Oct 23 (DM) The Govt Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) today requested the govt to close all liquor shops and outlets to help increase the immunity of the people. The GMOA said due to the widespread of the COVID-19 virus in the country, it was essential to go for the immediate closure of all liquor shops. They also requested the Govt to promote the use of toxin-free traditional foods among the people and urge them to drink water regularly, to abstain from using liquor and prevent smoking. more..

Oct 23 (FT) Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2020, the premier economic forum, this year too will have a lineup of timely plenary discussions under the theme Roadmap for Take-Off: Driving a People-Centric Economic Revival. The private sector has often been labelled as the engine of economic growth though this has not been the case consistently due to numerous factors. Industry specialists will come together for a dialogue on how COVID-19 will impact the private sector�s role in driving growth and more..

Oct 23 (CT) Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena had not informed any SIS Officers deployed all over the country about the information received on 4 April 2019, that a group including Leader of the National Thowheed Jam�math , Zaharan Hashim, could launch a terrorist attack. This was revealed when SDIG Jayawardena testified before the PCoI into the Easter Sunday Bombings, more..

Oct 23 (Island) Remittance inflows to SL would deteriorate in the coming quarters exacerbating the country�s existing challenges, Fitch Ratings Frontier Markets Quarterly Report (3Q20) said recently. �We expect remittance inflows to deteriorate in the coming quarters, even though recent levels have been robust due to temporary factors, such as migrant workers transferring savings in preparation for their return home�. �However, a forecast 12% decline in remittances in 2H20 more..

Oct 23 (ST) Sri Lankan companies cultivating oil palm or processing palm oil are committed to achieving certification of their sustainability practices, similar to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification obtained by Watawala Plantations PLC, the Palm Oil Industry Association (POIA) said this week. Congratulating Watawala Plantations for becoming the first plantation company in South Asia to be awarded the prestigious RSPO certification, more..

Oct 23 (Island) The country�s failed socio-economic-political situation should not be blamed on its Constitution, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday. Participating in the second reading debate on the 20th Amendment, Dissanayake said that the failure of the yahapalana regime should not be equated with the 19th Amendment. �The 19th Amendment to the Constitution came into force under more..

Oct 23 (TM) A select committee would be appointed by the Govt to amend the election laws and to seek the possibilities for granting voting rights to Sri Lankans living abroad. At a meeting held between PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and Election Commission (EC) officials to discuss the strategic plans of the EC at Temple Trees recently, number of issues were brought up including the control of election expenses, the setting up of polling stations with facilities for the disabled, the e-voting system more..

Oct 23 (DM) The decision on whether to obtain evidence from Abdul Cader Fatima Hadiya, wife of NTJ Leader Zahran Hashim is to be announced today by the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks. Officers attached to the CID unit of the Commission, yesterday brought Zahran's wife to the Commission; but no evidence was recorded from her due to the prevailing circumstances. Senior Additional Solicitor General (SASG) Sarath Jayamanne and few other representatives from the AG Dept more..

Oct 23 (Island) The main issue with the 19th Amendment was that while it delegated responsibilities; it did not assign the necessary powers to ensure that those responsibilities could be fulfilled, Education Minister Prof. G L. Peiris told Parliament. Speaking during the second day of the two-day debate on the 20th Amendment, Minister elaborated that the best example was with regard to defence. �Under Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution, more..

Oct 23 (DM) SL Customs requested public cooperation in clearing only the essential goods to minimize unnecessary congestion at the Colombo Port since two of their Inspectors were found positive with Covid-19 yesterday and another 40 to be sent for quarantine. Two Customs Inspectors stationed at the New Container Gate (NCG), which is the main entrance to the Port for container trucks located on the Port Access Road linking Ingurukade Junction and the Port, were found positive more..

Oct 23 (DN) SJB maintains that those supporting terrorism and drug running should be given capital punishment, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday. He also said that drafting laws to implement the death penalty is a grave need of the time. He said the SJB stands for power sharing and not to concentrate power around one organ of the govt. He made this observation joining in the second stage debate on the 20th Amendment Bill which was debated for the second day. more..

Oct 23 (DN) Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Vasudeva Nanayakkara said they agreed to vote for the 20th Amendment after Prez Rajapaksa assured them that the new Constitution to be enacted next year will have clauses to prevent dual citizens entering Parliament or holding high ranking posts in the govt. NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa said he and the other members present will support the 20th more..

Oct 23 (FT) SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha unfurled the national flag of the US inside the parliamentary Chamber as he spoke during the 20th Amendment debate. Jayamaha said the sole purpose of bringing about the 20th Amendment is to enable persons holding US-Lankan dual citizenship to become Members of Parliament. �There would be a day soon where the American citizens come here as MPs. 20th Amendment is to pave the way for that purpose,� the SJB MP said. more..

