Jul 3 (SO) The Board of Investment (BOI), the apex body driving investments, has revised its target to achieve Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the range of US$ 1.5-2.0 billion due to the global pandemic, Secretary to the Ministry of Industrial Export and Investment Promotion, M.P.D.U. Mapa Pathirana said on Friday. �The BOI has launched measures to get the projects in the pipeline and those under construction, off the ground at the earliest,� he said, adding more..

Jul 3 (FT) Diversified blue chip Cargills (Ceylon) Plc has decided to make use of the current low interest rate regime to set-off the relatively expensive Group facility worth Rs. 2.5 billion obtained in 2014/15 FY from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The then Rs. 2 billion IFC facility for Cargills Foods Company (CFC) was fetched at 9% interest with a put option exercisable by February 2021. IFC had expressed interest to renegotiate and renew but Cargills (Ceylon) Plc management more..

Jul 3 (DM) Discussions are underway to remove 05/2001 circular issued by the Environment Ministry which gave provisions for the Forest Department to develop and protect state forest patches. �This circular was issued back in 2001 at a time when state lands inclusive of forest patches were also under the purview of Divisional Secretaries and govt agents,� said Rainforest Protectors Convener Jayantha Wijesingha. more..

Jul 3 (Island) After a high scoring 50 over Intra-squad match on Tuesday (30), the focus shifted to T20s on Wednesday as Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva led two teams in an Intra-squad match which was a part of Sri Lanka cricket team�s residential camp which began a couple of weeks back. Mendis� XI batted first after their captain won the toss as they posted a competitive 189/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Dinesh Chandimal and Thisara Perera who hit centuries on more..

Jul 3 (Island) Industrial Development Board (IDB) issued scrap metal to Colossus, a company owned by Easter Sunday bomber Inshaf Ibrahim, as part of an IDB initiative to provide scrap metal to micro, small and medium enterprises between 2017 and 2019, violating criteria set by the Cabinet of Ministers, IDB Assistant Director (Sales) Palitha Dikwella admitted at the PCoI. He admitted that Colossus had been registered as a medium scale enterprise in 2017 although the company more..

Jul 3 (PMD) In order to develop villages the banking service in the country should understand the rural economy and the needs of the people, Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasized. It is a timely necessity to develop export agricultural businesses instead of waiting for foreign countries to come into fray. Mere establishment of industries alone cannot be defined as development pointed out the Prez adding that rural entrepreneurship more..

Jul 3 (Island) Leader of the Kandy district SJB and former MP Lakshman Kiriella says his party will form the next govt and bring down the cost of living immediately. Kiriella, addressing the media at his Dangolla residence, said that SJB would ensure that the SLPP would not be able to obtain 113 seats in the next Parliament. Former minister Kiriella said the CEB was burdening the people with high electricity bills, which were erroneous. "Consumers get a shock when they receive bills." more..

Jul 3 (EN) A SL sea guard, who was in home quarantine after completing a 14-days a quarantine centre upon returning to the country had been diagnosed with Coronavirus on July 2. The sea guard had returned from India. �After the arrival, he was subjected to a 14-day compulsory quarantine period and the PCR test held at the completion of the quarantine has confirmed that he was not infected with Coronavirus,� the state information office said quoting the head of health service more..

Jul 3 (NYT) There�s a video of the exact moment Inshaf Ibrahim decided to abandon his life as a rich young man and turn into a mass murderer. In one sense, he had made up his mind weeks earlier, which was why he was loitering in the Cinnamon Grand hotel�s breakfast buffet on Easter Sunday last year in Colombo, strapped into a knapsack of explosives. Once he arrived, though, he appeared to dither. more..

Jul 3 (DN) Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe accused former Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne of accepting a bribe of Rs. 20 million from Avant Garde Company. Rajapakshe said he had evidence to prove that Dr. Senaratne had accepted a bribe of Rs. 20 million from Avant Garde. He showed three invoices of Rs.5 m each, where Senaratne had obtained Rs.5 m each on three occasions, amounting to Rs.15 m in cheques and balance of Rs.5 m accepted in cash at another occasion. more..

Jul 3 (IE) �News from the centre here is Monaragala Hornets have won the toss and decided to bat first. Live action is coming up all the way from Badulla Cricket Ground�� The commentary on YouTube on June 29 morning was purportedly of a cricket match of the Uva T20 league being played in Badulla in SL. Only, it wasn�t. The game was played at a ground in Sawara village, 16 km from Chandigarh off Punjab State Highway 12A. No Sri Lankans were playing, only unknown cricketers from Punjab, more..

Jul 3 (FT) Sri Lanka yesterday reiterated it remained committed to achieve reconciliation, accountability and human rights within the framework of the SL Constitution, through a domestically-designed and executed process in line with the Govt�s policy framework even as it withdraws from co-sponsorship of Resolution 30/1. �We urge all parties once again to recognise the realities on the ground, and appreciate more..

