Oct 12 (CT) Former National Chess Champion and SL Chess prodigy International Master Harshana Thilakarathne of Maliyadeva College was selected to represent the Asian team at the Inter Continental Online Youth Chess Cup organised by the European Chess Union with the support of FIDE, the World Chess Federation. The event was held on 10 Oct. This is the first time a Sri Lankan has received this honour by getting selected through the senior most age category. more..

Oct 12 (FT) Govt expenditure for the year 2021 has been estimated at Rs. 2,678 billion with the highest allocations for Ministries of Defence, Highways and Provincial Councils, according to the Appropriation Bill for next year. Bill which was approved by Cabinet last week has been published in the Govt Gazette ahead of its presentation to Parliament. Separate allocation have been made for State Ministries in the Budget with those more..

Oct 12 (AD) A group of senior police officers have been transferred with immediate effect on the approval of the National Police Commission. The transfers have been made based on service requirements. Accordingly, 08 DIGs, a SSP, a SP and three ASPs have been transferred in this manner. DIG Ajith Rohana has been appointed as the Police Media Spokesman, in addition to his position as the DIG of the Legal, Discipline and Conduct Range. more..

Oct 12 (BN) AkzoNobel Paints -producer of Dulux paints in SL- recently held an awards ceremony for the winners of its AkzoNobel Colour Awards 2018-2019, at its Head Office in Narahenpita. This year marks the third consecutive edition of the annual competition held in partnership with the City School of Architecture (CSA), aimed at highlighting the future generation of industry talent being honed by the respected institute. At an intimate ceremony to celebrate the students� achievement, more..

Oct 12 (CT) The IUSF pointed out that it seems that there is a serious problem with providing accurate information about the COVID-19 pandemic. �The University Administration has confirmed that a student of Sri Japura Uni has been infected with COVID-19. Although it has been confirmed by 10 Oct morning, till this release was forwarded to the Media, Govt did not issue an official statement regarding the spread of COVID-19 more..

Oct 12 (CT) The current blood reserves available at the National Blood Centre (NBC) are sufficient for only about 14 days and it could lead to a crisis in the maintenance of blood reserves during the COVID-19 pandemic, said a senior official of the NBC. He also said although the availability of 600-800 units of blood reserves was essential to maintain the national blood reserve requirement, the conduct of mobile blood transfusion camps had been severely curtailed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. more..

Oct 12 (Island) The SJB alleged that the govt had lowered it guard, causing the latest wave of COVID-19 infections. Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament on Friday: �Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi made statements to the effect that we had eradicated COVID-19 from society. She boasted that Sri Lanka was the world�s first country that had beaten coronavirus once and for all. Such statements resulted in people losing their fear and letting their guard down. more..

Oct 12 (Island) A high-level special committee comprising Secretary to the Prez, Dr. P B Jayasundara and Secretary to the Treasury, S.R. Attygalle has been appointed to look into the improper import of 300 luxury vehicles worth more than Rs. 2 billion during the Covid-19 pandemic. The committee will examine all aspects and recommend the penalties to be imposed on the importers. �A report on its findings and recommendations is expected to be more..

Oct 12 (TM) The request to improve the security detail afforded to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is yet to be attended to, The Morning learnt. On 30 September, Private Secretary to the Opposition Leader Attorney-at-Law Ravi Jayawardana had submitted a letter of request addressed to Ministry of Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne, seeking to increase the current security detail. The request was made following an incident that occurred at more..

Oct 12 (CT) Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi warned that all those violating health safety regulations would be arrested and remanded for a period of six months. Wanniarachchi warned that the judiciary would be able to come down hard on all those who violate the health guidelines of wearing a mask and maintaining one- metre distance once the Health Guidelines were gazetted by her within the next two days. Minister said govt was in the process of taking several decisions regarding safeguarding more..

Oct 12 (Island) The police had not come up with a plan to deal with an impending terrorist attack after the State Intelligence Service (SIS) had received foreign intelligence, on April 4, 2019 that National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim and his associates would carry out an attack, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara told PCoI into the Easter Sunday attacks. Earlier the ASG who led evidence asked the witness if the police more..

Oct 12 (CT) Steps have been taken to reduce the security contingents deployed for former Prez Maithripala Sirisena and former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. Police Headquarters said that the reduction in the number of security officers was done according to a new Circular. It is reported that 94 of the 100 STF Officers provided to protect former Prez Sirisena have been withdrawn. It is also mentioned that of the 100 Police Officers deployed to protect Sirisena, only 54 will be retained. more..

Oct 12 (CT) As the Grade Five Scholarship exam successfully concluded yesterday (11), adhering to all the health guidelines and preventive measures communicated by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Dept of Examinations assured that the same measures will be taken for the GCE A/L exam that commences today (12). Minister of Education Prof. G.L. Peiris, along with Commissioner General of Examinations Sanath Poojitha and Media Secretary to Minister more..

