Sep 3 (EN) The fire aboard the crude oil carrier MT New Diamond which is 38 kilometers off the eastern coast of the island has broken out again and the flames have reached the bridge, SL Navy said. The fire in the engine room of the ship which they thought was under control is now raging. It is yet to reach the cargo area which is full of crude oil. The ship is now abandoned as all the men except for one missing crewmen have been brought on tozz0331906603466765 more..

Sep 1 (CT) Since the appointment of Ali Sabry as Minister of Justice by Prez Rajapaksa, Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) has once again come into public focus. It is now common knowledge, how, after 10 years of labouring, when Justice Saleem Marsoof Committee (JSMC) delivered its report last year with a number of sensible and progressive reforms, they were sabotaged by a coalition of conservative forces, headed by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama more..

Sep 1 (CT) A five-person committee has been named to draft the 20th amendment. It comprises Ministers Ali Sabry, Prof GL Peiris, Dinesh Gunawardena, Udaya Gammanpila, and Nimal Siripala de Silva. There isn�t a single Tamil, and therefore no Tamil perspective, though the Tamil Question has been at the heart of constitutional reform efforts for four decades (since late-1983) and Douglas Devananda would have been an obvious choice. more..

Sep 1 (Roar) Piyumi* and Kavishka* are both 17, and have been in a relationship for six months, began Tracy Holsinger, the founder and director of Mind Adventures Theatre Company, as she explained to Roar Media the storyline of one of her company�s forum theatre productions, Consent and Complicity. Based on true events, the story goes like this: Kavishka is ready for a physical relationship and has been asking Piyumi� more..

Sep 1 (CT) Growth in Colombo�s overall land value decelerated to its lowest level by marginally growing by 2% to 141.6 points in the first half (1H) of this year over the second half (2H) of last year since Central Bank started computing such half yearly data two years ago in 2018. These developments have to be looked at in the context that first quarter (1Q) growth contracted by 1.6%, its lowest in 73 quarters, after growth contracted by 3.6% in 4Q 2001, in the backdrop of the LTTE attack more..

Sep 1 (GV) Today (30) is International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. �I am the luckiest mother in Sri Lanka. I got my son�s body back. There are thousands of mothers who never get their children�s bodies back.� Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu was speaking after the inquest of her son, journalist and writer Richard de Zoysa, whose tortured body had washed up on a beach in Moratuwa in Feb 1990. Richard was dragged from home by armed men in the middle of night. more..

Sep 1 (DM) Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda who is also the leader of EPDP speaks about changes of political dynamics in the north and the east. He said though his party had got one more seat in Parliament, it fell short of expectations. Also, he said there are plans to sort out the fishery issue with India. Q: How do you analyse the results of the elections in the N&E? A: There is a change among people. more..

Sep 1 (DM) The US last week announced sanctions on 24 Chinese State-Owned-Enterprises, including five subsidiaries of China�s construction giant, China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), the main contractor of the Colombo Port City, effectively upping the ante of an increasingly open trade war between US and China. Chinese companies were added to the Entity list of the US Department of Commerce ostensibly for their role in construction of artificial islands in South China Sea, more..

Sep 1 (DM) SL politicians seem to be more obsessed with ethnic, religious and caste related issues rather than the issues that would primarily contribute to the development of the country such as technology, creativity and sharing experience with others including the international community. Election campaigns of almost all political parties are normally based on ethnicity and religion related issues, in the guise of patriotism. And it is a well known fact that the caste plays a major role more..

Sep 1 (Island) Sri Lanka recently had a nationwide blackout that cost millions, and even compromised its security. A blackout may be compared to a sudden heart attack, leaving a debilitated individual. This was the fifth heart attack suffered by the grid since the end of the Eelam wars, with blackouts in 2009, 2015, twice in 2016, and on 17th August 2020. So we have a chronically sick patient. The CEB authorities have conveniently ascribed the problem to human error. more..

Sep 1 (Island) It looks as though waste management, in this country, had come to mean keeping cities clean while other areas are stinking. Whenever garbage piles up in urban centres, there is a great furore, which prompts municipal authorities to remove it. But hardly anyone cares two hoots about where all the city waste ends up unless there occurs a landfill disaster like the one at Meethotamulla in 2017. Garbage dumps have made lives miserable for tens of thousands of more..

Sep 1 (FT) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that there would be no reversal in the Govt decision to restrict import of turmeric and other such items. �The step we have taken forward will not be taken back. By firmly sticking to the policy measures that have been taken, the cost of living will be reduced,� the President told the inaugural meeting with members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Cost of Living which he chairs. more..

