Jan 20 (AD) Police have reportedly arrested the person who allegedly provided the hand grenade to the retired doctor from Piliyandala, who was recently arrested in connection with the grenade recovered from a church in Borella. The suspect has been arrested at Ranna in Hambantota. Following the discovery of a hand grenade at the All Saints’ Church in Borella on Jan. 11, four suspects in total were taken into custody over the incident. According to the police, the hand grenade had been more..

Jan 20 (EN) A group of employees of National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala, Colombo, have threatened to stop feeding the zoo animals over two key demands: a risk allowance of 5,000 rupees and the removal of veterinarians amid an investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds. The employees continued their protest for the third day on Thursday, claiming that the veterinarians employed by the zoo have not more..

Jan 20 (Island) SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the govt should be ashamed of taking the credit for the construction of the 41-km long second phase of the Central Expressway by building only a four-kilometre stretch of it. MP said that the yahapalana govt had completed 37 out of 41 km stretch of the Central Expressway from Mirigama to Kurunegala. “It is shameful that the govt was showing off it as their work. They did not even mention that we almost completed the construction except for 4km,” more..

Jan 20 (Dawn) ICC’s chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle will make his HBL Pakistan Super League debut when he officiates at the seventh edition of PCB’s marquee event starting in Karachi later this month. Former Sri Lankan Test cricketer Madugalle has refereed in 125 T20 Internationals. Madugalle, 62, has been a regular visitor to Pakistan for international assignments, with his last visit being in January 2020 for the three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh. more..

Jan 20 (TK) Kuwait Airways Corporation stopped flying to Sri Lanka this week, in the midst of the dollar crisis and airlines’ reluctance to increase flights, as local offices are said to have declined to settle dues. Therefore, Kuwait Airways ended its operations last September, which was only one flight per week, without giving official reasons. Al-Jarida quoting reliable sources said the airline’s revenues were very low, compared to the operating costs of the flight to Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 20 (CT) The Anti-Malaria Campaign (AMC) lamented that travellers to malaria endemic countries were not making maximum use of its prevention services despites its efforts. AMC Director, Dr. Prasad Ranaweera said, despite the Govt health service spending Rs 170 per tablet on malaria prophylaxis alone for travellers for the entire period of their stay in malaria endemic countries, very little attention is paid to ensure they remain free from contracting the mosquito borne disease. more..

Jan 20 (EN) More children and pregnant women in Sri Lanka have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, health officials said, noting a sudden spike in cases overall and urging the public to minimise travel and avoid gatherings. Senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Castle Street maternity hospital Dr Sanath Lanerolle said COVID-19 cases among pregnant women have increased. more..

Jan 20 (CT) Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle has sent a letter to the Company Secretary of SL Insurance Corporation yesterday, informing that his letter dated 12 January instructing to remove Theshara Jayasinghe from the Chairman post of Litro Gas, has been withdrawn, a week after being directed by the Prez to do so. Attygalle on 12 January instructed SL Insurance Corporation to appoint Renuka Perera as Chairman of Litro Gas, replacing Jayasinghe with immediate effect. more..

Jan 20 (AD) Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar has concluded hearing of evidence in the case against former IGP Pujith Jayasundara over his criminal negligence of duty by failing to prevent the Easter Sunday terror attacks despite receiving intelligence information in advance. The case was taken up before HC Judges Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendi and Mohamed Irshadeen this morning. Accordingly, the judge bench has decided to deliver the decision pertaining to former IGP’s release on Feb 18. more..

Jan 20 (TM) Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who was instrumental in bringing the previous Yahapalanaya (good governance) UNF-led Govt to power, appeared before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry (SPCoI) appointed to implement the recommendations of the final report of the PCoI into alleged Political Victimisation, yesterday. She gave a nearly 3-hour-long statement before SPCoI more..

Jan 20 (CT) In the midst of an energy crisis, Ministry of Environment has taken steps to reduce by half, the day-to-day use of lights in the Ministry and its affiliates. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said public and commercial organisations should use electricity cautiously to avoid waste, since the country was in the throes of a power crisis. Meanwhile, according to the Govt’s decision to confirm 50,000 graduates, 81 Trainees to the Ministry of Environment were presented with confirmation letters. more..

Jan 20 (EN) Sri Lanka’s ongoing fuel crisis will have no impact on the national carrier SriLankan Airlines or any aviation service, the subject minister said on Thursday (20). “State Minister DV Chanaka has stated that the current fuel crisis in the energy sector will not affect SriLankan Airlines or the aviation services of this country,” the Board of Investment (BOI) said in a statement. “SriLankan Airlines already has enough fuel reserves for the next one and a half months. more..