Oct 12 (Island) Asimmering controversy over the recent releasing of Riyaj Bathiudeen, arrested over his alleged involvement with those responsible for 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, has taken an unexpected turn with Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC summoning DIG in charge of CID S.P. Ranasinghe and its Chief Investigative Officer. Ranasinghe took over the CID after the govt removed DIG Nuwan Wedisinghe, more..

Oct 12 (AD) The 13 officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) who were arrested for their alleged links with drug dealers have been further remanded. They were ordered to be remanded until Oct 26, when the case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate today. However, the suspects were not produced before the court today due to the COVID-19 pandemic precautions. DSG of the State Dileep Peiris representing the CID submitted a progress report of the investigations to the court. more..

Oct 12 (FT) Sri Lanka, seeking to find its footing once more, enjoying a fragile recovery, is again potentially undermined by an outbreak of cases of COVID. And while policy makers have kept most responses targeted and focused and local, and this is highly laudable, various �manacles� are going on, psychologically and emotionally and even practically that seem to have taken the wind out of the sails of quite a few initiatives, activities and interactions. After a seeming 2 months of no local cases, more..

Oct 12 (DM) Labour Dept has not received any evidence to indicate that there was a violation of labour laws at the Brandix Minuwangoda facility. Commissioner General of Labour RPA Wimalaweera said that he had received notice from Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva to investigate allegations related to Brandix. However, he said that Labour Dept can only investigate anything which falls within the labour laws. The Labour Dept has no mandate to investigate anything related to coronavirus. more..

Oct 12 (DN) US Embassy in Colombo said that its Defence Attach� and two officials visited the Hambantota port at the invitation of the Defence Ministry. �SL Ministry of Defense invited members of the Embassy�s Defence Attach�s Office to visit the port. We are always appreciative of meaningful engagement with SL counterparts,� US Embassy Public Affairs Officer David McGuire said. Three US delegates attached to the Embassy in Colombo went on an inspection tour at more..

Oct 12 (FT) It has been reported in the media that Prez Rajapaksa had requested the visiting high-level delegation from China to help establish a tech-university in SL. This is a salutary development on several counts. First, China is a leader in technology and its universities are moving up in the league table of renowned universities in the world year after year. Second, SL has now been downgraded from a higher middle-income more..

Oct 12 (FT) To the migrant worker stuck in cramped detention centres eating one meal a day and having just lost a job, the resurgence of COVID-19 in Minuwangoda sparks fear. For them, the new cases signal even further delays in returning home. We worry about being locked-down at home. For migrant workers, that is a luxury. Of the 1.7 million Sri Lankans abroad, 50,000 migrant workers stuck primarily in the Middle East are trying to come home. Despite the arduous process and more..

Oct 12 (NR) Police has requested the public to maintain a log of places they visit either on a mobile phone or in a notebook in the event it is required in future. Acting Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said if the need arises the information can be used to gain an understanding of one�s whereabouts. DIG said concerns have arisen over identifying persons linked to the Minuwangoda COVID-19 cluster. He noted that 1,552 persons have been identified from the cluster thus far more..

Oct 12 (EN) A section of SL�s powerful Buddhist clergy is opposing a Constitutional Amendment proposed by the govt of Prez Rajapaksa which would have given him sweeping powers over Parliament and the Judiciary. Two leading prelates representing two orders (Chapters) of monks said that the 20th Amendment would deal a death blow to democracy in Sri Lanka. Ven Prof Pallekande Rathanasara more..

Oct 12 (AD) Foreign Affairs Ministry has taken a decision to temporarily suspend the repatriation of SL migrant workers due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country. The decision will be in effect until further notice, stated Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retired) Prof. Jayanath Colombage. The limited space available in quarantine centers and hospitals treating COVID-19 patients is another reason behind this decision, he added. All those who arrive in the country from overseas must undergo more..

Oct 12 (AD) The Attorney General met with the CID�s DIG and officers today (12). This is as the Attorney General summoned the DIG in charge of the CID and its Chief Investigating Officer over the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen, brother of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who was recently released after being detained in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The CID officers were asked to bring the investigative material related to the release of Bathiudeen. more..

Oct 12 (EN) Sri Lanka is set to gazette into law the hygiene and physical distancing guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health to contain the spread of COVID-19, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. The gazette notification, to be issued by tomorrow, will enable the courts to impose severe punishments on those who violate SL�s quarantine regulations. The punishments will include arrests without warrant more..

Oct 12 (AD) SriLankan Airlines issuing a statement today confirmed that an employee of the airline at SriLankan Cargo operations division at the BIA has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus this morning. The staff member in concern is a resident of the Gampaha district and is currently admitted to hospital and receiving necessary treatment, the statement added. Full statement: SriLankan Airlines wishes to confirm media reports stating that an employee of the airline at SriLankan Cargo more..

Oct 12 (Island) British Council celebrated the long- running CBB English Language Teacher Training Project at a ceremony at the Ministry of Education recently. The project, which has been running since 2005, draws to a close this year. It grew out of six weekend workshops around the country and developed into the annual delivery of English language teacher training to approximately 200 English language teachers nationwide. More than 2,000 teachers have been trained through more..

