Nov 26 (FT) For decades, the UNP and (until 1977) the Left held the multiethnic cities; the SLFP, the Sinhala countryside. The SLPP did even better than the SLFP. Today, with one nuclear policy bomb the epicentre of which is paddy cultivation, Prez Rajapaksa has erased that political map. The SLPP is almost certainly shattered in the countryside, doomed in the cities. PM Modi set a healthy example of leadership by addressing the nation, pledging to repeal the three pieces of legislation more..

Nov 26 (FT) Last week, a soft-spoken Catholic priest had to mark his presence in the pleasant offices of the CID to record – not one, or two, but no less than three – statements regarding his comments on the alleged role of the State military and intelligence services vis-à-vis the Trojan horse we now know as ‘4/21’. And that the outspoken individual patiently treading the path to his own Calvary of a sort is a man of the cloth is not atypical in a country where personal religion turns into tribal politics soon enough. more..

Nov 26 (CT) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena, in what appears to be a warning, told the Govt, in Parliament yesterday, not to be overconfident of the 2/3 majority as it is wielded by the 14 SLFP MPs in the House. In response to Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s recent claims on extravagant expenses of former Prez, Sirisena warned Aluthgamage and other ruling party members, who criticise coalition allies, not to more..

Nov 26 (CT) Sri Lanka will not discuss a new programme with the IMF team who will visit the country next month for their (IMF’s) regular ‘Article IV’ consultations with the Govt, CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal told reporters. He said, instead the Govt is pursuing Govt to Govt (G to G) consultations to uplift the country’s foreign reserves, which talks are at an advanced stage. Among those G to G talks are those with India as well, the Governor speaking from CBSL Headquarters in Colombo said. more..

Nov 26 (DM) A Bell 212 aircraft and drones of SL Air Force have been used to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo in a joint operation with the SL Police. Air Force Spokesman said it was observed that heavy traffic congestion was reported in the Colombo area after the travel restrictions in the island were lifted due to the Covid-19 epidemic. He said Prez has directed to monitor the situation and to take appropriate action to reduce the traffic congestion in Colombo and its suburbs. more..

Nov 26 (FT) The Govt yesterday unveiled the country’s biggest real-estate push with plans to attract over $ 6 billion local and foreign investments to promote the post-COVID growth trajectory of SL. The key planning and implementation body — the UDA, listed out around 50 projects in nine sub-categories providing equal opportunities to both foreign and local investments. Real Estate & Township, Hospitality/Leisure, more..

Nov 26 (DM) Laws that are being designed to control the media should not be enacted, both govt and the opposition MPS stressed in Parliament yesterday. Sri Lanka is among the worst countries when it comes to the media freedom index published by Freedom House. Sri Lanka is ranked 56 of the worst 100 nations Govt MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa who was speaking during the committee stage debate in the House said no laws should be brought in to control media and social media while more..

Nov 26 (Island) TNA MPs met German Ambassador to SL Holger Seubert and his deputy on Wednesday to discuss the issues faced by the Tamil people in the North and the East. TNA delegation told the German Ambassador that the govt was postponing the provincial council elections and that the Tamils were not allowed to commemorate those who were killed during the war. TNA delegation spoke of the importance of Resolution 46/1, adopted on March 23, 2021 against SL presented to UNHRC more..

Nov 26 (CT) The CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) commenced an indefinite work-to-rule campaign yesterday as a trade union action until several demands, including that of terminating the New Fortress Energy LNG deal are met. Chairman of CEBEU, Saumya Kumarawadu, said this could lead to intermittent and prolonged recovery of power outages however, adding that a concerted effort would be made to minimise more..

Nov 26 (DM) IMF says SL has not made any request for financial support. IMF’S Mission Chief for SL Masahiro Nozaki said that a staff team from the IMF is scheduled to visit Colombo from Dec 7–20. Responding to a question posed on the visit, IMF Mission Chief said that the delegation will be in Colombo to conduct 2021 Article IV consultations with SL. Under Article IV of the IMF’S Articles of Agreement, IMF holds regular bilateral discussions with all member countries to review more..

