Aug 24 (FT) A two-day Orientation Workshop will be conducted for all MPs tomorrow and the day after. Arrangements have been made to conduct the orientation workshop for the MPs elected to the Ninth Parliament on each day from 9 a.m. to 6p.m. at the Committee Room 1 in Parliament. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the Chief Guest at the opening session while Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, too, will attend the workshop. more..

Aug 24 (CT) A special flight is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka from India in two weeks to take self-proclaimed spiritual healer Dr Eliyantha White to India. The special Indian flight will adhere to quarantine regulations. Meanwhile, it is reported that Dr White uses the Kundalini Shakthi method in his spiritual healing. Indian Govt has decided to control the spread of COVID-19 through this spiritual healing method with his support. more..

Aug 24 (Island) TNA has decided to appoint two people, each holding the post for two and a half years, to its National List post. A spokesman for TNA made this comment when asked about rumours that Thawarasa Kalaiarasan, who was appointed to the post will soon resign from his post. The appointment of Kalaiarasan, who is from Ampara, has caused a rift in the TNA. Thus, a number of TNA MPs had met in Colombo and the decision to appoint two men to the post had been taken there, more..

Aug 24 (CT) There are several uncertainties with regard to the bombings on 2019 Easter Sunday, and specific investigations should have been conducted concerning them, said former SIS Director, SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena. Testifying before the PCoI probing the bombings on Easter Sunday, on 21 Aug, he said, he would reveal certain facts with regard to the entire attack on camera. SDIG Jayawardena also said, on the morning of 21 April 2019 he had received another message from one of more..

Aug 24 (FT) The SJB yesterday called on all democratic forces to unite behind them to prevent the 19th Amendment (19A) being repealed. The main Opposition party issued a press release questioning the motives of the Govt, which has said it plans to repeal the 2015 amendment. SJB General Secretary and MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that the 18th Amendment of 2010 removed safeguards put in place to prevent more..

Aug 25 (CT) The ceremonial sitting of the first session of the 9th Parliament was declared open by President Rajapaksa on 20 Aug 2020. Prez then delivered govt Policy Statement as provided for by Article 33(2) of Constitution. Certain announcements made in the policy statement need careful reflection. The spirit and essence of some statements may not have been intended to carry the meaning in its literal sense. I would like to think it that way giving the benefit of the doubt to the Prez. more..

Aug 25 (CT) Farming in a sustainable, productive manner has been a hallmark of every human tradition that has endured history. There are many traditional farms existent today that have been productive for hundreds of years. Agrarian societies with long histories, possess the credibility of having sustained themselves successfully under the rigor of survival in a natural world. Having no access to fossil fuel driven technologies, they relied on renewable agriculture based upon more..

Aug 25 (DM) Wildlife crimes in Sri Lanka and around the world are escalating at an alarming pace. Illegal activities such as snaring pose a threat to endemic species and the link to the illegal bushmeat trade has in most instances been exposed. This is why US-based Serendipity Wildlife Foundation headed by Ravi Perera is dedicated to apprehend wildlife criminals with their expertise in tackling wildlife crimes. more..

Aug 25 (ST) In his policy statement presented to Parliament on Aug 20 Prez Rajapaksa outlined his Govt�s plans for the forthcoming year. Among the measures he proposed was the one relating to the removal of the 19th Amendment as a prelude to enacting a new Constitution. Prez in his statement to Parliament expressed his intention in the following words: �The basis of the success of a democratic state is its constitution. Our Constitution, which has been amended 19 times, since 1978, more..

Aug 25 (DM) The new govt launched itself into action last week, with a new Cabinet, a two-thirds majority in the House of Parliament, and the President in a business suit delivering a business-like policy statement. The reference to the prez, I lifted off from Sunday Times editorial, which also noted that �how much out of the box thinking will go into that (a new constitution) can be disconcerting.� As for now though, like any of its predecessors, the new govt deserves a honeymoon. more..

Aug 25 (SO) According to a World Bank report published in 2017, South Asian giant India loses USD 86 billion annually following power sector disruptions including frequent power outages, this is equivalent to the total economy of SL. The report In the Dark: How much do power sector distortions cost South Asia, highlights that more than 255 million people in the region depend on the electricity grid which is equivalent to more..

Aug 25 (CT) The Finance Ministry on its website yesterday announced the slashing of the special commodity levy (SCL) on canned fish imports by 96%, i.e., Rs 144 a kilo to Rs six a kg, effective with retrospective effect from Saturday (22 Aug). The Ministry statement dated Friday (21 Aug) said that previously the SCL on canned fish was 10% of its price per kilogramme or Rs 150 a kg, whichever was higher. The reduced SCL will be valid for three months from 22 Aug, the Ministry further said. more..

Aug 25 (DM) It is a well-known fact that the govt is going to amend the Constitution since the SLPP had requested the people to grant them a two-thirds majority power in order to do away with the 19th Amendment. However, leaders of the party did not tell the country, before the Prez election or the Parliamentary election as to what would replace that amendment. Therefore, fear is expressed from some quarters of the society that the Constitution could be amended in a manner that would be more..

