Jan 27 (Island) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells, said the US and SL have compelling shared interests that include countering violent extremism, strengthening maritime security, preventing narcotics smuggling, promoting investment and economic growth as part of a free and open Indo-Pacific. During a briefing at the US Department of State on her recent trip to more..

Jan 27 (HCI) To commemorate India�s 71st Republic Day a special cultural concert Divine Quartet featuring legendary maestros from India, Grammy winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Grammy nominated Pandit Subhen Chatterjee enthralled the music lovers of Colombo at BMICH on January 25. The cultural evening was presented by High Commission of India, Colombo. More than 1500 guests attended the cultural event where the legendary Mohan Veena maestro more..

Jan 27 (FT) The plantation companies are expected to submit their alternative proposal for consideration by the Govt, which has announced a wage hike for estate workers from 1 March. The alternative model will be a productivity-based wage system through which, if accepted, workers could enjoy a higher pay that the Govt has proposed. A fortnight ago Prez, fulfilling an election promise, said estate workers� daily wage will be increased by Rs. 145, or 17%, to Rs. 1,000 in March from Rs. 855 at present. more..

Jan 27 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa has appointed a 12-member high-powered Task Force for Poverty Eradication and Livelihood Development with wide powers and a year-long mandate to ensure that the Govt programs to uplift the lives of low-income families is a successfully executed. The Committee will be headed by Retired Dy Secretary to the Treasury S.B. Divarathne and consists of academics, medical professionals more..

Jan 27 (Island) SLPP had come into power by instilling fear in the Sinhala Buddhists and Catholics as regards the Easter Sunday attacks and promising to probe the bond scams, JHU General Secretary Champika Ranakawa said. Speaking at an event in Colombo yesterday where UNP Deputy Leader met all UNP local govt members, Ranawaka challenged the govt to complete bond scam investigations and to take action against suicide bomber Zahran�s Godfather. more..

Jan 27 (FT) While there are 70 registered political parties in the country, in a letter addressed to the Commission PAFFREL stated that only half of these contest at elections. In addition to this, the organisation stated that political parties formed for personal or business gains should be discouraged. In the letter, PAFFREL has presented seven areas that should be given consideration when registering political parties, including discouraging applications for political parties more..

Jan 27 (HCI) On the eve of the 71st Republic Day of India, Govt of India has decided to confer Padma Shri Awards on Deshabandu Dr. Vajira Chitrasena and Late Prof. Indra Dassanayake, two women from Sri Lanka for their pioneering contributions in their individual fields of work and for strengthening India-SL ties. Padma Shri Awards are one of the highest civilian awards in India, and are conferred on the recommendations more..

Jan 27 (AD) The report of the special inquiry carried out on the bus accident which took place in Madolsima, Passara on January 06 has determined that lack of proper maintenance and negligent vehicle servicing. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had instructed Chairman of the SLTB Kingsley Ranawaka to make a special inquiry into the accident which killed 09 passengers and critically injured 40 others. The report containing the reasons for the accident and recommendations, more..

Jan 27 (DM) The political party leaders have decided to have a two-day debate on February 18 and 19 on the forensic audit report regarding the CB bond scam. JVP leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya last Tuesday to have a debate this month. However, the Speaker had informed that a decision would be taken following a discussion with the leaders of the political parties in Parliament. The forensic audit report was handed over to the Speaker by CB recently. more..

Jan 27 (TM) Govt is likely to renegotiate the Japanese-funded Fort-Malabe Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project in an effort to lower the contracted price, LRT Deputy Project Manager P. Dissanayake said. He said the Transport Ministry was looking at the possibility of amending the loan conditions to enable a competitive bidding process instead of permitting only Japanese companies to bid for the project. more..

Jan 27 (FT) Tests conducted on four people with suspected symptoms of the coronavirus infection have come back negative, the Government said. The National Medical Research Institute said the tests have confirmed the four people tested for suspected symptoms of coronavirus were not infected by it. Four individuals, including a Sri Lankan medical student who had returned from Wuhan, & 2 Chinese tourists and a Chinese child with suspected symptoms of coronavirus, more..

Jan 27 (Island) Cabinet decision to approve the construction of a coal power plant and two LNG plants ran counter to Prez Rajapaksa�s promise to meet 80% of SL�s energy needs through renewable sources by 2030, Secretary of Solar Industries Association (SIA), Lakmal Fernando said. Last week, Cabinet approved the construction of a 600 megawatt extension of Norochcholai Coal Power complex, an LNG plant with a capacity of 300 Megawatt as a joint venture with CEB more..

