Sep 21 (TM) Following the UK’s decision to remove SL from its Red List (a list of countries identified to be at a higher risk of Covid-19 spread) and to instead place SL under its Amber List with effect from tomorrow, the SL authorities remain hopeful that more countries would open their doors to SL, creating more opportunities for the country’s tourism industry. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga recently revealed that diplomatic-level discussions in this connection have already commenced, more..

Sep 21 (FT) Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 immunisation program on Sunday saw 62,008 persons vaccinated, raising second dose coverage among the country’s over-30 population to 94.6%. 37.4% of the population aged 20 to 29 years have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and the second dose has been administered to 12.5% of the 20 to 29 population. The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 13,772,541 persons and the second dose to 11,093,465 persons. more..

Sep 21 (TM) In 2020, global tea export volumes decreased 2% year-on-year to 2.08 million tonnes, while export values declined 4% to $ 7.8 billion. China was the biggest tea exporter for the sixth consecutive year since 2015, acquiring 26% of global market share in tea export revenues. However, Kenya reported the highest export volume, accounting for 28% of global tea exports. By contrast, Sri Lanka has 17% market share more..

Sep 21 (FT) Health officials on Sunday confirmed 93 COVID-19 deaths, raising the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 12,218. Forty-eight deaths confirmed on Sunday were female and 45 were male. The country’s COVID-19 death toll consists of 6,837 fatalities that are male and 5,381 fatalities that are female. 76.43% of the total fatalities are over the age of 60, 22.4% belongs to the 30 to 59 age group, and 1.17% is below the age of 30. On Sunday, health officials confirmed the deaths of more..

Sep 21 (AD) Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa, Western and North-Western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, says Dept of Meteorology. Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm can be expected at some places. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces after 2 p.m. The members of the public are urged to take adequate precautions to minimize damages more..

Sep 21 (FT) Tourism sector impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has been given additional support with the Central Bank (CB) extending the debt moratorium by a further nine months until June 2022. The existing relief was to expire on 30 Sept. The latest extension is longer by nine months as opposed to the previous move of six months. CB said the extension was provided with a view to enabling the industry to meet more..

Sep 21 (Yahoo) In pursuit of becoming the world’s first 100% organic food producer, Sri Lanka now finds itself in an economic crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, inflation, and hoarding of essential food items. In April, the country enacted a sweeping, immediate ban of chemical fertilizers imports along with other imports like palm oil⁠. Fertilizer ban, part of govt’s efforts to address its foreign exchange crisis, was imposed on farmers with no knowledge of how to transition to organic farming. more..

Sep 21 (Island) First, he played for Sri Lanka Under-19, then moved to Dubai and found a place in the national team there and now at the age of 30, the former St. Peter’s College cricketer Andri Berenger is on the cusps of representing a third national team, Qatar. According to sources close to Berenger, the former Sri Lanka Under-19 wicketkeeper-batsman is about to be picked in the Qatar national team which will compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia ‘A’ qualifiers starting next month. more..

Sep 21 (Island) National men’s 100 metres record holder Yupun Abeykoon climbed to the 40th position in the world rankings after the World Athletics updated the event rankings last week. Despite finishing ninth at the last Diamond League final in Zurich (Sept 9), the Italy based sprinter has climbed five places up in the world rankings highlighting the importance of participating in top grade competitions. more..

Sep 21 (FT) Bringing to light Cabinet approval for the sale of a 40% stake in State-owned Yugadanavi to American firm New Fortress for $ 250 million, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva sought to unmask the deception of the current Rajapaksa regime, calling it out for not living up to the election promise of not selling family silver to foreigners. Addressing journalists, the MP, who is attached to the Main Opoostion SJB, said that after having demonised the US and its proposed MCC agreement more..

Sep 21 (Island) Harshana Thilakarathne was enjoying a clear lead in the Under 18 boys’ category, while Dahamdi Sanudula and Oshini Gunawardena had five points against their names after six games at the end of the penultimate day of the Western Asian Online Youth Chess Championships on Sunday. Thilakarathne had 5 ½ points after six games to lead the table in the Under-18 boys’ category. Dahamdi Sanudula and Oshini Gunawardena with five points each more..

Sep 21 (TM) The circular with regard to the allowance of Rs. 5,000 to be paid to teachers and principals, until a permanent solution is found to the teacher-principal salary anomaly issue through the forthcoming Budget 2022, has been issued by the Education Ministry. The circular, issued by the Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera, stated that the relevant allowance for teachers and principals on duty can be obtained from more..

