circular sent out by hoteliers insisting that payments be made in dollars starting Nov 1. Lawyers representing the SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) stated in a letter addressed to The Hotels Association of SL (THASL) dated Oct 27, 2021 that the invoice by THASL to receive payments for bookings made by destination management companies and travel agents and more..

Oct 31 (ST) SL apparel maker Hela Clothing, pitching to trade 20 per cent in the company for a multi-billion public equity share, is upbeat on striking international strategic partnerships to better manage their supply chains for future growth. Dilanka Jinadasa, CEO Hela Clothing (Pvt) Ltd said the company has learned some valuable lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic in navigating business in an unpredictable time. “With moving COVID-19 hot spots, we managed to move more..

Oct 31 (TM) Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India has handed over documentation related to a request by Sri Lanka for an urgent line of credit, valued at $ 500 million, to the respective Indian parties for negotiations with the SL Govt. “The EXIM Bank of India has given the documents to the Indian parties. However, we have not received them yet. We are waiting for them,” a senior Treasury official said. more..

Oct 31 (SO) National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) in its proposals for the next Budget calls upon all foreign missions to appoint commercial officers to promote exports and to generate a report monthly on the quantity of exports that have materialised with their intervention and the report to be displayed on the EDB website to enable internal competition among countries. The officers can be rewarded based on the efficiency which can be monitored easily. more..

Oct 31 (SO) SL is on track to create a billion-dollar sports economy with adventure sports coming into play at the Colombo Port City as the country gears up to woo investors in a post-covid scenario. Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa underscored this after SL’s first sand dunes ATV (all-terrain vehicle) adventure centre was declared open on Thursday. Lauding Crate Adventure for their initiative in creating an adventure track at Colombo Port City, the youthful Minister inaugurated more..

Oct 31 (ST) Justice Minister Ali Sabry said he was unaware of the setting up of the One Country, One Law Presidential Task Force (PTF) headed by Ven. Galagoda-aththe Gnanasara Thera. Mr Sabry said he was not consulted on the setting up of the Task Force. “I am not happy about the move,” he said. Prez Rajapaksa issued a gazette notification on Tuesday announcing the appointment of a 13-member PTF for One Country, One Law, with more..

Oct 31 (ST) Nuwara Eliya town was hit by mini-floods for the fourth time in a month on Friday causing inconvenience to residents, officials said. Unauthorised constructions have been the main cause for the floods. Lawson strreet where the international Buddhsit centre is located, a trade complex, the fire unit located in the Victoria garden were were some of the cites that were affected. Several roads leading out of the town were also affected with office workers returning home more..

Oct 31 (ST) Tuition class lecturers are waiting for the green light to begin classes after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed officials to resume O/L and A/L classes in schools, on Friday. All Island Professional Lecturers Association National Organiser Jagath Weeraman told the Sunday Times that their members have been instructed to keep lecture halls fully sanitised, have hand washing facilities installed and have other health measures in place. more..

Oct 31 (TM) Trade unions affiliated to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) alleged that the Govt’s recent decision to select Vitol Asia (Singapore) Ltd., which was blacklisted in the past, to supply fuel to the CPC, was a negligent move. Petroleum General Employees Union President Ashoka Ranwala stated that the CPC awarding contracts to a company that was blacklisted in the past for selling low-quality products to SL, more..

Oct 31 (ST) Both Tamil and Muslim minority political parties in the country have decided to work together on electoral reforms, and collectively decided to demand Proportional Representation (PR) system in the upcoming elections. Politicians representing the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Tamil National Peoples’ Front (TNPF), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) took part in more..

Oct 31 (TM) Minister of Public Security Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekara will propose new legislation to Parliament to speed up or dismiss human rights cases against police officers, it is learnt. “I will be bringing to Parliament legislation to amend the Establishments Code, so cases of human rights violations against police officers can be expeditiously heard and if such cases are not heard in a timely manner, that they are dismissed,” Weerasekara told The Sunday Morning. more..