Sep 1 (TM) There is considerable discussion today in print and electronic media about SL�s 19th Amendment (19A). 19A was passed by the 225-member SL Parliament, with 215 voting in favour on 28 April 2015. The Amendment, inter alia, diluted powers of the Executive Presidency, restored many components of the 17th Amendment, enabled the Constitutional Council, and set up independent commissions. Given the volume of writings on the merits and demerits of our own 19A, more..

Sep 1 (ST) Although the immediate task of the Govt is to resolve the present economic crisis and stabilise the economy, people�s expectations are that the new Govt with its massive mandate would navigate the economy from its current economic crisis to long term economic stability and growth. The immediate macroeconomic tasks of the Govt include the mitigation of the external financial vulnerability and reduction of the fiscal deficit that have been discussed in previous columns. more..

Sep 1 (FT) The Vehicle Importers Association of SL said it had a host of concerns in satisfying the new directive for permit holders and called on the Govt to provide greater clarity and a firm timeline on when it planned to recommence imports. The Finance Ministry recently announced that the Govt would permit vehicle permit holders to buy unregistered vehicles from the local market using tax concessions whilst continuing with the ban on imports. more..

Sep 1 (Island) For a record 15th year, John Keells Holdings (JKH), was ranked as the Most Respected Entity in SL, in the recently released edition of LMD�s Most Respected Entities issue. In terms of the 10 attribute rankings, JKH has taken the lead in five categories, namely Quality Consciousness, Management Profile, Dynamism, Corporate Culture and Vision. JKH retained its position as the Most Respected entity by garnering the highest number of votes (1,125) in a survey commissioned and more..

Sep 1 (DN) Lakshmi Victoria was re-elected President of the Sri Lanka Netball Association uncontested at the AGM held at the Sports Ministry Auditorium yesterday. This was the third time Lakshmi Victoria was elected for the top post. Victoria who is also the Vice President of the Asian Netball Federation said we wanted to get Netball to a high standard with the support of all and also plan to change our Constitution on legal advice. We have a very young Sports Minister and more..

Sep 1 (DM) Consumer prices in the mostly urban Colombo district decelerated in August from July as non-food prices eased, while the prices of the food basket continued its ascent. The consumer prices measured based on the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) rose 4.1% during the twelve months to August, decelerating from 4.2% in July. July prices mainly rose due to non-food items such as healthcare, clothing and transport more..

Sep 1 (DM) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that drinking water supply will have to be restricted due to the prevailing drought which had dried up water sources in most parts of the country. They said the continuous supply of drinking water for 24 hours would have to be restricted in this situation and water supply to hilly areas will be under low pressure. NWSDB requested people to use water sparingly in these difficult times and requested to contact their emergency more..

Sep 1 (DN) With the inaugural Vantage FFSL President�s Cup soccer tournament has reached its final stage with Colombo Football Club taking on Blue Eagles Sports Club on Wednesday, Daily News decided to get the views and their feedbacks on this tournament from the respective chairman�s of the clubs. Saif Yusoof, the Chairman of Colombo FC said that this was a much-needed tournament to promote sport and football in Sri Lanka during the times of crisis. more..

Sep 1 (CT) The Indian CID expresses suspicion that Angoda Lokka alias Lasantha Perera, who fled to India and was in hiding, had been setting up a drug racket network in India from Coimbatore. According to the Indian CID, it has been confirmed that Angoda Lokka had been engaged in a business of supplying high protein milk powder to enhance muscle growth to physical fitness centres in Coimbatore. more..

Sep 1 (DM) Taxi hailing app, Uber launched in Colombo its new package delivery service Uber Connect, which will allow residents of Colombo to send and receive parcels within city limits. �We are thrilled to be launching Uber Connect which will help users send and receive packages to their friends and family or order items from shops, all from the comfort and safety of their homes,� said Uber General Manager Sri Lanka and South & East India Subodh Sangwan in a statement to media. more..

Sep 1 (DM) Aligning with the vision and the imperatives set out by the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication, Fonterra Brands Lanka is accelerating its export efforts of value-added dairy. A sample batch of the value-added dairy products to be exported was handed over to Basil Rajapaksa, Chairman of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication Task Force. This comes as a timely initiative by Fonterra in supporting the national priorities set out by more..

Sep 1 (FT) The Chinese Embassy yesterday issuing a statement urged the US administration to immediately stop interfering in China�s internal affairs, following the recent sanctions of the US and the US Ambassador�s interview on the Daily FT. The full statement is as follows. US administration newly banned 24 Chinese companies from buying American products with an accusation of them constructing on Chinese islands and more..

Sep 1 (DN) Former UNP Minister Vajira Abeywardena yesterday expressed his intention to take up the party reins citing 38 years� experience in politics. He said that he is the most senior UNP working Committee member after former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and he received a number of requests from the Maha Sangha and the members of academia to accept the UNP leadership. Abeywardena said that he is capable of reviving the party if he is offered the party leadership. more..