Sep 21 (DM) The people who are above 30 years of age and not vaccinated so far, should get their vaccines within this week, the Govt said today. State Minister Channa Jayasumana said the Govt is compelled to issue a deadline because it would not be possible to continue to operate the vaccination centres for so long, as they need to give priority to provide vaccines for youth and adolescents. “A vast number of people above 30 has received their vaccines, but still there are several people more..

Sep 21 (DM) Assistant Governor K.M.A.N. Daulagala has been removed from the post of Secretary of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank, with immediate effect. She has been replaced by Assistant Governor J.P.R. Karunaratne. Daulagala was responsible for safeguarding all files relevant to the infamous bond scam from the very beginning to all the way up to the forensic audit as her role as Secretary of the Monetary Board of the CB in the period. more..

Sep 21 (Island) Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera yesterday said that he had asked the SLPP top brass to conduct a disciplinary inquiry against SLPP MP Jagath Kumara. Minister Weerasekera told The Island that MP Jagath Kumara had resigned from the post of Padukka Regional Co-ordinating Committee Chairman for not appointing an OIC of his choice to the Padukka Police Station. more..

Sep 21 (MFA) Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu received Foreign Minister of SL Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Turkish House, the Chancery building of the Turkish Permanent Mission in New York, on Friday (17), for a bilateral meeting between the two sides, on the side lines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu recalled fondly his fruitful two-day visit to SL in 2016. Minister appreciated the arrangements extended to him during the visit. more..

Sep 21 (FT) Govt has proposed a special relief package targeting international airlines to incentivise them to schedule flights to the Mahinda Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) – Mattala. A Cabinet paper in this regard will be submitted shortly. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the objective was to attract int'l airlines to the Mattala airport. It has been proposed that international airlines, which have never operated to MIRA, will not have to pay the Airport Emigration Tax of $ 60 for more..

Sep 21 (Island) The SJB on Sunday called on the govt to release 22 volumes of report of the PCoI into the Easter Sunday carnage. SJB MP Champika Ranawaka addressing the media said that people had serious doubts about the Easter Sunday carnage investigations because the govt had withheld 22 out of 23 volume-report of the Commission of Inquiry that conducted a 16-month probe on terror attacks. more..

Sep 21 (FT) Exposing the risk of investment in real estate, investor and developer Lanka Realty Investments (LRI) is furious over what it has alleged was an illegal daylight land grab by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) on Sunday. An LRI spokesman alleged that land set aside by the company for a mixed development on Darley Road – Colombo, was forcibly and illegally taken into possession by officials of NHDA with the connivance of the Police. The land, LRI claims, more..

Sep 21 (Island) Protect Sri Lanka Organisation (PSLO) Convener Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera and a group of people on Sunday lodged a complaint with the CID demanding a formal investigation to trace the masterminds behind the deletion of data of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). Ananda Sagara Thera said that it was a pity that the software engineer who took responsibility for the deletion of data had not been questioned so far more..

Sep 21 (DM) Health authorities yesterday raised serious concerns over the lack of interest among the 20 to 29 age group to get themselves vaccinated against COVID19 with many having fears that it may lead to infertility while some preferred unproven natural remedies. Senior doctors said that only an estimated 40% of the 20 to 29 age group had received the vaccines, island wide, which was a very poor percentage at a time when more..

Sep 21 (Island) March 12 Movement criticised the Police for not having taken any action against State Minister, Lohan Ratwatte for entering Welikada Prison on Sept 6, and A'pura Prisons on 12 September and threatening prisoners. Speaking to the media, Convener of the March 12 Movement, Rohana Hettiarachchi demanded that the govt conduct an impartial investigation into the two incidents. He added that while Ratwatte had resigned as the State Minister more..

Sep 21 (DM) The govt is in the process of revising prices of essential items such as rice, sugar, milk powder and domestic gas, a minister said yesterday. Currently, a Maximum Retail Price has been imposed on rice and sugar. State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the prices of some essential items were under review. “We have not taken any final decision in this regard,” he said. The cost of living has increased in the country due to factors such the problems in the supply chain, more..

Sep 21 (CT) Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) urged the Govt to take immediate steps to discontinue the sale of alcohol and withhold permission for internet sale of alcohol. In a letter addressed to Finance Minister, Basil Rajapaksa, SLMA President Dr. Padma Gunaratne and the Chairperson of SLMA’s Expert Committee on Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs (ECTAID), Prof. NaradaWarnasuriya warned that more..

Sep 21 (AD) Parliament is scheduled to convene at 10 a.m. today with questions for oral answers being taken up until for one hour until 11.00 a.m. Subsequently, from 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., a notification under Excise Ordinance, 5 Orders under the Ports & Airports Development Levy Act, 6 Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, 3 Regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act, Order under the Foreign Exchange Act, Regulation under the Imports & Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 more..

