Feb 9 (Island) Chief Govt Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament yesterday that there was a cold war within the SJB for the Opposition Leader’s post. “Incumbent Opposition Leader is so upset and is trying to prove his relevance as other members in his party see a better and qualified leader in Champika Ranawaka. Owing to this pressure, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has lost control of his mind and speaks whatever comes to his mind,” Minister Fernando said. more..

Feb 9 (EN) The ruling SLPP in a bid to test the pulse of people, possibly via local govt polls, is holding its first campaign rally in the ancient city of Anuradhapura amid growing public frustration over govt policies. The rally is taking place despite heightened fears of a COVID-19 resurgence and also at a time when SLPP legislators openly complain about public protests that greet them when they visit their constituencies. more..

Feb 9 (AD) Secretary-General of Int'l Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Jagan Chapagain, accompanied by a delegation, called on PM Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday (8) at the Temple Trees. IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in 192 countries in total. During the meeting, PM Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude to the IFRC for the support extended through SL Red Cross Society to the people of the island nation to face disasters more..

Feb 9 (DM) Laws should be introduced to regulate social media such as Tiktok that cause massive cultural, social and national disasters, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. He told Parliament that it is high time that immediate attention must be paid to this matter and bring in new laws to regulate social media. He said he was not advocating for a total ban of social media but a mechanism to regulate them was the need of the hour. Minister also said that capital punishment should be imposed more..

Feb 9 (Island) An influential civil society grouping comprising 70 individuals and 32 organisations has alleged that the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) failed to address the fundamental shortcomings of the controversial security law. The proposed changes already existed but were often observed in the breach, or cosmetic changes that did not substantively or meaningfully change more..

Feb 9 (CT) Kollupitiya Police said they had arrested a 28-year-old businessman on charges of having drugged and raped a 32-year-old German woman at a hotel in Colombo 3. Police stated the victim has been subjected to medical tests and the reports were due shortly. Following investigations by Police, it had come to light that the suspect businessman had been a close friend of the victim from around 2016. Police said the victim, who had arrived in the country on 18 Dec last year, more..

Feb 9 (DM) Whilst an effort is made to resolve the confrontation between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen through diplomatic channels, there are others who are trying to make matters worse, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda told Parliament today. “There are black cobras who are trying to provoke Sri Lankan fishermen,” the Minister said, making a special statement in the House. “I have already discussed the matters with the Indian Foreign Minister and others. more..

Feb 10 (DM) SL gained its independence from Britain 74 years ago. But, 74 years later, are we as a country and a people truly free, sovereign and independent? Is every citizen in this country equal before the law or as George Orwell said in Animal Farm, All are equal before the law but some are more equal than others? The answer is quite evident from the news projected in the electronic and print media of the various forms of injustice meted out to people, either by way of unemployment or more..

Feb 10 (DM) Grumblings against this govt was widespread as it prepared for Independence Day celebrations on Feb 4. Critics said it was a waste of money when the economy was bankrupt. “People are hungry. What celebrations?” goes the argument. Complaint of bankruptcy, 74 years after independence with every govt accused of failure is what should be dug deep. What in fact was the responsibility of the People who were declared independent, 74 years ago? more..

Feb 10 (DM) SJB MP Champika Ranawaka who spearheads the 43 Brigade political movement took questions on his ambitions and the current economic crisis. Q: You had the convention of your movement called 43 Brigade. There is scope for interpretation of your true intention. Will you contest the 2024 Prez Elections? A: The country is heading for bankruptcy before the Prez Elections in 2024. more..

Feb 10 (CT) Yesterday, the lead story in this newspaper stated that State-owned CPC has asked the Energy Ministry, a price hike to counter mounting losses. However, increase in fuel prices has a cascading effect, impacting transport, causing hikes in the cost of goods, including food, other services, and bus, rail and taxi fares as well, subsequently, on the cost of living. According to a recent study, buses were the most popular mode of travel for Lankans, taking up 37.7% of all transportation. more..

Feb 10 (GV) Much of the country is gripped by drought because the past month was exceptionally dry following the very wet conditions previously. The hydroelectric reservoirs have little water and the govt is importing fossil fuels to drive power stations when there is no foreign exchange while the greater tragedy, namely the lost Maha harvest, is out of the news. In much of the paddy growing regions of the country, irrigation for cultivation has not been an issue, and there is all the required water more..

Feb 10 (DM) While countries such as Denmark have decided to lift all COVID-19 restrictions, countries such as Canada have staged large scale protests against vaccine mandates. People protested against the French Govt when it made vaccination virtually unavoidable. Similar protests took place in South Korea and Hamburg as well. In SL, situation is still largely under control as people continue to be divided regarding the vaccine. more..

