Jan 4 (AD) SriLankan Airlines welcomed aboard the global media icon Richard Quest of CNN during his journey from London to Colombo recently. He also spent many memorable moments at the Airline�s Headquarters subsequently, exploring the operational areas and interacting with staff, thus gathering fascinating facets of the SriLankan story for his much coveted CNN Business Traveller programme which will be premiered on more..

Jan 4 (CI) Sri Lanka are in India, and a three-T20I series between the two of them will kick off their engagements for the new year, as well as their build-up to the T20 World Cup later in the year. It starts in Guwahati, and then travels to Indore and Pune. Here's a checklist of things to watch out for. India v Sri Lanka. Over to you, Rohit Sharma, the stand-in captain. For a change, Sharma has been rested from the upcoming three-match T20I series at home against Sri Lanka, more..

Jan 4 (ST) Torrential rains have destroyed hordes of vegetable crops, leading to a severe shortage and sending prices skyrocketing. Rains that have been lashing Dambulla, Matale, Naula, Galewela and Sigiriya for many days have ruined vegetable and raw ginger crops in these areas, farmers say. Among those badly affected were raw ginger farmers in Dandubendiruppa and Dewahuwa. They were hit particularly hard as the rains came as they prepared to harvest their crops, on which they spent more..

Jan 4 (ST) A simple but unique home-grown solution as opposed to a very expensive system is working successfully in the digitization of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Maharagama and several other hospitals across the country. Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) now in operation at the nearly 1,000-bed NCI, it is Senior Registrar in Health Informatics, Dr. Nishan Siriwardena, who reiterates that more..

Jan 4 (Island) UNP MP Champika Ranawaka did not greet Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa when the latter arrived at the chamber of Parliament to deliver his govt�s policy statement to inaugurate the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament yesterday. When the Prez was escorted to the main chair by Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando and his Deputy, the MPs and Ministers on both side of the well stood up from their chairs to welcome the Prez and they were seen joining their hands to greet the Prez. more..

Jan 4 (DM) The seal which was seen resting among the rocks in the sea off Bambalapitiya has gone missing since Dec 18, the Wildlife Conservation Dept's spokesperson Hasini Sarachchandra said. She said there were no signs of the seal which was last seen on Dec 18. "The seal must have returned to its home grounds," she said. The seal had completed moulting when it was last seen and said it was first spotted in the sea off Mirissa on Nov 21 later in the sea off Bambalapitiya. more..

Jan 4 (DN) The proposal made by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to appoint Sumudu Wickramarachchi as the Secretary to the Committee chaired by Jagath Balapatambendi, appointed to investigate and report on political reprisals, was approved by the Cabinet, minister Bandula Gunawardana said. He said that all Cabinet ministers unanimously approved it. Within one week after the 2015 Govt came into power, more..

Jan 4 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Friday handed over 57 Nigerians, seven Sri-Lankans and two Ghanaians, suspected to be involved in oil bunkering, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the seven vessels, involved in the oil bunkering and having no valid approval, were arrested by the Nigerian Navy between Dec. 3 and Dec. 30, 2019. While addressing newsmen after the handing over to the EFCC, more..

Jan 4 (AD) Marina Square � Uptown Colombo, SL�s first and largest harbor front development project, attracted the attention of outstanding entrepreneurs, representatives of the real estate industry and people of all circles in China at the recently held SL Investment Opportunity and Real Estate Investment Forum. Hosted at the Embassy of SL in China, the Forum was attended by Karunasena Kodithuwakku � SL Ambassador in China and Alexi Gunasekara � Minister (Commercial) to China. more..

Jan 4 (Island) Bar Association of SL took umbrage over the high handed statement issued by the Swiss govt on Dec 30 relating to proceedings pending in the magistrates Court of Colombo over the purported abduction of one of its Colombo embassy�s local employees. The text of the BASL Statement: The attention of the Bar Association of SL has been invited to the most recent statement issued by the Govt of Switzerland on more..

Jan 4 (TM) Former President of SLC Thilanga Sumathipala has reportedly filed a writ application in the Court of Appeal asking for an independent inquiry over his suspension from the cricket board administration. In Oct last year, Sumathipala was banned from any form of involvement in cricket administrative affairs through a special gazetted notification tabled to parliament by the then Sports Minister Harin Fernando. ICC had previously revealed Sumathipala�s involvement in more..

Jan 4 (DN) Cabinet approval has been received to allocate Rs.3 billion to pay for the fertilizer used in the past. The due money had not been paid by the previous regime. This will continue to supply fertilizer, Plantations and Export Agriculture Minister and co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday. He said that it was former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who made Sri Lanka self sufficient in rice by making fertilizer available at a concessionary price. more..

Jan 4 (Island) Norway declined to comment on the recent arrest of a Norwegian national who identified himself as an Iranian in northern Sri Lanka on Dec 17, 2019. Asked by The Island whether Norway inquired into the arresting of a Norwegian passport holder, as to why he identified himself as an Iranian and whether Sri Lanka got in touch with Norway in this regard, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Communications Advisor more..