Jan 20 (Island) Prez Rajapaksa deserves credit for the success of the ongoing vaccination programme countrywide, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, adding that even international organisations had declared that SL was currently the third most suitable destination for travel in the world. “Therefore, I am confident that the tourism industry in our country will grow further. I believe that the growth of the tourism industry is a very good more..

Jan 20 (NR) SL’s Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne has been named in the ICC Test Team of the Year that recognises 11 outstanding individuals who have impressed with the bat, the ball or their all-round exploits in a calendar year. Karunaratne is a deserved addition to the team, as he consistently got his team off to solid starts during the calendar year. He scored 902 runs in 7 matches at an average of 69.38 with four centuries. His memorable innings included a double-century against B'desh more..

Jan 20 (AD) Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana states that the govt is currently in discussions to provide a subsidy for chemical fertilizers or to reduce the price of fertilizers within the next three months. He also stated that the govt is ready to embark on a new journey in the new year by mobilizing all forces. He was speaking at the opening of the multi-purpose building at the Batahena Dharmagaveshi Temple, which was funded by the Star Project implemented by Tea Small Holdings Development Authority more..

Jan 21 (DM) The much awaited scholarship exam for grade 5 students will be held on Saturday. It’s still considered a dream come true for schoolboys and schoolgirls from lesser-known schools to do well at this exam and find popular academic institutions to continue with their education. One cannot blame students for having this mindset. There is still a popular thought among ambitious villagers that if one wishes to do well that person has to come to Colombo or to an affluent city. more..

Jan 21 (CT) For the first time in 13 years garment export earnings, aided by the GSP+ duty free concession and remittances were neck and neck or the same at US$ 5.5 billion each, last year, CB data released yesterday showed. Prior to last year, over a 12-year period, including and from 2009 to 2020, remittances were SL’s top foreign exchange (FX) earner while garments export earnings were second. However, prior to 2009, garment exports were Sri Lanka’s top FX earner with remittances more..

Jan 21 (TM) Farmers are continuing to protest the Govt policy change on the use of fertiliser and conditional payment plans on compensation for crop loss as the harvest of the Maha cultivation season is around the corner. The continued protests come in the backdrop of the Govt opening tenders for locally-sourced organic fertiliser. The previous cultivation season was a massive failure in terms of crop yield with a reported 50% drop, more..

Jan 21 (DM) The dollar-starved SL govt is buoyed that it has been receiving financial assistance from India and China, which are vying for the dominance of the South Asian part of the Indo-Pacific region. In recent weeks, regular announcements that the country has received currency swaps and credit lines from both these countries indicate, on the one hand, a temporary equilibrium or truce in the Indo-China power rivalry over SL and, on the other, a foreign policy course correction by the govt. more..

Jan 21 (CT) The song Master Sir which remained a hit in SL for over thirty years is not merely a song but a powerful message that talks about the dignity of labour and social justice. The lyrics of the first verse speak of how the last salary increment of 8 Panam is enough to feed the protagonist’s child with some rice, but it is still less than what he deserves; and asking Master Sir to have mercy on him. Second verse covers how the colonial masters used to carry out Corporal punishment on the workers, more..

Jan 21 (CT) Debate on economic recovery centred on the foreign reserves of the country is heavily patronised by business magnates and economists. Politicos of all sorts too offer their expedients and fantasies as they please; to come into the fray with others to portray their identity. In the mean-time a few astute with a history of talent and experience are expressing their unbiased views adding their share to the blah-blah. more..

Jan 21 (Island) One of SL’s most underutilised assets is the parliamentary library, which is considered a treasure trove. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has gone on record as saying that the MPs borrowed only 330 books in 2021, and of them 122 were novels. Urging the MPs to make the best use of the library, he told the House on Wednesday that reading would help improve the quality of parliamentary debates, and the MPs’ conduct. He recalled how hard he had worked to prepare more..

Jan 21 (CT) The Prez’s assurance to deliver a People friendly Constitution and an article in the press captioned Constitution-making process by a learned person, prompted the writer as a senior citizen cum sovereign voter to pen a transparent procedure as follows, to ensure Public/voter participation in People friendly Constitution making, using the chapter dedicated to Franchise and Electoral Reforms under the proposed new Constitution as an example. more..

Jan 21 (TM) The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), on Wednesday, criticised Prez Rajapaksa’s statement regarding giving more attention to establishing private universities. FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda, pointing out the President’s statements about the passing of legislation that allows fully fledged private universities, alleged that the latter was trying to establish private universities using the prevailing economic crisis and the need for foreign investments as excuses. more..