Feb 10 (ST) Kussi Amma Sera, after the latest bout of unscheduled power cuts on Tuesday, was furiously searching for candles in the house. “Sir, apita thava iti-pandam oney (Sir, we need more candles),” she shouted. She was in a similar mood when engaged in conversation with her two friends under the margoso tree on Thursday morning. "Mey salasum karapu nethi viduli kappaduwa hinda hariyata kalakirenawa (These unscheduled power cuts are very frustrating),” she said, angrily. more..

Feb 10 (TM) As opposition against Indian fishermen entering SL territorial waters without permission is on the rise, Minister Douglas Devananda has revealed that a cabinet paper is to be submitted seeking approval to obtain compensation from Indian Govt for the damages caused by Indian fishermen’s activities in Sri Lankan waters to SL’s marine resources and fishermen, and that discussions will be held with Indian High Commission to find a just solution. more..

Feb 10 (CT) John Keats, the ultimate poet of the Romanticism Movement era, in Ode to a Nightingale as far back as 1819 Spring, pays his extraordinary homage to the bird. There have been a surfeit of tributes and compliments to the greatness of Keats, especially after his passing away at the tender age of twenty five but Ode to a Nightingale stands out as one of his best ten works of poetry. Generations after the passing away of Keats, critics as well as very ordinary men & women seek poetic more..

Feb 10 (Island) In the most recent address on a policy statement, made by the President of Sri Lanka in the Parliament on 18 Jan, 2022, he highlighted the importance of non-state universities in SL and proposed policy guidelines to promote the establishment of such universities in the country. Although the importance of such a scheme is well recognised, all previous govts failed to implement such a programme due to narrow political reasons. This proposal has been long overdue and more..

Feb 10 (Island) Former national javelin champion and coach Pradeep Nishantha believes that his charge Dilhani Lekamge has primed to accept big challenges in a year loaded with international competitions. Nishantha, who enjoyed unprecedented success last year when his trainee Dinesh Herath won gold at the Paralympics, said that Lekamge will be an athlete to watch this year as she would be looking to reach her best more..

Feb 10 (DN) Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) is ready to conduct the first selection trials from today (10) to Friday (12) at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo. The three-day event focus on Asian Games and Asian Junior Athletic championships. The Asian Games is scheduled to take place from September 10 to 25 in Hangzhou China while the Asian Junior championship is scheduled to be held from June 16 to 19 in Korea, but it has been postponed to 2023 by Asian Athletics Association. more..

Feb 10 (Island) The interval in hell is over, as it were. The govt has gone into overdrive to squeeze the public dry. Worse, it is planning to use the recently-unveiled Surcharge Tax Bill to help itself to workers’ savings by levying a 25% tax on the profits of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF). Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, addressing Parliament on Tuesday, pointed out the impact the new Bill would have on the EPF, among others, if ratified. more..

Feb 10 (FT) The lobby groups within the country’s engine of growth – private sector – are reigniting protest against the controversial 25% surcharge tax on companies who had made profit of over Rs. 2 billion in FY21. Apart from the ad-hoc nature of the taxation, concerns are being renewed as it goes against the principles of fair and best local and global practices. Private sector warned that surcharge tax unless revoked or injustice more..

Feb 10 (FT) Rs. 272 b in value wiped off since last week and Rs. 349 b since January as investors turn bearish. Colombo stock market suffered its biggest setback yesterday sinking to negative return year to date for the first time after heavy fall of the indices. All Share Price Index dipped by over 300 points or 2.43% and the S&P SL20 declined by 113 points or 2.7%. With yesterday›s fall ASPI reported a negative return of 1.18% year to date whilst S&P SL20 moved further down with a negative 4.27%. more..

Feb 10 (CT) Chairman of the Selection Committee, former pacer Pramodya Wickremasinghe, says that the upcoming five-game T-20 series against hosts Australia will provide opportunities for fringe players knocking on the door to get selected for the national side ahead of the ICC T-20 World Cup to be staged later in the year. Hence, the national selectors are expected to closely follow the fortunes of SL players in the series against Aaron Finch’s side, which is set to kick off on 11 February. more..

Feb 10 (Island) FriMi, the first fully-fledged digital bank in SL powered by Nations Trust Bank, continues its strong partnership with Mastercard SL to make digital payments effortless by bringing the best lifestyle solutions to loyal customers. As part of the #MasterYourWorld campaign focused on improving digital payments across Sri Lanka, Mastercard has partnered up with Glomark.lk to provide a 10% discount on purchases made above Rs. 5,000 and with Daraz.lk to provide 5% off more..

