Dec 22 (CT) Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to immediately revoke the permits of persons who are not utilising mineral exploration as they are requested to, and to also increase the licence fee. GSMB has issued permits to various individuals to explore mineral resources such as graphite, ilmenite, rutile, zircon and garnet. GSMB has informed Amaraweera that despite the issuance of such permits, persons are not taking more..

Dec 22 (CT) Around 500 to 1,000 kg of plastics have been pulled out of an underground canal connecting two ponds in Hospital Road, Jaffna, the Jaffna Municipal Commissioner, R. B. Jayaseelan said. He said that the Municipal Council (MC) has started a clean-up programme once a month since last November. �Even in the last cleanup, we found more plastic waste and all collected plastics will be recycled and sent to Colombo,� he noted. �The public should follow proper disposal methods more..

Dec 22 (CT) Health Dept should implement a priority order of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds beforehand for high risk patients with COVID-19, instead of doing so on a daily basis, Executive Committee Member of the GMOA, Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. At present only around 20 ICU beds were being utilised to treat COVID-19 patients, although there were several lined up. The Health Ministry needs to be aware of which more..

Dec 23 (CT) The loss of the USD 480 million grant opportunity provided to Sri Lanka by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was on the cards for some time. The two projects it was meant to implement became too controversial, though on their face they were about promoting economic development. The Transport Project aimed to increase the relative efficiency and capacity of the road network and bus system in the Colombo Metropolitan Region and to reduce the cost more..

Dec 23 (CT) People�s bank has been ordered to provide the information sought by an Appellant which they rejected earlier after a long drawn RTIC Appeal (In- Person hearing) inquiry held under section 32(1) of the Right to Information Act No.`12 of 2016. The details of the order adopted by the Commission in two stages is given below. The Appellant an ex-employee of the Bank, by information request dated 19.06.2018 requested for the following items of information; more..

Dec 23 (TM) The Fall Armyworm (FAW) continues to wreak havoc not only on maize cultivations, but has also progressed into other crop varieties such as bran in the past four weeks. What started off from the Badulla District, crossed into Monaragala, Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura as well. While All-Ceylon Farmers� Federation speculates that the US is attempting to destroy all heirloom maize varieties more..

Dec 23 (DM) The last days of the Trump presidency increasingly resemble that of Roman Emperor Nero, who was fiddling while Rome was burning. The antics of the current US President also remind us of Hitler screaming over the telephone, is Paris burning as World War II was coming to a close. In like manner President Trump has totally forgotten that his nation is being decimated by the coronavirus, with 18.1 million cases and more than 320,000 deaths. Despite the high numbers of deaths more..

Dec 23 (CT) In the past few months, Sri Lanka saw an increase in the number of drug raids as well as arrests of underworld figures involved in the drug trade, and it is evident that the govt is serious about putting an end to the drug menace and ensuring a drugs-free society. So far this year, various law enforcement agencies, especially the Police, were able to stifle the activities of a number of large drug trafficking networks worth billions. These successful operations show that the drug trade, more..

Dec 23 (CT) Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, in a recent tweet said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had made the decision, heeding his SL Counterpart Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s special request to facilitate Islamic funeral rites in the Maldives for SL Muslims dying from COVID-19. While to some cremation of COVID-19 dead has been a part and parcel of life, to others it has been a sacrilege more..

Dec 23 (DM) Around twenty Muslim families, whose loved ones died after being declared positive for COVID-19, have refused to claim the bodies. The state has borne the expenses and cremated these bodies against the wishes of the families. According to the Muslim faith, cremating a dead body of a Muslim is sacrilegious. Yet the Govt of SL cremates all those who die after being tested positive for Virus. Burning Muslims without consent and against the wishes of their families has caught the eye of more..

Dec 23 (ST) The paramount economic concern is how the country would be able to meet its foreign debt obligations in 2021 and then annually till 2024, when the country�s foreign reserves are depleting and the balance of payments is deteriorating. Three international rating agencies have downgraded the country�s risk ratings to a high risk country. In response, official statements have indicated the Govt is confident of meeting its debt obligations of around US$ four to 4.5 billion next year more..

Dec 21 (Island) In 1934 the State Council of Ceylon decided that an airport with easy access to Colombo was a necessity and declared that Ratmalana was the best site available. Accordingly an airfield was built and the first landing took place on 27 Nov 1935. This was Ceylon�s first Airfield. With the advent of WW II, the airport expanded and a runway was also built. The Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Fleet Air Arm used it. To assist aircraft landing in bad weather and resulting bad visibility, more..

Dec 21 (Island) The claim that the Western Mafia has a stranglehold on traditional opinion in SL in opposing the free distribution of the Kali-Anma Paeni or the Hela-Suvaya Dum Hattiya against the Covid Pandemic is seen to be false by the stand taken on Gentically Modified (GM) products in SL. Similarly, the political success achieved by Venerable Rathana and others in banning glyphosate provides added proof of the power of those who support the occult sciences and oppose modern science. more..