Jul 3 (FT) Cabinet yesterday gave approval for the Agrarian Development Centres to purchase remaining stocks of fertiliser imported under the Govt subsidy and make them available for sale to farmers at Rs. 1,000 per 50 kg pack. Cabinet approved the proposal presented by Minister Chamal Rajapaksa for Agrarian Development Centres to purchase already-imported fertiliser from Govt fertiliser companies. �There have been repeated complaints about non-availability more..

Jul 3 (ET) Workers at the strategic Colombo Port on Thursday threatened to go on an indefinite strike to protest against the Indian pressure to prevent Sri Lanka from developing a deep-sea container terminal of the country's largest and busiest port. The announcement of the strike comes a day after PM Mahinda Rajapaksa told reporters that no final decision had been made yet to hand over the development of the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) to India. more..

Jul 3 (FT) Talks between the Govt and trade unions yesterday regarding the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port led to the unions temporarily removing a roadblock installed in the premises, following the Ports Minister arranging a meeting between the TUs and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, to be held today. �The discussion with Ports Minister Johnston Fernando got us a meeting with the PM on Friday. more..

Jul 3 (FT) The problem of building the modern nation and that of the modern nation state can be considered as two major issues that should necessarily be addressed and resolved in a program launched for recreating the socio-political system of SL. The failure to resolve these two issues which can be considered the two sides of the same coin can be described as the main issue that had caused the country to become a tangled mess. The ethnicity and religion are two strong elements more..

Jul 3 (FT) This is a series of articles outlining the teachings of some of the world�s most seminal thought leaders. We have selected those I have personally interacted with, in many cases worked with, and delivered with. We will present a one-day session in August synthesising these learnings in a highly interactive format. And this will hopefully give you a flavour of the insights in advance. Leo Buscaglia, whose name flamboyantly intoned, sounds almost like an operatic aria, more..

Jul 3 (DN) Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara has filed an appeal in the Colombo Civil Appellate High Court challenging Colombo District Court's order to refuse of issuing an enjoining order against the UNP office bearers over the expulsion of 99 SJB representatives. On June 22, the Colombo District Court refused to issue an enjoining order preventing the UNP Working Committee�s decision to suspend UNP party membership of 99 SJB more..

Jul 3 (AD) Special Investigations Unit of the Sports Ministry has informed former captain Mahela Jayawardene, who had been summoned to record a statement, not to appear before the SIU today to give a statement. The unit has informed Jayawardene that another date will be informed for him to come record his statement. The former Sri Lanka captain was scheduled to record a statement with the SIU today, regarding the match-fixing allegations leveled by former Sports Minister more..

Jul 3 (AD) Special Investigation Unit of the Ministry of Sports has suspended its investigation into the match-fixing allegations concerning the 2011 ICC World Cup final, due to insufficient evidence. Police Spokesman stated that the investigations and evidence recorded thus far have failed to uncover any information regarding any instance of match-fixing and therefore the investigative unit of Sports Ministry has more..

Jul 3 (AD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa joined the SLPP election campaign from Anuradhapura today. Accordingly, President Rajapaksa is scheduled to attend several public gatherings to be held in the Anuradhapura district for the victory of the SLPP candidates contesting the upcoming general election. He is slated to attend a total of 12 events organised in the district by SLPP candidates including S.M. Chandrasena, Duminda Dissanayake, Weerasena Gamage, more..

Jul 3 (DN) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa issued directives to add additional 75 megawatts to the National Grid. The PM has instructed CEB Chairman Vijitha Herath to purchase power from 38 mini power plants. Purchasing power from these 38 mini power plants owned by local entrepreneurs were stopped by the previous Good Governance Govt as they came to power. PM�s Media Secretary Vijayananda Herath noted that the agreements to purchase power from these power plants will be entered into within more..

Jul 3 (EN) The Central Bank denied that new forex deposit accounts started after a Covid-19 crisis under a separate set of rules can be used for money laundering amid concerns. Central Bank said concerns had been raised by �few authorities and persons� that Authorized Dealers (mostly banks) are not following due diligence processes when opening Special Deposit Accounts (SDA). more..

Jul 3 (Island) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has given the Cabinet of Ministers one week�s time to submit their views on last week�s report produced by the Presidential Committee that examined the proposed MCC agreement with the USA. Minister Bandula Gunawardane said that the President had, at Wednesday�s Cabinet meeting, asked all the Ministers to express their opinions on the controversial MCC pact that had been approved by the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe govt. more..

Jul 3 (DM) Dept for Registration of Persons requested the public to send in their completed applications before July 17 to obtain National Identity Cards (NICs) as a valid identity document when casting their votes. He said the decision was taken following a discussion held with the Election Commissioner and several other officials. The persons who are eligible to cast their votes and those who are above the age limit of 18 should submit their applications before July 17. more..

Jul 3 (EN) SL must not sign the MCC compact in its current state without major revisions and without wider public consultation, the committee appointed to review the controversial agreement said. Committee chairman Prof Lalithasiri Gunaruwan highlighted a number of concerns identified in a report recently presented to Prez Rajapaksa. �The way the agreement stands now, our recommendation is that it is rejected more..