Feb 10 (FT) Aitken Spence Travels welcomed the country’s first charter flight from Uzbekistan yesterday. There will be a weekly flight operating every Wednesday until the end of March. This charter airline operation will be partnered with a leading tour operator of Uzbekistan and generate approximately 1,200 guests to SL. All charter flights of Uzbekistan Airways will land at the Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA), Mattala from where all passengers would depart on their tours. more..

Feb 10 (FT) Electricity regulator, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) on 3 March will hold its first ever public hearing on the countrywide blackout occurred on 3 Dec 2021, which incurred an economic loss of over Rs. 1.5 billion. The consequences of the said blackout include the CEB or the transmission licensee’s inability to serve a total energy demand of 9.65 GWh equivalent to an estimated economic cost of Rs. 1,505 m more..

Feb 10 (Island) Legendary US basketball coach Bobby Knight has been an inspiration for those who play the game of basketball having invented new tactics and brought success to many of his teams. Similarly, Francis D’ Almeida changed the way how the game of basketball was played in SL with innovative methods. He turns 75 today. For decades, local basketball coaches had used the zone defence, but it was Francis who introduced the man to man strategy first and his teams more..

Feb 10 (FT) Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) has surpassed the Rs. 50 million mark in its COVID pandemic response effort which included contributions to the national healthcare system and support of communities impacted during the lockdown. The most recent response was the presentation of five oxygen concentrators to the Ministry of Health, which were handed over to Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena by Directors of CDB. more..

Feb 10 (TM) Power Ministry said that the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has given initial approval for the CEB to proceed with negotiations with private power plants for the purchase of emergency power, as long as they are within the conditions stipulated by Cabinet of Ministers, last week. “CEB is working on procuring emergency power only when needed. Cabinet has stressed that there should be no payments more..

Feb 10 (FT) Daily COVID-19 fatalities rose to 36 on Tuesday and a total of 15,692 COVID-19 fatalities have been confirmed in the country to date. This is the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities confirmed in a day since 8 Oct 2021, when 38 COVID-19 fatalities were confirmed. The majority of the COVID-19 deaths confirmed are persons over 60 years. 76.23% of the total COVID-19 deaths are from the over-60 age group, 22.49% are from 30 to 59 age group; 1.28% are from under-30 age group. more..

Feb 10 (FT) Health officials confirmed the detection of 1,263 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 case count to 623,248. All patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster. The previous day, 1,251 persons from the New Year cluster and two SL overseas returnees tested positive for COVID-19. 7,411 PCR tests and 3,493 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Tuesday. A shortage of RAT kits has resulted in a drop in the number of tests more..

Feb 10 (FT) Kekirawa Magistrate gave the police time to obtain an expert report from Uni of Moratuwa during Monday’s court hearing of the death of Rewatha the tusker. Rewatha, a popular elephant who many visitors to the Kalawewa area tried to catch a glimpse of, died in March last year after he was electrocuted by a fence which surrounded a corn cultivation in Aliyawatuanuwewa in Kekirawa. The way the fence had been powered was illegal. Uni report is expected to analyse the features more..

Feb 10 (TM) According to Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila, CPC no longer has an obligation to provide fuel to the CEB following the recent announcement by Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge that the CEB will acquire their fuel requirements from Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC). Minister of Energy stated: “We no longer have an obligation to supply fuel to them (CEB) because they informed us that they will finance their fuel requirements from the LIOC. So right now, we are not bringing fuel more..

Feb 10 (Island) Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who is also the leader of the PHU has contradicted the much repeated SLPP govt claim that the global Covid-19 epidemic caused the current financial crisis. He emphasised that the economic time bomb had exploded about five years earlier than he anticipated as a result of the Covid-19 eruption. Minister went onto emphasize that country was caught in a debt trap. more..

Feb 10 (Island) A battle between two groups of engineers and Power Ministry officials was likely to lead to investigations into several costly projects, well informed sources said. Losses that the CEB suffered due to wasteful expenditure and malpractices should not be passed on to electricity consumers, an engineer of the Senior Managers’ Union said. Citing an example of unbridled waste, engineers said the CEB had spent millions of rupees on now cancelled 500MW Sampur plant. more..

Feb 10 (FT) The parliamentary debate on the Special Goods and services Tax (GST) which was scheduled for today has been delayed with several petitions challenging it under consideration by the Supreme Court. The Bill was listed for debate today, but Parliament has been informed nine petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution in relation to the Bill. The Bill can be taken up for debate once the determination of SC is sent to the Speaker. more..