Nov 25 (DM) The Covid-19 pandemic is still very much with us and numbers of people continue falling victim to it worldwide. The disease itself - an infectious virus caused by the coronavirus is transmitted mainly through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. People are vulnerable when in proximity to someone who is infected with the virus or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one�s eyes, nose or mouth. more..

Nov 25 (DM) There is something positively vile about a govt that goes out of its way, in the midst of a global pandemic to hurt the most core sentiments of a religious community. During the pandemic SL is the one among abysmally few countries in the world that has explicitly disallowed burials. There is no scientific proof that says burials increase the chances of virus spread. Such a question has not arisen anywhere in the world even though there has been mass scale deaths and practical issues more..

Nov 25 (TM) Thousands of archaeological remains around the country are at severe risk due to the irregularities and mismanagement of the Dept of Archaeology, as revealed by the National Audit Office (NAO). NAO has uncovered that the archaeological sites in Trinco, Batticaloa, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, and several other areas around the country are facing a huge threat as the Dept failed to properly complete the excavation more..

Nov 25 (CT) Monday this newspaper reported that isolation restrictions in several areas of the Colombo and Gampaha districts were lifted at 5 a.m. on that day. Borella, Wellampitiya, Colombo Fort and the Slave Island Police areas in the Colombo District were reopened. However the Wekanda Grama Niladhari Division (GND) in the Slave Island Police Area (PA) and the Wanathamulla GND in the Borella PA will continue to remain isolated, it said. Meanwhile, isolation was lifted in two areas more..

Nov 25 (Island) The UNP has not yet been able to appoint its National List MP. There are many contenders for the post, but the UNP old guard wants party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed; he, however, seems to be in two minds. Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has said the country will gain if Wickremesinghe enters Parliament via the National List because the latter will be able to help the govt save the economy. The immediate task before Wickremesinghe is to save the party more..

Nov 25 (ST) The 2021 budget presented to Parliament last Tuesday by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Finance Minister, contained the usual plethora of promises, proposals and programs for economic development, social uplifting and welfare. It was based on the concept of developing a self-reliant national economy that focuses on the social and economic uplifting of rural people and the agrarian economy that was articulated in Prez�s Vistas of Prosperity policy statement more..

Nov 25 (ST) Six girls schools and two boys schools qualified for the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) conducted by the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka via the zoom technology over the weekend. In a high quality programme where ideas and views of 60 top debaters from 20 top schools around the island were exchanged and showcased. The schools were Royal College Colombo 7, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya Col 7, Dharmaraja College Kandy, more..

Nov 25 (TM) There seems to be confusion on performing PCR tests on the dead and the process that is to be followed. Most of the deaths took place at residences which were in isolated zones, while most of the people who died during this time had also been suffering from long-term non-communicable diseases and were receiving treatment. �We proposed that the Ministry of Health should issue guidelines for the staff more..

Nov 25 (Island) The Tamil community never explained why the predominately Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern districts voted overwhelmingly for war-winning Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka at the 2010 general election, after earlier accusing him, and his war winning Army, of war crimes, the writer told a webinar, organized by the SL Canadian Action Coalition, on Sunday (Nov 22). The writer questioned the absurdity in war crimes accusations against the backdrop of TNA, more..

Nov 25 (Island) At universities, we are busy teaching online. It is heartbreaking to find many students lack required facilities. Teaching on Zoom, for example, takes smart phones and personal computers for granted. We have to assume that Internet access is as ubiquitous as air, but reality is otherwise. Attendance at live Zoom classes can be as low as 40 percent in the Faculty of Arts, where students from underprivileged backgrounds account for the majority. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) expressed confidence in revival of the country�s biggest export sector next year onwards aided by policy direction and support outlined in the Budget 2021 as well as recovery in key markets post-COVID-19. �We made submissions to the Govt and most of our proposals have been incorporated in the Budget 2021. We are pleased to see such policy direction at this more..

Nov 25 (Island) When the second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic started, it was inevitable that the wave would reach Colombo, as many other epidemics such as dengue fever, chikungunya, cholera, influenza started in Colombo and then spread to other areas. Here of course those who travelled from abroad obviously brought the disease to the country, and then it spread towards the city in no time. There are many who travel from Gampaha District to Colombo city area and more..

Nov 25 (ST) Govt has complicated commodities trading by slashing the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) on some essential commodities to 25% from Rs.50 and enforcing the maximum retail price (MRP/controlled price) without considering tax revenue implications and market dynamics, consumer affairs experts divulged. Taxes were reduced to 25 cents from Rs.50 for sugar and big onions and from Rs.10 for dhal while SCL on canned fish was reduced from Rs.100. more..