Dec 21 (TM) The announcement of permitting charter and international flight operations from Saturday (26) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has resulted in an increase in the frequency of the stakeholder meetings held on the matter in recent weeks. Apart from the necessary preparations, attention is being paid to putting in place the necessary safety precautions and protocols. more..

Dec 21 (Island) A cache of arms and ammunition hidden by the LTTE during the war at Airiviyal Nagar area in Kilinochchi has surfaced following heavy rains on Monday. Residents of the area found the weapons jutting out of the earth and informed the Kilinochchi police, who with the assistance of the STF excavated the location near the buildings of Dept of Animal Science of the Faculty of Agriculture of the Uni of Jaffna and found the weapons stash. There were five T 56 assault rifles, more..

Dec 21 (FT) A Memorandum of Understanding for the immediate commencement of the Suraksha distress fund loan scheme for junior lawyers was held at the BOC Head Office, Bank of Ceylon Mawatha, Colombo 1, with the presence of BASL President Kalinga Indatissa PC and Chairman and Conveners of the Junior Bar Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka with members of Bank of Ceylon (BOC). Bar Association of Sri Lanka Junior Bar Committee Co-Convenor, more..

Dec 21 (FT) Finance Ministry will establish a Budget Implementation Unit to coordinate Budget 2021 to ensure it meets the Govt�s aspirations of realigning the economy to tap SL�s growth potential fully, increase revenues and promote debt sustainability. Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle said that the implementation unit would address concerns over implementation and emphasised that all Budget proposals would be implemented with more..

Dec 21 (CT) Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) headed by Rizly Illyas handed over their proposed budget plan for 2021 rugby season to the Ministry of Sports recently. A budget of Rs 226 million was allocated for domestic and international tournaments for the 2021 rugby season, including grant for clubs (introduced for the first time), provincial development, training and education, women�s and girls� development and administration. Despite not having played rugby for nearly nine months more..

Dec 21 (CT) Outstation track and field athletes who are set to compete in the forthcoming 98th National Athletics Championship 2020, will be given accommodation at Sugathadasa Sports Hotel, President of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA), Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando confirmed. The Championship will be held from 26 to 29 Dec. Athletes who are eligible to compete and who aren�t housed at Torrington Sports Hostel will be given accommodation at Sugathadasa Hotel from 25th onward, more..

Dec 21 (ST) The police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) probing former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage�s allegation of Sri Lanka fixing the 2011 World Cup final have yet to record a statement from then Secretary to the Ministry of Sports Anura Jayawickrema to shed light into the contentious issue. Attorney General�s Department on Sept 9, directed the police unit to record a statement from the former secretary more..

Dec 21 (DN) Sri Lanka Football (SLF) is making arrangements to restart football practices with the dawn of the New Year. A preliminary 22-member National pool has been selected in preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup (Qatar 2022) and AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers (China 2023). The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round-2 matches begins from March, next year. The pool consists of 21 local players and a foreign player who is eligible to don the National jersey. more..

Dec 21 (FT) Finance Ministry has approved the payment of bonuses to staff of State corporations and fully State-owned companies for the year 2020. Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle said the payment of the bonuses should be based on the audited financial statements for 2019 of such institutions. The circular granting the Treasury�s approval for the payment of the bonus has been sent to all secretaries of Ministries and State Ministries and Chairpersons of State Corporations and more..

Dec 23 (FT) Govt ruled out immediate scrapping of the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) and said it would appoint new commissioners while it revamped the regulatory framework of the regulator. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the Govt would reconstitute the PUCSL in a different format by introducing new legislation. During the Cabinet meeting on Monday approval was given to revamp the Commission and more..

Dec 21 (FT) Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank have decided not to pursue Moody�s ratings. The duo are the only private commercial banks to have had a Moody�s rating. The other is Bank of Ceylon. Their decisions were revealed via a filing to the CSE this week. HNB said it has decided not to renew the rating agreement with Moody�s Investor Service Singapore as the ratings issued in 2012 has not been used in support of any debt instrument to date. HNB was the first local bank to obtain more..

Dec 21 (CT) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) requests promoters of the Pilot Project to open the airport for visitors later this month and its selected hotels and travel agents to ensure they recover the cost, of Health Ministry mandated, PCR tests from all arrivals and make certain that pre-paid hotel bookings and COVID-19 Insurance Policy are in place; so that tourists are not a financial burden on the health system. Presenting the guidelines for the participants of the said pilot project, more..