Sep 1 (CT) Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage in consultation with the GMOA has decided to provide rice based gruel (kenda) to schoolchildren instead of a glass of milk. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that Aluthgamage had taken this decision following a discussion with officers from the GMOA. Ministry said the GMOA had urged Aluthgamage to consider providing a glass of rice kenda to school-children as the total production output in milk was not sufficient to more..

Sep 1 (DM) Prisons Department is in a state of perplexity as to allow convicted Premalal Jayasekera alias Choka Malli to attend Parliament proceedings. Prisons Commissioner Chandana Ekanayake said that they hope to write to the Secretary to the Justice Ministry on the matter and then arrive at a decision. �The Attorney General has also told that Premalal Jayasekara has no right to take oaths as an MP. more..

Sep 1 (Island) Ambassador Godfrey Cooray met the Managing Director of Norwegian lobster farm, Asbj�n Drenstig, a leading businessman in lobster farming in Norway. Drenstig was also involved in the SL-Norway business matchmaking programme as an Advance Partner with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and had done a case study on Evaluation of Norwegian Business-related Assistance Ambassador Cooray discussed with Drenstig the potential and importance of more..

Sep 1 (Island) U.S. Ambassador to SL Alaina B. Teplitz opened the new Khoonethivu Navalar school in Sampur on Aug 26. The new facilities include a two-story classroom building with eight classrooms, a rainwater harvesting system with a 30,000 liter storage tank, and washrooms with facilities for both male and female students, teachers, and people with disabilities. US and SL Ministry of Education invested 93 million rupees in this project, which was an initiative of USINDOPACOM. more..

Sep 1 (PMD) Prez Rajapaksa emphasizes that appropriate measures will be taken to reduce the cost of living by implementing the decisions already taken while adhering to a consistent policy without moving backwards. Prices of several consumer goods, including turmeric, have risen due to decisions taken to uplift local agricultural industry and the farming community. Prez points out that if turmeric and more..

Sep 1 (ANI) PM of Bhutan Lotay Tshering on Monday condoled the demise of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee. "On behalf of the people of Bhutan, I offer our deepest condolences to the people of India on the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. We offer our sincere prayers and wish his family all the strength," Bhutan Prime Minister said in a tweet. Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksha said he was saddened to hear about the passing of the former Indian President. more..

Sep 1 (AN) Religious and ethnic parties must be banned: they do nothing but divide the country, says Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, in his homily for the National Day of the Sick, delivered in the basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Tewatte. Referring to the Easter attacks last year, and to the slow progress in investigations to find the culprits, Cardinal recalled that religion must not divide or kill people: "If one religion destroys another, what is its meaning? Show me where such a God is!". more..

Sep 1 (CT) Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna that investigations conducted into suspect Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officers, who had maintained contacts with big time illegal drug traffickers, had revealed that the heroin stocks, prior to distribution, had been stuffed into packages, with a different colour for each region, for identification purposes of suspects. more..

Sep 1 (DM) The new leader of UNP can join the SJB if he wishes to do so, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Banadara said. He that a new UNP leader who ever it would be, is welcomed to join SJB. He said this in response to a question raised by the journalists as to whether SJB would be willing to work with former State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene as the new leader of the UNP. �We have already decided to contest future elections as SJB under the telephone symbol and UNP can join us more..

Sep 1 (DM) The official website of the Sri Dalada Maligawa came under cyber attack twice today, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara said. He told said that the website was under attack this morning and evening. "Soon after the attack in the morning, the site was restored, unfortunately, the site was hacked for the second time today," the Diyawadana Nilame said. The technicians informed that the second attack was from Nigeria and the restoring process is underway, he said. more..

Sep 1 (AD) Premalal Jayasekara, who has been sentenced to death, is not qualified to serve as a MP, according to the Attorney General. The AG has informed the Ministry of Justice and the Secretary General of Parliament upon an inquiry made by the Commissioner General of Prisons. Accordingly, if Jayasekara loses his parliamentary seat, the next member will be selected by lottery, which will be the first time in the history of more..

Sep 1 (FT) While in flow, historical happenings do not always presage their latent potential. It is later, with the benefit of time, that the historian sketches the full picture of the direct, as well as the indirect developments of history changing events. In violent upheavals, in bloody wars and revolutions, there are immediate winners and there are apparent losers. The winner, carrying his trophy, struts on the public stage, while the loser sulks, sometimes even losing his head. more..

Sep 1 (FT) The other day on the show Gravitas, it was claimed that China is pushing SL to drop India and her other allies. The examples to substantiate this assertion were: confusion regarding India and Japan�s Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) Project, suspension of the Japan-funded Light Rail Project, and the possibility of abandoning the US-backed MCC. In sum, the telecast insinuated that SL was losing longstanding friends and drifting deeper into China�s orbit. more..