Nov 25 (FT) SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and its One Industry One Voice initiative have expressed concern over the changes proposed to the current Tourism Act of 2005. In a statement SLAITO reiterated that as the Apex body of the inbound tourism industry that generates more than 60% of tourist arrivals, they are extremely concerned regarding the Budget proposal to repeal the current Tourism Act. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Organisations that put their people at the heart of change are measurably more likely to deliver successful outcomes. Success in business can hinge on strategic agility and the ability to execute. Solid strategies, processes, and technology alone may not deliver results. It takes people to accept, adopt, drive, and sustain the change that helps realise the tangible impact. With this in mind, PwC�s Academy Sri Lanka in collaboration with The Institute of Change and Transformation more..

Nov 25 (DN) Two of the finest exponents of the game during their playing days, Hashan Tillakaratne and Herschelle Gibbs will revive their rivalry after nearly two decades and will now coach their respective teams in the curtain raiser match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament on Thursday. Kandy Tuskers, coached by former SL left-hander, Tillakaratne will be up against the Colombo Kings coached by former SA opener, Gibbs in the opening match more..

Nov 25 (EN) The governing law of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) country�s power regulator and state-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will be changed and a 300 MegaWatt coal plant set up, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has said. �I �propose to amend the PUCSL Act and CEB Act to allow the rapid implementation of projects,� PM Rajapaksa who is also Finance Minister said in a budget for 2021. more..

Nov 25 (CT) Women�s football might need a generation to get back recent gains if it is left �by the wayside� during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) is focusing more on getting the men�s competitions back on track. The women�s team have already been overshadowing the men in numerous ways for a while, but they have not been given due credit for what they have achieved so far. The sad reality is that women�s football has been sliding more..

Nov 25 (SR) The first ever initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism�s effort in showcasing the island�s wildlife to the world through streaming technology is an unprecedented success with the support of the stakeholders, partners and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. The event was backed by Sri Lanka Tourism�s largest online marketing initiative in the year 2020. The wildlife streaming sessions were telecasted from Nov 4 to 13 through a dedicated website, social media channels, more..

Nov 25 (CT) The ICC has announced its nominations for the player of the decade awards in various categories. SL�s Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardana, Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath are among the nominees for these awards. Kumar Sangakkara has been nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Decade Award. Joe Root (England), Kane Williamson (NZ), Steve Smith (Australia), AB de Villiers (South Africa), Virat Kohli and more..

Nov 25 (ADB) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $165 million loan to Sri Lanka to provide immediate financing support for small and medium-enterprises (SMEs), which have been severely affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and long-term financing to underserved SMEs, including businesses led by women and tea smallholders. COVID-19 has gravely hit Sri Lanka�s economy due to the decline in demand and supply chain disruption in more..

Nov 25 (FT) Govt's move to increase the retirement age needs to broadly discussed, UNP said, while clarifying that the party was not against the idea. �We as the UNP are not against the Govt's move to change the age of retirement for private sector personnel 60 years, however, the wishes of private sector employees who have been waiting to use the funds they have collected in their EPF accounts & those who do not wish to continue due to health concerns need to be taken into account� more..

Nov 25 (CT) The medical reports of former President and incumbent Parliamentarian Maithripala Sirisena, who is said to have received medical treatment at a hospital in Singapore at the time of the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019, were submitted to the PCoI yesterday (24). However, Sirisena requested, only the Members of the Commission examine the reports as they contained personal information. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa has forwarded to the Parliamentary Council (PC) the names of his nominees to five independent commissions including National Election Commission (NEC), Public Service Commission, Police Commission, Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) and Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC). The names have been sent to the PC headed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for its observations. more..

Nov 25 (Island) There were vacancies for 89 specialist doctors in govt teaching hospitals due to certain actions taken by the Public Service Commission (PSC), GMOA said. GMOA secretary Dr. Senal Fernando said those vacancies had the potential to cripple the state health service, as the service was stressed due to COVID-19. Dr. Fernando said: �Specialist doctors are appointed and transfered according to procedures established by the Health Service Minute. more..

Nov 25 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the Govt to increase the monetary relief provided to people in areas under lockdown and isolation in Colombo due to COVID-19 as Rs 5,000 is insufficient for a family to survive on for a month. Raising a question under Standing Order 27/2, Premadasa said: �There are delays in distributing the current monetary relief of Rs 5,000 to low income families in areas more..