Dec 21 (Island) The JVP alleged that the govt had chosen to muscle Facebook and social media instead of controlling the prices of essential food items. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said: �The govt should be controlling the prices of essential goods in the market. But it has allowed traders to fleece consumers and is busy devising ways and means of throttling social media. �Govt has total control over almost all media. In that context, social media is the only means more..

Dec 23 (CT) Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Sirimal Perera said that on the advice of both Prez and PM, several benefits had been provided to traders who ply their trade at the Diyatha Uyana Complex. He said that his Ministry has taken this decision to boost the businesses of traders at the Complex while they struggle to make ends meet due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the benefits granted has been a drastic reduction more..

Dec 21 (DN) Central Environmental Authority (CEA) reiterated that the ban of manufacturing and selling certain single use plastic (SUP) consumer items will take effect from January 1 next year in a bid to make Sri Lanka, free of plastic and Polythene waste. Accordingly, the manufacturing of ear buds having plastic stem, popularly known as cotton buds, inflatable toys, sachets which are having capacity of 20ml (20g) or below, more..

Dec 23 (Island) Local investors will get the pride of place to invest and operate the East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Port of Colombo, and the most credible proof for that is quite obvious as South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), a SL owned company is already operating a terminal single-handedly without any foreign stake in its business. General (Retd) Daya Ratnayake, SLPA chairman said. He said so responding to a question posed by the media whether govt is not too keen to hand over more..

Dec 23 (AD) National Hospital of SL (NHSL) was recently gifted their first PCR machine, to improve the efficiency of patient care amidst a global pandemic. PCR machine being available at the hospital which treats and cares for individuals with many life-threatening situations, will allow for quick detection and prompt treatment that help these patients� chances of successfully fighting the virus if contracted. The management of Hemas gifted this state-of-the-art BIO-RAD machine for PCR more..

Dec 23 (FT) Govt denied speculation over Cabinet approval being given for India to develop the long-delayed East Container Terminal (ECT), but two committees have been appointed to evaluate its development, including already forwarded proposals and investment opportunities for local companies. SL Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Daya Ratnayake categorically said that the Govt was firm on its decision not to sell State property more..

Dec 23 (TM) Prez Rajapaksa is scheduled to meet virologists today to discuss the issue of burying Muslims who have died of Covid-19, Health Ministry sources disclosed to The Morning. As of now, Govt has not made a final decision on the matter, despite several options being under consideration. Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena has sent a letter to Minister of Justice Ali Sabry, in response to the proposal to place the bodies of Muslims more..

Dec 23 (AD) President�s Chief Advisor Lalith Weeratunga has been assigned to overlook the coordination process of importing Covid-19 vaccine. The decision was taken during the daily meeting of the COVID-19 committee held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday, the President�s Media Division (PMD) said in a statement. Accordingly, Mr Weeratunga is expected to hold talks with relevant officials with regard to importing the vaccine to the island nation following a thorough study. more..

Dec 21 (FT) COVID-19 clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons exceeded 34,000 patients yesterday, with 427 persons testing positive during the day. Since the first patient was detected on 4 Oct, the triple clusters have reached a patient count of 34,381. 382 patients detected yesterday were associates of the Peliyagoda cluster while 35 were linked to the Prisons cluster. more..

Dec 21 (FT) The annual flagship event of Colombo Scouts which will be held for the 55th time from 23 to 29 Organising Commissioner Supun Jayalath December will the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. The 55th Colombo Camporee 2020 will be held as a fully-virtual multi-day event with a participation of over 4,500 Singithi, Cub, Junior, Senior and Rover Scouts as well as leaders. Cub Scout Mohamed Farzan Mohamed Ammar of 11th Colombo Scout Group who is one of the 10 students more..

Dec 23 (DN) United Nations has assured Sri Lanka its support in procuring, distributing and administering of the vaccine against COVID-19. This pledge was made yesterday during a meeting between PM Rajapaksa and a UN delegation comprising of UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer, WHO Representative Dr. Razia Pendse and UNICEF Representative Tim Sutton, a release issued by PM�s office said. �We are fully committed to support SL in these challenging times,� more..

Dec 23 (Island) Prez Rajapaksa suspended the arrival of passengers from the UK with immediate effect due to a new virulent strain of COVID-19 currently spreading across the UK. Prez�s Office said the decision had been taken at the daily meeting of the COVID-19 Prevention Committee at the Presidential Secretariat following a review of the new strain of the virus and its spread. Passengers arriving here from UK on Tuesday more..

Dec 23 (Island) Former Prez Sirisena maintains a very low profile, but he is in the news again. He has waxed eloquent, at a recent virtual symposium under the theme, Shared values and Democracy in Asia, on what he considers his contribution to the strengthening of democracy in Sri Lanka on his watch as the Prez. Some of his claims have attracted heavy criticism in social media. Sirisena never misses an opportunity to claim that it was his desire to bring about good governance more..