Oct 12 (FT) The Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday confirmed that all 14 export processing zones (EPZs) are in operation, adhering to the Health Ministry policy decision to conduct PCR test for the factory workers. �All zones are in operation, but some of the enterprises are finding it challenging to cope up with their regular operations that require manpower involvement at factories as some of the employees are from the curfew areas,� more..

Oct 12 (AD) The student of a school in Chilaw who tested positive for COVID-19 in the first PCR test has later tested negative in the second and third PCR tests. Doctor from Bangadeniya area who treated the student has also tested negative for the novel coronavirus infection. Accordingly, the student and the doctor who were placed under quarantine at a private place have been released last night. A 17-year-old student from Welipelessa-Adippala, Arachchikattuwa had attended a tuition class more..

Oct 12 (CT) Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi visited Sri J'pura General Hospital last morning on the instructions of the Prez. Spokesman for the Ministry, said the main objective of the visit was to further enhance and improve patient care services provided by the hospital. He said Minister Wanniarachchi had held discussions with the Hospital�s Chairman, Director and other administrative officers. The discussions centred on existing issues regarding hospital admin more..

Oct 12 (CT) Supreme Court, which had perused Special Determination and Interlocutory Petitions concerning the proposed 20th Amendment Bill by the Govt, has deemed that four Clauses contained in the Bill, would need to be ratified not only with a two-thirds majority in Parliament, but also through a public referendum as well, stated informed sources. SC has also recommended that the immunity conferred on the President more..

Oct 12 (CT) Ampara District, which is known as the granary of the East, is to bring an extent of 109,000 acres under paddy cultivation during this Maha 2020/21. Another 10,822 acres would be brought under sugarcane. All sowing should be completed by 31 Oct, announced District Secretary D.M.L. Bandaranayake. The meeting to decide the calendar of Maha Paddy Cultivation 2020/21, of Gal- Oya Right bank in the Ampara District, was held at the Akkaraipattu Central College Auditorium more..

Oct 12 (Island) Former Governor of the Eastern Province M.L.A.M. Hizbullah had protected National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim, according to information he had received, alleged former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, on Friday, before the PCoI. Jayasundara said that there had been close links between Zahran and the Kattankudi Police. Thus, after a clash between the NTJ and another organisation called Sunnathul Wala Jamaat at Aliyar Junction in Kattankudy, in March 2017, more..

Oct 12 (AD) DIG Ajith Rohana says while they are confident on being able to control the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country, health experts at the Health Ministry will have the final say in whether or not to declare the presence of a community spread of the virus. However, it is visible that there is a control in the spread of the virus as they have not found any further cases in the curfew-imposed areas, he said. more..

Oct 12 (AD) Fifty-one more COVID-19 infections have been detected within the Minuwangoda cluster, stated Army Commander Lt General Shavendra Silva. Fifteen patients among them have been detected from the quarantine centers operated by the Sri Lanka Army. The remaining 36 are identified as close contacts of the Minuwangoda apparel factory employees. A total of 90 COVID-19 cases have been reported within the day so far. All of the new cases belong to Minuwangoda cluster. more..

Oct 12 (AD) Muttiah Muralitharan�s soon-to-be released biopic �800� will feature renowned Indian actor Vijay Sethupathi portraying the Sri Lanka spinner�s role in. On Twitter, noted film critic Taran Adarsh posted, �IT�S OFFICIAL... #VijaySethupathi to star in cricketer #MuthiahMuralidaran biopic... Directed by #MSSripathy... Produced by Movie Train Motion Pictures and Dar Motion Pictures. #MuralidaranBiopic.� Muttiah Muralitharan is considered one of the greatest bowlers more..

Oct 12 (AD) The case against the former Minister Champika Ranawaka and 2 others, regarding the 2016 Rajagiriya hit-and-run case, has been ordered to be taken up on Dec 11. The case was presented today before Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta. The DSG Dileep Peiris, representing the plaintiff, was directed by the Judge to facilitate the defense counsel to examine the computer generated evidence in the case, more..

Oct 12 (CT) The SLFP is dissatisfied over the actions of SLPP due to the fact that most of the promises made by the latter have yet to be fulfilled. These concerns were raised at a Media briefing held on Saturday by SLFP Vice Chairman Prof. Rohana Luxman Piyadasa. He said that as a party, they had to face many irregularities because the SLPP is not walking its talk. �The Agreements signed prior to the elections, including the Presidential and General, are in a questionable state today. more..

Oct 12 (CT) Medical Laboratory Technologists, at the MRI, lamented they were overwhelmed by the large number of samples they were receiving for PCR testing due to the magnitude of the present COVID-19 cluster, President of College of Medical Laboratory Science SL, Ravi Kumudesh said. He added, MRI had been able to manage the PCR tests carried out on all other clusters, namely the clusters at Keselwatta, Welisara Navy Camp, Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre, and more..