Sep 24 (FT) International human rights activist Muheed Jeeran, in a meeting with Imports and Exports Controller Damayanthi Karunaratne this week, has taken up a host of issues connected to the restrictions imposed by the Govt on essential foods and non-essential items, as part of managing pressure on scarce foreign reserves as well as promoting local industries. Following the meeting, Jeeran said the Controller agreed to his suggestion that every sector should be treated more..

Sep 24 (NR) The number of novel coronavirus cases confirmed in the country has increased to 3,327. The Department of Government Information said a returnee each from Kuwait, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates, all of whom were undergoing quarantine, tested positive for the virus today. COVID-19 recoveries recorded in Sri Lanka increased to 3,142, with another 13 persons discharged from hospitals, after fully recovering from coronavirus in the past 24 hours. more..

Sep 24 (Island) TMVP leader and MP, S. Chandrakanthan, has been appointed the Co-Chairman of the Batticaloa District Coordinating Committee in keeping with an understanding between his party and the SLPP. Chandrakanthan aka Pilleyan received his letter of appointment from PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament on Tuesday. One-time deputy to Karuna Amman following the 2003 split in the LTTE, Chandrakanthan is more..

Sep 24 (DM) Leader of UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to nominate the former minister John Amaratunga as the party�s national list member to the parliament. Accordingly, he is due to take oath as the national list member within the next two weeks. The former minister, on enquiry, said he was informed by the Party leader about him being appointed as the national list member to Parliament and he will take oath after some vacant executive posts of the party are filled. more..

Sep 24 (TM) It has been decided to consider alternative educational qualifications to the GCE O/L for the appointment of Justices of the Peace over the age of 60, said Ali Sabry, Minister of Justice in Parliament today. In addition, the GCE O/L is to be considered as the minimum qualification for the appointment of Justice of the Peace under the age of 60. The Minister was responding to a question posed by MP Shantha Bandara. He further stated that it was not appropriate to recruit more..

Sep 24 (FT) The Finance Ministry is in the process of obtaining a $ 100 million concessionary loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for small and medium enterprises within the tourism industry, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament on Tuesday. Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament on measures the Govt has put in place to assist the ailing tourist industry, more..

Sep 24 (EN) SL�s military on Wednesday (23) apprehended a haul of contraband turmeric and cannabis along with four Sri Lankan suspects. According to the army�s media unit, a total of 205.7 kilograms of turmeric and 104 kilograms of Kerala ganja (cannabis) were found on two separate occasions. Army troops manning roadblocks along the Medawachchiya-Mannar road around 6.30 last evening had stopped a suspicious-looking Dimo Batta mini truck and upon searching more..

Sep 24 (CT) SLPP MP Sagara Kariyawasam, yesterday (23), proposed in Parliament to increase the number of members of the Election Commission (EC) from three to five. Moving an adjournment motion on the progressive report of the EC pertaining to the time period from 7 July, 2019, to 30 September, 2019, he said: �Number of members of the EC has created serious issues. For example, one member of the EC openly said not to vote for a particular political party during last election. more..

Sep 24 (EN) An ongoing import ban on motorcycles has affected a large number of middle-class Sri Lankans, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said. The ban has negatively affected rural and urban populations as well as state and private sector employees, Premadasa told parliament. The motorcycle is the transport mode of choice for a majority of SL�s vehicle owners. Over 370,000 new motorcycles were registered in 2015 more..

Sep 24 (Island) State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa told parliament yesterday that policemen were there for the protection of the people and not to carry the files and bags of MPs. Minister said: Policemen are there to carry out police duties. There are about 85,000 policemen. Of them, 38,000 have been assigned for close protection duties of MPs and others. But if the MPs have no confidence to go among people without the police protection that is something the MPs should be ashamed of. more..

Sep 24 (PHC) Major General (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak, High Commissioner of Pakistan, held a cordial meeting with the Honorable Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa along with MPs Harsha De Silva & Eran Wikramaratne in his office today. During the meeting several topics of common interest came under discussion including areas like trade, sports, and education etc. Both the honorable Leader of the Opposition and High Commissioner agreed that bilateral cooperation more..

Sep 24 (EN) National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) denied that, contrary to reports circulating on social media, it had given permission for prawn farming projects that could negatively impact the environment. NAQDA said false reports circulating on social media about alleged freshwater prawn farming, primarily in the Puttalam district, showed unrealistic environmental damage. more..

Sep 25 (Island) I thought of writing the following note after reading a recent news item about the interest of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to solve the human-elephant conflict. By the way I am an Irrigation engineer who has worked for Mahaweli Projects since the 1970s while developing the dry zone forests areas for irrigated agriculture. The main purpose of this note is to put forth a proposal to solve this conflict, from a different perspective based on my field experience. more..