Aug 25 (Island) Newly elected TMTK MP C. V. Wigneswaran would have us believe that the incumbent SLPP administration is a govt of Sinhala Buddhists by Sinhala Buddhists for Sinhala Buddhists. He has said something to this effect in his recent speech in Parliament. The fact that the ruling SLPP has won the local govt, presidential and parliamentary elections without the help of the minority parties that consider themselves kingmakers; its support base is confined to more..

Aug 25 (Island) Sri Lankans, since the 1970s, have not been fortunate to have visionary leaders. They were misfits. Their laws are unjust and unacceptable. Their measures are always cruel and inhumane. They do not respect the Constitution and other laws. History proves that if the leaders desire comforts, love power and prestige they are unable to deliver lasting happiness to the nation. After ending the brutal war, we were reborn. Why did Lankan rulers fail to achieve economic progress more..

Aug 25 (ST) SL�s Shoora Council had decided to felicitate all Muslim MPs who were elected at the Aug 5 parliamentary election. Shoora is the Arabic word for consult and its role is like a counsel. Of course, in Sri Lanka, the council�s key members also play an active role in many other Muslim bodies. The council sent out colourfully printed invitations to all new Muslim MPs. The event, it said, would be held at the Rosewood Ceylon more..

Aug 25 (Island) FIDE Master, L.M.S.T de Silva of Nalanda College, Colombo and Women International Master, Sachini Ranasinghe of Nf3 Chess Club won the Sri Lanka National Rapid Chess Championship at the Sathara Hall, Maharagam on Saturday. The 14-year-old Susal produced a great performance remaining unbeaten to score a total of 8.5 points in games. He was awarded the title of Sri Lanka National Rapid Chess Champion 2020 with a trophy, gold medal and Rs. 20,000.00 in cash. more..

Aug 25 (ST) CR&FC president Hiran Muttiah has urged Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) to engage in a broad dialogue with all stakeholders including players without being confrontational taking into consideration the many challenges faced by the clubs in a post-Covid situation to promote and develop the game. With Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) of which CR&FC is a member being deprived of voting rights at SLR�s AGM because of non-payment of more..

Aug 25 (CT) President of the Boxing Association of SL (BASL) Dian Gomes believes SL boxers have a realistic chance of winning Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games in the near future. Godfather of SL boxing for two decades, Dian Gomes has been appointed uncontested to the post of Prez for another 4-year term at the recently held AGM. This was the third time he was appointed Prez. more..

Aug 25 (FT) In a disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the Board of MTD Walkers PLC has informed that leading business magnate and renowned scholar Dr. Arosha Fernando has signed the Share Sale & Purchase Agreement (SSPA) to acquire 90% of the shareholding of the company from MTD Capital BHD of Malaysia. The proposed acquisition is under Arosha�s investment arm, Lakma Holdings Ltd., and is subject to legal due diligence by Nithya Partners, which is leading law firm more..

Aug 25 (DN) CCC look well poised to retain the SLC Premier Tier �A� Inter-Club Cricket Tournament Super Eight title for the second successive year when they take on Chilaw Marians CC in their final three-day league match commencing today at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place. In fact, CCC are assure of the Super Eight title whatever the outcome of this fixture as they have already built up an unassailable lead of 21.06 points over their nearest rivals Chilaw Marians CC. more..

Aug 25 (Island) National Marathon and three other grueling road events of the National Sports Festival will be held on October 10 and 11 at Kataragama. Department of Sports Development of the Ministry of Sports sent documents pertaining to this major sports event to the Provincial Directors of Sports yesterday. �We will conduct the event at Kataragama since it is convenient to provide logistics,� Jayantha Siyamudali who more..

Aug 25 (DN) The Colombo Football Club struck a crushing 3-0 defeat on Police SC in their quarter-final game of the ongoing Vantage FFSL President�s Cup Soccer Tournament played at the Sugathadasa Stadium, last evening. It was an interesting game for spectators numbering to over 500 who were present to witness a game of classy football after a lapse of five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were able to witness one of the best games played so far during this Championship. more..

Aug 25 (DN) For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Tourism, 49 Tourism Stakeholder Associations brought to a single forum to address current issues and identify the way forward. The meeting took place last week to discuss the way forward and give updates on the relief measures provided by Sri Lanka Tourism during the COVID -19 pandemic to the stakeholders and discuss the gaps they face when obtaining relief measures. The meeting was conducted under the patronage of more..

Aug 25 (DM) The daily passenger revenue of SL Railways has dropped from Rs.17 million to Rs. 5 million, Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said. Railways department incurred this loss due to issues in passenger transport experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that although there was no decrease in passengers in commuter trains, there was a significant drop in passengers travelling in long-distance trains. more..

Aug 25 (DN) Clay Court Tennis Nationals 2020 suffered a major blow when the defending champion Sharmal Dissanayake pulled out from the competition, due to an injury at the SLTA Courts in Green Path, Colombo yesterday. The top seed and the hot favourite was set to meet the unseeded Savit Weerasinghe in the Men�s Singles second-round fixture after having received a bye in the first-round. However, Dissanayake was unable to commence his match at the scheduled time having suffered more..