Jan 27 (Island) Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, yesterday promised a party where everybody would have a say and its leader could be expelled if he or she was at fault. Premadasa, speaking at a meeting consisting of MPs, LC members, PC members and supporters, at the Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, Colombo, said he was a seasoned politician and would contest parliamentary election under a new alliance more..

Jan 27 (FT) President uses powers under Article 44 (2) of Constitution to delegate Ministry and non-Cabinet functions Confusion remains as to hold Defence portfolio as 19A bars President from holding ministerial portfolios Minister of State for Defense Chamal Rajapaksa has been assigned the Dept of Immigration and Emigration, one out of the 31 state institutions that come under the purview of Ministry of Defence, by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. State Minister was assigned more..

Jan 27 (DM) While claiming that there was no need to panic over the Corona Virus, the Health Ministry has advised the general public to wear face masks as a safety measure. Meanwhile, CMC Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruwan Wijayamuni also requested all who come to Colombo to wear face masks as a precautionary measure. He advised to adhere to this method when entering public places, hotels and restaurants in the Colombo city and also to wear a mask to hotel employees and staff. more..

Jan 27 (AD) On the instructions of Prez Rajapaksa yesterday (25), SL Embassy in Beijing today (26), submitted an application to land a Sri Lankan Airlines aircraft in Wuhan city airport to airlift 32 SL students including their family members. Embassy is closely following up with the Foreign Ministry of China and Foreign Affairs Office of the Wuhan Province to expedite the process of obtaining clearance for the landing of the aircraft, more..

Jan 27 (DM) It is expected that Parliament will be dissolved in March this year (2020). Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya at a press conference held on Dec 4, 2019 said that if Parliament were to be dissolved in March 2020, general elections could be held on either April 25, 27 or 28. Prez Rajapaksa in response to foreign correspondents at the Presidential Secretariat on Dec 19 confirmed that Parliament would be dissolved after March 3, 2020. more..

Jan 27 (DM) Last year, 2641 people have died due to road traffic accidents. 7693 had sustained serious injuries and 10691 minor injuries. Of course, it was a drop from the last year but we must not assume that it is the beginning of the downward trend. The reason for the reduction may be due to some other reasons. Still it was a big price to pay. So, the question arises - what interventions are required to continually reduce road traffic injuries in Sri Lanka in the long run? more..

Jan 27 (DM) January 24, 2020, was 10 years since the disappearance of journalist and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda. It also marked 10 years of struggle for truth and justice by his wife, Sandhya Ekneligoda and two young sons. Investigative reports by the CID to the Homagama Magistrate Courts indicated that Ekneligoda was abducted from Rajagiriya in the Colombo district by Army Intelligence personnel, and taken to more..

Jan 27 (EN) The fragmentation of state land among different institutions is hindering tourism development in Sri Lanka, a minister said. Speaking at a meeting with provincial councils on Friday, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said there are difficulties on tourism development as suitable land falls under different arms of the state. The meeting was held to discuss plans to reach 10 billion US dollars in tourism revenue by 2025. more..

Jan 27 (TM) Families of the missing are outraged by reports quoting Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa saying that most of those reported missing are dead and that they were killed by the LTTE. Prez Rajapaksa had said last week that the people reported missing during the war are dead. President�s Office had quoted the Prez as saying that he had outlined his plans to address the issue of missing persons at a meeting with UN more..

Jan 27 (TM) European Union (EU) election observers found that the VCan app promoted by the SLPP during the prez election in November, left voters exposed to unsolicited political propaganda. In its final report on the elections, released on Friday, the EU Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) noted that since an all-encompassing privacy and data protection legislation had not yet been enacted, more..

Jan 27 (TM) SL�s food producers are expected to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services this week over the enforcement of a food regulation which would cause enormous losses to food companies. The meeting comes as a result of the Govt�s decision to implement a 15-year-old food regulation from the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2005, under extraordinary gazette more..

Jan 27 (CT) The Opposition urged the Govt not to let Chinese workers who have left for China for the Chinese New Year return to the country, until the Govt finds prompt solutions to ensure that the deadly Coronavirus is dealt with in an effective manner. Addressing the Media at the Opposition Leader's office yesterday, Deputy Opposition Whip J.C. Alawathuwala said in this context, permitting Chinese workers to return more..

Jan 27 (ST) Senior CEB engineers are divided on whether or not a tender should be called for the proposed extension of the Lakvijaya coal power plant in Norochcholai. Meanwhile, a Cabinet approval granted this week to a Power and Energy Ministry memorandum has unexpectedly raised the number of additional coal power units proposed for Norochcholai from one to two. In November, the CEB issued a letter of intent more..

Jan 27 (DM) Vulnerable people are advised to be mindful of the unhealthy air quality expected in the Colombo area in the coming days especially on Jan 28, 29 and 30 the NBRO Air Quality Unit Senior Scientist H.D.S. Premasiri said. This unhealthy condition was due to the climatic changes consequent to the prevailing dust storm at the Bengal atmosphere. People with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults and more..