Sep 25 (DM) Sri Lanka stakes a claim for some of the best books written by Asian authors, but sadly these authors have to take the books to readers in a country like ours. Books can take you on a journey, to a past which is often contested by historians and nationalists. From the times of Vijaya landing in Sri Lanka to the Indian Peace Keeping Force marching onto our soil there are happenings recorded in books that must be preserved for the sake of the generations to come. more..

Sep 25 (SO) Several attempts to smuggle turmeric were foiled by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) over the past week as the govt continued to hold onto its decision to ban the import of the spice to promote local production. SLN in a press release last week stated that the SL Coast Guard seized about 1058kg of dried turmeric being smuggled into the country in the estuary of Deduru Oya, Chilaw. During a special patrol in estuary of Deduru more..

Sep 25 (CT) With over 2000 years of a Monarch system and over 4 centuries of colonial rule, most people have been led to believe that only an authoritarian govt employing rigid disciplinary methods could govern an already oppressed human society. However, because people have an innate desire for freedom, the forces of liberty and oppression have been in continuous conflict throughout history. Sadly, politically frustrated people, even in our nation, who recently more..

Sep 25 (DM) There�s a Core Group on Sri Lanka operating in international circles. It is made of five European countries (Germany, North Macedonia, Montenegro and the UK) and one North American, Canada. A political bloc, then, essentially and one whose general ideological and political thrusts are no secret. It would have been better if there was a core group that was more representative both geographically and politically, but then this is what global-slant does. Fine. more..

Sep 25 (CT) Dropping a bombshell regarding the Public Transport Service and its irregularities, Prez of Lanka Private Bus Owners� Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne disclosed that bus operators and employees have to pay around Rs 200 million per month to those working in State institutions seeking bribes, including timekeepers at bus stations. According to him, even though the revelation was made last week the mafia more..

Sep 25 (CT) When SL opened up its economy in 1977, its three top foreign exchange (FX) earners were tea, rubber and coconut. Post-1977, these were replaced by remittances, garments and tourism with tea being relegated to fourth place, while rubber and coconut has fallen further behind, with rubber and rubber products and coconut, ending up at the eighth and thirteenth places last year, according to the Central Bank (CB). In the fifth to the seventh places and 9th to 12th places, respectively, more..

Sep 25 (CT) It was a major milestone for one of SL�s most important projects. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa posed for photographers and happily swung a golf club for the assembled Media during an inspection tour of Colombo Port City to mark the 6th Anniversary of the mega project. But the Port City is much more than a new golf club. Supporters of the project say it will be a game changer for modern service development in SL, made up of financial, ICT and professional services more..

Sep 25 (CT) If anything, the TNA may be blamed for resting on its laurels. The party was so sure that Tamils would march to their tune that they hardly campaigned for the vote at the last general election. They even engaged in backbiting. In bed with the UNP, they hardly challenged the UNP when it neglected the people. Party leaders turned on each other for the preferential vote. The electoral reverses of the TNA were telling, when the TNA vote went down and Mahinda Rajapaksa was able to more..

Sep 25 (Island) People curse this phenomenon called traffic congestion in Colombo and the suburbs. However, it has to be unequivocally conceded that the populace has to get about on their daily chores and obligations. The result is traffic, with or without congestion, and we have to come to terms with the fact that it will be there, whether we like it or not. Many deem traffic congestion to be a spectacle that is an eyesore. But it can be solved and current apparently impenetrable problem more..

Sep 25 (AD) UNICEF commended the Govt of SL for adopting two critical policy reforms that will increase the minimum age of labour, and ensure that no child enters the adult prison system. UNICEF said the decision to increase the minimum age of labour from 14 years to 16 years will align labour laws to fit within the mandatory age of education, which is also 16 years. This initiative, which was led by the Ministry of Labour, enables meaningful more..

Sep 25 (Island) National Congress MP A.L.M. Athaulla caused quite a stir in Parliament on Tuesday. In he walked wearing a dress, which became something like a red rag to a bull for some MPs, who protested, demanding that he be removed from the Chamber. One of his fellow Muslim MPs shouted from the Opposition benches that his dress looked like the national costume of Afghan males, and demanded that he leave the Chamber forthwith. Athaulla complied, but subsequently more..

Sep 25 (FT) The Sri Lankan rupee will appreciate once the inflow of foreign exchange begins from the SWAP agreements provided to foreigners who invest in govt securities, State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal told Parliament yesterday. Cabraal made the remark in response to a question raised by SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, on the decision made by the Cabinet to set off any exchange losses that may occur due to depreciation when transferring profits with the Central Bank. more..

Sep 25 (FT) The SLFP will decide its stance on the proposed 20th Amendment following discussions with party members, SLFP MP Weerakumara Dissanayake said. MP at first stated the party will vote for the proposed 20th Amendment, but later said the party will make a decision following discussions. �While the SLFP takes the positives in the proposed amendment, it will also intervene to further improve it,� more..