Aug 25 (DM) State Minister of Mahaweli Zones, Waterways, Settlements and Public Infrastructure Development, Siripala Gamlath stated that his sole aim is to turn the Mahaweli zones into fulltime worksites and extend support to strengthen the national economy. The Minister pointed out that every inch of land in Mahaweli zones should be used for food production and similar projects thereby reserving such lands to strengthen the lifestyle of Mahaweli residents. more..

Aug 25 (FT) Palm Oil Industry Association (POIA) yesterday in a statement said while it respected the decisions relating to the industry contained in the policy statement of Prez Rajapaksa, it trusted that a pragmatic solution would be provided in respect of the oil palm saplings imported into the country following a Cabinet decision taken in 2014 by the Govt of Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. �We appeal to the Prez and the new Govt to more..

Aug 25 (Island) Pathfinder Foundation (PF) and Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), a leading think tank in India, conducted a webinar with virtual participation of several experts from both countries on the themes Regional and Geopolitical Environment and Indo-Lanka Trade & Economic Relations. The two delegations were headed by Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman, Pathfinder Foundation and Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director-Vivekananda International Foundation. more..

Aug 25 (DM) A new set of regulations would be introduced through the Vote on Account (VOA) to be presented next month, to further tighten protective measures of the environment, Secretary of the Environment Ministry, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. A team of experts representing Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB), Central Environment Authority (CEA) and 16 other sections of the Environment Ministry was in the process of drafting the new regulations to be incorporated in the VOA, more..

Aug 25 (FT) Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) yesterday took preliminary steps towards implementing mobile number portability which would enable customers to select service providers without changing existing numbers. The initiative intends to facilitate and maintain effective competition among the four mobile service operators with the ultimate goal of providing a cost effective, efficient service whilst more..

Aug 25 (ST) A new carrier is tipped to take to Sri Lanka�s skies providing domestic charter flights upon receiving approvals. Openskies Flight Training Pvt. Ltd, situated in Panadura, is currently seeking approvals to engage in domestic flight operations from the Civil Aviation Authority. The organisation has been in operation as a family-owned business incorporated in 2008 offering aviation training programmes for both Sri Lankan and int'l students, organisation�s website stated. more..

Aug 25 (AD) Some drug-addicted inmates have committed suicide within the last week due to the govt�s crackdown on narcotics, Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya revealed. Meanwhile, STF personnel have been deployed to provide security to the outer perimeters of Welikada Prison, Magazine Prison and Colombo Remand Prison. The STF personnel, along with prison, security, and intelligence officials, will search all those who enter prison premises including more..

Aug 25 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa instructed officials not to allow Samurdhi subsidy to be a burden to the country, but to make it an initiative that empowers low income families. Poverty and social inequality can be minimized by opening new income avenues for the low-income strata of the society thereby making them high income earners, he said. Prez emphasized that Samurdhi program should be conducted giving priority more..

Aug 25 (CT) SJB MPs Rajitha Senaratne and Hesha Vithanage were issued summons to appear before the PCoI probing acts of Political Victimisations during the UNF-led regime on 3 Sept. Two MPs were issued the summons by the Commission, pertaining to a complaint lodged with it by Secretary of Ministry of Mass Media and ex-DG of SL Customs Jagath Wijeweera. He had alleged the previous UNF-led Govt had made baseless charges against him before his apprehension, with regard to more..

Aug 25 (DM) UNP should stop harassing the SJB members if a discussion is to take place for a merger, SJB National Organizer Tissa Attanayake said. He was referring to the decision of the UNP to expel certain local govt members who had supported SJB. �We hope to file legal action to obtain injunction orders to stop the expulsion of local govt members who are supporting SJB. Also we would like to emphasise that UNP should stop harassing the SJB members if talks on more..

Aug 25 (CT) State Intelligence Service (SIS), following the Easter Sunday 21 April 2019 bombings, received information that close relatives of the bombers, killed in the Easter Sunday bombings, could launch a second attack targeting hospitals, shopping malls, supermarkets, Police Stations and the Indian High Commission, said former Director of the SIS, Senior SDIG, Nilantha Jayawardena. He said this while testifying before PCoI more..

Aug 25 (DM) A man who was taken into custody for stealing a hand cart while begging near the Kochchikade church has been found to be a millionaire residing in Pamunuwa Maharagama, according to the coastal police. Police has also found a WagonR and a luxury car in the garden of luxury upstairs house of this 64-year millionaire beggar in Pamunuwa. He earns monthly income of Rs 30.000 as rent for the upper floor of this house and daily income of Rs.5,000 in begging. more..

Aug 25 (CT) Minister of Tourism and Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga intends to re-open the BIA by the end of September this year, according to a reliable source. This decision will be implemented only after obtaining approval from the Health Authorities. The re-opening of the BIA was initially scheduled for 1 August but postponed without a specific date, due to the repatriation process in the country. Govt then announced they wished to re-open BIA by mid-September. more..