Dec 28 (DM) The special Border Surveillance Unit of the Dept of Immigration and Emigration newly established at the BIA has successfully foiled 29 attempts by various individuals to leave the country for European destinations by using forged papers within this year. A top official of the Dept of Immigration and Emigration said the latest case was reported on Friday, where a young woman was apprehended for attempting to more..

Dec 28 (Island) 2020 has been a difficult year for many sectors of the economy, but I�m confident that Sri Lanka could bounce back faster if we work together as one nation. Jonathan Alles � CEO of Hatton National Bank (HNB) said. �The pandemic has emphasised the need to innovate, and seize opportunities arising in the market to remain sustainable. Sri Lanka needs to promote entrepreneurship and local production and as a systemically important bank, more..

Dec 28 (EN) SL is to appoint the Director General of Commerce as Competent Authority for actions under an anti-dumping and safeguard law to prevent consumers from accessing cheaper imported goods. SL last administration passed an anti-dumping law despite the country having high import duties, giving more ammunition for domestic producers to exploit customers with high prices. Current administration has printed large volumes of money, and has placed a range of import under import controls. more..

Dec 28 (AD) A special charter flight carrying 185 tourists from Ukraine landed at the Mattala Int'l Airport, a short while ago. The batch of foreign tourists, who arrived onboard a SkyUp Airlines flights, will be staying in the country for around 10-14 days. They are the first group of tourists to arrive in the island since March this year when airports were closed in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. Sri Lanka has reopened its airspace for more..

Dec 28 (AD) Rear Admiral (Retd) Ananda Peiris has been appointed as the new Chairman of Sri Lanka�s largest state-owned retail network Lanka Sathosa. Meanwhile Venura Gunawardena has been appointed as the Chairman of the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE), the Ministry of Trade said. Former Director General of the Civil Security Department, Ananda Peiris has been appointed the position following the recent resignation of former Lanka Sathosa and more..

Dec 28 (AD) Former chairman of Lanka Sathosa and CWE Nushad Perera has been appointed as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). The marketing professional was appointed as chairman of Lanka Sathosa, which operates the supermarkets, and CWE/Sathosa, which operates the lorries and warehouses, in Janu 2, 2020. Nushad Perera on Saturday announced that he stepped down as the chairman of Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE), more..

Dec 28 (CT) Police said a wild elephant died in the Nolugollekada area in Kahatagasdigiliya, after being shot by a Police Sergeant on duty at the Kahatagasdigiliya Police Station. A Police team from the Kahatagasdigiliya Police Station was dispatched to the Nolugollekada village at around 12:30 a.m., on 26 Dec, after residents sought assistance to chase away a wild elephant that was destroying their crops. more..

Dec 28 (Island) Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said yesterday that rapid antigen tests had helped detect 49 Covid-19 infected persons at exit points from the Western Province. The DIG said that around 8,000 rapid antigen tests had been conducted at 11 exit points in the Western Province since 24 Dec. He said that the rapid antigen tests had been carried out at the entry and exit points after the number of Covid-19 infected persons was found to be on the rise in Western Province. more..

Dec 28 (NW) The CID has managed to arrest 7 Nigerians who have been illegally withdrawing money from local ATMs. This strong gang is believed to be consisting of about 30 people. Police say that the members of this gang are very experienced in fixing/ repairing ATM machines and have engaged in stealing money from ATMs for a long time. The CID has revealed that they conducted a covet operation to nab this gang after the police received several complains that cash is being reducing from more..

Dec 28 (Island) A severe shortage of turmeric, an essential ingredient in Sri Lankan cuisine has led to stepped up efforts to smuggle in large consignments from neighbouring India. Police headquarters spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said that police commandos had taken into custody a trawler loaded with nearly 20,000 kilos of turmeric at Kalamatiya, Gurupokuna in the Hungama police area. Commandos also arrested 4 persons more..

Dec 28 (CT) Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada Vihara Venerable Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera said Sri Pada pilgrimage season will begin with Unduwap Poya day which falls tomorrow. Steps will be taken to deploy seven PHIs with the assistance of the Police covering all access roads to Sri Pada, namely, Heramitipana, Andiambalama and Udamaluwa. Meanwhile, Governor of the Sabaragamuwa Province, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa said devotees are permitted to go on pilgrimage more..

Dec 28 (AD) Renowned singer Shelton Muthunamage passed away today at the age of 73 years, while receiving treatment at the Negombo Hospital. For a time, he suffered from a number of ailments, including diabetes. He sang many popular songs including Deega Noyan Raththarane, Awanhalaka Ipadee Maa, Maha Sayure Gemburu Diya, Samaawa Illa. After meeting veteran singer Priya Suriyasena while singing in a calypso group, he got his hands on her and became more..

Dec 28 (Island) Sena caterpillars would destroy paddy cultivation unless the agricultural authorities took steps to control the pest, Movement for Land & Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) Moderator, Chinthaka Rajapakshe said. He said the govts, since 2018, had done nothing to counter the threat posed by the Sena caterpillars, which were now destroying crops in the Uva, Eastern and North Western provinces; more..