Sep 25 (TM) Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA Sri Lanka) President Manil Jayesinghe recently continued to push companies in SL to adopt integrated reporting and integrated thinking if companies were truly keen on remaining sustainable and successful on the long term. Addressing a forum on integrated reporting organised by CA SL recently, Jayesinghe urged companies and professionals to adopt the integrated reporting framework for their maximum benefit as it is an important more..

Sep 25 (FT) The Commissioner General of Lands has cancelled a Gazette Notification issued earlier this month to expedite the issuance of legal documents to those who have occupied or developed State lands without any document. Land Commissioner General R.M.C.M. Herath issued the new Gazette cancelling the earlier one on Tuesday after the move to distribute state land came under criticism from environmental groups and others over fears this would lead to a massive land grab. more..

Sep 25 (CT) Lack of support for talented young athletes has always been a main area of concern when considering the downfall of athletics in Sri Lanka, where top young athletes tend to give up athletics at the end of their school career. Crysbro along with the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) has now come up with a project to change that course, where they will sponsor young athletes from the tender age of 15-16 to win int'l medals more..

Sep 25 (HCI) 174 Indian nationals including an infant were repatriated from Sri Lanka on a special Air India flight AI 1284 from Colombo to Mumbai and Delhi on 24 Sept. The flight was scheduled as part of Vande Bharat Mission a Govt of India initiative to undertake the largest ever repatriation from all over the world for return of Indian nationals stranded abroad due to COVID19 pandemic. Over 1.3 million Indians have been repatriated so far through different modes of the Vande Bharat Mission more..

Sep 25 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa has appointed investment banker turned tech entrepreneur Jayamin Pelpola to the board of the BOI, with immediate effect. Jayamin has over 10 years of int'l investment banking and asset management experience working for Goldman Sachs and Nomura USA. He is the only Sri Lankan to have worked in the prestigious Principal Strategies group at Goldman Sachs, an award-winning team recognised for its creative and highest yielding more..

Sep 25 (FT) Central Bank has issued operating instructions to Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) on the USD/LKR Buy - Sell Currency SWAPs for tenors beyond one year and up to two years under the scheme named Inward Investments SWAPs Scheme (IIS Scheme). The move is to encourage fresh foreign inflows to the country. Central Bank said the objective of offering the lIS Scheme is to hedge more..

Sep 25 (CT) SL Track & Field Athletes Wing, a novel concept comprising National Athletes, was officially formed yesterday, and at the inaugural meeting former sprinter turned thrower Joy Danushka Perera was elected President. Sprinter Shehan Ambepitiya (recently retired), who now works in the marketing field, was elected Secretary, while jumper Dhanuka Liyanapathirana was elected Treasurer. The Wing is formed with the intention of identifying up and coming talent and to uplift the sport they love. more..

Sep 25 (ST) An initiative of the UDA, a new 11-storey housing complex situated on Colombage Mawatha, Narahenpita is part of the govt�s long-term Urban Regeneration Project. Urban Regeneration Project focuses on enhancing the status and livelihoods of under-privileged communities in urban areas around SL�s capital. As such, the project aims to construct 70,000 housing units for communities living in underserved settlements and slums without access to basic infrastructure facilities more..

Sep 25 (FT) Govt will gradually ease restrictions on imports that were put in place to reduce the outflow of foreign exchange, but it will be done in a manner that the emerging local businesses are not negatively impacted, State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. �Govt will assess the situation and balance the economy and competing interests. We had to take certain temporary measures to take economy forward but will relax them more..

Sep 25 (DN) Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said that athletes should not make lack of infrastructure facilities as an excuse for not winning medals and questioned whether the athletes are making the maximum use of the resources that we have. He was speaking in an event at the Colombo School of Business and Management recently. The Minister further added �We hear a lot of people making statements saying that there are no proper facilities nowadays to engage in sports�, more..

Sep 25 (DN) National Shooting Sport Federation of SL (NSSF) held its AGM for 2020 at the Mega Pharma Auditorium in Kohuwala recently with Affiliates of NSSF also participated. NSSF was one of the sports bodies highly affected by COVID-19 and the calendar for 2020, which had 10 local and 11 international meets, was limited to only one international event this year. At the AGM, Gamini Costa, the Project Officer for shooting sports, assured that he would do his utmost to more..

Sep 25 (AD) President Maitripala Rajapaksa has emphasized the need to reform the country�s education system in order to create a citizen who can optimally contribute to the future world, the economy and development. Universities should not simply be degree-awarding institutions. Prez points out that the country, the economy as well as the graduates themselves should benefit from this. He urged the education authorities to introduce more..

Sep 25 (DN) SL is planning to open its doors for the Russian and former Soviet breakaway State tourists from next month under strict health guidelines, former SL Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga said. This is targeting the Russian winter season traffic. This is the first time after nearly six months that SL is planning to accommodate tourists. He said that a mega promotion in this regard was done in Russia and its surrounding countries and the outcome was very positive. more..