Nov 25 (AD) Travel restrictions have come to effect in two Grama Niladhari divisions in Akurana after Covid-19 exposure. Accordingly, Gurugothenna and Thelambugahawatte Grama Niladhari divisions will be under isolation until further notice. In addition, a part of Mahaiyawa area in Kandy was also isolated earlier today (24). Meanwhile, fifteen Covid-19 infections have been identified from Atulugama area today (24) following the rapid antigen tests performed on the residents. more..

Nov 25 (CT) The Attorney General (AG) has instructed senior officers of his department to appear at the relevant Magistrate�s Courts to make submissions seeking to prevent the Maaveerar commemorations, of deceased LTTE cadres which have been organised throughout this week in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Jaffna, and other areas in the North. This was confirmed yesterday (24) by the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne. more..

Nov 25 (CT) Galle District Epidemiologist, Dr. K. Singarachchi says that parents of two students who had visited a school with their children after the reopening of schools for the third term on 23 Nov had contracted COVID-19. He said a security officer from Thilakapura area had been subjected to self-quarantine at his home. After the reopening of schools for the third term, these parents had sent their two children to school more..

Nov 25 (FT) Hilton yesterday announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort, a new three-storey, 78-room modern resort in Weerawila. The newly-built resort is owned by KDU Adventures Ltd. and joins Hilton Colombo and Hilton Colombo Residences as the third hotel to be managed by Hilton in the country. Located amongst lush bird sanctuaries and in the midst of three of Asia�s most visited wildlife parks, resort is set apart by an exquisite ballroom, more..

Nov 25 (DN) The much awaited inaugural My11circle Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament will kick off tomorrow with the participation of five teams at the MRICS, Hambanthota, amidst several challenges which were well addressed by Minister Namal Rajapaksa, whose indefatigable efforts to make this event a reality was ably supported by the Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and her team, with the approval from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Dual COVID-19 cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya & Peliyagoda exceeded 17,000 cases yesterday with the detection of 459 new COVID-19 cases. 458 persons are associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster and one overseas arrival from Qatar, and that the total number of patients identified from the dual cluster currently stands at 17,436. A total of 20,795 COVID-19 cases have been identified in SL to date. more..

Nov 25 (DM) The wife of slain TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj has appealed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take courageous steps forward which will lead to reconciliation and eventually result in the prosperity of the whole nation. In an open letter to the President, Sasikala Raviraj said that the end of the war has paved the way for both parties to learn several bitter lessons through their experiences. However, she said it is disheartening to see the same group of people still suffering. more..

Nov 25 (FT) I recently read a speech by TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, delivered in 2017. This excellent presentation supported the 13th Amendment (13A). In appreciation of his intelligent arguments, I share his thinking not to canvass for 13A but to broaden the discussion with forgotten overlapping references that need to be factored in. Devolution was thrust upon us, consequent to the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987. Then, certain groups rejected this pact as well as 13A. Their position remains unchanged. more..

Nov 25 (FT) The 2021 Budget proposals make a few special attempts to address issues faced by women. While women-centric policy is always welcome, some of the areas mentioned appear to have been poorly conceived; especially with regard to foreign employment. Under the section of Foreign Employment, the Budget states: �About 1.5 million people in our country are engaged in foreign employment. The majority of them are women from rural areas with low income.� more..

Nov 25 (DN) Justice Ministry will construct a new Court complex (Adhikarana Piyasa) in Hulftsdorp, Colombo. Minister Mohamed Ali Sabry, PC during a recent discussion with officials of the Justice Ministry and the CECB advised to expedite the building of this complex. The buildings where the current Courts are currently housed are now in a dilapidated condition & also congested. �As such it is necessary to construct a new complex within the Hulftsdorp premises where there is adequate land,� more..

Nov 25 (AD) MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who was remanded over the alleged misuse of buses belonging to the state-owned SLTB during the prez election last year, has been granted bail. The case was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court earlier today. MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who was remanded over the alleged misuse of buses belonging to the state-owned SLTB during the prez election last year, has been granted bail. more..

Nov 25 (AD) Dept of Meteorology warns that the Severe Cyclonic Storm NIVAR is very likely to intensify into a very Severe Cyclonic Storm and is expected to move closer to the Northern coast of SL and cross TN coast, India around midnight today (25). Severe Cyclonic Storm NIVAR over southwest Bay of Bengal was located near (11.0N,81.3E) at 11.30 a.m. today, 195 km to the north-east of Kankasanthurai coast, it said. It is very likely to intensify into a very Severe Cyclonic Storm more..