Jul 3 (AD) The Covid-19 patient who was reported from Jintupitiya in Colombo 13 during his home quarantine period yesterday (02) has been hospitalized. Nearly 154 of his close associates, belonging to 29 families, are subject to quarantine outside the area. They have reportedly been sent to the Kandakadu quarantine center. Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe confirms that there is no risk of Covid-19 spreading from this patient to society. more..

Jul 3 (AD) A team of officers from the CID are currently at the official residence of former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe to record a statement. CID team has visited Wickremesinghe�s residence in order to record a statement from him regarding the CB treasury bond scam. On June 18, the Attorney General had instructed the Acting IGP to record statements from several high-profile figures of the former govt over the CB Bond Scam. Police were directed to record statements from former more..

Jul 3 (ICC) ICC Anti-Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshall responded to former SL Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage allegations of corruption with regards to the ICC Men�s Cricket World Cup 2011 final. �The ICC Integrity Unit has looked into the recent allegations regarding the ICC Men�s Cricket World Cup Final 2011. At this time, we have not been presented with any evidence that supports the claims made or which would more..

Jul 3 (Island) Even though the govt had set Aug 10, as the date for the re-opening of schools for grades one and two students, it said yesterday that decisions regarding children of such young ages had to be discussed further. Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that difficulties very young students would encounter due to wearing facemasks for long hours while in school was an aspect that had to be addressed. Ministry of Education would announce the dates for the A/L & Grade 5 more..

Jul 3 (FT) SLPP prime ministerial candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated that Prez and the Cabinet should represent the same political party for smooth functioning of the Got and continued development of projects. He made these remarks at a meeting held in Baddegama. According to Rajapaksa, it would be vital for the SLPP Govt to implement Prez Rajapaksa�s policy statements and to achieve development goals. �It is critical that Prez and Cabinet represent the same political party. more..

Jul 3 (CT) The Central Cultural Fund (CCF) has requested a sum of Rs 135 million a month to pay employee salaries and to cover other expenditure, and the matter was brought up by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa as Minister of Buddha Sasana, Culture and Religious Affairs, Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Bandula Gunawardana said. He added, the Yahapalana regime has to take responsibility for the CCF encountering a financial crisis as more..

Jul 3 (MFA) Visionary political leadership of Prez Rajapaksa and the effective use of technology in a whole � of � govt approach has enabled SL to control the COVID-19 and a wide range of pandemic related issues � said Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena addressing the Virtual Ministerial Conference on Close the Digital Divides: the Digital Response to COVID-19. Conference jointly organized by Estonia and Singapore on 1 July 2020 was attended by Ministers and more..

Jul 3 (CT) 1,178 suspects were rounded up along with firearms and ammunition, narcotics and illicit liquor, in a 24-hour anti-crime operation launched by the Police starting from 30 June midnight. 292 Court dodgers and 720 suspects wanted for other crimes were also netted during the operation that ended on 1 July midnight. Seven repeat firearms, one locally manufactured revolver (Galkatas), 105 live ammunition and seven grenades were also recovered during the operation, he said. more..

Jul 3 (PMD) Prez Rajapaksa has appointed a five-member Committee to examine and report on the concerns regarding the development of Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port. The Committee is headed by Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, M.M.P.K. Mayadunne. Secretary to the Ministry of Industrial Export and Investment Promotion, Mapa Pathirana, Secretary to more..

Jul 3 (MFA) Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe presented Letters of Credence to Federal President of the Republic of Austria Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of SL to Austria on 30 June. The ceremony commenced with the presentation of the Letters of Credence, followed by a Prez Guard of Honour. Ambassador was accompanied by Counsellor and Head of Chancery of Embassy Charitha Weerasinghe. more..

Jul 3 (Island) Former Governor of CB Ajith Nivard Cabraal denied allegations that PM Mahinda Rajapaksa was to enter into an agreement with the US on MCC Compact. The following is the text of the statement issued by Cabraal: "I have seen some social media posts which attempt to insinuate that Mahinda Rajapaksa Govt was ready to enter into a Compact with the MCC that was detrimental to Sri Lanka. "While it is true that the US Govt had offered aid in the form of certain projects more..

Jul 3 (CT) The CID raided the third safe house of underworld kingpin Kosgoda Tharaka�s gang in the Kandala area in the Homagama Police Division yesterday. Police said four hand grenades, a pistol, two detonators, a locally manufactured gun (Galkatas), 10 rounds of ammunition used for repeater weapons, a pair of handcuffs and an air rifle were also found. The safe house was a two-storeyed house in Kandala more..

Jul 3 (Island) Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa required parliamentary control plus a faithful team capable of implementing the President�s vision for post-war Sri Lanka, SLPP Gampaha District candidate Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said. Addressing a series of pocket meetings in the Gampaha district over the past couple of days, Dr. Godahewa explained that the successful implementation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s manifesto required the SLPP to gain parliamentary control. more..