Dec 8 (NIA) Responding positively to Prez Rajapaksa�s call for Indian investments in SL, Indian Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the close geographic proximity and familiarity, which both nations enjoy, can result in greater investments. Delivering the keynote address at the SL Economic Summit 2020, Sitharaman assured that India will work together with SL to strengthen each other�s economy, more..

Dec 8 (FT) A select set of business leaders last week shared in their view the best and multiple role the private sector could play to drive economic recovery post-COVID pandemic with supportive policies from the Govt. The list though exhaustive was focussed and included a changed mindset, more partnerships, targeted products, diversified markets, building brands with purposes, inculcating sustainable practices. The business leaders said coordinated and supportive economic policies more..

Dec 8 (FT) Embarking on an ambitious drive to expand its existing portfolio, Lanka Special Steel Ltd. (Lanka SSL), a trusted name in wires and a fully-owned subsidiary of EB Creasy Group, recently introduced Permaweld brand welding electrode for all general-purpose welding requirements. Permaweld brand welding electrodes will be distributed island-wide by the hardware division of Laxapana Batteries PLC, another subsidiary of the group which has an undisputed reputation more..

Dec 8 (DE) The European Union has no problem with SL�s large trade surplus with the region, a senior diplomat said, voicing objections for the second time against rising protectionism and import controls, while highlighting the need for global trade to be open amid a coronavirus pandemic. In 2019 Sri Lanka exported US$ 3.5 billion of goods to the EU (not counting EU tourists to SL) which was 28.7% of total exports, more..

Dec 8 (CT) A group of about 156 Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) trainees, recruited prior to 2015, were removed, without any reason, by the previous govt in an act of political revenge. A ceremony to hand over letters of appointment, re-employing those who had been subjected to such injustice, was held recently at Lalith Athulathmudali Auditorium of the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy of SLPA. The 156 trainees, who were given appointments, will be attached to various multi-skilled, security, more..

Dec 8 (FT) Newly appointed Chairman of the Export Development Board Suresh de Mel yesterday pledged to do his best for brand Sri Lanka exports, especially by small and medium enterprises. �I am humbled by this honour and privilege, but have no illusions about the long (and winding) road ahead,� said Suresh, who is highly-respected business leader well known for campaigning for exports and tourism especially by the small and medium sector as well as passionately championing more..

Dec 8 (FT) Seventy policemen attached to the CCD and 20 CID officers who were tasked with investigating the outbreak of COVID-19 at Brandix � Minuw-angoda are infected with the virus, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekera told Parliament. He said the team of police officers had been deployed on the advice of the Attorney General to investigate the COVID-19 outbreak at the garment factory. more..

Dec 8 (Island) As COVID-19 is a health pandemic affecting most nations and Sri Lanka, there need to be strict health protocols to ensure the safety of not only our citizens but also international travellers. For this purpose, Sri Lanka Tourism published the Health Protocol for the Tourism Sector in June 2020 based on global best practices, giving ample time for the industry to be familiar with the guidelines. Sri Lanka Tourism was one of the first in the Asian region to prepare and issue a comprehensive more..

Dec 8 (DN) Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said that he will set up an Administrative Committees to look into all the Sports Stadiums in the country to run them properly. He said so addressing sports officers, coaches, sports teachers and athletes, at the a Modarawila playground, Panadura, during his inspection tour to the ground on Dec 4. He pointed out the dire need of bringing village level sportsmen and sportswomen to the national level by creating opportunities and pave the way for more..

Dec 8 (DM) It has been confirmed that the workers of Brandix apparel factory had contacted COVID-19 from a Ukrainian national, State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said. "Workers at Brandix had got infected through this Ukrainian national. It has also been found that some workers at the hotel in which the Ukrainian stayed at, had also got infected with COVID 19. �The workers at Brandix had contact with hotel employees. more..

Dec 8 (DN) Information Communication Technology service exports have grown 5.22% year on year in 2019. ICT has been an identified area for potential growth as an export industry by both the industry and the broader export supporting stakeholders. ICT has grown from a US$ 1.035 billion industry in 2018 to a US$ 1.089 billion industry in 2019. A digital marketing campaign is underway to promote the SL ICT/BPM brand. The brand IOI � the Island of Ingenuity is to strengthen SL�s positioning in more..

Dec 8 (DM) Many international and local taxi services are dominating the industry without paying a single rupee as tax to the Govt, All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers' Union (AITWDU) lamented. AITWDU President Lalith Dharmasekera said that they had requested the Govt to implement a system to regulate the service. But the Govt was not so keen to heed to their requests to check the background of those foreign companies before allowing to establish their service in SL," more..

Dec 8 (FT) The recent move to abolish the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) by senior public officials will open the door to corruption and is contrary to the policies presented by the President, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne charged. Addressing the press, Wickramaratne said that the move by two civil servants was unlawful and that those involved should be questioned as to what basis they made the call. more..