Oct 23 (FT) To mark its 75th anniversary in 2020, the United Nations is igniting a global debate, UN75. Launched by UN Secy-Gen Ant�nio Guterres, UN75 aims to be the largest and furthest-reaching worldwide conversation ever on building the future we want. By listening and learning, responding and engaging with as many people and constituencies as possible, this global event will also be an opportunity to trigger a dialogue about the UN itself. UN Day in SL, celebrated virtually on 23 Oct, more..

Oct 23 (FT) The 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution Bill was passed in Parliament last night with 156 MPs voting for the Bill and 65 against. With support from seven MPs from minorities and main Opposition SJB Assistant Secretary MP Diana Gamage, Govt secured the two-third majority in the 225-member Legislature to pass the constitutional amendment which would strengthen the hand of Executive and restore the powers more..

Oct 23 (FT) Ministry of Justice issued an invitation to the public to submit proposals for consideration by an expert committee established to draft a new constitution to replace the Second Republican Constitution of SL. The public is requested to submit proposals by 30 Nov 2020, and they are requested to be brief. The sub-text from the Ministry of Justice is: This is a technical document. Pleases do not express your dreams, your hopes and your fears about the direction of the country or more..

Oct 23 (FT) To revive a flagging economy, central banks the world over often resort to interest rate cuts. As commonly held, low interest rates lead to increased borrowings which then lead to investment and the eventual revival of the economy. To the laymen, the esotericism of economic theory may make little sense, as that sweeping putdown by an amateur economist once had it, �Surely they do not know the difference between Treasury Bonds and James Bond!� more..

Oct 23 (AD) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has funded the construction of an IT lab at the Paranagamawewa Vidyalaya, Welioya, in collaboration with the Security Forces Headquarters Wanni. The contribution of the Bank includes financial support for the purchase of building materials to construct a building for the lab, and donations of furniture, solar panels to power the school, and computers. The engineering services and labour required for this operation were more..

Oct 23 (FP) India's fears of Sri Lanka, under Prez Rajapaksa, dipping further into Chinese debt seems to be proving true earlier than thought with the country seeking an additional grant of $700 million from the China Development Bank. While this is part of a syndicated $1.2 billion loan, Colombo's decision to continue borrowing from the Chinese amid a heightened tension between India and China and despite SL's commitment to put India first, shows that the island nation's financial status more..

Oct 23 (FT) Some of the world�s top T20 cricketers picked to play in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) may miss the opening matches if their team�s figure in the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), said Tournament Director Ravin Wickramaratne. The LPL is scheduled to commence on 21 Nov with the match between Colombo Kings and Galle Gladiators. more..

Oct 23 (DN) The Sri Lankan insurance industry achieved a growth rate of 8.64% in terms of overall Gross Written Premium (GWP) for both long term and general insurance business sectors in 2019. The total GWP income for both sectors was Rs. 196,513 million compared to Rs. 180,880 million in 2018, recording an increase of Rs. 15,633 million. The long term insurance sector generated a GWP of Rs. 88,781 million in 2019, up by 10.57% against the GWP of Rs. 80,294 mil generated in 2018. more..

Oct 23 (AD) Depat for Registration of Persons has decided to suspend its public services including the one-day service due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country. Thereby, its Head Office and all provincial offices will remain closed until further notice, the Commissioner General of the Dept said in a notice published today. However, issuance of National Identity Cards (NICs) will continue to be carried out at departmental units in Divisional Secretariats, the notice read further. more..

Oct 23 (NIA) Sri Lankan Female Migrant Domestic Workers (FMDW) tend to indulge in circular migration in which they go back and forth between the home country and the country of employment. Called circular migration this is one of the most visible patterns in the Sri Lanka-Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) migration corridor. Therefore, it demands deep and continuous study, says Madhuka Wickramarachchi, more..

Oct 23 (EN) Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Hesha Withanage wants party leaders Rishad Bathiudeen and Rauff Hakeem expelled from the alliance because all their MPs have crossed over to the govt. Speaking to reporters this morning, he said that the party unanimously decided to oppose the 20th amendment during the parliamentary group meeting, �when party Leader Sajith Premadasa asked for anyone who is for the 20A everyone raised their hands against the 20A,� he said. more..

Oct 23 (PW) Garment workers in Sri Lanka were herded off into quarantine by the army in the middle of the night following a rapid increase of infections at their factory. Unions say that this could have been avoided by forming the recommended health committees. According to reports, on Oct. 19, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the town of Minuwangoda increased to 2,122, including more than a thousand workers at Brandix Apparel Ltd., their close contacts, and family members. more..

Oct 23 (EN) No island wide curfew will be imposed this weekend (Oct 24, 25), SL Army spokesman Colonel Vijitha Hettiarachchi said. Hettiarachchi issuing a statement said other than the 35 police areas currently under quarantine curfew, authorities will not impose a curfew on other areas. Meanwhile, the GMOA called for a zonal lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. �Earlier we talked about individual clusters more..