Dec 28 (NR) 366 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 thus far today. The number of infections reported in the country accordingly increases to 41,420. All 366 cases have been identified as contacts of the Minuwangoda-Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. The number of coronavirus recoveries earlier rose to 33,221 with 520 individuals discharged during the past 24 hours. Accordingly 8,008 individuals are being treated at present for the coronavirus at 64 treatment facilities. more..

Dec 28 (DM) A 37-year-old suspect, arrested over an attempted murder, died due to using of force by the police during a raid in Veyangoda this morning, DIG Ajith Rohana said. Western Province Crimes Division had arrested the suspect identified as Nishantha Kumarasiri, a resident of Veyangoda in connection with an attempted murder on Dec 19 this year, in which a 38-year old man was injured. Police conducted a special search operation along with the arrested suspect in Veyangoda area. more..

Dec 28 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has instructed to completely ban the use of corn (maize) to manufacture ethanol and alcohol in the country. He instructed the Commissioner General of Excise to issue a Gazette notification imposing the ban. Prez also instructed the subject state minister and relevant officials to intervene to stop irregularities in the purchase of crops from farmers including turmeric & maize. more..

Dec 28 (NR) Ministry of Health is considering providing students attending schools in isolated areas, alternate schools as a temporary measure, until isolation is lifted. Subject Minister Prof. GL Peiris speaking at a media briefing today said they hope to initiate the plan in the Central Province with discussions currently underway with the Governor of the Province Lalith U Gamage. The Education Minister said the Ministry is considering the programme in other provinces as well. more..

Dec 28 (CT) President�s Counsel Saliya Peiris said it was vital to expedite the action plan to restore operations in all judicial institutions, including Hulftsdorp, in consultation with the health authorities. He noted that many lawyers had already pointed out that closure of Courts could be extended until January or even more, in case isolation in the Hulftsdorp area is extended. Peiris added that in such a situation, the prolonged inactivity of the judicial system, which is an essential service, more..

Dec 28 (FT) Sri Lanka has postponed the reopening of its airspace for commercial flights until further notice to prevent the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus, officials said. Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) had previously announced that it will resume international flights operations from 26 Dec, eight months after they were closed in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. The decision to postpone the resumption of flights was taken more..

Dec 28 (CT) Sri Lanka Customs have launched a preliminary investigation into a consignment of Agricultural Plant Waste imported from Ukraine. They are recording statements from the eight importers and other intermediary entities. Customs Spokesman Dr. Sunil Jayaratne said in addition to recording statements they are conducting scientific investigations in order to identify the contents of the 28 freight containers. He noted that the scientific investigations are ongoing more..

Dec 28 (DM) Average number of daily COVID19 cases in the Colombo City has dropped from 350 cases to 110, Colombo Municipality Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni said. He said that CMC had adopted a strategy of going to the people and subjecting them to Rapid Antigen Tests and then conduct PCR tests if they came across any person who had tested positive. �Earlier, we waited for the people to come to us to conduct tests, but now we have changed our strategy,� he said. more..

Dec 28 (CT) IGP Chandana Wickremaratne handed over investigations, initiated by the Mawanella Police, into the missing stock of explosives including detonators from a stone quarry in Molligoda, Mawanella to the CID. An SP from the CID and a team of officers arrived at the quarry in Molligoda, during investigations and carried out an inspection. They questioned the owner and about 10 employees more..

Dec 28 (AD) Defense Secretary Major General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne has been promoted to the rank of General. The promotion was granted by Prez Rajapaksa a short while ago. Along with Defense Secretary Gunaratne, Commander of Army Lt General Shavendra, too, was promoted to the rank of General today. Gunaratne was the former Commander Security Forces Headquarters in Wanni, as well as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 53 Division. more..

Dec 28 (AD) Lt Gen Shavendra Silva has been promoted to the rank of General, stated SL Army. Silva has been serving as the Commander of the SL Army since Aug 2019. He is also the Chief of Defence Staff, as appointed in early 2020. His prior appointments include Chief of Staff of the Army, Adjutant General, and Director of Operations of the Army. Currently, he is also serving as the Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). more..

Dec 28 (EN) Health officials working in the Kegalle-Warakapola area where a local Shaman is touting a cure for Covid 19 are warning residents against complacency about the pandemic as there is a danger that those who consumed the syrup may think they are immune to the SARS Cov-2 virus. Public Health Inspector of Warakapola area said that the syrup touted by a local custodian of a Hindu Temple had been sold more..

Dec 29 (Island) Education Ministry is trying its best to reopen schools amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic�s second wave. Ministry announced its decision to reopen schools throughout the Island except in those areas under lockdown. This was met enthusiastically by neither the teachers� trade unions nor parents. They are worried that schools functioning amidst the pandemic would pave the path to a school cluster. At the same time, the trade unions acknowledge that keeping schools more..