Nov 26 (FT) Steps will be taken to develop all the roads in a timely manner as promised by Prez Rajapaksa to the people from the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour policy statement, Highways Ministry Secretary R.W.R. Pemasiri said. He also said that all byroads and access roads in the country would be developed and connected to the main road network expeditiously. Secretary expressed these views while speaking at the news briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre more..

Nov 26 (TM) The Ministry of Health has stated that the refusal of certain individuals suffering from co-morbidities and the elderly to get the Covid-19 vaccine is one of the main reasons for the increase in the Covid-19 death toll. Dr. Hemantha Herath said: “Certain individuals with co-morbidities and the elderly refuse to obtain Covid-19 vaccines. We don’t say that everyone does it, but very few do it and the same is one of the main reasons for the increase in Covid-19 deaths.” more..

Nov 26 (FT) SL COVID-19 detections exceeded 560,000 with 740 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. A total of 560,345 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 to date. The patients detected yesterday include 734 persons from the New Year cluster and six overseas arrivals. On Wednesday, 744 persons from the New Year cluster and one SL overseas returnee tested positive for COVID-19. SL’s COVID-19 detections include 455,498 persons from the New Year cluster, more..

Nov 26 (TM) As a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder-based explosion that occurred yesterday in Pannipitiya added to the list of such explosions around the country this month, Govt has vehemently denied reports and allegations that the butane-to-propane gas compositional ratio in gas cylinders had been changed and led to these explosions. State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna claimed that the butane-to-propane more..

Nov 26 (ST) Govt has reintroduced the earlier requirement of issuing permits for the transportation of sand, soil and clay, which was suspended two years ago. This decision has been taken following protests of environmentalists and environmental conservation associations against the easing of restrictions by the govt that paved the way for large scale sand mining. Environmentalists have vehemently protested against the removal of the permit system and strict regulations on more..

Nov 26 (FT) The Colombo stock market saw bullish sentiment among investors sustained with both indices up amidst a high Rs. 10 billion turnover. The All Share Price Index gained by 1% or over 115 points and the S&P SL20 gained by over 16 points or 0.4%. Trading of over 459 million shares boosted turnover to Rs. 9.98 billion as opposed to Rs. 7.5 billion on Wednesday. Net foreign selling yesterday hit a new high of Rs. 934 million, pushing the year-to-date net outflow to over Rs. 49.5 billion. more..

Nov 26 (Island) PCoI into the Easter Sunday attacks (2019) appointed by the previous govt had held the then govt including the then President, PM and the Cabinet responsible for the lapses that led to the attacks, Prez Rajapaksa said at the opening of the new Kelani Bridge named Golden Gate Kalyani in Peliyagoda, on Wednesday. Prez’s Office said in a media statement: “Prez said the PCoI report had been referred to Parliament, more..

Nov 26 (Island) Sprinters Aruna Dharshan and Amasha de Silva produced thrilling performances but witnessing the former’s heroics in the 400 metres final will not be a possibility today after the Artillery Regiment athlete had to pull out through injury in the semi-finals on day four of the Army Athletics Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Thursday. Amasha established a new meet record in the women’s 200 metres after emerging sprinter Medhani Jayamanne’s more..

Nov 26 (CT) Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday that India’s HCL Technologies (HCL) presence in Sri Lanka, is a reflective of the long-term business resilience of Colombo’s ascent as a commercial hub in South Asia. “As a nation, we are thankful for the opportunities HCL continues to offer our youth and make them global IT professionals,” he said at the opening ceremony of HCL’s new facility at the state-of-theart Cinnamon Life complex in Colombo. more..

Nov 26 (Island) SL’s budding rugby players learned some hard lessons at the recently concluded Asian Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai where they were stopped by UAE in the Plate Championship final. The most notable feature about the islanders was that they were under-prepared for the tournament. They were severely handicapped with the absence of seniors; these players making themselves uncountable given that they didn’t take part in the selection trial which was worked off in the form of a domestic seven-a-side rugby tournament. more..

Nov 26 (ST) SL managed to clinch three top slots in the International Telecom Union (ITU) Indices published in their latest report. In ITU affordability index, SL ranks at the 20th position for cheapest broadband end 13th for mobile broadband while clinching a top position at the 7th place for voice mobile services. “Two years of concerted efforts of making affordable offerings through E-Thaksalawa, LEARN End other unlimited packages for working from home have made this possible. more..