Dec 8 (CT) TNA Leader, MP R. Sampanthan informed a group of journalists in the Northern Province, since his Party was not affiliated to the proscribed terror group, the LTTE, no one could either intimidate or ban them locally. TNA Leader made these remarks in response to comments by Minister Sarath Weerasekera, who had called for the proscription of the former�s Party. MP added, his Party having entered the democratic political mainstream had not only elected people�s more..

Dec 8 (DM) Two more Covid-19 related deaths were reported today (07) rising the death toll to 142. A 62-year-old male succumbed to the virus at the Homagama Hospital after being transferred from the Colombo National Hospital. His residency has not yet been confirmed. The cause of his death was Covid-19 related pneumonia. In addition, a 77-year-old male, a resident of Colombo 13, also passed away at the Homagama Hospital after being transferred from National Hospital Colombo. more..

Dec 8 (FT) The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons COVID-19 cluster yesterday reached 25,025 patients, with the detection of 703 new patients. 466 persons are associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and 237 persons are linked to the Prisons cluster. With the new patients, the total number of COVID-19 patients identified in SL has increased to 28,580. In addition to the current COVID-19 cluster, the total count includes more..

Dec 8 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa asked the govt in Parliament yesterday whether it had allowed those tasked with distributing goods worth Rs. 10,000 among families in areas under lockdown to cheat the pandemic-hit people. �The basket of goods is said to be worth Rs. 10,000, but its value is only about Rs. 7,000,� Opposition Leader Premadasa said. �In addition people point out that chickpeas have weevils, dhal is past shelf life and potatoes are rotten. more..

Dec 8 (FT) The continued political victimisation of the former director of the CID Shani Abeysekara is a warning given to other police officers who enforce the law impartially, SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara charged. He alleged that the Govt did not provide adequate medical treatment for the former investigator who had contracted COVID-19 while at Mahara Prison, pointing out that the patient was first moved to the Welikanda treatment centre in Batticaloa before being moved to the IDH more..

Dec 8 (FT) Prisoners on death row will have their sentences commuted to 20 years and will be eligible for release after severing the stipulated period, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said. He told the Consultative Committee of the Justice Ministry in Parliament that the process will be set in motion once approval is given to the Cabinet paper to implement this program. This and several other measures will be put in place by the Govt to more..

Dec 8 (FT) In the last few months, considerable scientific evidence has been published in international peer reviewed journals about the novel coronavirus and its environmental impact, enabling us to remove the veil of unknowns and move towards making informed decisions. Viruses and virology is the domain of microbiologists, more specifically virologists. While these are not my area of expertise either, some basic knowledge in biology can help us understand present pandemic. more..

Dec 8 (FT) The Cardinal is a highly-esteemed dignitary among the Muslims. They respect him not only as an exemplary religious leader but, also, as someone who personifies Statesmanlike qualities. When the Quran categorically states that there is no compulsion (forcing, intimidation or coercion) in religion, only an insane or stupid person can force Islam on any other community. To force Islam on others, be it a single person or a community, is doing exactly opposite to what the Quran teaches. more..

Dec 8 (SLN) The Navy rendered assistance to apprehend 04 suspects along with 100kg of heroin and 100kg of crystal methamphetamine (ice), during a special operation carried out in Thoduwawa area, Marawila today (6). The coordinated operation carried out by the SL Navy, Excise Department and other intelligence agencies in Thoduwawa area led to the seizure of 100kg of heroin and 100kg of crystal methamphetamine (ice) in boxes and packages, made ready for distribution. more..

Dec 8 (DM) Govt has not totally scrapped the Greater Colombo Light Train Project, State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabral informed Parliament. �We might go ahead with the project in another five years� time,� he said in response to a question posed by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa in the House today. �The cost of the Light Train Project is $ 2,300 million. It is true that the interest rate is 0,5%. However SL would have to pay more within 40- years, considering exchange rate situation. more..

Dec 8 (FT) Sri Lanka Cricket said that it was closely monitoring the situation in South Africa ahead of its national cricket team�s tour to the Rainbow Nation later this month. Sri Lanka are due to play South Africa in two Tests forming the ICC World Test Championship at Centurion from 26-30 Dec and at Johannesburg from 3-7 Jan. Team is due to leave for South Africa on the morning of 18 Dec at the end of the ongoing LPL more..

Dec 8 (EN) Sri Lanka has approved tax breaks for a US$ 300 million tyre factory to be built by Shandong Haohua Tire Co. Limited of China. The firm will have to export 80% of its output to qualify for tax breaks. It is the biggest investment so far approved to be set up in an industrial zone in Hambantota port. It will be located in an industrial zone in Hambantota int'l Port. the factory which will employ 2,000 workers will be in a 121 acre space in the Hambantota Port industrial zone. more..

Dec 8 (EN) SL�s process of charging a CESS tax on int'l trade and using it for general expenditure is illegal and is part of a series of questionable practices seen in SL, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said. Under Sri Lanka�s EDB, a CESS tax charged on int'l trade has to be credited to an export development fund to develop exports, he told parliament. SL has been using the EDB CESS as an import duty or para tariff for some time, to get revenue and also practice protectionism. more..