Jan 27 (DN) Communal amity is a must in developing a nation and it fosters a sense of security among its citizens, said Ali Sabry, PC who is the legal advisor to Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sabry was speaking as a special guest at the Nawamani newspaper�s annual awards ceremony held at the AMYS headquarters in Colombo on Friday. Sabry said that Prez�s primary objective is to strengthen the security of the country. more..

Jan 27 (DM) Former General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake has taken the responsibility of arranging a meeting between UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya. He said that he accepted the responsibility during his meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said that he took over the responsibility of arranging a meeting between the three and thereby creating an opportunity for more..

Jan 27 (CT) The first National Centre for the Children with Physical and Mental Disabilities was declared open at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Saturday (25). The first ever centre for children with disabilities has been named as Ayati and it has been built at a cost of Rs 500 million. The children with disabilities due to various factors have been found to be on the increase in the island in recent years. more..

Jan 27 (FT) Asani has been an alert student reading for her A/L exam. She is an inquisitive student and makes it her business to probe into matters that are economics about which she has no clear understanding. Fortunately, her Grandfather � Sarath Mahatthaya � an ex senior officer of the Ministry of Finance, is available for her to raise questions that she cannot understand and seek clarifications. Previously, she had a very fruitful discussion with him on MCC�s aid package more..

Jan 27 (SLN) Philippine Navy ships Remon Alcaraz and Davao Delsur arrived at the port of Colombo on a 3 day goodwill visit today (26).The two ships were warmly welcomed by the SL Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival. Mission Commander of the two ships Colonel Noel De Belaran, the Commanding Officers of the visiting Philippine ships, Captain Francisco Luis and Commander Homer De Gonzales with the officers of the ships called on more..

Jan 27 (Island) Dialog Axiata PLC became the first telecom service provider in Sri Lanka to provide 24/7 customer service via WhatsApp, for all product and service-related queries. This service will be initially available for Dialog Club Vision members as a convenient method to obtain services that fits around their busy schedules and will be available for all Dialog customers shortly after. In its efforts of continuously enhancing the customer experience and delivering the future, today, more..

Jan 27 (AD) The two individuals who participated in the controversial white van press conference claim that they have received death threats from certain underworld figures allegedly connected to MP Rajitha Senaratne in order to hide the real facts. The two individuals lodged a complaint on this at the CID today. Athula Madanayake, who claimed to be a white van driver stated that MP Rajitha Senaratne continuously makes death threats more..

Jan 27 (AD) MP Rajitha Senaratne recorded a statement with the CID this morning. This was in connection to the controversial white van media briefing held in November, last year. The former Health Minister was arrested late last month and remanded over the controversial white van press conference organized by him in November, but he continued to receive treatment at the hospital. On Dec 30, Colombo Magistrate�s Court ordered to release the former Health Minister on bail. more..

Jan 27 (DM) Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga today discontinued the hearing of the trial against former Magistrate Thilina Gamage as the Court of Appeal has issued an order staying the proceedings of High Court for two days. Former Magistrate Thilina Gamage and three others had been indicted by the Attorney General for allegedly keeping an elephant in contravention to the Public Property and Fauna and Flora Act, without a valid license. more..

Jan 27 (EN) Passengers arriving from China are now being channelled separately at the BIA, an airport official said. BIA Health Office spokesman Dr Chandika Wickramasuriya said that this step was taken as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus threat. Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Relations (MFR) has taken steps to expedite the process of evacuating all Sri Lankans currently in China, more..

Jan 27 (AD) UNP MP Kavinda Jayawardena says that it is the responsibility of the people to elect the right representatives to parliament at the next general election disregarding party differences. Speaking to the media in Gampaha, he stated that the current govt and the govt before 2015, have worked to divide opponents� parties even before. However, support will be given to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa if his manifesto contains has good policies to offer the country. more..

Jan 27 (FT) EDB Chairman Prabhash Subasinghe had a discussion with the leaders of the country�s top IT/BPO/Software companies last week as part of a series of initial meetings he had launched with the various export sectors of the nation since assuming office last month. Subasinghe shared his optimism with the industry leaders about the potential of the IT/BPO and promised that the EDB would wholeheartedly support the development of the industry under his leadership. more..

Jan 27 (AD) Sri Lankan students studying in China are now returning from China. SL Embassy in Beijing says that a group of 21 students have left for Sri Lanka this afternoon. President�s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Health, SL Embassy in China and SriLankan Airlines are coordinating the evacuation process. Students from Sichuan and various other parts in China are being transported to airports by bus. more..