Nov 26 (TM) As the debate between govt ministers on whether to seek financial assistance from the IMF deepens, IMF said that its staff stands ready to discuss options with the SL Govt, during the upcoming visit of the Fund’s representatives to Sri Lanka. The IMF, Wednesday (24) night, disclosed this in response to media inquiry regarding an upcoming Article IV mission to Colombo, next month. more..

Nov 26 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 20,884 persons on Wednesday. 74.04% of the country’s population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. 63.83% of the population has received the second dose as well, while 93.8% of the population over 20 years has received both vaccine doses. 15,918,179 persons have received the first dose and 13,723,234 persons have received the second dose. The third vaccine dose has been administered to 398,013 persons, more..

Nov 26 (Island) Brain drain reflects multiple underlying socio-economic problems. While we expect to see a better country after the natural disasters, wars, terrorist attacks and pandemics, a more serious threat looms; it may appear insignificant to the majority of the people, especially to the politicians and policymakers, yet it is something we should counter immediately as a national priority. Therefore, based on a series of interviews with professionals who have more..

Nov 26 (Island) Catholic Church welcomed President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s declaration that the govt had the required 2/3 majority in Parliament to take action against those who had been named in the PCoI by introducing a new Act in Parliament. Top spokesperson for the Church Rev Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said that the Church had repeatedly asked for the full implementation of the recommendations made by the PCoI. more..

Nov 26 (ST) Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), the longstanding sponsors since 2015 and China Merchants Foundation (CMF) handed over US$30,000 in the form of a donation for the future of wheelchair tennis during an event held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA). Wheelchair Tennis has been an evolving sport in Sri Lanka. Since its commencement in 2002 they have shown steady progress and have been able to bring glory on numerous occasions. more..

Nov 26 (TM) Since the first lockdown in March 2020, most conversations we have had with working class poor communities in Colombo have been dominated by one topic – budgets and listening to families talk about how they prioritise their expenditure based on their needs and their income. Families talked about cutting down to two meals a day so that they can afford the data card for their child’s online class. They discussed which child should stop tuition classes altogether so that another child sitting more..

Nov 26 (Island) One may wonder whether those who run gas companies are the cousins of Zahran, the savage, who organised the Easter Sunday explosions if what has been reported of their products is anything to go by. Zahran and his fellow terrorists blasted three churches and three hotels, killing more than 270 others, in 2019. His fat-cat cousins in the gas business, as it were, are certainly not terrorists on a suicidal mission, but they are likely to cause an explosion in every house more..

Nov 26 (CT) Tuesday’s ferry accident near the Kurinchankerny Bridge, Kinniya, Trincomalee killed six, according to the Defence Ministry. It’s unclear whether the responsibility for this tragedy is with the Central Govt or the local council in question. Responsibility of the Eastern Provincial Council for this tragedy is ruled out as Provincial Councils (PCs) in the country stand dissolved with PCs functioning under the respective provincial Governors who in turn are appointed by the President. more..

Nov 26 (TM) The Muthurajawela Wetland is a key wetland that has been a topic of discussion for many years owing to its environmental importance and also due to the environmental destruction taking place in the area. The wetland has been under threat due to racketeers’ activities as well. The newest controversy surrounding the Muthurajawela Wetland began after the Govt gazetted the wetland under the UDA, more..

Nov 26 (TM) Violence exists and goes on without being addressed not necessarily because we do not see violence as violence; it is because we think that acts of violence are justifiable, ignorable, and sometimes, pardonable, and it results in us not seeing its gravity. These attitudinal barriers were acknowledged by the UN Women, which commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which fell yesterday, said that gender-based violence, more..

Nov 26 (DM) The US State Department engaged a leading delegation of the TNA along with the representatives of Diaspora groups during the past week. The TNA has remained engaged with the US to get its support for the achievement of what it called ‘political rights’ and justice for alleged rights violations during the war time in Sri Lanka. Discussions took place in the past both with and without public knowledge. Nevertheless, the latest engagement gets a higher profile than others. more..