Dec 8 (NIA) US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Thursday (3) named Rohini Kosoglu nee Ravindran as her Domestic Policy Advisor. �She is not only an expert on some of the most important issues facing the American people, but also one of my closest and most trusted aides from the Senate and presidential campaign,� Harris said releasing her list of advisors. Kosoglu currently serves as Senior Advisor to Harris on more..

Dec 8 (DE) Actress Nimmi Harasgama has spoken of her sadness that her latest film, set amidst the political tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamils in the years leading up to the 1983 uprisings in SL, is still as relevant in the modern day. The Good Karma Hospital star plays the mother of a young boy who falls in love with a male classmate in Funny Boy, based on Shyam Selvadurai�s novel of the same name. Harasgama told the PA news agency: �It resonated so much with me because more..

Dec 8 (Island) SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath told Parliament that it was he who had got Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera the post of Commandant of the Civil Defence Force, when the latter was without a job. Participating in third reading debate on Budget, Field Marshal Fonseka said: �When then Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted to appoint a commandant to the CDF, I named Sarath Weerasekera. Then Navy commander Karannagoda opposed it. more..

Dec 8 (CT) Govt Ministers yesterday ended up giving contradictory statements on the origin of the Minuwangoda Brandix cluster, when responding to questions raised by the Opposition. Minister of Public Security, Sarath Weerasekara, informed Parliament the source of the COVID-19 cluster at the Brandix facility in Minuwangoda is yet to be identified. Weerasekara�s remark came after the State Minister of COVID Control, more..

Dec 8 (AD) The Cabinet has approved a proposal submitted by the PM for the allocation of funds from the General Treasury to perform essential renovation activities and rehabilitation of the Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele-Cinema Park in Ranminitenna. The govt said the Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele-Cinema Park has been established for earmarking a renaissance in the local cinema and tele creations sector across providing studios and shooting background facilities more..

Dec 8 (AD) Cabinet has given the nod for the program to increase the number of national schools in the country to 1,000. The program is expected to be implemented in three phases. During the recent Cabinet meeting, Minister G.L. Peiris has presented a proposal to develop one selected Provincial Council school as a national school in each of the 123 Divisional Secretariat Divisions where there are no national schools. This will accordingly be the first phase of the program. more..

Dec 8 (DM) Attorney General has recommended for the appointment of a panel of experts, to conduct the post-mortem on the deceased of the Mahara Prison Riot, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne making submissions in the court said. Attorney General's Department and SL Police were represented by the State Counsel in the court today. Jayaratne said the AG wanted three Senior Judicial Medical Officers and a Ballistic Expert from more..

Dec 8 (CT) The ongoing differences of opinion between the expert committee, appointed by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) recommendation to cremate rather than bury the COVID-19 dead, and Islamic beliefs, have created dilemma for the Colombo Mortuary, the latter which is left with at least 12 to 14 unclaimed bodies of COVID-19 deceased on their hands. Informed sources of Colombo Morgue said that as of yesterday, there were 14 bodies, more..

Dec 8 (Island) Excise Commissioner General Ariyadasa Bodaragama admitted that there was a significant loss of excise revenue due to various tactics used by toddy manufacturers.�I am not certain that the amount is around Rs. 80 billion, but I am sure there is a loss of tax revenue,� the Commissioner General said, responding to questions from journalists who pointed out that SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana had repeatedly raised in Parliament that there was an annual loss of more..

Dec 8 (DM) Neluwa-Lankagama-Deniyaya Road that is being built via the Sinharaja Forest Reserve � a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sans a proper plan and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has received widespread criticisms. Responding to mounting criticism at the onset of the project, Prez Rajapaksa visited the area and said that the road will be constructed in 90 days. Although a part of it is completed, photos of more..

Dec 8 (AD) The final report of the PCoI probing into Political Victimization was handed over to Prez Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. The Chairman of the Committee, retired SC Judge Upali Abeyratne presented the report to the President, the PMD reported. The three-member Presidential Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the President on Jan 20, 2020. Commission was entrusted with the task of inquiring into political victimization and associated background more..

Dec 8 (CT) The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith pointed out that it is the responsibility of members of all other religions to work in a manner that protects the philosophy of Buddhism within Sri Lanka. He made this comment when he attended a religious function in Polonnaruwa. He further said: In this world we are living in today, some people are trying to live without any interest in religion and doctrine, without any religion at all. more..

Dec 8 (DE) You may know it from the Baila, Bivva neda Wadakaha Sudiya (බිව්වා නේද වදකහ සුදිය). The debacle that saw hospitals overflowing with very sick people who had consumed a concoction called Wadakaha Sudiya during a total eclipse of the sun, in the belief it would make a person very beautiful. That was in June 1955. Today, in 2020, with the COVId-19 pandemic striking fear in everyone�s heart, with no cure more..