Oct 23 (AD) The suspected Covid-19 patient, who was reported missing from Salawa govt hospital, has been located. 26-year-old was found at a home unit on the 13th floor of Sahaspura Flats in Borella. The youth had reportedly escaped from the Salawa govt hospital in Kosgama this morning and a search operation was launched to trace him. Patient was identified as a resident of Sedawatta in Wellampitiya. Health authorities and the police have taken measures to hospitalize the escapee again. more..

Oct 23 (NIA) Defence Adviser to High Commission of India, Captain (IN) Vikas Sood called on COMEAST SLN, GOC 22 Division SLA, Commandant SLAF academy, China Bay and Area Commander SFHQ (East) on 16,17 and 20 Oct 20 respectively. Matters of Bilateral Defence Cooperation and support to strengthen defence relationship between two countries were discussed during these meetings. Towards ensuring a closer People to People contact initiative by more..

Oct 23 (CT) The CID yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Mohammad Mihal, the probe conducted by them against Swiss Embassy employee Garnier Bannister Francis, on charges of providing bogus information to destabilise the Govt, had been concluded. They said, they now intend to indict Francis, before the Colombo High Court shortly. Francis, who was arrested and produced in Court on the aforesaid charge, more..

Oct 23 (AD) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has received a complaint in connection with the death of drug kingpin Madush Lakshitha alias Makandure Madush, who was killed in a shooting on Tuesday. Complaint has been presented by the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners while its Secretary, Sudesh Silva, said they also intend to initiate legal action with regard to this. He also said that they are prepared to inform int'l organizations regarding incident in the future. more..

Oct 23 (AD) George Steuart Teas laid the foundation stone for a modern, state of the art Tea processing and packaging facility in Thalwatta, Kelaniya. This complex will be built on a 6 acre land extent and the building area will cover over 150,000 sq/feet. The facility will carry out tea and packing material storing, processing, blending, bagging and packaging. Furthermore the manufacturing process follows ISO 9001:2015 , ISO22000:2018, HACCP, GMP and Organic standards. more..

Oct 23 (CT) PM�s Chief of Staff, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, said UNF Govt misused the Offences Against Public Property Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, to remand him and his family. Testifying before the PCoI appointed to probe the political victimisation of public officials during the tenure of the UNF Govt, he added that most investigations that took place during the tenure of the UNF Govt were conducted with more..

Oct 23 (FT) Richard Pieris Group (RPG) said it has invested Rs. 1 billion into the capital of its subsidiary finance company. RPG said it recently invested Rs. 650 million in Tier I and Tier II capital of Richard Pieris Finance Ltd. A further investment of Rs. 350 million has also been made in in order to strengthen the capital. These infusions have brought the total Tier I and Tier II capital investment in Richard Pieris Finance Ltd. during the current financial year to Rs. 1 billion, and more..

Oct 23 (DM) Four residents at Golf Wing 6, Apartment 6/9/1 have tested positive for Covid-19, issuing a statement, the Trillium Residencies, Colombo, said. It said under the strict supervision of area PHI and Medical Officer of Health, the infected patients had been transferred out from Trillium Residencies. Residents have been instructed to contact the Property Manager if they had been in close contact with the infected ones. �We shall follow instructions from PHI and MOH strictly more..

Oct 23 (EN) SL is a leader in battling the Coronavirus compared to many other countries Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi told Parliament today as she closed the day-long debate on the current second wave of infections which has engulfed much of the island. Thirteen districts in the country have reported cases as of today and 609 new patients were traced today with nearly 500 coming from the Peliyagoda Fish market more..

Oct 23 (DM) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will present options for SL to partner with the US on economic development, Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean Thompson said. He said, �In the interest of strengthening our longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka and reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region, we encourage Sri Lanka to review the options we offer for transparent and sustainable economic development in contrast to discriminatory and opaque practices,� more..

Oct 23 (EN) SL should decide whether to keep the country running in a new normal situation where the Covid 19 pandemic is accepted as a reality we have to deal with or go in for a lockdown once again, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament. Opening a debate on the current Covid situation Dissanayake said the country appreciates the work of the govt, the Health Services and the Security Forces in containing the pandemic but �we have to realize that we are in midst of a 2nd wave� more..

Oct 23 (AD) A group of MPs of SJB have called for the suspension of membership of SLMC and ACMC members who voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. In a letter directed to SJB�s General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara today, 22 party members expressed dissent over the conduct of SLMC and ACMC members who supported the constitutional amendment during the vote in Parliament more..

Oct 23 (AD) Fisheries harbour in Beruwala has been closed off after 20 fish vendors were exposed to Covid-19. In addition, Beruwala PS building and the Aluthgama Fish Market were also temporarily closed due to the prevailing situation. Nearly 700 fishermen, vendors and their contacts are expected to be referred to PCR tests today. Health authorities had carried out 100 random PCR tests at the fisheries harbour yesterday in the light of increasing numbers of Covid-19 infections connected to more..