Jan 4 (AD) Four persons have been killed in the accident at Moronthuduwa Junction on Kalutara-Bandaragama main road. Accident has taken place at around 5.30 pm this evening (3) as a three-wheeler arriving from attempted to overtake another vehicle and crashed head-on into a tipper truck that came from the opposite direction. A cyclist (65) who had been in the proximity also met with the accident and died on the spot. 3 persons who were inside the three-wheeler also succumbed to injuries. more..

Jan 4 (MoD) The Bandarawela Magistrate�s Court has ordered the Govt Analyst, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of Meteorology to produce their findings related to the aircraft crash that killed four airmen of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) this morning. The Chinese built Y 12 Fixed Wing Light Transport aircraft that took off from Weerawila had been on a routine air reconnaissance mission at the time it crashed at Thambipeella Mawatha, Ayspeella at 9:15 am, today. more..

Jan 4 (FT) Giving a taste of what awaits SL in the next five years, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday outlined core policies of his Govt, centring on significant changes to develop Sri Lanka�s economy, including revamping the public sector, infusing technology in agriculture, and plans to improve investment and reduce poverty. Prez Rajapaksa inaugurated the fourth session of the eighth Parliament on Friday, more..

Jan 5 (SO) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s comprehensive Policy Statement delivered in Parliament on Friday was a radical departure from previous such speeches in that it did not dwell on the pessimism of the past, but rather on optimism for the future. Indeed, the future was the central theme of the speech which was admired by both Govt and Opposition Members. His words our most valuable resource as a nation is our future generation - we have identified the development of more..

Jan 5 (CT) Tensions in the Middle East escalated to a fever pitch last Friday when the United States announced that it had killed the Commander of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force and mastermind of its regional influence, Qassem Soleimani, in an airstrike near Baghdad's int'l airport. Following the assassination, the Pentagon said in a statement, "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. US will continue to take all necessary actions more..

Jan 5 (CT) Many people opt for train travel due to the relatively low cost of train fares, season tickets and mostly because there is no traffic congestion, unlike in buses. Although, Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) is identified as one of the most needed public service providers in the country, many passengers complain that the Railways is a public service which causes utmost inconvenience to commuters, with delaying trains, more..

Jan 5 (Island) Last week�s news of the allocation of a Colombo-7 mansion sitting on one and a half acres of land to Mr. R. Sampanthan, former Leader of the Opposition, for as long as he remains leader of the TNA raises many questions and issues. Few, if any, would grudge this senior parliamentarian, now in his 86th year, official accommodation. But the rub is that this allocation by cabinet decision in 2015 is not for the duration of his tenure of Opposition Leader but for "as long as he is leader of the TNA," more..

Jan 5 (TM) Late last year, soon after the prez election was announced, then Prez Maithripala Sirisena made an announcement. He said, up until the end of the election and his term, he would remain neutral. The tragedy for us Sri Lankans is the fact that such an announcement had to be made when such conduct is the norm expected of the holder of that office. The reality is that all of the six former presidents took this fundamental principle for granted and dabbled in party politics first, more..

Jan 5 (CT) SL, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, has always been one of the foremost tourist attractions in the South Asia region. Being named by int'l travel analysts as a top tourist destination proves that throughout the past few decades, despite many a challenge, Sri Lanka has gained incomparable fame as a tourist destination. Its natural resources, geographic location, and rich culture and history, and friendly locals more..

Jan 5 (ST) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s State of the Union address at the ceremonial opening of Parliament on Friday was the way he wants the country run; business-like. He came in suit lest someone objected that there was a Stranger in the House given the strict dress code within the Chamber � the sanctum sanctorum of the National Legislature. There was no pomp and pageantry of military honour guard and mounted police, only the homage to the Triple Gem sung by more..

Jan 5 (ST) My dear citizens in Paradise, I thought I must write to you to wish you a Happy New Year as well as to reflect on the year that was and look forward to the year that is to come. Most of you will be exhausted after the big race last year but 2020 promises to be as exciting, with another big race to be held soon to elect our representatives. The majority of you voted for Gota mama at the big race last year. That was because most of you were sick of the in-fighting between more..

Jan 5 (ST) Sri Lanka�s first ever Esports Championship, Speed Runs, organized by Mandarin Reid (Pvt) Ltd in conjunction with Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) will give gamers an opportunity to compete on the global stage. Racing gamers can look forward to four months of high intensity action in Matara, Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna with the grand finale to be held in Colombo in May. The first qualifying round of Speed Runs will be held on Jan 11 at Sanaya Mansion Hotel in Matara. more..

Jan 5 (CI) Lasith Malinga has a problem. He has captained Sri Lanka to a World T20 title, but that was way back in 2014. Now, almost six years later, there are serious doubts over his leadership. Since he took over as captain again, in 2019, Sri Lanka have lost nine matches under him, and won only once. There's no doubt he's the best player in the side - that one victory came in the match in which he took four wickets in four balls for the second time in his limited-overs career. more..