Sep 21 (TM) SLPP, the main Govt Party, will not be holding any inquiry against the Party Colombo District MP Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi over controversial remarks recently made by him concerning the post of the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Padukka Police Station, Sumithraarachchi claimed. This comes in a backdrop where the Public Security Minister and fellow SLPP member Dr. Sarath Weerasekera has requested the SLPP to conduct a disciplinary inquiry against more..

Sep 21 (Island) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared in New York his readiness to have a dialogue with Tamil expatriates on a domestic mechanism to address post-war reconciliation efforts. The declaration was made when he met UNSG Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York on Sunday (19). President’s Office quoted Gotabaya Rajapaksa as having told the UN Chief that internal issues more..

Sep 21 (FT) Aseni, the whiz kid in economics, has been overexcited by the continued popularity of the video released by the young singer, Yohani de Silva. Within a matter of a month, it hit more than 100 million clicks for the main video and another 50 million in other sites that imitated it. It has been loved by music fans throughout the globe, a rarity for a singer from SL. This had prompted the marketing guru of marketing in Sinhalese fame, Nalin Abeysekera, to brand it as an instance of more..

Sep 21 (MFA) Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris met his Australian counterpart Marise Payne in New York and discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation on a wide spectrum of areas. Foreign Minister Payne conveyed the warm greetings of the Australian PM Scott Morrison to his SL counterpart and stated that the PM is personally interested in the preparations for the upcoming celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between 2 countries. more..

Sep 21 (AD) SLPP’s Jayantha Ketagoda took oaths again as a MP before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. The parliamentary session commenced at 10 a.m. today. The SLPP nominated Ketagoda to the Elections Commission on Sep. 13 to be appointed as a National List MP, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal. Accordingly, Ketagoda’s name was declared a MP in an Extraordinary Gazette notification more..

Sep 21 (TM) Members of the opposition in parliament today questioned the absence of the Finance Minister in the House when several financial regulations were taken up for debate. Parliament today debates a notification under Excise Ordinance, 5 Orders under Ports & Airports Development Levy Act, 6 Orders under Special Commodity Levy Act, 3 Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Order under Foreign Exchange Act, Regulation under Imports & Exports (Control) more..

Sep 21 (AD) There will be no shortage of medicinal drugs nor will substandard medicines be imported to the country as a result of the recent data loss at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana assured today. Responding to a question raised by the Leader of Opposition, Sajith Premadasa during the parliamentary session this morning, Prof. Channa Jayasumana said more..

Sep 21 (CT) Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) fears there may still be oil in the sunken MV Xpress Pearl, in spite of various assurances given earlier. MEPA Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura, confirmed that foreign experts believe that there is no bunker oil remaining in the ship. However, she said the ship’s owners have been informed that the wreckage can be removed only once there is 100% confirmation that there is no bunker oil remaining in the vessel. more..

Sep 21 (EN) SL’s tea production and export revenues are likely to fall in the coming months due to a fertilizer ban though up to July 2021 volumes and earnings are up compared to 2020, but down from 2019, a industry group has wanred. Tea production is likely to fall 25% within six months, and 40 to 50% after that along with quality. “With tea being a perennial (long-term) crop, the negative effects of insufficient nutrition will be felt throughout the economic lifespan of the plant, more..

Sep 21 (TM) Three high-value plots of land on D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10, have been advertised for investment on a 99-year lease basis by the UDA. In an advertisement published by the UDA on Sunday, the Authority issued a Request For Proposals (RFP), calling for tenders with regard to the lease of said lands. The plots on offer include: SL Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) at No. 12, D.R. Wijewardena more..

Sep 21 (FT) While the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the former President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet was on many SL minds, with a trace of apprehension as the Sept 2021 session of the UNHRC began on the 13th, it was soon made clear following her presentation that the feeling was mutual and SL had been very much on Michelle Bachelet’s mind. She spent around eight minutes of her oral update on SL. By the 14th, at the interactive dialogue, it became clear it wasn’t love. more..

Sep 21 (TM) Health Ministry has pointed out that if universities are to reopen, as announced by the UGC recently, the relevant institutions should make arrangements to continue university affairs in accordance with the Covid-19-related health guidelines. Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General (DDG), and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that at present, university students more..

Sep 21 (TM) Govt is contemplating whether to allow businesses which are accessed by the general public, particularly supermarkets, to operate as usual if their employees choose to remain unvaccinated despite being eligible for the vaccine, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. “Once we have administered both doses to all those who are eligible to receive the vaccines, we will consider implementing this process, taking cue from more..