Dec 29 (CT) The word is that several major social clubs in Colombo, in serious financial trouble, are now under the management of State agencies. Going by what is on the grapevine, it seems nearly all clubs are in crisis mode, their income inadequate to meet even the basic expenses, a challenging situation further compounded by the perfunctory management style of most committees. These clubs, never designed for profit making, face a daunting reality of mounting liabilities, pointing to more..

Dec 29 (CT) SL is experiencing a spike in Covid-19 cases, with 39,045 confirmed cases, 8,292 patients under medical care, 30,568 recoveries, and 185 deaths. The WHO has instructed countries to follow the procedure best suited for each country, either burial or cremation, when disposing COVID-19 victims. However, Muslims have an issue with cremation, as they claim that it prevents their religious rituals. more..

Dec 29 (DE) Gotabaya Rajapaksa govt, which had almost decided to give the operation of Colombo�s Port�s Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) to a consortium comprising the Sri Lanka Ports� Authority (SLPA), Japan and India, now seems to be dithering on the matter again. There is speculation that this is due to an intention on the part of the govt to hold the Provincial Council elections in the next few months in which the controversial ECT issue could be raised by ultra-nationalist parties more..

Dec 29 (CT) Estate workers, who have virtually been treated like slaves, since tea was introduced to the country 150 years ago, are continuously deprived of a proper living wage and their children suffer due to the lack of a decent education. A vast majority of them live in line rooms without basic facilities. This has been their condition for the past 150 years. If we continue to treat estate workers like this, one day the world will refuse to buy our tea due to allegations of slave labour. more..

Dec 29 (DM) There are three aspects to the controversy over the anti-COVID-19 potion named Dhammika Paniya after its discoverer and promoter Dhammika Bandara, a Shaman at Sri Weera Badra Kali Devalaya in Hettimulla, Kegalle. Firstly, questions are being raised regarding the scientific basis of the potion as per Western standards of inquiry. Secondly, there are questions over the place of indigenous more..

Dec 29 (DM) The Regional Plantation Companies, which manage Sri Lanka�s tea, rubber and coconut estates, are not budging on the estate workers salary issue, despite government leaders having repeatedly promised to increase their daily wage to Rs.1000. This was a promise given by Prez Rajapaksa during the presidential election campaign in November last year and the parliamentary election in August this year and by PM Rajapaksa in his 2021 budget speech on Nov 17. more..

Dec 29 (DM) SL, compared to other countries in the South Asian region, has a very high literacy rate as education is free and mandatory among all children. Even in some villages, where poverty persists, local state officials ensure that children receive an education and attend school. SL has an adult literacy rate of 93.2% (2017), which is above average by world and regional standards. Even with such a high literacy rate, SL, is facing a staggering problem; high levels of unemployment among more..

Dec 29 (CT) It is an interesting coincidence that Pandemics even those during the medieval periods, ranging from Plague, small pox or cholera followed the Silk Road. More recently, SARS Bird Influenza also originated in China although it did not take the Central Asian caravan route, it followed the �neo silk road� by air! Although rats transmitted the plague and look similar to bats, attributed in mythology as related and referred at times as an intermediate host in plague, they are not related in evolution but more..

Dec 29 (FT) The second instalment of the World Women Leadership Congress Presents SL�s Women Leaders celebrated women leaders in several geographic regions globally, recognising some of the finest women leaders and achievers for 2020. For the SL awards, 22 women were selected from FMCG, Retail, Insurance, Automobile, Telecom, CSR and Sustainability, Healthcare, Education, Marketing, Real Estate and Tourism sectors to be named SL�s top women leaders for 2020. more..

Dec 29 (CI) Despite having made their highest ever total in South Africa, Sri Lanka have had an abysmal three days in Centurion, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Kasun Rajitha ruled out of the Test, and Lahiru Kumara also unlikely to bowl again after sustaining what seemed to be a groin injury. Batsman Dinesh Chandimal also appeared to be struggling, having required treatment by the boundary after taking a single off the last ball more..

Dec 29 (FT) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will take a range of measures to broaden the party apparatus and will enter into dialogue with other opposition parties aimed at forming a broader coalition to win the 2024 Presidential elections, Opposition Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake said yesterday. The SJB has appointed a ten-member committee to begin a dialogue with opposition parties, including the United National Party (UNP), to broaden the coalition next year, he said. more..

Dec 29 (CI) SL's coach, Mickey Arthur, is set to raise the issue of injury substitutions with the ICC after seeing the number of his players require treatment rise to five on day three of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. SL had already lost the services of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kasun Rajitha, and were left further depleted when Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga were forced off the field during the afternoon session. Although Hasaranga later returned, claiming a 4-wicket haul, more..

Dec 29 (CI) Day three was the day in which South Africa claimed an iron-grip on the Test. This was partly through Faf du Plessis' sparkling 199, and the big partnerships he racked up alongside the lower middle order. But also, due to the injuries to SL's attack, which now have decimated their main bowling resources, in addition to having depleted their batting. With the hosts having established 225-run first-innings lead, more..