Jan 21 (Island) Historically, SL’s relations with the world were driven by a number of factors. The country shifted from one position to another, allying itself with different interests at different points. While policy was largely shaped by the tenets of nonalignment, this did not preclude it from seeking friendships that went beyond such imperatives. Indeed, whenever it needed help, the govt of the day turned to everyone it could turn to. More often than not it got the support it wanted, and more..

Jan 21 (TM) Following a Govt decision to restructure a number of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that have been running at a loss, The Sunday Morning looked at what has been plaguing organisations such as CPC, CEB, and SriLankan Airlines. At a time when the country is facing its most severe financial crisis borne out of a massive foreign exchange shortage, mitigating losses of SOEs – particularly these three – more..

Jan 21 (FT) CB Governor Nivard Cabraal yesterday ruled out a depreciation of the rupee as well as the Govt opting for an IMF program, saying home-grown solutions are delivering desired results. We won’t depreciate the rupee was the direct answer Cabraal gave to a question at the post-Monetary Policy Review meeting yesterday on speculation of a devaluation of the currency by end of first quarter or later. The rupee depreciated by 7% against the dollar last year whilst since October more..

Jan 21 (FT) A total of 827 more persons tested for COVID-19 yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 case count to 599,363. Patients detected include 824 persons who were from the New Year cluster and three were overseas arrivals. 8,285 PCR tests and 2,842 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Wednesday. In total, 494,224 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,097 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from Divulapitiya cluster more..

Jan 21 (ST) Animal rights activists are relieved that the long-delayed Animal Welfare Bill was passed by Cabinet this week, but say the fight isn’t over until it goes through Parliament, is gazetted and implemented. The Bill has noteworthy features, the most significant being a legal definition for animal. While the old law defines this to be only a domestic or captured animal, the new draft has widened the scope to mean any living being more..

Jan 21 (FT) UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Finance Minister should inform the House by February if he plans to reach out to the IMF or place before the House an alternative plan to address the prevailing economic crisis in the country. “We expect the Finance Minister to inform the House next month on how the Govt plans to deal with the economic situation. We cannot allow this problem to drag on any longer. If the Govt has a good alternative, we will accept it. more..

Jan 21 (CI) On Tuesday, two significant weaknesses in SL's XI were exposed. On flat tracks, even with Dushmantha Chameera in the side, the bowling attack lacked for penetration through the early and middle overs, with only legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay claiming wickets in the first 35. Then, while chasing 303, the top order's fragilities were laid bare. Against testing but hardly unplayable bowling, SL were 31 for 3 inside eight overs, and 63 for 4 inside 15. Although captain Dasun Shanaka's more..

Jan 21 (Island) SL’s spinners restricted Kenya to 87 for six before captain Chamari Athapaththu struck 57 off 29 balls to power SL to a nine-wicket win on the third day of the ICC Commonwealth Games Qualifier 2022 at the Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur. SL won the toss and chose to bowl in a match they dominated virtually throughout even though their bowlers got off to a shaky start, conceding seven wides in the first three overs. SL’s infielders were just as sharp as in the first game against more..

Jan 21 (FT) The renovated Sirimathipaya, the PM’s Office at Flower Road – Colombo, was declared open by Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa yesterday. After unveiling the plaque, the Prez placed flowers at the Buddha statue at the office premises, symbolising the commencement of duties. Prez inspected the photographs displayed in the renovated office and inspected the office premises as well. A first day cover and a commemorative postage stamp was also released, more..

Jan 21 (FT) Retired Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake paid tribute to former President Chandrika Kumaratunga saying the latter had ensured independence for the Judiciary during her term in office as well as stood steadfast to the principles she believed in. Speaking during the launch of a book titled Chandrika by Tharindu Totawatta, Bandaranayake who was removed from the office of Chief Justice by a highly more..

Jan 21 (FT) Single largest shareholder of HNB Ishara Nanayakkara has been given a Board seat with LOLC Group nominating its COO Kithsiri Gunawardena to be appointed a Non-Executive Non-Independent Director. The Ishara-controlled Browns Investments PLC (BIL) owns the maximum 9.9% voting stake in HNB, and accounts for 45% of non-voting shares. Speculation was that Ishara had sought two seats on HNB Board but had to settle with one. more..

Jan 21 (Island) FMCG Major’s latest product for the SL market, Meera Facewash was unveiled in an official event at Colombo. Celebrating the young contemporary SL woman, Meera facewash will be introduced in three different variants providing functional solutions to everyday skincare problems – Red Sandal (for soft skin), Neem & Tea Tree (for pimple clear skin) and Wild Turmeric (for clear skin). Meera facewash is a range of formulation that is Soap-free, Sulphate free, Paraben free and more..