Jan 5 (CT) Swiss Embassy local staffer Garnier Banister Francis, who was arrested and remanded on the charge of making false statements allegedly discrediting the image of the country, was released on strict bail conditions by the Colombo Magistrate's Court on 30 Dec 2019. Local employee of the Swiss Embassy claimed that she had been abducted and threatened by her captors to disclose Embassy-related information more..

Jan 5 (SO) The UNP is in a vegetative state, on virtual life support, and the irony is that the UNP�s politicians are capable of talking about only one thing these days, which is the price of vegetables. And yes, sometimes, rice. A party that impoverished families with prohibitive taxes, and stultified the economy with ever reducing growth rates, is now making a hue and a cry about the prices of a few items of veggies that shot up due to sudden flood conditions. But big bluff is over. Game is up. more..

Jan 5 (Island) Parliamentrian Wijedasa Rajapakshe has presented to Parliament two Private Member�s Bills for the amendment of the Constitution styled the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. The JVP has its own Private Member�s Bill in the form of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. Though many people are under the impression that there are 19 amendments to our present Constitution, the actual number of amendments is 18. more..

Jan 5 (CI) Apr 6, 2014, Dhaka: Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulsekara combine to straitjacket India's batting line-up. Kumar Sangakkara says he has never seen anything like it. SL seal the World T20 title under Malinga. Nearly 6 years later, Kulasekara is no longer active in int'l cricket, but Malinga, now 36, is still around. He quit Test cricket nearly a decade ago and gave up ODIs last year, and at one point said he was even happy to more..

Jan 5 (TD) In an interesting turn of events, newly elected SL President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has raised concerns about the Hambantota port lease agreement with China, signed in 2017 by the previous govt. During his very first interview as the newly elected prez, Rajapaksa said that he will revisit the Hambantota port lease agreement and renegotiate it. However, during a meeting with foreign correspondents based on Colombo, Rajapaksa clarified that his govt is not hoping more..

Jan 5 (SO) The current office bearers of the SL Wrestling Federation (SLWF) is alleged to have mismanaged funds to the tune of Rs. 3 million during the past three years. The funds were procured from the Ministry of Sports. The allegations were made by the Secretary General of the Colombo District Wrestling Association HM Luxman. He also said that the allegations were brought to the notice of former Minister Harin Fernando who had appointed a special committee to investigate the matter. more..

Jan 5 (TM) The Govt is set to continue with the fuel price formula despite earlier claims to the contrary, made both prior to and following the Prez Election in November. This was revealed by the Secretary to the Treasury S.R. Attygalle, on 1 January. �We have to have a formula anyway to calculate fuel price, so there will be no change in the formula we have now. We will continue with this,� Attygalle noted, more..

Jan 5 (TM) Following double digit depreciation a year ago, the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) appreciated against the US dollar in 2019, outperforming several Asian currencies including the Pakistani rupee, Vietnamese dong, & Indian rupee. SLR appreciated by 0.66% compared to a dramatic depreciation of over 17% a year ago. Research on currency depreciation in six other regional economies revealed that in 2019, three of those currencies appreciated while the rest depreciated. more..

Jan 5 (ST) Ethanol, the main ingredient for making arrack manufacturers such as Distilleries Company PLC (DCSL) which is also the largest hard liquor manufacturer in the country, will face challenges in the coming year, on the back of the govt�s decision to ban ethanol imports. Finance Ministry said the import of ethanol for liquor production will be suspended from Jan 1 on the directives of PM as the Minister of Finance. This move has been made as ethanol is widely produced locally. more..

Jan 5 (ST) Strict financial discipline is to be maintained in all state agencies during the first four months of 2020 at the beginning of the new decade as the public expenditure should be made in accordance with the Vote on Account, official sources said. Reallocation of budgetary provisions approved by the Vote on Account 2020 to the new ministries for expenditure will be made until the Budget 2020 is presented, a budget circular issued by more..

Jan 5 (SO) The traditional under-19 schools cricket encounter between S. Thomas� College and Ananda College will be played for a trophy for the first time that will also honour former SL captain Marvan Atapattu and ex-SSC captain Mahinda Halangoda in whose names the prize is on offer. Match between the two historical powerhouses of schools cricket will be played on January 6 and 7 at the SSC ground in Colombo which was also the home turf of the two legendary cricketers of respective schools. more..

Jan 5 (DM) State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that although the Prez and the govt were on the right track, the Police and their investigations are on the wrong track. �I do not agree with the Police actions,� he tweeted. �Prez and Govt on the right track but sadly the Police and Investigations are on the wrong track. There are multiple members with clear evidence of misusing public funds and corruption that the police and AGs Dep can go after. I do not agree with the Police actions!,� more..

Jan 5 (EN) Sri Lanka will mandate the labeling of salt and fat and in foods after a similar rules were imposed on sugar content in beverages, a senior health official said. In 2016 the Ministry of health introduced a color coding system for the sugar content in beverages. It was color coded as if it is low sugar green color, medium Amber color and if it is high sugar red color �It was only for sugar in beverages (until now),� Deputy Director more..